Who You Are

Chapter 17 - A Scolding Like No Other

Wei Wuxian was brought to the guest quarters he and his siblings were staying. As he had his own room, he locked himself in with a lock talisman and placed some privacy talismans in the wall to keep noise from escaping the room. Wei Wuxian sat on the bed and removed his robes and bandages. He lit a couple candles so he could get a better view and sat a bronze mirror down in front of him.

"If Madam Yu finds out about this, I'm pretty much going to be bed ridden for a month," Wei Wuxian told himself. He stood up and got a small tub of warm water and a cloth, "why me?" Wei Wuxian asked himself, "why did they take me back to Lotus Pier? I'd rather be laying died on the streets."

Tears escaped Wei Wuxian's eyes as he tried to clean the wounds on his back. He was questioning if he should even bother trying to keep these wounds clean. They were so hard to reach and he didn't want anyone asking questions if he was to have someone help him...though his Shijie was well aware of how her mother treats him. She's seen the scars before. Wei Wuxian shook his head and tilted his head back for a moment to stop the tears from falling. He had to keep trying to move forward. If it weren't for his Shijie and how well she treated him, he would have let his life fade away a long time ago.

...

Lan Zhan wrapped his arms tightly around Wei Ying and pushed Wei Ying's face into his shoulder. Lan Zhan was upset with himself. He didn't know any of those wounds, but seeing him like that broke his heart. He was grateful that Wei Ying found his way back into his arms.

Cangse lost it and back handed Madam Yu to the face, "I hate you, you fucking bitch!" She cursed, "how dare you hurt my child! And what for? Jealousy? Hatred towards me or his father? You took it all out on a child! My child! And you! Jiang Fengmian! How could you just sit by and let it happen?!"

"I didn't know," Jiang's Fengmian said in defense.

"You didn't know!" Yanli yelled standing, "I told you what mother has been doing to A'Xian! You just became a coward and couldn't stand up against her. I couldn't fight her on my own! I tried talking to her, but all I got was a slap in the face for helping him!"

Wei Wuxian turned a little him his husband's arms. Still with his head on his shoulder he was now able to see what was happening. Lan Zhan had been the only person who has ever stood up for him or stood by him since his life started falling apart. He knows Lan Zhan has made mistakes but they were small enough for Wei Ying to forgive him for. His love for Lan Zhan was too much to not forgive him.

Now he had Jiang Cheng stand up for him yesterday, and then his mother and Shijie were standing up for him. Having so many people standing up for him suddenly broke him. He shook his head and put his face into his hands. He wasn't prepared for all this. Why were they standing up for him now? Why not then? His mother was gone, so she couldn't, but Jiang Cheng, Jiang Fengmian, and Shijie. Why now?

"Wei Ying?" Lan Zhan asked calmly.

Wei Wuxian shook his head again, "I can't," he said removing his hands from his face and placed it to Lan Zhan's shoulder again, "why are people standing up for me now?" He cried, "where were they when I needed them then?"

Lan Zhan placed his right hand around him and onto his waist. His left hand rested on the back of Wei Ying's head.

"It is up to you to forgive or not," Lan Zhan told him, "how you forgave me so easily, I am still wondering about."

"Your mistakes were small and you made up for them. It was also a misunderstanding between us too. My love for you is too much to not to forgive you. I need you more then I have ever needed anyone else," Wei Ying told him. Lan Zhan kissed his cheek and then put his face into Wei Ying's neck.

...

Wei Wuxian was up most if not all night. When he heard the bell for the greeting ceremony, he quickly put on fresh bandages and put his robes on before leaving for the ceremony. When he got there, he found his place behind Jiang Cheng. There was some time yet so Jiang Cheng turned to speak with Wuxian.

"I heard you got in trouble last night, already," Jiang Cheng scolded.

"It's your fault for losing the invitation!" Wei Wuxian argued.

"I didn't break the ward,  break curfew, bring alcohol inside when it is forbidden, and get into a fight because I refused to cooperate," Jiang Cheng spat.

"Alright!" Wei Wuxian said rolling his eyes, "I have to do three hundred copies of the rules anyways. So stop scolding me!"

"Yelling is forbidden in Cloud Recesses," Lan Wangji said walking by to his own seat.

"Something else is going to be forbidden here in a moment if he doesn't stop being so authoritative," Wei Wuxian mumbled, "what's his deal anyway?"

...

"Ooh, sassy," Lan Zhan said to Wei Ying.

"You started it," Wei Ying taunted.

"I think you started it by breaking the rules," Lan Zhan stated.

"Did it then or even now, look like I am concerned with rules?" Wei Ying asked.

"No," Lan Zhan answered, "and I am glad you remain that way. It lets me know you are still yourself."

"Suck up," Wei Ying mumbled.

Lan Zhan leaned down and kissed him. Wei Ying responded by kissing him back hungrily. He chomped down on Lan Zhan's lips. Lan Zhan fought back my adding his tongue to the mix. His tongue passed over Wei Ying's as there mouths created more saliva. After a moment, they pulled apart with a string of spit following behind them.

The others in the room were not really paying attention. Some, like Cangse and Wei Changze, were still a bit busy scolding Madam Yu for her treatment towards their son. Yanli was back beside her son. Jin Ling was just happy to be in her presence so he remained content. Jingyi and Sizhui were used to seeing there parents like this. They just ignored it as they know it would be over eventually.

...

"He is Lan Qiren's proudest disciple, and youngest nephew," Nie Huaisang, a young disciple from Qinghe Nie Sect, interjected, "he is very strict with the rules as is uncle is. He is also in charge of punishments here. It's amazing how you broke four rules your first night."

"I'll see how stickler of a person he is to the rules with me around," Wei Wuxian said with a smirk.

"Wei Wuxian, what ever you have brewing in that brain of yours, don't do it," Jiang Cheng warned, "he already hates you, why make it worse."

"I'm not wanting to upset him more, I'm just curious as to why he has the same cold expression all the time, doesn't he ever smile?" Wei Wuxian asked.

"Probably not," Jiang Cheng answered.

"You want a Lan who can smile, you will have better luck with his brother," Nie Huaisang stated, "he's much more friendly and gentler to others."

"I know, I met him last night," Wei Wuxian said, "he seems nice."

"He's a sect leader you know," Jiang Cheng reminded.

"Yes," Wei Wuxian said in response, "is there something wrong with that? My uncle is also a sect leader, and my Shidi and Shijie are his children. So I'm well aware how sect leaders may seem."

Before anything else was said, Lan Xichen and Lan Qiren were seen entering the lecture hall (orchid room). The greeting ceremony took place, which was soon interrupted by Wen Chao. He and Wei Wuxian had a small clash as Wuxian tried to defend the sect and his brother as they were being insulted. Wen Qing and Wen Ning were introduced and then Wen Chao left with a sour taste in his mouth.