Pitched Normal

42

Lan Wangji and Wei Ying moved swiftly away from the Jiang Sect Heir and the Nie Sect Heir, propelled mostly by both XiChen's hastening and Wei Ying's nervous desperation to get as far from Jiang Cheng as possible. He just knew that the sect heir was going to lost it soon enough, and he could only hope that there was someone with him when that happened. He was aware that the Heir thought that Lan Wangji would never accept such a proposal, and likely had not thought the Lans to stick to his side so fiercely. However...he was surprised beyond even his own expectations as Lan XiChen seemed to have handled everything quite easily, quickly, and effectively. He was surprised and honestly a little bit touched by the amount of support that was being shown to him. He had not ever even hoped for such a thing, and yet it was being given so readily. It had only taken Wangji stating that he wanted to marry Wei WuXian, and XiChen had done his utmost to ensure that could happen. It was something...astounding, and not something he had ever experienced before.

The bond between Lan brothers were astounding to witness. XiChen seemed as though he would do whatever it took to ensure Wangji was happy, and Wei Ying was shocked at just how much XiChen would fight for Lan Wangji. He was grateful that Lan Zhan had such a caring and devoted older brother, though, as he knew that it was something that he had always longed for but knew he could never have. Lan Zhan clearly needed someone like that, and he was glad that he had obtained it so securely in XiChen. He was grateful to the Sect Leader, and he would have to ensure he fully explain his thanks to the other when they were able to get some time alone without pressing issues to address or people to see.

"Lan Zhan, what do you think your uncle wants to talk to me about?" Wei Ying whispered softly as they made their way through the Cloud Recesses to a different room, he had not been to this one.

Wei Ying had been to a lot of places through the Cloud Recesses. It was really only to be expected, between his own slightly morbid curiosity that really got him into trouble more often than not, and his excursions with Lan Zhan, not to mention he now regularly accompanied Lan Zhan on his scouting routes and had been for weeks, it was only expected that he would know quite a few areas of the Gusu sect that others most likely had no idea existed. However, even he knew his limits. He never went anywhere that Lan Zhan had claimed off limits. There were not many places such as that, but they were there. Wei Ying may be shameless but he was not that shameless. He knew that Gusu had very few limited or restricted areas, and they were always restricted or limited for a reason. He had figured it would be best not to test them too much, particularly if he wanted to keep Lan Zhan's somewhat approval of his company. Now? Now they were headed straight for one of those areas.

He was not sure how he felt about it, but he was also aware of just what this meant. It meant that he was being more included in the Gusu sect areas, and that was something that left him somewhat giddy, even if he was still rife with nerves about what it was that Lan Qiren may want to speak with him on. He was still excited. Things were really looking up, at least for now. He was happy about the turn of events. He was just somewhat worried. He had no doubts of Lan XiChen, but he knew that the Sect Leader and Lady of the Jiang were not easy to deal with, and he had to admit he was unnerved about what it was they would have stated. He tried to shake the worry, but he really could not.

"Do not know." Wangji replied, which really did not help his ever increasing nerves honestly. However, the hand curling in his and holding him tightly was more than enough. He let himself be comforted in XiChen's words. The arrangements had been made, at the very least. Despite his worry about retaliation from Jiang Cheng, he was glad that he was at least able to open a new chapter of his life with what was going on.

"Come on," XiChen gestured them to enter the room, and the two of them did so. Wei Ying noticed that it was close to where Wangji's bedroom was, though it was still a good ways away, he supposed most of the main family's rooms were probably around these hills. The room itself was far different from Wangji's, and it made Wei Ying's fingers twitch anxiously as they sat at the table made for tea. "Uncle will be here soon."

"This is not your uncle's room?" Wei Ying questioned, whispering the words softly to Lan Zhan, who shook his head.

"Secondary rooms, for tea with guests." Wei Ying nodded at the answer as though it made a lot of sense even if he was still somewhat confused, he was not going to allow his confusion to be obvious. He figured that made sense, and he wondered if there was multiple of these for each Lan member. It would double as an office of sorts, right? So perhaps this area was not for the bedrooms but for their offices. It made sense when he thought about it, but he was not really sure.

"Sorry for the wait, boys." The words spoken had Wei Ying scrambling to bow to the teacher, staring up at him with wide eyes and a slightly strained smile as he had not expected him to pop up like that. Lan Zhan and XiChen rose far more gracefully and bowed to their uncle whispering their greetings. Lan Qiren waved them off, sitting at the table and pouring the tea out, a small sigh slipping through his lips as he saw Lan Zhan and Xichen pour their tea as well, Lan Wangji doing it for Wei Ying as well, and they all lingered for a moment in silence.