The White Phoenix

Chapter 17 - Distractions

Lan Wangji was sitting in the library to do his studies privately from now on so he can have baby Wei Ying with him. As Lan Wangji was studying, Wei Ying was making noises, as if he was babbling on about something to himself. It was a bit distracting for Lan Wangji but he didn't mind. He found it to be a bit cute to see little Wei Ying entertain himself.

"Wangji," Lan Xichen said entering the library with Lan Qiren.

"Xiongzhang, Shufu," he greeted.

"How are you doing?" Lan Qiren asked.

"Fine," Lan Wangji said, "Wei Ying is a bit of a chatter box today though."

Lan Qiren huffed, "some things never change." Lan Qiren then looked at the infant. Wei Ying looked quite peaceful and content just laying there in a bassinet next to Wangji, "have to admit though, he's behaving quite well for an infant."

Lan Wangji responded with a single nod. As the three were talking, Wei Ying just laid there staring at the three. Not feeling entertained enough Wei Ying giggled and clapped is tiny hands together. In doing so, a small fire ignited over on a plant beside the door. Lan Wangji gasped and immediately used spiritual energy to extinguish the flames. He then looked at Wei Ying who was laughing.

"He has fire cultivation already?" Lan Xichen asked, "he is a baby. He can't control it. He will set this whole place ablaze if we are not careful. Is there something we can do about that?"

Lan Qiren used spiritual energy to seal Wei Ying's spiritual passage ways, "we will see if that works. I will send word to his parents about this for a better solution as I'm not sure if blocking the passage ways will be effective enough."

Lan Wangji nodded, "alright."

"Again, even as a baby, he can cause mischief," Lan Qiren stated.

Lan Xichen smiled as he sat beside Wei Ying for a bit, "he doesn't know any better. Like he knows what he can do," he said. Wei Ying giggled once more as Lan Xichen let the little infant hold his hand, "he is quite cheerful."

"Is there anything in the meantime from Wei Ying's parents?" Lan Wangji asked, "or how about the Jiangs?"

"No," Lan Qiren answered.

"I have some questions but I don't know who I should ask," Lan Wangji said, "I'm told he is my soulmate, but he is a baby. As he grows, would he see me as a father figure? There are people, darker forces that are said to be after him. How can I be of help? He's supposed to be a phoenix but I'm just a cultivator."

"Some questions have no answer, but some questions will have an answer within time," Lan Qiren said, "all we can do is hide him here for now."

"Does the Jiang sect know he is here? Wei Ying is a target to them. He shouldn't be but he is," Lan Wangji stated.

"He's a target because Jiang Wanyin's parents were punished for being abusive and neglectful. Jiang Wanyin thinks that if Wei Ying was never there to begin with, his parents would be fine. His mother would be alive and his father would still be able to lead and cultivate," Lan Xichen explained.

"It's not Wei Ying's fault for the Jiang's crimes," Lan Wangji stated.

"We know that, but Jiang Wanyin won't accept that," Lan Xichen said, "we have extra guards on patrol and we even have a protective barrier over the Jingshi for you for at night."

"Thank you," Lan Wangji said, "I'm also guessing that when he is old enough, I'm to train him?"

"Yes, I'm sure he'd like to learn from you. If you don't want him to see you as a father, how about a master and he is your apprentice?" Lan Qiren suggested.

"I suppose that would work," Lan Wangji agreed, "would either of you watch him for at least another hour so I can finish my studies for today?"

"So you can focus on your studies, I will take him for those four hours a day," Lan Xichen said, "I can help train him as well. Shufu is running more of the sect in the meantime."

Lan Wangji nodded, "thank you. I am almost done, just an hour at least. As much as I want him around, he is a bit of a distraction at the moment."

"For you to take him as a disciple, you need to study on how to be a master. I will teach you personally," Lan Qiren said, "as I have raised you and Xichen."

"I appreciate it," Lan Wangji said.

Lan Xichen stood as he picked up Wei Ying, "you can come with me for a bit," Xichen told the infant.

Wei Ying giggled again and seemed to be content with himself at the moment. Lan Wangji placed a kiss on the infant's cheek before Lan Xichen left with him. Lan Wangji and Lan Qiren stayed in the library for the next hour as Wangji continued to study.

Lan Xichen took Wei Ying back to The Jingshi and hung out with him in the back yard. Lan Xichen sat down on the ground underneath a big oak tree with Wei Ying cradled in his arms. Lan Xichen didn't really realize how calming it was to hold a baby. This was the first time he was also helping to raise one. Lan Xichen was also surprised as to how much personality Wei Ying already has just as an infant.

Wei Ying is always smiling and giggling. He seemed to like the sound of his own voice as he just continued to babble and coo. Lan Xichen found it cute as he just spend some casual time with Wei Ying. He can see, even now, why his brother Wangji has such an interest in Wei Ying.