It took a full shichen for the Grandmaster to grasp the recent history of events at Cloud Recesses.
Wei WuXian laid out before him the events from the initial break in his Qi control as the deviation barely reared its ugly head before the Grandmaster was placed in stasis, through the long period of research and the Healer's struggles to contain him in stasis until it threatened to break. He described the discovery of the pellets and theory that they were the source of the issue – at that information the Grandmaster flushed unbecomingly (and most uncharacteristically) and removed his hand from his beard, clutching both hands in his lap. The assessment in the Cold Cavern, the removal of the Yin Iron powder, and the Grandmaster's recovery were all presented to the older man, who sat stiffly, taking it all in.
When Wei WuXian's recitation finally drew to a close, Lan QiRen had many questions and it took all three men, both Twin Jades and Wei WuXian, to clarify the details of what happened. How the Yin Iron was discovered and isolated. How Wei WuXian had devised a means to remove it from the Grandmaster's body. Finally, most questions had been answered.
Into the silence, the Grandmaster's expression worked, muscles tightening in his jaw and eyes twitching behind closed lids. In a few minutes he opened his eyes and spoke again.
"You said something of being injured in the Cold Cavern. Explain," he commanded, his tone demanding as ever yet somehow less frigid at the same time.
Wei WuXian took a deep breath and continued to share the information demanded. He described how he could only remove the Yin Iron powder in one way, by lifting every miniscule particle bodily through Lan QiRen's tissues until it was outside of him once more. He explained how blood gave the Yin Iron greater power, calling resentful energy with a demand almost impossible to resist. Finally, he told of how he had taken the Yin Iron powder into his own being, where it now sat in the middle of his body, attracting resentful energy he had to release regularly to maintain his own balance. He did not add the fact he'd done so to protect the others in the Cavern and beyond. Lan QiRen had never cared for the reasoning behind Wei WuXian's decisions and he wasn't about to waste breath explaining himself to one who had never listened. More questions followed, and answers were offered.
At last, the residence was silent. The four men sat in their places, each exhausted in their own way. So much had been discussed – and in Lan QiRen's case, discovered – and shared in the past few hours. Where to go from here?
Lan QiRen looked at the men before him. Two nephews he loved as his own. One miscreant who was apparently not all he seemed.
"I will take some time to consider the situation," started Lan QiRen, in his usual stiff manner. "For now, it appears you are doing all I could ask. WangJi, I cannot approve your marriage, but I will not fight you on this." His tone implied the words 'for now' were intended to follow, but even if the words he said were dragged from him reluctantly they had been voiced and that was all that filtered into Wei WuXian and Lan WangJi's waiting ears. Lan WangJi sat just a fraction taller, while Wei WuXian suddenly sat as erect as he ever had, his hand tightening convulsively on his husband's where they were joined beneath the concealing tabletop.
"XiChen, you have done very well. Your leadership is strong, and I feel assured our Clan is continuing to thrive under your care."
It was XiChen's turn to straighten his spine just that small fraction it had relaxed with weariness during the earlier conversations.
Lan QiRen shook his head slightly. "I am an old man and my failings have cost us dearly." His eyes sought those of Wei WuXian, who was surprised by the glimpse of surrender hidden deep within the Grandmaster's gaze. "I allowed vanity to persuade me to indulgence. Those pellets were sent from someone claiming they had been a student in years past, supposedly as a small jest. They were, indeed, intended to encourage the growth of my beard." Lan QiRen tugged his goatee hard for a moment, then left off once more as he continued to speak.
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WangXian Untamed Together
FanfictionSequel to WangXian Untamed. Two souls bonded beyond death into a second life. They will do whatever it takes to protect their world, their loved ones and each other. Anything - as long as they're together.
