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35 - Baoshan's Fiery

Even though I play the guqin, I still helped Baoshan teach Wei Ying about reading music. From what it seemed, he learned extremely quick. It was something that I was curious about.

"Wei Ying, have you played the flute before?" I asked.

"Oddly enough, Madam Yu gave me a bamboo flute when I first arrived at Lotus Pier. I never understood why of all people she gave it to me but I still played it. I learned to play it on my own," Wei Ying answered.

"Mnn," I nodded, "I asked because you are learning pretty quickly. I am impressed."

"Lan Zhaan!" He whined, "no flattering."

"I will, I am no longer apart of the Lan Sect, I am allowed to break the rules if I want to," he said.

"What? You left your sect?" Baoshan asked, "no wonder I saw no forehead ribbon. May I ask what happened?"

"When my Shufu found out that I was a cut-sleeve and was in love with Wei Ying, he got very angry. He doesn't like Wei Ying, and he called him a son of a servant and a scum. He said if I want to be with him that it was the sect or him. So I gave up my ribbon and robes and chose Wei Ying. My brother is the sect leader and somehow Shufu still gets the last word. He told me so many times he is disappointed in me. It started after my mother passed away," I explained.

"Where is this man now?" She asked.

"Lotus Pier, there is a war going on as Wen Ruohan wants more power and is using the Yin Iron. His sons on dead and Wen Zhuliu is gone too. There are multiple sects within Lotus Pier as it one of the biggest places to hold so many people. Nie Mingjue is in charge of war tactics," Wei Ying said.

"How about the three of us pay Lotus Pier a visit?" Baoshan asked.

"Why?" Wei Ying asked.

"You will see," she said.

She then teleported us all to Lotus Pier. We ended up in Wei Ying's room, "A'Ying, where would the leaders meet?" Baoshan asked.

"Follow me," Wei Ying answered with a smile on his face. I could tell that he was going to enjoy whatever was about to happen.

When we reached the throne room, we saw Jiang Fengmian, Nie Mingjue, Jiang Wanyin, Shufu, and my brother talking about the war to come. The three of us just walked in. Wei Ying and I stood to the side next to my brother and watched everything that was about to go down.

"Hello gentlemen," Baoshan greeted.

"Baoshan?" Jiang Fengmian asked, "what brings you here today?"

Baoshan smiled and looked at Shufu, "him!" She said.

"What do you mean?" Brother asked.

"Huan-Ge, I think you should just...enjoy the show," I said.

He looked at me confused before turning to Shufu, "why are you hear for me?" He asked.

"You vile old man!" She yelled, "how dare you insult my grandson and his Fiancé for being in love. How dare you be so harsh on your nephews that they have to resort to keeping their problems away from you. You kicked out your youngest nephew from your sect just because he is in love with my grandson?"

"Is that true?" Nie Mingjue asked, "why?"

"That is what I would like to know!" Baoshan said loudly.

Shufu was quiet for once as he was unable to find words.

"Can't tell me? You called my grandson vial and the son of a servant. That he has blinded Wangji of the morals you wished upon him. You fear he would end up like his father, but guess what, I know so many things. You sister-in-law Madam Lan and your brother loved each other very much. She never would have killed anyone if they didn't try to force themselves on her! Your brother knew this but the elders refused to listen, so the two had to live separately and meet privately and two beautiful boys come from it. How dare you be so ignorant!" Baoshan said.

"What?" Brother asked, "was that why mother died?"

She looked at my brother with kind eyes, "you must be Wangji's older brother," she said, "and to answer, your mother died because the sect refused to treat her for an illness she suffered. She had a blood disorder and if she was treated by healers properly she could have lived a longer and healthier life but she died sick and alone...your uncle knew this, as well as your father."

"Why would you keep this from us?" Xichen asked uncle.

"You do not need to know what happened, it was in the past," Shufu said.

This time Wei Ying stepped in to speak, "Who are you to say it is not their business to know? They are their parents. If they wanted to know what happened to them, you should have told them. I knew long ago what happened to my parents as I witnessed it myself! If I did not I would still like to know how they died because they were still my parents. It should never matter if the person is to young to understand. Tell them at the age you know they can handle it, but you hid it.

And don't think I don't know why you did not speak earlier when you kicked Lan Zhan out. You have always hated me because of my mother. You have people who misbehave and cause trouble. Sorry that my mother and I are free spirits and are not so stiff as a board like you! Sorry I am not the perfect person that you hoped would be with your nephew, but you should know. I love Lan Zhan more than anything. He loves me more than anything. We will always be by each other's side and fight the world together if we have to. It is not up to you on who we fall in love with."

"You little!" Shufu began but then Baoshan stood in front of Wei Ying and me.

"You even so close as try to harm either one of them and it will not end well for you," Baoshan said, "I never once expected that this Lan Qiren exists. I remember back then when I was with Lan Yi and I saw you, you were causing all sorts of trouble, even hanging out in a couple brothels if I remember correctly."

"Do not speak another word about that!" Shufu yelled.

"Or what?" She asked, "your honor would be tarnished?"

"I feel like this conversation should end here!" Shufu said.

"I think you should go into seclusion to think about all the things you have done. Especially physically and verbally abusing your youngest nephew," Baoshan said, "I am aware that his older brother knows of these beatings but he isn't able to do much as he is afraid to face you. How does it feel to have your nephews fear?"

Shufu looked at us both. I could tell that he understood what Baoshan told him, "even if he apologizes one day, I am not returning to Cloud Recesses as a disciple. I love my brother but I am happy with my new life and being able to live with my soulmate. He is my home now...I do love you too though, GeGe."

Brother smiled, "I know, but like I said, you will always have a place there if you ever need it. I am the leader and it is my say on what happens, not him, and not the elders. I value their opinion but at the end of the day, it is me who has the final say," he said, "I am just happy to see you live the way you want to."

"How would you two like to spend more time with me at my place? Of course if you wish to help with this war, I will gladly help train you to prepare for it," Baoshan said.

"Sure," Wei Ying and I said together, "we can keep in though with Xichen-Ge with the butterflies," Wei Ying continued.

"I will have a way to keep in touch," Baoshan said, "we can sit and talk about it with him."

Brother nodded and followed us to continue this conversation elsewhere.