BUILT A LOVE FOREVER COULDN'T BREAK

1. Giving My Loyalty

"No."
"But shufu-"

"Silence Xichen. I am not hearing anything on this subject again. You are dismissed." Golden orbs glared at the speaker, defiance and fury blazing regardless of the little sheen in them.

Lan Xichen opened his mouth once again but the sound of loud footsteps down the hall prompted him to shut it again. He glanced at his uncle wearily but the old man was turned to the side, stroking his goatee, his brows pinched.

Knowing it would be a vain attempt, the young Sect leader bowed before taking his leave. Stubbornness was a family trait, he couldn't mediate between two of the most stubborn people when neither wanted to hear each other.

"Wangji ah, come here."
"..."
"Wangji...."
"...."
"......Wangji!" The sound of a sword falling on the ground rang throughout the area, the silence heavy enough that a few disciples passing by rushed away at the sound. Lan Wangji didn't care about them. Let them hear. How much more can he be humiliated anyway? After everything his uncle had said, any words from the mouth of these disciples would be common say.

Focusing on his brother standing outside the training field, Lan Wangji let himself walk as slowly as he could, knowing it was futile. His brother has mastered the art of infinite patience, dealing with those annoying sect leaders had taught him that. Lan Wangji could take a millennium to walk and still Lan Xichen would be there waiting for him.

"Xiongzhang."
"Wangji ah, take some rest now. You have been training since dawn."

The urge to disagree and disregard the advice was strong but Lan Wangji held his tongue.
"Mn."

The brothers walked side by side, the silence a welcome company. After a while, Lan Wangji feels himself relaxing, feeling bad for ignoring his brother earlier. It isn't his fault. But before he could apologise and ask for punishment for his disregard, the First Jade spoke and his words crumble any apology forming in Lan Wangji's mind.

"Wangji ah, you must understand. Uncle just wants the best for you, he wouldn't do anything rash in such delicate matters."

Oh he would. Lan Wangji wonders why he accepted his brother's invitation for a walk so easily when he should have known what his brother would try to do.

His brother was a sect leader first and Lan Wangji's Xiongzhang second.

Because you are a fool. You know they care about the sect more than you, still you think, you thought otherwise.

But Lan Wangji thought at least Lan Xichen would take his side. They were brothers for heaven's sake! Was it so hard to understand? Yes, Lan Wangji was not much outspoken and couldn't help his brother in matters regarding sect politics but he made it up by ensuring each disciple was following the rules, and no disgrace ever came on them, especially because of him.
The least he expected was for his brother to speak a little for him.
Seeing his brother's closed face, Lan Xichen tried to divert the topic.

"Don't worry Wangji ah. Take a break, that will probably help you clear your mind. It was a lot to take in at once, I understand."

But Lan Xichen's smile, his words and posture all screamed the opposite of that.

No you don't. If you did, you wouldn't agree. If you understood you would speak. If you really understood what I am feeling you would stop them. You would speak for me. Not them.

But Lan Wangji didn't say any of those words and simply bowed before taking his leave. Suddenly the urge to say, to let the words out, to make this tongue work was too much. No, he wouldn't. He couldn't speak like that with his brother. Lan Xichen did not deserve the disrespect.