Fate

Ch. 25

Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo entered Wei Wuxian's room and saw him pacing the bedroom. He looked aggrieved and confused, maybe even a bit sad and embarrassed. Xiao Zhan began to notice that Wei Wuxian does not like to talk about himself despite always being the center of attention all the time. Anytime the conversation was directed to Wei Wuxian, especially depending on the topic, he would redirect the conversation. Xiao Zhan wanted to understand why.

"Hey, Wei Wuxian," Xiao Zhan said calmly.

Wuxian looked at him and Yibo and sighed, "hi...you two can call me A'Xian if you want. It's not as formal as saying my full name."

"Alright, A'Xian," Xiao Zhan said, "we just came to check on you and to see if you were okay."

Wuxian nodded, "I will be fine with time," he said, "growing up, my personal wellbeing was never really a concern for anyone. Not even myself, to be honest. I grew up with the knowledge that I was just a servant like my father and that all I was, is a shield to the Jiang Sect heirs. I love the two siblings like they are my blood siblings but we have been through a lot together. I get along with one sibling very well, while the other one I am always butting heads with."

"Growing up in that environment can take a huge toll on your psyche. From what I was told, your father was a head disciple as were you, correct?" Xiao Zhan questioned.

"Yes," Wuxian replied.

"A head disciple does not sound like a servant-like position," Xiao Zhan said.

"The head disciple is the most talented Inner Disciple of the Sect Heir's generation and is encouraged to have a strong bond with the Sect Heir. It is also usually the best of the disciples or the oldest or first student. Head disciples were always supposed to be a second hand to the family. Madam Yu did not like me very much. She would make sure I would always know that. She was always upset that I was much stronger than her son, and more talented. Jiang Cheng was only a few months younger than I am but Madam Yu always thought that Jiang Cheng was always lacking behind me. She also did not like that Jiang Cheng's father took more to me than him," Wei Wuxian explained.

"Was there a reason for them being so strict?" Yibo asked.

"Living within a sect there is hierarchy. There is the leader and their spouse then their children or heirs, who have the next rank. Then there is the teachers, then the head disciple, the normal disciples, and then the servants. I was special apparently. I was supposed to be the adopted son and that is what everyone saw me as, but I was never officially adopted by the family because Madam Yu did not want me a part of the Jiang family. If not for her, I would have been adopted. The parents are usually a bit more strict towards their children because they are the next in line to take over the sect," Wuxian explained, "that was how it was in Lotus Pier, you'd have to ask Zewu Jun how it is for the Lan Sect."

"Are you okay enough to head back down? Maybe we can ask him then?" Xiao Zhan asked. Wuxian agreed to head down again. He said he will be a bit more open as long as they were patient. When they arrived downstairs, they saw that Wangji and Xichen had worked things out, "are you both doing okay now?" Xiao Zhan questioned.

"We are," Xichen answered. Yibo and Zhan looked at Wuxian who was standing at a small distance from everyone. Xichen looked at him, "Wei Wuxian, I am sorry about my words I had said to you. I am sorry that you went through what you did. I want to help you out, if you will allow me."

"Zewu Jun, I respect you and I understand your concerns towards your brother. I hold no more grudges against you. It is in the past, and all I ask is to maybe move forward and try to start fresh?"

Xichen smiled and pulled him into a hug, "I will if you call me Xichen-Ge," he said.

Wuxian giggled, "will you call me A'Xian in return?"

Xichen sat up and had his hands on Wuxian's shoulders, "I will."

"Okay deal," Wuxian agreed. He then decided to explain what he told Yibo and Zhan upstairs before asking, "Xichen-Ge, how is it done in Gusu?"

Lan Xichen was always so surprised when he learned more about Wei Wuxian's past. Hearing about how he was treated in Lotus Pier was shocking, "your father was not a servant. Before my father passed away, I did visit him from time to time. I remember him talking about Wei Changze a couple times. He said that your father was a good man and was always very loyal. He said that he received a letter from Wei Changze not long ofter your father left Lotus Pier. He said that even though the sect elders and Jiang Fengmian were okay with Cangse Sanren staying within the sect, Madam Yu Ziyuan was not okay with it.

Apparently Jiang Fengmian had feelings for your mother but since he was arranged to marry Yu Ziyuan, he had to keep those thoughts and desires hidden. Yu Ziyuan knew of it and it was even brought up during a sect meeting that during...intimate relations between Jiang Fengmian and Yu Ziyuan, he said Cangse's name a couple times during the process. It only infuriated Yi Ziyuan. Wei Changze was informed of this and left the sect with your mother. You were born maybe a five months after the two left the Jiang Sect."

Wei Wuxian was shocked speechless, "he said my mother's name...did they actually have an affair? My mom and Jiang Fengmian?"

"No, your father was very clear on that in the letter he sent mine. He said that Cangse would never be left alone with Jiang Fengmian or Yu Ziyuan as she did not trust them that much. Believe it or not, your parents actually came to the Lan Sect and she hard you there. That is what father told me. He talked about Wei Changze all the time. They were like best friends and he would always be there for him and Cangse...which is probably why Shufu finds you similar to her...she was very playful and mischievous...she even shaved Shufu's beard as revenge for some reason. Father did not specify why."

"I was born in the Lan Sect? Even though my parents were not associated with any sect?" Wuxian asked.

Lan Xichen nodded, "you were."

"Is that why I'm so calm and drawn to the place?" Wuxian questioned.

"Possibly," Xichen answered, "but just know that you are your parents child. You are not what the rumors say. You are Wei Changze and Cangse Sanren's son."

"Thank you for telling me...though it makes sense that the sect elder's in the Jiang Sect were always so kind to me. They stood up for me more than once. I heard them argue with Uncle Jiang and Madam Yu once, saying if I left the sect, it was just fall apart as I held a lot of it together. I did a lot of work for them. They hated that the Jiang's took advantage of me like that."

"Some of the Jiang Sect elders were at Cloud Recesses the day everyone came to argue. The elders actually stood up for you and believed in your integrity," Xichen said, "if sect elders were talking good of someone it is usually best not to question them."

"I apologize for Jiang Cheng by the way. He has his mother's personality, but also, he blames me for a lot of things. He probably hates anything that involves me in some way," Wuxian said.

"No need to apologize for him," Xichen said.

Wuxian nodded and looked at Wangji who sat on the other side of Xichen, "Lan Zhan, do not worry, I still see you. No need to sulk. I am just talking with your brother. No need to drink vinegar."

Xichen laughed a bit as he saw a sour expression pass over Wangji's face, "he is all yours Wangji."

Wangji could only sigh as he thought he was hiding his jealousy quite well. He was apparently very wrong.