The Tainted Jade of Gusu

Chapter 15: The Arrangements

Lan Wangji tread gently through the fields of gentians, accompanied by Lan Xichen.

"Wangji," Lan Xichen's voice was warm with concern, "I know you haven't been here for twelve years..."

"Thirteen."

"My mistake," Lan Xichen corrected himself, " but I know this is difficult for you to be here."

"It is." Lan Wangji didn't bother stopping his pace.

"There is nothing we can do to make it better for you," Lan Xichen continued, "but whatever you are going through, you are not all alone. We're there for you."

"Mn," Lan Wangji stopped in his tracks and turned his head slightly to face his elder brother, "I trust Xiongzhang and Saozi. (Elder brother's wife, here, Wen Qing)" 

"Wangji, it hurts a lot, doesn't it?" Lan Xichen carefully put his hand on Lan Wangji's head.

Lan Wangji said nothing, he simply lowered his gaze and heaved a sigh. He didn't have to speak. This gesture was enough of an answer for Lan Xichen. 

The two brothers stood in the middle of the field of purple blossoms that swayed in the moonlight.

A while passed in tranquil silence. Lan Wangji stood with his hands clasped behind his back. The loose white robes layered over his frame were billowing in the wind, hiding the contours of his slightly bulging body. His mien, that  seemed to be unyielding like shards of ice, now resembled the soft, downy snow that thawed easily, letting bluebells peek through their gaps.

"We're here now," Lan Xichen reluctantly broke the comfortable silence that prevailed, "Wangji should go in. Saozi will be there to take care of everything."

"Mn," Lan Wangji held his gaze towards the moon, "Xiongzhang won't visit?"

"Of course I will," Lan Xichen smiled, "and A-Yuan can visit you for the next few weeks as well."

Lan Wangji tore his gaze from the frosty moon and looked at Xichen. His gaze seemed slightly warmer, his features composed in a pleasant way.

"I can tell you appreciate this," Lan Xichen smiled, "speaking of which, don't you think it's time we give him a new surname."

Lan Wangji stayed silent.

"I think," Lan Xichen continued, "it'll be the best if Wangji chooses a new surname for the boy. It's not long before he will turn five."

"I see why it can't be Lan?"

Lan Xichen blinked twice in surprise. To give the child the surname Lan was essentially akin to adopting the child in the Lan family.

"Wangji," he managed to recover from his initial shock, "are you sure?"

"I am." Lan Wangji's voice  was as gentle as ever, but his words were accentuated with a sharp coldness. Xichen understood that Wangji's decision was final and irrevocable.

Wen Qing was setting a fresh trail of incense in the porcelain incense burner on the guqin table of the chamber when Wangji appeared in front of the door. He politely rapped on the door and stood patiently, waiting for Wen Qing to open the door.

"Come in." her crisp and clear voice was heard from inside the room. 

Lan Wangji braced himself as he gently pushed the door frame. After all, this was a storehouse of memories.

For a second, the white clad female figure that sat with her back to the entrance reminded him of a similar sight from over a decade ago. He reached out and clasped the doorframe, not knowing what to do with the lump that was attempting to roll up his throat.