A Means to an End (WangXian)

Implications

Is it possible to bewitch someone that is so ordained?

Can someone say that the beacon of light could be tainted by darkness?

If the rumor is strong enough, then yes. An enchantment could affect even the most sophisticated of individuals, gods, scholars, immortals. Anyone who was ordained could be affected, if done correctly-catching them off guard, trickery, luring them. There are many ways to bewitch someone, if the person was desperate enough and clever enough.

Wei Wuxian was one of those individuals.

Sure, perhaps he wasn't desperate enough, at least, not that anyone knew of, but clever enough? That's something multiple people could agree on, even if they hated the notion. 

Wei Wuxian is clever enough to pull something like this off. He's head of the class, tied with Lan Wangji. He's skilled in archery, swordsmanship, all the six arts. He is even skilled in creating and utilizing his own talismans.

So of course, using resentful energy to manipulate and bewitch Lan Wangji couldn't be that difficult of a skill for him to learn.

Unorthodox and unruly. Sounds just like the man, many would say. Not to mention the suspicious time that Lan Wangji seems to be spending with Wei Wuxian, almost as if he was bewitched. Lan Wangji does not waste time on others, except his family. Wei Wuxian is nothing but a stranger, a street rat. He is the complete opposite of Lan Wangji and deserves no right to be so close to him, especially if something malicious truly was done.

Wei Wuxian continued to hear these things and more. Every time he stepped out of the Jingshi, it's like their voices echoed through the cold and snow, drifting and landing before him.

People became even more suspicious after some had witnessed how the two knelt together outside the Jingshi. The outsiders did not know why, but the Lan's knew, even they found it peculiar, though none spoke their thoughts.

It wasn't trickery, or bewitchment. 

Why had their minds shifted so quickly? Was he truly so malicious that other's thought such horrible things about him?

No one approached Wei Wuxian about it, nor did they ask Lan Wangji.

They all continued to live in this bubble, separate from the other two, yet only listening to the whispering words right next to them.

But Wei Wuxian could hear it, no matter how quiet their whispers were. He could still hear it. He could hear the gossip, the cursing, the swearing, the 'He'll reap what he sows!'

Like he hadn't done that already. Like he hadn't suffered enough at the hands of those who have dedicated their lives to protecting others, yet could care less about murdering someone.

Lan Wangji could see how it would wear down Wei Wuxian's mind. He was on edge, flinched at the slightest of touches.

"It's just like back then. It never changes. What they say never changes," Wei Wuxian had muttered to Lan Wangji late one night.

No amount of punishments Lan Wangji gave those disciples seemed to do any real damage either. It only fortified their resolution of Lan Wangji under some sort of spell, and Wei Wuxian controlling the power.

"Perhaps it's time for something different."

Lan Wangji set his cup of tea down. "Xiongzhang, what do you suggest?" he asked his brother.

"Disciplining them is not working, but these rumors are getting out of hand, and I know it is causing Wei-gongzi suffering."

Lan Wangji nodded in confirmation. "He keeps saying the same thing, every time I ask."