A Means to an End (WangXian)

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Lan Xichen arranged a meeting with his uncle. Lan Wangji, Wei Wuxian, Nie Huaisang, Wen Qing, and himself would all be present.

This was a precautionary measure. Each person would be able to vouch for Wei Wuxian differently. It would, hopefully, leave Lan Qiren in a corner. Perhaps then he would see reason.

"Xichen, I hope you have a good explanation for arranging such a strange meeting," Lan Qiren narrowed his eyes at his elder nephew. 

"Of course, Shufu," he replied with a smile, though he did not feel calm in the slightest. 

Lan Wangji also looked rather tense, though hid it well. Only Wei Wuxian and Lan Xichen could see the small tremble in his hands as he poured everyone some tea.

It only made Wei Wuxian feel sick to his stomach. If Lan Wangji was feeling terrified about how this meeting would go, then Wei Wuxian should be expecting himself to be dead soon.

That thought was easily read on his face. Many people in the room could see the way Wei Wuxian was fidgeting and couldn't keep himself still, even his feet that were tucked underneath him couldn't remain still. They moved and twitched, making it look like Wei Wuxian was about to jump to his feet any moment.

"Well? Has something happened?" Lan Qiren questioned with a raised brow.

Lan Xichen gave his uncle a shaky smile. "We would like to inform on a few things. However, shufu, I would like for you to keep an open mind and wait to say anything until after we have thoroughly explained."

Lan Qiren's eyes couldn't narrow any further. He clenched his jaw, but he nodded nonetheless.

"Thank you." Lan Xichen gave a light bow before turning to Wei Wuxian. "Wei-gongzi, where would you like to start?"

Wei Wuxian bit his lip roughly in thought. He looked down and fiddled with his hands. "Master Lan," he spoke in a quiet voice. "There is a war coming." 

Lan Qiren remained unmoving, but continued to glare down at Wei Wuxian. "And how do you know that?"

Wei Wuxian took a deep breath to prepare himself, then he looked directly at Lan Qiren, not wavering for a moment. "Because I lived through it. I know what will happen, and I know how desperate the situation gets."

Lan Qiren looked ready to start throwing things. How dare this boy come in here with the audacity, claiming he knows of the future?!

"Shufu," Lan Wangji warns, his eyes narrowing.

"I can prove it," Wei Wuxian quickly jumps in. "I can show you my memories."

The group explained to Lan Qiren about empathy and what he would witness inside it. Part of him was rather intrigued. He had never heard of such a technique, but he held off any kind thoughts, reminding himself that this is coming from the most troublesome child of the entire lectures.

However, Lan Qiren could no longer deny anything that Wei Wuxian had said after being shown specific parts of the future through empathy. Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji guided their uncle through Wei Wuxian's mind, showing important events that cannot be ignored. The indoctrination, the destruction of Lotus Pier, Wei Wuxian losing his core, being thrown into the burial mounds, the war, and everything that came after.

Lan Qiren felt .... conflicted. He couldn't quite explain the two contradicting emotions running inside of him. He didn't know how all of this was supposed to make him feel.

He had every right in his mind to reprimand Wei Wuxian for turning down such an unorthodox path, but at the same time, he could see the suffering he had to endure just to stay alive. He also realized that without Wei Wuxian, they would not have won the war. Nie Huaisang confirmed that for him and even explained the events after Wei Wuxian's death, including how he was the one to send them back through time.