What if W(h)en

33부

So it was true. It wasn't a direct confession, but it was true. Lan Zuan had taken her eldest child's life. It was not a direct confession at all, but it was enough to put Lan Qiren in the gaze of the entirety of the Lan Clan.

"LAN HUAN!" Rage was in his eyes as he stared at his nephew who painted a wide grin on his lips, his teeth pressed in a vicious smile.

Lan Xichen was high off of this moment. Oh God was he crazed enough to have his eyes dilated that way.

Was it the anger? Was it the anger that brought out such a response from Lan Xichen. Even Wei Wuxian was surprised such an emotion could be felt by the jade-faced smiling God.

Lan Xichen was known for his signature smiling face, delicate figure that held status, elegance, beauty. He was always prim and proper, clean and white. He was an embodiment of good nature and serenity.

He was a perfect example of a taoist. A taoist unlike from a certain mountain sect.

Ehem, he was the epitome of calm. A fountain of goodness. But, no one knew that the filter of loyalty that turned all wine from his insides into the clear water of obedience was already wearing out with doubt.

"I tried to be the best despite the rule of pride! It was loyalty that I had for this clan. Have you been watching me? Were you even looking my way!?" The smile had stayed intact but tears of agony formed, clouding his pupils.

Lan Qiren stayed silent, his mouth sown shut as he feared to make one more mistake of revealing the hidden truth with white lies. All he had in his mind was thoughts of what to do with Lan Xichen.

The elders would expect a punishment, but a punishment would just make him rebel more. To banish him from the clan? More people would listen to him than to respect the Lan Clan. They would be filled with curiosity to what was the reason he had to be banished.

To be treated like his father... It was too much, but it was the only decision. He had to be silenced.

Lan Xichen stood facing his uncle, his family, his kin. He loathed the silence. He hated it so much it made him choke on his own tongue. He quivered, letting the blade go as he covered his mouth.

"Ah... Eugh..." He groaned, choking up sobs as he hit the ground, bowing his body as he cried out. "WAHHHHHHH!!!"

Lan Wangji felt cold air travel up his neck as he watched his brother. His golden eyes had widened as water accumulated, fogging his view as he soon too felt his cheeks getting wet.

Wei Wuxian placed his hand on Lan Xichen's back, the older one letting his sorrows out.

Lan Xichen wasn't just crying out of anger. Lan Xichen was also mourning his mother and his unknown older brother. The sword he held, Shuoyue, was his mothers.

The sword rested before him, gleaming like the surface of the moon as he mourned. He wanted to escape so badly.

White represented the weeping. The mourning of the dead. All his life, he wore one shade, even if the moonlight colored it in a blue hue of harmony and tranquility, it was always white.

He was white. He was mourning. Even with no knowledge of who to mourn or who to feel the sorrow for, he was already mourning for them.

Here he was, down on his knees, before the remaining belongings of his mother. His brother, her son, Shuoyue, her blade. Both deadly to him.

"Lan Huan, rise." Lan Qiren's voice had no mercy. That of a mean and cruel God.

"Lan Huan, I order you to rise!"

Lan Xichen bit his lips. "Wuwuwu..." He cried out silently. He refused to rise.

"LAN HUAN!"