From that day onward, Lan Wangji barely did anything other than being in the secret hideout staring at the statue and daydreaming. He did still attend his lessons and remained being the good student he was, but once they were done for the day, he was quick to leave and spend time with the statue. Barely anything mattered more than that simple piece of marble.
Nie Huaisang couldn’t help but be slightly concerned with his friend’s obsession with it, but there was nothing he could actually do about it since Lan Wangji would listen to no one when he got obsessed with something.
As for Lan Xichen, he found out about it quickly, but remained supportive.
“Wangji, I won’t judge your obsession with the statue of that human and I won’t tell Uncle about it,” he declared one day after they were done with the lessons. “I understand he will be angry if he finds out.”
“Thank you, Brother.”
“However, you must keep focusing on your studies to be the role model you are meant to be.”
Lan Wangji didn’t have any issues with that. If that was the only thing being asked of him in exchange for indulging in his obsession he was more than glad to do it.
“I will. Thank you, Brother.”
Every time Lan Qiren would ask Lan Xichen about Lan Wangji’s whereabouts, he would tell him that he had gone to help out other sea creatures. Lan Wangji did indeed help many, so Lan Qiren would easily fall for the lie since it was known all across the kingdom. There was no need for him to be suspicious.
Nie Huaisang kept taking Lan Wangji to more shipwrecks so he could add more human objects to his collection, now their secret place filled to the brim with them. They could barely fit in there, but it’s not like they would mind it. Nie Huaisang loved seeing his friend as happy as he would get with every new addition and when he talked about new things he had learned about humans and their wonderful world.
It was then that he decided to plan something special for the coming of age birthday of the merman prince, something he would never be able to forget and would definitely enjoy like no other thing.
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The day of Lan Wangji’s 15th birthday and therefore coming of age arrived not too long after the finding of the statue. Lan Wangji was very excited about it since he would have much more freedom than he had with the excuse of him already being an adult merman. Lan Qiren prepared a party for him where all the kingdom was invited. Nie Huaisang was also included in the guests even though Lan Qiren considered him a bad influence for his nephew, but thanks to Lan Xichen he had managed to get in.
Before the great hall used for concerts and special events, Lan Qiren invited Lan Wangji to join him on the stage while he gave a speech. Everyone cheered for the prince as he stopped next to the king, showing just how much the kingdom loved their youngest prince.
“Today is the coming of age of Prince Lan Wangji, the prince’s transition into adulthood and maturity,” declared the old merman. “From now on, he will be able to choose more freely and he may start searching for a partner to marry and start a family with. Let’s wish him the best of luck and blessings for this phase of his life.”
Lan Wangji bowed to his family and also the crowd, all of them still clapping and cheering for him. Both Lan Qiren and Lan Xichen looked at him proudly as they also joined in the crowd’s cheers.
Once it died down, Lan Qiren asked for everyone to be silent once again and gestured for Lan Wangji to step forward.
“Now, the prince will delight us with a song to finish the ceremony.”
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The Merman's Lament - Wangxian
Fiksi PenggemarLan Zhan is one of the two merman princes of the underwater kingdom. He is fascinated with the human world, but his uncle and king Lan Qiren is against it. One day, he travels to the surface and saves prince Wei Ying from drowning after his ship sin...