Jiang YanLi smiles at the boys before turning to Lan Qiren. She's holding her little brother by the hand who is shyly hiding behind her robes, and every time Wei Ying looks at him, he scowls and looks away, repeating this behaviour many times. He's obviously curious about them, but too shy to say anything. It's kind of cute, Lan Zhan thinks uncharitably.
He can't get past the last image he saw of this same person as a grown man, standing right next to him on the clifftop with his sword out, a snarl on his face and hatred in his eyes.
He and Lan Zhan were the last people Wei Ying would have seen if he had plunged to his death, if Lan Zhan hadn't saved him on Bichen in those last few moments of their lives.
The contrast between that Sect Leader Jiang and this little five year-old is like the difference between night and day. Lan Zhan finds it hard to reconcile the two, and he can see Wei Ying struggling with this as well.
"Acting Sect Leader Lan, I was hoping to take the little ones into the gardens for a walk, before the afternoon shows begin," she says, bowing low respectfully.
"Why?" Lan Qiren asks her. The honest question pops out of his mouth and he looks just as surprised as she is.
"My brother wants to go see the pretty flowers and I thought they might also enjoy them, being of the same age."
Lan Qiren can feel people watching him, waiting for his answer, and he thinks to himself, does he really want his precious treasures to go with her? Remembering what Cangse Sanren and Wei Changze had told him about the Jiangs, he's reluctant to say yes.
"Let's ask them," he says finally, and is astonished to get two different answers because Wei Ying is nodding and Lan Zhan is furiously shaking his head. He turns back towards her. "I do not think that is a good idea."
"What about just Wei WuXian, then?"
Lan Zhan is furious with her for suggesting that, and he changes his answer immediately.
"Go with YingYing," and he pouts.
"Very well," Lan Qiren replies, "But not on your own. Lan Bobo and Lan Hao can come with you to help, since I know how hard it is to look after three children at the same time." His reply is smooth and tactful, and he's surprised himself at how good it sounds.
Both the two now regular babysitters stand up and follow the little group outside the banqueting hall.
But as Lan Qiren watches them leave, he begins to get a bad feeling about saying yes. Lan WangJi hadn't wanted to go, and Lan Qiren wishes he could have gotten his two treasures out of going with her. He looks over to where the Jiangs are seated and is relieved to see the Sect Leader and his wife still in the room.
Thank Heavens for small mercies, but he makes a point of keeping tabs on the time. In ten minutes, he will go himself and fetch the boys, giving them ample time to stretch their legs.
Then Sect Leader Yao comes along and starts a long winded chat about taxes in the outer regions, and Lan Qiren sighs internally. Today is turning out to be a long day.
*************
Jiang YanLi takes all four children with her into the peony garden. The air is fresh and sweet, perfumed from the many petalled pink flowers in full bloom and scattering on the grounds like a soft natural carpet. After the stifling atmosphere of the banqueting hall, it feels heavenly to be outside.
Before, when Wei Ying had expressed a nervousness to doing this, Lan Zhan had expressly told him that he mustn't let himself feel awkward or uncomfortable. He counselled that if Jiang YanLi said anything strange to him, he should start crying as loud as possible and they would be saved. He's glad of the extra protection in the form of their sharp bodyguards, Lan Bobo and Lan Hao, walking just behind them.
