Time Reversal

36. A Punishment that Works, Part 4

Wei Ying walked away. Maybe to the Wall to kneel. Maybe back to the Jingshi to change into padded trousers before kneeling.

He had a disciple bring Su Minshan to him in his office. The older man was completely unrepentant, even to the point of insinuating that he was forced to discipline Wei Yu because of the seriousness of the incident.

"I am in charge of discipline," he mentioned. "Why didn't you follow protocol and send Wei Yu to me?"

"To you?" Su Minshan laughed harshly. "Everyone knows you're soft on the boy because he's your husband's cousin! If you punish the boy too hard, Wei Wuxian won't spread his legs for you! A few whacks with my sword would remind him to act appropriately around Lan Furen."

He was fuming at the accusation of nepotism and the unnecessary reference to his sex life. "How I discipline unruly sect members is not up for discussion."

"You can't punish me for doing your job, Lan Wangji, when you refuse to. I demand the council of elders hear me out."

He had to acquiesce. But a hearing before the council meant every infraction Su Minshan had ever made would be introduced. He would have to put a notice of the hearing and research every time Su Minshan had been troublesome.

In the meantime... he was going to go see his brother and sister-in-law and see how the labor was progressing and see if there was anything he could do to help.

Apparently, Yu Lijie was at the swearing stage of labor. Her enunciation was perfect and her volume quite loud. The midwife's assistant's face was bright red in embarrassment when she stated everything was going as expected. "Except Lan Zongzhu might not have the full use of his hand for a few days," she giggled. "Lan Furen has a strong grip."

Wei Ying was kneeling at the Wall. "I'm not wearing padded trousers, Lan Zhan."

"Mmm." The admission was suspect, coming as it was unasked for. It didn't matter, really. "Copy the Rules ten times. By hand. Neatly."

Wei Ying stood up, wincing. Maybe he really isn't wearing his padded trousers. "Neatly? You really do know how to punish a person, don't you?"

"Mmm. Before you do that... Su Minshan has requested a council hearing. If you have any memories of him breaking our Rules, you may introduce them then."

"Breaking Rules? Or just being an idiot in general? He's the guy who threw his sword into the water abyss because he was pretending to be as strong as you, right?"

"Acting recklessly is against the Rules."

Lan Jiayu was born the following morning. "Xiongzhang," he whispered in deference to Yu Lijie sleeping across the room and his nephew dozing in his arms. "He's beautiful."

"He's so little," Lan Xichen whispered back, staring in awe at his son. "Are all babies this little?"

He looked a shrug at his older brother, careful to not jostle the sleeping baby. How would I know? He hadn't been near babies, almost since he was a baby.

Lan Xichen continued, "Have I missed anything important?"

"Mmm. There will be a council hearing in a few days for Su Minshan. He drew his sword intending to discipline a junior. Wei Ying stepped in, also drawing his sword, but in defense of the child."

"Ahh." Lan Xichen sighed. "I will assume Wei Ying has accepted responsibility, and Su Minshan believes he has done nothing wrong. Why didn't he send for you to discipline the child?"

"It was Wei Yu. Su Gongzi stated he believes I am too lenient with him."

"Su Gongzi is not going to like the results of this hearing," Lan Xichen predicted.