Heavy minutes of silence pass as Cangse Sanren reads through first, the Kill list, and next, the list of events. Then, she passes both back to her husband for Wei Changze to read.
She thinks for a moment and then fixes an intense gaze at Lan Qiren, all signs of mirth gone from her face.
"First of all, tell me where the children were when each of these deaths occurred?"
Lan Qiren has to think back. "Sect Leader Yao died at the banquet in front of everyone. The children were seated in the centre along with other children of their age. Similar setting when Jin-Zhongzhu died, except they were sitting right behind myself and A-Huan. The Jiangs and Wen Xu passed away in their own rooms while we were sleeping in our own quarters, and besides, I doubt the kids could have sufficiently navigated the labyrinthine corridors of that palace by themselves.
"When Wen Ruohan died, and of course, Wen Zhuliu was next to him, I had to leave WangJi in the kitchen, and Wei Ying wasn't there, then. But when I returned, they were both waiting for me. The nanny was by herself when Wen Chao died."
"Aha!" She crows.
"That does not explain the last two people. Who are Su MinShan and Wang Lingjiao?" Uncle Qiren snaps. "It does not matter that the children have solid alibis for when these deaths happened, and you are willfully missing the point!"
"Am I?" Cangse Sanren has never looked so formidable before. "That kill list could have been written after the fact, I mean, you know how children can be with their active imaginations."
"Do not try to brush this under the proverbial carpet, Cangse Sanren!" Lan Qiren is vibrating with the force of his emotions.
"Ah, sorry, Qiren, I do not mean to. I was checking on how, without this list, whether or not anyone would think about accusing our babies of anything. The truth is, I'm in awe. If it's real, and if this list of events is real, then there's definitely something fishy going on, but even you have to admit it, it's genius!" She bends uncomfortably to kiss both Wei Ying and Lan Zhan on the top of their heads.
Then she picks Wei Ying up and seats him right next to Lan Zhan, staring at both of them. Lan Zhan pulls Wei Ying closer and keeps an arm around him, even though it doesn't reach far. With his free hand, he clasps their palms together and takes a deep breath.
Now it's showtime.
These people are part of his family, and they may or may not understand, but he's going to try.
"Don't they look adorable? Qiren, I don't know how you can think these two could harm a fly!" Cangse Sanren sighs, smiling at them full of love.
"I think you're right, Lan Zhan. We have to tell them the truth." Wei Ying says, with enough solemnity in his voice for the adults to gape at him. He has purposefully not used 'Wan Zhan'. His pronunciation is perfect.
"Mn." Lan Zhan kisses his temple and fortifies his determination. Then, addressing everyone in the room, he says, "You might not believe us, but we're going to tell you everything." His eyes catch on Lan Huan, who hasn't stopped staring back at him.
"Start at the beginning, then," Lan Qiren tells them. Under the table, he reaches across to take Lan Huan's hand, covering it with his own tightly.
"Can I go first?" Wei Ying asks Lan Zhan. There's so many emotions whirling around in his beautiful starlight silver eyes.
Whatever he's going to say, there's no doubt in Lan Zhan's mind that it is going to be painful for everyone. But it must be done.
"Mn." He leans his head on Wei Ying's tiny shoulder, pulling himself even closer. He can hear Wei Ying's heart beating fast like a tribal drum, thrumming in his chest close to Lan Zhan's ear.
