Mischief in Gusu

Chapter 3: Tiny Chaos, Big Hearts

The main hall buzzed with a mix of confusion and frantic energy. The elders were deep in discussion, consulting ancient texts and scrolls, trying to find any record of reversing the effects of the Mysterious Incense Burner. Meanwhile, the juniors were left with the impossible task of wrangling two pint-sized versions of the most formidable cultivators in the cultivation world.

Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji, unfazed by the commotion around them, had quickly found ways to entertain themselves. Lan Wangji sat on a small cushion, his oversized sleeves flopping around as he carefully organized a set of colorful stones he had found, lining them up with the precision that was so characteristic of him. Even as a toddler, he maintained an air of quiet dignity, though his tiny stature made him undeniably adorable.

Wei Wuxian, on the other hand, was everywhere at once. He darted around the room, picking up trinkets, tugging at the robes of the unsuspecting juniors, and occasionally stopping to pester Lan Wangji with a series of rapid-fire questions. "Lan Zhan, look at this! It’s shiny!" he exclaimed, holding up a polished jade pendant he had swiped from a nearby table.

Lan Wangji glanced up, giving a small, approving nod before returning his attention to his meticulously arranged stones. Wei Wuxian's antics drew the attention of everyone in the hall, his infectious laughter echoing off the walls. For a moment, the usually rigid atmosphere of the Cloud Recesses softened, as the juniors couldn’t help but smile at the sight of the two toddlers.

Lan Sizhui and Lan Jingyi, tasked with keeping an eye on the mischievous duo, exchanged exasperated glances. "How are we supposed to handle this?" Lan Jingyi whispered, watching as Wei Wuxian climbed onto a low bookshelf to retrieve a particularly shiny object that had caught his eye.

Lan Sizhui chuckled softly, shaking his head. "We’ve dealt with worse. It’s just… a different kind of challenge." He stepped forward, lifting Wei Wuxian off the shelf before he could topple over. "Wei-gongzi, you need to be careful."

Wei Wuxian pouted but quickly brightened when Lan Sizhui set him down gently. "Lan Yuan, can we play? It’s boring here with all the old people talking." He pointed a chubby finger towards the cluster of elders who were still deep in conversation, oblivious to the tiny whirlwind of energy running circles around them.

Lan Jingyi snickered, trying—and failing—to maintain a serious expression. "He’s got a point. They’ve been talking forever." He crouched down to Wei Wuxian’s level. "What do you want to play, huh?"

Wei Wuxian’s eyes sparkled, and he pointed towards the training grounds visible through the open doors. "Let’s go outside! We can… um, we can chase each other! And Lan Zhan can watch!" He turned to Lan Wangji, who was still engrossed in his stones, and tugged on his sleeve. "Come on, Lan Zhan! You can’t just sit there!"

Lan Wangji looked up, his expression briefly softening at Wei Wuxian’s eager face. He hesitated, then nodded slowly, allowing himself to be pulled up by the overly enthusiastic Wei Wuxian. The sight of the usually stoic Lan Wangji being led around like a reluctant little duckling drew stifled laughs from the juniors, who were already finding this whole situation absurdly endearing.

The group made their way to the training grounds, where the morning sun bathed the area in warm light. Wei Wuxian immediately took off, his little legs pumping as fast as they could go, while Lan Wangji followed at a more measured pace, his gaze never straying far from Wei Wuxian. Despite the size difference, the dynamic between them remained the same—Wei Wuxian, the vibrant force of nature, and Lan Wangji, the quiet anchor.

Lan Sizhui and Lan Jingyi stood back, watching the toddlers run around with a mix of amusement and fondness. It was strange, seeing their seniors in such a vulnerable and innocent state, but it also gave them a glimpse of who they might have been as children—before the weight of responsibilities and burdens shaped them into the men they knew.

Wei Wuxian, now out of breath from all his running, plopped down on the grass with a huff. "Lan Zhan, sit with me!" he called, patting the ground beside him. Lan Wangji complied, carefully smoothing his robes as he sat down next to Wei Wuxian, their shoulders brushing together.

Wei Wuxian, ever curious, started picking at the wildflowers dotting the grass. He handed a bright yellow one to Lan Wangji, who accepted it with a small, appreciative nod. Lan Wangji’s fingers brushed against Wei Wuxian’s for a moment, and the touch seemed to ground them both.

As the two toddlers continued to play, Lan Sizhui and Lan Jingyi kept a watchful eye, occasionally stepping in to prevent any accidents but mostly just letting them be. It was a rare sight—two great cultivators reduced to the simplicity of childhood, their interactions free from the complexities that usually defined their relationship.

Wei Wuxian, having gathered a small bouquet of wildflowers, suddenly turned to Lan Wangji, his eyes alight with a new idea. "Lan Zhan, let’s make flower crowns!" he suggested, already beginning to weave the stems together with surprising dexterity for someone so small.

Lan Wangji watched quietly, his expression softening as he observed Wei Wuxian’s focused concentration. There was something soothing about the way Wei Wuxian’s little hands moved, a gentle rhythm that seemed to calm the restless energy in the air.

After a few moments, Wei Wuxian proudly held up his creation—a slightly lopsided but undeniably charming flower crown. He reached over, carefully placing it on Lan Wangji’s head, his face beaming with pride. "There! Now you look pretty, Lan Zhan!"

Lan Wangji blinked, his tiny hands reaching up to touch the crown. It sat awkwardly atop his head, the bright yellow petals contrasting sharply against his dark hair. He turned his gaze to Wei Wuxian, whose expression was so filled with genuine joy that Lan Wangji couldn’t help but smile—a small, rare smile that softened his entire demeanor.

The sight of Lan Wangji, usually so composed and stoic, wearing a flower crown made by a giggling Wei Wuxian, was almost too much for Lan Sizhui and Lan Jingyi. They exchanged glances, struggling to keep their composure. "This… this is going to be one for the records," Lan Jingyi whispered, wiping at his eyes, whether from laughter or the unexpected sweetness of the moment, he couldn’t say.

The two toddlers, now sitting side by side with matching flower crowns—Lan Wangji’s carefully crafted by Wei Wuxian, and Wei Wuxian’s a haphazard creation he had made for himself—looked for all the world like two little princes, lost in their own magical world.

For a brief moment, time seemed to slow. The sun shone a little brighter, the air felt a little lighter, and the weight of the past and future faded away, leaving only the present—a simple, beautiful present where two souls, bound by fate and friendship, could simply be.

As the day wore on, the elders would eventually find a way to restore them to their rightful ages. But for now, in this fleeting moment of innocence and laughter, Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian were just two children, exploring the world anew with unguarded hearts and tiny, eager hands.

And as they sat there, surrounded by wildflowers and the gentle murmur of the wind, it was clear to everyone watching that, no matter the form or age, the bond between them was as unbreakable as ever.