The children are shocked, that much is clear. Even Lan Qiren is shocked at the words that have spilt out of his mouth, but from the moment he heard them, he knew they were right.
"Parents don't have to be the ones responsible for your birth. They can be people who only want the best for you, who have nothing but blessings in their hearts for you. I understand if you don't want to, it won't change anything between us. But I would consider it an unmatched honour if you want to claim me as your father. If you are uncomfortable with calling me by any other name, then please trust me when I say nothing has to change. I am and always will be your Shufu."
Doubts cloud over honey-coloured eyes; Lan Huan, always the filial son, is worried even now about offending his father. But when Lan Qiren looks over to Lan Zhan, this child is certain.
"Do it," he says clearly, meaning it.
"A-Zhan!" Lan Huan gasps, staring at him.
"What?" Lan Zhan retorts, letting his hair swing back from his shoulder. "I don't need anyone except for Wei Ying. But if I can send that rotten piece of cabbage a message, then I will. He hurt Mother, and that is unforgivable. I want him to know how little his existence means to me. Now that he's hurt you, that's it. I want nothing to do with him."
"C-can we do that?" Lan Huan asks Lan Qiren uncertainly. "Won't we go-" he points downwards, meaning hell.
"You won't, but he definitely will. A-Huan, I can't take away how you felt when he was awful to you, but I will spend the rest of my life trying to erase those feelings. You are precious, both of you, and I count myself worthy of a thousand blessings from former lives just so I could be with you in this one. I want you to know that you are important, not just in relation to the Clan, but as young people in your own right. A-Huan, you must treat this experience as a teaching moment." Lan Qiren wipes under his wet eyes, his own heart breaking at the raw grief in this little boy's face.
"How?"
"Your fa- Qingheng-Jun has broken several rules. The most important one, to always be kind, deserves the Discipline Whip for breaking it. I must talk to the Elders about this. Do not bully the weak, Do not be unreasonable, Do not treat others with contempt. These are just a few more."
"Be kind, be moderate, cautious, and virtuous. Be gentle and content in adversary. Do not fail to carry out your promise. Discipline your own words and behaviour. No improper behaviour. Ten broken rules, but there are probably more," Lan Zhan adds. "We can learn how not to be like him," he assures his brother.
"Good, A-Zhan. That's exactly it. A wise person told me that we must be in charge of ourselves, to cheer ourselves on in the face of adversity. That's how we can win against those who try to sow seeds of doubts in our minds. There are many reasons why Qingheng-Jun might be the way he is, and I suspect his mind was already unbalanced when he went into seclusion, but he has wasted the past years by not self-reflecting upon his own actions. Regardless of why, he must face punishment like anyone else." Lan Qiren stands up and holds his hands out to his nephews. "Come with me."
"Where are we going?" Lan Huan takes his hand anyway, and Lan Qiren's heart melts a little more towards him.
So trusting, little A-Huan. So innocent, and usually so happy, like a bright and beautiful dandelion unintentionally giving joy to whoever might see him.
"We're going to see the Elders. This matter cannot wait."
*************
Lan Qiren picks up a friend on his way.
Lan Feng takes one look at his face, sees Lan Huan and Lan Zhan holding his hands, and Wei Ying refusing to let go of Lan Zhan's free hand, and he puts his boots on immediately.
