One week is spent alone, just Wei Ying and Lan Zhan together in wedded bliss. Food is dropped off outside the Jingshi, or Lan Zhan goes to make their meals in the kitchen when it is not in use and he doesn't have to field knowing looks among the cooks (he made that mistake ONCE, okay?).
Then they go and visit Wei Ying's parents.
Meihua and An Jing are two months old now and look more beautiful every day. They're certainly a handful, and the guest house is a lively place even from the outside. Wei Ying hurries in, excited to see his family, and he pulls Lan Zhan along with him, his enthusiasm as contagious as a virus.
Once greetings are exchanged and news swapped, Cangse Sanren grins at her oldest children.
"So...what are you going to do now?" She's so pleased to see these two, looking radiant with love. She remembers her own time like this, when she couldn't stop touching her husband either, and it was less to do with a physical reaction than just to remind each other of their presence.
Her baby, (because Wei Ying will always be her baby, no matter his age), is practically glowing with happiness, and every time he looks at his husband, her other son is smiling back at him with a secret language only the two of them know.
They're so sweet together, she thinks to herself. Lan Qiren will want to throw up his breakfast at this rate.
"When we were travelling to Nightless City, there were lots of things we wanted to change. It's only now that we have the means to do it," Wei Ying explains.
"We would like your help, actually." Lan Zhan adds, squeezing Wei Ying's hand. His husband hasn't let go of him yet, and every time Wei Ying calls him that, his belly gives a jump that no matter what, Lan Zhan cannot get used to. Not that he would have it any other way, but now it's something he looks forward to, anticipating it with a giddiness that is new.
"Like what?" Wei Changze is rocking a fussy Meihua in his arms, smiling down at her in spite of her bad mood. At least she's stopped crying.
"Advice, really." Wei Ying pipes up enthusiastically. "Since both of you have extensive experience travelling through different districts, we thought you would know the best people to contact, even if you don't know their names, more like their position in the towns. Like, maybe the magistrates aren't the best choice if we're looking for people to manage the orphanages we want to set up. Well, we're in two minds. Lan Zhan says maybe communal areas might be better, something like how we lived in the Burial Mounds."
"A community living together and looking after each other removes the chances of corruption, especially if we leave someone trustworthy in charge," Lan Zhan tells them. "We want people to understand that what we're proposing isn't a temporary solution but something that they can nurture into growing. We hope they'll understand that the more effort and love they put into it will give them returns of boundless wealth in terms of creating a family-orientated environment."
"I like his idea, sorry, A-Ying," Cangse Sanren says after thinking about it. "You see, with an orphanage, you'd be right in thinking that corruption would be rife. The only way to stop that is to train people yourself who will end up reporting to only you two. But the communal idea is like lighting a blade of dry grass and watching it turn into a fire that keeps everyone surrounding it warm. It will be more appreciated if they work for themselves than if all their needs are handed to them on a plate. That's just human nature, and I'm not being callous by suggesting it. People do not value what is given freely. Especially if it is abundant."
"That's true," Wei Changze joins in with his approval. "Another plus point is that you will remain free to go elsewhere and do more good, whatever you want to do, without having to babysit staff and teach them how to do honest work."
