He never had a plan, he just went with the flow

Chapter Eight

"Why can't I call you A-Die anymore?" He asked sadly as his A-Die knelt down and grabbed his hands. A-Die was finally better and was able to walk around a bit but now A-Yuan feels like he's been told the worst news. "You can still call me that but, right now we are about to have a formal event, here you have to refer to everyone differently."

Lan Yuan looked down, devastated and slightly relieved. "Is A-Die improper?"

"Too personal, Fuqin is a more formal term." He nods, "Do I have to stop calling Jiujiu, Jiujiu?"

"No, but you must call me Fuqin. Shufu is now Xiansheng and your Bobo is to be called Bofu." Lan Yuan nodded as he took in the information, "I can still call him Bobo afterward right?"

"Mh, just for now." He nodded before taking A-Die's hand, it was much larger than his. He then guided him to the main hall, where he was officially debuting as a member of the Lan Clan. And starting tomorrow, he will be living with the rest of the Junior Cultivators since he formed his core a few months ago. The elders wanted him to debut much sooner but Bobo and Er-ye wanted to wait until A-Die was well enough to participate as well. Something he's very grateful for, A-Die was so like a strong pillar that anchored him when he was nervous.

A-Die guided him into the banquet hall and guided him to his seat before Bobo stood up and gave a little speech. A-Yuan could hear a few whispered conversations through the quiet, "Is that the kid?"

"Yeah, his bastard. I can't believe 'the great pure and righteous' Hanguang-Jun had a child out of wedlock during a war."

"The mother probably died before they could get married."

"But, they didn't, it's a bastard."

"I can't believe the Lan Clan would disgrace themselves by accepting an illegitimate bastard."

"Well, I can. Have you heard the rumors?"

"What rumor?"

"That the brat developed a core a year after he started his cultivation training."

"A year? How old is he?"

"Six currently, according to the rumors, he started at four."

"No wonder they allowed him to join, a start like that shows he'll bring good things to his clan."

"Don't let their words get to you, Sizhui." He looked up at Er-ye, but he wasn't looking at him so, he looked back down. "They are just callously repeating back what they heard whether it's truth or fact. That's why gossip is against the rules, pay attention to the conduct of others and analyze how to do better."

He gave a determined 'Mh' as Jiujiu and Chifeng-zun came up first, "Here Sizhui, I doubt I need to explain who picked out our clan's gift." He looked down at four folded robes that came with matching hairpins and combs. He looked at A-Die for permission to speak, and once he gave him the okay, he responded. "It looks like Jiujiu forced your hand again, Chifeng-zun."

"He did, I assume this was his idea of a joke. Congratulations on forming your core, you're already surpassing your fool of an uncle by leaps and bounds despite his attempts to hold you back." Lan Yuan didn't know how to take that, so he let Bobo take over again. "Thank you, Mingjue for bringing Huaisang's...gift. I'm sure Sizhui will take care of it."

He heard more whispers as Chifeng-zun returned to his seat. "Nie Huaisang is his uncle? Does that mean his mother is a member of the Nie Clan?"

"But, I've never heard of Chifeng-zun having a sister."

"Why doesn't he refer to Chifeng-zun as Da-jiu if Nie Huaisang is his Jiujiu?"

Lan Yuan didn't get an opportunity to relax as his worst nightmare appeared, the men in gold with peonies decorating his robes. He grabbed a fistful of his robes as he tried not to start trembling and embarrass his family. His eyes tightened as they talked above him, he was keeping his eyes closed trying not to look up at those robes again.