Fluffy WangXian Oneshots Book Two

The Favour Of Heaven Part 6

Morning does not mean the same thing to everyone, Lan Zhan discovers the next day. He wakes up at his normal time of five o'clock, washes his face, and reminds himself to change the water in the bathtub. He exercises and meditates and then takes a look in the kitchen.

There is a good selection of utensils, and since Lan Zhan has the bare minimum of skills in being able to fend for himself, he thinks about making his own breakfast. However, there's also a lack of food, raw or otherwise. He makes a note of asking Wei Ying about this later. When he comes.

He meditates some more, walks around the rooms in the wing, and tries to while away the hours now bored out of his mind. He wonders if he's allowed outside of the place he has been given to reside in, and then doubts set in because he doesn't want to piss off his host even accidentally. He must work towards gaining the favour of the Immortal because the masked man holds the key to Wei Ying's freedom, and to that end, Lan Zhan must sacrifice his own requirements. The wavering between both of these paths consumes a few more hours and then, just as Lan Zhan approaches the door leading to the rest of the castle, it is flung open with a bang when it hits the wall behind it.

Wei Ying cringes with embarrassment at the sound as he enters, a delightful blush spreading across his beautiful cheeks, which are scrunched up, making his lovely silver eyes into crescent moons.

"Wei Ying!" Lan Zhan is drawn straight to him, holding his hands because he is incapable of not touching this man if the opportunity is there. "Are you alright? Were you punished in any way?"

"Um, hi, Lan Zhan!" His excited smile gives way to confusion. "What do you mean, punished? What for?"

"Your master. The Yiling Laozu. He didn't punish you for helping me? When you told me where the opening was to the Burial Mounds. And it was you, wasn't it, who sent Xiaogui to help me? I realised it afterwards. The Yiling Laozu seemed annoyed at him for aiding me."

"Thank you for not killing him," Wei Ying says, throwing his arms around Lan Zhan's neck. "I know you cultivators wouldn't have thought twice about it. Usually."

"He was in a pitiful condition," Lan Zhan explains, distracted by the warmth of Wei Ying in his arms. He can feel every one of his lithe, lean muscles through his thin brown robes, only one layer. It makes Lan Zhan angry that the Yiling Laozu is lacking as his master for not providing adequate garments. The man does not lack for wealth and yet does not spare any for those under his care.

"Anyway, ahaha, you must be hungry! So sorry I'm late! Come on, let's go down into the kitchens and get breakfast." He steps back from Lan Zhan's embrace and peeks over his shoulder to look outside. "Oh, um, I mean, lunch." He giggles, and just like that, Lan Zhan's day becomes much brighter.

Wei Ying grabs his wrist, and they're off, tripping down the winding stone stairs as if the hounds of Hell were after them. Lan Zhan has never felt so exhilarated before, and he easily keeps up with Wei Ying as they run in an easterly direction.

"I thought I wasn't allowed out of the rooms I've been given," Lan Zhan tells Wei Ying.

"What? Of course you are! You're not a prisoner, Lan Zhan. I was reminded of my duties this morning, and sorry I was late, but I'll be on time tomorrow! For sure!" He promises as they find the kitchens.

There are two cooks, red-faced because of the fires they're currently standing over, stirring congee. They happily set out food for everyone, not just Wei Ying and Lan Zhan, but countless other staff members who filter into the large kitchen for lunchtime.

"Does the Yiling Laozu also partake of breakfast in the morning?" Lan Zhan asks Wei Ying, fishing for information.

"Nah, he sleeps a lot," Wei Ying explains, receiving lots of strange looks from the staff.