Fluffy WangXian Oneshots Book Two

The Favour Of Heaven Part 7

Just before Lan Zhan goes to sleep on the first night of his one year stay, he checks that his room is inaccessible from the window, that no intruders can climb up the sheer rocky wall of the cliffside where the castle is carved from the mountainside. Then he opens them wide, leaving the curtains open too.

In the morning, when he wakes, he is greeted by sweet birdsong and a cooling breeze. His exercises are smoother, his breathing techniques deeper, leading to a tranquillity of mind and body. Easing into his meditation feels less like a chore that must be done and more of a natural reflex.

By the time he's ready to leave his quarters, the sun is nearly rising, the sky whitening to allow the heavenly painter's first streaks of colour. Lan Zhan has to remind himself that he is not a prisoner here, that he is allowed to leave the western wing. That had been the point of yesterday's impromptu tour even if he hadn't seen everything yet; Wei Ying wanted him to feel at home here. It's too soon for that, Lan Zhan knows. The feeling of being a stranger in someone else's home is like an itch under his skin, and he must actively push it down.

Today marks the beginning of a new routine and a different way of life. Once the slight feeling of unease leaves him, Lan Zhan descends the stone staircase and hopes he can still remember the way to the kitchens. He expects to be stopped at least once, but nothing happens.

If Lan Zhan was still back in the Cloud Recesses, he would have started his day in much the same way, although after breakfast, he would have gone to teach the children of the Clan, the second and third year students. After lunch, training classes on sword forms, and then the evening would be spent writing reports and correcting or marking the children's work. One day ends, and another begins, the same format, the same things to do punctuated by the odd night hunt here and there, or spiritual cleansing, depending on the case.

But today, Lan Zhan is renewed with enthusiasm for new tasks, things he hasn't done before. Even menial jobs will be welcomed, he thinks, wondering what it'll be like working for the two round-faced women he met yesterday.

They're shocked to see him up and about. That's his first impression of their thoughts. They quickly get him seated with a bowl of simple noodles and fried bao buns, a cup of hot tea brewed fresh, and then quietly they try to not watch him as he partakes of his first meal of the day. Lan Zhan is a stubborn man, and he makes them sit down to eat as well. Planning in advance, he finishes eating quickly so that he can chat with them.

They're both chubby and motherly, perhaps the quality of the vibes they're giving him similarly reminds Lan Zhan of his own mother and how she used to fuss over his eating habits. They don't mind talking while they eat, which is great for Lan Zhan as he plans not to waste any time today.

"Do you like working here?" He starts off strong. They've told him their names, but it's easy to forget unless Lan Zhan loops them with an individual characteristic for each one.

Chen Xia has a mole on her chin and a bubbly personality, and she's the first one to respond to his question after exchanging a look with her friend.

"Yes. Gege looks after us well." She stares Lan Zhan down as if he's done something wrong by asking that question in the first place.

"Gege?"

"The Immortal," Mao Ping whisper-hisses at him, her one wandering eye sneaking a glance behind Lan Zhan to check if they could be overheard.

It's hard to pay attention to what she's saying AND her rebellious eye that constantly looks as if it is bored and seeking a way to escape.

"You should be happy too! After all, Gege told us to look after you. He said we should set up a separate kitchen that prepares only vegetarian meals, and only on the bland side. Are you satisfied? Is the food to your liking?" They begin to press him about it until Lan Zhan answers, sure that they will not be anymore forthcoming about the Yiling Laozu. No matter how he treats Wei Ying, it's obvious that they are in awe of their master, and given how easily they call him Gege, it appears he likes them too.