#and good things (wen yuan gets to grow up among jiang disciples and jin ling!)

[waitineedaname]

I have finally gotten myself together, and written the beginnings of my fake political marriage chengqing fix-it!

an excerpt from the first part:

Jiang Cheng was embarrassed to admit that this particular solution had occurred to him frequently after their last parting, when he was kept awake wondering about her safety. It wasn’t the most elegant solution, and definitely not his preferred solution, and it would easily create more problems than it solved, but… “What if we were engaged?” “Jiang Cheng, have you gone insane?” Wei Wuxian said, which was really rich coming from him of all people. Wen Qing looked like she agreed with him and this pained her.

and from the second:

“Jiang-zongzhu, I appreciate everything you are doing for me and my family,” Wen Qing folded her hands on her lap and stared him down imperiously, “But I have no intention of having sex with you.” Jiang Cheng wondered if the stress of the last week had finally pushed him over the edge and this was a hallucination caused by qi deviation. “I didn’t expect you to!”

[poor-wifi-uwu]

Aftermath of the Divorce!AU

What does he do now? The world will soon know the Yiling Patriarch has been cast away and is free game. Unfortunately, Mo Xuanyu’s face has become common knowledge as well, so he might be recognized wherever he goes. Even if he covered his face, both Chenqing and Suibian are too famous so he can’t use them either.

Haha, he never really thought about his infamy coming back to bite him in such a way. He can only imagine how much bullshit Lan Zhan had to go through to keep him safe.

…

The gaping hole within his chest grows with every heavy step away from what used to be his home. Haha, he should have gotten used to things like this already, didn’t he expect this from the beginning? Just leave the past in the past and look forward into the future!

What future. Where? The Jins will string him up the first chance they get unless A-Ling expends more effort than is reasonable for their relationship. Nie Huaisang is still sworn brothers with Lan Xichen and would probably find Wei Wuxian more trouble than he’s worth. Jiang Cheng…

He misses Lotus Pier. Desperately. Although their relationship is barely tolerant, maybe he could stay for just a few days until he calms down and sorts things out? One day? One hour?

Even just one minute.

“Sect Leader is busy.”

“Ah?” Wei wuxian blinked. He clearly heard Jiang Cheng in the training grounds just now. 

The Jiang disciple guard narrowed his eyes. The infamous Yiling Patriarch that killed the Jiang family, shamelessly coming to bother their Sect Leader who hates him so much. How dare he just waltz over here, thinking he can speak to Jiang Cheng whenever he wants.

Wei Wuxian just gave him a shaky grin, “Come on, can’t you just tell him I’m here? I’ll wait until he’s free!” The guard clicked his tongue and went to report. Wei Wuxian rearranged his smile into something brighter. It’s only expected to get treated this way after everything he did! It’s nothing personal. Well, it is, but he did this to himself. No hard feelings.

Wei Wuxian perked up at the sound of stomping footsteps coming closer. He waved as soon as the gate slammed open, “Hey, Jiang Cheng-”

“Deal with it yourself!”

Wei Wuxian’s smile froze, “Eh? I didn’t even say anything yet…”

Jiang Cheng huffed in irritation, “Some of us actually have work to do, so if you want to play then do it on your own damn time.”

Wei Wuxian slowly let his hand slip down to lightly grip the other one in comfort, “I’m… not here to play. I just wanted to stay for a little while. Not long! Just… some stuff happened, and-”

“Then just get an inn!”

Wei Wuxian’s hands began to tremble within his sleeves, “Aw, come one. Just one night!” Inns are kind of out of his budget right now, haha.

Jiang Cheng sighed deeply, “Don’t think you can just crawl back here when you two have some marital spat and expect me to put up with it.” Three years. It’s been three years since the Guanyin Temple incident, and not once has Wei Wuxian tried to visit Lotus Pier. Not even when passing through Yunmeng on his lovey-dovey travels with his husband. Did he think jiang Cheng wouldn’t know he was there? But of course, he only came to show “Lan Zhan” around. He never came to see Jiang Cheng. Even now, he’s only here because of Lan Wangji. When Wei Wuxian wants to visit the Ancestral Hall, or A-Jie’s room or Jiang Cheng, then maybe Jiang Cheng will humor him with that particular vacant room in the disciple’s quarters.

He snaps out of it just in time to see the smile finish slipping off Wei Wuxian’s face. His blank expression makes Jiang Cheng wonder if he went too far, but before he can say anything a small, soft smile curls up on Wei Wuxian’s face. His eyes are warm as he nods, “I understand, sorry to bother you.” Then with a fluid motion wei Wuxian turns around and walks away.

This… he should have expected this. Of course Jiang Cheng wouldn’t want him on Lotus Pier. Really, he’s gotten so arrogant. Just because Jiang Cheng tolerates him doesn’t erase Wei Wuxian’s crimes against Yunmeng Jiang. Haha, Lan Zhan really spoiled him, making Wei Wuxian forget who he really was. I mean, isn’t this why Lan Zhan divorced him? Because Wei Wuxian really wasn’t the person Lan Zhan had tried to convince them both he was? Lan Zhan was right. The Wei Wuxian he wanted to be… the bright, prodigious XianXian of Lotus Pier… that person died a very long time ago.

This person now, has always been just the Yiling Patriarch.

Jiang Cheng stands frozen watching Wei Wuxian’s retreating back. He thought (hoped) that he would surely keep pestering, whining until Jiang Cheng got fed up and just let him in to avoid the public spectacle. He should feel pissed that his time was just wasted over nothing, that Wei Wuxian really didn’t care enough to fight for a visit. Instead… watching that red ribbon fade into the crowd, Jiang Cheng feels like he lost something.

Forever.

Two days later he receives the news of the divorce. Just like his father Jiang Cheng runs out in the middle of a meeting to fly around searching for Wei Wuxian. Unlike his father, he doesn’t find him.

It was as hard as he thought. Truly, his reputation precedes him. 

Everytime Wei Wuxian found a nighthunt he could do, he had to hide from the other cultivators. He couldn’t use Chenqing at all, and had several close calls with Suibian. Even staying the night at his clients’ homes kept him up all night, ready for the slightest whisper of an ambush.

There’s no point to this. The Yiling Patriarch doesn’t belong among righteous cultivators. It’s time to give up that fantasy and find a secluded place to eek out the rest of his life, just like before.

Wei Wuxian sows up another worn tear in his frayed robes, shivering from a particularly cold gust of wind. He doesn’t have much time to waffle about this decision, he needs to find a good place to build his shack before the first snow.

The house isn’t perfect, but it has a roof and any holes can be patched up with some mud. It may be kinda cramped, but it’s his.

This, at least, is still his.

Wow, it’s been so long since he had pheasant. He’d almost forgotten how good it was! And to catch such a nice fat one with such a rudimentary bow and arrow, truly he amazes himself sometimes, haha.

It’d be nice if he had some spices though, so Lan Zhan could-

A smoked flavor is fine too.

It’s been a while since he’s seen another face. Though, for the Yiling Patriarch that should be a good thing right?

Maybe it’s been long enough that people started to forget his face?

How long has it been, anyway? He hopes he didn’t miss any of his kids’ special occasions.

Well, not that he could participate...

The pheasant tastes rather bland today.

Wei Wuxian isn’t hungry, but he knows he has to eat in case A-Yuan comes to visit.

A-Yuan is such a good kid, he’s far too filial even towards someone like him. If anyone, A-Yuan will come. And Wen Ning will definitely go with him. They could have a little family reunion, it’ll be great!

So he has to eat.

Wei Wuxian hasn’t been hungry in weeks. The results of his cultivation must be paying off for his inedia to advance to such a degree! His ribs have gotten a bit sharp, but it must be because this core isn’t as powerful as his first one. You can’t expect the effects to be the same!

Wei Wuxian went to a nearby town to buy a new pot. Normally he would find a way to make do without or patch it up, but he’d already done that before and this was the last one.

Face wrapped in scrap fabric, Wei Wuxian shuffled through the alleys, keeping to the shadows and pausing whenever a group of people pass.

As he was paying for his pot with his few precious coin, Wei Wuxian heard some cultivators speaking, “-and then he cleaned up the entire surge of corpses with a single note. That Lan Sizhui is truly a talent!”

For the first time in a while, Wei Wuxian began to smile. His A-Yuan grew up to be such a fine man. What are these people saying, of course his son is talented!

The cultivator’s partner huffed, “Well with a father like Hanguang-Jun, how could he not be talented?”

Wei Wuxian’s smile wobbled as he bit his lip, hurrying away from the town.

Silly.

How absolutely silly.

A-Yuan is Lan Zhan’s son. Lan Zhan was the one to raise him, teach him. How could he be so arrogant as to attribute any of Lan Zhan’s and A-Yuan’s efforts to himself?

Of course A-Yuan hasn’t come to visit. Why would he? He may be Wei Wuxian’s son, but Wei Wuxian was in no way his parent. 

A-Yuan had always liked Lan Zhan better anyway, even back in Yiling, haha.

Haha.

…

Ha.

The sound of a brush on paper was all that resounded through that cold and empty night on the mountain.

It’s been a long time since Wei Wuxian entered the Burial Mounds. He used to go burn paper money with the others way back when, but…

He hopes the Wens will be okay with a stick instead of incense.

A clinking sound brought wei Wuxian’s eyes down to his waist. Suibian is acting up again. This entire journey Suibian has been trying to move him in any other direction, even flying out of his sheath so Wei Wuxian would have to chase it down. Eventually he had no choice but to wrap some vines around it and slap on some talismans to keep it locked in. Chenqing also had to be wrapped in a cloth, the flute singing hymns of death that raise corpses just enough to grab his ankles to keep him in place.

Should Wei Wuxian be proud to have cultivated such powerful spirits?

He is. He’s very happy. Even if he never uses them, Wei Wuxian is sure A-Yuan will take good care of them as a proper master, unlike himself.

Wei Wuxian finishes the array, gently placing Suibian and Chenqing in the middle. He gives them a slow, careful stroke, as if memorizing their forms with his touch. Then he activates the array.

Lan Sizhui really hates Discussion Conferences sometimes. He has to pretend to like people he hates and stay quiet while they talk about pointless or irritating things. His Uncle Xichen usually intervenes before those people venture too far into a certain forbidden area, but it doesn’t stop the bitter taste in his mouth.

He wishes Uncle Ning could be here. Uncle Xichen may change the topic, but that’s the most he’ll do in public. Uncle Ning, for all his gentleness, would never let them get away with badmouthing Wei Wuxian.

Unlike the Lans, Uncle Ning would never abandon his mother.

It has been a difficult two years, but they’re finally narrowing down possible locations. Surprisingly, Sect Leader Jiang has offered his help to them. Lan Sizhui thought that maybe Jin Ling had talked to him, but apparently he’s just gotten nowhere in his own search.

For some reason Uncle Ning was slightly hostile to Jiang Cheng, but even more surprising was that Jiang Cheng put up with it.

Why was he so desperate?

At least their combined information bore some fruit. As soon as this stupid conference ends they’ll fan out a search.

They’ll find him.

Sensing a sudden influx of spirit energy, Lan Sizhui snapped to attention in time to catch a bundle that appeared out of thin air. No, two bundles. Lan Sizhui furrowed his brows, who would teleport something like this during a Discussion Conference?

Who could teleport something into the Cloud Recesses Discussion Conference?

Silver eyes widened as Lan Sizhui caught sight of two black grass butterflies peeking out of the fabric. Uncaring of the eyes on him, Lan Sizhui tore off the wrappings in frenzy, revealing a certain sword and flute. They were both still.

Lan Sizhui grabbed them and ran out at a full sprint yelling, “UNCLE NING! I KNOW WHERE HE IS!!!”

Going at their fastest speed, Lan Sizhui were able to arrive at the Burial Mounds within a few hours. Wen Ning had to support him when he nearly tripped over his own feet, but Lan Sizhui couldn’t bother with that right now. 

He’s here.

Mom is here.

Of course he would come here eventually. What were they thinking, writing off the Burial Mounds when they didn’t find him there the first time? They should have set up alarms!

Taking a deep calming breath, Lan Sizhui’s eyes sharpened as he and Wen Ning ran into their once-home. There was no point searching blindly, if Wei Wuxian returned here he would only go to one place.

Entering the Demon-Slaughtering cave brought an onslaught of memories both good and bad, the familiar scent of the blood pool more comforting than it had any right to be.

Wen Ning brought his attention to a pair of footsteps in the dirt leading into the very back. With quick but silent steps, the two reached the blood pool, but there was no Wei Wuxian in sight. 

A letter lay carefully folded under a rock in front of the pool.

The footsteps don’t stop.

Unfolding the letter with trembling hands, Lan Sizhui and Wen Ning began to read. A second later Lan Sizhui felt himself slinking to the ground as Wen Ning dived into the blood pool, an anguished roar piercing even through the thick liquid. Gasping through the tears, Lan Sizhui scrambled forward with whatever strength he could find to follow him, ignoring the vile sensation of blood coating his entire body, stretching his senses to their very limit to find something. Anything.

He almost wished he didn’t find anything.

A loud crash rang through the conference hall as a pair of doors were smashed in. A thick scent of blood pervaded the room, the cultivators tensing with their swords ready, until Sect Leader Lan cried out, “Sizhui?!”

Everyone blinked as Lan Xichen hurried forward in worry, “What happened?! Are you hurt?!”

The soaked man stayed quiet, gaze fixed on Lan Wangji who had also made his way forward, only to be frozen in place by Lan Sizhui’s piercing glare.

Lan Wangji furrowed his brow, wondering what’s going on, “Si-”

He was stopped by a choked sob.

On the side, Jiang Cheng felt dread pooling in his gut.

Lan Sizhui took a few slow heavy steps forward, silent as he lifted his head and whimpered,

“I hate you.”

Lan Wangji’s eyes widened in horror as Lan Sizhui lunged forward to stab his sword into his father’s stomach. Lan Sizhui glared harder, hysterically crying, “I HATE YOU! I HATE ALL OF YOU!!!”

Lan Xichen blanched in horror before pulling out his Xiao as he realized, “He’s undergoing Qi Deviation!”

The other sects made room while the Lans coordinated with the Nies to attempt to suppress Lan Sizhui, but they vastly underestimated his strength. Sizhui slashed at whoever came close, injuring close to a dozen cultivators before Jiang Cheng clicked his tongue and joined the fight. If this continues things might just get violent for real, and he doesn’t care about a Wen-dog, but he can’t let his nephew Wei Wuxian’s brat get hurt.

The kid put up a hell of a fight, but he didn’t grow up fighting someone much more difficult. A few minutes later had Jiang Cheng stepping on Lan Sizhui’s back, Zidian wrapped tightly but harmlessly around his body as the Lans played Clarity. It took a bit more time than Jiang Cheng would have liked for Lan Sizhui’s struggling to fade into trembling as the boy laid on the ground crying, “I hate you, I hate you so much…”

Jiang Cheng huffed. So the brat finally saw reason and learned to hate Lan Wangji like he should have two years ago. He sneered at the older Lan as a healer sat next to him closing his wound, praise ready on his lips when he heard a muted sob, “Father, Jiang Cheng, I hate you both so much…”

Jiang Cheng stilled as lan Sizhui glared behind his neck at him, “...So. Much…”

Swallowing hard, Jiang Cheng forced a glare on his own face, “And who do you think you are to do that?” Even Jin Ling doesn’t speak to him like this.

“Wei Wuxian’s son.”

Jiang Cheng feels his heart go cold as Lan Sizhui wriggles around to slide a blood-stained letter out of his sleeve. Snatching it up, Jiang Cheng rakes his eyes over the paper with a growing desperation. It’s a series of short letters. Wen Ning, Lan Sizhui, the juniors, Lan Wangji, even Lan Xichen.

Dear Jiang Cheng,

(His fingers start to tremble.)

If you haven’t burned this letter as soon as you saw it’s from me, I count it a success! Haha, don’t worry, I’ll be quick.

(Don’t, slow down.)

I’m sorry I ruined our last meeting. I knew better than to intrude on Lotus Pier, but still got ahead of myself. Have I always been that presumptuous? Apologize to Uncle Jiang on my behalf.

(Who ruined it? Apologize yourself.)

I would do it myself, but… I think we both know where I’m going.

(...)

But that’s fine. Even that is more than I deserve. I know that.

(...)

You were right.

(...)

About me. Everything.

(...)

I know I’m not your brother anymore, but you never stopped being mine.

I’m sorry I couldn’t be better.

(*drip*)

Jiang Cheng didn’t realize he had crumbled the paper until gentle hands carefully unfurled his fingers. He stared blankly as Lan Xichen patted his shoulder and moved him off Lan Sizhui. Lan Sizhui, the only thing left of his brother.

He wondered if this is how Wei Wuxian felt when he met Jin Ling for the first time. He unconsciously reached out only for lan Sizhui to flinch back and glare at him again. Jiang Cheng’s hand froze.

But.

He reached forward again and held the struggling Lan Sizhui tight.

For the first time, he understands why Wei Wuxian clung to Jin Ling so fervently. This one precious person. No matter the attitude, no matter the heritage.

He’s all I have left.

Lan Xichen carefully walked over to a dazed Lan Wangji, gently placing a hand on his head and quietly handing him the letter. With blank eyes, Lan Wangji found a passage for him.

Dear Lan Zhan,

Thank you.

I’m sorry.

[ibijau]

Burn it down AU // on AO3 // extras on AO3

For the first time in years, Lan Wangji looks forward to the future with anticipation rather than dread 

(aka: epilogue time! Thanks to everyone who read this story, hope you enjoyed it and that I didn’t forget to tie up any loose thread. If I did... oops, my bad, too late XD)

Less than two months after the death of Jin Guangyao, Lan Xichen left his sect in the hands of his uncle and urgently took flight for Qinghe after getting a letter from Nie Huaisang. Lan Wangji, A-Yuan and Wei Wuxian followed only a few days after, after packing their belongings so they could stay in the Unclean Realm for a few weeks, or even a few months if it came to that. 

In his letter, Nie Huaisang had confessed to finding his mood swinging, as it had done before Lan Xichen started playing music for him, and so his family and friends wanted to be around him to support him. Besides, Lan Wangji had a faint fear that Wei Wuxian was growing restless in the Cloud Recesses, and travelling could only do him good.

It took them some time to reach the Unclean Realm. A-Yuan had still not yet learned to fly on a sword, though he probably would start lessons during their visit. And while Wei Wuxian could, he confessed to feeling awkward about doing it in this weaker body, with a sword that wasn't his. It was quickly decided that for him too some lessons wouldn't hurt, which Lan Wangji would only be too happy to provide. 

By the time they reached the Unclean Realm, Nie Huaisang already appeared to be doing better than he had claimed in his letter. He was smiling brightly when he welcomed them at the gate, Lan Xichen at his side. 

Lan Wangji, A-Yuan and Wei Wuxian were quickly ushered inside the Unclean Realm and brought to Nie Huaisang’s personal quarters. While Nie Huaisang hugged A-Yuan and demanded news, servants brought them some much welcome hot tea and took away their damp coats. They’d encountered a little bit of snow earlier than morning, which wasn’t unusual for that time of the year and that region. 

"Oh you'll have to stay the winter now," Nie Huaisang announced with great satisfaction. "It would be unreasonable to travel in this season. Dangerous even! And I cannot allow you to put my A-Yuan in danger, so you'll all have to stay."

A-Yuan, hugging his step-father's waist, nodded firmly, but Lan Xichen smiled and came to pat his lover's shoulder. 

"I probably should go home though, now that you are in the capable hands of your husband," he said in an odd tone. 

It took Lan Wangji a moment to realise that his brother, always so serious and stern in spite of his eternal smile, was teasing Nie Huaisang. 

Nie Huaisang himself must have been more used to it, because he immediately reacted in sort. 

"Zewu-Jun, how dare you!" he gasped theatrically. "I am sick, terribly so, and you would abandon me and leave me in the hands of an inferior musician, risking my very life?" Nie Huaisang paused, and glanced at his husband. "No offence, Wangji." 

Lan Wangji only hummed to signify he knew better than to take that seriously, while both Lan Xichen and Wei Wuxian tried to contain their hilarity. Even A-Yuan, after an initial moment of worry, realised that Nie Huaisang was just messing around, and started taking the defence of his father’s skills. Before long Nie Huaisang, confronted also by Lan Xichen and Wei Wuxian, was forced to give a very theatrical apology to his husband.

Once they were done joking around, A-Yuan was asked to play quietly while the adults traded news, with the promise that if he were good, Nie Huaisang would take him to see his birds later. The child quickly agreed, and left the four of them alone at the table.

The first news to be shared whas the reason for Nie Huaisang’s slight relapse. Jiang Cheng had come to the Unclean Realm to demand that Wei Wuxian’s possessions be handed to him, which had quickly turned into a huge fight about Nie Huaisang endangering Jin Ling by not revealing immediately what he’d found out about Jin Guangyao. Heavy accusations had been thrown on both sides, and while Nie Huaisang had managed to hold his own and kept everything confiscated, the confrontation had shaken him badly enough that he’d thought it best to call for help.

“He’ll probably be back when the weather allows for easier travel,” Nie Huaisang sighed, leaning against Lan Xichen who wrapped an arm around his shoulders and pulled him closer. “I think for now he doesn’t know yet about Wen Qionling, but when he finds out…”

He shivered at the thought, while Lan Wangji wrinkled his nose at the idea. No matter how good Nie Huaisang was at keeping his old friend’s temper in check, this would surely be too much.

“How is Wen Ning?” Wei Wuxian eagerly asked. “Did you hide him somewhere?”

“I am not able to be as good a host to him as I would prefer,” Nie Huaisang confessed. “We have a safe house, a few hours away from here, where disciples can rest and get provisions and necessities if trouble arises. I’ve sent him here, with some of the items obtained from Jin Guangyao’s secret chamber. Most of it was yours, Wei-xiong, but there were also spoils of wars from the Sunshot Campaign, among which ancient Wen texts. Wen gongzi has expressed the wish to study and copy them, to which I had no objections.”

Whatever resentment Wei Wuxian still held against Nie Huaisang for the murder of Mo Xuanyu, he instantly relaxed at hearing that Wen Ning was being treated well.

“Can we go visit him?”

“Not today, it’s too late for that,” Nie Huaisang said. “But as soon as we get a day of decent weather… he has expressed interest in meeting A-Yuan, by the way.”

All four of them turned to look at the child who had grabbed a book from Nie Huaisang’s library and was now reading it with such concentration that he did not notice he was now the center of attention.

“It will be difficult to explain to him who Wen Ning is,” Wei Wuxian sighed, tearing his eyes away from their son. “He’s a clever boy, he’s going to ask questions, but it’s probably best if he doesn’t know…”

“Wei-xiong, you like secrets too much,” Nie Huaisang cut him, startling Wei Wuxian. “Meanwhile, I’m tired of them. A-Yuan is a very clever boy, he can understand some things can only be spoken about with family, and he already remembers more than he lets on, I suspect. Have some faith in the people around you, Wei-xiong.”

“Nie-xiong, you’ve gotten very bold while I was dead, I’m almost impressed,” Wei Wuxian retorted. “Lan Zhan, what do you think?”

Lan Wangji hesitated, his eyes jumping several times between Wei Wuxian, Nie Huaisang and A-Yuan before he could make a decision.

“No objection to them meeting,” he said at last. “If it goes well, A-Yuan should be told.”

“If Lan Zhan agrees, then so do I,” Wei Wuxian sighed, defeated. 

Lan Wangji could not refrain a pleased smile at the thought that Wei Wuxian, in this new life, seemed to have more respect for his opinion than he ever had before. Or at least, that they had less trouble communicating their mutual respect, since perhaps it had always been there. He thought it bode well for the future, and that perhaps someday they would be able to discuss those things that had happened in the past, and the choices they had both made. Lan Wangji still did not understand why Wei Wuxian had dropped conventional cultivation in favour of more dangerous methods, but he had good hopes the other man would tell him when the time was right.

For the time being, the conversation shifted to less dangerous topics, such as Lan Qiren annoyance that both his nephews had deserted him. Lan Xichen expressed some regret over causing his uncle sorrow, but Lan Wangji felt little pity for him, and one glance told him that Nie Huaisang was of the opinion that Lan Qiren deserved to be made to suffer for what he had made them go through. They also discussed the latest news they’d heard from Lanling, where it was still unclear who would seize power, before chatting of their plans for the winter they would all be spending in the Unclean Realm.

It was, without a doubt, one of the most pleasant afternoons that Lan Wangji had ever experienced, all because his entire family was there with him.

Although winters were harsh this far North, Lan Wangji found himself quite happy with his time in the Unclean Realm.

As they had planned, A-Yuan was brought to meet Wen Ning. After the initial fright of encountering a fierce corpse this powerful, the two quickly found common ground and were soon chatting like old friends. Lan Wangji was already starting to wonder how to break the news of their shared blood when A-Yuan suddenly turned to his fathers and asked if he had met Wen Ning before. A-Yuan broke into tears when they explained the truth to him, and ran into Wen Ning’s arms to hug him tight, repeating again and again how happy he was to have even more family than he’d thought.

Because they could not risk bringing attention to Wen Ning, their visits to him remained few and far between. It did not stop A-Yuan from writing to him daily and bringing him a pile of letters each time they went to the safe house, so he would have something to keep him company while he was alone. Although it was impossible for Wen Ning to cry, being a fierce corpse, it was a near thing every time that A-Yuan showed how fully he had adopted his cousin back into his family.

The rest of the time, they all stayed mostly in the Unclean Realm. Having little else to do, Lan Wangji set out to teach A-Yuan how to fly on his sword, for which his son showed great skill. Before the snows melted, he was capable of making his sword hold his weight, keeping his balance on it, and even moving around a little, though only very slowly. The adults in his life all complimented him on his skill, and encouraged him to keep working hard so he would improve further. It helped, perhaps, that Wei Wuxian was following those lessons with him, still oddly awkward about using a sword even now that Suibian had been returned to him. 

Lan Wangji couldn’t shake the impression that there was something there he wasn’t being told, but he tried his best not to probe. Wei Wuxian would be ready someday, and for now he did not want to risk pushing too hard and putting a dent in their friendship. They were getting along better and better as the winter passed. Although Wei Wuxian was by no means glued to his side, no matter how or where he spent his days he always returned to Lan Wangji at night and shared everything he’d done. Sometimes it was just normal cultivation, so he could give his new body a golden core. Other times he had gone off to do some mischief with junior Nie disciples, much to Nie Huaisang’s irritation who accused him of corrupting the youth. Lan Wangji’s favourite days were the ones they spent together, but he also liked hearing stories of Wei Wuxian living his own life, free and alive again.

Sometimes, when the mood struck him, Wei Wuxian seemed to get somewhat flirtatious with Lan Wangji. It was hard to say if it was in earnest or simply part of his personality, so Lan Wangji took it in stride and tried not to read too much into it. Wei Wuxian seemed very amused that his taunts no longer had the same effects they’d had in their youth, and kept looking for new ways to tease Lan Wangji who was just happy with the attention.

Perhaps someday it would lead to more, as it had for Lan Xichen and Nie Huaisang who seemed happier than newlyweds and often appeared to forget that they were supposed to show some discretion. Or perhaps between Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian there would never be more than teasing and an ever deepening friendship. Either options would make Lan Wangji equally happy, after those years of mourning.

-

All too soon, spring returned to the Unclean Realm, bringing with it the end of their happy insouciance.

Lan Xichen could no longer find excuses to remain in Qinghe now that the weather was warmer. It was obvious, anyway, that he had started feeling guilty at having abandoned his sect so long, refusing to become as uncaring and detached a sect leader as their father had been. For that reason he left the Unclean Realm as soon as the first warm spell of spring hit them, though not without making Nie Huaisang promise to visit him in the Cloud Recesses as soon as he could.

Fearful that this separation from his lover would have too much of an impact on Nie Huaisang’s mood, Lan Wangji decided to remain a little longer to check on him. After a few weeks though, it became obvious that Nie Huaisang had recovered almost entirely from the instability that had ailed him after his brother’s death. Not only that, but since he no longer had to hide from Jin Guangyao and knew that nobody in his sect would turn against him, Nie Huaisang set out to do better at his job, determined to improve the way Qinghe Nie was run so he would have more time in the future for his hobbies, as well as for visits to his lover.

Seeing him so determined to achieve this new, healthier goal, Lan Wangji found himself wondering what he wanted from life. He’d never had to think about it before, first because there had always been rules in his life to dictate his every action, and then later because the only thing he’d ever selfishly wanted had been taken from him. Things were different now, though, and it forced him to consider his future.

The idea of simply returning to the Cloud Recesses and staying there permanently did not sit quite right with him. It was his home, it always would be his home, but there was too much he had become critical of to be comfortable there, as well as too many tensions with his uncle. It would have been, then, easy to stay in the Unclean Realm. Nobody would have objected, since it was where his husband lived… but that solution did not sit right either. It would have been difficult to stay without letting A-Yuan cultivate with the Nie method, which Nie Huaisang had stated times and times again that he did not want, and which Lan Wangji disliked as well, having seen how even someone like Nie Huaisang could be so easily and deeply unbalanced after following that path.

With those two options eliminated, a third had to be considered. But before he could try to breach the subject with Wei Wuxian, the other man came to find him one day with a request

“Lan Zhan, I’ve been talking with Nie-xiong earlier and he asked me a favour,” Wei Wuxian explained after interrupting Lan Wangji’s meditation. “You see, he’s been hearing rumours about people going missing in a region away from here. It’s a place where there aren’t any sects to take care of those things. It’s also probably just some fierce corpses, and the area isn’t very rich, so rogue cultivators aren’t very likely to go there. But people are still in trouble, right? So I was wondering…”

“We’re going,” Lan Wangji interrupted, standing up from his meditative pose, already planning what they would need for the journey. Money, food, clothes… paper for talismans too, of course. All of which Nie Huaisang would gladly let them have. He wouldn’t have mentioned that issue to Wei Wuxian without reason.

Wei Wuxian stared at him, looking stunned, then threw himself at Lan Wangji’s neck to kiss his cheek.

“Lan Zhan, I knew I could count on you! And I was thinking, maybe we could take Wen Ning with us? It’d be good for him to get out of that safe house, he must be going crazy in there. And he’ll help us make sure that A-Yuan is safe, even if it’s more than fierce corpses over there! Would you allow it?”

A little dazzled by the kiss, Lan Wangji only managed to nod weakly. It was enough anyway. Wei Wuxian never needed more than the barest of encouragement when he had an idea in mind. He startled babbling about all the things they would need, then ran off to pester Nie Huaisang into giving them all of that.

Lan Wangji, for a moment, remained frozen where he stood. Very hesitantly he brought a hand to the cheek that Wei Wuxian had kissed, still feeling the warmth of those lips on his skin.

It had been nice, he thought, to travel with Wei Wuxian when they were looking for Nie Mingjue’s body. It would be nicer still to do so with A-Yuan at their side and, yes, even Wen Ning who Lan Wangji thought he might easily become friends with, now that the occasion was given to them. They would take care of this problem, and of the next one they would encounter, until they felt like going home to either Qinghe or Gusu where they would rest for a time until some other cry for help reached them…

The thought made Lan Wangji smile.

It would be nice to be with his family, and to finally be happy.

[marzaid]

Could you imagine if after Lan Wangji visits the Burial Mounds he hoes straight to Lan Xichen and Lan Qiren and is like “look I know you don’t trust Wei Ying but you are coming with me back to the Burial Mounds.” So they take a family trip to the Burial Mounds, unexpectedly, and are greeted by Wen Ning, the Ghost General, who seems harmless. They ask to speak with We Wuxian, who is very anxious because he might trust Lan Wangji but he isn’t sure about the rest of his family. The Lans find how they’re just trying to farm and make do with what they have.

Lan Xichen and Lan Qiren are very confused because they were told by a Jin Guangshan that Wei Wuxian was forming an evil army but apparently he picked up fatherhood and farming instead? A-Yuan calls Lan Xichen and Lan Qiren uncle and great uncle respectively because he just assumes that they’re family. Lan Xichen takes it in stride because honestly A-Yuan is the most adorable child and I headcanon that Lan Xichen adores children. Lan Qiren is conflicted because on one hand this child is adorable and he probably secretly likes kids but on the other this child is apparently Wei Wuxian’s??

Anyway so the Lans all collectively lose their shit and go to Jiang Cheng because they want to know if he was aware of this, which he was but he had no power to take care of his brother. Lan Xichen is like “hmmm I will call my sworn brothers here” and Jiang Cheng is having a hard time because Jiang Yanli’s wedding is probably in a day or so so he’s STRESSED. They agree to let Jiang Yanli get married first even because trying to clear Wei Wuxian’s name will be a long arduous process that might delay their wedding. Plus the marriage will give them another Jin to persuade. So they get married and the Jiang siblings tell Wei Wuxian the plan.

About a week or so after the wedding everyone is called to Lotus Pier and the situation is explained. Nie Mingjue refuses to believe without seeing it first, so suddenly there are group tours of the Burial Mounds. Wei Wuxian and the Wens are tired and confused and they just want to live in peace maybe find a better place to reside that doesn’t have resentful energy and dead bodies but they’ll take what they’re given. Nie Mingjue might have hated the Wens but he’s a fair man (y’all can fight me on this one he is fair and kind fuck you), so he also backs the campaign to bring justice because he doesn’t believe in involving civilians in the fight. He also has a long conversation with Wen Qing because he wanted to understand why she never came forward if she didn’t agree with her uncle and cousins and learns that her younger brother’s life was what she was trying to protect. He thinks of Nie Huaisang and understands immediately as he would do anything to protect his brother as well.

Jin Zixuan and Jin Guangyao also go on one of the tours of the Burial Mounds and their reactions are very different. Jin Zixuan is horrified are the implications of what his family has done and vows as heir apparent to the Jin sect to do something about it. His father refuses to go, no surprise there, but Madam Jin and some of the elders go on one and they are equally as horrified, vowing to help in whatever way they can. Jin Guangyao, on the other hand, sees his plan falling apart and is freaking out. If everyone sides with Wei Wuxian and the Wens then he, Jin Guangyao, won’t be able to use him as a scapegoat and a means to help himself rise to power. He tries to frame Wei Wuxian by setting out traps around the Burial Mounds for people coming in on tours. The problem is that they catch some innocent civilians instead and Wei Wuxian is furious threatening to put up a barrier to stop anyone from coming in at all.

The other issue for Jin Guangyao was that he had promised Jin Guangshan that he would get the Yin Tiger Seal but was unable to convince anyone that the chief cultivator should have it. One of the agreements between Wei Wuxian and everyone else was that he would give half the seal to the Lan and the other half to the Nie. This way they could have it destroyed publicly. He originally wanted to hand it over to Jiang Cheng but other cultivators especially from smaller sects were wary of this and thought that the Jiang would use it to take over. So the Lan and Nie split it since they are considered the most fair of the major sects.

The Yin Tiger Seal is destroyed and the crimes of Jin Guangshan and crew are revealed. The rest of the sects, especially the smaller ones, want Jin Guangshan to step down both as chief cultivator and sect leader but he refuses. Even within the Jin sect there’s a rift. Half the sect wants him to step down and the other half support him for various reasons. The half that want him to step down rally behind Jin Zixuan and nominate him as their sect leader refusing to acknowledge Jin Guangshan. They work together with the other sects to rectify the wrongs their sect committed. However, there’s the part of the sect that still supports Jin Guangshan and they won’t go down without a fight.

Surprisingly, there are people from other sects that also rally behind Jin Guangshan and the remnants of his sect that stayed with him. They form an army hellbent on taking down Wei Wuxian and the rest of the Wen and anyone that gets in their way. Jin Guangyao, who has been vying for his fathers approval his entire life, stays by his fathers side despite the evidence and knowing that it’s wrong. He tries to convince Lan Xichen of this but is unsuccessful. The trust and affection he built up from Lan Xichen is gone and maybe he’s devastated but he convinces himself that once he has his fathers approval and then once he is chief cultivator and the most powerful that Lan Xichen will come crawling back. He won’t but Jin Guangyao keeps trying to convince himself otherwise.

A battle at the Burial Mounds ensues and Wei Wuxian is only just able to ensure that the Wens are taken to safety. The other sects back Wei Wuxian and there is another long, exhausting series of bloody battles just like those of the Sunshot campaign. Wei Wuxian uses resentful energy as best as he can but at some point realizes that he’s been regrowing a golden core (this is a thing in my mind let me dream). He uses a combination of spiritual and resentful energy and teaches Jiang Cheng, Jiang Yanli, and the rest of the Jiangi how to do it. They don’t have to use it to the extent that he used to but they still understand how to control it when needed (new Jiang technique besides what Jiang Cheng eventually develops too).

Jin Guangshan falls and his supporters lose. Some of them abandon him as they start seeing his side losing the war, others abandon him right after his death. There are still those who are extremely loyal to Jin Guangshan even after the man’s death but they become a small minority. Maybe they for, their own sect under Jin Guangyao. He can’t take the Jin name anymore because Jin Zixuan is still alive and rightfully claims that name. Maybe he goes back to Meng Yao, who knows, but he is still the face of that small group that want justice for their cause even if their cause means death to innocent people.

After the war is finally through, the position of chief cultivator is abolished, as none of the sects like the idea of one man having that much power. They saw it with Wen Ruohan, with Jin a Guangshan, and arguably with Wei Wuxian. They opt for a democratic panel where representatives from each sect regardless of their size have regular discussions to sort out problems arise. These discussions are not set in one spot and regularly move so that each sect regardless of size takes a turn at hosting everyone.

Wei Wuxian is reinstated as head disciple and right hand man of Jiang though if anyone asks Jiang Cheng he stubbornly says that it was a temporary hiatus. The rest of the Wen settle in Yunmeng because they liked being close to We Wuxian as they see him and now by extension the Jiang as their family. Uncle Four opens the best liquor shop in all of Yunmeng that has people from all over coming to it for a try of all his different brews. Wen Qing and Wen Ning because the official doctors of the Jiang but also regularly take people from anywhere and occasionally travel if needed. Granny and A-Yuan live in Lotus Pier with Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng and Granny becomes everyone’s Granny. She cares for the young disciples and also always makes sure that Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng are taking care of themselves. How can they deny her anything anyway? Are you going to disappoint Granny? Plus she has Jiang Yanli on speed dial and they would die rather than make their big sister sad. A-Yuan becomes a new disciple of the Jiang.

It’s decided at one of the discussion conferences that it would be good for young disciples as they near adulthood to learn from other sects. Not necessarily all their techniques but to meet new people gain more knowledge. Some sects have occasional workshops while some of the bigger sects invite disciples to have an extended stay. A-Yuan, who’s already best friends with His cousin Jin Ling at this point, becomes good friends with the other juniors his age as well, Lan Jingyi and Ouyang Zizhen. The four of them form an unbreakable group.

The Jiang under Jiang Cheng grow exponentially because he takes in people that remind him of Wei Wuxian. People in bad situations and in bad spots and gives them a safe haven. There’s a running joke among the disciples to see which brother, Jiang Cheng or Wei Wuxian, adopts more kids to take care of.

Somewhere along the way Wangxian probably elopes. Maybe right in the middle of the war. Jiang Cheng loses his shit because he’s been planning Wei Wuxian’s wedding since he moved to Lotus Pier when they were kids. So they have a ceremony when things settled down that neither Wei Wuxian nor Lan Wangji could say no to because their respective brothers had been so excited at the prospect of a wedding.

In the end, things are finally peaceful. Occasionally, some tries to rise up and gain power and hurt others but they’ve got a pretty good handle on things.

Everyone lives and is happy. The end.