Lessons

[diditmywei]

Wei Wuxian had lost hope, but his pride had yet to falter.

The Wen Sect had attacked the Lotus Pier, using Wei Wuxian’s bad attitude as their excuse. He’d lost his home and his foster parents, such as they were, and Jiang Cheng had been bent on revenge. It had ended with them here, branded as traitors to the government. He didn’t know what had happened to Jiang Chen, but he assumed that his fate was much the same.

Time had blurred for him, though the unmarked stretches of time formed a pattern. There was the cold gray cell with the propaganda television upon the wall, proclaiming virtues and sins, and the Wen Sect’s superiority over all. There was the processing room, with the bureaucrat who explained his situation. He was now the property of the state. Because of his youth and his appearance (“Oh, are you saying I’m pretty? You’re not really my type, I don’t really go for lump-faced brown-nosers like you…”), he had the opportunity to be a helpmeet, if he would agree to yield to the training.

Wei Wuxian expressed that he was enjoying their hospitality so very much, he could not possibly wish to leave.

And then there was the torture, which went on for hours, until he wept and screamed. They explained to him that this was still a merciful torture, which left no damage. He still had the opportunity to become a helpmeet. He could serve an honorable clan and be well-treated. (“Oh, are you saying I can be someone’s bitch? I hope they’re prettier than you.”)

After the third round of this, they had informed him that this was his last chance. His last offer. If he would yield to the training and accept his role as a helpmeet, he would be fed and given soft clothes and allowed to rest. If he did not yield, he would suffer far more excruciating torture, and then he would be given the opportunity to enter a work camp or to labor in a mine. The more painful torture would leave him capable of work, but it would leave marks. He would no longer be pretty. (“You really are fixated on me being pretty! I understand that you are in love with me, but really this is no way to go about a courtship!”)

They threw him back in the cell.

Wei Wuxian had some regrets about his insubordination. It would perhaps not be the worst thing to be a helpmeet (especially if he was given to a pretty girl who wanted him as a stud!), but he could not endure yielding his pride and kneeling before some stranger. He did not want to become some mindless, simpering automaton. But the alternative was being tortured until he broke or died. Wei Wuxian was shameless, but he was very proud. He decided that he would be tortured to death before he broke and pleaded for mercy.

The next day, he was brought to a new cell. It was not at all what he expected. It was very large and very white, with a great many lights beaming down from the ceiling. There, they made him kneel in the middle of the floor, and chained his cuffs to a ring in the floor behind him so that he could not slump or stand. Wei Wuxian did not mind this so much. He was accustomed to kneeling.

In front of him was a large mirror that took up the whole wall. He suspected that it was a one-way mirror, so that whoever was on the other side of the glass could watch what happened in the room. Probably Wen Chao, he thought. It would be just like him to want to watch Wei Wuxian’s humiliation and torture, and to not do it himself.

He was left there for a long period of time. At least an hour, but he yet again had no way to tell how much time was passing. This seemed strange to him. Surely this was not the new, worse torture they had promised, and he had not yielded or agreed to cooperate, so there was no reason that they would take mercy on him.

Eventually, the door opened behind him. Wei Wuxian was very curious, so he twisted around to look. It was Lan Zhan!

This was a surprise. Lan Zhan was as flawless as ever, in his white GusuLan Sect clothes that looked like he was in mourning. He looked upright and dignified, so he was certainly not a prisoner here. As far as Wei Wuxian knew, the Lan Sect was still held in esteem by the Wen Sect and the government.

They were not exactly friends. Lan Wangji had never liked him, even though Wei Wuxian was always friendly to him and they had even fought together. Lan Zhan was still too uptight, and Wei Wuxian supposed that Lan Zhan found him inappropriate and annoying. He’d said as much! Almost half the words that Lan Zhan had ever said to him were things like ‘ridiculous’ and ‘pathetic’. Wei Wuxian considered him an ally, and would even have trusted Lan Zhan in most situations, but this was not a good situation. He couldn’t think of any good reason why Lan Zhan would be here, unless he had come to take part in Wei Wuxian’s humiliation.

“Do you work for the Department of Re-Education now, Lan Zhan?” Wei Wuxian asked, making his voice light and flippant, as though he had not been exhausted, starved, and tortured for days.

Comments

[inquiryguqin]

The last few weeks have been difficult. The Wen Sect is actively gaining power by siding with the current government that has taken over the country for the past few months. Unable to resist them and being far outnumbered, his clan decided to side with the strongest as the Lan Clan, being a pacifist clan did not resist in joining them to maintain the peace. While he was offered a new position due to being the second brother and heir to the Lan Clan, he did not enjoy the new power he was given. Innocent people got hurt and imprisoned and Lan Wangji did his best to try to save as many as he can, but for any heavy losses, there is nothing he could do about it. Either cooperate and be a part of the program, obey your superiors, get imprisoned, or get killed, and he has seen how far the Wen Sect can go in massacring clans who opposed them. Playing smart and strategic, he decides to use his position to hopefully help and protect others, but being careful to monitor his own actions as no one can be trusted.

In the meanwhile, Lan Wangji has been actively searching for Wei Wuxian, his classmate. To him, he was missing for a few weeks. The last he has seen of him he was in his class training and learning the Gusu Lan way, and then he left the Lan Clan with his brother to return home to Lotus Pier. In his search, all he found is his silver bell that he dropped of the Jiang Sect, the bell that used to jingle and dangle from his waist and he kept it as a keepsake. He has heard from his insiders of his clan that the sister went missing too and they too went looking for her.

It’s only thanks to his Uncle and elder brother Lan Xichen and his connections to allies that they relented (believing Lan Wangji is making a big mistake) that he is able to find Wei Wuxian in one of the facilities. He was questioned as to why he goes far to land a job that goes against his very own nature and to go that far to find a nobody, a lunatic, somebody unimportant.

The cell door open and already he found their situation difficult. The room is sterile almost like a prison. From the beginning, Lan Wangji has a hard time to believe his former classmate is a rebellious traitor, a lunatic, a nobody, but...it doesn't change the fact that he is branded as one, and his fate rest in his hands if they don't work together.

Lan Wangji tightens his lips, trying to keep up a stoic appearance. "No. It's only a temporary job." As he goes to great lengths to find him personally. He endured being humiliated and being a laughing stock, but Lan Wangji cared not. He's aware of the mirror and perhaps they are being recorded, so Lan Wangji has a strategy to fool them completely if he could train and have Wei Wuxian to cooperate in being his helpmeet.

Taking a seat, sitting across him despite Wei Wuxian seems uncomfortable with his restraints, he kept calm with a serene expression. "Wei Wuxian. Do you remember me?"

[diditmywei]

"Lan Zhan!" Wei Wuxian exclaims again, with a cheerful friendliness as though they are acquaintances meeting casually at an inn rather than in the actual severity of their current circumstances. "Of course I remember you. Did I not save your life?"

He lifts his chin cockily, flashing Lan Zhan a teasing grin. It's true, of course, that Lan Zhan had also saved his life, and they would never have survived if they hadn't worked together. He respects Lan Zhan for his skill and his honorable nature, though Wei Wuxian still thinks that he's a stuffy, old-fashioned stoic.

It worries him to think why Lan Zhan is here. Wei Wuxian can't bear the thought of someone like Lan Zhan torturing someone. He is strict and uncompromising with his punishments, but he's never been cruel the way the Wen Sect can be cruel. Wei Wuxian doesn't want to see a cruel side to Lan Zhan. "Have you come to visit me? The accommodations at this inn--pff! They are just not good. Do you know, they do not even serve alcohol here?!"

[inquiryguqin]

Lan Zhan was surprised to see him upbeat and cheerful like this. He's still the classmate and mischevious boy he remembered. It gives him a sense of relief that he's all right. He gathered his thoughts, as he has a laundry list of purpose and agenda of issues he wants to bring it up to him such as asking about his injuries and getting him taken care of, and then discuss the important issue of training him as his helpmeet. It's going to be a great responsibility he takes on.

"Indeed, I remember...and I have to come to see you on an important matter." He remembers him so fondly. He is relieved Wei Wuxian survives and is in one piece! That mouth of his will get him into further trouble if they don't do something with the limited time he was given.

At the mention of wanting drinks, Lan Zhan rubs his temples.

"Wei Ying, this isn't a tavern or an inn! Of course, they don't serve drinks here. Quit fooling around. We need to discuss this, it's very important."

Lan Zhan can't help but feel like he's being watched. It's a feeling he can't shake of. The disturbing propaganda program on television doesn't help much with the tension of nerves running high here.

Calming down. Speaking very slowly, "Wei Ying, you do realize you're in the helpmeet program?"

[diditmywei]

At a time like this, Wei Wuxian realizes that it would be inappropriate to act absurdly. And yet, when Lan Zhan has that face, Wei Wuxian wants nothing more in the world than to tease him.

"Ah, no, Lan Zhan, you are mistaken." It is somewhat more difficult to be cheerful when his arms are bound like this and his whole body aches from the amount of time he's been kept kneeling and chained, but sass came naturally to Wei Wuxian. "While everyone here has agreed that I am pretty enough to be a helpmeet, and I am sure you will not argue, everyone knows that helpmeets are supposed to be demure and obedient, so it's no good."

Wei Wuxian shrugs dramatically and rolls his eyes. He is curious, however, as to what has brought Lan Zhan here. While he is happy to tease and waste time all day long, he doesn't want the authorities of the re-education center to take Lan Zhan away before he has expressed his important matter.

"what is your important matter? I hope you're not going to tell me that you're in the helpmeet program! While you are certainly pretty enough for it, I fear you will be scandalized by the sort of things that helpmeets are called upon to do."

[inquiryguqin]

Lan Wangji is able to endure his teasing, at least for now. Listening to his reasoning quietly as he gathered his thoughts.

"...Mn." He has to remember the script it was given to him if he has every intention to take him home back to Gusu. It will take time, patience, dedication, and progress to train him and save him, but he is hoping he can do so and gently without much harming him as he maintains the Lan clan gentle ways. "Of course." It doesn't give Lan Wangji any pleasure doing so, but it's for Wei Wuxian's own good.

"None of the other helpmeets interests me. Just you. You're still a no good, weak, pathetic scoundrel." It frustrates Lan Wangji to no end to say such insults so forcibily considering he has a righteous upbringing and was raised in a gentle household where everyone is soft-spoken. "You are a disobedient citizen, rebellious traitor to the state." While there's little evidence to support that, whether Wei Wuxian commit such crimes, the records are all there.

Very slowly, as he wants to be very accurate and correct with the script. To make sure Wei Wuxian understands. "That's why you must be re-educated and reshaped into a modeled citizen. That you understand that the state's laws and justice system is fair and just. Even a criminal like yourself can be rehab back into society." If this is the only way to save him and clear his name.

A pause, a beat. "So, I want to train you as my helpmeet. I enlisted in the program to do so. If you're ready to get to work and study, then I want to start by assessing your injuries." And hopefully once Wei Wuxian agrees, he can release him from the chains, and get him medical attention.

[inquiryguqin]

A slow week has passed. By the end of the week, it's time for their first test. Despite how exhausted and irritatingly numb Lan Wangji feels, he trains Wei Wuxian meticulously. There are days and nights were it's pleasurable to serve to their needs as a married couple. There are times it felt like a chore no matter how much it hurts or dull it was to recite and rehearse lines as they help each other train to recite a certain script to pass the test.

They were both dressed in the center's given military uniforms. They were greeted by a small team of the helpmeet staff wearing white labcoats as they were ushered quietly in one of the testing rooms. The test was taken inside a sterile clinic room and there's a glass window masking their figures where they're sitting behind, evaluating them.

Previously that morning Lan Wangji has given Wei Wuxian drugs to increase his sensitivity and stamina and lubes him up for the test. Inside the room, he has him stripped naked.

"Comrade Lan Wangji. Show us your progress with Wei Wuxian's performance as a helpmeet. You have thirty minutes to prove his obedience." Thirty minutes and it's a test of obedience. If it's a test of obedience, that means they wanted to hear degrading statements and proof of his loyalty.

Turning to Wei Wuxian, voice almost trembling, but cold and in control, eyes showing with no expression of pleasure, "Place your hands on the table, slut."

[diditmywei]

Over the course of the week, Wei Wuxian had gotten quieter. In public, he was a perfect helpmeet. He no longer looked around with interest or tried to be clever. He no longer squirmed as they sat through lessons. Dull as an automaton, he answered questions when asked and obeyed orders. He no longer looked for ways to fight back or escape. His best hope of getting out was obeying and trusting Lan Zhan.

Even when they were alone, he had stopped teasing and laughing. When things felt too intense, he stayed quiet and waited for Lan Zhan to finish. He asked for nothing, and endured whatever training Lan Zhan saw fit. Even the knowledge that Lan Zhan loved him didn’t warm him anymore. Love didn’t exist in this place. It wasn’t real.

He felt ready for the test. Even his impatience was gone. He was nervous about what he’d have to endure, but that was all.

Lan Zhan had cared for him that morning, giving him drugs that he accepted without question and lubing his entrance so he wouldn’t be hurt.

“I trust you,” Wei Ying had whispered to him, a moment before he took the drugs. “I forgive you for anything that you have to do to me in this place.”

After he undresses, he stands in place, eyes on the floor. His expression is blank. There is nothing left but obedience to Lan Zhan. He’ll do whatever it takes to keep Lan Zhan safe.

“Yes, master,” Wei Ying murmurs, going to the table and bracing his hands against it. He spread his legs and arched his back to offer himself. He existed only to serve Lan Zhan’s pleasure.

[inquiryguqin]

Lan Zhan felt his self-control and sense of rationality is fracturing as he tries to endure. At the moment, he is truly desperate to save him and to prevent him from being process to be sent to one of the work camps, to keep him by his side as much as possible. Even if the both of them becomes numb to everything around them as they both become dull and unemotional.

In the end, his love for him is now motivated by pure, selfish motivation. It's becoming an obsession, and yet this obsession is what fuels his determination. The trust is needed, but the forgiveness isn't necessary. For now, Lan Zhan felt his heart pounding wildly in his chest. Passing this test is important. He wondered if they're truly watching him behind the window? If only he has bichen, he would slit their throats out of pure hatred for this humiliation as he's capable of such, but Wei Ying's obedience is what kept his temper in check.

The clocks ticks. Thirty minutes is a long time. Lan Zhan strokes his cock, unable to feel pleasure, but it took him a long time to get hard, and slowly ease his cock inside of his hole. He goes slow, keeping his thrusts slow and steady as his cock rubs his soft insides as Wei Ying submits to him and receives him.

Five minutes in, and the questioning overheard through the ceiling PA:

"Comrade Lan Wangji, you begin training the criminal Wei Wuxian. Who is he obedient to?"

"He is obedient to the Master who is obedient to the state. As you can see, he's becoming a slut, a good bitch who obeys only his master. I am educating him to be a law-abiding citizen and cure him of his delusions as a revolutionary."

"Show us how he receives his punishment and kneels."

Lan Zhan swallowed his dry throat, his golden eyes gaze coldly. Going very slowly, one sequence at a time with each sequence is well-practiced and rehearsed. He pulls out of him, tugs Wei Ying's hair firmly, and spanks his ass hard. He whispered harshly to him as he guides him with a nudge to push him to kneel on knees.

"Get on your knee and kneel before me."

[diditmywei]

Wei Ying is annoyed on his master's behalf that their pleasure is interrupted. But he keeps his mouth shut as his master pulls out of him, and took the strike to his ass without a sound.

While Lan Wangji had struggled to get hard, Wei Wuxian hadn't. As soon as his master entered him, Wei Ying had started to harden, and he'd panted softly with each thrust. He liked the hand in his hair and the hand on his ass, even as humiliating as it was to have an audience for these things.

He's fully hard when he kneels in front of his master. Completely calm and trusting, Wei Ying looks up at him and licks his lips once, ready to obey anything that Lan Wangji commanded.

[inquiryguqin]

Days passed, counting by the weeks and Lan Zhan truly felt like he reached his limit. He becomes numb and desensitized to the daily routine in the re-education center. From the classes where they are drilled daily the same questions to the sterile weekly tests where he subjected Wei Ying to humiliating him to prove he's a help-meet and clear his name of his supposed crimes, and still no sign or news of their release. It's probably true then, that they probably kept everyone prisoner for a month or even a year.

He had resort to tried prayer. Remembering the sutras that he read in Buddhist scripture since he was a child, he prayed ferverently to the heavens each day and night for any sign for his release. It seems his prayer has gone unheard as days become weeks...

Until one afternoon, the guards came, to announce to Lan Zhan that his older brother Lan Xichen has found him. His brother paid for both of their freedom and signed for his release. It turns Lan Xichen found him using his connections and using the Lan clan's secret method of communing with the spirits to find them. His brother truly searched for them.

It seems unreal, but Lan Zhan make haste. Carrying Wei Ying in his arms, he carries him out of the center as the two brothers walked together side by side, taking their exit. How long have they seen the outside world,the sunshine, with the blue sky and the song of the birds outside? It has been far too long.

"Wei Ying, we're free. We're truly free. We're going home. Don't look back."

Looking back as they walked passed the gate taking their exit, the re-education center truly does look like a prison with the tall walls surrounding the facility and bard wires. Armed guards paroling in the towers to prevent escape. Lan Zhan with his brother walks farther away from the miserable place.

[diditmywei]

Wei Ying was barely a shadow of his former self.

If it had been torture, he might have endured it for weeks. He would have died stubborn and unbroken, laughing through the blood.

But for Lan Zhan he had yielded and pretended, and as the weeks went on he forgot it had ever been pretend.

He clings to Lan Zhan as they leave the center, keeping his head tucked against Lan Zhan's hair. It's so bright outside, and the air is crisp and cool. It doesn't seem real. None of this is real. It's only a strange, sharp, bright dream. Soon enough Wei Ying will wake in his master's arms and the days will be like the rest.

Obedient, he doesn't look back. He doesn't lift his head at all from Lan Zhan's hair, not until they've been walking for some time and even Wei Ying's scarred mind is starting to realize that they've traveled away from the center. His weak eyes have begun to adjust to the daylight, and he's a little bit more curious about their surroundings. Beside them is a tall man who looks similar to Lan Zhan, wearing the familiar white and blue Lan clan robes. He looks familiar somehow, but this cannot be real. Wei Ying watches him with confused suspicion.

[inquiryguqin]

Lan Zhan was anxious. Even with his older brother walking by his side, kept a good cheer, he remarked that Lan Zhan looked like he lost weight. Lan Zhan was still anxious with his mind riddled with so many worries. What if they take Wei Ying away again? As his older brother speaks and they walked to a small town, he becomes less anxious, but he is still uncertain.

The time they spent together, their intimacy is what rocked their relationship. He held onto Wei Ying tightly, his most precious beloved. He took a gamble, risked his life and his sanity to search for him and find him. He felt his patience eroded by the weeks, clinging onto some hope and faith that they would be free. In the end, his virtue won in a cruel and merciless world.

They walked forward to a nearby small town. Lan Zhan realized he has no money, but is grateful that his brother remembered him and will pay for everything. During the entire way, he converses with his brother as to what happened to him for the last few months, updating as to where Lan Zhan himself gone missing. He didn't mention training Wei Ying as a helpmeet, he left that out, but his brother had guess since the center was know for educating helpmeets and Lan Xichen didn't say a word, only listened.

They stopped by a restaurant where they can finally eat a real meal before they plan to board a bus that will take them back to Gusu. This is where Lan Zhan can rest his arms and lowers Wei Ying on a seat next to him.

Speaking gently to him, "Wei Ying. Wei Ying, what would you like to eat? How about congee? Or noodles?" As he wasn't sure how his stomach and Wei Ying's stomach can handle real food.

[diditmywei]

Wei Ying kept up his clinging the whole walk. He was glad that Lan Zhan didn't ever set him down. Everything was suddenly uncertain and his mind was whirling. He knew he should recognize things and remember people, but none of that was real, and he clung tighter to Lan Zhan because that had always been the right answer. Lan Zhan would always keep him safe, and all Wei Ying had to do was stay close, stay quiet, and obey.

In the restaurant he lifted his head curiously, glancing around at their surroundings. It looked very much like similar small restaurants he knew of, and he had memories of eating huge meals of bright red dishes in restaurants like this one.

Tentatively picking up the page with the restaurant's specials, he looked at all the names of strange foods he barely remembered. He'd gotten used to the bland food and the lack of any choice but the few that Lan Zhan could provide him: sex now or later, sleep now or later?

Putting the page back down, he tucked his head against Lan Zhan's shoulder, overwhelmed by the conflict inside his own mind. "Whatever you please, master."

[inquiryguqin]

Weeks passed since their argument. Time flows and their lives fell into a simple routine. Chores done, reeducation classes and drills in the morning, and then normal studies. Life seem like what they're used before the government take over.

It was peaceful. For a while. Until protests breaks out, break-outs from camps becomes an increasing occurrence, and several events lead one thing to another starting with an assassination of a notable clan leader, and the country plunge into chaos and civil war. After which, the government lost power as new clans and groups and partys rose to form their own armies and wage an all out gruella warfare to seize control of the country to overthrow the government and the war is becoming out of control. There's no safe place for people who lives in remote villages, and many people become homeless and set up refugee camps in safe places.

The uncle fell ill and Lan Zhan's brother took control of the clan. As a political power, the Gusu clan and their territory remain neutral and their people were known as peaceful diplomats as they refused to fight and participate in the civil war. In the territory of Gusu's forests near the towns and around Cloud recesses, refugee camps and tents of broken clans where the injured, women, and children took residence for a temporary place of safety away from the fighting.

By then, the re-education classes and whatever they learn in the re-education centers is now meaningless since the government fell and lost power, and so is their laws.

Lan Zhan grew distant as food and jobs remains scarce, and his relationship and friendship with Wei Ying becomes strained and distant. Wei Ying's family of brother and sister is found, and even the sister is being arranged to marry one of the sect's leaders sons soon. With the civil war, life becomes hard again.

In the meanwhile, Lan Zhan hardly stays home as he goes town to town travelling across the province as a musician to make ends meet, playing any zither instrument where he's needed and makes his living by reciting epic poems and singing operas from an ancient era completely from memory. Puppet shows and travelling troupe, he likes to call it.

He often returns back to Cloud Recesses at the end of the week to stay in his jingshi for a day or two to rest with the food and money he earned. Of course, the real reason for him to find work, as there's an orphan, a former wen sect child waiting for him when he returns.

[diditmywei]

Wei Ying was restless at first, but grateful. Quiet days of studying didn't suit him well, but he was able to find some tasks around the jingshi that he liked. Chopping wood was one task that he liked, and since the trees immediately around Cloud Recesses couldn't be cut for a variety reasons, wood had to be chopped in the mountains nearby and then carried back in bundles or on sleds. Once Wei Ying learned how to chop wood and walk with snow shoes, he took to the task readily, and spent long days out cutting trees and hauling the wood back for fuel.

Each night he slept beside Lan Zhan, but their friendship remained strained, and they talked little. Wei Ying felt lonely and regretful, but he also felt more calm and stable than he ever had before, and he knew that he had done the right thing. He could not live as Lan Zhan's possession. But a part of him still wanted that, and missed the kisses and affection that Lan Zhan had given him. He knew that he couldn't have any of that unless he was sure. He could take no chance at breaking Lan Zhan's heart a second time. If he desired Lan Zhan, he had to be sure that he wanted it to be a life-long relationship. He couldn't inflict the pain of anything else on Lan Zhan.

As the political situation changed, Lan Zhan became more distant, and often disappeared for a week at a time. The first time, Wei Ying was deeply concerned and mourned for his disappearance, but Lan Zhan came back at the end of the week, and brought food with him. Wei Ying would have liked to go with him, since traveling and playing music suited him well, but he felt that Lan Zhan didn't want him along. So he stayed, tending to chores for the Cloud Recesses. When the refugee camps settled and expanded, Wei Ying spent even more time there, bringing as much wood as he could carry and helping to watch out for the orphan children.

One of the children was particularly fond of Wei Ying, and would follow him around on his chores. Eventually, Wei Ying had to make a small pair of snowshoes for him so that A-Yuan could come with him into the forest. He slowed Wei Ying down, but he never complained, and he pulled his own sled of chopped wood with tireless determination. After two weeks of this, Wei Ying felt too guilty with the stern and threatening talk he had to give each time to make A-Yuan stay in the refugee camp, so he let the boy come home to the jingshi with him and sleep in the big empty bed.

"Welcome home, Lan Zhan," Wei Ying greeted him. He had a thin bone broth on the stove which he had planned to share with A-Yuan, since they had found no meat while they were out cutting wood, and he looked with interest to see if Lan Zhan had brought any food that could be added to the broth. "This is Wen Yuan, he is my new assistant."

[inquiryguqin]

Wei Wuxian probably wouldn't enjoy the work that Lan Zhan is doing. He played music for the puppet shows and operas, and perform for long hours and sometimes sing in some shows. Stories of deities, heroes, princes and nobles of the imperial palace and their deeds, and immortals of an ancient past that people forget. Lan Zhan has studied those tales in his teens before his uncle hidden the library books away. Wei Wuxian would have find the shows boring and noisy to listen to.

Therefore wood-cutting and staying home best suited for him. With the distance and space between them, much of the emotional distance, Lan Zhan chose to throw himself into work by necessity. He has no time for relationships and friendships, yet he has learn to appreciate his friendship quietly. Not once his learned "persona" from the reeducation camp that Wei Ying detest showed up and resurface. Playing in those shows, an aspect of Lan Zhan emerges and shows through his work in the travelling theatre, but Lan Zhan reserves it for the stage and audience and not in his personal life.

"..." Therefore, his lack of speaking is coming from his throat is often hoarse and overused. When he noticed the thin bone soup broth, there's an appreciative because Wei Ying makes it. "Mn."

Lan Zhan brought food from the towns he travelled around. Rice, flour to make bread, fruits and vegetables, and meats and placed it on the table, leaving it for Wei Ying to make of it, and allowing him cook for once since Lan Zhan is too exhausted to do the cooking. He brought extra food as he figured Wei Ying brings them to share with the refugees he befriended. Alas, there's no liquor as there's not enough money to afford a single jar as liquors become scarce and prices rose.

He noticed the child on the bed. "..." He nods in approval and even picked him up briefly from the bed, and then slowly puts him back down with a soft expression and approval.

[diditmywei]

Wei Ying was relieved to see all the food. He sorted it quickly, storing away the things that would last longer, and filling the soup with meat and vegetables. He made more than they could eat that night, knowing they’d be glad for the leftovers in the morning. It was easy to store things in the cold weather, at least.

While the soup cooked, Wei Ying made a weak tea for Lan Zhan and brought it over to him. “The tea will warm you, Lan Zhan. I’m glad you’re home safe.”

Wen Yuan sat up, curious, and scooted a little closer to Lan Zhan. “Hanguang-Jun?”

“Yes, A-Yuan,” Wei Ying answered him. “This is Hanguang-Jun, who I told you about. This is his house. He keeps us safe.”

“Safe,” A-Yuan agreed, hugging his arms around Lan Zhan’s upper arm, which made Wei Ying laugh.

“There, see, he likes you, Lan Zhan. He has good taste.”

[inquiryguqin]

Many moons and seasons have passed. Months eventually become years. The civil war was long and bitter, and eventually, when the war was declared over, the country was in ruins. The previous government was broken up, left, and abandoned the people and just as swiftly a new government took over to take control to bring order to the chaos. While the common people are struggling in a war-torn country in poverty and jobs are still scarce, people are rebuilding their lives while the growth of the economy is slow. Life is hard and it's surviving day to day on a meager living.

Eventually, things become better slowly over the years. Raising A-Yuan and being a family is a joy. Eventually, the child has grown up bigger and stronger, and eventually became part of the clan as Lan Sizhui. When he made friends with the other juniors, he no longer stays at home anymore on most days as he moves out to further study and complete his education and training in the old traditional teachings of the Lan Clan where the teachings return back to its roots.

Leaving Lan Zhan more time and energy to focus on his relationship with his classmate sweetheart, whom he eventually married as his husband. The ceremony is the one event that he'll remember for all the time until the end of his days, where he and Wei Ying wear red and they have a quiet celebration and banquet to themselves. Despite opposition from his uncle and tiring his brother out into pity, Lan Zhan married him anyway out on his own heart's volition.

One day, once he's pretty sure there is peace. "Wei Ying. Do you ever want to travel and return to Lotus Pier in Yunmeng? With the war is over, I heard the people there are rebuilding the city and your brother is there to help them. I think we'll be able to go there by boat."

It has been many years since Wei Ying has seen his hometown where the town is famous for their boats, their merchants, their rivers, its lotus and lilypads growing in the water and the ports where boats dock to the city.

[diditmywei]

Wei Ying lives with a happy contentment that he thought he would never feel. He spends his days hunting and fishing in the mountains around the Cloud Recesses, careful not to trespass into the sacred and restricted areas on the backside of the mountain. It means traveling further to hunt, but Wei Ying knows that he already breaks so many of the Lan Clan's rules. The meat and fish that he catches, he brings some back to his family to eat, and takes much more of it down the mountain to Gusu. Some of it he sells and trades for vegetables, but more of it he gives away to the refugees who he had befriended. They have settled here in Gusu, and several of them he counts as friends.

The best part of his life is Lan Zhan. His husband makes him feel safe, loved, and happy every day of his life.

Content after dinner, Wei Ying lounges across Lan Zhan's lap. He plays with the tassel on his flute, knowing that being in Lan Zhan's lap like this is a game. Sooner or later, Lan Zhan will give in to temptation and kiss him, and that will lead to more.

But those thoughts are distracted by the suggestion of returning to Yunmeng. For so long, he's put it out of his mind as impossible and dangerous. No matter how much he wants it, and although the risk is easy for him to take for himself, any such risk would put Lan Zhan in danger, and that might mean leaving A-Yuan orphaned again. He's Lan Sizhui now, but Wei Ying still always thinks of him as A-Yuan.

When Lan Zhan suggests it, Wei Ying sits up, immediately hopeful. "Yes, please. Can we really, Lan Zhan?"

[inquiryguqin]

Wei Ying has proven himself to be clever and hard-working and efficient, doing what he can to support his family. Despite hard times, working on a meager living just to get by day by day, and there are times, that the future seems uncertain and hopeless, but they survived.

There are times that Lan Zhan becomes less of himself, almost a shell of what's left of his personal dignity, but Wei Ying's love for him and the child they raised has its a reward. The war hasn't torn them apart and in the end, they're still together faithfully as a family. He didn't mind the refugees, as it's the Lan's principles to be generous and charitable, and share what they have with their friends and neighbors.

Wei Ying is victorious. After all, he has free reign over his bed and on his lap. Each time Wei Ying plays this game, it's a game that Lan Zhan surrenders every time. That includes kisses and his heart.

With a nod, "Yes, we're free to go anytime. Nothing holds us back anymore. You've been with me for so many years in Cloud Recesses. Being with you, I wouldn't mind if you ever wanted to see the world."

In the end, he wanted to see Wei Ying be free in where he wanted to go, where he wanted to stay, as he desires Wei Ying to make his choices.

[diditmywei]

Wei Ying scoots to sit in his lap, watching Lan Zhan with a wide grin as he thinks about it. They'll miss A-Yuan while they travel, and he'll miss them, but he has friends and family here now, and he'll be safe in the Cloud Recesses while they're gone. "I want to go. I want to travel with you, and to see Jiang Cheng and Jiang Yianli again. A-Yuan will be okay here. Let's leave tomorrow."

He's breathless with excitement. As grateful as he's been for this sanctuary in the past years, it's also a prison. He hasn't been able to travel or to visit his home and family. "I want shijie to meet my husband." He taps Lan Zhan's nose with his fingertip, proud and fond. Lan Zhan is the love of his life, and he is happy every day that he spends in Lan Zhan's company.

[inquiryguqin]

Lan Wangji has promised his husband to help him return to his hometown. Last they have seen of lotus pier, it was wrecked as the city was destroyed by the war. He then heard news from travelers that the town was recently rebuilt back to its glory and it's something that he felt it's important for Wei Wuxian to see for himself.

The journey to Lotus Pier in Yungmeng is by boat, traveling down the river that connects the provinces and towns. The town is famous for its warm spring-like weather, the lotus pods that grow all around in the still waters and the chestnuts they baked in their pastries.

By late afternoon, the sun is setting, the sky turned dark orange and becomes dark, heralding evening. When the city is in line of sight, it's true what the travelers said. The town was indeed rebuilt. Probably not the way Wei Wuxian last remembered it years ago, but Lan Wangji can see houses being light up, several merchant boats floating as they passed them by, and there are people at the port can be seen, even far from a distance.

The boat is closing in a few miles, closer to the dock by the shore of the town. He wakes up the sleeping Wei Ying who is napping on his lap and gently nudges him awake. His lap is a comfortable pillow.

"Wei Ying. Wei Ying, my love. Wake up. We are here. We're coming close to Lotus Pier."

[diditmywei]

Wei Ying yawns as he wakes, wiping the back of his hand across his mouth and wobbling slightly as he returns to consciousness. Lan Zhan is near, which automatically makes him feel relaxed and happy, and he blinks a couple of times as he realizes where they are.

The sunset is orange and red over the roofs of the town, turning the lotus lakes to gold. Lanterns are being lit, many of them draped in strings between the buildings like strings of pearls. Boats drifted in, most of them drawn up at the harbor for nightfall but a few of them were out with lanterns on the prow.

It all looked so familiar, though the array of buildings was in a different pattern. Wei Ying gave a tiny whimper as the emotions welled up in his throat, memory and yearning and gratitude. It had been years, but the city had been rebuilt. The new Yunmeng shone.

Wei Ying nestled close to Lan Zhan in the boat, grateful for his husband's presence. He was glad to be here, though he didn't know if Jiang Cheng would welcome him, and he was nervous to find out how his home had changed in the past years.

[inquiryguqin]

Slowly, Lan Zhan woke him up from his dreams. There's no plan to meet up with the sect leader, the brother. Hopefully, they will stay in the city for a night or two without being detected and recognized. It was a simple visit. Even if Wei Ying ever got caught and get into trouble, Lan Zhan is here to protect him.

As he woke up, Lan Zhan wraps his arms around him to hug him tightly, arms across his chest, giving him the comfort that he needs. The boat floats through the lotus pods and then slowly parked to the dock where a crew on the shore grabs a rope to tie it around on one of the piers to park the boat in place. Signifying they should leave the boat to stretch out their legs.

"Lotus pier. It was beautiful. It has been many years since I last visited. It looks like they still sell loquats in the market."

Gathering his things, lifting the guqin on his back and his sword bichen on hand. "Let's go, Wei Ying. We need to check into one of the inns before we see the rest of the city. I'll be with you. The city is beautiful at night when all the lanterns are light up."

[diditmywei]

Wei Ying lets him carry most of the things, keeping only his sword and his flute close at hand. They were retrieved at great effort, and Wei Ying values them greatly as symbols of his identity. He almost lost his life and his identity, but Lan Zhan saved him and protected him.

Keeping his arm around Lan Zhan's waist as they walk, Wei Ying stays close, glad to be protected by Lan Zhan as they admire the sights. His head swivels from side to side, trying to see everything, but also returning to smile at his husband every few moments. "Hanguang-Jun," he murmurs, flirtatious. "Honored husband."