He watched as they went through the forest path that was lit up by the red and gold lanterns that weaved through the branches of the trees. Fireflies created soft glowing golden lights as they were attracted to the lanterns.
Lan Wangji turned his head to look at Wei Ying talking without stopping and Long Wangxue nodded from time to time. He was unfamiliar with them and may have been kidnapped but Lan Wangji knew better. He has learned a lot in Cloud Recess and one of the subjects he indulged himself in was Human Psychology and Human Behavior. It may not seem like it but he likes to be in the dark and observed everything that is happening. With his already quiet demeanor and reserved self, it was quite manageable to be forgotten in Conference Meetings or any other occasions he needed to attend as a Young Master of a prominent Sect. Moreover, he was quite confident with his skill as he had done it too many times in the two years since he started to learn it. Even his Xiong Zhang doesn't know he was secretly learning this particular subject. So when he was observing the talk between the boy and the teenager, he didn't feel any danger or alternative intention that may put him in danger.
"— Then, Mu Shūshū (Uncle) lifted the oar to bring up the Water Ghoul! It's super cool, Gege! Why didn't you tell me Mu Shūshū is a cultivator?!"
Now, Lan Wangji was a bit surprised. From what he gathered from drifting out and in of his mind, this Mu Shūshū is supposed to be the Head Butler of the Long Household. This meant the Long Household was either super rich or the man just retired to be a servant of this household. Either way, Lan Wangji found joy in pulling the mystery strings in his mind each time new information flowed from M H Wei Ying's mouth.
Rubbing his now-gloved hand together, he noticed the glove was silky and thick. Very good material for harsh winters like in the north.
He listened keenly when Long Wangxue talked after the teenager chuckled fondly, "Mu Shūshū is very good like that, A-Ying. Lan Er Gongzi is also a cultivator, am I right?"
Another thing he liked about the conversation was that they would include him even though he was awfully quiet for a child his age. He nodded with a smooth hum, "Mm... Learn to cultivate since five,"
Wei Ying suddenly jumped from his seat and grasped Lan Wangji's hands with eyes of wonder. "Really?! Lan Zhan must be very strong then! Can I learn? Jiejie and Long Handsome Gege are cultivators as well but they won't teach me!" he whined at the end of his sentences
Long Wangxue sighed, "A-Ying, you were four. Too young to learn and you were too mischievous. Your Jiejie said that you can't even sit still for one day!"
Wei Ying turned to look at Long Wangxue with a pout before letting a humped and sitting down next to Lan Wangji. Whilst Lan Wangji was amused at the dramatic disappointment shown by Wei Ying. He was unfamiliar with such an act as he was never like this, so boisterous and untamed. Unlike him who is so reserved and proper that make him seemed like he was made out of Jade Statue that came to life.
Lan Wangji patted Wei Ying's head consolingly, "Will teach Wei Ying. Wei Ying needs to sit still,"
Wei Ying's eyes brightened then before. He found this pair of eyes and smile to be irresistible and contagious with how he fought his inner self to stop smiling as well. Without wasting another time, he went on to explain the concept and found something new about Wei Ying.
The boy can't just sit in one place. Lan Wangji looked at Long Wangxue who gave him a look of 'told you so'.
"Wei Ying, meditation require you to sit still with crossed leg and breath steadily." He reprimanded softly when the boy quickly slack
Wei Ying sat in a proper posture again and tried to do the breathing technique Lan Wangji taught him a minute ago.
So from the ride back from Yiling Town, Lan Wangji taught and adjust Wei Ying's sitting posture while Long Wangxue would chime in from time to time. Before they even know it, a knock was heard on the wooden carriage and Long Wangxue lifted the flap.
With the help of Lan Wangxue, Lan Wangji gracefully landed on the smooth pavement. He watched as the wooden craved gate opened and almost gasped when the foyer and the garden came to view.
It was big. Bigger than the ancestor hall of the Lan Sect or even the training field. The dark rooftop was covered with heavy snow making it seem to be blending in with the surrounding forest. The courtyard is lit up with lanterns just like the road they came from, illuminating each curve and arc of the rooftop. The pavement was cleaned from the snow as the garden was covered with them. The only color in the garden was the Méihuā Shù (Plum Blossom Trees) and another younger child dressed in red and an old man in a dark blue coat.
The child welcomed them with a smile, "Steward Ming, please heat the stew."
The old man, Steward Ming, bowed and went to the kitchen. The child still smiled but Lan Wangji quickly found it became ominous.
She spoke again, "A-Ying, come here."
Wei Ying made a pitiful howl behind his throat as he walked up to the steps. Before Lan Wangji could react, Wei Ying's already reddened ear is grabbed.
She softly scolded with a stern voice, "You young man is in big trouble, do you know that? If it weren't for my Chì Jiá (Crimson Butterfly) notifying me when you separate from A-Xuan. What do you think would happen? Huh? Are you cold? Do you need a heat blanket? How many? Ling'er, bring two heat blankets!"
Lan Wangji was stumped by the sudden different attitude as the maiden who seemed to be a bit younger than his Xiong Zhang fussed over Wei Ying. He looked up to Long Wangxue who only smiled ambiguously.
"And you! Why are you kidnapping a child? I thought you knew better, A-Xuan!" Her attention was directed to Long Wangxue with a glare
He raised both of his hands in defeat, "Calm down a bit, Yang'er. Lan Er Gongzi here agreed to stay here for the night, am I right?"
Lan Wangji nodded immediately when he felt the pair of fierce eyes directed at him. It was scary, he admitted. So scary but so caring at the same time. This reminded him a bit of his Shufu but his Shufu wasn't this overprotective nor this overbearing. He wondered idly how much they go through to get such a reaction.
He observed as the maiden calmed down and ushered them into the foyer with little complaints. It seemed to be something Wei Ying and Long Wangxue got used to as they just shook their head and followed her direction. Without knowing what to do, he sat down on the chair of the round table and observed silently while listening to Wei Ying's rambling again.
The interior is not too luxurious, modest, and elegant even as some expensive porcelain vases were put on display. The wooden structures seemed to be made out of rosewood and sandalwood with the incense burner burning with the pleasant smell of rosewood. A scent that would go well with his Muqin's sandalwood scent that she very much preferred.
'Should I buy some for Muqin?'
"Lan Er Gongzi," He looked up to see Wei Ying's sister holding a bowl of stew. "This is Wonton soup, without pork of course as I heard the Lan Sect don't eat meat. I hope this is to your satisfaction."
He tentatively scooped a spoon full of the soup and hummed in appreciation and wonder as flavor exploded in his mouth. It wasn't any he had eaten before, not in Cloud Recess where the food is healthy but bland. Now he wondered if he could ever be survived at his home without tasting something like this once again.
"How is it? Yummy, isn't it?" Wei Ying asked gleefully and Lan Wangji nodded silently, dutifully not talking when eating.
Conversation flowed naturally as Lan Wangji got to know the maiden named Feng Yang, courtesy name Feng Wuyou. And two years older than his Xiong Zhang. Very much indicating she is married and possibly to the older teenager in front of him.
Although it did surprise him, it wasn't unusual for parents to arrange a marriage between close friends; especially for those wealthy families that wanted connection. Though he doesn't know much about how arranged marriage worked and only heard of the one between the Jin and Jiang Sect.
He listened to Wei Ying's rambling as he finished eating his soup before dutifully answering some questions assaulted at him by the eating Wei Ying. This boy is very much energized and will not go to sleep.
However, he very much loved this situation and before he knew it, he was already changed into Long Wangxue's old sleepwear. Not too loose, not too tight. It was a perfect fit and he wondered how the servants even know his size.
Putting his sacred forehead ribbon down on the table, he brushed his hair and tried to braid them as his Xiong Zhang did. However, he missed a strand and he has to redo it one more time before satisfied with the result. Tying his forehead ribbon around his left arm for security so no one can touch it. He climbed up the bed before a nod made him pause halfway up there.
"Lan Er Gongzi? Can I come in?" Lan Wangji recognized the voice, it was the same smooth voice he heard before
With a humped, he jumped off the bed and went to open the door. Long Wangxue was holding an incense burner and Lan Wangji immediately identified the smell.
"Sandalwood?" Lan Wangji let the teenager in, he observed as the young master placed the incense burner down
Long Wangxue nodded with a hum, "I don't know what kind of scent you prefer, so I pick up the one that has the same scent on your clothes. I heard from my *Gūmǔ that every Lan disciple would meditate before going to bed. So I hope this would help with calming your mind,"
Lan Wangji's interest piped. If Long Wangxue's Gūmǔ know of such routine that only the Lan Family knew, something definitely point that the teenager is his relatives. Although he don't remember any married-in maiden have the surname Long, he would have the pleasure if researching.
Giving a thank and a formal bow toward each other, Lan Wangji inhaled the scent softly before finally smiling for the first time.
Today he accomplished many things. And one of them was to make a friend he desperately wanted.
Now, it to figured what relationship he have with Long Wangxue and keep his friendship between Wei Ying.
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Updated 3 Episodes
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