Chapter Text
To say that Lan Qiren is surprised to receive this letter is the understatement of the century. No one has heard directly from Wei Wuxian in the better part of two decades, not since he sealed the wards of the Burial Mounds. People that come down the mountain to Yiling to trade never seem to give any details about what goes on beyond the wards. He’s heard that a few abandoned children that were particularly gifted in demonic cultivation made their way up, but other than that there's been no news whatsoever. So when a crow lands on Lan Qiren’s desk he’s almost certain that it cannot be true.
The letter itself is a formal request. There are two children, old enough to attend classes at the Cloud Recesses that Wei Wuxian believes would benefit greatly from both the education Gusu has to offer and meeting children their own age. There is an assurance that if the request is rejected there will be no bad blood between the Yiling Patriarch and the Lan near the bottom. Lan Qiren considered refusing out right for a moment, not telling either nephew and being done with it. Had he still been a sect leader he might have, but he is not so he drags himself out of his office annoyance heavy on his brow letter clutched tightly in his hand.
Lan Xichen’s eyebrows shoot into his hairline and Wangji freezes as he presents the request to them both. Both men look over the letter several times before actually saying anything. It is Xichen who breaks the silence. “I was not aware that there were children within the Burial Mounds.”
Lan Qiren and Xichen spend the better part of an hour discussing the benefits or lack thereof allowing such children to study in Gusu. It’s a complicated issue, Wei Wuxian has not been seen in such a long time. Who knows what horrors his proteges would wreck in Gusu. At best Qiren expects them to be mannerless wild children, at worst they will be heretics to corrupt the other students. Xichen disagrees, vehemently. Wei Wuxian’s inventions have helped the cultivation world a great deal in his absence and despite the fact that they disagree with his methods he was instrumental to the Sunshot campaign. He has never attempted to expand his borders or to attack any of the great clans since his initial taking of the Wens nearly sixteen years prior.
“Why should we blame these children for events they have no part in?” Wangji says quietly, eyes still staring into the middle distance. “They are old enough to be attending lectures, meaning they are too young to be involved in any of the events that lead to Wei Ying’s secluding himself with the Wens. We should allow them to attend.”
The formal invitation is sent before the end of the evening along with a promise in Zewu-Jun’s hand that the children will be safe in the Cloud Recess. Perhaps it was an unnecessary gesture, but Lan Xichen had insisted upon it.
Formal term starts a month later, the children arrive along with most of the others. On time and not alone. Lan Xichen and Qiren had expected this much, they had been hidden in the Burial Mounds for so long it would not make sense to send them on their own. Though who arrives with them is wholly unexpected. They had thought that Wei Wuxian might attend to it himself or worse the Ghost General. It is with great relief that they see Lady Wen Qing approaching the gate at midday with a pair of teenagers trailing behind her. She bows politely to both Lan before turning to the pair of children. Her voice is harsh, but there is clearly care in it as she addresses the young ones. “Don’t just stand there. Introduce yourselves to Zewu-Jun and Grand Master Lan.”
“This one is Wei Yuan, courtesy name Shizui.” A boy no older than seventeen bows politely before them. He’s clearly in the middle of growing, a long dark hair tied back into a familiar high ponytail, eyes such a deep blue they are almost dark grey, there’s a calm kind smile on his face. There’s a well made sword and a flute tied to his side. “Thank you for allowing us to come study, we’ve heard a great deal about Lan teachings and musical cultivation.”
“This one is Wei Yue, courtesy name Demin.” The girl is much more jarring to look at. It is easy to see that she looks like Wei Wuxian at a cursory glance, her lips are thin, she shares his sharp nose, and there’s a gentle wave to her mass of hair that seems to be barely tamed into a bun. But her other features are extremely disquieting, the line to her cheeks, thin mouth is set in a familiar frown, but most startling is the stark undeniable golden hue of her eyes. If that were not enough, there is an enormous guandao at her back in lieu of a sword and a inky black pipa at her hip. Wei Demin also bows, but she looks uneasily at Lady Wen before flicking her eyes back onto Lan Xichen and Qiren.
“I will return to collect these two when the year is up.” Lady Wen informs them after both Lan introduce themselves to the teeangers. Her attention turns to the children, a gentleness in her voice. “Be good and study well. Do not forget to write to your father after you have settled or I won’t hear the end of it.”
“Yes, Auntie Qing.” They respond in near unison. She puts a hand on each of their heads affectionately mussing both of their hair before giving each one a hug. She gives another bow to the Lan before taking her leave.
In his letter Wei Wuxian had said that there were children in the Burial Mounds ready to attend, but he had never specified that the children in question were his own. It was going to be quite a year.
A junior disciple, Lan Jingyi is in charge of showing Wei Wuxian’s children to their quarters. Lan Xichen would normally allow him to perform such a duty without supervision, but he wants to know a bit more about Yilling Patriarch’s offspring before they formally start. Lan Jingyi strikes up easy conversation with Wei Sizhui. He’s polite and calm, Lan Xichen notes, a notable contrast to Wei Wuxian and Wen Qing both. Wei Demin on the other hand looks awkward in her own skin and her golden eyes are downcast, which could admittedly be one of the side effects of being fifteen years old. Lan Xichen remembers his brother being similarly awkward at such an age. He needs to talk to Wangji before he sees these children, preferably as soon as possible.
According to Lan Qiren, once classes start the children do well. They are both very well read and studious. Wei Sizhui makes many friends quickly, not limited to but including Lan Jingyi, Ouyang Zizhen, and Jin Rulan. Wei Demin tends to tag along more so than actively attempting to make her own friends, but she excels at physical combat in a way that he has not seen in decades. Initially he had been rather disquieted by her lack of sword, too reminiscent of her Father as he strayed from orthodoxy. However her guandao , Banye, is a more suitable replacement.
For two glorious weeks, Lan Qiren thinks that their presence might be able to be peaceful. Of course he is not so lucky. The tables turn one day, in his own classroom. His own classroom! They are learning about putting spirits to rest and both Wei children appear to be taking studious notes. When one of the delegation of Jin offspring jumps to his feet. Jin Chan is as red faced and as spoiled as his father. Before the alarm bells can finish ringing in Lan Qiren’s head Jin Chan marches over to Wei Demin. “Everyone knows this! But why don’t you tell us about your father’s wicked tricks. They say he came up with the concept for Diabolism in this very classroom. So tell us little girl.”
“Young Master Jin.” Lan Qiren counters, anger rising in his chest. It might be true, but the kids of this generation do not need to learn about such things. It is not exactly a secret that Wei Sizhui and Demin are the patriarch’s offspring but it was definitely not something that they were actively advertising. “Resume your seat and drop this immediately. You will copy Virtue and Conduct for your behavior.”
Jin Rulan looks like he’s going to melt into his seat from embarrassment. Wei Demin stands and there’s a brief moment Lan Qiren feels the memory of a mannerless boy with a painting being kicked out of this very room. “There are four primary categories of ghost. Each is defined by how many people they can kill in a single evening without being controlled by a Diabolist. Malice ghosts can kill a single target, common violent spirits. Ferocious Ghosts who can kill a household, often times they act as night prey. Wrath ghosts, who can wipe out an entire town on their own, as is the Ghost General Wen Ning before being returned to consciousness. Finally there is Calamity, who can slaughter a nation in a single evening. There have only been four known Calamity ranked ghosts in history. Among them the infamous Black Water Submerging Boats. It is said that after the battle of the Nightless City during the sunshot campaign that the palace of Wen Rouhan fell into water and was claimed by the Black Water Boats. This is the official standard set by the Yiling Patriarch. Is that enough or do you wish to hear more?”
The entire classroom is completely silent, a sea of open mouths and wide eyes fixed upon Wei Demin. She fixed Jin Chan with a gaze both, unblinking and unafraid. The room fills suddenly with the scent of teenage alpha posturing and the silence dissipates immediately as several of the Jin children stand trying to calm Jin Chan who is already starting to bare his teeth at the girl. Before the situation can get worse, Lan Qiren cuts in. “Wei Demin is correct. However, do not speak out of turn again or you will also copy Virtue and Conduct. Jin Chan return to your room until you are under control.”
Wei Demin bows and resumes her seat and maybe the sky brightens a little bit.