In the Jingshi, Wei Wuxian looked around. A faint scent of sandalwood drifted through every corner of the room, smelling exactly like the scent on Lan Wangji. All the furnishings were just as they had been sixteen years ago. Walking over to the table, Wei Wuxian picked up a book and opened it. Looking at the familiar handwriting, he suddenly realized that this was the copy of the sect rules he had copied back when he was studying at the Lan Clan.
Wei Wuxian turned the pages one by one, feeling a mixture of helplessness and heartache in his chest as his thoughts drifted back to his days of studying. The breathtaking first meeting, the endless teasing that followed, searching for the Stygian Iron together, slaying the Tortoise of Slaughter... scene after scene floated before his eyes.
At the doorway, Lan Wangji and Lan Sizhui walked in and saw Wei Wuxian holding a book, lost in thought so deeply that he hadn't even noticed them enter.
"Wei Ying, what are you looking at?" Lan Wangji asked.
"Ah, Lan Zhan, you're back," Wei Wuxian said in a fluster, putting the book down.
The three of them sat down at the table.
"Dad, why are you looking at the Lan Clan sect rules?" A-Yuan asked.
"A-Yuan, there's nothing written on the cover, how did you know it's the Lan Clan sect rules?" Wei Wuxian asked.
"Dad, I lived in the Jingshi all this time. I've been looking at this book since I was little, and Father used this very copy to teach me the Lan Clan sect rules. Father would also take it out and look at it for a long time every day, so of course I know," Lan Sizhui replied.
Hearing this, Wei Wuxian looked at Lan Wangji. "Lan Zhan, why did you have to do this?"
Upon hearing those words, Lan Sizhui looked at Wei Wuxian. "Dad, did you... write this?"
Feeling a little sheepish, Wei Wuxian said, "Right, back when I was studying at the Lan Clan, I angered Mr. Lan, and he made me copy the sect rules for the longest time!"
Hearing this, Lan Sizhui couldn't help wanting to smile. "Grandfather is indeed very strict. Jingyi and the others are often punished with copying the sect rules too, though nowadays it's Father who hands out the punishments, since Grandfather doesn't really manage those things anymore."
"And what about you? Did your father ever punish you?" Wei Wuxian asked.
"No. Father has always been very good to me, and very gentle. Jingyi and the others are quite envious," Lan Sizhui answered.
Wei Wuxian looked at Lan Wangji. "Lan Zhan, you really are biased. The first time you saw A-Yuan when he was little, you let him hug your leg and sit on your lap, and even bought him toys. But the first time you saw me, you placed a silencing spell on me and smashed my Emperor's Smile, getting me thirty ruler strikes from Mr. Lan."
Lan Wangji was speechless, and at the same time felt a twinge of regret. "Wei Ying, back then... Wei Ying, A-Yuan is our son, so it's only right that I pamper him. From now on, I will pamper you too."
Hearing this, Wei Wuxian's face turned beet red, while Lan Sizhui tried his hardest to hold back a laugh.
Seeing him like this, the corners of Lan Wangji's mouth curved up slightly. Changing the subject, Lan Wangji asked, "Wei Ying, there were suspicious aspects to what happened sixteen years ago. Back then, I went to Nightless City wanting to tell you, only to find that Miss Jiang had died and you had jumped off the cliff. All these years, I've been investigating the truth and have found some clues. I wonder if you..."
"Lan Zhan, I know all about it. I already know who was behind the scenes plotting against me," Wei Wuxian said. "The Discussion Conference will be soon, right? For now, don't let word of my return get out. When the Discussion Conference arrives, I will clear my own name, and not a single one of the people who plotted against me will get away."
"Alright. A-Yuan, go tell the junior disciples that no one is allowed to spread the word, and go inform your grandfather and uncle as well," Lan Wangji instructed.
Hearing this, Lan Sizhui bowed and left.
"Lan Zhan, you really raised A-Yuan well. He's outstanding and so much like you," Wei Wuxian remarked.
"He is also very much like you. He is very kind," Lan Wangji replied.
Hearing this, Wei Wuxian beamed like a flower in full bloom. "Of course! He was born to me, so of course he's like me!"
Looking at Wei Wuxian's proud expression, Lan Wangji's smile grew even wider.