Ghost

First Battle

"How dare you go against my orders?" sputters Lan Qiren.

"Uncle, do you hate Wei Wuxian so much that you almost killed my brother? All because of your anger and self-righteous sense of judgment, my brother may never walk again," shouted Lan Xichen.

"Shouting is forbidden, or have you forgotten the rules too, nephew?" How many more rules will you continue to break? Said Lan Qiren through clenched teeth.

"As much as I have to my uncle to ensure the lives of Lan Zhan and the child. I will no longer let you bully them for the clan's sake or you!!."

"He deserved to be punished; he broke the rules, defended the Yiiling Patriarch, and disobeyed me by not leaving him," said Lan Qiren.

Lan Xichen clenched his fists and then enunciated each word clearly and slowly. "So this is why you punished Wangji so severely- because he disobeyed you?" You no longer had a hold on him or mattered to him. You were no longer necessary to him and couldn't tolerate that."

Lan Qiren turned to leave; he was not having this conversation. Lan Xichen grabbed his uncle's shoulders and spun him around to face him. "You no longer matter to me either, and yes, I will continue to disobey you as well. Will you have me whipped as well? Will you use the discipline whip on me as well?"

Lan Qiren's face turned an abnormal shade of red, and before he could speak Lan Xichen, he said, ''You will not interfere with me or my brother any longer. I'm bringing Wangji and the child home. Once Wangji can leave, we will go. You will lose us both. Is that what you want? How will you explain our departure? Will you tell the clans we no longer respect or honor you?"

If hitting had not been against the rules, he would have slapped Lan Xichen. He balled his fist and forced himself to speak. "Fine, do whatever you want. Just keep them out of my sight." He flaps his sleeves to show his displeasure, then turns on his heels and walks away.

Lan Xichen smiles as his uncle walks away. "The first of many battles won today, little brother. Let's start this new life and see what the universe has in store for us."

As Lan Qiren sits in his chamber alone, he is stroking his beard while pondering this latest turn of events. Now that both nephews no longer listen to him, he thinks, "Will someone else decide the rules are meant to be broken? He must keep control. The 3,000 rules are in place for a reason. They will not be tossed aside; He will be obeyed. He must think on how to keep them enforced while not appearing to favor his nephews.

"This cannot continue. Wei Wuxian, this is all your fault. If you were not already dead, I would gladly kill you myself!!"