The Path In-Between

Chapter 3: A New Perspective

A/N: Hey guys! Please vote for this story! Let me know what you think! I am kind of free-styling things so if you have any ideas of how you want the plot to progress, let me know! Should I do a time-travel fix-it? Or maybe just a canon divergent and reveal JGY's true colors? Comment and let me know! Happy reading!~worldlesswanderer
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All of a sudden, it seemed, the dam that had been holding back Wei WuXian's tears broke. That was all Lan Wangji needed to scope the husband and child of his heart into his arms.
Lan Wangji clutched Wei WuXian as the demonic cultivator sobbed into his chest. They were like that until the slam of doors and windows resounded in the room.

Zewu-Jun had arrived.

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The first thing Lan Xichen had done once he happened into the guest chambers upon hearing of a distressing arrival was be shocked into oblivion as he witnessed his younger brother, a man that the cultivation had declared to be cold and made of jade, sob freely, all the while holding another of a more fragile constitution and a child (?).

It did not take more than a second to for Lan Xichen to realize that the man in his brother's arms was undoubtedly, Wei WuXian. Lan Wangji's free display of emotion coupled with Lan Qiren's expression of scandalized shock and bewildered rage had led Lan Xichen to make a reasonable conclusion as the only person capable of producing such displays would be none other than Wei WuXian.

'The scene was nonetheless peculiar. It seemed there were secrets that had yet to unfold.' Lan Xichen realized as he tried not to make any unbecoming assumptions about why the thin child in Wei WuXian's arms was clutching onto his brother and calling him A'Die.

Lan Xichen proceeded to close and lock all doors and windows and place silencing talismans to ensure the sullying of the image of his brother and clan if these happenings were to reach disloyal ears would be prevented.

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Strict. Unforgiving. Cold-hearted. Respected. Fierce. These were words that Lan Qiren was accustomed to when he was being talked about. He did not deny them for they were all true in some aspect. There were of course things that he did behind closed doors that he is glad others are not privy to. After all, his brother had thrust a clan in shambles into his arms when he decided to abandon his sons and people to his grief. Lan Qiren had to work to maintain the cold image of a perfectly righteous elder that would function as acting clan leader until his eldest nephew, Lan Huan, would rise to the position.

This did not mean, however, that he did not love his nephews. In fact, he would always place the safety of his nephews above that of the clan if it came to it. This was the reason that he forever faced the wrath of the Lan elders whenever there were meetings. He was always declared unfit to rule due to his love for his family. If there was one thing he felt that he failed miserably at, it would be nurturing his youngest nephew the way the boy should have bloomed. His biggest regret was that he had taught Wangji to be cold and withdrawn.

So, when, Wei WuXian, the son of his dearly missed arch-nemesis came to the Cloud Recesses for lectures, Lan Qiren was hopeful and ecstatic. He hoped that the son of his late friend would bring Wangji out of his shell just as his mother did to him.

Lan Qiren missed his friend no matter what the cultivation world spoke about. It may have seemed as though their dynamic was that of enemies but that was false. It was glaringly so especially to their closest companions during the lectures of his childhood. If that were the case, the Lan Elders would find out soon as well.

Qiren was much like Wangji when he was young. Closed. Quite. A model disciple for the entire sect. The Elders adored him just as much as they did Wangji. Thus, when they heard of Cangse Sanren's son coming with the Jiangs for lectures, their response was... discourteous. The Elders threatened his position, threatened to take the clan -and his nephews- out of his custody if he were to not curb the visiting boy's behaviors and have him leave before any lasting damage was done to the precious second jade.

Lan Qiren had no choice but to be cold and indifferent to the child. Secretly, however, he hoped that copying rules and spending time alone with Wangji in the Library Pavilion would do some good for the both of them. If it were not for that one comment about resentful energy. Qiren thinks he would have truly liked the child. But seeing what his curiosity did to him, Lan Qiren could not help but think that he should've done more to prevent any of the following events from happening. If the boy's haggard and sobbing display huddled in Lan Wangji's arms told him anything at all, it would be that he had failed as a teacher and guardian.

Lan Qiren slowly made his way to the 'Family' he realized. His youngest nephew had a family. A family that he feared to show to his clan and guardian. Lan Qiren had failed spectacularly.

"Wangji. WuXian." he managed as softly as possible, grateful to his elder nephew for preventing anyone from knowing of the events that were about to transpire, "Calm down."

Lan Qiren proceeded to sit on the opposite side of the table, heating some lavender leaves for tea as he waited for his eldest nephew to make his way to the cushion by his side before beginning the unavoidable conversation.

Today was going to be a long day.