As Spring Will Surely Come 10/10

[silver_sun]

Part 10

The spring sun is shining brightly as Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian take the path that leads down from the Jingshi to the clearing where the rabbits can be found, taking the long way round before they head out for the day. The woodland around them is once more filled with life, the leaves and flowers returning as the days lengthen and the weather grows warmer.

“Isn’t that Zewu-jun?” Wei Wuxian says as they approach, gesturing down to where a figure in white is sitting beneath one of the trees.

“Xiongzhang, I had not expected to see you here,” Lan Wangji says, as they reach him. Surprised, but far from displeased to find his brother sitting there with one of the rabbits on his lap and two more hopping around close by, it is a relief seeing him once more able to take the initiative to go out and to seek out company. “Were you looking for me?”

“Yes.” Placing the rabbit he’d been holding back on the ground, he stands. “There is something that I want to ask all of you.”

Although Lan Wangji doesn’t want to assume the worst, he can’t quite prevent the twist of nerves about what the question might be. “Myself and Wei Ying?”

“Uncle and Sizhui also,” he replies, a faint if still slightly wistful smile on his lips. “They will be here soon. I saw them walking down. Wangji, don’t look at me like that. I’m not going to ask anything awful.”

It isn’t good to always expect the worst, but given recent events it has become a difficult thing to rid himself of. “If you are certain.”

“I am.” Turning to Wei Wuxian, Lan Xichen sees Subian at his waist. “Are you training today? I’m not keeping you from it, am I?”

“No. No training today, we’re going to fly over to Gusu City to do some shopping,” Wei Wuxian replies. “There are a few things that Lan Zhan and I want to buy, and there aren’t many shops which sell them.”

The things in question are not items that Lan Wangji wishes to discuss with his brother or anyone else apart from Wei Wuxian. “Wei Ying, please.”

“Oh those sorts of things,” Lan Xichen replies, sounding unperturbed. “Well I hope they have whatever it is you want. If they don’t, you could try in Lanling, there was a shop there that sold that kind of thing. They were very discreet.”

How his brother knows of such places, Lan Wangji has his suspicions, but he doesn’t want to think too closely upon them.

Any further awkward conversation on the matter is avoided by the arrival of Lan Qiren and Lan Sizhui.

They’ve take the winding path down to the clearing slowly, Lan Qiren using a walking stick in one hand, while Sizhui takes his arm, steadying him. Although there has been substantial improvement over the last three months, the dropped look to the right side of his face having resolved all apart from a slight dip at the corner of his mouth, the instability in his leg has been far slower to return to how it had once been.

Lan Qiren looks at his two nephews and at Wei Wuxian, then as Sizhui, “What are they all doing here? ”

“Zewu-jun said that he wanted to speak to us all, and thought it would be nice to do it here,” Lan Sizhui replies, not put out at all by the suspicion and irritability of the question.

“I’ve got an announcement to make to you all,” Lan Xichen says, sounding a little nervous, but otherwise alright. “I’m going to formally declare that my seclusion is over the elders, and that I have no intention in returning to it. It will be Qingming in a few weeks, so I will make my apologies to our ancestors for missing these last few years.” He takes a slightly shaky breath. “After that I intend to fully return to my duties.”

The look of relief on their uncle’s face mirrors what Lan Wangji feels in his heart. “We will assist you however you need. Ask for whatever you need.”

“I’ve been thinking about the future, as well,” Lan Xichen says, not looking directly at any of them any more. “Of matters of succession within Gusu Lan. The arrangements need to be made.”

“Arrangements?” Lan Qiren asks, sounding annoyed that decisions are being made without his knowledge. “What arrangements? Are you considering marriage?”

“No.” There is still something very fragile in the way that Lan Xichen forces a smile, which is supposed to put them at ease. “I have no plan in that regard. That will never be my future.”

“Then what?” Lan Qiren asks, his temper still short. “Just say what you mean. I really don’t see why I had to come all this way to hear this.”

“I will explain, Uncle.” He turns to his brother. “Wangji, I’ve given this a lot of thought, so with your permission I would like to name Sizhui my heir. It would be many years before he would ever need to take up the role. I have no plans on stepping aside, but Gusu Lan needs stability and to be able to plan for the future, as I will never have a child of my own.”

“Me?” Lan Sizhui looks at him wide eyed with surprise. “You want to name me?”

“You don’t have to say, Yes,” Wei Wuxian says, going over to him and putting an arm around him. “I’m sure there are lots of others who could do it instead.”

It makes sense, but Lan Wangji’s first thought is to deny the request. He has hated the responsibility of leading Gusu Lan even for a short time and he does not wish to see such a burden placed on Sizhui.

At twenty one, he is still smaller than his peers, with the exception of Lan Jingyi who seems to be rarely out of his company. He is also far more mature in how he deals with things than most others his own age.

He could not be more proud of him. He is aware that the sect elders also view him favourably and that he is well liked amongst the younger members of the sect as well. He would make a good leader; responsible, fair minded and willing to consider others opinions before making any choices.

Lan Wangji will not make the choice for him in this. It is something that will shape his whole future and will not take that from him. “Xiongzhang, the decision is not mine to make.”

Turning to Sizhui, he says, “Do not be hasty in choosing, but know you have my support regardless.”

“And mine,” Wei Wuxian adds.

“I definitely wouldn’t have to be in charge yet?” Lan Sizhui says, sounding like he has already made up his mind.

“No,” Lan Xichen reassures him. “I have every intention to lead Gusu Lan for many years to come.”

“Then I think I’m going to say yes,” Sizhui says slowly, looking at each of them, seeing if he has their approval. “I mean. Yes. I am saying, yes.”

“It’s about time it was made official,” Lan Qiren says, “I’ve had enough of the elders asking me when it would be official. They’ve been asking for years.”

Once, Lan Wangji knew, his uncle would never have spoken such a thing aloud, that much of what he said was guarded. Since his stroke it seems as if he will more often speak without thinking first. Perhaps in time it will change or they will all get used to it.

“You don’t have any objections then, uncle?” Lan Xichen asks.

“It’s rather late asking me now it’s all decided,” he grumbles. “Why would I have any objections? He’s polite, well mannered and doesn’t cause any trouble.”

There is little more that can be arranged as yet, Lan Xichen having decided that he won’t announce Sizhui as heir until after he had officially left seclusion. Giving them time to discuss how training to one day become sect leader will be.

So leaving Lan Qiren, Lan Xichen and Lan Sizhui to talk, Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian continue on their way.

“Our little one is going to be sect leader one day,” Wei Wuxian says happily, bouncing against Lan Wangji as he walks. “You really did raise him so well.”

“You also. You took him to safety when no others would.” Sizhui’s early childhood had been one of loss and deprivation, and Lan Wangji hopes that he will never again have to know a moment of hurt or sadness in his life in the way that all those of his and Wei Wuxian’s generation did.

“Ah he really is growing up so fast. It seems like no time at all since I planted him with the radishes. I guess it worked.”

“Yes.” A teasing thought enters Lan Wangji’s head. “We will be grandparents before we know it.”

“What!” The look on Wei Wuxian’s face is comical. “No, Lan Zhan, how can you say such a thing? He’s much too young. He’s still a baby. We’re too young! No, he’s not allowed. Not until...until..you get grey hair and grow a beard and…you…you're teasing me.”

“Am I?” He lets none of the amusement show on his face. “I did not know it would be so easy.”

“You think I’m easy?” Wei Wuxian replies, turning flirtatious. “What a cruel husband I have, ruining my good name. Implying that -”

Leaning in, Lan Wangji almost manages to kiss him before he nimbly ducks to the side.

“Not so easy, am I?” Laughing, Wei Wuxian steps onto Subian and rises into the air. “If you want a kiss you’re going to have to catch me first!”

Following him on Bichen, Lan Wangji quickly gives chase, knowing that he alway will.