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Wei Wuxian buried his face into his thick coat then he left the comfortable warmth of the kitchens. The scent of sandalwood filled his nose as he pulled the collar higher around his head, bringing a smile to his lips that turned into a wince when a gust of wind nearly toppled him over.

I’ll ask Lan Zhan to travel to warmer places soon, he thought as his grip tightened on the box he was holding. As much as he loved their home, they had not seen the sun since returning from their last night hunt nearly a week ago and now that a snow storm had settled over the mountain, he was growing desperate.

Stepping under the arches of the Library to catch some reprieve, Wei Wuxian brightened up when he saw familiar figures at the end of the corridor. Lan Sizhui and Lan Jingyi had their backs to him, visibly in deep discussion with Lan Qiren, so he quietly made his way over to them.

“Master Lan,” he bent his head with a smile. “Sizhui, Jingyi.”

While the two boys hurried to greet him, Lan Qiren looked at him critically, frowning in disapproval. “Where is your scarf?”

“I forgot it at home but this coat is warm enough that I don’t need one and I’m heading back anyway!” Wei Wuxian answered with a smile, resting the box on his hip so he could wave a hand dismissively.

Lan Qiren’s lips pursed as he took in the white coat, undoubtedly recognising its usual owner, and he huffed. “See that you wear a scarf next time you leave the house,” he snapped. “And gloves. There are enough people in the Medical Pavilion as it is.”

“A-ah, yes!” Wei Wuxian fought back a grin. “Of course! Thank you, Master Lan.”

Lan Qiren nodded tersely then left, the sleeves of his coat fluttering by his sides.

Wei Wuxian watched him go, biting the inside of his cheek until the man was far enough that he could grin freely as he shook his head. Trust a Lan to never say what they wanted out loud. He couldn’t wait to tell Lan Wangji about this.

“What’s this?” Lan Jingyi’s voice interrupted his thoughts. “It smells amazing!”

With the old master gone, Lan Jingyi had no qualms staring at the box in his hands, his expression one of open curiosity. Next to him, Lan Sizhui had a fond look of exasperation on his face but he did not stop his friend, apparently equally curious.

“Are you coming back from the kitchens just now?” Lan Jingyi pressed when he didn’t answer. “What were you doing there?”

“What does one do in a kitchen?” Without missing a beat, Wei Wuxian opened the box to show them the covered plates stored inside, safe from the storm. “I was cooking of course!”

“You?!” The curiosity had disappeared from Lan Jingyi’s face, replaced by a look of alarm. “Why??”

“Jingyi!” Lan Sizhui gasped, visibly close to slapping his hand over his friend’s mouth to keep him from further embarrassing himself.

“What! It’s a legitimate concern!” Lan Jingyi protested. “Don’t you remember what happened last time he cooked?”

“You said you liked the food.”

“I did! Until I lost all taste when I bit into that pepper. I couldn’t taste anything for days!”

Wei Wuxian did not known whether he should feel offended or amused as he listened to their bickering.

He could not blame Lan Jingyi for his concern but that accident had only been partially his fault. Lan Wangji had come to help him and how could Wei Wuxian be blamed for getting distracted by his husband? With his mouth running and his attention focused on Lan Wangji, his movements had fallen back on old habits, remembering recipes that called for a little more spice and pepper than the Lans could handle. Lan Wangji had eaten dinner without a word but by the end of dinner, their disciples had drank all the water they had. While it was true that Wei Wuxian never burnt anything when cooking, an exception had to be made for the Gusu Lan Sect’s delicate taste buds.

He smiled as he thought about his poor husband, face often warm from the spices he could taste on his lips and tongue though it never deterred him from kissing Wei Wuxian. At least, Lan Wangji seemed to slowly be getting used to spices through sheer exposure.

Seeing as the two boys were still debating his cooking abilities, Wei Wuxian decided to interrupt them before a less lenient teacher walked by and overheard them.

“Aiya, enough, enough,” he said, raising his free hand to stop them while giving them a stern look. “Isn’t loud voices forbidden in the Cloud Recesses? Should I have you write the sect’s rules five hundred times? Or…” Shifting his hold on the box, he placed his free hand on the lid covering the largest plate and raised an eyebrow, amusement twinkling in his grey eyes. “Do you want to see the special surprise that I’ve made for our dear Hanguang-jun?”

The two boys had stopped talking the moment he had spoken up, both ready to accept the punishment they deserved, but his question rekindled their curiosity and they nodded, stepping a little closer.

Wei Wuxian waited, letting anticipation build, before he finally lifted the lid. It revealed six white steamed buns shaped into bunnies, all perfectly round and fluffy. He had placed them neatly together, even going as far as painting little eyes on their face, some closed and others opened, making it seem as if he had picked the bunnies directly from the clearing behind the mountain.

Lan Sizhui gasped, his eyes bright with wonder, “Wei-qianbei, that’s amazing!”

“That’s so cool! They look so real!” Lan Jingyi shouted. He leant forward to take a closer look before his eyes snapped suspiciously to Wei Wuxian. “What are they filled with?”

“They’re cute, aren’t they?” Wei Wuxian agreed proudly. “I spent all morning preparing them. And don’t worry, they’re filled with lotus seed paste,” he added with a wink to Lan Jingyi.

The boy spluttered, his cheeks turning bright red as he protested, “it’s a fair question!”

Lan Sizhui hid his laugh behind his sleeve before he looked back at Wei Wuxian, his expression ever so gentle and amused. He really is a growing up to be a fine young master, Wei Wuxian thought proudly, much like the man who had raised him.

“They really do look nice,” Lan Sizhui said. “You must have spent much time in the kitchens.”

“Of course! I even practiced a few times before getting it right,” Wei Wuxian answered. Seeing a lull in the storm, he closed the box before the bunnies could cool down despite the talismans placed over the lid and resumed his walk with the two juniors falling into steps beside him. As nice as this discussion was, he had a husband to feed and he had already spent longer than he had anticipated in the kitchens.

“Why didn’t you just ask the cooks to make them?” Lan Jingyi asked curiously. “It would have been much faster.”

“Can’t I make things myself? What if I want to spoil Lan Zhan one day and the cooks aren’t there or don’t have time? Some things, you have to learn to do yourself.”

He was quite proud of himself.

The idea had come to him on a travel with Lan Wangji when they had come across a stall selling buns shaped into different animals. There had been just about anything from pigs to bunnies. The food had smelt and looked amazing and Wei Wuxian had not missed the way Lan Wangji had looked at the bunny shaped buns, his lips faintly parted in surprise. Of course, Wei Wuxian had teased him into buying a few and ever since, he had been determined to replicate the dish.

He could already imagine the look his husband would give him when he would open the box. His golden eyes would brighten and his mouth would soften into a faint smile, sending Wei Wuxian’s heart fluttering away…

“Wei-qianbei!”

Though it was not quite a shout, Lan Jingyi’s somewhat frustrated tone made it clear that this was not his first attempt to catch his attention.

“Ayo, what did I say about shouting?” Wei Wuxian winced, looking back at them. “What were you saying?”

“We had questions regarding talismans we studied in class,” Lan Sizhui repeated politely before Lan Jingyi could speak. “We’re going on a night hunt tonight so we thought we could try using them but we want to make sure we haven’t made a mistake.”

“You’re going out in this weather?” Wei Wuxian gasped, pretending to be horrified, before sighing wistfully. “Ah, to be so young and resilient…”

“You’re not much older than us!” Lan Jingyi protested indignantly. “And what are you complaining about, you left in the middle of a blizzard not a week ago!”

“Ah yes, yes, but a week ago I had our dear Hanguang-jun to keep me warm,” Wei Wuxian replied with a wink, laughing when the boys immediately showed signs of embarrassment, their cheeks turning bright red and their eyes looking at anything but him. It truly was too easy to fluster them. “All right, all right, walk with me and show me your talismans, I really have to get back home.”

Face still pink, Lan Jingyi held out his talisman for Wei Wuxian to see. “I can’t seem to make it work. I’ve made a few tries but it’s like it’s missing something, it just burns in my hand but it doesn’t explode when I throw it at something.”

Wei Wuxian hummed as his eyes took in the talismans then he nodded, shifting his hold on the box to let it rest on his hip once again so he could point on the talisman. “You’re missing a brushstroke here and you’ve confused two radicals. Remember what I said during class?”

While Lan Jingyi made an sound that sounded like a bitten off curse at his forgetfulness and hastily made the necessary changes to his talisman, Wei Wuxian looked at the talisman Lan Sizhui was showing him and nodded approvingly. “Very good. Don’t be afraid to be more assertive with your brushstrokes. This talisman will be more powerful. But that should be enough for tonight. Well done! Where are you going?”

“A family is being haunted by a ghost and seeks assistance so we will go there first,” Lan Sizhui explained, cheeks faintly pink from the praises. “Then we will go around the mountains to see if any village or town needs help in this weather.”

“Very good.” Wei Wuxian nodded, pride warming his heart at their diligence. “Be sure to bring heavy coats and talismans to keep warm, the storm is still going strong.”

Noticing the dark clouds above their heads and strong winds pushing them, he frowned faintly. Should the boys need help from seniors, their flares would probably be useless.

“Drop by the Jingshi before you leave,” he added, earning surprised looks from the two boys. “I’ll give you talismans to contact us in case your flares don’t work because of the weather.”

“You have that??” Lan Jingyi’s eyes were wide and his lips parted in awe. “How do they work? Did you invent them too?”

“Mh, yes, a while back actually, I’ve improved them since,” Wei Wuxian assured them with a smile, waving a hand as he spoke. “I’ll show you how they work but don't worry, it’s pretty easy. You just have to activate it if you need help and it will warm a talisman that I’ll keep on me. Then Hanguang-jun and I will come and find you.”

As they walked, Wei Wuxian further explained the concept behind the talisman and the many days he had spent improving it until it was safe to use for juniors. A smile danced on his lips as he could see how much Lan Jingyi itched to take notes of his explanations but kept himself from doing so, remembering his advice.

“I’ll cover this in more details next week,” Wei Wuxian promised, earning eager nods from the boys. “I was planning on saving this talisman for later but I never expected the weather to be so bad. In any case, I’ll explain it again tonight. I'll also show you how to making it, just in case. It will be good for you to know how to make it yourselves.”

Wei Wuxian was suddenly distracted by a group of little disciples practicing their sword form in a room, carefully repeating the techniques they had probably learnt during the week. Seeing them so hard at work, Wei Wuxian paused to watch, his expression softening. Back in the days, helping his younger disciples train and seeing them improve had been one of his many joys.

These disciples were eight, nine at most, and they were so adorable it made him want to squeeze their cheeks.

There was just something so pure and sweet about the way they trained when children started cultivating. They all shared the same excitement and eagerness to do well and seeing these young disciples train, their big round cheeks puffed up so seriously and their little ribbons fluttering around their heads, it just made his heart melt with fondness. Soon, they would mastered the art of moving swiftly while keeping their ribbon pristine clean, but for now, it was delightful to watch them get tangled up in their white ribbons.

“A-Xin,” he called after a moment, taking the disciple by surprise. The little boy turned around to look at him with bright red cheeks, embarrassed to have been caught tripping over his ribbon. “Bend your knees and make sure your core is centred, you’ll find turning and jumping is easier. A-Xiang, lift your elbow and lower your shoulder, relax your wrist. Yes, good.”

“Yes, Wei-qianbei!” Obediently, they adjusted their stance carefully and repeated the same movements slowly a few times then faster and faster until the movements were almost natural.

Wei Wuxian watched as tiny smiles appear on their round faces as they felt and saw the improvements in their techniques and he nodded proudly when they looked back at him for his approval.

“That’s much better! Keep practising, you’re almost there, but don’t forget to rest too.”

“Thank you, Wei-qianbei!”

“Thank you for your advice!”

They bowed deeply, causing Wei Wuxian to bite the inside of his cheek to keep himself from laughing. He couldn’t help it. Little Lan disciples were too adorable. So stern and serious, in complete contradiction with their bright eyes and round cheeks. He just wanted to pick them up in his arms and squeeze their cheeks a little.

Perhaps he should ask Lan Wangji to accompany him to the nursery again to play with the babies and toddlers to quench his baby fever. Though, considering the look that Lan Wangji had given him last time he had held a baby in his arms, it seemed they were of one mind already…

“You should teach more classes,” Lan Jingyi commented after they had left, interrupting his thoughts once again. “You know all of our techniques and we could learn yours, it would be useful.”

Wei Wuxian laughed.

“I don’t think your Old Lan would appreciate me meddling with the Gusu Lan Sect’s sword form. I’m happy reading over the night hunt reports and helping with the talisman classes. Now go get ready for your night hunt,” he said as they had reached the gate to the Jingshi. “Remember to pack warm clothes and to come see me before leaving.”

Wei Wuxian received twin nods before he slipped past the gate, a cheerful spring to his steps.

The moment he entered the Jingshi, he was greeted with the familiar scent of the black tea Lan Wangji favoured in the winter and a delicious warmth that could only mean his husband had long returned from his teaching.

Kicking off his boots, Wei Wuxian entered the room and smiled at the vision that greeted him.

Lan Wangji was sitting by the table reading reports, a few candles lit to make up for the stormy weather outside. There was a cushion by his side, as well as a cup and a jar of Emperor Smile, but Wei Wuxian lingered in the doorway to admire his husband instead of rushing to his side.

Lan Wangji’s silhouette was surrounded by the golden light from the candles, giving him an ethereal look. Wei Wuxian was certain not even a God would look so beautiful.

Having heard him come in, Lan Wangji looked up and Wei Wuxian felt his knees go weak when his grey eyes met gold.

“Dearest husband of mine, I’m home!” He announced needlessly, placing the box by the table before removing his coat and gloves. “Did you miss me?”

“I did.”

The answer came easily, with no hesitation or shame.

“Lan Zhan!! So forward! Think of my heart,” Wei Wuxian gasped, clutching at his heart dramatically as he made a show of staggering a little before dropping to his knees next to him.

Of course, Lan Wangji was there to catch him before he could fall, his arms cushioning his fall and pulling him close.

“Well," Wei Wuxian wrapped his arms around his neck with a playful pout. "I missed you too and I think you should make it up to me.”

Lan Wangji huffed at his antics but there was the hint of smile at the corner of his lips when Wei Wuxian slid on his lap and cupped his face in his hands.

Despite the cold fingers on his face, Lan Wangji leant into his touch, his eyes never leaving him as Wei Wuxian leant forward and started peppering his face with kisses until he finally reached his lips, lingering there. They both sighed into it, the tension of the day draining from them.

Soon, Lan Wangji opened his lips and licked into his mouth, his grip turning bruising on his waist, and Wei Wuxian moaned, his hips rocking against his husband as he draped his arms over his shoulders. Lan Wangji bit down on his tender neck and Wei Wuxian was nearly side-tracked until his back hit the table and the sound of porcelain clinking together reached his ears, abruptly reminding him that his little surprise was waiting for them.

“A-ah, look at what you do to me, Lan Zhan! Just one kiss from you and I forget what I’m supposed to do,” he chided, covering Lan Wangji’s lips with his hands to prevent more kisses since Lan Wangji seemed fine with forgetting everything in favour of kissing him some more. “You’re impossible. How am I supposed to do anything when you’re distracting me, mh?”

Lan Wangji only hummed as Wei Wuxian slipped off his lap to settled by his side, showing no signs of remorse. He carefully stacked the papers on a side of the table, leaving enough room for their tea without risking any spillage. 

“Are you feeling better?” Wei Wuxian asked softly, making him pause. Without waiting for the answer, he lifted a hand to feel his forehead. It was as cold as it had been when he had left this morning but Lan Wangji still looked tired.

“I am fine,” Lan Wangji assured him, taking his hand and giving it a light squeeze. “I drank medicinal tea and meditated.”

Wei Wuxian hummed but with no other signs of illness, there was nothing more he could do, except ensure his husband ate well and rested tonight.

“How is the grading going?” Wei Wuxian glanced at the report Lan Wangji had just corrected. He smiled at the few comments he managed to read, short and straightforward but encouraging. “How many do you have left? Do you need help?”

“Tea first,” his husband replied, dropping a kiss on his temple as he turned to store his ink and brush behind them while Wei Wuxian placed the content of the box on the table.

“I have a surprise for you!” Wei Wuxian announced excitedly. He had planned to keep his surprise for later but now that he had seen Lan Wangji, he could not wait another moment to see his reaction.

Leaning forward to pick up the last covered plate, he paused to shoot Lan Wangji a smile over his shoulder. “Close your eyes.”

Lan Wangji looked at him curiously but he closed his eyes obediently, his hands resting on his lap.

Practically vibrating with excitement, Wei Wuxian took one last look at his little buns to make sure they still looked cute and fluffy then he placed them in front of Lan Wangji and sat back on his heels, his smile wide and bright.

“Open your eyes.”

While Lan Wangji opened his eyes to look at the surprise, Wei Wuxian kept his eyes solely on him. He did not want to miss his reaction and just as he had hoped, it was delightful.

Lan Wangji’s expressions were faint, almost unnoticeable. Some would even argue they were inexistent, that his face never betrayed any emotion, but Wei Wuxian was dedicating his new life to looking at his husband. He knew each and every one of his little tells and as he watched him, his heart could barely stand how adorable he was.

His husband’s golden eyes widened ever-so-slightly and his lips parted with a soft ‘oh’ before the corner of his lips curled up. His surprise soon morphed into wonder tinged with amusement.

Lan Wangji looked back at him then and Wei Wuxian had no other choice but to take his face in his hands to kiss his smile.

“You’re so cute, Lan Zhan, so, so cute,” he praised, the tip of his fingers dancing over the creases at the corner of his husband’s eyes. Smile lines. He had made those. “Do you like them? This time you can’t tell me not to eat the bunnies,” he teased, lightly tugging at his white ribbon.

Wei Wuxian earnt a kiss for his trouble before Lan Wangji took a bunny. He examined it with care then bit into it after a beat of hesitation. His expression immediately relaxed and Wei Wuxian grinned, proud of the pleased look he received. Picking up a bun himself, he started recalling his day in the kitchens.

As always, his voice was the only sound filling the Jingshi while his husband enjoyed their tea but Wei Wuxian didn’t mind. Lan Wangji was listening, conveying his thoughts with a single look or a nod.

“Sizhui and Jingyi are going night hunting tonight,” Wei Wuxian continued, feeling warm and content after eating. “They will stop by to take a few talismans before leaving.”

Lan Wangji hummed, lifting a hand to wipe away the filling at the corner of Wei Wuxian’s mouth. “The warning talismans?”

“Yes.” Wei Wuxian kissed the tip of his fingers when they lingered close to his lips then continued, mirth dancing in his eyes at the heat he had ignited in his husband’s eyes. “The weather is so bad, I doubt their flares would be visible should they ask for help.”

Lan Wangji nodded approvingly but his attention had shifted to the thumb now pressing down on Wei Wuxian’s bottom lip.

Naturally, Wei Wuxian’s lips parted to let the thumb in and he wrapped his lips around it. Keeping his eyes on his husband, he brushed and twirled his tongue around the finger in his mouth then he hollowed his cheeks and started sucking. The heat in Lan Wangji’s eyes was searing now. Wei Wuxian revelled in it, in the feeling of his husband’s hand gripping his hip, his strong fingers digging into his skin even through his thick robes.

Tea forgotten, Wei Wuxian returned on his lap and started opening his robes.

Under his palm, he could feel Lan Wangji’s heart beating fast and he moaned happily when he replaced his thumb with two fingers, pushing in enough that Wei Wuxian was almost gagging around them. Letting his hands travel down between them, Wei Wuxian snuck his hands under the layers covering his husband and wrapped his fingers around his heavy and already hard cock. He stroke it at the same pace Lan Wangji had set with the fingers in his mouth but it was not enough. Wei Wuxian wanted more and he whined around the fingers fucking into his mouth while his hips started rocking against Lan Wangji.

“Lan Zhan...” The moment his fingers left his mouth, Wei Wuxian started babbling, only more spurred on when the wet fingers trailed over his ass and started teasing his rim before pushing in. “Lan Zhan, you’re so distracting, we have- we have- ah! We should stop! We have things to-to do!”

Yet, despite his weak protests, he was bucking into Lan Wangji’s hold and the hand not busy stroking his husband was gripping his shoulder to give himself more leverage.

“Do you want me to stop?” Lan Wangji’s deep voice was like warm honey in his ear and Wei Wuxian couldn’t resist leaning forward to kiss him, wanting a taste, but his husband leant back. His fingers stopped moving and Wei Wuxian keened, feeling his entire body was burning while his husband watched him impassively, waiting for his answer.

“What a mean, mean husband I have!” Wei Wuxian protested as he tried to move but found he could not when Lan Wangji pinned him in place with a hand on his hip. “You do all this and stop?! Oh, what a cruel, loveless life! My husband no longer wants me, he cares for me no more…”

Neither commented on the fact that he had just asked Lan Wangji to stop or that Lan Wangji had his fingers buried deep inside him. It was part of his games and Lan Wangji happily followed along.

“Look at me!” Wei Wuxian continued with an exaggerated pout. “You ravish me, tear my robes open out here in our living room where anyone could come in and see me and now you won’t take responsibility?”

Huffing, Lan Wangji captured his lips in a deep kiss while Wei Wuxian wrapped his arms around his neck with a pleased grin, body melting into his touch as Lan Wangji’s hand wrapped around their cocks, his fingers hitting the sweet spot inside Wei Wuxian with every thrust until he came with a loud cry.

Wei Wuxian barely had time to catch his breath before Lan Wangji was laying him on their discarded robes and replacing his fingers with his cock, spurred on by the filthy suggestions coming from his husband.

***

When Wei Wuxian came to, much later, he was curled up against Lan Wangji’s chest, feeling deliciously spent and warm. Lan Wangji had draped his outer robe on him to keep him warm and somewhat decent now that he had nearly ruined his robes.

Beneath Wei Wuxian’s ear, Lan Wangji’s heart was slowly calming down.

They stayed in the position for a while, enjoying the peacefulness inside the house despite the wind blowing outside. It wasn’t until Wei Wuxian shivered that Lan Wangji moved them to the bath already waiting in the other room with a talisman to keep it warm, much to his delight.

“You had a bath ready? What a thoughtful husband I have!” He praised happily as he slipped into the water, belying his earlier complaints, then he gave him a cheeky look. “But one has to wonder, were you planning this, Lan Zhan?”

“Best be prepared,” Lan Wangji replied evenly as he joined him, earning a laugh.

“I guess you’re right!” Wei Wuxian sat up on his knees, beckoning him closer. “Come, come now, I’ll wash you up and then you can wash me.”

Lan Wangji went obediently, handing him the soap and sitting in front of him, once again quietly glad for the larger bathtub they had commissioned a few month ago as it gave them plenty of space to sit together for such activities, and others.

“Will the juniors be able to use your talismans easily?” Lan Wangji asked while Wei Wuxian washed his hands, tenderly massaging his fingers and wrists.

“Mh? Oh, yes, yes!” He answered brightly. “I figured out a way to make them easy to use by the juniors, at least the ones already going on night hunts. Ideally, I’d like for anyone to be able to use them but that will need a few more adjustments. We never know when flares might fail and it would be a good back up.”

Wei Wuxian told him more about the talismans as he washed his hair, speaking about the plans he had to distribute them in nearby villages and the latest improvements he had imagined as well as new ideas he had in mind, unaware of the golden eyes set on him.

Lan Wangji listened silently, his expression blank but his eyes shining with pride. It was not until his hair was clean and it was his turn to help Wei Wuxian that he spoke up.

“Wei Ying.”

Something in his voice must have given him away because when Wei Wuxian met his gaze, his cheeks immediately turned a darker shade of red.

“Ah, Lan Zhan, my husband, my beautiful jade, you can’t look at me this way, don’t you know my heart can’t take it? What are you looking at me so sweetly for?”

There were thousands of reasons.

For protecting the juniors. For giving them a sense of safety and for trusting them to be fine on their own. For giving the world everything instead of shying away from it where so many would have after being treated so callously by it. For being Wei Ying.

“I love you.”  

Predictably, Wei Wuxian gaped at him, as if surprised by the answer even though it was only the most natural thing to say, even though Lan Wangji kissed the words and sentiment into his skin every day. Then he made a high pitched sound, like a teapot letting out some steam, and hid his red face behind a hand while his other hand was on Lan Wangji’s chest, keeping him away.

“Lan Zhan!! You!! You’re too much!!”

“Mn.”

His smile was clear in his voice and it only made Wei Wuxian wail louder.

“Don’t mock me!! This is too much! Oh, this is how I perish,” he lamented, his burning face now hidden in Lan Wangji’s shoulder. “That’s it, my poor heart is weak and my husband is so cruel to me, saying such sweet words without a warning!”

Lan Wangji laughed. The sound was barely more than a huff but it made Wei Wuxian raise his head to look at him, eyes bright and beaming with pride. Because he did this, every day. He made Lan Wangji smile, he made him laugh.

“Look at you, you’re so beautiful. Ah, Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan, I love you so much,” Wei Wuxian said as he took his face in both hands then kissed him, and again and again, until their lips were once again bruised with it.

“You have to stop or I won’t be able to kissing you and then we’ll just end up spending the night in this bath until we’re all wrinkled!!”

Of course, Lan Wangji didn’t need much more encouragement to gather his husband in his arms and show him just how much he loved him once more.

***

“We need to stop taking baths in the afternoon,” Wei Wuxian whined half-heartedly from where he was sitting drowsily by the table, his eyes closed in blissful relaxation. A report laid on the table in front of him, half-marked and forgotten. It was difficult to focus on grading when his husband was brushing his hair, the movement so soothing Wei Wuxian couldn’t stop his eyes from closing.

“I think I might just fall asleep here if you continue...”

“There is no need to finish these reports tonight.”

“I know, I know.” Wei Wuxian yawned then picked up the brush again, shaking himself a little to stay awake. “But you’ve been working a lot and you were feeling unwell this morning. And I distracted you,” he added, tilting his head back to wink at Lan Wangji.

“I welcomed the distraction,” Lan Wangji answered as he kissed his forehead, making Wei Wuxian scrunch up his nose adorably. With gentle hands, he nudged Wei Wuxian’s head forward again so he could finish combing through his hair and start braiding it for the night.

He was tying it with a ribbon when a knock came at the door.

For a brief moment, Wei Wuxian wondered who it might be before jumping to his feet excitedly.

“Come in! Lan Zhan, can you open?” He asked, searching through his papers while Lan Wangji stood up to let the two boys in.

A delicious scent filled the home at the same time Lan Sizhui and Lan Jingyi walked through the door.

“We thought we would bring you dinner, to thank you for the talismans,” Lan Sizhui explained, answering Wei Wuxian’s curious look while Lan Jingyi placed the dishes on the table.

“Thank you,” Lan Wangji said, tilting his head as Wei Wuxian returned to his side.

“Yes, thank you! So thoughtful of you, going back to the kitchens in this weather would’ve been a nightmare,” Wei Wuxian said then beckoned them. “Now come here, I’ll show you how the talismans work. I made enough for tonight but it will do you good to know how to make them, just in case.”

They two boys left with many grateful thanks that Wei Wuxian waved away with a smile before returning inside to join Lan Wangji for dinner.  

As often, the two men returning to work once dinner was cleaned and the trays stacked neatly outside to be taken back to the kitchens in the morning.

Lan Wangji stayed with Wei Wuxian as late as he could, correcting essays and occasionally helping Wei Wuxian with his ideas, but eventually he could not resist sleep any longer. Pressing a kiss to his husband’s forehead, he whispered a good night to him and received a sweet kiss in return, along with the soft promise that Wei Wuxian would join him soon.

Unsurprisingly, Lan Wangji was already deeply asleep by the time Wei Wuxian finally went to bed, but his fingers twitched when he slipped under the covers, as though he was reaching for his husband even in his dreams.

Chuckling, Wei Wuxian settled on his chest and took Lan Wangji’s hands to place them on his waist, where they settled naturally, holding him in place. 

“Shh, I’m here now, sleep,” he whispered, caressing his chin before placing a kiss on his lips. “I’ll see you in the morning, Lan Zhan, sweet dreams.”

*****

The morning sun entered the Jingshi, slowly, almost muffled by the snow that had fallen during the night.

A soft whine came from the bed when a ray reached its occupant, stirring him awake.

Wei Wuxian buried his face in his pillow, determined to enjoy a few more minutes of warmth and peace, but he paused when he realised he was lying on top of Lan Wangji instead of his own pillow. His husband’s chest was raising and falling softly beneath his cheek, accompanied by the sound of the steady thumping of his heart.

Surprised, Wei Wuxian opened his eyes and blinked up sleepily before looking over his shoulder at the sun rising in the sky confusedly.

It was well past mao shi.

Lan Wangji should have been up for a long time and Wei Wuxian could see no sign that he had gotten up and come back to bed as he sometimes did when they had no pressing matters to attend in the morning.

Perhaps Wei Wuxian had whined prettily enough upon feeling Lan Wangji trying to leave the bed that he had relented and decided to stay with him. He didn’t remember waking up but then again, he was not a morning person. The only thing he usually remembered from the mornings Lan Wangji woke him early to bath and pamper him was the warmth and love that draped over him like the softest blanket before he was gently put back to bed to finish his night.

Smiling softly, he delicately traced his fingers over Lan Wangji’s impassive face.

Perhaps I could wake him up with a nice surprise this morning, he thought with a grin as he started kissing his way up his jaw.

He knew how this would go already.

Lan Wangji’s golden eyes would flutter open, at first sleepy and confused then they would clear up in understanding. His hands would settled on Wei Wuxian’s hips then, to hold him in place, and he would raise an eyebrow upon seeing Wei Wuxian’s already dishevelled appearance. Wei Wuxian knew how alluring he looked with his hair tousled and his cheeks pink from sleep. He knew what it did to his husband.

Lan Wangji’s gaze would turn scorching hot, sending burning shivers down Wei Wuxian’s spine, and Wei Wuxian’s world would be turned upside down when Lan Wangji would flip their position. Considering he had gone to bed alone, Lan Wangji would hold him tighter, press harder into him, and Wei Wuxian would ache and sport the marks of their lovemaking for the rest of the day.

Driven by those delicious thoughts, he straddled his husband’s waist and peered down at him expectantly but to his surprise, there was nothing.

No golden eyes looked up at him lovingly.

No hands came to rest on his hips.

Nothing.

Lan Wangji kept sleeping, his expression impassive, chest rising and falling slowly with each breath.

Wei Wuxian hesitated, a frown clouding his expression.

“Lan Zhan?” Wei Wuxian tried, shaking him lightly.

Was he playing a game on him, a little payback for all the times Wei Wuxian had lazed in bed when he should have been up?

As unlikely as it was, Wei Wuxian entertained the possibility for now.

Whining loudly, he flopped down, burying his face in Lan Wangji’s chest. “Lan Zhan, are you playing a game? Is it because I woke up so late yesterday? I can’t help it if you exhaust me every night! If anything, you should be the one punished, not me!”

Even as he spoke, Wei Wuxian listened to his husband’s heartbeat, looking for a proof that he was awake, but it was still beating slowly.

For all he knew, his husband truly was profoundly asleep…

“Er-Gege, are you really punishing me because I stayed up late?” Wei Wuxian tried again, his voice almost unpleasantly sweet now. “I can think of nicer punishments you know, you could tie me up, to make sure I wouldn’t leave you again, mn, Lan Zhan? Wouldn’t you like that? Your pretty husband tied up for you to enjoy?”

Yet, despite his playful tone, despite his sweet words and his teasing hands traveling over Lan Wangji’s body to rouse him, there was still no reaction. Lan Wangji just laid there sleeping, as beautiful as ever, while Wei Wuxian felt increasingly worried.

“Er-gege. Husband. Lan Zhan,” Wei Wuxian’s voice grew tighter with each name until he snapped. “Lan Wangji! If this is a game, it’s not funny and you better apologise to me.”

Still nothing.

Wei Wuxian stared at Lan Wangji for a beat then he abruptly opened his clothes.

His hands flew over his husband, eyes sharp as he examined him thoroughly but he could see nothing wrong with him. More worryingly, there still hadn’t been a movement from Lan Wangji, not even the flutter of his eyelids. It was as if he didn’t feel him move, didn’t feel his hands touching him, prodding and nervous.

Frowning, Wei Wuxian lifted a hand to place it on Lan Wangji’s forehead but there was no fever. No dampness either. Nothing that would suggest a sickness of any kind. His face felt a little cold to the touch but that was to be expected with all the snow that had fallen last night, cooling the air in their home.

Wei Wuxian sat back, completely at loss, then he ran out of the house to get a doctor.

***

Lan Qiren was talking with the head doctor of the Cloud Recesses when the front door of the Medical Pavilion was slammed open and a voice called out for the doctor, completely uncaring for the early hour. With a frown, Lan Qiren left Lan Zishen’s office, the doctor following him worriedly.

Wei Wuxian was standing in the empty hall, his loose hair swaying as he looked around him, breathless and in complete disarray.

“Wei Wuxian! No shouting!” Lan Qiren barked, scowling at the young man. He took in the coat barely wrapped around the man’s shoulders, as well as the absence of a scarf or gloves on his hands and the single layer of robes peeking from under the coat, and his scowl deepened. “What are you doing outside in such a state? Don’t you see the snow outside!?”

Wei Wuxian nearly tripped over himself in his haste. It seemed he had not heard Lan Qiren because he didn’t answer any of his questions. Instead, he bowed to them, slightly out-of-breath.

“Senior Lan, Lan Zishen. I’m so sorry to disturb you but it’s urgent.” Lan Qiren huffed but Wei Wuxian continued before he could scold him, his attention now solely on the doctor. “You need to examine Lan Zhan. He won’t wake up.”

Without wasting another second, Lan Zishen picked up a bag and followed him out of the pavilion, Lan Qiren in tow.

“What has happened?” Lan Zishen asked, his brows furrowed. “How long has he been like this?”

“I don’t know.” Wei Wuxian pushed his hair out of his face nervously and his hands continued moving as he lead them back to the Jingshi, an evident sign of his restlessness. “Yesterday he was a little tired so he drank medicinal tea and mediated which seemed to help but this morning, he did not wake up at mao shi. No matter what I do or say, he just keeps on sleeping and I know he doesn’t have any class this morning but it’s way too late for him to still be in bed...”

“Is he feverish?”

“No. There is nothing.” Wei Wuxian shook his head helplessly, leading them inside the Jingshi. “He’s not warm, he’s not shivering or cold either, his breathing is normal too. If it wasn’t so late, I would simply think he is sleeping in but… it’s Lan Zhan. He never sleeps so late and nothing I do can wake him up. It’s not normal. He never ignores me.”

Lan Qiren pursed his lips as he stepped inside the house. The table in the main room was covered in scrolls, talismans and brushes, along with burnt out candles that left no doubt as to who had spent a late night working there. On the sideboard behind it, there were two stacks of corrected reports, one perfectly neat and the other slightly crooked.

Following Wei Wuxian to the bedroom, Lan Qiren couldn’t help but notice the presence of new objects on the shelves when a plush caught his attention. It looked like a fox, in deep red and black colours. It sat next to that horrible turtle Lan Wangji had seemed so pleased to bring back from their travels. There were other new things too, books, flowers and trinkets, but his attention shifted away from them once they reached the bedroom.

Lan Wangji was right where Wei Wuxian had left him. Everything about him seemed normal, saved for the fact that he was deeply asleep when he should have been awake for nearly two shichen. Outside, the winter sun was steadily rising, painting the sky in warm hues of gold and red.

“Lan Zhan?” Wei Wuxian tried again as he sat on the bed, to no avail.

Tenderly, he combed his fingers through his husband’s hair but there was no movement from Lan Wangji, not even a twitch of his lids that would show awareness from him. He caressed his face then moved aside to give Lan Zishen space to work.

Lips pursed in a tight line, the doctor examined Lan Wangji in silence.

Once he was done, Wei Wuxian returned on the edge of the bed, tenderly brushing a strand of hair away from his face. He was searching for any sign that his husband could feel him, that he knew Wei Wuxian was watching over him, but there was still nothing. Looking back at the doctor, his heart sank when he saw his troubled expression.

“I don’t know what is wrong,” Lan Zishen declared sombrely as he put away his instruments. Next to the doctor, Lan Qiren tensed, his expression even more severe than usual. “It is not an illness I have encountered before. Everything seems as though he is simply asleep but he is not reacting to anything I tried.”

Wei Wuxian’s eyes hardened but he nodded, his hand gentle where he brushed Lan Wangji’s hair.

Lan Qiren stared at them, unused to see them so openly intimate even if Wei Wuxian was the sole instigator today. He startled faintly when he realised how rude he was and turned to the doctor instead. “What can be done?”

“I will have to do some research.” Lan Zishen rubbed his forehead with a frown. “At this point, I cannot determine what caused him to fall into this slumber. Whatever it is, his golden core seems to be fighting it so there is hope that Lan Wangji will get better on his own. Wei Wuxian, did you encounter any curse on your last night hunt?”

“No.” The answer was immediate. “I would have noticed. We helped a town deal with a few monsters but there was no trace of a curse. Besides, we came back a few days ago and Lan Zhan showed no unusual sign of exhaustion.”

Lan Qiren frowned, his eyes returning to Lan Wangji. His nephew was strong and resilient. Even as a child, the worst sicknesses would only cause him to be drowsy and sleepy but it would never incapacitated him so much.

Whatever it was, it had to be powerful. As Lan Zishen had said, Lan Wangji did not look sick, merely profoundly asleep, and as irritating as the thought was, Lan Qiren could not imagine him remaining deaf to his husband’s voice.

“What else could it be?” He asked Lan Zishen.

“I cannot draw firm conclusions yet.” The doctor sighed, rubbing his forehead with his fingers. “It could be anything. An illness, a curse, a poison…”

While Lan Qiren and Lan Zishen spoke, Wei Wuxian looked back at Lan Wangji, his fingers drawing nonsensical patterns on the back of his hand.

Whatever it was, it couldn’t come from something he had ingested over the past few days, be it a drink or a meal, or others in the Cloud Recesses would have fallen asleep. He doubted it had been something they had eaten on their travel either given that they had eaten their own food or shared their meals in restaurants and inns. Not to mention that Lan Wangji’s golden core would have most likely burnt through anything that might make him sick. As such a poison seemed unlikely, though it could not be entirely ruled out either. 

If it was an illness, then it had to be more than a common cold. The one time Lan Wangji had been miserable with a cold, his golden core had been strong enough that instead of spending a week in bed, he had been fine after only two days of Wei Wuxian pampering him and even then, he had never slept so heavily.

Wei Wuxian traced a finger over his husband’s cheek.

He would have noticed a curse clinging to him. As would have Lan Wangji. But if the doctors confirmed that it was not an illness, it was the most likely option. Whatever it was, Lan Wangji was a powerful cultivator, it would need something equally powerful to incapacitate him in such a way.

“Wei Wuxian?”

Looking up, Wei Wuxian saw that Lan Qiren was gone, though he had not noticed him leaving the room.

Offering the doctor an apologetic smile, he stood after carefully pulling the cover higher over Lan Wangji.

“I’m sorry, I was lost in my thoughts. What were you saying?”

“No need to apologise, this is quite a stressful situation.” Lan Zishen offered him a comforting smile. “I have asked Lan Qiren to warn Sect Leader Lan. I’ll go to the Medical Pavilion to retrieve some books and medicine, as well as ask the other doctors to come examine Lan Wangji. Depending on our findings, we will decide on what we do. In the meantime, could you try to make him drink this tea?” He asked, handing over a pouch.

Wei Wuxian doubted Lan Wangji was in any capacity to drink but he took the pouch. “I’ll try.”

“I am not certain it will have any effects but it won’t hurt to try. Two spoons should be enough. Be sure to let it cool enough before giving it to him,” Lan Zishen added before he left, leaving Wei Wuxian alone with his husband and his thoughts.

True to its name, the Jingshi was often quiet, especially in the morning when Wei Wuxian was so slow to wake up, but he felt unnerved by the unnatural silence that reigned this morning so he filled it with his chattering as he prepared the tea for Lan Wangji.

“The storm seems to have quietened down at last,” he said as he returned by Lan Wangji’s side. “Won’t you open your pretty eyes for me, Lan Zhan?”

There was still no reply, though Wei Wuxian had not expected one.

Just as he had anticipated, making Lan Wangji drink was difficult. His husband was a tall strong man, and although Wei Wuxian had steadily grown stronger in this new body of his, moving Lan Wangji’s heavy and uncooperating body proved a little challenging. Though it was not as challenging as making his husband drink the tea without accidentally choking him. 

“I will only say this because you’re asleep and hopefully can’t hear me but maybe you’re right. I should do handstands with the kids,” he admitted, leaning Lan Wangji against his chest, his head tucked under his chin. Wei Wuxian caressed his hair, a sigh leaving his lips before he kissed the top of his head tenderly. “How can you worry me so and still be so cute? It’s unfair.”

With infinite care, he slowly gave Lan Wangji more tea. He had hoped the feeling of water on his lips would encourage him to drink but it seems that in its current state, his body didn’t even react to it. As a result, he had to give him very small sips and wait for him to naturally swallow before giving him more. Once he was finally done, Wei Wuxian carefully laid him back down under the covers.

“Wei Wuxian?”

Lan Xichen stood in the doorway, Lan Zishen and other doctors behind him. The placid smile that had only just returned on the Sect Leader’s face was gone, replaced by concern as he looked at his brother.

“I heard about Wangji,” he said needlessly as Wei Wuxian invited them into the room. “Has there been any change?”

“No.” Wei Wuxian gently wiped a drop that was clinging to his husband’s lips before he handed the pouch back to the doctor. “I managed to make him drink a cup off the tea, Lan Zishen, but it had no effect.”

Lan Zishen nodded tersely, his expression pinched as he retrieved the pouch. “I thought as much but it was worth a try.”

“Are we certain it is an illness?” Lan Xichen asked after a moment, tearing his eyes away from Lan Wangji to look at the doctors instead. “Couldn’t it be a curse?”

The worry lines around his eyes had deepened and his hands were restless by his sides, as if he wanted to reach for his brother but was not sure he was allowed, though Wei Wuxian was not sure whether he was afraid of Wei Wuxian’s reaction or his own.

“I cannot say anything for certain yet, Sect Leader,” Lan Zishen answered apologetically. “It does not look like any illness I have encountered before but I have only just began examining him. We should be able to provide answers soon.”

Lan Xichen nodded, his gaze returning to Lan Wangji. Wei Wuxian could not even imagine how the man felt, coming out of seclusion only for his little brother to fall to some mysterious illness barely a month later.

Catching his eyes, Wei Wuxian deliberately moved to the side, giving him room next to him on the bed.

Lan Xichen’s eyes widened at the unexpected gesture before a barely there smile softened his expression and he allowed himself to step closer. Tentatively, he reached down to touch his brother, as if to see for himself that he was as nonresponsive as he had been told. He had been warned but his shoulders still sagged when Lan Wangji did not react to his presence, not even with a twitch of his eyebrows that would indicate that he had felt him.

Wei Wuxian felt the weight on his own shoulders grow heavier as the hope that Lan Xichen might somehow be able to reach his brother disappeared but he quickly got a hold of himself. He was missing his husband like a drowning man missed air and flowers missed the sun but wallowing would not help.

“I have found no curse mark on him,” Wei Wuxian said. “But if it is a curse, I will find it and break it, whatever it is.” His tone left no room for doubt or hesitation. Regardless of what was hurting his husband, Wei Wuxian would not rest until Lan Wangji was awake. 

A fleeting smile appeared on Lan Xichen’s face but his expression soon closed off again as he looked at Lan Wangji.

“Is he in pain?”

His eyes fell on Wei Wuxian once again and for a moment, he was pinned under the intensity of his gaze. Although Lan Xichen was easier to read than his brother, he was usually careful to hide his emotions behind a smile and a placid expression. Right now, however, there was no mistaking the raw concern in his eyes. The fact that he turned to Wei Wuxian for reassurance made his throat tighten with emotion.

Swallowing past the tightness of his throat, Wei Wuxian shook his head.

“No. I don’t think so. As far as I can tell, he is only asleep.”

A shaky breath of relief escaped Lan Xichen before he offered him a weak smile. “Thank you.”

Silence fell over the room, only disturbed by the sound of the doctors settling around the bed to examine Lan Wangji. It stretched until Wei Wuxian had to speak, had to fill the room with his voice rather than the unnerving whispers of the doctors talking among themselves.

“I was about to do some research,” Wei Wuxian told Lan Xichen when the man did not seem to move, startling him a little. “Do you want to come with me?”

“I wish I could but I cannot stay.” Lan Xichen’s voice was filled with regret. “I have to meet with sect leaders. But, please, don’t hesitate to take any book you need from the library, including the forbidden section.”

Wei Wuxian wanted to reach out and touch his arm, bring him some comfort, but their relationship, though greatly improved, had not quite reached this level of familiarity yet. Instead, he offered him a faint smile. “Thank you. I will let you know if anything changes.”

Lan Xichen nodded tersely. His eyes lingered on Lan Wangji before he left the room, his steps heavier than usual.

Wei Wuxian watched him leave then looked at the room now transformed into a medical room.

He could not sit idle while the doctors attempted to treat his husband. Even though he lacked formal medical training, he had dabbed into medicine before and his own expertise laid in curses, which was their only other unexplored lead for now. So, he quietly carried his own table up to the bed and settled down with the doctors, books and scrolls spread around him.

The doctors worked under the assumption that they were facing an unknown illness. Wei Wuxian would stay out of their way and let them try to find a cure for it but it was better to start researching curses and spells already, rather than find themselves running out of time should Lan Wangji’s condition worsen.

As he read books after books after notes, he kept an ear out for everything the doctors tried. Acupuncture needles, medicinal pills, spells… Each failure made his heart clench painfully but he kept working without wavering, bent over his notes, discarding ideas, starting over talismans and adjusting the radicals as he went. However disheartening, each failure brought them a step closer to understanding whatever they were facing.

The winter sun had passed its peak and none of the doctors had made any progress. They were talking in low voiced when Wei Wuxian was finally done.

“Doctors? I would like to try something but I need to know it’s safe for Lan Zhan,” he explained when they all looked at him. “Would it be possible for one of you to come take a look at this?”

“What is it?” Lan Zishen was looking at him with open curiosity, his own research cast aside.

“A talisman,” Wei Wuxian explained as he moved to show them. “I could not see curse marks on Lan Zhan but perhaps we should consider the possibility that it might be one, or even a spirit, in which case this would stop it.”

“Good point. I have to report our findings to Sect Leader Lan and Lan Qiren,” Lan Zishen said after looking at the talisman briefly and handing it back to him, “but Lan Mingzhu can assist you.”

Lan Mingzhu was only a few years younger than Lan Zishen but Wei Wuxian relaxed upon recognising him.

A few months ago, Wei Wuxian had returned heavily injured from a hunt and the man had been the one to heal him under Lan Wangji’s watchful eyes. He had been patient and welcoming, making Wei Wuxian feel at ease despite the discomforting feeling of his skin being stitched back together.

“You have studied medicine before?” Lan Mingzhu asked with a pleasantly surprised hint to his voice. His hands turned the talisman over while his eyes slowly went over the brushstrokes, head nodding along approvingly.

Wei Wuxian shook his head. “Only briefly. It was a very long time ago and my memories are blurry. I mainly used the books I found in the library and ones we owned. Is it safe to try?”

“You had a good teacher to have retained so much after all those years,” the doctor replied, handing him back the talisman. His expression was kind but there was caution in his eyes too. “It is promising but I must warn you that it will probably not work on the first attempt.”

Even though Wei Wuxian had little hopes of his first attempt succeeding, he couldn’t help the dip of his heart when nothing happened, not even the smallest sign of improvement. Beside him, Lan Mingzhu examined his husband thoroughly, searching for even the most insignificant sign that the talisman had improved his health but he soon confirmed Wei Wuxian’s impression with a shake of his head. 

Jaw tight, Wei Wuxian picked up his brush, another talisman paper, and started working on another design. Lan Mingzhu sat at his desk, offering suggestions and searching through books with him. Together, they tried a few more talismans, though without any success.

The room was silent until his stomach suddenly growled, starling them. Looking up in confusion, Wei Wuxian’s eyes’ widened faintly when he saw the sun was already dimming in the sky. No wonder he felt so hungry. He had not eaten since waking up. With no food in his system and worry weighing on his heart, using so much energy was draining him fast but the thought of stopping was unbearable.

Wei Wuxian looked at his husband. Unless he found the source of the problem, it would be days, if not weeks before they would find a cure. If Lan Wangji’s condition remained stable. The doctors seemed confident that he would be fine as long as his golden core remained intact but they had to find the source of the curse or they ran the risk that it might worsen with time, to the point that Lan Wangji’s life might be in danger.

Wei Wuxian closed his eyes while his hand naturally fell on Chenqing, toying with it as he let his thoughts run.

Nothing they had tried so far had worked. Nothing had even evoked the smallest reaction from his husband. Their only discovery was that the doctors had confirmed that whatever was keeping Lan Wangji asleep was not an illness. It had to be a curse for no known medicine had managed to wake him. If anything, some medicine meant to wake him seemed to have had the exact opposite effect, though the doctors could not determine if it was the curse following its course or an actual countereffect of the medicine.

What an odd curse however…

“Wei Wuxian.”

His head snapped up to find Lan Qiren scowling down at him. His tone made it obvious it was not the first time he had called his name.

“Master-”

“Put that down and eat.”

Wei Wuxian took notice of the tray that had been placed on his right, on the only empty space on his desk.

“Eat,” Lan Qiren repeated in a tone that brook no discussion. “You will not achieve anything on an empty stomach.” Without waiting for his response, he spun around and went to speak to Lan Zishen, ignoring Wei Wuxian’s bewildered look.

Tearing his eyes away from the man, Wei Wuxian pulled the tray closer to him to examine it. There was that bitter soup he disliked so much but also several of the dishes Wei Wuxian had learnt to appreciate with time, though they looked noticeably paler than the dishes his husband prepared. And, he noted distantly, his bowls and plates were fuller than those of most cultivators from the sect.

“Ah, I think your uncle is trying to tell me something about my weight,” Wei Wuxian said to Lan Wangji’s sleeping form as he picked up the steaming bowl with both hands. “Though whether he believes I’ve already lost weight after a day without you to feed me or because you don’t feed me enough, we’ll have to see.”

Despite his light, teasing tone, seeing all that bland food, void of the chili and love his husband poured into preparing delicious meals for him made his heart clench painfully in his chest.

“Lan Zhan, look at me, drinking that bitter soup of yours,” he whined exaggeratedly, making a show of wincing in a way he knew would normally earn him a long-suffering but impossibly fond look from his husband. “How heartless of you, to let your poor husband suffer through such a boring and quiet meal while you sleep away like a beautiful maiden in those children’s fairy tales. You better make it up to me when you wake up!” 

One might think that Wei Wuxian should be used to talking alone during his meals considering his marriage into the Gusu Lan Clan but his husband was not as unresponsive as outsiders might believe. Lan Wangji rarely spoke during his meals, forever dutiful to his clan’s rules, but that didn’t mean he was silent either. Wei Wuxian could carry out entire discussions with him over dinner, knowing the meaning behind Lan Wangji’s every looks and hums.

A delicately raised eyebrow would have him reassess his arguments and consider new theories. A hum encouraged more stories or caused him to splutter while his face turned bright red. Sometimes, a small smile would grace his expression and Wei Wuxian would simply have to stop eating to kiss him.

But this time, he didn’t have any answer to his endless babbling.

“Hanguang-jun, I know I can talk enough for the both of us, but this is a bit extreme,” he joked with a hollow laugh. “I wish you would drink my soup again. I can close my eyes if you want, that way we can pretend I drank it without noticing.”

But despite all his complaints, Wei Wuxian drank the bitter soup and ate the bland meal that had been brought to him. The elder man was right. He needed his strength if he wanted to help Lan Wangji.

Finished with his meal, Wei Wuxian looked at Lan Qiren.

The man had returned to Lan Wangji’s side and was holding his hand. His stern expression was sombre than usual. It reminded Wei Wuxian of the first days that had followed the Guanyin Temple revelations, when Lan Xichen had returned a broken man and isolated himself in seclusion to grieve and heal. The same feeling of helplessness seemed to weigh down on Lan Qiren as he studied his nephew, undoubtedly probing and searching for answers.

“Master Lan?”

Upon hearing his voice, the older man’s shoulders stiffened.

Silently, he lowered Lan Wangji’s hand, carefully placing it over his chest before he looked up at Wei Wuxian. There was a frown on his face, though it was unclear whether it was from his own unsuccessful attempts at helping Lan Wangji or from hearing Wei Wuxian’s voice.

“I would like to try playing some music,” Wei Wuxian said, his expression cautious. “The Gusu Lan Sect has healing music, maybe there’s a music that could help. What do you think?”

He expected the older man to either ignore him or even scoff, offended that Wei Wuxian would dare to suggest playing music from the Gusu Lan Sect, but instead he stood up with an approving nod.

“Come with me.”

Taken by surprise, Wei Wuxian stared at him for a beat before he hurriedly followed after him.

His surprise turned into understanding when he realised that Lan Qiren was leading him to the library. Since settling in the Cloud Recesses, Wei Wuxian had spent many afternoons working there with Lan Wangji, including inside the forbidden section. Entering that room always filled him with excitement because there was so much to discover and learn from all the books and scrolls safely stored inside, not mentioning all the good memories he had created in this place with his husband. Yet, today there was only determination in his steps as he followed Lan Qiren behind the usually locked doors.

“Begin with these,” Lan Qiren instructed once they were inside, pointing to a shelf. “I will take the others.”

Memories came back to Wei Wuxian as he picked up the books Lan Qiren had pointed to. A soft smile tugged at his lips before fading away as he remembered how flustered he had been every time Lan Wangji had leant close to him that day, how hard it had been to focus when Lan Wangji had spoken to his ear, his sandalwood scent surrounding him and overwhelming him.

“We can settle there,” Lan Qiren said, interrupting his thoughts. “Let me know if you find anything of interest.”

“Of course,” Wei Wuxian replied as he sat down at one of the tables nestled between the bookshelves, Lan Qiren taking the other one.

The next hours passed in silence, save for the sound of pages turning and notes being written down.

The moon and stars were hanging in the sky when Lan Qiren allowed himself a break. He could feel the late hour in his bones in the same way he could feel a headache growing behind his eyes from the strain of reading so many old, sometimes blurry texts while taking notes and cross-referencing techniques he read about.

Sighing softly, Lan Qiren rubbed at his temple then looked to his right.

Wei Wuxian’s table was a mess. Half of the books were open, the rest – probably the ones he hadn’t had time to cover yet – were piled precariously on the floor and on the edge of the table. Amidst this chaos, Wei Wuxian was bent over his notes, eyes jumping between the music he was working on and three books. He showed every sign of exhaustion. His eyes were too bright, his cheeks too pink, his movements a little too fast but he was working through it all with a sharp focus that impressed Lan Qiren.

Yawning, Wei Wuxian lifted a hand to rub his eyes then he leant against it, letting his hand support his head as he continued reading. The movement had caused his sleeve to slip down, revealing his wrist as well as the white ribbon wrapped around it. Lan Qiren’s eyes widened. Averting his gaze, his eyes fell on a trace of ink on the side of Wei Wuxian’s nose instead, from where he had scratched his nose while lost in his thoughts. The sight stirred an faded memory. A woman, young and carefree, oblivious to the ink on her face and fingers as she teased him relentlessly, the sound of her laughter too bright and loud in the quiet of the Cloud Recesses.

Lan Qiren shook his head mutely, chasing the memory away, and brought himself back to the present and the man working beside him. Unless he stopped him, he knew Wei Wuxian would work through the night.

“Wei Wuxian,” he called, his low voice loud in the silence of the night. “It is past hai shi.”

Wei Wuxian continued writing, oblivious to him.

“Wei Wuxian.”

“Wei Ying.”

“Mn, yes, just a moment, Lan Zhan,” Wei Wuxian answered distractedly. “Go to bed, I’ll be there soon.”

Lan Qiren stared. Wei Wuxian’s answer had been so natural it was obviously not the first time this exchange had taken place between him and his husband. Yet, instead of feeling frustration at the idea of Lan Wangji regularly going to bed alone while Wei Wuxian worked, Lan Qiren felt only his heart soften. Despite his obvious distraction, Wei Wuxian's voice was kind and gentle, as though no matter how engrossed in his work he might be, Lan Wangji was still his first and foremost concern.

He knew his nephew’s husband was not as particular about bedtime as their clan was and he knew Lan Wangji indulged Wei Wuxian in this endeavour, in the same way Lan Wangji snuck chili oils into their meals or never said anything when his husband laughed so loud his laughter echoed around the Cloud Recesses, but it was not often Lan Qiren was given a chance to witness their intimacy so clearly. The couple was surprisingly discreet considering the personality of one of the two halves. Of course, Lan Qiren had seen more than he had ever wanted to see on many occasions: white robes on the wrong person, bruises peeking from a too-loose collar, a hint of red where the food should only be green; but they had always been small enough that he could turn a blind eye to them. And, if his eyes sometimes caught Wei Wuxian’s amused ones, well, some things were best left unsaid.

“Wei Ying,” he repeated more forcefully once he found his voice again.

This time, the younger man’s head snapped up and after blinking a few times, he offered him an apologetic smile. “Ah, Master Lan, my apologies! I thought you were… ah, well, never mind. Is it hai shi already?”

“It has been for a while. You should get some rest.” Lan Qiren answered stiffly and watched as Wei Wuxian looked at the work spread in front of him, visibly reluctant to leave despite the late hour.

“You can leave your notes here,” Lan Qiren commented, his own desk perfectly organised, ready for his return in the morning. “Unless you plan on working into the night.”

“Hum…” Wei Wuxian was sheepish as he stood up, a few notes and a book in his arms, looking a little like a child caught red-handed. “I just need to finish reading this! Then I’ll get some rest! I’ll find you here in the morning, unless Lan Zhan’s conditions changes during the night.”

“Mn.” Lan Qiren shook his head minutely at the young man’s stubbornness but he did not berate him. Instead, he looked down at his table to hide the newfound softness around his eyes. “Warn me should anything change.”

“Of course, Master Lan.”

***

The next day, Lan Wangji’s condition did not improve. If anything, it worsened.

Wei Wuxian was back in the library with Lan Qiren when a disciple interrupted them, nearly crashing into a shelf in his haste to find them.

“Master Lan, Wei-qianbei!”

Despite the worry that immediately tightened his heart at the boy’s tone, Lan Qiren was careful to maintain a composed expression as he put down the book in his hand. Besides him, Wei Wuxian showed less restraint.

“What is it? What’s happened?” Wei Wuxian asked, already standing up. “Is Lan Zhan okay?”

“The doctor sent for you, you have to come back to the Jingshi,” the servant answered, slightly out of breath. “Hanguang-jun’s golden core is weakening.”

Wei Wuxian looked back at Lan Qiren, fear in his grey eyes, and the man nodded sharply. “Go, I will meet you there.”

Without waiting another second, Wei Wuxian dashed out of the library while Lan Qiren followed, walking as fast as he could without calling it running.

The doctors were waiting for them, along with Lan Xichen. Wei Wuxian barely glanced at them before hurrying to Lan Wangji’s side, heart sinking as he took him in.

Despite the stifling heat inside their home, Lan Wangji was covered with several layers of blankets. There were dark bags forming under his eyes, as if he had spent many days awake instead of hopelessly unresponsive to the world around him, and his skin had lost some of its healthy glow. He looked exhausted and weak, two words Wei Wuxian had never associated with his husband.

“What has happened?” Lan Qiren asked, his eyes going from Lan Wangji to Lan Xichen before returning to Lan Zishen.

“We are not sure what has happened exactly, or why,” Lan Zishen began, visibly troubled and concerned. “Sect Leader Lan came to inquire after Lan Wangji after you left so I examined him for any sign of improvement when I noticed that he seemed colder to the touch. At first, I believed it was due to the weather and him being too close to the windows so I had wood added to the fire and covers brought to him but upon closer examination, I discovered that his golden core had weaken.”

As the doctor spoke, Wei Wuxian took Lan Wangji’s hand in his own. Lan Wangji was usually the one keeping Wei Wuxian warm but it seemed that the duty had fallen on him today. His husband’s hand was cold, almost frozen to the touch despite everything done to keep him warm. If it were not for the presence of the others in the room, Wei Wuxian might have crawled under the covers to warm him.

“It was barely noticeable at first,” Lan Zishen continued, his voice pulling Wei Wuxian out of his thoughts, “which is why we only just noticed, but it is undeniable. The curse is draining his golden core and with Lan Wangji unable to eat or drink, it will soon start affecting his health. We have managed to stop his temperature from dropping too much for now with blankets but unless we find what it is, we are only delaying the inevitable.”

Wei Wuxian swallowed thickly while he ran his free hand through Lan Wangji’s hair.

“How long does he have?” Wei Wuxian asked. His voice was steady but his knuckles were white where his fingers gripped on Lan Wangji’s hand.

“Our best estimation is two to three days,” Lan Zishen answered, his expression grim.

Silence fell in the room as they absorbed the news.

“Are we absolutely certain it’s a curse?”

The question earnt Wei Wuxian a scowl from Lan Qiren while the doctors stared at him, some looking affronted while others showed something akin to pity in their expression. Wei Wuxian ignored them. He did not mean to put the doctors in an uncomfortable position in front of Lan Xichen and Lan Qiren but he couldn’t help the fact that something did not feel right in naming whatever was harming Lan Wangji a “curse”.

Lan Zishen hesitated briefly. His eyes went the others in silent consultation before he nodded resolutely. “It is the only possibility. We could not find any illness with such symptoms and based on what you told us earlier, there is nothing he could have eaten or drank on your travel, or even in the Cloud Recesses, that could contain poison or you’d be asleep as well so we believe we can rule out poison as well.”

Despite the doctor’s assured answer, Wei Wuxian’s doubts lingered but he nodded without another word.

Lan Qiren cleared his throat. “Have you made any progress?”

Wei Wuxian felt his heart clench when the doctors shook his head. His chest felt so tight with worry that it was painful, making it difficult to breath. Beside him, Lan Qiren and Lan Xichen stiffened even more, if that was possible.

The doctors went on explaining that they would share their spiritual energy with Lan Wangji for the time being. They hoped the extra energy would help him resist the curse and give them more time to break it, even though such a solution could only be temporary.

One thing at a time, Wei Wuxian reasoned firmly as he pulled a blank talisman paper out of his sleeve.

He stared at it for a moment then he started drawing runes on it. At first, it looked like he was drawing a talisman to keep food warm but with a few delicate brushstrokes, Wei Wuxian had changed its purpose. A lifetime ago, he had created such a talisman to keep a child warm when covers were scarce and fires constantly blown away by cold winds. It would do the same for his husband.

Wei Wuxian examined his work carefully before sticking the paper onto his own arm. With a hand, he activated it. Immediately, warmth spread through his arm, enough that it would be a good alternative to a fire or a few dozen covers, but not to the point where it might burn him. He waited a moment then looked back at Lan Zishen, only to find the doctor and Lan Qiren already looking at him.

“We can use this to keep him warm,” Wei Wuxian said as he peeled the talisman off his arm and handed it to them. “That should give us time to let us focus on waking him up without worrying about him growing even colder. I don’t know how long it will be able to stall that curse but I can make more if needed.”

With the talisman keeping Lan Wangji warm, the doctors were able to return to their research while Lan Xichen had volunteered to share his spiritual energy with his brother.

Wei Wuxian sat on the side, silently listening to the doctors. Feeling a gaze on him, he looked up to find Lan Qiren looking at him intently. “Did you come up with this talisman just now?”

“I have used it before.” Wei Wuxian answered steadily. “It is safe. I only made a few improvements to make it last longer.”

Lan Qiren said nothing but there was an odd look in his eyes as he watched Wei Wuxian pull Chenqing out of his sash next. Wei Wuxian didn’t notice, once again lost in his thoughts. Since talismans and medicine had failed, it might be time to try music. He was not as skilled with healing music as his husband or his brother-in-law but he had studied the Gusu Lan Sect’s music extensively with Lan Qiren and he had memorised dozens of songs and melodies, each with different properties, as well as drafted a few compositions of his own.

Fingers moving slowly on Chenqing, Wei Wuxian silently went over a few songs in his mind, considering and discarding them patiently before deciding on the first one to try.

First, he would simply attempt to wake Lan Wangji. If he failed, then he would find a way to reach his subconscious or even the curse placed on him, either to successfully break it or at the very least to find clues that would help them stop it.

The song started softly, sweetly, like a mother attempting to rouse a reluctant child from bed. It gained power, became more insistent, as if now shaking the child awake.

Seeing that there was no effect still, Wei Wuxian changed tune. The next song was more powerful, almost commanding, but Lan Wangji still did not stir.

Around him, the room had fallen silent to listen to him play.

Wei Wuxian tried song after song, without any respite or hesitation until his head started to spin and his vision wavered. Wincing faintly, he lowered the flute as he took a moment to gather his strength again, raising a hand to rub his temple as he closed his eyes for a moment. Warm drops of blood dripped from his nose but he was quick to wipe it before anyone could notice.

That’s when a guqin started playing, picking up where he had stopped.

Lan Qiren was sitting beside him, his fingers plucking the strings delicately but firmly, his attention entirely focused on the beautiful black instrument laid on his lap, contrasting with his white robes. Every so often, his fingers would hover above the strings and Lan Qiren would wait, listening, patient and attentive, before resuming.

Lan Qiren was playing Inquiry, or rather, some variation of it, Wei Wuxian guessed after listening to the melody. Unlike Jin Ling such a long time ago, Lan Wangji was not yet close enough to death for Inquiry to be effective. Lan Qiren must have made some changes to the song to reach the subconscious of his nephew in the hopes of finding the answers he might hold. Had he been less worried about Lan Wangji, Wei Wuxian would have marvelled at Lan Qiren’s ingenuity. As it was however, Wei Wuxian could only look at his husband.

“Come on, Lan Zhan, come back to me,” he pleaded softly, taking his hand once again to bring it to his lips.

There had to be something. A song, a word, something to wake him up. It was just another problem. He just had to think about it and he would figure it out.

Except that his mind felt sluggish, incapable of forming thoughts beyond the worry that weighted down on him. It was too warm inside the Jingshi and he was exhausted from a night spent working on a way to save his husband. He needed a moment to breath, away from the powerful music that filled his home.

Wei Wuxian bent down to press a kiss on his husband’s forehead then stood up and left.

***

The cold attacked him the moment he stepped outside, biting his cheeks and making his eyes water but Wei Wuxian welcomed the clarity it brought him with open arms.

The answer was somewhere in his mind, he just had to connect the dots.

A curse had to have a foundation, a reason for its existence, and its manifestations were as many clues to figure it out. He closed his eyes as he went over what he knew for the hundredth time since he had woken up the previous day.

Lan Wangji and him had returned from a night hunt almost a week ago. Nothing had been amiss. They had suffered a few injuries during their last night hunt but a doctor staying at their inn had treated them and Lan Wangji had fully recovered by the time they returned home. The curse could not come from the monsters they had faced or Wei Wuxian would have noticed and fallen asleep too, probably faster than Lan Wangji considering his weaker golden core.

As for their week in the Cloud Recesses, they had done nothing unusual either. They had gone to Caiyi Town for a few meals alone, as well as with Lan Sizhui and Lan Jingyi. They had fulfilled their duties in the Cloud Recesses and spent most of their time together, as always. Nothing had been out of the ordinary.

Lan Wangji had been fine until he had gone to bed three days ago. The curse must have won over that night, probably helped by Lan Wangji’s defences coming down with sleep. Lan Wangji had admitted to feeling tired, Wei Wuxian remembered with a pang in his chest. It must have been his golden core fighting the curse and nearly winning. Wei Wuxian should have paid more mind to it, told him to seek the doctor instead of simply advising him to rest.

He sighed. There was no point dwelling on past mistakes. He had to find what had caused this but no matter how hard he racked his brains, trying to remember if there had been something different about his husband, if he had done something that would have put him in harm’s way somehow, there was nothing. He had no idea how a curse could have slipped passed his attention. He couldn’t shake off the feeling that it might be something else…

“Wei Wuxian.”

Wei Wuxian opened his eyes to find Lan Qiren standing by his side, a white coat in his hands. For a brief moment he was confused because music was still playing inside but he soon recognised Liebing. Lan Xichen must have taken over to let Lan Qiren take a break. Had Wei Wuxian been outside for so long already?

Lan Qiren handed him the coat with a huff.

For the first time of the day, a real smile appeared on Wei Wuxian’s face. It was a far cry from his usual smiles but Lan Qiren felt something settle in him at the familiar sight nonetheless.

“Oh! Ah, thank you!” Wei Wuxian wasn’t sure if it was intentional or not, but it was his husband’s coat and the familiar scent clinging to it soothed him instantly. “My apologies for leaving so suddenly, I had to step outside a moment to think.”

“Mn. The heat is stifling.”

His answer was so concise and familiar, Wei Wuxian’s eyes prickled.

Looking at the older man, at the way he carried himself, he could see traces of his husband. Or rather, he could see traces of the old master in his husband. It made his heart ache for Lan Wangji, for a look from him, but he pushed the thought to the back of his mind.

“I am trying to figure out when or where a curse could have latched onto him,” Wei Wuxian explained, earning an approving ‘mn’ from the other man. “Sleeping curses are not unheard of and the simplest curses can sometimes prove to be the most difficult to undo but after everything we have tried, I cannot believe that the curse would not be broken already. It has to be something else but I can’t figure out what or when Lan Zhan might have encountered it.”

Lan Qiren was quiet for a moment, one hand brushing his beard, then he nodded towards the gates. “A stroll might help clear our minds.”

The paths had been cleared by the younger disciples to allow residents to walk freely but winter had a firm grip on the Cloud Recesses. Fresh snow cracked softly under their boots and every breath created clouds. Yet, the two men welcomed the freshness and the clarity the weather brought.

“Wangji told me you spent the night in a town in the mountain instead of returning immediately because of a storm. Did anything unusual happen there?”

Wei Wuxian shook his head. “We received a few serious injuries during our night hunt so a doctor attended to us at the inn we were staying in, then we went to bed. We had breakfast in the morning then returned home. Since we shared all our meals, I cannot imagine either of us ingesting something that would cause this. I haven’t even heard of such a poison but I have to admit that I am not as knowledgeable when it comes to poisons.”

Lan Qiren hummed. There was no outward sign of worry from him but Wei Wuxian could see hints of it in the tightness of his lips, the faintest furrow of his brows and the way he had not stopped stroking his beard since they had begun their walk, which he now understood could either mean the older man was deep in thoughts or trying to sooth his nerves.

“Perhaps I should return to that town,” Wei Wuxian said, lifting a hand to tighten the coat around his throat when there was a cold gush of wind. “I could check if there was anything in the food or drinks we were given, or ask if others have suffered the same fate.”

“That would be a waste of time.” Lan Qiren frowned this time when he looked at Wei Wuxian. “Your golden core is weaker. If you two shared meals, there is no reason for you to be fine and Wangji in such a state.”

Despite the harsh words, there was no disdain or judgment in his voice. It was only an observation and Wei Wuxian could only nod in agreement.

“Not to mention that if others had fallen asleep, we would have heard about it as soon as people had taken notice. That town is not too far from the Cloud Recesses and you two spent two days there. People would not have hesitated to call you back.”

Wei Wuxian was silent for a moment. Although he agreed with Lan Qiren in that the town probably had nothing to do with this, an unpleasant thought was forming in his mind.

“If we exclude the town from our search,” he began slowing, careful with his next words. “Then we have to assume someone from the Cloud Recesses might be responsible for this.”

Lan Qiren’s body went rigid but he seemed to come to the same conclusion because he only let out a sigh, his shoulders dropping faintly. His eyes were hard and cold as they passed the familiar faces around them, as though he was already trying to find the person trying to kill his nephew.

“I will have the Cloud Recesses searched and interrogate anyone Wangji might have spoken to since your return,” Lan Qiren declared after a moment, his voice quiet enough that only Wei Wuxian would hear him.

“That will take time Lan Zhan might not have,” Wei Wuxian pointed out, thinking of the thousands of people who either lived in the Cloud Recesses or came on a daily or weekly basis. Though they could most certainly exclude children, it would take a long time to speak to them all.

“We have no choice.” This time, Wei Wuxian was the receiver of the hard gaze that had settled in Lan Qiren’s eyes. “We will split to increase efficiency. You should return to Wangji and find a way to break the curse. Xichen and I will handle the questionings.”

Before Wei Wuxian could protest and suggest an alternative, an unexpected warmth came from inside his robes. Pulling out a half-burnt talisman, his eyes widened faintly as his heart skipped a beat when an unpleasant memory flashed in his mind before it faded just as quickly as it has appeared.

“I must go.” Turning on his heels, he hurried back to the Jingshi without waiting.

“What?!” Lan Qiren followed Wei Wuxian closely. “Go where? What is happening?!”

“The juniors are asking for help,” Wei Wuxian answered, showing the burning talisman. “I will find them and help-”

“You’d leave now?!” A hand caught his wrist in a bruising grip, forcing him to stop. There was anger in Lan Qiren’s eyes. Wei Wuxian couldn’t blame him but there was no doubt in his mind as to what he had to do. “I will send someone else to help the juniors, you have to stay here. Wangji needs you.”

“Lan Zhan would want me to go,” Wei Wuxian replied without hesitation as he faced Lan Qiren, holding his gaze unflinching. “It will be easier for me to find them anyway, I made that talisman, the juniors would not use it if it was not important and there’s not time for me to explain how it works to someone else!”

For a moment, everything seemed to stand still as they stared at each other. Lan Qiren’s eyes were burning with barely contained anger and confusion. Wei Wuxian understood. He hated the thought of leaving Lan Wangji’s side but he was in good hands and he would not abandon their disciples.

Lan Qiren’s brows twitched and he pursed his lips but he let go of his wrist without a word.

“I will be back as soon as possible,” Wei Wuxian promised him before he entered the house.

“Wei Wuxian?” Lan Xichen had stopped playing to look at him worriedly but he walked past him without a word.

Sitting down on the edge of their bed, Wei Wuxian carefully rearranged the covers on Lan Wangji and caressed his face tenderly.

“Lan Zhan, I have to go but I won’t be long. I promise. Stay strong. I will see you soon,” he whispered softly, brushing the promise against his forehead before he pressed a kiss there and on his lips. Normally, he kept such displays of affection to private moments with his husband but considering the circumstances, he allowed himself that small lapse.

Lan Qiren stood at the door, watching them from the corner of his eyes as he spoke with Lan Xichen in a few clipped words. The anger in his eyes had melted away to be replaced by an odd look that Wei Wuxian had no time to decipher. After a quick words with the doctors, Wei Wuxian walked back outside, sword in hand.

“Wei Wuxian wait.”

Lan Qiren had followed him outside. Though he itched to fly to the juniors, Wei Wuxian waited for the older man to speak. When he finally did, his expression was still dark but his voice had lost some of its sharp edge.

“Do not fly too high. The wind is still strong. You would be knocked out of the sky and we have enough problems on our hands as it is.”

Wei Wuxian jumped on the sword and nodded. “I’ll be careful, don’t worry. Please look after Lan Zhan for me. I will be back soon.”

Lan Qiren huffed, either at Wei Wuxian for seeing through him or for the needless request, but Wei Wuxian left without waiting for his answer. Lan Qiren would find a way to warn him, should anything happen to Lan Wangji. Right now, Wei Wuxian had to focus on helping the juniors. And the faster he found them, the sooner he would return home.

***

Flying so soon after using most of his spiritual energy was a small ordeal but Wei Wuxian made it to the juniors in record time, focusing all of his energy on finding them and keeping his sword steady despite the strong winds blowing over the mountain.

The talisman led him to a village sitting between the forest and the edge of the lake. The waters of the lake had mostly frozen due to the weather and the village was dark, making it somewhat difficult to find in the settling sun. All he could see was the group of disciples eagerly awaiting his arrival by the largest house, the only one lit, like a beacon for him to follow.

“Wei-qianbei!”

The shout had come from Lan Jingyi and the other juniors looked up to the sky with relieved smiles. A familiar chorus of ‘Wei-qianbei!’ welcomed him as he jumped off his sword and he gave them a faint smile as he took them in quickly, his eyes sweeping over the disciples gathering around him. To his relief, he could find no sign of injuries but their nervousness was evident.

“Are you all right?” They nodded hastily but they looked like spooked cats, looking around them nervously and pressing around him.  

Wei Wuxian couldn’t fault them. The atmosphere in the village was eerie, unnaturally quiet and heavy. It was as though he had entered a ghost town yet Wei Wuxian knew for a fact that this village was usually bustling with people and chatters, even in the dead of winter. The inn seemed to be the only place alive, though something told him the juniors were responsible for that.

“What happened here?” He asked and was immediately assailed with answers as they all started talking over each other, visibly too shaken up to remember their principles.

“We don’t know!”

“We got here about an hour ago and it was already like this!”

“They are all dead!”

“The moment we arrived we knew something bad had happened!”

“This village is cursed!”

“Aiya, one at a time!” Wei Wuxian requested as he raised both hands, effectively bringing silence back. “Sizhui, what happened?”

The young man did not flinch at the question aimed directly at him. Stepping forward, he gestured towards the inn to invite Wei Wuxian inside.

“The village was completely empty when we arrived,” Lan Sizhui said, his soft voice much calmer than the others’. “We found that strange so we knocked on a few doors but we could not find anyone. Jingyi went to the inn to investigate but instead found the owners and their family dead in their beds. There was no reply from anyone despite our calls so we decided to check a few other houses and it was the same everywhere.  Everyone is dead, except for two survivors, a woman and a doctor.”

No wonder the atmosphere felt so gloomy. An entire village’s population had died, save for two lucky survivors. For this to have happened without the Gusu Lan sect having been notified, it must have been quick, which pointed to a particularly vicious ghost or creature.

“Where are the survivors?” Wei Wuxian asked as he walked up to the fireplace. A disciple offered him a cup of tea and he took it gratefully, happy to warm his freezing hands. “Can they explain what happened?”

Lan Sizhui shook his head, his brows furrowed lightly in distress. “We moved them both to the inn so we could look after them but they won’t be able to answer. The woman was asleep in her bed when he found her and she has not woken up despite all our attempts to wake her. The doctor was by her side and we managed to exchange a few words with him but he was feeling drowsy and soon fell asleep too.”

Wei Wuxian felt as if a frozen hand had suddenly closed around his heart.

“How did the villagers die?” He asked sharply, making a few disciples flinch in surprise.

“We don’t really know…” Lan Sizhui began to say but Lan Jingyi interrupted him.

“The doctor tried to tell us something but it didn’t make any sense,” Lan Jingyi said, his voice betraying his frustration. “He said he was called in from a nearby town a few days ago when the villagers realised that some of the people had… how did he put it again, ‘gone to bed and never woken up’? But people don’t just fall asleep and simply die for no reason.”

“It could be the cold,” a disciple suggested.

“The cold couldn’t kill an entire village so fast!” Another interjected.

“If the temperature dropped a lot they might have frozen to death,” the first disciples replied, his cheeks reddening faintly. “I’ve read that the worst thing a person can do in the cold is fall asleep. Many people who almost died in the snow said they fell tired and sleepy.”

“Wouldn’t some of them be frozen in such a case?”

“S-some were!”

“But that was because their fire went out,” Lan Jingyi retorted. “They all had enough wood to last through the storm and there are trees all around the village if they fell short. It’s obvious they died or fell asleep long before their fires went out. Dead bodies don’t freeze.”

Wei Wuxian was silent while the disciples argued around him. Looking around him, he saw two beds had been carried from the bedrooms and placed by the fireplace. Under the thick covers, the last two survivors of the village were asleep. Though he could not recall the woman, he was surprised to recognise the doctor as the man who had healed Lan Wangji and him only a week ago. He must have been called to this village shortly after their departure and found himself caught in whatever had killed the villagers.

As Wei Wuxian had spent the last days looking after his husband and trying to cure him, it was easy for him to confirm that the woman and doctor, and probably the entire village, suffered from the same condition as his husband.

“You have to return to the Cloud Recess immediately,” he announced, surprising the disciples. “Lan Zhan is suffering from the same affliction.” There were gasps of horror around him but Wei Wuxian raised his hands to stop their questions before they could even leave the disciples’ lips. “There is no time to explain. The doctors are taking care of him. They believe it’s a curse and they’re working on finding a way to break it. You should return with the woman and the doctor so they can look after them until they figure it out. Sizhui.”

The boy’s face had paled after the news but he raised his chin when he heard his name, visibly steeling himself to appear collected. “Yes?”

“Where did you find the doctor? Did he have any notes with him?”

“He was with the woman,” Lan Sizhui answered before pulling out a notebook from his sleeve, looking contrite for only remembering about it now that Wei Wuxian had asked him about it. “We found this next to him but we couldn’t make sense of the notes inside.”

“Huh?” Wei Wuxian frowned faintly but he took the notebook handed to him with a nod. He looked inside the notebook but as Lan Sizhui had said, it was unintelligible. It was not rare for people to hide their research behind cryptic notes to keep them from falling into the wrong hands but it was odd for a doctor to do so. “Was there anything else with him? Any medicine he might have tried to give her?”

Lan Sizhui shook his head. “We found nothing else. Only this book.”

“All right.” He closed the book and stored it in his sleeve to examine later. “Prepare them for travelling and take them back to the Cloud Recesses as soon as you are ready.”

“You’re not coming back with us?” Lan Sizhui asked while the others obeyed him dutifully.

“I have to take a look at the corpses first,” Wei Wuxian answered. “Whatever happened here started before Lan Zhan got sick. There might be clues.”

“Shouldn’t some of us stay to help?”

Both Lan Sizhui and Lan Jingyi had moved closer, their expressions showing determination but Wei Wuxian shook his head firmly. “Take them back to the Cloud Recesses. Without a golden core, I am not sure how long they have and we don’t know how long they were asleep for. Tell Old Lan what happened here and that I will return soon.”

The two disciples looked like they wanted to argue but one look from Wei Wuxian was enough for Lan Sizhui to nod and pull Lan Jingyi along with him to help the others.

Once they were gone, Wei Wuxian explored the village in search for clues.

As expected, most of the villagers had died well before the doctor had arrived but some things did not make sense.

The first victims were an older couple living on the edge of the village. Their little house was filled with food, wood and warm covers, pointing to the couple being well looked after, but there was no sign of preparation for their burial. Wei Wuxian found them in their bed, laying together as though they had fallen asleep and never woken up. Upon closer inspection, he was surprised to find dried blood on the covers, as well as signs that they had been severely ill before their deaths, to the point that their wrists bore deep bruises where they must have been restrained to their beds. He found the same marks on other corpses but as he reached the most recent victims, the markings slowly disappeared until it looked like they had truly wasted away in their sleep. It was difficult to guess how fast that mysterious evil had been, or why it had evolved in such a disorienting way, but it was evident Lan Wangji was its latest victim, although Wei Wuxian had no idea how he might have gotten in contact with it when they had never gone near the village.

Wei Wuxian frowned as theories formed in his mind, changing with every new element he learnt. He could feel the answer was within reach but there were still too many unknowns for him to reach a conclusion. His next step was returning to the Cloud Recesses to speak to the disciples who had spoken with the doctor before he had fallen asleep.

Jumping on his sword, he flew back home while letting his thoughts grow and change shapes in the back of his mind. He had to keep an open mind if he wanted to avoid stubbornly steering in the wrong direction. The longer he allowed multiple theories to cohabitate in his mind, where he could refute or confirm them with each findings, the more likely he was to finding out the truth.

***

When Wei Wuxian landed in his garden, Lan Qiren was there to greet him, his stern expression darker than usual. Wei Wuxian felt his heart miss a beat but he steeled himself as he jumped off the sword to rush to him.

“What’s happened? How’s Lan Zhan?” He asked, his legs almost giving way beneath him when he touched the ground. He would have fallen if not for how Lan Qiren caught his elbow with a gentle but firm hand, helping him stay upright.

“Still asleep,” Lan Qiren replied as he looked at him critically. Huffing, he brushed away the snow and ice on his coat then took his wrist to share a burst of spiritual energy with him. Wei Wuxian was impatient to see his husband but Lan Qiren held him at the door a little longer. “Lan Sizhui and Lan Jingyi explained what happened in the village. Our doctors are with the two people they brought back with them but they are not any closer to finding a way to stop whatever is harming them.” He paused, the next words reluctant to leave his lips. “Wangji is still asleep but his health is degrading faster than anticipated. The doctors think… They- they said he might not make it past tomorrow.”

Wei Wuxian stared at him. For a brief moment, he felt like time was suspended. Lan Qiren was far away, his words whispers he could barely hear, too surreal to make sense, then reality came crashing down on him and he ran inside.

The worry that had been weighing down on him became suffocating when he saw Lan Wangji. He had only left for a few shichen but it might as well have been an eternity. His husband was paler than ever before. The once luscious hair Wei Wuxian loved brushing, braiding and gripping had lost all of its shine. His cheeks were hollow. His beautiful face was sunken as if life had been sucked out of him. His lips were blue. His skin translucent. The only sign of life was his chest slowly rising.

Wei Wuxian collapsed on the bed. Without a word, he covered his husband’s hand. It was nearly frozen. With impossibly gentle movement, he took his hand between his own hands and brought it to his mouth to blow on it in a desperate attempt to warm him. He knew he had to focus, had to find Lan Qiren and recount his findings from the village as well as the theories born from it, but it was difficult to think about it when his heart was dying.

He was not sure how long had passed when the sound of porcelain tinkling in the next room tore him out of his thoughts. He had completely forgotten about Lan Qiren’s presence in the house. Pressing a kiss to Lan Wangji’s hand, he quickly wiped his face and looked up just as Lan Qiren stepped into the bedroom with a tray.

The man paused briefly when their eyes met. As a man brought up in the Gusu Lan sect, everything Lan Qiren did was graceful and poised. Wei Wuxian had no idea how long he had spent alone with Lan Wangji but he knew Lan Qiren had purposely made noise to warn him of his return and give him time to pull himself together.

After a last look at Lan Wangji, Wei Wuxian joined the old master for tea and was surprised to smell his favourite tea instead of Lan Qiren’s usual blend. Thankfully, Lan Qiren was stubbornly avoiding his eyes as he poured the tea. Wei Wuxian was quiet for a moment, his throat unbearably tight, then he straightened up to speak but the man tsked, interrupting him before he could even make a sound.

“For once in your life, drink before you speak.”

Biting the inside of his cheek, Wei Wuxian obediently drank his tea under Lan Qiren’s watchful eyes. He had not realised how thirsty and tired he had been until now. Wei Wuxian accepted a second cup of tea but he could not hold back any longer.

“I may have found something in the village.”

Lan Qiren immediately stopped serving them, his eyes sharpening on Wei Wuxian as he looked at him expectantly. “Is that why you stayed behind?”

“Yes. Whatever it is, it probably started there so I searched the village for clues,” he explained. “The disciples thought they had all died in their sleep, but I examined all the corpses and found that the first victims did not merely pass away in their sleep. They were very sick before they died, probably for many days, and suffered extensively. It could have been a disease with no link to this curse, or even an entirely different curse or an angry ghost, but at some point that mysterious sickness disappeared and the villagers just started dying in their sleep. Those villagers all looked like their life was drained out of them while they slept. Oh, did you see the doctor the juniors brought?”

“No, but he is in the Medical Pavilion, along with the woman from the village,” Lan Qiren answered despite being visibly thrown off by the sudden question. “Sizhui said that man told them he was called by the villagers to help with the curse but fell victim to it himself.”

“We have his notes.” Wei Wuxian was quick to continue, handing the notebook to the master so he could take a look for himself. “They are unreadable. He wrote everything in codes and symbols.”

Lan Qiren’s expression immediately shifted from hopeful to confused then suspicious as his eyes flew over the undecipherable pages. “That makes no sense. Are you sure these notes are his? And that they have something to do with this?”

Wei Wuxian nodded. “Sizhui told me they found the notebook next to the doctor. I don’t know what role he played in this yet, it might not even be his own notes, maybe he found these while treating his patients, but regardless, we need to decipher them. It might hold the key to breaking this curse.”

Lan Qiren was frowning. “Then these notes are useless. The doctor is asleep. If he fell to the curse as well, we will not be able to wake him to read it for us.” He paused then continued darkly, “if he is responsible for the curse, his death would lift it.”

Wei Wuxian was silent. The thought had crossed his mind as well but that was a dangerous gamble. First, though it was most likely, he was still unconvinced that it was a curse, in which case the doctor’s death would not solve anything. Second, should the doctor not be directly responsible for it, they could not afford to await his death in the hopes that it might save the others. Lan Wangji might be able to survive a few more days with the doctors and his family feeding him their spiritual energy but the woman would not.

“That should be a last resort. For all we know, the doctor is a victim too,” Wei Wuxian said at last. “Our best hope right now is that notebook, so I will decipher it.”

“Can you?” There was no doubt of his capacity in Lan Qiren’s eyes, only worry and fear. The ‘in time’ was implied but Wei Wuxian heard it all the same.

“I have to.” Wei Wuxian looked back at Lan Wangji.

He would not rest until he figured it out.

***

By the time a junior brought them dinner from the kitchens, Wei Wuxian already had half a dozen pages covered with notes, crossed-out ideas and various symbols, probably taken from the notebook itself. Wei Wuxian’s eyes were shinning with exhaustion but his hand was steady were it wrote as fast as it could to follow his thoughts.

“Wei Wuxian,” Lan Qiren called as he sat at the other table, the one he had brought for himself to keep an eye on Lan Wangji while working. “Have something to eat.”

Wei Wuxian blinked, as if coming out of a daze. He looked down at his notes then back at Lan Qiren sheepishly. “Ah, yes! Thank you!”

His mouth fell open when he noticed red flakes on his food but when he looked up to say something, Lan Qiren was obstinately looking at his own bowl. Wei Wuxian hummed at the spicy flavour that exploded in his mouth. It was nowhere nearly as strong as how he or Lan Wangji would make it but imagining Lan Qiren asking the cooks to add spice for his benefit was enough to warm him more than any chilli pepper.

For a brief instant, his heart cracked at the thought that Lan Wangji might never see this but he was quick to pull himself together. He would find the solution and Lan Wangji would hear everything about how Lan Qiren had begrudgingly taken care of him during those three days. His husband would be surprised but his eyes would go soft and he would smile, happy to know his uncle had taken such good care of him. Wei Wuxian just had to decipher that notebook and this would all become another story to tell. The answer was hiding inside it, the missing piece of a deadly mystery.

“The code in the notebook is clever,” Wei Wuxian said. “Quite smart actually, but I will figure it out soon.”

Wei Wuxian had spoken without thinking, too used to talking with Lan Wangji during dinner, and froze when he realised what he had done, his chopsticks halfway raised to his mouth. He saw the reprimand make its way to Lan Qiren’s lips but it died there, taking Wei Wuxian by surprise for the third time tonight.

Instead, Lan Qiren looked pointedly at the bowl Wei Wuxian was holding. Letting out a huff, he firmly added a pile of vegetables on top of Wei Wuxian’s rice then picked up his own bowl to eat, narrowing his eyes at Wei Wuxian.

Figuring that was his permission to elaborate, Wei Wuxian hurried to continue speaking in-between small bites, because Lan Qiren would frown every time he stopped eating for too long.

“I know a few things about codes, things I picked up during the war and others I learnt as I created on my own codes to protect my ideas and inventions.” Lan Qiren was frowning again but there was curiosity in his eyes. It reminded Wei Wuxian so vividly of the way Lan Wangji would sometimes look at him during dinner that he had to eat another bite to give his heart a moment to recover. “It was only for the most dangerous ideas, the ones I was afraid might fall into the wrong hands, especially after I defected from the Yunmeng Jiang clan. I knew other clans would eventually find my work and I wanted to make it more difficult for them. To avoid repeating mistakes of the past.”

Though a veil seemed to have fallen over his eyes at the memories, Lan Qiren only nodded in response.

Wei Wuxian could not remember some of his inventions, especially the ones he had made towards the end, when he was driven by despair, rage and fear, but he was glad he had kept enough of his sanity at the time to hide them behind barely legible notes and codes.

“I always liked inventing spells, codes and words,” he concluded lightly as he stood up with the tray. “Breaking these notes won’t be too difficult, though it might take some time.”

Lan Qiren hummed. There was no point in reminding Wei Wuxian that there might not have much time when they were both so acutely aware of each passing minute. He pulled out the notes and books he had been studying while Wei Wuxian was away and placed them on the table now that it was cleaned. “Focus on the notes. I will continue searching for a way to break the curse or slow its progress.”

The heavy silence that had been filling the Jingshi for the past two days settled over them once more as they returned to their work.

Hours passed in complete silence, except for the few times Wei Wuxian would mumble a thought out loud before falling quiet again, his brush scribbling down the idea before it disappeared, washed away by the tumbling waves of his thoughts.

Wei Wuxian had no idea what time it was when he took a break but most of the candles in the room were nearly burnt out.

Closing his eyes, he pressed the heels of his hands over them as he breathed deeply and tried to clear his mind. He was getting close to figuring out the notebook, he could feel it, but it kept eluding him, like a snowflake melting in the eager hands of a child. The answer was somewhere in his mind but pushing himself too hard would only be detrimental. It was best to give his thoughts room to grow while he took a break. His throat tightened as the thoughts crossed his mind, sounding very much like the deep voice he missed so much.

Reopening his eyes, he looked at Lan Wangji and reached out to brush his fingers through his hair tenderly, fighting back the tightness of his throat as he noticed that his cheeks were hollower than earlier. Taking his hand, he pushed some of his energy to him, sharing as much as he could to give him more time.

Across the table, Lan Qiren was bent over a book. His exhaustion showed in the way he was supporting his head with one hand, on the verge of falling asleep, instead of sitting up straight. Wei Wuxian could not blame him. He felt stretched thin after three days worrying about his husband while doing everything in his powers to keep him alive and save him.

Wei Wuxian watched the other man rub his eyes, the flickering light of the dying candle only deepening the lines etched into his skin. Lan Qiren sighed then looked at Lan Wangji, the tightness around his lips now a painfully familiar sight to Wei Wuxian. Their eyes met and Wei Wuxian offered him a weak smile before he stood to go prepare some tea, only pausing on the way to change a few of the burnt out candles.

As he waited for the water to boil, Wei Wuxian leant against the counter and looked at his home. Though he had grown somewhat accustomed to seeing Lan Qiren there over the past days, the late hour combined with the soft light coming from the candles made the scene feel surreal.

Inside the bedroom, Lan Qiren had moved to sit closer to Lan Wangji now that he was alone with him. He was holding his nephew’s hand tightly while he spoke in a soft voice to him, thought whether he was trying a new spell on him or simply talking to him, Wei Wuxian had no idea. If he wanted to, he could probably make out his words but instead, he looked away, giving them privacy while he prepared tea.

Without even noticing, his hands had naturally picked a box of the tea Lan Wangji always made when they came home from a long trip or a particularly long day. They had chosen it together, a perfect blend of their own tastes. He poured the hot water into the teapot and felt something slowly unclenched in his chest as the scent steadily rose and spread around the room.

“Master Lan,” he called as he came back in the room. Lan Qiren had returned to his desk but he looked up and surprise coloured his expression when he found Wei Wuxian approaching with a tray.

“It’s quite late. I thought we could have a small break,” he explained as he placed the tray on his own table after making some space for it. “If you would like to join me.”

Lan Qiren seemed at loss for words and only nodded as he put down his brush. Settling across from Wei Wuxian, he watched him pour the tea with careful movements. There was a moment of silence as they both took a sip and let the tea warm their tired bodies. As Wei Wuxian had hoped, Lan Qiren had recognised the tea because his expression softened and the tension in his shoulders seemed to lift for a moment.  

Time seemed suspended as they enjoyed their late-night break, both lost in their thoughts. All they could hear was the too-soft breathing of Lan Wangji and the fluttering of branches swaying in the wind.

Once more, Wei Wuxian found himself looking back at his husband. His posture slouched a little before he moved closer to the bed to smooth the covers over him even though it was unnecessary when Lan Wangji had not moved in nearly three days.

Lan Qiren cleared his throat softly, breaking the silence.

“Have you made progress?”

“Ah, not as much as I would like, but I can already tell you that it is about this curse,” he replied, knowing it would reassure Lan Qiren and it did, his relief obvious at what was the first good news in days. “I should be able to read the notebook by early morning.”

“Already?”

More than doubt, Wei Wuxian heard the fear to hope in his voice. Given how vital it was for them to make sense of the notes if they wanted to save Lan Wangji and the other three victims, he could not fault the man for his question. However, Wei Wuxian was also aware of his own capacities.

“Yes,” he replied confidently. “The code is good but not perfect. It is meant to keep an average person from understanding it but I have already been able to make out a few sentences, which is how I was able to confirm that it is about curse.” 

For a brief moment, he considered sharing his suspicions regarding some inconsistencies he had found but quickly decided to keep those for himself for the time being. There was no point in troubling Lan Qiren when he had just succeeded in soothing his concerns and he would risk steering them in the wrong direction.

“Have you made progress, Master Lan?” He asked instead, his voice open and curious.

The man frowned faintly at the obvious change in conversation but he shook his head as he lowered the cup, holding it in his hands to keep them warm. “As we discussed yesterday, there have been instances of sleeping curses before but we have already tried everything suggested in the books. The most I can do is slow its effect but I am afraid that unless we find the origin or its creator, we will soon run out of time.” He looked down at his tea, his lips drawn in a tight line, then looked back at Wei Wuxian. “I hope you will find answers in this notebook. Even the smallest clue could prove vital.”

The intensity of his gaze weighted heavily on Wei Wuxian but he nodded firmly. “I will.”

There was a moment of silence while Lan Qiren regarded him, as though seeing him under a new light, then he nodded mutely.

They spent the rest of the night working, only interrupting themselves to prepare more tea or stoke the fire.

Wei Wuxian had no idea how much time had passed when he finally succeeded in deciphering the notebook but he was not thinking about that, too horrified by what he discovered as he finally read it in its entirety for the first time.

As anticipated, the poison is currently too efficient and messy. Subjects died under an hour, with blood pouring from their mouth. Dosage of aconite needs to be reassessed. Other plants should be added to slow its effects.

…

Fifth test has proven more satisfactory. Subject still died too fast (six shichen) but there was no blood nor any sickness. However, the patient was restless and tossed and screamed until the last hour, when they finally calmed and appeared as though simply asleep.

…

Subjects now fall into a peaceful lumber and are impossible to awaken, regardless of the mean used (tested: sound, smell, touch). However, a cultivator’s golden core will cleanse the current dosage before much harm can be done. More tests are needed to establish a baseline. The younger male villagers are ideal candidates: strong, both physically and mentally.

…

Based on the tests and knowledge of the target, the following dose should be used (…). Target might die faster than intended but the symptoms should be as observed: slumber and slow consumption of the golden core to fight the poison.

Note: so far, the poison has been administered orally, through food or drinks, which is easy to conceal though might rise suspicions as the symptoms are almost immediate. Needles are too powerful and puncture wounds are difficult to conceal. Alternatives should be considered. His husband will suspect him falling ill shortly after treatment from a doctor.

…

Soaking bandage in the poison and leaving it to dry before applying it on an open wound allows a slower reaction. Upon entering contact with the wound, the poison reactivated and slowly infected the target. It took a few days for the first signs of exhaustion to show but death occurred within a week as expected. Evolution of the poison might change with a golden core but with a higher dose, he will be dead within two weeks, no matter what they attempt.

…

The last villager was still alive when I returned. The wound was on her leg, which slowed the poison’s progress as anticipated. Considering his wound was on his arm, he will be dead in less than-

“This is where it stops. I guess the juniors arrived before he could finish,” Wei Wuxian said darkly. The book laid on the table, a half written sentence on the open page, its last word nearly unintelligible in its author’s hurry. He continued, more quietly. “There is no mention of an antidote anywhere but a few pages were ripped out. He must have taken a dose of poison himself, to ensure his secret would die with him, should we find him or his notebook.”

In front of him, Lan Qiren and Lan Xichen sat in silent, still as statues. Lan Qiren looked horrified while Lan Xichen was dangerously pale.

Wei Wuxian looked back at the notebook, the hands on his knees closing into tight fists. He wanted nothing more than to go find that doctor and get the antidote from him, even if that meant breaking every bone of his body to learn how to make it from him, but the man was asleep and dying, taking away Lan Wangji’s last chance with him.

Looking at his husband, Wei Wuxian felt his chest tighten so much it felt like something in him was breaking, crushing him from the inside. There had to be a way to find the antidote. He had figured out the doctor’s detailed notes on the poison, surely the doctors of the Cloud Recesses could work out the antidote from there.

But would they manage that in time?

“Why Wangji?” Lan Xichen asked, his soft voice breaking the silence that had fallen over the room and pulling Wei Wuxian away from his thoughts. “What did he ever do to that man to warrant such… such destruction and hatred?”

“‘You were the only mistake he made’,” Wei Wuxian repeated tonelessly, making Lan Xichen recoil a little. Swallowing past the painful knot in his throat, he offered Lan Xichen a weak smile. “I guess you are not the only one who felt that way.”

Lan Xichen looked even more pained, regretting the words he had once said in anger and frustration. Beside him, Lan Qiren had yet to say a word. He seemed frozen in place, with one hand resting on Lan Wangji’s knee as though this touch was the only thing grounding him. His eyes were red-rimmed, showing a mixture of despair and anger where he was staring at his nephew’s emaciated face.

Outside, the sky was turning into soft hues orange and pink as the sun slowly rose. A bird sang, announcing the morning of a new day, but inside it was still silent.

Wei Wuxian picked up the notebook and stood up. They still had time. Wei Wuxian had never given up before and he would not start now, not when his husband was still alive and breathing, though barely. He would fight until his last breath.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Lan Qiren asked sharply, turning his burning gaze on him.

Wei Wuxian lifted his chin. “I will bring this to the doctors then I will return to the village to see if I missed something.”

“There is nothing there!” Lan Qiren exploded suddenly, his expression raw with frustration and fear. “You searched the entire village and found nothing else. You need to stay with your husband!”

“There must be! I must have missed something, perhaps the doctor hid a bag or a vial when he saw the juniors, something that might help!”

“You would not have left that village unless you knew you had searched everything. And how do you expect to find anything in time anyway?” Lan Qiren pressed, barring the way to the door. “Have you forgotten how long it takes you to fly there? And don’t forget that you haven’t slept in a day!”

“I will ask the ghosts of the villagers,” Wei Wuxian replied, his voice more helpless than he meant. “I’m sure they can help. One of them might have seen something!”

Lan Qiren did not have time to answer before hurried steps came from outside the house and the front door opened. Lan Sizhui stood there, panting and looking confused but also hopeful. “The doctor’s gone!”

The three men turned to him with similar confused expressions, a foreboding dread filled them.

“Which doctor?” Lan Xichen asked, though he already knew the answer to his question.

“The doctor from the village!” Lan Sizhui clarified, trying to catch his breath. “I went to the Medical Pavilion this morning before class to check on the woman and him but when I arrived, the doctor’s bed was empty. Our doctors and disciples are already searching for him. I don’t understand how he’s gone. He shouldn’t even be up, he was close to death last night-”

Wei Wuxian shared a look with Lan Qiren, hope surging in his heart, and knew his own expression was reflected on the man’s face. There was an antidote… and he would get it. Cold determination settled on his face as his hand fell on Chenqing instead of Suibian.

“Sizhui, stay here with Zewu-Jun in case he tries to come for Lan Zhan. Master Lan-”

Lan Qiren was already standing up, sword in hand. “I’m coming with you.”

***

Even though the man had a head start on them, he could not have gone too far. The protective barrier of the Cloud Recesses prevented him from escaping and unless he was familiar with the grounds, someone would find him sooner or later.

Lan Qiren explored the empty pavilions around the Medical Pavilion while Wei Wuxian was outside, putting his hunting skills to good use. He found a half-hidden trail behind the Medical Pavilion and followed it until it suddenly stopped in a clearing. It was as though the man had vanished but there was no sign of a transportation talisman having been activated and the barrier would stop him from leaving this way.

“Master Lan,” Wei Wuxian called. “I think he flew from here. We need to broaden our search, he might be hiding in the forest by the waterfall or behind the mountain, at the edge of the barrier.”

Lan Qiren nodded as he examined the last footprints in the snow then he called the nearest disciples over. “Search the edge of the grounds and the forest. If you find anything, fire a flare and do not attempt anything. We need to capture this man alive.”

The disciples nodded and spread immediately, spreading the orders from Lan Qiren.

Wei Wuxian was about to mount his own sword to have a better view of the grounds when a light exploded in the sky. Lan Qiren and him froze. Their heads were turned towards it, eyes following the trail it left to figure out where it had been fired from, and their blood turned cold when they realised where it pointed to.

“Lan Zhan!”

“Wangji!”

When they reached the Jingshi, all they could see were flashes of sword glares.

Lan Xichen stood in front of the house, his left sleeve reddened by blood but he held his sword with no sign of weakness or pain.

“Why are you doing this?!” Lan Xichen asked, his eyes showing confusion and disbelief.

A man was standing in front of Lan Xichen with a sabre in his hand.

It seemed he had not noticed their arrival so they used the shadow offered by the trees to approach quietly when Lan Qiren suddenly stopped, eyes wide in recognition. Wei Wuxian glanced at him and Lan Qiren answered him with a barely audible whisper.

“That’s Nie Yangsheng. He fought alongside Nie Mingjue and became one of his doctors after the war. Xichen and him worked together a few times trying to help Nie Mingjue before Xichen thought of the music...”

Wei Wuxian’s eyes widened and he took a closer look at the man.

A week ago, he had looked like a simple doctor when he had treated Lan Wangji and him. He had been kind and warm, though his face bore the marks of someone who had lost a great deal through his life. He remembered telling Lan Wangji that the doctor was surprisingly tall and strong but he had not thought much about it beyond using this detail to tease his husband mercilessly to elicit some reaction from him.

Now though, it was obvious his build came not only from years travelling through the worst weathers to heal and cure people in the most remote villages and largest towns, but from intense training. Wei Wuxian had no recalling of him from the war but there had been thousands of cultivators and he had spent most of his time by Jiang Cheng’s side.

Nie Yangsheng charged without answering, creating a violent blast that sent Lan Xichen flying through a wall as he tried to deflect it without harming the other man or risk endangering the people inside the Jingshi.

“Zewu-Jun!”

Through the new hole in the wall, Wei Wuxian could see Lan Sizhui standing before Lan Wangji with a sword in hand, visibly hesitant to move away to help Lan Xichen when he was the last line of defence between Lan Wangji and the threat. When their eyes met, Wei Wuxian saw relief in the young man’s eyes but Lan Sizhui remained in position, his attention returning to the fight to avoid giving away their presence.

Lan Xichen had seen them as well but he showed nothing as he stood again, wiping away the blood dripping from his cut lip with his sleeve. “Why are you doing this?!” He repeated hoarsely, placing himself in front of Lan Sizhui.

Had they been alone on a field, Wei Wuxian knew there would have been not match between Lan Xichen and the other man but the Sect Leader had to be careful. While Nie Yangsheng could attack and destroy without care, each and every one of Lan Xichen’s actions risked endangering both Lan Wangji and Lan Sizhui, and they needed the man alive to save Lan Wangji, which only complicated the fight.

Slowly, Wei Wuxian raised his sword. In the corner of his eye, he saw Lan Qiren do the same, silently moving away from him through the trees while Lan Xichen kept the man’s attention on him.

“Answer me!” Frustration leaked into Lan Xichen’s voice, mixed with despair. “How could you poison my brother?! Wangji never did anything to you-”

“Your brother?!” Nie Yangsheng roared, his voice so loud it could shake mountains. Resentment burnt through him and the sabre in his hand glowed with it. “What about the brother you killed!? Should I feel sorry for you when you did nothing to save him? When you directly caused his death?”

The accusation snapped in the air like a whip, vicious and painful. Lan Xichen stood frozen before him Nie Yangsheng. The anger had abandoned him and he could only stare at the man in shock, his eyes wide and his face paler than a ghost.

“The brother I- Mingjue? I didn’t-”

Without waiting for Lan Xichen’s answer, Nie Yangsheng charged again.

Blades clashed as Lan Xichen broke blow after blow, his injured arm taking the blunt of it, forcing him to retreat with each step. As intended, his cruel words had upset Lan Xichen enough that he could only defend himself, years and years of training and fighting the only thing keeping him on his feet. It was enough until Nie Yangsheng feinted. Swinging his sabre down, he changed his attack at the last possible moment to kick Lan Xichen back so suddenly he was knocked back and fell limply to the ground when his head hit a wall.

Nie Yangsheng looked at him, his expression showing contempt and disgust, then he turned to Lan Wangji, still asleep in the midst of this chaos. Lan Sizhui stood in his way. The boy braced himself, raising his sword calmly, his eyes showing a cold determination Wei Wuxian had seen on his husband on many occasions before.

As if Wei Wuxian would let the man get any closer.

Before Nie Yangsheng could move, he threw his sword at him. His blade caught the moonlight, alerting the man of his presence who only had had a breath’s moment to shift his weight and roll to the ground to dodge. When he stood to face Wei Wuxian, there was a deep cut on his right arm where Suibian had cut him but Wei Wuxian gave him no time to recover. Picking up his sword, he attacked viciously, dodging each blow swiftly all the while slowly pushing the man back until there was enough room between him and Lan Wangji to be safe. Behind him, Lan Qiren had rushed to Lan Xichen’s side and was helping him sit up.

When the two men broke away, Wei Wuxian had pushed the man to the edge of the garden, as far from the house as he could. Nie Yangsheng was staring at him with narrowed eyes as he caught his breath, looking as winded as Wei Wuxian felt though he showed nothing of it.

“Surrender and I will show mercy,” Wei Wuxian warned from where he stood, adjusting his hold on his sword.

“Your Sect Leader showed none,” Nie Yangsheng answered in a low voice that was closer to a growl. He had started pacing but he was not attacking yet, apparently quietly gauging him. “I don’t see why I should.”

Though Wei Wuxian’s eyes never left the man, muscles bound and ready for an attack, his mind was racing. He could understand that the man would seek vengeance for Nie Mingjue’s death but it did not explain why he had decided to target the two Lan brothers. When Lan Xichen had killed Jin Guangyao, the secret had finally been lifted on Nie Mingjue’s early decent into madness, revealing the former Chief Cultivator’s cruel masterplan and responsibility. It made no sense for a former disciple of the Qinghe Nie Sect to attack the Gusu Lan Clan but, Wei Wuxian thought as he observed the man, his sanity seemed to have long gone.

“I never meant for anything to happen to Mingjue.” Lan Xichen’s voice came behind him, wheezing a little from the kick he had received. “I was trying to save him!”

“LIAR!”

Enraged, Nie Yangsheng threw himself at Lan Xichen but Wei Wuxian intercepted him.

He redirected the sabre’s brutal blows, trusting Lan Qiren and Lan Sizhui to look after Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji while he focused on keeping the madman away from them. Using every trick he had ever learnt, Wei Wuxian dodged and twisted to avoid the man’s blade and responded with careful blows meant to weaken and incapacitate Nie Yangsheng without risking killing him.

Despite the power behind the man’s blows, Wei Wuxian had slowly gained the upper hand. He had nearly overpowered Nie Yangsheng when his foot suddenly slipped on a bloodied snow he had not seen and he lost his balance.

Seeing his opportunity, Nie Yangsheng swung his sabre at his throat. Wei Wuxian was unable to avoid the hit. All he could do was twist his body so his shoulder would take the blunt of it when a white sword came between him and the sabre. For a dazzling moment, Wei Wuxian thought Lan Wangji was back but when he blinked, Lan Qiren was standing above him instead, his sword blocking the deadly blow.

“Wei Ying, stay back,” Lan Qiren ordered while assuming a defensive position in front of him. With a sense of déjà-vu, Wei Wuxian retreated without a protest, only belatedly noting Lan Qiren’s slip of tongue.

If Nie Yangsheng was taken aback by the new adversary, his expression betrayed nothing. Eyes on Lan Qiren, his stance changed as he adapted to the fighting style of a man he had undoubtedly accompanied to battle over a decade ago. Lan Qiren stood silently, waiting for him to act first. When he did, Lan Qiren swiftly moved out of his way before counterattacking to keep the man away from the house.

Wei Wuxian watched them from the porch, exhausted but attentive in case he had to intervene. Warm blood was dripping down his face where the blade had nicked his head earlier when he had been too slow to dodge a blow. He was still holding Suibian but his arm was trembling under the effort. There would be no more fighting with it, he thought as he dropped the sword with no hesitation and picked up Chenqing instead, his last mean of defence.

Before him, Lan Qiren and Nie Yangsheng were engaged in a violent if beautiful fight. The effortless grace of the Gusu Lan Sect against the unstoppable violence of a broken madman.

Whatever kindness Nie Yangsheng had known before was long gone, replaced by an endless grievous rage. He almost looked like the very man he was avenging, an ironic twist of fate. There was nothing but death on his path and Lan Wangji as well as Lan Xichen would become his victims unless they stopped him now.

Even this fight, Wei Wuxian suddenly realised, was only another mean to destroy them because the longer they fought him, the weaker Lan Wangji was becoming. This fight could only have one outcome. Nie Yangsheng was beyond reason. No matter what they did, he would not give them the antidote willingly.

It seemed Lan Qiren had reached the same conclusion.

Where Lan Qiren had only sought to protect his family and hold his ground until they could find a way to safely capture the man, he was now gaining ground on Nie Yangsheng. Nie Yangsheng’s attacks had become sloppy as his anger and frustration grew with each blow he didn’t land and he was no match to Lan Qiren now that the old man was attacking him with deadly blows.

The two men’s blades clashed a few times until the white blade pierced through Nie Yangsheng’s heart. He stopped at last, his sabre raised above his head in a deathly blow that would never come. Lan Qiren saw a flicker of emotion in his eyes before he collapsed, turning whatever remaining white snow bright red.

“No!” Lan Xichen shouted from where he was holding himself against the wall and staring at the dying man. “Shufu! What have you done!? We need him alive! What about the antidote!?”

Lan Qiren did not answer. He was already kneeling beside Nie Yangsheng and searching through his clothes for the cure. Wei Wuxian rushed to him and dropped to his knees next to help him. For a brief second, he felt a spark of hope when his fingers touched the edge of a vial but when he tried to take it, he hissed as a sharp pain shot up his hand.

“Aiyo!”

“Wei Ying!?”

“Ah, it’s fine, it’s fine,” Wei Wuxian reassured hurriedly. “But I don’t think we’ll find the antidote here,” he finished sombrely as he carefully pulled his hand out of the sleeve.

Between his bloodied fingers, he was holding the remnants of a broken vial. Whether it was a consequence of the fight or destroyed by the man himself, its content was long gone. Lan Qiren said nothing but his expression had closed off, lips pursed in a tight white line. He had found nothing either, no vial nor the missing pages he had hoped for.

There was a moment of silence before Lan Qiren held out his hand expectantly. Without thinking, Wei Wuxian carefully deposited the shards in his hand but the man tossed them aside with a huff and took his hand instead, pulling a white cloth out of his sleeve with his free hand.

“Ah!! Shufu, it’s fine, there’s not need-” His next words got trapped in his throat when he noticed what he had said and he started to apologise, face red, but Lan Qiren only tightened his grip on his hand to ensure he would not pull away.

“Let me.” His voice was a little rough but it left no room for discussion.

Wei Wuxian watched him clean the cuts in silence, his throat unbearably tight. The old man was careful, pressing the cloth down just enough to stop the bleeding without causing him too much pain. It was not long before the most severe cuts were bandaged and Wei Wuxian gently pulled his hand away.

There was much he wanted to say but they had more urgent matters to attend and perhaps, for once, words weren’t needed after this. 

Looking back at the corpse, Wei Wuxian’s hands closed into fists. As he had feared, the man had chosen to take his secret with him rather than give them any hint. Except his death would not stop Wei Wuxian. One way or another, he would pry the ingredients for the antidote from him and there was one way he could find the answer right now.

Gently pulling his hand away from Lan Qiren, Wei Wuxian rearranged himself, sitting cross-legged in front of the man who looked at him in confusion. “I need you to supervise.”

“Supervise… You want to attempt Empathy?” Lan Qiren frowned as understanding dawned on him. “I know you have done this before but you have just been hurt, you-”

“There is no time!” Wei Wuxian interrupted, looking at him steadily. “There is no telling how long the antidote might take to make, that woman is almost dead and so is Lan Zhan.”

For a moment, Lan Qiren looked like he might argue but he gave him a stilted nod. “What do you need?”

Wei Wuxian thought quickly. They had no Yunmeng Jiang Sect bells to help them today. If it had been Lan Wangji with him, just the sound of his voice would have been enough to bring him out of Empathy but with Lan Qiren supervising, he would need something else.

“The guqin. If something goes wrong, play something and I’ll find my way back.” Or so he hoped, but he trusted the man to play a song that would reach him.

Once Lan Qiren was ready, Wei Wuxian took a deep breath to centre himself then he closed his eyes and touched the corpse before him.

When he opened his eyes, Nie Yangsheng was drinking in an inn with his friends, merry and relaxed.

They were all talking about the changes in their sect leader since his return from Yunping City a few weeks prior. Though Nie Huaisang behaved as he normally did, there seemed to be a newfound lightness about him, as though a weight no one had ever noticed had lifted from his shoulders. In turn, the sect was slowly blossoming as Nie Huaisang seemed to come out of his shell. Nie Yangsheng had expected him to be shattered from Jin Guangyao’s death but although the first weeks following the event had been hard on him, what should have been the final blow to bring him so his knees seemed to have instead help the Head-Shaker find the strength to stand his ground. Perhaps now that he had no older brother to turn to, especially with Sect Leader Lan in seclusion, he had finally accepted his role as sect leader.

Wei Wuxian almost wanted to laugh. Nie Yangsheng was correct, though not for the reasons he believed.

Around him, the discussions got louder and tongues loosened with alcohol until a man started talking about the events of the Guanyin Temple.

Everyone had heard a story or another about that night, from a cousin or an uncle or a brother who had been there and said this or that, but it still made for a good story to hear and the stranger was a good storyteller. Wei Wuxian was not certain he could remember the storyteller from that night but he had been rather occupied at the time. Many people had been there, though not so many had survived. And so, discussions in the inn died as the man recounted the night to the fascinated crow gathered around him like children eagerly listening to a story.

Nie Yangsheng had dismissed the story at first, happy to finish his meal and enjoy a drink, but his mood darkened when the man spoke about Zewu-Jun’s presence in the temple, about his polite smiles and reluctance at killing Jin Guangyao despite his many sins.

Everyone in the Qinghe Nie Sect knew of the real reason behind Nie Mingjue’s death. The cultivators present at the Second Siege of the Burial Mound had recounted how the late Chief Cultivator was responsible for Nie Mingjue’s qi deviation, how he had corrupted music techniques from the Gusu Lan Sect to torment him for months and months until he had snapped and nearly killed his own little brother.

However, listening to the stranger, Nie Yangsheng couldn’t help but let his mind wander back to thoughts that had lingered on his mind for some time.

Everyone condemned Jin Guangyao for taking advantage of Lan Xichen’s kindness but no one seemed to have taken a moment to consider Lan Xichen’s implication. He was the one who had protected and defended Jin Guangyao when Nie Mingjue had nearly severed his head off for his repeated betrayals. Despite the Gusu Lan Sect’s secretive nature, Lan Xichen had taken the time and effort to teach Jin Guangyao music that was supposed to sooth Nie Mingjue. Worst, he had been the one who had pushed for Jin Guangyao to ‘cure’ the sick sect leader despite being fully aware of Nie Mingjue’s distrust in him, without ever checking to make sure everything was well. How could he not have seen how Nie Mingjue, his closest friend, his sworn brother, had kept on worsening when the soothing music he had taught Jin Guangyao was doing the exact opposite of what it was supposed to?

Wei Wuxian felt a foreboding emotion settle in his chest and he watched helplessly as Nie Yangsheng went back to his house agitated that night, twisted thoughts seeping deep in his mind.

As his sworn brother and closest friend, Lan Xichen must have known what Jin Guangyao was planning or at least suspected something, and yet he had done nothing while Nie Huaisang and his clan had watched, helpless, powerless, as music designed to save him had only brought him to his death and his clan to near destruction. For all they knew, Lan Xichen might even have actively participated in this murder. After all, why else would have Lan Xichen granted access to the forbidden section of the Gusu Lan Library to Jin Guangyao? Someone had told Nie Yangsheng that Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji had been the ones to discover the altered music used to kill Nie Mingjue in one of the many scrolls from the forbidden section. As sect leader, how could Lan Xichen have missed that himself unless he had known about it?

And yet, absolved of all suspicions because of his supposed kindness and honesty, Lan Xichen was safely hiding away in seclusion, rumoured to be heartbroken by Jin Guangyao’s death despite his despicable actions. How easy for him to hide when he should have answered for his own crimes.

Of course, Nie Yangsheng’s first impulse had been to make Lan Xichen the target of his anger. But he soon realised that it would not be enough. He wanted him to feel as helpless as them, wanted him to watch his brother waste away and feel the same despair, fear, pain and confusion the Qinghe Nie Sect had suffered.

Of course, his first idea had been to cast a curse on Lan Wangji but they had never been his specialty. Monsters were another solution but Lan Wangji was a powerful cultivator and he was married to Wei Wuxian. Nie Yangsheng could never capture a monster powerful enough to subdue them both. He needed something inconspicuous, something that would have slow but deadly effects, and so he naturally turned to poisons.

There were countless readily available poisons to choose from but any skilled doctor would recognise their symptoms and have the herbs to treat them.

Eventually, Nie Yangsheng decided to create his own. He had decades of practice as a doctor and knew enough people from his travels to find the ingredients he needed without raising suspicions.

Time seemed to blur as Nie Yangsheng worked tirelessly to create the perfect poison, testing its effects on animals until it was ready to be tested on humans.

Wei Wuxian watched as the man settled in the village and its villagers rapidly succumbed to his insanity and thirst for blood. The calm Nie Yangsheng displayed as he recorded each test was nauseating. He would sit by his victim’s bedside, carefully writing down their agony in his journal, as though tracking a common illness.

The days passed without any mention or trace of a curse. At first, Wei Wuxian worried that he had missed it, that there was no cure, but he had no control over the memories and could only watch helplessly.

Then the memories shifted and he felt a wave of excitement mixed with apprehension.

Nie Yangsheng was sitting inside the very same inn Lan Wangji and him had stayed at only a week ago. Nie Yangsheng was smiling warmly and shaking his head to refuse payment as the innkeeper insisted to offer him a drink as repayment for his help with his son’s fever, his friendly tone suggesting it was not the first time they had such a discussion.

In the background, a couple entered the inn, immediately catching Nie Yangsheng’s attention and Wei Wuxian’s.

Wei Wuxian watched himself enter the inn with a bright smile. Lan Wangji was by his side, his hand on the small of his back to guide him while Wei Wuxian spoke excitedly. We’re coming back from the night hunt that brought us to this town, Wei Wuxian realised after looking at themselves. The town had asked the Gusu Lan Sect for help when they had found dead cattle with their insides torn out three nights in a row. Lan Wangji and him had gotten a few injuries defeating the monsters that had been lurking in the forest but the town was finally safe.

“Well, that was fun! We should’ve brought the juniors, they’d have learnt a lot tonight.”

Lan Wangji said nothing but he looked pointedly at the cut on his cheek as well as his bloodied coat.

“Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan, don’t give me this look, they only took me by surprise because I never expected two of them. This is nothing a bath and a balm cannot fix,” he said, stroking his husband’s cheek to sooth him. “And you kept me safe so there’s nothing to worry about anymore.”

“I will always worry.” Lan Wangji turned his face in his hand to kiss his palm and the Wei Wuxian watching them couldn’t help the way his heart swooned at the warmth he could see in his husband’s eyes, even from this distance. It had only been three days since he had been at the receiving end of this look. Just like him, the Wei Wuxian from the memory was momentarily overwhelmed and had to hide his red face behind his other hand.

“Ah! Gongzi!” The innkeepers called when he noticed the blood on their clothes, impossible to miss with their white coats. “We have a doctor who can help! He is very good, he mended my neighbour’s broken leg.”

Nie Yangsheng did not miss this chance. Offering the couple a warm smile, he nodded. “It would be an honour to help Hanguang-jun and his husband. You were in town because of the monster, weren’t you? Nasty thing, though I am sure you took care of it.”

They had intended to refuse the help, happy to use the healing balms in their pouch, but the late hour had convinced them otherwise. After exchanging a brief look, Lan Wangji had nodded while Wei Wuxian had smiled, still clinging onto his husband. To Nie Yangsheng, he looked like a ridiculously besotted husband, but Wei Wuxian remembered that he had been using Lan Wangji’s strong hold to keep his weight off his twisted ankle. Snow and ice could sure be tricky in a moonless night.

Nie Yangsheng had followed them to a quiet room offered by the innkeeper and treated Wei Wuxian first, at Lan Wangji’s demand. Wei Wuxian had spoken the entire time, happy to tell the doctor about the night hunt, entirely unaware that the man had unleashed the monsters to lure the couple to this town. Lan Wangji had stood behind him, silent but attentive.

Wei Wuxian’s heart felt heavy as he watched himself tease and pout at his husband until he accepted to be treated as well. He felt sick at Nie Yangsheng’s internal glee as he wrapped Lan Wangji’s arm in the poison-soaked fabric. Had Wei Wuxian let it be, had he let himself be convinced that his husband’s golden core would have been enough… No. He couldn’t think like this. At the time, all that had mattered was that Lan Wangji’s wounds would be treated immediately, despite the lack of severity. And after watching so much of Nie Yangsheng’s life, Wei Wuxian knew that no matter what or how, he would have found a way to hurt Lan Wangji.

Once the couple had retired for the night, the doctor pulled out his notebook and opened it. Wei Wuxian only had a moment to look before the man tore out a page and threw it in the fire with a sickening smile, safe in the knowledge that Hanguang-jun would soon be dead and that nothing would save him now.

His triumph was sweet and euphoric but it tasted like rot in Wei Wuxian’s mouth, making his stomach churn as he watched a man celebrate the future death of an innocent man and countless other victims-

Wei Wuxian blinked and when he opened his eyes, the doctor was back in the village. He was there to clean out any signs of what had happened here but young voices interrupted him before he could even begin. Peering through a window, he saw that a group of disciples dressed in familiar white robes was entering the village, chattering happily.

There was no time to finish what he was doing or to escape. He had hoped to avoid this but there was no choice. Cutting his forearm, he applied a bandage he had soaked in his antidote then swallowed the last vial of poison he had, a small enough dose that the poison would act fast but allow the antidote to stop it. He sat down in a chair across from the woman and Wei Wuxian felt everything around him fade as an overwhelming need to sleep overcame him, pulling him down, down, down as though the ground was opening up beneath him, swallowing him whole…

Wei Wuxian opened his eyes with a gasp. Before him, Lan Qiren was playing a familiar tune. Lan Wangji hummed it sometimes, especially after visiting his brother when Lan Xichen had gone into seclusion.

Lan Qiren stopped playing and looked at him expectantly, eyes filled with a hope he was trying very hard to tame.

“I need- I need to see the doctors,” Wei Wuxian said as he scrambled to stand up. He collapsed but a strong hand caught him, helping him sit once more.

“Don’t you dare move. The last thing we need is for you to collapse on the way there,” Lan Qiren snapped. “Tell me.”

Wei Wuxian blinked, a little dazed, but he pulled himself together and hurried to recount the ingredients and their dosage to the other man. He expected Lan Qiren to question him but the man only repeated everything twice to make sure everything was correct and took off after Wei Wuxian nodded.

For a moment, Wei Wuxian was too exhausted to move but, slowly, he forced himself to stand and made his way back to the house. Lan Xichen was kneeling next to the bed, feeding spiritual energy to his brother. He looked up when he heard his unsteady steps, only one question in his eyes.

“We found the antidote,” Wei Wuxian answered immediately as he came to sit heavily on the bed. “Your uncle has gone to the doctors, it should be ready in a shichen, two at most. The antidote should clear the poison out of his systems in a few hours.”

It was as if the heavy, stifling atmosphere that had settled inside the Jingshi suddenly cleared.

Lan Xichen nearly collapsed with relief while Lan Sizhui let out a shaky breath and closed his eyes. Wei Wuxian gave them a trembling smile then he looked back at his husband, caressing his face tenderly. “Almost there, Lan Zhan. Hold on just a little longer for me.”

Once they had sufficiently recovered, they began to clean the Jingshi, needing something to keep busy while they waited for the antidote to be ready.

Wei Wuxian took care of the corpse to ensure that he would not return in another form while Lan Sizhui took care of the house and the garden with help from Lan Jingyi, though some traces of the fight would take a little longer to disappear. Meanwhile, Lan Xichen remained by his brother’s side because although the antidote would soon be ready according to what Wei Wuxian had seen in the man’s memories, Lan Wangji’s state was now weak enough that he needed constant spiritual energy passed onto him.

As Wei Wuxian had anticipated, two shichen had passed before Lan Qiren entered the bedroom with a vial in his hand. Wei Wuxian was sitting on the bed, Lan Xichen holding Lan Wangji’s wrist and Lan Sizhui was in a corner with Lan Jingyi, but they all jumped to their feet when they saw him.

“Give this to him slowly,” Lan Qiren said. “It is safe. The doctors have already given a dose to the woman.”

“Thank you!” Wei Wuxian took the vial and pulled Lan Wangji into his arms, cradling him against his chest. Slowly, he poured the antidote into his mouth, careful to give his husband enough time to swallow. It felt like an eternity before the vial was empty but it would be even longer before its effects would be seen.

Wei Wuxian laid him back on the bed, slightly propped against the pillows, and they all sat in silence once again. The movement of the sun in the sky was the only sign that time was passing. The doctor came a few times and confirmed that the antidote was working, as Lan Wangji was already looking healthier, but there was nothing more they could do except wait.

***

The moon had long replaced the sun in the sky when a hoarse voice suddenly broke the silence.

“… Ying… W-Wei Ying…”

Wei Wuxian startled awake and a few gasps echoed around the room but he only had eyes for Lan Wangji. His husband was awake, peering up at him sleepily through half-open lids. He was still a little paler than usual but he looked healthier than he had in days and he was moving, his hands naturally reaching for Wei Wuxian’s.

Relief crashed over Wei Wuxian as he stared at his husband, so overwhelming that he was at a complete loss for words for a moment before realisation sunk in and he jumped to his husband’s neck with a wet laugh, crushing him into a tight hug.

“Lan Zhan!! You’re awake!” He cried, holding him as tight as he dared before he pulled back just enough to cup his face in his hands and cover every inch of his skin with kisses as he spoke. “Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan, I missed you so much!”

Lan Wangji could only lay there and accept the kisses, too dazed to speak and always too happy to received them to interrupt him. A movement on his right caught his eyes and he glanced over to find his brother and uncle sitting by the bed, along with Lan Sizhui and Lan Jingyi. They were all politely averting their eyes but he could see equal looks of incredible relief on their faces, as well as two very red faces.

“What… what happened?” He asked, frowning faintly as his throat hurt with every word. Wei Wuxian had stopped kissing him but he was holding his hand tightly and sitting as close to him as he could without sitting directly on his lap.

“You were poisoned,” Lan Qiren answered. His eyes were red-rimmed but he managed to keep his voice steady.

“Poisoned?” Lan Wangji frowned, trying to remember how such a thing could have happened when the last thing he remembered was going to bed and Wei Wuxian joining him at some point during the night. “When? How?”

“The doctor that treated us at the inn last week poisoned you,” Wei Wuxian answered, his expression hardening briefly before a soft smile reappeared on his face as he brushed his hair back tenderly. Lan Wangji couldn’t help but lean into the touch, silently asking him to elaborate with a look.

Wei Wuxian started to explain but the sound of a rumbling stomach interrupted him. Lan Wangji felt his ears burn up in embarrassment when he realised it was his own stomach making such noises but the unpleasant noise was immediately covered by Wei Wuxian’s loud laugh.

“You’ve been asleep nearly four days, Lan Zhan,” he told him with a sweet smile, brushing his thumb over his frowning brows. “Don’t be so cross with your body for betraying you and letting us know you’re hungry.”

“We’ll get something from the kitchens!” Lan Sizhui offered, already standing up with Lan Jingyi. “I- it’s- it’s really nice to see you well again, Hanguang-jun!”

Though the two boys were smiling, there was no mistaking in the way Lan Sizhui’s voice trembled with each words and he didn’t miss Lan Jingyi’s supporting hand on his arm. Lan Wangji nodded, meeting their eyes serenely to offer him a small smile. Lan Sizhui’s eyes were still too bright but he stood straighter when he nodded back at him.

Lan Wangji’s gaze followed the two boys as they left the room before his eyes stopped to stare at the hole in the wall besides the front door. It had been patched up to keep the cold from entering the house but there had obviously been no time to properly repair it yet. His eyes then went to the tables spread around the bedroom, covered with books, scrolls and notes where the doctors and his family must have worked tirelessly to save him. There was a rumpled cover by the bed too, along with a pillow, probably where Wei Wuxian had taken a few naps by his side. He knew how his husband could get, he remembered his fretting when he had caught a cold, and he could only imagine how he had felt over the past days while Lan Wangji was sick with a poison.

“What happened?” Lan Wangji repeated, more firmly this time, his eyes taking in his family with a faint frown.

Now that he was not overwhelmed with his husband’s kisses and his family’s unexpected presence, he could not miss the signs that the past days had been difficult. His uncle was holding himself straight but he was visibly tired. Lan Xichen bore marks that he had been in a fight, and his eyes held a deep sadness that had seemed less visible in the past weeks. Beside him, Wei Wuxian was smiling but Lan Wangji could tell that he was still profoundly upset. It was clear from the way he still had not let go of him and sat pressed against him despite the presence of his uncle and brother.

“Ah, where to begin, a lot happened while you were asleep, Lan Zhan,” Wei Wuxian replied cheerfully, his hand mindlessly playing with Lan Wangji’s hand before bringing it to his lips to kiss his fingers. “Let’s start at the beginning, mh? But we should have Lan Zishen see you first, make sure you’re fine…”

“He will be here soon,” Lan Qiren said. There was a hint of a smile in his eyes when Wei Wuxian stared at him in confusion. “I sent for the doctors the moment Wangji woke up. You were busy.”

Wei Wuxian felt his face flare up but he was saved from further embarrassment by the arrival of the doctors. He was reluctant to part from Lan Wangji now that he was awake but he complied without any complaint to let the doctors examine his husband, though he hovered by his side and held his hand as soon as he was allowed to touch him again.

“Your body is a little weak from the effects of the poison but your golden core is recovering,” Lan Zishen told Lan Wangji. At his words, it was as though the entire house breathed out in relief, the atmosphere now lighter than it had been in the past four days. “I recommend some rest but you will make a full recovery and should be fine in a couple of days.”

“Thank you, Lan Zishen,” Wei Wuxian said gratefully before a thought crossed his mind. “And what about the woman we brought back from the village?”

“She is awake. She is extremely weak but she will be fine. We gave her the antidote just in time.”

Wei Wuxian nodded. Even though they had only been able to save one other person from Nie Yangsheng’s madness, it was enough. The doctors gave them a few recommendations to help Lan Wangji’s recovery then they left, probably to get some much deserved rest after those four infernal days.

Lan Sizhui and Lan Jingyi returned moments later with dinner from the kitchens. They all pulled the tables closer to the bed, like a makeshift banquet table, and Wei Wuxian began recounting the events of the past days as they ate, starting from the very first morning and including what he had witnessed in Nie Yangsheng’s memories.

Lan Wangji watched with quiet interest as his uncle barely batted an eye while Wei Wuxian broke one of their most important rules. He was even more surprised to see his uncle scowl every time he noticed that Wei Wuxian was forgetting to eat, focused as he was on feeding Lan Wangji. Before Lan Wangji himself could ensure his husband was eating enough, Lan Qiren kept adding vegetables to Wei Wuxian’s bowl with pointed tsks to get his attention before huffing every time Wei Wuxian laughed and apologised for his forgetfulness. Lan Wangji smiled softly as he looked at them interact so naturally, warmth filling his chest. It seemed a few things had changed while he was asleep.

By the time Wei Wuxian had finished, their meal had long been cleared away and Lan Wangji sat in silence, processing what he had heard.

“I see…” He said at last and looked at his family. “I apologise for worrying you.”

They all started to protest but Wei Wuxian was the loudest, batting Lan Wangji’s chest lightly as he scolded him.

“You! Ah, Lan Zhan, what are you apologising for? Did you poison yourself? No! You are not responsible for this! You nearly died!”

Lan Wangji hummed, gently taking the hand poking his chest to bring it to his lips. “I worried you.”

Wei Wuxian’s smile was delicate when he touched his lips with the tip of his fingers. “Silly Lan Zhan. Of course I worried. I’m your husband.”

Lan Wangji wanted to reply but a unbidden yawn escaped him, embarrassing him though the burning embarrassment he felt was soothed by Wei Wuxian’s tender laugh. “My, my, my, I think someone is a little tired.” He teased, brushing his fingers over his cheek.

“We should go, you need to rest and so do we,” Lan Qiren said as he stood, the others imitating him, then he gave Wei Wuxian a pointed look. “That goes for you too.”

“Yes, shufu!” Wei Wuxian answered with a bright grin before he stood to walk them to the door.

“Good night, Hanguang-jun. Rest well, Wei-qianbei,” Lan Sizhui said with a bow.

“Let us know if you need food or tea or anything!” Lan Jingyi added quickly. “We’re very glad you are both okay.”

Wei Wuxian smiled at them then turned to bow deeply to Lan Qiren and Lan Xichen. “Thank you for everything.”

Lan Xichen smiled and reached out to place a hand on his arm, helping him straighten up. “Thank you. If not for you, we might not have found the antidote in time to save him. Get some rest, you need it. We will come back tomorrow, if that would be all right?”

“Of course!” Wei Wuxian answered immediately, beaming at them. “You are welcome any time. We would love to have you home for tea. Or lunch, I promise there will be no spice on your plate.”

Lan Qiren huffed. Beneath the teasing words, he could hear Wei Wuxian’s apprehension, as though now that Lan Wangji was saved, Lan Qiren would wish to spend as little time with Wei Wuxian as possible to recover from those four days spent in his companies.

“No spice could keep me from seeing my nephews. Who do you think asked for that spicy meal of yours last night?” Lan Qiren quipped and turned around with a final huff. “I will see you tomorrow, Wei Ying. Take care.”

Wei Wuxian gaped at his retreating back before a laugh spilled from his lips when he met Lan Xichen’s amused eyes. He was still beaming when he returned to the bedroom and dropped on Lan Wangji’s lap who welcomed him with open arms and a question in his eyes. Now that they were alone, Wei Wuxian had no reason to keep himself from kissing his husband so he did, holding him tight and delighting in the feeling of Lan Wangji responding to him and his fingers digging into his skin. He hope they would leave marks, he had gone too long without them.

“Ah, Lan Zhan,” he sighed with a smile when they parted, resting their foreheads together because even a breath apart was too much. “I thought I had told you everything about the past few days but I just realised I have forgotten to tell you something very important: I think your uncle likes me!”

He had expected Lan Wangji to look surprised but nothing could have prepared him for the way Lan Wangji’s expression softened when he registered his words, his golden eyes warm and crinkling as a discreet but beautiful smile blossomed on his lips. There was so much joy in his expression, Wei Wuxian was left gaping for a moment, his heart feeling so big for his chest he had to press a hand over it to contain it, then he wailed and hid away in his husband’s chest.

“Lan Zhan!! What did I say about giving me such looks! You’re barely back and already you’re like this! How is my heart even supposed to cope?” He asked, voice muffled in Lan Wangji’s clothes. Above him, Lan Wangji hummed happily, holding him tight. “Oh, no, this is too much, you’re too cute, Lan Zhan, too cute!!”

Yet, despite his protest, Wei Wuxian lifted his head to smile at Lan Wangji only moments later, unwilling to look away from him when he had spent such a long time desperately hoping for him to wake up. Lan Wangji still had that soft, happy look but Wei Wuxian was somewhat prepared for it this time.

Smiling back at him brightly, he cupped his face in his hands and covered his face with more adoring kisses until he met his lips.

The End