Chapter Text
“Baba?”
“Mnn..” Wei Wuxian was dejectedly looking through the paperwork he was required to complete for the day. Lan Zhan was out having fun, investigating a haunting in the neighbouring town but, as sect leader Wei Wuxian was expected to stay at home and complete paperwork, his least favourite activity. To help with the boredom he was also watching A-Yuan who was far more interesting than reports on rice imports.
“Where do brothers and sisters come from?”
“Eh?” Wei Wuxian had only been half listening to his son, so it took a minute for his mind to catch up with his ears. When it did, he nearly choked on the tea he had just brought to his lips. He thought it would be longer before he had to have that conversation and he had planned to rope Wen Qing in to deliver it. What was the point of a best friend who happened to be a doctor if you did not use them to explain biological facts to your children? “Why are you asking?”
“A-Bo said he is getting a new brother or sister. He said only mamas can make brothers and sisters so I would never have any ‘cause I only have babas.”
The forlorn tone with which this was said told Wei Wuxian this was more than just a casual question. He put down his notes and looked at his son’s serious expression. It was easy at times to forget just how much this little boy had lost in his short life. He was such a kind and friendly child, but just now it was clear to Wei Wuxian that those past traumas were still a part of him. He reached down and lifted his son into his lap.
“A-Bo is wrong. After all A-die and I had you, didn’t we?”
A-Yuan scrunched up his nose as he thought about that. “But how did you have me without a mama?”
Wei Wuxian hugged his son to him. “We grew you in a radish patch of course.”
A-Yuan still looked sad. “But we don’t have a radish patch anymore.” He fiddled with the sash on Wei Wuxian’s robes. “Does that mean I won’t have brothers or sisters?”
Wei Wuxian could not bear those sad eyes. “There are many ways to grow a child. Some come from mamas, that’s true, and others come from radish patches, but do you know what makes the best family?”
A-yuan gazed at him with a strangely solemn face for such a young child and shook his head.
Wei Wuxian continued with a gentle voice tinged with real emotion. “It’s one you choose for yourself.” He thought of Shijie and Jiang Cheng. They had never been acknowledged as siblings but that had never made them less so. A-Yuan was so dear to him and Lan Zhan that he could not have meant more to them if he had been of their blood. “You’re A-die and I chose you as our son and if, one day, fate leads us to another child, then we can choose again.” At that moment he decided that he had done enough paperwork. His son needed him. “How about we go to the market and find a surprise for A-die when he gets back. He’ll have been working hard and should have a reward don’t you think?”
A-Yuan smiled brightly and nodded his head.
~
Later Wei Wuxian was still thinking about his conversation as he lay in his favourite place; in his husband’s arms in their bed. These were the times he treasured. They had their own space now in the manor house at Wei sect compound. There had been a flurry of building over the last year, all funded by the Jin gold. The Wen each had their own homes and the largest building had now become home to Wei Wuxian and his family. A-Yuan had started sleeping more nights in his own room as he became comfortable in their new home, although he would still come into their room if he had a nightmare or just wanted some comfort. They never minded, but it was nice to have the bed for just the two of them, their sanctuary against the demands of the world. Wei Wuxian would sometimes pinch himself to make sure he was not dreaming. There had been such a change in his fortunes it was hard to believe it was real.
“Lan Zhan.” He rested his chin on his husband’s chest.
Lan Zhan started gently running his fingers through Wei Wuxian’s hair. “Mn?”
Wei Wuxian smiled. Every day he felt that he loved this man more than the last. “Have you ever thought about having more children?” he grinned mischievously, “after all, my childbearing years will not last forever.”
“Ridiculous!” It was said with affection and Wei Wuxian could see a slight smile on his husband’s lips.
Wei Wuxian looked down at Lan Zhan’s chest. They had never discussed this before, and he realised he had no idea whether his husband had the same desire as he did when it came to their family. “A-Yuan was asking about siblings….so I wondered what you wanted, I mean we’re still getting settled here and we both have so many responsibilities….it probably would be irresponsible to have more children at this time..”
He felt Lan Zhan shift his position to sit up slightly. He put his finger under Wei Wuxian’s chin and raised his face to look in his eyes. “I want as many children as Wei Ying wants.” Wei Wuxian smiled at him as he continued. “We are never too busy for family.”
Wei Wuxian could not help himself. His husband was too much. What else could he do but lean forward to kiss this perfect man?
~
The following morning any thoughts of the previous night’s conversation were banished from Wei Wuxian’s mind by some unexpected visitors.
“Wei zongzhu,” Uncle four seemed slightly flustered. “There’s a group of cultivators at the gate asking to speak with you.”
The wording in itself was interesting as it implied these were not members of a sect. He went to the main hall where Lan Zhan was already waiting. One of the things he found hardest as a sect leader was sitting on a throne to receive visitors. At first, he had flatly refused, arguing that it made him seem like some pompous tyrant. Unfortunately, he had been overruled by Wen Qing who had pointed out that other sects would feel slighted if he did not observe the conventions. In the end he had given in but had been adamant that he would not sit on some ostentatious throne of the kind that some sect leaders favoured. Instead, one of the Wen who had been a carpenter had made a subtle seat made of a rare dark wood which had been gifted to them by a grateful merchant Wei Wuxian had rescued from a malicious ghost.
He sat with Lan Zhan by his side as a group around 15 of cultivators filed into the room and bowed. They wore no sect affiliation but held themselves with the confidence of sect trained cultivators. Perhaps the most unusual trait they shared was that they were all women. The spokesperson stepped forward and Wei Wuxian finally recognised her.
“Mianmian!”
He heard a slightly exasperated huff beside him as Lan Zhan added, “Luo guniang.”
“What can we do for you and your friends, Mianmian?” Wei Wuxian asked enthusiastically. She had always been the only Jin disciple he met who did not want to punch in the face and not just because she was a woman but because she was a decent human being.
“Wei zongzhu, my friends and I were all formerly disciples of the Jin sect. Since its dissolution most of us have been making a living as rogue cultivators.” She looked down as she continued. “As you may realise it can be hard to work on your own and doubly so for female cultivators. Most people prefer to have a man. They think we are weak or stupid.” She raised her head with a look of determination. “But we’re not. All of my shimei are strong cultivators. We were never given a chance to prove so under Jin Guangshan. He was only ever interested in trying to bed us, not that it did him any good.” There were a few smirks and nods of agreement from the rest of the group. “As I said we are not weak, but we would like to be a part of a sect again. We heard you may be recruiting disciples and I have persuaded my colleagues that you are very different from Jin Guangshan. If you would give us a chance you would not regret it.” Mianmian bowed again. “Wei Zongzhu, would you accept these disciples as part of the Wuwan Wei Sect?”
Wei Wuxian looked at Lan Zhan. It was true that they needed disciples. Most of the first year had been spent building the sect compound and responding to crises in the neighbouring area. Between Lan Zhan, Wen Ning and himself there was little of a supernatural nature they could not address but they were stretched thin. They had recruited a few rogue cultivators, but all lacked the skill and training found in the great sects. There were far more potential disciples who they turned away, usually when they showed an unhealthy interest in learning demonic cultivation.
He looked over the women standing in his hall. They all held themselves well and the quality of the swords was unmistakable as expected of disciples of the Jin. He considered his instinctive reluctance to accept former Jin disciples. He could not remember any of the faces in front of him from his time in the Jin dungeons or any of his other many disastrous encounters with that sect. In fact, when he thought of it, he could not remember seeing any female cultivators there other than Mianmian. He was aware that some sects preferred to keep women out of site at intersect meetings, thinking they would be viewed as a weakness by others. The question was, had they been allowed to develop the necessary skills he would expect of his disciples. He also wondered how they felt about working for the infamous Yiling Laozu.
“Why Wuwan Wei?”
Mianmian looked at some of her group. “For myself I know you and your husband to be good men. I have heard how you have supported the people here even before you established your headquarters. For some of my shimei,” she made a small grimace, “they feel more comfortable knowing the sect is led by a cutsleeve couple,” she blushed and rushed on, “not that that is any of our business, and there is no offense intended, it’s just after Jin Guangshan……”
Wei Wuxian laughed “Well on that score you have no need to worry. Although I don’t dislike women,” he looked at his husband standing there quietly outshining any beauty in the room, “there can never be anyone other than Lan Zhan for me.”
He swore he could have heard some sighs at that pronouncement, but he was not really paying attention as he noticed the small smile gracing Lan Zhan’s lips and he reached out unconsciously to hold his hand. He blinked as he remembered they were in company and clapped his hands together.
“How about a demonstration of your skills, eh? Half of you can fight me and the other half can fight Hanguang-jun. I’ll leave it to you to decide who fights who.”
~
Wei Wuxian was just finishing sparring with the last of his group of ex-Jin disciples. He had been impressed by all that he had tested. They might not be on a par with Lan Zhan or himself but they all had potential. Some had needed encouragement to fight to their full ability. It seemed that life had been easier for them if they had allowed the male disciples to beat them and it was hard for some to overcome that instinct, but once they allowed themselves to give it their all he could see how talented they were. He reflected once more on the stupidity of Jin Guangshan who had overlooked such ability within his own sect merely on the basis of their gender.
Uncle four approached him as he as giving his appraisal.
“Wei zongzhu, could you come to A-Yuan?”
Wei Wuxian’s heart started to race. It was rare that A-Yuan needed any intervention from him or Lan Zhan. He was such a good child.
“Where is he? Is he ok?”
Uncle four held his hand up. “He’s fine. He’s at the school.” He looked a little sheepish, “it’s just he is refusing to leave.”
A-Yuan had been attending a school in the local town as there were not enough children in the sect at this time. He enjoyed playing with the others and had made many new friends, but he had always been happy to return to his parents. Wei Wuxian had no idea why this could have changed but he felt it must be important.
When he got to the school he found A-Yuan sitting in the classroom by the side of a young girl. She seemed a little younger than him and had a mournful air to her.
“Baba!” A-yuan exclaimed as his eyes lit up with happiness. “Baba can A-Hui come home with us?”
Wei Wuxian had an inkling as to what was happening with the girl but he could not be sure. “What about her family, won’t they wonder where she is?” He knelt down by them so he would be less threatening. A-Hui did not react but looked down. Her arms were clasped tightly around a rag doll.
“A-Hui lives at the awfulnage. She doesn’t have family and the other children are mean to her.”
“Orphanage” Wei Wuxian corrected automatically. He smiled gently at the girl. “A-Hui would you like to come home with A-Yuan this evening?”
A-Hui raised large eyes to him that were filled with a mix of awe and wariness. She did not make a sound but nodded her head once. Wei Wuxian felt his heart clench as he looked at her. She seemed to be intent on taking up as little space as possible, her arms tight to her body and curled over her legs. His instincts told him this child had experienced a deep sorrow in her short life. He felt a powerful urge to put a smile on her face.
“Ok, then. Let’s go.” He sent a messenger off the let the orphanage know where A-Hui was and took her and A-Yuan’s hands as they walked back to their home, A-Yuan happily chatting away.
~
They had dinner in their house. Sometimes they would join with some of the Wens, but Wei Wuxian thought this could be too overwhelming for their young guest. He had yet to hear her say a word and was starting to wonder if she was mute. There was a certain symmetry to the dining table. Lan Zhan and A-Hui were both silent as they ate while A-Yuan and Wei Wuxian happily chatted about their day. It felt comfortable somehow.
After the meal was over A-Hui leant towards A-Yuan and whispered something in his ear. So she could speak when she needed to. Wei Wuxian wondered if she ever spoke out loud.
“I told A-Hui that you play music after dinner, and she wanted to know if you are going to play today?” A-Yuan was making full use of his puppy eyes as he looked at both of his parents.
Wei Wuxian looked at his husband, “How about it, Lan Zhan?” He did not really need to ask. There was little that Lan Zhan enjoyed more than playing his guqin, especially with Wei Wuxian duetting with his dizi.
They started playing some common folk songs. A-Hui watched riveted, with a look of pure wonder on her face. The rag doll that never left her grasp was turned around to face them also. Gradually she inched closer to Lan Zhan, seemingly fascinated by how his fingers moved over the strings. When they finished the next song, he looked at her with that intense but soft gaze.
“Would you like to sit closer?” He indicated to his lap.
She nodded her head repeatedly and quickly moved to sit in his lap as he started explaining how he used both hands to make the music. Wei Wuxian had played harmonies for the previous songs but for this one he sat and watched his husband. Lan Zhan let A-Hui reach out and pluck the strings and Wei Wuxian saw the smallest of smiles start on her face. He looked at them as they sat there and realised they were such a matching pair. Both completely focused on the music, both inclined to silence. He looked at A-Yuan who was watching them with a broad smile on his face and something clicked for Wei Wuxian. This felt right. It was as if a missing piece he had not been aware of had suddenly appeared. He looked back at Lan Zhan who, in that moment met his eyes and he read the same understanding there.
~
The following day they revisited the orphanage to find out more about how A-Hui had come there.
“It was a tragic tale Zongzhu.” The matron of the place told them.
She was a harried looking woman who seemed to have too few staff to manage the number of children in her care. Wei Wuxian made a mental note to look into the funding of such places. If he had any say about it all children in his domain would have a place to call home and plenty of people to provide for all their needs.
“She came from a small village not far from here. When Carp Tower fell bandits quickly moved in, to prey on folk.”
Wei Wuxian winced at that. After all he was the reason for the fall of Carp Tower. Lan Zhan, sensing his unease reached out to take his hand.
“Both her parents were slaughtered in the raid but she was found hidden in a cupboard. The villagers who brought her here said she used to be a lively child but now she barely makes a sound. Unfortunately, it makes her a target for some of the other children. They think she is unfriendly and well…” she gave a slight shrug, “children can be cruel.”
He could well imagine the cause of such a change. Her desperate parents hiding her away, probably with a warning to be quiet, and then moving to a place where her trauma makes her seem odd or aloof. No wonder she continued to be silent.
“Do not bully the weak. Take pity on the desolate.” Lan Zhan stated.
Wei Wuxian smiled at his husband and squeezed his hand. Lan Zhan would always be a Lan and the rules were an integral part of him.
“Of course, Hanguang-jun, of course.” The woman looked nervous.
Lan Zhan could have that effect on people, but Wei Wuxian knew he was not upset at her. He hated seeing children bullied. Wei Wuxian often wondered about his husband’s relationship with his peers growing up. By they time they met he knew Lan Zhan had no friends and was seen as cold and judgemental by most. Had the other children mocked him for being so reserved or were they intimidated by his status and ability? He decided he needed to find a way to spoil his husband later.
“Are there any family who might come to claim her?” he asked.
“No Zongzhu. The family only moved there recently. It sounded like they had been displaced during the war. There was never any mention of family.”
“Ok then, gather up her belongings. She’ll be coming back with us.”
As the matron went off to pack A-Hui’s belongings, Wei Wuxian and Lan Zhan re-joined A-Yuan and A-Hui who had been playing quietly in the courtyard of the orphanage. They were both intent on their game which seemed to involved a number of stones. They looked up as the couple approached. Wei Wuxian knelt down in front of them.
“A-Hui, do you want to come and live with A-Yuan, Lan Zhan and me?”
A-Hui looked at A-Yuan who beamed at her, nodding his head in encouragement.
She looked back at Wei Wuxian and whispered “How long?”
He smiled at her “You can stay with us forever if you want. You will be our daughter and A-Yuan will be your gege.”
She hesitated for a moment then turned to A-Yuan and said in the smallest of whispers “Gege?”
A-Yuan could not contain himself and reached out to hug her saying in an enthusiastically loud tone “meimei”
Wei Wuxian turned to Lan Zhan with a bright smile. “Lan Zhan, it looks like we have two radishes!”
Lan Zhan gave him one of those small smiles that did things to Wei Wuxian, “Mn.”
~
A-Hui settled in easily, following A-yuan around as he proudly introduced her to all the Wens and other members of the sect. She made so little sound it was sometimes hard to realise she was there. Wherever she went she clutched her doll which she named Lele, tightly to her. She even insisted on setting a place for Lele at the table when they ate. At first Wei Wuxian had been concerned about this behaviour but Wen Qing had reassured him that she would probably grow out of it.
One day Wei Wuxian was watching A-Hui while Lan Zhan took A-Yuan to buy some strings for the small guqin he was learning to play. Wei Wuxian was working on a new talisman that could help common people alert the sect instantly when they had a supernatural problem. He had the basics worked out but needed to make it robust enough that it could be stored for extended periods before it was needed.
He suddenly became aware of the slightest of sniffs coming from A-Hui who was playing on the floor. As he looked to see what had made the sound he was devastated to see that his daughter’s face was covered in silent tears.
“A-Hui! What’s wrong baobei?” He crouched down in front of her as she gazed at him in silent misery.
In response she merely held up Lele.
“Ah..” Her rag doll was not the most robust and one of its arms was hanging off the body with barely a stitch holding it in place. If this had been A-Yuan he knew he could have distracted him by making him laugh but A-Hui was such a serious child. As such she naturally gravitated to Lan Zhan when she wanted comfort, perhaps finding Wei Wuxian too loud or silly. He wished Lan Zhan was here now as it broke his heart seeing her cry and not saying a word to him. He knew how important Lele was to her, almost like a friend.
As he considered his options, he decided one of the aunties was not the best way to go but he knew someone who would be able to help.
“I see Lele has taken an injury. She is such a brave girl to make so little fuss over such a grievous wound but I think we should take her for treatment now, don’t you?”
She seemed to ponder this as she looked down at the doll and then back at him with a contemplative look. As if she were deciding if he could be trusted with such a serious matter. She obviously reached a conclusion as she gave the smallest of nods in agreement. Wei Wuxian lifted her into his arms along with Lele and headed to the medical wing. Wen Qing may threaten him with needles for what he was about to do but it would be worth it if he could put a smile back on his daughter’s face.
He found Wen Qing in the middle of carrying out a stock take of medicines in the infirmary.
“Qing-jie you have a patient.”
Wen Qing sighed at his bright tone no doubt realising it was nothing serious. “Wei Wuxian I’m busy, can’t it wait?” As she spoke she turned around to look at him and startled as she saw who he was carrying. “A-Hui are you hurt?”
“No, no she’s fine but Lele has taken a serious wound and needs your expert treatment.” Wei Wuxian saw the stern look that crossed her face and tried to convey with his eye’s the importance of treating this seriously. A-Hui also gave her a doleful watery look and he smiled as he saw her resistance melt.
“A-Hui, place Lele on the examination table. I need to see the extent of the injury.” Wen Qing gave Wei Wuxian a look which he interpreted as you are going to owe me so much when I get you alone. He gave her his cheekiest smile and watched as she carefully examined the rag doll. He had long since learned that Wen Qing had no resistance when it came to sad children.
After taking a few minutes to ‘examine’ the doll Wen Qing said, “I believe Le guniang will make a full recovery, but I need to operate. Close family are not allowed in the room during such treatments. Why don’t you go with your baba and get some lunch. I’ll let you know when I have finished.”
A-Hui gazed at Wen Qing’s face solemnly as if assessing the honesty of her words. She then gave a sad nod and allowed Wei Wuxian to lead her away, but her eyes stayed on the infirmary as they walked to the main hall.
“Don’t worry A-Hui, auntie Qing is the best doctor in the whole world. She’s patched me up no end of times.”
A-Hui gave a slight sigh and gripped his hand tighter.
Throughout lunch she kept glancing towards the door expectantly, an air of tension about her as she would reflexively reach for the doll that wasn’t there. Wei Wuxian tried his best to distract her, but nothing worked. They ate in the main hall where the rest of the Wen ate their meals and the whole group could sense the young girl’s worry. Popo brought over a plate of her favourite sweetmeats but even these could not bring a smile to her face. When Wei Wuxian spotted Wen Qing walking into the hall he sighed with relief.
A-Hui spotted her instantly and rushed to her side. Wen Qing knelt down and presented the doll to A-Hui. It was sporting a neat blue sling holding the damaged arm, underneath which Wei Wuxian spotted a small white bandage.
“Lele needs to be treated carefully for the next two days while the sling remains on. After that the bandage should remain on for a further week. She will make a full recover but may have some slight scarring. She will need you to make her feel better. Can you do that?”
A-Hui nodded so hard her head was in danger of falling off. She smiled at Wen Qing and gave her a tight hung as she whispered her thanks in the doctor’s ear. Wei Wuxian just nodded his thanks above his daughter’s head.
That evening when Lan Zhan and A-Yuan returned A-Hui flew into Lan Zhan’s arms and showed him her doll while Wei Wuxian explained the day’s traumatic events.
“Mn, Lele has been very brave.” Lan Zhan inspected the neat sling and bandaging. “Wen daifu is an efficient healer.” Wei Wuxian loved how seriously Lan Zhan took their children’s concerns. Every time he watched his husband interact with A-Yuan or A-Hui he fell in love a little bit more.
A-yuan was watching carefully as the tale was told and went to join his sister. “We will have to be careful with Lele while she heals. I’ll find her an extra cushion for when she sleeps so she will be comfortable. Come on meimei, we’ll set it up on your bed so you will be close if she needs you.”
Wei Wuxian beamed at his son. A-Yuan was such a good brother.
~
“Zhongzhu, there are bandits raiding the northern borders!”
Wei Wuxian and his family were just sitting down for their evening meal when the disciple burst in. There had been reports of a bandit group raiding the former Jin territories north of Wuwan for a while and sect leader Yao, who had taken responsibility for those lands, had failed to do anything about them. From the reports Wei Wuxian had noticed that the group included some ex-Jin cultivators who had taken to crime rather than join another sect or become rogue cultivators. It had not surprised him when he heard this, but it made the group more dangerous to civilians who would have no way of defending against those who used spiritual weapons. Another reason sect leader Yao’s inaction was so inexcusable. It seemed the group had taken their fill of the other sect’s lands and had decided to move into Wei Wuxian’ territory. An action he would make sure they would regret.
“Inform da-shijie to gather the disciples. We will leave immediately.”
Lan Zhan was already gathering his guqin and sword. Wei Wuxian knelt down by A-Yuan and A-Hui.
“We’ll take you to popo’s for the night. A-die and I have to leave now but we will be back as soon as we can.” A-Yuan looked at him with solemn eyes and nodded his head, but A-Hui was staring in terror between him and Lan Zhan. She shook her head and reached to clutch onto Lan Zhan’s robes. Wei Wuxian glanced at Lan Zhan who looked as helpless as Wei Wuxian felt. It had been 3 months since they adopted her and A- Hui had seemed so settled in their family now. She still did not speak above a whisper, but she smiled and joined in all the fun. It had been a long time since she had looked this distressed, and it broke his heart when he remembered that it was bandits who had killed her parents. Lan Zhan had reached down to pick he up, but she had clung to his leg making it impossible for him to move without ripping her away.
“Lan Zhan, perhaps you should stay.” There had been only a few times when the two of them had been away at the same time since they adopted A-Hui and both had been planned excursions. He could see the hesitation in Lan Zhan’s eyes, but A-Hui did not calm at all. In stead she reached over and grabbed Wei Wuxian’s leg. There were silent tears flowing down her face. Wei Wuxian felt hopeless. He could not bear to physically remove her, but he could not wait much longer. It was A-Yuan who resolved the issue.
“It’s ok meimei. Baba and A-die are the best fighters in the world, and they have to stop the bad men from hurting people. Gege will look after you while they are gone, and I’ll protect you from any bad men who try to come here.” It was said with such conviction as he reached out his hand to his sister. A-Hui hesitated for a moment and then reached out to take the offered hand.
Wei Wuxian hugged them both to him as he said proudly “You’re such a good gege A-Yuan.” He scooped them both up in his arms. “Let’s get you settled with popo.” Lan Zhan reached out to put his arms around them all and kissed his children’s heads before they took them to the Wen house where popo lived.
~
It took a few days to track the bandits down. They had fled back to the Yao lands, perhaps thinking Wei Wuxian would not dare to follow them there. They were mistaken. He had no qualms about trespassing on another sect’s land when that sect had failed to deal with a dangerous bandit group who were now terrorising his people. He may have been a new sect leader but he felt the weight of responsibility for all the people under his jurisdiction and any harm that came to them was unacceptable to him, whether that was at the hands of resentful creatures or lawless men. When they cornered them, the bandits were foolish enough to choose to fight rather than surrender. None had survived the encounter.
It was early evening when they touched down at Wuwan. Wei Wuxian entered the main courtyard and watched as a small body hurtled across the grounds and leapt at him. He crouched down in time to catch A-Hui in his arms and she clung to him like a limpet. He could see tears on her face as she scanned him, seeming to check if he was unharmed. Once satisfied she stared around frantically.
“Diedie?”
Lan Zhan had taken one of the disciples, who had a minor injury, to the infirmary.
“He’s fine. Let’s go find him, shall we?”
By this point A-Yuan had also joined them. He held Wei Wuxian’s free hand as they walked to Wen Qing’s domain. Wei Wuxian could feel the tension in A-Hui’s body as she continued to cling to him. As they reached the steps up to the main entrance a white clad figure exited and A-Hui lurched in his arms reaching out to Lan Zhan while she made a small distressed sound. Lan Zhan quickly took her into his arms and, at last, she seemed to relax although one fist remained clenched onto Wei Wuxian’s robe.
“A-Hui’s been very frightened while you were gone,” A-Yuan looked unusually serious, “but I told her you would be fine.” He looked up at Wei Wuxian with a slightly hesitant expression. “Was I a good gege, Baba?”
Wei Wuxian reached down and scooped him up into his arms.
“You’ve been the best gege.” He reached out to pat A-Hui’s back, “Hasn’t he A-Hui?”
A-Hui gave a small smile and nodded her head in agreement. Wei Wuxian pulled Lan Zhan and A-Hui in for a hug and savoured having his family safe in his arms.
~
The inevitable backlash happened the following day. An irate Yao zongzhu turned up demanding to speak to Wei Wuxian.
“Have him shown to the receiving hall and give him some refreshments. I’ll be there in a few minutes.” Wei Wuxian instructed the disciple who delivered the news. She gave him a sympathetic look before leaving. Wei Wuxian was in a courtyard off the main entrance to the sect compound and had been showing A-Yuan and A-Hui how to fly a kite while Lan Zhan watched on from the side. He was determined to include kite shooting as one of the specialisms of the sect given his love of the activity when he was a member of the Jiang. A-Yuan had just successfully launched his first kite and Wei Wuxian refused to miss out on the joy and pride his son was showing at this accomplishment.
Sadly, sect leader Yao was more persistent than he had anticipated.
“Is this how you show respect to a fellow sect leader Wei Zongzhu?” the last word was spoken as a curse as sect leader Yao stormed into the courtyard.
“Is playing with toys more important than showing courtesy to your elder?” He strode up to Wei Wuxian with a face like thunder. “I always knew it was a mistake to make someone such as you a sect leader. You are a disgrace!”
“Leave my baba alone!” The voice was one they had never heard before. It was not loud but rang out none the less.
Wei Wuxian turned to his daughter in delight. “A-Hui, you’ve found your voice.” He lifted her into the air and twirled her around. “I’m so proud of you baobei.” Sect leader Yao was spluttering more nonsense beside him, but Wei Wuxian did not care. His daughter had spoken out loud and that was far more important.
Lan Zhan walked over to join them. “A-Hui has done very well.” He added.
“Hanguang-jun, I expected more from you. You have clearly been corrupted by your union with the Yiling Laozu.”
That was enough as far as Wei Wuxian was concerned. He put A-Hui down and turned to face sect leader Yao.
“Yao zongzhu. Lan Zhan and I have spent the last few days tracking down and eliminating a vicious band of bandits that you have left unchecked for the last 6 months. I assume you are upset that we did so on your territory, but we were pursuing them after they raided a village in my lands killing two of my people.” He channelled the smallest amount of resentful energy as he continued, the cold smile of the Yiling Laozu directed at the increasingly anxious looking sect leader Yao. “One thing you should know about me Yao zongzhu. I will not tolerate anyone who causes harm to those under my protection.”
He was aware that his eyes were probably tinged with red. He watched as sect leader Yao shrank back and started stammering.
“Of..of course. I did not mean anything by it. You are welcome to enter my lands whenever you wish. I…er I need to go now…there is an urgent matter that needs my attention.” He bowed deeply to them both, “Wei zongzhu, Hanguang-jun,” before fleeing the compound.
Wei Wuxian turned back to beam at his family. “So, who wants to fly the next kite?”
“Me baba.” A-Hui spoke up jumping up and down on her toes.