Chapter Text
Lán Yuan quickly makes a name of himself in Cloud Recesses. He is only nine years old, yet he got everything quickly. His calligraphy was amazing, but his archery needed some work, since he was a bit malnourished from his time in the Burial Mounds. But he's talented, so much that he should've been placed classes ahead. But instead, he chose to stay.
Lan Liang isn't in classes yet, but he is around the same as his older brother. He is well-read, and while he can forget things in a few weeks, he got better later on. He liked to tinker with talismans, adding strokes to find out what would happen to it.
They both spoke politely, yet mischievous and jokey. Lán Yuan just hid it better then Lán Liang. They both were also incredible at art.
Because of this reason, they were said to be the next Twin Jades. Well, soon. Lán Liang would join them in classes in three years.
(Wei Wuxian will never boast about how his first word was 'Baba' rather then 'Father' to some ghosts and their grandparents. Lán Wangji was happy, but drinking some vinegar.)
"I'm thinking of setting a play date with A-Liang, A-Yuan with A-Ling," Jiang Yanli says with a smile, "What do you think?" She had somewhat become a permanent resident of Lotus Pier. She did go back to Koi Tower at times, but it was usually for a month. She almost always brought Jin Ling with her.
Jiang Wanyin puts down his papers, looking at his sister, "What?"
As for that, Lán Wangji and Jiang Yanli had got along surprisingly well. In contrast to Jiang Wanyin and Lán Wangji, with one staying silent with the other talking, they had exchanged letters from time to time, updating at how their sect, disciples, or kids were going.
"Well, they are cousins, right?" She tilts her head, "They need to get to know each other. They are also sect heirs."
Jiang Wanyin thought. Sure, he didn't like Lán Wangji, but this was his older sister and their nephews they were talking about. No harm done, right?
(But his sect also helped kill Wei Wuxian. Would they even want to be here? But the Lan's also helped. why could he never make up his mind? Why?)
He nodded, "I'll get a boat ready for you and A-Ling."
"I'll see if Hanguang-Jun has anything coming up. Thank you, A-Cheng."
"Shufu, Xiongzhang," Lan Wangji says. He holds up a letter from Jiang Yanli and opens it, "Jiang-Guniang wishes to arrange a play-date between A-Yuan, A-Liang and Jin Rulan."
Lán Qiren nods, "Yes, yes. Cousins should get to know each other."
Lán Wangji blinks, "Shufu, are you sure?"
Lán Qiren, "This new generation did not do anything to the Wen remnants. Just write so that Jin Rulan doesn't wear any gold. Having A-Yuan relive those days would be terrifying."
Lán Xichen smiles, "Wangji, it's good for them. We want them to make friends outside of sects."
He nods at that. He thanks them and goes back to the Jingshi and writes a letter to Jiang Yanli. Lán Wangji looked at his guqin and then Wei Wuxian played the strings, [Lan Zhan, Lán Zhan, they get to meet their tangdi!]
Lán Wangji lets a smile smile come upon his lips. He reaches out, [Yes.]
[I hope he won't be like his peacock of a Father!]
Lan Wangji shakes his head. He was so whipped for Wei Wuxian.
Jiang-Guniang,
Shufu and Xiongzhang have agreed. Where do you want to hold this? If it is at Cloud Recesses, I have a warren of rabbits in a meadow for them to play with. Shufu also says that Jin Rulan shouldn't wear gold.
Lán Wangji
Lán Wangji,
A-Cheng doesn't want to hold the play-date at Lotus Pier. I believe that he is not ready to face them yet despite his want to take them there. It will be held at Cloud Recesses. The rabbits sound lovely! A-Xian told me that he got you some.
Jiang Yanli
The boat ride is calming. Jin Ling sits in his mother's lap and watches the waves as they travel to Gusu. Jiang Yanli pets his hair as she talks, "Now, make sure to treat them with respect, alright? Those two are your Dajiu's sons. Lán Yuan and Lán Liang are your tangxiong."
Jin Ling nods, "I will, Mother!"
Jin Ling had been told stories of his Father, Jin Zixuan. He had honour and justice underneath his arrogance, and he loved his mother deeply. As for his Dajiu, he may have hurt his Father, which Jin Ling cannot wonder why, but he did want to meet Jin Ling on his celebration.
Jin Ling wasn't that spoiled at that. He did have some of his father's arrogance, but he has his mother's capacity to forgive and somewhat of 'tough love'.
He has then asked his mother, "Why does Jiujiu not like Hanguang-jun?"
She pulls a face at that. "A-Cheng just thinks that Dajiu deserves someone better then Hanguang-Jun."
"But Dajiu chose him, then doesn't that mean that Hanguang-Jun loves him?"
Jiang Yanli sighs, but smiles, "Your Dajiu always took on things himself. He never asked for help. Hanguang-Jun — no — A-Ji did his bets to stay by his side. You can ask A-Ji when we get to Gusu."
Soon, they are at Gusu. Jiang Yanli carries her son and walks up the path that she remembers her little brothers talking about. She smiles when she sees Lán Wangji waiting with his own in tow.
They then takes them to the rabbit fields and watch them.
Lán Yuan speaks first as he pets a rabbit, "Jin-Gongzi—"
"Tangdi! Call me tangdi!" Jin Ling breaks in. Without stop, Lán Liang says on reflex, "Interrupting is not allowed in the Cloud Recesses." Then he looks confused, like he had just said that.
Lán Wangji looks at his youngest son, who turns towards him and says sheepishly, "Sorry, Father."
"It's alright. But Jin-Gongzi isn't studying here."
Lán Liang puts on watery eyes, making Lán Wangji relent. God, they were just to adorable and lovable to hate.
"Alright, then, tangdi," Lán Yuan says, "What kind of cultivator do you want to be when you grow up?"
"Like my Father!"
Lán Liang looks confused at that. "Aha? Baba said that your Father was a peacock."
Jiang Yanli covers her mouth with her sleeve as Lán Wangji shook his head in fondness. In one of their questionings, Wei Wuxian had once went into a rant about Jin Zixuan when he came up. Calling him a peacock and arrogant, but loving Shijie so much so Wei Wuxian had to tolerate him.
"Just make sure Jin Ling doesn't end up like him! He would lose lots of things that way!" Wei Wuxian had said at the end of his rant.
"Mother said that he was talented, though..." Jin Ling mutters. "That Father was a good archer and swordsman!" His eyes get bright at that. He was almost like a little mistress, just a bit less spoiled and less 'peacock-ish' and more idealistic like most children.
"Okay, Xiao-Jie," Lán Liang says with a smile on his face. Lán Wangji might've found that endearing if he wasn't frozen at the time. Jiang Yanli just smiles wider.
The Baba called the Father a peacock, now the youngest one calls the son Xiao-Jie!! Will one of them shave off Lán Qiren's beard!?
Jin Ling flushed as he put down the rabbit, "Y-You! Tangxiong, take that back!"
"Lying is not allowed in Cloud Recesses," Lán Liang replies. He is still petting and feeding a rabbit.
Lán Yuan smiles and says with a amused voice, "A-Liang."
"Fine, Xiongzhang," Lán Liang bows, "I'm sorry for calling you Xiao-Jie, Xiao-Jie."
Jin Ling looked like he wanted to scream, but is stopped by his mother. Lán Kiang then says sorry for real.
When the two leave Gusu, Jin Ling is whining about how he wants to stay and get to know his cousins more despite his tantrum when Lán Liang called him Xiao-Jie. He also takes a liking to Lán Wangji despite Jiang Wanyin's disdain for him.
As her son sleeps on her chest, Jiang Yanli wonders what kind of cultivator her son will be.