Our Happily Ever After A Wangxian Story
WangXian Estate...Lan Wangji locked himself up in the study after breakfast. His family believed he was working, but the jade was only cooking up another plan. One that could get him in trouble...Flashback to a week ago in YumengJiang:They all gathered for breakfast. Just one big family under a canopy. The children had their table but Xing deciding he wanted to be with the grown-ups; on his mother's lap, stealing his attention the entire time.His brother, Xiang, was okay until he realized his twin was getting all the good stuff buried in his mother's robes. In the end, Wei Ying had two pair of feet fighting for space on his chest."Didnt you say they could have solids?", Jiang Cheng just had to ask after seeing the envious look on Lan Wangji's face. Shocking- he could now read his brother in law's difficult moods."Yes, but their stomachs have not quite adjusted to it yet.", Wei Ying tried not to hiss from the nibbling going on in his robes."A'Ying, it's okay to deny them once in a while. They are almost fifteen months old, be stern if you wish to wean.", Jiayi commented."What's the appropriate time to stop breastfeeding then?", Wei Ying's arms were occupied and he could no longer eat.Jiayi, "Two to three years.""What?!...", Lan Wangji looked to Wen Ning for a horrifying confirmation. Jiayi, "Yes, I stopped when Wen Li turned three.""A'Yun stopped at two.", Jiang Cheng calculated.Wei Ying, "Calm down Lan Zhan, I can hear you breathing from here...Zewujun, what of my Shidi? How long did he stay on the teats?""Can we stop talking about breastfeeding at breakfast?! You dont have to answer Xichen.", Jiang Cheng frowned."Jiang Cheng, dont let me rat you out. I saw how you chased your mother around even after age five!", Wei Ying returned the gesture.Jiang Cheng, "What the hell...""Stop siding with Lan Wangji.", Wei Ying piped."Actually...Huizhong only had a year with his mother.", Lan Xichen smiled."A Year?", Jiayi raised a brow."Mhm.", Xichen nodded."Wei Ying, a year is good. It's past a year so you can...", Lan Wangji saw a loophole."Are you insane, I'm not doing that to my boys. I will stop when they want me to.", Wei Ying responded much to his husband's dismay."OKAY, that's enough!", Jiang Cheng massaged his temple. "Why dont we switch to something more relevant to adults our age... I've arranged for boats to take us to an island not far from here. I assure you that it will be relaxing."Jiayi, "That sounds interesting."Jiang Cheng, "Yes...We leave an hour after breakfast. I've also made plans for the children while we're away. Li Qiang will see to it that they are well taken care of.""Wait what?... You mean we'll be leaving the children here...in the lotus cove...alone?", Wei Ying heard something he did not like.Jiang Cheng, "Yeah, do you have a problem with that?"Wei Ying, "*Nervous laugh* Jiang Cheng, you're asking me, to leave my babies here all by themselves to an island more than ten miles away, for days?"Jiang Cheng, "That's right...""No...", Wei Ying said with an ironic grin.Jiayi, "A'Ying, they will be fine for a day or two. They have an entire army protecting them."Wei Ying, "Jie, A'Xing likes shoving things into his mouth. A' Xiang is so quiet, he slithers away without people noticing. What if they hurt themselves and I'm not around. Not taking that chance."An hour and a half later, Wei Ying was still sceptical about leaving the children behind. It took a long debate to get him to agree to it. Wei Ying dedicated most of the time to remind the nannies what to do and what not to do, questioning them about things they obviously knew about the twins. Like how Xiang only takes his afternoon nap after being carried around for long periods and Xing's habit of trying to get out of the crib as soon as wakes."Wei Ying, we are late.", Lan Wangji had a hard time trying to get him to surrender Xiang to the nanny."Lan Zhan ahh, don't rush me about this. How can you be so calm leaving helpless children on their own.", Wei Ying pouted."Thay are not helpless. Give him to me.""No, I'll carry him for a while. Let them walk us to the entrance, then I'll hand them over.", He bargained. Lan Wangji did not like the sound of it but agreed anyway. Anything to get Wei Ying to spend time with him alone.And so they met the others. Jiayi did Wangji the favour of taking Xiang from his mother, handing him to a nanny as they were about setting off. "Look at him, he's not okay with this Jie.", Wei Ying kept looking back while he was being dragged away."It's all in your head Wei Ying, they will be okay. Let them spend time with their cousins.", Jiayi did not look back at all. Wangji was full of hope until Lan Xing caught on that Wei Ying was uncomfortable leaving. That was a cause for serious alarm and he began fighting his way out of the nanny's hand, screeching in a loud cry."Oh-oh...Hanguanjun, grab him. It's now or never.", Jiayi pushed the mother to Wangji and he immediately carried him over his shoulder. Xing being upset was like a wake-up call to the other twin. Xiang also joined in.Flashback endedThe boys won that day. Wei Ying stood his grounds about not going and even got upset with Wangji for trying to force him. Truncating what was meant to be a romantic getaway, Wangji decided it was enough. He had to find another way to get Wei Ying out of the house tonight...****
(Two days after...)Wei Wuxian stretched like a cat, rolling around in the sheet. Not finding his jade beside him did happen a lot so he wasn't surprised.But then something felt different...' Huh?', he did not remember their room being this small. And why was the bed near the wrong side of the wall?"Lan Zhan...Lan Wangji.", He called out but had no response. Wei Ying came down the bed, feeling a little dizzy and tense. Their home didn't even have a room with this kind of setting. Without putting on shoes or covering the thin white nightwear with the robes neatly folded on a table, he rushed into the outer room."Is this some kind of nightmare?", he muttered to himself as he spun around, searching for anything familiar in this place. Unsatisfied, he pushed the door open and stepped onto a hallway." Oh no...", Wei Ying stalled to calm his disturbed heart. He took slow paces toward the end of the hallway, picking up a constant chatter.There were people here.As he stood at the end and saw the wooden stairs that spiralled down, his gut began to churn and he saw what was wrong...This is not WangXian estate! Clutching his head in confusion, his voice exploded in a loud howl that turned heads. "AHHHHH!"*********WangXian Estate..."Waaaaaah...", Two boys refused to let the servants have a peaceful day. It was chaotic.They run on their little feet, trying to survey all the places their mother often took them. That giant could not have disappeared into thin air just like that." Second Young Master Lan, your mother is not there.", they tried everything from lying to coaxing them with treats. Xing did snatch the sweets and went for his brother's hand. He will not be fooled. Their mother must be with the taller giant who keeps trying to steal him away. Xing paused to carefully hand the sticky candy to Xiang before leading the way rebelliously- anyone that tried to force them would merit a gruesome bite and wordless jabbering. By midday, the Nannies were tired. They couldn't stop the young ones from crying and not games would get them to stay put or take their usual afternoon naps. "What's going on here?", Lan Sizhui had just returned from a hunt. He chanced upon the Nannies covering the boys with a small blanket, trying hard to get them to lie down. The sight of it made Sizhui frown."First Young Master Lan...", The Maidens stood up and bowed nervously.As soon as Xing saw his elder brother, his cries grew louder. The boy lifted his hands and cried out, "Gege...". Xiang followed suit, sobbing. Their little squeals and the tears pouring out of their eyes made Sizhui's heart clench and he thought his brothers had been maltreated.Seeing the fearful aura he carried as he looked in their direction, the Nannies quickly fell on their knees. "We're sorry first young Master Lan. We only wanted to put them to sleep.""By forcing them even to the brink of tears?", Sizhui was not convinced."We..we tried everything but they would not calm down and kept looking for their mother.", Another answered with her head touching the floor."Where is my mother.", Sizhui paused."Hanguanjun took him on a trip. He said they would return in a couple of days. Please forgive us for forcing the young masters."Lan Sizhui's frown did not ease right away, but he did tone down a bit. He walked past the servants to the crib ad the twins stood up, waiting judiciously to be carried. "It's okay YongZheng.", Sizhui took Xiang first, then picked up Xing with the other hand. "Stop crying...How about you spend time with your Ge today.", Sizhui said to YongMing."Have they had lunch?", Sizhui shot the servants a glare after getting the boys to simmer down. The maidens exchanged glances before answering in a low tone. "They...they refused to eat.", the first answered. Lan Sizhui sighed, withholding the urge to scold them harshly. "Bring their food to my room... And let this be the last time a thing like this should happen.", He touched on it briefly and turned away with the boys."Ge...Mama.", Xing put his head on his brother's shoulder, whining and sobbing. "Dont cry YongMing, Mother will be home before you know it.", Sizhui assured them. Even he wondered what had become of his parents and why he never got a message. He would have been home sooner if he knew.********************************************************************************************"How could you do this to me Lan Zhan!", Wei Ying was furious. More than that he felt guilty- like he had betrayed his babies for leaving them on their own."It's for their good...And you also need the break, my love.", Lan Wangji had been caught off guard and lost all the sentences he cooked up in his head. He expected Wei Ying to react this way, that's why he made sure to block his powers before sneaking him out in his sleep."My love, there is no threat. The boys will be fine.""...""Why dont we take a bath to calm you.""Do I look like I need a bath?... What's wrong with you Wangji? Xing and Xiang may be crying their eyes out and you act like it's nothing.""...Dont speak like this. They are mine and I love them but you have to learn how to step back once in a while and focus on other things.""You mean to focus on you?!... I'm always at home Wangji!""That's the point. You've become overprotective of them. What happens when they go to Gusu to study.""...I want them homeschooled.""No.", Wangji replied faster than the speed of light. "Lan Zhan, take me back home...please.", Wei Ying clasped his hands. "I will if you go on a hunt with me.", Lan Wangji said."What...No, Im not going on a hunt Wangji!"(A few hours later...)Wei Ying struggled with his husband until they reached downstairs and there were one too many eyes on him. When they were alone in the fields, the scuffles resumes."Lan Zhan, I don't want to do this. Why won't you listen? Ok, let's go back to the inn for some private time... Isn't that what you want?", Wei Ying changed his tune every five minutes just to get Wangji to back down.Lan Wangji rather held firmly onto his wrist and said nothing until they were in an ominous place and he felt goosebumps on his beloved's skin."Wei Ying is it something worse than a corpse.", Wangji was unsure of his partner's unusual behaviour."I...I don't know.", Wei Ying averted his gaze. "Wei Ying, you're my partner in cultivation. It is only right that you come with me to night hunts...If there's an urgent reason why you dont want to do this with me, now is the best time to say it. We promised not to keep secrets from each other, remember?"
Wei Ying gulped, feeling short of words. "....", Lan Wangji took his hesitation as concern and continues pulling him along."Husband...No...I don't...I'M SCARED OKAY!", Lan Wangji turned after that confession boomed in his ears. He stopped. Wei Ying looked sorrowful in that instant and it hurt him. But, he didnt get the whole picture until Wei Ying finally opened up. "Im scared Lan Zhan...I dont want my children to become orphans.""...", Wangji knitted his brows, his head inclined slightly. It's not every day his husband says such a thing.Wei Ying looked down briefly, pushing out the air stuck in his throat. "I know we're strong and powerful... but so were my parents when they left me."Lan Wangji took a pace forward, softening as his beloved trembled in his sight."Wei Ying it is not going to...""Dont tell me it cant happen!...", Wei Ying cut him off. " In case you forgot, history already repeated its self, Lan Zhan. I died and left A'Yuan all alone. My son grew up without me, forgetting that I even existed... I don't want YongMing and YongZhen to have that kind of story. I dont want to be reckless like before... Please, let's go back home.", Wei Ying took hold of the hand on his wrist and pleaded.Lan Wangji said no more, feeling bad for acting impatient and insensitive. "...Forgive me, my love. I promise never to let that happen to us a second time.", he inched closer to bury his wife in his broad chest."I know we're both busy and I don't spend more time with you alone like I used to, but I need you to give me more time with them.", Wei Ying kept his forehead on Wangji's breastplate, breathing slowly. "I put everything on the line so we could have them...I can't let myself disappear again.""Mn.", The jade rubbed his wife's shoulders. "It is late, I'll take you back to the Inn. We can set off tomorrow morning.", Wangji saw the need to comprise. Wei Ying went in for another hug after breaking away to look at his husband. At least now, they would be on the same page.***********************************************************************************WangXian Estate...The twins asked for their mother every hour, but Sizhui kept them occupied and comforted. He cared for these since they were but little pebbles in their mother's womb. If there was anyone else who had more patience and love for them other than their parents, it was him. The boys made a mess of his study by playing with ink and drawing on the walls and as many sheets as they could see, yet Sizhui encouraged them to do more. When they were tired, he watched them take a bath, then carried them around for a nice stroll until sleep usurped. At night, they woke up several times, crying desperately. On a normal day, their mother came running, but that wasn't the case this time around. The maidens had to alert Sizhui in the end, and he also decided to let them stay in his room. The following day, Sizhui had some rounds to do in town and he chose to take his brothers along.The boys were excited to be given the chance to walk outside the estate. Sizhui was quite lenient, their father never allowed that.Their curiosity took the best of them; they wanted to touch everything they saw and looked twice whenever a person passed by. "A'Xing, slow down.", Sizhui was as careful as he should be. He let his brothers run a little and picked them up whenever he felt the path was too rocky or dusty.Xing wanted to come down when they got to the market but his brother wouldn't let him until they were at one of the Inns to check if things were being run smoothly. " Master Lan, why don't you let the young Masters play here. We have a special playpen built just for them.", the keeper said with enthusiasm.
"Don't worry, there will be treats for them as well. You can finish up faster this way.", the man was bent on convincing his Master. Taking care of the children would be a plus for him."Okay...", Lan Sizhui agreed after much deliberation. He did want to finish up quickly, and the boys wanted to play, so he figured it would be a win-win situation. Hence he put the boys in the barricaded playpen, promising to come back soon. Xing and Xiang pouted as he took a step back but they were soon distracted by the plated treats and the wooden toys. Ten minutes down the line more people began trooping im and the place became a little crowded.
The servant watching the children took his eyes off them once in a while to attend to the customers.Lan Xing was busy with his toy when something caught his eye. Holding on to the figurine, he crawls to the wooden barricade and stares into the distance.
" Mama?", He tilts his head, looking at a figure in black robes. "Mama!", He grew excited once he was sure of himself. The boy was persistent; first, he tried to go through the bars but his round belly would not fit through. So he gave his toy to the oblivious Xiang and climbed the wood. Falling twice did not deter him at all. Lan YongMing wished to take his younger brother along, but Xiang just couldn't hold his weight up. To assure Xiang he would be back soon, Xing let his brother have his toy and took off on his own...Not long after, Sizhui came down with the innkeeper. "You've done a good job, my father will be pleased.", Sizhui smiled as they got closer to the reception.
The worker kept bowing in response."Let me have the list and the amount you need to...", Sizhui looked twice at the small playpen. He runs to check. Perhaps his eyes were deceiving him and there was not only one boy in the enclosure. **********Lan Xing sat in the middle of the road, confused by the people passing by. He kept looking around as the person he thought he saw disappeared all of a sudden and he didn't know how to get back to his brothers.The boy was quiet for a moment, trying to capture his surroundings yet he drew a lot of attention. People began to wonder what irresponsible parent would leave his child to wander in a busy market. Had it been a well-populated place he could have been trampled. The constant staring and murmurs going on around him made him uncomfortable. Xing began to realize he was in big trouble. The more he kept searching in the spot, the more afraid he became and his eyes watered. It didn't take long for Xing to cry bitterly."What's wrong little one, are you lost?", the weeping boy looks up when a tall person shades him from the sun...Lan Sizhui had no time to be furious, he had to find his brother. No one saw what happened or who may have taken Lan Xing but he swore never to trust his brothers with anyone again.His anxiety soared when he runs into the streets and heard the common folks discuss the case of a missing child. He didnt hesitate in approaching one of the vendors right away. "Excuse me Sir, have you seen a little boy that looks exactly like this one?", Sizhui lifted the other twin."Ohh, twins...Yes, he was crying in the middle of the road a while ago. ", the vendor nodded.The keeper of the next stall butt into their conversation, wanting to give the person a piece of his mind."Are you the idiot that left the poor boy on his own? What kind of father are you?""Watch your mouth, can't you see he's a nobleman?", the former tapped him to be quiet."Since when is it ok for noblemen to be this careless?", the latter snapped back."I apologise, could you please tell me where he is.", Sizhui was itching to skip this discussion."A lady took him. I can show you where she lives for a price.", the second stall keeper said."Come on A'Tong, dont be petty, can't you see he's disturbed?""What? This will teach him to be careful with children...Just go down the road, five shops from here. There's a flower shop attached to a compound on the left. Ask for the Madam of the house, she has your son.", the person extended his hand, waiting for his token."Thank you.", Lan Sizhui dropped a pouch full of money in the man's hand. "Hey this is too much.", The man shouted as he took to his heel but Sizhui did not even look back.*************************"Isn't he adorable?", Lan Xing accepted the pineapple from the nice lady that took him off the streets. Bathed upon their arrival, and fitted in a new set of clothes, the boy calmed down."Hihihi, he's a very handsome fellow.", an older man kept staring at him with a broad smile. For some reason, Xing was well behaved in his new environment. The past few hours made him quite sober. He had grown weary of crying for his parents and brothers to come to his rescue."Can we keep him, father?""I don't see why not, Suyin. If no one comes to claim him, he can be your little brother.""Or my son.", the maiden giggled when Xing cringed from consuming a sour piece of fruit. His reaction made the adults around him coo affectionately. Their time together was interrupted not long after the kid ate another piece for a man came looking for him. Suyin was unwelcoming at first, but she couldn't deny Sizhui entrance or doubt him when she set eyes on the other twin wearing the same kind of clothes the one she found earlier had on."YongMing!", Sizhui's heart slowed down when he found the missing radish. They assumed Sizhui was the father until Lan Xing was up in no time, hopping excitedly as he called out, "Geee!". The family that took care of him were touched when the boy suddenly broke into tears as the man carried him."Forgive me, brother. I should have never taken my eyes off you.", Sizhui held his brothers tightly as he pleaded with a kiss on the cheek. Xing accepted the apology and wiped his tears. Xiang extended his hands and helped him out with the missed spots. "You're their brother?", the senior asked."Yes...Im sorry for the inconvenience. I dont know how to repay you for this great favour.", said Sizhui."It's okay. We men tend to make a lot of mistakes when it comes to this. Where is their mother?""Our parents are not around at the moment...Pardon my bad manners, I'm Lan Sizhui and this is the youngest, YongZheng.""Oh, wonderful. I suppose our little friend here is YongMing?", the senior caressed the boy's cheek."Mn.", Sizhui nodded."My name is Yan Feng. This is my daughter, Yan Suyin.", The man explained with a smile. "You can leave them with us if there is ever a need to carry them to town. My daughter and I would gladly babysit.""I wouldn't want to impose.", Sizhui's gaze landed on the man's daughter. The maiden lowered her eyes shyly."Not at all my son, it's was fun having him around. I assure you we will keep a better eye on them.""Okay...thank you for taking care of my brother.", Lan Sizhui bowed and stole another glance at Suyin."His clothes were dirty, so I washed them. I can send them over once they dry up.", Suyin said to the stranger. "There's no need, I will return for them later. Thank you.", Lan Sizhui replied with a smile. "We'll be taking our leave then. Wave goodbye YongMing.", the little boy did as told, waving his tiny arms at the Suyin and his father. "I hope to see you too little one.", Suyin waved back cheerfully and watched as they left the compound. *******************************************************************************************"YongMing...YongZheng. Where are my little generals?", Wei Ying went to Sizhui's quarters upon his return. Lan Wangji was behind him, holding Bichen in his right hand.Sizhui opened his door as soon as he heard his mother's voice. "Welcome mother, father.", he had a bright grin on his face. "Waaah, I missed you two so much. Come to mama.", Wei Ying took a quick turn inside when he saw the messy children covered in ink.""Papa!", Xiang bounced his mother by walking around him to hug Wangji's feet. Wei Ying let that go with a small pout. If there was anyone who would be dying to see him, it had to be Xing. But to his surprise, the boy also took one look at him and went back to drawing on white paper.
"Huh?...", Wei Ying looked to Wangji and Sizhui for an explanation. "Sizhui, Lan Zhan, am I invisible?...A'Xing, won't you welcome me home?""Hmph!", Wei Ying gaped when he heard the boy grunt. "They've had a rough time adjusting these few days. How was your trip?", Lan Sizhui did not want to talk too much, lest he rats himself out for losing his brother...***The twins were hostile to their mother throughout the day. Especially Lan Xing. He would grab his toy and move whenever his mother tried to pick him up.In the evening Second Young Master Lan sat still as Wei Ying give him a bath- that was a first... At least YongZheng was coming around.
"YongMing, I said I was sorry...Don't do this to your mother. Okay, how about a kiss. You like those, right?", Wei Ying became desperate. Lan Wangji was in the room with them, watching quietly as his wife tried, again and again, to get their son to look at him. 'I guess this apple didnt fall far from the tree at all.', the jade shook his head as he watched the drama unfold. Downcast, Wei Ying sat next to Wangji on the children's bed- his head hanging low. "Lan Zhan...", he hummed as the jade pulled him close to console him.
"Our son is as rigid as you are. I don't know how much more I can endure at this point.", Wei Ying sighed."...", Lan Wangji observed his partner for a while, then looked over at the children playing on a mat. He caused this rift between mother and sons even its child's play. However, knowing the remedy to this attitude left him amused. Wei Ying knew how to draw him close when he was upset, and it was all the more reason why it was funny that he hadn't figured the boys out yet."Lan Zhan, what do you think you're doing?... Hey!", Wei Ying was taken aback when Wangji forced his lapel open.
Lan Xing looked their way briefly but returned to his toy when he saw his mother resisting. "The children are here, what's gotten into you.""...", Wangji only made eye contact, and continued with his agenda. "Lan YongMing.", he called out to his son after breaching the third layer of clothes. As soon as the boy looked their way, Lan Wangji just lowered his head and captured a nipple in his mouth. "Ah, Lan Zhan!", Wei Ying slammed a hand on his lips when that slipped out. Wangji didnt stop for anyone.Lan Xing's face contorted with anger and envy. He could not believe the nerve of the man, taking what rightfully belonged to him. The pout on his lips morphed into tears when his father refused to stop.
Unable to control his rage, Lan Xing picked up his wooden toy and run to the couple, screaming. Wei Ying was lost for words when his son did all he could to climb his lap. Lan Wangji witnessed Xing's furry when he swung his toy, demanding the release of the stolen bud. Wei Ying became the centre of attention as Xing kept hitting his father. Lan Xiang finally decided to intervene when his brother got too loud, even for him. The youngest did his job by calling his father and pulling his hand from below until Wangji decided to give in. "You're welcome.", Wangji said as he picked Lan Xiang off the ground.Wei Ying was dumbstruck by the smirk on his husband's face. His mouth stayed wide open, staring at Wangji blankly when Xing dropped the weapon and stood on his lap. "Mama...", the boy embraced him affectionately. Lan Xing mewled disapprovingly when he caught his mother spying on Lan Wangji in awe. "Mama...Mamaaa!", he grabbed the man's head, trying to make eye contact."Y...yes baby.", Wei Ying responded eventually. Guarding his mother jealously, Xing pecked Wei Ying on both cheeks and caressed his face. "Mama...Agghsjhrisbqgwheje...", then came the crazy baby talk his mother could not understand. Wei Ying only took it as a well-deserved complaint and apologised over and over again until his boy calmed down. Once he was appeased, Xing sat on his mother's lap and helped himself to a well-deserved drink, making sure his father was looking at him while he claimed back his territory.That night Wangji kissed the children and his wife goodnight and left them alone. Now that he had an idea of what the problem was, his heart agreed with his mind to take things slow and let Wei Ying get over the separation anxiety slowly. He owed it to his wife to be understanding. Besides, there was always space for one more in their circle...************************************************************************
(Two days after...)Wei Wuxian stretched like a cat, rolling around in the sheet. Not finding his jade beside him did happen a lot so he wasn't surprised.But then something felt different...' Huh?', he did not remember their room being this small. And why was the bed near the wrong side of the wall?"Lan Zhan...Lan Wangji.", He called out but had no response. Wei Ying came down the bed, feeling a little dizzy and tense. Their home didn't even have a room with this kind of setting. Without putting on shoes or covering the thin white nightwear with the robes neatly folded on a table, he rushed into the outer room."Is this some kind of nightmare?", he muttered to himself as he spun around, searching for anything familiar in this place. Unsatisfied, he pushed the door open and stepped onto a hallway." Oh no...", Wei Ying stalled to calm his disturbed heart. He took slow paces toward the end of the hallway, picking up a constant chatter.There were people here.As he stood at the end and saw the wooden stairs that spiralled down, his gut began to churn and he saw what was wrong...This is not WangXian estate! Clutching his head in confusion, his voice exploded in a loud howl that turned heads. "AHHHHH!"*********WangXian Estate..."Waaaaaah...", Two boys refused to let the servants have a peaceful day. It was chaotic.They run on their little feet, trying to survey all the places their mother often took them. That giant could not have disappeared into thin air just like that." Second Young Master Lan, your mother is not there.", they tried everything from lying to coaxing them with treats. Xing did snatch the sweets and went for his brother's hand. He will not be fooled. Their mother must be with the taller giant who keeps trying to steal him away. Xing paused to carefully hand the sticky candy to Xiang before leading the way rebelliously- anyone that tried to force them would merit a gruesome bite and wordless jabbering. By midday, the Nannies were tired. They couldn't stop the young ones from crying and not games would get them to stay put or take their usual afternoon naps. "What's going on here?", Lan Sizhui had just returned from a hunt. He chanced upon the Nannies covering the boys with a small blanket, trying hard to get them to lie down. The sight of it made Sizhui frown."First Young Master Lan...", The Maidens stood up and bowed nervously.As soon as Xing saw his elder brother, his cries grew louder. The boy lifted his hands and cried out, "Gege...". Xiang followed suit, sobbing. Their little squeals and the tears pouring out of their eyes made Sizhui's heart clench and he thought his brothers had been maltreated.Seeing the fearful aura he carried as he looked in their direction, the Nannies quickly fell on their knees. "We're sorry first young Master Lan. We only wanted to put them to sleep.""By forcing them even to the brink of tears?", Sizhui was not convinced."We..we tried everything but they would not calm down and kept looking for their mother.", Another answered with her head touching the floor."Where is my mother.", Sizhui paused."Hanguanjun took him on a trip. He said they would return in a couple of days. Please forgive us for forcing the young masters."Lan Sizhui's frown did not ease right away, but he did tone down a bit. He walked past the servants to the crib ad the twins stood up, waiting judiciously to be carried. "It's okay YongZheng.", Sizhui took Xiang first, then picked up Xing with the other hand. "Stop crying...How about you spend time with your Ge today.", Sizhui said to YongMing."Have they had lunch?", Sizhui shot the servants a glare after getting the boys to simmer down. The maidens exchanged glances before answering in a low tone. "They...they refused to eat.", the first answered. Lan Sizhui sighed, withholding the urge to scold them harshly. "Bring their food to my room... And let this be the last time a thing like this should happen.", He touched on it briefly and turned away with the boys."Ge...Mama.", Xing put his head on his brother's shoulder, whining and sobbing. "Dont cry YongMing, Mother will be home before you know it.", Sizhui assured them. Even he wondered what had become of his parents and why he never got a message. He would have been home sooner if he knew.********************************************************************************************"How could you do this to me Lan Zhan!", Wei Ying was furious. More than that he felt guilty- like he had betrayed his babies for leaving them on their own."It's for their good...And you also need the break, my love.", Lan Wangji had been caught off guard and lost all the sentences he cooked up in his head. He expected Wei Ying to react this way, that's why he made sure to block his powers before sneaking him out in his sleep."My love, there is no threat. The boys will be fine.""...""Why dont we take a bath to calm you.""Do I look like I need a bath?... What's wrong with you Wangji? Xing and Xiang may be crying their eyes out and you act like it's nothing.""...Dont speak like this. They are mine and I love them but you have to learn how to step back once in a while and focus on other things.""You mean to focus on you?!... I'm always at home Wangji!""That's the point. You've become overprotective of them. What happens when they go to Gusu to study.""...I want them homeschooled.""No.", Wangji replied faster than the speed of light. "Lan Zhan, take me back home...please.", Wei Ying clasped his hands. "I will if you go on a hunt with me.", Lan Wangji said."What...No, Im not going on a hunt Wangji!"(A few hours later...)Wei Ying struggled with his husband until they reached downstairs and there were one too many eyes on him. When they were alone in the fields, the scuffles resumes."Lan Zhan, I don't want to do this. Why won't you listen? Ok, let's go back to the inn for some private time... Isn't that what you want?", Wei Ying changed his tune every five minutes just to get Wangji to back down.Lan Wangji rather held firmly onto his wrist and said nothing until they were in an ominous place and he felt goosebumps on his beloved's skin."Wei Ying is it something worse than a corpse.", Wangji was unsure of his partner's unusual behaviour."I...I don't know.", Wei Ying averted his gaze. "Wei Ying, you're my partner in cultivation. It is only right that you come with me to night hunts...If there's an urgent reason why you dont want to do this with me, now is the best time to say it. We promised not to keep secrets from each other, remember?"
Wei Ying gulped, feeling short of words. "....", Lan Wangji took his hesitation as concern and continues pulling him along."Husband...No...I don't...I'M SCARED OKAY!", Lan Wangji turned after that confession boomed in his ears. He stopped. Wei Ying looked sorrowful in that instant and it hurt him. But, he didnt get the whole picture until Wei Ying finally opened up. "Im scared Lan Zhan...I dont want my children to become orphans.""...", Wangji knitted his brows, his head inclined slightly. It's not every day his husband says such a thing.Wei Ying looked down briefly, pushing out the air stuck in his throat. "I know we're strong and powerful... but so were my parents when they left me."Lan Wangji took a pace forward, softening as his beloved trembled in his sight."Wei Ying it is not going to...""Dont tell me it cant happen!...", Wei Ying cut him off. " In case you forgot, history already repeated its self, Lan Zhan. I died and left A'Yuan all alone. My son grew up without me, forgetting that I even existed... I don't want YongMing and YongZhen to have that kind of story. I dont want to be reckless like before... Please, let's go back home.", Wei Ying took hold of the hand on his wrist and pleaded.Lan Wangji said no more, feeling bad for acting impatient and insensitive. "...Forgive me, my love. I promise never to let that happen to us a second time.", he inched closer to bury his wife in his broad chest."I know we're both busy and I don't spend more time with you alone like I used to, but I need you to give me more time with them.", Wei Ying kept his forehead on Wangji's breastplate, breathing slowly. "I put everything on the line so we could have them...I can't let myself disappear again.""Mn.", The jade rubbed his wife's shoulders. "It is late, I'll take you back to the Inn. We can set off tomorrow morning.", Wangji saw the need to comprise. Wei Ying went in for another hug after breaking away to look at his husband. At least now, they would be on the same page.***********************************************************************************WangXian Estate...The twins asked for their mother every hour, but Sizhui kept them occupied and comforted. He cared for these since they were but little pebbles in their mother's womb. If there was anyone else who had more patience and love for them other than their parents, it was him. The boys made a mess of his study by playing with ink and drawing on the walls and as many sheets as they could see, yet Sizhui encouraged them to do more. When they were tired, he watched them take a bath, then carried them around for a nice stroll until sleep usurped. At night, they woke up several times, crying desperately. On a normal day, their mother came running, but that wasn't the case this time around. The maidens had to alert Sizhui in the end, and he also decided to let them stay in his room. The following day, Sizhui had some rounds to do in town and he chose to take his brothers along.The boys were excited to be given the chance to walk outside the estate. Sizhui was quite lenient, their father never allowed that.Their curiosity took the best of them; they wanted to touch everything they saw and looked twice whenever a person passed by. "A'Xing, slow down.", Sizhui was as careful as he should be. He let his brothers run a little and picked them up whenever he felt the path was too rocky or dusty.Xing wanted to come down when they got to the market but his brother wouldn't let him until they were at one of the Inns to check if things were being run smoothly. " Master Lan, why don't you let the young Masters play here. We have a special playpen built just for them.", the keeper said with enthusiasm.
"Don't worry, there will be treats for them as well. You can finish up faster this way.", the man was bent on convincing his Master. Taking care of the children would be a plus for him."Okay...", Lan Sizhui agreed after much deliberation. He did want to finish up quickly, and the boys wanted to play, so he figured it would be a win-win situation. Hence he put the boys in the barricaded playpen, promising to come back soon. Xing and Xiang pouted as he took a step back but they were soon distracted by the plated treats and the wooden toys. Ten minutes down the line more people began trooping im and the place became a little crowded.
The servant watching the children took his eyes off them once in a while to attend to the customers.Lan Xing was busy with his toy when something caught his eye. Holding on to the figurine, he crawls to the wooden barricade and stares into the distance.
" Mama?", He tilts his head, looking at a figure in black robes. "Mama!", He grew excited once he was sure of himself. The boy was persistent; first, he tried to go through the bars but his round belly would not fit through. So he gave his toy to the oblivious Xiang and climbed the wood. Falling twice did not deter him at all. Lan YongMing wished to take his younger brother along, but Xiang just couldn't hold his weight up. To assure Xiang he would be back soon, Xing let his brother have his toy and took off on his own...Not long after, Sizhui came down with the innkeeper. "You've done a good job, my father will be pleased.", Sizhui smiled as they got closer to the reception.
The worker kept bowing in response."Let me have the list and the amount you need to...", Sizhui looked twice at the small playpen. He runs to check. Perhaps his eyes were deceiving him and there was not only one boy in the enclosure. **********Lan Xing sat in the middle of the road, confused by the people passing by. He kept looking around as the person he thought he saw disappeared all of a sudden and he didn't know how to get back to his brothers.The boy was quiet for a moment, trying to capture his surroundings yet he drew a lot of attention. People began to wonder what irresponsible parent would leave his child to wander in a busy market. Had it been a well-populated place he could have been trampled. The constant staring and murmurs going on around him made him uncomfortable. Xing began to realize he was in big trouble. The more he kept searching in the spot, the more afraid he became and his eyes watered. It didn't take long for Xing to cry bitterly."What's wrong little one, are you lost?", the weeping boy looks up when a tall person shades him from the sun...Lan Sizhui had no time to be furious, he had to find his brother. No one saw what happened or who may have taken Lan Xing but he swore never to trust his brothers with anyone again.His anxiety soared when he runs into the streets and heard the common folks discuss the case of a missing child. He didnt hesitate in approaching one of the vendors right away. "Excuse me Sir, have you seen a little boy that looks exactly like this one?", Sizhui lifted the other twin."Ohh, twins...Yes, he was crying in the middle of the road a while ago. ", the vendor nodded.The keeper of the next stall butt into their conversation, wanting to give the person a piece of his mind."Are you the idiot that left the poor boy on his own? What kind of father are you?""Watch your mouth, can't you see he's a nobleman?", the former tapped him to be quiet."Since when is it ok for noblemen to be this careless?", the latter snapped back."I apologise, could you please tell me where he is.", Sizhui was itching to skip this discussion."A lady took him. I can show you where she lives for a price.", the second stall keeper said."Come on A'Tong, dont be petty, can't you see he's disturbed?""What? This will teach him to be careful with children...Just go down the road, five shops from here. There's a flower shop attached to a compound on the left. Ask for the Madam of the house, she has your son.", the person extended his hand, waiting for his token."Thank you.", Lan Sizhui dropped a pouch full of money in the man's hand. "Hey this is too much.", The man shouted as he took to his heel but Sizhui did not even look back.*************************"Isn't he adorable?", Lan Xing accepted the pineapple from the nice lady that took him off the streets. Bathed upon their arrival, and fitted in a new set of clothes, the boy calmed down."Hihihi, he's a very handsome fellow.", an older man kept staring at him with a broad smile. For some reason, Xing was well behaved in his new environment. The past few hours made him quite sober. He had grown weary of crying for his parents and brothers to come to his rescue."Can we keep him, father?""I don't see why not, Suyin. If no one comes to claim him, he can be your little brother.""Or my son.", the maiden giggled when Xing cringed from consuming a sour piece of fruit. His reaction made the adults around him coo affectionately. Their time together was interrupted not long after the kid ate another piece for a man came looking for him. Suyin was unwelcoming at first, but she couldn't deny Sizhui entrance or doubt him when she set eyes on the other twin wearing the same kind of clothes the one she found earlier had on."YongMing!", Sizhui's heart slowed down when he found the missing radish. They assumed Sizhui was the father until Lan Xing was up in no time, hopping excitedly as he called out, "Geee!". The family that took care of him were touched when the boy suddenly broke into tears as the man carried him."Forgive me, brother. I should have never taken my eyes off you.", Sizhui held his brothers tightly as he pleaded with a kiss on the cheek. Xing accepted the apology and wiped his tears. Xiang extended his hands and helped him out with the missed spots. "You're their brother?", the senior asked."Yes...Im sorry for the inconvenience. I dont know how to repay you for this great favour.", said Sizhui."It's okay. We men tend to make a lot of mistakes when it comes to this. Where is their mother?""Our parents are not around at the moment...Pardon my bad manners, I'm Lan Sizhui and this is the youngest, YongZheng.""Oh, wonderful. I suppose our little friend here is YongMing?", the senior caressed the boy's cheek."Mn.", Sizhui nodded."My name is Yan Feng. This is my daughter, Yan Suyin.", The man explained with a smile. "You can leave them with us if there is ever a need to carry them to town. My daughter and I would gladly babysit.""I wouldn't want to impose.", Sizhui's gaze landed on the man's daughter. The maiden lowered her eyes shyly."Not at all my son, it's was fun having him around. I assure you we will keep a better eye on them.""Okay...thank you for taking care of my brother.", Lan Sizhui bowed and stole another glance at Suyin."His clothes were dirty, so I washed them. I can send them over once they dry up.", Suyin said to the stranger. "There's no need, I will return for them later. Thank you.", Lan Sizhui replied with a smile. "We'll be taking our leave then. Wave goodbye YongMing.", the little boy did as told, waving his tiny arms at the Suyin and his father. "I hope to see you too little one.", Suyin waved back cheerfully and watched as they left the compound. *******************************************************************************************"YongMing...YongZheng. Where are my little generals?", Wei Ying went to Sizhui's quarters upon his return. Lan Wangji was behind him, holding Bichen in his right hand.Sizhui opened his door as soon as he heard his mother's voice. "Welcome mother, father.", he had a bright grin on his face. "Waaah, I missed you two so much. Come to mama.", Wei Ying took a quick turn inside when he saw the messy children covered in ink.""Papa!", Xiang bounced his mother by walking around him to hug Wangji's feet. Wei Ying let that go with a small pout. If there was anyone who would be dying to see him, it had to be Xing. But to his surprise, the boy also took one look at him and went back to drawing on white paper.
"Huh?...", Wei Ying looked to Wangji and Sizhui for an explanation. "Sizhui, Lan Zhan, am I invisible?...A'Xing, won't you welcome me home?""Hmph!", Wei Ying gaped when he heard the boy grunt. "They've had a rough time adjusting these few days. How was your trip?", Lan Sizhui did not want to talk too much, lest he rats himself out for losing his brother...***The twins were hostile to their mother throughout the day. Especially Lan Xing. He would grab his toy and move whenever his mother tried to pick him up.In the evening Second Young Master Lan sat still as Wei Ying give him a bath- that was a first... At least YongZheng was coming around.
"YongMing, I said I was sorry...Don't do this to your mother. Okay, how about a kiss. You like those, right?", Wei Ying became desperate. Lan Wangji was in the room with them, watching quietly as his wife tried, again and again, to get their son to look at him. 'I guess this apple didnt fall far from the tree at all.', the jade shook his head as he watched the drama unfold. Downcast, Wei Ying sat next to Wangji on the children's bed- his head hanging low. "Lan Zhan...", he hummed as the jade pulled him close to console him.
"Our son is as rigid as you are. I don't know how much more I can endure at this point.", Wei Ying sighed."...", Lan Wangji observed his partner for a while, then looked over at the children playing on a mat. He caused this rift between mother and sons even its child's play. However, knowing the remedy to this attitude left him amused. Wei Ying knew how to draw him close when he was upset, and it was all the more reason why it was funny that he hadn't figured the boys out yet."Lan Zhan, what do you think you're doing?... Hey!", Wei Ying was taken aback when Wangji forced his lapel open.
Lan Xing looked their way briefly but returned to his toy when he saw his mother resisting. "The children are here, what's gotten into you.""...", Wangji only made eye contact, and continued with his agenda. "Lan YongMing.", he called out to his son after breaching the third layer of clothes. As soon as the boy looked their way, Lan Wangji just lowered his head and captured a nipple in his mouth. "Ah, Lan Zhan!", Wei Ying slammed a hand on his lips when that slipped out. Wangji didnt stop for anyone.Lan Xing's face contorted with anger and envy. He could not believe the nerve of the man, taking what rightfully belonged to him. The pout on his lips morphed into tears when his father refused to stop.
Unable to control his rage, Lan Xing picked up his wooden toy and run to the couple, screaming. Wei Ying was lost for words when his son did all he could to climb his lap. Lan Wangji witnessed Xing's furry when he swung his toy, demanding the release of the stolen bud. Wei Ying became the centre of attention as Xing kept hitting his father. Lan Xiang finally decided to intervene when his brother got too loud, even for him. The youngest did his job by calling his father and pulling his hand from below until Wangji decided to give in. "You're welcome.", Wangji said as he picked Lan Xiang off the ground.Wei Ying was dumbstruck by the smirk on his husband's face. His mouth stayed wide open, staring at Wangji blankly when Xing dropped the weapon and stood on his lap. "Mama...", the boy embraced him affectionately. Lan Xing mewled disapprovingly when he caught his mother spying on Lan Wangji in awe. "Mama...Mamaaa!", he grabbed the man's head, trying to make eye contact."Y...yes baby.", Wei Ying responded eventually. Guarding his mother jealously, Xing pecked Wei Ying on both cheeks and caressed his face. "Mama...Agghsjhrisbqgwheje...", then came the crazy baby talk his mother could not understand. Wei Ying only took it as a well-deserved complaint and apologised over and over again until his boy calmed down. Once he was appeased, Xing sat on his mother's lap and helped himself to a well-deserved drink, making sure his father was looking at him while he claimed back his territory.That night Wangji kissed the children and his wife goodnight and left them alone. Now that he had an idea of what the problem was, his heart agreed with his mind to take things slow and let Wei Ying get over the separation anxiety slowly. He owed it to his wife to be understanding. Besides, there was always space for one more in their circle...************************************************************************
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