{"id":206,"date":"2023-02-14T22:29:46","date_gmt":"2023-02-14T14:29:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/?p=206"},"modified":"2023-06-25T09:58:04","modified_gmt":"2023-06-25T01:58:04","slug":"about-damn-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/206\/","title":{"rendered":"about damn time"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Wei Wuxian was sitting at an inn in Caiyi Town, minding his own business drinking some Emperor\u2019s Smile, when he overheard it.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo let me get this straight\u2026 You\u2019re saying we can destroy that damn Hanguang-Jun\u2019s golden core if he drinks this tea?\u201d one man said, prompting Wei Wuxian to watch them out of the corner of his eyes.<\/p>\n

The other man nodded. \u201cThat\u2019s right.\u201d He looked around the inn, Wei Wuxian quickly averted his eyes, before continuing. \u201cWe\u2019ll offer it to him at the cultivation conference tomorrow. Even our sect has been invited.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHa! We\u2019ll definitely show him! He\u2019ll never see it coming!\u201d the first man said, and the two of them broke into laughter.<\/p>\n

Oh, Lan Zhan, <\/em>Wei Wuxian thought. What enemies have you been making now?<\/em><\/p>\n

Wei Wuxian made to get up, intending to have a word with the two men, but was pushed back down into his seat when he felt a firm hand on his shoulder. He didn\u2019t have to look to know who it was.<\/p>\n

He heard the two men gasp and they fled the inn.<\/p>\n

\u201cJiang Cheng, they\u2019re getting away,\u201d Wei Wuxian said as Jiang Cheng took a seat at his table.<\/p>\n

\u201cLeave them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can confront them tomorrow at the conference.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wei Wuxian groaned. \u201cYou know I won\u2019t be allowed in there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen has that stopped you before? Besides, you really think Lan Wangji will allow you to be kicked out?\u201d Jiang Cheng scoffed. \u201cAn unlikely story.\u201d<\/p>\n

Resigned, Wei Wuxian sighed. \u201cWhat do you want, Jiang Cheng?\u201d<\/p>\n

Three months had passed since everything went down at Guanyin Temple. Wei Wuxian hadn\u2019t had much to do with Jiang Cheng since then. Things between them were still stilted and Wei Wuxian didn\u2019t fool himself into thinking they would return to the relationship they once had\u2014those days were long over. So, Wei Wuxian raked his mind, asking himself what had he done now to piss Jiang Cheng off.<\/p>\n

\u201cI heard you dealt with some resentful spirits just outside of Lotus Pier,\u201d Jiang Cheng said.<\/p>\n

Ah. Shit. \u201cMe? No, you must have the wrong person.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jiang Cheng\u2019s face was deadpan. \u201cWei Wuxian.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wei Wuxian caved. \u201cOkay, okay. I might have dealt with a few.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere were a lot more than a few. Anyway. I, uh\u2026\u201d Jiang Cheng looked conflicted. \u201cJust wanted to say thanks.\u201d<\/p>\n

Taken aback, Wei Wuxian took a few moments to process the words. He had been ready for a scolding, not a thank you.<\/p>\n

\u201cUmm\u2026 no worries,\u201d he eventually said.<\/p>\n

Jiang Cheng nodded and then left without a word.<\/p>\n

Wei Wuxian finished his drink, leaving payment, and set on his way to Cloud Recesses. It was roughly a ten kilometre walk so he would make it there in a few hours. That would be plenty of time to warn Lan Wangji of the impending plot he overheard in the inn.<\/p>\n

Twirling Chenqing in his hand, Wei Wuxian had long since grown used to walking across the land with just Lil Apple by his side. He did find himself missing a certain Lan\u2019s company. But getting Lan Wangji to accompany him once again was\u2026 well, that was out of the question. So he kept walking, just a man and his donkey.<\/p>\n

\u2014 \u2014 \u2014<\/p>\n

When Wei Wuxian arrived at the Cloud Recesses he had forgotten about the sealed entrance being guarded by a Lan disciple.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease, let me through. My donkey is very hungry, can\u2019t you see,\u201d Wei Wuxian said, patting Lil Apple on the back.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe if you told me who you really are, I would consider it,\u201d the Lan disciple said. \u201cI\u2019m not gullible enough to believe you are Wei Wuxian, the Yiling Patriarch. That guy was meant to be old and scary looking.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wei Wuxian sighed. Why did everyone have to be so misinformed! He put a hand to massage his temple when he heard footsteps behind him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s with me. Let us in,\u201d came a familiar voice. Jiang Cheng appeared at his side.<\/p>\n

The Lan disciple bowed deeply at Jiang Cheng. \u201cOh! Of course. Please enter. May I know your disciple\u2019s name to accommodate his arrangements?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWei Wuxian. And he\u2019s not a disciple,\u201d Jiang Cheng said, pulling Wei Wuxian with him.<\/p>\n

\u201cSee you!\u201d Wei Wuxian said, smiling as they passed the spluttering Lan disciple.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Jiang Cheng,\u201d Wei Wuxian said once they were in.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s fine,\u201d was Jiang Cheng\u2019s terse reply before he went off on his own way. Wei Wuxian wasn\u2019t foolish enough to read too far into Jiang Cheng\u2019s behaviour, but he was grateful anyway.<\/p>\n

Wei Wuxian took Lil Apple over to the grassy area the donkey had once stayed at before, ensuring he had water and some food. He even gave the donkey another apple, much to Lil Apple\u2019s excitement.<\/p>\n

After leaving Lil Apple, he ventured further into Cloud Recesses and made his way to Lan Wangji\u2019s jingshi. How long had it been since he was last there? A good number of months now, surely.<\/p>\n

It was getting dark so Wei Wuxian moved with speed. He figured he wouldn\u2019t have much time before Lan Wangji had to sleep. As he approached Lan Wangji\u2019s jingshi door, he could feel his heart beating erratically in his chest. Oh, how I\u2019ve missed you, Lan Zhan.<\/em><\/p>\n

Steeling himself, Wei Wuxian knocked on the door. Moments later, the door slid open and there in all his white robed glory was Lan Wangji, as perfect as ever. Not a strand of hair out of place, nor a single blemish on his face. Wei Wuxian forgot just how mesmerising the man was.<\/p>\n

\u201cWei Ying?\u201d Lan Wangji said, eyebrows furrowed. \u201cWhat are you doing here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, nice to see you too, Lan Zhan!\u201d Wei Wuxian said with a light chuckle. \u201cCan I come in?\u201d<\/p>\n

Lan Wangji nodded and stepped aside to allow Wei Wuxian in. The jingshi was clean and tidy, barely looking lived in, just as Wei Wuxian remembered it.<\/p>\n

\u201cSit,\u201d Lan Wangji said, gesturing over at his table. Wei Wuxian did so as Lan Wangji returned with a bottle of Emperor\u2019s Smile in hand and poured Wei Wuxian a cup.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, you\u2019re my favourite, Lan Zhan,\u201d Wei Wuxian said, grinning, as he accepted the cup. The tip of Lan Wangji\u2019s ears turned red.<\/p>\n

Lan Wangji cleared his throat. \u201cWei Ying\u2026 is everything okay? Why are you here?\u201d<\/p>\n

Wei Wuxian downed the cup and then sighed. \u201cYou won\u2019t believe it, Lan Zhan! I was at an inn in Caiyi Town and I overheard these two men plotting. They plan to poison your tea tomorrow with something so strong it will destroy your golden core. I was about to intervene but then Jiang Cheng arrived and well, yeah, you know how that goes\u2026\u201d Wei Wuxian rubbed the back of his neck. \u201cAnyway, they got away so instead I came to warn you directly! Don\u2019t go drinking any tea at tomorrow\u2019s conference, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n

Lan Wangji gave a curt nod but looked as impassive as ever, like the whole ordeal didn\u2019t bother him in the slightest.<\/p>\n

\u201cAren\u2019t you worried?\u201d Wei Wuxian said, his eyebrows scrunched together.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. It is not the first attempt at my life, nor will it be the last,\u201d Lan Wangji said, pouring himself some tea. He didn\u2019t spill a drop.<\/p>\n

While logically it made sense that Lan Wangji as Chief Cultivator had his enemies, this was still news to Wei Wuxian. He\u2019d always thought of Lan Wangji as untouchable and he guessed he kind of was, given he had already received threats that hadn\u2019t appeared to have any impact on the man.<\/p>\n

But still. \u201cLan Zhannnnnn, please take this seriously!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMn.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wei Wuxian sighed with relief. Lan Wangji would be fine.<\/p>\n

\u2014 \u2014 \u2014<\/p>\n

Come the next day, however, Lan Wangji did not take the threat seriously. Wei Wuxian stared wide-eyed in horror as Lan Wangji downed the cup of tea in front of all the sects at the cultivation conference.<\/p>\n

Wei Wuxian had even caused a scene! When the two suspicious men offered the tea to Lan Wangji, Wei Wuxian\u2014who wasn\u2019t even meant to be at the conference\u2014 pointedly asked them to take a sip first. They both hesitated but Lan Wangji had told them it was fine and then pulled Wei Wuxian back down to sit next to him.<\/p>\n

As Lan Wangji placed the teacup down, he outwardly appeared to be fine.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you okay, Lan Zhan?\u201d Wei Wuxian whispered. One of the minor sect leaders was speaking with great passion about the success they\u2019d had introducing cultivational tools into their farming. It was getting quite tedious, so Wei Wuxian had kinda tuned out.<\/p>\n

\u201cMn. Fine,\u201d Lan Wangji said. But not even a moment later, he fell forward and his head collided with the table. The sound had everyone looking their way.<\/p>\n

Wei Wuxian immediately lifted Lan Wangji up by the shoulders and tried to wake him with some snapping of his fingers, but the man appeared unconscious. Lan Sizhui quickly appeared at Wei Wuxian\u2019s side.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was that Yiling Patriarch!\u201d yelled out one of the suspicious men. \u201cHe\u2019s done something to the Chief Cultivator!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah!\u201d said the other suspicious man. \u201cI saw it with my own eyes!\u201d<\/p>\n

The accusations were gaining momentum as conversation stirred. It was getting old. Really old. But Wei Wuxian had more important matters to deal with, that being Lan Wangji\u2019s health.<\/p>\n

\u201cA-Yuan, can you detect if his golden core is okay?\u201d Wei Wuxian said, steadfastly ignoring the growing accusations against him.<\/p>\n

Lan Sizhui nodded and grabbed hold of Lan Wangji\u2019s wrist. \u201cHis core is fine!\u201d Wei Wuxian smiled, momentarily relieved, but then frowned\u2014what was wrong with Lan Wangji?<\/p>\n

Someone cleared their throat, causing all the voices to come to an immediate halt. Wei Wuxian looked over. Jiang Cheng\u2019s jaw was clenched. He looked more pissed off than normal.<\/p>\n

\u201cWei Wuxian has done a lot of things\u2026 but he did not do this,\u201d Jiang Cheng said.<\/p>\n

Suspicious man one gulped. \u201cYou\u2019re just sticking up for him. He used to be your martial brother!\u201d<\/p>\n

Jiang Cheng stood, unleashing Zidian. \u201cAre you accusing me of lying?\u201d he sneered. \u201cEven though I overheard you and your friend yesterday in Caiyi Town planning to give the Chief Cultivator a tea that would destroy his golden core. Huh? Am I wrong?\u201d His hand tightened around Zidian; his presence in that moment was reminiscent of his mother, Wei Wuxian couldn\u2019t help but think.<\/p>\n

Suspicious man one was sweating, his eyes shifting side to side, but it was suspicious man two who made the first move. He unsheathed his sword and lunged straight at Wei Wuxian.<\/p>\n

Wei Wuxian was unprepared for the attack\u2014he had been too focused on trying to help Lan Wangj and as a result, he was completely exposed.<\/p>\n

But then a sword flashed right in front of him, blocking suspicious man two\u2019s blade from reaching him. Wei Wuxian recognised the elegant sword. Bichen! Lan Wangji was conscious!<\/p>\n

\u201cWei Ying is innocent,\u201d Lan Wangji said, his words slightly slurring. Was this the effects of the tea? Just what was in that?<\/p>\n

Lan Wangji easily overpowered suspicious man two and had some Lan disciples apprehend the duo.<\/p>\n

Once they were dealt with, Lan Wangji turned back to address the conference. \u201cWei Ying is innocent,\u201d he repeated.<\/p>\n

Wei Wuxian rubbed the back of his neck. \u201cHaha, thanks, Lan Zhan. I think they get it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lan Wangji reached around Wei Wuxian\u2019s waist and pulled him in close. \u201cAnd I love him,\u201d he declared, with a resolute nod.<\/p>\n

Wei Wuxian was frozen, eyes wide, and his heart racing. What in the world? Wei Wuxian would later discover that prior to the conference, Nie Huaisang had switched out the suspicious duo\u2019s tea with some Emperor\u2019s Smile. However, while he had told Lan Wangji it was safe to drink he hadn\u2019t mentioned it was alcoholic. The man truly was sneaky and all-knowing.<\/p>\n

This was definitely not the right place to have this conversation but Wei Wuxian couldn\u2019t help himself. Biting his lip, he looked at Lan Zhan. Everything was silent. \u201cLan Zhan\u2026? You love me? Do you… do you mean it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d And then Lan Wangji passed out.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Two men plot to destroy Lan Wangji’s golden core. It doesn’t go how anyone expects.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[69,7,28,35],"fandom":[33],"rating":[3],"ship":[34],"class_list":["post-206","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-m-m","tag-candy-hearts-exchange","tag-canonverse","tag-humour","tag-post-canon","fandom-mdzs","rating-teen","ship-wangxian","wpautop"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/206","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=206"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/206\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":207,"href":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/206\/revisions\/207"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=206"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=206"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=206"},{"taxonomy":"fandom","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/fandom?post=206"},{"taxonomy":"rating","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rating?post=206"},{"taxonomy":"ship","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ship?post=206"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}