𝑭𝒆𝒎! 𝑳𝒂𝒏 𝑿𝒊𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒏

Xichen was writing on scrolls in elegant calligraphy that night, only a lone candle lighting her room.

She paused the moment she heard the thud, getting up quickly as she hurried out of her room and slid open the door.

What could be causing such noise?

"Lan Yichen?"

//sounds good!!!just hmu at any time. I've been continuously dying bc work but I'm still here!

//i agree, but for now, know that we are all here for you 🫂

I'll be here if you ever want to write with someone! I'll even be XXC again for you ☺️

(I might not make a whole account tho bc that is exhausting)

warmth
#mdzs #xicheng #noodleAU

//Charlie! I always think you're fantastic!!

I will admit the space here is a bit different, perhaps quiet at times, but I don't think that's a testament to your skills. You're a great writer and I love plotting with you 🥺

Seeing her mother's gentleness with the rabbits made her expression soften. After all, they had to get their affection for the animals from somewhere.

"A mother bunny, while you were pregnant with me? Mm... It must've been lovely... Two mothers, two different species but linked by nature..."

It was not that she didn't trust her mother, she was just so accustomed to one way of thinking and feeling.

Still, that didn't stop her from feeling some guilt.

"It's been... Troublesome, at times, but the most important thing is that Wangji is able to live the way he wishes to."

*Her eyebrow rose slightly, her eyes meeting his as her expression shifted to gentle concern.*

A-Yao, did something happen? Is everything okay?

*She was used to the micro expressions of her brother that catching the slight hitch in his was as easy for her as breathing. She didn't overtly say that she noticed, but she did raise her eyebrow slightly with a knowing smile.*

This one understands, though A-Yao mustn't forget that he has support.

*Her expression is gentle. Passive, even, as she laughed off his words.*

Sect Leader Nie means well.

*She wouldn't continue her sentence, even though it felt like it ended rather abruptly.*

And you, A-Yao. Are you alright? How are you holding up?

A-Yao, you're here ☺️

Xichen was... Well, she was out of her element.

She was never one to pour out her heart to anyone. Instead, she was often the shoulder that was leant.

To have someone listen, to have that someone be her own mother, was...

Well, it was just a bit too much.

"I... Have been fine."

So she defaults.

"Xue Yang."

Her tongue was sharp as she glared at him directly.

"I'm done playing your games. We've been over this before, have we not?"

She had felt a faint hint of nervousness upon the sight of the rabbit, knowing it was breaking sect rules to host the little creatures, but how could she refuse?

Not only were they helplessly adorable, they were Wangji's favorite.

"I agree, Mother... They're quite docile, too."

"Why would I not be?"

Her answer was so simple, so blunt. Although she answered with a question of her own, the words said it all.

As did that ever so gentle expression, which had not left her face since he approached.

"I see no reason to abstain from meeting with a fellow Sect Leader."

- hearing a faint rustling, peaking through the leaves at a little bunny that munched away at one of the plants.

"... It seems we have a visitor."

"I did."

Lan Xichen knew of her mother's reputation, perhaps a bit better than Wangji did considering she was a bit older than he was at the time.

That didn't stop her from treating her mother as respectfully as possible.

"I found these plants grow best in the cold climate-"

She stopped upon -

She paused at her mother's reminder, that slight haze clearing from her eyes. Of course what had been instilled in her from birth would be second nature, but since her mother had been gone for so long, she simply defaulted to what she knew.

"I have been well. The weather is warming a bit."

She doesn't hear any argument, setting her hand gently on his arm to guide him over to sit at the table with her.

After steeping some jasmine tea leaves, she gracefully poured them both a cup, their surroundings peacefully quiet.

Pulling her skirt beneath her legs, she sat down beside her mother in perfect uniform fashion. Ever the pinnacle of elegance, as a good Gusu Lan clan member should be.

"Thank you, mother."

"Have you not been resting?" Lan Xichen questioned, meeting his gaze with a gentle look of concern. "Sect Leader Jiang, with all due respect, no leader can function on lack of rest. Come, sit. Join me for tea. If you need aid, you only need to send a message."

Seeing her mother's reaction, her expression softened as she retracted.

"I did not intend to startle you, Mother. My apologies. I wanted to recommend that you get some rest in a proper bed."

If anyone questioned her mother's presence, then they would have to answer to the Sect Leader herself.

Lan Xichen was eager to show the renovated Cloud Recesses, which had been reconstructed and updated since the Wen attack.

"And this is the gardens, my personal achievement." She proudly stated.

Her expression immediately soured, before she schooled it carefully into a calm stone faced look.

"Release him. Now."

It's pleasantly quiet in the cloud recesses, and the sky is clear...