eastbound inbox.

[lanclan]

inbox for the mirror pendant of 'Average Sighren'.

“Please leave your message and I will attend it as soon as possible.”

Comments

[lanclan]

As First Jade of Lan, I have been plied with engagement offers from all the sects for many years. None of the prospective applicants were half as handsome or charming as Wen Kexing, so tell your rude old goat that when you return home.

[wifedup]

Flatterer.

( He's as vain as a peacock, so any and all compliments are greatly appreciated. )

Did no one ever turn your eye then?

[lanclan]

... Once. He visited Cloud Recesses when the young masters and mistresses were with us for the summer, to learn decorum. All sects sent us their heirs for lecturing.

He was sent as more of a servant than anything, but over the years he rose to great heights.

[wifedup]

Oh?

Of course a heart as kind as yours would care not for status. But you have yet to mention a husband. Did it not end well?

[lanclan]

He was a monster.

[wifedup]

( ... )

Ah.

I'm sorry.

[lanclan]

Thank you. It has been half a year since I killed him, half of that since I came here.

[wifedup]

( Hang on, hang on, hang on. )

You don't have to tell me any more if you don't wish to. I didn't mean to pry.

[lanclan]

It doesn't matter anymore, everything he did has already come to pass.
It is not a pleasant conversation topic, forgive me. You contacted me for a reason and I have waylaid the point, I will make efforts to avoid such self-absorption in the future. You see now why I required seclusion, to better myself again.

[wifedup]

Oh, don't.

( He's known Lan Xichen a handful of days and already he knows he treats himself very harshly. Usually Wen Kexing wouldn't bother, but the other man's kindness means something. )

I didn't actually contact you for any real reason beyond wishing to speak with you. And the only time I would worry about the topic were if it was one particularly upsetting to either of us. So if you don't want to talk about it, then that's fine, but I'm hardly going to think poorly of you for it.

We could get drunk, if that's more to your preference? I'm sure I could haggle my way into a bottle with one of the vendors.

[lanclan]

Ordinarily I would use my golden core to burn up alcohol ... but I have been drunk in the past. I may be ... energetic.

[wifedup]

Isn't that the point of wine? To revitalise the spirit?

( He might have asked about the golden core any other time, but he's already sure they're on unsteady ground. So, distraction. )

[lanclan]

Last time I ran amok and was disciplined by Shufu because I would not let go of the drink.

[wifedup]

( He's sweet. )

Hm. Well I won't force you, but I certainly wouldn't leave you to your fate were we to run across any overbearing elders.

[lanclan]

I believe you, but I shouldn't drink. Wangji may have need of me.

[wifedup]

Well then, come with me while I drink. Who knows what calamity might befall me. I'm so easily led astray.

( He's not, but whatever. )

[lanclan]

I ... really can't. My usefulness has been limited already.

[wifedup]

Has it?

[lanclan]

If I cannot repay the food and clothing I have been given since my arrival, I can at least lend people my sword and xiao at a moment's notice.

[wifedup]

Oh, all right. I suppose you have a point.

( He'll have to work on Lan Xichen's selfishness. )

Just remember that you have to keep yourself well too. Otherwise you'll be of no use. That includes resy.

[lanclan]

I feel better with Wen Kexing here.

[wifedup]

That reminds me, does your brother and his husband follow the same dietary restrictions?

[lanclan]

Wangji is vegetarian, Wei Wuxian is very much not. He was raised in Yunmeng, on a lake where the summer lasted more seasons than it didn't, the same as his brother Jiang Wanyin. Yunmeng is well-placed for a lot of trade, they have more options for cuisine.

Why do you ask?

[wifedup]

In case I am to bring you food. It wouldn't be good to ignore the rest of your family.

[lanclan]

Oh, I don't live with them. Please feel free to take them whatever you wish without cooking for everyone at once.