grandmasterlan·:
He was not sure he liked the tone that the First Jade was taking and he raised a brow at the man he had raised. “Indeed.” he stated. “It meant I was able to actually speak with her.” he stated he could have told him before he left but would he have gone, would he have put off Sect business ? He didn’t know. “I will not risk Sect business, so that you might hand hold.” he frowned at the look he turned completely to the First Jade.
“I spoke to her Lan Xichen.” his tone curt “As I speak to everyone else, I asked her nothing that I have not inquired of you.” he continued “I have told you this.” he knew the man to be gruff and stoic. Had he upset her, that was very likely, but he was always going to upset the girl, it was best to get it out of the way and speak plainly with her rather than have her creeping about on egg shells.
The way he tensed completely. Qiren was truly surprised. A look of utter stun was across his face at the next word to come from Xichen and he drew himself up. He was correct he was Sect Leader and he was within his right to demand such a thing, though it was stretching it slightly. “So you are your father’s son then ?” he demanded “You will put yourself between this woman and everyone else to protect her ? ” he demanded “Even if she may one day decide that your simply not what she wants ?” he inquired. “You say she loves you and yet the child she carries isn’t yours .” he shook his head lightly. He had to put everything out there and he would do so. He didn’t know they had already discussed such a thing but if he was going to bring up his position as Sect Leader, he would have to face this.
Lan Xichen had never confused private matters with his duties as Sect Leader, and he wouldn’t have this time around either. Had he known, he would have prepared Lady Jiang properly for what Uncle may bring up. Not only that, he also would have spoken with Uncle about the topics and ensured respect towards Yanli would be present. He still would have went to the Sect meeting, but if he hadn’t been reassured then he would’ve asked Wangji to stay with her. Unfortunately, all of that was unnecessary to think about since it already happened.
He had turned around in order to leave, however at his Uncle’s words he halted immediately. It took him a second before he turned back around to face him, disbelief gracing his features. Uncle was always quick to remind them of their father’s mistakes. Xichen always believed that was because he has their best interests at heart, that he couldn’t bear to see him or Wangji go down the same path as their father. But this could- this could hardly be compared.
‘‘My father fell in love with my mother who did not love him back, and despite her actions of killing his teacher he still persisted on marrying her and then locked her away.’‘ Understandably so, because the elders and other disciples were enraged and he wanted to keep her from harm, but also could not allow her freedom. ‘‘Lady Jiang has never harmed a soul. She loves me and I love her, and while you may question it I do not. So even if I put myself between her, you and the elders —– that’s hardly the same thing.‘’
Ah. Surprise takes over briefly. What was this, concern about losing face because his wife is pregnant of another? or– soon to be wife. He wonders if Lady Jiang told him about this, or if he found out some other way that she’s pregnant. She didn’t show, not yet. ‘‘…’‘ he blinks, a sigh surpasses his lips as he shook his head softly. ‘‘Uncle,’‘ he almost sounds tired and he is, but overall he’s offended. ‘‘I will love this child as my own. Would that be so strange, did you not raise me and Wangji even if we were not your own?’‘ he inquires with a calmth he didn’t know he could muster in this moment.
‘‘Why can you not grant me this?’‘ No matter what Uncle may think, his permission means a lot to Xichen. He won’t allow it to keep him from his fated one, not again. But.. it does pain him to have to go against his Uncle like this. Still Xichen knows in his heart that he’s right. ‘’You speak as though I have not considered this properly, but I have! On many ocassions. Would you not do the exact same thing if Cangse Sanren had been willing to marry you, and the Elders had been unwilling?’’
Had he known he would have kept him from getting a read on the girl. Contrary to popular belief Lan Qiren was not the devil, nor was he trying to be purposefully cruel. Was he kind, no he had never had a certain kindness shown to him. His brother, the future sect leader, had married against the wishes of everyone, someone who didn't love him. Had Qiren been to the point a gruff about this with Yanli, yes he had. Had he made her cry, another yes. He had to see for himself. Would Xichen understand this, no he was young and he was in love.
He waited and at this point there was a scowl on his face as well. His arms crossed over his chest. He tried to keep them from going down the same path, he did not want either of his nephews--sons--to make this mistake, he did not want them to wind up like him. "Which is to say you will put yourself between her and the world, as your father did." he sighed and rubbed his temples. "Is it not the same thing in its own way Lan Xichen. " he asked.
The healer had been asked since he had inquired to the nature of her wounds, and the healer had not kept anything from him. He would have found out eventually anyways, he was sure of Xichen's honor though which is why he did not assume the child to be his. "Yes, I raised both you and Wanji, you are blood to me." he stated "What will the child's father say, will the Jin sect demand it ?" he inquired of him. "This is a different situation all together." he shook his head lightly. "Are you prepared for fatherhood ?"
"Why can't you see that I am trying to protect you ?" a question with a question followed. "I see it on your face plain as day, you are angry at me. " he waved a finger at his nephew "You are going to do it even if I say No do not, this is only going to end in the same way our other conversation has, with you leaving." he frowned and than he raised his voice "This has nothing to do with Cangse Sanren, at all Lan Xichen. She chose her path, has it ever occurred to you, just because some of is your fated one they may in turn not also be your fated one, they may be destined for someone else, and I live with this every day of my life." he added "I see you and Wangji risking your hearts, like they are things easily mended if destroyed." he had a tone, and he was not pleased. "Who is to say the Elders did not disapprove ? Did you give that any thought ?" he inquired. "She chose a servant, over both myself and Fengmein." he still didn't understand that. Still he wanted to know.
