Veil ch.6
Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian share a moment... kind of.
https://archiveofourown.org/works/22680382/chapters/55459015
The rain refused to ease as thunder roared in the distance.
Lan Wangji’s circadian rhythm informed him of the rising dawn, yet the land remained encased in darkness, heavy clouds stubbornly blocking all light as they neared upon the foot of a mountain. He carefully trotted around the perimeter, searching for any sign of an ambush.
Lan Wangji finally released a breath as he finished his patrol, shoulders loosening as he analyzed the mountain. Relatively small, Lan Wangji was surprised to find it rockier than he expected. A single glance with a trained eye revealed many small caves hidden within the foliage. He stared ahead, spreading his senses this time for any sign of life.
If it’s a good shelter for them, it’s a good shelter for many others.
Lan Wangji treaded carefully as he glanced into the caves, unfamiliar with the region and its wildlife. Wei Ying would know in a heartbeat, but one glance down at his pinched brow and panting breaths erased any thought of waking him up.
Wei Ying’s fever had yet to go down and if anything only got worse. The journey had been rough, the constant jostling of his horse’s charge only compounded by the rain that pounded on them without ease.
Lan Wangji shivered as he clutched the bundle in his arms, the rain having soaked completely through his robes to chill him to the core. He shook his head of thoughts of how warm Wei Ying’s forehead was against his neck, wishing he had a reflection to glare at for finding comfort from Wei Ying’s critical condition.
Lan Wangji dismounted his horse at the entrance of another promising cave, the others unsuitable upon further examination. Securing Wei Ying against the horse’s neck with some rope, Lan Wangji toed quietly to check the depth of the cave. Heart pounding, he couldn’t help but flick his eyes back to the entrance every few seconds to make sure they were there.
The cave was not too deep, Lan Wangji clearly able to see the rain from the very back. There were some slabs of stone jutting from the walls that blended together to form a natural camouflage that could hide even his horse, but Lan Wangji could only look around the ground with distaste. Although cleaner than the rest the place was damp and filthy, completely unsuitable to stay in.
Lan Wangji whipped away to his horse to continue the search, pausing as he heard a whimper when he moved Wei Ying. The general’s face had completely pinched, mouth tight as his eyelids twitched rapidly. His breath came out as pants so rapid he was almost hyperventilating. Lan Wangji grit his teeth at the searing heat of his forehead, the fever progressing to dangerous territory. He tightened his hold on Wei Ying for a moment before looking back into the cave. Cradling Wei Ying in his arms, Lan Wangji slid off the saddle with a gentle tap, gripping the rein to lead them into the cave.
He quickly settled the horse behind a jut in the wall, choosing a spot on the opposite end to rest himself. Lan Wangji kneeled down, gently placing Wei Ying against the rock as his hand felt around the surface. Cold and gritty, the emperor turned over his palm to find black coating his gloves.
Lan Wangji paused quietly.
Then with a deep breath he went to dig through his luggage, grabbing his medicine bag and a spare set of robes. Lan Wangji looked around for anything warm, fingers pausing on a wrapped parcel. Sealed with the fine jade of a cloud token, inside laid a fox fur blanket of the highest quality. Pure white with colorful embroidery lining the leather interior, only a member of the royal family could afford such a valuable item. Not even the emperor would wear his fox fur cloak to battle even in a blizzard to save himself the shame of dirtying such a treasure.
Lan Wangji hoped to present it to Wei Ying during their first snowfall together in Gusu. Alone in a luxury hotel suite after a filling meal, Wei Ying would lean drowsily on the chaise before the fireplace wrapped snugly but loosely with the blanket as an arm hung languidly over the edge. Lan Wangji told himself Wei Ying was definitely wearing his sleeping robes underneath, ears burning as the blanket slipped to reveal a nape. Lan Wangji shook his head as his fingers trembled on the parcel.
A small part of wished to share the blanket together, no matter their dress.
Lan Wangji bit his lip as he put the parcel back, grabbing his fox fur cloak instead. He had planned to wear it for their formal meeting to impress upon Wei Ying, but they are far past such things. Shifting everything to one arm, Lan Wangji grabbed his spare leather gloves and wool socks.
Lan Wangji paused for a second, eyes looking back to check Wei Ying was still asleep before sliding a trembling hand to take out a small mirror. Angling it to catch the light of the cave entrance, Lan Wangji knocked his head against the saddle.
A small, irritating part of him was glad Wei Ying was not lucid enough to see such a disgrace.
The horse snorting at him had Lan Wangji burying further into the saddle.
Quickly shuffling away from the horse, Lan Wangji placed his spares on a nearby rock before bending down to remove Wei Ying’s cloak. Although the weather proof lining should have kept him warm, Wei Ying’s robes had already been soaked through and the rain had found its way down the neckline no matter how Lan Wangji tried to hide him.
The emperor flinched as his finger brushed against Wei Ying’s cheek, the freezing temperature making his heart pound as he quickly touched Wei Ying’s hands and ran a trembling finger down his chest.
He was completely frozen through.
Lan Wangji grit his teeth at his foolishness as he felt the damp interior of the cloak. Of course it would soak up and retain the water from Wei Ying’s clothes, the fine material not enough to prevent the onslaught of the storm. Wrapped up in a wet cocoon, the cold clung to his pallid skin for the entire night.
Wei Ying shivered as Lan Wangji removed the cloak, laying it on the rocks to dry even just a bit. He was not so naive as to think they were completely safe, the light of a fire too risky in the dark gloom of this rainstorm.
Laying his spare outer robe along a sloping wall draping to the floor, the emperor quickly removed his wet robes. Kneeling down to remove Wei Ying’s, he kept his eyes on Wei Ying’s ribbon, for once grateful for the darkness as he ears burned removing the final layer with trembling fingers. Without a fire, they had to find another way to stay warm. Lan Wangji put his arms around Wei Ying’s damp shoulders, pulling him onto his lap as the emperor laid the remaining layers of his spare robes across the general’s back before pulling the fox fur cloak over the both of them. The sting of the cold rocks bit into his back as the rough texture poked through the fabric.
Lan Wangji hesitantly peeked down, releasing a breath of relief when the shadow of their makeshift blankets obscured everything as he carefully brought up Wei Ying’s hands. Stiff as a corpse, Lan Wangji cupped the pale fingers in his palms as he blew hot air to melt some of the chill. He took out a glove, massaging each finger as he carefully slid them into the leather. Placing the hand on his chest, Lan Wangji followed with the second glove. He placed a hand on Wei Ying’s back to pull him up, pausing when the general flinched away from the cold touch, the slight movement letting Lan Wangji feel… everything.
The emperor quickly slipped his hand into the layer of cloth above Wei Ying’s back, other hand snatching his trousers from the pile. Reaching down to the general’s legs, Lan Wangji paused as he felt the dampness of Wei Ying’s skin.
It was best not to risk it.
Carefully paying Wei Ying on his side, Lan Wangji quickly donned the trousers in one fluid motion. The chill of the cave floor instantly muted from the extra layer of cloth as Lan Wangji pulled Wei Ying over him again.
Reaching down to grab the general’s leg, the emperor’s flinched as his hand slid across a soft, firm mound. Lan Wangji’s eyes widened with burning ears as he hid his face into his shoulder, whipping down to tuck under Wei Ying’s knees as he brought his feet up. Grabbing the socks, Lan Wangji frowned at the stiff chill of his toes. Lan Wangji slipped on the socks, pausing before grabbing the second set and slipping them on as well. The emperor grabbed the second spare of gloves he was about to put on, slipping them over the set on Wei Ying’s hands. Sliding his hands into the layer of fabric above Wei Ying’s back, Lan Wangji held him tightly as he waited for them to warm up.
Feeling the shivers of his empress slowly die down, Lan Wangji looked out of the corner of his eye to his medicine bag. Reaching over, Lan Wangji carefully parsed through to check his stock. Finding some gauze, Lan Wangji held Wei Ying’s arm with one hand as his fingers tightly gripped the broken arrow. Cheek bracing Wei Ying’s head against his shoulder, Lan Wangji plucked out the arrow in one sharp motion. Tightening his hand to stop the blood flow, Lan Wangji set aside the arrow and pinched some medicine that he sprinkled into the wound. Tying the gauze so it wouldn’t unravel, the emperor then tried to look at the paralyzer cut but quickly gave up once he realized he had no way to neutralize it. Wary of side effects from his medicine, Lan Wangji opted to just wrap it lightly with some gauze.
Wei Ying’s body was covered in scrapes and bruises, his shoulders painting a picture of the rest of his body. Lan Wangji felt no broken bones when he was moving his around, but some must undoubtedly be bruised. The emperor frowned as he looked at his stock. He wished to lather every hint of wounds with herbs and wrap his empress in a cocoon of gauze until he was all healed up, but with no knowledge of how long they might stay rogue he could not risk running out of medicine.
Lan Wangji looked down at the cuts lining his leg and arm. He dabbed a pinprick of medicine on the large cut on his arm, tying it sparingly with some gauze before putting the wound treatments away.
With their body temperatures returning to a normal state, Lan Wangji furrowed his brows as he finally understood the severity of Wei Ying’s fever burning against his neck. He looked through his medicine bag twice, but frowned as he found nothing to directly treat a fever. While some might help with fever as one of many symptoms, the effect would be too diluted to help right now. Lan Wangji took a deep breath. Drips echoed sharply through the cave as he looked at the bag that had been clenched tightly in the general’s arms for the duration of their escape.
The emperor hesitated, reaching for the bag before taking his hand back several times until a groan sounded under his chin. Lan Wangji clenched his hand, whispering an apology into Wei Ying’s ear for the invasion of privacy before dragging the bag over. He looked at the worn fabric for a moment, tapping the latch nervously with his finger.
He clenched his hand before snapping the latch open, sliding his hand inside to parse through the contents. It was dry inside, the bag lined with weathertight material disguised by the soaked outer layer. There was a soft parcel wrapped in a cloth bag, too big and uniform to be for medicine. Other than some shoes, there were many smaller items that were difficult to name by touch alone. Lan Wangji hesitated before taking them out one by one.
There were still a few bombs left, though with Wei Ying’s adjustments he could not tell their functions. Lan Wangji set aside a compass, raising his eyebrow as he kept finding more stuffed within a pocket of the bag. He turned one over in his hand confused by the strange engraving of a laughing devil with no eyes on its cover. Berating himself, Lan Wangji shook his head as he pushed the compasses away and focused on the bag. There were many items that Lan Wangji could not even name. He furrowed his brows at the palm-sized wax blocks that pushed inwards when he squeezed before bouncing back into place. There was a little leather tab sticking out on one side as if to tear the wax open, but considering it’s creator Lan Wangji quickly set them down a little ways away.
Biting his lip as he couldn’t find the medicine bag, Lan Wangji brushed something hard and cold. Raising an eyebrow, the emperor carefully brought it out to find a worn book wrapped in some strange cage. Locked on every entry point Lan Wangji could not even flick through the corners, though he never would have regardless. With the cave so dark, Lan Wangji brought the book closer to make out the stains across the cover and edges. The stench of blood and grime assaulted his senses, Lan Wangji dropping the book in shock as his eyes flicked to Wei Ying.
He looked at the book before sliding it back into the depths of the bag.
What he does not understand is not for him to judge.
After rummaging through stationary sets and some rigid cases, Lan Wangji took out a soft but firm bag with Wei Ying’s name embroidered within a sun motif. The unique material reminded Lan Wangji of the Wen medical bags he saw before the Sunshot Campaign. Staring at it for a moment, Lan Wangji quickly peeked inside and breathed a sigh of relief when he saw the many pockets lined with envelopes.
Flicking through the packets, Lan Wangji marveled at the fine organization and variety of what he assumes is Wen Qing’s medicine. Each envelope is labeled with its function, a slip of paper denoting the instructions of use for every treatment. The emperor blinked as he found every pocket contained several packets of the same medicine, realizing the packets were pre-portioned into perfect doses for Wei Ying’s body. He was no doctor, but Lan Wangji knew enough about medicine to understand that some of the treatments within that bag could be dangerous if dosed incorrectly.
Lan Wangji pulled out the fever packet, squinting his eyes to read the instructions in the dark cave. Thankfully the directions were short, just mix with water and swallow at once. He grabbed the cup inside the medicine bag and the flask he found earlier, pausing before he poured to sniff the contents. Lan Wangji huffed, grateful that there was no smell of alcohol.
Staring at the flask quietly, Lan Wangji set the cup down to pat Wei Ying’s head. For a man who would cheekily challenge him after an entire jar of wine to not even bring a sip of alcohol with him…
Was Wei Ying really this worried?
Lan Wangji frowned as he mixed the medicine, bringing it to Wei Ying’s lips as he cupped the general's head. Wei Ying panted heavily, shivering as the shift in position blew in some cold air. The sudden movement caught Lan Wangji by surprise, the cup in his hand sloshing medicine from where it was knocked away. Holding the general more tightly Lan Wangji brought the cup back to Wei Ying’s lips, frowning as the liquid dribbled down the corners of his mouth.
Setting the cup down, Lan Wangji looked through the medicine bag where he found a syringe to squeeze the liquid directly down Wei Ying’s throat. Blinking at the slip of paper in the pocket, Lan Wangji clenched his fist as the instructions strictly read to sterilize the syringe in boiling water before and after every use. The emperor tapped his fingers impatiently along the metal as he went through his options, ears twitching at every sharp pant echoing softly through the cave.
Taking a deep breath, Lan Wangji grabbed the cup with trembling fingers. Cupping Wei Ying’s head gently, Lan Wangji murmured softly against his brow, “Please excuse me…” His eyes softened, “... Wei Ying.”
Pouring the medicine into his mouth, Lan Wangji tilted Wei Ying’s chin up to meet his lips. Breath quivering as he melded into Wei Ying’s mouth, Lan Wangji felt a tingle throb in his stomach at the rough texture of those plump lips. Fingers trembling in damp obsidian hair, Lan Wangji’s eyes lidded as he slipped his tongue past Wei Ying's lips. Prodding them open, Lan Wangji dribbled the liquid into Wei Ying’s mouth, locking their lips deeper together to seal any opening.
He could barely hear his empress’s soft swallows as even the drips of the cave disappeared as he melted them together, arms softly running down Wei Ying’s back as he melded them into a more comfortable embrace. Lan Wangji broke for just a moment, lips still touching Wei Ying’s as he angled his head for an even deeper embrace, the emperor taking a sharp breath at the new sensations. He pushed deeper, tongue sliding along Wei Ying’s as he tangled them together, breathing in Wei Ying’s scent as he clutched the general’s waist to pull him closer when Wei Ying shivered at the freezing touch of his fingers.
Snapping out of his daze, Lan Wangji broke away with wide eyes. Wei Ying took some deep pants of air as he gradually returned to his previous rhythm. Lan Wangji touched his trembling lips as he looked down, feeling a deep throbbing pulsing down below. The emperor knocked his head back against the cave wall, gripping his hair tightly as he began reciting the palace rules.
Shoulders stiff as he looked off to the side, Lan Wangji paused before smacking his head roughly as he pulled hopelessly at his hair. He wanted to scream. If they were not in hiding he would scream. Well, he wouldn’t because Wei Ying needed to rest, but he would definitely hit something, preferably himself.
Lan Wangji carefully tucked the robes tightly around Wei Ying as he shivered, carding trembling fingers through his hair as he murmured endless apologies. Lan Wangji whipped his head around at their luggage. Wei Ying should not have to suffer his presence after such an indiscretion, and Lan Wangji has no right to be close to him. The emperor ran a hand down his face as he was reminded of their lack of alternatives, deciding instead to minimize contact as he reluctantly removed his hand from Wei Ying’s hair. Grabbing the layers of robes to cocoon the general in, he heard a groan as Wei Ying pushed his head against Lan Wangji’s chest, brow furrowing as he pursed his lips.
Swallowing thickly, Lan Wangji stiffly brought his hand back. Carding gently through Wei Ying’s hair, Lan Wangji bit his lip as the general let out a soft sigh as his brow relaxed. Looking down at Wei Ying’s oftneing expression as the medicine ran its course, Lan Wangji quietly wrapped him in the robes with his free hand, ignoring the biting chill at the loss of layers as he sufficed with the fox fur cloak covering them both.
He watched as Wei Ying fell into a deep sleep, pressing his forehead against Wei Ying’s hair, “I will accept punishment. Any punishment.”
Eyes drawing up as he straightened, Lan Wangji caught his horse’s eyes, freezing at the half-lidded pointed look. The horse blinked at him with a huff of air.
Lan Wangji buried his face in his hands, Wei Ying blissfully dozing away.
A sneeze rang out in the tent covering the Red Lotus Pavilion as a young attendant dutifully polished a stained-glass lantern to a shine for the third time.
The snow had finally come in a couple days after the emperor left on some “business” down south. Although he was no longer a looming presence for the workers, somehow seeing him gone with the simple order to get it done drove the crew to work through the night under the light of a hundred torches to lay the foundation. Finally able to relax, the crew were just about to pack up when the attendant shyly asked if the succeeding construction crews were going to wait until spring, since the snow would prevent anyone from working. They all froze, faces paling as the whole lot dropped everything and began setting up tents to cover the entire pavilion before they left, giving the attendant plenty of snacks for saving them from the emperor’s fury once he returned from his trip.
She quirked her lips as one of the few people who knew what that “business” was.
Lan Xichen had praised her thoughtfulness and attention to detail, rewarding her with some earrings and a free request. She had blinked as she responded that she just wanted to prepare the pavilion from beginning to end for the new empress, unaware it was truly such a critical matter. The prince was impressed with her humbleness, granting her free range to the construction site as long as she did not interfere with the process.
She didn’t even bother to contain her cheer at the news.
Setting the lantern aside with a final rub, the attendant sighed.
That was two days ago.
Eyes flicking to the meticulously stacked boxes that had just arrived that morning, she felt her eye twitch as she cursed the emperor.
Looking at the line of polished lanterns before her and then at the box to store them just four feet away, the attendant grumbled as she picked up her bamboo pole and tapped her way to find it anyway.
She swore, if that fucking emperor wasn’t so nice she’d have poisoned his tea for this shit, Wei Wuxian be damned.
A-Qing grabbed a couple of lanterns, carefully placing them into the box so they wouldn’t break. Of course, this is not a job for the blind girl, but the jack-off who was supposed to do it last time waited too long and the dirt from construction had ruined her painstaking work. It took A-Qing everything she had to keep up her smile as she assured Lan Xichen it was really no trouble, she could just do it again!
A-Qing groaned as she stretched, finally free from her kneeling position crouched over the fine glass. Taking a moment to enjoy the silence, she sighed as she tapped over to the broom set against one of the boxes for a change of pace. A-Qing twirled around with the broom, marveling at the size of the palace Wei Wuxian would be living in.
This might even be more grand than the gaudy Koi Tower. She thought back to the decorations, nodding to herself with raised eyebrows. It will definitely be more tasteful.
Who’d have thought Wei Wuxian of all people would become an empress, and what looks to be a damn powerful one too? She grinned.
Yu Ziyuan must be pissed.
As soon as A-Qing heard the news she knew she had to lock her place in the pavilion quickly. Luckily, despite her short career in the Cloud Recesses, being the emperor’s charity case made her more memorable in his eyes. She didn’t care if she got hazed by some of the more pathetic servants for receiving the emperor’s favor, anything they did only benefited her anyway.
A-Qing just wished she didn’t feel bad for tricking the emperor, his kindness reminding her brutally of Wei Wuxian’s even without the teasing.
Back when she was gathering intel on the streets, he would always have someone bring her some food. He would also send her a blanket when the snow came and have a local guard help her to the shelters during storms as a blind girl could not find the way herself. Of course, he did this for many orphans, but A-Qing could feel that he saw her differently.
At first she thought he was a weirdo with a blind orphan kink, but seeing how smart he is she began to wonder if he saw some skills in her like Wei Wuxian did when she picked his pocket years ago.
No matter what he saw, A-Qing never saw his offer coming.
She was perfectly fine at her current location. Sure, she had to go a little hungry and sit next to trash, but she had done that most of her life so it was nothing special. She could have moved deeper into the alleys and increased her standard of living with the luxury of being hidden, but the intel she got sitting right outside the Cloud Recesses gates was invaluable. Wei Wuxian had often sent her messages about how her alerts of certain members’ departures let the Wei faction get the drop on them in battle.
It was nothing exciting, but it’s these little things that are the most valuable.
And then the emperor offered to bring her into the Cloud Recesses.
A-Qing felt her brain freeze as the words slowed to a crawl in her head, eyes widening once she finally registered what she said. Her eyes flew side to side as her pulse quickened. Was this a trap? Did she get caught?
A-Qing tensed up, waiting for the emperor to finish his sentence with her arrest, preparing to make a futile effort to escape the guards despite one of the most capable men standing right in front of her. She was even prepared for Wei Wuxian to peel off a creepily realistic mask as the inner circle punked her in the enemy capital after a drunken night where they got into Wen Qing’s psychedelics cabinet.
But nothing happened.
Then the emperor bent down and placed a cloud token in her palm. A-Qing felt the fine carving, jaw slacking as she realized it was real. She froze, mind picking up as her thoughts went a mile a minute.
Holy shit.
Holy fucking shit.
No way.
A-Qing felt her lips twitching as she struggled to contain hysterical laughter.
This is really happening.
Oh dear emperor, you dear beautiful golden egg.
They had been trying to get a spy into the Cloud Recesses since the war started 15 years before, without a single hint of success even from Wei Wuxian, as he could not risk one of the other factions fucking up and letting the spy’s identity slip.
And yet, after all this time, who would have thought the emperor would escort the spy in himself?
A-Qing’s only regret was that she never got to see the looks on the others’ faces when they got the news.
The dumbfounded euphoria of her luck carried A-Qing through the dramatic shift in lifestyle, following 4,000 rules when she barely even followed one before. It didn’t matter. She now had high level access to the best information.
The hazing of some weaklings to run her around the Cloud Recesses? Thank you for the excuse to patrol the perimeter for weak spots on a daily basis. The late night work she was not supposed to deal with? What a fantastic way to learn the guards’ shifts. People acting like she's not there just because she can’t see them?
Thank you, you absolute fucking morons for spreading your classified documents out on the tables. It doesn’t matter that she can only glance at them as she pours tea or delivers a package, a glance is plenty enough!
The only one she felt some guilt towards was the emperor.
A-Qing began to understand Wei Wuxian’s adamant stance on the emperor’s honor. Lan Wangji was a legitimately kind man with good intentions. Despite his absurdly busy schedule, he still made time when she passed by to ask about her settling in and handling some small cases of hazing that he noticed.
Jiang Yanli was not wrong when she called them two sides of the same coin.
But no matter her opinions on the emperor, A-Qing had her loyalties.
Lan Xichen was nice too, and he also gave the same considerations as the emperor, but A-Qing could not reconcile his deep friendship with a Jin. She tried to look past it, but the stories she heard and things she’s seen caused by the Jin out of pure selfishness clung tightly like a cancer to the very idea of the clan.
At least, A-Qing was torn until she served tea during the Triad’s discussion. She had only entered the room for a short time, but she could hear the three of them parceling out pieces of Yunmeng like candy to children and instantly felt her heart go cold.
She almost regretted sending that message when news of the Green Fire reached the Cloud Recesses, but she was too close to the source and knew that battle directly influenced the emperor’s decision.
It was with no small breath of relief that she cheered the treaty.
Everything just fell into place. The war will end, Wei Wuxian will get the power and authority he deserves, Yu Ziyuan will eat shit, and the Jin will get nothing!
A-Qing narrowed her eyes.
At least, she will make sure they get nothing.
As soon as she saw a Jin sidle up next to the emperor as they discussed the pavilion, she knew she had to get there first. And as much as she wanted to sock the emperor in the face for giving her such a painstaking task, it also let her keep an eye out for any unwelcome surprises. And with Lan Xichen’s decree, she could even show up at three in the morning claiming she got nervous about the winds knocking down the tents or some shit. What are they going to say when the tents are clearly upright? She’s blind, she can’t possibly know that.
Honestly, A-Qing was glad to learn that Lan Xichen wasn’t cruel, just naive enough to believe in a Jin’s honor.
But she still couldn’t trust him as much as she wanted to, if only for what that naivety could lead to.
Huffing a sigh, A-Qing slipped out a compass to check on Wei Wuxian. He should have met up with the emperor by now, but no messenger bird has come in. it’s difficult to have that kind of quick response so deep in enemy territory, so if anything happened she would be the last to know.
A-Qing blinked, brows furrowing as she took in Wei Wuxian’s position. He’s way off course, closer to the old Qishan border than the river bridge by the looks of it. What the hell happened?
“Whatcha got there, Little Blind?”
A-Qing smoothly stuffed the compass back into her brassiere as she whipped around to glare at the Lanling tech. She saw Jin Guangyao standing silently out of the corner of her eyes staring at her intensely without a sound.
Arms locked at her sides as the tech glanced down to inspect her chest, A-Qing kept her face carefully polite, “I have nothing, sir? I was just readjusting my robes.”
The tech laughed as he pointed a finger at her chest, “Yeah, I can see you got nothing there.”
A-Qing bit her cheek until it bled as she tilted her head in confusion.
The tech snapped his fingers in epiphany, “Oh, I see. Those are what you have in there! Don’t worry, there’s nothing to be ashamed of, I’m sure they’ll grow in eventually!” He laughed as she clenched her fist, “And if they don’t, nothing wrong with a little assistance.” Grinning, he yelped as she whipped his shin with her bamboo pole.
Glaring at her as his grin twitched, the tech turned towards the other man in the room, “Oi, Jin Guangyao, you just gonna let her do that to me? I was just giving a poor young maiden some heartfelt advice yet she was so rude to me!”
Jin Guangyao’s eyes flicked to him for a moment.
A-Qing quickly straightened in shock at having “realized” another person was in the room, bending into a bow as she faced the tech’s general direction, “This attendant greets Lianfang-zun! Apologies for this one’s insolence!”
Eyes observing her, Jin Guangyao quickly gave a gentle smile as he broke his silence when he heard footsteps as Lan Xichen walked into the room., “There is no insolence, it was my error in staying silent despite your disability.” his eyes flicked to the tech, “No matter what this attendant was fidgeting with, it is none of our business.”
A-Qing’s finger twitched in her sleeves, “This attendant thanks Lianfang-zun’s courtesy, but I was just adjusting my robes.”
“Relax, what are you so worried about?” The tech tapped his chin in mock thought as he grinned, “Unless inserts are against the rules here too?”
This flea…! She grit her teeth.
Jin Guangyao let out a sigh, “Xue Yang, did you come all the way to Gusu just to break the rules?”
“What rules, it’s not like I’m not saying anything about her being blind.” He smirked, “Unless being flat-chested counts as a disability now!”
Vein popping out, A-Qing whacked his shin again. Yelping, Xue Yang pointed an accusing finger at her, “Why do you always aim for the same spot?!”
“Keep talking and I’ll aim a bit higher!”
Xue Yang whipped his head to Lan Xichen, “Your Highness, is this how you train your staff?!”
A-Qing froze as she pretended to realize another presence in the room. She whipped around, trying to locate the first prince’s direction before giving up and just falling into a bow to the side.
Lan Xichen called for her to rise as he looked pointedly at Xue Yang with a calm smile, “This attendant is but a child, not yet able to control her emotions professionally,” he narrowed his eyes slightly, “especially when it is justified.”
Xue Yang sent him a dull look as he smiled, “Oh? What rule did I break to justify such horrid violence? Is teasing so vile?”
Jin Guangyao replied with his own dull look, “How about harassment?” He smiled apologetically at Lan Xichen, “Apologies Er-Ge, he’s useful in some ways and an utter fool in everything else. I will keep a better eye on him.”
Lan Xichen nodded in thanks before turning to Xue Yang who began to protest the accusation, “Young Master Xue, I do believe this constitutes harassment in many ways, least of all with how young Attendant Qing is.”
Xue Yang raised an eyebrow at him, “Young? She’s already an adult by many people’s standards, don’t coddle her. If she can’t even handle this level of teasing she’ll never make it outside this gilded cage you call a palace.”
Lan Xichen looked at him, “Even as an adult, she has just barely come of age while Young Master Xue is already eighteen. Teasing or not, please be mindful of the age difference.”
Xue Yang froze, “Age difference? Where did that come from? We’re not even that far apart, not that it matters since orphans grow up way quicker than the rest of you.” he narrowed his eyes at Lan Xichen, “I would know personally, Mr. Silver Spoon.”
Jin Guangyao stepped forward with stony eyes, “That’s enough Xue Yang. Apologize to Er-Ge this instant.”
Xue Yang rolled his head over to him, “But I don’t want to.”
Jin Guangyao sent him a cold smile, “You will, or your clearances get suspended until you do.”
Xue Yang froze for a split second before jumping back on his heels chest out, “Oh really? Super scary, whatever will I do?” his eyes widened with his grin, “I might just have to ask the King to give them back!”
Jin Guangyao’s eyes frosted over as a smack snapped his attention. Xue Yang was jumping on one foot, clutching his other leg as he glared slack-jawed at the attendant puffed up like an angry kitten with her bamboo pole held ready for another swing, “WOULD YOU STOP IT ALREADY?!”
Jin Guangyao blinked as his expression relaxed, tapping his finger against his elbow once before turning a gentle smile on the research technician, “This young miss has the right idea. Since we are guests in the Cloud Recesses, then you can either follow my rules or theirs.” He turned his head to face Lan Xichen who watched quietly, “How about it, Er-Ge? Feel free to give him whatever punishment you find suitable. 100 strokes? 200? Maybe even a lashing or two will put him in line.”
Lan Xichen looked at him for a moment before smiling calmly, “Would that not put A-Yao in a difficult position since Lord Jin recruited this man?”
Jin Guangyao closed his eyes as his smile widened, “I am sure Father would be much more concerned about an international incident that might affect our beneficial alliance.”
Lan Xichen nodded with a smile that dropped into a neutral expression as he stared thoughtfully at Xue Yang. He turned his eyes towards A-Qing with a gentle voice, “Attendant Qing, as you have suffered most from this matter I believe your feelings should be deeply considered.”
A-Qing flinched at the sudden attention, shuffling her feet like a proper shy maiden before she whipped her pole up, “For something so petty, this attendant can get her own revenge!” She bowed in Lan Xichen’s general direction, angling herself just slightly to the side, “No worries about me, this attendant will defer to Your Highness’s judgement.”
Lan Xichen eyes softened at her as he called her to rise, turning to smile at Jin Guangyao, “Attendant Qing is very kind and generous, is she not? While punishment is warranted, I do not take much offense from Young Master Xue’s words. If Attendant Qing does not either, then a simple apology will do. Otherwise, 100 strokes should suffice.”
Jin Guangyao nodded with a smile before turning towards Xue Yang with a deadly promise hidden behind that soft quirk of his lips.
Xue Yang stared at them quietly with manic eyes, “I won’t apologize for saying the truth.”
Jin Guangyao called for some guards with a sigh, “A hundred strokes it is.” He glanced at Xue Yang as he barely even struggled against the guards, “And your projects will be handed off to someone else until you recover. We have deadlines to keep.”
Xue Yang snapped toward him, growling low in his throat as he was held back by the guards.
A-Qing bit her lip as she watched Xue Yang get dragged away to the punishment hall. That guy, how many times does he need to get hit before he learns? He won’t have any shins left if he keeps pulling this shit.
Lan Xichen came over, inclining his head toward her, “Attendant Qing, I am sorry you had to experience that. A young lady such as yourself must have found it difficult to handle such a person.”
A-Qing paused, looking up to where his face would be, “He was difficult, but nothing more than an annoyance. I can handle a man child three years older than me.”
Lan Xichen smiled as he dismissed himself to leave with Jin Guanyao, pausing as A-Qing hesitantly reached toward him before stopping, “Attendant Qing?”
A-Qing was quiet for a moment, clenching her robes as she turned her head away, “Some of those things Xue Yang said… he was right you know?”
Lan Xichen blinked quietly as he nodded, “I see.”
A-Qing watched them leave before picking up her broom to start sweeping.
