Sunday 11th: Free spot - Age/role reversal, where Nie Huaisang is the oldest with a bratty little brother, while Lan Xichen is the sweet and happy Second Jade of Gusu Lan
This will be a two parter at minimum and the role reversal won’t come up until part two oops
Inside Lan Qiren’s office, Nie Huaisang bowed deeply before the renowned teacher.
“I leave my brother in your capable hands,” he said, before turning to Lan Wangji and bowing again. “Please, make sure he doesn’t create troubles. I trust your judgement in these matters, so punish him if need be."
Next to him Nie Mingjue scoffed, as only a boy unused to discipline could. Nie Huaisang, who was the entire reason his brother often came off as a stubborn brat, sighed. The Lans would have a lot of work with that one.
Lan Xichen, who had been standing behind his brother, stepped aside to grab Nie Mingjue’s arm, smiling brightly.
"I’ll make sure he behaves,” he promised. “If he does anything bad, I’ll tell Brother and Uncle."
"Xichen-ge!” Nie Mingjue cried out, betrayed. “I thought we were friends!"
"We are, but Nie zongzhu trusts us. Don’t you, Nie zongzhu?"
"I trust you most of all,” Nie Huaisang said, amused as always by this too earnest second master of Gusu Lan. He almost laughed when Lan Xichen’s face turned bright pink at his comment. It was always fun to compliment those Lans. “Lan Er-gongzi, please take good care of my little brother. I know you will be a good influence on him."
Lan Xichen preened, until Nie Mingjue elbowed him in the ribs for this betrayal. This time, Nie Huaisang really couldn’t help laughing. He exchanged a glance with Lan Wangji who also looked amused, in his own manner, while Lan Qiren just sighed and dismissed the two boys so grown-ups could speak in peace. Well, two grown-ups and Lan Wangji, who wasn’t quite nineteen yet, but often behaved as if he were already in his seventies or more.
"How are things in Qinghe?” Lan Qiren asked, inviting his guest to sit while Lan Wangji served tea for both of them.
“Better these days,” Nie Huaisang confessed. “We haven’t had another plot against us since that last time. I think everyone is coming to term with me being in charge until Mingjue comes of age… And five more years isn’t so much to wait."