Extra 3 Rumours

Lan Xichen should have made his presence known when he stumbled across this certain situation but he can't seem to stop himself from watching the scene in front of him.

See, Lan Xichen knows he is not easily fazed. Finding out the junior sect members getting drunk and skinny dipping in the pond at night; not surprise and he even gave them chores as punishment the next day without letting them have a hangover potion, his younger brother falling in love with his rival and ending up married to said rival who is in another person's body; the circumstances might be unusual and strange but he blessed their relationship without questioned and even helped his didi convinced their uncle to accept their relationship and having a fierce corpse walking around cloud recesses and even allowing him to teach the student about medicine making; he is completely fine with it and even agreed with Lan Wangji to build a hut for Wen Ning to stay.

So yes, Lan Xichen is a stolid person whose composure is, dare he says, unbreakable.

But maybe he should retract that statement as right now he has his mouth and eyes wide open.

After five months of seclusion due to him needing some time to find peace, Lan Xichen decided to take a break and return to the land of the living for a short while before returning back to confining himself. The isolation has made him imagine company and he was getting too angsty with his thoughts. Knowing it was unhealthy for him to be cooped up that long, he left the seclusion of his cottage and travelled back down to cloud recesses. He made sure that no one saw him. He didn't want people to stop and ask why he got out early. It wasn't their business if he chooses to do so.

As he leisurely walks down the hill, Lan Xichen finally arrives at a wide field where he could see many white rabbits hopping around and grazing the grass. It looks like he has arrive at his younger brother's rabbit field which means he is near Lan Wangji's study. Maybe he should pay his brother a surprise visit. Lan Wangji should still be there at this time.

With a plan in mind, he makes his way to the study but then, giggling could be heard from nearby. Lan Xichen quirks an eyebrow, curious with the sudden sound coming from, what he sees, an empty field with only rabbits and berry bushes in sight. Could it be a ghost? Impossible, since the defensive talismans and protective runes have been put up to alert them of stronger ghosts and ghouls and instantly kill those that were weak.

Again, childish giggling can be heard. With a hand on the hilt of his sword, ready to strike when needed, Lan Xichen cautiously walks over to the source of the giggle. As he comes nearer to the sound, he slowly pushes a berry bush to walk through until he saw it and stopped at his track.

There Wen Ning was, sitting under an apple tree surrounded by rabbits with one particular greyish black rabbit, with one of its ears lopsided while the other had a hole, sleeping on the fierce corpse lap comfortably. This was not a strange sight for Lan Xichen. He had stumbled across Wen Ning one too many times tending to the rabbits and feeding them, which seems to like him very much with following him around whenever the corpse was in sight. Thus, this was not unusual at all.

But the group of children, age seven to nine from what Lan Xichen can guess, gathering around the former Ghost General does take him by surprise.

"Ni-ning, what does this herb do?" a cute voice says, the girl showing Wen Ning something in her hand.

"Chiu-shimei! Don't call Wen-shizun with that childish nickname. Shizun, this one apologizes for his junior's disrespectfulness," a high-pitched voice rises, coming from a boy much smaller than the girl.

"Why can't I call him that? You call him Ni-ning too," the girl says out loudly, pouting her cherubic lips and arms crossed.

"Wh-! I don't, yo-you, don't tell lies!" the boy's face turns red, either in anger or embarrassment Lan Xichen does not know and has his hands in small fists at his side.

"I'm not lying!" the girl angrily says, her pigtails swaying in the air as she glares at the boy.

Both boy and girl glare at each other, leaving the other three children looking at them nervously as they scoot closer to Wen Ning, one even had their hands hugging his arm.

Wen Ning shook his head, his face calm as ever as he put a finger to his lips and shushes to the two in front of him. "Chiu Yue, Tae Song, don't make much noise. You'll scare the rabbits away," Wen Ning softly says as he continues to pet the sleeping rabbit on his lap, a gentle smile directed to the two who looked sheepish from their outburst. "Sorry Ni-ning," both said at the same time. The boy realizing what he had said blushed redly as he looks at the ground and the girl had a triumphed look on her as if saying 'look! I wasn't lying'. Wen Ning lets out a low laugh and pats the grass, asking them to sit.

They both sat on the grass, dissatisfied with each other. "Now both of you don't be like that. I don't mind being called Ni-ning by the five of you, it will be our little secret," Wen Ning gently assured those two who seem to have calmed down as they nod at him. "But Ni-ning is our teacher. Shouldn't we call you shizun? Senior brothers and sisters will get angry with us," the one holding Wen Ning's arm quietly says, his chubby cheeks blushing as he looks up to Wen Ning with shy eyes that even Lan Xichen finds endearing. He would have cooed at that but kept himself quiet since he wanted to see how Wen Ning interacted with the children.

Wen Ning rubs the child's head, which made them very happy judging from the satisfy smile and relax closed eyes. "True, I am your teacher since I am teaching you the basics of medicine but I am not officially a teacher for the sect. I'm teaching because I want to repay Lan Qiren for allowing me to stay at Cloud Recesses. Without Hanguang-jun and Zewu-jun convincing him, I would have not been allowed to stay. This is my way of repaying back. Also, I love to teach, especially to cute and diligent students like the five of you. So please continue to call me Ni-ning," the cornered of his mouth quirked up, trying to give a wide smile but not being able to due to his dull muscles but the children seemed overjoy and cheer happily, chanting out 'Ni-ning, Ni-ning' to the delight of Wen Ning. Lan Xichen couldn't help but be pleased with their excitement.

"Now, we'll end today's session after I answered Chiu Yue's question. Alright, this herb is a ginkgo and what it does is…," Wen Ning continues to explain patiently to five children who were giving all of their attention to the corpse's word. After that, their session ends and the children give long hugs to Wen Ning who happily accepted it. They wave to him goodbye and ran along to their next class leaving Wen Ning alone under the apple tree, his eyes close as if he was taking a nap.

"You can come out now," Wen Ning suddenly calls out to the quiet field. Lan Xichen chuckles, it seems he has been found out.

He steps out from his hiding spot and walks towards Wen Ning who still has his eyes close. He stands in front of Wen Ning, hesitant if he should sit with the man surrounded by rabbits or stand. Wen Ning then opens his eyes and greets Lan Xichen with his usual smile. "Hello Zewu-jun. If you don't mind sitting on the grass, please join me. I feel unsettled letting you stand while I sit," Wen Ning nervously professed, playing with his fingers as he turns to look at the sleeping rabbit on his lap. Lan Zichen nods to him and sits on the grass, the rabbits around them hopping a few steps back to give room to him. They don't seem to want to go away, hopping back to Wen Ning and some even snuggling to the corpse's robe. A few curious ones came to Lan Xichen and happily nuzzled his palm when he pets their heads. He feels good suddenly.

Now Lan Xichen knows why Lan Wangji insisted in having rabbits in their sect. At first, it could have been due to the two rabbits Wei Wuxian gifted to Lan Wangji but he sees that the rabbits bring a relaxing and calming effect on him and now understand why Wen Ning liked to surround himself with these fluffy animals around him. It felt peaceful.

"Hello to you too Wen Qionglin. I apologize for not making my presence known earlier. I did not want to interrupt your lesson. Were those children from the younger class?" he asked, curious with Wen Ning surrounded by children. Wen Ning nods back, this time his eyes shining despite the dullness as he looks at Lan Xichen. He makes a note of this; topics of his students seem to make him happy.

"Yes, they are. Lan Qiren decided I should teach the younger students besides the one I'm currently teaching. He says some of them showed interest in medicinal making and asked me if I could also teach them. The class is still new, about 3 months now but I like to think they enjoy my lessons," Wen Ning says, content as remembers that first day of class.

Lan Xichen notices the slight change of emotion in Wen Ning's tone and wanted to hear more from him. He has been cooped up in that cottage and in need of some pleasant company and Wen Ning was pleasant enough for him to be comfortable around. "Tell me, please. I would love to hear what you have been doing since my seclusion," he urges Wen Ning and places his palm on the corpse's knee, giving him a sign that Wen Ning has his attention.

Wen Ning is surprised by Lan Xichen. Ever since his stay here, their relationship could be named as simply acquaintances. Whenever they meet, they greet each other and have a few short talks before going on their way. Wen Ning was hesitated to get to know the young sect leader due to his position and not wanting bad rumours to surround Lan Xichen if he was seen around Wen Ning. People can be cruel and thoughtless; he knows that from experience himself. But also, Wen Ning did not know how to approach the young lord and his condition.

Ever since the incident at Guanyin Temple, Lan Xichen has been slowly recovering. Knowing that his sworn brother Jin Guangyao was the cause of many crimes, Lan Xichen was frustrated and unclear on what he should have done and after Jin Guangyao's death, something happened to his mental state that made him feel disorientated and as days pass by he was faring very poorly. The betrayal of Jin Guangyao and his death had made Lan Xichen go into depression. After losing two of his closes sworn brothers, the young lord did not know what purpose he had in his life.

He went into seclusion and only went out after Lan Wangji visited him. Wen Ning sadly remembers Lan Xichen's significant weight loss and uncharacteristically forgetfulness. It worried Lan Qiren so much that he forced Lan Xichen to stay and recover his health before daring to go back into seclusion. Lan Xichen did not have the strength and energy to fight against that order and spends his days in his room recovering. Wen Ning, worried of Lan Xichen's unstable state, had offered to make medicinal porridge for the young sect leader. He knew how depression could affect the mind and in his dead heart, he wanted Lan Xichen to get better. Wen Ning knew this, he experiences it before and felt that he should help, as Wen Qing had helped him.

So, he helped, under Lan Qiren's daunting observation. The process was long but Lan Xichen was able to gain back his normal weight and get back on his feet but still, Wen Ning knows a dark shadow still haunts him.

'It's better then leaving it be, recovery of the mind isn't something that should be force,' Wen Ning reminded himself.

Wen Ning focuses back on Lan Xichen. The man now also has a rabbit on his lap and is watching Wen Ning. "Apologies Zewu-jun. I…blurred out?" Wen Ning tilts his head in embarrassment. This is a bad habit he has to get rid off.

Lan Xichen chuckles at that, making Wen Ning relieved that Lan Xichen's didn't find him rude with his sudden quietness. "It is fine Wen Qionglin, I too sometimes 'blurred out'. No offence taken," he says with a kind smile that makes his good-looking face stand out. Truly, Lan Xichen deserves to be ranked first on the list of best-looking young men among all the other sect. If Wen Ning was still alive, he would be stuttering non-stop talking to him.

"That's good. Oh yes, about my class. The younger ones who are interested were the ones you saw just now. Their curiosity about medicine is refreshing to see and they love to ask questions. No doubt they will be excellent medics in the future. At first, I was afraid if they would be scared of me but to my surprise, they didn't and one of them even told me that it was great that they have a corpse as a teacher. I think its because they are too young to know who the 'Ghost General' was and I'm grateful for that. Children, they don't judge you at first glance and they have a higher perception than most adults. That's why it caught me by surprise that they like me," Wen Ning confessed. He loves children, always wanted one of his own but realizes he couldn't. At least now he could teach children, even if it wasn't his own.

Lan Xichen nods to Wen Ning's words. Although it doesn't show, he can somehow feel the happiness exuding from Wen Ning. It looks like he is satisfied with his current teaching position. Lan Xichen should give a thank you present to his uncle.

Lan Xichen notices that Wen Ning keeps glancing at him. He looks like he wants to ask something but was afraid if it would be something out-of-bound. No use delaying, it was better to ask. "Ask me Wen Qionglin and I will answer the best that I can," he gently says to Wen Ning, this time patting his knee.

Wen Ning guessed he was caught. Lan Xichen is very perceptive too. Without saying anything, he can figure out what that person is thinking easily. What a scary person.

"Will you stay…longer, this time?" Wen Ning quietly asks.

"I…we will see. I will probably help uncle and continue my duties as sect leader for a few months before going back to seclusion," Lan Xichen says, looking to the side while his hand holds the other side of his arm, a difficult expression on that usual kind face.

Wen Ning felt guilty, wanting to comfort but knowing that their relationship was not close enough to do so. He held himself back, twisting his fingers to focus on something. He didn't mean to make Lan Xichen sad.

"I'm sorry Zewu-jun. I know it's not my place to ask but I am just worried about you," Wen Ning explains, hoping Lan Xichen notices his sincere words.

Lan Xichen tenses upon hearing what Wen Ning had said. He bites the bottom of his lips, trying not to go back to that dark space in his mind. It was difficult for him to recover even with his brother and uncle's support and he didn't wish to return back to that pitiful state. He was getting better but there will always be darker days.

He takes a chance and looks at Wen Ning. The corpse was looking at him with worried eyes. Maybe, he could talk to Wen Ning. Lan Xichen knows that Wen Ning is not one to judge and if there was someone who could understand his situation, it would definitely be Wen Ning.

Lan Xichen takes a deep breath and begins to talk.

"Some days it's easier. I can act normally and do work as usual. I can laugh and not think about the bad days. Sometimes I wonder if its all a dream but then, I wake up sweating and screaming from nightmares and I know I am just fooling

myself. I can't even be angry with Jin Guangyao because I am angrier with myself for not noticing what he was going through and I should have been there for him. But I wasn't and I dare to call myself he's sworn brother. How foolish," a sorrowful look on Lan Xichen's face made Wen Ning feel troubled. Lan Xichen shouldn't have that kind of face; he shouldn't blame himself for something he did not have control on.

Without realizing what he was doing, Wen Ning shuffled closer to Lan Xichen and promptly hug the young lord. This surprise both Lan Xichen and the rabbits on each of their lap which make them wake up in surprise and hop away.

Wen Ning was hugging Lan Xichen around his neck with his face smushed to the corpse's chest. Too shock, Lan Xichen kept silence and kept his hands to himself, blinking owlishly to Wen Ning's hug. Also, why does Wen Ning smell so good, like herbs and lilies? Did Lan Wanji finally convince the corpse to finally take a bath? Not that Lan Xichen was complaining.

"Um, I, I apologies if I overstep but I didn't want to see Zewu-jun's sad expression. It's doesn't suit you at all," Wen Ning tries to explain, himself embarrassed with his action. He figured that since hugs work all the time for Wei Wuxian and Lan Sizhui, it would work on Lan Xichen but, he should have considered that they were not close enough to do so. No time to back off now, he would deal with the awkwardness afterwards.

"I…I don't know what Zewu-jun is experiencing. Each person has their own demon to overcome and I cannot say that I understand what you are going through, it would only be a lie if I say I understand and that would not be fair to you. But whenever I had a nightmare about my parent my sister would be by my side with a hot cup of chamomile tea and just sit beside me. We would sit in silence until sunrise and have dark circles but she never complained. That is her way of consoling me," Wen Ning says in a gentle voice that seems to soothe Lan Xichen's nerve as he feels the man relax and leans himself into Wen Ning's embrace. People could stumble upon them at this moment and rumours would fly but Wen Ning didn't care. Lan Xichen needed someone. "If you don't mind, I would like to be what my sister was to me; a shoulder for you to lean on and someone you can rely on your troubling days. Zewu-jun should not be alone anymore," Wen Ning stresses out his words, trying to show Lan Xichen that he was genuine in his request.

It felt like hours, although it was just a few minutes before Wen Ning felt tremors from the body he was holding. Wen Ning felt nervous. Was Lan Xichen crying?! How should he deal with this? He doesn't know how to comfort a crying person!

Wen Ning was in a dilemma until he heard loud laugher coming from Lan Xichen. Afraid if his strength had hurt the cultivator, he began to push himself off and check on him but his waist was hugged in a tight firm that Wen Ning was surprised of Lan Xichen's strength despite the lean and tall build. Lan Xichen continued laughing until it quiets down to mere chuckles. He lifts his face to look at Wen Ning with amusement in those gentle golden eyes that were a few shades darker than Lan Wangji and a warm smile gracing those thin lips. "You are sweet Wen Qionglin. Now I know why Wei Wuxian is very protective of you," he says this as he releases Wen Ning and stands up.

Lan Xichen has his hand towards Wen Ning. "I would very much like to have some chamomile tea. Would you mind continuing our chat in my Hanshi?" his silvery voice sounds much clearer than it previously was.

Wen Ning looks at Lan Xichen, noticing that his gaze was now brighter than before and had a more approachable presence. This must be a difficult moment for Lan Xichen and Wen Ning wasn't going to push him away. He may not be able to replace Nie Minjue and Jin Guangyao but that doesn't mean he cannot be the friend Lan Xichen needed now. So Wen Ning took hold of that hand and the man pulls him up. Lan Xichen gives a long look at their joined hands before slowly releasing it.

"Shall we," Lan Xichen nods towards the direction of his Hanshi and Wen Ning smiles, nodding back. They walked while chatting, each step lighter than before.

*****

"Ni-ning another cup please,"

"…really Zewu-jun?"

"It's cute," his tone amused.

"Then you should be fine if I call you An-an right?" nonchalantly pouring tea.

"Hmm, I would prefer dage but An-an is a start,"

Wen Ning fingers slipped causing the teapot to fall. Lan Xichen fondly looks at the cute corpse who is anxiously wiping the tea that fell on the table while giving a small glare to the cultivator.

'Mhm…adorable,'

*****

Rumours begin to circulate regarding the young leader of Gusu Lan sect and his fierce corpse companion. They are rarely seen with each other but when they do, people question their sudden closeness and sometimes warm affection. That would not have been the problem but some nights, a few who couldn't sleep or were standing guard would see a dark figure going in and out of their leader's Hanshi and they were surprised that it was the former Ghost General.

People talk and news spread to the whole sect until it reaches the ears of Lan Qiren. Of course, the older cultivator nearly had an aneurism when he received such news of his nephew. His gentle nephew with a…corpse?! Impossible! But if what he hears is true, what on earth is that brat thinking? He had finally but reluctantly accepted Lan Wanji's relationship with that menace Wei Wuxian and now his usually obedient nephew is now having an intimate relationship with that other menace (kind and surprisingly warm-hearted menace but still) IF the rumours were true.

He should be furious; he should be storming to those two and give them an earful but he couldn't. Lan Xichen has been staying in the sect longer than Lan Qiren expected, no talks of returning back to seclusion or sudden spike of depression. His nephew has been happier and his mood improving. The young cultivator even took interest in attending the corpse's classes to the shock of Lan Qiren.

He wants to deny it but he can't. This sudden change can only be related to one person and that person in Wen Qionglin to his dismay. The sect members expected him to take action but he doesn't because if his nephew is healing because of that fierce corpse, then he will fall back and let them be. Lan Xichen does not need anything else to be taken away from him anymore.

Lan Qiren sighed heavily. He was getting too old for this. The only thing he can do in ensuring that these rumours not spread outside their sect. At this point, everyone in Cloud Recesses already knows.

Unfortunately, two people didn't get the notice.

*****

"A-Yuan, is something wrong? You've been quiet and is that a pout?" Wei Wuxian asked as he looks up from his research.

Lan Sizhui kept silence and pouts harder.

"A-Yuan, what's wrong?" Wei Wuxian puts his brush down and walks over to his adopted son. He holds his son's shaking hands, urging the young one to tell him what's wrong.

Lan Sizhui quickly faced Wei Wuxian, his glassy eyes surprising the demonic cultivator. "Wei-qianbei, I, I…," Lan Sizhui's voice wavers before a small cry sounded. He tackled Wei Wuxian hugging him tightly. "Baba!" Lan Sizhui cries out.

Wei Wuxian took notice of the title and quickly comforted his son. Lan Sizhui usually would not call him baba suddenly since the young cultivator deemed he was grown up and wanted to respect his elders calling them with appropriate titles. But if Lan Sizhui was calling him baba then something had really upset him.

"Now, now. Tell baba what happened to make you so upset," Wei Wuxian gives a pat to Lan Sizhui's back, gently coaxing him like how Wen Ning would usually do.

Lan Sizhui looks up with teary eyes, causing Wei Wuxian's heart to break a bit. "Baba, it's Wen-qianbei," he chokes out the words.

"Wen Ning? What's wrong with him? A-Yuan, did he get hurt?" Wei Wuxian voice rises in worry. Did something happen to his A-Ning?!

"Uncle Xichen has, he has been forcing Wen-qianbei to…sleep with him in his Hanshi every night," he cries out.

"…what?!"

*****

"Uncle?" Lan Wangji calls out, his tone worried as he hears his uncle sighing for the sixth time.

"Wangji, I don't know what to do. Why can't your brother just be obedient," Lan Qiren sighed, an exasperated expression on his face.

Lan Wangji quirks a brow as he sips his tea. He takes a piece of cake Wen Ning had made for him this morning and eats it slowly, as he gives a confused look to Lan Qiren.

"He must think it's funny to make me wait. Here I am, losing my mind and waiting for him to introduce me to his marriage partner when the whole sect already knows,"

"Marriage?" this caught Lan Wangji by surprise but the more he thinks about it, his brother has been more cheery and it has been months now, Lan Xichen doesn't seem to want to return back to seclusion. Could someone have caught his brother's attention? If so, Lan Wangji will support his brother.

"Of course he had to fall for that fierce corpse. Why can't any of you Lans be normal?" he sighs again.

"Did you say…," he wasn't hearing this right. The only fierce corpse his brother knew was…

"Of all the people in the sect, he just had to fall for Wen Qionglin. That chi-, Lan Wangji! The tea, the tea!"

Lan Wangji sat there frozen, the teacup in his hand shattered while his white robes were soaked with tea.

*****

Of course, rumours can be misleading.

Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji confronted the two, their eyes furious for very different reasons. What greeted them when they open the door of Lan Xichen's Hanshi was the sight of Lan Xichen laying on Wen Ning's lap as the cultivator shamelessly calls Wen Ning 'Ni-ning' and Wen Ning in return playfully calls him 'An-an'. They soon realized they had visitors and realizing who they were, greeted Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian normally.

After that, a fight and misunderstanding happened with Wei Wuxian pulling Wen Ning behind him as the demonic cultivator unleashes his fury by scolding a stun Lan Xichen. Lan Wangji was also silently glaring at his older brother as he checks Wen Ning all over to see if his brother had done anything to him.

Wen Ning not understanding what was happening went towards Lan Xichen and defended him, demanding to know what was happening.

So they told him about the rumours that were flying around and the marriage to ensure their dignity was intact. Hearing all this, Lan Xichen can't help but laugh out loud and Wen Ning was mortified. Wen Ning quickly explained what actually is going on between him and Lan Xichen and finally it dawns on the pair in front of Wen Ning that what they heard were rumours that have gotten out of hand. They apologise to the two especially to a still laughing Lan Xichen and would make up for it by dispersing the rumours.

"I don't mind marrying Ni-ning. How about you?" Lan Xichen stood beside Wen Ning, cocking his head in a playful manner.

"Not funny Zewu-jun," Wen Ning scolds him.

"Ni-ning,"

"…An-an. Satisfied?"

"Very much,"

On that day, Lan Xichen realises that Wei Wuxian is very possessive of Wen Ning, telling him 'why can't you call me Wei Ying but you call Lan Xichen that?!' and his younger brother's jealousy streak is very much alive with the way he narrowed his eyes to Lan Xichen and the tight grip to his arm says everything.

This pair of husbands' gaze on him even when one of them is smiling is trying to tell Lan Xichen 'Back off! He is ours,' while Wen Ning is apologising to him, not seeing what he is seeing. He touches Wen Ning's shoulder to test and yes, the glares intensify.

Well, it seems Lan Xichen has something to look forward too besides the adorable fierce corpse companionship.