He nods to show Lan Xichen he's still listening, but most of Shen Yuan's attention has now been thoroughly monopologized by the little Yuan in his lap. "Good job!" he says brightly, pulling a hankerchief -- not Lan Xichen's, a plain white one he'd been issued along with the Lan-white robes he currently wears -- out of his sleeve and gently wrapping it around A-Yuan's tiny hand to clean it off. "A-Yuan is so thoughtful, looking after his uncle and new gege like that. Such a responsible little bun! Let me have it now, okay sweetie? Gege will look after the snacks until he and uncle are hungry."
He throws Lan Xichen a playful wink, too charmed by this small bean to stand on dignity.
"'Kay," little A-Yuan agrees with a nod of his head, before giggling and writhing as
Lan Xichen watches Shen Yuan at work, appreciative of how easily he handles his nephew. Lan Xichen is a warm and sincere person, but he struggles with the younger members of the sect, always unsure where to draw the lines between discipline and indulgence (and usually leaning towards the latter).
When Shen Yuan winks at him, he's momentarily taken aback, warmth rising in his cheeks. He quickly looks away with a soft chuckle.
"You are good with him," he remarks. In truth, it's hard to be bad with A-Yuan; the boy is generally well-behaved and sweet-natured. His worst habits are a tendency to day-dream or wander off.
"I love kids," Shen Yuan answers easily, wrapping his arms around A-Yuan and giving him a gentle hug as a stammering young Lan finally turns up, clearly the apprentice who was supposed to look after him. Shen Yuan hands him back with a wistful sigh and a wave bye-bye, turning to Lan Xichen as the two leave to comment, "I used to have a little sister, it drove our parents nuts how much I'd spoil her but what else are big brothers for, right --"
His tongue suddenly freezes in his mouth as his brain catches up to his voice. Oh fuck, he thinks, horrified.
He stands, thanking the apprentice for looking after A-Yuan, and gets the little boy to apologize for running off. His poor babysitter looked all too frazzled about the whole ordeal.
When Shen Yuan mentions his sister, Lan Xichen looks briefly surprised, though perhaps not as much as he probably should.
He had begun to suspect the amnesia was probably either exaggerated or not there at all (after all, he now had an entirely different (and wrong) theory about Shen Yuan's origins), but he hadn't expected him to blurt it out so soon.
"Indeed," he agrees, and there's something very playful dancing behind his serene expression. "That is the joy of being an older brother, after all."
His smile falters, his thoughts wandering to Lan Wangji, languishing in seclusion. The worst of his physical wounds had healed, but his brother's heart was still in tatters.
Shen Yuan shifts nervously from foot to foot, eyeing Lan Xichen anxiously. He doesn't look angry, but is that because he thinks a portion of Shen Yuan's memories returned from seeing A-Yuan or something else? For a brief moment Shen Yuan entertains the idea of making a big production out of it, claiming to have remembered his sister in a sudden flash of insight or whatever -- but no. Call it intuition or the prick of his conscience, but something tells him that isn't the proper way to proceed.
"I do," he finally admits. "I loved her very much." And then, because he won't be able to stop worrying about it if he doesn't get answers now, he eyes Lan Xichen sidelong and ventures, "Sect Leader isn't angry...?"
Lan Xichen's eyes gleam with mischief and yet his smile remains sweet.
"Only if you prefer to spend the afternoon copying our tenets about lying, say, a hundred times?"
His teasing expression softens, and he gives Shen Yuan a gentle shake of his head.
"...But no, I am not angry. We do not live in a world where being honest with strangers is always met with kindness. I cannot fault you for not putting your complete trust in a stranger."
He collects a book from the shelf, along with a box containing calligraphy supplies.
"You do not have to tell me everything, but I would like to hear more about your sister."
I mean, if that's what it takes not to get kicked out on his ass, Shen Yuan will copy as many lines as Lan Xichen wants and consider it a bargain. But he doesn't say that. He shyly smiles back instead. "Of course I'd be happy to tell Sect Leader whatever he likes -- ah, I mean that sincerely this time." Liar liar, pants on fire! "But perhaps, might this one know just when Sect Leader started to doubt his story?"
Because Lan Xichen must have had some doubts already, with a reaction right that. He knew the amnesia thing was bullshit and let Shen Yuan stay anyway; why?
"When we met under the pavilion," he explains, but does not elaborate further. His gaze has drawn inwards, to days past, when he'd been on the run. Lan Xichen was barely a young man during the war, and one ill-prepared for the realities of the world as the Wen Clan's cultivators hunted for him.
Even if Shen Yuan had been a part of those forces, Lan Xichen could not find it in him to resent the other man, especially now that the tables had turned, and the Jin Clan were practically hunting the disparate Wen for sport, whether or not they even had blood on their hands.
"It must have been difficult," he says softly, remembering those days in hiding, and how warmly he now regarded the man who had kept him safe. "To be living on the run. Your secret, however, is safe."
...Ah. Okay, so the context was local exposition he didn't have any knowledge of. Great [sarcastic]! Inquiring further might have ruined his cover even more not to mention running the risk of annoying his benefactor, since Shen Yuan had managed to gather that the Lans had done badly in a cultivation war not too long ago, so Shen Yuan decides to spin a new line of bullshit and change the subject for now. "I think I know what Sect Leader is suggesting," he says sheepishly. "I can't confirm or deny it, but...I promise, I don't mean any harm to the Lans, or any of their children."
As the two of them sat down next to a low table, Shen Yuan drops into a full kowtow. "I'm grateful to Sect Leader Lan for taking me in, despite how suspicious I must appear," he said. "If the opportunity to repay Sect Leader's kindness ever arises, this Shen Yuan will certainly take it."
He wants to tell him that he is already worthy of that welcome, but he is not sure he should keep trying to reassure the other man that he is safe, that he won't be thrown to the wolves, and that Lan Xichen isn't going to tell others his origin.
He simply nods.
But he would like to hear about Shen Yuan's family.
"I did mean it when I asked before. That hasn't changed, so long as you are comfortable talking about her...?"
Loss was indeed painful, and he didn't want to prod old wounds.
"I've never had the chance before," Shen Yuan says honestly. Shen Qingqiu didn't have any siblings, after all; and the System had done a better job of reminding him to keep his cover than he'd done himself. (Still didn't mean he missed it, though!) "I think..." He sighed, rearranging his robes around his knees.
"She was our parents' fourth child," he finally says quietly. "After three boys, they didn't intend to have any more, but sometimes these things happen when anyone least expects it, no? As for me I was just happy to let someone else be the baby of the family; I saw myself as the grown-up and mature big brother, protecting her and teaching her everything she needed to know about the world...I taught her to read, actually, but apart from that..."
He leans his elbow on the table, laughing quietly. "In reality we were both very silly, spoiled brats. Our brothers got all the maturity in the family, I'm afraid."
He hides a laugh, even as something melancholy flickers behind his eyes.
"Ah, but should that not be the state of all younger siblings?" he asks. He doesn't ask why Shen Yuan is apart from his family. He can guess.
"I am sure you were a very good teacher. Though I would appreciate if you would demonstrate your calligraphy for me...?"
He opens the book to the rule about lying, unrolls the paper, and lays it out with the inkstone and brushes. There's a teasing smile on his face, however.
"A hundred times, please. Though due to extenuating circumstances, you can talk while doing so."
Rules were rules, but Lan Xichen was not the disciplinarian his Uncle is (one of many things Lan Qiren despairs).
Oh that's right, Lan Xichen has a younger brother too, doesn't he? The mysterious Hanguang-jun, who Shen Yuan sometimes overhears people discuss in hushed, bewildered tones that stop as soon as they realize he's entered the room. Had he been insensitive, talking about his own siblings like this?
But Lan Xichen did ask.
He follows the change in topic easily, laughing quietly behind a raised sleeve. "Sect Leader is truly merciful," he says, teasing a little but also meaning it. He knows he's getting off lightly.
"Then I'll begin," he says, flicking his sleeves with an easy, unconsciously elegant gesture and reaching for the ink. Between one moment and the next the idly lounging young master transforms into a proper young scholar: back straight, knees perfectly positioned, hands grinding the ink just so. Not too much, not too little.
That gives Shen Yuan pause. "How does one do handstands while writing lines?" he asks, mystified but also not sure he actually wants to know. Do they hold the brush between their toes...?
His calligraphy is Shen Qingqiu's: Shen Yuan had perfectly legible handcrafting in his first life, but he never studied it as an artform. But the original goods did calligraphy like he painted: elegant and with precision, if a little coldly. He nods in response to Lan Xichen's question without looking up from his task.
"'The heir, the spare,' and then me," he confirms with a wry little smile.
"I'm not sure, really," he admits. "Perhaps by standing on one arm and writing with the other...?"
So his immediate family was prominent enough to have concerns with regards for inheritance, and yet he bore no resemblance to any of the immediate family of the Wen Sect.
Interesting.
"I hope that isn't all your parents thought of you...?"
"Mm, terrifying. I'll certainly do all I can to stay on his good side."
As he finishes one line and starts the next, Shen Yuan shakes his head, saying, "No, they were very loving. To the point of over-indulgence, really." He snickers quietly. "I've learned to hide it to some extent, but I'm afraid deep down I'm still a rather lazy, unmotivated person. 'There's nothing wrong with finishing in the top ten as long as the contest had more than ten people in it,' that used to be my motto."
"Finishing at all can be an accomplishment," he says, the soft scrape of the ink stick on the stone punctuating he statement. "The feats we must first and foremost compare to are our own."
Shen Yuan hums in quiet agreement. He's certainly never been one to put himself first or make a scene (his activity levels on certain literature forums notwithstanding).
"For my part I've always been happy to live simply and quietly," he says in a soft voice. "It's the rest of the world that has other ideas."
He gives a small nod of agreement as he drags the brush across the surface of the paper in a graceful sweep, followed by some much shorter and choppier motions.
"The world so often does. Many decide for the futures of others what they would not necessarily choose for themselves."
His gaze turns inward as he works, the motions almost automatic at this point.
"I imagine the world would be a very different place if such things were not foisted upon us."
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2022-10-23 05:12 pm (UTC)He throws Lan Xichen a playful wink, too charmed by this small bean to stand on dignity.
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Date: 2022-10-23 05:55 pm (UTC)Lan Xichen watches Shen Yuan at work, appreciative of how easily he handles his nephew. Lan Xichen is a warm
and sincere person, but he struggles with the younger members of the sect, always unsure where to draw the lines between discipline and indulgence (and usually leaning towards the latter).
When Shen Yuan winks at him, he's momentarily taken aback, warmth rising in his cheeks. He quickly looks away with a soft chuckle.
"You are good with him," he remarks. In truth, it's hard to be bad with A-Yuan; the boy is generally well-behaved and sweet-natured. His worst habits are a tendency to day-dream or wander off.
no subject
Date: 2022-10-23 06:28 pm (UTC)His tongue suddenly freezes in his mouth as his brain catches up to his voice. Oh fuck, he thinks, horrified.
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Date: 2022-10-23 06:37 pm (UTC)When Shen Yuan mentions his sister, Lan Xichen looks briefly surprised, though perhaps not as much as he probably should.
He had begun to suspect the amnesia was probably either exaggerated or not there at all (after all, he now had an entirely different (and wrong) theory about Shen Yuan's origins), but he hadn't expected him to blurt it out so soon.
"Indeed," he agrees, and there's something very playful dancing behind his serene expression. "That is the joy of being an older brother, after all."
His smile falters, his thoughts wandering to Lan Wangji, languishing in seclusion. The worst of his physical wounds had healed, but his brother's heart was still in tatters.
"You must miss her dearly."
no subject
Date: 2022-10-23 07:56 pm (UTC)Shen Yuan shifts nervously from foot to foot, eyeing Lan Xichen anxiously. He doesn't look angry, but is that because he thinks a portion of Shen Yuan's memories returned from seeing A-Yuan or something else? For a brief moment Shen Yuan entertains the idea of making a big production out of it, claiming to have remembered his sister in a sudden flash of insight or whatever -- but no. Call it intuition or the prick of his conscience, but something tells him that isn't the proper way to proceed.
"I do," he finally admits. "I loved her very much." And then, because he won't be able to stop worrying about it if he doesn't get answers now, he eyes Lan Xichen sidelong and ventures, "Sect Leader isn't angry...?"
no subject
Date: 2022-10-23 10:55 pm (UTC)"Only if you prefer to spend the afternoon copying our tenets about lying, say, a hundred times?"
His teasing expression softens, and he gives Shen Yuan a gentle shake of his head.
"...But no, I am not angry. We do not live in a world where being honest with strangers is always met with kindness. I cannot fault you for not putting your complete trust in a stranger."
He collects a book from the shelf, along with a box containing calligraphy supplies.
"You do not have to tell me everything, but I would like to hear more about your sister."
no subject
Date: 2022-10-24 02:49 am (UTC)Because Lan Xichen must have had some doubts already, with a reaction right that. He knew the amnesia thing was bullshit and let Shen Yuan stay anyway; why?
no subject
Date: 2022-10-24 03:07 am (UTC)Even if Shen Yuan had been a part of those forces, Lan Xichen could not find it in him to resent the other man, especially now that the tables had turned, and the Jin Clan were practically hunting the disparate Wen for sport, whether or not they even had blood on their hands.
"It must have been difficult," he says softly, remembering those days in hiding, and how warmly he now regarded the man who had kept him safe. "To be living on the run. Your secret, however, is safe."
He turns, smiling at the other man.
"...Just as A-Yuan's is."
no subject
Date: 2022-10-24 03:29 am (UTC)As the two of them sat down next to a low table, Shen Yuan drops into a full kowtow. "I'm grateful to Sect Leader Lan for taking me in, despite how suspicious I must appear," he said. "If the opportunity to repay Sect Leader's kindness ever arises, this Shen Yuan will certainly take it."
no subject
Date: 2022-10-24 04:14 am (UTC)"Please, there is no need for that," he says. "I meant it when I said you are welcome here."
Though the Shen Yuan gives him a moment's pause, and he smiles to himself.
Poured away, he thinks. Truly, it is an accurate assessment of the state of things.
no subject
Date: 2022-10-24 04:37 am (UTC)After a moment he clears his throat and asks tentatively, "Would Sect Leader still like to hear about this one's sister...?"
no subject
Date: 2022-10-24 05:15 am (UTC)He simply nods.
But he would like to hear about Shen Yuan's family.
"I did mean it when I asked before. That hasn't changed, so long as you are comfortable talking about her...?"
Loss was indeed painful, and he didn't want to prod old wounds.
no subject
Date: 2022-10-24 07:02 am (UTC)"She was our parents' fourth child," he finally says quietly. "After three boys, they didn't intend to have any more, but sometimes these things happen when anyone least expects it, no? As for me I was just happy to let someone else be the baby of the family; I saw myself as the grown-up and mature big brother, protecting her and teaching her everything she needed to know about the world...I taught her to read, actually, but apart from that..."
He leans his elbow on the table, laughing quietly. "In reality we were both very silly, spoiled brats. Our brothers got all the maturity in the family, I'm afraid."
no subject
Date: 2022-10-24 05:26 pm (UTC)"Ah, but should that not be the state of all younger siblings?" he asks. He doesn't ask why Shen Yuan is apart from his family. He can guess.
"I am sure you were a very good teacher. Though I would appreciate if you would demonstrate your calligraphy for me...?"
He opens the book to the rule about lying, unrolls the paper, and lays it out with the inkstone and brushes. There's a teasing smile on his face, however.
"A hundred times, please. Though due to extenuating circumstances, you can talk while doing so."
Rules were rules, but Lan Xichen was not the disciplinarian his Uncle is (one of many things Lan Qiren despairs).
no subject
Date: 2022-10-24 11:57 pm (UTC)But Lan Xichen did ask.
He follows the change in topic easily, laughing quietly behind a raised sleeve. "Sect Leader is truly merciful," he says, teasing a little but also meaning it. He knows he's getting off lightly.
"Then I'll begin," he says, flicking his sleeves with an easy, unconsciously elegant gesture and reaching for the ink. Between one moment and the next the idly lounging young master transforms into a proper young scholar: back straight, knees perfectly positioned, hands grinding the ink just so. Not too much, not too little.
no subject
Date: 2022-10-25 12:04 am (UTC)"Just be wary about breaking rules around my Uncle. He has incorporated handstands into the process."
He settles himself at a nearby table, unfurling another roll of paper so that he could paint while Shen Yuan wrote.
"You mentioned before you're the youngest of three brothers...?"
no subject
Date: 2022-10-25 12:55 am (UTC)His calligraphy is Shen Qingqiu's: Shen Yuan had perfectly legible handcrafting in his first life, but he never studied it as an artform. But the original goods did calligraphy like he painted: elegant and with precision, if a little coldly. He nods in response to Lan Xichen's question without looking up from his task.
"'The heir, the spare,' and then me," he confirms with a wry little smile.
no subject
Date: 2022-10-25 01:35 am (UTC)So his immediate family was prominent enough to have concerns with regards for inheritance, and yet he bore no resemblance to any of the immediate family of the Wen Sect.
Interesting.
"I hope that isn't all your parents thought of you...?"
no subject
Date: 2022-10-25 04:00 am (UTC)As he finishes one line and starts the next, Shen Yuan shakes his head, saying, "No, they were very loving. To the point of over-indulgence, really." He snickers quietly. "I've learned to hide it to some extent, but I'm afraid deep down I'm still a rather lazy, unmotivated person. 'There's nothing wrong with finishing in the top ten as long as the contest had more than ten people in it,' that used to be my motto."
no subject
Date: 2022-10-25 04:28 am (UTC)Easy enough for someone like Lan Xichen to say.
"There is no shame in not being competitive."
no subject
Date: 2022-10-25 04:54 am (UTC)"For my part I've always been happy to live simply and quietly," he says in a soft voice. "It's the rest of the world that has other ideas."
no subject
Date: 2022-10-25 05:03 am (UTC)"The world so often does. Many decide for the futures of others what they would not necessarily choose for themselves."
His gaze turns inward as he works, the motions almost automatic at this point.
"I imagine the world would be a very different place if such things were not foisted upon us."