Shen Yuan had thought he'd done quite well at maintaining his composure up until now: he'd stayed calm and serene under Lan Qiren's intense scrutiny and the painful embarrassment of Lan Xichen's confusion. Even now he was careful not to show any of the outrage and sympathy he felt on the other man's behalf, lest they be mistaken for unfilial sentiment. But Lan Xichen's earnest kindness, coming from that famously beautiful face...it was really more than Shen Yuan's face could bear! He could already hear er-ge teasing him for being such a softy, but he doubted Shen Jiu could do any better! Lan Xichen really was too good for this world, too pure!
Still, he made an effort to moderate his reaction, for the sake of his own and his fiance's dignity. "If Lan-zongzhu is alright with it, then I don't see any reason to object either," he says shyly, feeling his own face warm as he greedily studied every inch of Lan Xichen's face from the corner of one modestly-averted eye. "In truth I was very pleased, when da-ge told me we'd received a proposal from the Lan. I only regret my future husband did not receive the same opportunity." That much had to be okay, surely?
He suspects it has something to do with his adamant refusal to even consider Wen Ruohan's proposal to arrange a marriage between Lan Xichen and one of his sons (Xichen does not know who he dislikes more; Wen Xu and his cold, calculating cruelty or Wen Chao, a callous and fickle philanderer). Lan Qiren must have said there was already an arrangement in the works to avoid inciting Ruohan's ire, and then quickly threw this together.
Altogether, it is a rather agreeable arrangement. Xichen is certainly more familiar with Shen Yuan's older brothers, as they are closer in age, and more frequently in attendance to the same functions as he is, and while the middle brother is brusque and acerbic and difficult to get along with, the eldest is of a similar disposition as Xichen.
"I suppose shufu would want me to at least be properly introduced, or I might have made a terrible mistake and rejected the proposal outright."
In this case, he is very, very glad of his uncle's little deception.
He catches Shen Yuan's eye as the other man is trying just as hard to study him surreptitiously as Xichen is trying to do the same. He flushes, both having caught each other in the act, but there is relief that there is some spark of attraction there.
He has no illusions that, as sect leader, he will probably never marry for love, but he would at least like, if not friendship then some level of comradery between himself and his future husband. The possibility of mutual attraction would be... far more than he'd ever dare to hope for.
"Would you care to walk with me for a while through the grounds...? The weather is pleasant yet, and there is no reason to stay cooped up indoors."
Those two spots of warmth on his cheeks blossom into open flames as he finds himself caught staring -- as he retreats, mortified, behind his silk fan, it occurs to him that Lan Xichen was staring too, wasn't he? Or is he just indulging himself in some wishful thinking?
"That would be lovely," he says demurely, but on the inside his mind is calculating and assessing harder than ever. If Zewu-jun is into him, that would be...that would be really lovely, honestly, it would definitely make fulfilling, ahem, certain matrimonial duties a lot easier, and...well, honestly the idea that someone like him could be attractive to Zewu-jun is so intensely flattering that Shen Luguang immediately decides it would be better and safer to pretend that it's an impossibility, so as to avoid disappointing himself later. And with that in mind, it was much easier to get ahold of himself and focus on behaving appropriately.
After all, he had no reason to suspect Zewu-jun, Lan Xichen, would be anything less than a kind, gentle, and dutiful husband, regardless of anything else. And really, who could expect anything more?
So by the time they've walked some distance outside, long enough to reach one of the Cloud Recesses' many scenic views, he's able to sigh and say, quite calmly, "Surely the Cloud Recesses are one of the loveliest and most serene places in this world. I've always envied those who get to live here."
Xichen is sure coming out so far they would require a chaperone, and in any other situation he would think it not just appropriate but necessary. But a streak of mischief has gotten into him, and really, it's not like they're completely alone.
"They are, indeed, tranquil. Though I'm afraid many who haven't grown up here might find them a bit dull and stifling."
Shen Yuan should have a fair warning of what he's getting into. It's true that Lan Xichen is among the most eligible and desired of bachelors for his gentle and patient disposition alone, but with him comes the Cloud Recesses and with the Cloud Recesses comes the Lan Sect.
And with the Lan Sect comes the wall of discipline and it's many, many rules.
They may as well have saved themselves some trouble and just chiseled "no fun allowed" into the stone.
But Xichen is also not one to follow the rules to the letter. He leads Shen Yuan off the beaten path to a small clearing, dotted with wildflowers. Another of the disciples is kneeling in the field, elegant even when hunched over, and quite tall when he stands to face the approaching company.
There is no mistake that the young man is related to Xichen - they are of a similar height, with the same regal bearing, and handsome features, though where Lan Xichen's neutral expression settles into a serene smile, this other man seems stern and dour.
The effect is rather offset by his armful of rabbits which are everywhere around the little grove, nibbling greens and hopping to and fro, quite carefree.
"Wangji," Xichen greets his brother with warmth and affection. He knows his brother has a... reputation for being difficult to get along with. He would very much like Shen Yuan's first impression of his beloved didi to be of his true nature; that he is, truly, as soft-hearted (if not moreso) as his older brother.
"I am glad I found you. I would like you to meet Shen Yuan."
A gentle hand covers the one Shen Yuan has rested on his arm, a reassurance that all is well.
Wangji sizes up the other man, and looks slightly miffed that he can't find anything to nitpick beyond Shen Yuan being a potential marriage candidate for his brother (the nerve!)
"Your betrothed? Shufu mentioned something of the sort," he asks brusquely.
"We haven't finalized the arrangement," he says and smiles at Shen Yuan. "But it is looking that way."
"Hm," is Wangji's only response to this besides a curt nod to Shen Yuan. It could mean anything, but is most likely both a welcome and a warning. Younger siblings just be like that sometimes.
Shen Yuan would have liked to assure Lan Xichen that on the contrary, he thought he might like nothing more than to live somewhere quiet and peaceful, where he could focus on his studies with minimal interruption...but that conversation will have to wait for another time, as apparently they've arrived at their destination...
Oh, and what a destination it is! Shen Yuan has to bite his tongue not to squeal out loud and risk scaring the bunnies, because they are so cute he can hardly stand it. Even the dour look on Hanguang-jun's face can't curb his enthusiasm, although he remembers himself well enough to bow his head respectfully and say, "It's an honor to meet Hanguang-jun at last. My second brother speaks highly of you." And then his gaze immediately drops back down to the bunnies; he bites his lower lip for a moment, wrestling with it, before asking nervously, "Are your rabbits friendly?"
Can he pet one?? Please, please let him pet one ;.;
Whatever trepidation Wangji seems to have from his perfunctory curt bow to his older brother's fiance fades when he sees Shen Yuan's pure delight at the sight of the rabbits.
He gives a quiet "Mn" and hands one over for Shen Yuan to hold.
Xichen gives into the urge to poke the little critter in it's wiggling nose, beaming impishly between his brother and fiance, delighted to see the two getting along.
(Well, for any given measure that Wangji gets along with anyone).
"It's a secret from shufu," Wangji warns. "So long as you remember that, you can come visit."
Xichen nods solemnly.
"Indeed, it's forbidden to keep pets in the Cloud Recesses," he explains as Wangji, seemingly having exhausted his capacity for conversation, turns on his heel and heads off. So much for having a proper chaperone. (Chaperone yourself! says the look Wangji casts back at his brother.
"But I know some of the junior disciples come up this way to relax after difficult lessons."
"Hm, pets? I haven't seen any pets in the Cloud Recesses," Shen Yuan said placidly (but with a hint of an impish smile curling his lips and twinkling in his eyes). "Just some perfectly normal wild rabbits, doing perfectly normal wild rabbit things. Hardly worth mentioning to anyone, isn't that right little one?" He cooed at the rabbit, stroking its back and gently petting it between the ears.
"They're so cute, Lan-zongzhu," he sighed, so happy he nearly sounds distressed about it. "Just. So very cute."
Oh - his heart skips a beat - Shen Yuan is really quite adorable, isn't he...?
Xichen sends a silent 'thank you' to his uncle for arranging this meeting; he'd probably implode if he had to deal with Wen Xu or Wen Chao for longer than an hour outside social functions. But even when he's not comparing Shen Yuan to what may have been, he finds that he is enjoying his company, and that he feels at ease by his side.
It is easy to picture their marriage further down the line: both are inclined to scholarly pursuits, and he can easily see Shen Yuan being good with the disciples and the other responsibilities marrying into the Lan Sect would demand.
His smile is effused with warmth as they walk the narrow paths of the meadow where the very wild rabbits frolic and play, and occasionally hop up to them expectantly, waiting for pets or treats.
Xichen, of course, indulges them.
"It is a good place to go when the Cloud Recesses can feel overly stringent," he explains. "I do not doubt you will thrive here - shufu told me you are of a scholarly disposition, and much of the lifestyle here caters to that - but I think it only fair to warn you that living here takes some adjustments."
His smile fades a little.
"You seem a kind and compassionate man. I would not want you to ever feel trapped here."
Shen Yuan cocks his head slightly, his arms occupied by yet another rabbit -- he can see how Lan Wangji wound up carrying several of them at once, they're adorable and all of them want to be cuddled but alas, there is only one of him and he only has two arms -- but he can sense an odd weight behind Lan Xichen's words, something that leaves him inclined toward melancholy.
It won't do at all. Let this be the beginning of his spousely duties, then: trying to reassure his husband, and cheer him up.
"I have no such concern," he says gently, and carefully sets the rabbit on the ground so he can (shyly, but with more confidence than before) set his hand on top of his husband's. "Lan-zongzhu is also a kind and compassionate man," he says softly. "I have every confidence that he will be a wonderful husband."
He jolts at the touch, surprised by the warmth of his betrothed's hand, and how it makes the fine hairs on the back of his neck prickle pleasantly.
(Xichen had expected that, if he ever found love, it would likely be quite chaste. Even in the throes of puberty, he never had much in ways of urges that a quick trip to the cold springs couldn't manage. Today, he is about to get in touch with his long dormant libido).
He smiles, sheepish, his jade-white cheeks flushed a pleasant shade of rose.
"Then, if you are sure that this is something you also want, we should head back and speak to your brothers and shufu."
And to ensure they aren't too worried that Xichen might have whisked the other young man away to have his wicked way with him before their wedding.
For a moment Shen Yuan hesitates, worried he overstepped -- but then Lan Xichen smiles at him, and he relaxes, certain he did the right thing after all. He gently squeezes his husband fingers, a fond goodbye until the wedding is done and they've gained leave to touch as much as they like behind closed doors, before nodding and taking a decorous step back.
"It is," he says simply. "I can think of no greater joy or duty than being wed to Zewu-jun."
Now it is his turn to turn slightly pink, as he ducks his head in recognition of the boldness of his words. But he means them, though. And he won't be taking them back.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2023-05-09 07:58 am (UTC)Still, he made an effort to moderate his reaction, for the sake of his own and his fiance's dignity. "If Lan-zongzhu is alright with it, then I don't see any reason to object either," he says shyly, feeling his own face warm as he greedily studied every inch of Lan Xichen's face from the corner of one modestly-averted eye. "In truth I was very pleased, when da-ge told me we'd received a proposal from the Lan. I only regret my future husband did not receive the same opportunity." That much had to be okay, surely?
no subject
Date: 2023-05-09 08:44 am (UTC)Altogether, it is a rather agreeable arrangement. Xichen is certainly more familiar with Shen Yuan's older brothers, as they are closer in age, and more frequently in attendance to the same functions as he is, and while the middle brother is brusque and acerbic and difficult to get along with, the eldest is of a similar disposition as Xichen.
"I suppose shufu would want me to at least be properly introduced, or I might have made a terrible mistake and rejected the proposal outright."
In this case, he is very, very glad of his uncle's little deception.
He catches Shen Yuan's eye as the other man is trying just as hard to study him surreptitiously as Xichen is trying to do the same. He flushes, both having caught each other in the act, but there is relief that there is some spark of attraction there.
He has no illusions that, as sect leader, he will probably never marry for love, but he would at least like, if not friendship then some level of comradery between himself and his future husband. The possibility of mutual attraction would be... far more than he'd ever dare to hope for.
"Would you care to walk with me for a while through the grounds...? The weather is pleasant yet, and there is no reason to stay cooped up indoors."
no subject
Date: 2023-05-12 05:23 am (UTC)"That would be lovely," he says demurely, but on the inside his mind is calculating and assessing harder than ever. If Zewu-jun is into him, that would be...that would be really lovely, honestly, it would definitely make fulfilling, ahem, certain matrimonial duties a lot easier, and...well, honestly the idea that someone like him could be attractive to Zewu-jun is so intensely flattering that Shen Luguang immediately decides it would be better and safer to pretend that it's an impossibility, so as to avoid disappointing himself later. And with that in mind, it was much easier to get ahold of himself and focus on behaving appropriately.
After all, he had no reason to suspect Zewu-jun, Lan Xichen, would be anything less than a kind, gentle, and dutiful husband, regardless of anything else. And really, who could expect anything more?
So by the time they've walked some distance outside, long enough to reach one of the Cloud Recesses' many scenic views, he's able to sigh and say, quite calmly, "Surely the Cloud Recesses are one of the loveliest and most serene places in this world. I've always envied those who get to live here."
no subject
Date: 2023-05-12 07:10 am (UTC)"They are, indeed, tranquil. Though I'm afraid many who haven't grown up here might find them a bit dull and stifling."
Shen Yuan should have a fair warning of what he's getting into. It's true that Lan Xichen is among the most eligible and desired of bachelors for his gentle and patient disposition alone, but with him comes the Cloud Recesses and with the Cloud Recesses comes the Lan Sect.
And with the Lan Sect comes the wall of discipline and it's many, many rules.
They may as well have saved themselves some trouble and just chiseled "no fun allowed" into the stone.
But Xichen is also not one to follow the rules to the letter. He leads Shen Yuan off the beaten path to a small clearing, dotted with wildflowers. Another of the disciples is kneeling in the field, elegant even when hunched over, and quite tall when he stands to face the approaching company.
There is no mistake that the young man is related to Xichen - they are of a similar height, with the same regal bearing, and handsome features, though where Lan Xichen's neutral expression settles into a serene smile, this other man seems stern and dour.
The effect is rather offset by his armful of rabbits which are everywhere around the little grove, nibbling greens and hopping to and fro, quite carefree.
"Wangji," Xichen greets his brother with warmth and affection. He knows his brother has a... reputation for being difficult to get along with. He would very much like Shen Yuan's first impression of his beloved didi to be of his true nature; that he is, truly, as soft-hearted (if not moreso) as his older brother.
"I am glad I found you. I would like you to meet Shen Yuan."
A gentle hand covers the one Shen Yuan has rested on his arm, a reassurance that all is well.
Wangji sizes up the other man, and looks slightly miffed that he can't find anything to nitpick beyond Shen Yuan being a potential marriage candidate for his brother (the nerve!)
"Your betrothed? Shufu mentioned something of the sort," he asks brusquely.
"We haven't finalized the arrangement," he says and smiles at Shen Yuan. "But it is looking that way."
"Hm," is Wangji's only response to this besides a curt nod to Shen Yuan. It could mean anything, but is most likely both a welcome and a warning. Younger siblings just be like that sometimes.
no subject
Date: 2023-05-21 07:35 am (UTC)Oh, and what a destination it is! Shen Yuan has to bite his tongue not to squeal out loud and risk scaring the bunnies, because they are so cute he can hardly stand it. Even the dour look on Hanguang-jun's face can't curb his enthusiasm, although he remembers himself well enough to bow his head respectfully and say, "It's an honor to meet Hanguang-jun at last. My second brother speaks highly of you." And then his gaze immediately drops back down to the bunnies; he bites his lower lip for a moment, wrestling with it, before asking nervously, "Are your rabbits friendly?"
Can he pet one?? Please, please let him pet one ;.;
no subject
Date: 2023-05-21 08:47 am (UTC)He gives a quiet "Mn" and hands one over for Shen Yuan to hold.
Xichen gives into the urge to poke the little critter in it's wiggling nose, beaming impishly between his brother and fiance, delighted to see the two getting along.
(Well, for any given measure that Wangji gets along with anyone).
"It's a secret from shufu," Wangji warns. "So long as you remember that, you can come visit."
Xichen nods solemnly.
"Indeed, it's forbidden to keep pets in the Cloud Recesses," he explains as Wangji, seemingly having exhausted his capacity for conversation, turns on his heel and heads off. So much for having a proper chaperone. (Chaperone yourself! says the look Wangji casts back at his brother.
"But I know some of the junior disciples come up this way to relax after difficult lessons."
Bunny therapy is extremely effective, it seems.
no subject
Date: 2023-05-21 09:30 am (UTC)"They're so cute, Lan-zongzhu," he sighed, so happy he nearly sounds distressed about it. "Just. So very cute."
no subject
Date: 2023-05-21 09:55 am (UTC)Xichen sends a silent 'thank you' to his uncle for arranging this meeting; he'd probably implode if he had to deal with Wen Xu or Wen Chao for longer than an hour outside social functions. But even when he's not comparing Shen Yuan to what may have been, he finds that he is enjoying his company, and that he feels at ease by his side.
It is easy to picture their marriage further down the line: both are inclined to scholarly pursuits, and he can easily see Shen Yuan being good with the disciples and the other responsibilities marrying into the Lan Sect would demand.
His smile is effused with warmth as they walk the narrow paths of the meadow where the very wild rabbits frolic and play, and occasionally hop up to them expectantly, waiting for pets or treats.
Xichen, of course, indulges them.
"It is a good place to go when the Cloud Recesses can feel overly stringent," he explains. "I do not doubt you will thrive here - shufu told me you are of a scholarly disposition, and much of the lifestyle here caters to that - but I think it only fair to warn you that living here takes some adjustments."
His smile fades a little.
"You seem a kind and compassionate man. I would not want you to ever feel trapped here."
no subject
Date: 2023-05-21 10:44 am (UTC)It won't do at all. Let this be the beginning of his spousely duties, then: trying to reassure his husband, and cheer him up.
"I have no such concern," he says gently, and carefully sets the rabbit on the ground so he can (shyly, but with more confidence than before) set his hand on top of his husband's. "Lan-zongzhu is also a kind and compassionate man," he says softly. "I have every confidence that he will be a wonderful husband."
no subject
Date: 2023-05-21 11:45 am (UTC)(Xichen had expected that, if he ever found love, it would likely be quite chaste. Even in the throes of puberty, he never had much in ways of urges that a quick trip to the cold springs couldn't manage. Today, he is about to get in touch with his long dormant libido).
He smiles, sheepish, his jade-white cheeks flushed a pleasant shade of rose.
"Then, if you are sure that this is something you also want, we should head back and speak to your brothers and shufu."
And to ensure they aren't too worried that Xichen might have whisked the other young man away to have his wicked way with him before their wedding.
no subject
Date: 2023-05-21 11:53 am (UTC)"It is," he says simply. "I can think of no greater joy or duty than being wed to Zewu-jun."
Now it is his turn to turn slightly pink, as he ducks his head in recognition of the boldness of his words. But he means them, though. And he won't be taking them back.