#silvarbelle

“We will find out who did this,” his uncle had vowed to him, face black with offense. He had not liked Lan Wangji’s marriage, although he had formally given his approval on the basis of not wanting to fight against Lan stubbornness in romantic matters, but he had softened a little towards Wei Wuxian over time. Lan Qiren had always appreciated gifted thinkers and a good conversation, and if they would never agree on the subject of demonic cultivation then at least they could talk about musical cultivation from sunrise to sunset.

He had been just as horrified as anyone else when they had found Wei Wuxian lying there, with –

Lan Wangji unclenched his fists. It was difficult, and required significant willpower.

They had found Wei Wuxian in time, after all. He still lived.

Barely.

The doctors had been summoned at once, and Lan Wangji had transferred spiritual energy to him, his uncle by his side to strengthen him; with some effort they had transported him back to the jingshi to rest and recover. All the doctors agreed that his prognosis was good – that he would recover, and soon.

There was no more that could be done in regards to help. Nothing of substance, nothing else...

Lan Wangji could do nothing but wait.

Wait – and rage.

It was, in some ways, a good thing that whoever had stabbed Wei Wuxian in the back had done so in the Cloud Recesses; there were doctors and medicine and healing arts aplenty. But in other ways it was all the more unforgivable.

This was their home.

Who would dare?

Lan Xichen had closed the gates, someone had told him, and the surprise of hearing that his brother had broken his seclusion for this had managed to penetrate even through the paralysis of his anger. Lan Xichen would not let anyone enter and no one leave until they had figured out who had laid a hand on Wei Wuxian – and no matter who it was, it would hurt.

Would it be one of the juniors that Wei Wuxian tutored? One of the elders that Lan Wangji had spent a lifetime revering? One of Lan Wangji’s peers, those who had fought alongside him in the war and knew how strongly he felt, how much he’d suffered, over losing Wei Wuxian the first time?

He hoped it was a stranger.

He knew it wouldn’t be.

At least Wei Wuxian lived, he reminded himself. At least he had not lost everything.

And yet…hadn’t he?

Could they really stay here, where Wei Wuxian’s safety had been violated? Wouldn’t Lan Wangji have to leave his home to find somewhere new?

And yet, he didn’t want to leave – why should he leave?

It was them. The mysterious perpetrator. They were the ones who had to go.

Them, and anyone who had aided them.

“Mm…Lan Zhan?”

Lan Wangji put his hand into Wei Wuxian’s. His fingers were trembling.

“Did I worry you?” Wei Wuxian said, and smiled. “Don’t worry, Lan Zhan. I’ll be fine.”

He almost hadn’t been.

Still, Lan Wangji made a sound of assent.

Wei Wuxian was fine.

He would continue to be fine – Lan Wangji would make sure of it.