Work Text:
The calm breeze of the forest that usually calms Wei WuXian down and give him comfort is squeezing on him and making him tight chested.
This phenomenon started to get redundant that Wei WuXian somehow got used to this feeling, however it didn't make it any easier for him.
He is not sick, this is but a side effect to male pregnancies. He has found a book about pregnancy in the forbidden library of Cloud Recesses which made him curious for the reason that book was placed there.
Therefore when he opened it and read its contents, he found a receipt for certain pregnancy pills that helps men to adjust their wombs to be able to carry a child without changing their organs of private area.
The reason that book was there was for two things, the fact that cut-sleeve relationships in the past when that book was written, were frowned upon more so than nowadays, especially among the cultivating sects and especially the great sects.
Secondly, the side effects of wearing the pregnant man down and making his health in between good and bad, but not bad enough to harm them until they die or the sorts.
And the second reason was why Wei WuXian had some arguments with Lan WangJi who was afraid for his health. But after some hard and strong protests from Wei WuXian who one day found himself crying openly to Lan Wangji's face , accusing him of not wanting something that relates him to Wei WuXian by blood, that he doesn't want to taint himself further.
Lan Zhan had subdued/submitted to his wish.
He couldn't help it back then, Wei Ying had been under so much pressure and stress, and his lengthy arguments with his husband haven't faired well with him.
Anyway, back to where this story started, Wei WuXian got up from his seating place laying his hand on his 8 months pregnant belly and headed to Lan Qiren's chambers. Despite living here for almost three years, he still cannot trust the healers here, because they fall under the elders of the sect more than Lan WangJi.
And with Lan Xichen away along with Lan WangJi this week, he found himself trusting no one but his husband's uncle. For, no matter how the man hated Wei WuXian, he wouldn't want harm to come his grandchild way.
And Wei WuXian is honestly becoming more afraid for his child's safety the more his pregnant hood advanced. Also, he gets lonely lately whenever he's left behind with no one but the rabbits and junior disciples of the sect who can't stay more than two hours at best with him.
However, when Wei WuXian arrived at Lan Qiren place, knocked on his door and entered as he used to do , Lan Qiren's reaction was different this time. He looked at him as if he was startled and surprised with him. He first looked at him as if not recognising him then to his belly with wonder and stupified expression, and finally his eyes widened at the sight of the Lan outer robe belonging to his husband wrapped around him.
"Wei.. Wei Wu..Xian?" It was a question. Out of true confusion.
"Yes shufu. What happened? Is there something wrong with me- urgh!" He first confirmed then tried to laugh the situation off but his condition cut him off. His face twisting in pain
He feels as if his child is nearly announcing his welcome to the world but it can't happen now, there is still about 3 weeks at least to his due date!
"Wei WuXian what.. what is going on? Are you ill or something?" Ignoring the way Wei WuXian has called him by earlier, elder Lan expressed his concern
"Uncle, I'm really not in the right condition to have a game of weird questions with you nor arguing right now. I'm feeling as if the child is almost coming soon when it shouLDN'T" Wei WuXian couldn't help but cry at the end of his sentence
Both hurt, afraid and annoyed with the stupid questions Lan Qiren is throwing his way!
And out of all the responses Lan Qiren could have came up with he went with "Which.. whose child?" Therefore Wei WuXian looked at him totally done with life "Whom am I married to again but your nephew?"
Blink, two blinks, parted lips and three blinks "Which nephew?"
"Oh god Lan Xiansheng! Are you accusing me of cheating on Lan Zhan with Zewu-jun? After all this time? Agh- oh god, this hurts, for heaven's sake just give me that soothing disgusting herbal tea so I can rest already, we can.. argh, we can talk later"
Seriously, how do women deal with this pain occasionally? His love, admiration and respect to his mother, sister and any woman who carried a child like it was nothing, intensified. 'I'm sorry mom,' he thought
Even if Lan Qiren knew and understood nothing of the current situation and what is going on around him or what this apparently Wei WuXian talked about, he knows for sure which tea the man is intending to get.
For now he will help this familiar stranger with his needs. After all, no matter who is the concerned one, his Lan upbringing taught him to help the injured, pregnant and the nearly shattered their souls while still alive.
"Okay, you may sit there on the soft cushion. Try to go through calm breath rhythm"
Was what came out of his mouth.
Yes, it's confirmed now. Lan Qiren is definitely acting weird. And Wei WuXian isn't sure about the reason.
Has his in-law woke up on his other side and decided to try teasing Wei WuXian in his own awkward way? Maybe.
Holding the cup of tea Lan Qiren handed him earlier between his hands, Wei Ying tried to kill this awkward atmosphere
"Whatever happened with you uncle? Have you tried to tease me earlier? I must say you succeed then" his tone had a laughing lilt to it.
"I have done no such thing, Wei WuXian" was the firm yet calm answer.
❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥
A few seconds of silence passed by them, in which
Wei WuXian's confusion deepened as he sipped the bitter tea, hoping it would calm his nerves and ease the tension in his body. Lan Qiren's behavior was inexplicable, and the elder's uncharacteristic lack of recognition had shaken him.
"Uncle," Wei WuXian began, his voice softer now, trying to bridge the gap of misunderstanding between them. "I don't understand what's going on. You know about the pregnancy, right? Lan Zhan and I have been preparing for this for months. Surely, you must remember?"
Lan Qiren's brows furrowed, and he leaned forward, his expression one of deep concentration mixed with confusion. "Wei WuXian, you say you are pregnant and married to WangJi? That is impossible. Lan WangJi is not even twenty yet, and you were still a student here in the Cloud Recesses not long ago. How can this be?"
Wei WuXian felt his heart skip a beat. "What are you talking about? Lan Zhan and I have been married for years. We've lived here for almost three years now. What do you mean, 'still a student'?"
Lan Qiren shook his head slowly. "Wei WuXian, this is the year after you and the other disciples from Yunmeng Jiang arrived in Gusu for our teachings. I do not understand your claims about being married or pregnant."
Lan Qiren was legit concerned about this troublemaker of a boy. Has he hit his head during a training session or something? But then again, he looks like Wei WuXian but is not the Wei WuXian he knows. The man is sure that Cangse's son is just 17.
Wei WuXian's mind raced, trying to make sense of what he was hearing. The year after his first arrival in Cloud Recesses? Does it mean the year of the discussion conference where he met Wen Ning? That was over a decade ago. Could it be that somehow, that his uncle in law lost some of his memory?
"Uncle," Wei WuXian said, his voice trembling slightly, "what year is it exactly?"
"It is the 19th year of the reign of Yuanzheng, there's not much left until the Wen would host the conference this year," Lan Qiren replied, his eyes narrowing as he studied Wei WuXian's reaction.
Wei WuXian's breath caught in his throat. Lan Xiansheng had indeed lost his memory, to a period before the war, before his relationship with Lan WangJi had even begun. He felt a wave of dizziness and had to steady himself against the table.
How should he deal with this? Oh, right. It could be a temporary confusion in Lan Qiren's memory. Wei WuXian just has to remind him.
"Uncle, can you hand me your latest handwritten diary, it could be the newest analysis or a set of teaching program you just wrote.."
Wei WuXian can see the suspicion in Lan Qiren's eyes, but he ignores it all together.. he has to make sure the man is fine.
However, the book that Lan Qiren handed him sent him into a state of shock! For, right at top of the page, it reads 'The Year of Ji Mao' , 'the 19th year of the Yuanzheng reign' .. And this only brings him to the horrifying theory, that this is not a case of memory loss on Shufu's part, but a travel in time on his own part!
How did this happen?? How could it be that somehow, he had traveled back in time?
He had neither tampered with arrays nor time! In fact, he doesn't touch his work anymore whenever his husband is not around. He cannot risk something happening to his child.
How can he break these news to this version of Lan Qiren? Eyy, he'll just go with it!
"Uncle, I... I don't know how this happened," Wei WuXian admitted. "But I am from the future. In my time, Lan Zhan and I are married, and I am eight months pregnant with our child."
Lan Qiren looked at him skeptically, clearly struggling to believe such an outrageous claim. "This is hard to accept, Wei WuXian. But if what you say is true, we must find a way to confirm it. Do you have any proof?"
Wei WuXian thought for a moment, then reached into his robes and pulled out a small jade pendant, a gift from Lan WangJi that he always carried with him. "This was given to me by Lan Zhan. He crafted it himself and gave it to me on our wedding day."
Thank goodness that Lan Zhan had a knack for things other than music during his youth..
Lan Qiren took the pendant, examining it closely. He recognized Lan WangJi's craftsmanship and the unique insignia that marked it as his work. He looked back at Wei WuXian, the skepticism in his eyes giving way to a reluctant acceptance. "This is indeed WangJi's work. But this situation is unprecedented. We need to proceed carefully."
Wei WuXian nodded, relief flooding through him. "I understand, Uncle. I just need to find a way back to my own time. But for now, I need your help to ensure the safety of my child. Please, can you help me?"
Lan Qiren's expression softened, and he placed a reassuring hand on Wei WuXian's shoulder. "We will figure this out, Wei WuXian. For now, you should rest and avoid stress. We will keep this matter private until we understand more."
Wei WuXian sighed in relief. "Thank you, Uncle. I appreciate it more than you know."
As he made his way back to his quarters, Wei WuXian felt a mixture of anxiety and determination. He was in an unfamiliar time, but he was resolved to protect his child and find a way back to his own era. With Lan Qiren's cautious support, he felt a glimmer of hope amidst the confusion and uncertainty.
However, midway through his walk, Wei Ying was reminded that his quarters are Lan Zhan's quarters. A Lan Zhan who doesn't know this version of him. A Lan Zhan whom is still struggling to figure out his crush on him.
What should he do now? Ah screw it! Quoting his dear husband "Lan Zhan is Lan Zhan" , he'll figure it out somehow.