Chapter Text
Zewu-jun's smile was strained as he talked to Sect Leader Ouyang. He definitely did not miss this part of being a Sect Leader. He nodded along politely as he prayed for his companions to be done soon.
Maybe he should have been careful with what he wished for because just then, the incense burner phased through the room the others were in and started spinning.
“What is happening?!”
"Is it an attack?!"
“Is it over? Are they leaving?”
A bright flash overtook the room, and there, in the centre of the room, was a young woman in Lan robes holding the incense burner; next to her was a man who was very obviously an older Lan Wangji.
Zewu-jun looked to the side of the room where the others were watching the memories, only to see that the room had disappeared and everyone inside was gaping at the newcomers.
The girl recovered quickly “Oh, Baba! I think I remember A-Die telling me that something like this happened when I was younger”
Hanguang-jun sighed “Yes. I remember too”
Zewu-jun held his head in his hands “What happened now?” he muttered to himself.
“Haha, surprise?”
Xiao Laoshi squealed as he ran over to them to hug his daughter “A-Yu, look at you! You’re so tall!”
“You’re the one who’s short, A-Die”, she laughed as she hugged him back “Is that me?” she asked, pointing to the small bundle in his arms.
“Yup, she’s the little gremlin who caused this”
“She is asleep”, Lan Wangji stated.
“Yes”
“I did this while I was asleep?” Lan Yura asked.
“Yes”
Jin Guangyao cleared his throat “If you don’t mind enlightening us, what exactly is happening?”
Lan Wangji glared at him.
The young woman bowed to the room “Greetings, I am Lan Yu, courtesy Yura, Head Disciple and Sect Heir of Gusu Lan”
“Is she the child in Wei Wuxian’s hands?”
“At the very least, she is a part of the main family. Look at her forehead ribbon”
“She seems nice”
She cleared her throat “I have been told that 20 years ago, a few people I know suddenly disappeared to the past one night and returned a day later. They did not mention anything about me or Baba coming here, so I am confused about that”
“Are they real? Or are they trying to trick us?” someone asked.
“I am real. I don’t know how to prove it, though,” Yura laughed.
“They are real! Do you think I wouldn’t recognize my own daughter and husband?” Xiao Laoshi huffed “Right, Lan Zhan?”
“Mn”, the older Lan Wangji agreed without a pause.
“Stop playing along with my older self; he’s going to get a big head”, Wei Wuxian said.
“It’s literally you”, Jiang Cheng grumbled.
Lan Qiren sighed, “Those forehead ribbons do indeed belong to the main family of our clan. They are not imposters, but just in case, Xichen, the older one, can you check?” he asked his nephew.
Yura’s eyes widened as she gasped quietly. Lan Wangji looked the same from the outside, but people who knew him saw that he looked at his brother with an odd expression, almost like grief.
“Uncle…” Yura smiled brightly “Hi! How are you?”
“I am well, Yura”, Zewu-jun smiled as he checked her meridians “It seems like you have grown into a talented cultivator”
He turned to his younger brother, who was older than him now “Wangji?”
The second jade held out his wrist quietly as looked at the floor “Mn”
Zewu-jun’s eyes widened as he checked the other’s meridians “Wow, I-” he cleared his throat, “It is indeed them”, he confirmed.
Nie Huaisang snapped his fan shut, “Oh! So we can continue where we left off-”
“Huaisang! This is not one of your plays!” Nie Mingjue scolded.
“But, Da-Ge! Aren't you curious as to what happens next?”
Sect Leader Yao cleared his throat “Am I the only one who finds it extremely unfair? Only those of the great four clans are being shown the events of the future!”
Jin Ling groaned “You probably ate Zewu-jun’s head with all your questions, what more do you want?”
“Actually, only people closely related to those who used the incense burner can see the memories. So even if you were allowed into the room, you'd not be able to see anything,” Xiao Laoshi lied through his teeth, earning a raised eyebrow from the Lans “And well, time is of the essence. Lan Zhan, are you ok with showing your memories regarding you know what?”
Lan Wangji nodded.
“Ok then, all of you, go ahead. I will stay here and make sure-” Zewu-jun started.
“No!” Yura yelled, “I mean- you have to watch it with us, Uncle. You have to”
“But someone from the future needs to stay outside to make sure everything runs smoothly”, he reasoned.
“It doesn't have to be anyone from the future. You have some disciples you trust enough to look over this, right?” she asked the other Sect Leaders.
“Even with Xiao Laoshi’s uhm- reasoning, I do not think people would be happy with being left out”, Lan Xichen said “I can stay back and pacify them. I will also polish the plans we made earlier about the Wen remnants and- the other things”
Yura nodded “That works”
“Zonghui! Follow Xichen’s orders and help him out here,” Nie Mingjue commanded. "The Nie Sect completely agrees with his words. Help him with the discussion”
“Yes, Sir!”
“A-Niang, can you stand in for me in the discussion?” Jin Zixuan asked “We agreed on everything important inside, and we already came to an agreement. You just need to give your official response in my place” Jin Zixuan asked his mother.
“If you're sure, A-Xuan”
“A-Cheng, I'll stay back and represent the Jiang Sect for this discussion”, Jiang Yanli stated “I don’t think I'd be able to provide any useful comments on what would be shown. I trust you to make the right decisions from the information you'll see”, she smiled.
“A-Jie, your words were really useful earlier. But if you're sure you want to stay back, you can”
“A-Cheng, A-Xian, no matter what you see, remember that they're showing us this so we can change our timeline for the better. Don't despair over things that didn't happen yet- or things that won't even happen anymore” She smiled at them.
Wei Wuxian tried to force his Shijie’s death to the very back of his mind because it was too painful to even think about, but it didn't change the fact that he was the reason she died. Hearing those words from her filled his heart with determination. He will not repeat his older self’s mistakes.
“Yes, Shijie”, he said at the same time as Jiang Cheng called, “Yes, A-Jie”
Wei Wuxian looked to his side, where his Lan Zhan was standing. He was staring at his older self with a crease between his eyebrows.
He reached out to smoothen it “You'll get wrinkles if you stay like that”
“Wei Ying”
“Is something wrong?”
“I- I-”, he took in a shuddering breath “In the future, something is wrong with Xiongzhang, and maybe with you too. I-”
“Oh, love,” he hugged the other. “I am scared too. But we have to remember that whatever we watch isn't inevitable. We can, and we will, change it.”
Lan Zhan relaxed into the hug “Mn”
Wei Wuxian suddenly realized what he did and stepped back, placing his arms on the other's shoulders “Uhh, I don't know why I did that- I know you don't like touch, but our future selves did this a lot, and I just thought-”
“Wei Ying,” he interrupted, “You can touch me if you wish”
“Really?”
“Mn. Wei Ying never needs to ask”
Wei Wuxian grinned “No take-backs, ok?” he sing-songed as he looped his arm around his fiance.
From behind him, he could hear his Shijie giggling, “Sect Leader Lan, I am sure they will be in there for longer than we will be out here discussing the important things. How do you feel about starting with the wedding negotiations after we are done with the main discussion?”
“I was thinking the same thing, Young Maiden Jiang”
Wei Wuxian burrowed his head in his fiance’s shoulder and groaned before turning to rest his cheek sideways “Older siblings, am I right?”
The Second Jade let out a huff of air.
“Lan Zhan! Did you just laugh?”
“Wei Wuxian!” Jiang Cheng called, “You can do all that after you're married. For now, just come here so we can start watching already!”
“Alright, I'm coming, I'm coming.”
They decided to move the location to the centre of the room, beside the intruder, who was still unconscious.
“The walls will be translucent. Let's keep an eye on him; everyone else will be too busy.” Sizhui said.
“Oh yeah, I almost forgot about him,” Jingyi said.
“It's been a day. Anyone feeling hungry or sleepy?” Xiao Laoshi asked.
“No. Which is odd, I thought at least the Lans would start dozing after a while.” Jin Ling said.
“Oh, me! I know!” Yura called “It's because your core memory thinks you're in the middle of a night hunt. You know how your core works to keep you awake and practices inedia while you're on night hunts without you even explicitly thinking about it? It's kind of like that,” she explained before turning to her father “A-Die, your core wasn't that strong back then. Are you ok?”
“I've been munching on snacks since I got here. I'm fine. And, oddly enough, I'm not sleepy at all.”
“If you're sure,” she said as she sent a small stream of qi into the incense burner before handing it to her father.
Lan Wangji did the same and whispered a few words into it.
Just like before, they were surrounded by three translucent walls and one opaque wall.
“So this is what it looked like on the inside,” Zewu-jun observed.
“Xiongzhang…” Lan Wangji called with a sad look on his face.
“Wangji,” he sighed, “Why do you keep looking at me like that? Do I do something in the future?”
The look turned into a glare, and the Twin Jades seemed to have been having a silent conversation before Yura broke them up.
“Let's sit down!” she said as she dragged the both of them down and sat between them.
Xiao Laoshi sat beside Lan Wangji with A-Yu still in his arms. Sizhui and his sworn brothers followed him. Lan Qiren made his way to sit beside his older nephew but was beaten by the Nie Sect Leader.
He just huffed and sat in front of them, and Nie Huaisang, Jin Zixuan and Jiang Cheng followed. Wei Wuxian and Lan Zhan sat beside Jiang Cheng, after which the Jiang Sect Leader scooted away from them.
“Lan Zhaaan~ What are you going to show us?” Xiao Laoshi asked.
“The big incidents which occured in the past 20 years”
“So you're from 20 years in the future?” Xiao Laoshi sighed dramatically “Though it is quite tempting, I will keep to myself. I am very loyal to my husband, and you should stay loyal to yours too!”
“Wei Ying said to do to him as I wish this morning”, the older man whispered into his ear.
“That's because I'm nice! Do you have any idea what kind of vinegar I would have to put up with after I go home?”
“Dada, make them stop!” Yura groaned as she covered her ears.
“If you haven't a found a way in 20 years, what hope do I have?” Sizhui asked.
“Let's just get on with it!” Jiang Cheng yelled at the same time as Jin Ling.
The screen panned down to show Lan Wangji sitting beside Sizhui, having a meeting with some Jin elders. Lan Meilin and Lan Haoren were there too.
“Wait, whose point of view are we going to be watching?” Jin Zixuan asked.
“We'll be watching from Hanguang-jun’s point of view, Jin-Gongzi. If I remember correctly, you can also see things from my point of view if it's related to the scene since my younger self is the one who brought us here,” Yura explained.
“Then it is settled then, this summer the wedding will be held here in Cloud Recess” Sizhui said with a strained smile “I think it would only be appropriate if any further negotiations are done between their family. No need for the Sect Officials to be involved”
“I understand, Sect Leader Lan, but you must also understand that this is our Sect Leader who is getting married” the Jin Elder sighed.
“Wait, Jin Ling’s getting married?!” Jiang Cheng yelled.
“With who?!” Jin Zixuan yelled.
“Finally!” Zizhen breathed out.
Jin Ling just blushed at the sudden outburst.
“Elder Jin, with all due respect, the negotiations which needed to be done between the clans have been concluded today, after almost 10 years of negotiations. Everything else is up to them and their families,” Sizhui said resolutely, not letting there be any room for any more arguments.
“10 years?!”
“Oh my god, I would have lost my patience by then”
“Holy shit, that's almost as long as Wei-qianbei and Hanguang-jun took to get together”
Sizhui cleared his throat “Just to clarify, they will be marrying into each other's clans, but as Sect Leader Jin has to remain in Lanling, they will spend the majority of time there. But they must be in Cloud Recess for at least four months out of the year. They can choose the months based on their preference. The main ceremony will be held in Cloud Recess, and the feast afterwards will be held in Koi Tower. That is all, correct?”
“Yes”, the Jin elders sighed.
Sizhui smiled wearily as he bowed "Then let us meet at the wedding"
Lan Haoren stood up “Let me escort you to the pads”
Once they left the room, Sizhui’s head slammed into the table “It's over. It's finally over”
Lan Meilin laughed “You did great, Sizhui”
“Mn” Lan Wangji patted his back.
The screen sped up as it showed time passing.
"They basically just kicked out those Elders!" Xiao Laoshi laughed.
“A-Ling” Jin Zixuan called “Are you the Jin whose engagement negotiations have been going on for 6 years? The one they mentioned earlier?”
Jin Ling sighed “Yes. That's me”
Jin Zixuan looked awkward “Does this person make you happy?” he asked.
Jin Ling blushed as he avoided a certain person’s eyes “Ye-yes”
“Then that's all I need to know”, he smiled “But is it someone I've seen in the previous memories?” he asked.
Xiao Laoshi and Zizhen shook in their seats, trying to contain their laughter.
“Actually”, he cleared his throat “It's- um” he grabbed Jingyi’s hand and pulled him closer “You've met him”
Jin Zixuan and Jiang Cheng looked at him, shocked.
“A-Ling, give me some warning before you introduce me to my in-laws!” Jingyi whisper-yelled.
“Shut up, you've already met them! You've been sitting with them for over 24 hours now”
“Little Mistress, that's different and you know it. Your uncle tried to drown me the first time he found out”
“That was an accident!”
Lan Qiren took a deep breath.
Jin Zixuan’s mouth still remained open.
Jiang Cheng sighed “You know what, my future self has 10 years to make sure you were right for him. I'll let you slide for now but I swear if you do anything-” he cut himself off threateningly.
“He almost drowned you?” Yura asked, laughing “Why haven't I heard this story?”
Both the boys blushed “Shut up! Forget about that!” Jin Ling yelled.
“Oh ho ho. I think not. I can't believe Jiang Cheng kept this from me. I'll get it out of him one way or the other,” Xiao Laoshi laughed.
“I don't mean this in a bad way, but I never expected you to be a couple”, Nie Huaisang said as he his behind his fan.
“Nie-Xiong, not everyone can be romantic like Lan Zhan. Bickering is their way of showing their love,” Xiao Laoshi answered.
“Sometimes they do normal couple things”, Zizhen shuddered “It's weird as hell”
“But 10 years?” Sizhui asked in disbelief as he pocketed the notes he had made.
“Dada, I heard that they actually thought about eloping because the negotiations were going nowhere. But one day, Yi-Ge had the brilliant idea of making a teleportation talisman into something a bit more secure. That's when negotiations actually started progressing”
Lan Wangji nodded “The main issue with the Jin elders was that they did not want their Sect Leader away from Lanling for extended periods of time. In Wei Ying’s advanced talisman class, Lan Jingyi proposed the idea of turning the teleportation talisman into a more efficient structure”
“Yi-Ge was the one who had the general blueprint, but a lot of people worked together to refine the details. Like how to minimize qi usage, setting locations and everything in between. A-Die actually taught me the more intricate details of the teleportation pads in class two weeks ago!”
“Oh, that's so romantic!” Zizhen clapped.
The two boys blushed.
“Let's get started on that right away when we get home”, Sizhui said “Jin Ling, Jingyi, I would do a lot for you, but 10 years is a little too much, even for me”
"Sorry", Jingyi grinned sheepishly.