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"Brother." Lan Wangji called when he came out of the jingshi and saw Lan Xichen walking towards him. "What's wrong?" he asked when he saw Lan Xichen's face is pale and he looked lifeless.

Lan Xichen looked at his younger brother who looked like him. However, Lan Wangji isn't like him. Lan Wangji has Wei Wuxian, whereas he, Lan Xichen, has no one... "Nothing." He answered and forced a smile.

"Mn." Lan Wangji nodded and watched his elder brother left.

"Ah – " Wei Wuxian yawned behind Lan Wangji as he went out the jingshi. "Lan Zhan. What's wrong?" he asked when he saw his husband standing still outside the door like a statue. Well, Lan Wangji is really like a statue – standing upright with that poker face of his. But... "Problem?" he added as he stood beside his husband. He peeked his head to look at Lan Wangji's face. As usual, it is cold and indifferent. However, his instinct tells him something has happened.

He looked around to see if Lan Qiren passed by, but suddenly, he heard his husband's voice when Lan Wangji spoke. "Wei Ying." He called.

Wei Wuxian turned to Lan Wangji. "Lan Zhan. What's wrong?" he asked.

Lan Wangji turned to Wei Wuxian. "It is my brother." He answered.

Wei Wuxian's brows raised. "Zewu-jun?" he said. "What's wrong with Zewu-jun?" he asked.

Lan Wangji stared at him before he answered. "I don't know." He answered. Then, he looked at the direction where Lan Xichen went.

Wei Wuxian's forehead knotted, then he turned to where Lan Wangji is looking. He can see that Lan Wangji is bothered. "Shall we go and ask Zewu-jun?" he asked.

Lan Wangji turned to look at Wei Wuxian. He saw the top of Wei Wuxian's head. It is where he kisses the other sometimes, but it is where he most liked to kiss him. Every time he kisses the top of Wei Wuxian's head, he feels that he expresses the love he has towards the other, and shows how he cherishes him. "Mn." He answered.

"Then, let's go!" Wei Wuxian said and pulled Lan Wangji's hand.

Lan Wangji's ears immediately turned red. "Mn." He answered.

"Xichen." Lan Qiren called when he saw his eldest nephew entered the Orchid Room. He was about to ask something when he saw his nephew's lost expression. "Xichen?" he called, puzzled.

Lan Xichen blinked and seemed to wake up from his daze. "Uncle...?" he said and turned to Lan Qiren.

"What's wrong with you?" Lan Qiren asked as he stared at his eldest nephew.

"Oh. I – " Lan Xichen said and was about to answer when he stopped. He remembers, their clan's rule: do not lie. He bit his lower lip as he lowered his head.

Lan Qiren stared at Lan Xichen for a while. "You can't tell?" he asked. Seeing Lan Xichen nodded, he sighed. "Xichen." he called.

Lan Xichen raised his head. "Yes, uncle?" he answered.

"Have you already discussed it with Jiang Wanyin?" Lan Qiren asked.

Lan Xichen dispiritedly nodded. His heart hurt when he heard the man's name. "Yes, uncle." He answered, remembered the YunmengJiang Sect's request to subdue the walking corpse. Ah, no. He thought. Wanyin didn't request for us, but for young master Wei. Thinking this, he closed his eyes, feeling pained. I... I lied to Wanyin. He balled his fists, feeling ashamed.

Lan Qire's brows knit when he saw his nephew's complexion. What's wrong with him now? He thought, puzzled. "Yes. You have to help Jiang Wanyin in the best way you can." He told him. Yes. Help Jiang Cheng the best that you can. So that, you... and him... his eyelids lowered.

"Yes, uncle. I will." Lan Xichen answered.

Lan Qiren nodded as he gratefully looked at his nephew. "Good." He said. "Jiang Wanyin is the only one who is carrying his sect on his shoulders. He has no one to guide him, since the YunmengJiang sect has not yet appointed its elders." he said and rose from his seat. Then, he patted his nephew's shoulder. "This will be the first time the YunmengJiang Sect holding a discussion conference after a long time. It should be a success." He told him.

"Yes, uncle..." Lan Xichen said, then froze. His mind just registered what Lan Qiren had said. "Discussion conference?" he said, surprised.

"Yes." Lan Qiren answered, didn't notice his nephew's reaction. "That day, he came and asked me of your help. I led him around the Cloud Recesses while waiting for you to come back." He explained, referring to the time Lan Xichen met Jiang Cheng again after a long time.

Lan Xichen felt his heart is beating so fast against his chest. Discussion conference? But, he asked help to subdue a corpse. He didn't mention the discussion conference. Why did he lie...? He thought. Then, his face slowly turned red as he thought of a possibility. His slowly dying heart suddenly turned alive. "Uncle, will you excuse me?" he said and immediately left. His heart is set to confirm if his thoughts are true.

He didn't notice that Lan Qiren smiled before he left. "This is how far I can help you." Lan Qiren said and also left.

On the table, there were two cups of tea. Smoke is billowing from their mouth.