Chapter Text
Li Weihan had long heard of the illustrious Twin Jades. They were revered far and wide for their humility, sincerity and last but not least, good looks.
They were often compared with the Twin Prides, known for being the only ones on the same level as the Twin Jades in terms of skill, unconventional yet effective solutions, and constant shouting at one another.
Today, Weihan and his father were representing their village by offering gifts for the coronation of the youngest Emperors in history. The aforementioned Twin Jades. They had heard that the Twin Jades enjoyed trying tea from various regions. Therefore they thought rare tea leaves, native to their lands, would be a stellar gift for the new rulers of their lands.
As a child from an extremely secluded village, he had been excited to not only finally leaving their village, but seeing the beautiful Imperial Palace, that most spend their entire lives wishing for a chance to glance at the magnificent structure. He cannot express just how much he had been anticipating this excursion.
They had finally arrived at the palace belonging to the Lans, it was not as grandiose as the Jin Castle, which was decked in gaudy gold from top to bottom, but there was a sense of magnificence just from the architecture.
Despite the Lan Palace being a place that encompassed the values on humility that the Lans wore, every inch of the Palace screamed class. The slanted roofs, the dragon carvings, they were all works of art deserving of attention.
Finally Weihan had a chance to glance at the men of the hour. The Lan Emperors truly lived to their name, they were devastating handsome yet intimidating with their powerful auras.
However there was something that Weihan did not anticipate to bear witness to. The Lan Emperors were renowned for their disdain towards physical touch, not to the point of disrespect, but they were said to avoid it if possible.
Yet, he saw a man of red and black silks essentially in the arms of Hanguang-Jun, yet not only was he not pushed off, he saw Hanguang-Jun with a hint of a smile. Zewu-Jun was no different, he had his arm around a man in royal purple attire, smiling at him as he offered a treat in his hand.
Chapter 2
Notes:
I am incredibly sorry for my absence and deletion of prior work, the prior storyline was incredibly messy and lacked substance. This is a completely new chapter.
Chapter Text
Many tend to see Yu Ziyuan as a cruel woman, one who was incredibly power-hungry, only thinking of her children as stepping stones to success, not a maternal bone in her. She was okay with the misconceptions of the general public, her reputation is a small price to pay for her children's safety.
A-Cheng and A-Li are leaning on her shoulders. A-Ying is currently resting in her lap after a particularly ardous training session. Many think she pushes her elder son particularly hard out of jealousy, that her husband cheated on her with Cangse. The same Cangse who was the only one who bothered to show her warmth, despite all of the rumours, aside from her own husband. Cangse who had done everything in her power to protect A-Ying from harm, even from beyond the grave. Cangse who sacrificed her life for the safety of a village who can't even remember her name. How ridiculous. How revolting of them to even insinuate that. She wishes she could strangle Jin Guangshan and his entourage every time they state their assumptions as fact.
All her children were brilliant, intelligent, strong individuals. A-Li was far above her agemates in terms of cultivation, only losing to her brothers. Her A-Cheng was incredible, he was starting to tire her out in training matches, and she was nearing her forties! But A-Ying was a completely different league. She knows her A-Li alone could defeat most of the cultivation world. But her A-Cheng is on par with Lan Xichen. Her A-Ying? At a level only Lan Wangji is on.
But the only ones who know of their children's brilliance, are the Lan Royal Couple and them. The world is far too dangerous for her sweet children. She knows she's not the kindest person. She's selfish. She wants her children to be safe. In a world that's determined to hurt them. That's why she pushes her children, especially A-Ying. She knows of his power, his demonic cultivation, might one day turn the entire cultivation world against him. There was a point in time where she only regarded A-Ying as the last shred of the woman she saw as a sister.
But after a year of caring for him, he had unknowingly become very own son. Not merely a ward. Not merely her closest friend's son. Not merely a disciple. She still remembers his words, exactly a year after moving in, the most timid she's ever heard him.
"Auntie Yu...Can I call you guys A-Niang and like A-Cheng and Jiejie?"
"What about your Mama?"
"She'll always be my Mama! But you can be my A-Niang!"
The look in his eyes. She'll never forget it. It melted every defense in her heart. She's never been particularly affectionate, but that day evoked something in her. She's been openly affectionate with all three of her children ever since.
"A-Niang? You seem conflicted."
"Ah, A-Li, I can never hide anything from you." Her brilliant 17 year old daughter, who always seems to see through her.
I'm worried for your futures. You and Your brothers are going to make enemies with your potential. You're all too kind for your own good. I find myself wishing every night that all of you would be more selfish. I know all of you would do anything for the world you love, but all I want is for you all to be safe. All three of you would give everything for these people. But I would raze the world to the ground for you.
But that's not what I said. A-Li may be mature, but it's my job to keep her childhood intact.
"I'm just stressed over court matters, nothing for you to worry your pretty head over."
She doesn't seem entirely convinced, but she also looks exhausted. I lull her to sleep with a song.