prompts / continuations.

[fennu]

Comments

[fennu]

[ His nose wrinkles immediately. ]

I might have a wife. The prospect of that is bleak indeed, Xichen.

[lanclan]

When I was in town some days ago, [ on a good mental health day of his own, which are always like dreams of his former self, ] I overheard a group of women outside talking about the dashing Jiang-zongzhu. I find it hard to believe it will be all that hard to find a woman who does not adore you.

[fennu]

Finding a suitable woman is different from any woman.

[ It would be nice if he could choose for love, too. Having seen his mother and father, well... ]

I am not optimistic, but if I must select an heir from the disciples then I will.

[lanclan]

[ The sheer self-control it takes not to raise his sleeve to hide a wider smile and remain serene, hands on his lap ... ]

Should I grant you permission to take your pick of Cloud Recesses?

[fennu]

[ Which leads to a scowl all of its own. ]

I am not going to trawl Cloud Recesses in search of a marital partner!

[lanclan]

[ Oh, there's the next round of tea, bless that junior. Quiet thanks are given to them as they clear and refresh the table, holding his tongue further until the screens are shut to the outside world again. ]

No need to trawl.

[fennu]

Then how do you imagine I might find a spouse, Lan Xichen?

[ He lifts his tea, takes a sip, and tries to hide his wince. Hot. ]

[lanclan]

I am not qualified to speak on the subject.

[ Neutral win. ]

[fennu]

And yet you'd have me make a union with Gusu Lan all the same?

[ He puts his tea down slowly, hands on his lap. ]

[lanclan]

The women of Gusu Lan are everything Wanyin specified.

[ Just saying. ]

[fennu]

That does not mean our marriage would be a good one.

[ Not all the women in Gusu Lan are going to like him. ]

[lanclan]

You are predisposed to dislike this marriage, so why are you interested in fostering one?

[ That's the vibe he gets, at any rate, and his opinion. Honest as rocks. ]

[fennu]

A-Ling deserves cousins, and Yunmeng Jiang an heir. I should at least make an attempt at it.

[ It feels like a duty, one that he has to complete alone without parent nor sibling to help. ]

[lanclan]

I joke, but in all truth I understand your concerns as I am also without an heir.

[ Sizhui is not Lan by blood, and tradition is something of a stickler on that, no matter how dearly he is adored or how wonderful of a young man he is turning out to be. Wangji is whole-heartedly in love with his husband (good, they are happy) and Xichen is too nervous to meet anyone new. ]

We ought to toast to our mutual problem.

[fennu]

You have a brother and a nephew.

[ A-Ling could have been the heir to the Jiang sect, were he not already the Sect Leader of the Jin Sect now. Despite the complications, there are more options open to Lan Xichen than Jiang Cheng.

Still, he lifts his cup. ]

[lanclan]

There are not many years between myself and Wangji, he knows he will not become Sect Leader and ... neither does he desire it. Sizhui is family, but he cannot inherit this particular position. Too much in Cloud Recesses is tied to recognition of blood.

[ Aiya softly crosses his lips, sipping his tea. ]

[fennu]

I understand completely, then. The necessity of a child isn't one I had concerned myself with when I was younger, but now...

[ Once upon a time he had thought he might marry someone he cared for, but now? It is different. ]

[lanclan]

You are younger, you have more time.

[ Unlike old man Xichen here, creaky-boned and covered in dust! ]

[fennu]

[ That actually sparks a laugh out of him, almost a shocked noise. ]

The difference in our ages is barely anything!

[lanclan]

[ Jiang Cheng's laughter makes his smile warm, eyes crinkling fondly at him. ]

I will have to wear a veil soon to hide all my wrinkles ...

[fennu]

If that is the case then I will have to excuse myself from society for my own.

[ But he is glad, at least, that Xichen is smiling; there's a swell of fondness in him for it. ]

[lanclan]

Where?

[ He leans an arm on the table, giving Jiang Cheng a once-over with a flit of lashes, bolder than he has been yet with a hint of his former confidence. ]

I see nothing uncomely.

[fennu]

[ Oh.

Xichen has always been handsome, of course, rated highest in single men, but having that angled at him is different. His cheeks go warm immediately and he shakes his head. ]

Soon! Not yet. But I may have frown lines.

[lanclan]

How distinguished.

[ How red can a Yunmeng Jiang get? Let's see. ]

[fennu]

[ Painfully red, apparently, since his first instinct is to try and turn his head away and look somewhere else, completely flushed. ]

A kind way of saying old!