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Chapter Text

“She’s mine.”

Lan Wangji’s unexpected assertion surprised the room. Everyone turned to him gaping

“HanGuang Jun, I had not expected your interest. You see, Prince Wen had already requested the princess for himself.“

Lan Wangji’s hand unconsciously tightened around Bichen as his eyes narrowed in determination.

Minister Mo swallowed visibly

“The Gusu Lans of course turned the tides of battle in our favor against the Weis. The emperor is deeply pleased by his royal cousins’ valor and loyalty. The spoils from Wei are at Your highness and Zewu Jun‘s disposal. But I must mention that Prince Wen...”

“The house of Lan is honored by his majesty’s favor. It is unsurprising that both Wangji and Prince Wen are interested in Princess Wei Ying as they have observed her beauty up close during their studies at Cloud Recess.”

Lan Xichen smoothly intervened on his brother’s behalf.

“I am pleased to see Wangji expressing interest. He has so far passed on the many concubines and slave girls gifted to our house in the last few years. It’s appropriate for a young lord of his age to start his household as a proper marriage alliance takes time to negotiate. As his fond older brother，I humbly request this girl for Wangji. I anticipate there will be many more pleasing choices for Prince Wen as Wei women are famed for their charms.”

“Yes yes my Lord Zewu. It will be as you say.”

Lord Mo conceded.

“HanGuang Jun, as you may not be well versed in taking on prisoners of war, I am obliged to remind your highness that enemy prisoners, especially royalty, are enslaved to our lords as payback for our countrymen’s blood and as visible symbols of his majesty’s victory. There has been a few unfortunate occasions where the masters had become overly besotted by their slaves and attempted to free or even marry them. This is seen as great betrayal to the emperor and has brought shame and exile unto those lords and their families.

The Gusu Lans are renowned for their strict code of conduct and loyalty to the dragon throne. I’m sure this will not be a problem.”

Lan Wangji bowed in acquiesce.

Chapter Text

The spacious tent of HanGuang Jun sat in the middle of camp, as befitting of one of the main generals of the Wei campaign. Lan Wangji was just sitting down to a quiet cup of tea when an old man begged entrance.

“My Lord HanGuang. I am ordered by Lord Mo to see to your specification for your new slave. I oversee slave training for Lord Mo. You see, most of these slaves have lived lives of exceeding privilege and have no skills or desire to serve. They need to be broken in and trained thoroughly before they can serve their masters well. This can take 1-6 months depending on the character of the slave. I would like to begin with your new slave Wei Ying. The reports from her guards so far suggest...she may need more time.”

Lan Wangji looked up in surprise.

“What kind of training?”

“She will likely be a body slave for your highness?”

Lan Zhan nodded hesitantly. He hasn’t really thought much beyond finally claiming Wei Ying as his own. Now that this is a reality, he was not sure what else.

“She will need to be trained to dress and bathe you and generally wait on your highness as well as...skills to please your highness at night.. the old man coughed delicately.”

“What if I don’t want to wait.”

“Well...some masters do enjoy taking a hand in the taming process. In which case I suggest a short cut if you wish to bond the slave quickly to you and smooth the way for her submission.”

The old man leaned in and whispered to Lan Wangji whose brows furrowed and ears grew red at the sordid details. His hand gripped and ungripped the teacup uncertainly.

Was this the right thing to do？He was not sure.

The old man stood patiently by as he thought things over.

“Do it.”

Chapter Text

The outerlands of Wei, where the Lan and Wen armies had set up their encampment, were arid and cool year round, Once the sun sets, winds freshly chilled from the snow capped mountains blew endlessly through the grounds, cutting through the leather armors of those unlucky enough to draw night watch.

Lan Wangji wrapped his cape tightly around himself as he headed back to his tent. He took his leave from the gathering of generals as soon as the discussions ended, earning a curious look from his brother.

An old woman waited for him by the entrance of his tent.

“My lord” she bowed. “She had been administered the huanglian an hour ago. She is ready”.

Lan Wangji took a deep breath and entered.

The servants had left the braziers in his tent well lit and burnt sandalwood for him. Lan Wangji’s stomach tightened with a mix of anticipation and doubt. Will he do this correctly? Should he?

Shoving his self doubts away, he pulled apart the silk canopy covering his bed, and promptly had his breath taken away.

There laid Princess Wei Ying, bound hands and feet, bare flesh gleaming against the dancing firelight.

Five years ago at Cloud Recess was when he last saw her - when her eye had taken on a determined cast as she withdrew her hand from his and walked away without looking back. He still remembered the feel of her soft soft hand ladened with cool jade rings as it slipped from his fingers. It was the first and only time they had ever touched. How many times since then had he wished he had held on to that hand firmly instead and pulled her to him.

Five years later, they meet again, but the world around them had turned upside down.

Lan Wangji held his breath as he greedily drank in the sight before him, from her delicate collarbones to the rose tinted peaks of her breasts. Her long tapered legs ended in a deliciously dark mound, as if ink dipped in alabaster. A piece of silk was bound across her eyes. The silk was wet, doubtlessly moistened by her tears as she laid awaiting for her fate. Lan Wangji felt himself harden and harden again. Shaking, he ran his hand down her navel, savoring the silkiness and the heat beneath his fingers. This single touch drove a soft sob from the girl even as she arched into his touch.

“Please…please…” A tear escaped her blindfold and rolled her down cheek.

He leaned down and laid a kiss on her soft pink lips. They tasted of salt from her tears. His kissed her tenderly, perhaps seeking to reassure her, before deepening, tongue thrusting in her mouth seeking hers. He smiled as he felt her hesitantly kissing him back, the huanglian have stoked her body’s hunger, driving her unwillingly forwards him.

“Be good. I won’t hurt you”

He cupped his hands around her soft peaks, rolling and pinching her hardened nipples between his rough fingers. The princess gasped and arched her back again, pushing herself further into his hands. Pushing her legs wide apart, he slid a hand comfortingly down her body to her mound. Feeling her hot slickness almost takes him over the edge. He gently slipped between her wet folds and caresses the tender trembling bud within, plucking it as if a string from his guqin. The princess moaned into his mouth, hips bucking up at the new sensation, hungry for more friction.

Unable to wait any more, Lan Wangji loosened his robes and trousers and shifted his body on top of Wei Yin, pining her thighs wide apart with his. Moving his mouth down to her hard pink nipples, he sucked and nipped with his teeth sharply, one and then the other, forcing more moans and pleadings from the princess. He easily sank two fingers into her, pushing until he felt her hymen. Lang Wangji paused then, savoring the sight of Wei Ying twisting around his fingers beneath him and the realization that she is fully his.

Putting a steadying hand on her hips, Lan Wangji pushed himself into the princess forcefully, sinking as deep as he could into the enveloping warmth. Wei Ying screamed in pain and try to pull away her hips as much as she could. He gently but firmly pulled her hips back, leaning in to whisper

“It won’t hurt any more. relax”.

He gritted his teeth to set a slower pace for them even as he felt his own control slipping. Each thrust into her silky wetness made his mouth drier and his hands unconsciously tightened around her hips. To his delight, he felt Wei Ying beginning to reciprocate, pushing back against him, matching his rhythm. She bit down hard on her bottom lip but moans nevertheless escaped. The huanglian was a merciless master and it had stripped her of her pride and propriety completely. Suddenly her hole clenched down tightly around Lan Wangji and she came shuddering, screaming, for the first time.

“Good girl.” He licked her lips gently with approval. He was so close. Lan Wangji picked up his pace, angling Wei Ying’s hips upwards as he plunged deeper and faster into her. It doesn’t take long before he spilled his hot seeds into Wei Ying, who clutched tightly down on his cock and came again with him.

Falling over on his back next to the shaking girl, he thought back to the old man’s words:

“She is untouched. Give her a few drops of huanglian and teach her about the pleasures of the flesh. The huanglian is much more than an aphrodisiac my lord. It will make her willing in the moment but will also bind her body to you. She will always connect her pleasure to you, long after the dose wear off. She will always crave your touch.”

He hoped that he had shown her that he would be a gentle master and she could be happy with him. She will come to accept her new life after tonight.

He hoped.

Turning towards her, he took her chin in his hand and pulled her in for a slow kiss, savoring her lips, swollen from her biting down. Reaching behind her, he untied the silk blindfold.

Wei Ying blinked slowly, adjusting to the light. Her eyes were slightly dazed from the huanglian as it had not completely worn off. She gazed upon the beautiful aristocratic face with golden eyes before her, recognition dawning.

“Lan…Lan Zhan? Lan Zhan?”

She whispered in horror and immediately after, burst into tears.

Chapter Text

Beams of early light fell softly through the vents of Lan Wangji’s spacious tent. Melodic chirping from the sparrows that populated this lands drifted through the encampment, morning is here.

Lan Wangji and Wei Ying both laid on their side, back to each other. Neither has gotten much sleep in the night.

Wei Ying had completely withdrawn once she realized her new “master” was Lan Wangji. She didn’t resist when he tried to take her into his arms, but the stiffness of her body against him spoke volumes. He had cut the ropes from her hands and feet so that she could be more comfortable and then wavered, and locked her ankle in a slim chain connected to the foot of the bed.

Just in case.

“Ying er”

She stiffened at his use of the familiar form of her name, usually reserved for parents to child or husband to wife. She turned to look at him, hands clutched tightly at the sheets hiding her nudity.

“Ying er”, he stubbornly pressed on, “the water is spilled” (Chinese proverb for the irreversibility of certain things.)

“Wei is no more…and you now belong to me. Those who do not accept fate live without peace or joy.” He quoted a core Lan teaching to her.

Wei Ying lowered her eyes, thick lashes shielding the tears beginning to pool in them. In the last few months, locked in the emperor’s slave pen, she had come to accept the loss of her country and her parents. She had not and will not give up on her freedom and the dream of escaping and perhaps rebuilding Wei. Each of her attempts had been thwarted by the guards. Aside from a few slaps they did not hurt her or touch her. It had just dawned upon her that it was because they were saving her unmarked for this, for HIM. He who chained her body and her desires to him, he who is quoting the teachings of the supposedly refined Gusu Lans to convince her to accept her enslavement. Her cheeks burned with shame as she recalled last night, how she begged under him because of the drug.

Lan Wangji was at a loss. He wished he was like his older brother, who always had the right words to calm any situation. He wished to tell her to accept her new life, that being under his care was the best thing for her. He would protect her and treat her kindly. THIS was the best circumstance for a captured enemy princess. He firmly believed in the Gusu teaching that fate must not be resisted. Wei Ying becoming his is fate.

Instead, he rose.

“I must go. Someone will come here to show you…your duties. Obey them”.

Chapter Text

Lan Wangji had a busy day. There were many council meetings to attend and patrols to lead. Throughout the day, his thoughts wondered back to his Ying er - that stubborn look on her face as he tried to counsel her, her mouth tightened into a straight line. He wondered when he would see her smile again. A smile that emanated warmth and joy from her eyes to her pretty bow lips. At Cloud Recess, her smile had lit up every corner of the sacred mountain. The cold springs and library rang with mischievous laughter as her and her Jiang cousins raised more havoc than any pupil had ever dared.

She will be happy again once she accepts her new life. He is certain. Only then will she smile at him again like when they were at Cloud Recess Lan Wangji decided then that he must be more firm with her and help her accept her place.

Wei Ying was brought back to his tent shortly after he returned. She was dressed in the white robes of a Lan servant girl. Lan Wangji hardened as he realized that the emblem of HanGuan Jun had been embroidered in white silk on her shoulders and skirts, marking her as his.

His.

She was followed by the stern looking old woman from the previous night. The woman bowed. “My lord. Wei Ying has been taught some basics of serving today but her willfulness has made progress slow. Im afraid it will take many months still but I understand you are gracious in allowing her in your presence during this period. Please take a firm hand with her as this one learns quite slowly and has a spirit unbecoming in a mere slave girl.”

Wei Ying’s nails dug into her palms at the degrading words.

“Mhmm. Take your leave.”

Alone again, Lan Wangji roughly pulls Wei Ying to him and lifted her chin with a finger.

“Ying er, I said you are to obey your trainer.”

He cooly regarded her but she remained silent, eyes lowered, refusing to meet his gaze.

“You will be punished. Strip.”

Wei Ying’s eyes widened in shock at his humiliating command. How dare he. Her hand flew up in a slap. Lan Wangji easily caught her hand and twisted it behind her. He lightly twisted it up higher, causing a gasp of pain, and he felt her relaxing into his chest to try ease the pain. Grabbing her other wrist, he locked them tightly behind her and walked her over to the bed.

In a single quick motion, Lang Wangji pulled her over his knees as he sat down. With his other hand, he lifted up her layers of skirts and under clothing, exposing her trembling buttock and gleaming white thighs.

“Lan Zhan! Let me go!” She twisted and fought uselessly in his lap, arousing him further.

Smack. Her eyes widened in surprise as his calloused hand slapped down hard, once, twice, and then over and over again.

“Lan Zhan. You bastard.” Was rewarded with an especially hard slap at the center of her cleft. Wei Ying screamed. Even more than the pain she felt the deep shame of being punished this way. She fought to keep a sob from rising up.

Blows proceeded rained down on her thighs, her cheeks, and her increasingly slick cleft. Wei Ying fought like a wild cat and screamed curses at him, until suddenly her lips were sealed together.

The Gusu silencing spell.

Her head reared up when she felt a cold oblong object penetrate her pussy. After a few pumps, it was withdrawn and pushed instead into the tight confines of her ass. The lubrication from her dripping pussy made it easy for him to push slim jade paper weight deeper inside her, until only the tip was showing.

An especially stinging string of slaps followed. Each slap sent vibrations to the object nestled in her tight hole causing it to rub her from the inside. Wei Ying feels her strength waning and an unbearable warmth growing in her belly. She had buried her face against Lan Zhan’s thigh, tears soaking through his robes. Now to her horror, she realized that her dripping needy pussy had also soaked through his robes. Even more than the pain, the humiliation of being aroused by this became more than she could bear.

Lan Wangji leaned over and nuzzled her ear with his lips. He stroked her burning backside soothly.
“Ying er, ready to behave?”

Wei Ying twisted her face from him stubbornly.

“Very well”

Lan Wangji began again. Alternating between her buttocks and thighs, while occasionally running his thumb across her bud, he struck her again and again. Wei Ying was freely sobbing now even as her struggles weakened in Lan Zhan’s iron grip. Unknowingly, she had lifted her backside even more to him, waiting for his attention.

Lang Wangji lightly ran his thumb across her cleft again and again, dancing away and replacing it with a spank each time she attempted to push back against his touch. Wei Ying whined piteously through her sealed lips

“Do you have something to say?” He undid he silencing spell.

“Please Lan Zhan…please” Wei Ying was too ashamed to complete the sentence. She tried to push back against his hand.

A few more slaps and teasing strokes followed.

“Beg me properly Ying er”

“Please HanGuang Jun…please give me.., please touch me” He rewarded her concession with a slow strong stroke against her bud.

“Address me properly”

Wei Ying’s eyes closed in resignation.

“Master” She whimpered softly. Bright red face hidden against his thigh. “Master please touch me”

“You will obey Ying er”.

“Yes master” The words came softly through her sobs. All resistance has left her body and she went deliciously limp across his lap.

Lan Wangji slipped three strong fingers into her dripping hole. Filling her to the brim between his fingers and the jade paperweight lodged in her ass. He then stopped, whispering hoarsely

“Pleasure yourself with my hand. If jade slips out, you will be punished”

Head lowered in shame, hands still trapped by Lan Wangji’s iron grip, Wei Ying begin to grind and push her hips against his hand while taking care to keep her ass clenched against the jade. He mostly let her do the work, occasionally rubbing her clit in approval when she was particularly wanton in her motion. Twisting and sobbing, Wei Ying humped herself against Lan Wangji’s thick fingers until she came with a shuddering groan. Lan Wangji twisted his fingers inside her as came, enjoying her silken walls contracting around him and the gush of warm liquid. He pulled his fingers out with a pop and presented them glistening to her lips.

“Clean”. Defeated, Wei Ying stuck out her small pink tongue and begin to lick her juices from him.

Chapter Text

Three months has passed. They have settled into a routine of sorts as Wei Ying has appeared to accept her new life. Each day they rose together, made love, and then she dressed and washed him to ready him for the day.

He returned early evenings most days and a hot bath waited for him. Most nights Wei Ying was pulled into the tub by him as he devoured her pretty lips, eager to slake the fire building inside all day since he left her. When he took his meals or played his guqin, she knelt by him serving him food or tea, eating morsels from his hands and being frequently pulled in for a kiss. She still had flares of rebellion now and then; each time he would punish her as he did the first time, the humiliating reminder of her body’s enthrallment with him seemed particularly effective. She has been tamed into a docile and pleasing slave girl by all outside perceptions.

Except.

Lan Wangji is naturally quiet. Wei Ying also now barely speaks except to answer his questions or commands. A hard and polished shell seemed to have formed around her. Their existence together felt as intimate as husband and wife on the surface, yet too quiet，too distant. Often times he sensed her distance from him even as she nestled in his lap, withdrawn completely within herself. He often thought back then to Cloud Recess, to their times in the library where she was often sent to copy the Lan scrolls as punishment. They sat across from each other in the expansive chamber. Her playful chatter and laughs had filled the library. He barely spoke to her then as well. He didn’t know how to respond to the mercurial and high spirited princess who plainly disregarded the 3000 rules of the Lan clan. He only spoke then to chide her for not focusing on the copying, invariably earning a smirk or smart retort. How close she had felt to him then.

Now, he felt the closest to her only when they were in bed. That’s when he was always able to shatter that polished shell around her. She has become so responsive to him. Whether he brushed her lips with the tip of his tongue or ran a hand across the silky skin on her hips, a flush would appear on her brow. Her nipples hardened wonderfully at the merest touch, begging for further attention. Soft pants and pleading moans escaped from her frequently as she writhed under him each night. Shapely knees rubbed against him in unconscious seduction. Small pink tongue licked and caressed him back in passion.

He so loved this side of her that he often attempted to prolong their time as much as possible. Although torturous for him, he would hold off, teasing her body for hours without giving her release. Taking her to the edge again and again and then backing off until finally she called his name.

His hot breath against her ears in these moments. She always gave in then. Arching her body up against him, her hungry mouth licking and sucking his lips, his fingers, his hardness as she submitted to his demands. Shuddering shaking as he brought them both to climax again and again. Nails scratching his back as she cried under him.

His heart hurts when he sees the self loathing and shame that cloud her eyes once she comes down from her climax. He didn’t know how to fix it. He would pull her still shaking body against him, her curves fitted perfectly against his battle hardened body. He would pray that she will be happier tomorrow, that she will smile again. He wondered sometimes if he had also been accidentally dosed with the huanglian that night as he no longer knew how to live without her.

Lan Wangji glanced at the table laden with dishes flicked in red before him. The smell of peppercorn causing him to cough lightly. Seemingly All the specialties of Wei has been cooked and loaded on this table.

“Ying er, come.”

Wei Ying comes to kneel by his side at the low dining table and begin to spoon rice into a bowl for him.

He gently takes her shoulders and pulls her so that she is seated between his legs, back resting against his chest. She feels his sword trained arms wrap around her and softly relaxed into his embrace and his familiar sandalwood scent.

Lan Wangji’s heart tightened as he held her, running his hands down her sides, feeling the fragile collar bones and ribs ever prominently pressed against him. He had come to notice just how thin she’s gotten. She barely ate in his presence and it was apparent that she didn’t eat at all without him.

“This was made just for you. Eat.”

“Thank you my lord.”

Wei Ying picks a pair of chopsticks and picked and poked spiritlessly at the spread before her. Not much food actually went in. Frustrated, Lan Wangji picked up a pair as well.

“Ying er - finish everything I give you”

A succulent piece of water boiled fish, half a bowl of sour cabbage soup, a piece of sweet rice cake. Wei Ying ate everything he feed her but without savoring or tasting.

“Please, I cannot eat any more” A soft hand rested beseechingly on his wrist as he reached for more.

Lan Wangji sighed but didn’t press her.

“Ying er. I have prepared something else as well”

He picked up a small earthen jar and poured a small amount into a cup. A crisp sweet aroma filled the air before them.

“Emperor’s smile?” She glanced up in surprise.

“Mmm.”

“I am grateful my lord...but”

“Go on. A small amount is permitted.”

Seeing her still hesitating he poured one for himself as well.

“We will have one together.”

Warily she picked up her cup and sipped. To encourage her, he down his in one gulp and then feed her the rest in her cup. Warmth spread down his face his body, he felt his heart beginning to beat faster even as his vision took on a blurry cast.

“Ying er” He wrapped his arms around her, kissing her hair softly. “Ying er why won’t you...”

Lan Wangji woke up with a start. The sun was up high. He is still wearing the robes from last night. Looking around his heart lurched in horror as he saw Wei Ying. She’s curled up into a tiny ball at the end of the bed, pressed against the wall as if to keep as far from him as possible. Her hands are tied behind her back with his forehead ribbon. Her bare feet were locked in heavy irons and chains that were usually reserved for dangerous prisoners.

“Ying er. Ying er. Are you hurt. Did I...”

She opened her eyes, they were red and swollen from crying and dully shook her head.

He untied her hands, thankful that his ties were not overly tight. He found the keys to the chains by his pillow and unlocked her. Taking her gently into his arms

“Ying er, what happened”

What did I do?

She shook her head again before closing her eyes. He felt her retreating into herself.

What did I do? What did I do?

He repeated over and over in his head, afraid to ask her again. A single tear rolled down his cheek as he cradled her, rocking back and forth.

Chapter Text

Lan Wangji sat down on the polished rock bench overlooking the purple mountains. He had the platform built as a quiet place for mediation and guqin playing away from camp. Usually by the time he sat down on this solitary stand, his mind was already at peace and ready to plunge deeper into a contemplative state. Today was different.

He was trembling as he recalled the event from a few days ago. He couldn’t get anything out of Wei Ying aside from that morning and he was afraid to push more. She tried to act like nothing has happened but her expressive eyes remained overly bright and moist and she avoided all eye contact with him.

He must know what happened. Searching through the scrolls he brought from home the last few nights, he found a cultivation technique for recall. It was his best hope.

Taking several deep breathes, he willed his mind to stop racing before opening his meridians. Shortly after, he felt his spiritual energy began to cycle through his veins.

“Ying er. Ying er”. He was back at that table laden with untouched Wei delicacies. He held her in a tight crushing embrace, kissing her ears, her face, her hair.

“Ying er....would you like some new silks? Or take a ride together?”

“Whatever you wish my lord”

“No Ying er” he twisted her around to face him. “I wish to do something for you. I...wish you to be happy”

With surprising strength Wei Ying pushed herself out of his arms and away from his lap. She spun to face him, her face contorted by rage.

“Enough! My body and my life is yours already. Every day I crave your touch like a common whore. What more do you want from me?”

“I was harsh with you, but it was for you. I will not take a wife. It will just be us. I love you”

Even in deep meditation Lan Zhan’s ears burned at his confession, one so deeply buried that he never dared to examine it closely himself.

She burst into tears at his confession, sorrowful heartbroken sobs wrecked her slender body.

“Is this what this is? Love? There was a time... doesn’t matter.. I don’t love you Lan Zhan. Not after this. Never after this. You’re going to need a different drug for that.”

She tearfully knelt then flowing into a formal bow before him. “You asked what will make me happy Lan Zhan. Mercy. Please. Whether you love or hate me, please have mercy, grant me the white silk*”

(*euphemism for being allowed to kill oneself)

He had rushed to her then, pulling her in so tightly that her bones creaked and breathing became shallow. His breath came in hot against her temple.

“No. No. Ying er. You’re mine.” His words came out as a snarl. “I will find a way.”

He ripped off his Gusu ribbon then and tied her unresisting arms behind her. Throwing her roughly on the bed, he stalked out of the tent only to return with some old chains for her ankles. Roughly pulling the weeping princess to him by her hair, he kissed and bit her lips, face, breasts, ignoring her whimpers of pain.

“Mine. Mine. Mine”. He repeated over and over again. “You will learn to love me Ying er. “

Lan Wangji’s eyes opened slowly. Shame and a growing sense of loss flooded into his heart:

There was a time... Not after this. Never after this.

His delusion that soon she would grown accustomed to her new life has been shattered. He did not know what to do next. He was certain however that he could no longer be parted from her.

Chapter Text

Lan Wangji’s well trained ears could hear the familiar Wen drawl from his tent long before he reached its doors.

“Hanguan Jun is too soft on you. You are sorely lacking in showing the proper respect to your betters.

A willful little animal like you need a firmer hand. If you were mine you’d begging me to use your slave holes by now. Does the thought make you wet princess? You were always quite the tease at Cloud Recess, remember? Not to worry, there’s still time for you to pay your debt. “

Lan Wangji tore open his tent flaps with Bichen draw. Wen Chao was sitting at his writing table, legs lazily draped over the surface. A soldier in the black and red colors of Wen held Wei Ying’s arms behind her, forcing her on her knees with her head pressed to the ground.

“Ahhhhhhhhhh!!l”

The soldier jerked back as his back felt the bite of Bichen. He let go of Wei Ying.

“Ah HanGuang Jun. there you are. I was just about to discipline your little slave for you.” Wen Chao said calmly as he sipped from a tea cup.

“Leave.”

Rising, Wen Chao casually patted Lan Wangi’s shoulder as he passed him.

“Don’t be upset, I didn’t hurt your toy. I was just looking out for my dear cousin. These slaves will take a mile if you give them an inch. See you at the debrief meeting.”

Lan Wangji rushed to her side once they were alone.

“Ying er. Are you hurt?”

Wei Ying picked herself up from the ground, fists still clenched tightly. He gently gathered her into his arms and softly kissed her brows, seeking to comfort her. He felt her shaking, her rage simmering just beneath.

“Ying er.” He carefully asked. “What happened at Cloud Recess.”

“Nothing. That is what displeases him.”

Lan Wangji didn’t press any more but made a mental note to dispatch a Lan guard to remain with her at all times. He found Wen Chao to be crass and vulgar and usually minimized his interactions with him to civil greetings. Wen Chao was known to have a particular cruel streak on and off the battlefield. His particular interest in Wei Ying troubled Lan Wangji. Any encounter with him would dangerous for her even with a guard. No one would bat an eye at a Wen prince maiming or killing a slave, as long as he compensated the owner.

He resolve then to take her away from here, to keep her safe. Perhaps a change of scenery will be good for her, for them.

Chapter Text

”Wangji, is something on your mind?” Xewu Jun glanced at his younger brother with some concern.

Lan Wangji had requested to join his brother on an early morning patrol. They have stopped to rest by the mouth of the Wuxian River and walked their mounts a bit apart from the other men to take in the view.

“Brother. I wish to leave the campaign shortly.”

“Oh?”

“There’s someone I wish to take back to Cloud Recess immediately.”

“Someone to bring back?”

“Bring her back, hide her away.”

“I see... Wangji, How is the princess adjusting?”

“She...is still. She will be happier at Cloud Recess, Brother”

Lan Xichen sighed, laying a consoling hand upon his younger brother.

“Wangji, I spoke for you regarding Princess Wei Ying that day to save her from Wen Chao...and because of your interest. Her happiness is another matter. No matter how kind or loving you are, she may never accept her circumstance. Such is the tragedy of war and how our nation have chosen to treat the defeated.”

“Acceptance of fate will lead to happiness.” Lan Wangji stubbornly quoted.

“This is the Lan’s way, Wangji, not everyone’s.”

“But mother and father. ..”

“Ah...”

Zewu Jun fell quiet for a long time.

“Wangji. You believe you and the princess can be like father and mother?”

“Mmm.”

“Wangji. I have something to tell you. Something uncle and I have kept hidden. Mother did not pass away from illness... she took her own life. “

Lan Wangji looked up with disbelief.

“Very few people know. Mother loved you and I very much. She hid her pain from us well and only showed a loving united front with father to us. I do believe she loved father as well when they first met, but her love for him grew bitter over the years of her imprisonments at Cloud Recess. I fear it was torture for her ultimately: to be locked away by her lover and forced to choose between her love and freedom, her sense of self. She finally gave up. Father found her one morning....”

Lan Wangji felt the ground slipping away from him. He gripped Bichen so hard that his knuckles grew white.

“Wangji. Princess Wei Ying has very few options at this point and being under your protection is the best of all possibilities for her. I know how she felt about you at Cloud Recess, she had asked me for advice on getting through what she called your wooden head. If this war had not started, uncle and i had planned to seek her hand in marriage for you. But now that can longer be.”

“Do not be misguided by our parents story. Father had deeply loved mother but his love poisoned them and their lives. Treat the princess kindly and thoughtfully but accept that she is likely to remain unhappy...even if she still has feelings for you. Such is her fate. “

Lan Wangji felt almost lightheaded from the whirlwind of thoughts and emotions running through his head. He needed time alone to think through everything.

“Thank you brother.”

Bowing his head, he silently took his leave and galloped away.