Chapter Text
The thing about Wei Wuxian’s core is, it is an open secret among the Wens that he has none.
The only people who know for sure that Wei Wuxian does not have a golden core are Wei Wuxian, Wen Qing and Wen Ning. And they never said it to anyone else. But that does not mean that their little settlement has not picked up hints of it by now. They know, but no one says anything. No one brings attention to it. Not even Wen Qing herself refers to it directly unless she absolutely has to.
Wei Wuxian gave away his core willingly but that does not mean his eyes don’t look hollow and empty when he is reminded of it. It’s not a good look on him at all. So Wen Qing just lets it be.
But she did tell Wei Wuxian to tell Lan Wangji about his missing core. Wei Wuxian did not want to but if she is right about their developing relationship, she has to imagine it would be better if Wei Wuxian comes clean to his husband as soon as possible. Lan Wangji will pick up hints just like the rest of them soon enough. He is smart, he will figure it out. The no core, the no flow of spiritual energy in his meridians, only relying on the power of talismans and resentful energy, he will figure it all out.
Wen Qing looks at Lan Wangji now, crouched in the middle of a freshly dug out field, planting radishes with the other Wens. He has dressed down to his inner cotton robes, which are also white and therefore impractical for the job but he is getting his hands and clothes dirty anyway. He could not be persuaded to leave, not when he believes there is something he can do to help. Wen Qing already heard from an auntie in the kitchen that he offered to help cook breakfast everyday and only gave in when it was pointed out to him that he has been waking up quite late every morning. He must have been embarrassed by that and Wen Qing allows herself to feel some amusement. He is good for their little family. He has made everyone here happier by simply existing. And Wei Wuxian is the biggest example of it. Wen Qing did not miss what their lips looked like last night when they joined everyone for dinner (quite late).
“Is that Lan Zhan?” says Wei Wuxian, eyes wide at the sight.
“Good morning to you too,” says Wen Qing. “Finally decided to join the land of the waking?”
“Ugh, shut up. I am too sleepy to process anything right now. Why is Lan Zhan farming?”
“Because he wanted to.”
“His clothes are getting dirty!”
Wen Qing sighs. “He wanted to feel helpful among us, Wei Wuxian. And we can’t stop him. Why don’t you go and work with him too? I am sure you both would enjoy it.”
When she looks away from Lan Wangji to turn to Wei Wuxian, she sees his eyes are fixed on his husband, a fond smile on his lips. He is holding his own wrist as well and his thumb runs back and forth over it.
“And maybe,” says Wen Qing, as pointedly as possible, “you should tell him what you desperately want to tell him while you are at it.”
When Wei Wuxian meets her eyes, he doesn’t look angry. He looks a little lost, and a lot nervous.
“I– I want to,” he says. His voice is low and timid. Wen Qing has never heard him sound like this before. “I really want to. But… I am… what if…”
Wen Qing sighs. She understands his fear even if she feels they are unfounded. “Look, no one is trying to force you to do it. I just think that Hanguang-jun is… not that kind of person. Can you imagine him shaming anyone for not having a core?”
Wei Wuxian shakes his head and looks down at his hands.
“Take your time, Wei Wuxian,” says Wen Qing. “But… he will figure it out soon enough. You don’t stay here, at the Burial Mounds, for too long without figuring out what really happened to Yiling Laozu’s core.”
Wei Wuxian gives a weak huff of laughter. “I suppose that’s a fair point. I hate it but it’s a fair point. How many know already?”
Wen Qing looks at him meaningfully.
Wei Wuxian shakes his head and sighs. “Great.”
He walks away without further ado. He heads straight for Lan Wangji, walking with purpose. Wen Qing wonders if he is going to confess right now.
“Lan Zhan, can I borrow you for a while?”
Lan Wangji looks up from his dirtied hands. “No.”
Wei Wuxian gapes. Wen Qing suppresses a laugh.
“Okay, um,” begins Wei Wuxian. “May I borrow you for a while?”
“You may not.”
“Lan Zhan, come on!”
Fourth uncle nudges at Lan Wangji, though it is less of a nudge and more of a light brush against the fabric of his robes. Everyone is still, after all, a little intimidated by Lan Wangji. “Go on! Your husband needs you.” He accompanies it with a broad, suggestive grin.
Wen Qing thinks she can see Lan Wangji’s ears turn a little bright, but it is hard to tell from this distance. “I am sure he can manage for a while. I am working.”
Wei Wuxian pouts as he kneels down. “Lan Zhan. Come on. I need to have a talk with you.”
“We can talk here. But do not distract me while I am working.”
“Well… it is a distracting sort of conversation.”
“Then we can have it later.”
“Lan Zhan, I swear to god–”
Lan Wangji doesn’t even look at Wei Wuxian as he continues to work diligently.
Wen Qing can see the mischievous grin bloom on Wei Wuxian’s face just a moment before he turns Lan Wangji’s face with one hand and draws him into a kiss.
Wen Qing coughs. There are quite a few gasps all around them. Wen Ning, passing by, drops a whole tray and looks extremely pained. Then he flees, muttering something that sounds like “not again.”
Lan Wangji shoves Wei Wuxian back after a few moments, and this time there is no mistaking the way his entire face is bright red. “Wei Ying!”
Wei Wuxian just grins and leans in again.
Lan Wangji fends him off with a glare. “Wei Ying. We are in public.”
“I don’t care,” says Wen Wuxian. He sends an obnoxious wink that somehow seems to fluster Lan Wangji even more. Wen Qing sometimes questions Lan Wangji’s taste. Privately, of course.
“Shameless,” says Lan Wangji and abruptly stands up. Wei Wuxian, straining towards Lan Wangji, falls forward like a puppet with his strings cut and just barely balances himself on his arms. Lan Wangji pointedly avoids eye contact with everyone as he stands tall.
“You may borrow me for a private talk,” says Lan Wangji. He brushes his robes down nominally and straightens his sleeves as he speaks. “Only for a short while.”
Wei Wuxian bounces up with a smile. “A private talk and maybe a few kisses?”
Lan Wangji visibly swallows but levels Wei Wuxian another glare anyway. “We will see what can be done.”
“Hmm.” Wen Qing looks away when Wei Wuxian runs his fingers down Lan Wangji’s spine and settles his hand on his lower back. Wei Wuxian indeed is shameless.
As Wei Wuxian leads Lan Wangji away, Wen Qing only hopes he can hold on to this brazenness and tell his husband the truth.