Chapter Text
With the sun rising brightly and the wind tossing strands of hair across his face, Wei Ying slowly opened his eyes. At first the light was blinding, but at last he managed to see clearly.
Something was strange. He was in a forest full of trees, their leaves swaying in the breeze. What shocked him even more were the two figures standing not far away.
And then he realized one of them was Lan Zhan.
The very person who had once died while holding him in his arms.
Overcome with disbelief, Wei Ying ran toward them and threw his arms around the younger man.
He clung to him tightly, but the other did not return his embrace.
“Lan Zhan, I’m sorry…” Wei Ying whispered.
But there was no reply. Instead, the young man gently pushed him back. Startled, Wei Ying released his hold and stared.
Lan Zhan looked breathtaking dressed in flowing blue-and-white hanfu, his forehead ribbon immaculate.
“Forgive me, Young Master Wei,” came a calm voice beside him. “It seems my brother does not appreciate being hugged so suddenly.” It was Lan Xichen, Lan Zhan’s elder brother.
“I… I’m sorry, Zewu-jun,” Wei Ying stammered, bowing quickly to both Lan brothers.
“It seems Young Master Wei has lost his way. Shall I ask some of our men to escort you home?” Lan Xichen offered with a polite smile, signaling to one of the guards traveling with them another member of the Lan clan.
“But, Zewu-jun, I still wish to speak with Lan Zhan—” Wei Ying tried.
“Pardon me, Young Master Wei,” one of the guards interrupted, “but the future Crown Prince and His Majesty Zewu-jun are in the middle of an important discussion.”
Wei Ying froze in confusion.
The future Crown Prince? Zewu-jun the Emperor? Just what era have I stumbled into?
Reluctantly, he was escorted away by two Lan guards. Though he longed to speak further with Lan Zhan, they urged him firmly to return home.
---
When he arrived at Yunmeng Jiang, Madam Yu herself greeted him. Wei Ying nearly stumbled from the shock. He braced himself surely she would be furious.
Inside her chambers, Madam Yu sat composed in her traditional hanfu while Wei Ying stood before her nervously.
“Wei Wuxian,” she said sharply, “were you truly lost?”
Wei Ying immediately dropped to his knees, hands pressed to the floor.
“I’m sorry, Madam Yu. It was my fault.”
But instead of anger, Madam Yu rose, walked to him, and ordered him to stand.
“Have you forgotten your own mother?”
Wei Ying’s breath caught. Could it be did Madam Yu accept him?
“No… forgive me, Madam Yu. I mean—Mother.”
Her lips curved into a rare smile. She gestured for him to sit on a chair embroidered with the Yunmeng Jiang crest.
“I am not angry that you left without word,” she said. “But to rush forward and embrace the future Crown Prince before the Emperor—do you think that was proper conduct? Did your mother ever teach you to behave so rudely?”
Wei Ying’s thoughts reeled. Future Crown Prince? Emperor? What time have I woken up in?
He lowered his head. “No, Mother. Forgive my mistake.”
Madam Yu’s stern expression softened again. She summoned a servant to escort him back to his chambers.
---
In his room, Wei Ying was stunned. It was truly his own chamber, decorated in the familiar Yunmeng Jiang style. His heart ached with longing for Jiang Yanli and Jiang Cheng. Where were they?
Before he could wonder further, hurried footsteps approached. The door slid open.
A woman stood there in a purple hanfu, her hair adorned with elegant pins that gleamed in the light. Without hesitation, she rushed to Wei Ying and enveloped him in her arms.
“A-Xian! How could you wander off like that? Why didn’t you tell Shijie? Do you know how worried we were?” Though her tone was scolding, her voice was still gentle.
Instead of replying, Wei Ying clutched her tightly. Tears welled up and streamed down his cheeks. He had missed this voice so much.
“Shijie… I missed you,” he choked out.
When he finally calmed, Jiang Yanli cupped his face tenderly.
“A-Xian, I’m angry with you. But above all, I’m grateful you are safe.”
“Where’s Jiang Cheng, Shijie?” Wei Ying asked, glancing aside, hoping his brother would appear any moment.
“He’s training with Father. Father is looking for you as well.”
“I want to meet Jiang Shufu—” Wei Ying began, but Jiang Yanli pinched his cheek.
“Call him Father. A-Xian, have you forgotten? Since childhood, you’ve been taught to call us Father and Mother.”
Wei Ying grinned sheepishly. “Sorry, Shijie. I forgot.”
Here, in this strange reality, Wei Wuxian was not scorned but cherished embraced as true family by Madam Yu herself.
---
Together, Jiang Yanli and Wei Ying made their way to the training grounds, her maid trailing behind.
At the arena, Jiang Yanli waved at Jiang Fengmian and Jiang Cheng. Father and son approached, Jiang Cheng at his father’s side.
“Thankfully A-Xian is unharmed,” Jiang Fengmian said firmly, “and escorted home by the Emperor’s men.”
“You idiot! What were you doing, wandering off without direction?” Jiang Cheng snapped, raising a hand to smack Wei Ying’s head. But before he could, Jiang Fengmian caught his arm.
“Sorry, Father,” Jiang Cheng muttered, bowing his head.
Jiang Fengmian sighed heavily and left the three of them behind.
Wei Ying burst into laughter, clutching his stomach. “Hahaha, Jiang Cheng, you got scolded by Father!”
Jiang Cheng only snorted and stalked back to his training.
Wei Ying quickly followed, and the two began practicing sword forms and archery side by side. Jiang Yanli and her maid quietly withdrew.
As they trained, arrows thudded into targets with precision.
“How could you just throw yourself at the future Crown Prince like that?” Jiang Cheng asked, loosing another arrow.
“What do you mean? I know Lan Zhan,” Wei Ying replied without hesitation.
Jiang Cheng lowered his bow, staring at him as though he had gone mad.
“You were only gone a short while, yet you speak nonsense. You and the Crown Prince have never even met, you fool!”
“Huh? How could I not know him?” Wei Ying frowned, lowering his bow as well.
“You idiot,” Jiang Cheng huffed, returning his weapon. “The future Crown Prince was reluctant to ascend at all, but with Emperor Zewu-jun’s illness, he had no choice. In the end, His Majesty abdicated in favor of his younger brother. That is the only reason he stands where he is today.”
Wei Ying trailed after him, confused. “But… I know him. I really do.”
“What’s the point of arguing? Do you want to be his Empress or something?” Jiang Cheng scoffed.
The words struck Wei Ying like a lightning bolt. His face burned. Empress? Me?
“No—I mean—! Forget it!” Wei Ying stammered, darting off before his brother could say more.
“You idiot! Don’t run off on me again, Wei Wuxian!” Jiang Cheng’s voice echoed behind him.
---
Seeking fresh air and perhaps Lan Zhan himself Wei Ying slipped out to the Yunmeng market.
There, amid the bustle, he caught sight of them Emperor Zewu-jun and Crown Prince Lan Wangji, flanked by guards in their resplendent armor.
Heart pounding, Wei Ying hurried forward to greet them. Both men acknowledged him politely.
“So, what brings Emperor Zewu-jun and the future Crown Prince to Yunmeng?” Wei Ying asked brightly.
Lan Xichen smiled. “We came to visit, but I did not expect to meet Young Master Wei here.”
Wei Ying smiled warmly in return. “I was only out for fresh air. What a surprise to encounter you both.”
He paused, then added with boldness, “Would His Majesty honor Lotus Pier with a visit?”
Lan Xichen readily agreed.
---
Within Lotus Pier, Emperor Zewu-jun conversed with Jiang Fengmian and Madam Yu. Seizing his chance, Wei Ying requested to show Lan Zhan around Yunmeng Jiang. With a glance, Lan Xichen granted his permission.
Thus Wei Ying led Lan Zhan to the harbor. The lotus blossoms floated serenely across the water, their reflection shimmering in the sunlight. Even Lan Zhan seemed momentarily captivated.
“So, Crown Prince,” Wei Ying ventured softly, studying his face, “do you truly not know me?”
Lan Zhan turned away. His voice was calm, but firm.
“No. Forgive me, Young Master Wei. This is our first meeting.”
Wei Ying only smiled faintly. “Your voice… it’s beautiful, Lan Zhan.”
“Do not be rude,” Lan Zhan replied, clasping his hands behind his back as he walked ahead.
“Forgive my boldness, Crown Prince,” Wei Ying said quickly, trailing after him. “But would it be all right if we…” His words faltered.
Lan Zhan stopped and turned. His golden gaze fell on him.
Wei Ying’s heart raced. He leaned forward and kissed him.
Softly, firmly, right on the lips.
Lan Zhan froze. Wei Ying pulled back at once, face burning.
“Forgive me, future Crown Prince,” he whispered, mortified by his own recklessness.
“You—you are far too presumptuous!” Lan Zhan burst out, spinning away. But even as he strode off, Wei Ying caught the faint flush coloring his ears.
Wei Ying couldn’t help but laugh, the sound light and mischievous, when he saw Lan Zhan’s face flushed crimson. The dignified Crown Prince so easily undone by a single kiss turned away in a hurry, fleeing with the stiff grace of a man who had lost his composure.
That sight alone made Wei Ying’s heart swell with warmth.
How rare it was, to see Lan Zhan falter. How precious, to glimpse that unguarded side of him.
Watching him retreat, Wei Ying’s eyes softened with a glimmer of resolve.
Run if you must, Lan Zhan. Blush as you will. Even if this world calls you Crown Prince and erases every trace of me from your memory… I will not let you forget. One way or another, I’ll make you remember me.