Chapter Text
“No good will come of it.” said Lan WangJi’s uncle, gloomily.
“To attract the emperor’s attention is a dangerous thing. This family has survived thus far by abjuring politics, and I am disappointed to see the both of you insert yourself into court intrigues now. Is your brother not enough of an example to you, WangJi? He is lucky to have survived this latest debacle!”
“Uncle.” said Lan WangJi’s brother, lifting his head wearily in WangJi’s defence.
“Our new Emperor is Wangji’s brother in law.”
“Was.” snapped Lan Qiren.
“And Jin Zixuan was not married to Jiang Yanli at that time, so not at all, really. I doubt the Emperor remembers it.”
“I have been summoned.” said Lan WangJi, with mild impatience. There was no point in further discussion. He was hardly going to refuse.
“I knew this would happen.” said Lan Qiren.
“I knew I should have ordered you to stay home yesterday.”
Lan WangJi did not answer. It would do his uncle’s constitution no good to know that Lan WangJi would have gone to open the gates and let Jin Zixuan’s army into the city regardless.
Lan WangJi sat in polite silence with the new Emperor while they waited for tea to be brought. It seemed to take an unusually long time.
“I apologise for the delay.” said Jin Zixuan at last, fidgeting with the new jade signet ring on his finger.
“I was not aware that refreshments would take this long.”
“I imagine they are trying to find a tea tray.” said Lan WangJi.
Jin Guangyao had had the contents of the palace packed up and sent away ahead of his retreat, the carpets stripped, the crockery packed, right down to the chopstick rests. As he had been escorted through the courtyards Lan WangJi had passed some of the crates and bundles that the previous emperor had considered essential for setting up a court in exile. There had not been enough time yet since the sudden change in regime to unpack everything again, and the palace looked unusually stark and uncluttered. Lan WangJi preferred it that way- but it had delayed the tea.
“There were no beds in the family quarters, last night.” Jin Zixuan shook his head in disbelief.
“For a while it looked as if I would have to sleep on the floor! My brother was planning to take even the beds!”
“But you were able to find one, in the end?” asked Lan WangJi.
“Nie Huaisang brought one in from somewhere.” said Jin Zixuan, and Lan WangJi raised an understanding eyebrow, and inclined his head.
“He says the two of you were not in communication.” Jin Zixuan said, mildly.
“So it was your own idea, to open the city gates for us. Nie Huaisang didn’t put you up to it.”
“I am sure he had his own plan.” said Lan WangJi.
“But he didn’t need it, because you got there first. How did you convince the guards to open the gates?” Jin Zixuan leaned back, but his gaze was steady on Lan WangJi’s face.
“I asked them.” said Lan WangJi, simply. Jin Zixuan nodded.
“I was not expecting you to get involved, Hanguang Jun.” he said.
“Your family…”
Lan WangJi made a non committal noise.
“My wife is very fond of you.” said Jin Zixuan.
“She regards you as her brother in law. She says you were very kind to her, when you were living with the Jiangs.”
“I am glad I was of some assistance to Her Majesty.” said Lan Wangji and bowed from his waist.
“It was not a happy household.”
“Nor is it now.” said Jin Zixuan and shuddered slightly.
“Although I hear that Madam Yu treated you quite kindly.”
“She tried to use me as another rod to beat my husband with.” said Lan WangJi, flatly. Jin Zixuan winced.
“You regard Wei Wuxian as your husband, then? I know that some of my father’s, ah, how shall I put it, his projects in matrimony are adamant that the marriages were invalid. Made under compulsion, and too young… “
“We made our bows.” said Lan WangJi.
“He was my husband. I am his widower.”
“Which makes you my brother in law.” said Jin Zixuan, nodding.
“If Your Majesty wishes.” said Lan WangJi. bowing again. Jin Zixuan smiled ruefully.
“Her Majesty wishes.” he corrected.
“And women should not be argued with when they are with child.”
“I hope Her Majesty is well?” asked Lan WangJi with sincerity. He had always felt that Jiang Yanli was an admirable person, and Wei Ying had loved her.
“Her Majesty is very well.” said Jin Zixuan, and he smiled the smile of the besotted husband that he was.
“She is resting at her parents’ house. At least, I hope she is resting. She has not seen her family since before we went into exile, so she is probably cooking for them. She will travel here to join us once things are more settled.”
“And the Prince?” Lan WangJi asked.
“A-Ling is very spoiled.” sighed Jin Zixuan.
“He does not like the idea of a new brother or sister.”
“Family is a gift.” said Lan WangJi.
“Yes.” said Jin Zixuan.
“So I have come to realise. So I hope to convince my son. You are very close to your brother.”
“I am.” said Lan WangJi.
“But you held no love for my brother, even though my brother and your brother were as close as brothers.”
“Your Majesty, your half brother was a megalomaniacal homicidal tyrant.” said Lan WangJi, in reproof.
“While your brother is too good for this world. Odd, isn’t it?” said Jin Zixuan, brusquely.
“I want you to be my advisor. One of my advisors. I don’t want to become a megalomaniacal homicidal tyrant and have Nie Huaisang stab me with my own sword.”
“Nie Huaisang acted in retribution for the murder of Nie MingJue.” said Lan WangJi.
“Your point being..?” asked Jin Zixuan delicately after a short silence.
“He has no more brothers, so you should be in no danger.” said Lan WangJi. Jin Zixuan shook his head, and snorted a laugh.
“I never used to believe Wei Wuxian at school, when he said you were funny.” he said. Lan WangJi frowned.
“Wei Ying was always essentially truthful.” he said.
“Bullshit he was.” said Jin Zixuan, in mild astonishment, and stared at Lan WangJi as if he had grown another head.
“No swearing.” said Lan WangJi.
“Is that your formal recommendation, Imperial Advisor Lan?” asked Jin Zixuan.
“Yes.” said Lan WangJi, gravely.
“Good. “said Jin Zixuan, and slapped the table.
“That's settled. You can start by going to Yiling and overseeing the prisoner exchange. You have a reputation for peerless honesty, so it will relieve any suspicions the Wens have about being cheated. I want this pointless war with the North finished and done with. “ Jin Zixuan leaned forward and pressed his thumb into the table for emphasis.
“Yiling?” asked Lan WangJi.
“I received word two days ago from General Luo, while we were still on the road. She retook the city with minor casualties, and the Wens have withdrawn past the Burial Mounds.“ said Jin Zixuan. He sat back and sighed.
“Thirteen years and we are back to where the borders were in the first place.” he said. Lan WangJi nodded.
“You will leave as soon as the numbers are confirmed, ideally no later than next week. I need those troops back again as soon as possible. One for one, or ransomed.” Jin Zixuan continued.
“As Your Majesty commands.” Lan WangJi said, and Jin Zixuan waved his hands.
“Why did you choose to come out in my support?” asked Jin Zixuan.
“You realise that you could probably have declared yourself for Emperor? You are very loved, highly respected. Hanguang Jun, Lightbringer, fixer of problems under two reigns.”
“There is nothing I would like less than being Emperor.” said Lan WangJi.
“But Wei Ying said you would be a good ruler.”
“Bullshit. When?”
“Before he was killed. He wrote from Yiling, a few times.”
“Bullshit. Really?”
“He said you would be better than Jin Guangyao.” said Lan WangJi.
“Now we will see if he was right.”