Thread by @RisingFurby

I’ve been sitting on this #darklanzhan idea for awhile, so why not thread fic it:
Emperor LWJ, consort WWX
Questionable courting methods

This thread will be loooooong lmao

#MDZS

The expansive Lan Empire consolidated their power through dividing their land into provinces and allowing certain families governance over these areas. The Jiang in the south, Nie in the West, Jin in the Capital with the Lans, and the Wen in the East

As long as they swore complete fealty to the Lan Dynasty, these great families enjoyed power and prestige only overshadowed by the Lan themselves.

To help keep inter-family relationships strong, the heirs of the great clans spent much of their youth in the Capital with the Lan

This was how the young second prince Lan Wangji met the wayward ward of the Jiang’s- Wei Wuxian.

Lan Wangji was the second prince. His imperial brother bore the brunt of responsibility to be great; and was constantly accompanied by aids and their Royal Uncle in preparation to take the crown.

Lan Wangji never resented this, but he was left to his own devices much of

the time. The prince had his tutors and servants, so he contented himself with his seclusion. He even enjoyed it!

That was, until the Jiang sent their heirs to the Imperial Palace for the summer.

It happened every summer; heirs of the great clans that had come of age residing

with his family in their palace. They never truly managed to break his seclusion- though they sometimes broke his sweet, sweet, silence.

Nie Mingjue was almost normal, acting as a good friend and ally to his older brother, while others like Wen Xu only sought to curry the favor

of the future Emperor. Nie Huaisang was nothing like his older brother, but it didn’t truly matter; it’s not like LWJ had any inclination to talk to the boy.

He had become adept at ignoring these new characters in his life, only fastening his eyes to his books more keenly, and

training with his sword until his muscles screamed.

This all changed, however, with the Jiang contingent of heirs. While he had seen them at official celebrations a scant few times in the past, the Jiang were a strange clan.

The Jiang ruled over the port area of the empire, and

by location, were isolated from the rest of the empire. While the other clans jumped at the chance to have their heirs meet the Imperial family, the Jiang preferred nurturing their heirs for as long as possible, keeping them in Yunmeng for the duration of their childhood and teen

years.

LWJ figured he could ignore these figures from the Lotus Pier as easily as he could with the Jin, Nie, and Wen. That was true for the quiet Jiang Yanli and reserved Jiang Wanyin.

But not for their ward. Not for Wei Wuxian. The bright eyed youth was 15- of age with him,

and it was clear he took this as permission to ‘befriend’ him.

LWJ was in the training yard, a little before curfew, going through the motions taught to him by his brother. He couldn’t sleep after the arrival of the heirs this year; they were too loud, or at least, one of them

was too loud. That WWX, or ‘Wei Ying’ as he cheekily supplied earlier that day, seemingly could not shut his mouth.

First, he had entered the grand hall, the throne room, with a bounce in his step. All playful smiles, and no reverence for the standing regent. When presented

to the Royal Uncle, Lan Qiren, with JC and JYL, WWX did not bow anywhere near deeply enough. His words were respectful, but said with a tone of arrogance and frivolity.

Lan Qiren did not comment on his faux pas, only shook his head, and his Imperial brother laughed. Xichen was

always far too indulgent to the indolent heirs they were forced to befriend.

After the heirs had been led away to their chambers, LWJ’s uncle mentioned something about WWX being just like his mother with a sigh. His older brother smiled, saying something about youthful joy.

Though LWJ’s chambers couldn’t be farther away from the guest rooms, he could still hear a certain excited voiced echoing through gilded halls. It ring in his ears, and he already couldn’t stand it- or so he told himself as he stormed into his room.

Later at the dinner banquet

for the arrival of the heirs, WWX loudly insulted the dinner served, muttering things about how the soup didn’t compare to his Shijie’s soup.

The Lan did not indulge in meat or richly spiced food- it was part of their code of honor. It was not a hard thing to do. It was LWJ had

eaten his entire life. Sitting beside his brother and uncle, he side eyed the noisy guest, praying he could take a hint.

Of course, nothing was ever that easy with WWX, he had quickly figured out.

WWX took LWJ’s glares as an invitation to open conversation.

“Lan Er-gongzi,” he

hollered, “what’s that look for?”

WWX’s brother seated beside him spat out his soup. “Stop that,” the Jiang heir snapped, “do you want to be killed?!”

WWX only smiled brightly. “I just want to talk,” he replied.

“Excessive noise is forbidden. Lower your voice.” LWJ stated

succinctly.

“Lan Er-gongzi, Lan Er-gongzi,” WWX whispered, looking directly at him with those eyes.

LWJ practiced restraint. It was the way a Lan heir should act. But as the other boy continued talking, grating on his nerves, he could no longer take it.

The porcelain spoon

in his hand snapped as he grit his teeth.

“Excuse me, uncle, brother.” His brother only looked at him with a smug sort of look he could not bother to decipher.

As he swiftly walked- not stormed- out, the errant WWX tried to grab his sleeve.

“Lan Er-gongzi!” He called one

last time. That made WWX’s brother snap, and start scolding his shixiong, but LWJ exited as quickly as he could.

WWX… bothered him. Everything about the other boy was bothersome. His grey eyes, shining like the stars. Too bright, the way the sun was on too hot summer days-

and his voice, chattering on and on about anything and everything. LWJ was taught to preserve his words and think about them carefully before speaking. WWX, handsome in his Yunmeng purple silks, was everything frivolous.

He barely even knew the other boy, but he had made his

mark in a way no other had before.

Now, as he trained under the muted light, moon obscured behind clouds, he couldn’t help but think about the other.

Drawing him out of his concentrated sword forms and thought, was a stray clattering and footsteps on clay tiles.

On guard,

LWJ looked up, hand tightening on his beloved blade- Bichen. Any intruder should have surely been caught by a guard by now- easily! But focusing his ears, it was surely someone on the roofs of the buildings surrounding his private training grounds.

And there the intruder was.

Will continue tomorrow 👀👀

“What are you doing here,” he commands, voice free of any tremors.

His question was met with an all too familiar laugh. “Ah, sorry, Lan Er-gongzi! I didn’t realize this was your area…” It was WWX, perched on the roof all too easily. In his hand, was a bottle of what could only

be alcohol.

LWJ does not groan or sigh- he can control himself (or so he tells himself). “There is a curfew, Wei-gongzi,” he starts, “and alcohol is prohibited.” He makes sure to punctuate his frustration with one of his signature glares.

With a laugh, WWX hops down, landing

on his feet with the grace of a cat. “Really?” The boy laughed again, shaking his head. When he noticed LWJ’s glare, he put up one of his hands placatingly. “I promise, Lan Er-gongzi, I didn’t know!!”

LWJ’s hand is still glued to Bichen’s hilt. It made him feel secure somehow-

safe from this strange dream.

“You would know,” LWJ snaps, “if you bothered to pay attention at any point in time to my Uncle. There are rules here.”

WWX holds up three fingers quickly. “Ah, I know, I know!! Well- I promise I won’t do it

again,” he said with a certain grin that screamed the opposite. Those grey eyes glinted with mischief and slid across the yard. “Is this your training yard? Nice sword,” he grinned.

LWJ scoffed. “It has not even been a day, and yet you’ve broken many rules.”

WWX shook his

head. “Sorry, I’m sorry! If it bothers you, how about we share this bottle of Emperor’s Smile? That’s what made me go out to the town in the first place. I’ve heard of this wine even in Yunmeng!”

LWJ swiped his hand, his blade following in suite. He intended to knock the

contraband out of the younger’s hand, but WWX swiftly dodged, jumping out of the way in an instant.

“Ah! Lan Er-gongzi! Don’t be mad,” WWX gasped, dodging each and every stroke of his blade with masterful agility.

There seemed to be more to WWX than he originally thought-

although most of the heirs were trained in swordsmanship and combat, during times of peace, most didn’t focus on such arts.

Dancing away, WWX made his way back up to the top of the roof, threw open the bottle, and began downing his wine.

Heaving from the exhilaration of the

chase, LWJ only watched from below as the moon came out from behind the clouds and illuminated the troublemaker.

He was furious.

Storming back into his palace chambers to the tune of WWX’s laughter, he tried to do anything to get that smile out of his mind.

——
That was years ago- the first time they met. They were young and knew nothing, yet that summer, they grew quite close.

After WWX left with his siblings, the younger promised to write him until he could come back next summer. LWJ drafted plenty of his own letters-

yet WWX’s never had the chance to come.

Surprising no one, the ambitious Wen rebelled. Wen Rouhan has been accumulating his forces for years, under the excuse of raiders invading the empire’s borders.

The more surprising aspect, was the fact the Jin eagerly joined Wen Rouhan. With their riches and inner knowledge of

the Lan court, they made a formidable partnership.

LQR and LXC called for support from the Nie and Jiang, and a bloody war began.

The first act of aggression from the Wen was the burning of Lotus Pier. It was keenly strategic, burning the main port of the Empire and

conquering it. They put everyone to the sword, sparing no one. It sent a message.

The Wen were not scared.

When news of Lotus Pier’s demise reached LWJ’s ears, his heart stopped. Yu Ziyuan and Jiang Fengmian were dead along with hundreds of clans members and disciples-

the chances of WWX being alive were slim to none.

LWJ had always been a peaceful child, perfecting serenity and order to chaos and violence. He never understood the grand tales of vengeance and retribution, thinking the whole notion barbaric.

Now, he understood in a way he

had never before.

He thought of Wen Chao, who had bossed around the servants when he was in the palace, his smarmy face full of arrogance. Him, and his lackey Wen Zhuliu. Core crusher.

If WY had been killed, he would make them wish they were dead for a very long time before

they died. He wanted to drive his sword through them, and watch them beg for death. A coward like WC would, he knew.

But perhaps WWX and his martial siblings were still alive. This sparing hope was the only thing that drew him out of the mire of despair. The Wen had been sure

to send the Lan evidence of Jiang Zongzhu and Yu Furen’s deaths, but there was nothing denoting WWX, JC, or JYL.

He prayed to whatever god there was, that WY was still alive. If he was alive, he would find him. And WY would never face such dangers again. He would ensure it.

LWJ had been in the Unclean Realm with his brother, strategizing with NMJ. LXC and NMJ apparently had a mole placed in Nightless City, who’d warned that Wen Xu was on his way to Qinghe.

This was the opportunity they’d been waiting for- if they kill Wen Xu, heir to whatever WRH

was building, they would also kill plenty of moral. While the Jin had pledged their support of the Wen at first, Jin Zixuan had valiantly opposed his father’s designs; or so they’d heard.

If it were for justice, it would be admirable, but it was likely because JZX knew what

would become of the Jin if the Wen were defeated.

Jin Guangshan loved his power, ever greedy, and still refused to see reason. The Jin Clan was split down the middle, either siding with the more sensible heir or their true leader. It was convenient for the Lan, in any case.

Too busy fighting amongst themselves, they weren’t as much help to the Wen as they thought they’d be.

The night before the Wen’s planned attack, in a flurry, the YMJ heir and his brother arrived. Dirty, bloodied, but alive. And the new Jiang Zongzhu pledged his allegiance to

the Lan. While his brother could deal with that, all LWJ could think about, was WY. His eyes, grey and blazing, his hair disheveled, clothes torn and stained, but alive. The determination in his WY was undeniable.

He explained how they’d escaped the Wen that night with their

sister. They did everything they could to ensure her safety by sending her off to Meishan, before the two of them were ambushed.

Fascinatingly, two Wen had saved them, nursing them back to health for nothing in return.

LXC and NMJ quickly issued them orders after WWX had

asked what he could do to help.

That night, LWJ visited WY in his quarters. He felt a lightness in his chest, an elation he’d never felt before.

Always restrained and holding himself back, this time he couldn’t help rushing to WY and collecting him into his arms.

“I thought,”

he started, unsure what to say. He pressed his face into the crook of WY’s neck. “I was worried.”

WY hugged back just as tightly. His hand trailed lightly up and down LWJ’s back. “I’m here, Lan Zhan,” he smiled, “you can’t get rid of me that easily!”

As if he’d ever try to get

rid of him. He felt as if he could never let WY out of his sight again. The uncertainty and fear of the last three months was pure torture.

“I will never try and get rid of you, WY,” he replied firmly.

WWX looked at him with those precious eyes, and pulled back. He placed his

hands on LWJ’s shoulders, and smiled. It was a small, shy thing, but it warmed the older man’s heart.

“The battle tomorrow will be important and dangerous,” he warned WY, “you need sleep. You have not had much of it lately, I presume.”

WY only laughed and lightly tapped LWJ’s

arm.

“Before I sleep, I need to do one thing,” WY sighed.

LWJ looked at the younger expectantly.

WY leaned forward, and placed a tender kiss on his lips.

“Good night, Lan Zhan.”

(This was supposed to be more of a dark fic, but it starts super sweet 😅 I’ll try to make it a little darker from here)

Here’s from the top so for! Comments questions? 👀

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The battle, had in fact, changed everything.

While Wen Xu ended up with his head cleaved from his shoulders, the rest of the forces did not remain unscathed.

Most pertinently, LXC had sustained a critical injury- though he had survived Wen Xu’s blade, he could no longer move as

freely.

LXC had always been focused on his studies; politics and the classics. He was a tranquil and peaceful man who only wanted the best for his people. When it came time for him to fight, he decided to fight with the rest of his people.

Now, he could no longer do so. And

so, while his brother was recovering, it was LWJ’s responsibility to see the war to its end. To command.

It was a complete shock to everyone, when they realized just how efficient LWJ was when he had the right motivation.

Every battle became a decisive bloodbath, efficient in

its strategy and meaning. With every Wen holding they took, the Clan soon realized that their rebellion was doomed to fail.

The Jin pulled out completely, and all that was left was storming Nightless City. The last step was the capture of Wen Rouhan and Wen Chao.

In the end,

there was no need.

Jin Guangshan’s illegitimate son, Meng Yao, surreptitiously assassinated Wen Rouhan. He was working with Jin Zixuan, who was desperate to rebuild what little was left of the Jin’s reputation.

The war was hard, and at barely eighteen years old, standing in

for the emperor was even harder. However, for LWJ, WWX stood by him every step of the way.

WWX, despite his beloved yet frivolous nature, was a keen advisor and fearsome general. He was loved and respected as a war hero along with LWJ and the others. He was well known by the

common people- he went out of his way to protect them. If it were not for WWX’s convincing, LWJ would have agreed with JC and NMJ’s suggestions of razing not only military outposts, but any and all villages as well.

It was wrong- to feel such fury towards those who have done

nothing wrong, but he couldn’t help it. It was a dark thing coiling in his stomach, when he thought of his brother- someone who only wanted peace- or WY covered in cuts and bruises from yet another hard fought battle.

-

He signed another paper. He couldn’t afford to think

about the war. He had far too much on his plate dealing with the aftermath of the Sunshot Campaign.

His brother was almost fully recovered, but he had firmly told LXC that he would stay on bed rest until he was completely recovered.

The matter of the Jin betrayal was first to

be dealt with. Jin Guangshan had given WRH the funds and motivation to initiate the rebellion. If he were to listen to tradition and his uncle, he would have every remaining Jin put to the sword. However, JZX and MY were essential in ending the war. LWJ decided he would allow

the pair to stay in power… under strict surveillance. Of course, he made sure Jin Guangshan and everyone loyal to him was executed.

The decision was controversial. Many minor nobles clamored to take the Jin’s spot and were angered that the clan wasn’t annihilated, while others

no longer trusted either MY or JZX.

They questioned LWJ’s authority; he wasn’t the emperor. Who said he could make such decisions?

After such an upsetting war, he couldn’t have his power questioned. When he held court in LXC’s place, he made sure that the nobles knew their

place.

LWJ was never one for politics, but he was always one for completing a task that needed to be done.

After listening to all the bickering, leaning over his desk, and addressing dissenters until his voice was hoarse, every evening when he returned to his chambers, he was

beyond exhausted.

The only thing that made it worth it, was his WY. Their love had bloomed during the war, fighting side by side, then after.

Everyday, WY waited for him, or more often, slipped into LWJ’s chambers a little after curfew.

He comforted LWJ in every way that

mattered. It felt like WY held him together. It felt like WY was his light.

Even after a full day of exhausting work, his energy would come back to him with one glimpse of that mischievous smile.

When he lay in bed with WY, he imagined that he could have this for the rest of

his life. LXC would get better, then he and WY could be wed. They’d never discussed it, but it seemed like WY had made a life in the capital, and at LWJ’s side.

WY was lying on his chest, drooling slightly, and LWJ was overcome with tenderness. He drew his hand up and WY’s back.

-

It was never that easy.

LXC did not get better. He did not recover to the point where he felt he could effectively rule.

“Wangji,” his brother said, almost guilty, “I’m so sorry ask this of you.”

LWJ couldn’t look his older brother in the eyes. He shouldn’t be more worried

about himself in this situation- he should be worried about his brother, not… not his own selfish dreams.

The scent of medicinal herbs were overpowering. That was what brought tears to LWJ’s eyes. Yes, the medicine.

LXC laid in the bed, frowning finally.

“I know you’ve never wanted this, but you must for our country.”

LWJ picked up LXC’s hand, bringing it to his cheek.

“Yes Xiongzhang.” His older brother was supposed to be the emperor. He was good with people and tactful. LWJ would do as asked of him, but he couldn’t help but

feel like something ominous would come of this.

His WY was shaking.

Standing in the doorframe of their chambers, his eyes blazed with fury. In his hand was the condemning letter. An order LWJ knew WY would never forgive him for.

What LWJ did was wrong, and cruel, but it was necessary. WY, so desperately protective of his

family may never forgive him for it, but in time he was sure WY would learn to live with what LWJ had done.

How else could it be? Their love was the one of epics, a story recounted by dreamy-eyed maidens and storytellers alike.

LWJ loved WY the most, and in an all-consuming-

and WY felt the same about him.

It was cruel, but WY would forgive him.

He had no other choice.

It was a decision he had made after assuming the robe and crown of the Emperor.

WY had been by his side, until his brother demanded he return back to Lotus Pier. To teach the disciples, to help council his brother, the new Jiang-Zongzhu.

He was unhappy with this.

He did not

beg WY to stay- he had only sent him off with all the honor and patience he could muster.

WY was sad to leave, yet LWJ couldn’t help but see the pleased glimmer in his eyes when he considered returning to the place of his childhood.

Before WY left, he entrusted his infamous

blade, Suibian, to LWJ; promising to come back and retrieve it himself one day.

LWJ tried to content himself with their letters, tracing the characters of WY’s haphazard scrawl by candlelight when he couldn’t sleep, or sending WY useless gifts of wine and spices his uncle

would surely frown upon. Anything to feel close to his beloved.

Being the Emperor was not as easy as maintaining a stream of letters with WY was.

Never before had he been concerned with marriage. Never before had “producing an heir” been important for him.

LXC was supposed

to do that. Find an empress and have a brood of children. And LWJ would be able to marry WY.

His council said otherwise. Everyday another noble’s daughter met with him, kohl lined eyes meeting his slyly over cups of tea.

These meetings enraged him. His entanglement with WY

was no secret. WY never bothered to leave LWJ’s chambers before dawn, and LWJ never bothered hiding his affection for WY. That part of himself was something he could never, ever, suppress.

He had fought with his uncle, and even his brother. This was something he would not budge

on.

He needed to send a message.

The next noble that tried to sell his daughter to LWJ like collateral lost all his wealth. The next, his prestige, and the next, his hands.

Of course, he had found things to charge them with that weren’t due to his marital issue, but it was

at least clear to his family. Reluctantly, LQR backed off.

LWJ drafted a letter to JWY. He asked for WY’s hand in marriage. He offered anything the Jiang could ever desire in return for their ward.

The letter he received in response was what drove him to do what he did.

A few

days later, he received a response.

JWY told LWJ bluntly that he would not hand over his head disciple. WY would marry a girl from Lotus Pier, and he would stay in Yunmeng at JWY’s side.

He threw the letter into the brazier, as if it burned him like the flaming coals, and

immediately took action.

There were still Jin prisoners in jail eager to win back the favor of their emperor.

Sending them to Yunmeng, Lotus Pier fell again, conveniently while WY was on a small vacation, and the young lady Jiang was with her fiancé JZX.

The Jin he sent to

fulfill the massacre were slain too. Dead men tell no tales.

WY had fallen straight into his arms after that. Distraught and depressed, LWJ tenderly ushered him to the Capitol, giving him all the comfort he needed.

They did wed, and LWJ announced he would never take another

bride or consort. He named a cousin’s recent child, Lan Jingyi as his heir, and all was well.

Though it took WY awhile, he came back to himself after finding meaning training the young Lan.

As a famous war hero, the young members of the Lan clan were eager to learn swordplay

from the master; and master WY was. It was a joy to see him teach, to see his eyes sparkle.

He futilely his duties as consort exceptionally, helping to rebuild decimated villages and finding homes for orphans.

Even more sweet, was their marriage. They never hid, but now it was

truly official in everyone’s eyes. They could not deny WY was his.

And life was great; until WY found the missive that called for the destruction of Lotus Pier.

He had tried to throw it away, but in his enraged haze, he’d forgotten. Now, his sweet WY glared at him with an

emotion LWJ had never had directed towards him: fury, sorrow, and betrayal.

“How could you have done this,” WY seethed, “I would have come to you in a heart beat!”

LWJ looked directly into WY’s tear filled eyes. “No you wouldn’t have. You’re brother threw out the marriage

proposal. You ignored my letters.”

WY’s eyes widened. He stepped back, and the frenzy in his eyes came suddenly like a tempest.

“…letters?” WY’s tanned face was pale. “There weren’t any…”

LWJ shook his head, steeping into WY’s space, the way WY had as a wayward youth. “JWY must have intercepted the letters.”

LWJ’s sumptuous chambers were expansive; draped in red and gold silks. Now, however, they felt small. Like the were closing in on WY.

Large windows let in the golden light of the setting sun, and WY’s face was illuminated so beautifully.

WY was crying, his shoulders curving in

and hands shaking as he tried to dry his tears. His chest heaved.

WY was a tall man, with a personality that couldn’t be contained; standing rooted to the floor and swaying with sobs, his beloved seemed so small.

LWJ advanced, collecting his sweet WY into his arms. He rubbed

up and down the small of WY’s back, tucking WY’s head into the crook of his neck.

“Do not weep for him. He’s not here anymore. What’s done it done.”

WY clung to him fiercely, wracked with sobs. WY knew in the marrow of his bones that what LWJ was saying was true.

“He’s gone, and your sister too. But I will never leave you.”

LWJ’s lips caressed WY’s ear sweetly.

“We will be together until the end; and in the next lifetime, we’ll meet again. You’re mine WY, the way I am yours.”

Those grey eyes, swollen with red and so full of sorrow

looked into his.

The couple shared a kiss, sealing their fate.

Aaah!!! It’s finally done, my first threadfic!!!! I have so many ideas for the next ones, but for now, what’d you guys think? Thank you for reading!!

To the beginning: my first dark LWJ thread fic finished!

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