The walk back to the main buildings was far more awkward and uncomfortable than Wangji had anticipated.

Although Wangji was grateful for his brother giving him a spare pair of shoes to borrow, he wasn't all that happy about him keeping such a big secret from him.

Maybe he could have visited Lan Yi before this and got to know his grandmother for more than a half hour.

Did he think he couldn't handle it, or that he wasn't old enough to know?

He was responsible, more so than a lot of people his age. So why didn't he tell him?

However, since he was going with the 'short term memory loss' story, he couldn't actually ask any of these questions.

Which is why he had now taken to glaring at the back of Xichen's head.

All while Xichen would stop and turn around every minute or so as if to say something, only to screw up his face, take a deep breath in, and continue walking.

They both arrived outside the large mahogany double doors of their uncles office. Xichen raised his hand to knock, but momentarily paused, looking back at Wangji a final time.

"Wangji, I think its better if just I talked to uncle." Xichen said in his usual kind and caring tone, but right now, Wangji didn't really see it as kind.

"After all, you did lose your memory, it might be better if you rested instead. I'm sure it must have taken a toll on you."

Wangji narrowed his eyes ever so slightly, but chose not to say anything. Instead he just graciously nodded, as he bowed and left.

Wangji now felt even more annoyed at his brother than he did before.

He was probably having a hushed conversation with his Uncle all about the Cold Pond Cave. His uncle knew, obviously.

Hold on, will they know that the Yin Iron and the white jade zither are missing?

No, if they couldn't get in then, they can't get in now.

Although, the spell that reveals the true form of beings did lift when Lan Yi disappeared.

Hm, should he place some protection talismans around the pond later? No, then they would find out that he actually remembered.

Wangji just focused on the individual rocks among the pathway as he walked back to the Jingshi. Gravel turned into oak floorboards, as his mind kept going back to the Yin Iron.

Just how was he going to destroy something he can't even touch? He could get a pair of thick gloves and give that a try, although something told him that might not work. Maybe he could try destroying it with Bichen?

No, an artefact that powerful would probably shatter his precious sword. So that option was out of the window.

Maybe he could seal it somewhere far out of reach. That might work. If he chose a good location, and put up enough wards and arrays, it might be possible. But where? A cave? No, to easy to stumble across.

Maybe he could travel to the East Sea and seal it in an underwater trench?

No, that still counts as polluting a water source, which was something he was fervently against.

Where, just where on earth could he

Wangji's carriage of thought was promptly overturned when he felt himself collide with somebody.

Looking up, his eyes momentarily widened in horror to find that he had run into none other than Wei Wuxian.

"Ah, Lan-er-gongzi, there you are! I was looking everywhere for you yesterday, and before that!" Wei Ying exclaimed, while Wangji wanted nothing more than to turn into mist and waft away from this conversation.

Wangji just gave a sort of head tilt with a tiny shrug, desperate to leave.

"Eh, Lan-er-gongzi, just where did you go yesterday? Everyone was running around like headless chickens trying to find you." Wei Ying teased, his eyes filled with a mischievous glimmer that put Wangji on edge.

Wangji chose not to answer and just opted to purse his lips and glare instead.

"Okay, okay. If you don't want to tell me what you do in your free time that's fine." Wei Ying waved off while Wangji fought the urge to scoff.

"Then I guess you can just tell me about BiLing Lake."

Wangji's entire body went rigid as all the muscles in his face tensed in nervousness.

Wei Ying watched in delight as he finally managed to get a reaction of the jade ghost.

"I've heard there's a lot of interesting things there. I was actually thinking of going fishing some time." Wei Ying teased further, watching with glee as an endless stream of emotions went through Wangji's eyes.

"Lan-er-gongzi, you've lived in Gusu for a long time right. You must know what the best catch is, right? I'm planning to make a big pot of fish soup."

It took every self restraining bone in Wangji body to stop himself from strangling this audacious young master to death and dumping his body in the depths of BiLing Lake.

Wei Ying couldn't help but give a wry smirk, as he could almost see steam coming off of Wangji.

"I wouldn't know." Was all Wangji managed to get out, which probably sounded even more suspicious.

Wangji felt his hands tingling as he clenched his fists, taking very careful breaths in.

The air seemed to turn even more frigid as Wei Ying gave out a little shiver, but still kept on.

"Ah, such a shame. I heard that the fish in BiLing Lake are big enough to feed a whole family for a week! Well, it can't hurt to try anyway."

Wangji exhaled deeply and you could see two jets of steam escape his nostrils which momentarily reminded Wei Ying of a raging bull.

Wei Ying laughed as he rubbed his arms realising just how quickly it could get cold in Gusu. The temperature had dropped at least twelve degrees in three minutes. And it might have been Wei Ying's imagination, but he could have sworn that he saw frost forming on Wangji's face.

"Aiya, it's far to cold around here for someone from Yunmeng. Gosh, I guess people from Gusu really are part winter fox." Wei Ying jokingly wrapped his arms around himself, as he gestured to Wangji's thin airy robes.

Wangji fought the urge to call him a weakling, and just blinked.

"Ah, Lan-er-gongzi, I'll see you around." Wei Ying bowed and skipped away, desperate to find a outer cloak and a cup of piping hot tea.

Wangji let out a breath he didn't even know he was holding, as he shook his head tiredly.

He let his hands fall to his sides as he looked down at the ground. However he was shocked to see beautiful snowflake patterns that circled around his feet.

Looking at his hand, he fixedly stared at the thin layer of frost on each of his fingers and around his wrist.

Wangji just looked down with a dazed expression he watched his hand glimmer in the light as he moved it around.

Well, that's new, the voice in his head calmly said.

Yeah, it is, he neutrally replied.

In all honesty, he was done being shocked at this point. He was already a merman with a seemingly sentient inner dialog, what difference did a little snow make?

I might take brothers advice about resting, he thought as he walked back to the Jingshi.

Yeah, you do that, his inner voice agreed.