Rule #28: Be Strict With Yourself

Rules broken:

~ Do not act impulsively

~ Be careful with your words

~ Accept the generosity of others

~ Do not eavesdrop

~ Do not ask personal questions

Wangji blew on the paper to dry the ink and looked over his list. He would always make these kind of lists whenever he returned to Cloud Recesses. His uncle always said it was important to be aware of ones failures and try to correct them.

However he had never come back from Gusu with a list this long.

If I hadn't talked to that boy...

Wangji scowled. Nothing good came from unnecessary social interaction. He thought he had already learned that lesson but clearly he hadn't.

For breaking five rules, copying the sect rules five times while doing a handstand should be sufficient  Wangji thought.

There were over 4000 rules in the Lan kingdom, and Wangji had memorized them all long ago.

Tying his long hair behind his ears, Wangji prepared a stack of paper and a ink brush. Kicking up his feet, he quickly stabilized himself on two hands before lifting up his right hand and dipping the brush into black ink. 

He began to copy.

1. Do not kill within Cloud Recesses
2. Do not fight without permission
3. Do not commit acts of promiscuity
4. Do not go out at night
5. Do not make noise
6. Do not walk too fast
7. Do not laugh for no reason
8. Do not...

The words flowed easily, after all, Wangji had done this so many times he had lost count. Although he didn't actually need to think about what he was writing, he refused to let his mind wander. This was supposed to be a punishment after all.

32. Maintain your own discipline
33. If others win over you, do not envy
34. If others lose to you, do not look down...

Wangji began to feel sweat on his brow as he entered into the hundreds but refused to switch hands. He would only do so when he truly couldn't hold himself up any longer.

245. Wake at five
246. Do not be picky about food
247. Have proper posture...

It took the remainder of the day to finish copying all 4000 rules five times.

Wangji felt relief wash over him as he wrote,
4127. Have a strong will and anything can be achieved
For the fifth and final time.

Slowly and carefully he lowered himself to the ground. His face was slick with sweat and although he didn't have a mirror, he knew his snow white skin must be positively crimson from all the blood that had pooled in his skull.

He took a few deep breaths to relax the tension in his shoulders before removing the band from his hair and letting it fall back around his arms.

Wangji collected the five stacks of papers and tied a string around them with the rules he had broken on the top. This needed to be filed away in his section of the library pavilion.

Before leaving his room, he made sure to smooth out his white and blue outer robes. 

Rule #457: clothing must be clean and orderly  Wangji thought, straightening his forehead ribbon.

He left his room holding the large stack of paper in his right hand while his left clutched Bichen behind his back.

Wangji deeply enjoyed walking around Cloud Recesses. It was more like a monastery than a palace, always very quiet and positively radiating spiritual energy. Junior disciples halted their conversations and bowed as he passed, only beginning to whisper again once Wangji was a safe distance away.

He was used to this. Although the junior disciples were the same age as him, Wangji was often given the role of officer by his uncle, and was quick to duel out punishments when rules were broken. This did not gain Wangji many friends.

Doesn't matter. Friendship is unnecessary  he thought, scowling as the young disciples behind him laughed loudly.

Just as Wangji was about to slide open the door to the library pavilion, Lan Xichen and their uncle Lan Qiren opened it from the inside. Wangji was quick to bow at each, and Xichen beamed, reciprocating the gesture. Lan Qiren did not bow, but gave him a very small smile and tilted his head slightly as a sign of mutual respect. To anyone else, they might think Wangji's uncle was angry at him, but Wangji knew that for Lan Qiren, this was a rather boisterous display of affection.

"Where have you been today Wangji? I didn't see you at supper" Xichen asked, a slight glimmer of worry in his eyes.

"I had to complete necessary correction" Wangji said, holding up the large stack of paper.

Xichen frowned, but Lan Qiren nodded in approval.

"Very good Wangji"

Both brothers bowed as their uncle departed, and Xichen followed Wangji into the library.

"Wangji, what could you possibly need correcting for?"

Wangji sighed and handed him his initial list of rules broken.

As Xichen's eyes descended on each line, his frown grew deeper.

"What is all this about? Eavesdropping? Impulsivity?" He studied Wangji's face. "Are you sure you aren't exaggerating the display of your actions?"

Wangji simply shook his head.

"No. Accurate"

He took the paper back and filed away his punishment in the proper location.

"Wangji... did you talk to that boy?"

Wangji felt his face heat up slightly. He was sure the tips of his ears were pink and he gritted his teeth.

Lying is not permitted.

"Mn"

Xichen smiled and Wangji turned away. He didn't like the look hiding behind his brother's eyes.

"It's nearly 9" Wangji said, bowing at Xichen and walking away.

Really it was only 8:15, but Wangji wanted an excuse to leave before his brother tried to talk about the boy again.

He swiftly made his way back to his room, narrowing his eyes at anyone he passed, only letting himself calm down once he had closed the door.

His room was made up of a main section, and a side room. The main room had a small table in the center, perfect for drinking tea or practicing his guqin. There was also a small incense burner in the corner that filled the room with the soft smell of sandalwood. It relaxed him, and reminded him of the small cottage his mother lived in when she was still alive.

The side room was considerably smaller; just big enough for a bed, a dresser, and a washing basin.

As Wangji changed into his nightclothes, he felt something poke at his ribs. He fished the green bamboo flute from within the layers of fabric.

Why did I buy this stupid thing? I don't even play the flute!

You didn't buy it  said the little voice in his head. Wei Ying gave it to you. And you wanted it because it was in his hand.

Wangji scowled as the boy's smiling face swam into vision.

Wangji, his name is Wei Ying not "the boy".

Shut up!

He groaned and flopped down on his bed. He simply did not have the energy to argue with his own subconscious.

Overly emotional, unrestrained, delinquent... I can fix this. I will never talk to that boy again.

Lying is forbidden, Wangji.

Wangji let out a loud exhale through his nose.

A bell chimed in the distance, indicating that it was 9 o'clock.

Rule #244: Sleep at nine

Wangji moved to throw the flute away, but his fingers refused to uncurl from the bamboo. After several minutes, he finally admitted defeat and stored the flute under a loose floorboard before climbing into bed.

I'll deal with this later  Wangji thought, rolling onto his back and resting his hands over his stomach, assuming the proper Lan Sect sleeping position. I am stronger than my emotions.

As he was drifting off, the small voice spoke one more time.

Are you sure about that?

I hope you enjoyed the chapter! If you did, Please consider leaving a like, and leave a comment if you have any feedback. I love hearing what you guys think; it motivates me to keep writing.

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