If everything were up to Lan Wangji, he would never leave his palace. No scratch that, he would never leave his library. He was content in the company of his guqin and a pile of books, and spent most of his hours practicing music, and taking breaks to read.

However, things were not up to Lan Wangji, far from it in fact. Although he was second in line, Wangji was still a crowned prince, and this included a multitude of ridiculous responsibilities.

Besides studying and cultivating, which he actually enjoyed, he was forced to listen during political conferences, talk to other potentates, and make appearances in local villages to increase positive reception to the monarchy.

He was bored by the nuances of politics and did not like speaking unless he had to.

Thank god for Lan Xichen.

Wangji's older brother was perfectly made for his position as the heir to the throne. Like Wangji, he was intelligent and calculated, but far more amicable and friendly than the younger of the twin jades.

Although everyone said the brothers were mirror images of each other, there were certain differences. Zewu-Jun's eyes were darker and gentler than Wangji's, and his shoulders slightly more broad. Still, the only way most could tell the difference were the long strands of hair that Wangji let hang over the top of his forehead ribbon, and the slight smile that always curved at Xichen's lips.

A knock on the door to the library pavilion broke Wangji's concentration. There was really no need to knock; the library was open to anyone in the palace, but it was a kind gesture, meaning it was probably Lan Xichen.

Wangji stood and opened the door to Zewu-Jun's smiling face.

"Brother" Wangji greeted, bowing respectfully.

Xichen bowed back and entered the building.

"I see you've been practicing" he said, eyeing the stacks of sheet music that littered the table.

Wangji nodded.

"Wonderful. It is good that you practice your cultivation so frequently" Xichen said, clearly beating around the bush.

Wangji cleared his throat.

"Is there a purpose for your visit, brother?" He asked respectfully.

Xichen sighed and smiled.

"It is time to make a trip down to Gusu"

Wangji's expression remained apathetic, but he rolled his eyes inwardly.

Why must I entertain the notion that I care?

"With all due respect" he said carefully, "Why must I accompany you on such trips? I am not the heir to the throne, and I will never be king"

"We do not know that" Xichen said. "If I should die, you will take my place, and the people must feel safe with whomever is leading their kingdom"

Wangji clenched his jaw. He didn't like the thought of his brother leaving him. As much as he resisted the implication that he needed anyone, his brother was all he had. No one his age seemed to have any desire to speak to him, and if they tried, they would usually lose interest or get scared off by his indifferent attitude and stoic facial expression.

Wangji was too young to realize that deep in his heart he truly craved friendship and attention. His mind was clouded with the angst of a sixteen year old who did not want to be told what to do.

Not that he ever dared disobey orders.

The Lan kingdom had thousands of strict rules and regulations. Both Wangji and Xichen had grown up under the watchful eye of their uncle, who had made it his mission in life to raise them to be virtuous young men after the death of their parents. Thus, the boys read, trained, cultivated, ate, and slept according to strict guidelines.

Wangji had never had a problem with this. If temptation and emotion were the downfalls of righteousness, than being void of such qualities was certainly a good thing right?

"Wangji?"

Wangji blinked as his attention shifted back to the present. He bowed and picked up his sword Bichen.

"I will accompany you"
_____________________________

It was the height of summer, and Gusu was bustling with people. Store owners, cultivators, students, families...

People parted out of their way and bowed as Lan Wangji and Lan Xichen walked down the cobblestone road. Businessmen yelled from the sidelines, pushing their products in the princes faces, and young ladies giggled and threw flowers.

Wangji kept his eyes forward and refused to make eye contact with any of them. Girls made him very uncomfortable.

Xichen smiled and waved at everyone they passed. He even winked at the group of girls, making them swoon.

Wangji looked at him in shock.

"Brother!"

Xichen laughed.

"Must you always be so solemn Wangji?"

Wangji didn't answer but a smile hinted at his lips.

As they continued to walk down the streets, the crowds around them slowly died down as the villagers acclimated to the princes presence.

Eventually they turned onto a smaller street, and flute music reached their ears. As they walked further a young boy came into view. He held a battered bamboo flute to his lips and he hopped from foot to foot as he played a cheerful melody. Women and children around him were dancing as the men clapped along with the tune. It was a very wholesome display.

As they passed by, Wangji unconsciously stopped. He loved music of all kinds and was always interested in songs he had never heard before. Non-ritualistic music was banned in the kingdom, so he didn't know any popular songs.

Xichen smiled at him and stopped beside his brother to listen to the young musician.

He looked to be around Wangji's age, possibly a year younger. His dark robes were battered and dirty and there were several small rips along the hems of his wrists and ankles, meaning he either didn't have the money to fix them, or he couldn't be bothered.

Based on his state however, it was hard to tell which one.

His hair was a mess, the top half being held back by a loose red cloth that was about as filthy as the rest of his clothes. His face and hands had traces of dirt, and his shoes had holes in them.

Despite his dilapidated state, his dark eyes were cheerful, and his sun-kissed skin glowed with youthful energy. He exuded a charming carefree disposition.

It was as if Wangji was looking at the human embodiment of sunshine.

The song ended and the crowd applauded uproariously.

The boy bowed several times, before turning to bow directly at the twin jades. His eyes met Wangji's and Wangji felt warmth radiate from the boy's smile. He was also surprised. People were usually far too nervous or intimidated to make eye contact with him.

"Would our esteemed nobility care to request a song?" The boy asked in a serene good-natured voice.

Very interesting Wangji mused. He speaks as though he is well educated, but from the state of him, I couldn't imagine him being of high enough status to go to school.

Xichen smiled and shook his head.

"No thank you. We must be on our way"

The boy nodded and bowed again before turning back to the crowd. People began to shout out requests left and right. The boy laughed at the uproar and brought his flute to his lips once more.

His laugh is like bells Wangji heard a little voice whisper in his head. He scowled at the unusually emotional and unwanted thought.

Xichen was eyeing him as they walked further, the music growing fainter behind them.

Wangji looked at him.

What is it?

"Nothing" his brother replied to Wangji's silent question. "You just look very happy"

What? Happy?

Wangji reflected on his facial expression. His mouth was set in its usual sullen frown, and his eyebrows were pinched slightly. He couldn't see how this was anywhere out of the ordinary.

"It's your eyes Wangji" Xichen supplied. "You must have really enjoyed that music"

Wangji was silent for a second.

I did enjoy the music he thought. I am happy. How strange.

He cleared his throat.

"Brother, do people often busk on the streets like that in Gusu?"

Xichen thought for a moment.

"Rarely" he replied. "But the boy is here often. In the summer anyways"

"Only in the summer?"

"I have never seen him here outside of the warm months" Xichen said. "I have to assume a boy in his state to be living on the streets. He probably goes somewhere else in the winter so he doesn't freeze"

"But..." Wangji trailed off.

He's so young.

He felt his money bag knock against his leg.

Perhaps I can give him some.

"Brother, do you mind if I do some shopping on my own? Then we can return to the palace sooner"

Xichen nodded.

"I need to check in on the cultivation center anyway. I will meet you back here in an hour"

The brothers bowed to each other and Wangji watched Xichen go out of sight before he turned around and began to make his way back towards the young musician, anxious to hear more music.

However when he returned, the crowd had dispersed and the boy was kneeling on the ground.

As Wangji drew closer he saw that the boy had picked up a black cloth from the ground which had several tiny pieces of silver in it.

For all that those people wanted him to play, they didn't give him much money Wangji thought bitterly.

However the boy didn't seem upset. He folded the cloth carefully and stowed the money in his robes before standing and brushing dirt from the dark fabric. His flute stuck out of his belt the way one would carry a sword.

Before Wangji could even consider approaching, a teenager ran up to the boy. He looked to be a couple years older, though probably not over the age of 19. His clothes, though just as shabby, had not one speck of dirt on them. It was clear that he put more thought into his appearance.

Wangji hid behind a wall and poked his head out to listen, cursing himself inwardly.

This is unacceptable Wangji. Rule #131. Eavesdropping is not permitted.

"Wei Ying! Where have you been?" The newcomer asked the boy.

Wei Ying  Wangji thought. His name is Wei Ying.

Wei Ying smiled.

"Jiang Cheng, I was playing for the neighborhood"

The older one, Jiang Cheng, rolled his eyes.

"What a waste of time. Why would you bother with something that doesn't get you any money?" He looked around. "You could have at least chosen a richer neighborhood"

"The rich don't want to hear me play" Wei Ying responded. "Every time I go to the upper levels for work they just want to hire me as a whipping boy"

Wangji winced. The Lan kingdom didn't allow people to buy whipping boys, but he knew they existed. The rich would hire them to stand in for their children whenever they were to be punished. The whipping boys would receive the lashings so that the wealthy children didn't have the scars. It was a cruel thing to do, and it did nothing to teach children a lesson when they misbehaved.

"There is worse work to be had, and you know it" Jiang Cheng said, lowering his voice.

Wangji wondered what could possibly be worse.

Wei Ying had lowered his eyes.

"I know"

He dug through his robes and pulled out the black cloth with the silver in it. He handed it to Jiang Cheng.

"It's not much but it's enough for a meal. Give it to Jiejie* "

*Jiejie means elder sister

Jiang Cheng sighed as he looked at the small sum of money.

"We have to try harder before we return to Yunmeng" he said. "The people here have far more money, and they are more willing to hand it out in the summer when they don't have to worry about rationing"

"Is Jiejie worried?" Wei Ying asked in a small voice. "I told her not to be. I promise I can take care of everything"

Wangji felt his heart ache for the boy. He grimaced.

That's a new feeling.

The boys said their goodbyes and promised to meet their sister back at home before dark.

Feeling reckless, Wangji emerged from behind the wall as though he had just gotten there.

The boy didn't notice. He was chewing on his bottom lip, clearly thinking hard.

Wangji wanted to say something, but talking was not his strong suit. He had never actually initiated a conversation before that was not with his brother.

Wei Ying must have sensed eyes on his back, because he turned. As soon as he saw the prince dressed in white he smiled and bowed low.

"Your highness!" He stepped to the side, assuming that Wangji wanted to pass by him.

Wangji didn't move, and the boy looked up in confusion.

"Can I do something for you, your highness?"

Wangji racked his brain for words.

"Your flute" he blurted.

The boy grinned and cocked his head to the side, as if to say, my flute what?

"Your flute..." Wangji tried again. "...is good"

Is that really the best you can do?  His brain screamed.

The wide smile that stretched across Wei Ying's face made the embarrassment worth it.

"Thank you your highness!" He chirped. "I am fortunate to have had your company"

"You don't..." Wangji started. He was about to say you don't have to be so formal, but he stopped himself. "You're welcome" he said instead.

"Your brother is here often" Wei Ying continued. "Why don't you ever come?" He smiled again before realizing his casual tone and adding- "your highness" and a bow.

Wangji didn't know how to respond. The truth was I don't like people, and that was not appropriate.

Instead he simply said, "I am very busy"

Wei Ying nodded as though he knew this wasn't fully true, but he would accept it. He leaned against the wall and twirled his flute between his fingers.

"Truly twin jades" he muttered.

"Hm?"

"You and Lan Xichen" Wei Ying responded, forgetting to use the formal title. "Everyone calls you two the twin jades of Gusu, and now I see why... although" he considered the prince carefully, making Wangji's face flush. "You are better looking I think"

Wangji's eyes widened. Never before had he heard that. Exactly because they looked so similar did everyone think that Xichen was more handsome. Wangji never smiled, so of course he was regarded as cold and unfeeling, which wasn't exactly untrue. Lan Xichen was friendly and good-natured. It was only natural for people to prefer him.

Wangji didn't know what to do so he just set a scowl on his face.

"Shameless!" He hissed.

Wei Ying laughed.

"That I am" he grinned. "Look, I have to get going. I have to go to work"

"Where do you work?" Wangji blurted. Usually he would never ask such a thing of someone he didn't know, but after listening to the conversation between the two homeless boys, he was curious.

Wei Ying smiled in a way that didn't reach his eyes.

"Every day is different. Someone always needs work done"

He stuck his flute back in his belt, preparing to go.

"Wait" Wangji said. He pulled his money bag from within his robes and took out a gold piece. He held it out for the boy.

Wei Ying's eyes became the size of dinner plates and he backed away. He seemed to have remembered who he was talking to.

"Oh no your highness" he said holding his hands up. "I couldn't possibly. That is far too much money"

Wangji took a step forward, continuing to hold out the money.

Wei Ying stalled as he looked at the gold. He closed his eyes for a second as though controlling his impulse to grab it, and put his hands behind his back.

"Thank you, but no. I don't take hand outs"

"For the flute" Wangji explained.

Wei Ying looked down at the flute and took it out.

"You want my flute? Your highness, I made it myself. There are far better instruments in town you could buy"

No, it's for the music  Wangji thought, cursing his inability to fully explain himself. However, now that he was looking at the flute in the boys hand...

"That one" he said firmly.

Wei Ying looked confused, but slowly stepped forward and placed the instrument in Wangji's outstretched hand. He did not take the money and Wangji scowled.

"Take it"

"It's a gift for your highness" Wei Ying said, taking a step back and bowing, a smile stretching across his face. "Perhaps it will remind Second Master Lan to come down to Gusu more"

Before Wangji could object, the boy winked at him, and scampered away.

Wangji's mouth hung open as he watched him go.

Shameless he thought, clutching the flute to his chest. Utterly shameless.

Hi so I hope you guys enjoyed the first chapter! It was super fun to write. If you enjoyed it, please consider leaving a like, and please leave a comment if you have any feedback. I love hearing what you guys think!