After the departure of Zhiyou XinLoa, the room was silent  while the men tried to work through the implications of someone having deliberately sent the pellets to Lan QiRen, harbouring resentful energy.

"Well, it looks like we have a bit more information to work with," began Wei WuXian. "We now know that whatever these are or how they work, they were definitely sent directly to Lan QiRen, specifically, so we can safely assume he was deliberately targeted."

'But what are these?" asked Lan XiChen. "How is there resentful energy within them? What are they meant for? How do they work?"

Wei WuXian raised an eyebrow at Lan XiChen. "You're starting to sound like me, XiChen-ge. Who? How? What?" A small smile crossed his face and vanished as he gently mocked his brother-in-law. "As for your questions, I have no idea where these come from, or how they were made or work, but I can start by figuring out what they are, if that's alright with you? I've worked with resentful energy more than anyone alive, no matter how many times..." an awkward pause. I really need to think before putting my foot in my mouth, he reminded himself with an internal groan at his poor choice of words.

"Lan Zhan, is it alright if I take these back to the Jingshi to work on? I can take a closer look at them and try to figure out what they are made of and how they work. Maybe that will give us something to discover who sent them, and possibly how to help your uncle, too."

"Mn," agreed Lan WangJi.

"I think that is a good idea," said Lan XiChen. "Uncle was always so diligent about everything and guided and trained us to within an inch of our lives. Won't it be sad if he was overcome by his own vanity? We know how he loves his beard, it's infamous really, and your mother, WuXian, made it abundantly clear that this is Uncle QiRen's weak spot when she shaved him in his sleep."

All three men had a mental picture of a mischievous female cultivator, bearing a strong resemblance to Wei WuXian, surreptitiously shaving the intimidating Grandmaster as he slept. Their expressions showed very different responses, however. Lan XiChen was frankly awed by the courage and foolhardiness of the act, never publicly mentioned since its shocking occurrence. Wei WuXian bore a broad grin, thinking perhaps he had more of his mother in him than he could ever have known. Lan WangJi's expression would have passed for his usual calm perfection, except for the slight crease at the corner of his eyes denoting inner mirth.

"Well, we know what to work on next," said Lan XiChen, breaking the moment of reverie. "WuXian, unless Wang Xiu finds something of note in the research, would you please concentrate on investigating these pellets for now?"

"Of course," replied Wei WuXian. "I'll let you know when I have anything to share, yeah?"

"Good," agreed Lan XiChen, and the meeting broke up. Lan XiChen returned to his endless rounds of Clan business, while Lan WangJi and Wei WuXian made their way back to the Jingshi, carrying the envelope of pellets with them.

When they arrived at the Jingshi, Wei WuXian placed the envelope of pellets on Lan WangJi's desk and turned to his husband.

"I'm sorry, Lan Zhan, but I think I'll need to kick you off of your own desk to have a place to work on this."

"No." The short answer surprised Wei WuXian, Lan WangJi had never denied him anything, never refused him so shortly. Before he could ask what Lan WangJi meant, his husband had gone straight to the back wall of the Jingshi, opposite the entrance, and removed a large, decorative screen. Hidden behind was a door, which led to a small, empty room.

"What's this?" asked Wei WuXian, peering through the doorway. "You have some interesting surprises, husband of mine."

"Room. Not required until now," answered Lan WangJi. "Wei Ying may use."

Wei WuXian stepped into the room, nodding as he considered. "Yes, yes, my love, this will work very nicely. I can put a desk here," and he indicated the space beneath a window, "and a small workbench here, with a brazier for brewing", with a wave to one side. "Yes, I think this will be an excellent workroom. Are you sure you want to give me free rein in your space?" he asked his husband, looking for permission.

Lan WangJi looked backed and simply replied "Our space." His reward was a quick flash of a bright smile.

"Thank you, Lan Zhan. You are the very best husband I've ever hand."

"Only."

"That's what I said."

A few quick trips to the storerooms, and the workroom was furnished and ready for work. On the right side, under a window was a low set of shelves holding all manner of paper – blank talismans, parchment and more. Before it rested a desk, where an inkstone and brushes lay ready for use. Opposite, on the left wall, was a sturdy worktable, supporting a good-sized brazier for brewing purposes, under which were strong shelves were filled with assorted basins and containers, cutting implements, mortars and pestles and a great deal more. Another set of shelves hung on the wall with various herbs and powders retrieved from the storeroom, and Healing Hall, augmented by a surprising number retrieved from a Qiankun bag that had returned with Wei WuXian from his travels.

There was a generous open space left in the middle of the room, perfect for pacing or testing arrays or talismans.

Wei WuXian turned, grinning, towards Lan WangJi, waiting in the doorway, and opened his arms.

"Will my husband be pleased to enter my workroom? And allow me to show my appreciation for his kindness?"

Even as Wei WuXian opened his arms, Lan WangJi was in motion toward him, as if drawn by a magnet, which, in truth, best described how helpless he was in the face of his attraction to his husband. As naturally as breathing their lips met, while arms automatically twined about each other. A flame ignited between them, and the heat drew them ever more tightly together until Wei WuXian deliberately relaxed his knees and drew Lan WangJi to the floor on top of him, never breaking their kiss. If one or two groans coincided with a contraction of Wei WuXian's gut, and a sudden clutching of his seeking arms, he was just happy that Lan WangJi's eyes were shut so he missed the grimace on Wei WuXian's face, as he waited for the stabbing pain to pass and allow him to continue with this most enjoyable activity. The temperature had approached an inescapable conflagration when Lan WangJi groaned and pulled away from Wei WuXian.

"Huh?" was all Wei WuXian could manage, as he forced his breathless body to articulate just one syllable.

"Talismans. Evening meal," panted Lan WangJi.

"Food. Food?" asked Wei WuXian. He lay a moment, staring as the ceiling as he brought his pulse back under control and rediscovered how delightful a lungful of oxygen could feel. "Oh. Right. I really need to get a permanent silencing set up worked out."

He sat up with a groan. "Aiya, husband, you had better mark our place for when we return. I want my new workroom to be thoroughly broken in tonight so I can work well tomorrow."

The two men helped each other back to their feet, retying robes and straightening their hair.

Back in the Cold Cavern, Healer Zhang was doing his best to tend to Lan QiRen. The three back alcoves had been blocked off with thick sheets of fabric in a sturdy weave, allowing for easy access in and out while they kept the heat confined and away from the larger chamber. In that larger chamber Lan QiRen lay on a bed in the middle of the room, unmoving. Warm padding encased his extremities, and apprentice healers regularly exchanged sealed bottles of warm water within, ensuring that no toes nor fingers would be lost to the extended chill. The Grandmaster lay pale and silent on his back as the healers moved about the room. Several apprentices marked notations and regularly updated the record of their patient on a table at one side, while Healer Zhang himself currently sat on the edge of the bed and monitored his patient. He ran the usual rota of checks - pulse, Qi, tongue, eyes. There was no change of note. The only alteration appeared whenever the healer attempted to ascertain the state of the resentful energy within Lan QiRen and the state of his Core, Qi and Meridians. When these were tested, despite the delicacy with which Healer Zhang moved his spiritual energy to probe, the resentful presence flexed and roiled. While the activity seemed more sluggish now that the patient was in the Cold Cavern, every time Healer Zhang felt that change, he held his breath for fear the stasis would not hold.

The Healer rose and went over to the records.

"The notes from today and yesterday, please," Healer Zhang asked the apprentice.

Handed the parchment, Healer Zhang ran a practiced eye over the notations. No change. Wait... maybe a small change. He quickly rescanned the parchment, turned his head to look at the patient, and returned to the records. Again, he reviewed. A hard swallow. The stasis is weakening, he thought. He looked at his apprentices, innocent teenagers all, and his gut churned. We don't have unlimited time. Ever the professional, he hid his fear and reached for his needles. Another needle should help re-establish short term stability. Even so, he was now certain that the stasis could not, would not hold indefinitely. At best, possibly weeks longer. At worst... he dragged his mind away from the ugly possibilities.

Healer Zhang took a brush and parchment and quickly made a note, addressed to Lan XiChen. Unlike his earlier updates, this one he sealed with his personal cipher, before handing it to the youngest apprentice. While a Senior Apprentice, as were all those assisting in the Cold Cavern, this youngster was several years younger than the rest, having shown a gift for healing at a very young age. He would not be strong enough to be of help should stasis break and would be both a distraction and in considerable danger.

"Take this directly to the Sect Leader," Healer Zhang instructed. "It is for his hands, only. When this is done you are to return to the Healing Hall and apprentice dormitories. You will not return to the Cold Cavern."

"Yes, Healer," replied the adolescent, before he swallowed and looked up at Healer Zhang's still face. "Did I displease you, or do something wrong?"

Healer Zhang looked at the innocent eyes, showing clouds of trouble at the thought of having failed in a duty. "No, child, you have done well. But I've decided to make a few changes in the care of our Grandmaster, and it is time for you to return to your regular studies. Make haste and do as I bid."

The young man bowed and made his way swiftly to the central campus of Cloud Recesses. On arrival, the evening meal had just ended and so he was directed to the Hanshi, where Lan XiChen was about to start his meeting with Lan WangJi and Wei WuXian. Once he handed the message over to the Sect Leader he made his bows and exited. He headed back to the Healing Hall, turning over recent days in his mind, determined to figure out what may have changed, as he resolved to try even harder in future.

Lan XiChen broke the seal and quickly scanned the words from Healer Zhang. Lan WangJi and Wei WuXian watched as the colour drained from his already pale face. The dark circles seemed almost to deepen in colour by contrast. At last, he looked up with haunted eyes, handing the message to Lan Zhan.

"Things are progressing," Healer Zhang had written. "I cannot say how long the Grandmaster will remain in stasis. Possibly days. Definitely not more than weeks. I have sent the youngest Apprentice Healer back to the Healing Hall for his safety. Only my more experienced Senior Apprentices remain to aid in continuing care. Whatever you are able to do must be done as quickly as possible. I formally request enough strong Cultivators to take watch shifts around the clock; a precaution in case stasis is broken soon. Be certain they are skilled, and their swords keen. A man in Qi deviation can only be stopped by death."