Even when he tried to remove his arm from XiChen's grasp, Lan QiRen found he was not able to. He just had to stand there and endure.

'Brother, tell me ... just like what?' XiChen was horrified by what he was hearing but needed to hear all of it.

'Mother.'

'Like mother? Uncle would you care to explain that?'

'She died that is all you children need to know.'

'Uncle, be careful. I am still the leader and if I ask a question ...'

'And I am your elder.'

'You think you are superior to my brother the Sect Leader?' Lan Zhan asked in confusion. 'Wait, you said all of it was on the words of brother ...'

'Oh WangJi, I swear, I would never threaten Wei WuXian's life and I would never give such a punishment for not turning up to class. I really have no idea what would cause this kind of punishment.'

'Let us discuss this away from the outsider.'

'Wei Ying is no outsider.' Lan Zhan growled back.

Something suddenly occurred to Wei Ying, there may be a reason why Master Lan had changed to be this violent against him.

'Wei Ying, what's wrong?'

'I think this is the whole mirroring effect of both sides ... I do not mean he is for the other side because he could no more do that than he could turn from the pair of you ... but .... Lan Qiren ... may I ask if you have been talking to either Su She or Jin GuangYao and that is why you are so ....'

'I will not believe anything you say against that pair. They have seen you running off during the nights with a few jars of liquor. They have witnessed you in town tormenting others. They have seen all of you ill deeds.'

'Just so you know, I have not touched a drop since the first night ... continuity ... So this time they are after more than just Sect Leader Lan .... I see. I really should have thought of that long ago. Change one thing on one side and fate will change something on the other side.' He whispered the last part hoping none of the others would hear.

'Wei Ying would you be willing to explain everything to us?'

'I think I need to tell you the truth ... or all that I can tell you.' He looked at Lan XiChen. 'Is there someone who can go to my room and bring me the thick stack of papers I have written on my desk? They are wrapped in a white cloth.'

'I will get them.' Master Lan said as he moved to the door.

'No.' Wei Ying almost yelled in distress even as his arm reached out as if that alone could stop him.

'Uncle, I will get them ... and you will come with me.'

'...' Master Lan glared at Wei Ying then walked out the room with XiChen.

'Thank you.' Wei Ying said softly, then when the door closed he felt his hand taken.

'Wei Ying ... I'm sorry for the way I treated you.'

'It's okay ....'

'No it's not okay. You have been suffering and then on top of that I act like that and then uncle ... punished you because I talked to you.'

'I think it was something to do with what I said and that pair manipulating him, more than anything else.'

'You are too good.' He sighed. 'Removed your top and let me treat your wounds ... please.'

'You don't need to ...'

'Now.'

Suddenly with that tone in his voice, he saw his protective and possessive lover almost returned to him so he couldn't help but smile a little. 'Okay.' He went to stand up but Lan Zhan lifted him to his feet.

Lan XiChen and Lan Qiren opened Wei WuXian's door and found the room utterly spotless ... other than the bed not made, his boots tipped over and the table was littered with paper, those ones were ripped as if they had mistakes on them. The bundle of papers wrapped in a white wrap sat in the very centre of the table, small black splotches were here and there on the material from Wei WuXian's fingers as he tied it up.

'He is such a messy person ...'

'Uncle stop. Wei WuXian has been unwell so I'm surprised his room is this neat.' He picked up every scrap of paper that had been discarded, making sure to look in the bin only to find a few more. Then as he watched his uncle shake his head as they left.

'Good morning Master Lan, Good morning Sect Leader Lan.'

'Good morning Jiang Cheng ... I want to tell you that Wei WuXian will not be in class for a while as he ... came down with a fever last night. We ran into him during our rounds so WangJi took him to the healers. I hope you understand the need to keep people away for a short time ... until the fever breaks.'

'Of course, I will send a letter to mother and father and try my best to keep YanLi away also.'

'Thank you ...' he stopped when he noted one person turn the corner and walk towards them. He kept a light smile on his lips. 'If you can tell everyone Wei WuXian will be fine but being cared for privately by Lan WangJi.'

'Wei WuXian is unwell?' Jin GuangYao hurried the last few meters with a concerned look.

XiChen gave him a small nod even as he noted a sharp look in his eyes. 'Is everything alright?'

'Oh ... yes ... just worried for him that is all. I will let others know. I know how people think of him.' He bowed even as he looked into the eyes of Lan Qiren before hurrying away.

XiChen watched Jiang Cheng for a moment. 'You do not like him?'

'I'm sorry.' He blushed lightly. 'It's just I think I have been taught too well by Wei Ying and now I think I see masks everywhere I turn.'

'What do you mean?'

'Lan XiChen, it's along the lines of our first talk. I would often watch Wei Ying watching people and one day I asked why he did that. He said he can tell when people are wearing masks and was on the look out for the wrong kind of mask. From then on, he has taught me.'

'Wrong kind of masks?'

'Yes. The kind that instead of hiding part of your character, he taught me to see the masks that pull peoples attention to their pain ... or supposed pain. He thought as a sect heir, I should know what to look for. Now, whenever I see Jin GuangYao, I see that exact mask when he pretends things. To be honest with you, he kind of makes me anxious.'

'Did he tell you who taught him?'

Cheng chuckled as he remembered. 'He babbled on about learning it in his early years on the streets in his last life time.' however as soon as the words left his mouth, he noted a look pass from Lan XiChen to his uncle. 'Is there something ....'

'Not sure yet.'

As Lan Zhan lifted Wei Ying gently from the bed so he could remove his top, he stood behind Wei Ying so his red ears could not be seen. 'Be careful ... I don't want your wounds to get worse.' Lan Zhan then quickly wrapped his arms around to the front and undid Wei Ying undershirt only to stop when he noticed the blood had dried his shirt to his back. 'Lay down on the bed.' He got the water bowl and soft cloth from the side of the room then set about wetting the shirt so the blood would release from his back, even though he knew this would cause some bleeding. When he finally removed the shirt he wet the cloth and laid it on his back dripping wet to sooth the pain he knew Wei Ying would be in. 'Don't move at all.'

'Okay ...'

'Lan Zhan.' He whispered before getting to his feet and walking to the cupboard to find the items he needed. He made sure to use the pure silk cloth to drench and place on Wei Ying's back after the treatment. He had seen the healers use silk for wounds and knew it was better for keeping the wound clean.

'Lan ... Z ... Zhan.'

Lan Zhan removed the cloth from Wei Ying's back to see the deep cuts of torn skin. After opening a small jar, he set about smearing the clear gel over each cut as gently as he could but still he could tell it hurt when Wei Ying gripped the pillow and his back became even more tense. 'I'm almost done.'

'It's okay ...' he was stopped talking by Lan Zhan's finger on his lips.

'Do not lie, I am causing you pain and I know it. Please do not hide .... Ahhh.' He pulled his finger back in shock to look at the red marks on his finger. 'You .... You bit .... Me.' To his surprise, Wei Ying gave a soft chuckle.

'Better than the last time.'

'Last time?'

'Oh .... Um .... It's nothing, just finish the back.' He turned his head so his blush could not be seen as he remembered the first time Lan Zhan had bitten him.

He should be happy I didn't try to use real strength like he did in the cave. That bite had left him with a scar.