There are times when Claudius' verbal maneuvering is well beyond Lan Wangji's understanding. This is not one of those times. He can easily see what Claudius is doing, and he politely doesn't allow the depths of his fondness or his entertainment to show on his face. As a result of that fondness, he will let Claudius get away with it this time.

"Laertes is a good man and a diligent student," he agrees, easily enough. After another shorter pause, he continues, softening in a way that's subtle but not too subtle for Claudius to notice, "At times, I see Sizhui when I look at Magnus. I entrusted him with my jade token. It allows entry without accompaniment to the Cloud Recesses." The token in question is, in fact, missing from his waist where it almost always hung up until now.