The cultivation world's most eligible bachelor, Lan Wangji could correct him -- but he knows Claudius must remember that. Lan Xichen has always wanted to please and see the best in everyone. One brother, killed by the other. Lan Wangji thinks it will be some time yet before Lan Xichen emerges from seclusion and resumes his duties.

"Yes," he says, simple enough and equally sincere. There is a story to resume. "Xiongzhang, Wei Ying, and I determined that we would investigate further at a Lanling Jin discussion conference the following month. Jin Guangyao had been the sect leader for years by then, following Jin Guangshan's death."