It was a common tradition between clan head families to marry their younger sons to each other to ensure that the older son carried on the bloodline.

That was the reason you met Lan Wangji.

The first time you’d seen him was as you hid behind your mother at 5 years old, peeking from the side at the 12 year old Wangji as your fathers sealed the deal for your marriage.

Lan Wangji had been obsessed with you from the very start, ever-stoic as he always was, even at 12 years old.

Time had passed excruciatingly slowly after your first meeting, and both you and him were restricted from meeting each other at all after that.

You’d seen him only a few times as you grew up, and each time, you and him were heavily supervised by a chaperone.

The next time you saw Lan Wangji properly was your wedding day, 11 years later.

You were 16 years old now, holding your sword rather than your mother’s dress, having matured slightly— although your boyish manners lingered.

Lan Wangji had grown into a stoic man, his obsession and love for you carefully hidden beneath years of the strict Lan clan rules.

It was with trepidation, excitement, and curiosity all at once that you met Lan Wangji properly for the first time at your wedding. You’d been adorned in red robes, as was befitting the younger son of an influential clan head, and married off to the infamous Hanguang-Jun.

Now, you stood just outside Lan Wangji’s private residence, the Jingshi. The two of you had been separated after the marriage as you bid farewell to your family, and you had returned to him.