( ...Lotus picker. Of course. Of all the tasks, of all the indignities, of all the toil sect leader Lan, the esteemed Zewu-Jun might be confronted with, sullying his hands with weeds is what this world deemed fitting.

Lan Wangji does not begrudge much, only this: the tension of his hands, their tight-knuckled, rash clench. How he breathes out in empty, strained exhalations, and manages belatedly: )

Retain your sleep quarters. I shall do your work.