[ Would he? The words stop him in his tracks, and he glances at Lan Wangji. There are far more important things to do here than exchange words with this man. There are inscriptions to read, a room to break into— and yet he thinks. ]

No. There is no birthright I would pass along to children. [ He would not damn a child like that, raised by a man who fears his shadow will turn him into a mad emperor. ] But it is so kind that we have noble men like you, ready to adopt children.

[ Is it mocking? Is it genuine? Mo Ran isn't sure he can tell. ]