There's a little smile at the way bringing up Mingjue makes Huaisang freeze. Lan Xichen is as fond of Mingjue as he is of Huaisang, and he's let Mingjue remain a general mostly in charge of Qinghe because he's good at it, because he is, technically, family now, and he's reasonably sure Mingjue is close to seeing him as an ally - but also because he knows it will give him a stronger hold on Huaisang.

"My hold on you will not be respected until I claim you thoroughly, my lovely wife. And we will not leave here until it's time to show our people that I've finally done right by you." His hands slide down Huaisang's chest, fingers plucking at his nipples. "Until it's time to show your brother how I have claimed you."

One hand slips into the pouch where he'd tucked the nipple rings he'd gotten for Huaisang earlier, and he pulls them out. "Do you know what these are?"