Before answering, Lan Wangji takes one careful sip of his tea. His face betrays nothing, but he sets it down and, with some unexpressed gratitude, does indeed pour himself a fresh cup with no milk or sugar.

The matter of his title is more difficult. The meaning is, to him, evident. He repeats it but with a careful pause between each character, hoping whatever force the mansion employs will understand his intent: "Light-bearing lord."