Chapter Text
Pain.
Agonizing pain that Wei Wuxian knows may cause the death of him. He did not die when his golden core was taken away from his body as he felt and saw everything. But this time, this pain is consuming him.
Death.
He is not afraid to die. Death is inevitable after all. But he does not want to die yet. Not now. Not when he has a lot of people under his care.
Not when he has a husband who is probably just waiting for the right time to slip and visit him.
Husband.
Oh, how he misses him so much. He can still remember how broken he looked when they parted ways in Qiongqi Path -- after he saved the people he is trying to protect now.
Married.
He never thought he'll ever be married to someone he loves. He thought that Madam Yu will marry him out to some minor sect for an alliance, but no, he married a man who is his equal. His zhiji -- his lifelong confidant. He did not know it at the beginning but he acknowledged it because he'll be a fool to deny himself some love during a war where their lives were not guaranteed against the puppets and the army of Wen Rouhan.
"Wei-gongzi please hang on! I am bringing you to jiejie! Please hang on!"
Oh -- oh… when was the last time he heard Wen Ning panic like this? Ah -- Wen Qing will surely use needles against him now.
Wei Wuxian tried to open his mouth to talk but he ended up coughing blood, followed by excruciating pain in his gut.
"Lan Zhan…" he managed to whisper and it resulted in another mouthful of blood.
"Wei-gongzi, I am so sorry! Sorry! Hang on please!"
It took him a month to wake Wen Ning who became like his younger brother now.
He can feel them leaping as Wen Ning carries him but the younger is moving slower and very careful not to aggravate his wound.
He felt tears in his eyes. Wei Wuxian is not sure if he can even reach their settlement alive.
Ah. If he dies now, can he request to see his husband for the last time, please?
--- Sunshot Campaign, Unclean Realm
"Lan Wangji, what do you need?" Wei Wuxian turns around to face the white-robed cultivator who followed him to his room in Unclean Realm as he requested for them to 'talk.'
They came to regroup in Unclean Realm before they return to Jiangling to move forward to Lotus Pier. Another day of war ended -- countless lives are once again lost.
"Wei Ying," Lan Wangji has always been unreadable, but Wei Wuxian has learned to figure out his microexpressions. He is not as good as Lan Xichen who is his brother but Wuxian can understand him a little more -- before everything happened to him.
"Lan Wangji, I know it already, okay?! Resentful energy harms the mind and the body. It is not safe. And your cleansing would not help so no thanks -"
"Wei Ying, that is not the reason why I wanted to talk to you," he finally said, making Wei Wuxian close his mouth.
Lan Wangji's face looks hurt and Wei Wuxian cannot recall what kind of idiotic and useless words came out of his mouth again.
"Then what?!" He crossed his arms on his chest, Chenqing strapped in his belt.
"Wei Ying…" Lan Wangji gulped. He looks unsure and somewhat… afraid. Is he afraid of Wei Wuxian now? Well, it is only to be expected as other cultivators are wary of him now. A lot of cultivators have seen him and Wangji argue about his cultivation anyway.
"I do not have all the time in the world, Lan Wangji-" he gasped when Wangji suddenly kneels in front of him.
"Hey-"
"Wei Ying, I have done something unforgivable and I would understand if you would not like to talk or see me after this."
"Lan Zhan…" he has never seen him like… this. So vulnerable as he looked up to meet his eyes.
"But we are in a war. I did not intend for you to know, but as we face more deaths every day, I -- I have decided to let you know so that if death awaits for me in this war-"
"Lan Zhan!"
"-- then I could die without regret."
"Lan Zhan what are you talking about?! Stand up!" He tried to pull him to stand but Wangji resisted as he shook his head.
"Do you know the meaning of our ribbon?" He asked.
The sudden question made Wei Wuxian's brows furrow.
"Isn't it something like self-restraint? I remember from your thousands of rules, wait --" he tried to think.
"Ah right! You mentioned this to me when you got drunk," he started laughing, making Wangji frown a little.
"Ah sorry-sorry, I will be serious now. When I tried to fix your ribbon, you said that only family, children, and spouse can touch it. What about it?"
Frustration passed like a blur on Wangji's face before he masked it again.
"At Immortal Lan Yi's cave. Do you remember what I did?"
Wei Wuxian frowned as he tried to recall everything aside from the Yin Iron.
"You… tied it on my wrist," he finally remembered.
"But does it count? You did it to protect me from the chord assassination and I asked you for it."
Pain crossed Wangji's face and Wei Wuxian felt a painful squeeze on his heart when he saw it.
"I could have continued to use Bichen to block the attacks."
"What do you mean?"
"When I -- when I tied my ribbon around our wrists, I knew what I was doing and I privately honored it."
Wei Wuxian's brows continued to meet as he tried to understand where the conversation was going until realization dawned on him.
"Wa -- wait! Lan Zhan is it what I think it is?!!"
"It is usually done at the end of a wedding ceremony --"
"What-"
"But it could have been acknowledged as an engagement."
"Lan Zhan!" He cannot believe what he is hearing now.
"But my ancestor revealed herself --"
"And we bowed… three times. We bowed, Lan Zhan!"
A small movement on Wangji's brows made Wei Wuxian flinch as he recalled his tone when he spoke.
Oh. Why did he speak that way?
"I do not regret what I did but I knew it was wrong. I did not tell you and I did not correct my ancestor's understanding of the matter before she left."
Wei Wuxian gaped.
"She, she said that we have her blessings. She said… she said that you chose well and wished for us to live a long life together. I -- I -- Lan Zhan!" Wei Wuxian can already feel his panic rising in his stomach as he finally connected the dots. He did not understand what Lan Yi was talking about at that time when she held their bound wrists and spoke of those words before she left with her snow-white guqin and after she handed over the Yin Iron to them.
He thought that she was just speaking those words out of happiness that she is now free to wander after centuries of being locked in her cave to protect the Yin Iron.
He never thought --
"Why did you not tell me? You knew I did not know so why did you not tell me?!"
Wangji bowed his head.
"I wanted to keep it from you and anyone else. I never told anyone, even xiongzhang. When Jiang Wanyin and Wen-guniang found us, I hoped for them not to mention and they did not so I knew that what happened is safe."
"Lan Zhan!"
"Wei Ying, I do not wish for you to know because I do not wish for you to feel obligated with this. I just wished to keep it to myself and never let anyone know."
"In the eyes of your sect, we are married. To your ancestor at least. And an immortal one Lan Zhan!"
Wangji breathed out heavily as he met his gaze.
"Yes."
"And you did not wish to tell me, but you acknowledged it on your own."
"Yes."
"So you are willing to grow old alone because you are married but I do not know so I may commit infidelity?!"
"It would not be infidelity as you do not know about the marriage. No one knows but me and my ancestor who may be wandering outside the cultivation world now."
"I touched it again. Xuanwu cave."
"Yes."
"I touched it twice."
"Yes."
"And you let me."
"I… I cannot find it in my heart to stop you."
"You did, but I pulled it the first time and I tied it on the second time."
"Mn."
"Wait! We… we -- we shared our thoughts! We linked minds! I suggested it but you still did it. I-"
"Mn."
Wei Wuxian feels like his world is crumbling and his head is going to explode with everything he is hearing right now.
"Since when?" He does not know what he means by this question but it just came out of his mouth.
"Since we met at the entrance of my home. Since you broke the wards and sneaked in. Since I caught you and we fought on the rooftop."
Wei Wuxian cannot explain the feelings he has right now. He has always wished for Lan Wangji to talk to him more and now that he does -- he feels like he does not deserve it anymore. Like he does not deserve him anymore.
"What do you expect?"
"Nothing aside from forgiveness."
"What?"
"I only wanted for Wei Ying to know -- to know I feel about him, and how I am sorry for doing that against his will and knowledge but Wei Ying does not need to feel obligated to honor it," he paused as he blinked and stared at Wei Wuxian. He suddenly felt vulnerable because of the stare.
"Protect the weak, defend the innocent, fight evil, and live without regrets. This was our promise when we set off our lanterns during the festival." Wangji said.
"Our?"
"I made the same promise that Wei Ying made."
Wei Wuxian can feel his eyes sting hearing this.
"I do not wish to have any regrets if, if something happens and I cannot tell you how I feel."
"I never took you as a pessimist."
"I was not, but I am now."
"Why?"
"My brother went missing. My… my husband went missing. I was helpless and I did not know what to do. I saw my sect members die in front of me. I saw old classmates die because of the war. I -- I…"
"I never knew you can speak a lot of words," Wei Wuxian tried to tease.
My husband.
It sounded good -- but it cannot be for him. Not anymore.
"Speak meagerly, for too many words bring harm."
"Is that your favorite rule?" He tried to tease, expecting another "shameless" remark. It did not come.
"But I do not want to have any regrets now. Xiongzhang said that some people regret the things that they failed to say."
Wei Wuxian did not say anything for a while as he found himself gripping his knuckles white. Lan Wangji is still kneeling in front of him, asking for forgiveness.
"Stand up."
This time, Wangji did.
"Listen," Wuxian gulped. "What do you want?" He asked.
Wangji did not reply immediately as he seemed to be searching his eyes. Wuxian wanted to break eye contact but he cannot find it in his heart to do so.
Wangji shut his eyes close as if gathering the remaining courage he had before he opened it again to face him.
"I want to know Wei Ying's thoughts about this. I… I selfishly want to know Wei Ying's feelings."
Wei Wuxian averted his gaze after hearing this as he tried his best to hold back his tears.
There is a distance between them but Wuxian took another step backward, making the distance longer. He did not expect to see Wangji flinch at what he did.
"I am not the same Wei Ying that you bound your wrist within that cave. I am not the same Wei Ying you did your bows with in front of your ancestor. I am not the same Wei Ying that your ancestor wished for you to live a long life with. I am not the same person anymore, Lan Zhan."
The confusion was visible on Lan Wangji's face until he masked it again as he shook his head.
"Wei Ying is Wei Ying."
The tears are already pooling in Wei Wuxian's eyes and hearing this made his tears fall.
"No, I am not that Wei Ying anymore!"
"Wei Ying is Wei Ying."
"I am not! Can't you understand Lan Zhan?! I cannot stand beside you anymore! I am not the same person! I cultivate the crooked path. Unorthodox. I do not and will not carry my sword anymore!" He knows that he is raising his voice now but he has plastered his room with privacy talisman on all corners and openings.
"Reject the crooked path. Do not associate with evil. Those are rules written in your wall of discipline, Lan Zhan!"
"Why?"
"What why?"
"Why is Wei Ying insisting that he is not the same person anymore?"
"Because, because -- I cannot -- I --" he harshly wiped his tears with his sleeves as he took another step backward. This time, Wangji took a step forward.
"What does Wei Ying want?"
"What?!"
"What does Wei Ying want?"
Wei Wuxian closed his mouth as he knew that he cannot answer that question. His heart knows what he wants and he cannot have it. He does not deserve it anymore.
"I want you to stop," he finally said.
"Does Wei Ying really want me to stop?"
Wei Wuxian cringed. Of course, it is not just him who learned how to read the stoic and passive Lan Wangji. This person knows how to read him too.
"Yes."
Lan Wangji took a step forward again but Wei Wuxian stood rooted on his spot, unable to move as he stared at the man in front of him.
"What does Wei Ying want?" He asked again.
"Lan Zhan, please," Wuxian shook his head. He cannot keep his front any longer. This needs to stop.
"Wei Ying asked me what I want. I said that I wanted to be selfish and know his feelings," he said.
"It does not matter."
"It does."
"No."
"Wei Ying is lying."
"I am not a Lan."
"I married you, you -- you are married to me."
"You said that you do not want to be obligated by this."
"I am aware. I simply wish to know," Wangji paused as he continued to stare at him. "To know why Wei Ying thinks he is not the same. To know why Wei Ying is bottling everything and refuses anyone's help."
Wei Wuxian found himself biting his lower lip to stop himself from releasing a sob but he still did.
Lan Wangji took another step and Wuxian is still rooted.
"Wei Ying."
"Lan Zhan."
"Tell me."
Wuxian shook his head as he looked down, crying.
Lan Wangji took another step forward.
"Wei Ying -" his breathing stuck in his throat when Wuxian flung himself to him, hugging him close while crying. Wangji found himself circling his arms around him too, hugging him tightly. This is unsurprising for Wangji as he did not feel the weird feeling he always has when he gets close to anyone, especially this close because he knows that this is one of his heart's selfish desires.
He does not like touching anyone. He can only count how many times he has hugged his brother as he was growing up -- unlike when he, they were still children and things were easier especially when their mother was still alive.
"Lan Zhan," he continued to cry.
"Mn."
"Lan Zhan!"
"Mn…" Wangji started to slowly caress his back.
"Lan Zhan I want to be selfish too but I can't!"
"Why?"
"I… Lan Zhan!"
"Mn."
"Lan Zhan!"
A deep breath.
"Wei Ying, I love you."
Wangji’s breathing caught in his throat after saying those words...
And Wei Wuxian cried harder as he buried his face on Lan Wangji's shoulder, almost clinging unto him as he felt his heart being squeezed with great intensity that he can barely breathe.
Lan Wangji did not intend to say this. He wanted to keep these words in his heart, but he knows that he will regret it if he does not tell him, especially with how his Wei Ying is reacting right now.
Love at first sight -- he did not believe this before even if he read it on some books in their library pavilion. How can you love someone at first glance? First meeting? How is that possible?
But then, a guest disciple wearing a white guest disciple robe with nine-petalled Lotus embroidered on his shoulders came into his life.
He has been greatly confused that he found himself reading those books that he brought to the Jingshi. He cannot read them in the library, not when the reason why he is confused and conflicted is also there -- sprawled and laxed while rewriting the rules as his punishment.
He knew his brother realized it first before he did. He tried every possible situation to let them be together. He even shared the same room as him when they went on a night hunt when both of their brothers are around.
When he came to realize his feelings, he was terrified. What will he do? What can he do? What will happen now?
Their founder, Lan An's cultivation partner was a cultivator too. He was strong and their spiritual energy was extremely compatible. They practiced dual cultivation and his partner drank the womb-sac tea that can help support their spiritual energy to form a sac inside him to house a fetus. They had a child who became the next clan leader. Lan An's cultivation partner, despite being a strong cultivator, failed to cultivate immortality and still died before he did. As he cannot live without him, he gave up ascending to immortality and decided to live as a monk until life naturally left him.
It is a beautiful (yet somehow sad BUT not tragic according to their ancestors) story that even people outside their sect knows.
Does Lan Wangji deserve a beautiful story of his own?
Before he could even come to terms with his thoughts, he ended up getting drunk with Wei Ying, getting punished, tried to heal in the cold spring, and was pulled by the current to his ancestor's cave.
They all knew about Lan Yi ascending to immortality and lived in seclusion like every immortal they knew. Some say that Baoshan Sanren was the first to ascend to immortality but they must have mixed up facts. She was the first immortal who still traveled the world even after becoming an immortal. This made her live through her title of being a wanderer. It was just a century ago when she decided to seclude herself on a mountain she chose and then she started picking up homeless children and trained them in her mountain. There are other immortals recorded in history before her but they can barely remember some as they have lived in seclusion for hundreds of years.
Lan Yi is one of them. Disciples never knew she still lived in Cloud Recesses, in her own Cold Pond Cave with her rabbits and guqin to keep her company.
Everything happened in a blur inside Wangji's head but he meant every single thing that he did: Unsheathing Bichen to stop the attack on Wei Ying before Lan Yi revealed herself, binding their wrist, bowing to his ancestor, letting her hold their wrists for her blessings, accepting the mission and responsibility of his ancestor who wished to be free as they have been called to take over in handling the Yin Iron -- he does not regret but he repented.
He repented for not doing it the right way. For not telling Wei Wuxian and his family his intention. But he does not want to make him feel obligated for his actions so he decided to keep it to himself. His brother noticed that something is wrong with him but he refused to say anything. He has decided to live and hide this forever.
Then the war happened. He was really scared for his brother who went missing. Then Wei Ying, the husband of his heart went missing too. When they returned, people were still dying. His clan members who were saved by hiding in the cave during the attack, his old classmates who joined to fight against the Wens, there were countless deaths and Wangji will never know when it will be his turn. Even the strongest cultivator cannot always be ensured of their life on the battlefield.
When he decided to tell Wei Ying, he did not expect them to end up hugging this way. He did not expect Wei Ying to cry so hard that it is breaking his own heart.
"Wei Ying please, tell me what is wrong. Please," his voice broke as he pleaded.
Wei Wuxian hiccups as he tries his best to control himself. He does not even know the main reason why he is crying so hard or why he flung himself to Lan Wangji when he moved closer to him. He just did.
"I… I am not me anymore, Lan Zhan."
"Why?"
He did not reply immediately. Wuxian felt cold when Wangji broke the hug but he just pulled him to the bed and made him sit. Wangji moved around his room and brought him a cup of water. He lifted Wuxian's hands to help him hold the cup and drink.
"Will you tell me?" Wangji asked as he sat beside him, his voice calm and with emotion, unlike the usual monotonous way he speaks to him before.
"I need you to promise not to tell anyone, Lan Zhan. Promise me. Unless I allow you, promise me."
"I promise."
Wei Wuxian tried to steady himself as he wiped away his tears. Sitting and drinking helped calm him a little.
"I cannot cultivate the right way anymore, Lan Zhan."
Wangji tilted his head as he waited for him to continue.
"I… I --" and in between his sobs and hiccups, Wei Wuxian found himself pouring everything out to Lan Wangji. The fall of Lotus Pier, Jiang Cheng's core, the transfer, the Burial Mounds (that he did not elaborate further), the sword, the resentful energy, Chenqing, the amulet up to how he killed Wen Chao after Wangji left him and Jiang Cheng.
"... I cannot be that Wei Ying anymore, Lan Zhan. I cannot be the husband you used to think of. I cannot be the same person who broke into your home and fought you on that rooftop. I cannot."
And Lan Wangji is crying. Wei Wuxian cannot fathom how he can still be beautiful when he's shedding tears like this.
"Lan Zhan, please! Why are you crying?"
Wei Wuxian reached out to wipe away his tears but Lan Wangji just held his left hand that was already on his cheek and he gripped it tight, leaning his face on his palm. The action made Wuxian's heart flutter but he swallowed hard.
"Wei Ying, I am sorry."
"What?! No-- why are you even, no!"
"I was not there and I did not know. I, I should have noticed. I should have seen the signs, I did not. I am sorry," and more tears fall down the jade-like skin. It made Wuxian sob.
"Lan Zhan…"
"Wei Ying is still Wei Ying-"
"I am not-"
"Still the selfless, kind, and brilliant Wei Ying who has a good heart, who will always try to do everything for the ones he loves."
"Oh Lan Zhan," Wuxian found himself being pulled into his embrace and he melted. This -- this was just a dream. A dream that he never thought will ever happen in reality. For him to be hugged by the stoic and fuddy-duddy Lan Wangji, Second Jade of Lan. His Lan Zhan.
"What does Wei Ying want?" Wangji asked after some time and Wei Ying's cry slowly turned into soft sobs.
"I can't."
"What does Wei Ying want?"
"Lan Zhan no, please-"
"What does Wei Ying want?"
"You."
"You have me."
And he cried harder as he felt a soft kiss planted on his shoulder.
"Wei Wuxian stay awake! Do, do not! Do not sleep on me now!"
Ah, Wen Qing.
"Qi, Qing-jie…"
"Yes, it is me. Stay awake-"
"It hurts Qing-jie. It… hurts." Wei Wuxian thinks he heard a sob. He thinks he heard voices of the children calling " Xian-gege !" Ah, his little radishes.
"I know, I will take the pain away, Wei Wuxian, stay awake, please-"
"I... I do not -- I do not think I can," his eyelids are getting heavy and he cannot feel his body aside from the pain in his gut.
"A-Ning the hot water! Sishu, can you hold this--" Wen Qing's voice is becoming more distant in Wei Wuxian's ears as he tries to blink but everything is just a blurry image in front of him.
Oh, Sishu is here? Ah, there are two more people aside from Wen Qing, but Wei Wuxian cannot fathom who they are.
"... Hurts."
"I know! Wei Wuxian, the sword went through you and I -- I will try my best, you hear me? I will, so hang on, please." He doesn't think he has ever heard his Qing-jie sounding this panicked when talking to him.
"...sorry-"
"No! No no do not close your eyes yet!"
But closing his eyes is so inviting now as if doing so will take away the pain.
"Wei Ying."
'Lan Zhan…' he thinks. 'I do not think I will ever see you now, my love. I am sorry, thank you and I love you.'
And darkness clothed his vision.
--- Sunshot Campaign, Unclean Realm before they leave for the final battle in Nightless City...
Wei Wuxian leaned his head on Wangji's chest as he sat his entire body in front of his husband, playing with his calloused fingers.
"Tomorrow, we leave," he muttered.
"Mn."
"Attempt the impossible, that is our motto."
"You embody your motto literally, most of the time," this made Wuxian laugh.
"Warn me if you are going to joke like that!"
"Not a joke. Wei Ying always tells me to attempt the impossible and it will be fine," Wangji leaned down to let his cheek touch Wuxian's head. He will need to move back to his room before their sect curfew to have enough rest before they leave tomorrow. He came to his husband's room to play cleansing and stay with him for a while.
"After the war-"
"We rebuild. Cloud Recesses and Lotus Pier, we rebuild."
"We will."
"Once Lotus Pier rebuilds, I will offer courtship to their head disciple."
"Lan Zhan…"
"We will engage and get married. I will marry to Yunmeng-Jiang, Wei Ying will marry to Gusu-Lan. We will divide our time with our sect and we will travel as you have always wanted."
"Like my shishu, Xiao Xingchen and his partner, Song Zichen."
"Bright moon and gentle breeze, distant snow and cold frost."
"We will be Hanguangjun and the demonic cultivator."
"No."
"No?"
"Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian. Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji."
"Aaaah! Do not say things without warning me first! My poor heart cannot take it, Lan Zhan!"
He received a kiss on his temple as a response. Wei Wuxian let go of Wangji's hand as Wangji pulled him closer to his body.
"We cannot dual cultivate anymore Lan Zhan."
"Wei Ying…"
"We cannot give our luck with the tea and give you a child too-"
"Wei Ying-"
"Do you think... shishu and his partner will want to have a child?"
"Maybe."
"I only knew them for a short time but shishu seemed kind-hearted. I think he'll want one."
"Mn."
"Do you want one, Lan Zhan? A cultivation pair can only sire one if they succeed. Jiang-shushu's parents for example. He-zongzhu and his husband too."
"Wei Ying is enough."
"I am not. I do not have a core."
"Wei Ying is Wei Ying."
"Lan Zhan…"
"You captured my attention because of your skills. I liked you for it, but I loved you for being Wei Ying."
"Aiiyaah! I told you to warm me!" He held his chest as he can feel his face burn over his husband's words, as always.
"With core or without one, Wei Ying is still the same. He is skilled and he deserves to be recognized. He deserves love."
"From his husband?"
"Mn. And from everyone else."
"Ah, but people fear me, Lan Zhan."
"People fear what they do not know."
"I cannot sire you a child."
"Does Wei Ying want to have one?"
"I want to have someone to pamper, to nourish, to love and grow into a wonderful person with a good life with loving parents on their side, unlike… unlike me."
"We can adopt."
"Lan Zhan!"
"We will travel and when Wei Ying wants to rest, we will adopt and give the child the love and care and attention we -- we both failed to have."
"You have your uncle and brother."
"You have your shijie and brother."
"But they are not our parents."
"Mn."
"Then we will do that. Ah! Are you really fine with this? Adjusting everything in my favor? Your life to get wasted with a mediocre me?"
"Wei Ying is not mediocre and I am not wasting my life. I am not adjusting, I am planning my future with my husband."
"Oh Lan Zhan…" ever since Lan Wangji confessed and he acknowledged their marriage, Wei Wuxian never thought of how love and contentment feel like, but Wangji has made him know what they are. He can live with this, his husband talking to him while he is in his embrace, their sloppy and little kisses here and there, a soft brush of their hands and sharing of knowing looks in public, his husband helping him when things get hard -- he is contented with this and he loves it, he loves him.
"I love you, Lan Zhan," he lifted his head to meet his eyes.
"I love you too, Wei Ying," and Lan Wangji captured his lips, sending butterflies in Wei Wuxian's stomach if that is even possible.
--- Lanling, Phoenix Mountain Hunt
After the war ended and was won, the sects went off to rebuild their homes and rebuild their number of disciples.
As time passed by, Wei Wuxian tried his best to be in check. He cannot meet Lan Wangji who is also busy rebuilding their home and training new disciples. When they parted at Qishan, they both knew that they would not be seeing each other for some time. He promised his husband that he will take good care of himself as he knows how much Wangji worried about him when he lost consciousness after the war ended and it took him days to wake.
Wei Wuxian tried his best to help, but he was finding himself spiraling down as days passed by. He tries to drink to forget about how more than half of their home is ruined, how he can only see a few familiar faces from the war, the rest are new faces who do not even know what they get themselves into. Their shidis and shimeis who used to practice sword in the training ground, fly kites in the archery field, run and crowd their da-shixiong for stories and to pick lotus pods -- they're gone.
Da-shixiong, he does not even know if he still deserves such a title. He is not a cultivator anymore. He has been trying to avoid Jiang Cheng, Jiang-zongzhu now, and his shijie. He needs to keep the secret of his core from them as he fears slipping about the truth. No, he cannot break his brother any further.
He yearns for his husband's embrace. He yearns for someone who is miles away from him. Is he feeling the same as him?
Jin Zixuan had visited several times. His shijie has done her magic in the camps that Jin Zixuan saw her value and fell for her. He will never be good enough for their sister, but if she is happy with him as he and Jiang Cheng know that she likes him, who are they to oppose?
He once asked his sister about falling in love being similar to having a noose on his neck. It was one of those days that he saw someone in white robes in the market and he almost threw himself to that person, only to find out that it was not his husband. Of course, he cannot be him.
"Come back to Gusu with me." When he first heard it in Yiling, he thought that he meant to punish and lock him up and so he greatly disliked him for that.
"I wanted to protect Wei Ying, that is why I said that. Others would not understand what you did and I, I feared for your safety. I only wanted Wei Ying to be safe."
And oh how he felt so loved at that time. Now, he wishes to go to Gusu and see him. Will Lan Qiren throw him out the moment he steps on the premises? But no, his husband will be there to protect him.
"You are not alone. If Wei Ying worries about me, why cannot I do the same?"
His shijie asked him why he suddenly brought up such a topic. He ached to tell her, but he does not want to take her attention from her blossoming romance with the Jin Sect Heir who is still a peacock and still does not know what to say 90% of the time. He is lucky that Jiang Yanli has the patience of a saint.
Finally - finally the day he'll see his Lan Zhan has come. He does not wish to join the hunt, but as the head disciple he has to go and he will see his husband in the hunting grounds too.
He has prepared everything that they will need, has taught a few arrow tricks to the disciples that they will bring. Yu Xinyue, their san-shidi is too excited for the affair. Wei Wuxian has assigned him a few instructions that will help him capture more preys since he "worked hard" or should he say, he did most of Wei Wuxian's supposed tasks. Yu Xinyue has always been his 'loyal' student who would continue to ask him about talismans and tricks even before the war happened. Wei Wuxian would always willingly teach him things he knows. Yu Xinyue is one of those who survived the massacre by sheer luck.
When the entrance of each sect started, he could see how Jiang Cheng was trying to straighten his back even further, his shoulders pulled back and his chin held high.
"You look like a true sect leader, Jiang-zongzhu," he teased.
"Shut up! A-jie is going to watch so behave!" He snarled but Wei Wuxian just laughed.
As Yunmeng-Jiang entered with their horse formation, ladies and gentlemen threw in a lot of flowers for them. Wei Wuxian did not bother to catch any except for the one his shijie threw. He raised it to show her that he caught it. Jiang Cheng also just caught her flower. She laughed behind her fan as she waved at them.
When they joined in the ranks, the Lan sect entered in their pristine robes and white horses. Wei Wuxian's breathing got caught in his throat when he finally saw the person his eyes were only looking for.
Lan Wangji in his full glory, wearing his light blue robes as they have finished their mourning period, no more all-white ensemble. His face looks sharper, his body especially his arms looks buffer, his hair still looks wonderful, and actually, he is just beautiful all over that Wei Wuxian found himself gaping.
"Da-shixiong, close that before Jiang-zongzhu catches a fly and throw it in your mouth," he was brought back to reality when he heard the snickers of Yu Xinyue with their other shidis. He just rolled her eyes at them as he fondly smiled. Jiang Cheng turned to look at them but they all feigned innocence and tried to focus in front where flowers were raining down to the Twin Jades.
Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes too.
When the archery competition came, Wei Wuxian did not wish to do a scene as he promised Jiang Cheng and his shijie. Not until the Jins decided to be a dick and used human targets as supposedly a 'challenge' and Jin Zixuan who was slowly redeeming himself to them shot first. Yes, he succeeded, but was it worth it?
He tried to be playful and tease his husband of his ribbon but of course, he did not give it to him as he gave him a warning look too, 'Wei Ying, no' and yet he still did. He wanted to show that no, this was not a challenge at all.
As the hunt started, Wei Wuxian walked with the rest of their disciples.
"Jiang Cheng remember, I have tested it, it only works within an 8-meter radius as of now. I have taught san-shidi how to determine the direction where to put and activate it. The nets must be divided further in our area to capture more prey and our shidis to be distributed evenly on areas where the talismans are placed so they can kill and catch the prey," he reminded.
"I got it already. And what are you going to do?"
"Walk around."
"You-"
"You said that this will be like training to our shidis. I personally tested the luring talismans with san-shidi and shi-shidi. The rest listen," he turned to their disciples.
"The one with the most kills will receive a meal from me from auntie Ling's teahouse," he announced and everyone got excited. The teahouse serves the most delicious dishes in Yunmeng Capital. It is always crowded so even as someone who lives in Lotus Pier, they can hardly get a table to eat.
"Tsss! What will you do? Do not stir trouble-"
"I promised, didn't I? I won't, I will behave like a little old Lan," he raised three fingers to promise.
"Wei Wuxian! If you are going to bother Lan-"
"Oh look we're here! Let's do our best! Go-go!" He waved at Jiang Cheng and walked off on his own path.
He laughed as he returned to the entrance when Jiang Cheng and their shidis left as he picked a peony flower and tucked it in his belt.
Someone looks exceptional today and he deserves a flower from his husband, doesn't he?
Wei Wuxian started walking alone on an empty path. Lan Wangji entered the hunting grounds with his sect, he wondered how they would meet there.
As he walked, he found a tree he can use as a good shade so he sat on one of its protruding roots.
He tucked out his flute and thought of a song to play. A smile formed on his face as he started playing.
"Wei Ying." He was halfway through the third song when finally, finally he is here.
"Lan Zhan!" He stood up as Wangji approached him.
"Look at this Second Jade of Lan, the peerless Hanguangjun who graced us with his presence today."
"Wei Ying." There is a small smile on Wangji's face that Wuxian can feel his cheeks burn.
"Flowers rained on you and Zewujun, well deserved. Did you catch one?"
"I did not. My husband did not throw any flowers so I did not."
"Ah! We have not met for so long and you are attacking me already! Really, Hanguangjun?" He held his chest as he dramatically pulled his body backward only for Wangji to pull him behind the tree. The trunk is too big and the shadows can surely hide them there.
He leaned his back to the trunk as he stared at his husband's eyes.
"I missed you so much, Lan Zhan. You have no idea," his voice broke as he spoke in a whisper.
"Missed Wei Ying too," Wangji moved closer and Wuxian did not wait any further as he circled his arms around his husband's neck, kissing him first.
They made sure to let each other feel the love and yearning they had during the time they were separated. Wangji's tongue made its way inside Wuxian's mouth as his other hand cupped his jaw. His other hand is on Wuxian's waist, the scabbard of Bichen pressing on his husband's robe.
"Mrrmmm…" Wei Wuxian cannot hold back his moan over the kiss, as if it is slowly sedating him.
They have not done it all out yet. Making out, hand and that one time they tried the oral one.
They wanted to 'reserve' the actual one after they marry again in front of their families this time.
"Ah -- ah Lan Zhan wait!" He pulled back, panting and breathless from the kiss, a mischievous smile came out of his lips. Wangji still looks pristine despite the heavy kissing session they had while his own hands traveling around his husband's blue robes.
"I almost forgot, someone looks so handsome that I got a flower for him," he said as he finally remembered the peony he tucked in his belt. Good thing that it is on the other side of his waist and not where Wangji's hand is still pressed.
Wangji stared at the flower as he received it with a smile. He then looked at his husband's face and gave him a quick peck on the lips making Wuxian giggle.
"Ah -- Lan Wangji, what have you done to me?" Wei Wuxian beamed as he returned his arms around his husband's neck. As his body still feels hot and obviously, the kiss has not fully satisfied him yet, he wanted another round when they heard footsteps approaching. He pulled Wangji to hide even if they were already hidden from the view.
"Why are shijie and peacock together without a chaperone?" He raised his brow while Wangji carefully tucked the flower inside his robe.
"Wait I need to-"
"Wei Ying wait," Wangji held his wrist to stop him, making Wuxian look back. Wangji reached out to fix his hair and wipe away the sides of his lips. This made Wuxian laugh.
"Ah, my dutiful husband making sure I still look good, yes?"
"Mn."
"Let's go."
"Shijie!" He came out first before Wangji followed. Jiang Yanli immediately smiled upon seeing him while Jin Zixuan shamelessly stared at her.
"Peacock! Why are you with shijie without a chaperone?!" He moved closer with Wangji following behind him.
This made the Jin Sect Heir turn red.
"A-Xian, Madam Jin suggested that we do not need one since there will be a lot of people here on the grounds."
"He took you to hunt?!"
"No!" Jin Zixuan blurted out.
"Then what?!"
"I… we -- we were just walking." This made Yanli giggle as she covered her lips with her sleeves.
Wei Wuxian crossed his arms on his chest after he tucked Chengqing back to his belt and then he suddenly laughed.
"Peacock, you and shijie are already engaged and you still blush like a shy maiden in front of her?" He teased (not mock) and that just made Jin Zixuan turn crimson red.
"That! That's not-"
"A-Xian, stop teasing him already," Yanli signaled him to come closer to them and so he did. Wangji gave them a bow.
"I came because I heard the sound of the flute. Was it you playing?" Yanli changed the topic to save her betrothed.
"Yes! Did you like it?"
"I did! I immediately tried to look for the source when I heard it."
"It was you?" Zixuan raised his brows.
"A-huh! Who else?"
"What song was that?" Jin Zixuan asked as he stared at Jiang Yanli again.
"Those were folk love songs from Yunmeng, they were beautiful, right?"
"Ye-yeah, yes."
"You should learn them Peacock! Shijie loves them!"
"I… I do not know how to play-"
"Then you should learn."
Jin Zixuan awkwardly looked at the three as he gripped his sword as he can feel his face hot.
"There is no need, A-Xuan," Yanli assured him with a smile making him blush again.
"Why were you playing it anyway?" She subtly looked at Lan Wangji then looked at her brother again.
"Ah -- ah shijie! I was asking Lan Zhan for any Gusu folk songs I can learn. As there are a lot, I played it to him so he can get an idea of the songs I prefer to learn."
"And you like these love songs?".
"Shijie loves them and I grew up listening to those songs with you. Of course, I do!" He proudly beamed, making Yanli smile as well.
"Hanguangjun… does, does Gusu-Lan teach-" Jin Zixuan cannot finish his sentence when Wei Wuxian started laughing making him blush again.
"Lan Zhan! Someone wants to learn how to play an instrument from your sect!"
"Wait-"
"Mn. We do not accept students yet as we have not finished rebuilding but we have senior disciples who would be willing to teach," Wangji gave him a nod making the Jin Sect Heir fluster.
"Wait! Wait, I-"
"That is good Peacock! Shijie knows how to play erhu because of some Yu relatives who visit Yunmeng during spring."
"A-Xian," it is Yanli's turn to blush with how the Jin Sect Heir looks at her.
"I, well --"
"Wei Wuxian!"
The easy and light atmosphere between the four was disturbed when a Jin cultivator came running while unsheathing his sword.
Jin Zixuan and Lan Wangji immediately covered the two and before he could make any contact, his sword was deflected by Bichen while Suihua pointed at him.
"What are you two doing?! Protecting that -"
"Who are you?!" Wei Wuxian asked as he covered himself in front of Yanli.
"You do not know who I am?!"
"Should I?"
"Jin Zixun! Explain what you just did!" Zixuan gripped his sword as he did not bring it down, wary of what his cousin was thinking right now.
"Cousin, come on! Why are you defending him?! He cheated!"
"Cheated? What did I do?" Wei Wuxian gently pushed the two away but made sure that Jin Zixuan could cover his shijie. Wangji is still on alert.
"You! You stole 30% of the preys!" He pointed at him using his sword but Wangji pushed it away using Bichen's scabbard.
"Thirty percent?" Wangji inquired.
"Hanguangjun, you may not know it yet but everyone heard the sound of flute playing! We were catching prey when they suddenly left and willingly approached Yunmeng-Jiang's area where their disciples are killing and catching the prey to their nets!"
This made Wei Wuxian mockingly laugh at him.
"You failed to capture your prey and you are accusing me of cheating and stealing them?"
"Wei Wuxian, you are selfish and do not think of others. Aren't you too proud?!" Jin Zixun went ballistic as Wuxian walked past him to distance himself from Yanli while Wangji followed to his side.
"You Jins said that in the hunt, let capabilities talk. Why are you betraying your own words?" Wuxian smirked.
"What you practice is just dirty tricks, not your capabilities! You go on playing your flute and you call it your capability?!"
"Zixun stop it!" Jin Zixuan can feel dread (and embarrassment) with how the conversation is going on.
"Ah, capabilities. Right. I did not do any dirty tricks… or you can play the flute and let us see what happens?" Wuxian attempted to untuck Chenqing when his eyes met Zixuan and he laughed.
"But your cousin wants to learn a new capability, he wants to learn how to play an instrument. Why don't you accompany him in his future lessons hm?" He raised his brow but it only made Zixun fume.
"You! You break rules and play dirty tricks and now you are saying that you are going to teach Zixuan?! Zixuan what is this?!" He faced his cousin who had a crumpled expression on his face.
"Zixun stop it! I am telling you, stop it-"
"Zixuan!"
They turn to face the angry Madam Jin who is striding towards them in fury, followed by her retinue and Sect Leader Yao.
"What is going on here?!" She looked around and spotted Yanli.
"A-Li, has my son done anything to upset you again?" She softly asked but glared at his flustered son.
"No, Jin-furen."
"Then what is going on here? We saw the sword glare and came," she glared at the people involved.
"Mother, the four of us were just talking when Zixun came and attacked Wei Wuxian and accused him of cheating," Zixuan explained as he looked at Zixun's sword.
Madam Jin's eyes narrowed to her nephew, to Wei Wuxian, to Lan Wangji who had his sword unsheathed then back to his nephew.
"Zixun! What are you doing?!"
"But aunt! He cheated and used dirty tricks! He even said that Zixuan and I can learn-"
"If I do not know your capabilities, then why don't you show me yours?" Wei Wuxian challenged.
"Wei Ying," Wangji said in a low voice, just the two of them can hear.
"What?! You and Zixuan can learn?! Wei Wuxian?!" She glared at him.
"Jin-furen please, this is a misunderstanding," Yanli touched her arm.
"What kind of misunderstanding, A-Li?" Her face and voice were quick to change and soften as she looked at her.
"A-Xian played his flute-"
"See?-"
"Zixun! You are disrespecting my betrothed!" Even Madam Jin was surprised by Zixuan's sudden intervention.
Jin Zixun gritted his teeth.
"I heard it. Was it not a song from Yunmeng if I remember it correctly?" Madam Jin asked and Yanli nodded. This made Madam Jin glare at her nephew once more.
"I heard the song so I looked for the source with A-Xuan. We saw A-Xian and Hanguangjun and we were discussing the… songs from Yunmeng," she blushed a little as she averted her gaze from Zixuan who was blushing too.
"Is that so?"
"Yes, Jin-furen. A-Xuan… A-Xuan was asking about learning how to play when A-Xian told him that I like those songs," she blushed further.
"I see, good," she gave an approving look to her son before she turned to her nephew again.
"Zixun! You have embarrassed me and your cousin! What have you done?!"
Zixun's jaw dropped with how everyone's eyes were looking at him.
"Aunt, surely you are not siding on this demonic cultivator are you? He cheated and of course, his senior sister will defend him-"
"How many times do I have to tell you that I did not do anything wrong?!" Wei Wuxian has his one hand gripped around Chenqing but he is thankful for Wangji's steady presence beside him.
Jin Zixun smugged as he looked at him from head to toe.
"It is understandable that you do not know that you are wrong. It is not the first time that you have broken rules. Last time at the flower banquet and now in the hunt, you do not carry your sword."
"Which rule did I break then? What hunting etiquette have I broken then?" Wuxian raised his brow. His eyes momentarily met Yanli before he returned his eyes to Zixun.
"Of course, you do not know anything of etiquette," Zixun replied as he side-eyed Jiang Yanli before looking at Wei Wuxian.
"Jiang clan of Yunmeng has no better etiquette than this. They even produced a demonic cultivator," Zixun satisfyingly smirked when Wei Wuxian started shaking in anger as Yanli gasped because of what he said.
"Jin Zixun!" Madam Jin and Zixuan chorused. Zixuan moved closer to Yanli who stepped away from him. He felt a sudden pain in his gut as he glared at his cousin.
"Wh… what did you say?! Family discipline. Demonic tricks. Who are you to question that?!" Wei Wuxian raised his voice as Wangji sheathed his sword and held his wrist to stop him from shaking.
"You are no more than a son of a servant. Don't be insane!"
The mention of his family was the last straw as Wuxian felt the resentful energy pooling in his body, his head becoming hazy.
"Wei Ying! Concentrate! Wei Ying!" Wangji helped his wrist tighter as he moved closer to let him know that he was there.
Yanli walked past Madam Jin and held his other wrist.
"A-Xian! A-Xian, shijie is here!"
It took several moments before the whispers of the resentful energy in his head stopped as he heaved a breath.
"A-Xian, shijie is here. Stand behind me," Yanli whispered as she met Wangji's eyes before turning to face Jin Zixun.
"A-Li, do not be angry-"
"A-Li, I apologize for my cousin's behavior-"
"Zixuan!"
"Shut up Zixun! I told you to stop!" He glared at his cousin before he looked at Yanli who had an unreadable expression on her face. Coldness ran through Zixuan's nerves.
Yanli shook her head to Zixuan and Madam Jin before she looked at Jin Zixun.
"Jin-gongzi, you just said that A-Xian alone has taken 30% of the prey. He broke the rules and he was too proud," she paused to make sure that she got his attention.
"I do not know much about this. It may really cause some trouble for you. I will apologize to you for him," she bowed and heard her brother call her name but she shook her head.
Jin Zixun felt satisfied at that.
"Jiang-guniang is really polite and decent. What her serva- Wei Wuxian has done is indeed wrong and caused some troubles. Yet no need to apologize. You are my cousin's betrothed."
Yanli smiled and nodded.
"About that," she started.
"A-Li…" Madam Jin suddenly can't predict what is going on.
"First, I may have not participated in the hunt but I do understand that since ancient times to today, there isn't a rule in the hunt that forbids the participant to catch many preys. You just said that A-Xian broke the rule. I want to ask, which rule did A-Xian break?" She asked in an even and calm voice yet the corners of her eyes are hard.
This time, Sect Leader Yao spoke up.
"Jiang-guniang this may not be right. Although some rules are not written out, we all learn them in our hearts," he even looked around for support and earned a few nods.
"Ah yes, some rules are not written, thank you for reminding me, Yao-zongzhu," she bowed to his direction, making the sect leader nod in return.
"I believe that I had a glimpse of the written rules before we headed to Lanling," she looked around.
"And I saw that the use of talisman to aid the hunt aside from the sword, bows, and other spiritual tools is allowed. Am I right?" She did not specifically ask anyone but she can see some of them react. Even Sect Leader Yao looked unsure.
Jin Zixun spluttered.
"It is written on the invitation sent by Lanling-Jin. Section 1, rule 13," Wangji responded which made Yanli bite in a smirk.
Of course, everyone knows how the peerless Second Jade, the light bearer is a walking book of rules and discipline.
"Thank you for that, Hanguangjun," she bowed again as Wangji nodded. Half of his body is now covering Wei Wuxian from them.
"What are you trying to say, Jiang-guniang?" One Jin disciple asked.
"Ah, was it not clear yet? A-Xian has always been outstanding with the use of talisman. He has invented a lot of talismans that Yunmeng-Jiang is using," she sounds proud as she smiles.
"One of those is what we, our sect --" she made sure to emphasize this.
"- used for this hunt. We followed the rules, our disciples are killing the preys after being taught and trained by their da-shixiong," she made sure to meet Jin Zixun's eyes.
"You cannot make a judgment that he practices dirty tricks just because you cannot hunt a prey," she pointedly told him.
"You have not just insulted A-Xian, the head disciple of Yunmeng-Jiang who grew up like my and Jiang-zongzhu's sibling. You referred to him as a son of a servant so casually when his father had a great contribution and help to my father and our sect --" she let her words hang first. She has met Wei Changze once when she was two. She cannot really remember him but some of the elders and older disciples had stories about him, especially when they tried to comfort her A-Xian when he first came to Lotus Pier.
"-but you have also insulted our sect. All of these are unacceptable to me."
"A-Li-" Yanli gently shook her head to Madam Jin, her eyes still on Jin Zixun.
"I am betrothed to your cousin, but if you cannot respect my brother, my sect, our discipline and capabilities while my sect and my brothers are trying their best to accept the reinstatement of this betrothal despite what Jin-gongzi has done in the past --" she glanced at Zixuan who has turned pale.
"Then I do not see a reason for us to continue this betrothal."
"A-LI!"
"Shijie!" Wei Wuxian did not see that coming. He never saw that coming. He knows how much she loves Jin Zixuan. He cannot ruin this.
He approached her but Yanli looked to the side and shook her head, 'stay behind me A-Xian. Shijie got this.'
Wei Wuxian looked at Wangji who also shook his head.
"A-Li please, do not take it seriously. Relax, we can talk about this-"
"Jin-furen, I will always see you as my second mother, my mother's sworn sister, but if your family cannot accept me and my sect when I have seen how my sect is trying to accept your son, then I cannot not take this seriously," she looked at her apologetically.
"A humiliation to my brother and my sect is not a trivial matter to me, I cannot relax," she added, eyes looking at Jin Zixun.
"Zixun!" Madam Jin is fuming as she gripped her knuckles.
Jin Zixuan stood rooted on his spot.
"Apologize and return to the Koi Tower! Wait for me for your punishment! You have greatly embarrassed me and our sect!" Madam Jin's finger is shaking as she pointed at Jin Zixun who turned white.
"If Jin-gongzi does not wish to apologize, then A-Xian and I will leave. A-Xian," she called for him. Wei Wuxian felt lost as he walked towards her. Yanli bowed at Madam Jin and he followed.
Before they could leave, Lan Xichen and Jin Guangyao landed.
"Xiongzhang," Wangji bowed to his brother.
"Wangji, what is going on here?" Xichen looked around.
Jin Guangyao moved forward and asked what happened, a standard smile on his face.
"What happened?! Your useless hunt happened and resulted in this!" Madam Jin spat at him.
"Mother, can you tell me what is wrong? If it is about the 30% being captured by Yunmeng-Jiang, there is nothing to worry about as we have expanded the hunting grounds," he glanced at his half-brother, his cousin, and then Sect Leader Yao but no one seemed to appreciate the message he brought with him.
"Zewujun, Lianfangzun," Yanli bowed at the two newcomers and Wei Wuxian found himself following her lead. He has always been afraid to upset her -- because this can be the result.
The two looked confused but received their respect.
"If you would excuse us. I believe that Jin-gongzi can explain himself to you," Yanli said as she narrowed her eyes at Jin Zixun before she walked ahead, Wei Wuxian following her like a sick puppy. He glanced at Jin Zixuan who is really pale now. He has not spoken after calling his sister's name earlier. He signaled him to follow them.
His eyes met Wangji who attempted to follow but he shook his head and glanced at Lan Xichen. 'Stay, Lan Zhan. No more troubles for today.' He received a nod from his husband and so he continued to follow her sister who was still walking with her back straight, chin held high.
He is married and despite keeping it a secret, he loves every moment of it. He would not wish to deprive his sister of the marriage she has longed to have.
--- Qiongqi Path
When Jin Zixuan caught up with them, Wei Wuxian made sure that his sister was safe with him and that they'll reconcile even after what happened. The Jin Sect Heir looks really apologetic that he almost kneeled if Wei Wuxian was not able to stop him.
He still does not deserve his sister, but her sister deserves to be happy with the love of her life. He has ruined their engagement once, he cannot cause it again.
After he promised his shijie that he would just drop by the market to eat tanghulu and that Jin Zixuan would make sure that Jin Zixun would not come anywhere close to Yanli, he left the two on their own. "This is me trying to give you another chance, Jin Zixuan as this time, it was your cousin who did this. Fix your sect!" he received several nods and incoherent assurance from the red-faced sect heir. It was enough to amuse him.
All he wanted was to drink and maybe eat tanghulu after. He wanted to behave, to be tamed for his sister who almost broke her betrothal to defend him.
What was not part of his plan was to meet Wen Qing, battered and begging him to help her find her brother.
What was not part of his plan was to storm in the Jin banquet, drink two cups of wine on behalf of his 'brother-in-law' and husband and ask Jin Zixun about where Wen Ning is.
What was not part of his plan was to go to Qiongqi path and release more than 30 prisoners with five children and a half-dead Wen Ning.
What definitely was not part of his plan was to see his husband blocking his way, begging him to stop and come back to him -- with Wei Wuxian soaked in the rain and Lan Wangji holding his parasol to protect him from the rain.
"Wei Ying, please."
"Do you still remember our promise, Lan Zhan?" He asked as he tried to keep his voice steady.
"Wei Ying…"
"Who is strong and who is weak? What is wrong and what is right?"
Lan Wangji gripped his sword and the parasol handle tighter.
"Is this the promise we pledged our life to keep?"
"I will come with you."
"No."
"Wei Ying, where are you going?"
"I have no idea, but the world is wide, there is going to be a place for us."
"Then I am coming with you," Wangji took a step forward but Wuxian shook his head.
"I only regret not stopping the Jins for using humans as live baits for their stupid hunt. Otherwise, Wen Ning would not have this end."
"Wei Ying."
"You know how they helped us Lan Zhan, I cannot turn my back on them."
"I am coming with you."
"And the next regret I would have is to allow you to come with us, with me."
"Wei Ying."
"Go back, Lan Zhan. Do not waste your life with me. This goes to show that -- that I do not deserve happiness and lo-"
"Wei Ying no!"
Wangji moved closer and pulled him down the horse, Wuxian did not even have any thoughts of resisting. He flung himself to hug him as he felt the rain stop soaking him due to his parasol.
"I need to go, I cannot turn my back on them."
"Let me come with you."
"No. Stay where you are-"
"How can I if you are doing something that will make you rebel against orthodoxy and fuel the false statements they are giving you?"
"Please, Lan Zhan. Do you love me?" He pulled back from the hug to look at his face. His Lan Zhan is trying his best to stop himself from crying. It was wrong of him to ask such a question to his husband who has shown him nothing but love and devotion ever since that night.
He should never have this look on his face.
"Wei Ying…"
"Then do not come with us now."
"Now."
"Yes. Find me, or news about me will reach you, but do not come with us now."
"Wei Ying."
"I do not wish to drag you, shijie or Jiang Cheng in this Lan Zhan, so please."
Wangji closed his eyes as he looked down, his forehead hitting Wei Ying's shoulder.
"Lan Zhan, do not make this harder for me. I will wait for you to come."
"And I will stay."
"You won't. Just visit."
"Wei Ying," he lifted his head to kiss his lips, making Wei Wuxian sob as they both seemed to momentarily forget about their audience.
Once they parted, Wuxian hugged him again.
"I love you," he whispered.
"I love you too."
Wangji suddenly pulled his forehead ribbon and handed it to Wuxian.
"Lan Zhan!"
"I will wear another one. Keep this for me."
"I --" he looked at his beloved's eyes, pooling with unshed tears and all Wuxian can do is nod and take it from him.
With one last kiss, he turned around and mounted the horse once more.
Wangji took a deep breath as he slowly took a step back and Wei Wuxian led the rest of the Wens away, leaving his husband who finally shed his tears, dropping his parasol to let the rain soak every emotion inside him.
Wei Wuxian felt like he was in a long dreamless sleep.
He cannot remember when was the last time he felt his body warm. He cannot remember if when was the last time he felt something -- there.
Wait.
He let his ears listen. He can hear shuffling beside him and quiet murmuring too.
His body feels stiff as he tries to move his fingers and toes. At least they are responding.
He inhaled, he smelled new grounded ink.
Finally, he slowly tried to open his eyes.
Everything is blurry. He blinked several times until he could see the ceiling of his cave. He then heard a gasp.
"Xian-gege you're awake!" It was too loud that he winced.
"A-Mei?" his voice sounded rough.
"Wait! Wait! I'll call Qing-jiejie!" And the little girl ran off while shouting, leaving the paper, the ink, and the brush on the floor where she was practicing her calligraphy.
"What --"
It is now his turn to gasp as he tried to reach out again.
"What-"
A soft thrumming golden core in his lower dantian is reaching back to him.
Wei Wuxian suddenly heard a loud ringing in his ears.
What happened?!
A/N:
Edit: I forgot to address this but just in case it gets brought up in the future... They were teenagers during the Cloud Recesses arc but many have considered them married after what happened in Lan Yi's cave so I used the elements such as doing their bows to an immortal plus doing it in the Sect's sacred place plus the ribbon binding to make the wedding official (at least in Gusu-Lan as mentioned) I am taking a complete artistic license on this one plus it is fiction🤍
TRANSLATIONS:
We have a Spanish Translation thanks to KariyaFuzuuke. You may visit the Wattpad link below.
Spanish translation: Until The End
We have a Portuguese Translation thanks to MadduSR. You may visit the Wattpad link below.
Portuguese translation: Until The End
We have a Hindi Explanation thanks to Manishhah/Asian Drama Lover (Youtube). You may visit the Youtube link below.
Hindi translation: Until The End