Author Notes: Hello and a Happy & Prosperous Lunar New Year to everyone! Enjoy the next chapter :)

Beta: JeanGirl

- Chapter Start -

Wei Ying wasn't surprised to find himself at that same meadow again. Either his stamina only lasted this long while running, or he was unconsciously heading for this place all the while. Stopping by the large tree, he took a moment to catch his breath before sinking onto the grass. A smile tugged at his lips when two rabbits came over to nose at his knees. With nothing else to do but stroke their soft fur, Wei Ying had no choice but to come to terms with what he had done.

Namely, fled.

Embarrassing. Was he the feared Yiling Patriarch or what, running away each time someone got too close to him?

Because they had, all three of them. XiChen-xiong... Master Lan... and Lan Zhan, who despite being unconscious and very ill for most of his visit, still managed to smash through Wei Ying's 'We're just friends and soulmates!' denials and burrowed deep inside his heart and soul.

How long had Lan Zhan been in love with him?

And how long had Wei Ying felt the same way?

Was it when he caught his first glimpse of the beautiful Second Young Master Lan outside the Cloud Recesses gate three years ago?

Or when they clashed swords on the rooftops that same night and he realised he had met his equal?

Or when they met Lan Yi at the Cold Pool cave, or went on night hunts together with Nie HuaiSang, or bonded in the XuanWu cave when they were alone?

Wei Ying couldn't pinpoint the exact moment. He just knew that he had never tried so hard to be close to someone before, to the extent of teasing and pestering them and trying to stick close to them whenever possible.

Master Lan was right to accuse him of doing all that and more. He was more astute than Wei Ying thought, more caring than Wei Ying gave him credit for. Of course, that caring was solely for his two nephews. Wei Ying was under no illusions that the offer of sanctuary was made only because of Lan Zhan's love for him. But it was precisely because of that love that he had to turn it down.

How ironic to realise he held Lan Zhan's heart in his hands when he no longer felt worthy of it. He couldn't accept that selfless love or that romantic proposal even with the accompanying advantages.

There was very little that Wei Ying wouldn't do to ensure the safety and well-being of the Wen survivors. They were his family as Lan Zhan had said. They depended on him for their very lives. In turn, he depended on them to feel needed, to have his existence validated. They were the proof that he was doing something good, something useful.

Cloud Recesses may be willing to open its doors to them, to offer them protection, safety and a better quality of life... but what were they getting in return?

What could Wei Ying give them to be able to hold his head up high?

What did he even have?

Nothing.

No golden core. No spiritual energy - at least none that would make a difference. No sword skills. Not even a Lan-esque attitude. Just a talent for breaking rules, for doing the unexpected and for harnessing resentful energy. In short, everything that the most righteous sect in the world abhorred.

A pariah with no money or background or reputation to boast off, whose very name was blacklisted and notorious.

How could he accept Lan Zhan's proposal and turn HanGuang Jun into the laughing stock of the Cultivation World?

- o -

Again, Wei Ying had no idea how long he knelt there, surrounded by rabbits until soft footsteps caught his attention. Looking up, he froze. All three Lans were walking up the path, Lan Zhan flanked by his uncle and brother, both of them supporting him.

Slowly, Wei Ying picked up the snoozing bunnies on his lap and placed them on the grass. Then he got up and moved away from the fluffy pile, absently brushing at his white robes even though any stray fur couldn't be seen.

"Lan Zhan, you didn't have to come all the way here. I... I was going to go back soon anyway."

"Wei Ying." Lan Zhan seemed at a loss for words as he stared at him like he was an apparition.

"Let me speak first," Wei Ying said, the words coming to mind as though he had already rehearsed what to say. "A marriage should bring advantages to both sides. You of all people, deserve to have a partner who can match your skill or bear you children. I can do neither. I can't cultivate with my sword. I can't donate any spiritual energy."

Lan Zhan's face turned paler than before, but his eyes glittered. Even though he didn't say anything, Wei Ying held up a hand, not wanting to be interrupted until he was done speaking.

"If you marry the Yiling Patriarch, Cloud Recesses would become everyone's enemy. Your own reputation would be dragged through the mud."

Lan Zhan's expression didn't change except for the tiny lift of one eyebrow. Wei Ying couldn't help huffing a bit at that.

Had he honestly expected Lan Zhan to retract his offer after just a few words?

Then Lan Zhan took a step forward.

"Wei Ying, you are not powerless without your golden core. You have kept a group of people safe. You are still a genius at creating spells and talismans. You have invented a whole new way of cultivating with music."

Wei Ying found himself tearing up.

"Wei Ying, you always give the best of yourself in everything you do. Any sect you affiliate with will only grow stronger. I want it to be Cloud Recesses. Anyone you marry will only feel blessed. I want it to be me."

It was one of the longest speeches Lan Zhan had ever made. Wei Ying's tears spilled over.

"I won't stop you using your chosen path," Lan Zhan promised, his eyes bright. "Just allow me to help you and support you. Even if you don't love me. Even if you think of me as just a friend."

The tears came faster as Wei Ying shook his head, unable to say a word.

"Y-you're wrong," he finally choked out.

"About your principles? Your skills?"

Wei Ying shook his head as he wiped at his cheeks.

"I'm aware of all that."

Master Lan sniffed and folded his hands across his chest.

"Such pride," he muttered.

Wei Ying's lips twitched, but he didn't look away from Lan Zhan.

"You're wrong to think I don't love you. I do... for as long as I've known you."

Lan Zhan inhaled sharply, suddenly seeming taller now. More awake. More alert.

"Wei Ying. Marry me. Be my cultivation partner."

The words resonated within Wei Ying's soul and unfolded as a sweet ache inside his chest. Giving a shaky laugh, he wiped his eyes again.

"If you're very sure, Lan Zhan. I don't want you to regret this."

"No regrets." Lan Zhan took a step forward.

Wei Ying did the rest and fell into Lan Zhan's arms like he belonged there.

"Love Wei Ying so much," Lan Zhan's voice shook.

"Love Lan Zhan even more."

"Alright, that will do."

"Want to be with Wei Ying every day. Every night."

"Want to be with Lan Zhan every day and every night too."

"I said that is enough."

"Want to go night hunting with Wei Ying."

"Want to go night hunting with Lan Zhan too."

Wei Ying framed Lan Zhan's face with trembling hands.

"Wait - no kissing before marriage!"

But they both ignored Master Lan because their lips were already so close. Surely one kiss, just one brush of their lips wouldn't do any harm?

Oh. It felt good. One more then, just one more kiss.

"Stop! That's enough!"

- o -

QiRen was beyond relieved when the two shameless lovebirds finally stopped weeping and professing their love for each other as if reenacting a dramatic scene from a play. Until they started kissing and he was hard pressed not to march over there and forcibly pull them apart before they went any further.

To his everlasting relief, they stopped after half a dozen kisses which he monitored out of the corner of one squinting eye while glaring at XiChen, who was of no help at all, looking as pink faced and dewy eyed as the other two.

QiRen had to clear his throat a few times, each 'Harrumph' gaining in volume until he finally had their undivided attention.

"Wei WuXian, we should move all the Wens to Cloud Recesses tomorrow."

The Yiling Patriarch just blinked at him as if his shameless behaviour had burned all his brain cells to ash.

"What's the rush?"

"We are attending a wedding ceremony at LanLing Jin Sect the day after tomorrow. It is too early to announce your engagement to WangJi, but we can show you are with us."

Wei Ying stared at him with round eyes and then he turned to Lan Zhan who was holding his hand.

"Shijie's wedding?" He whispered. "I... I can see her get married?"

The almost fearful hope in his face was more painful than QiRen expected. He had seen Wei WuXian pick a fight with Jin ZiXuan when the latter slighted his sister during the lantern festival three years ago. He had heard how Jiang YanLi's demand for an apology on her brother's behalf at the Phonenix Mountain had reduced Wei WuXian to tears.

What must he have felt, knowing that the course he set for himself would ostracise him from his siblings and exclude him from every happy event they partook in?

For the hundredth time since learning the truth, QiRen chastised himself for being so blind. Although to be fair, Wei WuXian was so adamant in keeping his secret that even WangJi had failed to read the signs.

"Master Lan, Wei Ying accepts your offer with the deepest and utmost gratitude!"

The smiling, still tearful Yiling Patriarch placed his hands together and bowed, WangJi copying his move. QiRen didn't realise he was already moving until he found himself supporting their hands with his own, stopping them from going any lower.

"Enough," he grumbled. "Let us return to the Jingshi."

- Chapter End -

A/N: Thank you for reading! Please leave a review if you enjoyed it :)