Author Notes: Hello everyone! The response for this story has been simply amazing, thank you so much again! I'm glad everyone wants to see Wei Ying attend his shijie's wedding, but a couple of things have to fall into place first. Meanwhile, enjoy some WangXian :)
Beta: JeanGirl
- Chapter Start -
The walk back to the Jingshi took less time than before. Either Wei Ying's feet didn't touch the ground the whole way back since he felt like he was floating on air, or they used a shortcut since he didn't recall crossing a small bridge that overlooked the Cold Pool.
Either way, he was content to walk beside Lan Zhan and exchange smiles, or tender looks in Lan Zhan's case, as the two older Lans walked on ahead, conversing in low voices. They were already waiting inside the Jingshi when he and Lan Zhan entered.
"I need to write to Master Jin and Maiden Jiang at once," XiChen-xiong announced. "They would be the best persons to inform Sect Leader Jin that you are attending their wedding."
Wei Ying fell back to earth with a thud, the smile slipping off his face. He had ruffled quite a few feathers a couple of years ago when he gatecrashed the feast at Koi Tower, arguing with Jin ZiXun in front of all the sect leaders, and demanding to know where the Wen survivors were being held prisoner.
Wei Ying had never cared much for etiquette and diplomacy, especially towards bullies who threw their weight around. Despite shijie's advice to be more tolerant, he had placed more importance in doing what he felt was just and right. It was a bitter pill to swallow, knowing he had perhaps ruined his one chance to see her get married.
"Is it better if I do not attend?" He forced himself to ask only to have Lan Zhan's fingers tighten around his.
"Wei Ying has every right to see his sister get married."
"WangJi is right. This is the best time to show everyone you are allied with us."
"Thank you, Master Lan." Wei Ying bowed in relief and gratitude, his eyes stinging again.
Master Lan huffed and quickly turned to the door.
"I am going to send a letter to Maiden Wen. She will need time to arrange things for tomorrow."
"Oh! Let me write a quick note for you to enclose with your letter."
Hurrying over to the table where Lan Zhan did his correspondence, Wei Ying scrawled a few lines on a piece of paper. He blew on it before handing it to Master Lan with both hands.
"Wen Qing may still think you've forged my writing though," he said with a bright smile.
Master Lan snorted, eyeing the note with disdain.
"I doubt anyone could forge this chicken scratch!"
"I will also write to Sect Leader Jiang," XiChen-xiong said. "We do not want him surprised tomorrow."
Wei Ying bowed his thanks. He didn't just miss shijie, he missed Jiang Cheng too.
"Do not worry, young Master Wei. We should receive their replies latest by tonight." XiChen-xiong gave him a reassuring smile.
"Well, let us not waste time," Master Lan said a brisk voice and turned to leave again.
"Need a bath," Lan Zhan announced.
"Me too," Wei Ying said at once, perking up. "And a change of clothes."
"And a change of clothes," Lan Zhan agreed, plucking at his outer robe with a tiny frown. He must have thrown it on earlier.
Already at the door, Master Lan gave them a suspicious look.
"XiChen, write your letters here," he said. "I will send someone over to collect them."
With another stern look at Wei Ying who just blinked at him, and at Lan Zhan who looked equally blank, he left. They turned to XiChen-xiong who sighed.
"Uncle appears to have forgotten that the Sect Leader seal is on my table," he said. "I will have someone deliver clean water for your baths."
"Do not trouble yourself, xiongzhang," Lan Zhan said. "The Cold Pool will suffice."
Wei Ying nodded.
"It promotes healing, right?"
"Indeed." XiChen-xiong turned to leave as well. "Keep our rules in mind, WangJi."
Wei Ying stared after him with a frown before turning to Lan Zhan.
"Which of the three thousand rules does he mean?"
"No sexual relations outside of marriage," Lan Zhan replied without hesitation.
Wei Ying gaped at him, cheeks turning red.
"Wait. He thought you'd forget?"
"Maybe... ignore?" Lan Zhan gave Wei Ying a side glance that was half shy, and regretful.
Wei Ying laughed and reached for his hand, linking their fingers together.
"We only just got engaged, Lan Er-gege! But kisses are fine, right?"
"Can kiss Wei Ying," Lan Zhan agreed and proceeded to do just that.
- o -
A short while later, Lan Zhan and Wei Ying made their way to the Cold Pool hand in hand, two sets of towels and clean robes tucked under Wei Ying's arm. It was around noon but they didn't run into anyone, making Wei Ying wonder if XiChen-xiong had had a hand in it.
After stripping down to their inner wear, Wei Ying knelt down and removed the bandage around Lan Zhan's stomach. He examined the healing cut carefully, making sure the skin had knitted together before strong arms yanked him to his feet.
"Lan Zhan! I was just checking-"
"Wei Ying was too close," Lan Zhan said abruptly.
Wei Ying blinked at him and then he glanced down and up again, his face growing warm.
"Right."
Grabbing his hand, Lan Zhan stepped into the pool, paying no mind to Wei Ying's protests that the water was freezing. They waded to the far bank where a large tree with overhanging branches provided welcome shade and sat down. The water reached just below their collarbones when they leaned back against the smooth rocks.
"Does the water ever g-get warm?" Wei Ying spoke through chattering teeth.
"It is called the Cold Pool for a reason," Lan Zhan replied, glancing at him with amused eyes.
Wei Ying wrinkled his nose at him. Taking a deep breath, he bent forward and submerged his head underwater, almost giving himself brain freeze, before surfacing again with his hair in his face.
"Brr!" He pushed his hair back and shivered. "But it feels great!"
Lan Zhan eyed him primly before wetting his own head, only he shifted forward and tilted his head back so that his hair remained in place even when wet. Smiling, Wei Ying moved closer to him until their shoulders touched.
"Troubled Wei Ying these past few days," Lan Zhan said after a while.
"No t-trouble at all," Wei Ying assured him, still trying to keep his teeth from chattering. Even sticking to Lan Zhan didn't help much.
"Troubled Wei Ying a lot. Healing me, caring for me and..." Lan Zhan trailed off, staring straight ahead.
Wei Ying leaned forward to look at him.
"And?"
"Stripping me naked, putting me in the tub."
"Ah." Wei Ying gave a sheepish grin. "My apolo-"
"Nothing to apologise for."
"Oh." Wei Ying relaxed. "Well, I couldn't pass up the opportunity of seeing you naked, you know."
A tiny bloom of colour appeared on the tips of Lan Zhan's pretty ears as he glanced at him.
"Did Wei Ying find it pleasing?"
Wei Ying laughed out loud, feeling ridiculously happy.
"Very pleasing," he agreed. "HanGuang Jun is a perfect specimen of male beauty. I no longer dare to remove my robes for fear of shaming myself."
"Wei Ying has already removed his robes."
"Well, my inner wear then."
Lan Zhan's eyes warmed.
"Wei Ying has nothing to be ashamed of."
Wei Ying pursed his lips.
"Well, for fear of being found wanting then."
Lan Zhan shook his head.
"Wei Ying need not fear he will be found wanting in any way."
Wei Ying sat up straighter only to freeze when Lan Zhan's gaze dropped to his chest. He didn't have to look down to know what Lan Zhan was staring at - the triangular scar on his chest, visible through the thin wet cotton of his inner robe.
"I do have this though," he said, keeping his voice matter of fact. He also had a few small ones on his elbows and knees from growing up, but those were negligible. To be honest, he didn't mind this scar or the one on his abdomen, but with Lan Zhan so perfect...
When Lan Zhan pressed a wet palm to the scar, Wei Ying knew he was thinking back to that time in the Mount Muxi cave.
"You said a man should have scars."
"But you don't."
Lan Zhan's lips twitched a bit.
"Not yet," he agreed and traced the ridged tissue with tender fingertips, drawing a shiver from Wei Ying. "You thought I liked Mianmian."
Wei Ying pressed his lips together before he chuckled and covered Lan Zhan's hand with his own.
"I was an idiot," he admitted.
"Not an idiot. I should have said something." Lan Zhan looked regretful.
"Maybe you should've," Wei Ying agreed. "You just stared at me and I didn't get it at all!"
Lan Zhan looked even more regretful.
"Didn't dare to be anymore direct," he admitted and turned his hand to capture Wei Ying's, bringing it to his lips and pressing a kiss to the back of it.
"What would you have said?" Wei Ying asked. If Lan Zhan had confessed to him then, he might have run out of the cave screaming, XuanWu or no XuanWu, but he sensed Lan Zhan needed to say it, even three years later.
"Don't like Mianmian. Like Wei Ying. Love Wei Ying," Lan Zhan replied at once.
Wei Ying beamed at him.
"Don't like Mianmian. At least not that way," he amended. "But I like and love Lan Zhan very much!"
Lan Zhan rewarded him with a scorching kiss. Just as well they were submerged in freezing water, Wei Ying thought as he looped wet arms around Lan Zhan's neck.
- o -
When they returned to the Jingshi an hour later, they were met by Master Lan, XiChen-xiong and Chen-yishi.
"At last," Chen-yishi said impatiently. "I was beginning to think you two had eloped!"
"Chen-yishi, please!" Master Lan glared at him.
Releasing Wei Ying's hand, Lan Zhan placed his hands together and bowed in greeting, Wei Ying following his example.
"Chen-yishi, my apologies for keeping you waiting," Lan Zhan said and went to lay down on the bed, wet hair and all.
Chen-yishi bent over him and started prodding his abdomen, nodding and muttering to himself.
"Very good, WangJi. Your spiritual energy is recovered and your wound almost healed, but no strenuous activities for two weeks at least."
Wei Ying pretended not to see the meaningful glance in his direction or the mortified expression on Master Lan's face.
"Thank you, Chen-yishi," Lan Zhan said and sat up.
"Your turn, WuXian." Chen-yishi beckoned to Wei Ying who froze, as did the other three Lans. He clicked his tongue impatiently when no one moved or said anything.
"Well? I haven't got all day!"
It was Master Lan who spoke first.
"Wei WuXian, please allow Chen-yishi to examine you."
"But I thought-" Wei Ying broke off, feeling cornered.
"I believe Chen-yishi has your best interest at heart, young Master Wei," XiChen-xiong said with an understanding smile.
Wei Ying turned to Lan Zhan who stood up and reached for his hand.
"Chen-yishi has taken care of xiongzhang's health and mine since we were small."
"He has been my Healer for the same number of years," Master Lan added. "You can trust him."
Seeing as he had no other choice, Wei Ying bowed to the old Healer.
"Wei Ying is honoured, Chen-yishi."
"Onto the bed then."
Wei Ying nodded and went to lie down on the bed with Lan Zhan hovering nearby.
Chen-yishi pressed two fingertips to Wei Ying's inner wrist and then he frowned and pressed harder, uttering a 'tsk'. He placed his other hand on Wei Ying's abdomen in search for something the others knew he would never find.
Wei Ying saw Chen-yishi's face go blank with shock before he tore his sash loose, pulled open his robes and yanked up his inner robe as if wanting to confirm with his eyes what he had felt, even though he couldn't. The scar from Wei Ying's fight with Jiang Cheng was there though, a thin line about two inches long.
Chen-yishi frowned at it and then he caught sight of the lower part of the brand scar and pulled the inner robe higher still to expose it fully.
"How did you get this, boy?" He asked, his voice harsh. "Were you a prisoner of the Wens?"
Wei Ying saw Master Lan and XiChen-xiong peering over Chen-yishi's shoulders and sighed. Gently pushing the healer's hands away, he pulled his robes straight and sat up, swinging his legs to the floor.
"Master Lan, XiChen-xiong, could I please trouble you to answer Chen-yishi's queries?" He requested. "Lan Zhan, you need to take your medicine and I... want some tea."
What he desperately wanted was a few jars of Emperor Smile, but tea would have to do.
- Chapter End -
A/N: Thank you for reading! Please leave a review if you enjoyed it :)