Author Notes: Hello, everyone! Enjoy this next chapter :)
Beta: JeanGirl
- Chapter Start -
It was almost noon by the time they arrived at Cloud Recesses. The journey from the Burial Grounds had taken close to five hours as some of the disciples were unused to ferrying passengers on their swords and for such a long distance.
Midway through, they took an hour's break to rest and have something to eat. Tea and steamed buns or mantou with red bean filling were passed around with the promise of a hot meal once they reached Cloud Recesses.
To everyone's huge relief, the trip was uneventful with no ambushes or attacks. Sect Leader Nie was even starting to look put out.
The only excitement came when a flock of suicidal ducks crashed into them, causing some of the cultivators to break formation, swaying on their swords as they spat up feathers. Under the stern eyes of the three Sect Leaders, Master Lan and HanGuang Jun, they quickly righted themselves.
A-Yuan giggled at the excitement while Fourth Uncle and Sixth Uncle were delighted at the prospect of fresh meat after hearing about the vegetarian cuisine at Cloud Recesses. They stashed their feathery gifts inside their bags while exchanging sheepish grins.
Ignoring Lan Zhan's stoic expression, Wei Ying chuckled along with some of the younger disciples. It wasn't as if they had deliberately set out to kill the ducks...
- o -
Cloud Recesses came into view at last, the sight drawing impressed 'oohs' and 'aahs' from those who hadn't seen it before, and relieved sighs from the others. Wei Ying smiled, feeling like he had come home despite spending only a few days here, discounting his first stay three years ago.
"Wei Ying, we're home," Lan Zhan said over one shoulder, the other occupied by a sleeping A-Yuan.
"Feels like it," Wei Ying replied with a smile. He would have snatched a kiss if it weren't for Master Lan and Granny flying beside them, the former giving the impression he was monitoring them while staring straight ahead. Throwing caution to the winds, Wei Ying tilted his head and touched his lips to the tender spot beneath Lan Zhan's ear, smirking when said ear turned pink and Bichen dipped an inch before recovering.
Master Lan's sword dipped several inches, startling an 'Aiyah!' from Granny as she grabbed him tighter around the waist. Wei Ying turned the other way, shaking with laughter as he felt a furious glare boring into the side of his head.
As they flew closer, his amusement gave way to trepidation. ZeWu Jun had obtained the Lan elders' approval and announced the Wens' stay at Cloud Recesses to everyone, but Wei Ying couldn't help wondering how welcome they would be. He didn't think anyone would dare question his presence once his engagement to Lan Zhan was made known, but he didn't know if that would extend to the Wens even if they were considered his family.
To his surprise, there were no hostile looks or nasty remarks when they landed outside the main entrance and passed through the barrier with their hosts. Not everyone had a beaming smile or warm words of welcome, but Wei Ying counted it as a win.
They were brought to a large hall which had two rows of individual tables up front for the Sect Leaders, and several bigger tables at the back for the others. Holding A-Yuan's hand in his, Wei Ying entered the hall with Lan Zhan and then he stopped, unsure of where he should sit until Master Lan beckoned him forward.
Wei Ying passed A-Yuan to Wen Qing before following Lan Zhan to the front.
Once everyone settled down, ZeWu Jun gave a warm smile and made a short announcement. He thanked the Nie and Jiang Sects for their valuable assistance and welcomed the Yiling Patriarch's family members to Cloud Recesses as permanent residents. They would stay at the guest quarters for the next two weeks while their new homes were built on one of the numerous plots of land Cloud Recesses owned. The fertile land was suitable for growing most crops so they would be self sufficient and left in peace. If their skills or services were required, they would be paid accordingly.
The Wens were overwhelmed by the good news, shedding happy tears as they stood up as one and bowed in gratitude. Wen Qing conveyed their thanks and A-Yuan stole everyone's hearts when he piped up "Thank you, First Rich-gege! Thank you, Rich-uncle! Thank you, everyone!"
Blinking back happy tears, Wei Ying saw ZeWu Jun's smile widen. Even Master Lan's lips twitched before he controlled himself and gave a benevolent nod. ZeWu Jun concluded his announcement by reiterating that the Wens had taken on the Lan name and were to be treated no differently from the other sect members.
Lunch was served right after and everyone tucked in, hungry from their long trip.
After the meal, the Jiang and Nie sects took their leave and the newest Cloud Recesses members were escorted to the guest quarters. They were delighted to find food provisions, comfortable beds and clean clothes had been provided for them.
Wei Ying and Lan Zhan went along to make sure they were settling in before going back to the Jingshi for a well deserved rest.
- o -
A few hours later...
"Wei Ying."
Wei Ying was too deep in slumber to pay any mind to that voice even though the softness and timbre were both familiar and alluring. His shoulder was gently shaken.
"Not now," he mumbled.
"Wei Ying."
With utmost reluctance and some effort, Wei Ying cracked an eye open until he could focus on a white silk expanse that rose and fell slowly. He opened the other eye and was even more reluctant to move when he realised he was cuddled up against Lan Zhan's side and sharing his pillow.
"Wei Ying sleeps like a child."
Wei Ying smiled and slowly retracted his arm and leg from where they were draped over Lan Zhan's body.
"Ah, sorry."
"I will get used to it."
That pleased Wei Ying enough to crawl on top of Lan Zhan to bestow a sound kiss, which quickly turned into several open mouthed ones, hands roaming to previously untouched places.
"Enough!"
They froze mid-kiss before turning to the table where a very displeased Master Lan sat, eyebrows pulled together and back ramrod straight. Wei Ying quickly tucked a lock of hair behind his ear.
"Master Lan."
"Get down from WangJi at once!"
"Right." Wei Ying slid off of Lan Zhan's body, taking care to brush over several sensitive spots that had Lan Zhan's fingers curling tightly into the sheets.
"WangJi, you will sleep on the spare bed in my rooms until you two are married."
"Master Lan, we really didn't-"
"Yes, uncle."
Wei Ying pouted until he noticed Lan Zhan taking several controlled breaths before sitting up and pulling on his outer robe. Perhaps Master Lan did have a point... not that Wei Ying was going to acknowledge it.
"Make yourselves presentable," Master Lan continued scolding. "WangJi, your forehead ribbon is crooked. XiChen is bringing a tailor here to take Wei WuXian's measurements. We are running very short on time."
"Measurements?" Wei Ying parroted.
"Do you plan to attend your sister's wedding in those rags or in one of WangJi's spare robes?" Master Lan sniffed. "You must be dressed appropriately."
"Ah." Wei Ying blushed, biting his lip when he remembered he didn't have a coin to his name. A hand closed over his and squeezed.
"Wei Ying, whatever I have and whatever I can give you is already yours."
"Thank you." Wei Ying gave his best smile and saw the tiny tilt of Lan Zhan's lips.
"No need for sorry or thank you between us."
"If you insist."
"I do."
"Thank-"
"Wei Ying."
"Oh. Right."
Snatching up the teapot, Master Lan began pouring tea at a high angle, as though hoping to drown out their words.
"Oh!" Wei Ying clutched at Lan Zhan's arm, ignoring Master Lan's snort as tea splashed on the table. "I forgot about a wedding gift!"
- o -
After dinner, the two of them went over to the guest quarters again.
The warm glow of lit oil lamps was visible from the open windows while sounds of quiet laughter and chatter drifted out from within. Although each quarters was equipped with a kitchen, it looked like they had decided to use just one to cook dinner for everyone to share.
For a few minutes, Lan Zhan and Wei Ying just stood there and watched, fingers entwined. Wei Ying had feared he would be questioned as to why Gusu Lan were helping them, but it seemed ZeWu Jun had beaten him to it. On the walk to the hall, Wen Qing had reminded him that everyone was expecting the announcement of an engagement between him and HangGuang Jun very soon, to which the thick skinned Yiling Patriarch turned a most becoming shade of pink.
Right now, it felt a little strange to not rush about and be at the forefront of things. To relax and not worry about a hundred different matters, and - for the first time in a long, long while - to not be the one everyone turned to for help.
It felt good and yet... perhaps he just wasn't used to it. With a sigh, Wei Ying turned to the silent man beside him.
"Lan Zhan, when you visited the Burial Mounds last week, I asked how could I keep these people safe. You've given me a way and I... I can't think of anywhere or anything better. Thank you."
"There is no need for thanks between us," Lan Zhan reminded him, his eyes tender.
Wei Ying could stare at him all day, reading in those eyes the same quiet joy he felt in his heart. He moved closer.
"Rich-gege! Xian-gege!"
They both jerked back as A-Yuan waved at them from the window of Fourth Uncle's quarters.
"Do you remember saying that you'd given birth to him?"
Wei Ying felt his face grow hot and he laughed, but Lan Zhan looked very serious.
"Since he is your son, he will be ours when we marry."
Wei Ying stared at him in shock.
"Do you not want him as your son?" A tiny furrow had appeared between Lan Zhan's perfect eyebrows.
"Of course I do... but you can't mean that you-"
Lan Zhan's forehead relaxed as A-Yuan came running up to them.
"Then that settles it. He is our son."
Wei Ying beamed at him.
"And uncle won't be able to say we haven't given him an heir." With those smug sounding words, Lan Zhan swung A-Yuan up in his arms.
Wei Ying gaped at him before chuckling.
"Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan, who knew you could be so sneaky?" He murmured, wrapping an arm around Lan Zhan's waist.
"What's 'sneaky', Xian-gege?"
"Oh. Nothing."
- Chapter End -
A/N: Thank you for reading! Please leave a review if you enjoyed it. The next chapter takes us to Koi Tower :)
