Author Notes: Hello again, everyone! Enjoy this next chapter :)

Beta: JeanGirlMY

- Chapter Start -

The next morning...

"There, all done. Oh, you look beautiful, Sisi-jie!"

"Thank you, YanLi." Sisi smiled at Young Madam Jin and turned to look in the mirror Wen Qing held up. Her breath caught in her throat. It wasn't the first time she had worn these robes since she had to ensure that her alterations fit. It wasn't the first time she had worn make up either since a courtesan had to display a perfectly painted face for her customers every evening.

But knowing the reason for her elaborate robes, face powder, rouge and lip colour today still brought her to the brink of fresh tears. She had never dared to dream of becoming a bride after she entertained her first customer. She had been attractive enough to hope that she could some day be the mistress of a well to do man, one generous enough that she could save money for when her looks and appeal faded.

That day came much sooner than expected with a few slashes of a sharp knife in a dark alley.

But Fate it seemed, had better plans for her.

Sisi felt like the luckiest, most blessed bride in the world. Jiang YanLi was a true gem. Despite her pregnancy, she had flown here to keep her company, performed the hair combing ceremony for her and even helped her get dressed this morning with Wen Qing's assistance. The three of them got along well despite their age difference.

"Oh, you look lovely, Sisi-Jie!" GuangYao declared.

"Uncle QiRen will be so impatient for tonight," WuXian quipped with a mischievous wink.

Even Lan Wu's eyes widened a bit when he arrived to play an hour of cleansing music which he and Lan Ming had done for Sisi and QiRen over the past two weeks. When he finished, he stilled the strings of his guzhin and stood up.

Sisi's heart, calmed by the music, started speeding up again as a red silk veil was draped over her head and secured with pins. The previous bride, bless her, had hidden several eye holes among the embroidery, enabling the wearer to see her surroundings. It wasn't strictly tradition but there weren't any other events at Cloud Recesses that Sisi shouldn't accidentally catch sight of.

"It is time to proceed to the Ancestral Hall," Lan Wu announced. "Only immediate family members may follow."

"That's all of us!" WuXian said cheerfully, but Wen Qing shook her head at him.

"Your sister and I will wait at the Main Hall," she said.

"But Shijie-"

"Wen Qing is right," YanLi said. "A-Xuan and A-Cheng are waiting for us."

Turning to Sisi, she smiled and reached for her hands, giving them a reassuring squeeze.

"A-Xian and A-Yao will accompany you, Sisi-Jie. We'll see you all later, alright?"

"I can't thank you enough, YanLi," Sisi said and bowed.

"No need for thanks. We're family now."

- o -

Sisi was glad of WuXian and GuangYao's company as they followed Lan Wu on one of the back paths that took them past the Jingshi. She was especially glad of their supporting hands when she saw the group standing in front of the Ancestral Hall and stumbled in shock.

Chen-yishi and Lan Ming were clad in their usual white, the Twin Jades in blue while the man standing between them and dressed in elaborate red robes like hers, looked like he could be their older brother.

Mouth falling open beneath her veil, Sisi stared at her clean shaven husband-to-be, distracted thoughts running through her head -

He looks younger and so much nicer like this!

Oh dear, I'm going to have to take extra care to preserve my looks at this rate!

"Isn't Uncle QiRen a sight for sore eyes?" WuXian teased. "Whisker burns are the worst!"

"No, they're no-" GuangYao snapped his mouth shut, looking mortified.

"What was that, A-Yao?" Sisi asked.

"It's nothing, Sisi-Jie. Nothing at all."

- o -

The next half hour passed in a blur for Sisi.

She already knew what to expect after witnessing the Twin Jades and their partners make their bows three weeks ago. But seeing wasn't the same as participating and she was too overwhelmed to catalogue every moment in her mind.

All she could remember was QiRen's white forehead ribbon linking their wrists together, the smoky air inside the hall, fragments of Lan Ming's words, and the hard floor beneath her knees. By the time she straightened up after the third bow, she was glad her veil hid her tear streaked face.

"I love you," she told QiRen as he helped her up, even though one wasn't supposed to say such intimate things in such a hallowed place, and in the company of others. "I love you so much."

He hunched a shoulder at that, the tips of his ears going pink as he glanced at a beaming Chen-yishi and a stony faced Lan Ming.

"I know. Later," he muttered.

As soon as they emerged from the hall, his nephews bowed and offered their congratulations.

"Congratulations, Uncle QiRen and Aunt Sisi!" WuXian chirped which was the cue for GuangYao and the Twin Jades to bow again with a solemn "Aunt Sisi".

- o -

Lan Ming and Lan Wu then ushered them to the Ahnshi for the veil removing and drinking ceremony.

Except for QiRen, the other Lans opted to wait at the nearby gazebo, but WuXian and GuangYao followed the newlyweds inside their home. QiRen and Sisi went inside the bedroom, the latter sitting on the bed and the former carefully unpinning her veil.

"Ooh, pure silk sheets!" WuXian exclaimed from the doorway.

"Lanling's finest, if I'm not mistaken," GuangYao murmured.

QiRen ignored them and made a note to reprimand Chen-yishi again for his extravagant gift.

"Uncle QiRen, you may remove the veil now," GuangYao prompted, his dimples showing.

"I know." QiRen lifted the crimson silk with unsteady hands and promptly forgot how to breathe. Sisi looked gorgeous as she smiled up at him, cheeks flushed and lips invitingly red.

"...Ren? Uncle QiRen?"

Blinking, he turned to see GuangYao still standing at the doorway and proffering a tray with two red cups on it, WuXian grinning beside him.

"Please take a cup with your right hand and link your right arms together to drink."

Not only was it awkward to drink anything like that, QiRen had to choke down the overly sweet tea when WuXian's syrupy 'Aww" made his ears burn.

- o -

When the entourage reached the courtyard, they stopped at the steps leading down to it while XiChen, GuangYao and Chen-yishi continued on to the Main Hall. GuangYao had offered to be announcer while XiChen and Chen-yishi were to take their respective seats.

Three weeks ago, the Main Hall was decorated with silk, plants and auspicious banners. The courtyard was packed with tables and chairs, teeming with disciples and guests alike. Songs of Celebration were played on a dozen guzhin, reverberating through the air.

It was as festive an occasion as Cloud Recesses would allow.

There were no decorations or crowded tables or music today. Only a handful of senior disciples stood in the courtyard, waiting to welcome them.

QiRen pursed his lips, regretting that he had acceded to the elders' insistence for a quiet ceremony so readily. Neither he nor Sisi were in their first bloom of youth, but neither did they have anything to hide.

Gentle fingers brushed against his, catching his attention.

"I never thought I'd get to bow to the heavens and earth with a good man by my side, QiRen. At least, not in this life. Today is already more than I've ever dared to dream of."

QiRen stared at her smiling face and bright eyes. I love you, he thought and only realised he had said it aloud when her smile widened.

"I know. Later," she teased him back.

With Lan Ming and Lan Wu emulating frozen statues in front of them, QiRen would have dug a hole in the ground and jumped in if not for the unexpected trill of a flute, high and sweet. The four of them spun around, Sisi accommodating QiRen as their wrists were still bound by his ribbon.

Standing a few feet away with his black flute at his lips, WuXian started playing the opening strains of one of the Songs of Celebration. Beside him, WangJi had manifested his guzhin and was accompanying him. The two instruments blended together in effortless and perfect harmony, as if their masters had practiced together for a lifetime.

QiRen gaped at them, mouth opening and closing a few times before he found his voice.

"WangJi? WuXian?"

"I thought the elders didn't want any music played today?" Sisi asked.

"They didn't," QiRen confirmed, eyes still wide. "They insisted on a private and quiet ceremony."

Somehow, his nephews had found out about that. And Wei WuXian being Wei WuXian, had decided that he wasn't having any of it.

He had circumvented 'private' by inviting family members for a visit; people QiRen knew and respected, people the Elders wouldn't dare offend.

He had bypassed 'quiet' by learning one of the Songs of Celebration in less than a day, a song the Elders couldn't possibly object to.

They had to be stewing in the Main Hall right now, unable to do anything with the other guests already seated there.

QiRen didn't know whether to laugh or cry. As if hearing his thoughts, WuXian winked at him and proceeded to play even louder. Without missing a beat, WangJi followed suit.

Eyes blurring and throat working, QiRen spun around and took deep breaths to calm his emotions, Sisi squeezing his hand in silent support.

Lan Ming and Lan Wu were still staring at WangJi and WuXian, looking impressed, while the number of shocked disciples waiting for them in the courtyard had increased to about two dozen.

"Well, shall we proceed?" QiRen finally spoke, voice still gruff but thankfully steady. "We shouldn't keep our guests waiting."

Lan Ming and Lan Wu blinked and nodded.

"Yes, Master Lan."

With his head held high, QiRen followed them across the courtyard, nodding as the other disciples bowed to him. WangJi and WuXian followed, still playing until they reached the open doors of the Main Hall.

"Respected Lan Elders, Sect Leaders and honoured guests, we welcome Lan QiRen and his wife Sisi," GuangYao announced, his dimples flashing in a pleased smile.

Lan Ming and Lan Wu bowed and stood aside, allowing QiRen and Sisi to enter to warm applause. Not all the elders seated at the two long tables at the front of the Hall clapped, making Chen-yishi's enthusiastic response all the more obvious.

"Yay! Pretty Aunty is getting married! But who's that man?"

As laughter broke out and everyone turned to A-Yuan sitting with the Wens, Granny Wen exclaimed 'Aiya!' and said something to him.

"Oh, that's granduncle? Pretty Aunty is marrying granduncle!" A beaming A-Yuan announced to everyone as he waved at the newlyweds.

Despite his ears feeling like they were about to melt off the sides of his head, QiRen waved back. After all, A-Yuan was his one and only grandnephew.

- o -

A few hours later...

To no one's surprise, dinner was fully vegetarian with enough dishes to qualify it as a modest feast. Despite the lack of meat, no one seemed to mind as they tucked in and conversed quietly among themselves.

As soon as the meal was over, the elders except for Chen-yishi stood up and left the hall, giving stiff nods to the newlyweds and sect leaders. The atmosphere immediately turned warmer and less formal. The chatter grew louder and even a few chuckles were heard.

A-Yuan jumped up from his seat and ran over to his parents, holding a wooden butterfly in one chubby fist and a small, sturdy fan in the other. Passing the fan to WuXian, he grabbed WangJi's hand and pulled him over to the newlyweds.

"Granduncle, where's your," A-Yuan frowned and tapped his own jaw, "chin hair? Are you happy you married Pretty Aunty? She's very nice!"

As another wave of laughter broke out, QiRen just nodded in reply. Taking A-Yuan's words as a signal of some sort, the others began rising to their feet as well.

QiRen and Sisi were soon surrounded by a sea of happy faces and wide smiles. They accepted their gifts, congratulations and best wishes for a long and happy marriage with many children, and even a few teasing remarks about wedding nights.

It was Chen-yishi, still chuckling, who took pity on the newlyweds' red faces - not to mention the Twin Jades' green ones - and announced it was time for the new couple to enjoy their first night together.

With a last bow and thank you to all their guests, QiRen and Sisi excused themselves and left the hall hand in hand.

- o -

When they were finally back at the Ahnshi with the door closed and locked behind them, QiRen took a deep breath and let it out. Even a wedding as simple as theirs was exhausting.

Regardless, it was over. He and Sisi were husband and wife and alone at last. Able to set aside their forehead ribbons and lose all restraint in each other's arms. Which made QiRen a nervous wreck.

"Well," Sisi said after a moment. "What would you have me do?"

"Do?" QiRen parroted.

She smiled at him.

"I'm all yours. Or would you prefer to have some tea first?"

He shook his head absently, his gaze roving over her graceful figure. The embroidered robes they wore caught the light from the single oil lamp on the low table, making them shine and sparkle

"Lie with me," he said. "In bed."

"Just... lie?" Sisi asked.

He nodded.

"Alright." Sisi followed him to the bedroom where she sat down and removed her shoes. Then she lifted her legs and moved back until she was lying on her side, back against the wall, head resting on one hand.

"Your turn," she said and patted the space beside her.

He mirrored her actions, sitting on the bed and removing his shoes before lying on his side and facing her.

"So, what next?" Sisi asked with a playful smile.

"Just lie here for a while," QiRen told her and brushed gentle knuckles down her cheek. "I've dreamed of seeing you here with me, in my bed."

Sisi's smile deepened.

"I'm here now. All yours to do as you please."

He frowned at that.

"I'm sorry," Sisi apologised, a reflex action that only deepened his frown.

"Sisi, you are not a courtesan but my wife," he told. "I am not a client, but your husband."

When Sisi opened her mouth, he shook his head and laid a finger across her lips.

"What I meant is - I... I want to please you." The words came out in a rush and he grimaced. "I may not know exactly how. But I want to please you."

Sisi's eyes grew wet. She took his hand and brought it to her lips.

"You've already pleased me. I'm already happier than I've ever been."

QiRen brought her hand to his lips in turn, pressing a kiss onto the delicate knuckles.

"You know what I mean, Sisi. Teach me."

- Chapter End -

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