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

Beta: JeanGirlMY

- Chapter Start -

A few days later...

Wen Qing awoke at dawn on the eve of her wedding. The carriage wouldn't arrive for a couple of hours more, but she was too keyed up to go back to sleep. It would take five hours to reach Yiling and she would need to look her best for tomorrow, but further sleep was out of the question. A nap this afternoon would have to do.

Since Granny Wen was also up, they made a pot of tea and ate the freshly steamed buns Wen Ning brought from the kitchens. Wen Qing had already packed her meagre belongings last night - two changes of clothing, some cosmetics that should have been thrown out months ago and of course, the precious jade comb and mirror set from Jiang Cheng.

He had promised to have Jiang Xiu waiting for them at the inn in Yiling when they arrived. Wen Qing was glad of the extra company when she recalled how Wei WuXian, Jin GuangYao and Sisi had a group of people keeping them company on the eve of their weddings.

Well, it was also too late now to ask anyone else to accompany her. Wei WuXian and HanGuang Jun were also traveling to Yunmeng today, but they would be at Lotus Pier since Jiang Cheng was Wei WuXian's brother. GuangYao and Sisi would travel with their respective husbands tomorrow by carriage and bring the rest of the Wens since they couldn't travel by sword.

Perhaps Wen Qing shouldn't have been so adamant about wanting a simple wedding. At least her family would be with her tomorrow. It wouldn't look good for the bride of the Yunmeng Jiang's sect leader to step foot in Lotus Pier with just an elderly woman, the Ghost General and a Jiang Healer as her bridal entourage.

When they emerged from their small home, the sun was just peeping over the horizon. Wen Qing locked the door and looked around, frowning when she didn't see anyone waiting to wish her a good journey or working in the nearby field or even hanging out the laundry.

"Where is everyone?" She asked with a frown.

"Sleeping in?" Wen Ning suggested, scratching the back of his head.

"Did your uncle hold a fruit wine tasting session last night?" Granny Wen asked.

"Jiejie, we should go. The carriage will be here soon," Wen Ning prompted.

Still frowning, Wen Qing took another look at their silent settlement before letting him usher her towards the small path that led past the guestrooms to the main buildings of Cloud Recesses. The fenced off area where they reared their chickens was also quiet as if the hens couldn't even be bothered to give her a cluck of good luck.

Was no one interested to see her off?

For once, the peaceful surroundings and fresh mountain air failed to lift her spirits. She was still scowling when they came within sight of the main courtyard. Then she stopped so abruptly that Granny Wen bumped into her back. Wen Ning had to steady both of them with a hand on each of their arms.

Wen Qing blinked and stared again - the courtyard was crowded with people! Her family was there, waving and grinning at her. Master Lan, Sisi, Wei WuXian, Jin GuangYao and the Twin Jades were there too!

"What are you all doing here?" Wen Qing asked.

"Here's the bride to be at last!" Wei WuXian sang out, paying no mind to Lan Wu's "No shouting in Cloud Recesses!"

Wen Qing started walking again when Wen Ning tugged at her arm.

Meanwhile, Wei WuXian began yawning and complaining about how he allowed his little radish to spend the night in the Jingshi and ended up being kicked half the night for his kindness. HanGuang Jun was carrying said radish in his arms and didn't look sleep deprived at all.

Placing her hands together, Wen Qing bowed. Granny Wen and Wen Ning copying her.

"Master Lan, Sisi-Jie, ZeWu Jun, HanGuang Jun, everyone. May I ask if you're seeing us off?"

"We're coming with you!" Sisi told her happily.

"Lan Zhan and me too," Wei WuXian butted in. "We'll make sure you're all settled in at the inn before going on to Lotus Pier."

"Mn."

Wen Qing stared at them and then at the smiling and nodding faces around her.

"But I - but I thought... that you... " How annoying, she couldn't seem to get her thoughts together.

Seeing her confusion, Sisi came forward and looped her arm through Wen Qing's.

"QiRen and XiChen will travel to Yiling tomorrow with your family," she explained. "But A-Yao and I are accompanying you today."

"But that's not necessary," Wen Qing protested when what she really meant was 'Thank you very much'.

"I insist," Sisi told her with a smile. "I'm sure the carriage can fit five persons."

"But Jiang Xiu will be waiting for us," Wen Qing said when what she really wanted to say was 'I appreciate it more than you know'.

Why on earth was she protesting when she finally had more company?

Luckily for her, Sisi wasn't easily swayed.

"That may be so but we're still coming along," she insisted. "You and Young Madam Jin accompanied WuXian, A-Yao and me on the eve of our weddings. We want to do the same for you."

She leaned in and put her lips closer to Wen Qing's ears.

"It's thanks to you that I can show my face in public instead of hiding behind a veil. It's thanks to you that A-Yao and I were able to marry the men of our dreams."

Wen Qing felt her eyes sting and quickly blinked.

"I... thank you."

"Just between you and me," Wei WuXian leaned in too although he still spoke at his normal volume, "I'd rather be with you, but Jiang Cheng needs me. He's probably a nervous wreck by now, ahaha!"

"Like you on the morning of your wedding?" Wen Qing recovered enough to snark, one eyebrow up.

"Wen Qing!" Wei WuXian protested, one hand pressed to his chest as he darted a sheepish glance at HanGuang Jun. "I'm sure you'll be even more so tomorrow morning!"

"No, I won't."

"Yes, you will!"

"Won't!"

"Will!"

"Lan Wu is joining us," HanGuang Jun cut in smoothly, breaking the argument. "He can bring Maiden Jiang Xiu back to Lotus Pier."

Wen Qing's eyes snapped to Lan Wu and then back to HanGuang Jun.

"Why?" She appreciated the additional company, but surely it didn't mean Jiang Xiu had to leave.

Master Lan gave a discreet cough.

"Being a healer, Maiden Jiang Xiu will be required to accompany Lan Wu."

Taking that as his cue, Lan Wu stepped forward and bowed.

"Healer Wen, as you know, I am also a junior healer. Elder Zhao tasked me to gain an overview of the Jiang medical archives," he explained. "I need to set up a schedule for future visits."

"He couldn't tell me this before?" Wen Qing grumbled.

"He couldn't wait until after the wedding?" Wei WuXian grumbled at the same time.

Lan Wu's bow dipped lower.

"I apologise for any inconvenience my presence will cause on this festive occasion."

"Not your fault. Just smile a bit more and you'll be fine!" Wei WuXian clapped him on the back and grinned at Lan Wu's affronted look. "Ahaha, I thought only Lan Zhan knew that look!"

"Wei Ying."

"Right."

"Uncle and I will bring everyone to Yiling tomorrow morning," ZeWu Jun told Wen Qing with a warm smile. "We are looking forward to witnessing your bows with Sect Leader Jiang."

"Thank you." Wen Qing bowed.

Just then, a disciple came up to announce that the carriage had arrived and was waiting for them at the bottom of the stairs. After a round of hugs from her family and all the congratulations and good wishes she could have hoped for, Wen Qing took her leave and headed for the entrance with her entourage of six people... which was already three times the size of her original group.

- o -

The ride to Yiling was uneventful. For the first hour, Wen Ning shared the carriage with Wen Qing, Granny Wen, Sisi and GuangYao and A-Yuan. After that, he emerged carrying a curious A-Yuan and mumbled something about preferring to walk and leaving the carriage to the females for their 'girl talk'. GuangYao didn't seem to mind since he remained inside.

After two hours, they stopped for a twenty minute break to stretch their legs and have some steamed buns and tea which Sisi had packed. They arrived at Yiling at one in the afternoon.

An excited Jiang Xiu rushed out to greet them with a bow and a big smile, having met all but two of them before. She even managed to pinch A-Yuan's cheek before he hid behind HanGuang Jun's leg. After staring at The Ghost General in awe, she greeted him politely before turning to the last member of the party.

"I am Lan Wu, senior disciple of Gusu and junior healer."

"I'm Jiang Xiu. Sect Leader Jiang sent me a message this morning, telling me to expect you," Jiang Xiu said and grinned. "Oh my, you look so serious, like a young HanGuang Jun!"

Wei WuXian uttered a choked off snort.

"I bet you'd look cuter if you smiled," Jiang Xiu continued, emboldened by her sect leader and older sister's absences and Wei WuXian's encouraging grin. She even winked at Lan Wu who immediately turned bright red and looked away.

- o -

Lunch was a cheerful and noisy affair, held at the inn's private room. Jiang Xiu had ordered a variety of Yunmeng's signature spicy dishes and a few mild vegetarian ones to ensure everyone had enough to eat.

Contrary to his earlier words, Wei WuXian didn't seem eager to rush off to Lotus Pier to witness or soothe a supposedly frazzled Jiang Cheng. He lounged on his cushion with a jar of lotus flower wine in hand while HanGuang Jun looked equally content to sit beside him. Lan Wu sat on HanGuang Jun's other side and looked like he was keeping a mental tally of all the Gusu rules being broken under his nose as he ate.

It was late afternoon when Sisi declared the lunch over since the bride-to-be needed to rest. By then, A-Yuan was already sleeping against HanGuang Jun's shoulder. Granny Wen, Wen Qing, Sisi, GuangYao and Wen Ning went upstairs to their rooms while Jiang Xiu followed Wei WuXian, HanGuang Jun and Lan Wu to Lotus Pier.

- o -

The next morning...

Wen Qing stared down at the bowl of sweet porridge sitting on the tray. It looked very nice with a perfect balance of rice, red dates, assorted dried fruit and lotus seeds. It looked worthy of being a bride's first meal on her special day, to ensure a sweet and harmonious marriage.

She had no doubt a similar bowl was being served to Jiang Cheng at Lotus Pier right this minute.

Under any other circumstances, Wen Qing would have enjoyed it compared to what she was used to eating - or not eating - for the past two years. Right now, she couldn't take a bite with the colony of butterflies fluttering in her stomach.

She was already washed and dressed in the elaborate wedding robes which featured the lotus flower, her hair done up in a sophisticated style with all six of her precious jade hairpins keeping the smooth bun in place. Both were thanks to Sisi who also promised to do her make up for her, declaring it was a good thing she had brought her own cosmetics since Wen Qing's had long since caked and hardened.

Wen Qing had given her a weak smile, annoyed at how her fingers - normally so steady and capable of the most delicate of surgery - were trembling so much she couldn't even do up her robe fastenings.

"Aiyaa, Lady Wen, your porridge is getting cold," Granny Wen fussed. "What if you faint in front of everyone before you get to make your bows?"

Wen Qing nodded, but couldn't muster the energy to pick up the porcelain spoon, let alone eat anything.

"Jiejie, at least eat a little," Wen Ning begged.

With a sigh, Wen Qing reached for her cup of tea only to freeze when something fluttered onto her shoulder before floating down to the tray. It was a cutout of a figure in orange paper, no taller than three inches. It stood beside her bowl, hands on hips.

"What-" she began.

"That's one of Young Master Wei's paperman talismans," Wen Ning said.

Paperman!Wei WuXian nodded and tapped the side of the bowl with one hand before turning around. Written on his back were the words "Eat your porridge!"

Wen Qing smiled. Wei WuXian had made good his promise to retaliate after she told him the same thing on his wedding day. She looked up at Wen Ning.

"He must be lurking outside in the corridor. Tell him he can come in. HanGuang Jun too."

But only Wei WuXian entered her room, grinning from ear to ear as he greeted everyone.

"Where's your husband? You two are usually joined at the hip," Wen Qing said in a voice she tried to make stern.

"Lan Zhan is taking A-Yuan for a walk in the town." Wei WuXian sat at the table and extracted the bit of spiritual energy in the paperman before stuffing it back in his robes. He looked very nice in new blue robes with purple trimming, a nod to his Jiang ties. Hanging from his belt was a brand new Jiang clarity bell which tinkled softly as he moved.

"You look beautiful," he told Wen Qing. "Jiang Cheng couldn't have found a better wife or mistress of Lotus Pier."

It was one of the rare times he spoke with such a solemn face that Wen Qing felt her eyes prick.

"Wei WuXian," she said fiercely. "If you make me cry, I swear you're going to get all my needles!"

He laughed and held up his hands in surrender.

"Your make up is going to be ruined anyway. Weddings do that to you," he replied in a 'been there, done that' tone of voice.

Picking up the spoon, he placed it in her hand.

"So, how did your hair combing ceremony go last night?" He asked.

"It was very nice," she said with a grateful smile at Sisi and GuangYao. "GuangYao's memory is second to none."

"That's great!" Wei WuXian replied.

Wen Qing waited, but he didn't offer any information on Jiang Cheng.

"Well?" She finally gritted out.

"Well, what?" He asked, feigning ignorance before widening his eyes. "Oh, you mean Jiang Cheng?"

"Yes!"

"Ahaha, Shijie combed his hair for him. He cried like a baby! Oh, did you know-"

"And you didn't?" Wen Qing interrupted him.

Wei WuXian pouted.

"Jiang Cheng said he didn't sleep a wink all night," he tattled. "Lan Wu has been playing Cleansing for him since dawn. He seemed to take it as a personal challenge."

Wen Qing snickered and didn't realise she had started eating her porridge. The butterflies had left and brought back her appetite.

"Personally, I think Lan Wu's also hiding from A-Xiu who's been trying to get him to smile. She insisted he must have bad teeth if he doesn't want to show them to anyone!"

Before Wen Qing knew it, the bowl was empty and her stomach felt warm and comfortable. Wei WuXian gave her a smug look as he removed the tray.

"Thank you," Wen Qing said. "I'm glad you came here."

Wei WuXian beamed at her and impulsively leaned forward to kiss her cheek.

"Least I could do for my new sister-in-law," he quipped. "Don't let Jiang Cheng boss you around, alright?"

"Young Master Wei, I'm sure Sect Leader Jiang is a perfect gentleman," Wen Ning felt obliged to defend his future brother-in-law.

"Alright, you two can argue over there," Sisi shooed them away from the table and removed her cosmetics from a qiankun pouch.

A few minutes of blessed silence followed as Sisi worked her magic on Wen Qing. When a quiet knock sounded at the door, Wei WuXian went to let in A-Yuan who was wearing brand new robes of light blue and holding a wooden butterfly in each hand.

"Qing-Jiejie, you look beautiful!" A-Yuan announced before waving at the others. "Granny! Grandaunt Sisi! Pretty-gege!"

"Thank you, A-Yuan," Wen Qing said. "You look very nice too. Who are those butterflies for?"

"One is for me and the other for my best friend JingYi!"

"We three will go on ahead," Wei WuXian announced. "Uncle QiRen and the other should be arriving soon."

Barely half an hour later, Wen Ning answered the knock on the door to find a servant waiting there.

"Jiejie, Master Lan, ZeWu Jun and everyone have arrived! It's time for us to travel to Lotus Pier."

And the butterflies returned en masse to camp inside Wen Qing's stomach again.

- Chapter End -

A/N: Thank you for reading! Please leave a review if you enjoyed it and take care :)1