Author Notes: Hello again, everyone! I've edited the previous chapter to include Chen-yishi after he scolded me for not letting him witness his only grandniece get married *bows for my poor memory* Enjoy this next chapter :)

Beta: JeanGirlMY

- Chapter Start -

A resounding cheer rose as soon as the returning party were spotted flying in from Yiling. It was a deafening roar compared to when Jiang Cheng arrived at the inn. To be fair, this crowd comprised of his disciples, servants and their families as well as the merchants lining the pier and the nearby townspeople.

Jiang Cheng pointed the tip of Sandu downwards to descend. He felt his foolish grin stretch wider, a prelude to how much he would be grinning today. Wen Qing's arms tightening around his waist told him she was looking around her. He had ordered the sheerest silk available for her veil, knowing she wouldn't appreciate going around blind until the veil lifting ceremony.

"There're so many people," she said, stretching up to put her lips closer to his ear.

"All of them waiting to welcome you," he replied, head turned towards her.

The breeze blew upward then, lifting the veil. Jiang Cheng's breath caught at the sight of smiling red lips. He lowered his head as Wen Qing raised hers-

"Land first, kiss later!" Wei WuXian warned from beside them.

Jiang Cheng jerked his head back to see they weren't all that far from the ground. He lowered his speed before glancing at his brother.

"Thanks," he muttered, thankful he hadn't sent Wen Qing and himself tumbling to the ground. That would be a most inauspicious start indeed!

"Xian-gege, why did you stop Angry-gege from kissing Qing-jiejie?" A-Yuan lamented from HanGuang Jun's shoulder. "He hasn't done my challenge yet!"

Wei WuXian laughed out loud as they descended closer to the ground.

"Aiyaa, A-Yuan, Angry-gege has to see where he's going. Don't worry, we'll make sure they kiss later."

"Promise?"

"Promise." Wei WuXian lifted three straightened fingers to his forehead. "Right, Lan Zhan?"

"Mn." The steely note in HanGuang Jun's voice did not bode well for Jiang Cheng's peace of mind. Apparently, he took his son's challenge very seriously.

Wei WuXian winked at Jiang Cheng and got a scowl in return.

As soon as they set foot on the ground, the waiting crowd surged forward.

"Sect Leader Jiang and Madam Jiang, congratulations! We present you with a length of our finest pink silk!"

"My best wishes to both of you on your big day! Here's a big pack of fresh lotus seeds!"

"I saw the new Mistress of Lotus Pier that day! She's beautiful!"

"My husband and I wish you two a long and joyful marriage!"

"Don't forget children - lots of them!"

Grinning again, Jiang Cheng thanked everyone, recognising the happy faces around them on sight. Gifts of all kinds were thrust at him which the Jiang disciples received with bows and passed on to the servants who had hurried out to help. Jiang Cheng lost count of the number of times he uttered thanks and bowed until the carriages arrived and the others got down.

As the crowd's attention switched to the other guests, Jiang Cheng sighed in relief and rubbed his cheeks. His facial muscles were already starting to ache and they hadn't even gotten to the bows yet!

"Are you alright?"

Jiang Cheng nodded at Wen Qing and smiled again.

"Never been better," he vowed.

- o -

The noon sunshine was bright and hot. Wen Qing was grateful for the red umbrella Granny Wen held aloft. Neither of them were very tall, but if Jiang Cheng was aware of the spokes continuously pricking him in the shoulder, he gave no sign of it.

At the other end of the long walkway, Lotus Pier looked stunning. Crimson and gold streamers and banners rippled in the breeze and made a sharp contrast against the curved wooden roofs and bright blue sky. Interspersed with the banners were purple flags bearing the Yunmeng Jiang crest, the nine petaled lotus. The gates were flung wide open and the front courtyard crowded with tables and chairs with colourful umbrellas to shield from the bright sunlight.

Jiang Mei and Jiang Xiu were standing outside with the other servants, smiling and waving at them. Lan Wu stood a couple of feet away, presumably waiting to welcome Master Lan and his nephews. When Jiang Xiu reached over to grab his arm in her excitement, he stared down at her hand and then up at her face in shock, as if he couldn't believe her boldness.

Smirking under her veil, Wen Qing looked over her shoulder at her family's happy faces, seeing Wen Ning shielding Granduncle Chen with another umbrella. Lotus flowers were blooming in the lakes around them while sunlight glinted off the blue and green rippling surfaces. The sheer amount of water and balmy air of Yunmeng were a far cry from the rocky mountains of Dafan.

Wen Qing looked back at Lotus Pier with its graceful lines, curved roofs and interconnecting walkways. She soaked in the warmth and love of its people, and the steady devotion of the man beside her, her smile widening into a joyful grin.

All of this was already starting to feel like home.

- o -

Nie HuaiSang begged his Da-ge to land closer to the gates. As soon as his feet touched the ground, he muttered a promise to be quick and hurried inside, slipping past the excited young disciples craning their necks for a glimpse of their returning sect leader and his bride.

HuaiSang's sweat had dried off on the ride here, but he still felt disheveled from his earlier exertion. The dratted chicken that had him crawling on his hands and knees inside the inn had better end up as part of tonight's feast! And Jiang Cheng had better be grateful for his assistance or he would take back his wedding gift of half a dozen singing birds!

As he skirted the tables and chairs set out in the courtyard, HuaiSang breathed a prayer of thanks that he would be seated in the dining hall later instead of under an umbrella. He might have grown up in the scorching summers of QingHe, but he had had enough of perspiring for today.

"Second Young Master Nie?"

"Ah. Maiden Jiang Mei." HuaiSang was forced to stop when the young head servant appeared in front of him. He had stayed here before and was on good terms with her and her sister.

"What's the hurry?"

"Well, I..." HuaiSang gestured to himself and gave a dramatic sigh.

"Need to freshen up?" She completed as she plucked a black and white feather from his robes. "Wait. Did you have a run in with a... a chicken?"

Groaning in embarrassment, HuaiSang snapped his fan closed and started brushing himself down with both hands, dislodging a couple more feathers from inside his sleeves.

"I'll have you know this is all your sect leader's fault!"

Giggling, Jiang Mei waved over a passing servant.

"Please bring scented water and towels to Sect Leader Nie and Second Young Master Nie's room immediately."

"Scented water?" HuaiSang stared at her in dismay. "Do I smell like a chicken?"

"You'll feel better after a wash," Jiang Mei told him diplomatically. "Now hurry up before the others get here."

"Right. Thank you!" HuaiSang spun around and hurried off to the pavilion housing the guestrooms. He estimated the bridal couple would take at least twenty minutes to make their way through the excited crowd waiting to welcome them. By the time they proceeded to the Lotus Pier Ancestral Hall to make their bows, he should be ready to join them, presentable and smelling nice again.

Thank goodness his servants always packed extra robes for Da-ge and himself!

- o -

Fifteen minutes later, HuaiSang emerged from his guestroom, feeling a lot better after a quick wash and putting on fresh robes. He had also redone his hair since a few braids had slipped free from his hair clasp. Fanning himself idly, he headed in the direction of the Ancestral Hall.

Three minutes later, he stepped onto another empty walkway and frowned, looking around him. He must have taken a wrong turn somewhere because there was no one in sight.

Why did all the walkways look alike?

And why were all of them built over water?

Huffing in exasperation, HuaiSang turned to see a boy of about ten years old walking out from another corridor. He was a pretty child, dressed in Jin sect robes. Sunlight glinted off the gold ornaments in his hair.

"Hello," HuaiSang said. He was sure he had never seen the boy before - he had a good memory for faces if not places - but he still felt a strange little jolt of recognition. Slowly, he approached the boy, aware of those large eyes watching him, and then he crouched down and smiled, lowering his fan.

"My name is Nie HuaiSang. I'm a guest here and I'm afraid I'm lost. What's your name?"

"Mo XuanYu. I'm lost too."

"Well then, at least we found each other!" HuaiSang declared.

"But we're still lost."

"... yes, that's true, but-"

"A-Yu, there you are! Xiu-jiejie said you ran away when she wasn't looking."

They both turned to see Jiang YanLi, dressed in exquisite gold and purple robes. She had put on a bit of weight since Master Lan's wedding, but her smile was as kind as always.

"YanLi-jiejie!" Mo XuanYu ran to her and clutched her hand before looking back at HuaiSang.

"Young Madam Jin, how lovely to see you again." HuaiSang got to his feet and bowed.

"No need to be so formal, Young Master Nie," she chided.

"I'll call you YanLi-jie if you call me HuaiSang," he offered with a grin. "I've always wanted a big sister."

"Done!" YanLi said with a laugh. "I have a few younger brothers already so what's one more?"

She looked down at Mo XuanYu.

"In fact, A-Yu is also my younger brother, am I right?"

"Yes, YanLi-jiejie," he replied.

"He's ZiXuan's half brother from Mo Village," Jiang YanLi explained to HuaiSang. "ZiXuan has been searching for all his half siblings."

"That's good of him," HuaiSang commented. He looked at Mo XuanYu again, seeing none of Jin GuangShan's florid features in him. "You must take after your mother."

"He does and she's beautiful. Now, let's not keeping the bride and groom waiting!"

- o -

Everyone looked relieved when the three of them reached the Ancestral Hall. The walkway leading there was lined with disciples and servants. Jiang Mei shook her head at HuaiSang while Jiang Xiu gave Mo XuanYu a reproving look.

HuaiSang bowed and apologised to Head Disciple Jiang Long who was apparently presiding over the ceremony. He explained that he had gotten turned around before Jiang YanLi and Mo XuanYu found him. Nie MingJue just gave him a long suffering look and shook his head.

HuaiSang frowned. Da-ge's temper had always been quick to flare, but he hadn't lost it once this past month, not even over tardy disciples and misplaced paperwork. Even their healers reported that his qi was surprisingly stable.

"Well! Now that everyone is here, let's begin." Jiang Long smiled around at everyone, looking as proud as if he were Jiang WanYin's father. He nodded at his wife before stepping inside the Ancestral Hall.

Jiang YanLi and Wei WuXian followed him and stood to one side, wearing excited smiles. They beckoned to Chen-yishi and Wen Ning to follow them inside. Then Jiang WanYin and Wen Qing entered as well and knelt down on the two red cushions placed before the slowly revolving stand of shiny plaques. Wei WuXian lit six incense sticks and passed three to each of them to place in the holder.

"The first prostration is to the Heavens and Earth to pay respect to the gods and ancestors," Jiang Long intoned.

As the couple made their first bow, HuaiSang found himself looking around. He felt strangely detached from the proceedings which was odd. He loved weddings and was a sympathetic crier, shedding tears regardless of whether he knew the bridal couple or not. He had cried buckets when Wei WuXian and GuangYao made their bows and when Jiang YanLi got married (although that might have been due to the overabundance of red decor) and later when Master Lan and Madam Sisi got married.

But now, HuaiSang found his attention caught by Jiang Long's two sons who nudged each other until their mother hushed them. A-Yuan, standing beside HanGuang Jun, grinned at their antics while Mo XuanYu, standing beside Jin ZiXuan, appeared very solemn. When he saw HuaiSang looking at him, he quickly turned away.

"The second prostration is to the parents to thank them for their care," Jiang Long said.

As the couple bowed a second time, Wei WuXian blinked rapidly, Jiang YanLi and Chen-yishi dabbed at their eyes, and Wen Ning looked like he would cry if he could. HanGuang Jun stared at his husband and Jin ZiXuan smiled adoringly at his wife. Madam Sisi whispered something to Master Lan which made him pat her hand and look bashful. HuaiSang couldn't see GuangYao, but could hear him sniffling on Da-ge's other side.

The only dry eyed adults seemed to be Lan Wu and HuaiSang himself.

"The third prostration is to each other to show mutual respect."

As the bridal couple turned to face each other for their final bow, HuaiSang's eyebrows rose. Even the prickly groom wasn't immune to tears. After the final bow, Jiang WanYin helped Wen Qing up and raised her hand to his lips.

"Kiss, kiss, kiss!" A-Yuan chanted. To his obvious disappointment, the groom didn't oblige, but there were a few chuckles around. Wei WuXian even winked at A-Yuan as if it had been his idea all along.

"The Jiang Clarity bell is worn by all disciples of the Yunmeng Jiang sect," Jiang Long announced. "Jiang WanYin, please take this bell imbued with your own spiritual energy and attach it to your wife's sash."

With shaking fingers, Jiang WanYin accepted the bell from a tearfully smiling Jiang YanLi and turned to Wen Qing. His fingers fumbled with the simple task until Wen Qing took the bell from him and attached it herself. Jiang WanYin appeared so enamoured of her skill that he pressed a quick kiss to her head which mollified A-Yuan somewhat.

That was the cue for Jiang YanLi to hug the newlyweds, followed by Wei WuXian, Wen Ning and Chen-yishi.

As HuaiSang awaited his turn to congratulate the couple, he found himself glancing again at Mo XuanYu who was staring at him. This time, the boy returned his smile with a shy nod of his head.

Again, HuaiSang felt that curious little pang in his heart.

- Chapter End -

A/N: Thank you for reading! I pegged MXY to be about 8 years younger than NHS. In canon, JGS brought MXY to Lanling when he was about 14 so that doesn't happen here. JZX found him in Mo Village where he was living with his mother who's also alive. Not sure if we'll meet her though.

Anyway, please leave a review if you enjoyed this chapter and take care :)