Author Notes: Hello again, everyone! Thank you for sticking with this story so far, the end is in sight! Enjoy this next chapter :)

Beta: JeanGirlMY

- Chapter Start -

Somewhere between the first and third prostrations, Jiang Cheng finally admitted to himself that he was a bundle of nerves. He didn't do anything as idiotic as falling over while bowing, of course - thank all his ancestors! - but try as he might, he couldn't attach the Jiang clarity bell to Wen Qing's sash.

For goodness sake, it was something he had done most of his life, something so automatic he didn't even need to think about it, something even their three year old disciples could do!

In the end, Wen Qing took pity on him and grabbed the bell, tying it on her sash with a tiny shake of her head. Well, it was easy for her, Jiang Cheng huffed to himself, red to the tips of his ears. Her veil afforded her protection from the incense smoke which was making his eyes tear up!

Regardless, the prostrations were done and they were married now. They just needed to get through the last two ceremonies which were the lifting of the veil to indicate acceptance of spouse (purely symbolic at this point since they already know what the other looked like) and the drinking of wine to symbolise long life.

The two of them accepted congratulations from the other disciples and servants as their guests took turns to pay their respects to Jiang FengMian and Yu ZiYuan. That was followed by a short discussion on who would accompany the newlyweds to the bridal chamber while the others proceeded on to the main hall to await them.

Jiang YanLi, Wei WuXian and Sisi opted for the former along with Head Disciple Jiang Long. His wife decided not to follow, fearing their young sons would disrupt the ceremony. The others also declined, not wanting to intrude on Jiang Cheng's private rooms.

Wen Ning offered to keep an eye on A-Yuan but he clung to Wei WuXian's hand and insisted that 'Angry-gege would kiss Qing-jiejie once he sees her face' and he wanted to witness it. The slight grimace on Wen Ning's face told Jiang Cheng that that was the real reason why he didn't want to accompany his sister.

- o -

Jiang Long led the way to Jiang Cheng's rooms, followed by the newlyweds hand in hand, the two of them nodding and smiling at the good wishes and congratulations from both guests and townspeople. It wasn't until they entered the main buildings and out of the bright sunshine that Jiang Cheng overheard Wei WuXian chatting with A-Yuan behind him, the words 'of course' and 'kiss' and 'I promised, didn't I?' making his ears burn. Jiang YanLi and Sisi were behind them. Jiang Cheng couldn't make out their conversation, but the giggles he heard made him decide it was for the best.

Jiang Long stopped at the closed door which had a long red cloth pinned above it. Pushing open the door, he stood to one side and gestured for the newlyweds to enter.

"Ready?" Jiang Cheng asked Wen Qing who nodded and squeezed his hand in reply. Together, they stepped inside.

The sect leader's rooms (formerly Jiang FengMian's) comprised of a living room large enough to entertain half a dozen guests and an equally large bedroom. The door to the bedroom was also closed with another red cloth draped above it.

It hadn't been there when Jiang Cheng left this morning after getting dressed He wondered what other changes Jiang Mei and Jiang Xiu had made in his absence.

"Go on," Jiang Long urged him with a smile.

Steeling himself, Jiang Cheng opened the door, his gaze immediately going to the large bed set against the far wall. The carved wooden frame was covered with more of the same red fabric while the sheets were of the finest crimson silk Yunmeng had to offer. A tall red candle stood on each of the bedside tables, ready to be lit. More red fabric, beautifully embroidered with gold thread, covered the tables while bowls of freshly plucked lotus flowers perfumed the air.

Jiang Cheng swallowed hard, his eyes pricking again. He had moved into his father's mostly undamaged rooms after his own one was burned in the attack three years ago. He hadn't made any changes since then, what with the hundreds of other, more important things to do with his time. He had simply crashed into bed each night, on the too soft mattress his father had favoured. His mother had her own rooms, of course.

He had once asked Wen Qing if she preferred that too only to bite his tongue at the incredulous look she gave him. Then her face had softened as she stated that she wanted them to share a bed regardless of whatever little arguments they might have during the day. It had earned her a kiss and another declaration of love.

Now he watched, trying and failing to suppress the foolish grin on his lips as Jiang YanLi and Sisi ushered Wen Qing to sit on the bed before lighting the red candles.

"A-Cheng, time for you to unveil your bride," Jiang YanLi prompted with a smile.

Jiang Cheng took a step forward and stopped at the familiar giggling at the door. Smirking, he pivoted on his heel and raised an eyebrow.

"Come in, you two," he invited. Jiang Mei and Jiang Xiu had been looking forward to this day as much as he had. It was thanks to their tireless efforts, along with everyone else's that Lotus Pier was ready to welcome her new mistress, and that his rooms were ready to welcome his bride.

The two sisters entered, beaming, and went to stand near Sisi.

"Hurry up, Jiang Cheng," Wei WuXian urged, holding A-Yuan's hand. The two of them were sporting identical, expectant grins.

Jiang Cheng glared at him before turning back to Wen Qing. The top of her veil was secured by the jade pins he had bought for her. Fingers trembling, he slid them out one by one and carefully removed the red silk. Despite it not being his first glimpse of her, his breath was still stolen, as if it was the first time he was setting eyes on her.

Later, Wei WuXian would gleefully tell him that he had looked like a gaping idiot and Jiang YanLi - instead of refuting it - would nudge him in reprimand while giggling behind her sleeve.

Right now, Jiang Cheng felt like the luckiest man on earth. He sank onto the bed beside Wen Qing, barely registering the plump firmness of the mattress beneath him, content to drink her in as his heart raced inside his chest. He took in how her gaze fearlessly met his before faltering, eyelashes fluttering as she looked down. He stared, enraptured as a pink flush stole over her cheeks and her red lips smiled. He drew closer, fingers going under her chin to tip her face up-

A discreet cough sounded, followed by a round of stifled chuckles.

Jiang Cheng and Wen Qing jerked apart at once, heads turning to look at the laughing faces around them.

"Aiyaa!" A-Yuan piped up in a perfect imitation of Granny Wen. "Pretty-jiejie, they were about to kiss!"

"I'm sorry, A-Yuan," Jiang YanLi apologised, eyes dancing with mirth. "But we have one more ceremony to get through first."

"Oh. Then kiss?"

"Only if they wish to."

"They must," A-Yuan said with a sigh. "I've been waiting."

As the room rang with more laughter, Jiang Cheng groaned, feeling like his ears were melting off the sides of his face. Jiang Xiu declared that A-Yuan was so cute, she was going to marry him when he grew up. Jiang Mei nudged her and said something about Lan Wu which Jiang Cheng wasn't in the least bit interested to know.

Sisi brought over a tray with two cups of sweet lotus wine. The saucy wink she gave Wen Qing made Jiang Cheng frown before he decided it was also something he didn't need to know for his own peace of mind.

At Sisi's prompting, he and Wen Qing took a cup each and carefully linked their arms. It wasn't easy to drink like this. They had to put their faces right by each other's, cheeks pressed close, all too conscious of the eyes on them. Jiang Cheng's elbow stuck out, thanks to his longer arm reach.

"Shijie, when I did this ceremony with Lan Zhan, did I look like how Jiang Cheng is looking now? Like a fish with my lips all puckered up?" Wei WuXian wanted to know.

Jiang Cheng almost choked on the wine. He glared at his brother, wondering if bridegrooms were allowed to throw annoying brothers out the window and into the lake.

"WuXian," Jiang Long admonished, lips twitching.

"Sorry, Long-ge," Wei WuXian said meekly and untruthfully.

Jiang Cheng unlinked arms with Wen Qing, still conscious of everyone's eyes on them. His earlier flush of elation had dimmed somewhat. It was one thing to kiss in private when they felt like it. It was another thing altogether when it was expected.

"Looks like the kiss isn't happening." Wei WuXian gave a theatrical sigh which made Wen Qing glare at him in turn.

"But Xian-gege," A-Yuan objected.

"Love can't be forced, A-Yuan," Jiang YanLi said with a gentle smile.

"... but it can be encouraged," Wen Qing added.

Jiang Cheng turned to her in surprise. He was sure she was as annoyed as he was about this, maybe even more so. But she was smiling at him, eyes soft and lips even softer.

"We can't be considered married if we still haven't fulfilled A-Yuan's challenge," she said.

Jiang Cheng stared at her and swallowed hard when he realised she had said "We' and not "You".

"I love you," he told her and then he blinked. "Wait. Now?"

She nodded and smiled.

Smiling back, Jiang Cheng placed his fingers under her chin again, lifting it as he bent his head. This kiss was sweeter than wine, sweeter than honey. He deepened it automatically-

"At last!" A-Yuan cheered. "Angry-gege passed my challenge!"

Jiang Cheng and Wen Qing jerked back at once, not daring to look at their cheering, laughing audience as their faces turned red enough to match their robes.

- o -

The Lotus Pier hall was large and airy, its walls lined with windows which were at this moment, all flung open. Banners and flowers also decorated the place but not to the extent of how Glamour Hall had been.

Despite the sunny weather outside, the interior of the hall remained surprisingly comfortable, thanks to a system that continually drew water from a large pond at the back and streamed it through multiple pipes crisscrossing over the roof, cooling down the building.

As the guests waited for the newlyweds to return from the veil lifting ceremony, HuaiSang fanned himself. The Nies had been given four seats beside the Jins who had six seats for Jin ZiXuan, Jiang YanLi, Madam Jin, MianMian, Mo XuanYu and a Jin disciple HuaiSang didn't recognise. Well, anyone was better than that disagreeable Jin ZiXun.

Across the aisle sat ZeWu Jun, Jin GuangYao, HanGuang Jun and Lan QiRen. Wei WuXian, Jiang YanLi and Sisi were absent, having gone to witness the veil lifting ceremony.

HuaiSang started playing hide and seek over his fan with Mo XuanYu to pass the time. It was a deplorably juvenile activity, but one more fun than trying to chat with Madam Jin who sat on Nie MingJue's other side. She still ranked high on HuaiSang's list of scary people despite having mellowed quite a bit. Da-ge seemed preoccupied with ZeWu Jun and GuangYao who were conversing in low voices, staring at them across the aisle as if he could read their lips.

After a while, Mo XuanYu who was sitting behind Madam Jin, got up and walked over to HuaiSang, catching MianMian's attention.

"HuaiSang-ge?"

"A-Yu, you should address him as Second Young Master Nie," MianMian corrected.

"Ah, don't worry about it, Maiden Luo. He can call me by my name," HuaiSang said, still fanning himself. He smiled up at Mo XuanYu, feeling again that strange jolt of recognition when he looked into his eyes.

"HuaiSang-ge, I feel..." Mo XuanYu trailed off, thin fingers fidgeting with the gold sash at his waist. "I feel like I know you."

HuaiSang's heart skipped a beat.

"I feel the same way," he replied solemnly.

"But we haven't met before. Have we?"

"No, we haven't," HuaiSang assured him, fanning himself slower now.

"And I.. I like you," Mo XuanYu said in a rush.

HuaiSang's hand stilled completely.

"Ah. Well, I like you too," he managed, all too aware of Jin ZiXuan, Madam Jin and MianMian staring at them.

Mo XuanYu took a step closer, forcing HuaiSang to look up in order to hold his gaze. He looked expectant like it was HuaiSang's turn now to say something new rather than just parrot his words back at him. Too bad, HuaiSang was fresh out of witty remarks or artless chatter, his skill at both having deserted him completely.

Then Mo XuanYu did something that turned his world upside down and inside out. Lifting his arms, he wrapped them around HuaiSang's neck and hugged him.

HuaiSang's fan fell from his nerveless fingers into his lap. He felt like the cushion he was sitting on had been yanked out from under him.

"W-what are you doing?" He whispered in shock, his heart galloping inside him and his mind a blank, unhelpful place. He found himself gazing over Mo XuanYu's shoulder into MianMian's equally wide eyes before turning to look at Madam Jin whose eyebrows had shot right up into her hairline. Ditto for Jin ZiXuan.

HuaiSang gulped. Mo XuanYu felt skinny and almost fragile under his grand robes. Raising his arms, HuaiSang hesitated before lowering them again. They were in a crowded hall right now so he disengaged the clinging arms from around his neck and smiled at Mo XuanYu's disappointed face.

"Thank you. I like you too," he said. "But the bride and groom will appear shortly so we should all be seated to wait for them."

With a pout, Mo XuanYu went back to his seat, paying no mind to MianMian who scolded him for going over. Biting his lip, HuaiSang stared down at the fan in his lap, not daring to pick it up. His hands were shaking. So was the rest of him.

"HuaiSang," Nie MingJue muttered out of the corner of his mouth. "What was that all about?"

HuaiSang shook his head, not daring to look up.

"I don't know, Da-ge," he muttered back. All he knew was that feeling of finding something he hadn't even known he was missing, slotting into place inside his heart.

- Chapter End -

A/N: Thank you for reading! Yes, that was a hint of pre-SangYu, but only a hint until MXY grows up so NHS will have to be very patient. Please leave a review if you enjoyed this chapter and take care :)