CH 28 – Back to business

Lan Zhan and Wei Ying spent most of the next week in bed recovering. Jiang Cheng stayed for another few days, after his meeting with them both, in order to speak to Lan XiChen. As soon as Jiang Cheng would walk into the Lan Sect Leaders office, XiChen would order everyone to leave, so no one really knew what the meetings where about. But the two Sect leaders meeting a few times a day, before Jiang Cheng flying back, on sudden important business on the third day, made even the silent halls of Gusu soon ring with rumours.

After about a week of resting Wei Ying couldn't sit still any longer, he was bored, stiff and fed up of seeing the same four walls. Even the ever present view of his beloved husband wasn't even enough to keep him in bed any longer, especially as the healer had made it clear that the two where to rest and not exert themselves. He didn't think he had ever spent so long in close proximity to Lan Zhan, certainly not alone, where they had done absolutely nothing. Quite frankly he hoped he would never do it again. Reluctantly though the healer had given them both permission to get up and begin taking strolls around the Cloud Recess, as long as they didn't over stretch themselves physically. Both men where happy to be getting their first breaths of fresh air, since Nightless City, and where enjoying a pleasant stroll round one of Wei Ying's favourite walks when a Lan Disciple arrived with a message.

Bowing low to both Seniors, the disciple delivered the message that they were both required in ZeWu-Jun's office as soon as possible, before straightening up and leaving with more speed than grace. Wei Ying couldn't help laughing at the confused look on his husbands face.

'Do we have that much of a shameless reputation that no one wants to even give us a message unless its in the central square?' Wei Ying laughed.

Lan Zhan's hand tightened a little on his.

'WE don't have a shameless reputation…...YOU do' Lan Zhan spoke in his normal impassive tone.

'Oh really?' Wei Ying asked still laughing. Upon receiving a slight nod in response he couldn't help but let the mischievous side of him run wild. 'And which one of us kissed the other in a public hunt as teenagers? While he was blindfolded I might add?'

'Me!' Lan Zhan responded impassively, but his hand tightened slightly again.

'And which one of us made our first time be on a wet meadow in view of anyone who might walk by, with no preparation or knowledge. Because he couldn't control his lust?

'Me!' Lan Zhan repeated again, his hand squeezing Wei Ying's further in a slight warning. But Wei Ying was having to much fun. Instead he just leant in and lowered his voice, whispering in Lan Zhan's ear.

'And which one of us decided to remove the others clothes completely in the cold pond, and silenced him so no one could hear that he was nearly being fucked to death?, and that was only a few months ago!'

'Enough!' Lan Zhan, let out a breathy response. 'Be happy we are both recovering or we would be headed back to the cold pond'

Wei Ying let out a long, loud laugh.

'They think I'm the shameless one….but you have been shameless about me long before I was about you!'

The corners of Lan Zhan's mouth twitched upwards as he nodded his head. He cradled the back of Wei Ying's head with one hand to keep it where it was and then moved his own so the two could share a long, open mouthed kiss. This was the most intimacy they had shared in weeks and neither of them wanted to break the connection in order to take a breath. In the end though Wei Ying lifted his head slightly, his breathing ragged.

'We had best go see what brother-in-law wants' He said, but it sounded only half-hearted even to his own ears. However Lan Zhan nodded in response and soon the two where walking back towards the main area of the Cloud Recess and ZeWu-Jun's office.

As they walked through the door they noticed Lan XiChen sat at the central table staring at a piece of paper in his hands. Wei Ying and Lan Zhan looked at each other confused, before walking a few more steps forwards, still Lan XiChen showed no response. Taking their seats at the table both men waited for XiChen to regain his thoughts and actually tell them what he had called them here for. After what seemed like a long while, but was actually only probably a few minutes, Lan XiChen lifted his head. He seemed surprised at the two men across from him but offered tea automatically.

'I am glad to see you both better' He began, his voice sounding as strained as the look on his face. 'I received this letter a few weeks ago. I have put it off as long as I could because you were both Ill, however with you both now recovering and…' he paused as if to gather his thoughts. 'All the problems stemming from the Nightless City incident. I feel it's about time something was done about it!'

Wei Ying glanced at his husband, who looked just as confused as he felt. It wasn't like his brother-in-law to say so much without actually getting to the point, and it certainly wasn't like him to mumble into his hands like he had done something wrong. Like he always did when Lan Zhan was acting odd, Wei Ying decided to face the problem head on and spoke up. If in doubt be annoying, he thought smiling.

'I have no clue what your talking about!' He spoke blandly but firmly. 'We can't see the letter from here, and although a lot of people think my cultivation has no limits. I in fact can't see through solid objects. And you have been careful to keep any current affairs away from us for the past few weeks so we are both completely confused.'

XiChen nodded again, sighing quietly before he resumed speaking.

'Since you healed most of the Sects they have been contacting me wanting to know when the remaining members could be cured also. You were both unconscious so the answer was simple. However now you are awake and Sect Leader Jiang also approached me a few days ago wanting to right the rumours about Sect Leader Jin. Everyone is wanting to meet you both…' He sighed again. 'You have not even fully recovered but it seems everyone wants something from you and I am no longer able to prevent it.'

Wei Ying could suddenly see why Lan XiChen was acting so oddly. The elder Jade was blaming himself for not being able to protect his younger brother and brother-in-law. Wei Ying suddenly felt a twinge in his heart at, even after all these years, he had earned the support and protection of such a family. Smiling he spoke up, keeping his tone as bright and positive as he could.

'It was going to happen sooner or later. As long as we can have the meeting here there shouldn't be any problems. I too want to clear up the rumours regarding my son and nephew from Nightless City, and we need a plan going forwards if we are to heal everyone and find out who is behind this whole thing.' Wei Ying elbowed Lan Zhan slightly who, on cue, gave a slight grunt of approval. Having seen the eyes of his brother-in-law lift a little he couldn't help but smile and stand. Lan Zhan went to rise as well but Wei Ying elbowed him once again, this time a little harder. Lan Zhan once again grunted but remained where he was looking up at his husband quizzically. Wei Ying let out a theatrical sigh and leant down to whisper in his husbands ear.

'Stay and talk, he needs you…..be good now and I will let you be naughty later!'

With the wicked smile on his face Wei Ying walked out the room without a backwards glance or a goodbye to either of the men still sat at the table. Lan XiChen couldn't help but laugh at the antics. Despite his worries earlier, his brother-in-law had a way to make him forget those things and just laugh. He looked over at his younger brother who had such a look on his face the small giggles turned into outright hysterics. Lan Zhan looked over to him as if he had suddenly grown another head, which didn't exactly help the usually composed Sect leader in regaining his self control. Eventually though XiChen did manage to get his breath back and regain his senses.

'The look on your face just then Wanji, I'm sure its a look I haven't seen you do since you were two or three.' XiChen fought hard not to laugh again as his younger brothers confused look. 'You looked like a young child who was sulking because someone had just taken his favourite toy away.'

Lan Zhan shook his head before speaking gently.

'Wei Ying has always been shameless'

'And you have turned more shameless since you met him' XiChen smiled. 'You never used to be shameless at all!….but then you never used to be happy either. I would much rather have a shameless and happy younger brother than one who worries about what others think of him all the time and is miserable.'

Lan Zhan nodded again, keeping silent for a moment before speaking.

'This meeting the Sects want to attend. They are going to make it hard for us aren't they…...for him?'

'I don't know' Looking at his brother XiChen ached to give some kind of reassurance, but knew the honest answer was best at times like this. 'Wei Ying saved the Sects, most if not all, and at the risk of his own life. No one forgets what happened twenty five years ago when they listened to rumours and killed an innocent man, they wont want to repeat history. However everyone is unsure as to the future. So I can't tell you what will happen Wanji, I can just tell you that we will all do whatever we can to safeguard our own.'

Lan Zhan looked up and fixed his eyes on his brothers. Wei Ying had become 'his own' way before he had become one of 'Gusu's own' but he understood the feeling behind the statement. He nodded slightly.

'Thank you' He replied. 'from both of us'

Both men resumed their drinks, again in companionable silence, before Lan Zhan again spoke into the relaxed atmosphere.

'How did you manage to wake us up?'

XiChen looked at him, judging how to much to share and how much to conceal. Again he judged that Wanji wasn't in the mood for things to be kept from him where the health of Wei Ying was concerned.

'You know I used a process Wen Qing had created years ago?' He began, taking his queues from his younger brothers nods. 'What we kept from you both, because you were too ill at the time, was just how dangerous the process was.'

Lan Zhan just looked at him, his cup raised half way to his mouth. So XiChen continued.

'Wen Qing had obviously never tested her hypothesis before. But it all centred on how strong the spiritual bond was between the cultivation partners. Basically both survive or neither does. The power I used allowed you to view each others minds for a short while, helping each other regain consciousness. But to do that I had to change the nature of your bond'

Lan Zhan's eyes changed from his normal uninterested look to one of ice sharp clarity.

'In what way changed?' He asked, his voice deceptively quiet.

Lan XiChen knew his brothers voice, this one was his most dangerous, and even he had to be carful around such temper. He tapped his finger gently on the table as he answered.

'Basically the power I used, in the places I used it, has changed your spiritual bond into something like a tether. I don't know the details of what Wen Qing was aiming for, her notes were not that specific. But I do know that now your hearts beat in the same rhythm, I assume other functions to as well. And…...' he paused. 'And when one of you dies, the other will not survive long afterwards.'

Lan Zhan nodded as he absorbed the information before speaking.

'I assume that is why Wen Qing never tested her idea, and why she thought only the strongest bonds would survive it.' he spoke as if to himself. Then he looked in his brothers eyes, unblinking. 'Thank you brother. I am sure it was a hard decision to make.

'Not for you!'. XiChen spoke gently. 'Even if you woke up and he didn't, you wouldn't live long without him. I remember those thirteen years you thought he'd died, probably better than you do. Your choice was made long ago little brother, I may not understand it but I respect it.'

Lan Zhan nodded again but didn't speak.

Seeing they had gotten over the uncomfortable part of the conversation Lan XiChen simply smiled and asked a little playfully.

'Do I want to know what Wei Ying said to you to make you remain behind and speak to me?'

Lan Zhan looked up at him, shock on his face.

'Unless you want me to lie to you brother then no!' He said honestly.

Lan XiChen laughed again, this time Lan Zhan's lips curled up slightly. XiChen couldn't help but send out a prayer to whichever god had given him such a perfect brother-in-law. Wei Ying not only made his brother happy but also was smart and sensitive enough to notice when the two brothers needed time alone. Pouring them both another cup of tea, both brothers drank in comfortable silence before speaking of nonsensical matters in way they hadn't done for a long time.

It had been already dark by the time the brothers had realised they had been speaking so long. Neither of them wanted to move. They were comfortable and happy in each others company. However they were both up early the next morning for their respective duties. Making an agreement to go over the security arrangements sometime in the following two days, to make sure they were to Lan Zhan's requirements, the two said their goodbyes and went their separate ways.

The next morning Wei Ying woke up sore, or more sore than usual. He was used to waking up sore, after all Lan Zhan did seem to have a never ending desire, not that he was complaining. The night before though it seemed his husband had taken his offer of be good now and I will let you be naughty later to heart. Lan Zhan offered a drink as Wei Ying rose out the bed and reached for a robe. Not that either of them had a problem with him wondering around the JingShi nude, but any visitors tended to get more than they bargained for. Sitting opposite his husband he took the cup and began to drink. Normally by this time of day Lan Zhan was already out doing whatever duties he had for the day. The fact he was still at home, waiting for him to wake up, showed he had something important to share. Wei Ying kept sipping his tea until he had been sipping an empty cup for about five minutes and gave up waiting. Eventually he asked with more volume than patience.

'Did you have something to tell me?'

'I don't like the idea of this meeting!' Lan Zhan spoke after a moment.

Wei Ying almost laughed at the straight forward way his husband spoke. Even after all these years of knowing him it could still surprise him.

'I don't like it either Lan Zhan but your brother's right. It needs to be done and hosting it here is better than it being anywhere else.' Lan Zhan fixed him with those blue eyes, a look that scared most people but just turned Wei Ying on. 'We are both still recovering er'ge no one can demand anything at the meeting, especially with both the Jin and Jiang standing with us. But we can hopefully get to some agreement on what to do.'

'I don't want them anywhere near you' Lan Zhan grated out through his teeth.

Wei Ying just smiled and patted the back of his loving husbands hand.

'I know you you want to protect me' He began smiling 'but you can't keep me safe from everything, I have a habit of getting in trouble. '

Lan Zhan looked up at him. The look on his face making it known that the joke was not appreciated. Wei Ying sighed quietly and looked Lan Zhan in the eyes, neither of them blinking.

'You want to protect me and I want to protect you!…...we can't stop people asking questions its only normal…..so we face it together. Do you remember what you said to me before we started healing all those cultivators weeks ago?'

'You live, I live. You die, I die' Lan Zhan repeated. This time knowing just how true those words were.

'Whatever we do today we do it together' Wei Ying finished before allowing Lan Zhan to engulf him in a hug. Taking comfort from the familiar scents of the other person.

A few hours later Lan Zhan had finally gone to do his duties and Wei Ying had finished teaching his archery classes for the day. As he walked home through the main square of the Cloud Recess their talk from that morning came back to his mind. People asking questions is normal…..he thought to himself…...I just hope that's all they intend to come here to do!