Ch 2 – the main hall
The main hall was decorated simply but effectively in the Lan colours white and light blue hangings, with cloths and simple flower decorations on each table. The tables themselves where set out normally with a row of light wooden tables on each side of a central isle. The one change to normal layout was on the central dais where instead of the normal single table there stood two tables side by side.
Cultivators from all the main clans where milling around in small groups speaking quietly to one another as Szihui made his way silently back in. He snook back up to the dais where the master of ceremonies stood looking concerned at what was already a ceremony going wrong when it hadn't even begun yet. Whispering the message given by his father, the concerned face on the older man seemed to fade a little and he simply nodded. Szihui then walked away, openly making his way to a group close by that held two of his close friends, Jin Ling and Lan JingYi. The two other boys where already speaking together about a night hunt they all had recently been on with Wen Ning. This was a conversation that Szihui could easily involve himself in and soon the three boys were laughing and joking over shared memories.
Sizhui lost count of the time and didn't know if it was moments or hours later when the master of ceremonies stood up once again and cleared his throat loudly.
'Sect leaders, Young Masters. The ceremony will soon begin, please prepare for the greeting line.'
All the cultivators in attendance automatically knew where they stood as regarded the other sects so it took no time at all for the receiving line to assemble. As normal the hosting sect was in the place of honour at the top of the line, in this case the Gusu Lan, then came the YunMeng Jiang Sect followed by the LanLing Jin sect, the Qinghe Nie and lastly where a group of lower sects lucky enough to have been invited. The hall soon turned silent, any lasting whispers fading away.
Down the centre of the isle appeared both Lan Wanji and Wei WuXian, shoulders almost touching as they walked in a matching glide. Their robes however were mirror opposites of each other, a little like the men who wore them, opposites but complementing each other perfectly. Wanji wore white outer robes with black under robes peeking out from underneath. His robes where simple and elegant with the clouds of his clan embroidered on both sleeves and a single cloud on the top of his shoulders under his collar. Wei WuXian on the other hand wore white under robes showing out from his trademark black robes, however this time they were also embroidered with the clouds of the Lan sect.
It wasn't the use of the Lan sects symbol on Wei Ying's robes that made people stare at the two though, it wasn't even the proximity they walked together that showed a level of intimacy that two such senior cultivators should know better than to show in public. After all people had gotten used to Wei WuXian being shameless over the years, and it seemed Wanji was just as shameless when it came to their relationship. It wasn't even the pale blue headband that now adorned Wei Ying's forehead in place of his normal red ribbon. After all every one of the cultivators present knew that Wei Ying and Lan Wanji where cultivation partners so the forehead ribbon, although it looked strange, wasn't unexpected.
What was causing the stares and the shock from most of the cultivators in attendance was what Wei Ying wore hanging from his sash belt. No one batted at eye anymore at seeing Chenqing in the hands of the once infamous YiLing Patriarch, although the thought of what he could do with the flute still gave a few people an uncomfortable shiver up their spine. After all no one should be able to do what Wei Ying was capable of! However hanging next to Chengqing on his belt was something no one ever thought they would see again…Suibian! Why had Wei Ying all of a sudden begun wearing his spiritual sword after so many years? No one believed for one moment that he had all of a sudden decided to conform to expectations just because he had married HanGuang Jun.
No one really had the time to think too much about the surprise though as the duo was headed towards the receiving line and the respectful greetings took place. Each cultivator bowed gracefully to Wei Ying and HanGuang Jun in turn, they in turn repeated the bow before moving on to the next sect of cultivators. This system only changed as the duo approached the YunMeng Jiang sect and Jiang Cheng stepped forwards slightly from his group. Jiang Cheng first bowed to Wei Ying alone.
'Brother' he stated politely, although the voice sounded a little strained.
Wei Ying returned the bow a little more easily, repeating the saying 'Brother'.
After this the rest of the YunMeng Jiang sect simply bowed as with the other sects. Moving on to the last sect another figure stepped forward from the group. He wore robes less resplendent than his younger brother and brother in law but still more fancy than his normal everyday dress. Like the rest of the sect ZeWu Jun's headband was fixed perfectly in his hair and on his forehead as he bowed to the pair. Wanji stepped slightly forward towards ZeWu Jun…..
'Brother' He greeted quietly but with a distinct air of respect in his voice.
Again the rest of the sect bowed to the pair before they rose and returned to their places behind their Sect Leader. As if by an unspoken agreement Wanji and Wei WuXian turned as if as one and moved towards one of the tables on the dais. Wanji moved round one side while Wei WuXian moved round the other with both of them gracefully sinking to a kneel simultaneously onto the cushions. Wanji then raised a small cup in both, deceptively slender, hands before welcoming everyone to the assembly and inviting them to sit down.