Ch4 – Suibian
Wei WuXian had been silent for probably the longest he had ever been when he was in company. Normally he liked to tell jokes, be sarcastic, and just normally cause chaos. Today though he looked taller and prouder as he stepped forwards to stand side by side with Wanji.
'A-Yuan' Wei WuXian began fighting back the urge to pat his son on the head. 'There was a time when I thought you were dead, I mourned that you would never get a life, never fulfil your potential, never meet someone you fall in love with and want to spend the rest of your life with. Then I not only found out that you were alive but thanks to HanGuang Jun all my hopes for you had been exceeded.' This time Wei WuXian glanced at Jiang Cheng for a moment before focusing back on his son. 'It is a tradition in Lotus Pier to give a boy a gift when he becomes a man, something he can use to forge out his own life and identity. The last gift from his parents to their child before they have to admit he's grown.'
Wei WuXian raised both hands to chest height gracefully revealing a fully sheathed Suibian. The murmurs and gasps around the room where audible. While it was true that no one had seen Wei WuXian use his sword in many years, was he really going to give such a high class weapon away, ok it was to his adoptive son but….
SiZhui was equally confused, looking at the sword in his father's hands in total bewilderment. Lan Wanji's eyes where the only sign of his emotional feelings about the scene going on before him, as he stood as quiet as a jade statue next to his husband. As if realising SiZhui wasn't going to move Wei WuXian stepped forwards a little more, offering the sword once again.
'Take it' he coaxed gently
'B…bb….buttt….it….s…..yours…'SiZhui finally managed to get out. Ok he sounded like a stammering fool but he defied anyone to manage better when faced with a surprise like this.
Wei WuXian smiled and lifted one of SiZhui's shaking hands up and onto the sword. Muttering a few words under his breath he let his own hand drop, leaving SiZhui to either hold onto Suibian or let such an honourable sword fall to the floor with a clang. SiZhui's hand automatically gripped the sheath to keep it safe.
Wei WuXian only smiled and exclaimed 'not anymore'
As SiZhui struggled to keep the priceless sword in his shaking hands, Wei WuXian turned his attention to the still kneeling Jing Ling.
Everyone tried to hear what was said between nephew and uncle, there was so much bad history between the two even though it was as a result of mistakes and others purposefully creating feuds. However Jing Ling had grown up thinking his uncle had killed both his parents, no one really knew what the relationship was like currently. However Wei WuXian kept his voice low, almost a whisper. The small gift he handed over to Jing Ling was done in such a way that even those close couldn't see what it was. Eventually though Jing Ling bowed to his uncle before replying proudly…..'I hope so'.
Finally the three, astounded boys could return to their places at the tables, ZeWu Jun remained at his seat next to Wei WuXian and Wanji. No one quite knew what to make of what had just happened, it was unheard of for a sword of Suibian's level to just be handed away. The hall was still quiet except for the three youngsters who were huddled around Suibian, which was still held in SiZhui's hands like he thought it would evaporate if he moved to fast. A nod from ZeWu Jun allowed the other Lan Sect disciples to move from their own places, and soon the little huddle became a large group, all speaking over one another.
Before everyone could get over the shock completely, as if my mutual decision, both Wanji and Wei WuXian stood up from behind their table and began moving once again down the centre towards the doorway. It was customary to stand and bow when the Leader (and host) left the hall, however as ZeWu Jun was still comfortably seated on the dais it was clear the assembly was still officially happening. Many people stood behind their tables and bowed from their places as their pair walked past them, but none moved as if to form an official line.
Happily both men left the hall early, and in the capable hands of ZeWu jun. No one could complain that they had left when the leader of the host Sect had remained behind to play host in his little brothers stead. Once out of the hall Wei WuXian's eyes brightened and his pace picked up.
'You tried to get us out of their pretty quick Lan Er'Gege' he exclaimed as he took Lan Wanji's hand and teasingly rested his head on the others shoulder.
'I know when you are going to cause mischief' Wanji stated in his normal monotone voice, but he squeezed Wei WuXian's hand back with his own.
Wei WuXian just laughed and lifted his head.
'You do me wrong Lan Er'Gege, people would think I'm always making trouble for you'
'Not always, just most of the time'
'Ok if you want me to make trouble for you, why don't we go home and I promise I will make some big trouble for you'
At this Wanji rolled his eyes slightly but Wei WuXian couldn't help laughing when he noticed that Wanji had picked up his pace slightly and they were now headed not for their original destination, but for their JingShi.