Ch 57

As Lan Zhan had promised, as soon as the mourning period ended the two men spent two full days re-acquainting themselves with every surface of there home, several times in most cases. As Wei Ying lay on the bed panting and trying to get his breath back he looked over at his husband who, except having his usually perfect hair coming out in places, looked as fresh as he had when they had begun. As fit as Wei Ying still was he couldn't hold a candle to Lan Zhan's fitness and that kind of annoyed him a little.

'Er-ge…..can you at least pretend to look tired!' he whined a little.

Lan Zhan just smiled as he pulled the covers over Wei Ying's still naked figure and got up to fetch both food and clean water for them. Everyone had left them alone during these few days and it was quite refreshing to be able to spend a few days together in the Cloud Recces with no one bothering them. Wei Ying really didn't want to get up and get dressed but a cool breeze was now flowing in through the windows Lan Zhan had obviously opened when he went out for the food and Wei Ying thought it was about time he at least threw some clothes around himself and tried to clean some of the surfaces that would smell strongly of arousal if anyone visited. Wei Ying was still shameless enough that he didn't care if someone walked in and knew exactly what they had been doing the past few days, but Lan Zhan wasn't quite there yet.

The fresh air through the windows had made a dent in the scent of the room and Wei Ying had finished wiping down the table and both desks by the time Lan Zhan returned. He bought with him a large armful of hot food which made Wei Ying almost salivate, although as he moved towards the table to eat Lan Zhan shook his head and nodded to the closet behind the screen. Wei Ying had eaten in a lot less than he was currently wearing before, but he was too hungry to argue and so he just walked back behind the privacy screen and got fully washed and dressed in record time. Finally able to eat the two were silently enjoying each others company as they moved from dish to dish, not leaving a single mouthful left.

Just before the end of the meal, well Wei Ying's meal anyway as Lan Zhan had finished his meal nearly twenty minutes ago and was just sitting politely, there was a knock at the door and Lan Zhan silently stood. By the door stood Lan XiChen, who upon seeing his brother open the front door to the JingShi faltered slightly, when he saw Wei Ying. Wei Ying wasn't if the elder Lan faltered because he was still eating his meal or because, despite his best efforts at tidying up, it was still plainly obvious what had been going on in the house the past few days. .

'Did I come at a bad time?' He asked with total honesty in his voice.

'Not at all brother' Lan Zhan said, at the same as Wei Ying spoke round a mouthful of food.

'No please come in'

Lan XiChen smiled and walked into the house slowly before sitting facing both his brother and brother-in-law. Wei Ying stopped eating as he noticed something strange about the older jade's movements and the way he sat. Also Lan XiChen would always try and find some subject to have a conversation about when he visited them in the JingShi but today he remained completely silent as Lan Zhan served his elder brother a cup of tea. Wei Ying's spine started to tingle in a way that told him something was wrong.

'Is something wrong?' He couldn't resist asking despite it being a stupid question.

Lan Zhan just looked over at him with a look of… all that food devolved your brain cells….but Lan XiChen simply smiled and shook his head.

'I wouldn't say anything is wrong no. But now the mourning over Uncle has ended there are a few important things I need to speak to both of you about.'

Lan Zhan simply put down the tea cup he was holding and nodded, turning his full attention on his elder brother. Wei Ying paused for a second before wiping his greasy hands on a napkin and turning his attention to Lan XiChen. As if he hadn't expected the attention of the two quite so quickly XiChen looked from one man to the other before covering a slight cough with his hand as he tried to work out how to begin. As if finally deciding he turned his attention to Wei Ying as he began.

'I know Lady Wen had already told you about the idea of creating a new Sect of healers and what she wishes to name it…..' Wei Ying nodded his response. 'Do you have any problem with the name she has chosen?' XiChen's voice was still firmly aimed at Wei Ying.

'I was too surprised when I found out about it to figure out if I had a problem or not…...but Lan Zhan has already given permission from the both of us. So the permission and consent applies.' Wei Ying said, keeping a straight face.

Lan XiChen smiled and nodded as if that was the answer he had either been hoping for or expecting before speaking again.

'In that case the YilingLan Sect will officially be a subsect of our own, however it will have its own structure and rules.' The two younger men nodded, listening but not quite following where the conversation was going. 'Because the YiLingLan will be part of the Lan but partly autonomous, I have spoken to both Lady Wen and the Lan Elders about how we could manage such a subsect and we have come up with an idea which both sides find reasonable. There will be a Sect leader for both the Lan and YiLingLan as there is now, however there will also be a Chief Sect Leader that overseas both Sects and unifies them when required.'

Both Lan Zhan and Wei Ying must have been puzzled and confused because Lan XiChen lowered his head slightly as he smiled and tried not to laugh. However when he raised his head again it was the controlled Sect Leader they were used to seeing.

'I know you two are used to wondering the world now SiZhui is older. You are enjoying it, and no one can complain that you both haven't earned that freedom and time alone many times over. But there is only one person who can stand up and take the open position' Lan XiChen looked at Lan Zhan with an apologetic look on his face. 'I know I am asking a lot of both of you but there has always been a Lan as Sect Leader and with Uncle gone brother you are the obvious choice to replace me if I become the Chief Sect Leader or to become Chief Sect Leader if I remain where I am'

As if he had suddenly run out of words when the truth was out XiChen fell silent. The other two were silent as well. Wei Ying could just look from one brother to the other in complete shock, for once at a complete loss of words. Lan Zhan seemed to be staring at the floor, what could be seen of his face and eyes was as unreadable as a statue. The silence lengthened and in the end it was Wei Ying who cracked first and spoke.

'XiChen who was it that came up with this idea? Wen Qing or the Elders?'

Lan XiChen looked confused as if he didn't see the relevance of the question but answered anyway.

'Lady Wen came up with the idea. Her brother came up with the idea of yourself and Wanji being involved. The Lan Elders agreed with it wholeheartedly.'

'Wen Qing and Wen Ning' Wei Ying muttered to himself almost under his breath.

At last Lan Zhan stopped doing his impression of a rock and showed some kind of life. He looked from the fascinating spot on the floor and looked first to his brother then the Wei Ying.

'What do you think?' He asked Wei Ying in an icily calm tone.

'They are asking you Er-ge' Wei Ying hedged, while internally he was thinking...I think I really don't want to answer that question...especially not in front of your brother.

'Wei Ying!' Lan Zhan sighed…...'I have known this day would come since I was a child, although not quite so soon. It is what I was raised for. You weren't. You have loved the past few years of just exploring and going were you want when you want. I promised you the world Wei Ying! I promised you the freedom you desire, the wide open spaces you need. Don't think I am blind at what a sacrifice this would be for you.'

Wei Ying smiled but spoke gently.

'Er-ge for a smart man you can be an idiot sometimes. I knew who you were and that this would someday happen when I married you! Did you really think I was so blind that I didn't realise I was marrying a future Sect Leader? Of course I did! Yes it's happening a few years ahead of what we planned but its not like we will never be able to set foot out of here again. This change will make the Wen's be able to stand up tall once again, make their healing craft appreciated once again, make our son's blood family something he can be proud of. Isn't that worth doing this for?'

Lan Zhan silently stood and walked over to his husband, resting a gentle hand on his shoulder. He looked over at his brother, who had done a good job at pretending he hadn't heard any of the conversation between the younger men, before nodding his head once.

'We will do it' Lan Zhan spoke with certainty, while at the same time emphasising the 'we'….'We will become the Sect Leaders brother and you can take on the role of the Chief Sect Leader.'

Lan XiChen stood up to face his brother and brother-in-law before bowing slightly and speaking, the emotion clear in his voice.

'I thank you both. I am sure Uncle would be proud knowing you were following in his footsteps'

With those last words Lan XiChen excused himself to go speak to the Elders and Wen Qing, and left the two men once again on there own. However thing were a lot different now than they had been just an hour ago. Wei Ying couldn't help but sigh as Lan Zhan wrapped his arms around him, pulling him into an embrace.

'Thank you' Lan Zhan murmured into his shoulder.

Wei Ying just stroked his husbands shoulder and spoke in his normal teasing voice.

'In future you have to still treat me nicely Er-ge, or I will get grumpy with you. After all you will so busy and will just be...hey hey! I just got dressed!'

Lan Zhan had hugged Wei Ying even closer to him and as he spoke had walked the two out of the main area and behind the privacy screen once again. Before Wei Ying had realised he moved his knees once again hit the hard frame of their bed and Lan Zhan's hands where already reaching for his belt. Wei Ying opened his mouth to say something but it was immediately covered by Lan Zhan's, the tongue and teeth doing more to keep him quiet than any silencing spell. By the time the two had fallen onto the bed Wei Ying wasn't interested in irrelevant things like Sect Leaders...or clothes.