Chapter 79

Wei Wuxian bubbled with excitement as he followed after Da-ge and Er-ge into the main hall of Koi Tower. Er-ge had returned home just the day before, solely so he could make his entry next to them, as his engagement was not publicly known yet, as to not overshadow his future sister-in-law's wedding.

"I'm glad you're back, Er-ge," Wei Wuxian whispered as they were announced. They entered the main hall to see the Jiang already there, alongside the Lan, and Wei Wuxian couldn't help but reach forward, stretching to see Lan Zhan's face, smiling as his zhiji's eyes met his.

He could tell his brothers were both engaged in similar behaviours.

Mo Xuanyu was with their party, despite it being a heavy argument, but Jin Zixuan had insisted all his known siblings attend his wedding, wanting them all there despite the gossip it would cause. Wei Wuxian had to give it to the peacock that it was a brave decision, all things considered, which could have caused a lot more drama with his own parents on his wedding day, but Jin Zixuan hadn't been swayed in the slightest. To him, he'd insisted family was more important. Why should he and his siblings suffer for their father's transgressions?

So Mo Xuanyu had come, without his mother as it was deemed safer for her not to visit in the chance she was cornered by Jin Guangshan, with Meng Yao as his escort. Both Da-ge and Meng Yao had insisted that Mo Xuanyu stay by one of their sides at all times, if not Wei Wuxian and Nie Huaisang otherwise, none of them wanting him to have the unfortunate chance of meeting his father just yet.

Mo Xuanyu had shyly stood behind them, as the group presented their wedding present to the couple, before they took a seat at their official area. The tea ceremony had taken place earlier that day, as had most of the other wedding traditions shy of their bows and their banquet, which Nie Huaisang had told him that Jin Guangshan had insisted on making a very lavish affair for his only son, something Jiang Cheng had agreed for as his sister deserved that much.

He watched as the minor sects were introduced one after another, starting with the ones closest to the Jin, then onto those who had alliances to the Jiang, such as the Yu, and finally those unaffiliated with either sects.

"Friends," Jin Guangshan spoke out as he stood in front of the room, "We are here to celebrate a joyous wedding of my son, the future leader of the Jin sect. I thank all of you for coming to celebrate this with us. His bride, Jiang Yanli, the daughter of my late friends, is a remarkable woman, and I know her parents would be gladded that the alliance they once sought turned into a true love match. She will be a great addition to Koi Tower."

Jiang Cheng looked absolutely displeased at the way Jin Guangshan was speaking, but he managed to do a decent job holding himself back from saying anything on the matter.

"The only thing left for the two to be married in front of the heavens are the bows," Jin Guangshan announced, "If our young bride and groom will take their first bow, towards the heavens to show their respect."

Jin Zixuan and Jiang Yanli together turned with one another, bowing towards the heavens.

"Then towards their parents," Jin Guangshan narrated, clearly enjoying the role he had taken upon himself.

A memorial tablet for Madam Yu and Jiang Fengmian had been placed next to where Jin Guangshan and Madam Jin sat, so the couple could still honour Jiang Yanli's parents, even in their death.

The couple turned to where Jin Zixuan's parents and the tablets were, bowing in reverence towards them.

"And finally, towards each other," Jin Guangshan said, a bit smugly at the fact he seemingly gained the alliance he so desperately wanted.

Jiang Cheng looked like he was going to cry, and Wei Wuxian looked over to see if Nie Huaisang was noticing to make fun of him later, but his Er-ge looked just as moved by the event. Wei Wuxian understood, however. He considered Jiang Yanli a sister, and while he certainly was not about to cry over her wedding, he was glad that the Peacock had gotten his act together and recognized Yanli-Jie for the truly magical woman she was.

He watched with a bated breath as the couple took their last bow to one another, as he looked up to catch Lan Zhan's eye. He smiled softly at his Lan Er-gege. One day, that would be the two of them. Hopefully, sooner rather than later.

And with that, the wedding came to a close.

He watched as the couple took a step away from the group, clearly wanting to spend a moment alone as a newlywed couple, only for that annoying Jin cousin he ever so vaguely recognized to step up.

"Honoured guests, we welcome you to take a drink in celebration of the couple, as the festivities for my cousin's wedding commence," the guy said, clearly already a little drunk.

He looked over at where the Lan were sitting as he spoke, and Wei Wuxian felt himself grow annoyed. They couldn't once again be about to force the Lan to drink, could they?

He braced himself, ready to go take the drink for his sect, but the Lan simply did not acknowledge him, drinking their tea in celebration instead.

Jin Zixun looked like he was about to splutter in indignation, however Jiang Cheng cut him off, "We thank all of you for coming to my A-Jie's wedding to Jin gongzi," he said, taking over, "This is a big moment for both of our sects, and having your presence here to honour that is greatly appreciated. The dishes and performances have been carefully curated to showcase the traditions and prosperity of both sects, and we hope our honoured guests enjoy themselves."

Jin Guangshan looked annoyed at the mention that the Jiang sect were able to contribute anything at all. Wei Wuxian was rather certain the man would've preferred the upper hand in the situation, but clearly that was not the case.

"How much of the wedding did you plan?" he whispered to Er-ge, knowing that even Jiang Cheng's eloquence just now was due to the influence of Wei Wuxian's older brother.

"Most of it," Nie Huaisang admitted, "With Yanli-jie's help. Jiang Cheng wanted to give his sister a good wedding, but taste is atrocious. He meant well though. And if it were up to Jin Guangshan, he would have thrown gold everywhere, with no regard for Jiang colours."

Nie Huaisang sniffed at that, "He very much wanted to erase the fact that this was very much a Jiang wedding and occasion just as it was a Jin occasion. It was very distasteful. Thankfully Jiang Cheng stood his ground and told Jin Guangshan that even though the wedding was taking place in Koi Tower as it was where the couple was going to reside, it was very much still a wedding for both sects."

Of course Jin Guangshan would. The man was itching to take over and make his presence larger in the Jiang sect than it already was and really which the way he'd been struggling until this point to do so, it made sense that he took the wedding as an opportunity to try and prove his sect's power and wealth.

"Er-ge, I'm glad you were there to help them out," Wei Wuxian commended, "Yanli-jie deserves a great wedding. Even if it is to that Peacock. But I'll admit the man has gotten far better in recent years."

"I was surprised he invited A-Yu," Nie Huaisang nodded in agreement, as both of them looked over to where the young boy was sitting beside Da-ge, as Da-ge carefully placed food in his bowl.

Xichen-ge was watching the sight with warm eyes, and Meng Yao looked like he wanted to lean over and kiss Da-ge right there and then. Gross.

"Me too," Wei Wuxian agreed, "But clearly he meant it when he said he wanted a relationship with him and Yao-ge despite what his parents thought. He's a far better man than Jin Guangshan."

"Speaking of," Nie Huaisang said, and the two of them looked up to see Jin Guangshan staring intently at Mo Xuanyu and Da-ge interacting, with a complex look in his eyes. Mo Xuanyu was different than Meng Yao. He never attempted to rejoin the Jin sect after growing up. Instead, he'd gone straight to the Nie with the brother who'd rejected Jin Guangshan's offer. But Mo Xuanyu had not rejected Jin Guangshan outright, and if it meant a chance to sink his hooks into an impressionable youth, Jin Guangshan would surely take it.

"He won't get his hands on A-Yu," Wei Wuxian promised Nie Huaisang as he stared back at Jin Guangshan, who all the wiser seemed to not notice Wei Wuxian's eyes on him.

Ugh.

He couldn't believe someone as sweet as Yanli-jie was stuck with a father-in-law as slimy as Jin Guangshan.

How disgusting.

Yanli-jie came back into the room then, followed by Jin Zixuan and Wei Wuxian beamed as he saw her enter. She was absolutely glowing and from his brother's hints, he had a fairly good idea as to why.

"A toast to the bride and groom," Jiang Cheng said, smiling at the sight of his older sister, and he saw his Er-ge smile up at where Jiang Cheng was.

As gross as it was to watch his brothers flirt, Wei Wuxian was glad they each had found their chosen people to love, and he knew his Er-ge and Da-ge's partners would treat them well.

"Wei Ying," Lan Zhan said, approaching him, as the others in the room began mingling around socializing, drinking with others and celebrating.

"Lan Zhan," Wei Wuxian beamed at him, "Lan Er-gege, I missed you so much."

"Missed Wei Ying too," Lan Zhan smiled softly, as Nie Huaisang left them to probably go flirt with Jiang Cheng. Lan Zhan was quick to borrow Er-ge's spot, sitting beside him, as Wei Wuxian poured him some tea to drink.

"Lan Zhan, when will it be our turn to get married?" Wei Wuxian asked him, batting his lashes.

"Soon," Lan Zhan promised him, "We will begin planning our wedding after this. Will choose all the best things for Wei Ying."

"Do I get any say in what happens in our wedding?" he laughed, and Lan Zhan looked a bit torn, "Lan Zhan, how long have you been planning our wedding?"

Lan Zhan blushed at that, and he leaned closer to Lan Zhan at that.

"Since Wei Ying confessed that he returned my feelings," Lan Zhan admitted finally, and Wei Wuxian couldn't help but laugh slightly at that.

"Lan Zhan! That was years ago!" Wei Wuxian smiled brightly, "You've been planning since then?"

"Didn't allow myself to think about it before I knew how Wei Ying felt about me," Lan Zhan admitted, "Or I would have thought about it from the day we first met."

"You're such a romantic, Lan Zhan," Wei Wuxian said, wishing he could kiss Lan Zhan's adorable face. But he suspected his Da-ge would have issues with that. Alongside Lan Qiren, who was very pointedly not looking at where the two of them were.

"Love Wei Ying," Lan Zhan said softly, and really, that time he couldn't help himself. He leaned forward, ready to capture Lan Zhan's lips in his own-

"Wei Wuxian fight me!" a drunk voice called out and he felt himself freeze. He looked up in annoyance and saw that annoying Jin cousin standing there in front of him.

"It's a wedding," Wei Wuxian said, exasperated, "Why would I fight you at a wedding?"

"What, are you scared?" Jin Zixun staggered in front of him, and Wei Wuxian wanted to laugh. Would it even be a fight if the man was half drunk, about to fall over at any instance? It wasn't even a fair fight!

"I'm enjoying the wedding with my future husband," Wei Wuxian said, hoping the man would take the hint and leave him alone.

"You didn't even bring your most powerful weapon," Jin Zixun sneered, "What, you were so happy to show it off before. Do you think you're so much better than everyone here that you didn't even feel the need to bring the weapon you were so happily bragging about before?"

He could see Jin Guangshan's eyes on him, as Da-ge looked ready to fight someone if necessary. But he simply shot his brother a look. He could handle this much.

"Speaking of your weapon, is there a reason you did not bring it today?" Jin Guangshan asked him, with curiosity, "You did insist it was necessary and an artefact of the Nie line. Has it perhaps gotten to be too much to handle? Such power in the hands of someone so young can be dangerous after all. Is it not better to turn it over to those who have better control over it?"

"Are you trying to take claim of a Nie artefact again, Jin Zongzhu?" Wei Wuxian said, peering at him questioningly, "I thought the whole point of the war with the Wen was to stop them from taking what didn't belong to them and fighting evil? If we go around and demand what belongs to others, how does that make us better than them?"

"I was merely worried given the tendency of those in your sect to die from channelling far more power than they are able to handle," Jin Guangshan said with mock concern, "It would be a shame if the current Nie Zongzhu passed the same way as his forefathers. And as you are cultivating with a method far more dangerous than any of them, would you not be at more risk?"

"I agree," Wei Wuxian shrugged, "The risk of using the Yin Tiger Amulet was determined to be far too great. However, the fear of my Da-ge dying young will not come to pass. Turns out, there was a very dark curse on the Nie family line, and the Nie sect collectively worked to destroy the curse. The Yin Tiger Amulet was a casualty of our attempt, but the curse has been lifted, which is far more important than any artefact."

Jin Guangshan looked furious at that, as he seemed ready to scream.

"It is far more honourable to save the lives of your family over the protection of a powerful weapon," Lan Qiren said with a pleasant nod, "No matter how powerful the weapon may be. It is a commendable choice of the Nie. I am gladdened that you were able to lift the curse on the Nie line. Especially as we will be family shortly."

Wei Wuxian exchanged a warm look with Lan Zhan, pleased that he'll be able to marry his Lan Zhan soon enough.

"Yes, it is indeed," Yanli-jie said with a smile from where she was standing beside Jin Guangshan and Jin Zixuan, "As the Jiang sect will also be joined with the Nie sect in the coming year."

Jin Guangshan's head turned so fast at that moment to look at Jiang Yanli, clearly stunned by what she was announcing.

"Oh dear," Yanli-jie said, with a carefully placed blush, "A-Cheng, I hope you do not mind me announcing your news like this. But on this happy occasion of my wedding, I find myself wanting to also celebrate my brother and the exciting news in his own life."

"I do not wish to take away from your day, A-Jie," Jiang Cheng said with a genuine smile towards his sister.

"It only adds to my happiness," Yanli-jie said with a smile, "My brother, Jiang Zongzhu, will be marrying the first young master of the Nie sect, Nie Huaisang next year. Please, raise a glass to celebrate the happy occasion."

Jin Guangshan all but turned purple as he heard the news that the other major sect leaders had been aware about for months. But now that Jiang Cheng's engagement to his Er-ge was public knowledge, there was nothing stopping the two of them from being more open about their relationship as much was appropriate in public.

"I am looking forward to marrying my future husband," Nie Huaisang said with a flutter from where he was still standing beside Jiang Cheng, "I have loved him for quite a long time, and to be able to marry him will give me great joy in life."

Wei Wuxian could see a dark look on the Yao sect leader's face, and Wei Wuxian frowned at that, curious as to why.

"He's annoyed because he has several daughters," Nie Zonghui whispered to him, filling in the blanks, "And apparently all the young masters from major sects are now engaged to be married, and none of them to his children. Even if your brother's engagement is not announced yet, it still is lowering the chances he can marry off his daughters."

Well, it wasn't his problem he and his brothers were all in loving relationships.

"Since when are all the other sect leaders and young masters cutsleeves?" Jin Zixun sneered, "Is my cousin the only one having a respectable marriage that can actually produce heirs?"

"The Lan sect values love over anything else," Xichen-ge said without rising to the bait, "We have plenty of relatives with the main family's bloodline if that is a concern for Jin gongzi."

"Zixun," Jin Zixuan said, finally having enough, "You are making a scene at my wedding! This is supposed to be a happy occasion. Enough! Go sit down."

Jin Zixun looked like he was going to protest, but the authoritative look on Jin Zixuan's face was enough for the man to turn around with his tail between his legs and sit down.

"Wei Ying should eat," Lan Zhan said, as he placed a piece of meat in Wei Wuxian's bowl, and Wei Wuxian looked up warmly at his zhiji.

"Lan Zhan, I love you," he said, placing a sweet in front of Lan Zhan in turn.

"Love Wei Ying too," Lan Zhan said, voice filled with love, "Will marry Wei Ying soon."

His eyes looked at Wei Wuxian's darkly, and he shivered, knowing his Lan Zhan meant it.

"Soon," Wei Wuxian repeated.

Meng Yao took a step outside of the celebration hall, wanting a moment to collect his thoughts.

He was very glad to celebrate the wedding of his brother to the woman he so dearly loved and cherished, but still, there was a complicated feeling inside of him.

It wasn't that he wanted to join the Jin sect any longer. He had made his peace with that years ago when he was thrown down the stairs of the sect so cruelly, and his mother was left in that place. But even then, he had hoped that if he proved himself in the Nie sect, made enough of a name for himself, he could come back here one day.

Then Nie Mingjue had freed his mother. He'd shown him what family truly meant. He'd shown him kindness and love.

While his own father still saw him as some sort of tool to use for his own gain.

Still, there were times that it hurt him to know that no matter what he did, he would never have that sort of fatherly love that he wanted so deeply once.

He did not regret anything about his life or his choices. He was happy to be by Lan Xichen and Nie Mingjue's side.

But still, they were sect leaders, and he was merely a disciple.

He did not wish to be sect leader, not to either of their sects and not to the Jin, the only other sect he had any potential claim over. But without that, would he be able to gain any sort of status that meant he could stand on their level?

Everything he'd gained now had been because of their endless kindness. One he knew would never be turned against him.

Nie Mingjue could protect him and Lan Xichen if anything happened.

Lan Xichen could protect him and Nie Mingjue if necessary.

But Meng Yao could not do anything to protect either of his partners if the need arose.

He hated it. He loved them so much and he would never do anything to risk that. But how could he be worthy of being around them when he was nothing?

"Help!" he heard a scream cry out, and he was suddenly pulled from the thoughts he was having earlier, and he followed the direction of the screams in shock.

He saw a young woman being pushed against a wall by what looked to be a drunk Jin disciple, and Meng Yao sprung forward, disregarding the fact that he was a rather weak cultivator, and if anything, he'd be far more of a hinderance than an actual help.

"Stop!" he cried out, pulling the drunk man off of her. Thankfully, the intoxication of the other man seemed to be working in Meng Yao's favour, as the man stumbled to the ground.

"Hey!" the cultivator slurred, "She's mine! Go find your own whore."

"She is a respectable young lady," Meng Yao said with fierce insistence, "You sir, should sober up, before you commit a crime that is truly atrocious."

"I am a cultivator," the man laughed, "Do you think anyone would side with her over me?"

"I could report you to Jin gongzi right now," Meng Yao said with a shaky breath. He did not want to disturb his brother during his wedding, and while he wasn't entirely sure the man would do anything about it, he hoped he would at least care enough to punish him.

The man looked a bit stunned at that, and simply eyed Meng Yao up and down, "You're the bastard from the whore who tried to join our sect a few years ago, aren't you?"

Meng Yao simply flushed, clenching his fists.

"I see you still are acting as if you're better than us," the man staggered to his feet, "You'll never be a real cultivator anyways. If you want the whore so badly, I hope you enjoy her. I'll go find someone else more worth my time."

He continued to stand in front of the young woman until the cultivator was far out of their sight, before turning to face her.

"Guniang, I hope you are okay," Meng Yao bowed deeply in front of the woman, "Would you allow me to escort you inside? I would feel more comfortable if I did not leave you out here alone once more."

The young woman blushed lightly at that, "This one thanks you," she bowed back, "My name is Qin Su. If it weren't for your kindness and for you stepping in, I fear something truly horrible may have happened. May I get your name?"

"This one is Meng Yao of the Nie sect," he said, as he walked her back to the wedding reception, "I hope this does not ruin your night. If you wish to report this to Jin gongzi, I will be your witness that your honour was not damaged and of what happened here today."

"No, it's okay," she blushed again, "I thank you for the offer, Meng gongzi. You are truly an honourable man."

He walked her back to the main hall then, and even though he hadn't quite wanted to return just yet, he felt better seeing her enter the hall and ensuring that she had returned safely. Once she had entered and joined who looked to be her own father, he let out a relieved sigh.

Perhaps he wasn't able to protect his two partners the same way they were able to protect him, but he knew he would do anything for them if it was necessary. And perhaps that would be enough.