Chapter 91

Wei Wuxian was in red robes as Er-ge combed through his hair, delicately, while Da-ge watched on. The room was filled with his siblings, each of them doing their part to help Wei Wuxian get ready for the tea ceremony that would be occurring that day, while Lan Zhan was off getting ready himself.

He hadn't been allowed to see Lan Zhan leading up to the wedding, and it wasn't fair. They hadn't seen each other in weeks and Wei Wuxian was growing restless. Especially since he knew that there was an end in sight.

Soon.

So soon.

Soon, he'd be married to his Lan Er-gege. He'd be able to be with his husband all the time. He'd be able to sleep next to Lan Zhan, wake up next to Lan Zhan, eat with Lan Zhan, and spend all his days with Lan Zhan.

He just needed to wait a little bit longer.

"He's daydreaming again," A-Yu said with a giggle, and Wei Wuxian shot him a betrayed look.

"A-Yu, how could you sell me out like this? I'm your favourite brother," Wei Wuxian wailed, as Nie Huaisang forced his head forward again, as he began braiding Wei Wuxian's hair.

Mo Xuanyu simply giggled again, "I bet Pretty Gege will look beautiful," he said, beaming up at Wei Wuxian, and Wei Wuxian felt his heart melt. Of course Lan Zhan would look beautiful. He wouldn't even need to do anything in order to look beautiful. He could show up in his night clothes, and Wei Wuxian would want to marry him.

But then everyone else would also see Lan Zhan in his night clothes, and Wei Wuxian definitely did not want that. He was all Wei Wuxian's.

"Stop daydreaming," Nie Huaisang ordered, "You keep tilting your head up every time you do. I've had to redo your braid three times already. You'll see him soon enough. Now, sit and face forward. Look directly in front of you and don't even think about moving."

Just being told he wasn't allowed to move made him want to squirm around in his seat even more.

Nie Huaisang sighed, as he finished up the braid that he was working on, before taking a pin from Da-ge and pinning it up in some sort of intricate pattern. He grabbed one of the hair ornaments that they had bought specifically for his wedding, made of jade, as they placed it in his hair.

"Er-ge," he said breathlessly, as he looked at his reflection, "It looks so good, Er-ge! How did you come up with this hairstyle?"

"I practiced on A-Yu a lot over the last few weeks, trying to decide what to do for your wedding," Nie Huaisang sniffed, "He's a far better participant than you are."

"Of course he is," Wei Wuxian beamed down at A-Yu, "He's perfect!"

Mo Xuanyu beamed up at him in turn, as Meng Yao helped braid Mo Xuanyu's own hair.

The Nie delegation had arrived in Gusu earlier that morning, greeted by Xichen-ge and Uncle, and told that they were not allowed to see Lan Zhan until the ceremony, which was absolutely unfair. He was sure Lan Zhan was in the Jingshi, getting ready alongside Xichen-ge and Uncle, and he wondered what they would od to Lan Zhan's beautiful hair. Would they pin it up in eloquent designs? Or would they decorate it beautifully with ornaments?

"Wei Wuxian," Nie Huaisang said again with a sigh, as he started working on Wei Wuxian's makeup.

"Sorry, Er-ge," he said sheepishly, looking directly at Nie Huaisang while his cheeks were powdered.

"I know you're excited, but just don't move for a bit longer, okay? Then you can do whatever you want after. I just need to finish this up. Don't you want to look beautiful for you Lan Er-gege?" Nie Huaisang asked him with a slight tease in his voice.

"I'll sit still," Wei Wuxian immediately said, as Nie Huaisang resumed his application.

"Of course he would if you invoke his beloved Lan Zhan," Da-ge said amused, "So eager to go and get married, aren't you, Wei Ying?"

"I can't wait," he confessed, "I feel like I've been waiting to be married to Lan Zhan from the moment I realized I loved him. All I've ever wanted was to be by his side for the rest of my life. And now, it's finally happening. I love him so much, Da-ge."

"I know," Da-ge's eyes softened, "We've all known you've loved him, even before you did. I'm so proud of you, A-Ying. You've grown up so much since I've found you. I've been so proud to watch how much you've grown. You've become a great cultivator. Your inventions are brilliant. And you have done so well for yourself. I am so proud of who you are, and happy that I got to watch you grow into this brilliant young man and that I got to see how far you've come."

"Da-ge," he whispered, breath catching in his throat, as he felt his eyes well up.

"NO!" Nie Huaisang said quickly, "Don't you dare cry! I just finished your makeup. I do not want to redo it because you started crying."

"Er-ge," he laughed, a bit watery, "Da-ge. Fine, I won't cry. But I want to thank you both. I know you said there is no need for me to thank you for giving me a home. But you still loved me and raised me. You gave me a chance to grow. Something I never would have had otherwise, if you hadn't taken me in. You gave me so much, and I wouldn't be here today without you. I love you both so much."

"I love you too," Nie Huaisang said primly, "I just hope your future children are more cultured than you and allow me to buy them things. And that they appreciate art properly. In fact, I'll train them from when they are young to appreciate such things properly."

"Of course," Wei Wuxian laughed, as he stood from his seat and gave Da-ge a careful hug, knowing Er-ge would murder him if anything about his appearance was ruined. Da-ge hugged him back, just as mindful, but with as much love as he always hugged with. Wei Wuxian felt a rush of emotions.

No longer would he just be a member of the Nie sect after this marriage. He would also be part of the Lan sect.

Things would never be the same as they once were.

But that didn't mean that things wouldn't be better, in their own ways. It was a change, but a welcome one.

When Da-ge pulled away, he hugged Er-ge as well as his second older brother softened at that.

"You'll visit Lotus Pier all the time," Nie Huaisang informed him, "And I'll visit you, either in Gusu or in Qinghe. We'll still see each other, I promise. You're my San-di. I worked far too hard to acquire you to lose you over something like marriage."

"You'd never lose me," Wei Wuxian said confidently, and Nie Huaisang smirked in agreement.

He hugged A-Yu as well, as the boy gripped him tightly, "Can I visit you in Gusu too? I want to meet my Zhizi."

Yao-ge gave Mo Xuanyu a soft look, "I'll introduce you to Lan Jingyi today."

"I'm sure he'll be glad to see us," Da-ge said with a gentle smile, "A-Huan's mentioned that he missed us."

"No more nostalgia!" Nie Huaisang said quickly, "We're going to be late for the tea ceremony if you lament anymore! The Lans are extremely punctual. Do you want Wei Wuxian's marriage to get off to a bad start?"

"No!" Wei Wuxian said, practically ready to rush out the door, as Nie Huaisang stopped him.

"Your entrance still needs to be grand," Nie Huaisang said primly, "You are the third brother of the Nie sect. The third young master. You cannot just charge into your own tea ceremony."

"Right," Wei Wuxian nodded in agreement as he relaxed a bit, while Nie Huaisang rearranged Wei Wuxian's robes for him, "Okay. I'll make a good impression."

"Good," Nie Huaisang said, as he opened the doors to the rooms they'd been assigned, as Xichen-ge stood outside, ready to escort them.

"Were you waiting long?" Da-ge asked Xichen-ge with a smile on his face, clearly pleased to see his own partner.

"I just arrived," Lan Xichen said with a smile on his face, "The auspicious hour is nearly here. If you would follow me to the main hall?"

"Of course," Da-ge said with a smile. While it may not be typical to have the tea ceremony in such a large space, given the number of elders as part of both their families, the Lans had thought it would be more appropriate.

"Is Lan Zhan as excited as I am?" Wei Wuxian asked Xichen-ge, keeping up the appearance of propriety as they walked through Cloud Recesses, but all the while, feeling excitement bubbling up inside of him.

Xichen-ge laughed lightly at that, "He has wanted nothing more than to marry you since he first met you. He is elated that the two of you are nearly married. In fact, with the ribbon tying ceremony today, you could be considered married into the Lan sect."

"Not until they've taken their bows tomorrow in Qinghe," Da-ge interjected quickly, "Don't get any ideas, Wei Wuxian. You are not married until tomorrow after you've bowed."

"Yes, Da-ge," Wei Wuxian said dutifully, knowing that Er-ge and Da-ge had negotiated heavily with the Lan sect to ensure that both sects had parts of the marriage ceremony.

"Good," Da-ge said satisfied as Xichen-ge gave Da-ge an amused look.

As they entered the main hall, he saw his family waiting there already for him. Baoshan Sanren was sitting on the side of his own elders, alongside Xiao Xingchen and Song Lan, with spaces left for Da-ge and Er-ge beside him.

On Lan Zhan's side, Lan Yi was sitting next to Uncle, alongside a spot for Xichen-ge. And between both the sides, was a spot, he assumed would be Yao-ge, since he was a brother-in-law to them both.

He watched as his brothers took their spots, while Mo Xuanyu sat down next to A-Qing.

"Lan Zhan," he breathed out, as he sat down on the cushion beside Lan Zhan, looking at him warmly. It really had been far too long since he'd seen his Lan Er-gege and he missed Lan Zhan terribly. And seeing Lan Zhan there in his beautiful wedding robes made him want nothing more than to cuddle into Lan Zhan's side.

"Wei Ying," Lan Zhan said, with as much warmth in his eyes.

"I missed you," he confessed quietly, while Lan Yi and Baoshan Sanren prepped the ceremony materials, knowing they had a brief moment alone before they started.

"I missed Wei Ying too," Lan Zhan said, taking Wei Wuxian's hand in his own.

"It is time to begin," Baoshan Sanren said, as the tea was placed in between the couple and the elders. Since the tea ceremony was held in Gusu, the Nie had provided the tea set, and he was certain Er-ge must have picked it up himself, given the intricate nature in the Nie style.

Lan Zhan knelt in front of the table, first pouring a cup of tea to Lan Yi and Baoshan Sanren, "Please give us your blessings, Elder Lan Yi. Elder Baoshan Sanren."

The two took their cups and drank out of it, as Wei Wuxian followed suit, "Please give us your blessings, Grandmother. Elder Lan Yi."

"Why don't I also get to be grandmother?" Lan Yi sighed, giving Lan Zhan a teasing look, as his zhiji blushed lightly at that.

"Grandmother," Lan Zhan corrected, as Lan Yi looked at him softly.

"I gave you both my blessing in the cave, because I knew when I saw you both that you would be very happy together. I give you my blessing once again today. May you live your lives together, and serve as cultivation partners."

"I give you both my blessing today," Baoshan Sanren said with a smile, "Your mother had a wild spirit, Wei Wuxian, and I see her often in you. You offer each other balance. You are equals. And I know the two of you will achieve great things together."

Wei Wuxian and Lan Zhan bowed towards them in acknowledgement.

Next, they moved over to Uncle, pouring Lan Qiren a cup of tea each.

"I never expected that Cangse Sanren's son would marry into my sect," Lan Qiren said with a sigh, "You have so much of both your parents' spirit in you, Wei Wuxian. As brilliant as them both, and as filled with passion. You are a good match for my nephew, and I am glad to welcome you into my sect, as he joins yours as well. May you both be happy together."

"Thank you, Shushu," Wei Wuxian said, feeling warmth spread all over him. While he and Lan Qiren may have gotten off to a rough start, it made him happy that Lan Zhan's family had welcomed him into their lives.

"Wangji, be happy with your husband," Lan Qiren said with a smile, "You have worked hard your entire life. I know you will continue to achieve great things, and achieve so much more, especially with Wei Wuxian by your side."

"Thank you, Uncle," Lan Zhan said, with a small smile on his face, as Lan Qiren softened while looking at him.

They moved towards Jiujiu and Shushu next, pouring his uncles a cup of tea each.

"Wei Wuxian, I am glad I got to meet you," Jiujiu started, "You are kind and brilliant, and I see how well you and Lan Wangji fight together but also exist in harmony. I hope you both are very happy, and I offer you both my blessings."

"I offer you both my blessings as well," Song Lan said, smiling at them both, "You both have so much spirit inside of you, and you remind me of Xiao Xingchen and myself. I am proud to have nephews such as you both."

"Song Lan," Xiao Xingchen said, looking at his partner with warm eyes, and Song Lan simply smiled back at Xiao Xingchen.

The two of them both drank their tea as Wei Wuxian beamed at them both.

Da-ge was next, as he poured a cup of tea for his brother.

"You were so small when I first found you," Da-ge said to him, "So anxious and eager to learn. All I wanted was to keep you safe. When I asked Xichen to bring Wangji to Qinghe, I hoped that the two of you would become friends and offer each other support. I am happy that you both found so much more with one another."

"I too wanted you to have a friend, Wangji," Xichen-ge said when it was his own turn, "I was so worried for you and how eager you were to strive for perfection without any care for your own personal feelings. But with A-Xian, you're different. You're happier, and when you are with him, there is a joy in you that I never saw when you were a child. You balance each other, and support one another. There is no one else I would want my brother to be with. I hope you both are very happy together."

"Da-ge," Wei Wuxian said, voice breaking, as Nie Huaisang sighed and didn't say anything while the tears flowed down his face.

"Xiongzhang," Lan Zhan said, to his own brother, clearly just as moved.

"Be happy, A-Ying," Da-ge smiled up at him with a nod.

As they both moved towards Yao-ge, kneeling in front of him, Yao-ge spoke, "I think of you both as younger brothers, but not just because of my relationship with your brothers. A-Xian, when I first met you, I was overwhelmed with how quick you were to warm up to me, without knowing anything about me. You came with me to buy my mother and aunt's freedom. I saw a kinship with you, and I am grateful that I got to know you as well as I did."

Yao-ge turned to Lan Zhan, "I may not have gotten as close to you, Wangji, but I am hoping to get to know you better in the years to come. You have never been anything less than kind to me, and I can see how happy both of you make one another. I am hoping that you will continue to be happy for years to come."

"Thank you, Yao-ge!" Wei Wuxian beamed at him.

"Thank you, Xiongdi-fu," Lan Zhan said, bowing his head in respect.

Yao-ge simply smiled fondly at them both, as they moved onto Er-ge. While Lan Zhan may have been older than Nie Huaisang, Er-ge was still Wei Wuxian's older brother, and Wei Wuxian wanted to offer him the same respect that Da-ge had gotten.

"Er-ge," he grinned up at his brother, as Nie Huaisang drank his cup of tea, before Lan Zhan poured him a cup as well.

"A-Ying," Er-ge started, "I know I have joked a lot about working hard to gain you as a brother. Since that first moment I met you, I felt the need to keep you safe. I have felt that often through the years as I've known you. I've wanted to protect you and make sure you're happy, not just because you saved me from that dog, but because you are my brother, in any and every way that counts. I want nothing more than for you to be happy, and I know Lan Wangji makes you happy. I want you to have a good marriage and I want you to be loved and cherished as much as we cherish you."

Nie Huaisang looked at Lan Zhan, "I may not be your elder and I may not be able to offer you the same blessing in that regard, but I want you to be happy as well. I know we may not have been friends the first time we met, but I've come to care for you as a friend and a brother. Take care of A-Ying."

"Mm," Lan Zhan said as Wei Wuxian held back his tears once more, as they obtained their last blessing.

"We will now move onto the sacred ribbon ceremony," Uncle said, as Lan Zhan took Wei Wuxian's hands into his own, "The forehead ribbon is sacred in our sect. It is first given to a child by their parents. Tied around their forehead with the love of a parent. It may only be touched by those who are family. Wei Wuxian, you are joining Wangji's family now, as his cultivation partner. As his spouse. This is a privilege that you are being entrusted with. It is a show of love and of dedication. Of trust and of respect."

Wei Wuxian nodded his head in agreement, without taking his eyes off of Lan Zhan's.

"Wei Ying," Lan Zhan said then, as he reached behind him and took off his forehead ribbon, "I love you. I have loved you since the first time I met you. Since you took my hand in your own and showed me your home. I have loved you for years, and I want to love you for all my years to come. I want to have a life with you."

Wei Wuxian shook slightly, as Lan Zhan wrapped the ribbon around Wei Wuxian's wrist, "Love Wei Ying. Will always love and cherish Wei Ying. Want to grow old with Wei Ying and raise a family with Wei Ying. Live forever with Wei Ying. This ribbon is now Wei Ying's, to symbolize Wei Ying having my heart."

"Lan Zhan," he said, unable to stop himself for real this time as the tears flowed down his face, "I'll wear it forever. I'll cherish it as much as I cherish you. I love you so much, Lan Zhan. I'm glad I got to wear your ribbon, for the real intent this time, knowing what it means now."

Lan Zhan looked just as affected as he was, as how own brother passed him another ribbon to tie around his forehead. His new forehead ribbon, since his old one was now Wei Wuxian's.

"With that, the tea ceremony and ribbon ceremony are complete," Lan Qiren said, as he stood, "We will hold a small banquet in celebration at dinner today. Please enjoy the festivities before then."

"Lan Zhan?" he asked, as his almost husband helped him up, "Do you think we can go see our bunnies?"

"Only until dinner," Nie Huaisang warned him, "You're not married yet, Wei Ying. Don't you dare forget it."

"I won't," Wei Wuxian beamed as Lan Zhan nodded at him, holding his hand still, as they made their way to the back hills.

He sat down on the ground, not caring that his robes may get ruined, as Lan Zhan sat down beside him, while the bunnies immediately came to greet them.

"Just think, by this time tomorrow we'll be married," he beamed, looking up at Lan Zhan, as his zhiji pressed a kiss to Wei Wuxian's lips.

"Mm," Lan Zhan said, moving against him gently, knowing that they couldn't quite do anything yet with the limited time they had still. But he could at least kiss his soon-to-be husband.

"I missed you so much, Lan Zhan," he sighed, as Lan Zhan's muscular arms wrapped around him, pulling Wei Wuxian into his lap, "Just think, after tomorrow, we won't be separated ever again. At least for the most part. We'll get to be together forever. I'll get to sleep next to you, live in a house with you, eat with you, wake up with you."

"Wei Ying will be by my side," Lan Zhan said, just as pleased, "Will be by Wei Ying's side. Will not be separated. Will stay by Wei Ying as long as Wei Ying wants me."

"Wei Ying wants you forever," he said, pressing another kiss to Lan Zhan's lips, "Wei Ying wants you to never leave him."

"Then will never leave Wei Ying," Lan Zhan said confidently, "Will be by Wei Ying forever. I promise."

He kissed Lan Zhan again, deeper this time, as Lan Zhan held him tightly, and he let out a content sigh as he relaxed into Lan Zhan, happy just to be held and be kissed by him.

"Wei Ying looks beautiful," Lan Zhan told him in between kisses.

"You should see my bridal robes for tomorrow," he grinned, "They're even nicer. And I think you'll enjoy what's underneath them even more."

"Wei Ying," Lan Zhan said, eyes darkening, as his fingers gripped him tighter.

"Lan Zhan," he giggled, knowing that he was teasing his partner and perhaps pushing just a bit too far. He wanted nothing more than to be thrown onto the ground and ravished, but it was not yet the time nor was it the place.

Soon.

So soon.

He would belong to his Lan Zhan and his Lan Zhan would belong to him. He just needed to be patient. He'd waited years to belong completely to Lan Zhan. He could wait one more day.

"Wei Ying," Lan Zhan groaned, as Wei Wuxian shifted in his lap.

"I love you," he said, kissing Lan Zhan's neck gently, "I love you so, so much."

"Love Wei Ying too," Lan Zhan agreed, as Wei Wuxian ground against him, "Even if he is a little tease."

Lan Zhan bit his shoulder then, as Wei Wuxian's robes loosened enough to allow Lan Zhan to have contact with his skin.

"Lan er-gege," Wei Wuxian said breathlessly, "We still have a while until dinner. Er-ge said he wouldn't come find us until then. If you're quick, we may be able to do a bit more than kiss."

"Mm," Lan Zhan said with darkened eyes, as loosened Wei Wuxian's robes further. Maybe they couldn't roll around on the ground together, but there was still plenty of other stuff they could do.

And well, they had time.

He was almost married to his Lan er-gege after all.