Chapter 93
Wei Wuxian sat beside Lan Zhan at breakfast the next morning, exhausted from the lack of sleep, but there was nothing he would have changed about it.
He was married now. He and Lan Zhan were married.
He reached over and intertwined his fingers with Lan Zhan's as the guests all had similar tired looks on their faces, but it was clear to him that the Nie and Lan sects were both greatly elated for the cause of celebrations.
"Lan Zhan, you should eat some more," he said, leaning into his husband as he added some vegetables from his own plate into Lan Zhan's dish. His husband needed to keep up his strength after all.
"Wei Ying should eat more," Lan Zhan argued, before picking up a piece of tofu and popping it straight into Wei Wuxian's mouth.
He smiled at his husband, as he chewed the tofu carefully, before looking across the room. Da-ge was talking to Lan Qiren about something, alongside Xichen-ge and Meng Yao, Lan Jingyi looking sleepy as he leaned into Xichen-ge's side, and he wondered what they were discussing. It mustn't have been anything secretive if it were in public, and yet, they talked without involving anyone else.
Wen Ning was sitting closest to them, with A-Yuan on his lap, as A-Lian sat in between him and Nie Zonghui. He smiled as he watched A-Yuan play with Nie Zonghui's braid, and the man who had all but chased after him and Nie Huaisang as children, keeping the two of them in line, melted at the face of two adorable children around him.
"Do you think the two of them will get married soon?" Wei Wuxian asked Lan Zhan, as they looked over at the couple.
"Wen Ning mentioned he would like to," Lan Zhan said, and Wei Wuxian gaped at him.
"Since when do you and Wen Ning talk about that? How come you know, and I don't? Lan Zhan, we're married! You can't keep secrets like this from me! Especially such juicy gossip!" he exclaimed.
"Gossip is forbidden," Lan Zhan said simply, "Was not a secret. I will tell Wei Ying whatever he wishes to know in the future as long as it does not betray anyone's confidence."
"Good," he kissed his husband's cheek, "That is all I ask. That my husband share things with me. And I promise I'll tell you everything as well. I'll tell you so many things that you want me to shut up and stop telling you things."
"Unlikely," Lan Zhan said, and Wei Wuxian felt his heats warm up. Why had they decided that they needed to attend the morning feast? They could have just stayed in their chambers all morning and wrapped up in one another. Even if they had already done it once that morning, it was not enough-
"I want to thank all of you for attending the wedding of my brother to Hanguang Jun," Nie Mingjue said, addressing the crowd, and cutting off Wei Wuxian's dangerous train of thought, "We are glad that the two of them could wed and begin this new journey of their life together. And to have to support of our allies and our friends in our time of celebration means a lot to the Nie sect."
Wei Wuxian could feel himself glowing as he listened to his brother speak, feeling like a new person. So much had changed in such little time.
Da-ge's gaze swept across the faces of the cultivators representing various sects, and he could hear from the cheers from the group that the others were just as pleased for Wei Wuxian and LZ.
Xichen-ge, stood beside him, nodded in agreement, with a serene expression on his face, "There has been much to celebrate, since the end of the war. I am glad my brother has gotten the chance to marry his fated one. His zhiji in all regards. His companion, and the love of his life."
He smiled at Lan Zhan, as his zhiji took his hand in his own, squeezing it and he moved his body closer to Lan Zhan's, wanting to feel the warmth radiating off of him.
Da-ge lifted his cup high, and the others followed suit. "To love, unity, and the strength found in the bonds we forge together," he proclaimed, his words echoing through the hall.
The cultivators raised their cups in unison, toasting to the newlyweds and the enduring spirit of cooperation that had brought them all together.
"Thank you, Da-ge, Xichen-ge," Wei Wuxian beamed up at them after downing his own glass of wine, as his elder brothers smiled at him in turn.
"Xiongzhang," Lan Zhan said in acknowledgement, "Xiongzhang-fu."
The murmurs of the crowd began up once again, looking between Lan Zhan and the two sect leaders, as they took in his words.
"Lan Zhan," Wei Wuxian murmured, as he glanced at the determined look on Lan Zhan's face. It seemed as if his beloved had plans. Plans which involved his brother finally getting to announce his engagement publicly.
Nie Mingjue gave Lan Zhan a look, but Lan Zhan simply stared him down, as Nie Mingjue sighed and nodded in agreement
Clearly Lan Zhan was unimpressed that his own brother's engagement wasn't yet made public.
Before either party could say any more, Lan Qiren stood up, "As Hanguang Jun has alluded to, it is also with great pleasure that I can announce the engagement of my oldest nephew, Zewu Jun, to the esteemed Chifeng Zun and to the senior advisor of the Nie Sect, Lianfang-Zun."
Meng Yao looked up in shock at the title he'd been bestowed, and Wei Wuxian beamed. Yao-ge deserved all the recognition and more, and he was pleased to see him get it.
Da-ge nodded in agreement, "I am engaged to Lan Xichen and to Meng Yao. We will be wed later this year, after Nie Huaisang's wedding to Jiang Zongzhu."
"I am pleased to be engaged to Nie Zongzhu," Lan Xichen said pleasantly, "Our sects have been working closely to plan this wedding, and I am looking forward to it. I am also pleased to be engaged to Lianfang-Zun who is a wonderful advisor both to Nie Zongzhu and more recently, to my Uncle, Xiandu."
There were curious whispers around the room, from the outside sects. With how often Xichen-ge was over, no one in the Nie sect was surprised about their open secret being revealed. And it was clear that very few in the Lan sect were surprised as well, what with there being numerous discussions with the elders to work out the details.
It really was only the other sects that were disgruntled by the revelation.
"Congratulations on your engagement," Wei Wuxian said, raising his glass, as the room looked on in confusion, awe, and surprise. He wanted to be the first to congratulate them, setting the tone before anyone else could, "Xichen-ge, Yao-ge, you both have been like my brothers for years already. I'm glad we will have more official ties binding us. I congratulate you all."
"Mm," Lan Zhan agreed, "It is a good match. Xiongzhang-fu, Xiongdi-fu, I welcome you both."
"Hear, hear!" Nie Huaisang cheered, "Da-ge, I'm glad you found your fated pairs! Xichen-ge and Yao-ge are great big brothers to me as well and I'm glad will be with the ones you love."
"We have had much to celebrate," Xiandu agreed, "Now is a time of prosperity and of peace. I hope for many days to come of tranquility."
Wei Wuxian looked over to where Jin Guangshan was sitting, and saw the man look sour. He wondered if they had invertedly spoiled a plan that he'd had. Because now Yao-ge was part of the Nie sect and tied to it in more ways than one. Now he couldn't marry Meng Yao off to someone else. He couldn't marry a Jin into the Lan or Nie sects as their new furen. He could not create any more marriage alliances without it being to minor members of the sect, such as Wen Qing with Mianmian. Even if he doubted Jin Guangshan would view that as a suitable marriage. Mianmian was rather intimidating, and he doubted anyone could make her or Wen Qing do anything they didn't want to.
He looked over at Yao Zongzhu as well, and the dark cloud that lingered over the man told him everything that he needed to know. Yao Zongzhu was furious. All the young masters of the great sects were now officially married or engaged. There was no room for him to marry his daughters into any of the sects, no matter how much he'd wanted to.
But it wasn't his responsibility to marry a girl just because her father wanted to marry her off. He wanted Lan Zhan. Er-ge wanted Jiang Cheng. Da-ge wanted Xichen-ge and Yao-ge. Why should they have to settle to placate someone else?
"Please, enjoy the rest of the feast," Xichen-ge said with a smile, as his fingers intertwined publicly with Yao-ge's and Da-ge's. Because finally, his brothers could show off their relationship.
Finally, his Da-ge didn't need to hide his feelings.
And that only added to the joy he felt the morning after his wedding.
"Xian-gege!" he heard a giggle, interrupting him from his thoughts, and he looked over to see Yuan running towards him and Lan Zhan, "Pretty Gege!"
"A-Yuan," Wei Wuxian said brightly, as the boy crawled into his lap, clearly elated to see him as he was A-Yuan, "Are you enjoying the banquet?"
"Mm," A-Yuan said, as he handed Lan Zhan a sweet, most likely from his own breakfast, "Pretty Gege, sweet?"
"Are you trying to steal my husband from me, A-Yuan?" Wei Wuxian poked A-Yuan's ribs as Lan Zhan took the sweet that was being offered to him so earnestly.
"No!" Nie Yuan giggled.
"Sorry, Xian-gege!" A-Yuan's sister said, as she came over, "He ran away from Uncle Ning when he wasn't looking. I can take him back now. You and Hanguang Jun should eat your breakfast in peace"
Wei Wuxian looked over to see Wen Ning flirting with Nie Zonghui, neither one having noticed their escaped wards.
"Join us," Lan Zhan said simply, offering her a place next to him, "You both should eat."
A-Lian looked a bit hesitant, but Lan Zhan never made an offer he didn't mean, so the young girl sat down beside them. Lan Zhan gestured for more bowls to be brought over, and Wei Wuxian began filling a bowl for A-Yuan, as he fed the small child in his lap. Lan Zhan was so careful, in placing food for A-Lian as well, and Wei Wuxian felt his heart melt. Both A-Yuan and A-Lian looked extremely excited to be eating with them, and Wei Wuxian continued to feed the small boy on his lap, who happily ate whatever Wei Wuxian gave him.
His husband really was too good. He would be such a good baba when the two of them finally had children.
And with the two children surrounding them, Wei Wuxian felt like they were a family. Everything was perfect, and as Lan Zhan gave him a warm smile, clearly sensing his own happiness, Wei Wuxian couldn't help but smile back at him with nothing but joy and happiness.
"I'm going to miss you," Wen Qing said with a murmur into Luo Qingyang's mouth.
"You could always come visit me more," Luo Qingyang said with a teasing look, knowing that both of them would be around each other far more if only they had that as a feasible option.
Because the Jin hated her just for her name. Even if she went to visit Luo Qingyang, she wouldn't be welcome there. There were very few of them who did treat her with dignity.
Jin Zixuan was one of them, much to her surprise. He and Luo Qingyang were apparently close friends, and he cared for Luo Qingyang and her opinions.
And her choice in romantic partners.
He'd given Wen Qing the customary warning about their courtship but other than that, he'd always greeted her warmly and made her feel welcome.
The same could not be said for his cousin nor the rest of his sect.
They, like his father, believed she should be dead.
"You could come visit more," Wen Qing said with a retort, as Luo Qingyang looked at her sadly.
They hadn't talked much about their future, and it was hard to figure out an appropriate solution. Because she didn't want to leave the Nie, where her family had been given so much. And Luo Qingyang did not want to forsake the sect that had taken her in and trained her.
So they were at an impasse.
"A-Jie!" she heard Wen Ning call out frantically, and she pulled away from Luo Qingyang, as she stood from where she sat beside her partner.
"A-Ning?" she asked him as he came into view of where they were sitting in the courtyard, "What happened? Is everything okay?"
Wen Ning shook his head, "It's Cousin. She's doing worse. Please come quickly, I don't know what to do."
Wen Qing frowned. A-Yuan and A-Lian's mother had been doing better recently. Or so she'd thought. Had something happened to her?
She had always been sickly, especially after her husband died. It was like she just lost the will to go on, and she stopped fighting to get better.
And Wen Qing could only do so much for someone who did not want to get better.
Still, she didn't want anything to happen to her cousin.
"I'll see you before you leave," Wen Qing promised Luo Qingyang, squeezing her hand once, before following Wen Ning towards the healer ward.
"She started taking a turn for the worse this morning," Nie Qiqiang said the moment she entered the ward. She tied her hair up and washed her hands, before walking over to her cousin, "Her fever is extremely high, and she has lost consciousness. I've been doing my best, but nothing has managed to help."
"We can only try and help her and hope the fever breaks," Wen Qing said, with a nod, as she began working with Nie Qiqiang in harmony, the both of them trying together to try and help her cousin get better.
It was several incense sticks after everyone had left the wedding when Nie Mingjue gathered with Lan Xichen, Nie Huaisang, Meng Yao, Lan Qiren, and Jiang Wanyin. It had taken a while for the party to wind down that morning, and Nie Mingjue had been in no rush to cut the celebrations short. It wasn't every day that his little brother got married. And Wei Ying deserved to have a wedding ceremony full of joy and happiness, without the darkness surrounding the discussion that was yet to be had.
It was why he did not invite his brother to the current meeting. He would tell Wei Ying and Lan Wangji in time what had happened, but at least for today they deserved to continue their post-wedding bliss.
"Why have you gathered us here in secret?" Jiang Wanyin asked bluntly but without any rudeness to his tone.
Nie Mingjue placed the arrow onto the table between them, and everyone but Lan Xichen had looked surprised. After all, Nie Huaisang had been in a sedan as well, and did not see the arrow, and Nie Mingjue and Lan Xichen had instructed their people to not mention it, not wanting to take away from the wedding celebrations.
"What is this?" Lan Qiren asked. He had come aside from the bridal party, flying with the other Lan cultivators as the entire Lan sect could not simply travel by horse. It had been unfeasible.
"It was shot at the bridal procession yesterday," Nie Mingjue said, "It landed on a tree next to me while we were travelling between Qinghe and Gusu."
"It was shot at you?" Nie Huaisang questioned, narrowing his eyes at his brother, "And you did not stop the party immediately?"
"I went off to investigate," Nie Mingjue shook his head, "I sent a few cultivators after the shooter but they were long gone. They're still tracking down some leads but it's not looking too promising. I don't think they're going to be able to find anything, as much as I hate to admit it."
"Someone tried to assassinate you," Nie Huaisang repeated calmly, "And you did not tell anyone else about it."
The silent, you did not tell me, hung between them. Nie Mingjue knew his brother hated it more than anything when he kept secrets from him, but it was different. He didn't want to make the day about the attempted assassination, and no longer about his brother and the wedding.
"Xichen knew," Nie Mingjue defended himself, "Sang-er, it was A-Ying's wedding day. You know how long he's been looking forward to marrying Wangji. How could I do anything that could ruin it for him? It was meant to be a day of celebration and happiness."
"I think his brother dying may have dampened the mood a little bit," Nie Huaisang shot back.
"The arrow was nowhere near close to hitting me. And even if it came close, I would have been able to knock it off course with my saber," Nie Mingjue argued, "Besides, I'm not even entirely sure it was meant for me."
"Then who do you think it was meant for?" Nie Huaisang asked in a dangerous voice, as if Nie Mingjue were just delivering worse and worse news to him.
"I'm not sure," Nie Mingjue said, "I have a few theories."
"Name them," Nie Huaisang said, with dark eyes, as Nie Mingjue glanced at Meng Yao and Lan Xichen.
"For one, if it wasn't meant for me, it could have been meant for someone else who was near me," he said, letting the words hang between them.
"You were riding beside A-Xian," Meng Yao said, looking stunned, "Do you think someone meant to kill him instead?"
"Possibly," Nie Mingjue admitted, and Nie Huaisang looked furious at that. Not that Nie Mingjue blamed him, because the idea of someone trying to kill their San-di on his wedding day made Nie Mingjue want to murder whoever was behind it, "Or it could have been a warning. It could have been any number of things."
"So our theories is that either it was an inexperienced murderer who tried to kill either you or A-Xian, or that it was part of some larger plan by someone else and we just don't know who yet?" Lan Xichen asked for clarity, "A possible warning telling us to back off with our investigations."
"Yes," Nie Mingjue admitted, knowing how it sounded. They had nothing. They didn't know why the attempt had taken place. They just knew that someone had tried. And that they had failed.
"We can assign them a protective detail," Lan Qiren said, "But if it is part of a larger plot, we may not figure out what that is."
"So what, you want my Didi to be bait?" Nie Huaisang protested, figuring out where Lan Qiren was going with it, "My Difu?"
"Huaisang, you know as well as I do that Wangji and A-Ying are more than capable of protecting themselves," Nie Mingjue told him gently, "They're both extremely powerful cultivators. They took on Wen Ruohan themselves. They fought against pieces of the Yin Iron when handed by him and Xue Yang. They have faced greater threats than whatever this is. Our best chance of getting to the bottom of this, once and for all. This is related somehow to Jin Guangshan. I just don't know how exactly yet."
"He was the reason A-Jie nearly died," Jiang Wanyin interjected, still seething with anger. "Even if he didn't send the assassin himself, it was because of him and his disgusting behavior that the man tried to kill her. If he had just stayed within moral boundaries, it never would have happened. My niece or nephew nearly died."
Nie Mingjue watched as his younger brother took Jiang Wanyin's hand in his own, squeezing it in reassurance.
"Fine," Nie Huaisang sighed, "We let them keep investigating. They're married now, so it wouldn't be unfounded for the two of them to take some time night hunting before officially getting involved in the sect matters. As the first Furens for either sect in our generation."
Nie Mingjue nodded, "I'll bring them into what happened tomorrow. And let them know the truth.
"In the meantime, perhaps it may not be a bad idea to being with Meng Yao's idea of watch towers," Lan Qiren said, "If anything, it only increases the visibility in regions where there is not a huge cultivator presence. If something is happening, it will give us more eyes."
Nie Mingjue nodded in approval, as he looked at Meng Yao. He'd heard his partner's suggestion and had greatly agreed with it. Even if it didn't help them get to the bottom of who was responsible for the attack, it would be helpful for civilian assistance.
"I'll have a proposal drawn up for the number of towers the Nie will be able to support between Gusu and between Yunmeng," he said, looking at Jiang Wanyin. The younger sect leader gave him a nod of approval.
"I'll give you a similar number when I get home," Jiang Wanyin agreed, "And the number of cultivators I can assign to each. Between Qinghe and Gusu."
"And if the Jin don't agree?" Meng Yao asked, a bit nervous.
"Then they miss out on another intersect project meant to bring assistance and allow for the prosperity of our sects," Lan Xichen said simply.
"I have a feeling Jin Zixuan would be more amenable," Jiang Wanyin told Meng Yao, "Even if he cannot do anything about it now, he will one day be sect leader, one way or another. I'm sure he'll be far more interested in your proposal at that time at least."
Meng Yao nodded, looking a bit relieved at that. He knew Jin Zixuan was trying his best, to be a good brother towards him and Mo Xuanyu, but there was only so much he could do without any support from his family.
"If that is all, we shall take our leave," Lan Qiren said, "Xichen may be staying for a few days, but I need to head back with the remainder of the sect."
"Of course," Nie Mingjue nodded, "Thank you for your assistance, Xiandu."
Lan Qiren gave him a nod in acknowledgement, before he left the room.
"Give me a minute," Nie Huaisang said as Jiang Wanyin also stood to leave. Meng Yao and Lan Xichen clearly understanding that Nie Huaisang wanted a moment alone with his brother left the room behind Jiang Wanyin.
"Sang-er," Nie Mingjue sighed.
"You cannot keep things from me, Da-ge," Nie Huaisang said, crossing his arms, "I thought we had an understanding after the saber curse. That you would tell me about what is happening. Just because I'm getting married doesn't mean I'm not a Nie still. I still care about what is happening in this sect. To you and Wei Ying. Do not exclude me."
"I really didn't mean to keep you out of it," Nie Mingjue told him, "I just wanted to let them have their one day. And I made a decision, which I see now was harmful, by excluding you from it. I'm sure I'll hear quite a bit about it from Wei Ying after he finds out. I'm sorry."
Nie Huaisang sighed, giving his brother a hug, "You have so many people who love you, Da-ge. You don't need to handle everything on your own. You know that, right?"
"I do," Nie Mingjue smiled down at his brother, "You've grown up so much, Sang-er."
Nie Huaisang sniffed, "I know. Now, go spend time with Xichen-ge. He's not here for much longer before he has to head back."
Nie Mingjue nodded, knowing that it was coming far too soon.
"Go spend time with Jiang Wanyin," Nie Mingjue said, before adding, "In public spaces, with chaperones."
Nie Huaisang rolled his eyes at his brother, as they both left his study, heading to be with their partners.