Notes: Character Age Height Attires colour they will wear mostly [rest is up to reader imagination]
Wei Wuxian 13 5'3 (he will grow) Purple/Black/Golden/Red Robes
Lan Wangji 17 6'1 (he too) White/Baby blue/Moss Green robes
Jin Zixuan 17 5'8 (will grow) Gold/white
Jiang Yanli 18 5'3 (will not grow) Purple/Gold/White/Red
Jiang Cheng 14 5'6 (will grow) Purple/Gold/White
Nie Huaisang 13 5'2 (will grow a bit) All the colours!
Mian Mian 13 5'5 (Growing healthier) Gold/white/pink
Lan Xichen 21 6'1 (He is done) White/Silver/Dark Blue
If you are from One Piece ( esp. BL shipper) fandom, you might have run into my Magnum Opus: My Little Husband.
I was complaining to my friend that I wanted to write another MLH again, but this time with more awareness and better planning, but it was sad that I have already used this plot once! My friend reminded that there is no law that stops a fic writer from reusing their own plots and recreate similar stories with different ship!
My mind was blown away! So yeah! This information liberated me!
In the OG work, 13-year-old Luffy gets married to a 20-year-old. So it is pretty much a coming of age marriage story with a lot of fluff, big sad in middle and tooth rotting happy ending. But slow burn to the couple having sex because Law was waiting for Luffy to grow mature and become an adult!
In this version, I have shrunk the age gap, from 7 to 5. Doesn't change much, but here it is an accidental wedding and set in an alternate universe with no modern tech! So the story will follow more or less similar pattern of time-frame and time jumps, but things are not the same!
Now if you want to read My Little Husband, link is added above.
Reviews and follows make us happy! But comments about grammar and typos, don't! I know you mean well, but when you write a fic, you expect emotional response and not technical feedback, no matter how well you frame it with good intention when you comment on a fic writer's language and syntax and leave out what the fic did to your heart: IT HURTS US!
Prologue: Wei Wuxian Didn't Think It Through
At thirteen, Wei Wuxian was fairly shorter and skinnier and smarter than his peers, and made sure he used his mind for everything! As things should be, at thirteen— he was still far away from adulthood and very much planted in his boyhood, hence he was definitely more impulsive than his entire breed of preteenagers.
Puberty had not hit this boy yet, he was thirteen on paper, but everything about him reeked one word: child! And like a child that he was, he carried wonder in his imagination and dumb bravery in his heart. He fancied himself as a problem solver and a protector— who would jump into the lake to save a drowning adult despite having lifeguards around, he would offer his shoulders to younger kids to help them pick guavas— from the farms that were closed to the public! Punishment and scolding didn't deter his path, and so continued his path of courage!
As the years advanced, his attitude became shameless, and his face grew thicker too, so nothing he ever did made him regret his decision! He was a wild and unpredictable like the wind to his adoptive guardians, a menace in the street and spoiled like a rotten breed dog by his favourite person in the world— his adoptive sister, Jiang Yanli. If Jiang Yanli told him to bite a stranger— he would, no justification needed. Though she was a sensible young girl, her loyal pup was not!
What the boy had not realized was that— because of his bullheadedness— sometimes all it took was a flutter of a butterfly's wings to crumble a universe!
His one innocent action to protect his favourite person would change the course of history. All his actions no matter how annoying had always been born of love, and his current actions were the result of this pure love.
"Are you sure you are going to do this?" Wei Wuxian's equally short and crafty best friend and partner in crime, Nie Huaisang asked, as he helped him with the makeup. "These hair ornaments are a nightmare! I hope mom doesn't realize I took them from her chest"
With great difficulty Wei Wuxian was keeping his neck in the same position, and with more difficulty he uttered those words, "You told me they were fake!"
"They are the ones she hasn't worn in years!"
"But what happens if your elder brother finds out?"
"He will burn down my fan collection!"
"I can't wear them! It is theft."
"It is not! If they don't realize, that means it never left the house. Now close your eyes! And—" Taking a deep breath and puffed his baby cheeks, Nie Huaisang continued, "—are you sure you want to do this?"
Wei Wuxian shut his eyes tight as Nie Huaisang began decorating his eyes which needed absolute stillness for the colours to settle, but his painted lips were firm with the decision, "Yes, it is the only way! I cannot let them marry off my sister just to anyone!"
"Has Jiang Cheng done what is required?"
"Yes, Mian-Mian is going to help him with it all! That girl is heaven-sent!"
Taking another deep breath, Nie Huaisang placed the veil on his friend, "You and Luo Qingyang are like loyal dogs to Sister Yanli and Brother Zixuan. You both fear nothing!"
"My sister is better than Zixuan! I don't know why Mian-Mian is a blind follower of him, nor do I understand why Sister loves that peacock."
"All right it's all done, we can fool people for a few hours. Now get up!" "Nie Huaisang helped Wei Wuxian stand up from the comfortable cushioned chair and guided him towards the back door, "Then why are you helping her?"
Wei Wuxian followed Nie Huaisang's gentle guidance,"Because I don't want my sister to be in a loveless marriage and suffer like Madame Yu and Uncle Jiang. If my sister loves him so much, I will support her! If only that Zixuan had some brains! He realizes he loves her after he breaks the arrangement!"
"I can't blame him, he had no say in the first arraignment! But after the night-hunt competition, they understood each other— that's true love ."
"Tch— stop reading those cheesy romances! He should've tried knowing her earlier, poor Lan Wangji, he got dragged into the mess!"
"But you were not there! How do you know this and have you met Hanguang Jun, he is older than us, why are you mentioning him so casually?"
"He is Hanguang Jun for you! For me, he is my idol, Lan Wangji!"
"You just sound like the maidens in my sect when you mention his name! And don't forget to address him as Hanguang Jun! Don't even utter his name! Actually forget that you are his fan! Should I cast a temporary amnesia spell! Don't call him Lan Wangji!"
"I am going to marry him in two hours! I am a successful fan who gets to be his wife for half a day!"
Nie Huaisang first bonked Wei Wuxian's forehead with his, and then peeped out from the backdoor, the coast was clear. He helped Wei Wuxian into the garden,"Fake marriage! Fake Marriage! FAKE MARRIAGE! The moment he realizes the ruse, you know you are getting kicked out and becoming homeless."
"But you offered me refuge, are you backtracking?"
"No, I am not! It's just–"
"Just what?"
"My gut instinct is telling me, it will not be easy for you to runaway from this."
Wei Wuxian pinched the arm he was latching on to for walking,"Don't jinx it, A'Sang!"
"Oi" Jiang Cheng, Wei Wuxian's sect brother and self-appointed elder sibling, tapped on Nie Huaisang's shoulder. "Sister's palanquin has left, Luo Qingyang has prepared everything. We just have to switch their places at the mountain crossing."
Turning awkwardly in the heavy red robes, Wei Wuxian grabbed Jiang Cheng's shoulders, "What will you say to uncle if he asks where I am during the ritual?"
"That you are crying from the corner and point at Nie Huaisang, behind the pillar, who is dressed in your clothes."
"Perfect!" Wei Wuxian sighed a big relief.
Jiang Cheng pulled his brother into a hug,"Once they find out you are not our sister, they will kick you out! Nie Huaisang and Jin Guangyao will pick you up, and you will head straight to the Unclean Realm. I will come to you after sorting this mess at home, okay? Don't be reckless."
"I promise."
Wei Wuxian wouldn't have had to resort to this plan , had his legal wardens not been equally impulsive and so obsessed with reputation. He was adopted as a spare heir for diplomatic reasons, and Jiang Yanli, his sect sister, was raised to be a future sect lord's wife, again for diplomatic reasons.
Their life together as diplomatic assets was going fine, until Jin Zixuan, with whom Jiang Yanli was betrothed since she was ten, decided he didn't want an arranged marriage just before the announcement of the official wedding date.
Offended by this sudden announcement, Madam Yu, had taken her seventeen-year-old daughter and son to the annual Night hunt competition! And a fourteen-year-old Jiang Cheng was forced to compete in each sport and avenge his sister's honour by defeating the young master Zixuan.
But fate had other plans, on the first night of the competition, the venue became a real night-hunt ground when mishaps kept happening one after another!
Madam Yu and other adults went to fight the demons let loose. And Jiang Yanli who was helping in the medical bay found an injured Jin Zixuan two days later and nursed him back to health.
As the chaos spread and the number of injured increased, Jiang Yanli sent out requests for Qingyang who was always with her master helped spread the word around the arena turned battleground.
Lan Wangji of Lan Sect had been one of the few unharmed young masters, who was fighting with the demons toe to toe, came to help Jiang Yanli with herbs and provided her with manpower she needed to heal the injured.
And once things settled down— gossip spread about the recently rejected daughter of Jiang Sect trying to seduce her former fiancé back by deliberately staying in his tent when he was unconscious!
Lan Wangji being the honourable young man, stood up to shut the gossip mongers and got dragged into the pettiness of human nature. Rumours that Jiang Yanli was now chasing the second young master of the Lan sect spread like wildfire!
Unable to cut down the wagging tongues and do any damage control, a frustrating mother was at the edge of her patience. To protect her daughter's reputation, Madam Yu, met Lan Qiren and proposed immediate marriage to save her daughter from humiliation.
Lan Qiren, without consulting his nephew, agreed to this proposition as he too was an honourable old man! He had seen his nephew helping Jiang Yanli and found her temperament suitable to Lan Sect — readily agreed to the arrangement.
The marriage was set up one month after their conversation, and despite the protests from both Lan Wangji and Jiang Yanli, the adults refused to listen to them.
Jiang Yanli was mentally a strong person, but physically she was always frail. Despite this, she kept begging to her mother to not rush her into the wedding! Jin Zixuan's kept sending letters of apologies and asking for reconciliation— but Madam Yu was not having it!
Mother and mistress of Jin Sect sent trunk-full of golds and silver as apology, but every new gesture of theirs was meant with a scorn.
Jiang Fengmian tried to reason with his wife but, at the end of the day, she had a very good example of why arranged marriages made by parents were meant to be followed by children without a question— her own marriage to him!
Jiang Yanli refused to eat, she refused to talk and even attempted to run away: but Madam Yu was an experienced cultivator and strategist! Escaping her was next to impossible!
Seeing their sister suffer, Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng began forming their plan!
This version of the story of hurting Jiang Yanli was sent by Wei Wuxian to Nie Huaisang— who sent the letter to their intended target, Jin Zixuan!
The letter meant for Jin Zixuan was a more lovelorn version of the happenings in Jiang household! And it was received by Luo Qingyang, Jin Zixuan's maid and childhood playmate, instantly sprang to action. Not only did she send letters of apology on behalf of her young master, she also dragged the peacock to Yunmeng from Lanlin!
Sneaking the maid and master into the sect was not hard, but to run away with Jiang Yanli without anyone noticing was impossible! Under the disguise of the dressmaker's assistant, Jin Zixuan and Luo Qingyang met Jiang Yanli!
In the most unmanly way, Jin Zixuan professed his love to Jiang Yanli, and Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian wanted to beat up the pretty-boy, but decided against it– first he was taller, second stronger and third their sister loved him.
In no time, the plan formed by Wei Wuxian and shared verbatim with Nie Huaisang, who immediately came down to help them under the pretext of being an advance wedding guest.
The plan was simple: they would replace Jiang Yanli on the day of the wedding with a decoy. When Lan Wangji would be marrying fake Jiang Yanli, the real one would be on her boat to Lanlin with Luo Qingyang and Jin Guangyao. Once The ceremony was over, Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian would rush after, in their private boat.
The only glitch in the plan was the decoy, they needed a decoy. Sadly, when Qin Su, Jin Zixuan's childhood friend's name was popped as decoy, a fifteen-year-old Jin Guangyao bared his teeth from Lanlin. Wen Qin who was the same height and weight Jiang Yanli was a perfect replacement, when Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng's sent a letter asking their close friend for help, she sent them a reply: the ashes of their letter.
Jiang Yanli finally suggested it was unfair to Lan Wangji to trick him into marrying another girl without his consent. So it was decided the decoy would be a boy, as that would automatically nullify the marriage. As the cultivation world still refused to acknowledge marriage between same-sex, it was the easiest solution!
Jiang Yanli would be married to the love of her life and Lan Wangji who once he learned he was cheated would kick out his fake bride and become free.
Yet, there was a huge difference in perspective between a thirteen-year-old Wei Wuxian and a seventeen-year-old Lan Wangji.
The plan of changing brides went smoother than Nie Huaisang had expected.
Inside, the temple was crowded with guests who came to witness the wedding of Sect leader's daughter!
Once out of palanquin, Wei Wuxian was moved inside swiftly! In heavy red robes it was difficult to move, he was seated in a velvety cushion. Blind to his surroundings because of his red thick veil, Wei Wuxian tried to make sense of his surroundings. After adjusting to his immovable situation, he could feel he was seated beside someone tall, who was clearly twice his size.
Nie Huaisang from his corner observed everyone— his belly was telling him something was not right! In simple dark clothes and far from the Jiangs was easily mistaken for his friend Wei Wuxian.
No one searched for Wei Wuxian during the ceremony and Jiang Cheng kept glancing at the door, he was worried about his sister's safety. Madam Yu was so busy that she paid no attention to anything else other than her guests, and it slipped her eyes that her useless adopted ward was awfully quiet.
Jiang Fengmian was so heartbroken at his daughter's rushed marriage that he didn't realize Wei Wuxian was missing!
Wei Wuxian on the other hand, under the uncomfortable red robes, accepted his temporary immobility. He wanted to see the wedding decorations and the guests, but if he lifted his veil, everything would be exposed. With a little sigh, he had closed his eyes for a quick nap. He practised the policy of, when stressed, go to sleep very seriously.
When he opened his eyes, the first batch of incense sticks were gone and the priest was singing chants, which indicated the rituals were not nearing completion anytime soon. Once the siesta faded, Wei Wuxian could feel a strong arm gently holding him from tumbling forward and banging his head against the food offered to the gods. He had not realized the weight of his hair ornaments! They were dragging him forward!
The fake bride had never met Lan Wangji, and had only heard stories of his idol. Now that he was besides him, and being steadied by him, Wei Wuxian could smell the sandalwood from the tall teen. Being naturally a restless person, this was the longest he had ever been this quiet and in one position. So let Lan Wangji continue holding him while closing his eyes for another quick nap.
The second time he woke up , the rituals were over, and the newly-weds were asked to take their bows. Again Lan Wangji helped him, Wei Wuxian didn't realize the weight of the crown and ornaments in hair. He was glad he was carrying the weight of the unkind ornaments, not his frail sister.
Once rituals were done, was when the anxiety returned to the younger teen's shoulders.
The older women of Jiang Sect came forward to help the newly married couple stand up from their position. "You can lift her veil, now, young master." One of them suggested, and another's hands were already at the hem of the veil.
But Lan Wangji was faster, he politely stopped the hand and shook his head.
Many had gathered, among the guests there were always some who were here for the drama! Of the ones who belonged to other sects– some came for genuine celebration, some were drawn in hopes of gossip. There were already ill-intended rumours on why Madam Yu had rushed the wedding, that too with a second master and not someone who would inherit the sect as leader. As many people, that many vile thoughts.
Wei Wuxian under the veil found his heart beating fast. He knew grooms often removed the veils to help their brides to help them walk without hurting themselves, but right now the veil was protecting him. So his young, child-like fingers dug into Lan Wangji's arms. Lan Wangji gently patted the fingers of his red blob bride who was needling his muscles, and firmly repeated his reply with a shake of his head.
Now everyone was more curious to see the face of the bride, if she was sad— she would be pinning for her former fiancé, if she was smiling— she was a shameless woman who happily moved on with the next man she fancied, if she was looking stressed— she must be hiding some secret, if she looked too beautiful— she was asking for attention. So to nip the bud of malicious gossip, Lan Wangji stopped the old hands from lifting the veil.
"Until we reach Gusu, the veil remains."
A few soft but commanding words was all it took for the Sect ladies to leave the couple behind.
Jiang Fengmian was so heartbroken that he didn't bother to say anything and let the newly-wed be seated on their designated spot without a glance.
The feast began, and Wei Wuxian felt his stomach rolling and cooing— the smell of wedding food made him want to throw his veil and eat whatever was on the table. But he had to resist!
Lan Wangji noticed the red blob bride beside him trying to find a comfortable seating position, "Do you want to eat?" he asked. Though the red blob refused with a shaking head, the belly betrayed by revealing an attention seeking growl.
Lan Wangji grabbed the first plate that his eyes laid on, and put it on Wei Wuxian's lap, "Here, you can eat this under the veil." Saying this, Lan Wangji gently pulled his bride behind and straightened his spine, and shifted his back in a certain angle to hide his bride behind.
To a mute Wei Wuxian, not only was his idol a great man! He was also kind and considerate, it made Wei Wuxian happy that Lan Wangji would be free from this arrangement within few hours. Wei Wuxian knew Lan Wangji deserved the best bride in the world, his sister was the best, she was not the best bride for him. With a grin, he began gobbling the food that was on his plate.
Lan Wangji noticed that the red blob bride beside him was suddenly giggling. Instead of being shocked, he figured the stress of the day was finally showing its effect. Once his bride passed him the empty plate, Lan Wangji asked, "Do you wish to leave for Gusu now?"
Wei Wuxian feared being exposed, so he quickly replied, with a fake feminine voice Nie Huaisang had taught him, "Now."
"As you wish."
The bride-carriage that came from Gusu to carry real Jiang Yanli was spacious and comfortable, fearing the journey from the river lands to the mountain would be hard for the new bride, Lan Qiren had given special orders for a luxurious sedan.
The path was long, and the bride Lan Wangji married actually a child. After receiving farewell from everyone, and a sobbing hug from Madam Yu and Jiang Fengmian, the door of the carriage was opened by Jiang Cheng.
Wei Wuxian was hugged tight by Jiang Cheng, who whispered that he was heading towards the port now. "And A'Xian, don't let your admiration spill out. Stay undercover okay!"
Lan Wangji then stepped in to help his red blob of a bride who quickly scuttled inside,"You can stretch your legs comfortably. I will be on my horse, ahead of you. If you need anything, just knock on your window." Wei Wuxian wanted to say a loud thank you, and old Lan Wangji's palms and kiss them! He wanted to meet his idol for so long, but he restrained his excitement. After a few deep breaths, the teen replied with a dignified nod. Which didn't look that dignified when viewed from Lan Wangji's height.
After taking a final look, Lan Wangji undid the knots on the curtains and closed the door. Wei Wuxian was suddenly sad, he couldn't see his idol cultivator. He couldn't blow his cover! So he waited, he would see him once he took off the veil in Gusu.
Like his fake husband had suggested, Wei Wuxian stretched his tiny limbs and cracked his knuckles. The seats were extremely comfortable and clean, against the red of his attire, the ivory interior felt too pious! He lifted his veil when he was assured they were out of everyone's view, the bride-carriage was far away from Lotus Pier.
He knew he was not returning anytime soon after the stunt he pulled. So he peeped out his head from the elegant window and took one last look at his home. It would be at least another six months before Madam Yu would even consider forgiveness! Though he was a little sad to be leaving his home, he was happy his sister had avoided a horrible future! And he was happy his idol Hanguang Jun was spared from a terrible marriage too!
When the city disappeared, Wei Wuxian pulled his heavy and itchy head inside and reclined it on one of the headrest and closed his eyes. He could feel the tension leave his neck and shoulders, and a wave of relief hit every inch of his little body. And like a kitten, he cuddled a soft pillow and curled up for a nap.
Wei Wuxian woke up when he felt a sudden jolt, now every part of his body was paining. Who would've thought wearing such heavy clothes and ornaments was going to be exhausting. He was about to lift the curtain and peep out. But the shutters of his window were gently shut.
Unable to understand what was going on, Wei Wuxian placed his ear on the wooden wall of his carriage. After a few adjustments, when the commotion died outside, he could hear voices.
"We have to check the carriage."
"Under whose authority?" This was Lan Wangji's voice, Wei Wuxian could hear.
An arrogant voice replied, "The borders are protected by the Wen Sect, we have every right to check."
"If you take another step forward, Lan Sect will consider this an act of aggression. The treaty clearly mentions that the people of Wen Sect have no say in matters of the borders that Lan Sect shares with Lanlin Jin Sect." Wei Wuxian had read that Lan Wangji didn't like talking much, but he was a curt person. Now, hearing him speak with such command made the fanboy in Wei Wuxian giggle.
The voice again yelled, "We will—" but it was cut short.
"Lan Wangji what did you?"
"Why can't he speak?"
"What did you do?"
No reply came, and the situation outside the carriage tensed further. Wei Wuxian decided to help and automatically put his hands on his waist— then it dawned on him! His sword was back in Lotus Pier, there was no way a bride would carry a sword, especially her brother's sword! Wei Wuxian despite his small stature, could fight well, yet decided not to do anything. He had immense faith in his one true hero, Lan Wangji!
The noise died down after a few minutes, Wei Wuxian could hear the retreating footsteps. They didn't retreat, they were running! The red blob bride was pleased that his fake husband was is indeed a man of great power!
Then the carriage began to move. Wei Wuxian swayed to and fro, and his window was again gently opened. And Wei Wuxian peeped out, still unable to see his role model, he tried hard.
His idol's voice reached him, nonetheless, "Are you alright?"
With his fake voice, Wei Wuxian replied, timidly, "Yes."
"Are you hungry?" Lan Wangji's commanding voice was now kind, almost as gentle as his sister.
"No." Wei Wuxian had many questions he wanted to ask. But he was still on a mission.
"Do you wish to stop by an inn and refresh?"
"No."
"Are you certain?"
Wei Wuxian clutched his window curtain,"Yes. I am alright."
"It will be another five hours ride. Do you want anything?"
Wei Wuxian decided the concern from Lan Wangji was making him anxious,"I think I will sleep, Hanguang Jun."
"Then I shall not disturb you. I will wake you up when we reach."
"Thank you." Wei Wuxian dropped his curtains and pulled his pillow into his lap.
Lan Wangji didn't wake up Wei Wuxian when they reached Gusu!
"Everything went well?" Lan Xichen, Lan Wangji's elder brother asked, the moment newly-wed arrived.
Still on his horse, Lan Wangji replied, "We ran into Wen soldiers causing trouble around the borders."
"Is your bride alright?" Lan Qiren asked.
Lan Wangji nodded, "Yes, tired and sleeping. I would appreciate if you don't make any noise."
The entire sect had assembled to welcome the new mistress of Lan Sect, but Lan Wangji curtly stopped everyone from making any noise. Not making noise was easy for a sect that practised silence as part of their education. But this decision to not welcome the new bride immediately stung the elders.
They knew Lan Wangji wasn't happy with his arrangement, still they expected him to be courteous to his spouse. The moment his wedding was fixed against his will, Lan Wangji had decided he was no longer going to be a law-biding young master. Everyone saw him as he gracefully climbed down from his horse and walked towards the carriage.
Lan Qiren could see the stubborn nephew he had raised hardening his eyes, the second young master was up to something, "Wangji what are you doing?" His nephew gently lifted his red blob of a bride from the seat and crossed the threshold of the Sect premise and headed straight to the ancestral home. "Wangji?"
Lan Wangji turned his face slightly as he further bundled his bride in his strong arms and looked at his uncle squarely. "Offering our respects to our ancestors, just like father wished."
"Xichen stop your brother?"
Lan Xichen smiled with amusement,"Why?"
A sect elder similar in age to Lan Qiren explained, "It is disrespectful to carry your wife in such a shameless manner into the ancestral hall."
Ignoring the elders around him, Lan Xichen encouraged his brother to hurry, "I think there is nothing shameful about this. Wangji's bride is tired, and he doesn't wish to wake them up! Brother, your marriage agreement has been placed inside. Make sure your new-bride signs it and drinks the tea."
Hearing his brother's words, Lan Wangji nodded and vanished so fast that no one saw it.
"Xichen? What are you brothers doing?" Another elder asked sternly.
"Absolutely nothing."
"Let's follow them." Someone suggested.
"Yes, let's do that."
"Wangji said not to wake up his bride."
"This is disrespectful!"
"But walking into the temple while the couple offers prayers is respectful?" If Lan Wangji was known for few words, his elder brother Zewujun was known for being master of words and manners. He decided tonight was the night he would have a battle of wits with his Sect elders.
By the time the sect elders figured out, Lan Xichen was deliberately keeping them in one place. Multiple Jiang Sect soldiers had arrived at their door step.
Once the newly-wed couple was inside the main prayer hall, the wedding ritual would be over after three bows and signing the agreement, which would be sealed and be officiated by the sharing of drinks— since alcohol was prohibited in Cloud Recess, it was tea the couple would drink. Wei Wuxian didn't read romance, so he was not aware of these rituals, he knew about offering prayers, but the exchange of cups of drinks and signing of paper— he had no clue about it.
Wei Wuxian was woken up by a gentle nudge and soft call, "Wake up." Despite having slept so much, his body was still aching.
After a lot of concentration, Wei Wuxian, recalled his fake feminine voice, "Have we reached?"
"Yes, are you thirsty?"
Lan Wangji gave him a cup of water and cleared his voice and explained,"After we offer the three bows, we sign this paper, with our real names and drink the tea."
"Real name?"
"You do not wish to be charged with forgery, many fake marriages happen. So we sign with our birth name."
Wei Wuxian was now fully awake, his immediate thought went to Jiang Yanli, "Why my birth name?" Now he was wondering if he wrote her name, would that to be counted as forgery? Already, they had tricked Lan Wangji into performing marriage rituals with a boy and not a girl. If the document had her name, they could harm his sister. He would rather take the blame on himself.
Calmly, Lan Wangji explained, "This paper will go for examination and if the name of one person is found on two documents, the person will be put in prison for ten years."
"Let's bow." Wei Wuxian decided, he would perform the bows, and drink the tea and sign the paper and once he was taken to meet the Lan elders, he would remove his veil and reveal the truth. That would create enough chaos and Jiang Yanli would be safe. "Let's do it."
Lan Wangji took his red blob bride's small hands in his palm and guided them on how to bow to their ancestors. Each bow was offered slowly with utmost respect. In his heart, Wei Wuxian offered apologies to the ancestors.
Respected Lan ancestors, please forgive Hanguang Jun! He has no idea his bride is a boy! I apologize! This is for my sister's happiness. I am sorry. I am sorry. I am sorry.
Once the bows were over, Lan Wangji signed and sealed the marriage arrangement, and slide it to Wei Wuxian, Lan Wangji held the veil slightly higher for his red blob bride to see the paper. After signing the paper with deliberately illegible handwriting, Wei Wuxian recalled he had no seal of his own. "I have no seal."
"We will make you one, when you come of age. For now, you can place your hand print."
"Hand print?"
"Yes." Gently, Lan Wangji, uncoiled Wei Wuxian's hand and took the pen away, and smeared his palm with red ink. "Now place it by your name."
As he was told, Wei Wuxian did. His tiny handprint demanded attention like the first rose bud that bloomed on a winter's morning— bright, fresh and lively.
Lan Wangji handed the tea to his red blob bride, "Now we exchange the cup of tea."
"Alright" Wei Wuxian took the cup while Lan Wangji held his veil. In one attempt, he gulped down the entire cup of tea! He drank the tea so fast that his thirst was far from quenched. Soon his throat was burning, as if someone was scraping the insides with sandpaper!
The thirst grew in his throat and his tongue felt dry, Wei Wuxian couldn't help but ask, "May I have some water?"
"Give it a moment, the spell has to be absorbed."
Hearing the new information, Wei Wuxian looked at his own hands, the little bit of skin that was exposed were his wrists and palm, "Spell?" Then he saw it, there was something golden shimmering under his skin. Magic was flowing in his blood. He no longer felt confident or safe enough to pull his plan. "What spell is it?" Wei Wuxian's voice at long last betrayed him, tears were breaking down from his cheeks and he broke into loud sobs.
"It will not harm you, it is the spell of unification. You are under my protection, from today onwards, you and I are bound to each other until our last breath."
Hearing this declaration the sobs under the veil grew louder, in gibberish, Wei Wuxian was profusely apologizing to Lan Wangji. The hiccups soon followed after, "Hanguang Ju" hic "I didn't." hic "Mean" hic "Sistahhhh" hic.
Lan Wangji gently held his red blob bride's shoulders and massaged his back. When the loud crying reduced to soft whimpers, the older teen lifted the veil and offered Wei Wuxian a cup of water. Wei Wuxian refused to open his eyes, but Lan Wangji held him and slowly made him drink it.
"Look at me."
"I am sorry."
"I am sorry."
"I am sorry."
"Wei Wuxian, look at me."
For years, Wei Wuxian had dreamt of the day he would turn fourteen, so that he could meet his idol, Lan Wangji. In his small life he had never thought, when he would meet him, Wei Wuxian will be a crying mess of tears, hiccups and gibberish language. He didn't want to look at Lan Wangji.
"Wei Wuxian look at me! Please."
Hearing his name, from Lan Wangji's lips, brought some sense to the child. "You" hic "know my" hic "name, Hanguang Jun?" hic.
Before Lan Wangji could reply, the door to the ancestral hall was forced open. Wei Wuxian opened his eyes, and saw a herd of angry Lan elders and soldiers in purple and gold. He thought he could deal with the decision he took. Right now, being held in Lan Wangji's arms and being stared down by everyone in the hall, he began crying loudly again.
Lan Qiren yelled, "What have you done, Wangji?"
Shutting his eyes, Wei Wuxian dug his nails in to Lan Wangji's arms,"Please don't hurt my sister." Wei Wuxian curled up further and begged everyone, "Please don't hurt my sister."
"Please don't hurt my sister!"
"Answer your uncle Wangji?"
"What is the meaning of this?"
Lan Xichen was not surprised or angry, just amused, he took confident steps towards his brother and patted him, "Wangji will explain everything." He took the marriage agreement and read it. Neatly he folded it while the elders threw questions after questions at Lan Wangji who paid them no attention and was trying to calm the younger teenager in his arms.
"Do you not feel shame?"
"How could you hurt our sect reputation like this?"
Ignoring his elders, Lan Wangji stood up with a tiny Wei Wuxian in his arms, "Wei Wuxian, look at me." Wei Wuxian was shivering in his arms. There was a difference of a generation between thirteen-year-old and seventeen-year-old! If one was encouraged by love for all to protect, the other was encouraged by anger against the world to protect. "Wei Wuxian look at me. No one can hurt you. I will protect you"
Hearing the reaffirming words Wei Wuxian finally opened his eyes, for the first him in his life, his imagination had failed him. He knew Lan Wangji was handsome, but he had never thought the person would be so ethereal. Wei Wuxian lacked the vocabulary to explain what he felt, but he knew he was protected. The golden eyes that were angry at his elders, turned to his face and softened their intensity when they saw Wei Wuxian's terrible painted face.
No one except Lan Xichen noticed the small curl that formed on Lan Wangji's lips.
"Lan Wangji, what are you trying to do?"
"I Lan Wangji, second young master of Gusu Lan Sect, married Wei Wuxian of Yunmeng Jiang Sect, in presence of numerous eyewitness and have received blessings from both families, and hereby I declare— Wei Wuxian, as my lawfully wedded husband."
"How do you know my name, Hanguang Jun?" with a trembling voice the red blob bride asked, Wei Wuxian looked back and forth— the tall teenager holding him in his arms and at the angry people throwing daggers at them.
"How did you know my name?"
TBC