18 Xian

Wei Ying

They stayed two days in the Cloud Recesses, so Lan Zhan can spent time with his family. During those days, he keep himself busy with Ah Yuan, watching him master the zither under Lan Zhan's supervision, then teaching him a few tricks when his lover wasn't around and perfecting the flag they used in special night hunting occasions.

When doing that, all juniors joined, so he could teach them all and explain how to better use them, along with the compass he invented. Xichen had asked to teach him the tune he used to calm the resentful energy, as it could be used on fierce corpses, decreasing the risks and dangers for all those who hunt them at night. It was pleasant to teach Xichen and watch Ah Yuan progress along with his friends.

Thus, surprisingly enough, his time in the Cloud Recesses passed in a blink of an eye and even Lan Qiren had no reason to scold him, as he was helping the Clan to improve their hunting techniques, so they could be more effective and help the citizens when in need.

Lan Zhan was happy, seen that his Uncle was accepting his teaching and even ask him a thing or two about the flags array. His Light Bearing Lord had even told him that in due time, his Uncle will give in and accept him as a member of the Clan if he wished to be one officially, which he doubted, with all the due respect.

He specially loved when Lan Zhan brought him wine and better food at night and share it together before ending the night with steamy love making, now as an official marry couple. Lan Zhan had told Xichen about their official marriage too, which was not surprising, as they had already been living together for almost a year, but gave Wei Ying more rights and even to be part of the Clan by the association, as Lan Zhan's husband, as well as to inherit everything from his husband in case of death, along with Lan Sizhui, their official son.

The day they left, Xichen allowed for Sizhui and Lan Jingyi to go with them to the Lotus Pier, as it will keep the kids out of trouble, breaking curfew to hunt with them. Later on, Wei Ning join them, as it had been a long time since he had seen him. Thus, they travel back to Qinghe and booked rooms in the same Inn Jiang stayed to spend the night and as they have dinner, they hear the news.

"Is it that really crowded in the Lotus Pier, then?" A man said in a nearby table, which make Wei Ying paid attention instantly.

"Ah, yes. I heard that Jiang Cheng is enraged for all the kids that showed up there from almost all Clans, supposedly to learn from Wei Wuxian, who had come down from his secluded training in the mountains to visit the Lan Clan. Clan leader Jaing must be close to a heart attack by now, he is not known for been good with brats..." The small group laughed and Wei Ying sighed, drinking from his cup.

"Just how many showed up there? I thought it will be just Jin Ling and his most close friends." Wei whisper.

"We were expecting you for almost a year, most juniors wanted to be teach by the legendary Yilin Patriarch. Your reputation is no longer tainted, so it's fine to be your apprentice." Wei drank even more.

"Well, at least they are not telling awful stories about me anymore. By the way Sizhui, I'm not taking apprentices, so make sure to dismiss any mention of wanting to become one." Wei Ying said.

"But what if we want to?" Lan Jingyi asked him, quite hopefully.

"I already teach you how to perfect the flags, now you guys are the advance class. Lord Xichen told me that next year the classes in the Cloud Recesses will be open for all juniors. You can show off then..." Jingyi smiled widely. He had always liked Wei Wuxian, even when his reputation was bad.

"Wei Ying, 'show off' is forbidden in the Cloud Recesses." Lan Zhan remained him.

"Pretty much everything is forbidden there. I don't blame our son for going out to have some fun with his Uncle Wen Ning from time to time." At that, Ning looked up.

"Don't encourage him." Lan Zhan told him, making Sizhui blush a bit embarrassed.

"Ah, come on Lan Zhan..." Wei Ying begin protesting.

"It's no me, my Uncle will punish him harder than he should." Lan Zhan warned him, which was in fact true.

"Ah yeah, that... I remember when he punish me with 300 hits, actually it was both of us... Lan Zhan, seriously I was really sorry for involving you at that time." Wei Ying said and Sizhui was ready to ask about it.

"Seriously? The Light Bearing Lord was hit that many times because of you? What did you do?" Jingyi asked first.

"I brought liquor to my room, Jiang Cheng, Nie Huaisang and I were drinking and having fun and Lan Zhan find out. He was going to report us, so naturally, I use one of my talismans to control him and well.... Back then didn't knew Lan Zhan could not drink, thus I make him drink one cup. Obviously he fainted a few seconds after. The next day, we were call for punishment and dear Lan Zhan go ahead and said 'I'm willing to receive my punishment' even when I was the one who make him drink against his will and the rest is history." Jingyi try to swallow a laugh, but Sizhui only sighed.

"That was wicked..." Lan Jingyi said finally with a laugh disguised as a coughing.

"And it hurt like hell, the one punishing us didn't hold back, I assure you that..." This time Jingyi really laughed.

"I'm sorry Senior Wei was like that..." Sizhui apologize too, in behalf of his mischievous second father.

"Sizhui, you should know by the thing I sent you to buy that I am your second official parent now. Seriously, call me as such." Wei Ying said as he drank another cup.

"Alright, mother..." Wei coughed, almost drowning himself with his own drink.

"What?" He asked, as Lan Zhan smirked, Jingyi laughed again and even Wen Ning chuckle, but Sizhui was dead serious, looking at Wei Ying, which make Jingyi laugh even more.

"You said to call you as such. The Light Bearing Lord is my father, for which I was giving his last name, so now you are my mother." Jingyi fell from his seat.

"You brat! No wonder Jiang Cheng had such troubles with the ungrateful brats. You are just like Jin Ling." Sizhui smiled.

"We are good friends." Sizhui said.

"No wonder... Lan Zhan, our son went silly on me." He pouted, drinking again.

"Sizhui, don't tease Wei Ying." Lan Zhan said, although he looked amused. Traitor! Wei thought.

"Yes, Light Bearing Lord." Sizhui assented, looking at his second father. "Sorry, father Xian..." Been called Xian out of nowhere, make him feel nostalgic for the ones he loved but lose during his previous life that had called him like that. Most of the people he cared the most called him either Brother Xian or A'Xian, like his sister and he missed it, very much.

Maybe Ah Yuan didn't remember most of that time they spend together, just traces of happy or mischievous moments, but apparently he remember the way he used to call him and it hit him hard, because aside from the happiness of been called so informally, it also brought sad memories of his family. Back in the Burial Mounds, they all die because of him, because they thought they own him their lives for protecting them for a year and sacrifice their lives so willingly to keep him safe and protected in return.

He miss them... he really miss them as much as he missed his sister, even after dying and coming back again. Unable to stop his feeling to come out, Wei Ying stood and turned, walking away. Sizhui was on his feet too and was going to follow his father, thinking he had really offend him, but Lan Zhan stop him.

"Don't follow, he is not mad with you." Zhan said.

"But..." Sizhui pretested, feeling very guilty for taking a joke that far.

"Sizhui, been called Xian brings him back memories, both good and bad. He is not offended, just emotional."

"Oh... but still... I should apologize."

"No... you used to call him Xian before, don't stop now. Go to your room, we leave for the Lotus Pier tomorrow morning. I will handle him." Lan said, standing and go up the stairs to meet with a sad lover. He open the sliding door an close it and instantly Wei was in his arms. This was not the first time Wei Ying faced sadness, remembering the past, especially when he drank, so he had held him like that many times.

"Wei Ying..." Lan Zhan whisper.

"Did you told him I'm not mad?" Wei asked.

"Yes... are you alright?" Lan Zhan asked, rubbing his back gently.

"Yeah... just remember some things..." Wei said holding him even closer.

"Hum... you know I will always hug you..." Lan Zhan whisper back.

"Such caring husband... how lucky I am..." Wangji smiled.

"I'm sorry, I ruined a very good moment... It's been so long since he call me Xian."

"You know I don't mind if you cry with either happiness or sadness." Wei smiled in return, still fighting the coming tears.

"Not this time... I'm happy we got marry, we had a talented son, that's sometimes a total brat and I got you, here with me, so beautiful and kind... kiss me..." Wei asked and thus Lan Zhan comply, kissing him the way he knew it will wash away all of Wei's sadness and bring him joy.

Still engaged in their kiss, Lan Zhan guided his husband to the single bed and help him sat over it, then lay down over the bed, as he sat in the border, reclining his body to keep claiming Wei's mouth and body, as his, as he always does at night.

"Lan Zhan..." The words were no needed, he knew by heart that his husband loved him and Wei Ying knew his love for him was unconditional, so he shut him out with another kiss that make Wei Ying's blood boil with all the passion he felt for his man.

Lan Zhan knew him so well that he always responded in the way he need him. Soon, Lan Zhan gently wiped the tears that still fell, then softly kissed the trace down his cheek and neck, making Wei Ying moan, forgetting the sadness to give place to the love he felt for the man that was about to make him reach the heavens with gentle kisses and caring hands.

Lan Wangji was an unexpected blessing in his life and he love it so very much and will do anything to keep it that way for a very, very long time.

AN: Thanks for reading. Next is the Lotus Pier madness. Hope you like it and happy holidays. 🎄🎄With love, take care, until next time. 😁💝💙❤💖😙