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Chapter Text

“Sect leader Jiang of Yunmeng, courtesy name Jiang Wanyin, known as the only survivor and living legend of the Wen Sect’s bloodthirstiness. The war hero of the Sunshot Campaign, one of the longest and most horrific battles in history. Also known as the wielder of Sandu and the Master of Zidian, two of the most powerful spiritual weapons ever recorded in history. Commoners also titled him Purple Phoenix of the South, as he had risen from the abyss and built back his annihilated sect from its ashes post-war.

During his reign, he brought Yunmeng, particularly Lotus Pier, to the utmost prosperous time, exceeding what his predecessors had done, marking him as the youngest yet the most successful leader of Yunmeng Jiang. He is the epitome of ‘Attempt the Impossible’, the Yunmeng Jiang sect’s very own motto which had been passed down for generations. On top of his glorious achievements, he is also gifted with a stunning look, taking after his beautiful mother, the late Madame Yu. During his teenage years, he was ranked 5^th out of the top 5 most eligible bachelors of his generation.

Due to his wealth, power, position, and relatively young age, Sect leader Jiang had been the target of countless matchmakers of the nobles and high-ranking officials’ families. However, he was notorious for his venomous mouth and outrageous ways of turning these offers down, breaking the hearts of many maidens all over the country and rendering him banned from them.

His bad reputation soon overcame his accomplishments to the point that it was rumored the reason why he rejected all that was because he was actually a closeted cut-sleeve. After the news spread around, male suitors of all ages, both from inside and outside Jianghu, started lining up in front of Lotus Pier’s gates, asking for his hand in marriage while already bringing all sorts of gifts. The biggest incident of all was perhaps, when a renowned General from the Imperial City, who had won countless battles for the Emperor, demanded to marry him and fought the other cultivators whom he had seen as rivals, wreaking havoc right outside Lotus Pier. The story told by the onlookers back then was that Sect Leader Jiang came out to face these male suitors, whipped them all one by one with Zidian, kicked their arses out of Yunmeng once and for all, while dramatically closing the gate of Lotus Pier and cursing on top of his lungs that he would never marry.

Nowadays, the people of Yunmeng refer to that incident as The Bleak Dusk, since they are still mourning the fact that their beloved leader will forever be alone. Outsiders speculated that his long-suffering of being abandoned by those he loved the most had blackened his heart. It is unfortunate that such a fine young man, who had survived the worst nightmare, locks his heart away and will never marry a sweetheart who can cherish him as he deserves. Being in the top 5 of the most handsome cultivators, after all, didn’t make it easier for him to find a life partner. Now reaching 40 years old, he is still heirless. He is the living proof that immense power and wealth won’t make you succeed in love if you have nasty personali—”.

“ENOUGH!!” Jin Ling slammed his cup of tea harshly, spilling the liquid all over the table. It was a miracle the cup didn’t break.

The three of them were in a private room in a teahouse right outside Jinlintai. His Lan friends had abruptly come to him without notice, seeking an audience and saying that it was kind of urgent. Yet, here he was listening to the rambunctious boy reading a skewed biography about his uncle.

“Did you seriously drag me from work just to listen to you mocking my Jiujiu?!" He pointed his finger at the Lan in front of him, trembling with rage. "You said you need his help!” 

“Well, I haven’t finished yet, you cut me off, calm down, Young Mistress…” Jingyi was startled by the sudden outburst. “This article was actually written by a traveling scholar we met in a big town, it was kinda famous, sold from large bookstores to the peddlers. Apparently, commoners believe this to be fact.”

“Those are total bullshit! Jiujiu only went to three official matchmakers, five at most!”

“And the unofficial ones?” Jingyi sneered.

“Fuck you! My Jiujiu’s love affair is nobody else’s business. Tell me who this prick is and where to find them. I’ll chase them down to hell and make them pay properly for defamation!”

“That’s the problem, it was written under a pseudonym and the distributors didn’t know who they were either,” said Lan Sizhui, who had been silent all the time. “But Jin Ling, with all due respect to your uncle, it’s not like he would care about this sort of rumor, right? It’s already spread anyway….and that’s not why we came here, Jingyi is just trying to make his points.”

“Then get to your point, I don’t have all day, I’m a sect leader now.”

“Well, we…think that one can only beat a rumor by providing inevitable fa—oucch!”

“WHAT SIZHUI MEANT IS THAT…after reading this article, we knew exactly who we could ask for help regarding our own sect leader’s issue, right, Sizhui??” Lan Jingy hastily added, pinching Sizhui’s waist under the table.

“Help for what? And what’s wrong with you, Sizhui? Did a bug bite you?” Jin Ling looked down under their table.

“I-I’m fine…”

“Here’s the thing.” Jingy put down the parchment and faced him, looking serious. “The fact remains that out of those in his generation, your Uncle is the most experienced when it comes to marriage interviews, as he has done it a lot…”

“You’re being sarcastic, aren’t you? He failed all of that ungraciously and you know it!” he barked.

“He is still much more knowledgeable about all the etiquette and stuff compared to our sect leader. Zewu-jun has never even gone to one.”

“Now that you mention it, it’s quite suspicious that he never did, given his reputation…I don’t mean to be rude but, is something wrong with him?” asked Jin Ling.

Lan Sizhui and Lan Jingyi looked at each other for a while, as if considering whether to tell him or not.

“He…indeed had received a lot of offers in the past, but he’d never even thought twice before rejecting them all and explained to the elders that he had already found his soulmate and would wait for the right time to court them in the future…Grandmaster Lan said he’d never mentioned who that was or where they came from and was quite worried that this ‘soulmate’ was someone forbidden like his mother…" said Lan Sizhui. "You know the story about Zewu-jun’s mother, right?” 

“Sorta…not the details though.”

“Well, anyway, that was before the…Wen’s raid happened.” Lan Sizhui fidgeted uncomfortably in his seat and continued, “After the war, Grandmaster Lan said Zewu-jun had never mentioned anything about it anymore. Due to that, the Elders assumed that whoever his beloved was, probably already died. We Lans understand the meaning of it so they never pushed him to marry any longer.”

“I see…and he was asking for help because?”

“He recently announced that he wanted to court someone, which is why he left seclusion,” Lan Jingyi said. “And yet, he confided to us that he didn’t know how to properly court someone, much more of the same gender.”

“Oka—wait, WHAT?? He’s also a cut-sleeve?!” Jin Ling slapped his own mouth as soon as he shouted. It was the right thing to do to book a private room at the most secluded wing after all.

“Yes…”

“….and he revealed to you guys that easily??”

“Correct. It seems like he no longer feels there’s any need to hide it anymore, I mean, given what has happened so far…”

“And we all accepted that. We honestly couldn’t be happier about it…after what he had been through, we just feel very relieved that he finally begins to chase his own happiness,” added Lan Sizhui.

“Is it Jiujiu then, the one your sect leader wants to court?”

“…”

“Because if it is, then he’d better save his face and refrain from it. I know damn well my jiujiu hates cut-sleeves. And he says he doesn’t plan to get married. Ever.”

“Jin Ling…you don’t think... that’s probably because he hasn’t met his true love…or that maybe he already has someone he really likes?" Lan Sizhui queried cautiously.

“That’s impossible, I would’ve known if he had. I’m the one who knows him the best. Besides, Jiujiu is like an open book. He can’t hide his feelings from showing on his face…it’s just people don’t bother to get to know him.”

“But…do you not want your Uncle to get married and be happy?”

“Of course I want it Sizhui, if that’s possible…but the fact remains that it’s always the people he loved who ended up hurting him the most. Right until recently! You can’t forget what happened after the Guanyin incident. That man left Jiujiu behind, someone who had done his utmost to search for him all his life. As if my Jiujiu’s lifetime suffering is worth only one word of apology and the rest can be easily swept under the rug!” Jin Ling didn’t even realize that he had raised his voice.

He heaved…suddenly his chest felt constricted. Talking about Jiujiu's life always made him sad for some reason. He closed his eyes and counted his breath to calm himself. Jiujiu taught him that he could no longer throw a tantrum whenever he felt like it, since he had to conduct himself as a responsible sect leader.

“Even if Zewu-jun is the only person left that Jiujiu acts amicable towards, that’s just out of respect. I definitely don’t want him to get hurt anymore, by anyone. Sizhui, regardless of whether Zewu-jun wanted it or not, his indecisiveness about what happened in the past had indeed contributed to my uncle’s predicaments…”

“What do you mea—”

“You’re taking this the wrong way, Jin Ling.” Now, it was Lan Jingyi who interjected Sizhui and the table again shook a bit.

“Sizhui meant well for your Uncle. But if he’s the one our sect leader wanted to court then we wouldn’t have come to you like this. We know your deal with Zewu-jun and—his brother, anyway.”

“We came to you so you can bring this up to your uncle, ask him to meet with Zewu-jun because we figure that it’s probably the best for him to get advice from someone around his age who had…well, who had been courted by men befor—”

"Tried to be courted! As your stupid article said, nobody made it."

“Right, anyway, it’s not like we know anyone else who was courted by another man. So Zewu-jun will just merely ask about some things…please Jin Ling.” Lan Jingyi rarely ever talked in a serious manner and was polite to him but now it seemed like he was desperately asking for help. Lan Sizhui was strangely quiet on the side and didn’t even look at him. Just stared blankly at the table while seemingly discomfited about something.  

Jin Ling considered it for a bit. What Jingyi said made sense and he had no reason to be suspicious. If he were only to bring this up, there was a high chance that Jiujiu would refuse anyway. He had nothing to lose here. Plus, it was his friends asking for his help.

“Fine, I’ll let Jiujiu know, but just so you know, if he doesn’t want then I’d just leave him be. Don’t expect me to persuade him or anything like that. This isn’t our business anyway and Jiujiu is pretty sensitive about things like marriage and stuff.”

“Thank you very much, Young Mistress! We will inform Zewu-jun immediately, how about you arrange the place for them to meet in Lotus Pier like…uum the day after tomorrow?”

“No, 4 days from now. I can’t leave here for the next two days.”

“Alright!”

***

[Lotus Pier]

After Jin Ling told him everything, Jiang Cheng felt like thousands of swords stabbed into his heart and a thick rope tightened around his lungs, his breath stuttered. He had no idea which part was more painful. The fact that Lan Xichen was leaving seclusion to court another person, the fact that he also liked men, or that it was his own thought all this time, thinking that he was the only one helping the older guy throughout his seclusion yet apparently, Lan Xichen had always had someone else on his mind.

'What a joke! Surely he already has someone he likes…’

Those were his own wishful thoughts…assuming that their correspondences all this time actually meant something, that there had been these inexplicable yet inexorable sparks between them, that the older man’s delightful smiles every time he visited the Hanshi were reserved only for him and were different than his customary polite smiles plastered on his face when they were in public. 

‘If I had known that he was okay with men, then I at least probably would’ve tried…’

‘No…even if he liked men, it’s not like he would be okay with just anyone who cared about him… why would he choose me of all people?’

No one in their right mind would choose Jiang Cheng over anyone else if they didn't have ulterior motives. That was what he believed all this time. After they got what they wanted from him, they would turn their backs on him, leave him alone, and abandon him. That was what had always happened all this time, so why would he think Lan Xichen should be any different?

No…that wasn’t right. Lan Xichen wasn’t at fault. He could love anyone he wanted as he didn’t owe Jiang Cheng anything. The older man only ever approached him offering kindness and never hoping for anything back. It was his own choice…

It was he who approached Lan Xichen first because he thought it was now his turn to help a fellow sect leader who was wasting away alone…burdened by his own guilt and unjustness forced upon him. Because he knew exactly what it felt like to be betrayed by someone he cared deeply about, someone he thought he knew inside and out…he understood precisely how numbing it was to realize how everything he believed in was shattered by the very person you trusted the most. And last, he knew how hurtful it was seeing Lan Xichen's brother who didn’t even care to stay to comfort him and chose to run away when Lan Xichen himself had always been there when the other was grieving…

Jiang Cheng thought it was finally his turn to repay all the help he'd gotten from Lan Xichen in the past, which was why he decided to reach out first during his seclusion when nobody asked him to.

Lan Xichen, who'd never thought twice about his own safety in order to make sure Jiang Cheng had everything he needed…while he was still mourning for his dead parents and worried to death about his missing shixiong and sister, while they were both on the run from the Wens. Lan Xichen, who had never lost his patience with him when Jiang Cheng’s teenage self was so unstable due to grief and lashed out at him repeatedly because he thought Lan Xichen had it easier than him for still having a home to return to. Because he thought the world was so unfair to him and he just needed something, someone, to take the blame back then. The older man had never even raised his voice at him, never turned his back on him, or left him alone despite his acting disgustingly ungrateful and immature.

When he was rebuilding Lotus Pier, no great sects were helping him. Caring too much about their righteous reputations to get involved with a sect that sheltered an unhinged demonic cultivator. The Gusu Lan included.

Yet Lan Xichen, their own sect leader, had gone all his way behind Jiang Cheng’s back to help him. Sending anonymous money and resources to Yunmeng Jiang's meagre treasury while disguising it as commoners’ tributes. When he found out about it, he was enraged beyond compare. He confronted the other, telling him to mind his own business because he didn’t want to owe Gusu Lan anything and put Lan Xichen in danger of treachery and corruption. Lan Xichen explained that it was all out of his own savings. That his sect had nothing to do with it since it was ‘Lan Huan’ who did it to help a friend, not Sect Leader Lan.

That if Jiang Cheng wanted to pay back, one day, then it was to him, and not to his sect…

He never deluded himself. He realized Lan Xichen was always surrounded by a lot of people who cared about him while Jiang Cheng only had Jin Ling. He thought that just like his Shufu, Lan Xichen was the kind of person who would dedicate himself fully to bringing goodness to society, free of any marital bonds.

That, for someone of his caliber to regard Jiang Cheng as a friend was plenty enough. He shouldn’t have felt like he was special to him, just because they started to get closer after exchanging a few letters…He shouldn’t have let his guard down and entertained the idea that perhaps falling in love wasn’t entirely impossible for him.

‘Pathetic…was I really hoping that something was going on between us?’

‘He was just being his usual kind self, all this time, the way he treated everyone else…’

He felt a sudden big lump obstructing his throat…

'He was just being caring because I was there…an easy distraction to his loneliness when everything else slipped past his fingers…'

“JIUJIU!”

Jin Ling’s shout snapped him back to his senses.

“What’s wrong? You’ve been awfully quiet. Did the news shock you that much?”

“N-nothing…” Jiang Cheng tried his damnedest to hide his trembling voice. “It’s just…it doesn’t make any sense why he asked for my help, of all people…everyone knows about my notorious reputation."

“As I said, apparently he'd already heard about those shameful incidents when those men fought each other to marry you.”

“Shut up! Don’t remind me of them.” 

“Jiujiu, if it really bothers you, then you don’t need to go. You don’t owe him anything. I know how sensitive you are about this sorta issue.”

“I actually owed him a lot more than you know. I probably wouldn’t be here talking to you right now if he didn’t help me in the past. Besides, I’m not sensitive as long as it isn’t about my marria—”

“Then, are you going or not??”

“First things first, are you really sure that...that kid Jingyi wasn’t just pulling your leg with this? I just don’t see how I can be of any help…”

“If it were just Jingyi who came then I wouldn’t believe him, but Sizhui was there too. They only said you if you agreed to help then meet up with Zewu-jun the day after tomorrow. We already arranged a place,” said Jin Ling.

He didn’t want to go if he could. He wasn’t sure how it would make him feel seeing his object of unrequited love happily talking about courting another man in front of his face. He wasn’t sure he would be able to hide his feelings from showing.

But this was Lan Xichen’s first time asking for his help. Even if he couldn’t stand it, he should at least show up first and welcome him back from seclusion. Even if it hurt him, he should be happy that the man finally tried to pursue his own joy. Even if this would be the last time he would ever see him…

“I’ll go to meet him.”

EXTRA

[Two weeks ago]

After announcing that he would leave seclusion shortly, Zewu-jun had been spending more time at Grandmaster Lan’s office, getting reacquainted with the sect’s works.

That morning, Jingyi and Sizhui were tasked to clean the Hanshi thoroughly, to get rid of all the lingering sorrowful energy. That was when Jingyi realized there was more dust than usual on the floor coming through the back door leading to the backyard. Turned out it was more of ashes than wind-swept dirt. Jingyi looked for the source to find it was a pile of half-burnt papers just left right outside the door. Beside the pile of ash was a small wooden box left ajar, filled with many letters. It seemed that his sect leader was in the middle of burning all of these, along with the box, before getting called by Grandmaster Lan. Jingyi was about to sweep the ash mount and tidy the rest of the papers when the name written on one of the envelopes caught his attention. It was a name he rarely heard people call anymore but he would never mistake it for anyone else.

To Jiang Cheng

In fact, all these letters inside the box were addressed only to this one name. Right under the name was the date (he supposed) when the letter was written. He skimmed through all the envelopes and was surprised to see some of them were from the old days.

20 years ago.

Jingyi suddenly realized what he had just discovered. About the story being told to all of them when they were kids, that they were never to mention or ask Zewu-jun about why their sect leader hadn’t married yet.

‘But why'd he burn all of these, when that person is still alive?’

Chapter Text

‘But why'd he burn all of these letters, when that person is still alive?’

On a split second of hesitation, Jingyi made up his mind to get to the bottom of it. He called Sizhui over and explained briefly about his findings. Sizhui, being the upright Lan that he was, scolded him harshly for breaching their sect leader’s privacy. However, he was finally bought after Jingyi insisted that this might be the only way to bring back the light to Zewu-jun’s life. Together, they quickly sorted the papers inside the box from the oldest to the newest date while leaving those lying on the floor untouched. They felt very bad about skimming the content of those letters, yet they kept justifying that these were already thrown away and about to be burned anyway.

They got the gist of it. There was no denying that these were love letters or diaries. They were all about Zewu-jun’s feelings towards Sect Leader Jiang from when they were supposedly teenagers until his recent seclusion. There were even some stories that seemed to come from childhood. It was news for them. They never thought these two had actually known each other for that long. There were some periods when nothing was written that they assumed was during the wars. After that point, the tone of the writing started to change from the cheerful innocence of a boy crushing on another boy, the pure and melancholy of falling in love, the passionate desire and longing towards the other, to the sorrowful and enigmatic statements laden with guilt…

18 years ago

“Seeing you like this is a great torture for me… I wish you would open up to me and tell me what had happened to you when the Wens captured you.”

“Whenever you cry in your sleep and have nightmares, I want to hug you and beat those monsters away. But I’m afraid you will reject me so I can only keep watch while you sleep. I hope you don’t mind it.”

“I should’ve been there for you and not let any of this happen to you…I was too busy running away.”

16 years ago

“Forgive me for letting you be all alone….”

“Why are you always alone? Why doesn’t he help you??”

“After all you’ve had done to make sure he was safe…how dare he do this to you and why do you keep letting him do as he likes?!”

“I was hurt so much by your words today. I just wanted to help you, but you kicked me out. Is it because I wasn’t the person you’ve been hoping for? Is it because I wasn’t him??”

“But I know you’re hurting inside and didn’t mean what you said to me. I understand you. Always.”

“I’m ashamed of my sect, we should’ve stood by those who needed hands, yet I couldn’t even go against my elders. I’m too much of a coward, Jiang Wanyin…”

“I hate myself for not being able to protect you from them. Please forgive me, my dear A-Cheng…”

15 years ago

“A coward like me isn’t worthy of your loyal heart and fierce love towards those you care about. I’m no match for you.”

“Forgive my sect Jiang Wanyin, please forgive me…Jiang Cheng, for being silent, for not doing anything to help you save your shixiong.”

13 years ago

“You have changed so much….where did my sweet A-Cheng go? I wish you would give me a chance to speak just the two of us…to know how you've been doing...how you've been coping...yet you never wanted to be alone with me anymore.”

"Is A-ling giving you a hard time? Do you even eat and sleep properly?"

"I have no idea how you could still move on. You've been through so much all on your own yet you still stand straight. You have the greatest strength, my love...you remind me every day why I fell for you all those years ago."

“But I feel like I have no right to even look at you anymore.”

“Did you hate me for not standing up for you all those times?”

“I love you, Jiang Wanyin…so much that it hurts…because I can never reach you...”

“I wish I could just abandon these responsibilities and be with you… I hate that these righteous sects are filled with pretentious fraud…and I really hate myself more for being such a coward… a hypocrite and not able to change anything.”

“Why did you say that you’d never marry anyone? You deserve to be loved as well, Jiang Wanyin…you deserve to be happy again.”

“Is it because your love also died with him?”

“Have I really never stood a chance of being with you?”

One year ago

“Again…I’m leaving you all alone again, when you are even more hurt than I am…”

“But I can’t offer you anything…when I’m broken like this…I don’t want to encumber you with my incapacities…I don’t know how my life would be from now on…I don’t even know if I could go on anymore...”

“Forgive me, Jiang Wanyin…I’m not as strong as I thought I was….I am nothing compared to your resilience, your valor, your perseverance…”

“You are everything I wish I could be…and have…”

“Looking at you reminds me of how much of a failure I have become…”

“I love you, Jiang Wanyin…will always love you as long as this heart is still beating…”

“Yet, this poor and shattered soul is not worthy even a piece of your big heart…”

“Please, forgive me, my dear…for everything…”

“Farewell…Sect Leader Jiang.”

It was the latest letter in the box. Jingyi and Sizhui couldn’t figure out what happened in between for these changes to take place and why their sect leader seemed to be responsible for what happened to the other... But for the problems that transpired before the seclusion, they sort of could guess what those were about.

One thing was for sure, Zewu-jun’s beloved was Sect Leader Jiang and it had been that way forever. There were bound to be adult issues that Jingyi and Sizhui wouldn’t be able to understand yet. Nevertheless, these two poor souls have clearly gone the wrong path when it seemed they were fated for each other. Jingyi could see as clear as day that Sect Leader Jiang also held affection for the other. It was written all over his face whenever he came to visit. As Jin Ling said, that man wore his heart on his sleeve. It wasn’t so hard to decipher him, you just needed to observe him a bit more. Jingyi thought it was probably only him getting ahead of himself because he was more sensitive to this kind of stuff but Sizhui also seemed to think along the same way.

“Then there’s only one way left for us, Sizhui. It must’ve been the heavens’ will that we were shown these letters right now. We have to help them get together!”

“But how should we—”

Just then, they heard some footsteps getting closer. Zewu-jun was coming back!

“We’ll talk about this later!” Jingyi hissed in panic.

“Leave the letters like how you found them, don’t take anything or he’ll find out!” whispered Sizhui.

“Quick, go to the gardens! We have to pretend we haven’t been to the backyard…”

Sizhui was already running to the front yard when Jingyi turned back and took two of the letters. The oldest and the newest one. He prayed that Zewu-jun wouldn’t notice the trash pile was missing two sheets. They might come in handy someday.

***

That night, Grandmaster Lan saw the junior Twin Jades of Lan doing a handstand at the ancestral hall all night. Lan Jingyi was a regular sight so he wasn’t that concerned anymore, but Sizhui….He asked them what they were punished for today yet strangely, the two of them refused to say anything.

Chapter Text

Lan Xichen had been very antsy, waiting for any sounds of footsteps coming up the Hanshi. Today, Jingyi and Sizhui were supposed to arrive from their trip, bringing with them Lan Xichen’s ‘future’. If his head disciples brought him the good news then within the next month, he would officially leave seclusion and his first destination ‘publicly’ would be Lotus Pier.

He had been praying religiously every single day since he sent the application letter along with the two juniors. He was late by a full fortnight so he wasn’t sure if he was still eligible for it. However, there was nothing he could do about it.

Due to his seclusion, he had never even heard that Sect Leader Jiang had been looking for male suitors. He'd only heard about it from Jingyi. Jiang Wanyin didn’t mention anything the last time he visited. It pierced his heart. He thought maybe Jiang Wanyin didn’t want to be politically tied to Gusu after what happened, which made sense, or maybe Yunmeng Jiang didn’t release the news widely to avoid the scandalous incident last time.

Nonetheless, Lan Xichen refused to dwell on the what-ifs any longer. As long as there was no news of his marriage meant the younger man hadn’t chosen anyone. He stopped hesitating and just followed his heart, the consequences could be dealt with later. He didn’t mind losing face by being rejected but he couldn’t do that to his sect, which was why he opted to send the application letter without telling Shufu. If Jiang Wanyin gave him a positive answer then he would send the courtship gifts after and let Shufu know. Jiang Wanyin's kindness and caring during his seclusion not only gave him hope but also boosted his confidence, making him believe that he probably still had his chance regardless how much he had failed the younger man. If there was one thing he knew best about Jiang Wanyin, it was his big heart and how he showed love through actions, not words.

KNOCK KNOCK

“Sect leader, this is Lan Yue, I brought something for you.” A child’s voice suddenly interrupted his train of thought.

“Come in, A-Yue.”

Lan Yue stepped in and bowed, “Da-shixiong asked me to deliver this letter for you. He said they would greet you properly tomorrow and apologize for their tardiness.” The young Lan then offered him a letter with a Yunmeng Jiang’s seal facing outward.

“Tell your da-shixiong they can greet me anytime after they have had enough rest. Thank you for delivering it to me. You can go back now.”

He waited until he couldn’t hear Lan Yue’s footsteps anymore before carefully unsealing the letter with trembling hands. Mentally, he’d already prepared for the worst but still, it’d be too shameful to shed tears in front of his youngest disciple.

This was it…the answer he had waited for 20 years, his fate would be determined by this one sheet of paper…

Sect Leader Lan,

I have received your request properly. After giving careful consideration, I hereby inform you that I accept it with pleasure. I couldn’t be more delighted to hear this news from you.  We can discuss the arrangements when we meet later. It’d be an honor for Yunmeng Jiang to receive your grace after completing your closed-door cultivation.

Until next time,

Jiang Wanyin.

There were only a few lines as usual, straightforward as an arrow, as expected of Jiang Wanyin. Lan Xichen didn’t even realize he had held his breath until he felt like his heart burst with happiness and his soul left his body. He read them again and again, making sure he didn’t misunderstand a thing. But the words were as clear as the river in Yunmeng where the letter came from.

“I hereby inform you that I accept it with pleasure. I couldn’t be more delighted to hear this news from you.” He repeatedly spelled it one by one, like a chant.

Jiang Wanyin had accepted his request for courtship.

Jiang Cheng, the love of his life, accepted HIM.

“SHUFU!!” 

***

Jiang Cheng had come one shichen earlier to their venue where Jin Ling had booked a whole teahouse for the two of them. He would scold the brat for splurging but now actually felt thankful there was nobody else around because he was now extremely agitated due to losing sleep in the last two days. He had spent almost all day yesterday practicing to smile so he at least could look genuinely happy about his fellow’s plan of courtship, yet it was all in vain. Moreover, it just made him so restless last night that he'd to knock himself out with strong booze.

Even now, waiting for Lan Xichen to arrive at their appointed teahouse, he had drunk 2 jars of plum wine by himself. Nowhere strong enough as his usual liquors yet suffice to make his frayed nerves loosen up. He was looking again at the notes his second-in-command had made for him, comprising tedious yet polite well-wishes he ought to convey to Lan Xichen, when he heard a commotion right outside the room.

“He’s already waiting inside, Zewu-jun, we’ll take our leave now.”

Jiang Cheng heard a soft familiar whisper, must be one of those two Lan kids.

“No! But I-I’m so nervous right now…can you guys just wait here, please?”

“We’ll wait outside, don’t worry Sect Leader, you’ll nail it! Good luck!”

Another different voice, a lot more cheerful this time, must be that loudmouth Lan brat, then. They were hissing outside the door as if forgetting that he could hear it just fine from inside.

“Oh my, he really is inside…Sizhui, Jingyi, do I look okay? I suddenly forgot what I had to say! What if he changed his mind now??”

Just what the fuck was Lan Xichen doing?? It wasn’t like he had to propose to his sweetheart right here!

“Zewu-jun, you look marvelous! Don’t worry, didn’t he say he already accepted? Sect Leader Jiang isn’t someone who goes back on his words.”

That’s it. Jiang Cheng couldn’t take the dragging anymore. The faster he finished this the better, so he could drown himself in strong booze when he got home and forget everything. He went to the door and slammed it open. He heard someone squeak but not sure coming from which Lan.

“Sect Leader Jiang!”

“You guys can come in instead of whispering in the hallway. I’ve been waiting.”

“R-right, then we’d take our leave now, please excuse us,” Jingyi stuttered while bowing hastily, and soon the two teens fled as if they were really afraid of him.

‘Huh?’

Jiang Cheng dismissed the strange act and turned to the only Lan left, who somehow just stared at him blankly. Lan Xichen didn’t wear his signature Lan’s robes and instead wore a casual one with a cape. He looked much better and healthier than the last time he saw him. It seemed like he had already gained his former shape before seclusion.

“Ahem, welcome to Yunmeng, Sect Leader Lan. It’s an honor to meet you today.” He gave a half-bow between sect leaders. “I believe this is your first appearance outside Gusu?” 

“I—” Lan Xichen choked…then suddenly had a coughing fit.

“C-come inside first! You must be tired from your journey, I already prepared your favorite hot osmanthus tea...”

Jiang Cheng promptly poured the older guy a cup of tea, “It must be tiring riding a sword here when you haven’t done it for a while…”

“I’m not tired…I’m just…umm, very nervous...but also excited…”

“Good for you. You actually look really well.” He forced himself to smile.

“I do feel really great these days…and happy for finally having something I look forward to again…that is, Sect leader Jiang… I still c-can’t believe you accept it. Thank you, thank you so much from the bottom of my heart…”

Lan Xichen looked as if he was about to kowtow!

Jiang Cheng was having none of it and stopped him, “Wait, you—” he exhaled heavily, feeling his lungs tighten again. “No need for that grand gesture, as I wrote in my letter, i-it’s my pleasure to do it. If you’re happy then I’m happy too.”

Jiang Cheng felt really guilty for lying right to this man’s face. He was never good with these fake niceties.

When Lan Xichen finally faced him again, his eyes were moist with unshed tears.

‘He cried?!’

“Are you…alright?” Jiang Cheng asked tentatively, “Do you perhaps need some time for yourself?”

“No, I’m fine…apologies, I’m just—feel very touched, is all. I mean, this is something I have dreamt about forever, sorry you have to see this pathetic me… I have prepared my heart, but I guess I’m still very emotional to think that this is really happening.”

“I completely understand,” Jiang Cheng lied again. He gritted his teeth, trying not to sound too bitter.

‘So he had dreamt about marrying this person forever? Look at you, already sure your proposal will be accepted, huh? But I guess, if it’s the Zewu-jun then it isn’t arrogance…’

He was curious about this super lucky man that had hooked the no.1 cultivator’s heart yet he had decided earlier that it’d be better for himself not to pry. If the person turned out to be someone he knew all along, then he wouldn’t know how to cope with the pain.  

“I mean, in the first place, I never thought that you were okay with relationships between men…” the older guy continued after dabbing his eyes.

“Well, I admit it was quite shocking coming from you, but I’m in no place to say anything.”

“I heard...not long after I entered seclusion I heard about the massive brawl in front of Lotus Pier for your hand in marriage…so I was quite worried today, lest Sect Leader Jiang changed his answer?”

‘Here it comes,’ Jiang Cheng thought sourly.

“Look, I’m not sure which version you’ve heard and I’d rather not talk about it at all, but let me confirm that I rejected all of them, is that clear?”

“Yes, of course, that’s the most important thing,” Lan Xichen beamed, suddenly smiling somewhat smugly.

“Pardon?”

“Oh, no, no, please don’t misunderstand, I’m not jealous or anything.” The older man waved his hand vehemently.

“What?”

“Ugh, forgive me for bringing up ugly memories, Sect Leader Jiang!”

“Listen, I think we have long passed formalities, Lan Xichen, no one’s around so you can drop the honorifics now.” Jiang Cheng didn’t know whether the alcohol had begun to clog up his brain, yet he felt harder to follow Lan Xichen’s words and was somewhat hurt he called him by title again.

The other’s eyes widened then suddenly grinned gleefully…

“Then, should I call you Wanyin from now on?”

“That’s a given, isn’t it? Go ahead.”

“Um…then how about…Jiang Cheng?”

“…y-yeah sure, if you want, I mean since you’re older and all.” He didn’t remember the last time he heard Lan Xichen call him by his birth name.

“Yes, I’m older, does that mean…” Leaning closer to Jiang Cheng’s side, “I can call you A-Cheng?”

“Don’t push it, old man.” He hoped he wasn’t blushing hard but his neck felt suspiciously burning.

Why did it feel like Lan Xichen was teasing him? Was he already practicing for when he met his prospect? Was that what this meeting was about? To practice his cringey pick-up lines?

“Ah, but you can also start calling me Lan Huan or Xichen-g—”

“No thanks!” He started to feel panic. “Look, can we just, ugh…go straight to business? Actually, I’m not sure how I could be of any help.”

“Right, forgive my impatience.” Lan Xichen cleared his throat and looked somewhat bashful, “Umm, before that I have to confirm, is there any mandatory tradition for courting in Yunmeng?” Lan Xichen procured a scroll from his sleeve.

“Huh? Why? Are you looking for references?” Surely if it were a Yunmeng citizen that the other was going to court, Jiang Cheng would’ve heard about it.

“Naturally, yes.”

“We did have traditions, but since Yunmeng Jiang doesn’t have elders and most of our legacy had…vanished…it is all up to me now. I’m not that particular with customs as long as I was informed beforehand.”

“I see…” he uttered solemnly, “Shufu and I actually already prepared everything. But we thought that it’d be better for the Lans as well to make it the same date as my official return to the public, which would be in the next month if the preparation went smoothly. What does Wanyin think? It’s not too fast, I hope?”

“Ugh, w-well if you’re already buckled up then I don’t see why not…” He couldn’t believe the older guy trusted him that much to even choose his proposal day.

Again, Lan Xichen threw his devastatingly blinding smile at him.

“Then… from those men who had brought you gifts before, is there anything you especially like, dislike, or forbidden?”

“I’m not sure as I didn’t accept them. Even if I'd liked some, it would be inappropriate to take it.” Jiang Cheng really hated being reminded of those shameful incidents.

“In that case, Shufu and I have listed the things we could afford, can you at least think about and scratch those you dislike? We think that it would be uum…better to hear your opinions first. The list also contains bride price, actually."

‘Well, that’s easy…’ At least now he finally felt like he was helping the older guy.

He opened the scroll Lan Xichen offered. It turned out to be a very long list.

“Sure, I’ll send it to you once I have checked this through. Anything else I could do?”

“Really? Then…well, my customs actually don’t allow this in the first meeting, but can you maybe show me around here like places you frequent, things you like or usually buy, favorite food, and all?”

All Jiang Cheng wanted was to go home, honestly. He didn’t want to make more ‘happy’ memories with Lan Xichen, who was about to become someone else’s husband soon. But he wasn’t that heartless to reject the hopeful stare thrown at him from someone who had been holed up in his room for a year. Moreover, if this was going to be the last time just the two of them then he supposed he should enjoy it to the fullest.

Thus, the two sect leaders spent all afternoon strolling Lotus Pier side by side. Strangely, Jiang Cheng didn’t see the mini Jades of Lan anymore but Lan Xichen didn’t seem to care either.  

***

Three days later, a package arrived from Lan Xichen who sent him a humongous drawing of a scenic landscape that looked familiar to him, yet he couldn’t recall where he had seen it. There were two small people at the corner of the picture, looking at the horizon hand-in-hand. Jiang Cheng could only see their back views with their long, flowy hair unbound. It was an absolutely exquisite drawing and even he, who wasn’t that knowledgeable about art, knew how much effort the older guy had put into drawing it. A lacquered sandalwood box, wrapped inside the drawing scroll, contained a necklace with two gemstones shaped into one, azurite and amethyst. Jiang Cheng could feel warm spiritual energy emanating from the crystal and upon being cast by light, it reflected a captivating azure blue and purple color intermingled with each other. In the box, there was a letter:

Thank you for welcoming me and giving me a splendid day. I hope you don’t mind having me again next week.

Until next time,

Lan Xichen

Jiang Cheng had never had any of these precious gemstones, but he remembered that General from Imperial City had brought it in one of his gifts and said it was from overseas. He didn’t dare guess how much these two gifts cost, particularly as he didn’t actually help much, but he thought it fitted the Lan to regard even the smallest favor with immense generosity. He wasn’t the type to reject someone’s kindness anyway. Plus, this drawing would look beautiful gracing his dull office wall.

***

Over the next two weeks, Lan Xichen came over to Yunmeng thrice while still wearing casual robes and a cape. Again, Jiang Cheng gave him a tour around Yunmeng but now, there was a senior Lan disciple tailing them from behind. When he asked Lan Xichen what the boy was doing, he only smiled and said it was customary. He didn’t understand but deduced it was probably because Lan Xichen hadn’t officially left seclusion.

That day, before flying back to Gusu, Lan Xichen said he wouldn’t be coming anymore because he had to prepare for the big day. For a while, none of them said anything. The older guy gave him a rare, enigmatic smile he had never seen before. Jiang Cheng could only nod somberly and tried hard to steel his heart.

That afternoon, he didn’t wait until Lan Xichen rode his sword before excusing himself.

If he shed a tear or two while walking back to Lotus Pier, nobody knew.

***

Jiang Cheng spent most of his time buried in work, taking over matters that were normally handled by his SIC or TIC, and only stopped working after passing out from exhaustion at night or was drunk into oblivion. He dreaded the looming day of Lan Xichen’s announcement and frankly, he didn’t want to hear about who the guy would court so he hadn’t opened any letters with Lan's seal. He needed more time to set his heart and forget the man.

Nie Huaisang’s letters kept barging him asking if he already knew that Lan Xichen would leave seclusion and he pretended not to know. After all, Lan Xichen’s visits before were to be kept a secret between them.

Jiang Cheng did things this way since that last visit from Lan Xichen, ignoring the pleading and the nagging from his disciples, that he began to lose track of time. He started to forget why he was unhappy in the first place yet felt shittier as the days went by.

One particular morning, Jiang Cheng was woken up by urgent knocks on his doors. Last night, he was drinking excessively by himself for the third night in a row until passing out so when he woke up, his head felt like splitting open, his stomach turned upside down, and his mouth dry like a desert. The sunlight burst into his room, stabbing his eyes painfully, telling him that it was already near midday.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

“Fuck off!”

“Sect Leader, please wake up, you need to get ready right now.” It was his SIC.

“You dare order me around?!”

 “S-sect leader Jin is here to—”

“JIUJIU!” someone banged loudly and the door rattled. “Jiujiu, what the fuck is this?? Since when did you lock your doors?! Open up!”

“A-ling, I’m not in the mood to see you right now. Go back to work! And mind your fucking language!”

“I’m not going back until you explain to me what the fuck is happening here!”

“GODDAMMIT STOP SHOUTING!”

“You’re hangover again?! That’s it, I’m coming in.”

Before Jiang Cheng could open his mouth, Jin Ling pierced the doorknob with Suihua and kicked it open.

“BRAT, WHAT THE FU—”

“Yes, Jiujiu, what the fuck is going on outside? Why is Zewu-jun here with his whole sect while you’re still lying on your bed?!”

Jiang Cheng:  “…”

Jiang Cheng: “WHAT??”  

Chapter Text

Jiang Cheng’s head felt like torn apart the more Jin Ling and Gufei, his SIC, asked him questions one after another. However, his hazy mind seemed cleared up a bit after chugging a whole jug of water, despite still not remembering what warranted the Lans to come here.

“Jiujiu, you’re alright?” He looked up at Jin Ling to see the teen staring at him anxiously.

“I- fine, A-Ling, why are you here so early?”

“Huh? Well, isn’t today supposed to be Zewu-jun’s official return from seclusion?”

‘Lan Xichen’s official return from seclusion?? which means the day he’d propose to that person!’ His perpetual foggy brain these last few days had completely forgotten about that!

Then, the reason he came…had Lan Xichen really been courting a Yunmeng citizen right under his nose?!

He felt his hackles rise because now everything made sense. Why he asked for his help and learned Yunmeng’s customs. He did say that the custom was to inform him before the marriage proposal was held.

“…The Jin elders said I should show my support and come to Gusu but like hell I would do it alone, so I came here thinking we could go together and…Jiujiu, how come the Lans are here instead? You offer to host him or something?” Jin Ling continued, unaware of his Uncle’s inner conflicts. 

“No, not really…he’s probably here for another purpose…”

So much for evading this by knocking himself out every night! Jiang Cheng cursed inwardly. Now, not only would he know who the person Lan Xichen would propose to, but he'd also be the one approving it!

‘Fuck! Could my luck be any shittier?!’ 

“Sect leader, if you’d forgotten your appointment then you should really hurry, Grandmaster Lan already seems pissed,” urged Gufei.

“Lan Qiren is here too?!”

His luck indeed could still be shittier. Out of all people around him who were still alive, only Lan Qiren could still intimidate him just by raising one of his eyebrows.

He jumped out of his bed and went straight to his closet.

“A-ling, help me find my banquet’s robes and the guan, be quick!” he barked while undressing his creased nightwear. 

“Jiujiu, you’re not going to take a bath first?! You stink of old dude and booze!”

“Shut your trap! Gufei, serve the Lans at the guest hall, buy me some time with Lan Qiren.”

“But what do I tell them...? That you overslept?”

“NO, you idiot! Tell them I had urgent business or something, FUCK! Do I still need to teach you diplomacy?!”

After having a freezing quick bath and getting ready in an incense stick of time, he felt much calmer. His bun was obviously sloppy and his robes were crumpled yet he strode to the guest hall steadily despite his thundering heartbeat.  

The first sight he saw was Lan Qiren’s annoyed face, which was enough to make him gulp audibly. Thankfully, the elder was still occupied by Gufei. Then, when his eyes met Lan Xichen’s, the older guy visibly brightened, smiling widely yet with an edge of nervousness around him. The man was garbed in a luxurious attire Jiang Cheng hadn’t seen before, adorned with dazzling robes and sparkling silver crown. He looked just like an Emperor Jiang Cheng had only ever seen in literature. In fact, Lan Qiren and the other Lans in the room seemed to dress up more elegantly than usual. His hastily worn apparel would probably look like a bum standing before them all.

Lan Xichen didn’t wait until he sat on the throne before coming to him and meeting him halfway in the center of the hall. Bowing to him deeper than usual.

“I deeply apologize for my tardiness, Sect Leader Lan, Lan-Xiansheng.” He bowed to the two older men, “An urgent business came up that I couldn’t delegate to others.” He purposefully didn’t meet Lan Xichen in the eyes, but in doing so, stared straight at Lan Qiren.

‘Shit!’

The elder didn’t seem angry, but he ran his eyes through Jiang Cheng from head to toe before his eyebrows furrowed further. Then he bowed slightly at Jiang Cheng before sitting back.

“And congratulations on your official return, Sect Leader Lan, you have my sect’s support and we look forward to working with you again.” He then cued Jin Ling behind him, who did the same.

“No problem, Sect leader Jiang, you still look tired, is it fine with you to do it right now?” inquired Lan Xichen, concern palpable in his tone.

“Yes, please have a seat, Sect Leader Lan.” He didn’t wait for an answer before striding towards his throne. Jin Ling followed behind him soundlessly and sat on his designated seat to his right.

He could feel Lan Xichen’s eyes on him and braced himself to meet the gaze. The other just smiled at him, as if waiting for him to say something.

Jiang Cheng honestly didn’t know how to deal with this.

“If…ahem, s-shall we proceed then?”

Lan Xichen perked up and nodded, beckoning to a Lan disciple on the side and whispering some instructions. The boy promptly jogged outside and not long after, more and more disciples came in, each carrying a rather large wooden chest in their hands. It turned out there were still even more Lans outside the hall that Jiang Cheng failed to notice. They put everything they brought at the center and opened them. Threads of silk, paintings, jewelry, jade brushes and inkstones, lavish attires, opulent tea sets, and everything else Jiang Cheng couldn’t keep track of were displayed before him.

“Um, since I haven’t received any answers from you from our last letters, I just brought everything you didn’t cross out from that list. If there’s anything that isn’t to your liking just say it, there are still more in the boat—”

“No, wait…” Jiang Cheng felt his headache coming back, “Forgive me for interrupting, Sect leader Lan, maybe I didn’t elaborate enough, but if this is about the proposal then all you need to do is ask for my permission, I don’t need to approve the betrothal gifts, bride price, or whatever it is…that’s your business with the parents...really.”

“Um, Sect leader…?” Gufei whispered, seemingly wanting to tell him something. Jiang Cheng ignored him.

Lan Xichen’s smile faltered, confusion clear on his mien.

“Well yes…I suppose, normally that’d be the case, but since um…your family…I mean, Sect leader Jin is here already so…I just thought…” The man stammered, looking back and forth at the uncle-nephew.

“Xichen, go straight to the point, you’re stuttering.” Lan Qiren interjected from the side, looking impatient.

Finally, it started to dawn on Jiang Cheng, “Wait a fu—”

“Sect leader!” Gufei exclaimed.

“—dging minute, so it’s Jin Ling that you want to court??”

“WHAT?!” Jin Ling screeched.

“Excuse me?” Lan Xichen looked as if he had been slapped. “Wanyin, why are you—?”

“Xichen, what is going on here?” Lan Qiren had now stood up, looking accusingly at his own nephew. The murmurs soon erupted in the hall.

Lan Xichen didn’t say a word, just stared at him, perplexed. He inched towards him and out of reflex, Jiang Cheng stood up and pulled Jin Ling behind him. For a moment, Jiang Cheng could see hurt in his eyes but it was gone in an instant.

“Wanyin, why are you acting like this?” His voice was only slightly above a whisper.

“Acting like what?” He felt offended. Why did Lan Xichen sound like he was hurting him?

“Is this why you don’t answer my letters anymore? Did you change your mind after all?”

“You never told me it was Jin Ling you’re after, if I’d known I’d never have—”

“What are you talking about? It was you I was courting!”

“WHAT??”

“Why…wh-what do you think I’ve been doing this last month?? Are you…pretending none of that happened?!”

Jiang Cheng flinched, and so did everyone in the hall. It was the second time he witnessed this affable man raising his voice, but it was never directed at him before.

“You said in your letter that you accepted me and you accepted my courtship gifts, didn’t you? Why are you being like this when I brought my family?”

“Xichen, is there any misunderstanding here?" Lan Qiren asked from the side, now sounding more worried than upset. "Didn't you say you already had this settled?” 

“I’ll handle this, Shufu…” Lan Xichen gritted out without taking his eyes off him, staring at him intensely, waiting for his reaction.

When Jiang Cheng still didn’t say anything, he closed his eyes and sighed heavily, before taking out a folded paper from his sleeve and handing it to him. It was the letter Jiang Cheng sent him over a month ago, still looked as pristine as when it was delivered.

The meaning of what the older guy had said came to him belatedly. It seemed that Lan Xichen had misunderstood the content of his response.

Jiang Cheng was completely bewildered. He could feel the excitement begin to build up inside him but there was also this uncertainty looming in.

“Please…Wan—Jiang Wanyin, explain why you sent this to me and agreed with this arrangement if this wasn’t what you had in mind, because right now I really couldn’t understand.” There was no vestige of smile on that handsome face anymore.

Jiang Cheng felt a trace of fear and guilt gripping his heart, faint..but clearly there. Fear of what, he couldn’t tell.

“Wait...th-this letter was a response to your request asking my…advice on your courtship…”

“But why would I do that when you’re the one I’m after? I submitted the application letter because I heard you were looking for a male suitor and that letter was your reply…so I though—” Lan Xichen choked.

“Ah!” Jin Ling gasped, as if remembering something. 

Jiang Cheng, who momentarily forgot his nephew, yanked the boy behind him. “You’ve got a lot to explain, young man, what the fuck d’you think you’re doing??" he hissed, "Playing jokes on your elders!?”

“I swear I don’t know! I just relayed what Jing-what they asked me to do!” 

The uncle and nephew looked around and just now realized that both the Lans' head disciples were absent, despite this grand occasion.

“Uh, I think this means you need to interrogate your head disciples, Zewu-jun, clearly there's been a misunderstanding between us—”

“Jiujiu!” Jin Ling pointed to Lan Xichen who started backing out and wobbled. He seemed to hyperventilate somewhat and his face, as pale as a white sheet of paper.

”…D-do you mean…what happened between us.." Lan Xichen muttered hoarsely, barely audible to anyone. There's a slight tremor in his voice, "...is nothing but a misunderstanding?”

“No! wait...what I mean is…ugh…” Jiang Cheng didn’t know how to explain himself. He was panicking, seeing the older guy look like he was about to faint.

“Whoa, Jiujiu, you gonna make Zewu-jun cry.” Jin Ling nudged him, not helping one bit.

“Shut up, will you! Let me think for a moment.”

“That’s enough, everyone tidy up.” Lan Qiren suddenly ordered his disciples and approached his nephew. “Xichen, we'll sort this out another time, okay? Let’s go back for now,” he coaxed softly, tugging at his nephew.

Jiang Cheng could hear the murmurs humming around him.

‘What’s going on there? Why do we go back now? I can’t hear a thing…’

‘It’s obvious, isn’t it? Sect leader Jiang rejected the proposal!’

‘What?? So we won’t have Lan Furen?!'

‘Man, that means I lost the bet with my shidi…I’m broke now…’

‘Why is he like this!? Seriously…’

‘Maybe the bride price isn’t enough? I told you, he’s expensive!’

Lan Qiren cleared his throat loudly, efficiently silencing everyone. Seeing his nephew didn’t even budge, he turned to Jiang Cheng instead.

“On behalf of my sect, I deeply apologize for taking your precious time, Sect Leader Jiang.” Lan Qiren slightly bowed.

“Wait, Xiansheng…”

“We were misinformed and didn’t mean to offend you in any way, we’ll take our leave now—”

Jiang Cheng & Lan Xichen: “NO!”

They looked at each other for a while. Lan Xichen stared back at him intensely, waiting…

“Xichen, I-" he trailed off. Words just felt jumbled up in his head he didn't know what to say first. 

“I’m not going back before I do this,” Lan Xichen suddenly mumbled to no one in particular.

“I’m tired of giving up without trying…of living in uncertainties every single day…”

“Xichen, where’s your manners? We could not impose Sect leader Jiang any longer! Let’s go back.”

Lan Xichen didn’t heed his Uncle and instead approached him again, eyes filled with determination.

“Forgive me but I’d have to be selfish and implore Sect leader Jiang to give me a definite answer. Please reject me properly in front of everyone here to witness.” He whispered only for him, voice low and deep, steady with resolution.

Jiang Cheng felt his knees go weak. He couldn’t see the other in his eyes.

“Wanyin, please look at me…”

He slowly looked up at the older man, who was now smiling again. There was a trace of unshed tears but otherwise, it was the genuine sweet smile the other always showed him.

“That’s it…don’t worry about anything, okay? I need your definite answer so I can be at peace with myself. I promise there won’t be any hard feelings nor would it influence our sects in any way…you trust me, right?”

Jiang Cheng could only nod. He didn’t trust his voice.

Lan Xichen too, nodded before abruptly turning back, headed back to the center of the hall, and turned towards him again. He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply.

Everyone waited with bated breath, no clue what exactly was happening.

“To the man that had stolen my heart ever since the first time I laid my eyes on him,” Lan Xichen started, loud and clear for everyone to hear.

“Xichen, what are you—”

“Jiang Cheng, courtesy name Wanyin, Sect leader of Yunmeng Jiang. I, Lan Huan, courtesy name Xichen, hereby confess to you that I have been in love with you for 20 years. You are always the greatest force that keeps me going when I give up on everything. You are the lightning during the darkest storm of my life, the clear river running through my barren soul, the melodious chant for my lonely nights…”

“Please stop—” Jiang Cheng’s face flared and his heart began hammering furiously. He didn’t think Lan Xichen could be this shameless!

Lan Qiren was as still as a statue beside him, blood completely drained from his face.

He vaguely heard Jin Ling, not so subtly, gag behind him.

“…This last month is the happiest time of my life that I could no longer imagine this life without you, of persevering without seeing your face, without hearing your curse whenever you get upset, without seeing your beautiful smiles, your graceful power whenever you fight…

…This world has been unfair to you when all you want is to give your best to the people you love. You deserve only the best, to be loved, to be cherished by someone you want to be by your side.

I-…a long time ago, I thought that I could be that person to you. I am aware of my shortcomings, that I’m not worth your heart, that I may not be the one you are looking for.

However, I still wish that I could be your shield, your pillar when you need something to lean on, the hand that would wipe your tears away, the sturdiest rope to pull you back when you’re slipping away, the shoulders to help carry your burdens…just like how you have been to me all this time.

I came here not as Sect Leader Lan but as Lan Huan. Once a boy who was satisfied with watching you from the sidelines, crushing on, and falling in love with you. Now, a man who wants nothing but to make you happy and cherish you for the rest of my life.

Jiang Wanyin…I am now asking for your hand in marriage. Will you be as benevolent and generous to grace this unworthy man the honour to be your cultivation part—”

Suddenly, a flash of purple struck him and warmth engulfed him, coming from a lithe, muscular body that was now hugging him tightly.

“YES! YES! YOU SHAMELESS SAP! Yes to everything you say! Now stop your mushy lines before you shock me any further!”

It took Lan Xichen a while to realize that Jiang Cheng not only accepted his proposal but was now also clinging to him and burying his face in the crook of his neck, in front of everyone in the hall without care.

“R-really?” he croaked, suddenly losing all the power in his voice. He cautiously encircled his arms around Jiang Cheng’s waist and hugged him back.

This was something he could only dream about, having the younger man clasped tightly within his arms. Jiang Cheng was surprisingly slimmer and lighter than he looked.

“Do you really think anyone in their right mind would reject you? and stop with the whole ‘I’m not worthy’ thing, if you’re not worthy then what am I? A clown?” Jiang Cheng mumbled against his neck, burying his face. Lan Xichen could feel the movements of his lips against his bare skin. He shivered and suddenly felt all the power leave him. Without thinking, he lifted the younger man’s body. On reflex, Jiang Cheng hugged his neck tighter, not letting go.

Lan Xichen forwent all decorum and just sat on the floor in the center of the hall, bringing down Jiang Cheng with him who was now sitting on his lap and still snuggling against Lan Xichen’s robes, hiding his face from all the stares.

He glanced across the hall. Gufei was smiling happily yet Jin Ling’s expression was between fuming and bafflement.

He saw his Shufu biting his lip in shame, clearly embarrassed by the sudden shameful display of affection by the two prominent sect leaders who were totally abandoning the proper rituals, yet choosing to stay silent. There was still worry on his uncle’s face so Xichen just gave him a reassuring smile and nodded, trying to convey the hints. Lan Qiren seemed to get it and politely asked everyone to exit the hall. Jin Ling protested loudly yet still obeyed the elder.

After everyone was gone and the hall fell into complete silence, Lan Xichen’s senses began to come alive. He inhaled the mild and sweet lotus fragrance coming from the warm body within his arms and embraced him even tighter. It calmed him down. He felt Jiang Cheng tremble and heard him sniffle. He belatedly realized why Jiang Cheng had been keeping his face buried.

“Wanyin, we’re alone now, everyone is gone…may I see your face, please?”

“No.” His voice was nothing but a hoarse, muted whisper.

“Why?”

He heard a choked sob.

“Coz you’ll laugh at me…”

“I won’t, sweetheart… A-Cheng, my A-Cheng, can I call you A-Cheng now?”

“You just did, idiot.”

He chuckled, “You don’t know how long I’ve dreamt about this…fuck, I’ve been holding my tears too.”

“Then don’t hold back…and you just cursed, Sect leader Lan.”

He giggled, then cuddled the younger man as well before letting his tears run free.

“Please, A-Cheng...I want to see your face…”

He heard Jiang Cheng mutter something incomprehensible before slowly letting go of his neck and raising his head. The other promptly covered his eyes with his hand, his lips pouted. Lan Xichen had to hold back from smothering this cute grown man with kisses.

He slowly took Jiang Cheng's hand away. “There you go…no need to be shy now, do we? We’ve seen each other at our worst, after all.” He wiped the tears from those pretty eyes and smiled. Jiang Cheng didn’t resist his touch nor shy away from facing him, yet he was struggling to hold back his sobs.

“Do you really mean everything you said?” Jiang Cheng breathed, “Have you really…since our first meeting…”

“Yes, sweetheart, every word. You’re my first love and it has never changed.” He cradled the other’s face when Jiang Cheng started to hide his face again, “A-Cheng…now that you have accepted me…well, you know how we Lans are, so sorry to break the bad news, Sect leader Jiang, but you’re stuck with this poor man forever.”

Jiang Cheng suddenly burst into laughter, despite his tears still flowing. It was one of the most beautiful sights Lan Xichen had ever witnessed.

“I don’t mind…congratulations Zewu-jun, you just volunteered to be with this grumpy old man for the rest of your life.”

“I’ve never felt luckier before!”

They laughed and cuddled each other again. For a while, none of them said anything, fully enwrapped in the warmth they had been longing for forever.

“You’re also the only one I’ve ever wanted to be with for as long as I can remember,” Jiang Cheng suddenly muttered against his chest, “If only I’d known that you—I mean, now that I think again, you have always…towards me…I’m s-sorry…”

“Shhh, you weren’t ready back then and I wasn’t confident enough to reach you. I was too busy blaming myself for things that were out of my control. Let’s not dwell on the what-ifs anymore and just focus on the present, ‘kay?”

“Mn…”

He tentatively stroked Jiang Cheng’s head and felt the younger man relax further within his embrace.

“A-Cheng…may I…may I kiss you?”  

For a moment, Jiang Cheng didn’t say anything. Then he straightened himself and stared at him. Jiang Cheng slowly caressed his cheek with his thumb, as if pondering something. He couldn’t tell what the younger man was thinking when his face suddenly approached. Lan Xichen closed his eyes reflexively right when warm, dry lips touched his.

It was no more than a careful peck.

Before losing the momentum, Lan Xichen cradled the other’s head and slotted their lips firmly, gliding them together. He tentatively licked Jiang Cheng’s lips, chapped yet tasted sweet for some reason, then sucked them gently. Soon, the other opened his lips and Lan Xichen didn’t waste time before exploring further. Sliding his tongue inside that warm cavern that strangely tasted of plum wine, sweet and intoxicating.

It was obvious how clumsy and inexperienced they were. Soon, it was getting messy and wet, yet they didn’t care. Their hands started to roam around. Jiang Cheng pawed on his shoulders, rumpling his outer robes while he found his hands tangled inside Jiang Cheng’s braided hair that had now come loose. They were too engrossed with each other, pouring their pent-up emotions into the searing kiss, that he didn’t realize Jiang Cheng had pushed him down and now they were lying on the floor.

They only stopped when they were out of breath, panting against each other’s mouths. Jiang Cheng’s hair had come undone while lying on top of him, his hands were still crumpling Lan Xichen’s robes. The younger man seemed to get lost in thought.

“Maybe we should get up? I think we had made them all wait too long, your Shufu’s probably vomiting blood right now…”

He felt Jiang Cheng rise so he pulled him back, putting the younger man’s head on his chest. “Let’s stay like this for a while…I still can’t believe this is real…If this is a dream please don’t wake me up.”

“Maybe I should punch your face so you believe?”

“I’d rather you punch me with your lips. A-Cheng, please...I’m trying to be romantic here…”

“Pffft, we’re old men already, no need to be romantic like some teens.”

“Hey, we’re not that old!”

“Says someone who’s 40…ouch, let go!”

He pinched Jiang Cheng’s cheek, “Well, look at this gorgeous face, even if you’re old I’d still romance you all the way.”

The younger man slapped his hand away and glared at him, “Fine! Let your Shufu spit blood then, I’ll tell him his righteous nephew is actually just an old flirt!” he plopped back on top of him and nuzzled his neck again. Lan Xichen could see he was trying to hide his blush.

They soon lapsed into another comfortable silence.

“A-Cheng…”

“Hm?”

“Jin Ling…he…seems to hate me…”

He felt Jiang Cheng tense a bit.

“He doesn’t hate you…he’s just still not understanding a lot of things. I’ll slowly talk to him…that is, please give us more time?”

“Of course, my love…take as much time as you need.”

“You…won’t change your mind even if…Jin Ling doesn’t approve for now? You know how he is, probably more stubborn than me…” he whispered.

“I’m not going anywhere. I’ve been waiting for 20 years, waiting a bit more won’t be a problem as long as you're here. I just want you both to be happy. Talk to me if there’s anything bothering you, ‘kay?”

Jiang Cheng just nodded.

“Xichen…”

“Yes?”

“F-for reaching out to me and not giving up on me all these years....thank you very much…

Huan-ge…”

THE END

Chapter Text

1 month later

Here he is again at the center of the main hall of Lotus Pier, sitting on his throne, and facing the Lans. Only this time there are two Lans kneeling before him instead of a whole battalion of people dressed too extravagantly in their white mourning clothes.

Only this time all the purple colors around him had been overpowered by the eye-piercing decorations of red.

With only a week away from the grand joining of two prominent sect leaders, the greatest of their generation, in the name of marriage, Yunmeng has been transformed into a sea of red.

Red. Red. RED!!!

Everywhere you see is just red and more red, making Jiang Cheng’s head throb painfully. Jiang Cheng hates red. It painstakingly gives him flashbacks to the gloomy days of the Wen…and a certain someone who loves to dress up messily in red.

During the wedding planning, he had straightforwardly suggested that he wanted to be innovative and be a pioneer of his generation to not stick with the old tradition (taking full advantage of the fact that Yunmeng Jiang doesn’t have stuck-up elders to appease thus he, by default, vetoes all the decisions made in his turf) and proceeded to elaborate that all the decorations of the ceremony would still be in his sect’s color and symbol, as well as purple for his wedding robes.

With Lan Xichen struck smitten with him and basically said ‘yes’ to everything Jiang Cheng said, he’d almost made it to the final designs and concepts if only Lan Qiren didn’t catch a whiff of it and gave him a stinky eye for a full day while elegantly lectured him about the importance of following traditions as a proper gentleman.

As if Jiang Cheng cared about being a proper gentleman!

But well, he didn’t want to look immature to someone who would soon be his parent-in-law, so he relented.

Though he almost bit his own tongue upon seeing his own wedding robe tailored by the best seamstresses of Gusu. The price of it almost made his eyes explode. The whole set of apparel... so thick, intricate, and godawfully complicated to wear, only to be adorned for one fucking day and be completely stripped off of it by the end of the day to spend a whole night naked in bed.

At least he nailed himself a rich husband, so his own treasury doesn’t go in the red preparing all these unnecessary bourgeois show-offs.

Still, that day after finishing the robe fitting, Lan Xichen became his punching bag and absorbed all his complaints about the Lans’ stuck-up behaviors.

And now, as if all the headaches and sleepless nights Jiang Cheng has to endure overseeing the Lans and the Jiangs going back and forth in front of him for the last two weeks to prepare for the wedding were not enough, Lan Qiren tasked him with another duty.

Jiang Cheng observes the two kids before him, who are the culprits of one of the most embarrassing misunderstandings of his life, leading up to one of the most shameless acts he’d ever had to witness coming from the Zewu-jun. Truthfully, if he weren’t already in love with Lan Xichen when he proposed, he would’ve kicked that mushy poet out of Yunmeng forever.

The two kids seem to be in perfect health, albeit travel-weary and covered with dust. Who knows where and what they have been doing to be missing for a whole month. Prolonging their sect’s errands in a feeble attempt to evade the grim punishments they knew were waiting for them at home.

Lan Sizhui looks so nervous he can’t even lift his head up since Jiang Cheng entered the hall. Yet, the garrulous Lan beside him doesn’t even look the slightest bit remorseful.

“Do you know why you both are called here instead of Cloud Recesses?” Jiang Cheng starts.

“Because the wedding will be held here?” Lan Jingyi chirps, definitely not intimidated by Jiang Cheng’s presence.

“Wrong. Another added point to your punishment. Do you know why I’m the one standing here to decide your punishments instead of Teacher Lan or even your own sect leader?”

“Because you’re going to be Lan Furen, so to familiarize yourself with our rules?” Lan Jingyi fearlessly answers.

“S-shut up!” he barks, aware that blushes start forming on his cheeks. This kid sure has guts, he thinks.

“It’s because Zewu-jun said I’m the one implicated the most by your boys' misconduct, so he gave me the right to punish you however I want. Moreover, Teacher Lan said with my marrying another sect leader, this would also be my duty in the future.”

‘Well, that’s basically what I’m saying…’ Jingyi deadpans inwardly yet tactfully keeps quiet. Maybe Sandu Shengshou is actually a bit dense in the head?

Jiang Cheng clears his throat and makes a grand gesture to procure the scroll inside his sleeve, waving it in front of the boys.

“This is the list of violations your Grandmaster asked me to read to you and anything you deny or object, with proofs to back you up, will be brought to a hearing to be investigated further.” Jiang Cheng tugs the string holding the scroll together and the paper unravels, falling way past his feet and away from him.

Inside is tiny yet neat handwriting filling up the entire outrageously long parchment…and he has to read every single one of them??

“Goddammit, this is too fucking long!!” He crumples the paper and throws it away, ignoring the snickers coming from the gutsy Lan.

He forgets he’s marrying into a sect filled with nutcases about rules!

“Anyway, since I’m already given the liberty to conduct the punishments then might as well do it my wa—”

“YOU CAN’T!! SECT LEADER JIANG IF YOU WHIP US WITH ZIDIAN WE’LL DIE!!!” Jingyi shrieks in complete horror.

“SILENCE!” Jiang Cheng shouts, “Who says I’m going to use zidian?! Is being dramatic part of your Lan traits or is it something your Sect Leader taught you??”

‘Because the resemblance is spot-on…’ Jiang Cheng muses but carefully leaves it out.

“First, you’re going to explain to me your rationales for tricking your whole sect, me, and my nephew. You can defend yourselves but don’t leave out any details. I wanna hear everything,” he continues.

He sees Lan Sizhui flinch at the mention of ‘my nephew’ and once again looks around furtively as if searching for something…or someone, Jiang Cheng thinks.

“Sizhui, what do you have to say? And stop staring at the floor!” Jiang Cheng chides the other Lan. “There’s nothing there to save you anyway.”

“I-I will properly accept every punishment you bestow upon us, Sect Leader Jiang!” he replies firmly.

Jiang Cheng raises his eyebrow, ignoring another lugubrious tirade Jingyi is starting upon being betrayed by his only accomplice.

“You sure, kid? Your friend here seems to mind. A lot.” He throws a nasty smirk at Jingyi.

“I…just want to get over it so I can attend your wedding, Sect Leader Jiang,” Sizhui admits softly.

A sweet talker, huh.

“Fine then, but you’re wasting your only chance to defend yourself.” Jiang Cheng turns to the other Lan, “So, Jingyi?”

“Um…actually, it’s me who dragged Sizhui into this and didn’t give him any choice, so please give him lighter punishments…” he pleads, “…and with all due respect, Sect leader Jiang we admit that our way is quite dishonest, but our only objective was to give a push to Zewu-jun to claim his happiness back and we found out that you’re the only one who can give that to him!” Jingyi explains shamelessly.

'Damn it, these Lans! Why are all of them such smooth-talkers?!' Jiang Cheng broods. He didn’t expect to get wooed like this by these brats!

No! He’s not a softie! He got a reputation to keep. He needs to assert dominance and give proper punishments.

“Shouldn’t you, as the wisest and youngest ruler of this generation, take that into account? I mean, at the end of the day, everyone is happy and gets what they want and nobody is hurt,” Jingyi continues.

“I see…so your tactic now is to win me over, huh?” He sees right through the act, “I already decided what I’d do with Sizhui…as for you, explain to me first how you found it out and I’ll consider it—”

Before he finishes, he feels a strong arm snaking around his waist and pulling him. His back meets with a sturdy chest he’s already very familiar with by now.

“They must have been observing me, A-Cheng,” A deep voice whispers into his ears and tickles his cheeks.

Jiang Cheng turns his head, “Hua—Xichen! W-when did you get here?”

Too surprised by the sudden appearance of his lover, he doesn’t even realize the other is back-hugging him in front of the kids, “I thought you said you were coming the day after tomorrow?”

“A while ago, I was observing from behind but I can’t help it anymore…” He sneaks a kiss on Jiang Cheng’s cheek, ignoring the two Lan boys’ squeals, shocked by the blatant display of affection, and then lowers his voice so that only Jiang Cheng can hear, “I miss you so bad and you look so good disciplining my disciples that I get turned on,” He whispers into Jiang Cheng’s ear while his free hand, covered by his long sleeve, furtively gropes the younger’s butt.

Jiang Cheng feels like combusting on the spot.

He shouldn’t be surprised anymore by now. He'd already found out the twisted reality of the mighty Zewu-jun. That he can be a real big flirt whenever it’s just the two of them.

Not that he minds but it still catches him off guard all the time. Mainly because he totally can’t predict what moves the older man has up his sleeves.

“Y-you!!” Jiang Cheng hisses and shoves his fiancé away, “We’re in public!”

If he hadn’t lost his reputation in front of the kids before, he surely has now.

“Oh, don’t worry, these two are technically our family now,” Lan Xichen smiles cheerfully.

“That’s not the point!”

“They can keep a little secret, don’t you boys?” Xichen turns to the kids.

“Y-yes…Zewu-jun…” they utter in unison. Sizhui’s face is as red as a tomato and he keeps averting his eyes, while Jingyi looks like he’s about to throw up.

“A-Cheng, let’s finish this up quickly so we can talk in your room,” Xichen suggests nonchalantly. Jiang Cheng doesn’t miss the emphasis on the word ‘talk’. “We haven’t met for a week so there’s a lot to catch up on, don’t we?”

“Ugh…you say that, but I still haven’t decided what proper way to punish Jingyi, so why don’t you do it?” Jiang Cheng mumbles. “And Xichen, let me remind you it’s still broad daylight,” he grits out the last words.

“Yes? So we can’t talk during the day?” Xichen probes innocently.

‘You know damn well we won’t just be talking!’ he yells inwardly.

“Well, if my A-Cheng hasn’t decided yet then why don’t we just postpone till tomorrow, hm? Let the kids rest and freshen themselves first—”

“NO CAN DO!” Jin Ling’s blaring voice suddenly rings from the door. “I want to hear their punishments. Now.” Jin Ling struts inside the hall and goes right to the boys, standing tall before the other two teens.

Jingyi gives him a guilty look but Sizhui looks like he’s been struck by lightning.

“So…Jingyi, Sizhui…after tricking me into actually helping my own Jiujiu got stolen away from me, you just get up and be gone like nothing happened, huh? a month…no letters, no words, no apologies, nothing…isn’t that pretty low for you Lans? Right, Sizhui?” Jin Ling grits out Sizhui’s name with so much ice it feels like the room’s temperature has dropped.

Jiang Cheng swears he sees the upright boy actually tremble under Jin Ling’s stare.

Huh? That was weird. The boy was relatively fine before when faced with Jiang Cheng, but he actually cowers with his nephew?

Since when had Jin Ling exceeded his reputation in intimidating people?

“I-I apo..pologize,” the poor boy stutters, eyes fixed on the floor.

Jiang Cheng sighs, “A-ling, I told you to wait outside until I call you in—”

“And what? So I can let you two flirt like there’s no tomorrow and burn my eyes again?”

“A-ling!” Jiang Cheng flusters. Just how many times does he have to lose face today because of all these brats?! He shouldn’t have agreed when Lan Qiren asked him to interrogate these boys!

“And now that you’re here, Zewu-jun, I’ll let you know that Grandmaster Lan has appointed me to keep you both in check until the wedding day,” he announces proudly.

“Excuse me?” Lan Xichen asks, dreading the answer. 

“Whatchu talkin' about?” Jiang Cheng queries indignantly. 

“That means no alone time for you two till then and oh, Zewu-jun, as your shufu’s request, we have relocated your guest room to another wing so it’s right beside his room. This is, as Grandmaster Lan said, to prevent the shameful thing last week from happening again before you both are official.”

Xichen’s face instantly goes pale.

“You…A-ling, you told Teacher Lan?!” Jiang Cheng feels like fainting, “You promised—”

“Well, yeah! You think I’d let that happen again?? Not on my watch!”

“I told you we won’t do it again, can't you just drop it already??”

Great. Just great. Now, how is he supposed to look Lan Qiren in the eye anymore!?

He wants to dig a hole and bury himself.

“What? You think I can just forget it easily? You try doing that after seeing your only family almost naked and doing it with another man! You traumatized me for life, Jiujiu!”

“Who told you to barge into my bedroom at night?! I’m an adult! I taught you to always knock first since you were little and you never listen!”

“You taught me not to do those dirty things before marriage! Besides, you were moaning like crazy so I thought you got hurt!”

“A-ling!!” Jiang Cheng’s face burns.

“Guys…please…” Xichen says weakly, his mien still as pale as the white wall, “I’ll go meet Shufu after this, don’t worry about it, A-Cheng.” He squeezes Jiang Cheng’s hand, “…and Jin Ling, it was our mistake and we thought we had that resolved with you but I truly apologize again for making you uncomfortable, so thank you for informing me.”

“Humpph…” Jin Ling scoffs, “So…Jiujiu…back at the punishment?” he gestures to Sizhui.

“Ugh…fine! Lan Sizhui,” he addresses the other, “Jin Ling asked me beforehand so your punishment will be handled by him.”

If Sizhui was just trembling before, he’s definitely panicking now…

“…but…but…Sec-sect leader Jiang, I th-thought you said Grandmaster Lan asked you to do it?” Sizhui protests, eyes still avoiding Jin Ling.

“He let me decide and he didn’t mind, since Jin Ling is as much implicated in this as me.”

“No…but I…it’d only be fair if Jingyi and I receive the same punishment…isn’t that right, Zewu-jun?” Now he tries to beg Xichen.

Has he gone nuts? He’s actually asking for Sandu Shengshou?

Jingyi can’t take it anymore.

“Sizhui, what are you doing?!” he interjects, “Just let Jin Ling do it! He wouldn’t be as scary as his Uncle—”

“Jingyi, please shut up…trust me you wouldn’t want to be in my shoes right now so don’t make this harder for me,” Sizhui glowers at the boy.

“What?! Why are you glaring at me, Sizhui??” Jingyi feels hurt.

“Okay…boys…”

“Aha! Jiujiu, I know just the right one for Jingyi. Since he loves interfering with people’s relationships so much, let him be my right-hand man in supervising you and Zewu-jun till the wedding day. He’s going to be your errand boy and let him suffer my agony of seeing you both obnoxiously lovey-dovey to each other!”

“NOOO!! PLEASE NOOO!! Anything but that!!” Jingyi wails, “Please, I’ll beg mercy from Grandmaster Lan and accept any punishment from him…please…I can’t handle seeing Zewu-jun flirting anymore!”

“You really did find the right one for him, Jin Ling…” Xichen deadpans, “Then, I guess that’s settled?” he turns to Jiang Cheng, hoping Jiang Cheng would just agree. It is way better than being glowered at by Jin Ling whenever he approaches his jiujiu. He can at least handle his own disciple.

“Uh…well, I guess—”

“Okay, so that’s it!” Jin Ling claps his hands and approaches the trembling Sizhui. “As for you…Lan Sizhui, meet me after dinner at the pavilion in front of my room. We’re gonna have a niiice little chat~” Jin Ling grinds the words out, his stare piercing and freezing.

“J-jin Ling, please…let me explain—”

“That’s Sect Leader Jin to you!” Jin Ling barks before stomping hard out the hall and slamming the door.

“What the hell's wrong with the brat?! Really, I thought he's long passed his rebellious phase…” Jiang Cheng sighs, “Sorry about that, Huan-ge, Sizhui…I’ll talk to him about his attitude.”

“Oh…it’s okay, my love…I’m sure Jin Ling is actually happy to see his friends again…” he addresses the two boys, “and you both did disrespect Jin Ling’s trust in you, using him in your schemes without his consent…so I hope you guys properly apologize to him until he forgives you…Am I clear, Jingyi?”

“Yes, sir…”

“Good…and Sizhui, if there’s something bothering you, you can talk to me after you meet Jin Ling.”

Sizhui looks up at Xichen in surprise. Xichen just nods at him in understanding.

“Ca-can I really?” he fidgets.

“Of course!”

“Then can I talk to you before I go meet sect leader Jin?” he glances at Jiang Cheng and blushes, “I…uh…think I could use your experience in…taming an 'angry tiger'…”

“What? You brought a tiger back??” asks Jiang Cheng, suddenly enthusiastic, “Where? I want to see it. Is it a tiger cub??”

“Huh? Ye-yeah, 'this' one’s a bit bigger than a cub, I guess more like a teen one?…Zewu-jun had more experience with the 'bigger' one.”

Jingyi throws a puzzled look while Xichen just chuckles.

“What?” Jiang Cheng nudges the older man, “Huan-ge, how come I never knew you had a tiger pet? Where did you keep it?”

Xichen bursts out laughing.

“What’s so funny??”

“Not a pet, but I do have experience in 'catching' one, a very beautiful one in fact,” he says, between snickering. “I’ll tell you about that later after Sizhui settles his scores with Jin Ling. Sizhui, you can go rest now.”

Jiang Cheng frowns. He feels like Xichen and Sizhui didn’t exactly talk about a real tiger…Perhaps it’s a Lan thing so he shouldn’t pry any further. He waits until Sizhui closes the door before turning to the other Lan.

“Fine, then Jingyi…”

“No, wait!! Sect leader Jiang, please reconsider! Didn’t you say you’ll forgive me if I told you how I found out?” Jingyi pleads desperately,

“Oh, I forgot about that…so how did you find out?”

“It was because we found Zewu-jun’s stack of letters that should've been sent to you!”

“What?”

“What??” Xichen exclaims, completely flabbergasted.

“What letters?” Jiang Cheng looks back and forth between Jingyi and his fiancé.

Jingyi feels there’s no harm in disclosing it anymore. If the couple realizes that they are together thanks to his and Sizhui’s hard work then he doesn’t have to endure the secondhand embarrassment of seeing his sect leader being cornily shameless with his partner.

“They were love letters for you, Sect Leader Jiang, but Zewu-jun was burning them so we thought he was giving up on—hmppphhh? Hmpppphhhh!!” Jingyi’s mouth suddenly closes and he struggles to talk.

“Oi, let the kid talk!” Jiang Cheng scowls at the older man, “Release him.”

“He’s just rambling, A-Cheng, I told you I wasn’t going to give up on you, you believe me, right?”

“I do, but I wanna hear from him what’s this all about and then you can explain to me later why you burned them. It’s only fair for them to be given the chance to speak, so let him talk.”  

“But darling…”

“Don’t 'darling' me, just do it.”

As soon as Xichen removes the spell, Jingyi explains everything. From how they found the letters, forged Yunmeng Jiang’s seal for the fake announcement of Jiang Cheng looking for a suitor, and tricked Jin Ling.

“I see…” Jiang Cheng nods and turns to the older Lan, “So why did you burn them?”

“It’s…it’s nothing for you to concern with, A-Cheng, it’s…most of all those letters were written when I was young, immature, and wasn’t in my right mind,” Xichen looks flustered. 

“Okay? So you burnt them because you feel embarrassed?

“Yes…”

“Embarrassed for liking me?”

“No! Of course not! It’s…” he sighs, “I’ll tell you everything, but promise me first you won’t get mad no matter what.”

“I promise.” Jiang Cheng affirms.

“I never planned to send them to you, those were actually like my daily journals...because I couldn’t tell anyone about my feelings for you so I got frustrated. But when I decided I’d pursue you seriously, I feel like it was the right time to put an end to the old wounds, start with a fresh sheet, and focus only on the present...”

“What?? That’s the reason?!" Jingyi questions incredulously, "So even if Sizhui and I didn’t interfere, you were still proposing to Sect leader Jiang??” 

“Yes. It was the only reason why I decided to end my seclusion, after all.”

“Then we were worried for nothing!” Jingyi begins regretting his life choice.

“Well…I wouldn’t say for nothing, though,” Jiang Cheng interrupts, “I hate being fooled like this but I have to admit if the misunderstanding hadn’t happened I’d probably still be in denial about my own feelings and would think Xichen must’ve gone mental for trying to court me.”   

“A-Cheng…”

“Anyway…so what exactly were the letters about, Huan-ge, you said ‘old wounds’…so were you crushing on me but also badmouthing me in there?”

“A-ah…it’s basically everything…yes, there were indeed times when I got hurt by your words, too…but mostly it was about how in love I was with you,” he cringes. “Even I felt embarrassed reading it again…I mean, I was a teenager back then...”

Jiang Cheng feels heat rapidly burning his neck. If adult Xichen was already this sappy then he couldn’t imagine what he was like as a sheltered teenager of a Lan in love.

Maybe marrying him at the age of 40 was the best moment after all...

“Oh, there’s also the story for when both of you were hiding away from the Wens and stayed in the caves, that was really romantic and was one of my favorites!” Jingyi suddenly blurts out

“ah, yes, there’s that too…” Xichen acknowledges shyly.

“I don’t remember there’s anything romantic about it,” Jiang Cheng points out.

“Oh! And those times Zewu-jun wrote about how jealous he was of Senior Wei because he thought you liked him, Sect leader Jiang!”   

“What?! Really? Why??”

“I wasn’t in the right mind, but yes I was indeed jealous for a while. Jingyi, I think that’s enough disclosu—”

“What else is there?” Jiang Cheng urges the boy.

“Well, nothing more…other than the ones mentioned, the rest are just the details when he fantasized about you—”

“JINGYI!!!” Xichen screeches, his face in total horror.

“LAN XICHEN!” Zidian crackles, “HOW DARE YOU?!”

“No…no, calm down, A-Cheng…” he stammers. “You promised you won’t get mad!” he panics when one of the purple lightning zaps his hand.

“WHO IN THIS STINKIN’ WORLD WRITES THEIR WET DREAMS IN DIARY!?”

“I-I’m sorry, A-Cheng, my love, please forgive me,” he hastily kneels, “you won’t understand cause you’re from a different generation, but older people did!”

“YER ONLY FOUR YEARS OLDER WHAT IN THE FUCKIN' HELL YA TALKIN ABOUT!?”

“Th-this is why I wanted to burn them all and switched to just write poetry about you…”

“Don't you dare write about me anymore! For fuck’s sake, just don't do nothin'!”

“Y-yes…” Xichen murmurs helplessly, glaring daggers at Jingyi who doubles over laughing on the floor.

“God, you Lans are all such pain in the ass…” Jiang Cheng massages his throbbing head and moves to leave.

“Wait, sect leader Jiang!”

“What now!?”

“So my punishment…”

“You still dare ask that?? I’ll make your life a livin' hell till my wedding day for makin' me and Xichen lose face today!”

“Ah! But I answered all your questions! That’s not fair!” Jingyi whines.

“Fuckin' deal with it. Return all those letters you stole from him.” He glowers at Xichen, “And you’re not off the hook either, old man.”

Xichen can only nod resignedly.

“Oh! OH! How about this…this past month Sizhui and I have been going here and there trying to combat those bad rumors about you outside Yunmeng, Sect leader Jiang, but we still can't find the source, so the articles still comin' out…but, can you count that as our merits?”

Lan Xichen: “what articles?”

Jiang Cheng: “what rumors?”

***

1 week after the wedding

The announcement of their wedding spreads fast to all Jianghu and beyond. It also comes with papers that are pasted on the walls and streets in many cities and villages, written with the same message.

This is Jiang Wanyin, sect leader Jiang of Yunmeng, Sandu Shengshou, ranked 5^th in that ridiculous most eligible bachelor list from 20 years ago, who is blacklisted by all the matchmakers in Jianghu because of my venomous mouth, who had ONLY ever gone to THREE matchmakers my whole life, and who is NOW REACHING 36 YEARS OLD. I hereby announce that I am now officially married to my husband who is the love of my life, my best friend, my confidant, my senior, my mentor, Lan Xichen, also known as Zewu-jun, ranked 1^st as the MOST HANDSOME and BEST CULTIVATOR of his generation.

So you all singles can suck your fuckin lies up, perhaps actually get a life out there and start minding your own business instead of cooking up bullshits about me. Then maybe you won’t stay single and miserable all your life. Have a good day.

This is Lan Xichen, sect leader of Gusu Lan. Hereby announce that I am now officially married to my husband, Jiang Wanyin, Sect leader of Yunmeng Jiang also known as Sandu Shengshou, who is the love of my life, my best friend, my confidant, my best supporter, the most beautiful person I’ve ever met, without whom I wouldn’t be able to stand here and do my duty to the Jianghu world.

I heard that during his bachelor years, my husband had attracted the attention of quite a lot of males from outside Jianghu asking to marry him. So much so that he still receives letters of proposals even now, 1 week after our marriage. If any of you who reads this feels like you have sent them, I would politely ask you to stop now. If there’s any confusion or objection about it, then I humbly invite you to my residence so we can clear up any misunderstandings...or just have a nice little chat :)