Chapter Text
For the record, Wei Wuxian has always been an idiot when it comes to love. He can’t believe he wouldn’t have realized his feelings towards Lan Wangji until there is a threat that could take the latter away from him: a rival.
Cloud Recesses and its occupants have grown accustomed to Wei Wuxian’s presence ever since he has returned to Gusu with Lan Wangji after that fateful day on that mountaintop, a place that symbolizes an end and a new beginning.
He settles into his new normal life in Cloud Recesses. He still considers himself a rogue cultivator, building his golden core from the scratch – it’s a slow process but he feels it growing in him. His exploration of the world for a year and the recent adventures with Lan Wangji and the junior disciples definitely contributed a lot. When he isn’t out cultivating and night hunting, he follows Lan Wangji around as the man goes through his Chief Cultivator duties.
Wei Wuxian has tried to do things his way and to have his own routine, away from disturbing Lan Wangji, but time seems to slow down when they are separated. Despite the man’s tendency to be silent, his presence has become a natural thing in Wei Wuxian’s life, and he craves it. He has also started to crave to hold Lan Wangji’s hand for no reason, but that’s a talk for another day.
Lan Xichen goes out seclusion exactly two years after his brother became Chief Cultivator, vowing to take the position once he has adjusted to the life in Cloud Recesses again. Lan Qiren tolerates Wei Wuxian’s presence, but mostly ignores him – the Yiling Patriarch has no complaint with it, though.
As long as he is by Lan Wangji’s side, Wei Wuxian has nothing else to ask for from the universe.
The surprise arrives without much preamble, but is welcomed with grandeur. The MeilinGen Sect arrives with its Young Master Gen Liang, courtesy name Gen Lei, and his three rows of his own cultivators. The man arrives on a beautiful, white horse. Their Sect’s main theme is sunset, their robes bright and colourful yet not an eyesore.
The MeilinGen Sect is a smaller branch of the LanlingJin Sect, an affiliated clan, which is slowly rising due its change of leadership and leader-- the man leading them into Cloud Recesses. The GusuLan Sect knows of their arrival, and of their desire to appeal for a close relation with the Lan Clan, bearing gifts and friendship. Therefore, the GusuLan Sect welcomes them with a small banquet, half of their Conference Hall open, Lan Clan cultivators lining both right and left of the room, with Lan Qiren seated in the centre, his nephews standing on his sides. Wei Wuxian is begrudgingly allowed to stand behind Lan Xichen after he has sworn proper behaviour for the whole visit.
Young Master Gen Lei walks into the hall, his left hand wrapped around his obsidian-colored and covered sword. With his free hand on his side, his steps are precise and confident. His dark hair flowing to his shoulder, a half-bun on top of his head decorated with a silver hairpiece that silhouettes something alike to thunder, his eyes are almost mahogany, changing to a darker color when the sun hits them. He is handsome in Wei Wuxian’s opinion, not high enough to reach Lan Wangji’s beauty but he could be considered an equal to Jin Zixuan. He guesses the guest is just few years older than them. His aura reminds the Yiling Patriarch of Lan Xichen but he has the fierceness of Nie Mingjue.
Gen Lei stops at the foot of the stairs, bowing courteously forward. His salute is perfect, befitting of the GusuLan Sect. He is a Young Master, alright. “Gen Lei from MeilinGen Sect. It is an honor to be in your presence, Grand Master Lan, Zewu-Jun and Hanguang-Jun.” He straightens up, his face stretching for a smile. His eyes crinkle, and Wei Wuxian gets the impression that the man smiles a lot. “Thank you for your warm welcome.”
Lan Qiren stands up, and along with his nephews –and Wei Wuxian—they bow towards their guests. “It is a surprise, but it is not unwelcome. I believe your main reason for your visit is to strengthen our alliance, is that correct?”
The guest nods, reaches for a box from one of his companions, then goes to his knees. He goes through the Salute Ceremony all over again before offering the box towards Lan Qiren. “Indeed, I do, Grand Master Lan. GusuLan Sect is known for its righteousness and powerful cultivation. I wish to strengthen our allegiance especially since our Sect is still rising and we were hoping for support in this. My people are cultivators also, but we truly need guidance to become stronger and establish our Clan.”
Lan Xichen steps down the stairs and accepts the gift, removing the top to reveal a breath taking set of incense burner. It is made of the finest porcelain, its embellished designs are colourful magnolias during spring. Their centres are holes to let out the steam. In smaller jars with twisting lids, which has the same decorations, are assortments of scents. “It is a beautiful set. I’m certain Uncle would favour of it.”
The Elder Lan nods in assent. “The gift is appreciated, Young Master Gen. We have heard of your Sect’s history, and we are pleased to offer you our help in building it, Doubt not, your men are always welcome to study in Cloud Recesses – we just sent invitations for the next six month lecture we will hold this year, we will attend to yours as soon as possible.”
Eyes lighting up with gratitude, Gen Lei bows. “Thank you very much, Grand Master Lan.”
A six-month lecture, huh. Heh, that brings memories, Wei Wuxian mulls to himself. An involuntary smile comes into his face, and he sneaks a glance towards Lan Wangji.
His heart thuds when he finds the Second Jade of Lan also staring at him, his eyes alight with amusement with memories they shared on their lecture in Cloud Recesses almost eighteen years ago. His cheeks burn at realizing their minds are almost at sync even if they didn’t talk.
Their attention are brought in front again when Gen Lei approaches another of his cultivator, and retrieves a smaller box. Even Lan Qiren and Lan Xichen are confused on the abundance of gifts. The guest kneels on the ground and places the box on his lap. His cultivators follow suit. “I have another favour I hope you would be inclined to hear.”
Lan Qiren frowns, but nods regardless. “Speak.”
Gen Lei takes a deep breath, and proclaims, “I wish to ask for your nephew’s hand for marriage.”
Silence reigns in the room for a whole minute before muttering and buzzing occupy it, the onlookers shocked to their cores with the declaration. The Elder Lan freezes, opening and closing his mouth. Lan Xichen has his brows furrowed in confusion while Lan Wangji is ever expressionless, merely blinking with the news.
Wei Wuxian couldn’t help his mouth, as he smirks, and whispers behind Lan Xichen, “How about it, Zewu-Jun? Is Young Master Gen up to your liking?”
Lan Xichen splutters, unable to look at anyone. “I—“
“Lan Wangji, Hanguang-Jun, Second Jade of Lan, I wish to declare my intentions on courting you,” Gen Lei adds, standing up and bowing lowly – tone shaking but sincere, his cheeks and ears flushed.
It takes few moments for the words to process in the Yiling Patriarch’s mind, but it seems he isn’t the only one malfunctioning as the whole room erupts with a single response of surprise,
“What?”
Wei Wuxian’s mouth couldn’t be pushed closed no matter how many times he has tried to do so. His jaw hanging open, he regards the leader of their guest Sect. He pinches himself to wake himself up, however he is evidently not dreaming. Considering the shock on everyone’s faces, he definitely heard the declaration correctly.
Panicking despite himself, he turns his head to the left. Lan Wangji is frozen in place, his hold around Bichen loose, his other hand has fallen to his side – decorum almost forgotten. His expression is almost blank except for his wide eyes and parted lips. He swallows and turns to glance at Wei Wuxian, asking for his help in a situation he has never been in.
I would rather be fighting fierce corpses than be in here, Lan Wangji’s expression screams.
Lan Qiren finally finds his voice, clearing his throat when the first sound ends with a choke. “Rise, Young Master Gen Lei.”
The guest rises, still flushed but confident on his feet.
“You do not need to do this just to build our alliance, Young Master Gen,” The Elder Lan assures. “Even without this declaration, we would willingly help you and your Sect rise and become stronger.”
For the first time in his two lifetimes, Wei Wuxian has agreed wholeheartedly to what Lan Qiren has spoken. Lan Wangji is still stiff, uncertain how things would play out.
Gen Lei smiles and shakes his head, cradling the box tenderly. “You misunderstand, Grand Master Lan. I have asked your allegiance before my proclamation because I have anticipated you would think this. I swear,” he raises a hand, pinky and thumb folded with the three remaining fingers pointing upwards, “that I am sincere in my advances towards your ne—younger nephew.”
Lan Xichen takes pity with his brother, and addresses the man on his behalf. “Young Master Gen, I do not intend any offense, but may I know what prompted this? Our Sects have barely interacted before. Please understand our surprise and confusion.”
Gen Lei sighs and smiles in nostalgia, his eyes trained on the ground. “In the two wars, I was under the LanlingJin Sect, training as a cultivator and building my skills. In the two wars, I have miraculously survived. In both wars, I watched Second Young Master Lan fight with unbelievable skills. He is stunning, almost ethereal.”
Wei Wuxian crosses his arms, and huffs. Another admirer. Just brave enough to actually declare his admiration.
Lan Wangji seems to have come into the same conclusion, his face impassive as he stares at the man. His shoulders are set into their same stance, and Wei Wuxian could already see him formulating how he would refuse the courtship.
However, Gen Lei isn’t done. He must have sensed the dismay in Lan Wangji’s expression with his shallow reasoning. He abruptly steps forward and shakes his head. “Hanguang-Jun, that’s not the reason I am in front of you. That was just the start! I—I—“ He pauses and gulps. “I have been in both wars, and you probably do not recall, but you have saved me both times. I was also in the Indoctrination, and I watched you stand by your Clan after a broken leg and the burning of Cloud Recesses. I have witnessed you stand by the Yiling Patriarch because you saw his genuine and pure intentions.
I thought it was pure admiration at first but I was wrong. I looked and looked and realized how you are more than your titles. You never pretend. You are stoic but you are not heartless. You seem expressionless but you are capable of giving your all for the peace of the cultivation world. You saved me twice, and you changed me twice – you inspired me to find my strength and to stand for my people. Now, I stand before you to fight for myself, for my desire – which is to court you, and to know you more.”
The occupants of the Conference Hall all seemed pleased with his declaration, of the sincerity in his words, of the genuine passion in his eyes as he gazed up at Lan Wangji.
Wei Wuxian’s heart clenches when he finds Lan Wangji’s ears flushed. It is not easy to make the esteemed Hanguang-Jun blush, but this man managed to do so.
Lan Qiren strokes his beard, casts a glance at Wei Wuxian – he doesn’t like the look in the elder’s eyes—and then turns back in front. “I sensed nothing but sincerity, Young Master Gen. A marriage between an affiliate of LanlingJin Sect and GusuLan Sect seems beneficial, although you are both male.”
“Did that ever truly stop anyone?” Gen Lei responds, hands shaking around the still unopened box.
The Lan Elder eyes his younger nephew. “I guess not.” Wei Wuxian frowns at the implication of his words. Lan Wangji has never seemed interested with women, and marriage, but the Yiling Patriarch had always assumed it was because of his upbringing. Apparently, it might be because of preference?
Wei Wuxian blinks. Why does that thought make me excited?
The Older Jade of Lan looks from his Uncle to his brother before raising a hand. “Uncle, we should consider Wangji’s feelings regarding this. Yes, a union is beneficial for our Sects, but this will be Wangji’s life -- we must not dictate it.” At Lan Qiren’s scoff, which isn’t a refusal, Lan Xichen heaves a sigh of relief.
From the right side of the room, where the junior disciples are staying at, Wei Wuxian’s eyes catch Lan Sizhui’s. His son has an anxious expression, his eyes seeming to ask a question the Yiling Patriarch can’t interpret. When he raises an eyebrow, the junior sighs, looks from Lan Wangji to Gen Lei then shakes his head subtly. Lan Jingyi is watching their muted discussion on the side, wide-eyed.
Wei Wuxian lets his gaze travel to Lan Wangji and his breath catches at seeing the other already staring at him. Do you want me to? The Second Jade of Lan seems to query.
He tries on a smile then a shrug. I don’t have a say in this.
He doesn’t understand why Lan Wangji’s expression hardens with his response. A glimmer of anger appears behind his eyes. The Yiling Patriarch blinks, then raises at eyebrow. This only makes Lan Wangji even angrier somehow.
They stare at each other for few heartbeats, Wei Wuxian unable to comprehend what has ticked the Twin Jade of Lan off. After a while, resignation appears in Lan Wangji’s face.
From the corner of his peripheral vision, Lan Sizhui is shaking his head in disbelief, while Lan Jingyi is muttering, “Idiot,” over and over again.
And then Wei Wuxian’s world seem to stop when Lan Wangji steps down the stairs.
Lan Qiren seems surprised with the action, staring at his nephew. Lan Xichen has an open expression of shock on his face as well. Wei Wuxian could do nothing but watch as the Second Jade of Lan descends the steps until he is in front of Gen Lei.
The entire room holds their breath, waiting for the verdict.
Lan Wangji casts Wei Wuxian one last look before stepping back and bowing, his hands cupping around the box in Gen Lei’s hands.
Acceptance.