*Lanling*

*Outside Lan XiChen's jingshin*

"Zewu Jun" , Jiang Cheng calls and knocks on the door.

Lan XiChen opens the door only to be met with Jiang Cheng's cold gaze.

"Clan Leader how may.. .. " Lan XiChen starts but stops, as Jiang Cheng let's himself in, closes the door and proceeds to put a silencing charm around the room.

Then he sits himself down on the mat previously occupied by XiChen and blurts out, "Your brother and Wei Wuxian are at Lotus Cove."

Lan XiChen is at a loss for words . It takes him a few seconds to process the information so casually thrown at him.

Jiang Cheng sighs and continues, "I haven't told anyone else."

When Lan XiChen still doesn't speak Jiang Cheng adds, with out looking at the older Jade of Lan, "They arrived late last night. They were wounded....They are being taken care of....They are safe... for now."

"I don't... " Zewu Jun starts to say but doesn't know how to continue so he stops.

"I think there is more than what meets the eye here.... Wei Ying is stupid but he is not that stupid to just walk into Lanling like that. And you supported them, so you know something . " Jiang Cheng says looking intensely at the older Lan.

"What are you hiding Zewu Jun?" Jiang Cheng finishes and stands to walk over to the the older Jade of Lan.
Jiang Cheng wants to look intimidating so he leans into XiChen and catches his eye.
'Good looks do run in the family.... Wait.. What???' Jiang Cheng abandons the wayward thought immediately.

The older Lan takes a step back, smiles and asks ,"Why haven't you reported them? "

"I need to know why your self righteous brother sticks to him to the point where he is ready to forsaken his reputation and the reputation of his clan. " Jiang Cheng answers truthfully.

Lan XiChen takes a deep breath and tells him what all he knows. How his brother and Wei Ying suspect Meng Yao, how they feel that it has something to do with Ying iron, how Lan Wangji was trying to track the whereabouts of a possessed sword and how they came across Nie Mingjue's body which was missing it's head and how Wei Ying had found some proof connecting Meng Yao to it.

"So you think Madam Su's death has nothing to do with Wei Wuxian? " Jiang Cheng asks.

"No. I am sure of that. But Meng Yao has always been good to my clan and he has been a good Chief cultivator since he took over from his father...so I can't help but think there is something else that we are missing." Zewu Jun says in deep thought.

"Zewu Jun, I don't trust Wei Ying but the evidence against him is not enough for me to forsaken him so I am planning to help him with what he is planning to do. Also recently it has come to my knowledge that, that fool has saved Jin Ling and other junior disciples on a number of occasions so I need to reply that debt....So Zewu Jun, are you willing to help me?" Jiang Cheng finishes with an air of indifference.

Zewu Jun smiles and nods.

*Lotus Cove*
*Inside Lotus Garden*

Lan Zhan has visibly calmed down and both men are sitting with their backs against the tree.

"Wei Ying, can you at least wait for a day?" Lan Zhan pleads.

"What good will come of it Lan Zhan?" Wei Ying asks talking his friend's hands in his.

"I think we should exhaust all sources of information before we attempt this ritual." Lan Zhan says in a serious tone.

"What do you mean?" Wei Ying asks perplexed.

"You said that there maybe a connection between the undead corpses and the dream demon.... I think we should go there again and try to find clues." Lan Zhan answers.

Wei Ying nods.
"You are not wrong. Let's leave...but first... I need to do something." Wei Ying says, a secret smile playing of his lips.

Lan Zhan gets curious and turned on at the same time. 'Lan Zhan That is not what Wei Ying thinks about all the time.' Lan Zhan scolds himself for being the one to think indecent thoughts.

They go to the yard and find Yenay.

They find Yenay in the yard.
She sees the men approaching.
She bows and says, "Young masters, how may I help you?"
Both of them return the bow.
Wei Ying says, "Madam, we would like to visit the Jiang shrine with your permission."
Yenay is surprised for a second. All the juniors stand there looking confused.
"What work can Nie clan have in the shrine." Chu asks. He was in the other side of the yard and decides to come to Yenay's side.
Before Wei Ying can answer, Lan Zhan steps in front and gives Chu an intimidating stare.
Chu backs down and hides behind Yenay.
'Damn Lan Zhan is hot when he is being all intimidating.' Wei Ying's mind supplies.

Yenay bows to them again, "Chu is young. Please forgive his rudeness young master. You have our permission. Please let us know if there is anything else you will be needing."

"Thank you madam. Once we are done visiting the shrine we will go to Yunmeng market." Wei Ying informs.

"And when will young masters be returning?" She asks.

"Either late in the evening or in the morning. It depends on how soon we get things in order." Wei Ying says sincerely.

Yenay nods and bows.
The men walk towards the Shrine.

Wei Ying removes his foot ware and walks inside. He sits and stares at the name planks.
"Shiji, how have you been? Sorry I couldn't visit before... I met Jin Ling. He is a nice young man... but he takes quite a bit after your 'peacock'....sorry sorry, that was disrespectful. He takes after his father and his temper is like his uncle... I pity the poor child."

Then he turns to his uncle and aunty, "I have been nothing but trouble for the both of you. I am sorry. I will try to do better in this lifetime. I will try to repay your kindness in this lifetime."

'He is trying to kill himself just to repay his dead uncle and aunt who can't even see him...impulsive idiot.' Lan Zhan tells himself, 'Your idiot.' his brain adds.

Wei Ying looks next to him and doesn't find Lan Zhan so he looks back. Lan Zhan is standing outside.

"What are you doing standing there? Come. Sit." Wei Ying says, calling Lan Zhan inside.
Lan Zhan comes and sits next to Wei Ying.

Wei Ying takes out the headband from his robes and holding it in both his hands he says, "Uncle, Madam Yu , Shiji, I have come here today to introduce you to Lan Wangji, birth name Lan Zhan , curtsy name Hanguang Jun. He is one of the two Jades of Lan. He is one of the best cultivators of this generation and the man I Love. " Wei Ying finishes and bows.

Then he looks at Lan Zhan and says sincerely , "Hanguang Jun, I love you. I want to be with you till the end of my lifetime. I can't promise you till the end of your lifetime because I am unlucky that way and then my words will become untrue. Lan Zhan... in my heart I have already given myself to you. All that is left is this fragile body. I will be a burden and I will drag you down. And I can't offer you anything. Even my soul is tainted with resentful energy."

Wei Ying sighs and continues with tears in his eyes, "So I am giving you a chance to back out. I will let you go. You can have a bright future, a family, children and your reputation , if you choose to leave me. I will make sure of it. I will never bother you again...I will not hold it against you."

Wei Ying looks at Lan Zhan eyes then and asks hopefully , "So... will you Lan Zhan, take me Wei Ying to be your partner in heart, mind, body and soul from today till the day I die?"

Lan Zhan doesn't say anything. He takes the headband that Wei Ying is holding and ties it to their wrists.

He bows and adds, "I Lan Zhan, promise to take full responsibility of Wei Ying, I will, from this day forward, be his... and only his and will only abandon him in my death and follow him in his. Please bless us and our union so that we can have a happy and fulfilling life together. "

Lan Zhan looks at Wei Ying's smiling face then. They bow to each other and finally bow to Wei Ying's family.

They walk out of the shrine as partners... Husbands.

When go to the yard . They find the junior disciples practicing with their swords. An older looking boy is guiding them. When the boy sees the men approaching, he bows to them.

"I take it that you are in charge?" Wei Ying asks.

"Yes senior." comes the short reply.

Lan Zhan says with an air of authority , "The eastern most part of lotus cove ...make sure no one enters it. "
The boy nods.

Lan Zhan adds, "Tell madam Yenay that we have stepped out. We will return once we are done."

The boy nods and bows.
Lan Zhan and Wei Ying set for Yunmeng market.

{Note :- My boys... I am so happy for them.. My WangXian heart beats for them.
So as usual please let me know how you felt about this update.
Votes, comments and feedbacks are precious to me and encourage me.
Thank you for reading.
Have a nice day}