Chapter Text
The morning started with the beautiful sound of xiao and guqin in the cloud recesses. The Jiang family arrived first in the morning, "Shijie!" Wei WuXian hurriedly embraced the purple-clad young lady, "Oh A-Xian." Jiang YanLi moved his unruly hair out of his face, "Uncle Jiang, Madam Yu" He then bowed to his adoptive parents. Jiang Fengmian had smiled fondly while Madam Yu didn't smile but gave a packet to him, "Here are the clothes of the ceremony and also some snacks." She had said dryly, Wei WuXian nodded. Madam Yu remembered that he liked spicy food and GusuLan food was bland. After Wei WuXian left with Jiang YanLi, Jiang Cheng had greeted his parents as well however Madam Yu glared at her son, "I heard about the incident in the night hunt, didn't I especially told you to take care of him!" Jiang Fengmian grimaced, "My lady it was a mistake." Madam Yu glared at his husband as well, "He took the responsibility of an omega and the omega got hurt do you know how disgraceful it is?!" Jiang Cheng's face twitched, "I apologise." At that moment Wei WuXian entered the door and heard the conversation, He quickly pulled Jiang Cheng up, "No, no! It was an accident, it's not his fault!" When he refused to budge, he kneeled with his brother, "Punish me too for being careless then." Jiang Cheng glared at him, "Stop speaking nonsense why would you be punished!" Madam Yu sighed, "Spoiling siblings" She murmured and Jiang Fengmian pulled them up, "A-Cheng, A-Xian it was an accident don't worry about it, go get ready for the ceremony." With that Wei WuXian pulled Jiang Cheng with him.
The music continued as Wei WuXian dressed up for betrothal ceremony. He cried when Jiang YanLi opened the package and saw Madam Yu's betrothal ceremonial clothes, that Jiang YanLi was supposed to wear at hers. Madam Yu was missing from that scene but Jiang Fengmian assured them that she packed it herself and she would be very pleased if Wei WuXian wears it. Dressed in a deep red robe that fluttered as he walked, with pure gold embroidered lotus flowers Wei WuXian emerged, his hair braided like engaged omegas'. Jiang Cheng blushed when he saw his brother, cheeks radiant and lips pink and a huge smile on his face.
According to tradition till the bride enter the groom and the groom's mates will play instruments to greet the guests.
When they entered the hall the music stopped. The ones playing the music stood up. Lan WangJi was wearing a pristine white robe with silver embroidery, his forehead ribbon was not ordinary but was embroidered with silver strings of clouds. Lan XiChen and the groom bowed, "Welcome" Lan XiChen greeted with an amused glint as Lan WangJi's face was expressionless but he was tracking Wei WuXian's every movement with his eyes. Wei WuXian was however unabashedly staring at his betrothed, taking in his soft glowing beauty, a stark opposite of his bold red one.
One by one everyone of the family bowed at each other, the elders of the clan seemed very pleased, because Lan clan was about form a very valuable alliance as well as getting CangSe SanRen's son as the bride, how fortunate! Regardless of her reputation as a very mischievous omega, no one can deny that she was talented, and the man she married was as well.
Thus the betrothal ceremony began. Nie Huaisang couldn't stop smiling but seeing his brother he suppressed. The family exchanged tea to show the formed alliance, then it was the time when the bride and groom will share a cup. Lan WangJi gazed as Wei WuXian pressed his lips just where he had pressed while holding his gaze and felt his ears turn red, beside him, Lan XiChen coughed to hide the embarrassment. Then Lan WangJi slowly pulled his forehead ribbon, Lan XiChen helped and Jiang YanLi helped to push up the sleeve of Wei WuXian's left hand. Lan WangJi then started to wrap the ribbon on his hand, as a sign of commitment, promise and devotion. His forehead will be empty till their marriage then he will put on a different ribbon that will indicate that he is mated. With great concentration, Lan WangJi wrapped the ribbon, that was long enough to cover up his entire arm from elbow to his wrist, then tied it in a knot that will come off if tugged but also won't come off easily. After finishing it Lan WangJi didn't let go of his hand, rather he held it delicately and brushed his fingers on Wei WuXian's knuckles. The Yunmeng Jiang side erupted in cheers and Wei WuXian laughed. For once there wasn't any look of disapproval from Lan Qiren as the man looked kind of blissful.
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"Where are you taking me?" Wei WuXian asked as Jiang Cheng pulled his arm, "Just wait", his brother replied. The ceremony was almost over since alcohol was forbidden the celebration had consisted of only tea and fruit juices. However, the Lan clan had made an exception sleeping schedule for the second Young Master. Wei WuXian was enjoying it till Lan XiChen called Lam WangJi out to discuss something and after some time, Jiang Cheng called Wei WuXian as well, when Madam Yu protested Jiang YanLi said Wei WuXian's clothes were uncomfortable and asked Nie Huaisang to help him. Thus the three of them were aimlessly running in the hallway. Wei WuXian was about to ask again when Jiang Cheng stopped, they had reached to the back of the cloud recesses in a very secluded garden with one Mongolia tree. "Why are we here?" Wei WuXian asked Jiang Cheng didn't say anything and pulled him again, Nie Huaisang followed. However going a bit further Wei WuXian's heart skipped a bit, Lan XiChen was standing under the tree beside Lan WangJi. "Hello" the older Lan greeted. "We realised you two might need some time alone." He mused. Wei WuXian suddenly felt very shy, he couldn't bring up his eyes and look at his alpha's face. "Then shall we leave?" Lan XiChen smiled at a blushing Nie Huaisang and the three disappeared.
For a long time, they stood still, neither of them said a word, only the heartbeats of the two individuals could be heard. When Wei WuXian finally mustered the courage to look up he immediately regretted it! Because Lan WangJi under the silver moonlight was looking like an immortal being, as if he was there for this night only and as the sun will rise he will disappear and go up to his immortal world. "Lan Zhan" He whispered, cringing when his voice cracked at the end. Lan WangJi was straight looking at him, his eyes unwavering and Wei WuXian took a step forward. His left arm tingled and he shivered. Lan WangJi also stepped forward closing the distance and touched his arms, he intertwined their fingers and brought Wei WuXian's palms close to his lips then kissed it. Wei WuXian shuddered, Lan WangJi's lips were soft, then the alpha brought his palm onto his cheeks and cradled it gently. "Wei Ying" Lan WangJi whispered back, his eyes straight on Wei WuXian. Wei WuXian suddenly felt like crying, Lan WangJi was so so gentle towards him and his heart was full of the alpha's kindness that it created a lump in his throat. He lunged forward and wrapped his arms around Lan WangJi's shoulders, he hugged him tightly and after that slid his palms on his chest when he felt arms wrapping around his waist. There was something warm in his chest that matched with Lan WangJi's rapid heartbeat.
"Are you happy?" Wei WuXian frowned at this question and sat up from Lan WangJi's embrace. They were cuddling under the tree, Lan WangJi was humming a song under his breath and Wei WuXian was listening to his heartbeat. "What do you mean?" Wei WuXian asked Lan WangJi looked at him, "Am I enough?" The question shocked him, "Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan why are you saying this?" Wei WuXian touched his face, "I don't want anyone but you, didn't I tell you before? I want to love you and cherish you, have you seen yourself? It is me who doesn't deserve you." Lan WangJi's eyes narrowed at that, "Wei Ying deserves" He said, "That's right and Lan Zhan deserves as well." Wei WuXian again pulled him in his embrace.
This was not love, yet. But they will definitely get there. This is just the beginning after all.