Chapter 2:
He was the first to have dinner with Lan Wangji.
When he walked into the main hall, it was empty save for a table decorating the very center of the hall, laid with many fine dishes. Lan Qiren was no longer present; only Lan Wangji and two servant girls on each side of the room were there. Wuxian's eyes immediately fell on Lan Wangji and he breathed a small... “Wow.”
Without any thought or planning, his feet automatically began to move quickly down the hall toward the man who was just as beautiful – moreso – than they all said. His hair fell down his back in a river of glossy black, a blue ribbon was wrapped around his forehead, and his features were soft yet aloof. He was mesmerizing.
“Running is forbidden in Cloud Recesses,” Wangji said. His gaze had met Wuxian's for a few seconds when he had first come in but now they were fixed on the table between them.
“Sorry,” Wuxian said. But he was already at his place at the table so he took a seat on the cushion that was meant for him across from Wangji. “I was just so surprised, Lan Zhan! You're just as beautiful as they say!”
Wangji's eyes moved up to meet his once again before dropping back to the table. His expression didn't change, but Wuxian – being quite observant - noticed a slight reddening of his ears. 'Cute!' Wuxian thought at the same time that Wangji stated a stern, “Shameless!”
Wuxian looked over the table in interest, seeing a few dishes that he couldn't wait to taste and more that he would happily avoid. But before he could raise his hands to try anything, tea and soup was being poured and presented before him – all presented by Lan Wangji himself. Wuxian looked up at Wangji in happy surprise. Wangji didn't meet his eyes, his focus still on portioning out the dishes for Wuxian. His expression was as calm and tranquil as ever. “Lan Zhan!” Wuxian exclaimed in delight. “Such a gentleman!”
“It is customary to do such things for a suitor,” Lan Zhan spoke, his ears once again tinted red.
Wuxian giggled. He could get used to getting spoiled by someone as pretty and skilled as Lan Wangji. He quickly ate a spoonful of soup – it was a bit tasteless - to show his appreciation for Wangji serving him and then he asked what he was most curious about. “Lan Zhan. Why did you choose me?”
“Curious,” Wangji answered honestly.
“Curious? About what?” A teasing smile crossed Wuxian's face as he brought a cup up to his lips to drink. “Curious about how handsome I am?”
It was slight, but Wuxian caught a tightening of Wangji's fingers around his cup. Wuxian held back another gleeful smile. For some reason, it made him feel accomplished to know that he could affect the mood of someone so reserved as the Second Jade of Lan. If he could see Wangji completely lose his composure one day...how funny would that be!
Wangji didn't verbally respond to Wuxian's teasing. He took a sip from his cup and placed it back down steadily.
“Even if you were very curious about me, Lan Zhan,” Wuxian continued. “You shouldn't have picked me. People are going to start gossiping about you now. You angered a lot of pretty ladies from influential families.”
Wangji looked unbothered. “It was inevitable,” he replied.
“Waahh~! You're so heartless, Lan Zhan~! I can't stand to break a pretty woman's heart.”
Wangji sent him a frosty glare before setting his eyes on his meal again. “...Talking during meals is forbidden.”
Wuxian released a surprised laugh, almost spitting out the tea he just drank. Wangji's eyes followed the slosh of liquid in Wuxian's cup. His expression did not change but Wuxian had never felt so judged. He ignored it to focus on what Wangji had just said, however. “Is that one of the 3,000 rules?”
Wangji gave a single nod. “Mm.”
“How boring! What do you do during meal times then?”
“Eat.”
“Discussion during dinner is when you're supposed to bond with those closest to you. No wonder you're so stodgy, Lan Zhan. This won't do. Since we're friends now, I'll help you. I'll teach you how to have fun. Let me tell you. Women like it when you talk to them. This silent, cool guy stuff only works up to a point. After a while, the women get tired of it. Since you're about to get married soon, it's important that you know these things-”
His lips were suddenly clamped shut and his tongue couldn't move. It felt as if every one of the muscles that controlled his lips and tongue were just suddenly held still by an invisible force. He immediately knew what had happened. The Silencing Spell. It was a famous spell passed down among the members of the strict Lan Clan.
Wuxian moaned and groaned. He hated not being able to talk. Not only that...he couldn't eat! What was the point of having dinner if he couldn't even open his mouth to eat?! He tried to get this point across to Wangji using creative groans, facial expressions, and hand gestures but Wangji was unmoved. He continued to eat slowly as if nothing was happening across from him. Eventually, Wuxian – frustrated – fell onto his back and pounded the floor with his hands and feet. Wangji had never seen such behavior, not even from a child. Not at Cloud Recesses.
“Disgraceful,” Wangji muttered. “Shameless. Unteachable.”
* * *
Wangji was tired...and quite full...after having dinner with five suitors. He decided he would take a few moments to dissolve the food he had just eaten through core meditation before the touching of hands ceremony or else he might not have the energy to perform.
His brother entered the hall soon after the dinner table had been cleared and taken away. Wangji folded his arm behind his back and waited for him to speak. He was met with Xichen's customary know-more-than-I-should smirk before his older brother began to talk. “How are you faring?” he asked. “Anyone of interest?”
Wangji blinked and looked down, avoiding his brother's eyes as Wuxian's image flashed into his mind. He had initially chosen Wuxian because he seemed to take everything lightly, even this Pairing Ceremony, and Wangji wanted to show him that there could be very real consequences to his actions. But he had been taken aback by Wuxian's bright smile as he walked into the main hall. It was brighter than he could have imagined but he could easily place that smile to the voice he had heard even before Wuxian started talking at dinner. He could have never imagined it but now he could never forget it. And he was confused about that.
His mind flashed back to Wuxian rolling around on the floor, whining and groaning. Wuxian was undisciplined, uncouth, and improper. Everything Wangji had been warned against since childhood. He felt that his mind shouldn't linger on someone such as Wuxian. Not only that, but there was also the fact that he was a man. None of the other main clans had such a non-traditional pairing in their main families.
When Wangji's silence stretched on a little long, Xichen decided to nudge the conversation along. “Uncle wasn't too happy to see that you chose Young Master Wei from the Jiang Clan in the first round. He said if you weren't Lan Zhan, he'd be afraid you weren't taking this seriously.”
“I'm taking it seriously,” Wangji affirmed.
Xichen smiled. “I know,” he said. He could tell from the way Wangji shifted his eyes to the side that he worried that he may have said too much. So he decided to give him a little less to worry about. “I like Young Master Wei.”
Wangji looked up and met his brother's reassuring gaze. 'You do?' he wanted to ask.
Xichen nodded as if he had spoken aloud. He wanted his brother to know that no matter what his decision would be regarding his future, he had approval and support. “I visited Lotus Pier to meet with Clan Master Jiang before. Wuxian has always been a bright and carefree child.” He decided not to mention that he hoped some of Wuxian's carefree nature would rub off onto Wangji. Sometimes he worried that his little brother took on too much responsibility. “No matter what happens today, it would be good if you two could be friends.”
Wangji gave it some thought. Friends. Maybe that would be possible.
* * *
Lady Wen and Lady Su Minhe were eliminated in the next round. What criteria Wangji was judging on, nobody knew because everybody besides Wuxian had stuck to the no talking while eating rule. Lady Ruwan, the only other candidate left besides Wuxian and Mianmian, settled on the assumption that he probably made his decision based on who ate the most delicately. When Wuxian said that couldn't be it because he rolled around on the floor during dinner and was still chosen, all she said was, “Preposterous! There's no way you would still be here if that were true.” Wuxian pouted at not being believed.
The truth was that he, himself, didn't know why he was still there. Maybe Lan Zhan was toying with him. But he didn't seem to be the type...
* * *
Wuxian allowed himself to be carted off and given the Lan treatment. He was bathed and rubbed down with scented oils. His hair was brushed, combed, and then styled into a half-up style that was neater than how he usually wore it. An intricate Lan style hair ornament was pressed into his hair as decoration and beautiful strings of blue jade were pinned into his hair so that they trailed amidst his glossy tresses, glinting in whatever light caught upon them as he walked or moved his head.
His usual dark hued attire was also traded out for colors more fitting of the Lan Clan, a light blue dress robe that was cinched at the waist with a white belt. The outfit was also stylistically adorned with fine jewels here and there.
Some girls also came and put a bit of color on his lips and even a hint of pink on his cheeks. When he looked in a reflective surface, he couldn't help but to smile at the image reflected back at him. He sent a thumbs up to the girls who had slightly reddened his lips and cheeks. They giggled behind their sleeves and whispered amongst themselves.
Wuxian knew that Wangji was already going through the touching of hands portion of the ceremony with the other women while he was getting prepared. He wondered how his look compared to theirs, if he could hope to be as visually appealing in Lan Zhan's eyes.
He quickly banished that thought from his mind and considered it one of those wild, wayward thoughts that you didn't know why it was there or where it came from; it just was.
About a half an hour later, he was escorted to the celebration hall and was able to meet Wangji once again when he stepped through the doors. What he realized when he saw Wangji was that he had never seen true beauty until that moment. He felt that his own reflection didn't compare, all of the beauties in Yunmeng couldn't hold a candle to this Jade of Lan, and not even the sun rising over the Lotus Pond at home was quite as breathtaking...and that was his favorite sight.
Wangji was dressed in a similar style to him except his dress robes were white. The jewels adorning his robes and headpiece glittered in the candlelight. He looked like a divine being, like he had reached immortality and had paid a visit to the lowly mortals of the world just for the moment.
Wuxian, usually shameless, found himself avoiding direct eye contact with Wangji and fighting a blush as a small smile lit his face. In his head, he went over the dance steps he had been taught just a few moments before just so he would have something to concentrate on besides Lan Wangji's dark gaze that seemed to be piercing through him.
The dance they would be performing included a lot of stepping and circling around each other as they made eye contact at various points in the dance. It was meant to portray the intertwining of fate between lovers no matter what paths they were to take in life.
Wuxian knelt to his knees and gently placed his forehead against the back of his hands, one placed atop the other, to bow to Wangji. Wangji, with one arm folded behind his back, held his hand out toward Wuxian.
Wuxian smiled, placed his palm on Wangji's and stood...not so gracefully. He tripped on the end of his fancy dress robes. Luckily it was only a stumble and he didn't completely make a fool of himself in front of one of the most graceful men he had ever been in front of. That didn't stop Wangji from reaching out to steady him though.
Wuxian gave a short, embarrassed laugh. For some reason, he was feeling a little dizzy and lightheaded. It was similar to how he felt when he was transferring his consciousness to a paper cutout when doing one of his Paperman spells. He couldn't meet Wangji's eyes as Wangji backed up to the center of the room, leading Wuxian there with him.
“Lan Zhan,” Wuxian said, his voice low and breathy. “Why did you choose me?”
“Curious.” They started the first steps of the dance, Wangji taking a step back and Wuxian following along. Then they stepped sidewise apart from each other only to turn and lock eyes.
“Still?” Wuxian asked.
Lan Zhan gave a curt nod. “Mm.”
Wangji held out his hand again and Wuxian once again placed his palm on top. They went through more steps of the dance before Wuxian spoke up again.
“This dance is boring, Lan Zhan!”
Lan Zhan continued through the steps and silently wondered how Wuxian managed to have such a grand cultivation reputation when his attention span seemed to be that of a fish.
“I was reading a forbidden book from the West once,” Wuxian was saying. “And it talked about a dance that looked far more interesting. It was like this!” Before Wangji knew it, he was being grabbed by the waist and turned around to face Wuxian. Wuxian grabbed his right hand, holding it in the air, and placed his own right hand on Wangji's waist. He was only about 10 inches away from Wuxian, face-to-face. His ears felt like they were on fire.
“Shameless!” he said. But he didn't move away.
Wuxian laughed. “Lan Zhan. Put your other hand right here.” He patted his own shoulder. Wangji didn't move. “Aiyo~!” Wuxian tsked and placed Wangji's hand on his shoulder. “Don't be such a fuddy duddy.”
“I don't like touching people,” Wangji said. But he didn't move his hand.
“You're about to get engaged, Lan Zhan. You need to get over that. I'll help you.”
“...Now what?” Wangji asked because they were just standing still.
“Oh!” Wuxian took a step back. “Just follow me.” He took a step back. Wangji followed. He took a step to the side and Wangji followed again. They set up a rhythm. Wuxian could feel the ends of Wangji's hair brush against his fingertips as they moved. His eyes fell on Wangji's ears to see how he was feeling and saw the redness there. A wide smile settled on his face.
Wangji, who usually avoided looking in his eyes, looked at him and stared until Wuxian once again felt shy and looked away. “Wuxian.”
Wuxian faced him again. “Lan Zhan.”
“You love Lotus Pier a lot.”
Wuxian nodded happily. “Mm!” he said. “It's the best! Lan Zhan! You'd love it. And Shijie and Jiang Cheng too! Well...Jiang Cheng you have to get used to but you'd love my sister. But you can't marry her now that you've dated me,” he joked.
Wangji was silent for a moment. “You would have to leave Lotus Pier if you got married to me.”
A heavy feeling settled in Wuxian's stomach. He thought of how he and Jiang Cheng always talked about being leaders of the Jiang Clan together. He thought about the way his sister doted on him and how the lotus flowers looked when they bloomed in the spring. Ever since Jiang Fengmian had taken him in as a child, Lotus Pier had been his home.
“Mm,” Wuxian said, acknowledging Wangji's statement with a nod.
“Are you okay with that?” Wangji asked, his gaze focused downward, somewhere around Wuxian's chest area. Shared body warmth spread between the both of them as they continued to step in a box pattern, holding each other in the dance style of the West.
“Well...” Wuxian said. “If my magnanimous and righteous husband allowed me to visit whenever I felt homesick, I would be okay.” He peered at Wangji from beneath his lashes and, for the first time, saw the blush spread from Wangji's ears to his cheeks. He couldn't stop a satisfied smirk from spreading across his face. It encouraged him to tease more. “Is that your way of asking me to marry you?”
Wuxian would have thought that he suddenly held a block of ice in his arms due to the way that Wangji stiffened if he didn't have vision to see that he was indeed holding a living, breathing person. “No,” Wangji said curtly, his eyes still on Wuxian's collarbone.
“But you're going to,” Wuxian continued to tease.
“No,” Wangji replied stubbornly.
“Lying is not allowed at Cloud Recesses.” Wuxian was pretty sure he had seen that rule amongst the many carved into stone at the entrance.
Wangji blinked and stayed silent, looking truly reprimanded.
Wuxian giggled. “You're so cute, Lan Zhan~!” he cooed, sincerely surprised at how cute the stoic Second Jade of Lan could be.
Before he could tease Wangji anymore, he found his lips and tongue caught in the Silencing Spell once again. He groaned. But he found that he enjoyed the last steps of their dance. Even if it was in silence.
* * *
After the touching of hands ceremony, Lan Wangji knew.
He entered the Hall of Celebration the next morning with ease of mind and a slight fluttering in his chest. Instead of candlelight and decorations, it was now filled with elders of the Lan sect and many other respected leaders of Cloud Recesses. His eyes met his brother's who was standing beside his uncle. His brother gave him a nod and his soft smile offered quiet strength and support. Reassured by his presence, Wangji knelt in the middle of the hall in front of his uncle and the surrounding elders.
“Uncle,” he greeted respectfully.
Lan Qiren acknowledged his greeting with a fond smile and nod. It was no secret that Lan Wangji was his favorite young disciple. He had been looking forward to his Pairing Ceremony for some time, hoping to welcome an equally strong and disciplined cultivator into their sect while forming a politically strong bond with one of the other main cultivation clans. And more offspring of the Lan Clan wouldn't hurt either.
“Have you settled on the two you intend to court?” his uncle asked.
“I have settled on the one I intend to marry,” Wangji responded.
A surprised hush filled the room followed by excited mutterings. Lan Qiren smiled. Of course his nephew would be decisive even in this.
“Ah,” Lan Qiren said. “I'm so very glad to hear that.” He had been worried that his staunch nephew would have trouble finding someone with whom he connected. He was happy to hear that that wasn't an issue. “Out of respect for the ancient ceremony of our ancestors, however, I fear we must go through the proper ceremony of courtship,” he continued with a gentle smile.
As someone who put much importance in rules and guidelines, Wangji nodded politely. Of course he understood that he would still need to select two to court even though his mind was already set on one.
Lan Qiren wasn't surprised to see Wangji bow his head. Wangji was always so obedient, a pride to the Lan Clan. “So...” he said. “Who are the two cultivators you intend to court? I will send word right away.”
“First Disciple of the Chan Clan, Lady Chan Ruwan...” Lan Qiren nodded and stroked his beard. Marrying Lady Ruwan wouldn't give them ties to anyone of influence since the Chan Clan was so small but she seemed like a well brought up young woman. He waited for Wangji's next choice, already preparing to give his own subtle input towards whom he hoped Wangji would choose; for Lady Luo Qingyang would be a wise choice since she was pretty, skilled, and the disciple of such a proud and distinguished clan such as the Jins'. Even though they were already tied to them in marriage, a stronger bond wouldn't hurt.
“...And Young Master Wei Wuxian of the Jiang Clan.”
Lan Qiren's stomach dropped to his toes and his smile dropped. His eyes snapped to Lan Wangji to see if he had suddenly become someone who made jokes but Wangji was sincere as always. His brow furrowed. “First Disciple Wei Wuxian of the Jiang Clan?” he repeated as if he needed clarification.
Lan Xichen glanced at his uncle with worry on his face. He knew his uncle tended to descend into a coughing fit when he became upset. In preparation, he discreetly signaled to a handmaiden to go ahead and fetch the physician.
“Yes,” Wangji repeated. “Wei Wuxian of the Jiang Clan. I want to marry him.”
Lan Qiren was so shocked he began to cough uncontrollably (as Lan Xichen expected). Not only did Wangji, the pride of the Lan Clan, want to court Wei Wuxian but he was the one he wanted to marry? This was Qiren's worst nightmare.
After Lan Qiren was calmed enough to speak and had drunk of medicinal tea, he voiced his disappointment in Wangji's choices. Having never disappointed his uncle before, Wangji's shoulders slumped a bit but Lan Xichen was surprised to see that he remained strong in his decision. He stated that he wanted to marry Wei Wuxian and the Jiang Clan was one of the most respected clans in the cultivation world so it wouldn't be a loss. The elders and Lan Qiren were so flustered with Wangji's unexpected decision and resolution in his decision that they dismissed him when they discovered that no amount of talking could cause either side to budge. They were at a stalemate.
Lan Xichen found Wangji standing in front of his Jingshi looking up at the stars a few minutes later. Even though Wangji's features were smooth, he could tell from Wangji's stiff frame that his younger brother was stressed. Xichen joined him in looking up at the night sky.
“You did well,” Xichen stated after a comfortable silence had settled around them.
“...Am I being selfish?” Wangji asked.
Xichen glanced at him. “Do you feel selfish?”
“...A little.”
“Do you feel like you did something wrong?”
“No.”
Xichen smiled softly. “Then I think there's nothing to worry about,” he said. “The balance of yin and yang is natural within all of us. You've lived your whole life selflessly until now. It's okay to balance yourself with a selfish act to obtain fulfillment and happiness.”
Wangji didn't say anything but Xichen noticed how his body relaxed. He was glad he could reassure his younger brother in some way. He just hoped their uncle would come to support Wangji's decision in time.
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