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Jin Ling was sitting behind his uncle in the Glamour Hall, eating his food in silence. All the clan leaders are present except Gusu Lan Clan. They were late and for once Ling was glad. He still felt awkward about Wei Wuxian. That in turn created tension between him and his uncle, Jiang Cheng. They've been fighting ever since they left Cloud Recesses. They're currently at the 'silent treatment' phase where his uncle ignores him or glares at him silently. He doesn't know what to do anymore. He can't wait for this conference to be over so he can return to his drama-free life.
Meanwhile, the carriage carrying Wuxian stopped at the gate of Lanling city. They would have to dismount and walk to Carp Tower to be announced. Wuxian was sleeping when Wangji entered to retrieve his soul-bond. Wangji loathed the fact that he had to wake up Wuxian from his healing slumber but they were already a few days late. Wangji cubed Wuxian's cheek and gently stroked it. Wuxian blinks tired eyes awake and whispers: "Did we reach the city?" Wangji smiles down at him and nods: "Do you wish to rest some more?"
Wuxian knew they were late, and honestly every second he gets closer to that place makes him more anxious. But he shakes his head and lets Wangji help him out of the carriage. He grabs Wangji's arm for a few seconds when he gets dizzy. When he feels the spell pass, Wangji holds his hand and they're followed closely by Wen Ning and the disciples, making their way towards the grand stairs.
People in town would stop and gossip about how beautiful the man in white looked. Wuxian sees the annoyed look on Wangji and smirks: "Everywhere we go, people comment about your looks. Should I be jealous?"
Jingyi, walking behind them, says loudly: "I don't think they're talking about Hanguang Jun."
Wuxian turns around and smiles: "Then it has to be one of my gorgeous kids!"
They all blush, shaking their heads. Jingyi smirks when a young maiden steps out and hands Wuxian a flower. Wuxian was surprised and was about to thank her when Wangji yanks it from his hand and returns it: "Young maiden, he is my soul-bond. We cannot accept this." The young lady bows apologetically and rushes away in embarrassment.
Wuxian, who was still in shock, whispers: "What just happened?"
Jingyi: "I think you just had your answer as to whom the town women are gushing over."
Wuxian turns around and shouts: "WHAT?"
The disciples tried hard to hide the snickering until Wuxian turned to a furious Wangji and asked: "Are they blind? You are definitely more handsome than me!"
He can hear Wangji muttering angrily to himself: ".. last time you wear white in public."
Wuxian laughs awkwardly and ducks his head to hide his blush until they reach the grand stairs at the bottom of Carp Tower. He looks up, swallowing hard. Wangji squeezes his hand in comfort: "Ready?" Wuxian let out an anxious laugh: "Last time I was here, my nephew tried to kill me."
A man announces their arrival: "Lan Clan of Gusu, please enter!"
Wangji ascends the stairs, holding Wuxian's hand. The Treasure of Lan Clan was wearing a long dragging white robe, embroidered with silver clouds and small white jade beads. His hair was brushed neatly and the white jade ornament holding his hair was glowing under the sun, creating a halo around his pale face. The cultivators standing outside were having a hard time not to stare at him in awe.
They entered the Glamour Hall to find all the other leaders present and already mingling. They all stopped to bow their respect to his Excellency and rushed over to greet him. Wuxian was overwhelmed and stepped slightly behind Wangji, who saw the slight movement and handed Wuxian's hand to Wen Ning with a silent 'take him to a less crowded place' look. Wen Ning and the young disciples guided Wuxian to a table at the right side of the hall and made sure he sat down undisturbed and had something to eat and drink.
Wuxian was glad that no one was paying him attention when he heard his brother's voice: "Where did you find this giant? Move or I will break your legs!" Wuxian laughs and says: "Bhao, he's all bark and no bite. Just let him pass before he wakes up the dead from all the yelling."
Bhao moved aside to let Jiang Clan leader pass. Cheng stood for a few seconds glaring at Bhao before he turned and saw Wuxian sitting and smiles: "What took you so long? I almost went out looking for you!" He sat next to Wuxian and embraced him tightly. Wuxian returns the embrace and whispers: "I missed you too."
Cheng lets go, but keeps his arm around Wuxian's waist, and glares at his brother: "Do they not feed you in Gusu? And don't avoid my questions! Why were you late?"
Wuxian scratches his jaw in awkwardness: "We ran into trouble on the way."
Cheng sighs: "Do I need to lecture Wangji about your safety?"
Wuxian laughs hard and points at the wall of humans surrounding him: "Are you blind?"
Cheng glares at Bhao's back and whispers to Wuxian: "Where did you find the Human mountain?"
Wuxian elbows him: "Don't call him that! He's my disciple."
Cheng rolls his eyes then looks seriously at Wuxian: "I've missed you." He embraces Wuxian again to breathe him in: "You smell like Shijie this time. I must miss her too."
Wuxian sighs and lays his head on his brother's shoulder: "Be grateful that Bhao is large enough to block Lan Zhan's view or both of us would be dead by now."
Cheng huffs: "He wouldn't dare stop me. Unlike him, I only get to be in your company for a short amount of time."
Wuxian enjoyed his brother's company while he pretended to eat. After a few minutes of silence, he looked sorrowfully at Cheng and asked: "Is Jin Ling here?"
Cheng groans in irritation: "Don't bring up that ungrateful brat's name before me. I'm one hair away from whipping him until he pleas for death."
Wuxian rubs his forehead tiredly: "Why are you still mad at the boy? He's having a hard time. We should be supporting and nurturing him. Not scolding and threatening him."
Cheng glares: "He stabbed you!"
Wuxian lets out a chuckle: "You stabbed me too!"
Cheng looks shamefully at his brother: "I apologized. He didn't."
Wuxian puts a hand on the arm wrapped around his waist and says: "I already forgave him. Let it go, brother. I don't want to be a source of pain to him anymore."
Cheng nods and then looks at the uneaten food: "Why aren't you eating? Do you want me to bring you something else?"
Wuxian shakes his head: "I'm just tired."
Cheng looks at Wen Ning: "Is he sick?" Wen Ning nods.
Wuxian huffs at him: "Traitor."
Cheng tightens his hold on Wuxian: "Why are you here? Did Lan Wangji force you to come?"
Wuxian smirks: "Has anyone ever succeeded in making me do something I didn't wish to do?"
Cheng shrugs his agreement and takes his brother's hand: "Why are you still ill? Is it not something we can cure?"
Wuxian: "Grandmaster Qiren is looking into it. Don't worry about it."
Before Cheng could protest, they heard Nie Hauisang running towards them: "Brother Wei! Brother Wei! WOAH! Are you real?" They see Bhao's back bowing in respect and Nie poking him with his fan to check if he's real. Wuxian laughs a little and nods at Kaoji, who taps Bhao's shoulder. Nie didn't waste time and almost bounced on top of the food filled table to grab Wuxian's hand in happiness: "Brother Wei! How have you been? It's so boring in here without you."
Wuxian was trying so hard to cover his laughter when he saw Nie's hair pulled up in a bun to hide his short hair: "I am well. How are you and your sect?"
Nie roller his eyes: "Why are you being so formal?"
Wuxian: "In trying not to comment on your new hair style."
Nie looked at Jiang Cheng who was snickering behind his robe sleeve: "EEH! Stop it! It's all your fault I lost half of my hair!" He uses his fan to cover his mouth and whispers to Wuxian: "Did you find my shoes?"
Wuxian coughed to suppress another laugh and shook his head.
The three of them bantered for a while, until someone called out to get everyone's attention. Nie and Cheng went to sit in their designated tables, the young disciples stood at the back and Wangji came to sit next to him.
Jin Ziyang, Jin Zixun's brother and Jin Chan's father, walked in with his wife, bowed his respects to his Excellency on his way and stood at the head of the hall.
He addressed his guests: "Clan leaders, thank you for gracing us with your presence. We are honored to have you. As you know, our future clan leader Jin Ling is still young so our elders decided that I, Jin Ziyang, will fulfill his duties until he's of age. I hope that our clan relations flourish during that time." He raises his cup for a toast: "To new beginnings after bitter ends!" They all bow, drank and cheered in congratulations.
Wangji noticed that Wuxian was drinking water like him instead of liquor: "Wei Ying?"
Wuxian smiles: "Keeper Daozi read me the rules of conduct. I don't want to embarrass our clan on our first visit."
Truth be told, that was not even close to why he wasn't drinking. He was scared of this place, surrounded by past enemies and he was still feeling faint. Wangji just took his hand and kissed it then turned to watch other clans present their gifts to the new leader.
When all the other leaders were done, Lan Clan was called up. Wuxian stood with Sizhui and Jingyi to present the bookbinder: "Jin Clan Leader, on the behalf of my Soul-bond and Gusu Lan Clan, I would like to present this rare enchanted item." Sizhui offered the bookbinder and explained its use. The whole time he was standing before Ziyang, the man was looking at him with distaste. Wuxian was confused: 'This is how Keeper Daozi told me to present the gift. Did I do something wrong?' He sneaks a glance at Wangji and sees him smiling.
Once they are done, he bows slightly and receives a reluctant bow in return, He walks back to Wangji and sits next to him. He felt like his presence was making things worse for the Lan Clan's reputation. Wuxian looks at Wangji: "Did I do something wrong?" Wangji looks confused: "Why do you ask?"
No one seems to notice Ziyang's hostile attitude towards him so he just shakes his head and returns to pushing food around.
After the banquet was over, Wangji guided Wuxian to their guest quarters. Wuxian was sitting in bed, waiting for Wangji to finish getting ready when he spoke up timidly: "How long do we have to stay here?"
Wangji: "The conference is a week-long event. But we can leave whenever you wish it."
Wuxian smiles at how considerate Wangji is being but doesn't comment any further. A few hours later, Wuxian was still laying in bed unable to sleep. He felt like something was off. He couldn't figure out what it was so he kept thinking about it until sleep refused to come. He got out of bed in the middle of the night and opened the door to whisper: "Wen Ning."
A few seconds later, We Ning landed on the steps in front of him and they sat outside to look at the stars. Wuxian sighs: "Ning, something is wrong. I feel like something bad is going to happen but I cannot figure out what it is."
Wen Ning: "Did you tell Master Lan?"
Wuxian: "No. I know it sounds crazy without evidence."
Wen Ning: "I don't like this place either."
Wuxian looks at him sadly: "I miss Wen Qing too."
He remembered something and looked at Ning excitedly: "Do you have anything that belonged to your sister?" Wen Ning shakes his head: "She was cremated, our home was burned and the place we stayed in Burial Mounds was destroyed. All I have are memories."
Wuxian pouts and whispers: "I wanted to see her one last time." Wen Ning smiles at him: "I appreciate the gesture but we were told not to allow you to use the ring while you're recuperating."
Wuxian throws his hands in the air in defeat: "I'm surrounded by control freaks! I can never win with any of you!"
Wen Ning pulls him close, letting him lean his back on his chest: "Rest for now. I won't let anything bad happen while you sleep."
Wuxian hums and shuts his eyes. He joins the land of dreams in a few minutes, wrapped in warmth.
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