A snow-white paper shrouded by a welkin-blue envelope, with a cloud motif seal attached on it, was brought to the Yunmeng guard, then to the messenger, by a disciple from Gusu who was adorned in pristine white and azure soft robes. The letter was carried to the Yunmeng Jiang Sect leader - Jiang Fengmian who was immersed in the onerous paper works of the exigent clan matters.

The soft aura of the letter smeared in soft sky blue hue, mollified his eyes a little, after his jaded orbs were given a repose from the burden of absorbing the inky curls on the paper momentarily. However, as he unfurled the neatly folded paper, a streak of flummox and astound flashed across his face, and a call for Yu Furen and his eldest son immediately resonated within the edifice of Lotus Pier.

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Wei Wuxian, the head disciple of Yunmeng Clan, was practising sword fighting with his brother Jiang Cheng, the second junior disciple of the said esteemed clan. The taller youth was cladded with red-black robes, while the younger youth was taking pride with each flash of the lotus-engraved wrist band, and fluttering of the lilac robes - the very representation of their sect.

While taller youth's movements were sleek, flexible, intricate; elicited slyness, strength, power, stealth and glide of a free spirited rippling smooth flow of gurgling river - receiving every meander with ease, and smoothly cutting through the calloused soil, the other youth to his opposite, emanated vigour, rigidity, demanding authority and toughness - like the grappling tree of the tropical forests, that vies to ascent high and high until it outshadows the underneath trees, and stand above all to seek solace and exalts from the sun.

The two artists were starkly adverse in aspects of their fighting techniques, but they sparred with such acknowledged movements and noted manoeuvre, it felt like the two were conversant to each other's each and every move and techniques, like the lines on the palm of their hands.

A disciple came, " Shixiong, Jiang Gongzu, greetings. " The Jiang disciple bowed with a respectful gesture.

Both of them stopped sparing and looked at the disciple, returning the greeting.

"Sect leader has summoned Shixiong. "

Wei Wuxian, "Okay, coming."

The disciple left.

"Take care of yourself didi , I will be
back soon. " He chirped and sent a flying kiss towards his brother, that was mingled with a mischievous spark of his eyes, and a scintilla of teasing miscreant.

Jiang Cheng scoffed and fumed with a sulking annoyance "Go to hell. And how dare you sent me flying kiss and who said you can call me 'didi'? You are just a month older than mme idiot." There was no real bite of austerity in his tone, but a very usual expression of manifested annoyance, accompanied by his very well known scowl.

Wei Wuxian laughed out loudly, voice laden by a layer of amusement and perversity. "Because you are my didi, little pink angry lotus. " Sticking out his tongue at Jiang Cheng, he laughed and sprinted away, leaving behind his utterly annoyed and exasperated younger brother.

Wei Wuxian went to his room, got freshed and put on new set of black robes, and proceeded to meet his father.

Though he was adopted, he never felt the lack of warmth of a family. Almost every scintilla of memory about his real parents have abolished from his memory, who had left this world when he was only 4. Then Uncle Jiang brought him home one day when he found the boy he has been searching for, struggling around the steets with a dog for food. His sensitive soft skin was covered with dog bites.

Clothes ragged, and body seeming to be drained by an ivy, the little boy looked like a dry log; but the bright sheening smile like the soft moon never left his lips and eyes, and like the brightest pole star, his ebullience spread zing wherever he went. It didn't take much long for Jiang Fengmian to recognize the boy who had inherited his mother's dazzling smile.

Then he was taken to a new home, got a new family - a loving, caring, protective mother, an elder sister- his Shijie whom he loved more than anything else, and a grumpy yet loving brother and ofcourse a protective and caring father. Everyone accepted him as their new family member.

He was talented, strong, handsome, but at the same time naughty, flirty, and a tsunami of exuberance Yunmeng clan has ever seen. God knows where he get to learn those wicked tricks from; always playing, fooling around and pranking on others. Following no rule, but still topped in the class. His personality went perfectly with the Yunneng clan - free spirited, unique thinker, and ability to achieve the impossible.

No wonder he was made the head disciple. Everyone respected him, but he was so friendly that more than respect, everyone loved him.

He was really having great life, nescient to the thundering news that is going to bring a drastic change in his life.

"Greetings father, greetings mother. " He bowed before Madam Yu and Clan leader and then flashed his beautifully charming toothy smile. His parents smiled at him warmly, but not long after, that the smile faded - to be replaced with trace of worry.

Wei Wuxian sat and put his head on her mother's lap. She caressed his hair softly. Her stern and scowling face is always replaced with warmth when she is there with her children.

She is like a wild mother tigress - agressive towards world and as gentle as cotton towards her family. Her gentle caress is so contrasting from her calloused hand rough from practising sword fighting and controlling Zidian. She is the strongest among all the female cultivators. Wei Wuxian had the same respect towards his foster mother that one has towards their teacher and their role model.

"Ma, baba, is there anything important that you want to talk about with me? "

The caressing on his head stopped momentarily followed by gentle pats. He could sense the lingering tension in the air, and tenseness on his parents' faces.

He sit straight and on seeing his parents' faces, he tensed up too.

Jiang Fengmian, " A- Xian, you know marriage alliances are really important for clans as they are the most peaceful ways to develop a strong bond between two clans."

"Yeah yeah, i know Baba, that's why you arranged Shijie's marriage with that peacock. "

"He is going to be your brother in law son, don't say like that."

"But he is a peacock! He just need those peacock tail and tadaa! A human peacock is ready! " He laughed uncontrollably and Jiang Fengmian chuckled too with amused face while shaking his head, barely able to hold the looming laughter.

They misssed the glares that were thrown at them by a pair of fierce eyes.

Madam Yu "Cut the scrap and get to the point." She commanded in a strict tone.

The father- son duo stiffed.

Madam Yu, "A-Xian we have something important to tell you."

Wei Wuxian, " Yes A-niang, I am all ears", he said with a serious tone. He is always serious when some important task was given to him and his clan's benefit was involved.

" We have a marriage proposal for you." They told their son with an incomprehensible expression. Wei Wuxian was anxious at his parent's behaviour. But...

"Ahh! A-niang, A-die, you know I get at least 100 proposals a year, so many women fell for my handsome face and I am quite sure to receive many more in future, afterall I am the 'Yiling Patriarch'- handsome, dashing, strong, smart, and good looking youth with ravishing powers. " He smirked(exaggeratedly) while holding his chin, and the Jiang couple looked at their son with exasperation.

"It's nothing new ma, baba, why are you two suddenly worried? Our clan is in second position after Gusu Lan clan, and we are stronger than any other sect. It's not like we need to worry about alliance issue. Any clan would happily unite with us without a second question."

"Exactly A- xian, we are in second position."

"Huh.. So what A-die?"

"Gusu Lan clan has asked for your hand in marriage with Second young master Lan - Lan Wangji."

" What!"

The world shook before him and he started coughing, as his heart was way too confounded by the sudden shaking news. He might be a proclaimed flirt-king, but he never failed to react in an outlandishly freakish and unusual manner whenever the topic about his marriage rose up.

"And we can't say no son, we have to accept the proposal."

" But I am only 18, and more over that, I don't want to marry and leave you all. I have so many duties to do at my sect, I am the head disciple. I still have to fight in the north-eastern part to gain our confined land from the Zhou clan, and then I still have to learn so many things. I don't want to marry a-die.. And I am still so young and.... "

"Stop" Madam Yu's grave and austere voice resonated, followed by a sombre layer stratified over her equally austere face.

Wei Wuxian halted; his face is twisted with anxiousness. A brewing apprehension started looming in his heart, as a sudden sheer feeling pooled inside his thumping heart.

" We won't get you married off at 18 fool. You will get married at 25 and who said you have to neglect your duties! Even after you get married, you have to manage the clan matters too. Jiang Cheng still has lot to learn from you. You have experience, and in these 8 years teach him everything nicely. We entrust you with the role of the head-disciple and being our eldest son you should be the next clan-leader.

But you rejected to take the role of next leader. Now Jiang Cheng lacks the experience that you have so you have to instill it in him, teach him in such a way that everyone calls you the best teacher, we trust you son."

It was a matter of wonder how she doted more on her adopted son, was proud of him and trusted him blindly. Jiang Cheng was a strong cultivator even at such a young age, but during a fight with the Wen attackers, he got an injury on his head when he was 15 and was in coma for a year.

At that time Sunshot campaign rose, and Wei Wuxian was the one to tackle along with his parents, and went to various fronts of war. Though Jiang Cheng fought in the last phrase, he missed the experience, and he also lost a bit of his skills due to being in coma for so long; and now Wei Wuxian is trying his hard and soul to train Jiang Cheng to his past self, and nurture him again into one of the strongest cultivator that he was.

Madam Yu continued, " You will have to contribute in the sect matters untill you cut ties totally with the clan, this is our sect rule."

"I will teach him everything. But you are changing the topic ma. The fact is, I will lay my life for Yunmeng clan, but why do I have to get married? And moreover with that stoic man? Though he is handsome..but still...."

" Lan Wangji is a good young man. He is ranked as the second most handsome man in cultivation world after his older brother. He is young,righteous, extremely talented, disciplined, well mannered, well behaved, strong, powerful and is extremely skilled. Both of your skills are almost at par."

Wei Wuxian ranked second among young masters in terms of skills. He was very talented and missed the first place by few points, the first one being Lan Wangji..well not that he cares about rank.

Madam Yu continued " In the Sunshot campaign he has shown the cultivation world his skills which was extremely praiseworthy. Not that anyone need to mention.. All are acquainted with his skills. He is a model student of Gusu Clan and outshines every young masters of his age. He is also well known for his benevolence. He is obviously five steps ahead of his peers. A-xian, after you get acquainted with him, you will surely like him, it is just a matter of time."

Jiang Fengmian, " Lan Qiren is my old acquiantance son. Yunneng Jiang clan and Gusu Lan clan have always successfully maintained a prosperous relationship. Not only that, both the clans have been protecting each other since a long time, as the founder of both the clans were soul -friends and we carried on that legacy. Lan clan is the most righteous clan and Lan Wangji is the best man you can get as a life partner A-xian. We can't let you live alone and just serve the clan and always stay buried in political matters. You need someone beside you."

Wei Wuxian ducked his head down. He can't resist his parents. If they have decided something for him, he can't deny.

"I need some time, please excuse me for now." He bowed and proceeded to leave.

"A-Xian.... "

He already left.

"My lady, he seems disappointed. "

"Yes, he is. We should let him and young master Lan know each other first and develop a natural bonding.... Or else A-xian might feel obliged and pressurised."

" Yes. I think that would be better. I will talk with Qiren. "

"Yes. We should give Wei Ying some time. I don't want that brat to enmesh in misery as if the world is going to end. He must have went to meet Yanli, judging from a sister-striken brother that he is."

Jiang Fengmian chuckled.

He will talk with Lan Qiren as soon as possible.

Do not forget to let me know your opinion✨ ✨