Wei Wuxian's POV

After a few steps in the room, I helped him get back into bed. Drops of perspiration were beading on his forehead. SiZhui took a cloth, moistened it and handed it to his father. Lan Zhan thanked him with a nod and wiped himself.

Now that he was awake and seemed to be regaining his strength, I suggested he get dressed. I took out the light blue dress I had put aside for him. SiZhui came over to give me a hand!

"Father, after you disappeared, Uncle Xichen found this on the floor."

He held Lan Zhan's forehead ribbon in his hand. I saw my soul mate's face light up and come to life. I took the ribbon and put it on his forehead. I had tried so often to steal it or play with it that it felt funny today to tie it around his head.

"Father, I don't know why, but before I left YunShen Buzhi, I took a number of things..."

He began to take out an incredible number of clothes from his pouch! Since they were not spiritual objects, the space they occupied was less. In addition to our clothes, there was an ornament of Lan Zhan's hair. I took it at once and after having taken a comb in the corner toilet, I settled near my half to disentangle and smooth his hair.

It was funny because generally it was him who maintained mine. When they were soft and smooth, I realized a tail that I mounted in bun. I delicately installed the ornament on it and fixed it solidly with the pick. SiZhui helped Lan Zhan to put on a white vaporous over-dress.

I stood back and looked at him. He had the same appearance I had always known. Principled, unreal and divine. The fact that he had eaten last night and this morning had made his complexion translucent again. I was sure that before the end of the day, he would be able to cross the room and walk almost without help!

I then decided to get back into my "skin" and put on the clothes that SiZhui had brought us. With my red dress and my leather overcoat, I could once again impose myself as the Patriarch of Yiling!

It was already late in the morning when Meng Yao came to us and asked us to go to Nie MingJue's quarters where the ten clan leaders were waiting for us.

"Master Lan, if you wish, I will have a chair brought to you to take you to Master Nie's quarters."

"Mnn... No need. Go ahead we're coming" said my soul mate.

It was clear that he had no intention of looking diminished in front of the Gongzi! In recent years, as Chief Patriarch, he had learned that in order to keep control of unstable situations between the different clan leaders, he should never show weakness and remain firm!

I was a little apprehensive about the confrontation between them. Lan Zhan was used to not being contradicted... and at the same time, he was always right! I only hoped that he would temper his reactions to some of their "rules".

Jiang Cheng and Jin Ling came to join us, we were ready. I turned to Lan Zhan with a smile on my face and said mischievously.

"Ge-Ge, do you need a porter?"

I heard a sigh coming from his direction.

"Ge-Ge, I can carry you like you did for me a few years ago ...."

"You already carried me after QingDao"

"That doesn't count, you were unconscious! Come on Lan Zhan, let it go... I promise, I'll put you down before I come in!"

"Mnnn... Okay."

Phew, I had won the battle, I was afraid for a moment that he wanted to walk to Nie MingJue's quarters! Out of the corner of my eye, I saw SiZhui sigh as well. Like me, he was afraid that his father would do something foolish. I put my arms around him and grabbed his thighs. Once I was comfortable on my back, we set off. Jiang Cheng and SiZhui led the way, and Wen Ning and Jin Ling had our backs. I felt much calmer since they were there!

Meng Yao was waiting for us at the door. I put Lan Zhan down. I kept my arm around his waist so that he would remain steady and lean on me to walk.

"Wei Ying, let go of me."

"Lan Zhan this is really not safe!"

"I'll only take a few steps inside"

"Okay, let's go in, greet them and sit down!"

"Mnnn... if you want."

"Not that I want to, but you mustn't overdo it if you want to get well as soon as possible."

"Mnn ... Wei Ying walks slowly, so I can follow."

I nodded at him; It was useless to argue with him when he had an idea in mind. He was stubborn!

SiZhui and Wen Ning came to my right. Jiang Cheng and Jin Ling were on my left. The four of us were slightly offset from me. We were like a spearhead. Lan Zhan stayed behind me. I understood what he wanted to do. I smiled. My love had always been good at making a grand entrance.

Meng Yao opened the door and announced us. We walked in slowly as Lan Zhan had instructed. MingJue spoke to us as soon as we entered.

"Wei Wuxian, Lan Xichen told us that Lan-Gongzi had awakened. We know he was badly injured, but we were wondering when we could talk to him?"

"Clan Chief Nie, why don't you ask him the question... directly?"

SiZhui and I stepped aside and Lan Zhan came up to our level. Only then did we all greet our hosts with a single movement.

We could see the amazement on the faces of everyone in the room. Especially Song Chang's face. The doctor could not believe that his patient was not only standing but walking!

"Nie Gongzi, as you pointed out, our Chief Patriarch is recovering from serious injuries, would it be possible for him to sit up?" asked SiZhui.

I saw concern in my son's eyes, but also in Wen Ning's.

Meng Yao had heard us before entering, and had anticipated our request and prepared several seats.

"Of course, Wei Gongzi, please take a seat."

I motioned for SiZhui and Jin Ling to sit on either side of Lan Zhan. Jiang Cheng and I decided to stand. I stood between Lan Zhan and SiZhui while Jiang Cheng stood between my soul mate and our nephew. Wen Ning stood behind us.

Our positioning did not go unnoticed. We were in a protective position around our Chief Patriarch.

Xichen gave us a warm smile.

"Lan Gongzi, it is a pleasure to see that you are doing "

"Yes, indeed, it is very good, because you see we have a number of questions to ask you! Interrupted Jin GuangShan.

I had a bad feeling! The intervention of the leader of the Jin clan must not have pleased my love!

"Disrespectful!" was the only word he said.

"What?" asked Jin GuangShan.

"And rude!"

There was silence in the room! Lan Zhan never spoke much, but when he did, the person he was talking to had better listen!

His icy gaze stared at Jin GuangShan. He stared at him until he looked down! Lan Zhan was the best at this game. His ability to intimidate his opponents with his icy stares was legendary within the cultivation! They were about to find out, here too!

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)