Sunrise. I could feel a body half lying on top of mine. So I hadn't been dreaming. You were there. I tilted my head and looked at you. Your face was nestled in my neck and you were smiling. I sighed. I think for the first time in my life I was really happy. You grunted as I stood up. I had to tell Uncle and my brother about the situation.

I went out into the cool of the morning. The mist had not yet lifted. I looked at the sky. The 1st flakes would be coming soon. I headed to my uncle's office because I knew I would find my brother there too. As I approached, I thought about what I would say to them. Would they accept you?

I arrived at the door at the same time as Brother. I greeted him.

"It is rare to see you so early. You must have something important to tell us.

"Mnn."

Brother knocked on the door and we entered after being invited by Uncle. We greeted him with a bow. He did the same. He sat down behind his work table.

"Wangji, you usually come a little later in the morning. What a pleasure it is to have you here so early in the morning," he said with a smile.

Strange, I thought he was very friendly this morning. Was it hiding something? No matter, I was there for a reason.

"Uncle, Brother, I have a piece of information for you....Wei Ying is back."

Brother closed his eyes with a sigh . Uncle cleared his throat.

"That's what I heard," Uncle said.

"The guard saw you come in after curfew last night. How long is he here for, do you know?"

"Forever."

"Wangji, that's impossible! Even if the events of 17 years ago have been cleared up, some of the things he did are unforgivable!"

"If you don't agree to let him stay, Uncle, then we'll both leave.

"This is blackmail!

"No Uncle, Rule 81 of the Lan Clan: Thou shalt remain forever bound to the person thou hast chosen as thy cultivation partner. Rule 82: You will walk for life by his side. Wei Ying has been my cultivation partner for 18 years and he has been mine since that night!

My uncle's mouth opened but no sound came out. He looked astonished! Brother opened his eyes again.

Wangji," Brother said hesitantly. Reassure me, are your feelings mutual? Was he... willing?

I knew what my brother was thinking. He remembered our parents' situation. Our mother had never really liked our father and had been forced to marry him for her own safety!

"Mnn," I nodded. Uncle looked furious.

"Since you are so good at reminding me of our clan's rules, do I need to remind you of Rule 85?"

"No sex before marriage. This rule is not broken, Uncle."

At this point, I thought Uncle would choke on his anger...or surprise!

"Co...how? What did you just say?"

"Eighteen years ago, we didn't tell you all about the events that happened in the Cold Pool Cave.".

"What did you not tell us?" my brother asked calmly.

"The cave was protected by the murder rope. In order to protect Wei Ying from it, I bound our wrists with my ribbon." Brother closed his eyes again with a sigh. I think he understood what I was getting at.

"When Lan Yi introduced herself, we bowed together to her, my ancestor. Later, we bowed to her a second time as the leader of the Lan Clan. When we came out of the cave, Wei Ying fell on me, and when we stood up, we bowed to each other as a sign of apology and only when we were about to separate did I untie my ribbon from our wrists. The 3 prostrations took place. So he has been my husband for 18 years!

Of course this was an interpretation of the events, but in my heart it was the truth.

Uncle and Brother looked at each other in amazement at what they had just heard.

Wangji," said Brother, "have you thought about the repercussions of this situation on your position as Patriarch?

"This is my personal life, it is nobody's business but Wei Ying's and mine!"

"Wangji," said Uncle harshly, "have you thought about the Clan?"

"Did the Clan ever think of me once? Uncle, when you punished me in the name of the Clan, 17 years ago, you didn't ask me for a moment why... I did it! You judged me guilty without hearing my reasons. You should know that I have never totally forgiven you or the elders! If you ask me where my fidelity goes, the answer is the rule 83 of the Lan Clan".

"You will be faithful by your actions to the person you have chosen as your culture partner. That's what you told me in the cold cave when I came to see you during your reclusion", said my brother.

"As for my position as Patriarch, if the Sects are not able to accept my decision...then let them choose someone else!

There was silence in the room. Uncle looked furious, but he knew that I would not go back on my decision. I would stay with Wei Ying and I had no intention of hiding. As for Brother, he had always liked Wei Wuxian, so I think he accepted our relationship.

"Now, I'll leave you to it. I'm going to work at Jingshi this morning. I want to be there when Wei Ying wakes up.".

I greeted my uncle and brother and walked out of the office. Now they knew. I went back to the Jingshi. My love was still sleeping. The blanket covered him up to his waist. His messy hair covered his shoulders. I smiled and sat down at my desk after preparing a bath for my soul mate.

The hours passed. Wei Ying started to move. I got up and sat on the edge of the bed.

You opened your eyes and smiled. I couldn't take my eyes off you.

"Hello, so I wasn't dreaming? Was it real?"

"Mnn."

You tried to stand up and winced.

"This time for sure, it wasn't a dream. Lan Zhan, you weren't particularly gentle with me last night. I hurt all over!"

"I prepared a bath for you to relax."

You looked at me and pouted, frowning.

"Lan Zhan" you said with a childish look,

"Now that you got what you wanted, don't you love me anymore?"

I am stunned but what is he saying?

"Why do you say that? You smile mischievously,

"You haven't kissed me yet!!!" he says, holding his face towards me.

I don't make him say it twice and lean in to put my lips on yours.

A new life begins for us!

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