After lunch, I followed Brother to his room. He then guided me to the patio around which his apartments were organized. In the center a cold mist was emanating from the pool where normally Koi carp were swimming. Flower petals were floating on the surface. I looked at my brother with a questioning look.

"I had the fish moved and I restored the cold spring here," he laughed.

"Are you ready for the purification ritual?

"Mnn."

"May I join you?" Brother and I turned around. Uncle was standing at the entrance to the patio.

I nodded to him. He entered. They both helped me undress. Then I entered the pool. I sat in a meditation position. Brother and Uncle lit the candles that had been placed around the patio and burned the incense sticks. Then they recited the rituals and poured the purifying water over me. When the ritual was completed, they held out a tunic to wrap me in.

We then went back to Brother's room. He sat me down and dried my hair. Uncle had gone to get our family's bridal finery. Brother combed my hair and Uncle fixed it on my bun. The silver swirls went all the way around and then over the back of my head. Brother took off my ribbon and put the silver cloud on a red ribbon. He gave it to Uncle. Uncle came up behind me.

"Wangji, we haven't always seen eye to eye, especially in recent years. But I love you like my son. You're not a child anymore and you can make your own choices. It's up to me to accept them. Wei Wuxian is not the growing partner I would have chosen for you, but you both have proven that your love is strong and even death could not overcome it. I only hope that the years to come will be calmer and more peaceful than the past ones. I can't promise you to behave like a father with your cultivation partner, but I will make sure to get along with him, provided he doesn't turn YunShen Buzhi into a mess!"

Brother smiled, as for me, knowing my soul mate, I suspected that there would be some commotion among the clouds of YunShen Buzhi!

Uncle placed the ribbon on my forehead while Brother lifted my hair so that he could tie it. Brother put my hair back on my shoulders.

I wondered if everything was going well for Wei Ying. The atmosphere must not be as solemn as here with Uncle and Brother.

Uncle went to get the underwear I was going to wear. I put them on, then he and Brother presented me with my dress and helped me put it on. Uncle put his arms around my waist and with Brother's help, they fastened the belt. Brother put my hair back in order.

"It's time to go to the Ancestral Pavilion, Wangji. Are you ready?

"Mnn." I was going to see Wei Ying again.

The way to the "Ancestral Pavilion" was long, even though it was only a few hundred meters away.

He was there, waiting for me. He was wearing the same red dress as me. Only our belt was different. Mine had the clouds of the Lan clan and his had the lotuses of the Jiang clan.

SiZhui, Jiang Sheng and Jin Ling were there too. Our son turned to us.

"Fathers, we are going to wait for you in the "orchid room" and we will see you later. They greeted us and left us.

Brother and Uncle stood on either side of the entrance. I turned to my soul mate and with the same step we went to kneel before the ancestors of the Lan clan.

We burned the incense sticks and prostrated ourselves in the traditional way. This reminded me of a similar scene that took place in Yunmeng almost a year ago.

I had asked those whom Wei Ying had always considered as his family to help me find the way to his heart and to entrust him to me. I had sworn to them to make him happy. Here in front of my own ancestors, I repeated my oath. So gently, I took his hand and in front of those of my clan I said these words.

"I Lan Zhan, by the Lan blood that flows in my veins, swear to love my cultivation partner, to be faithful to him, and to protect him for eternity."

Wei Ying shook my hand. I turned to him and smiled.

"Lan Zhan, since I came back to your side, there is one thing I have never told you. You have never given me any thought about it, but I want you to know that I have been waiting for a special occasion to tell you .... Lan Zhan, I love you and I will be faithful to you for eternity. I swear it before your ancestors who by our union also become mine."

It is true that he had never told me this, but every night he proved it to me. I leaned towards him to kiss him.

"Hemmmm!!! rules Wangji!" said Uncle behind us

"If your prayers to the ancestors are over, let's go back to the Jingshi, for the rest." said Brother.

With an embarrassed smile at being caught in the act, we got up and headed for the Jingshi. There awaited us the second tradition of the Lan clan, the exchange of thoughts.

Brother went behind the table and sat us down. Uncle brought the teapot. Brother handed him the nuptial bowl. The tea was poured. Then he handed the bowl to me.

"Wangji, when you drink this bowl, your spirits will become one.

I took the bowl he held out to me and dipped my lips into it. I turned it around and presented it to Wei Ying. He took it and drank in turn, putting his lips where I had put mine. When that was done, he returned the bowl to brother.

"Lan Zhan, Wei Ying, stand up." We stood up and bowed to him. He then beckoned us to go and join Uncle.

"Both of us knelt down" We obeyed. Brother came up behind me and untied my ribbon.

"Take hands and hold them out in front of you," said Uncle. Brother handed him my headband. Uncle tied our wrists together. Then he took a second ribbon he had prepared and handed it to Brother who tied it around Wei Ying's forehead.

"You are now cultivation partners," said Uncle in a very solemn way. We looked at each other and smiled.

Brother leaned between us.

"Wangji, now you can kiss him! I didn't hesitate to do so!

After putting my lips on his, we stood up ... well, in a manner of speaking! With our hands tied so tightly, it was really not easy! I could see Brother holding back his laughter. I looked at him questioningly.

"This is the fun part of the Lan wedding ceremony, especially for the guests. You must keep your wrists bound until your wedding night!"

"Xichen, there is another meaning! It symbolizes that they must always act in concert. What one does has repercussions on the other... but that said, we might hear some laughter tonight at the banquet!" For a moment I thought I saw a sneaky smile and heard Uncle hold back a slight laugh.

"It's time to go join our guests and introduce your new, legitimate couple," Xichen said.

The fingers of our hands were entwined and even if we wanted to, it was impossible to separate them. Wei Ying was right, some of the Lan clan's rules and traditions about marriage were in stark contrast to his usual restraint.

When we arrived at the orchid hall, a surprise was waiting for us.

It was so crowded, it was too small and half the people present were outside. I didn't understand!

"Uncle, Brother, I thought that only the clan should attend our union?

"That's what we thought too, but it seems that the rumor has spread to some sects" replied my brother.

"If you look closely, you'll see that all the disciples you saved at the Burial Ground are there and they managed to convince their families to come with them."

Brother was telling the truth, young Zizhen was there with his father the head of the Ouyang clan. I also saw HuaiSang. Jin Ling must have passed on the message!

When I saw Wen Ning, I could hardly recognize him! He was transformed! His hair was neatly styled as it had been when he was the guest disciple. He was wearing a green robe with a high collar that hid his black veins. He was talking with SiZhui and Jingyi. I knew that he had come back to settle near YunShen Buzhi to stay near his cousin SiZhui.

Brother left us and walked into the middle of the guests to get their attention, then waved us to join him.

"Member of Lan clan, family, disciples and guests, allow me to officially introduce my brother Lan Wangji and his cultivation partner Wei Wuxian" he approached us and raised our two linked hands to the sky!

"They have sworn love and loyalty to each other for eternity before their ancestors, before me and now they will do it before you!".

Brother to let go of our hands. I had just realized that we were to bow for the third time, to each other this time, but with our hands tied it was ... how shall I put it... impactful!

As we bowed to each other, our heads collided and laughter erupted from all around! I think I had just fully understood Brother and Uncle's reactions to Jingshi!

It was going to be a complicated evening! 

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