The first thing I felt when I woke up was a tickling sensation in the hollow of my neck and the warm body of Wei Ying on mine. Then a mouth came to nibble my earlobe. I opened my eyes, the sun was just rising and it seemed that my soul mate had woken up earlier than usual and was in a naughty mood.

"It's not time to get up yet!" I closed my eyes again.

"Gege, do you know what day it is?" he said as he continued to kiss my neck.

Did I know? Of course I knew! We had been planning this day for a month! I was suddenly rocking back and forth with him and was on top of his body.

"Do you think it's a good idea to call me that on a day like today? You sound pretty excited to me!" He grinned as he played with a strand of my hair.

I grabbed his hand and placed a kiss on each of his fingers. His eyes became more serious and his smile gradually faded.

"Lan Zhan, I've been wanting to ask you a question for some time. Until now, I've never dared. But we promised each other, no more secrets between us... so "

"Mnnn, speak"

His fingers grabbed my wrist and turned it over. He placed a kiss on the scar that was there. His eyes looked up at me and I read his question without him having to ask it.

"It was a long time ago, during a moment of distraction and despair." I caressed his cheek and rested my forehead on his.

"That's in the past and not worth talking about. You are here and there is no more despair, only happiness.

"You must have suffered a lot because of me."

"It was worth it. I came out of it stronger and freer. I placed a kiss on her lips and slid my hand down her chest and then to her hip. Her skin was so soft.

"It's time to get up now. We must go and cleanse our bodies.

"Gege, it's the husband's turn to purify himself!"

"Wei Ying, you are not exactly a young virgin! You have to purify yourself!"

"If purification consists of a bath in the cold spring with you, I agree!" he grinned with a big smile and a mischievous look.

He was incorrigible!!! I was still wondering how I was going to convince him to wear the clan headband at our union and after!

We got up and prepared. Brother and SiZhui joined us. They brought Wei Ying's ceremonial outfit. Mine was in my brother's apartment.

We had chosen simple outfits. The lapels and collar were decorated with protective embroidery in red silk. Only our belts were different. They were made of black silk with gold edges. Wei Ying chose lotus flower patterns for the central part and I chose cloud patterns.

SiZhui put it on a support rod so that it would not wrinkle.

"Wangji, Wuxian after lunch we will proceed to the purification of the bodies ... separately!" said Brother with a slight smile. Wei Ying made a face.

Sorry, my love, another one of your fantasies gone!

"After this, you will not see each other until the ceremony. I will assist Wangji and SiZhui will assist Wuxian. The ceremony will take place in the late afternoon and will be followed by a banquet... As you know, only the members of the clan know about it. It will be held in private.

Wei Ying hesitated. I knew what he was going to ask.

"ZeWu Jun, do you know if Jiang Cheng and Jin Ling will attend?

Brother shook his head.

"We hadn't heard from them after SiZhui delivered the invitations." I knew how much their presence meant to him. A few hours ago, a miracle could still happen...

We then went to Uncle for his "recommendations" and for him to read us "the rules of marriage" Wei Ying whispered in my ear.

"Even for this, you have made rules! I wonder why they are not on your wall!"

After hearing the first few, he understood why! Although not as detailed as Baochen's book, some of them were quite explicit about marital duty! Brother had only told me about the first 250! But there were many others and I was amazed to discover that some of them concerned couples of the same sex, both male and female!

After several hours of listening to Uncle, we finally returned to the Jingshi.

"Lan Zhan, I thought your clan was founded by a monk! I would never have imagined that your marriage rules could be worthy of those of the courtesans !!!! ".

I had to say that I didn't either!!!

Wei Ying suddenly stopped dead in his tracks at the entrance to the Jingshi garden. On the gallery, in front of the entrance to our home, stood Jiang Cheng and Jin Ling.

My heart lightened, my love would have theirs with him on this special day. I had resolved to make peace with Jiang Cheng if he came to the ceremony. I will keep my word.

We walked towards them.

After climbing the few steps, we greeted them. They did the same. Wei Ying and Jiang Cheng looked each other straight in the eyes. They had not seen each other since the events at Guayin Temple. I could see Wei Ying's jaw trembling. He suddenly grabbed his brother in his arms and hugged him. Jiang Cheng returned his embrace. There were tears in their eyes.

"Let's go in," I said.

We crossed the threshold. I sent a message to Brother to let him know they were here and another to have two more meals brought in. Once this was done, I joined the table and took a seat next to my soul mate. Wei Ying addressed his brother.

"You don't even look surprised!"

"What do you think I am? Do you think I'm blind? Your feelings for each other were as obvious as the nose on your face!"

"I do, you've known me forever! But Lan Zhan, with his impassive face how could you guess?"

Jiang Cheng looked at me.

"Because his face is no longer impassive when it comes to you! Whether it's love like in Jinlintai... or hate like in Xining."

"Xining? We never went there! I lowered my head and answered him.

"I have. This morning you asked me a question, that's where it happened.

He nodded and gave me a gentle smile.

"When you're ready, tell me about it." he put his hand on mine and squeezed it. I nodded my head.

"Uncle," said Jin Ling to attract Jiang Cheng's attention. He looked at him and took out a Qiankun purse. He made Siubian appear. He put it on the table and pushed it towards his brother.

"It is yours."

"I no longer have the power to handle it."

"It doesn't matter, his spirit waited for you for 16 years by sealing himself, out of respect for him, you have to keep it with you".

"You're right." Wei Ying stroked the scabbard with a wistful look.

He had to think back to all the times he had demonstrated to everyone how good a swordsman he was. But those days were over. His domain was now mind control music.

SiZhui knocked on the door. He was accompanied by the disciples who brought the meal. Today he was Wei Ying's assistant. He put the dishes on the table and sent the disciples away.

Brother arrived at that moment. He and SiZhui sat down at different ends of the table. SiZhui smiled. He hadn't told Jiang Cheng and Jin Ling about our family connection. The time had come since we were all together.

"This is the first time we've had lunch as a family," I said.

Jin Ling turned to SiZhui with his eyebrows furrowed and then suddenly looked incredulous.

"Hey, SiZhui you are Han GuangJun's son, when he and Uncle Wei get married, you will be my cousin!"

SiZhui turned to us. I think he wanted to tell the truth to those who were his family.

"Can I tell them?"

"Mnn."

"Actually, I was the son of the patriarch of Yiling before I was the son of Han GuangJun"

"Te...te...te, what are you talking about?" He turned to his uncle.

"Uncle Wei?"

"The truth. SiZhui's real name is Wen Yuan. He is the last member of the Wen clan. He was part of the group of survivors I took to Yiling. He was just a baby at that time. I was his father and after I died, Lan Zhan raised him.

"Oh, so... we're already cousins!" He then had a half smile of satisfaction and nodded his head. The fact that his cousin was a Wen in the first place didn't seem to faze him.

"Hey, SiZhui, we can go on a night hunt together!"

"Anytime!" SiZhui really looked happy! Jin Ling had been his friend and now they were family.

"That explains a lot," Jiang Cheng said.

Brother raised his cup of tea and made a toast.

"To our new family.

The time to part was approaching.

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