Wei Ying was walking in circles. Or more accurately, he was walking up and down the Jingshi. I was at my desk trying to finish preparing for the summit that started today.

The delegations were starting to arrive. Brother was welcoming them. At nightfall, the opening banquet would take place. But tonight was the first time we would appear before everyone as a couple. The main Sects knew about it. Through our union, the leaders of Jiang and Jin Clans had become my family. Jiang Cheng, my brother-in-law and Jin Ling my nephew. HuaiSang, the head of the Nie Clan was also present that day, and he wished us much happiness.

"What if they try to make trouble for you?" said my soul mate to the... I had stopped counting the number of times he had asked me that question!

"Ignore them! Keep it civil, I'll take care of the rest!".

"But,...".

"Shut up!" I got up and went to join him. I took his hands in mine.

"Things aren't what they were 17 years ago," I said.

"I know, but they still fear me, even though I've been living quietly since I returned to you."

"You are my husband. To disrespect you is to disrespect me too. They know it. Everything will be fine. Those who see our union in a bad light will ignore you. If you leave them aside and don't worry about them, everything will be fine.

"But you ... I don't want you to lose your position as Patriarch because of me!" at these words I kissed tenderly his lips.

"Wei Ying, When I lost you in Qishan, I realized that the most important thing in life is not power or honor, but the love we have for the people close to us. Whatever happens tonight and in the days to come, we will stay together.

I rested my forehead against his, our hands joined. I could have stayed like this for hours, but Brother knocked on the door.

When he entered, Wei Ying and I resumed a position more suitable for receiving a visitor.

"All the delegations have arrived. Some of them asked me why you weren't there to welcome them."

"What did you tell them?"

"The truth, that you had an emergency to deal with!" made Brother glance at Wei Ying.

"An emergency?".

"Yes, your husband's panic!" Brother laughed. He had been laughing more and more often since Wei Ying had moved in with us. I was happy about it.

"Wuxian, when I see you today, I sometimes find it hard to imagine, that you were the most feared being in the whole "culture".

"Brother Xichen, I know you don't pay attention to rumors, but have you heard anything about us!".

"The only person who dared to voice a derogatory opinion, was put in his place by Jiang Cheng. I think you have nothing to worry about tonight. After that, it's Wangji's turn to make his own choices and the clan leaders to make theirs.

Wei Ying looked at me. He seemed a little appeased. I knew that until we entered the Orchid Hall, he would wonder and imagine the worst things. But once the crucial moment came, he would change completely and show perfect confidence in the situation. No one would see his doubts and read his worries!

"I'll go and welcome them, if you have any questions about the protocol, ask Brother. I'll leave you to it".

I left the Jingshi and began my visits to the 14 delegations present. I started with my family. It took me 3 hours to make the complete tour. I passed by Brother's workroom before returning to the Jingshi. When I entered, I was not surprised to see Uncle with him.

Their faces were serious. What was going on? They looked worried. I stopped.

"What's going on? Did something bad happen?". Brother seemed to hesitate.

"Wangji, while talking with Wuxian, he told me about something that worried me and that you never mentioned."

I looked at him without understanding. He walked over to me, took my wrist and lifted the bandage that covered it. My scar appeared. He looked at me questioningly.

"Wangji?" I abruptly took my wrist from his hand.

"Was it Wei Ying, who told you about it?"

"Don't blame him, it came up in conversation. He didn't realize that I didn't know about it! Wangji, is that what I think it is?

"That was, a long time ago, let's not talk about it."

"Wangji, you were desperate enough to get to this point. You didn't let anything show! From your scar, the wound must have been deep.

"It was 11 years ago in Xining, but someone saved me.

"I remember, it was at that time that your stays with us became longer and you had a room set up for A-Yuan at the Jingshi".

"Mnn."

"Wangji, I want you to promise me one thing, if you ever feel like this again, please come and tell me.

"Brother, this will never happen again. There is no reason for it anymore".

"Swear to me!" insisted Brother.

"Mnn, I swear," I said to appease him.

"I have to get ready. It's almost time for the banquet," I said.

"Yes, I'll see you later," said Brother. I left them, their eyes full of concern.

I had always known that they would find out sooner or later. I must have disappointed them once again. It was one more proof that I was not the flawless being that everyone saw in me!

I arrived at the Jingshi. Wei Ying and SiZhui were waiting for me.

They had both dressed up for the banquet. My love draped in his red dress and his black coat. He wore the Lan emblem on his bun as usual.

Our son, SiZhui, wore the azure dress of the Lan. It was his first time to wear it. It looked really good on him. Tonight was his first outing as heir and future clan chief.

I joined them and hurried to get ready. Wei Ying insisted on placing my hair ornament.

The night had just fallen when the three of us headed for the orchid room.

When we arrived at the door, my love stopped for a moment. I turned to him and kissed him gently on the lips, to give him courage. He tightened me slightly against him by closing the eyes. I knew that when he opened them again, he would smile. That would be a sign that he had put his "mask" back on, just as I had.

SiZhui looked at us tenderly and smiled. His gaze was drawn to the inside of the room.

"Fathers, Uncle Xichen saw us, he is waiting to announce us.

I then walked into the entrance of the room. Wei Ying on my right and SiZhui on my left. Both of them slightly behind me.

As we walked through the door, my brother announced loudly and clearly.

"Let's welcome, the Chief Patriarch, Han GuangJun, his cultivation partner, the Yiling Laozu as well as their son, the future leader of the Lan clan, Lan Yuan".

Everything was said, they all knew now that we were a family.

By the icy look on my face, they understood that if any of them did anything against my love or our son, they would pay dearly!

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