"Shhh, it's ok Xichen. It's not your fault..." 

~JIANG CHENG'S POV~

It had been nearly eight months since the last siege of Lotus Pier, and everything had more or less gotten back to normal. Besides Jin Guangyao getting mysteriously killed in the dead of night- the cultivational world hadn't really suffered any serious casualties. The major sects had reached a sort of equilibrium, where no sect wanted to one up the others. The Jin, Jiang, and Lan Sect Leaders were all part of a family of sorts. While the Nie Sect was still on the rebuild and didn't want to draw too much attention to itself. And why would it? After all, Jin Guangyao was dead and Nie Huaisang had gotten his wish. 

Jiang Cheng let out a sigh. Out of all the sects, Gusu Lan was probably the most influential. The Nie Sect was still being led by that headshaker, and the Jin Sect's reputation was in pieces- the only thing keeping it up, being the Yunmeng Jiang Sect. 

He rolled his eyes as he surveyed the scene before him. 

Arguing juniors? Check. 

Idiotic disciples? Check. 

Insufferable leaders? Check. 

Shameless couples? Check. 

Jiang Cheng scowled, glaring at Wei Wuxian's retreating figure. The latter gave him a wink and salute, before he dragged his husband away. 

Husband... Jiang Cheng found his frown deepening as a bitter feeling swept through him. 

Ah yes. Leave it to Wei Wuxian to scream and cry for a wedding mere minutes after the Chief Cultivators death. That fucker. Took one look at the corpse on the ground, and fell to his knees- sobbing his heart out. 

Jiang Cheng had been stunned. After all, Wei Wuxian had hated Jin Guangyao, and nearly killed the man himself. His eyes had widened when the tears started trailing, and he rushed to help his brother. And that's when he realized. 

His brother was never sad about Jin Guangyao's death- rather, he was lamenting that he wasn't the one to finish the job! 

Jiang Cheng had glowered and narrowed his eyes at him, when Wei Wuxian suddenly pushed him away, and latched onto Lan Wangji. The younger man had started whining about how short life was and how he wasn't ready to leave Lotus Pier yet. Something about how the old man Qiren was going to kill him and stuff his corpse down the toilet. 

One thing led to another, and soon, Jiang Cheng found himself officiating a wedding! He scoffed. He hadn't even been able to plan anything before those two lovebirds had dragged him to an alter, and did their three bows before him. A wave of resent surged through him. Wei Wuxian was going to be the death of him. 

He hadn't gotten to sending dowry, or wedding invitations, or hell even properly set the date- before the wedding was already over!

Jiang Cheng frowned. When it was his turn, he would never be so crass! 

Wait what? 

A blush formed on his cheeks as his face turned scarlet. He turned away, silently scolding himself, 'Bold of you to think that there'll even be a wedding. You've only been together for thirteen years... which to be fair, is a long time. But that's still not nearly enough to already start planning a wedding! What is this? That smitten with Lan Xichen already?'

He backed up, hoping that no one would be able to the see the bright red flush that stained his face. Clearly he had no such luck because the second he moved, he bumped right into someone. 

"Oof," the man behind him gave a breathless grunt after Jiang Cheng's back had collided with his chest. 

Jiang Cheng's flush deepened, as he turned around to apologize. Looking up, he saw a pair of beautiful hazel eyes, staring at him intently. Jiang Cheng's mouth dropped open, as his eyes widened. Lan Xichen was always beautiful, but seeing him here with the sun draped against his back and the wind ruffling through his hair- Jiang Cheng felt his heartbeat quicken as he stared up at his lover in awe.

A look of amusement crossed those bottomless orbs as Lan Xichen's eyes twinkled. "Are you having fun, my love?" he asked a teasing lilt to his tone. 

Jiang Cheng frowned. "No."

Xichen arched a brow, "Hmm, what should we do about that then?" he murmured in a salacious voice, leaning down to nip at Jiang Cheng's neck. 

Jiang Cheng felt a shiver rush up his spine as goosebumps appeared on his skin, "Xichen... later." he muttered, gently pushing his lover away. 

He might love Xichen, but there was no way in hell he was going to act as shameless as Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji. Nope. There was absolutely no fucking way. He had a reputation to maintain- and Lan Xichen was sure as hell not going to ruin it for him. 

"But Wanyin..." his lover whined, pouting at him. "You promised..." 

Jiang Cheng grunted, willing his blush to die down before composing himself and turning towards his lover, "I know," he whispered, rising up to kiss against the slender column of his throat. "I'll make it up to you." 

"How?" Xichen asked, pursing his lips. A thread of impatience flashed across his face before he schooled it into a cheerful mask. 

"I'll let you do me from behind?" Jiang Cheng offered, quickly darting away before Xichen could grab onto his waist. "But not right now," he murmured, shooting him a quick glare before marching away to supervise his disciples. 

He heard the older man's huff of annoyance, and a goofy smile lit up his face. 

With a renewed bounce in his step, Jiang Cheng was about to walk over to his sect, when an unwelcome face popped up next to him. 

"Cheng Cheng! What did Zewu Jun do to you?! Since when were you so shameless!" Wei Wuxian chirped, arching a brow suggestively. 

Jiang Cheng sighed, fighting back the urge to punch his brother in the face. It was much harder than it looked- but he managed. Forcing an overly sweet smile, he reigned back his temper as he tilted his head at his brother. Murder flashed in his gaze and Wei Wuxian took a cautionary step back as he looked warily at Jiang Cheng. 

"Hey Cheng Cheng! I don't mean to pry on your love life or anything- I already have Lan Zhan. I'm just telling you to leave all the kinky stuff for the bedroom! I mean really- poor Zewu Jun! You looked like you were about to eat him over there!" 

Jiang Cheng narrowed his eyes, taking a threatening step forward, and Wei Wuxian immediately scurried behind Lan Zhan as a wicked look crossed his face. 

"Cheng Cheng," he singsonged, darting away as he dodged Jiang Cheng's attacks. "Is my little sister- the inexperienced virgin finally growing some backbone? My goodness Jiang Cheng, I never thought I'd see the day you willingly flirt with another man! And in public no less! How scandalous!" he exclaimed, cowering behind his husband. 

Jiang Cheng gritted his teeth. He was ready to kill that brother of his- husband or not. Just as he was about to open his mouth to tell Lan Zhan to very kindly, 'fuck off,' reassuring arms slid around his waist as Lan Xichen pulled him into a warm embrace. 

Jiang Cheng narrowed his eyes, growling at the way his body unconsciously sagged against his lovers. He thrashed and screeched as his eyes landed murderously on Wei Wuxian. "I'm going to kill you Wei Wuxian! Just you wait you little shit! Wait until I get my hands on you- I'll fucking break your legs and drown you in a river!" 

Wei Wuxian tsked, shooting a pitying look towards Lan Xichen. "Aww poor Zewu Jun, always babysitting you..." he sighed, a theatrical pout on his lips, "You're always so violent Jiang Cheng!" he shook his head. "No wonder you get blacklisted so much!" 

"WHY YOU-" 

"Wanyin... Shhh, A-Cheng, I'm here," Lan Xichen soothed, running a comforting hand up and down his back. 

Jiang Cheng felt his scowl softening as he grumbled and buried his face in Lan Xichen's neck. Inhaling the sweet mix of sandalwood and gentains, he calmed slightly. He glared at Wei Wuxian, hissing under his breath, "I'm still going to kill you. Just not right now." 

"But Cheng Cheng!" 

Xichen cut him off with a look, as he turned back to Jiang Cheng. He shot his beloved a soft smile when he wrapped an arm around his waist, and tenderly guided him inside. 

Jiang Cheng let out a loud sigh and allowed himself to be herded back into his quarters. He grimaced slightly when he heard the overdramatic gagging sounds Wei Wuxian was making behind his back. He debated whether or not he should go back and slug his brother in the gut, just for good measure- but decided against it when he saw the radiant look on Lan Xichen's face. 

A soft smile of contentment made its way across Jiang Cheng's face as he stared at his beloved adoringly. Lan Xichen was indeed the First Jade of Lan. With his broad shoulders and straight back, he was the epitome of grace. 

Jiang Cheng gave him a praising look as a smug grin bloomed on his lips. Lan Xichen looked much better now. His face was starting to regain its color and the smiles he gave became more and more genuine. Those brilliant hazel eyes were starting to recover some of its old shine, and Jiang Cheng couldn't have been more proud. 

When Xichen first went into seclusion, Jiang Cheng had gone with him. He had handed off all responsibilities to his head disciple and joined his lover in Gusu. They had spent nearly every day together- although Jiang Cheng had to occasionally pop back up at Lotus Pier to check on how things were going. But other than that, they had been with each other every single day, for over eight months. Eight months of reflection and careful deliberation. Eight months of comfort and support. Eight months of loving words and tender phrases. Eight months, of closure and sex. 

And by the end of it? Jiang Cheng had had enough. 

He had woken up at the ass crack of dawn, and had practically dragged Xichen out of the Hanshi- effectively ending his seclusion. 

He had convinced his lover to come to Yunmeng with him, saying that the sunshine and bright lakes would do him some good. 

Three weeks later, and Xichen was starting to get better. His skin was no longer so pale and milky white- instead it was a faint pinkish colored, slightly sunburned from the heat. His eyes were no longer so full of guilt and shame, and there was a new bounce to his step. 

It was the first time in months that Jiang Cheng had seen his lover look so carefree and joyous, and the sight of him brought another goofy grin to Jiang Cheng's face. 

"Wanyin," Xichen asked, bringing Jiang Cheng out of his daze. His cheeks flushed when he sawing the knowing look in the older man's eyes, as he arched a brow in amusement. 

"What," he grumbled, embarrassed at being caught. 

"I have something to show you," his lover murmured, holding a hand out for Jiang Cheng. "Would you like to see?" 

"Sure," he mumbled, grabbing Xichen's hand and squeezing. "Where are we going?" 

"You'll see when we get there." 

Jiang Cheng furrowed his brows, letting Lan Xichen take the lead. His jaw dropped as his eyes widened in awe, "Are we here now?" he asked when they had stopped. 

"Yes." 

Jiang Cheng let his gaze wander across the lake. It was the pavillion behind his room- a relatively quiet and peaceful place. He had taken Lan Xichen there after a particularly stressful day of work, and had ended up getting drunk and confessing his feelings for the other. Fortunately, Xichen had taken it with a stride, and by the next day- his lips were swollen and bruised. 

Jiang Cheng flushed when he saw the millions of paper lotuses, dotting every corner of Lotus Pier. Each lotus had a candle inside, and the smell of warm spices filled the air. A small smile spread across his face when he saw the two bowls of lotus and pork rib soup laid out on the table.  

"Wanyin?" a nervous voice sounded beside him. 

"Hm?" Jiang Cheng asked, his voice a bit breathier than he would like. 

"Well it's just uhm, I was wondering..." Xichen blushed, the tips of his ears turning a bright red. "Well we've been together for a long time right? And uhm..." he trailed off, fidgeting the ends of his robes. 

Jiang Cheng tilted his head, "Wondering what?" he asked, confused. 

Xichen took a deep breath, eyes darting back and forth before he finally blurted, "Wouldyoumarryme?" 

"What?" Jiang Cheng frowned, "What are you saying?" 

"Would you, uhm, you know... maybe want to marry me?" 

Jiang Cheng's breath caught as his mind raced to understand what his lover was trying to say. Xichen wanted to marry him. Lan Xichen, the fucking First Jade of Lan wanted to marry him. 

"Wanyin?" 

He beamed, a brilliant smile stretching from ear to ear. He grabbed Xichen, smashing their lips together in a bruising kiss. 

"Wanyin?" Xichen asked, an amused look in his eyes. "Is that a yes?" 

Jiang Cheng flushed, a shy smile on his face. "Yes."