As a permanent resident of the Cloud Recesses for almost two years. Wei Wuxian still has been his mischievous self while he has learned how to cherish the good moments with his husband and the juniors as well as pay no attention to the forbidden not-so-loud whispers of gossip.

Although he has mastered ignoring the elders and their loud voices, there has been a couple days where it will get to him; he'll then openly express his disturbance to the comments or go to Lan Wangji for comfort. But his acts won't change throughout the time being thankfully.

Perhaps that won't be the case this time...

Walking through the Cloud Recesses with his Lan Zhan, Wei Ying was happily skipping with his hands interlocked with the taller. Unaware of the soft small smile he displayed at the sight of his playful partner.

Passing by the rabbit field, then a couple elders and juniors the Lan put his smile and soft expression behind his stoic one; While the other took care of expressing the emotions publicly. Soon their son, Lan Sizuhi and the other juniors, Lan Jingyi and Ouyang Zizhen quickly walked up to them with their usual happy aura.

"Hanguang-Jun! Senior Wei!" Sizuhi exclaimed as they neared.

"Ah, Sizuhi! Has A-Ling not arrived yet?"

Shaking his head Sizuhi responded, "Not yet, but Hanguang-Jun, Clan Leader Lan is asking for you in the Library Pavilion."

Nodding he started,"Wei Ying-"

"Ah! Lan Zhan, don't worry about me. I want to be with a Juniors a bit today!" Wei Ying said happily while cutting him off knowing what the Jade will say. "You can go to him!"

After a brief thinking, Lan Wangji nodded once more and turned to head where the Pavilion is located.

- Wei Wuxian POV -

Once Lan Zhan was out of sight, I motioned the juniors to start walking. We were walking towards the Sect gates to welcome Jin Ling when he arrives.

As for Jiang Cheng, he's still his usual hot-headed self. He hasn't fully forgiven me but it seems like he's starting to warm up to me again, very slowly. He recently came back from his half-month seclusion.

Half way there, I was talking to the Juniors until they all paused and looked at me worriedly as if they had seen or heard something.

Confused, I asked "What's wrong? Did something happen?"

"Senior We-" Sizuhi started but was cut off by the loud "whispers."

—"Psst.. he is with the Juniors again.."
—"I still do not see what the juniors or Second Young Master Lan see in him."
—"He is still so unruly, he did not even make an effort to fix himself when he married into our clan."
—"How pathetic, you think that he will brainwash the juniors t-"
—"Shh! Lan Qiren is coming."

Hearing their words was as if it was part of my schedule. I was used to it. Although it still affected me, especially today.

I have wanted to snap back at them at the times where they mentioned Lan Zhan, but I couldn't since Lan Qiren was starting to warm up to me.

Lan Qiren acknowledging his presence greeted behind us, confirming the last sentence of the elder. Turning around, we bowed greeting him back.

"Grandmaster Lan," Jingyi started of shouted toning his voice down quickly when he remembered that he was a Lan and who he was speaking to. "Jin Rulan will be visiting Cloud Recesses today for a night hunt. Senior Wei was just accompanying us while we go to the gates to greet him."

"Understood, Childe Wei will you be attending to their night hunt tonight as well?"

I smiled, shrugging my shoulders responding, "Not sure, if they would like my presence then I will."

After a few sentences were shared, he turned to head to wherever he needs to be and the Juniors and myself continued walking to the gates. The elders still continued their gossiping. Yet, all I could to is stay silent and put on an assuring smile to the juniors who seemed to display their worry.

Have I really not improved during my time here? Am I pissing off Lan Zhan and Uncle with my unruliness? And they're just hiding it? Will they stop once I fix myself?... better yet, leave?

I continued walking sub-consiously while my thoughts were taking over. I guess it is much better compared to the resent like the old days. After a few more steps we were already at the gates, I couldn't remember how long ago we started walking again but it for sure hadn't felt long as usual.

"Senior Wei?" One of the juniors called. Letting them know they had my attention, they asked, " Is everything alright?"

I smiled, grateful for their concern. Before I could even respond, we heard the faint scolding voice of the Clan Leader of Yunmeng. Jiang Cheng.

"How many times must I tell you not to go somewhere else!? Must I break your legs once we leave?!?" The purple clan leader yelled, giving his signature eye roll afterwards. I laughed a bit in my head remembering the memories.

Jin Rulan stayed slightly quiet not wanting to anger A-Cheng more in front of his friends. They both got off their swords and headed towards us. In no time, Jiang Cheng and I made eye contact. We haven't seen each other in more than two seasons and we haven't officially reconciled. I flashed him a light smile before telling the Juniors and Jiang Cheng that we should go back so the relatives can rest for a bit... aside from the small bickerings between Jingyi and Jin Ling, it was quiet all the way back.

- - -

After about 35 minutes, Lan Wangji walked out of the Library Pavillion and called over one of his trusted elders and asked if Wei Ying has come back yet. Once responded with a 'no', he started walking to the boarded pathways to wait for him.

Once he got there, the group of cultivators joined him shortly afterwards. Seeing Jin Ling and Jiang Cheng, all of them then bowed aside from his beloved. Wei Ying then walked up beside Lan Wangji with a bright smile and hugged him from both joy and wanting release a bit of the worry from the pained words.

After feeling satisfied from the groans of the people behind, Wei Ying laughed and let go. All of them then started to walk back.

Wei Wuxian was finally talking nonstop again with laughs and jumps in between when he was speaking with the Juniors. He wanted to talk to Jiang Cheng, but he found the time slightly inappropate to do so. So Jiang Cheng just walked up to the man in white and blue.

~ ~ ~

"Lan Wangji." Clan Leader Jiang asked. After getting the sign that he had his attention, he followed. "How... How has Wei Wuxian been doing here? Still in disbelief he's survived 2 years here with more than 4,000 rules." Lan Wangji was probably the only person currently who knew Jiang Cheng's care and worry under his demeanor for his husband while he was no longer a resident at Yunmeng Jiang.

"Wei Ying has been fine. Although there has been some gossiping."

"Gossiping? Isn't that forbidden here at Cloud Recesses?"

"Mn. Elders seem to disregard it."

"How bad is it?"

Coincidentally, right after that sentence some elders across from them had to be loud again.

"Look, it's Clan Leader Jiang and the Jin Clan Heir. You think the Yiling Patriarch invited them?"

"He could've possibly threathened their clan to get them here. Remember Clan Leader Jiang and him don't have a good relati-"

"That bad. Or worse." Lan Wangji responded while putting all of them on a silence spell subtly to stop further words. He turned to check how Wei Ying was if he had heard them. He was still laughing and smiling so he was relived.

Jiang Cheng couldn't speak. He was stunned. He knew he wasn't on good terms with his martial brother, but their relationship was way better than it was when he finally returned. "threathened? invited them?" was all he could think about. As far as he knew, Sizuhi was the one who invited them.

"Wanyin."

"Huh?"

Wangji just looked at him, letting himself realize that they were in front of the the Pavillion where they were to meet Clan Leader Lan, Lan XiChen. Once he came out, everyone bowed; after a few sentences were shared, the married couple left for the Jingshi.

- - -

- Lan Wangji POV -

Once Wei Ying and I parted, he turned quiet. Probably resting his throat from all the laughing and talking. Passing the bunny hill, he linked his arm to mine as well as held my hand for the rest of the way.

"Lan Zhan.." Wei Ying called my attention.

"Hm"

"I love you."

"Love Wei Ying too," I knew Wei Ying needed to hear it. Those elders started talking about him more often and more louder recently, and I know that their words have been causing Wei Ying to think more. "Love Wei Ying with my whole body. Every second. Every minute. Every year." He needed reassurance. "Even during those 16 years."

He smiled. Once we both stepped in and closed the doors of the Jingshi, he paused and turned to me. Showed me his smile, it wasn't his beautiful big smiles and it wasn't a fake smile. It was a show of a small thank you, and he crashed himself to my chest giving a long hug. I hugged him back, carressing his hair hoping to help him lower his daily guard and to let it out.

After almost a minute I felt my robes getting moist and the figure in my arms slightly shaking. I knew he was crying. Caressing his back while rocking the two of us back and forth, I allowed the silence in the room to comfort the two of us.

"T-those elders.. they w-wouldn't stop would t-they?" the small figure in my arms questioned, hiccuping between words, sniffles being heard. Those damnned elders. With their so called righteousness.

For the first time since we reunited after our parting, I responded with "Not sure.." I hated giving Wei Ying uncertainty. But this time, I too was in doubt when it came to stopping the elders. It wasn't reassurance, and it wasn't disapproval. It wouldn't help his situation.

Soon enough Wei Wuxian, the man who was born with a smile on his face. Fell down to the floor. His shaking knees even gave up on supporting him. "Wei Ying!..." I went down as well. His sobs were then clearer and the sorrowful eyes were in sight.

I hated seeing him in this sight, seeing him breaking down when we're finally alone. I had no idea how to help him, how to stop them.

I put my hand on his cheek and wiped his tears with my thumb, allowing him to seek comfort in anyway he can. Starting with knowing that someone was there to hold him.

I stood up and carried him off from the floor and walked ourselves to the bed. Laying him down and taking off both our outer robes.

We left our 'everyday is everyday' for tomorrow, as I felt it was inappropriate to do something so venereal from the prior event. Although Wei Ying started to feel guilty, I was quick enough to reassure him that we didn't need to do such acts to show love or satisfy one.

As him being alive and with me was enough to keep me happy and satisfied.

Soon enough it was almost 9 pm and the faint voice of the man who was laying on my damped clothed chest was heard "L'n Zh'n... let's 'o to sleep."

"Mn," I brought myself down from my sitting position and covered the two of us with the blanket. "Good night my love."

"Good night zhan zhan.."

Soon, all that was heard in the room was the soft breathing from the two of us and the small snores from the sleeping figure on my chest. Soon enough, my eyes closed and I fell into a slumber hoping for the next day to be better than before as I hoped for the past 520 days.

- - -

[ 2058 words ]

We're not done yet luvlies. Make sure this book is in your library to get the next and final part. See you soon <3