They left the mountain that afternoon, amid final hugs and a heartfelt thank you from his grandmother. Li XiWang did not return, much to Wei Ying's disappointment.

Wei Ying just felt happy. He had found himself thinking about Lan Zhan's question more and more. But something began to bother him, and it wasn't until they were flying high on Bichen that he voiced his concern.

"Lan Zhan?"

"Mn?"

"Are...are you happy?" He blurted out, in two minds because what if Lan Zhan said he wasn't and....why were they landing?

"Um...?" He tried to let go when they reached the ground, but Lan Zhan was too quick, hauling him into his arms.

Wei Ying didn't know what to think. "So...?"

"I told you but you weren't listening." Was the answer he got.

"It must have been the wind," he covered. "Could you please tell me again?" He knew Lan Zhan could see the worry in his face.

"I am more than happy. When I am with Wei Ying. Like this." He gathered him closer.

"But...Lan Zhan, is it....is it enough?" Wei Ying held his breath, afraid.

The arms around him tightened and he was sure he heard a laugh. He pulled back, affronted.

"Are you laughing at me?"

"No."

"You look like you're laughing at me."

"No, never." Lan Zhan kissed his forehead. He looked happy and Wei Ying was confused.

"I am laughing because you think I think it's not enough. But that's not true."

"I don't get it." Wei Ying pouted.

"More than enough. Better. Best." He rectified. "I love Wei Ying."

"That's alright then."

*****

They reached Lotus Pier by nightfall. It was a spontaneous decision, so they hadn't bothered to tell Jiang Cheng.

Spring time in Lotus Pier was truly magical, Wei Ying thought, holding Lan Zhan's hand as they walked through the bazaar. First buds gently swayed in the light breeze, huge leaves floating softly on the calm waters. A half moon shone down at them as they entered the gates of his previous home.

It wasn't that late and yet all the lights were out when they reached Swords Hall. Wei Ying was slightly alarmed, also because no one seemed to be around.

"Let's find Jiang Cheng." He said, pulling Lan Zhan with him.

All the rooms were tucked away behind the main hall, so they had no choice but to pass through until they came to the first door.

Wei Ying was going to barge through, but Lan Zhan stopped him.

"Knock first."

Wei Ying rolled his eyes but complied.

There was suddenly a lot of noise behind the door. Lots of banging, and definitely a vase was smashed, loud cursing and then a disheveled, half dressed Jiang Cheng opened it, barely a crack. His eyes widened when he saw them.

"What are you doing here? I thought you went to see your grandmother?"

"We did, but...wait, how do you know about that?" Wei Ying was suddenly suspicious. "And! Is that a hickey?" His eyes narrowed. "You're not alone, are you?"

He pushed passed abruptly and without warning, expecting to see a blushing maiden, but he stopped in his tracks, immediately covered his eyes and pushed Lan Zhan out.

"We'll wait outside. And...um...sorry." he mumbled. His face was redder than a tomato.

A confused but silent Lan Zhan watched him pacing in the Swords Hall, muttering to himself: "All the signs....why didn't I realize... sneaky..."

Jiang Cheng had gotten dressed properly when he finally came out to meet them. But when Lan Zhan saw who was holding his hand, he gasped.

"Brother?"

Lan XiChen was blushing and Wei Ying had practice knowing.

"Explain."

"Lan XiChen came to deliver a message-" Jiang Cheng started to say, but Wei Ying flipped out.

"A message? What kind of message? I can't believe this!"

"It's got nothing to do with you!" Jiang Cheng retorted hotly.

"It has everything to do with me!" Wei Ying shouted back. "You're my baby brother, and he... he's my brother in bond and...and oh my!"

"Please, Brother Wei, I can explain-" XiChen tried to say.

"No you will not! We don't have to tell them anything!" Jiang Cheng pulled XiChen closer to his side protectively.

Wei Ying admitted to himself that that was kind of cute. Okay, now he had decided that he could be cool about it, it was time for some fun. And if he'd paid attention, this wasn't that big a surprise, so that was on him.

"Are you going to tell anyone?" He demanded, keeping the same tone.

"Do we have to?" Jiang Cheng fired back.

"But we know, now."

"So?"

"So what do I get for not shouting it from every roof?" He smiled evilly, excited to get back at his younger brother.

"Aside from a fat lip, what do you want?"

Wei Ying rubbed his hands gleefully. "Lan Zhan, let's think of something."

"Mn."

"WangJi-" XiChen tried to intervene again but Wei Ying shut him down with a raised hand, and to his delight, Lan Zhan answered, "Brother should have said. Wei Ying is right."

Jiang Cheng's eyes nearly popped out.

Wei Ying was still thinking. "I know! Fresh lotus pods to be delivered every day for a month!"

"Two weeks!"

"Three and we don't snitch to Uncle Qiren."

"Done!" XiChen agreed quickly.

Wei Ying stuck a hand out and shook his enthusiastically. This was fun.

*****

They decided to leave Lotus Pier to the lovers and returned to Gusu, staying overnight in an inn before completing their trip and coming home to Cloud Recesses in the morning.

An anxious JingYi was waiting for them outside the Jingshi.

Wei Ying was still tired so he didn't wait for him to speak but marched inside and almost fell over.

"What's all this?" He spluttered incredulously.

Every available surface was covered in small white envelopes, with his name and their address written clearly by a child.

"You have some correspondence." JingYi whispered and fled.

Wei Ying climbed through them to the bed and flopped face down, groaning.