Wei Ying woke to find a weight on his chest and in his bones. He didn't want to wake Lan Zhan, so he stared at the ceiling, wondering where they were. The pale yellow decorations reminded him of Koi Tower and slowly, he remembered climbing up those awful steps.

"You're awake." Lan Zhan lifted his head, eyes red and puffy.

"My love, why are you crying?" His voice felt rough.

Lan Zhan rose to get him a cup of water and silently watched him take a sip.

"We need to talk." Lan Zhan said, firmly.

"Okay." Wei Ying watched him quietly, wondering what had upset him so much.

Lan Zhan took the cup away and held his hand. "Wei Ying...has not been truthful."

"What?" He was surprised. "What do you mean?"

"You haven't been sleeping. You didn't want to come here. You have panic attacks." All throughout, Lan Zhan pinned him with his gaze.

Wei Ying scratched the back of his neck, awkwardly. "I'm sorry. I should have said something."

"Why?" Golden eyes stared back, accusingly. "You said, together."

Wei Ying felt really bad about this. Lan Zhan was taking this so seriously...and before he knew it, his arms had gone around stiff shoulders, and his eyes wouldn't stop leaking.

"I'm sorry. I really am! I didn't want to worry you."

Lan Zhan made a noise of disgust. Reluctantly, he hugged him back. Wei Ying winced and he noticed, pulling away immediately.

"What hurts?" He demanded.

"My back. But you checked it before-" he was still speaking when he was turned over and placed on his front, robes pulled up and out of the way. He shut up and let Lan Zhan examine him.

He poked and pressed but again, now there was no pain.

"I told you, you have magic hands. There's no pain now."

Lan Zhan turned him over so he could look into his eyes.

"When did it start?"

"Umm...I think when we got back from Guan Lo. Maybe a week after that?" Wei Ying dared not look away. Lan Zhan was a bit frightening when he was determined.

"And the insomnia?"

"About the same time."

"Panic attacks?"

"They...they don't happen so much now."

"Jiang Cheng said they happen when Wei Ying is stressed."

He nodded.

"Why did you not say anything?"

"I honestly didn't think I would have one. Please, Lan Zhan, I don't know what to say. Can you forgive me?" He wiped his eyes again.

"No."

"No?! What do you mean!?" He wailed and held onto his husband. "I'll do anything! Please!"

"Wei Ying must promise." Lan Zhan tugged him back to look into a distressed face.

"Anything." He whispered.

"Wei Ying must tell me everything. No excuses."

He nodded. "I promise."

Lan Zhan handed him a bowl of food. "Wei Ying must finish this."

He picked up the chopsticks and began eating.

"Wei Ying must finish this too."

He was handed a brownish grey liquid. "What is it?" He asked, suspiciously. It couldn't taste good if it looked like this.

Lan Zhan glared at him so fiercely, he drank it in one go, making a face when it was finished.

"Tonic. For Wei Ying's health."

"It was disgusting."

Lan Zhan didn't care.

******

The cultivating clans gathered in the main hall. The noise of chattering and the clink of porcelain on tables died out as a hush fell over them, when Wei Ying walked in with Lan Zhan.

He dutifully followed him to where the Lan clan was assigned seats, keeping his gaze averted. The loud whispers reached his ears though, only until Lan Zhan held his hand and Bichen landed in front of the gossips.

XiChen was already there. "How are you feeling today, Brother Wei?"

Before he could answer, he was pulled into another hug.

Jiang Cheng didn't ask him anything, just held him tightly.

Wei Ying was embarrassed with all the attention. "I'm fine, I'm alright now." He disengaged himself from his brother, patting his back.

The Jin Clan leaders rang a bell for silence, so everyone sat down in their own places.

The usual news were discussed, problems put forward and solutions raised. Wei Ying found it all very boring, until Jin Ling stood up.

"As you may have noticed, there are significant building projects happening in JinLinTai. We are hoping to raise funds from all the clans so that similar structures can be built in all the main towns and cities.

"The cultivation world is a difficult one, fraught with danger and death. Many adults leave behind children who are innocent from all these troubles and have nowhere to go, no one to look after them. We have been given a proposal by some couples who want to make a difference." Jin Ling ushered in two couples, dressed simply, who were smiling at everyone.

"This is Liang Gouzhi and his wife, Liang Fangsu. This is Zhen Chia-Hao and Zhen Dong-Mei."

There were murmured greetings from all present.

"We hope all of you can show your support by helping these young ones and provide a safe environment." Zhen Chia-Hao said, addressing everyone.

They were given seats and welcomed.

Chatter was just resuming when an old clan leader stood up.

"While all are present here, we demand a clarification on certain points, regarding the Jiang sect of Yunmeng and the Lan clan of Gusu."

Both Lan Zhan and Wei Ying looked at their brothers. Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes while XiChen stood up.

"What would Sect Leader Fu Shin need clarification on?" He asked pleasantly.

"We would like to know if the rumours are true, that Sect Leader Lan XiChen is planning on making Sect Leader Jiang Wanyin his Cultivation Partner?"

"Not that it concerns any other clans, but yes. That is true." XiChen stood tall and proud.

"Not concerning other clans?" The man was outraged, and Wei Ying wanted to laugh. What was wrong with them now?

"I'm sure I don't know what you mean." XiChen replied.

"Well, disregarding the fact that then, that would mean both prominent Jades of the Lan clan are no longer legible candidates for real marriage, but the amount of power awarded to one man, well! It's simply preposterous!" The man's face was red with his efforts.

"It is not up for debate." XiChen said, firmly.

Wei Ying was jumping up and down inside. Yes, tell them, XiChen-Ge.

"But sect Leader Jiang Wanyin is already associated with the Jin Sect of JinLinTai. If we allow this marriage to go ahead, that would mean he also has the Lan clan at his disposal. And let's not forget that is also the residence of the Yiling Patriarch!"

Wei Ying finished one jar of their substandard wine and started on another, gaining a disapproving glance from his husband, but he was having too much fun. He beamed at Jiang Cheng, waiting.

"You are worrying about nothing. We, as separate leaders have enough to occupy our time, than thinking about whatever it is you are." XiChen continued. "Our marriage will not affect your lives in any way."

"Not affect our lives? How can you say that? What will happen one day when we wake up and suddenly have a repeat of the SunShot campaign on our hands?" He persisted.

Jiang Cheng stood up.