Uncle Qiren was walking towards the couple. His hand automatically reached for his beard, which was still a rainbow of colours. He couldn't explain why he had the sudden urge to touch it whenever he saw that mischief maker, but he found himself smiling fondly now.

"Uncle!" Wei Ying left Lan Zhan's arm to bounce towards him and throw his arms around his shoulders.

The flicker of embarrassment disappeared as Uncle Qiren patted his arm affectionately.

"We're going to the gates. We have visitors!" Wei Ying almost sang the words out.

Lan Zhan watched him, his heart aching softly. Wei Ying was sad, and he didn't know why. But as usual, Wei Ying was an expert at covering it up, like now.

"You may go," his uncle was saying.

Wei Ying gave him another squeeze and bounced back to a shocked looking husband.

"What?" He asked, innocently.

"Nothing." Lan Zhan smiled warmly at him. "Wei Ying is loved."

Wei Ying buried his flaming face in his chest, and Lan Zhan kissed the top of his head, urging him forwards.

They got to the gates and found a welcome surprise.

Daden Yaonu had come. With an entourage.

She was bowing to XiChen now, before Li XiWang launched herself at her aunt.

Wei Ying watched Daden Yaonu pick up his daughter and spin her around, both laughing with exhilaration. His heart hurt, remembering what his daughter had said.

Would she really want to leave them?

"What is it?" Lan Zhan asked, looking at him worriedly.

"Let's talk about it later." Wei Ying struggled to speak past the lump in his throat.

Daden Yaonu came to them then, holding Li XiWang's hand still.

Lan Zhan bowed first.

"Welcome to Cloud Recesses."

Wei Ying watched him proudly. Now he knew the truth of why Lan Zhan was nice to her, he didn't care if the Jade was warmer than normal to her.

Lan Zhan was his.

He bowed too, smiling.

Daden Yaonu clapped her hands and the entourage followed her in. They began putting down wooden chests, twenty in all.

"My lady, may I ask what these are?" XiChen asked her, glancing at his brother and Wei Ying.

"These are gifts from my people to yours. You have looked after our daughter so well, we wanted to show you our appreciation. We are, after all, her kin." Daden Yaonu bowed again, and clapped again.

The men next to the chests began opening them to reveal treasures not seen before in Gusu.

The first chest was full of pearls, different sizes and colours, mostly loose but many shaped into necklaces and bracelets.

Wei Ying was slightly put off, after knowing where they came from and how they were made.

Daden Yaonu saw his face and whispered, "not what you're thinking. These are mostly oyster pearls."

Wei Ying smiled in relief at her. She was truly thoughtful.

The second four chests were filled with silver items, not only jewelry, but vessels and trays, plates and bowls, all shining with a glare that hurt their eyes.

Six chests were filled with gold; although these were filled with a vast array of more jewelry.

One chest was full of precious stones. Rubies, emeralds and diamonds peeked out among the topaz and crystals.

Four chests contained shells of all shapes and sizes, different colours and designs upon their outer faces.

Daden Yaonu picked up one and placed it next to Li XiWang's ear.

"Whenever you miss us, child, you can do this. The sea is ever present in it's children, and you shall always feel comforted."

Li XiWang hugged her.

The remaining chests contained abalone shells, and jewelry made from it. Each item was precious and beautiful, and Li XiWang's face was full of awe and wonder.

"I did not come alone." Daden Yaonu was saying.

Wei Ying had been watching his daughter, all the multitude of emotions that crossed her face, when he was shaken out if his thoughts. Lan Zhan had tightened his hold around his waist, and now staring at him, concerned.

"Sorry, did I miss anything?" He looked blankly between his husband and Daden Yaonu.

She laughed, a musical note.

"I was saying, I didn't come alone. I brought Shui, too."

Wei Ying was confused and looked behind her. The road past the gates looked...empty.
He looked back at the silver haired Siren.

"We swam up to Gusu. I left him in a pond, and he was enjoying the coolness. He's eager to see you." She smiled again.

Wei Ying was thinking.

"But isn't Jiang Cheng there? In the Cold Pond? Right now?"

"Yes, I told Wanyin to take advantage of it's healing powers by soaking in it. Brother Wei?" XiChen had come up to them, but he was confused now. "What are you doing?"

Wei Ying had started to strip.

"Shui's in the Cold Pool!" He was saying, getting himself tangled in his robes, in his haste to take them off.

"Mn." Lan Zhan helped him. If those long fingers lingered, nobody noticed.

"Jiang Cheng is in the Cold Pond!" Wei Ying tried pulling his arm out.

"Mn." Lan Zhan wasn't paying attention anymore.

"Jiang Cheng has never seen Shui before, and he's got Zidian with him!" Wei Ying grabbed his face and got his attention then.

"Lan Zhan! Do you trust me?"

Golden eyes charged with love looked back at him with a single focus.

"Yes." He answered without hesitation.

"Good!" Wei Ying kissed him, hard and fast as his wings unfurled. "Meet us there!" He told the blushing onlookers.

Then he picked up his husband and flew up into the sky.