Watching Wei Ying smile and play around would make one think that he is a person without any scars. But, the truth is far from it. Mere few hours ago; the same man who is now knee deep in the lotus pond; was fighting resentful corpses with his brother by his side.

"Lan Zhan! Come join us!" At Wei Ying's call, few maidens who were already in the pond busy collecting lotus pods; distracted by him were grinning and giggling, glanced at my direction and paled out.

Not that I was jealous. Not the least. He is always surrounded by men and women alike. Even after all these years his youthful looks and open boisterous laughter always charmed everyone around.

I shouldn't be surprised; but won't lie when I say this heart always wishes he is next to me in Jingshi, away from people and their prying eyes.

"Elder Patriarch!"

A kid jumped and splashed water on Wei Ying making him groan and before he could retaliate, it seemed there was a water fight with each dunking other into the water. Some of them were Wei Ying's childhood friends and many were new.

"Seeing Ah Xian's smile reminds of the time when he was innocent and happy." Jiang Cheng joined me as an onlooker and smiled, "Not that he isn't happy right now, but back then he was a naive sixteen year old whose moto was to simply annoy every resident of Yunmeng. Oh! People loved him but also hated his guts. He was a loveable juvenile."

Jiang Cheng had a glint of both happiness and sadness in his eyes. For a long time he lived with guilt of what happened to his family; anger, resentment and finally wishing to let go of all the hatred in his heart.

Looking at the two of them now made me remember that night all those years ago. Wei Ying and I had just returned from night hunt and at the entry of Cloud Recess, Jiang Cheng stood with two jars of Gusu's Emperor's Smile.

Both brothers buried their hatchet and had a night long conversation with liquor as their companion. This is what they needed. To pour their heart out and forgive eachother. In the end Wei Ying got back his brother and Jin Ling had a complete family to call his own.

"Hm."

Giving me a small smile Jiang Cheng shook his head, "Still a man of few words."

My eyes never left Wei Ying. His smile was the only one to make my life meaningful.

"I am glad you two chose to spend festival of light here. My parents and sister would be very pleased to have Ah Xian and you with us."

It was the emotion behind his words that made me look at Jiang Cheng.

Wei Ying's Shijie.

The only person who knew and understood his pure heart when the world turned their back on The Yiling Patriarch.

"Wei Ying wanted to be here. How could I not come when this is where his heart desires to be?"

Chuckling lightly Jiang Cheng nodded, "Don't spoil him too much Wangji. He will be a pain in your ass."

'I doubt that Jiang Cheng. One day ask him who is pain in whose ass?' I wanted to comment; but thought against it. He might not appreciate my sarcasm. Yet, thinking of last night with Wei Ying under me, I wanted to run my fingers between those wet tresses.

Bouts of giggles brought me back from my naughty trail of thoughts only to see a young maiden too close to my Wei Ying.

His eyes caught mine and involuntarily my eyes twitched. He grinned instantly and was above to move away from her touch when she caught hold of his elbow and the man by my side whispered in shock, "Fuck!"

"Wei Ying!" Jiang Cheng yelled, "Better come out before things escalate."

Wei Ying's eyes were pools of seduction and I guess it was not only me who had naughty thoughts. Before it gets out of hand, it would be better for me to leave and proceed to our chamber.

Turning away from them all, I made way to the inner quarters of Jiang Cheng's palace where Wei Ying's childhood room was the same as he had left it when he was sixteen.

His books, toys and even drawings were all displayed for us to enjoy and see.

My heart knew the second he entered the room. Wei Ying always had this aura which enhanced my senses towards him.

Not one to shy away he was quick to plaster himself to my back, in the process making me wet as he hugged my body tightly.

"Jealous, Lan Zhan?"

Smiling at his question; I bring his clasped hand towards my lips and kiss it. "Far from it my Wei Ying."

"Do you really trust me never to cheat on you?"

Closing my eyes I nod, "Implicitly."

"Why?"

"Do I need a reason?"

I could feel he needed an answer. It were moments like these when Wei Ying showed me his most vulnerable side and it made me feel humble.

Turning his in arms, lifting his chin to kiss, I whisper my answer; "The day we married, I made a promise to myself never to doubt you even for a moment. You chose to live with me in Gusu and I will always choose you above all else. Even above me."

He stilled in my arms and the smile that slowly bloomed made my heart flutter like the first snow of Gusu.

"What would be my life without your sweet words Lan Zhan?"

Kissing his lips I smile only for my beloved, "I am here for you to never experience that pain my Wei Ying."

Watching Wei Ying blush would always be ethereal.

"Lan Zhan."

"Hm?"

"Tonight can you meet me next to the pond below Yunmeng Hill?"

"Sure; but aren't we going to attend festival of lights with your brother?"

"We will; but first meet me there."

Saying what he had to say and before I could react, Wei Ying sprinted hastily from the room.

Shaking my head all I could do at the moment is to wait for Wei Ying by the pond as per his command.

I waited patiently for Lan Zhan's arrival. Standing in the middle of a small bridge connecting two ends of the pond, I smiled and remembered our conversation from two lifetime ago.

We will always find eachother no matter how difficult our paths are.

He didn't make me wait long. Watching Lan Zhan cross the bridge made my heart beat faster. Even after all these years, knowing I own his heart and soul, yet the very sight of him make me putty. I don't know if Lan Zhan's aware of the power he holds over me.

This morning I asked him if he can trust me never to cheat on him and as expected his answer was to trust me implicitly. But what Lan Zhan does not know is; I can never ever cheat on him.

There is no me if there is no him.

"You came." I grinned with excitement.

"You asked me to come. How could I not?"

As I said with few words he can take my breath away.

"I love you." Clasping his face I kiss him softly.

Drawing an incantation behind my back; as the first lantern swayed above us, it caught Lan Zhan's eyes and I tucked my body next to his.

Gazing at him and watching his eyes widen with amazement is what I will always live for.

As each lantern slowly rose above us, the entire sky was painted with lit lantern, an epoch of The Yiling Patriarch's love for his beloved Azure.

Each lantern has Lan Zhan's name painted on it.

Turning to face me; Lan Zhan softly kissed my forehead and under thousands of lights, our bodies swayed in sync as the lantern danced with the breeze.