Chapter Text
Jinlintai.
"Outrageous!"
Jin Guangshan hurled the gem ornament in his hand straight at the opposite wall in a fit of fury.
The reason for his outrage was lying exactly on the table in front of him.
A wedding invitation from the Gusu Lan Sect.
The marriage between Lan Xichen and, of all people, Wei Wuxian.
At the mere thought, Jin Guangshan felt as though his lungs and spleen were being twisted into knots. The person he had intended to lure into Lanling Jin had instead been neatly packaged and taken away by Gusu Lan! It was unacceptable!
But what was more unreasonable was the subtle provocation from GusuLan.
Lan Xichen considered himself a veritable gentleman. As a gentleman, gratitude must be repaid, and revenge should be avenged. That's why Lan Xichen had to express his sincere gratitude to LanlingJin for their assistance, in providing such an “appropriate opportunity” to reveal the so-called secret relationship between himself and Wei Wuxian.
He wholeheartedly thanked them by choosing LanlingJin as the very first recipient of the wedding invitation. He didn't forget to include a handwritten letter as well so that Jin Guangshan could fully appreciate the depth of his sincerity. Lan Xichen truly hoped that, with such special treatment, he had adequately repaid their “wonderful contribution” to his love life.
As for whether this act of repayment might also serve as a form of retaliation...
Naturally, that was not his intention.
Jin Guangshan was so furious he almost wished he had a handful of beard to tear at, just to vent his anger.
This was simply taking advantage of LanlingJin!
They had been the ones to painstakingly orchestrate everything during the Flower Banquet, yet in the end, it was Gusu Lan who reaped all the benefits! If it weren't for their meticulous planning, would Wei Wuxian ever fall into this kind of scheme?
Of course, it was impossible for Jin Guangshan to attribute any of this to his own miscalculation, let alone engage in self-reflection.
The target he had to throw all the blame naturally became his cheap son, Jin Guangyao.
"Look at what a good Sworn Brother you have! Taking advantage of your own family and stabbing you in the back!"
Jin Guangyao maintained a subtle smile on his face, bowing slightly before excusing himself.
No matter how indignant LanlingJin felt about this wedding, they still had to prepare a wedding gift as a courtesy, right?
The temperaments of Lan Xichen and Jin Guangyao were, in truth, rather similar. They knew exactly the timing to resolve any situation, neither too hasty nor too late. Neither forceful nor too mild.
Jin Guangyao had not come to “clarify matters” the very next day after Lan Xichen brought Wei Wuxian back to Gusu. He knew those first few days would be reserved for Lan Xichen to settle affairs within his own clan. If he came at this juncture, it wouldn't do him any good.
Though the cultivation world was divided—some doubtful, others convinced that Lan Xichen and Wei Wuxian had long maintained a “secret relationship”— just like how Jiang Cheng and Jiang Yanli knew it was impossible, Jin Guangyao also knew there was no such thing.
Lan Xichen had simply been forced by circumstance to preserve both his own reputation and that of his clan. However, what he didn't understand was why Lan Xichen didn't follow his arrangement by staying clear of the matter and letting Wei Wuxian bear the brunt instead. Yet, considering Lan Xichen’s upbringing, it was not entirely surprising that he would choose to “take responsibility.”
Putting what had happened aside, Jin Guangyao chose one week after the incident to visit GusuLan.
It was Lan Xichen who had received him.
The man had a plain expression on his face. There's no anger or hostility. But the warmth and friendliness he used to have were nowhere to be found either.
"Lianfang-Zun." He had called him.
Jin Guangyao stared down at the teacup he held with both hands. He smiled bitterly at the clearly alienated regard. "ErGe. If I tell you, I really didn't have any intention to harm you, are you still willing to believe my words?"
Lan Xichen replied calmly, "I believe you."
Because he knew full well, the intended target had never been him.
He was just an unlucky passenger who boarded the wrong ship destined to capsize.
Jin Guangyao did not lift his gaze. "And if I said it was not meant to harm Wei-Gongzi either… would you believe that as well?"
Lan Xichen’s tone remained just as calm. "I believe you."
Given Wei Wuxian’s current reputation, such a scandal was little more than a drop in the ocean. While people would scold him for a while, he wouldn't be chastised forever. Especially for a man, being caught in promiscuity with a lady wasn't a big deal.
The very example was Jin Sect Leader himself, whom everyone knew was a frequent visitor to certain establishments.
Hearing how calm Lan Xichen's response had been, Jin Guangyao laughed lightly. As if laughing at himself. Those responses made it clear that Lan Xichen was very well aware of the circumstances. That alone made any attempt at maneuvering far more difficult.
“Er-Ge,” he said at last, sighing lightly, “you must be very disappointed in me.”
Lan Xichen also nodded with a sigh. "Indeed. You have disappointed me, Lianfang-Zun."
Jin Guangyao froze at this blunt admittance.
The person in front of him continued to speak, "When I proposed that the three of us become sworn brothers, it was because we have been related to each other at some points, before, and even during the war. You are also a capable and talented person. I wished for this brotherhood to grant you the recognition you deserve."
His gaze settled on Jin Guangyao, carrying both regret and quiet lament.
"You truly are competent. Given a few years, you will be able to prove your abilities to the Cultivation World. So why must you rush to secure your position… obeying your father’s orders without regard for their severity?"
Jin Guangyao caught a leeway in his words.
Lan Xichen had not chosen to condemn him outright, nor to stand in direct opposition. Thinking about it, this was entirely in line with his character. No matter how displeased he might be with Lanling Jin, he would not hastily adopt an openly hostile stance. As Sect Leader, there were always greater considerations at play.
Openly forming a hostile relationship with one Major Sect wasn't good for stability. It would stir the cultivation world, which had only just been calmed after a major war. There was no benefit to gain, and it would instead cause more concerns.
Refraining from stating a clear enmity didn't mean Lan Xichen was a vegetarian, however. Though Lan Xichen refrained from declaring hostility, neither did he allow Lanling Jin to act unchecked or manipulate matters at will. He stood his ground, clearly expressing his displeasure with their conduct.
In doing so, people would understand that GusuLan had a good temper, but shouldn't be underestimated.
Yet no matter how slight the opening, Jin Guangyao would seize it without hesitation.
Adopting a posture of utmost repentance, he aligned himself perfectly with Lan Xichen’s expectations—like a child who had erred and come to admit his fault.
"ErGe...It was my fault." He sincerely admitted his involvement.
But he also tactfully clarified, "My father told me that a young lady from one of our branch families had taken a liking to Wei-Gongzi. He planned to send the two of them to the bridal chamber and have them discovered the next morning, leaving Wei-Gongzi no choice but to take responsibility."
He paused slightly, noticing Lan Xichen's furrowed brows, and quickly added,
"I thought, if Wei-Gongzi didn't feel attracted to the Lady, he could simply leave on his own. After all… that kind of medicine...how much effect could it truly have on someone of his strength?"
Lan Xichen's expression still did not improve.
Jin Guangyao smiled wryly. "——I will be honest. ErGe. Yes, I was the one who prepared the guest quarters and arranged for the medicine to be administered, as instructed by my father."
The most important part when admitting guilt is to confess your fault honestly.
"But that was all." Jin Guangyao continued, "You saw it yourself. Aside from entertaining guests in the main hall, I did not go anywhere else. As for what happened that night, or how the plan was meant to unfold, I had no further involvement."
At this time, Lan Xichen's expression eased slightly.
Jin Guangyao pretended not to notice it and stared straight into his eyes, an action to prove that one had no lies to hide, "I have no personal grudge against Wei-Gongzi. Even if I have to obey my Father's instruction, I also leave everything up to chance, or in other words, it depends on how Wei-Gongzi himself would respond."
The second rule of repentance—minimize involvement, and present one’s intentions as clean.
"...If he truly let himself be involved with the Lady who admires him, then he should be responsible. And if not, there are a lot of chances for him to refuse and extricate himself."
The final rule—place the outcome in the hands of another.
If the result is fine, then it was proof of his "kind consideration" of the plan. If it ended poorly, it could only be due to the other party’s failure to respond properly.
In other words, you have a bad temper and mess things up, so how could it be our fault? You should have been calm and collected when you were being schemed against, so you wouldn't get yourself into trouble.
Had Wei Wuxian been present, he would have laughed out loud, catching every hidden implication in those words.
So others could scheme against him as they pleased—and if things turned out badly, it would still be his fault for not resolving it flawlessly?
Well said! ——Wei Wuxian might even have applauded.
But the one sitting here was Lan Xichen.
In his twenty-three years of life, he had seen little of the darker depths of human nature.
Throughout the years, the most frequent sentiment he had seen from others was respect. There were also expectations and pride from his elders. The most intense emotion would probably be hostility from the Wen Clan.
That day at Jinlintai had been the first time he encountered something beyond respect and hostility. But that was it. He had yet to truly witness how people could be jealous, greedy, bitter, vengeful, malicious, deceitful...
So Lan Xichen thought what Jin Guangyao said was reasonable.
It was likely the truth. To Cultivators of Lan Xichen's caliber, that medicine actually didn't really affect him to the point of losing his sanity. And Wei Wuxian, who "should have been" one of the top three strongest Cultivators that he knew in their generation, should also not be impacted that much.
Even now, Lan Xichen still could not understand why Wei Wuxian had fallen into such a prolonged coma. From that perspective, it was only natural that Lanling Jin had not anticipated such consequences. Lan Xichen himself had only discovered the true state of Wei Wuxian's cultivation. It's no wonder that LanlingJin still regarded him as a powerful Cultivator.
These were the reasons Lan Xichen accepted Jin Guangyao’s so-called “sincere repentance.”
Furthermore, Lan Xichen, who had a guilty conscience himself, couldn't bring himself to act like a complete victim.
If it weren't for him who forced himself on the "Beauty", he wouldn't have fallen into this trap. In conclusion, he was like the big bad Wolf who had jumped into the pit eagerly after witnessing a pitiful rabbit being trapped inside. So how could he, the Wolf, cry injustice to the Hunter who dug out the pit after he ate the rabbit cleanly?
That would be so hypocritical.
Lan Xichen couldn't be that shameless yet.
He sighed quietly. "It is good that you know your mistake."
Jin Guangyao's eyes flickered negligibly. He tentatively inquired, "About Wei-Gongzi...how is he now?"
"Wei-Gongzi is currently resting." Lan Xichen smiled slightly, without revealing any kind of his distress.
Hearing his answer, Jin Guangyao knew that Lan Xichen must have planned to persuade Wei Wuxian to admit their relationship as well. As for how the GusuLan Sect planned to handle Wei Wuxian, that was not his concern. Wisely, he refrained from probing further.
He merely said, "ErGe, I have exposed my blunder to you. I am deeply ashamed of failing your expectations. If there is ever an opportunity to make amends, I will certainly do my utmost."
First, putting his collusion under the category of a "blunder".
Then, by offering restitution, he preserved the surface harmony between them.
Truly an eloquent person.
Had Nie Mingjue been present, he would have snorted in disdain. "Squibbling!"
Lan Xichen shook his head lightly.
He was kind in nature and had a good temper. Lan Xichen was also very tolerant. He always gave others the benefit of the doubt. His kindness wasn't just directed to one person, but to everyone.
Aside from his personality, he had indeed been brought up this way.
However, being tolerant didn't stop him from putting on guard.
After all, the fact that he was the one being directly incriminated could never be erased.
So Lan Xichen just gave Jin Guangyao a polite yet perfunctory response.
The two had parted this way on that day.
They did not publicly sever their sworn brotherhood. After all, such a move would only invite suspicion. People might wonder, why dissolve the bond? Was there something more hidden in the story? Didn't you say there was no sketchy thing and that you were indeed in love with Wei Wuxian?
And so, outwardly, nothing changed.
However, within Lan Xichen’s heart, Jin Guangyao was no longer the man he had once believed him to be.
No longer the figure who was "refined and silently enduring people's slanders," as Jin Guangyao had so carefully presented himself to be.
The marriage between Zewu-Jun and Wei Wuxian had become the hottest topic in the Cultivation World, even spilling into the conversations of common folk.
It was unknown how many women shed tears of grief, having their hearts broken by such news. But on the wedding day, Caiyi Town was still bathed in festive. The ceremony wasn't as ostentatious as LanlingJin's would be. However, it also wasn't as quiet and discreet as the late QinghengJun's.
The invited guests were those with direct ties to GusuLan. Though the other three Great Sects were all connected to this marriage in one way or another, only a number of second-tier forces were formally invited, along with several lesser-known families. This, in itself, reflected GusuLan’s stance—they did not discriminate based on rank, but rather on connection and propriety.
Since both participants were grooms, many of the ceremonial intricacies traditionally reserved for a bride were simplified. Overall, the ceremony was decent but not extravagant. Modest but fastidious. There's no taste of it being precipitously assembled.
The moment the guests caught sight of the two grooms, their eyes inevitably widened, necks craning forward in undisguised curiosity.
Since both were grooms, no one put on a red veil. Their faces were clearly visible to everyone.
"Is that...Wei Wuxian?" Someone felt a little doubtful.
The person beside him nodded to his words, yet seemed no less bewildered. "How do I say, but I didn't expect him to be so..."
"I thought so too. I know he has the looks, but why haven't I known that he is such a..."
The speakers were all men, and for a moment, none of them could quite bring themselves to articulate the thought in their hearts. On the female side, however, it was already chaos.
It wasn't like these ladies from aristocratic families lacked composure. However, a soft gasp might have gone unnoticed. But dozens of small gasps, resounding, layered one upon another, became something like a rising chorus.
The sight of Lan Xichen in red wedding robes was truly a breathtaking sight, no matter how you looked at it. His face was incredibly beautiful. His figure was tall and straight, looking like the finest jade.
As he walked elegantly in the hall, every step of his was exceedingly graceful. No matter how you scrutinized him, every part of him was exquisite and pleasing to the eye. The benign smiles adorning his expression throughout lulled people into contentment. He had always been draped in white, and now, adorned in festive red, it was as though his entire being had been illuminated
If the groom were this dazzling, the pressure for the one standing beside him would be raised to an impossible degree. People would become exceptionally strict, picking faults here and there. Their expectation that the bride would complement the perfect groom would be absurdly high.
And yet,
What made people sigh even more was the person completing this picturesque scene beside Lan Xichen today.
The other person stood shoulder to shoulder with Lan Xichen, similarly tall and slender. In the past few years, he had been shrouded in a dark aura, but today he was exceptionally vibrant. It was not the buoyancy of a teenager, but the charming flavor of a young man.
Both obviously had smiles on their faces, but his smile had a tad of a flirtatious hint in the corner. His whole being was especially romantic. Handsome and amorous. When Wei Wuxian’s gaze swept casually across the gathered guests, it made their hearts skip a beat uncontrollably.
The Guests, "...."
Who am I?
Where am I?
Did my heart just skip a beat for someone else's groom in another's wedding ceremony I am currently attending?
They immediately scrambled to busy themselves with whatever was at hand. Somehow, the seams in their robes looked a bit crooked. Suddenly, they find a thread sticking out from their sleeves. Either way, their attention immediately became everywhere but not to a certain groom!
They couldn't help but lament, it was indeed, Clothes Make the Man.
An ugly duckling could appear pleasant as long as they were meticulously dressed. Let alone someone who was already blessed with good looks.
Thus, with unspoken agreement, the guests swiftly attributed all of Wei Wuxian’s overwhelming charm to the exquisite wedding robes and the refined grooming of GusuLan’s neat style!
Putting aside the chaos Wei Wuxian had unknowingly caused among the guests, the ceremony proceeded smoothly.
From the Three Bows to the recording of names in the genealogy, each step was carried out with careful precision, signifying the nominal Union between Lan Xichen and Wei Wuxian.
The banquet began soon after.
Since the two were both grooms, no one would be sent to the bridal chamber first. They both had a responsibility to receive the congratulations. It was, perhaps, the first, and quite possibly the only, wedding the guests present would ever attend that unfolded in such a manner.
Surprisingly, both grooms wore rather similar expressions during the greeting. In other words, both were putting on a fake and polite smile. Lan Xichen was used to smiling in courtesy, but Wei Wuxian found it somewhat difficult to smile sincerely at those he didn't want to smile at. Hence, the scenery of matching pleasantry.
Only when Jiang Yanli stepped forward did Wei Wuxian’s smile soften into something genuine.
His Shijie looked genuinely happy for him, and in response, he wished to show her that he, too, was content.
She giggled lightly. "I told A-Cheng before, that A-Xian will definitely look exceptionally handsome today, I was right!"
Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes. "It's because he has been specifically groomed."
Wei Wuxian raised a brow. "Even if I appear here wearing only my inner robes, I will still be able to steal everyone's attention."
Jiang Cheng, "From your shamelessness!"
Wei Wuxian laughed. "Who said they won't get attracted by something else?"
Jiang Yanli smiled and finally started to speak seriously, "A-Xian, now that you are married to Zewu-Jun, then Shijie can feel at ease. Feelings can be up and down, but respect and trust toward each other are the most important things. A-Xian has always been an affectionate person, so Shijie wishes the two of you could have affection as a family."
Wei Wuxian was stunned for a moment.
After hearing the rest, he eventually smiled warmly.
"I know. Shijie, you can really rest assured."
At least, Wei Wuxian knew there was no need to pretend in front of Lan Xichen, so there shouldn't be many disagreements.
When it came to Nie Mingjue giving the congratulatory gifts, the man couldn't stop himself from looking at Wei Wuxian with a complicated gaze.
Wei Wuxian, "??"
He shot a questioning look at Lan Xichen, who returned it with an innocent smile.
But afterward, recalling what he had once confessed bluntly to Nie Mingjue, Lan Xichen had to avert his eyes secretly from embarrassment.
The case was like this:
During Wei Wuxian's 1-month coma, the two sworn brothers met once and discussed the incident.
Nie Mingjue was quite a traditional man, the kind who disapproved of Nie Huaisang's dandy-like hobbies. In his opinion, what does it look like for a Sect Leader to marry another man? There's no need to be so troublesome.
He was actually rather inclined toward Jin Guangyao's suggestion of staying clear of the matter. Or just simply treat it mildly. No need to be so exaggerated in taking full responsibility.
After all, both of them were men. As Wei Wuxian himself had once said, there was no significant loss. If handled properly, it could easily be dismissed as a private affair among the aristocracy.
Like the late Sect Leader Nie, who had married 2 wives, Nie Mingjue wasn't someone who valued an idealistic marriage or relationship. In his opinion, women wouldn't care so much if Lan Xichen had once slept with another woman. Let alone having a brief scandal with a man.
Leaving aside the matter of gender, the person whom Lan Xichen intended to marry was not exactly a good choice either.
The way Wei Wuxian had abandoned his dignity by acting unscrupulously in the Flower Banquet had left Nie Mingjue with a poor impression. The young man was too arrogant. Having no regard for courtesy or manners. How could such a person befit the role of the spouse of GusuLan's Sect Leader?
If Lan Qiren heard this, he would have also seen eye to eye with him, "Absolutely right! Someone finally understands my pain!"
However, Lan Xichen looked determined no matter what back then.
What Nie Mingjue said was not without reason; it was, in fact, entirely rational.
But others could be rational because they weren't the ones involved. In other words, they weren't the ones who rehearsed the 18 Styles of Martial Arts the whole night away! Naturally, they didn't understand his feelings.
So, back then, facing Nie Mingjue's questions, he could only put on a troubled look and answer vaguely,
"DaGe, actually, Wei-Gongzi is not as unsuitable as you believe. He has his own circumstances. While his temperament is somewhat unrestrained and youthful, I do not find it intolerable. Given proper guidance, the sharp edges of youth may yet be refined."
Nie Mingjue blurted out, "Are you marrying someone, or accepting a disciple?"
Your biological younger brother had no worries, so you wanted to find another problematic younger brother to guide?
Lan Xichen, "..."
After all, he had been acquainted with Nie Mingjue since they were young, and could be counted as childhood friends. There were things he could not say so plainly before his uncle or Lan Wangji, but toward Nie Mingjue...in the end, with a straight and expressionless face, he stated,
"Those are merely superficial reasons. The true reason I chose to marry him is that...I have already done many things with him, and I cannot forget them for the rest of my life. If he were to marry someone else in the future, I would definitely feel angry and envious of the other party. I would feel that the person who should have belonged to me...had been robbed by another."
Nie Mingjue had been rendered completely speechless.
In the wedding ceremony today, Nie Mingjue finally understood what Lan Xichen had meant.
If a person with this look actually should be mine, yet was robbed by others, I would also feel extremely indignant.