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Chapter Twenty Nine
Wei Wuxian raised his head, staring dumbly at the plaque hanging on the front door of the store where Lan Wangji had pulled him into.
A shove of a heavy object on his hand was what woke him from his stupor.
Wei Wuxian looked at the dainty pouch on his hands and back to the serious Lan Wangji. Even though he had an idea why they were here, he still questioned the man, “What do you want me to do?”
Lan Wangji frowned. He held Wei Wuxian by the wrist, kicked the door of the store, and dragged him inside. Wei Wuxian slapped his forehead. Aside from being a sweet-talker, drunk Lan Wangji was also quite bold, no?
They made their way inside the store. With the snap of Lan Wangji’s fingers, the oil lamps inside the store lit up, revealing what was inside. The store was full of red fabrics, with embroideries ranging from golden patterns to colorful pair of mandarin ducks. Obviously, they were in a shop selling items for weddings! No matter how much he wanted to deny it, Lan Wangji’s actions only pointed to one thing!
The owner was shocked awake by the ruckus and hurried downstairs. Seeing this couple with unordinary bearing, he suppressed the yell that he had prepared before going down. Especially when he saw the glistening sword in Lan Wangji’s other hand and the unfathomable black sword hanging on the side of Wei Wuxian’s waist. He decided that they were overbearing couples who just wanted to buy wedding clothes on impulse. The owner stood wordlessly on the foot of the stair and let the two of them roam around.
Wei Wuxian didn’t know what to say! He was also not quite sure if he should laugh or cry in this kind of situation! He was just teasing Lan Wangji and in a blink of an eye, they were already preparing for a wedding. He wanted to develop their relationship, but he wasn’t aware that it would be this quick.
But the drunk Lan Wangji had no idea of his dilemma. He proudly led Wei Wuxian around the store, glancing at him from time to time. When he saw that Wei Wuxian wasn’t picking anything, he seemed dissatisfied and paused.
Lan Wangji, “Buy.”
Wei Wuxian felt Lan Wangji’s dissatisfaction and a part of his heart saddened. He looked around and saw that the store owner’s suspecting gaze towards them was turning more anxious every second. Wei Wuxian could understand him. He would also be weary if someone barged inside his store in the middle of the night.
Having no choice but to pick something, he swept his eyes on the items offered by the store. They have ready-made dresses, shoes, and even jewelries. His eyes caught sight of the selection of red veils on the corner of the store. He thought that these things weren’t troublesome to bring. He looked at the design and was quite satisfied. He pulled one particular veil from the selection and smiled. Wei Wuxian had no idea why there were pair of rabbits embroidered among these wedding veils but it suited his taste.
He looked at Lan Wangji, “Lan Zhan, do you remember the rabbits in your Cold Pond Cave? Aren’t these rabbits look a bit like them?”
Lan Wangji seemed as though he was thinking about it. After some time, he finally nodded, “Mnn.”
And then without a warning, the corner of his lips slowly curved upwards. The gentle breeze made its way through the widely opened door, causing the lights to flicker and sway along it. The dancing warm light were reflected on Lan Wangji’s eyes. In that moment, it was as though those pair of pale-golden eyes became warmer.
In that instant, Wei Wuxian felt his head whirl dizzily. Involuntarily, a smile made its way onto his face as well.
“This is not fair,” He muttered.
All those plan of running away. How could he do that now? Even if Lan Wangji dragged him to the depths of hell, he would willingly follow him. He was completely seduced!
After they were done choosing and paid for the veil and the door repair fee, Lan Wangji reached out and wrapped his arm around Wei Wuxian’s waist.
Wei Wuxian was still enamored by Lan Wangji’s smile so when he managed to react, Lan Wangji had already brought the two of them to his sword.
“Where are we going this time?” Wei Wuxian questioned as he hold onto the big source of heat amidst the cold night.
Lan Wangji, “Lotus Pier.”
With this serious tone, Wei Wuxian couldn’t help but tease, “I thought you’re going to marry me, shouldn’t you be bringing me to Gusu instead? What’s your catchphrase again. Right! Comeback to Gusu with me!”
Lan Wangji was smug in the first part of Wei Wuxian’s speech, but when Wei Wuxian mentioned about the past, Lan Wangji’s eyebrows furrowed. Right, this Lan Wangji hadn’t asked him that question yet.
Thankfully, Lan Wangji ignored his words and continued with his business.
Soon enough, Lotus Pier came into their view. Those guarding the watch towers recognized them immediately and let them pass through the barriers. Albeit, with quizzical and gossipy expressions.
When they reached the Jiang Clan’s newly renovated ancestral hall, standing in front of its countless tablets including Yu Ziyuan’s and Jiang Fengmian’s, it finally hit Wei Wuxian how abnormal the course of events was.
Wei Wuxian glanced exasperatedly at the man beside him. “Are you sure about this?”
Wouldn’t Lan Wangji regret this after waking up?
Lan Wangji did not answer. Instead, he eyed the red veil in Wei Wuxian’s hand and seriously reminded, “Wear it.”
Wei Wuxian stupidly stared at the red veil on his hand, repeatedly tracing the tiny embroidery of the golden pair of rabbits on it. His actions were calm but his heart was pounding erratically inside his chest. What to do?!
After some time, he sighed. He raised his head and stared at his reflection on Lan Wangji’s glass-like eyes.
Forget it. What was he afraid of? He likes Lan Wangji. Lan Wangji likes him too. He was just playing along with him. After all, this couldn’t be considered as an official ritual. But even if Lan Wangji didn’t remember this night, Wei Wuxian would forever cherish it in his heart.
Finally, he collected himself and grinned evilly, “From today onwards, you will be mine.”
He didn’t expect to receive an answer from Lan Wangji. He felt Lan Wangji’s hand wrapped around his before he heard him say, “Very well.”
Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji stood side by side. The woman was just wearing a simple veil. The man was even drunk. However, under the heaven, it was hard to find feelings as genuine as theirs. With hearts beating as one, two people who were separated by fate and brought together by fate, decided to join paths.
Even though Wei Wuxian said that he was just playing along, his playfulness vanished into thin air as soon as the two of them started the wedding ritual. Even though, his husband to be was currently drunk, he couldn’t help but take this ritual in all seriousness.
Bow to the Heaven. Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian stood at the door and bowed deeply to the night sky. They thanked the Heaven for giving them a second chance, for the second life where they could finally be together.
Bow to the ancestors. Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian turned around, kneeling and kowtowing to the tablets inside the Jiang Clan’s ancestral hall. Wei Wuxian couldn’t help but take a peek on Madam Yu’s and Uncle Jiang’s tablets under his wedding veil. He could somehow hear the former Madam’s congratulatory words under her reprimanding scoffs and Uncle Jiang’s kind approval.
Thank you.
He smiled bitterly, they aren’t here anymore to witness his wedding but he hoped that they would accept Lan Wangji as his cultivation partner. Too bad that this ceremony couldn’t be completed without Lan Wangji’s ancestors being present.
And finally, Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian faced each other. Bow to each other. First kowtow to walk on the Heavenly path hand and hand. A second kowtow for an everlasting love. A third kowtow to be forever in sickness and in health, till death do they part.
Upon completing their kowtows, Wei Wuxian waited to see what Lan Wangji was going to do next. He felt his hand being lifted. Then, under his veil he saw a blueish sword glare followed by a sting on the tip of his finger. An ominous inkling crosses his mind. Wei Wuxian’s heart pounded on his chest.
There was once a famous ritual that was part of a path union, the Eternal Blood Oath. In which, the husband and wife would draw blood and recite incantations to test if the heaven was willing to approve their union. It was a sincere and touching way to know if two people were meant to be together till eternity. But as many weddings between cultivators turned more and more political, its fame gradually died down.
But now Lan Wangji wanted to test their fate using the Eternal Blood Oath and Wei Wuxian was scared shitless to try.
Wei Wuxian, “Lan Zhan, we don’t have to this, you know?”
There was a long silence on the other side before Wei Wuxian heard a sigh followed by an aggrieved and almost unreasonable speech, “In any case, we should do this.”
Wei Wuxian peeked under his veil. After seeing the other’s expression, he felt somewhat guilty.
Wei Wuxian could only reluctantly agree, “Fine then, let’s do what you want.”
Wei Wuxian raised his wounded hand and Lan Wangji did the same. They simultaneously formed a seal using their bloods, placing their palms against each other.
To cross path is fate, to separate is fate.
This oath of blood we take, may love blossom without hate.
The path with our fated, we leave to heaven to dictate.
Wei Wuxian felt like waiting for the heaven’s answer seemed so long. His heart drummed nervously in each passing time. Will the heaven not approve of this path union? Was he so tainted to be with the pure Hanguang-Jun? Did they anger the heaven because Lan Wangji was drunk? Sure enough, you shouldn’t put your hopes so high up.
Just when Wei Wuxian was losing his faith, the ground below them lit up with a mixture of blueish and red lights. The lights enveloped them, with the heavens singing along with delight.
A drop of purified blood, almost glowing with a trace of gold floated in the air and split into two. Each flying towards Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian.
It remained suspended in front of them before it scattered, sprinkling the ancestral hall with stardust and turning it into a beautiful night sky. Simultaneously, a small blueish mark of daffodil appeared on Wei Wuxian’s wrist while what appeared on Lan Wangji’s was a glowing red spider lily.
Only the death could separate them, but in every lifetime they would be together.
This marked the end of the ceremony, with the Heaven approving their fate as cultivation partners.
Wei Wuxian was dumbfounded for a moment. He stared unwaveringly at the dimming light on their feet. What did just happen? Their path union shouldn’t be recognized by the Heaven at all! After all, the husband was drunk okay! He was drunk. And weren’t they still lacking one kowtow?
Wei Wuxian couldn’t contain his excitement. Yanking his veil, he pulled Lan Wangji’s wide sleeve. “What did just happen? Your ancestors… we haven’t kowtowed to them yet!”
The way he asked Lan Wangji was as though he had forgotten that the man was currently drunk. Thankfully, Lan Wangji still gave him the right answer.
Lan Wangji, “Lan Yi.”
Wei Wuxian hadn’t yet fully absorb the information when the red veil once again covered his eyesight. He felt his body being light, with a tight grip on his waist and legs.
Wei Wuxian, “…”
Suddenly being carried, Wei Wuxian stabilized his body and mind. Lan Yi, he meant the kowtow they did inside the Cold Pond Cave? Wei Wuxian’s eyes widened in realization. The forehead ribbon! Excuse him for his excitement, but he didn’t know that he was half-way married to Lan Wangji all those years!
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