After leaving from Sizhui's room, I went to dormitory to meet Wu Xin.
Wu Xin was reading book. Greeting me he let me in. I wanted to thank him for his advise. It was due to him now I am able to help my sect people. I wanted to ask him if he would like to join me in Lanlingjin.
Many people said he has similarities with Wei Wuxian. Wei Wuxian looked very similar to him in his old body. I dont know as I have never seen old Wei Wuxian. However, his nature was very different from him. He is calm and smiling just like uncle Yao.
I am proud of uncle Wei that he bought him here to Gusu. Giving him a respectful life he gave him another life.
I still remember the rage in uncle Yao's eyes when uncle Jiang blamed him son of a Prostitute. But, sometimes I feel Wu Xin needs to know the truth and decide for himself.
I wanted him to ask will he like to be my subordinate? For that I need to tell him the truth. The truth which due to uncle Jiang no one confronted him. But, he deserved to know. Even if I am unaware of the complete incident that Wei Wuxian saw in empathy, I told him whatever I knew and waited for his reaction.
Wu Xin - "I can never hate you Jin Ling. I have never lived with anyone except you. Even if you dint stop Jiang Cheng using Zidian at me for the first time but later you have always protected me from him. It has been you who has helped me with magic spells, it has been you who has always been there for me helping me develop my spirituality. I always had a hint of it but you were always good to me that this soul denied to associate anything wrong with you. If we were not room mates I would have never known you. Except you none of them are alive from Lanlingjin. My culprits have died long back. I dont know on whom to vent out my frustration. But, my heart knows it will never be you. You were never at fault. You are a good human being. For you, I will think about your offer".
His answer relieved me.
We discussed about few other things like night hunt experience, his martial arts training and so on.
After few months Wu Xin came to Lanlingjin. "You were always a family to me" with a smile he continued "And see now, I am your family, I am your uncle. But, you will always remain as a bigger brother to me". Giving him a tight hug I let him in; inside palace, in my life for ever. After lot of arguments finally I was able to convince Jiang uncle.
After few years many of our peers started getting married. Zizhen was the first in our batch to take the sacred vows.
Today Jingyi is getting married. Sizhui was very excited and it was evident for everyone. But, nobody knew in reality I was the happiest. Even if I know he is mine, Jingyi's marriage was like re enforcing Yuan is only and only mine.
During his wedding Wei uncle got a message from Nei Huisang that few small sects in unison have attacked Qinghe region. This is what happened when Wens died. Most of their territory was invaded by Lanlingjin. After death of uncle Yao and Zewu-jun leaving Gusu, many sects took advantage considering him weak.
Jiang Cheng - "Wei, I will go first. You and Hanguang-Jun can stay. If there is any need then shall inform you".
I, uncle, Wu Xin and Sizhui left for Qinghe. On reaching there we saw a girl fighting bravely. She was fearless.
Amid the fight she was hurt and it was Yuan who provided her support and saved her. He gave her some water to drink. I have never seen Yuan with any girl before. Infact I have never seen any girl in Gusu. But, somehow it dint feel they are strangers.
I was anxious to know so I approached uncle. "Uncle, do you know who she is?"
Ignoring me he continued striking opponents with Zidian. The fight continued till dawn. Late night Hanguang-Jun and Wei Wuxian also joined us. Wei Wuxian was sitting in a corner and enjoying. I went towards him and asked Wei uncle whether you knew who she is and his reply made me think what does he know. "Jing Ling, be loyal to one whom you love".
Jin Ling - "Why are you not fighting?"
Wei Wuxian - "I dont fight where corpses are not involved. So, I dint get Wen Ning as well alongside".
Jin Ling - "Then why are you here?"
Wei Wuxian - "Even Lan Zhan had same question. Why are we going there? So, I am repeating same what I told him. He is sect leader now and so he needs to be aware of whatever happens with other sect. Moreover, Nei Huisang is our dear friend. What if situation turns out to be serious and he needs our real help? So we are here".
The fight was resolved in the morning by mutual discussion. It was agreed that no sect will try to invade territory of other sect. If any such activity is found then the sect who attacks will be isolated.
Next week Uncle Jiang was humming and I was suprised to hear that. It is rarest of occassions when you see him happy and hearing him humm was like witnessing a miracle. Joining him with a wink I teased him "What is the occassion? Will there be soon a wedding in Yunmeng?"
With a wide smile on his face he smirked "You are awake. So, desperate to get married!"
I was astonished. This was the last thing I expected to hear from him that he is desperate to get married.
With ecstatic I further probed "Who is the lucky one?"
"Yesterday Nei Huisang visited Yunmeng. He wants his daughter to marry you. As you were also interested in knowing about her even in midst of fight, I immediately accepted his proposal. I am so happy for you. Sheije will be so happy for you"
"Huh"
Now I realised being desperate was not a sentence but rather a question to me.
With anger I replied "How could you accept things on my behalf without asking me?"
"What is wrong with Nei Yanyi? She is skilled, beautiful and talented. What else do you want in your partner?"
"Its just that I dont want to marry"
"You are nearing 30 and see all your peers are getting married".
"No, see Wu Xin is not married and even Lan Sizhui"
"Wu Xin is younger to you and they both are not my concern."
"If you force me then I shall never return to Yunmeng. I will forever stay in Lanlingjin."
Jiang uncle retorted in anger. "Don't act like your father Jin Zixuan rejecting my Shieje". His eyes were red and I knew I have strummed forbidden chord of his heart.
In order to avoid further argument, I left for Lanlingjin. His words hit me deep. Asking uncle Jiang about my parents were of no use and asking Wei uncle will make him emotional again which I dint want. So, for the moment I ignored it. As the bigger problem was Nei Yanyi. I dont want to marry her or infact anyone other than Yuan.
Noticing the tension in my face Wu Xin asked "Is there any issue Jin Ling?"
"Uncle wants me to marry Nie Yanyi".
"Does Lan Sizhui know about it?".
"Why should I tell him?"
"Why you shouldn't? You should because maybe he too likes her".
"Huh. What rubbish! He cannot like her. Does he know her from before?"
"Yes. But, why can't he like her? So, is there anyone else whom he likes?"
"Ah...huh..just tell me what you know?"
"I was your roommate. I live with you here. You are like my brother Jing Ling".
He was now trying my patience.
"I know all that. I mean what do you know about Nei Yanyi and Yuan?"
"Okay, I will put it in this way. Why you are unwilling to marry Nei Yanyi? Then whom do you want to marry? Me? As we have been living together since long time so will you marry me then?"
"Huh... What?"
"I know you. I was your roommate and I live with you here. Even if you two hide it is evident for others. Speak with him once if he is the reason why you are avoiding to marry Nei Yanyi". With that he started leaving.
"Wu Xin does Yuan really know Nei Yanyi from before".
"She is his student in Gusu".
This was the first year where Lan Sizhui taught medicine to new joinees under the guidance of Wen Ning. But, he never told me that he also taught to female disciples there. For that matter I had also stayed in Gusu. But, till date I never saw any female disciple there. They lived in separate quarters and none of us were ever allowed to enter female zone. So, do male teachers teach female students there? I was never knowing this.
Without wasting a minute more I left for Gusu.
I knocked Yuan's door. "Rulan, is everything okay".
I held his hand and asked him to follow me without any questions. Before knocking Jingshi's door, "Yuan, its your time now to assure you want to spend your life with me. If you want to hold my hand forever then dont leave it now."
He looked at me surprisingly thinking what is going on.
I knocked Jingshi's door and it is Hanguang-Jun who opened it. He looked at our co joined hands and with fear my hands loosened but within seconds I grabbed it tight. Bowing down I asked his permission to enter Jingshi.
With a smirk on his face Wei Wuxian told, "Don't you know you are supposed to sleep by 9pm in Gusu?" He winked. "If its not urgent then let me sleep with my Hanguang-Jun".
I was already pissed and here he was back on teasing. With anger I blabber "I am also here so that I can sleep with Yuan all my life".
Wei Wuxian - "Woah! Finally"
Lan Sizhui was still. I looked at him. "Say something"
Lan Sizhui - "...."
It was Hanguang-Jun who came forward. "Come, sit".
Hanguang-Jun - "Jing Ling, do you love Sizhui?"
Jing Ling - "Yes"
Hanguang-Jun - "Sizhui, do you love Jing Ling?"
Sizhui lowered his head. "Yes"
Hanguang-Jun looked at Wei Wuxian. "I am happy for both of them".
I informed Wei uncle that Jiang uncle has arranged my marriage with Nei Yanyi. I asked him to help me.
Hanguang-Jun and Wei Wuxian both assured that they will speak with uncle Jiang. Taking out three jars of Emperors smile, Wei uncle raised toast celebrating our love.
After lots of pestering to uncle Jiang, I got married to Lan Sizhui and Wu Xin got married to Nei Yanyi. As wedding date was nearing almost everyone hinted that they were anxiously waiting for our marriage. I wondered from whom were we hiding our relationship - Only uncle Jiang and Lan Qiren. Infact Wei uncle claimed to an extent telling that he knew since the day he saw redness in my wrist and who is better than him to know how Lan sects foreband leaves imprints on skin. He always remained shameless and with his bold words, I and Sizhui felt like hiding somewhere away from him.
Our marriage was one of the most talked event in the town. I and Wu Xin both married on the same day. Initially I was worried for arrangements but Uncle Jiang and Nei Huisang left no stone unturned.
All of uncle Yao's murals were re made which were placed back on carriage path. In order to avoid it getting further destroyed I protected it with pasting a talisman which caused a barrier so that no one can touch any of the murals placed on the path. With the help of Wei Wuxian I got Sizhui's painting made of his victory over demon who had body of Octopus and neck of Salamander residing inside Zhang Yu cave. I also got Wu Xin's mural built from our first night hunt together when he was stabbed by Sizhui. It was tilted Brotherhood. The third and last mural was made of Nei Yanyi who fought bravely protecting Qinghe.
The carriage path narrated story of Lanlingjin sects achievements. By including Yuan's, Wu Xin's and Nei Yanyi's mural, I just wanted to let everyone know that all of them belong to Lanlingjin sect and are now my family.