[[忘羡 | WangXian 3]] : Our Flesh And Bones

[8.] Maiden.[continued]

When Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji entered the room, both women stood up and bowed. Wei Ying noticed that the girl was taller than Bai Li, and after their eyes met, she blushed and lowered hers. He vaguely remembered seeing her somewhere before.

- Masters, this is Miao Lu. She is 25, and I believe you will find her agreeable. – Bai Li was pleased to announce a job well done.

- Ha! – Wei Ying exclaimed. – I remember you! Flower girl! From the market! – he turned to his husband poking his chest. – Lan Zhan, remember the flowers you bought for me? This is the same girl!

Lan Zhan was frowning. He stepped forward and spoke:

- Bai Li, leave.

The housekeeper bowed deeply and, casting one last glance towards the table to make sure everything was in order, exited the room.

Lan Zhan pointed a seat to the girl silently and took a seat at the head of the table. Wei Ying, smiling broadly, sat next to him, hugging his arm.

Miao Lu was dizzy and frightened. At the door she saw a tall and strong man, smiling and looking at her with curiosity. He was very pretty and his voice was pleasant. And then, next to him there was the one they all called "Hanguang-Jun" – taller, and more massive, he looked kind of scary, and the fact that he looked even more beautiful only made things worse. He was actually exceptionally beautiful,  but his face was stern and his voice was deep and serious, and he never smiled. She too remembered them - they undoubtedly stood out in the crowd.

She sat down, but her hands were shaking, and she dared not reach for the tea. Wei Wuxian laughed and helped, pouring tea for himself and for the rest of them, saying:

- Oh, come on! We won't bite you! – he winked naughtily.

- Wei Ying!  –  Lan Zhan snapped.

- Sorry, sorry! – he grinned, clearly not sorry at all.

- I am guessing you already know our names? – Lan Zhan asked briefly.

- Yes, Master. Everybody knows your names. - Miao Lu said quietly, blushing and bowing slightly, and then taking the cup of tea in her hands.

Lan Zhan went on:

- I suppose everything has been explained to you? If you have any questions – ask them now. If not – we will consider that you are informed and agree to it all.

Miao Lu bowed again, and when she raised her eyes she was quite surprised to see Master Wei leaning in on his partner's shoulder and telling him tenderly:

- Lan Zhan, she is so pretty too!

He kissed Hanguang-Jun's cheek, and she blushed, looking away. It was so strange for her to see people being so openly ...close to each other in front of her. Finally, she said simply:

- I am an orphan. No one will demand an explanation about my honor being ruined, or my innocence taken from me... It has always been quite difficult for me to find work, and here... this rich house... If I can have a job here, my life won't be so hard any more. It is actually a great blessing, Masters.

She bowed respectfully again, her eyes filling up with tears that she immediately brushed away.

Lan Wangji shook his head and stared her straight in the eyes.

- My husband seems to like you a lot, but I must make sure you understand everything.

She nodded, trying to focus on Wei Ying's smiling face – it calmed her a little. She remembered him too well – that day at the market she had thought how beautiful the young Masters looked, how far away their life was from people like her. And now, amazingly, she was sitting at the same table with them in the most famous Clan House in the country. It was a fairy-tale come to life.

Lan Wangji spoke slowly, emphasizing his words:

- From now on, until you conceive, you will be spending the nights with both of us. You will lack nothing – food, clothes, shelter. You are free to do with your time as you please – you are not a servant here. If you get pregnant – we will take full care of you. But you must not expect feelings from us. And the child will be ours. After he is born you can stay with us, or if you choose so – leave. I personally will make sure that you are fully provided for, till the end of your days.

Miao Lu bit her lip. Bai Li had already told her how much in love these two were, and how they only had eyes for each other. She nodded again, bowing too.

- Flower girl, you must know that you will have anything you desire – but not love. – Wei Ying smiled. I know it's not a fair trade, but this is how things are. Hanguang-Jun here looks strict, but he is always fair. If all is well, we will both be forever grateful to you for giving us the greatest gift possible! – his eyes glistened with tears, and he took his husband's hand in his own and squeezed it gently. Lan Zhan blushed a little but remained silent.

- Well? Do you agree? We need you to say it. – Wei Ying said gently.

Miao Lu stood up and bowed deeply.

- Yes, Hanguang-Jun, Wei Qianbei. I will be honored and happy to help bring such great joy into this noble House.

Wei Wuxian laughed and jumped up and ran to her and hugged her.