Meng's Revenge: Vol.4 of Life Among Clouds WangXian Series

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Wei Ying woke up to a beautiful, fragrant, red rose in Lan Zhan's mother's vase. It anchored a note written in his husband's exquisite calligraphy.

'My Love,

Do not worry.

I have gone to the training grounds to exercise with the troops.

I took an escort this time.

There is much to tell you when I return.

I love you.'

He smiled in delight. A night of amazing lovemaking, as certain muscles could attest to. His lover, off to his first training session in three years. A flower AND a note...His Lan Zhan, courageous and determined, was back again. Wei was the husband of the greatest man in the world.

'And hey,' he thought to himself, 'You are pretty incredible too, you know! Behind every great man is ...another great man!' 

He grinned brightly, threw on his red and black robes, hastily pulled up the unruly hair and tied it back with his red ribbon then ran to the kitchen. He grabbed a sweet bun and before Mian Mian turned and could say a word, he grabbed her from behind and leaned around to kiss her cheek.

"Off to watch Lan Zhan!"

The child was sitting in the garden. He paused. "Xiao Mian or Madam?"

"Xiao Mian, silly."

"Well, Good Morning, Xiao Mian!" And whistling, he marched off to find his man. Halfway there, he could contain himself no longer and he took off running towards the field where camp was pitched. He could here the clash of swords and the yells and cheers of the troops as they practiced. He decided not to intrude so he found a willow tree with branches low to the ground and he seated himself close to the massive field but discreetly hidden. He looked up the hill on the opposite side, and saw the Three Generals, Ming, Yenay, and Wen Ning but did not see the 4th, Lan Zhan. He continued to scan, then spotted him, among the men practicing their swordplay. He was challenging a younger man in prime shape, their old childhood friend, Lan Kirin by the look of it, and despite his long absence, he was holding his own. Swift, his footwork was second nature to him. He spun around his opponent, slashing, thrusting, pivoting, and darting. 

He had shed his outer robes and was dressed in a lighter tunic. His collar was open, his neck and chest dripping in sweat, the white tunic soaked and transparent, clinging to his wide shoulders, deep chest, and tapered waist. He was glorious in the morning sun and Wei let his eyes roam possessively over his husband's almost perfect body, still a little too thin, but defined now, and lythe. His crystal eyes were all business and the men fought to a draw. Lan Zhan grinned broadly and both men bowed with great respect. Lan Zhan walked over and clapped Kirin on the back, saying something that made the young man glow with pride. His way of training had changed since the early days. Filled more with happiness, a new looseness about him. More at one with the men that he had seen through training since their teens. And they gathered around him with gazes filled with hero worship.

Wei found it hard to control his emotions as his heart swelled with love and his eyes filled with tears of pride. He had to turn away and wipe them, trying to gain control.

A deep voice said, "Well, how did I do?"

Wei Ying looked up quickly and there, framed by the graceful green branches stood Lan Zhan, smiling as he toweled the sweat from his face, neck, and those strong forearms. Wei felt like he was melting. Lan Zhan crawled inside the shelter of the willow and sat next to him on the soft grass.

"You were magnificent," murmured Wei, a bit shyly. "How did you know I was here?"

Lan Zhan smothered a small smile. "I sensed you when you arrived. I know when my Wei is close." They looked at each other, Lan Zhan grinning, different, waiting. And suddenly, Wei's heart stopped and he spoke, his voice filled with amazement and disbelief.

"Lan Zhan! The lesions, they have all but disappeared!" He rapidly pulled open the tunic and ran trembling hands over the deep chest. The tears he had been fighting came in earnest now, and Lan Zhan wrapped him tightly in his arms and let him cry. His beautiful Wei Ying had been so strong for too long and needed to let it out, so he held him for as long as it took.

Deep sobs wracked Wei Ying. He had dreamed this for Lan Zhan. Years of loneliness and despair until news of his discovery. Months of helping him heal and rediscover his confidence, passing energy, watching his body and core strengthening, praying that the man he loved would be one again. It was finally happening and Wei had never known such relief and joy. Sitting in the shelter of a gentle tree and lost in his lover's arms, feeling him stroking his hair and listening to his murmured endearments, he felt like his heart would burst.

He burrowed his face in Lan Zhan's chest smelling the heady scent of clean sweat and sandalwood.  They had done it, with the help of so many. And once Meng Shi was dead, they could fully reclaim their lives.

They needed to let everyone know the news, but for a while, just this brief moment in time, this was only for them.