The meaning of protecting you with my life

You are always welcomed

Jiang Fengmian was watching his older son beaming by Lan Wangji's side and he was both proud of him and extremely happy for him. It was one of the rare times, perhaps even the only one since the war had finished, that Wei Wuxian was doing something for himself instead of for his family or the Yunmeng Jiang sect.

In no way did he think that his son was being selfish, of course not, Wei Wuxian needed to learn that he also mattered and he did not have to sacrifice his own happiness in order to put everyone else's needs and wished before his own. He did not doubt that it was Lan Wangji's influence and he was grateful for it.

Still, to say that he was not surprise by the news would be an understatement. He would have never expected the esteemed Second Jade to be this bold and marry Wei Wuxian just like that. Nevertheless, he was happy for them both.

However, the overjoyed expression was no longer on his son's face and Jiang Fengmian had a feeling that there was more to come. Wei Wuxian looked so nervous right now that the former Yunmeng Jiang sect leader was starting to wondered what had made him be so serious and on the edge. Were there any bad news to announce as well? Wei Wuxian was clutching Lan Wangji's hand with one of his own, his other one clenched into his robes and playing with them. He was definitely hiding something.

"A-Xian, do you want to tell us something else as well?" Jiang Fengmian prompted gently. He was almost sure that if he would not get Wei Wuxian talking now, his son would just wave his hand and perhaps not find the courage to tell them what he wanted. It seemed to be something which was making him very uneasy ad it would not do if he kept it locked inside for too long.

Wei Wuxian's eyes darted in his direction and he tried to give a small smile. Tried was a good description because he had failed spectacularly which only underlined his nervousness. Lan Wangji squeezed his hand and prompted as well as showed support: "Wei Ying."

"Lan Zhan," whined Wei Wuxian quietly, apparently only for his husband to hear. There was nervousness in his tone as well as the tiniest speck of fear. Jiang Fengmian did not like that at all, his son should not be afraid to talk to them. If they had made him this uneasy again, it would not do.

There seemed to have been a silent communication between the two boys. In the end, Lan Wangji nodded and face the room. He seemed confident and Wei Wuxian leaned on him for support, his eyes not looking at anyone in particular.

"Wei Ying and I wish to leave." Informed them the Second Jade.

There was dead silence in the room for a while. No one dared to speak as the words were slowly downing on them. Jiang Fengmian had already known that Lan Wangji was not one to express himself verbally too well, but this seemed a little under-explained. His statement could have meant a number of things.

It could have been that they wished to go to Cloud Recesses together to go inform Lan Wangji's family. It could have also been only a statement that Wei Wuxian perhaps wanted to just have a stroll outside of Lotus Pier. Or, and it actually saddened Jiang Fengmian to even think about it, it could have been that his son was not happy in his own home and wanted to leave for good. Or did Lan Wangji want to say something else entirely?

He was not the only one who was confused. He could tell that the rest of his family was also opening their mouths to ask for more detailed explanation. It was Jiang Cheng who was the fastest: "Wei Wuxian, what does this mean? Where do you want to go?" His voice was as sharp and scolding as ever but Jiang Fengmian could see the same worry he himself was feeling reflected in his eyes.

Then again, this was actually not all that unexpected. They had already talked about this even before Wei Wuxian had woken up. They have all agreed that if the Yunmeng Jiang sect head disciple would want to leave because he was not happy here, they would let him go. They would of course reassure him that Lotus Pier would always remain a home to him and that they would be happy to see him whenever he decided to come back or just visit for a while. It seemed like the time had come.

Still, Jiang Fengmian was not too happy with his younger son. The way he had scolded his brother surely made Wei Wuxian believe that they were against him leaving.

And sure enough, the older sibling pressed himself closer to his husband, still not looking anyone in the eyes as he hastily tried to explain: "Jiang Cheng, I am sorry. It is not that I want to leave for ever. I just need some time to think things through and let the cultivation world forget about the Yiling Patriarch. I promise I will not cause any troubles for the Yunmeng Jiang sect, Lan Zhan will keep an eye on me. And if there would be an alliance with the Qinghe Nie and the Lanling Jin sects, then no one would..."

"Wei Wuxian," interrupted Jiang Cheng his brother, exasperated this time. "It is not what I meant. Of course you can have all the time you need, you can go enjoy your little honey moon journey with Lan Wangji. I just wanted to know where you will be going so we could stay in touch. Unless you want to cut ties with us..."

At the end of his statement, Jiang Cheng looked kind of lost, almost begging, and certainly very much hoping that his brother would not want to cut ties with them completely. From what Jiang Fengmian heard and saw it was certainly not the case but he could understand his youngest son's fear. He also did not wish for Wei Wuxian to think that he needed to leave because of them.

He had not needed to worry apparently because the next moment, his older son was already hugging Jiang Cheng and reassuring: "Of course, A-Cheng. We will stay in touch and me and Lan Zhan would come to visit frequently."

"Good," concluded the Yunmeng Jiang sect leader with a small crack to his voice. He gathered himself and continued, this time in a proper sect-leader-way: "I wish you safe travels. Remember that you will always be welcomed here, Lotus Pier is still your home, do not dare to forget that. Never."

"Of course, thank you brother," Wei Wuxian replied solemnly and detached himself from Jiang Cheng's embrace. He seemed collected now, only his eyes were glistering a little but it could have been overlooked if Jiang Fengmian had not bed looking for that.

Then, Wei Wuxian took a few steps back, re-joining Lan Wangji's side again and they both bowed to them politely: "Sect Leader Jiang, thank you for all your hospitality. We will make sure to come back for a visit soon."

"See that you do," concluded Jiang Cheng the debate in a thick voice.

We are alomost there. This one is the last proper chapter, next up is just a shorter epilogue.