An Almost Lan

Chapter 5

A/N: AU and OOC, just a reminder.

Thank you for your votes and comments, they really encourage me!

Happy New Year!  May 2022 be better than the last two years for everyone.

Thanks to @CALActorsTypist on Twitter for editing this.

The party was as lavish as it could be expected from the Lan family. They had mastered the art of being luxurious without any sign of gaudiness, which was an accomplishment in itself in her opinion. There was a small army of waiters carrying trays carefully arranged to showcase a wide variety of hors d'oeuvres that seemed to be set by an interior designer with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options.

For a family that prided themselves on firmly believing in alcohol abstinence, the Lans provided a wide enough selection of alcoholic beverages -although champagne reigned unchallenged as the undisputable favorite- to indulge without a stint.

The cream of the crop of high society was present. It also included the very same individuals that the Lan family name was supposed to protect her from: Wen Rouhan and Jin Guangshan.

Lan Qiren had decided that it would be held at the Lan manor -to have a territorial advantage, she suspected- and Yu Ziyuan had just expressed her acquiescence. She was well aware that Lan Qiren would have agreed with her in case she had uttered any objection to his plans, but honestly, she didn't see a valid reason to object, so what was the point? The whole charade had been put in place mainly for her benefit. Besides, even if it made her slightly uncomfortable, the more visible the event was, the more protected under the Lan family name she and her family would be.

Madam Jin had made sure she and her kids were all dressed to the nines. She had helped her pick a long light blue gown whose hemline reached the floor, the neckline was round with three fourth sleeves and the top part of the gown had a delicate appliqué resembling cloud patterns, the long skirt was made of tulle. It had been a homage to the Lan family symbols, and Lan Qiren seemed to approve of her choice.

Given the circumstances, the kids had been allowed relative free reign in their clothing choices. Jiang Yanli chose a mauve dress styled with tulle mesh long sleeve top bodice with grid pattern, finished with beaded sparkly sequins,full length long pleated satin skirt with train. Jiang Cheng and Wei Ying had picked mandarin suits, Jiang Cheng's was dark purple and Wei Ying picked a black colored one.

She was somewhat nervous, but in a way, she was relieved the moment had finally arrived. It had been an agonizing process for her to face her own children in order to break the news to them. Honestly, her daughter's demeanor surprised her. Her reaction had been a quiet understanding that became evident around her eyes, an almost imperceptible softness tinged with sadness, which made her look older beyond her years.

Yu Ziyan had expected reproach and disapproval from Jiang Yanli, since she had been so close to her father. However, Jiang Yanli seemed to be wiser than her twelve years of age. She also appeared to know and understand the world much more than she let on. Yanli had immediately expressed her full support to her mother's decisions, quietly expressing: "I trust you mom. If you think a new marriage is the best course of action, then it is the only way you found to protect us. I thank you for putting us before your personal opinions and desires."

Jiang Cheng had not been as welcoming to the news he had just received. Madam Yu would never accept it in front of anyone, but her stomach was churning while she looked at the blatant disapproval that appeared on Jiang Cheng's face. He balled his fists and said nothing. It had been Jiang Yanli's hand on her brother's lower back and a quick subtle phrase whispered in his ear that helped him to reluctantly acquiesce what was to come.