Abide With Me

Forbidden Section: Cloud Recesses Library

The shock in the eyes of the Lan disciples followed by the loud clearing of throats by a few Elders present was wholly lost on Jiang Cheng. Still holding fast to Lan Xichen's right, he scowled fiercely at the Elders and demanded, "Take me to your Leader!"
"But Sect Leader Lan is already with you!"
A muffled chortle earned Lan Xichen a glare from amethyst eyes. They softened and a hint of a smile vanished almost as soon as it appeared. There was something commanding about Jiang Cheng when he said, "Take us to your Council of Elders, then!"

"Wanyin?" the gently spoken word give Jiang Cheng pause and he turned to Lan Xichen. "Yes A'Huan?"
"Let's get the Council here and Uncle too."
"Excellent plan. Now, Lan disciples, please follow Sect Leader Lan's instructions quickly. Run, if you have to, I will request Grandmaster to exempt to you from punishment; there are extenuating circumstances."

Lan Xichen stared in amazement at this newly authoritative albeit polite Jiang Cheng. "What?"Jiang Cheng gave his spouse a trademark scowl.

"Nothing, my Love, shall we sit?" Lan Xichen's soulful look had Jiang Cheng blushing.

"Hey, Lan Juniors, how about making your visitors comfortable, after all they have travelled from half a world away!" His grumbling had the disciples scrambling, setting out mats and cushions.

The Shadow trio drifted to the brightest lamp in the Library and congregated there. Unobserved by anyone, Dianhuo qi* whisked out of sight and down the spiral stairs that lead to the Forbidden Section.

News of the Chief Cultivator and assorted visitors appearing suddenly in a thunderclap within the hallowed Cloud Recesses Library had spread like wildfire. Grandmaster Lan Qiren and his Council of Elders fast walked to the Library.

As Grandmaster Lan Qiren entered the Library, the Elders inside and the juniors all jumped to attention and bowed low. Stroking his beard, Lan Qiren critically examined the room. His jaw dropped. Two Garudas, each the height of two grown men, stood in the middle of the Library. Two Owls, whose eyes shown blindingly, perched next to them. Chief Cultivator Nie and General Nie sat together and beside them stood Sect Leader Lan.... and, what was this?! Sect Leader Jiang stood entirely too close to Lan Xichen and, Oh Heavenly Emperor! He was holding Lan Xichen's hand in a wholly inappropriate and entirely familiar fashion!

"What is the meaning of this?" Lan Qiren's voice though pitched low, vibrated with controlled anger while his expression ran through the gamut of surprise, outrage, curiosity and finally shock, as his eyes were drawn to the two Sect Leader's conjoined hands.

"Allow me." The soft but firm voice of Nie Huaisang brought pin-drop silence. As Nie Huaisang rose from his seat, the Council of Elders bowed, "Greetings, Chief Cultivator!" Nie Huaisang bowed to Grandmaster Lan and nodded to the Elders. "Let us be seated, our visitors from the Southwest will explain shortly." His glance encompassed the Elders and Lan Qiren. Meeting Lan Xichen's twinkling eyes, Nie Huaisang turned to Lan Qiren with a smile, "Oh, you meant this?" He pointed to the two Leaders holding hands. "Just married!"

Lan Qiren turned first bright red, then deathly pale. It appeared a qi deviation was imminent. Nie Huaisang continued, as if he was discussing the weather. "But this is now a Council of War and I am afraid you will have to postpone celebrations until later." Lan Qiren plopped down on a cushion with an Elder supporting him on either side. "But, this is highly irregular! Lan Xichen is Sect Leader.... he has responsibilities, duties towards his Clan and Sect!" Other voices joined him, murmuring, "Unheard of! Disgraceful..., Unacceptable. Another cut sleeve!"

The Zidian cracked blindingly and there was a crash. Lan Xichen turned to Jiang Cheng with a look of surprise. "Wanyin?" Jiang Cheng smiled at him softly then glared at the Elders. "The doors and windows!" he pointed out. "I closed them, as the Chief Cultivator mentioned," he bit out, "this is a Council of War!" Lan Xichen might have let out a breath he was holding, but no one noticed.