WangXian Forever Book 8

Chapter 122 Banquet

Shen Ling and Shen Qing had also arrived with their Babies, and Wei Ying ran to meet them. He hugged Shen Ling, his arms barely able to go around his huge neck, Shen Ling's whiskers tickling his face.

"Young Master Wei...it is truly a happy sight to see you fit and healthy." He said, his mouth curving in a smile.

"I am always happy to see you old friend." Wei Ying replied, moving to hug Shen Qing too. "Are you both well? Any news?"

"Nothing important. We came because the children wanted to be with their Nanny. He has some big days coming up and they were excited to see him."

Shen Ling smiled wider.

"We understand he must attend a banquet in his honour?"

Wei Ying beamed back.

"Yes, it's to celebrate his adoption, though he's always been our son."

"Then we can wait here." Shen Ling and Shen Qing lay on the ground right in front of the Great Hall. They made a noise and their three children bounced towards them, obediently lying down between their parents. But they stared longingly at a dishevelled looking JingYi whose smile was threatening to split his face apart.

Zhitiao helped him up.

"Won't you join us?" Wei Ying said, already thinking about how to feed them.

"We already ate." They informed him, with toothy grins displaying their huge teeth. "We have heard about the Lan rules..." Shen Ling didn't have to say anymore, the twinkle in his eyes spoke volumes.

Wei Ying grinned back, mostly with relief.

"Then please excuse us for a while."

"Of course. You have guests waiting." And with that, the adult dragons closed their eyes.

The babies were not settling until their mother growled, and then they chirped into silence, also closing their eyes to nap. Their size was bigger than average dragons and so it was easy to forget they were still young dragons, with the foibles of children, and wanting to play all the time.

They left the family outside and went indoors where the cooks of Gusu had created a feast fit for Kings, all vegetarian and not so bland as their past endeavours, though that was more because Wei Ying had gone to have a word with them...and once Lan Zhan found out, he too went to have a word with them...

Inside the Great Hall, spaces were laid out for all the Sect leaders who had come to enjoy the two day celebrations, and as Wei Ying looked around happily, he noticed that Sect Leader Yao was slouched over his table.

Unfortunately, their eyes met and Sect Leader Yao stood up, and was he... teetering?

Wei Ying braced himself because Sect Leader Yao always made a nuisance of himself  and really was quite the most difficult guest. There was always something wrong, whether it was him picking nits on how he was treated, or some such slight and Wei Ying tugged on Lan Zhan’s sleeve to alert him as they took their places next to JingYi, who was the guest of honour today.

"Good day, Hanguang-Jun, Wei WuXian..." He slurred.

"What has he been drinking?" Wei Ying actually became happy at the thought of the elders allowing Emperor's Smile to be used and served on this wonderful day. "I didn't know tea could do that..."

"It cannot." Lan Zhan agreed, standing up.

He also did not like this snivelling fat fool, who always believed the nonsense that came out of his mouth. He could remember every single time this man had spoken against his Wei Ying, and Lan Zhan was prepared this time.

If he dared to disrespect his husband here, and now at a celebration for their son, Lan Zhan was going to make sure he would remember the results of his actions forever.

"I am glad to see you are keeping the infamous Yelling Laotzu in check." He stuttered, gazing in sycophantic awe at Lan Zhan.

"Did he just say Yelling?" Wei Ying wanted to know, just as a clarification.

But Lan Zhan’s face had already darkened.

"Nobody else could control him. Is it true you keep him tied up? As you should..." Sect Leader Yao nodded sagely.

Wei Ying accidentally coughed out a laugh and to his surprise, a black fire tendril burst from his lips and singed the bottom of Sect Leader Yao's robes. They did not die out, instead like dry tinder to a forest fire, his robes were actually burning.

He screamed in fear and for a second, no one knew what to do but then XiChen dumped some tea on the flames and put them out.

Sect Leader Yao pointed a shaking finger at Wei Ying but before he could open his mouth, Lan Zhan put the silencing spell on him.

XiChen clapped his hands and two attendants came forward quickly.

"Please escort Sect Leader Yao to the infirmary. I'm afraid his injuries ensure he will not be able to leave there for the next three days." He put emphasis on the time Sect Leader Yao would spend there, and they nodded in full understanding.

"We will make sure that Sect Leader Yao stays in bed. It's the only cure for shock." They replied, taking him away.

The moment he left, Wei Ying was having a fit of laughter so strong, he found it hard to contain.

"Gosh, Lan Zhan...I didn’t know I could do that! Did you?"

Lan Zhan had the softest look on his face as he smiled.

"I believe it was a self defence mechanism. And Wei Ying was justified." Leaning closer, he whispered in Wei Ying's ear, "and hot."

Wei Ying grabbed Huaisang's fan and started fanning himself quickly.

"You might have to do what he said." He chortled out of nervous laughter.

"Mn."

"That definitely needed popcorn." JingYi grinned at both of his parents.