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9 - Acceptance

At the greeting ceremony, each of the clans one after another presented the gift from their clan they brought as a thank you. Lanling, Qinghe, and then Yunmeng. When Jiang Wanyin was about to presented his gift an arrogant tone came from the lecture room's entrance.

"Who would have thought that getting past the gate of Cloud Recesses would be such a hassle," It was Wen Chao from the Qishan Sect.

"It's mainly to keep hot headed arrogant fools out," I heard Wei Ying mumble.

"Which dog decided to bark?" Wen Chao scowled.

"That would be me, Head disciple of the Yunmeng Jiang Sect. You just interrupted my Shidi just now. So I think the only dog that was barking, was you," Wei Ying told him.

"Do you know who you are speaking to?" Wen Chao asked through his clenched teeth.

"I didn't know that Wen gongzi will come today," Xiongzhang stepped in, "we Lan clan apologize to Wen gongzi. For the past few year, the Wen clan never attended the lecture of the Lan clan. Is Wen gongzi going to stay here for our lecture or relay any advice from Xiandu?"

"Sect leader Lan, you are wrong. I am not here for a lecture, I am only escorting someone here. Beside, the Wen clan of Qishan is the one who educate the other people. So there is no need for us Wen clan to be at your lecture here in Cloud Recesse."

Wen Chao huffed in his place and was about to speak when a woman behind him stepped in front of him and spoke, "I apologize for on his behalf on his behavior, I am Wen Qing, and My brother behind me is Wen Ning. We are here for the invitation. Wen Chao although promised to behave, did not do so and I apologize. Since he is not staying, I will take a punishment on his behalf if needed."

"No need," Brother interjected, "you had a long journey here, you and your brother go get settled. Wen Chao can go back where he came from."

Wen Chao kept quiet and stormed out with Wen Qing and Wen Ning following behind him.

Although Wei Ying stood up for his brother, he got scolded slightly for it. Shufu ordered him to copy Rules of Etiquette And Discipline fifty times. I don't see how he has to do writing for that but I found it to be fine as I was to supervise him. I was sitting in the library pavilion reading as I supervised him. He didn't look happy to be writing...neither would I to be honest. He doesn't deserve to be writing.

"Wangji," Brother greeted as he entered, "Wei Gongzi."

"Hello, Sect Leader Lan," Wei Ying said and went back to his writing.

"How much have you written?" Brother asked.

"About half," Wei Ying answered.

"I will take care of Shufu, but you do not have to continue," Xiongzhang stated, "I believe you shouldn't have to be writing right now."

"So, I don't have to write anymore?" Wei Ying asked.

"Correct," Xiongzhang answered.

Wei Ying flashed that heartwarming smile at him before cleaning up his desk, "thank you, Sect Leader Lan," Wei Ying said bowing to him, "I am going to go find my Shijie, then."

"Enjoy the rest of your day, Wei Gongzi," Xiongzhang said.

"See you around Lan Zhan," Wei Ying said before heading out.

I nodded, "Mnn." My I saw Xiongzhang's lips curve up into a cheeky smile, "stop it," I told him.

"What?" He asked approaching me, "you should be happy you are free to do anything for the remainder of the day."

I suspected he had an idea floating around in his head about me liking Wei Ying, "Mnn, I can stay for a while."

"Did you approve of him calling you by for birth name?" He asked continuing to smirk at me.

I sighed and rolled my eyes, "yes."

"You call him, Wei Ying?" He asked trying to get more information from me.

"Mnn."

"You like him," he prodded, "more than just a friends."

I looked into his eyes, 'how could he have possibly gotten that impression already? I mean I do but like I want him to know. I don't want him to think differently of me.'

"There is nothing wrong with liking someone of the same gender, Wangji," he said to me. It was as if he was reading my thoughts, "you like him?"

I swallowed, "I can't."

"Why? I won't mind if you did," he said, "I've heard you have interacted more with him than anyone else you have encountered."

"Unaccepted by many...afraid," I answered openly.

"You......Have you known your feelings for the same gender for a while? Why didn't you say so?" He asked.

I looked at the book in my hand, "afraid, ashamed," I answered.

Xiongzhang knelt down beside me, "why are you ashamed? What are you afraid of? I won't let others hurt you for something the makes you who you are. I promised to protect you, remember? If you are afraid of rejection or acceptance, that I understand. Rejection is always something others fear. Acceptance shouldn't be validated by others. It should be your acceptance. It is who you are and that makes me happy for you. I love you still, Didi. No matter who you love or like, I will support you."

I had always kept a wall built so strongly around me. Hearing him tell me that he supports me for my love interest, it made me feel much better.

"Thank you, Huan-Ge...I just don't think Wei Ying likes me like that. If that is so, I don't mind just being by his side and being his friend," I told him honestly.

"Give him time, maybe he has an interest," Xiongzhang stated.

I nodded, "just don't tell him......and Shufu."

"You can come out to him when you feel comfortable and ready," he said.

I nodded, "I should get back to Jingshi. I need to check on Yùwàng."

"Okay...speaking of rabbits, I spotted a black one in front of Hanshi (Xichen's home) the last night before bed. Is that yours?"

"If I say I'm watching it for someone as it is a spiritual bunny as well, would you be upset?" I asked.

"I understand...spiritual pets are hard to keep away from for a long period of time. I won't punish the person who brought it, I just need to know who's it is," Xiongzhang told me.

"Her name is Ruoxi," I said, "she is Wei Ying's."

Brother looked at me out of curiosity, "it's Wei Gongzi's? Interesting."

"How?" I asked.

"You both have spiritual rabbits," he told me."

I didn't really think of that. Both Wei Ying and I have a spiritual pet and they are both rabbits. Ruoxi came during a time when he was adjusting to his new location and the people he was around. Yùwàng came to me after I was punished. They came to us when we needed something to boost our spirits. Thinking of it now, it felt too much like a coincidence.

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((Writing this chapter, it hit home for me. I dedicate this chapter to all of you. Whether you are Cisgender or not. Whether you are straight, gay, lesbian, or trans or bisexual, whatever you may be, you are accepted and validated by me. As someone who had been fully accepted by my family for being bisexual, I want to be the same for everyone else. Thank you for being you!))

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