Chapter 16 - Welcome To The Lan Clan

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In the Main Hall, festively decorated for QiXi, the assembly waited. Lan XiChen stood at the head of the Hall, Lan WangJi and Wei WuXian before him, resplendent in their wedding red robes, while the gathered throng looked on, curious as to the events planned for the official welcome for Wei WuXian to the Lan Clan. Surely this welcome would be unique, given both partners were male. Not only that, but one spouse was renowned for his exceptional purity, unassailable honour and high standards, whilst the other... was not.

Lan WangJi brought his hands before him and bowed to Lan XiChen.

"ZeWu-Jun, I present my husband, Wei WuXian, YiLing Laozu, to be registered as my spouse, recognized as my husband and acknowledged as a member of Lan Clan, with the protections, privileges and responsibilities of a member of the Clan."

Wide-eyed and swallowing nervously, Wei WuXian quickly brought his arms forward and made his own bow.

"This one humbly requests to be known as Lan Zha- I mean, Lan WangJi, HanGuang-Jun's husband. I offer my heart and soul to him, and my skills and talents to his Clan. I am a master of talismans, and an inventor and will contribute however ZeWu-Jun sees fit for the benefit of the Lan Clan."

Wei WuXian stared at the floor, uncertain what was expected. Lan WangJi had maintained his bow, however, so he took his cue from him and remained in a posture of respect, as he awaited whatever happened next.

The pause prolonged for a moment, then several more, before Lan XiChen reached forward and with one hand each, under the arms of Lan WangJi and Wei WuXian, he bid them rise from their bows. When the two men stood once more, Lan XiChen looked out over the hall until the last quiet whisper died down. Then he spoke.

"We of the Lan Clan have a long and valued history. It is our honour and our duty to live righteously and cultivate rigorously, to the benefit of all people. We have experienced many challenges and we have used our skills and talents to rise above them and find solutions. Recently we faced unprecedented events that taxed our capabilities to the edge of our limitations and beyond. We were forced to confront our prejudices and understanding of what is right and what is wrong, and why and how we stand for that which is true. HanGuang-Jun has chosen his mate – his partner in Cultivation, his spouse for life, his soulmate and his husband – and this decision has brought us the opportunity to grow in our understanding of what is meant by the word 'partner'. What it should mean, what it can mean, and what it does mean between Lan WangJi and Wei WuXian."

He paused, his smile beaming out upon the gathering, before it faded as he continued.

"The recent illness of our Grandmaster was a challenge nearly beyond our abilities. It is due to the skill, the talent, and the selfless heart of Lan WangJi's husband, Wei WuXian, that Lan QiRen is here today, to join us in this happy celebration. Wei WuXian has offered us his service as a master of talismans and I can personally attest to his skill and genius in innovation with creating and perfecting talismans, and his unique gift as a strategist. I can also speak to his skills in the arts, again from experience. He has already shown himself to be an asset to the Lan Clan and his full membership will doubtless prove his worth many times over."

Lan QiRen shifted where he sat, his expression barely changing but his eyes constantly roaming the Main Hall, from disciple to elder and back again to the two bridegrooms before Lan XiChen. Wei WuXian flushed deeply, uncomfortable with the praises heaped upon his head. Lan XiChen gave him a fond look and proceeded to address the crowd further.

"A few weeks ago, we gathered to rejoice in the recovery of our Grandmaster. We agreed on the appropriate expression of our gratitude, and I am profoundly happy to have the opportunity to present our decision to Wei WuXian as we welcome him into Lan Clan. First, our welcome."

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