The Tainted Jade of Gusu

Chapter 31: All's Well That Ends Well

Around the fifteenth day of the Lunar New Year, during the spring lantern festival, Cloud Recesses used to deck up in lanterns and draperies and silk tassels. This year, the festivities were rather amplified. After all, the Lan Sect Leader and his Madam were going to come out of seclusion together!

Wei Wuxian, as usual, was bubbling with a festive spirit.

"Lan Zhan! Does this mean everyone will finally get to see your Saozi now?" He tugged at Lan Wangji's sleeves.

"I believe so. Yes."

"Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan!"

"Yes, Wei Ying?"

"Is she pretty?"

"I think she is," Lan Wangji nodded, "she has an extremely beautiful soul."

"You're such a Lan!" Wei Wuxian teased him.

"Wei Ying," Lan Wangji couldn't help smiling, "in case you forgot, I am a Lan."

Lan Qiren had asked everyone, including Wen Ning to attend the family banquet for the spring lantern festival banquet in cloud recesses.

When all the guests had settled in their seats, the doors were thrown open, and the sect Leader Lan and his Madam entered the banquet hall.

"No way! Is that..." Wei Wuxian tugged at Lan Wangji's sleeves.

" I...she... Jiejie..." Wen Ning's face looked like he was about to burst into tears.

"Welcome back from seclusion, Madam Wen Qing," Lan Xichen smiled and helped her to the seat by the side of the seat meant for the Lan sect leader before taking his own seat. Wen Qing was clad in white robes like the rest of the Lans, except her robes were embroidered with little red flowers instead of the blue rolling clouds .

Wei Wuxian waved at her enthusiastically, and even Wen Ning peeked from behind Lan Wangji and greeted her with a tiny wave. Wen Qing noticed the two. Her face took on the appearance of a pleasant surprise as soon as she caught a glimpse of Wen Ning.

"Lan Er Gongzi," Wen Ning grinned, "your elder brother married my elder sister!"

"Hey back off!" Wei Wuxian grinned, "she's my elder sister too!"

"I think at this point it would be fair to speculate," Lan Wangji calmly sipped tea, "She's an elder sister to all of us."

When the banquet started winding down, Wen Qing slipped out to speak with Wei Wuxian and Wen Ning.

"I didn't know you were alive!" Wen Ning flung himself against his elder sister.

"I didn't know you were alive either, A-Ning." Wen Qing held her little brother in a warm embrace, the corner of her eyes slightly moist.

"This is so beautiful, don't you think, Lan Zhan?" Wei Wuxian wiped at the corners of his smile, a wide grin on his face, "if only Shijie were here too!"

"Mn" Lan Wangji hooked an arm around Wei Wuxian's waist and pulled him slightly closer against himself.

"But I'm really glad I still have you, Jingyi and Sizhui" Wei Wuxian smiled.

"Mn," Lan Wangji replied, "me too."

"Wei Wuxian."

Wei Wuxian turned his head sideways to find three sharp silver needles pointed towards him. He instinctively backed away into Lan Wangji.

"I swear I will not be merciful if I find you fooling around irresponsibly," Wen Qing's voice carried a clear threat, "you will be responsible with Wangji, and that's an order."