Wuji: A Promise Kept

12

Lan Wangji took Wuxian to see the head keeper, Lan Hui, to work on getting him new robes and to make measurements for the wedding hanfu robes. There were so many different fabrics and styles of hanfu to choose from. Wuxian had said he doesn't like his robes to be all that flowy and likes them simple. He understood that he needed a few of those fancy flowy robes for special occasions but otherwise he wanted everything simple.

There was silks and linens, velvets and cotton, there was even some lace and satin. Wuxian was never given this much thought into sect robes, as he never even wore Yunmeng's purple robes. As he was looking through and touching the fabrics, Wuxian was actually starting to cry as he felt a bit overwhelmed. He was actually allowed to wear sect robes and represent the sect he was going to live in.

Lan Wangji noticed the tears in his partner's eyes and went by his side immediately, "is everything alright?" Wangji asked as he gently placed his hand on Wuxian's back.

"I just got a bit overwhelmed, I am sorry," Wuxian replied and shook his head.

"What happened? Please talk to me," Wangji told him.

Wuxian looked into Wangji's eyes and he knew he couldn't keep his thoughts away from him. Wangji was there for him and that was something that Wuxian was quickly starting to grasp, "it's just that I never thought I'd ever wear sect robes. I was never allowed to wear purple robes and I grew up in the Jiang Sect. I am now suddenly given the freedom to look at different fabrics and see different types of robes that I've never imagined I would ever wear."

Wangji moved his hand from Wuxian's back to his cheek, "Wei Ying, I understand," he said, "if you need some assistance in this, I will help you. This is your home now and you will have so much more freedom here. I'm not going to let you live how you used to in Yunmeng. We are not them."

"Thank you," Wuxian said, "but how can I pick?"

"If you find fabrics that you like, we will find ways to use them," Keeper Hui said, "I was told you prefer darker colors so there are dark blues here and there are some selections of black fabrics, there is also our own custom fabric for the sect which is our white fabric. We have a matching fabric to the custom white which is a light blue. If you like the feeling of the fabric we can look into getting it in a darker shade."

Wuxian looked at the fabric with the cloud motif patterns. Wuxian smiled at the image of his first meeting Lan Wangji at the front gate of Cloud Recesses. The cloud pattern under his fingertips gave him goosebumps, "this is a nice fabric. Since I am needing white for a couple special occasions, I wouldn't mind having a couple of robes with this fabric...I have a special memory with this fabric," Wuxian said.

"Oh, how so?" Keeper Hui asked.

"Lan Zhan had a robe on with this embroidery pattern on the day we first met," Wuxian answered.

Lan Wangji smiled as he realized Wuxian admitted he checked Wangji's body out upon first meeting. Keeper Hui nodded in understanding, "I can have a couple robes made for you with this," he said.

Wuxian looked at several more samples of fabrics. He spent most of his afternoon looking through fabrics and being able to really learn what he was into. By the time he was done he felt like he was dreaming. After his time looking through fabrics, Wangji and Wuxian went to the dining hall for dinner.

As they were eating, Wangji remembered how much Wuxian didn't really like the food they served. Wangji could tell that Wuxian was tolerating it as best as he could. Since he had a personal kitchen built into the Jingshi, Wangji thought it would be best to learn to cook so he and Wuxian can spend the mornings evenings together for breakfast and dinner. Wangji would then get some spices for Wuxian from town so he could add them to his meals for lunch.

While Wuxian was going to be in seclusion for several weeks, that would be the perfect time for Wangji to learn about cooking and getting some much needed things for Wuxian. Wangji had already noticed that Wuxian didn't have much and he wanted to go shopping for him. So after dinner, he told Wuxian that he had a meeting with his brother and uncle and will meet him back at the Jingshi in a bit. Wuxian nodded and left.

Wangji made his way to Lan Qiren's residence and Lan Xichen was already there. It was good timing, "Shufu, Xiongzhang," he greeted.

"Wangji," Xichen greeted back, "is A'Xian not with you?"

"I said I would meet him at the Jingshi shortly. I wanted to speak with you two about some things that involved him and I wanted your thoughts on them," Wangji told him.

"Come and sit and we can talk," Lan Qiren said.

Wangji nodded and joined him and Xichen at the table, "what did you have in mind?" Xichen asked.

"First, it seems to be out of nowhere but I want to learn how to cook," Wangji said outright, "I know he has said numerous times that he does not really like our sect's food so I wanted to learn to cook so he can have something he likes. I would also go to town and get some spices for him so he has them for when he does eat our food," Wangji explained.

"I think it would be nice of you to do that for him," Xichen said, "we can also speak to the cooks to see if they can not only teach you to cook but to maybe adjust A'Xian's meals a bit."

"I am guessing you are talking about this without him here as he wouldn't want you to go through all the trouble of this. He would also not want special treatment," Lan Qiren pointed out, "but I understand your concerns. Everyone who was born here or has lived here for most of their life is used to our lifestyle, he is not. He is already adjusting quite a bit for our sake. I honestly think it would be fine to do this for him."

"I appreciate it," Wangji said, "I did have some other things that I wanted to do while he was in seclusion."

"We are listening," Xichen said.

"Wei Ying is not a materialistic person but he also does not have much or anything...if anything at all. I wanted to maybe find some things that I could give him, maybe some books on charms and talismans, other books on flute music and things like that. Just something to call his," Wangji said.

"Shufu and I have actually discussed having a building built just for him. We would have a new class offered and he'd be able to teach disciples if he wanted. He is talented in making charms, weapons, and talismans. If he had his own space to make as he pleases, it would be beneficial for him and the sect. We'd make sure we would have it fire proof and explosion proof, and other damage resistant issues added," Xichen explained.

"That would be perfect," Wangji replied, "he told me that he enjoyed teaching disciples back in Yunmeng and he would be mostly teaching disciples in archery, as he was the top archer in the sect."

"Was?" Xichen asked, "I think he still is a top notch archer. What he did at that night hunt was impressive."

"We can have him work with the disciples at the archery range. Once his room is built, maybe we can get him some disciples of his own to teach and train," Lan Qiren said.

"That actually brings me to my next inquiry," Wangji said, "he told me that Jiang Wanyin still has possession over his sword. I told him I would speak with you two about getting it back for him."

"I will go to Yunmeng personally to speak with Sect Leader Jiang," Xichen said, "while he is in seclusion you and I can both go. Maybe we can calmly explain the situation to him."

Wangji scoffed, "Jiang Wanyin? Calm?"

"Couldn't agree more," Lan Qiren said, "if he gives you a hard time tell him that we will take action if need be. He is now a member of this sect and that sword does not belong to Jiang Wanyin."

"At least he gave A'Xian Chenqing back," Lan Xichen pointed out, "but we will do what we can to reason with him. It will not be easy but we won't leave without the sword."