The Legend of Moonflower

Chapter 22 - Union and Disunion

A/N:  Things get bad from here before they get better.  You have been warned.

The servants had done a marvellous job decorating the hall for the union between Lan Xichen and Jin Guangyao. Hints of gold were intricately woven into the blue and white fabrics that were cascading down the pillars from the high ceilings. Small vases decorated with the Lan clan motifs were filled with yellow and white peonies and sat upon every table in the hall.

Amongst the sea of blue and white robes were a few wearing gold robes. The king regent, Jin Zixun, had declined attending the union and in his place two minor ministers were sent instead. Jin Guangyao didn't appear to be perturbed that the new (temporary) sovereign was unable to attend due to state matters. The beta, splendidly adorned in shining robes of gold and white, was laughing merrily at something Nie Mingjue was saying while Lan Xichen looked at them both with deep adoration.

Lan Wangji was happy there was harmony between his brother and his two beta husbands. It was a harmony he knew that could never exist amongst the omegas in his imperial harem. From when he was little, he had witnessed the squabbling and machinations between consorts and concubines. At that time, he never thought the responsibility of the kingdom and the harem would have fallen on him, and he even pitied his brother who he was sure would present as an alpha. When he had been the one to present as an alpha, he thought it to be some cruel twist of fate, but now knowing that being emperor meant being able to meet Wei Ying, he accepted his fate willingly.

Currently, his beloved omega was sharing a small table with Concubine Zizhen and conversing with his shixiong who was standing in front of them. He could see a frown begin to dawn on the empress dowager's face and wanting to avoid any unwanted attention that would harm Wei Ying, he motioned to Eunuch Nie.

The eunuch stepped forward and leaned closer when he realized the emperor wanted to speak to him discreetly. "Your majesty?"

"The empress dowager is beginning to show signs of displeasure," he said.

Nie Hauisang nodded as he noted the direction of where the empress dowager's gaze was. "I will..."

"First Attendant Wuxian," called out Nobleman Minshan. The omega was sitting across the hall from the first attendant and was speaking loudly to get his attention.

Both the first attendant and concubine leaned to the side to see past Song Zichen. The alpha, realizing he was in the way, stepped to the side.

Wei Ying's face was neutral but Lan Zhan could tell he was feeling apprehension at the way the nobleman was drawing attention to him. "Yes, Nobleman Minshan?" Wei Ying said.

"I fear I might embarrass myself here by asking this, but you do have to understand that I don't have very much knowledge of the martial world. I mean after all I was raised in a noble family," Su She said.

Lan Zhan could see Wei Ying had his head tilted to one side, trying to assess what the nobleman was up to.

"First attendant, can you explain to me if martial brothers and sisters are as close as siblings of the same blood?" Su She asked.

"I don't have siblings of the same blood so I wouldn't know about how close they are," Wei Ying answered.

"But you do feel close to your shixiong?" Su She pressed for an answer.

Wei Ying frowned. "Well... yes.. we did grow up together," he said after a moment of thought.

"Oh," smirked Su She like he had a secret. "That explains a few things then."