Solstice Souls: Solstice Sons (Book 3)

Bringing the Good Fight

Lan Zhan's POV

Lan Zhan smiles suddenly.

"I know who they are," he says confidently. "Let's go and meet them."

He takes Wei Ying by the hand and then they are speed walking to the gates of the fortress, out in the compound. Lan Zhan refuses to say anything more until he's absolutely sure of his guess.

They don't have to wait for long; he throws open the gates and bows low to both of them, when he sees their faces. He has missed them.

"Welcome, Song ZiChen and Xiao XingChen."

They bow back, and this time, Wei Ying also bows.

"It's good to see you again," he recalls. "My husband and I welcome you."

Lan Zhan can see the relief on his face, that these two are not only known to them, but can be classed as friends.

"And you, Young Master Wei," Song Lan tells him, smiling at Lan Zhan. "We trust you are well? Back then, Lan WangJi wanted to go and rescue his betrothed, so I understand that congratulations are in order if both of you are married now."

"Mn. Thank you."

"Yes, we are. We had to keep it a secret for obvious reasons, but perhaps later when we actually celebrate in style, we would be honoured to have your blessings in person." Wei Ying bows again. "Please come inside. Let's have some tea, while we still can. Have you had any breakfast?"

They all turn and walk inside. Wei Ying guides them to the Great Hall, where some efficient disciple has set the table.

"No, we didn't stop because," they glanced at one another before continuing, "we were overtaken on the way by a huge force, the likes of which we haven't seen in a long time. Since that army appears to be making Yiling its destination, we thought we should warn you."

Wei Ying pours fresh green tea brewed with a hint of ginger as is the custom during the winter months here. Ginger tended to aid respiratory illness by clearing any blockages and adding internal heat to help with cultivation. Servants bring candied ginger in a bowl and honey cakes for breakfast. He gestures towards the food and takes the first sip himself as the host of the Wei Clan, so that the others can help themselves.

Lan Zhan is so proud of him. Wei Ying will make the perfect leader when his time comes to assume his responsibility, and even though he can tell how much Wei Ying is missing his parents now, he is still trying to do his best.

"How many in terms of numbers?" Wei Ying asks them, after they've eaten.

"Four units in total, ten thousand soldiers per unit." Xiao XingChen answers.

"That's forty thousand people." Wei Ying taps his nose thoughtfully.

"How many fighters do you have?" Song Lan asks him.

"Five thousand, fully trained and ready for combat." Wei Ying answers him, serious and every inch the Leader.

"Then, if you are not opposed to it, how about we stay and help?" Song Lan reaches across his partner to hold his hand.

"We actually came for two other reasons." Xiao XingChen smiles at him, before turning to them.

"Really? And what might those be?"

"We heard that Baoshan Sanren is here. It is mostly the desire to meet my old teacher that first made us walk in this direction," Xiao XingChen says, looking at his husband, who then continues.

"But on the way, we heard some interesting news."

"Xue Yang," Lan Zhan guesses.

"Is he really dead? Do you have any proof of it?" Song Lan asks them, and then he blushes because he realises what that sounds like. "It is not because we don't believe you, far from it. But we have spent so long trying to pin him down that this news doesn't seem real."