Unrestrained Heart

Chapter 9 🔞

Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian go to Lan Qiren together to explain that they would like to be married before they leave for Qishan. Lan Wangji's uncle is not happy with it, but they refuse to be deterred on the subject and finally he gives in.

The Lan Clan, like many clans, have some of their own wedding traditions and some common ones. Lan Xichen explains the steps of the ceremony to Wei Wuxian. There are no gifts to be exchanged between families. Others can give the couple gifts that they can use in setting up their home, but these must not be new. The Lans believe that giving a newlywed couple gifts from their own homes, tea sets, incense burners, hand woven cloth, etc., shares love from one home to another. The couples can be given money pouches for anything they need to buy new.

For such an uptight clan, they have some romantic traditions, Wei Wuxian thinks.

Wei Wuxian is to wear red, and a plain set of red robes are found for him. Lan Wangji will wear the light blue that is one of the traditional colors of the Lan Clan robes. The morning of the wedding Lan Xichen helps Lan Wangji with his robes and fixes his hair. He then ties Lan Wangji's forehead ribbon for him, the first time Lan Wangji has had anyone tie it for him since he was four. Traditionally their father would do this for him.

Jiang Yanli is the one to fix Wei Wuxian's hair, combing it out for him with the lotus comb that had been a gift from Lan Wangji. She leaves it loose and pins it back with a set of silver hair combs with clouds carved into them.

There is no veil and for that Wei Wuxian is thankful. He has attended weddings before where the bride is required to wear a red veil, but he wants to see his alpha's eyes during the ceremony. Once he is ready, Jiang Cheng takes on the role of their father and attaches a silver bell talisman to Wei Wuxian's belt, carved with lotus blossoms. This is a Jiang clan tradition; the silver bell symbolizes protection and clarity for the omega.

After they are ready there is a tea ceremony with their families. Each family member gives them their blessings. Then it is time to make their bows. Lan Wangji takes Wei Wuxian by the hand and leads him to the ancestor's hall. Their first bow is to heaven and earth. Then they make their bows to the ancestor's tablets. Finally, they turn and bow to each other. This is the actual marriage ceremony.

There is a banquet, unlike banquets in other clans there is no noise or celebration. Lan Wangji silently serves food to Wei Wuxian as a symbol of providing for him, in turn Wei Wuxian feeds Lan Wangji the first bite as a symbol of caring.

The final part of the ceremony is to take place once they are alone in their room. Wei Wuxian had blushed when Lan Xichen had explained this step. Once alone Lan Wangji will kneel for Wei Wuxian to remove his forehead ribbon. The forehead ribbon represents restraint and discipline, only with one's fated mate are the Lans allowed to be unrestrained and undisciplined.

Wei Wuxian feels his breath catch when Lan Wangji kneels before him with his head bowed. This feels more intimate than undressing the alpha. Wei Wuxian reaches out with trembling fingers and undoes the knot holding the forehead ribbon. He holds it for a minute in both his hands then gently folds it and places it on the table. For a minute Lan Wangji remains there with his head bowed. Wei Wuxian kneels in front of him, he knows what Lan Wangji is worried about. He is afraid to let his feral alpha loose after so long keeping it in check.

"Lan Zhan," Wei Wuxian says quietly, "Alpha, you won't hurt me." He trusts Lan Wangji completely.

Lan Wangji nods and only then does he look up. He places his hand on Wei Wuxian's face, "So beautiful."

Lan Wangji leans in and kisses him. After that first kiss in the cold springs, they had only shared gentle sweet kisses. The alpha had always worked hard to keep himself in check and not lose control and Wei Wuxian hadn't pushed him knowing he would hate himself if he had broken his vow to the elders.