Wei Wuxian lays in bed staring at the ceiling for a long time. Ever since Lan Wangji had left for the banquet he hasn't been able to sleep well. He misses his alpha.
Jiang Cheng has gone to the Yu clan to try to negotiate for more disciples and Jiang Yanli is still in Lanling. Wei Wuxian isn't particularly close to any of the new disciples or servants so there is no one to talk to.
He decides he will visit his favorite tavern in Yunmeng and have a drink. That might make sleeping easier.
He grabs a set of inner robes, then pauses when he realizes they are Lan Wangji's. He sniffs them and he can still smell the sandalwood scent of the alpha. He shrugs and decides to wear these instead of digging out his own. He slips on his black outer robes and grabs Chenqing.
At a stall, near the tavern, there is a beggar in dirty robes. Since the war, beggars have filled the streets of every major city. Wei Wuxian goes over to see if he can help. He has never forgotten his own days on the streets. He tries to help out beggars with food or a few coins whenever he can.
As he gets closer, he sees this is a young female alpha. What's more is that she looks familiar.
"Wen Qing?" Wei Wuxian asks in surprise.
The woman looks up at him and her hood falls back from her head. Her face is dirty and her usually prideful expression has been replaced with one of sorrow and desperation. "Lord Wei, help me please."
Lan Wangji sits beside Lan Xichen, his expression is one of polite neutrality. He would much rather be in Lotus Pier watching Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng argue over dinner. He misses his omega. He regrets agreeing to come to this banquet, but they had all agreed with the animosity already strong between the Jins and Wei Wuxian, this would be a bad time for him to refuse the Jin's invitation.
The banquet has been going on for a while, too long in Lan Wangji's opinion. Most of the attendees are getting drunker and more rowdy as time passes. Only those tables occupied by the Lan Sect disciples are still quiet and subdued.
Jin Zixuan and Jiang Yanli had retired a while back, chaperoned by many servants of course, lady Jin is determined to protect Jiang Yanli's reputation until the wedding.
Nie Mingjue is loudly berating Nie Huaisang for his lack of development in saber cultivation. Jin Guangshan is openly eyeing some of the dancing girls that had been brought in for entertainment while Madam Jin glared at him. Jin Zixun is drunkenly stumbling from table to table insisting all the clan leaders drink with him.
Even Lan Xichen, who often has to make an appearance at these banquets for political reasons, is looking uncomfortable. Lan Wangji expects him to make their excuses soon so they could leave. It couldn't be soon enough in his opinion.
Lan Wangji looks up as a man stops in front of their tables. It's Jin Zixun, he is holding out a cup of wine to Lan Xichen.
"Toast with me lord Lan." He says.
Jin Guangyao is there in an instant trying to divert the drunk man. "Jin Zixun, you might not be aware of this, but the Lan Clan forbids alcohol." He puts a hand on his arm to lead him away, giving Lan Xichen an apologetic look.
Jin Zixun shoves him away, "Nonsense, if Lord Lan refuses to drink with me it must mean he looks down on me." He thrusts the cup towards Lan Xichen again. Jin Guangyao moves forward again but Lan Xichen waves him off.
"I will drink with Jin Zixun." He raises the cup in a toast and then drinks. Lan Wangji knows that his brother has developed a trick of using his golden core to burn off alcohol for situations like this. So he isn't really drinking. Lan Wangji doesn't envy his position.
YOU ARE READING
Unrestrained Heart
أدب الهواةAlmost everyone has heard of the Lan Sect of Gusu and their famous wall of discipline with over three thousand rules. However, not many people are aware of why the Lans need so many rules. Lan Wangji has worked his entire life to maintain his own di...
