Growing Pains from Growing Family (Xicheng)

Chapter 17: Jiang Wanyin's Proposal

With a loud thud his uncle slammed the documents onto the table. So mad he didn't even react to the hug which was swiftly discontinued as they noticed the angry Lan entering Hanshi.

"Another prank? Haven't the two of you caused more than enough trouble?" Part of Lan Xichen's hard work over the past days included appeasing his uncle as to have him go easier on the Jiang. He'd adjusted the story as he saw fit to take on most of the blame. But even then Lan Qiren hadn't even asked him to do something as simple as recite the clan rules, there had been no punishment. Perhaps being too preoccupied with saving his younger nephew's reputation, his other nephew had gone unpunished, or perhaps he was being lenient as for once a prank was at Wei Wuxian's expense. "What did I do to deserve this, first Wei Wuxian and now you two as well!?" Lan Qiren said, exasperated.

"It's not a prank." Sect leader Jiang stated, whatever he had proposed as a solution to the gossip problem he was standing behind it. Clasping his right hand, Jiang Wanyin held on to Zidian to calm himself down as he anticipated Lan Qiren's response.

Uncle Qiren furrowed his eyebrows in disapproval. Not in the way he acted towards Wei Wuxian a notorious pain in his ass, but more so in a way he treated one of his more favored students when they disappointed him. It was the same expression Lan Huan was met by during each of the Lans' internal annual meeting after he yet another time stated that he wouldn't get married this year either.

From that one look it was clear Jiang Wanyin's proposal would be dismissed. Lan Qiren had already made his decision. Having spent enough time with the older Lan over the years Jiang Wanyin had likely realized this as well, but his eyes were still pleading with the man. He wanted the Lan's affirmative response so badly he was still clinging on to hope.

"I also stand by this solution." Lan Xichen spoke up. He had no idea what sect leader Jiang had proposed but if he stuck to it this desperately it had to be good. It wasn't unheard of for Lan Qiren to dismiss good ideas as a result of them being unconventional and as such Lan Huan wasn't too concerned about blindly going up against his uncle.

"You too!?" His uncle looked defeated. Letting out a loud sigh he simply said "Fine, at least it solves this headache. I'll go talk this over with Lan Wangji" Before leaving, Lan Qiren turned to sect leader Jiang and glared disapprovingly. "But the Jiang sect will be responsible for funding this crap" the Lan spat out. But unlike usually when Jiang Wanyin met hostility with even more hostility this time he smiled.

"Of course, thank you grandmaster Qiren" Jiang Wanyin bowed deeper than he had ever done before. His gratitude overflowing despite Lan Qiren's acceptance of the suggestion being more than a little reluctant. Following suit Lan Xichen lowered his head as well. His uncle scoffed, after which he stormed outside, Hanshi's door slamming shut behind him.

Lan Huan was the first to break the silence which followed the Lan's exit. "What did I just support?" But Jiang Wanyin simply gestured towards the table on which the papers Lan Qiren had brought with him was laying. The only way he'd figure out what was going on was to read it on his own. Though it was a rather odd request considering Jiang Wanyin was right there and could very well explain it to him Lan Huan saw no point in arguing.

Walking over to the table he flipped the proposal open only to find something very concerning. But not just one problem, three of them. Jiang Wanyin must have been very tired when putting this together as inside the binder given to Lan Qiren were all of the drawings which he had given to sect leader Jiang the other day, the ones meant for his future wife. If Lan Qiren had gotten these, what kind of documents had accidentally been sent to her in their place?

"Jiang Wanyin, you accidentally put these in the wrong..." as he turned around to show the tired cultivator his mistake Lan Huan found him down on one knee. In his extended hand was a small box containing a shimmering ring, all of which trembled along with the hand which held it. Jiang Wanyin gulped.

"Lan Huan, will you marry me?" The words were weak and pushed through clenched teeth but Lan Huan were by no means unable to hear them. Even if he didn't, the Jiang's position made it difficult to misconstrue what was going on. Jiang Wanyin was proposing.

"Yes" Before his brain had even registered what was happening and without considering if there were any cons to accepting, he had already given the Jiang a positive response. Falling down to his knees Lan Xichen wrapped his arms around his now fiancé, making sure that this was real and not just something he had imagined. But Jiang Cheng was real and hugging him back. His arms holding the Lan so close it was getting hard to breathe. Taking as deep of a breath as their current position would allow Lan Xichen whispered "I love you Jiang Cheng"

Only in the aftermath of accepting the proposal did Lan Xichen realize something terrifying. Jiang Wanyin might have come to the conclusion that this was the only way to escape the rumors. He might not actually be proposing out of love but out of political reasons. A union between their sects would bring great benefits to them both... was that perhaps all it was? A marriage of convenience? Lan Xichen feared the worst, but there was one very easy way to check, if Jiang Cheng repeated the words back to him there would be no doubt it wasn't just for economic profit.

Time felt like it stood still as he waited for the response, any response. But there was none. Though the Jiang in no way loosened his grip around him, there was simply silence. So Lan Huan did what he did best. Recognizing that what he had asked the Jiang to reciprocate was a lot he pushed down the anxiety which was starting to build up in his mind. The man in his arms needed time and so Lan Xichen would give him just that.

Instead of being at the edge of his seat waiting for the response he instead focused on what he currently had. Lan Huan had a face full of jet black hair scented with the Jiang's familiar lotus cologne. In his arms was the strong and muscular body of one of the most sought after men alive. Not only that but this man, whom Lan Huan adored, had gotten down on his knees and proposed. Even if it was just marriage out of convenience they could make it work, it didn't need to be a bad thing.

A sharp inhale could be heard right by his ear. Followed by the reason why Jiang Cheng had yet to respond. Loud and unapologetic crying followed. He'd desperately tried to hold them in, but now failed to do so. In the warm and strong arms of Lan Huan Jiang Cheng could no longer restrain his tears.

"I-I l-loow...ou too... Lan Uw--an." He let out through the sniffling. Lan Huan pulled the Jiang in even closer, there was now neither any distance between them nor any space for their chests to expand as to provide their bodies with oxygen. But the pain in his lungs was nothing compared to the relief-filled butterflies going wild in his stomach.

Jiang Cheng loved him back. Like for real loved him back. They were getting married, and out of love no less. Lan Huan could feel his own eyes becoming wet and not long after he too let tears fall down his face. There was simply no other way to express the pure bliss he was experiencing right here and now.