Growing Pains from Growing Family (Xicheng)

Chapter 21: Invitations

"You know I am strong enough to carry more..." Lan Xichen said. Meanwhile the stacks of letters in his hands was so tall it almost toppled over at any minor movement. It was clear for everyone to see that he was already biting off more than he could chew and so Jiang Cheng ignored him, this being the fourth time he'd asked since they left Hanshi.

Unlike Lan Huan whose stack was hiding his entire chest and throat, only leaving his head peeking out on top, Jiang Cheng's pile was significantly shorter. Containing only the invitations to the absolutely most important people who was practically required to attend their wedding, most of them being sect leaders. If these letters were lost it might cause an actual war to break out. Why in the world would Lan Huan want him to place them atop the Lan's tower which already looked like it was about to fall any minute now?

"It's good to see my brother is being well taken care of, however you shouldn't ignore your fiancé when he's trying to help you out" Wei Wuxian remarked with a smirk as he joined in on their walk.

"Don't encourage him" Jiang Cheng warned. Lan Huan's desire to help out was already getting excessive and overbearing. Everything from wanting to write all the letters himself to carrying everything on his own. If he had let Lan Xichen take the final stack he was sure the Lan would have recommended him to stay back at Hanshi all day resting.

"Why not? Brother-in-law is just showing off how much he loves you" Yet another reason to not want Lan Xichen to help him out in public. Jiang Cheng didn't mind getting coddled by his lover behind Hanshi's closed doors, and though he wouldn't admit it, he even enjoyed it a little. But outside, where others were watching, that's where he was supposed to be sect leader Jiang. A strong and capable man, worthy of being feared by the masses. If he allowed himself to get pampered by Lan Huan that would be the end of his image. This wasn't like when they were playing a prank on Wei Wuxian. They couldn't sweep genuine affection under the rug.

Sandu Shengshou would be dead and revived as something resembling the "Mo Xuanyu" strolling beside him. Suddenly being known only as the husband of a Jade twin of Gusu. Wei Ying might be comfortable living that kind of life, but Jiang Cheng was certainly not. He needed to be more than just Lan Huan's cultivation partner.

"I can't deal with this today Wei Ying" Jiang Cheng said, trying to shut down his brother's teasing.

"Still upset about Jin Ling?" The Wei asked, suddenly sounding a lot more supportive. Wei Ying knew just how close the two were and yesterday's fight had been rather rough. "Don't worry brother, you'll always have my support" he said, half serious half teasing.

"And what is that worth?" the Jiang asked. Wei Ying's support had only ever gotten him into trouble. Though hearing his brother say those words might... But before Jiang Cheng could finish the thought he was interrupted.

"754 gold to be exact. Brother Guo should have it all collected by the time of the wedding right?" Wei Wuxian smiled brightly as he rubbed his hands together. Excited about the money he had earned as a result of his "support". All of Jiang Cheng's previous fondness for his brother was gone. Because the one betting against all of his disciples hadn't been his right-hand man as Jiang Wanyin had previously thought. It was the one who had failed to remain in that position.

"..." Jiang Cheng didn't know what to say. The fact that Wei Wuxian knew him better than any of his disciples was an uncomfortable truth he did not want to face. "Shouldn't you go be with your husband?" Jiang Cheng questioned in an attempt to get rid of him. Besides it was strange for the Wei's white-clad shadow to not be around.

"No, he's off with A-Yuan setting up some sort of competition and I'm not allowed to be there because A-Yuan is afraid that I'll..." Wei Ying's words turned into a solemn mumble and Jiang Cheng couldn't quite make out what he was saying. But he could make out that there was trouble in paradise.