Growing Pains from Growing Family (Xicheng)

Chapter 55: Early Wedding Gift

But even though the young Lan had stated that he had called for his more responsible father, it was still the chaotic one that peeked his head inside the room less than fifteen minutes later.

In complete awe of his brother's appearance he said. "Wooo-ohh. A-Cheng, you're looking..."

"...Handsome?" Jiang Cheng completed.

"I was going to say you looked like one of those cushions people use to display jewelry... but I suppose you could use the word handsome. A very handsome cushion" Wei Wuxian said with a smirk and a wink. Jiang Cheng simply rolled his eyes, there was no need to take his insults seriously.

Having gone back to his regular state of trying to appease the Jiang, Lan Sizhui spoke calmly and kindly as he picked up another section of hair to braid. "Don't mind him sect leader Jiang, dad is just playing around, you're looking very handsome. Uncle Lan is going to be breathless." He meant well, but even then Jiang Cheng couldn't keep his eyes from rolling yet again.

This was apparently a step to far, rolling his eyes at Wei Ying was okay, but not when it was done at his son. "Lan Zhan, A-Cheng is disrespecting our son." he tattled, after which Jiang Cheng received a dark and slightly threatening glare. One which he gladly returned.

As usual, Wei Ying never appears alone and not long after his arrival the second Lan entered the room. Despite only wanting his future nephew-in-law Jiang Cheng had gotten the entirety of his brother's family crammed inside of the small preparation-room.

"I don't think someone who disrespects our son like that deserves the amazing gift we prepared" Wei Ying spoke. It was then that Jiang Cheng noticed that Hanguang-jun had a large, wrapped up, box in his arms.

"That's fine. Gifts aren't supposed to be given until tomorrow anyway" With so many people attending Jiang Cheng and Lan Xichen had decided on having the gifts presented after the ceremony instead of before to allow guests who had already handed over their gifts to leave early if they wanted to. With such an impromptu wedding many had not had time to prepare their sects for a long trip and needed to get back as soon as possible.

"Come on, A-Cheng. I think you REALLY don't want to miss this one." Wei Wuxian insisted, his mischievous grin telling the Jiang that whatever their brother's had gotten him and his husband was not something that was appropriate to present in front of a crowd of people.

"Alright, please present the gift early then." Jiang Cheng agreed and so the large box was placed on the vanity in front of him. Opening up the box and peaking inside, making sure his new nephew didn't get a glance he was surprised to find a perfectly acceptable gift.

Inside the box was an intricately decorated teapot that could only be described as a stunning piece of art. And as Jiang Cheng had no interest in such things, the gift had clearly been intended for only one half of the new couple. Perhaps the reason for not wanting it shown publically was that it was meant as a dig at him for not having expensive enough porcelain to suit sect leader Lan's tastes. Either way Jiang Cheng knew his husband-to-be was sure to love the gift their brothers had gotten them, so he didn't mind not being thought of when it came to their choice of gift.

Considering he had expected to be presented with either a prank or something severely inappropriate he was surprised to find such a thoughtful gift. "Thank you, it's very beautiful" he earnestly thanked his brother and brother-in-law with a bow of his head, a very shallow one as to not mess with Lan Sizhui's work.

"Purchased by Lan Zhan and packaged by me" the Wei proudly announced.

"Thank you Wei Ying, what would we do without you. Lan Wangji would never have managed to get it here in one piece otherwise" Jiang Cheng sarcastically replied, the only thing the Wei had done was throw a shiny piece of red fabric at the bottom of the box. It didn't even look like the proper kind of fabric for storing china, it...