Unrestrained Heart

Chapter 22

Wei Wuxian passes Jin Ling kneeling in front of the Jin ancestral hall and he can't resist reaching out and ruffling his hair. This earns him a glare from the teenager. Wei Wuxian laughs and goes to find the room where he is meeting Lan Wangji and Nie Huaisang. He hasn't been to Koi tower many times and it's easy to get lost. Up until the death of Jin Guangshan, Wei Wuxian hadn't been welcomed at Koi tower. Jin Zixuan would often bring Jiang Yanli and Jin Lin to Cloud Recesses or Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji would meet them at Lotus Pier.

Finally he finds the room with the help of a young maid. Lan Wangji already has him a cup of tea and breakfast ready.

"Brother Wei you sleep so late," Nie Huaisang complains. "I thought I was going to have to send someone to pull you from bed."

"It's not that late," Wei Wuxian answers. He takes a sip of his tea and asks, "Find out anything?"

"There is a rumor that Jin Guangyao has a secret treasure chamber in his rooms." Nie Huaisang says.

"Hmm, that could be worth investigating. Although it's not like I can go up and knock on his door to ask him to let me search it." Wei Wuxian says.

"I could probably distract him after the banquet." Nie Huaisang says. "How do you plan to get in unseen?"

"Oh, I think I have a way." Wei Wuxian says.

Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji take their seat at the banquet between Lan Xichen and Jiang Cheng. Wei Wuxian happily helps himself to the food and wine he is served, as usual the Jins have spared no expense, and everything is the best quality.

Wei Wuxian watches Nie Huaisang surreptitiously, waiting for the other omega to give him the signal. When he sees him tap his fan on the edge of his table three times, Wei Wuxian says loudly, in a slurred voice, "Lan Zhaaaaaan, I don't feel so good."

Immediately Lan Xichen turns and asks if Wei Wuxian is alright. Lan Wangji gives him a rueful look and says, "I think Wei Ying has drunk too much."

Lan Xichen looks embarrassed for them, although half the people in the hall are in a much worse condition by this point. His brother-in-law has no idea about his actual capacity for alcohol, since drinking is not allowed at the Cloud Recesses. He is clueless that Lan Wangji keeps a stash of Emperor's Smile under his floorboards. It probably seems to him that Wei Wuxian hasn't had many opportunities to drink since moving there.

Jiang Cheng probably realizes Wei Wuxian is up to something, but he only shakes his head and gives a "he's the Lans' problem now" look.

Jiang Yanli looks amused from where she is sitting at the head table with Jin Zixuan and Jin Ling. She is used to Wei Wuxian's antics by now.

"I'll just take him back to our room." Lan Wangji says with a sigh that earns him several sympathetic looks. Wei Wuxian wishes he would hurry; he isn't going to be able to hold back the laughter much longer.

Back in their room, Wei Wuxian doubles over, "Ha, ha, ha, Lan Zhan did you see their faces?"

Lan Wangji's lips twitch upwards, but he only says, "You should hurry, the banquet will be over soon, and we don't know how long Nie Huaisang can distract Jin Guangyao. Then there is also Qin Su to think about, she could return to their chambers and not wait for her husband." Qin Su is Jin Guangyao's wife, they had been married not long after the Su She trial.

Wei Wuxian reaches into his bag and takes out the paper effigy he had prepared ahead of time. Wei Wuxian hands the doll to Lan Wangji then lays down on the bed and closes his eyes. After a moment the effigy twitches in Lan Wangji's hand. It stands and shakes its wing-like sleeves, it flies up to Lan Wangji's shoulder. The alpha turns his head and paper Wei Wuxian pounces on his cheek, bumping his head against it as if giving him a kiss.