Dust & Gold

40

It was the day of the Archery Competition. Wangji and Wuxian had just finished putting on their robes for the competition. All juniors participating were required to wear a uniform of a red round-collar robe, with sleeves that had tight openings and a belt of nine golden rings. Wuxian couldn't take his eyes off his husband. Wangji was already an ethereal beauty but now he was so much more.

"You look so amazing," Wuxian told him.

"So do you," Wangji said, "reminds me of our small ceremony."

Wuxian giggled, "it does," he said, "and I look forward to seeing my husband in action today."

"Mnn," Wangji nodded, "I am waiting to see you too."

During the competition, the concept was simple. The participant was to shoot paper effigies possessed by fierce spirits while leaving the unpossessed decoys alone. more than a thousand life-sized paper mannequin targets, only one hundred were possessed by fierce spirits. If one shot the wrong target, they were out at once. One could only stay in the competition of they continuously shot correct paper mannequins that held evil spirits in them. In the end, the disciples were ranked by who shot the most, who shot with highest accuracy, and so on.

Once everyone arrived to the competition grounds, Sect Leader Wen announced the rules and let the disciples go. Wuxian stuck close to Wangji throughout the competition. one by one, disciples left due to accidentally shooting normal mannequins. With each shot, Wei Wuxian brought one down. Although he was slow, he never missed once. The number of arrows in the quiver soon decreased by seventeen or eighteen.

Just as he was thinking about what would happen if he shot with his other hand, suddenly, something drifted to his face. Softer than even the touch of catkin blossoms carried by the wind, the object made Wei Wuxian's cheek itch. Turning around, Wangji was aiming for one. With his back facing Wei Wuxian and front to a paper mannequin, he was in the process of drawing his bow. Wuxian smiled as he admired the man beside him.

The two were soon interrupted by a commotion nearby. Wen Chao was making a scene. He broke rules and refused to leave even after he failed to hit a target. Wangji and Wuxian didn't want to get involved so they steered clear.

"Lan Zhan, today has been really fun," Wuxian said.

"Mnn," Wangji said, "you are good at this."

"So are you," Wuxian told him.

"I think you hit more targets than me," Wangji said.

"I'm not so sure, we have been pretty close in numbers I think," Wuxian said.

"I guess we will find out soon, the competition is coming to a close," Wangji said.

"Let's head back to the start," Wuxian said.

Wangji nodded in agreement. Once the two returned, they waited by Lan Qiren and Lan Xichen for the results. Wei Wuxian took first place followed by Lan Wangji only behind by one target. Jin Zixuan was third and Jiang Cheng was fourth. Wei Wuxian was representing the Gusu Lan Sect so he had just helped gain more of a positive reputation.

"Congratulations to you both," Lan Xichen said, "we will be headed back to the inn and will head home in the morning."

"Alright," Wuxian said.

"Did you two want to return with us or are you headed back to your house in Yiling?" Lan Qiren asked.

"Are we needed?" Wangji asked.

"We will send you a message if we are in need of assistance," Lan Qiren said, "feel free to spend some time together."

"Thank you, Shufu," Wangji said.

"Yes, thank you," Wuxian said in response.

"Of course," Lan Qiren said, "let us know if the Jiangs cause more problems too."

"They shouldn't. Although we are expecting them to come by with the money they owe," Wuxian said.

"We will let you know when they come," Lan Xichen said.

With that they nodded and went on their way to the inn. In the morning, Wangji and Wuxian went back to their house in Yiling. Once they were home, they checked on everything as they had a disciple come by daily to check the animals and take care of the plants. Everything seemed fine.

"Do you think the Wens will still cause any problems?" Wuxian asked, "we noticed more Wen soldiers here before leaving for Gusu."

"Not sure," Wangji said, "there is a supervisory office in town so we can keep watch over it. If anything is suspicious, we can let Shufu and Xiongzhang know."

Wuxian nodded, "alright," he said, "the disciple who stopped here, he wrote a note saying he stopped by today before we arrived. We don't need to do much other than get some supplies in town. Especially food."

"Mnn," Wangji replied, "we still have time in the day. Let's go now before it gets any later."

Wuxian nodded and left with Wangji to town. It was bustling like normal and the streets were filled with vendors. The two stopped at a local market to gather supplies, "while we are here, let's get some talisman paper and fresh ink. We should check our wards around the property," Wuxian told Wangji.

"Alright," Wangji said.

After getting a little bit more supplies, the two went to a local restaurant for dinner as it was late in the evening before heading home. The two put the food away in their pantry and then checked the perimeter of the house. The wards were needed to be replaced as it's been some time since the two have kept it up. So after a quick fix, all the weak spots were gone.

"Well, that should do it," Wuxian said.

Wangji was inside at the moment preparing a bath for Wuxian for when he was done. Wuxian felt like a pampered maiden every time. He loved that Wangji dotted on him so much. It was something he was still getting used to.

"You didn't have to do this," Wuxian said as he entered the bathroom.

Wangji smiled and moved to stand behind him to help remove his robes, "I like doing it," Wangji told him, "plus, I am joining you."

"You are lucky this one is copper compared to the wooden ones at Gusu," Wuxian said with a smirk.

"I can't help it that my husband is so beautiful," Wangji told him, "I can't keep my hands off you."

"Lan Zhan!" Wuxian said blushing, "you can't say things like that."

"You will be fine," Wangji said as he undressed as well and got into the water with Wuxian, "just enjoy."

Wuxian couldn't even argue with him now that he was in Wangji's arms. Wuxian melted against Wangji the moment his hands were on him. He just sat there leaned against Wangji and let the man ravish him. He could not deny it, he loved it so much.