Chapter Text
The preparations were all going smoothly. Wei Wuxian did not want to attend this banquet but he wanted to be there for Lan Zhan. Lan Zhan did not really enjoy these kinds of events but being the chief cultivator came the responsibility to head these conferences, so as to consolidate all the major and minor clans. None of them liked the attention but it was a necessary evil.
They are in their 5th year of marriage but he still could feel the stares and the judgment in them. It’s been years since the truth had come out but he also realized now this judgement also included jealousy. They couldn’t refute that Lan Wangji was not only an exceptional cultivator but he has also proved to be a very capable leader and was also very humble. Although he was allowed to have a much more luxurious accommodation, after being announced as the leader of the clans, but he refused it and still lived in Cloud Recesses and occasionally visited Langling when there were any such meets as he liked the peace and quiet to remain at Cloud Recesses. Wei Wuxian had also suggested this as, although many rules have been removed and now only 125 rules remained, the rules were still a lot for certain sects as they were not used to it. So, holding the banquet in Langling allowed them to please the people who wanted to drink and get loud and also retained the tranquillity of Gusu.
Wei Wuxian had just entered the room, that Jin Ling had provided for both of them for the week, he saw that Lan Zhan was already dressed and was reading through some scrolls, that were probably the complaints and requests of other clans. Since it was a banquet Lan Zhan was dressed in much more elaborated clothes, they were the same white and flowy clothes but it had much more intricate embroidery and his hair piece was also replaced for a fancier one. Lan Zhan looked no less than a dream to Wei Wuxian. He was the definition of a dream, the serene aura around him which was calm yet had a commanding quality to it. He knows that beautiful was not really a word usually used for men but he believed his husband was beautiful almost ethereal. He would never get used to it.
Lan Zhan looked up probably sensing his presence or, maybe the noise of the door notified him, he looked up and the tense lines he had on his forehead disappeared and his expression softened up and a small smile appeared on his face. It was a subtle change in expression that not many would notice but Wei Wuxian did. He loved the fact that he was one of the few people who could read Lan Zhan’s expressions.
He walked to Lan Zhan and sat down beside him, he noticed how Lan Zhan leaned into him slightly. Although the conference had only just started but greeting the guests was tiring enough and today the banquet met interaction and socializing which both of them weren’t a big fan of.
“It’s frustrating isn’t it.” Wei Wuxian asked Lan Zhan
“Mn” Lan Zhan replied “I don’t get why WE have to do this”
“Who knows? I would also much rather spent time with you alone but you know ‘heavy is the head that wears the crown’ I guess we’ll have to just deal with it.” Wei Wuxian was just as unwilling but they both also realized this was something they couldn’t avoid. A deep sigh was the only reply he got.
There was a knock on their room door to indicate that the banquet was about to start and that they should now leave.
“I want to run away.” Lan Zhan’s suggestion did seem very tempting
“Hopefully, somewhere, some form of us is saved from all this.” He shot his husband a reassuring smile and both him and Lan Zhan got up to leave their room and join the fanfare.
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The banquet hall was full of people and disciples of different sects, the 4 great sects sat in the front and the rest followed the same suit. The food and wine was being served and the noise from different conversation, the soft music being played also added to the ambience of the atmosphere and it felt like people were getting more drunk because of the atmosphere.
When Wei Wuxian and Lan Zhan entered the quests stood up in greeting and once, they reached their seats on the platform they all bowed to each other in greeting. And then Lan Zhan raised a toast, of fruit preserve as he still had no tolerance for alcohol, for the prosperity of all and preservation of justice and righteousness. And soon the celebration resumed. They also interacted with other clans and their quests. Wei Wuxian could see his little ducklings sitting and talking and he also received a nod from Jiang Cheng. He and Jiang Cheng were on much more amicable terms, it wasn’t like the brotherhood they had but he wasn’t trying to kill Wei Wuxian. Zewu Jun was also sitting and talking to uncle he could see the subtle glances Nie Huaisang was sending Zewu Jun’s way. Maybe he wanted to talk to him and somehow better their relationship but things were not so simple between these two. Zewu Jun understood Huaisang’s motivations for his actions but he still couldn’t forget the fact that he was used, in some way, for murder. Lan Qiren had somewhat accepted Wei Wuxian but not fully it’ll take much more time or years.
The dancers entered the banquet hall and started their performance their music was entrancing and soon everyone was swaying to their sound. The dance also seemed very hypnotic. Wei Wuxian soon noticed the light drowsiness he was feeling and he looked around to see some of the weaker cultivators already sleeping. He felt alarmed and looked towards Lan Zhan who had also realised the same. They held each other’s hand and soon they were encased by this drowsiness.
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Wei Wuxian woke up to some sounds a voice calling out, it was unfamiliar voice. He cracked his eyes open to see that he was still in the banquet hall and slowly everyone around was also waking up. He looked to his side to check on Lan Zhan who was also now awake and after making eye contact, they both got the message that the other was fine. Then they looked around to see if someone was missing or hurt but everything seemed normal to their surprise even the dancers were knocked out. Then the voice that had woken Wuxian spoke again.
“Hello, did it work or not. This might just be a scam and I might just seem crazy” it was a female voice not very young and also very calm.
“Who’s this? And what did you do to us?” Lan Zhan spoke
“Hey can you all hear me?” the voice replied
“Yes, we can and can you tell us why did you make us all faint?” Wei Wuxian replied.
“I’m sorry it must have been the effect of this program. If you all don’t mind me asking, could you kindly tell me your name.” it replied.
“Why should we tell who we are if you didn’t even introduce yourself.” Jiang Zheng replied annoyed
“Oh god this overworking has driven me crazy my name is Anamika.” The voice said.
“Well, Anamika this is Wei Wuxian now would you tell us why this happened to us?” Wei Wuxian asked again.
“It Worked!! Well, what I am about to say might seem stupid and almost deranged sounding to you but I hope you try to trust me. Okay here goes nothing, I am from another world.” Anamika answered.
There was pin drop silence. Then Lan Qiren spoke.
“And why should we trust you?”
“What could I possibly achieve from lying to you all? In my world your life stories are part of a book that I have read. I was fascinated by it and have always wanted to know your life from your perspective. And now this book has been turned into a TV show, which is like a play and for us you are characters and I wanted to see if I could by sending a signal at the right frequency and of right wavelength would get me to maybe prove the theory of multiverse true. It seems it worked.” She explained
“So, you are saying our stories have been turned into something resembling a play and you are one of the people who have watched it and you wanted to know more about our lives?” Huaisang summarised everything.
“Yes, and maybe show you how in my world you are perceived and also see what your counterparts look like and the kind of people they are. And I am not one of the few. I am one of the millions who have watched and read your stories. So would you like to see this. Also, to inform you, you are locked in this place and the time outside is on a pause. So, you do not have to worry about anything. I would also like you all to welcome a few more people.” Anamika told them.
And soon Wei Ning, Wie Qing, Shije, Jin Zixuan, Nie Mingjue, Xue Yang, Xiao Xichen and Jin Guangyao appeared. To say everyone was shocked at the appearance would be down playing it. It was a riot there was crying, screams of fear, joy and astonishment. After everything everyone settled down and a screen appeared in front and it soon turned black.