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Lan Wangji knows his Wei Ying is a naturally attractive and charming individual. He's a strong, talented cultivator with a golden heart, even— he's perfect, actually!
It's exactly why after the tragic events at GuanYin Temple, the revelations of Jin Guangyao's malicious deeds, and Wei Wuxian's name finally being cleared of a majority of his past allegations that his beloved husband has grown popular and loved once more within the cultivation world and even to the non-cultivators.
Lan Wangji knows someone like Wei Ying is meant to be loved and admired by all. He knows and believes in this. And he thanks the gods and heavens above every day that his Wei Ying is finally living the best life that he deserves. Finally, after so many years of suffering and torment, his Wei Ying can live at long last.
And yet-
"Young Master, how about you try this one~? It's on the house!" flirtatious giggles fill the space and Wei Wuxian couldn't help but laugh along.
"Aiya, aren't you being too kind, Young Miss?" Wei Wuxian makes his way to take Lan Wangji's money pouch from inside his husband's lapels. "Just let me pay for it, it's not trouble!"
"Young Master, I insist. For someone like you, I'd give you all my delicacies for free~!" another giggle and batting of eyelashes.
"Don't be silly! But if you insist, I'll just have to accept these!" Wei Wuxian bows, taking the packed treats with a bright smile on his face. "Really, thank you!" he laughs.
Lan Wangji remains still and silent beside him, though his eyes wander between his Wei Ying and the young ladies before them—warm and doting to one while cold to the other.
His fingers, hidden in his robe's sleeves, twitch every now and then whenever any of these women come a little too close to Wei Wuxian— another attempt at flirting and swaying his husband's heart.
That's very much impossible given Wei Wuxian only has his eyes and heart for his Lan Zhan and only him. No one else.
Lan Wangji breathes in a bit heavier and longer as the exchange continues.
How long until these women give up today? Lan Wangji exhales a sigh silently.
Do they not know his Wei Ying is already married? To him? To Lan Wangji? To Hanguang Jun? To the chief cultivator of the cultivation realm?
If they knew, they'd leave him alone in an instant and only admire from afar—very, very far— distance while Lan Wangji is around, and hopefully even when Wei Wuxian is alone.
Lan Wangji sighs again, a bit more audible but still undetected to those who do not know him as well as Wei Wuxian or Lan Xichen do. These admirers are getting to his nerves.
He wonders who are the worse admirers— the men or the women?
Sensing his husband's distress, Wei Wuxian turns his attention away from the women sellers and to his Lan Zhan with much concern in his eyes and tone of voice, "Lan Zhan? Anything wrong?" he whispers gently, a hand delicately placed on his husband's arm.
Lan Wangji does not answer verbally, simply looks at him in the eyes.
Wei Wuxian stows away the (many) gifts from the women sellers after giving them his thanks once more then sticks close to Lan Wangji who immediately wraps an arm around him and directs them far away from the flirtatious women.
"Come back again, Young Master~!"
Lan Wangji lets himself frown once they turn their backs on them. Honestly, Wei Ying is a married man! Is it not obvious?!
He huffs, brows furrowing and fingers twitching around Wei Wuxian's waist. What must Lan Wangji do for everyone to know Wei Ying is his?
A poke to his cheek snaps Lan Wangji out of his thoughts. He turns to his husband who's been eyeing him with concern and worry as they silently walk down the near empty road and away from the busy market.
"Lan Zhan? What's wrong, my love?" Wei Wuxian frowns, caressing his husband's cheeks, and soothing the furrowed lines between Lan Wangji's brows. "Will you tell me what's bothering you?"
Lan Wangji immediately calms down, face returning to its neutral expression except for the slight wrinkle of his eyes and feint smile on his lips. "Wei Ying.."
"Yes, Lan Zhan?" Wei Wuxian wraps his arms around his husband's neck and Lan Wangji pulls him even closer by the waist.
Lan Wangji smiles and kisses his Wei Ying deeply. As he pulls away, Wei Wuxian leans close again to peck the corner of Lan Wangji's mouth and grins.
"Are you upset because I didn't kiss you enough today, Lan er gege?" Wei Wuxian teases, bringing an amused huff from Lan Wangji, before turning serious again. "But really, what's wrong?"
Lan Wangji shakes his head, it is better to forget unnecessary and unpleasant things. For now, he'll keep this to himself. "I am just tired."
"Aiya, my poor Lan Zhan!" Wei Wuxian pouts and intertwines their hands together. "Should we rest in an inn, then?"
Lan Wangji shakes his head and unsheathes his sword, drawing Wei Wuxian closer once more by the waist. "Home."
"Are you sure, Lan Zhan?" Wei Wuxian says, still worried as he wraps an arm around Lan Wangji's waist and the other holding tight to his husband's shoulder. "You don't have to push yourself too hard.."
"Mn. This is still fine." Lan Wangji says before they take off into the skies and back to the Cloud Recesses.
Yes, It's still fine. Lan Wangji thinks as he remembers the gleaming eyes and bright smile on his Wei Ying's face whenever anyone give him gifts and praise.
He knows he shouldn't be selfish with his husband. His Wei Ying's happiness is the most important, after all. For now, Lan Wangji will have to endure. Those admirers will give up eventually.
His Wei Ying is just too perfect all the time. Lan Wangji while in mid flight, kisses the head of his husband who only laughs in amusement.
"I'll kiss you lots when we get home, okay?" Wei Wuxian grins, tightening his grip around his Lan Zhan and nuzzles into his chest.
"Mn." Lan Wangji smiles, "I look forward to it."
Lan Wangji concludes as he looks at the scene before him that Wei Ying's men admirers are worse than the women.
The cultivators flock Wei Wuxian one by one, practically crowding him and singing praises for the amazing swordsmanship he'd displayed against a ghost swordsman who didn't wish to rest until he'd been fairly defeated by another great swordsman.
Lan Wangji feels his heart inflate at the many compliments thrown at his Wei Ying but he's also feeling a little (very) irritated at the many too-touchy-to-be-considered-appropriate gestures they're giving his husband.
"Master Wei, that was incredible! You've captured my heart with your sword!" one announces proudly with shimmering eyes and flushed cheeks as he clutches his chest.
Another puts his arm over his Wei Ying's shoulders, drawing him a little too close for Lan Wangji's comfort. "Wei Wuxian, will you teach me some of your techniques some time? Perhaps, even spar together?"
Another also comments shamelessly with cheeks flushed, "Your technique and skill is flawless as ever, Dear Wei, will you spare time for someone like me, too?"
Lan Wangji curls his hands into fists within his sleeves, his eyes glare coldly at each cultivator surrounding Wei Wuxian. Majority will think it is the usual appearance of the Jade of Gusu—cold, expressionless, stone-faced, etcetera.
He looks and looks, feeling worse by the second. These men and their casual friendliness.
Oh, but Lan Wangji knows. He knows! Their subtle touches, shameless compliments, and smooth invitations are all wooing attempts at his Wei Ying.
He seethe internally, wanting nothing more than to drag his Wei Ying out of there and fly home. The nighthunt is finished, anyway. There was no need to stick in the area idly unless one wanted to hunt more and raise their cultivation status.
If only the juniors were here, Lan Wangji thinks. No other cultivator could get close when the children are around. Wei Wuxian's attention would be on them all throughout and Lan Wangji didn't mind at all.
It's better than, than-
"Wei Wuxian, I'd like some pointers on my sword techniques!" another exclaims, flexing his arm that held his sword. "I'll gladly show you in private! How about it?" he smiles slyly and winks.
Lan Wangji wrinkles his nose.
Wei Wuxian laughs at all of them, "If you want some more sword training, just head over to Lotus Pier! I'm sure Jiang Cheng won't mind new disciples." he offers with a grin.
The cultivators crowding Wei Wuxian all smile politely, laugh awkwardly at the unexpected offer.
"Don't be shy! Jiang Cheng is a perfect example to learn the sword and the perfect sparring partner, too!" Wei Wuxian beams with pride as he thinks of his younger brother.
One of them places a hand on the small of Wei Wuxian's back, "But, Master Wei, if the shidi is perfect then the shixiong is, too! Please reconsider?" he fixes him with a charming smile.
Lan Wangji raises a brow. He's been standing in the very back, a few steps away from the crowd but close enough that he can still catch the sight of his Wei Ying. He's been patient enough to wait for them to die down but if they don't make any moves to back away then-
Wei Wuxian who's only been laughing at the strange offers, stranger compliments, and strangest gestures from these random cultivators finally shakes his head at them. Teaching them isn't really a problem but he'd have less time with Lan Zhan and the juniors.
He's been trying to push these cultivators to Jiang Cheng for a while now but they were quite adamant in him teach them rather than his brother.
Wei Wuxian averts all their eyes and catches sight of his Lan Zhan at the back, clearly ignored by everyone else, and... sulking?
Why is Lan Zhan sulking? Wei Wuxian wonders and comes up with a good excuse to get away.
"A-Ah! Oh my!" Wei Wuxian exclaims and startles the crowd, his eyes widening as he makes to his husband and rubs circles around his back. He must be a great actor if he's garnered worried looks from the cultivators. "Lan Zhan, you should have told me you weren't feeling too good!"
"But, Hanguang Jun looks fine...?"
Lan Wangji doesn't bother speaking and allows his Wei Ying to drag him away from the crowd. He was just about to drag Wei Wuxian away himself if they didn't stop flocking him anytime soon—manners be damned! But this is good, too. Lan Wangji thinks, grateful for his husband.
"Sorry, folks! We don't want Hanguang Jun falling ill or anything, especially with the upcoming conference in a few days! So, goodbye! Have a happy nighthunt!" Wei Wuxian waves and fast walks away from the rest of the cultivators with his Lan Zhan silently following by his side.
"But, Master Wei, our proposals?!" they call out but Wei Wuxian ignores them all and quickens his pace so no one can follow.
With their backs turned and away from everyone else, Lan Wangji huffs in amusement, quite pleased to finally have his Wei Ying to himself.
Wei Wuxian whines, "They're quite persistent, aren't they? It's good they want to learn and train more but, really, there are plenty of teachers around! Too eager for the sword, though it's not a bad thing sometimes." he continues his rant as they step on Bichen to fly off.
Rather than the sword, they're just eager to have you to themselves, is what Lan Wangji wanted to say—ready to give his own rant—but instead he goes with the typical "Mn."
Wei Wuxian sighs, "Let's go home, yeah? I'm serious about your condition for the conference, though."
"I will be fine." Lan Wangji smiles, kissing his husband's forehead, heart beating fast at his Wei Ying's concern for him.
Lan Wangji is secretly more worried of the many more cultivators, both male and female, who'll try wooing his husband at the conference. He wishes he could get sick or catch a fever on the conference day so he can have Wei Wuxian all to himself. But (un)fortunately, his health is at its best and it is impossible for him to catch even a viral cold. And he was the Chief Cultivator, too.
Lan Wangji can only endure the never-ending flirts that come to his Wei Ying. They'll never have his husband, anyway.
But should he really settle in the back quietly as bad blood boils in him every time the men and women flock Wei Wuxian?
For reasons unbeknownst to Lan Wangji, his answer comes in the form of his grumpy brother-in-law and peeved nephew.
"Lan Wangji." Jiang Cheng nods as he makes his way to the Chief Cultivator.
"Hanguang Jun." Jin Ling greets with a bow, a few steps behind his Jiujiu.
The conference is in the middle of a short intermission. Something about Sect Leader Yao being displeased and going on a full blown fit against the new sect forming a bit too close to his territory. The new Sect Leader He was trying to take his stand and reason but Sect Leader Yao, as he is, wasn't having it.
Lan Wangji did not want to deal with an angry sect leader or the growing migraine, especially at the start of the conference so, being the Chief Cultivator and calling the shots, he proposed taking a short break.
However, that said short break allows for many of his Wei Ying's admirers to get close and have a very (overly) friendly chat, much to Lan Wangji's displeasure. How he wishes for Wei Wuxian to just sit on his lap all throughout the conference, but alas.
Even Wei Wuxian knew propriety where it's due.
"Sandu Shengshou, Jin Rulan." Lan Wangji nods in acknowledgement. "Is there something you wish to speak to me with?"
Though he still has some dislike to spare for the Sect Leader Jiang, Lan Wangji is curious as to why the prideful grape would approach him deliberately. He has no problem with Jin Ling striking up a friendly conversation with him though since he secretly dotes on the little peony as much as his Wei Ying.
Jiang Cheng, with his ever present furrowed brows and clenched fists, grits his teeth as he—with great effort— manages to utter his sentence in a low and appropriate volume, "Are you not going to take care of those perverts?" he looks about ready to draw his sword and strike.
Lan Wangji raises a brow, not fully understanding the context of his question.
Jin Ling quickly intervenes to interpret his Jiujiu's words before they end up in a misunderstanding. His cheeks flush a feint pink as he speaks, "U-uh, Hanguang Jun. This one apologizes for his Jiujiu's lack of tact." he ignores the huff from Jiang Cheng and continues, "What Jiujiu means to say is.."
Jin Ling takes a step closer to Hanguang Jun and whispers with a red face, "As Da-Jiu's husband, shouldn't you tell his admirers to like, back off?" he says this a little embarrassed for meddling in other people's affairs.
"Huh?" Lan Wangji does not show the surprise in his features. "Should I?" he asks instead, a little curious about their input on this matter that's been keeping Lan Wangji more restrained than when Wei Wuxian walks around without his upper robes and hair loose.
Jiang Cheng snarls, "Why shouldn't you? I'm sick and tired of every other damn cultivator coming to Lotus Pier to eye fuck my espoused brother whenever he's visiting!" he exclaims crudely.
Jin Ling pouts, "Hanguang Jun, it's not my business but-" Lan Wangji notices Jin Ling's already red face growing even redder at his next words, "I don't like other people thinking they can h-have their w-way with Da-Jiu since he's already m-married to you!"
Lan Wangji hums in consideration and looks to where Wei Wuxian is— surrounded by men and women with heart eyes and shameless mouths. He grimaces internally whereas Jiang Cheng and Jin Ling both wear faces of disgust at the scene.
Jiang Cheng scowls, "Listen, Lan Wangji. My brother is obviously in l-love with you and wouldn't think about anyone else when it comes to r-romantic feelings." he stutters, cheeks also flushing pink, "But that's exactly why he won't know if someone's trying to flirt or woo him! Either you tell those perverts to back off or you tell A-Xian to be more cautious!"
Lan Wangji huffs, "Wanyin, I trust Wei Ying knows when lines are drawn."
Jiang Cheng's scowl deepens, "Then, tell them to back off before those lines are drawn."
Lan Wangji frowns, "How do you expect me to do that?"
Jin Ling offers a solution cautiously, "How about wearing wedding bands, maybe? Or tie a red string around your finger? Or tell them you're already together like you should have- uh, Hanguang Jun?"
Jiang Cheng offers nothing specific but something open, "Just make them know he's already taken so they move the fuck on! Kiss him or whatever, I don't care! You're the one with a relationship."
"Kiss?" Lan Wangji mutters under his breath. He's done his fair share of holding Wei Wuxian publicly, making sure his arm is around his husband's waist every now and then—but that rarely worked as a sign of their close, intimate relationship.
Oh, but kissing? A little more explicit public display of affection?
It might just work.
Lan Wangji nods, "Mn. Thank you."
Jin Ling bows, sighing in relief, "No, thank you, Hanguang Jun."
Jiang Cheng rolls his eyes, "Just get it over and done with. I'm sick of those damned-"
"Lan Zhan! Oh? Jiang Cheng, Jin Ling!" Wei Wuxian happily skips his way to the three, unaware of their current topic of conversation. They all keep quiet, Wei Wuxian curiously raises a brow as he sticks close to Lan Wangji's side.
He doesn't outright latch on to his husband's arm like he usually would. There were plenty of eyes staring at them in that moment.
Lan Wangji thinks this is the perfect time.
Wei Wuxian asks, "What were you talking about? Was it about me?" he grins cheekily, poking Jin Ling's cheek.
Jiang Cheng lies as he swats his brother's hand that was patting his head, "As if."
Lan Wangji wraps his arm around his Wei Ying's waist while the other hand holds his face and draws him even closer. Much to Wei Wuxian's shock, he eyes his husband and opens his mouth to ask, "Lan Zhan? What-"
Before he could finish his sentence, Lan Wangji presses his lips against his, kissing him in front of his brother-in-law and nephew (who choke at the display), in front of the many cultivators present in the conference, in front of the cultivation world.
Nie Huaisang exclaims from somewhere, "Oh my! So Hanguang Jun and the Yiling Laozu are like that...?" his voice echoes all throughout the dead silence followed by a flapping of his fan.
Wei Wuxian gasps for air and blushes red. "L-Lan Zhan?!"
"Mn." Lan Wangji replies before pecking the corner of Wei Wuxian's mouth and backs off, already exuding his calm, ethereal Jade air though his arm is still wrapped tightly around his husband's waist.
Now with this, maybe the admirers will settle down and give his Wei Ying space.
This isn't like his Lan Zhan at all, Wei Wuxian thinks as he gapes at his husband. But he doesn't mind it one bit. In fact, Wei Wuxian quite likes this bold, possessive, and publicly affectionate side of his Lan Zhan.
Now every time someone who isn't aware of their marital status or anyone who hasn't given up and is still trying to woo Wei Wuxian despite that, Lan Wangji resorts to kissing his husband right in front of their eyes.
Wei Wuxian can only smile in delight, indulging his Lan Zhan and even throwing out an erotic moan whenever Lan Wangji deepens their kiss.
Everyone and anyone backs off completely and out of their hearing vicinity.
"My Lan Zhan, so possessive, hm?" Wei Wuxian kisses the corner of his husband's and smirks.
"Mine."
"All yours, my love." Wei Wuxian chuckles and pulls his husband in for another deep kiss.
Lan Wangji sends Jiang Cheng and Jin Ling expensive and highly valuable gifts for the rest the year after that to express his sincere gratitude.