Outside, Wei Ying's grief quickly turned to something darker. His Yiling Patriarch side began to take over, and his eyes turned crimson red. Resentment energy swirled around him, and he felt a burning need to save his husband, his love, and soulmate.
"I can't let this happen," he muttered, his voice laced with cold tone.
"Lan Zhan is mine."
Just as he turned to rush back to the Guest quarters, a powerful force stopped him in his tracks. A figure materialized in front of him..his grandmother, her presence commanding and otherworldly.
"Grandma," Wei Ying said, his voice trembling with both respect and fear.
She regarded him with stern eyes. "A'Ying, your power is great, but your heart is in turmoil. Come with me."
Before he could protest, she teleported them both to her Celestial Mountain, a place of serenity and immense power.
In the Guest quarters, Lan Zhan stirred, despite the wine's effects. He felt the presence of another and looked up to see the woman. Confusion and anger surged through him.
"Who are you?" Lan Zhan demanded, pulling away from her.
She looked at him with a mixture of fear and resignation. "I was told to be here, Hanging Jun. I mean no harm."
Lan Zhan's mind raced, piecing together the fragments of the night before. The wine, Wei Ying's trembling hands, the betrayal.
"Wei Ying..." he whispered, his heart shattering. How could this have happened?
"No," Lan Zhan said with a growl, he summon Bichen from nowhere. "You are not Wei Ying. I will not betray him."
The woman backed away, terrified. Lan Zhan, despite his drunken state, managed to stagger out of the room, driven by the need to find Wei Ying.
He searched everywhere, calling out for his husband, but Wei Ying was nowhere to be found. Panic set in as Lan Zhan realized the enormity of what had happened.
"Where are you, Wei Ying?" he shouted into the night, his voice echoing through the empty halls.
High on the Celestial Mountain, Wei Ying stood beside his grandmother, his heart aching for Lan Zhan.
"You must find balance within yourself, A'Ying," his grandmother said. "Only then can you protect those you love without destroying yourself."
Wei Ying nodded, determination in his eyes. "I will. For Lan Zhan, I will."
As Lan Zhan searched desperately below, Wei Ying began his journey of inner peace and strength, knowing that his love for Lan Zhan would guide him back to where he truly belonged.
When Lan Zhan discovered that Wei Ying was gone, panic set in. His heart raced as he searched the entire Clan, calling out for his husband. The realization that Wei Ying was truly not there struck him with a profound fear. He couldn't bear the thought of losing Wei Ying, not to the sect's outdated traditions or to anyone's demands.
With a determined resolve, Lan Zhan rushed to his brother's seclusion area, seeking the only person who could help him in this dire situation.
He found Lan Xichen in the midst of his meditations, but Lan Zhan did not hesitate to interrupt.
"Brother!" Lan Zhan's voice was filled with urgency as he entered the room.
Lan Xichen opened his eyes, sensing the gravity of the situation. "Didi, what has happened?"
"Shifu is pressuring Wei Ying and me to produce a blood heir," Lan Zhan explained, his voice trembling with emotion. "Wei Ying couldn't take it anymore and has left. I can't lose him, Brother. I need you to take your rightful position as the sect leader. It's the only way to protect my marriage."
Lan Xichen regarded his brother with a mix of concern and understanding. "Wangji, your love for Wei Ying is evident. But stepping down as sect leader is a significant decision."
"I know," Lan Zhan replied, desperation clear in his eyes. "But I am willing to do anything to keep Wei Ying by my side. Please, Brother, help me."
Lan Xichen sighed, but his expression softened. "Very well, Wangji. For the sake of your happiness and the stability of our sect, I will come out of seclusion and take my position as the sect leader."
Relief washed over Lan Zhan. "Thank you, Brother. I am forever grateful."
With his brother's support, Lan Zhan felt a renewed sense of hope. He would find Wei Ying and bring him back, proving to everyone that their love was stronger than any tradition or expectation.
"We need to address the situation with Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian immediately," Lan Xichen began. "The pressure you have placed on them is unacceptable."
Lan Qiren and the elders exchanged uneasy glances. Lan Xichen's authority as the Sect Leader was undeniable, and his sudden involvement signaled a shift in the balance of power.
"Xichen," Lan Qiren began, his tone cautious, "the clan's future is at stake. We need an heir."
Lan Xichen's gaze hardened. "Forcing Wangji to take a concubine is not the answer. He has made his choice, and we must respect it. The Lan clan's principles are built on loyalty and integrity. We cannot undermine those values for the sake of tradition."
An elder spoke up, "But Sect Leader, the lineage-"
"The lineage will continue with or without such measures," Lan Xichen interrupted. "Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian have already adopted two sons, Sizhui and Jingyi. They are more than capable of leading the clan in the future."
Lan Qiren's face remained stern, but he could see the resolve in Lan Xichen's eyes. "And what if the elders disagree?"
Lan Xichen's expression softened slightly, though his determination did not waver. "If you force Lan Wangji to choose between the clan and his family, he will leave. And I will support him. The Lan clan cannot afford to lose him, nor can it afford to lose the values we hold dear."
The room fell silent as the weight of Lan Xichen's words sank in. The elders knew that without Lan Wangji, the clan would be weakened, both in spirit and in strength.
Lan Qiren sighed, his shoulders slumping in defeat. "Very well, Xichen. We will leave Wangji and Wei Wuxian alone. But know that this decision is unprecedented."
Lan Xichen nodded, relief washing over him. "Thank you, Uncle. This is the right choice for the clan."
***
Meanwhile, atop the Celestial Mountain, Wei Ying stood with his grandmother, his heart heavy with longing for Lan Zhan. The serene surroundings did little to ease his turmoil.
"Grandma," Wei Ying said softly sobbing, "I need to return to Lan Zhan. He needs me, and I need him."
Baoshan Sanren regarded him with understanding eyes. She put her palm on his cheek "You have found balance within yourself, A'Ying. Go to him, and may your love guide you both."
"But before that, you look paler. Let me check you." She grabbed his wrist, checking his pulse. Seconds later, she chuckled. She released his wrist and asked him to lie down on the bed. When he did, she lifted his robes and placed her palm on his abdomen.
She clearly saw his small bump there and grinned again. Wei Ying watched her with curiosity. "Grandma, is something happening to me? These past few days, I haven't felt okay." Tears roll down to his cheeks, he wiped them, she patted his shoulder and asked him to sit up.
"Do you remember I once told you you're special?" Wei Ying nodded, confused.
Baoshan Sanren chuckled. "A'Ying, let me tell you a short story.
"You know that my grandparents were like you and Lan Zhan, but that was centuries ago, and in that era, love between the same gender was considered an abomination and forbidden. People did not accept it, and the leaders of that time banished them far away from the town. They lived in forests and mountains alone. Even today, some people have issues with same-gender love.
"One of them was special, and he gave birth to a healthy, beautiful boy-my father. After ten years, they both died because they were true soulmates; if one died, the other would perish too.
"What I want to tell you is that you're gifted like your great-great-grandfather. You have a womb. Male pregnancy is rare and almost impossible, but here you are.
"So gather yourself and think straight."
Suddenly, Wei Ying clutched his chest, panting. "What's wrong now?" Baoshan asked.
"Lan Zhan... is in trouble or danger. The pain is not mine." Baoshan frowned and stood. "You're unbelievable. You guys are soulmates; you know very well you can't be separated for long.
"Go to him now. Don't waste more time." With a nod of gratitude, Wei Ying closed his eyes, focusing his energy. In an instant, he was transported back to the Lan clan compound.
Lan Zhan was searching frantically, calling out for Wei Ying, his heart aching with worry. Suddenly, he felt a familiar presence and turned to see Wei Ying standing before him.
"Wei Ying!" Lan Zhan cried, rushing to embrace him. "Where have you been? I was so worried."
Wei Ying clung to him tightly, tears of relief streaming down his face. "I'm so sorry, Lan Zhan. I never wanted to deceive you. I was forced-"
Lan Zhan silenced him with a gentle kiss, his heart swelling with love and relief. "It's over now, Wei Ying. Brother has taken charge, and the elders will leave us alone. We are safe."
Wei Ying looked into Lan Zhan's eyes, seeing the truth and love reflected back at him. "I love you, Lan Zhan. I will never let anything come between us again."
Lan Zhan held Wei Ying close, feeling the strength of their bond. "And I love you, Wei Ying. Together, we can face anything."
As they stood there, reunited and stronger than ever, they knew that their love would guide them through any challenges that lay ahead. And with Lan Xichen's support, they were ready to face the future, hand in hand.
A day had passed since Lan Xichen's decisive intervention. The Lan clan elders and Lan Qiren had begrudgingly accepted the new direction, allowing Lan Zhan and Wei Ying to live in peace. The atmosphere in the clan had noticeably lightened, and for the first time in a long while, Lan Zhan felt a sense of stability and hope.
Wei Ying, ever the dedicated teacher, was instructing a group of clan disciples on the intricacies of newly found talisman techniques. His energy and enthusiasm were infectious, and the disciples watched him with rapt attention.
"And remember," Wei Ying said, his eyes bright with excitement, "a talisman's power lies not just in the symbols, but in the intention behind it."
Just as he finished his sentence, a wave of dizziness washed over him. He tried to steady himself, but his vision blurred, and the world around him spun wildly. The last thing he saw before everything went black was the concerned faces of his students.
Lan Zhan, who had been in a meeting with Lan Xichen, suddenly felt a sharp pang in his chest, as if his heart were being squeezed. He knew, instinctively, that something was wrong with Wei Ying.
Without a moment's hesitation, he teleported in front of Wei Ying, who lay unconscious on the ground, surrounded by panicked disciples.
"Move aside!" Lan Zhan commanded, his voice full of authority and fear. The disciples quickly parted, allowing him to kneel beside his husband.
"Wei Ying, hold on," Lan Zhan whispered, his heart pounding. He gently lifted Wei Ying into his arms and teleported them both to the infirmary.