Popping at Random Times

He had vague memories from the night before. He remembered he was in the dining hall, with the rest of the omegas from all across the cultivation world, for the (in)famous omega etiquette class that was held in Cloud Recesses. It was often held every once in two years, lapping with the normal cultivation classes that were also held in Cloud Recesses.

He remembered eating and then retreating to his dorm which was located in between the female section of Cloud Recesses and the normal dormitory that was used to house guest cultivators. He also remembered his body suddenly feeling hot, and remember thinking to himself about how the situation was so similar to the time when Wei WuXian was having his first heat. He also remembered Lan WangJi who was coincidentally passing through where he was situated. He also vaguely remembered Lan WangJi speaking something to him, his lips moving but Wei WuXian couldn’t make sense of what it was under the haze of his heat.

The omega didn’t remember what had happened last night, his memory was completely wiped from last night’s event but, looking at his body ─ he could guess accurately what had transpired between him and Lan WangJi.

“Shit,” he cursed as he tried to gather his wits and strength, pulling himself up to stand up from the bed. Aside from the ache, he couldn’t feel anything was amiss and noted that Lan WangJi had most likely cleaned him up from their… activity last night. He searched for his robe, putting them one by one slowly, trying not to hiss at the feel of his clothes with the raw marks littered on his body.

He looked at the bedroom, now finally recognized it was JingShi, Lan WangJi’s bedroom and personal space. He should have apologized to Lan WangJi, especially when his sudden heat had consumed him last night, and most likely had influenced the honourable second young master to commit such a promiscuous act. Wei WuXian shook his head, he had no time for that currently, remembering that that day was their last day at the Cloud Recesses before they were taken back to their home.

He would apologize to him when they met again.

As Wei WuXian limped out of the room, he didn’t notice Lan WangJi’s piercing golden eyes staring at him from the further corner of his room, hands carrying the tray of food. Nor did he notice something was amiss with his supposed heat, lasting only after a night with an alpha, despite having already been lectured and reminded that an omega heat should have lasted no less than three days (if spent with an alpha) to seven days.

…

It has been a few weeks since the YunmengJiang disciples returned from their studies at the Cloud Recesses. It was the same amount of time, or maybe less, Wei WuXian had been caught unwell by the Lotus Pier residents, regardless of time and place.

Jiang YanLi glanced worriedly at her adopted brother as she continued to pat and rub his back soothingly while Wei WuXian continued to throw up, despite not consuming any sort of food or drink yet.

“Are you sure you’re okay, A-Xian? This is the third time you have been throwing up since this morning.” Jiang YanLi asked as concern and apprehension were both clear in her voice. She helped to wipe Wei WuXian by wiping his mouth with her handkerchief to clean off the small leftover of the puke around the corner of his mouth before she helped him to sit by the parlour.

“I don’t know, ShiJie… I have been throwing out for a few days already and I can’t eat anything without getting nauseated by the smell or taste,” he said before sighing. Wei WuXian slumped his exhausted body by leaning his head to rest on the beta woman’s shoulder. The omega purred when the comforting earthy scent, accompanied by the fragrance of lotus flower greeted his nose as he slowly unwound his tired body. “At least I can still eat ShiJie’s soup so, I guess it’s okay. Although I miss eating those spicy foods…” Wei WuXian whined, causing Jiang YanLi to giggle in fondness at that childish whining before she flicked the younger man’s forehead, albeit still gently.

“You silly boy, only you would miss eating those highly spicy foods,” Jiang YanLi chastised as she remembered the level of spiciness of Wei WuXian’s foods, to the point that even the spice lover Yunmeng people shuddered and cried under the taste. Well, all except Jiang YanLi considering they both shared the same level of tolerance for spicy foods.

(That’s what bonded the beta and omega further, aside from their naturally instinctive nature.)

Wei WuXian whined as he pouted at the flicking he received from his foster sister. “ShiJie~”

Jiang YanLi muffled her laughter behind her sleeve before she patted the omega’s head. “Now, now, don’t ruffle your feathers, A-Xian, you’re still exhausted from earlier. Anyway, come, let’s head back to the dining hall. I’m sure you have given everyone quite a fright when you suddenly burst out of the hall so suddenly.” Jiang YanLi said as she helped Wei WuXian to stand up.

Wei WuXian nodded weakly with a soft hum before both of them headed back to the dining hall.

…

It was later in the evening when the sun was slowly settling down by the horizon when Jiang Cheng came to see his brother by the pavilion.

“Aren’t you going to hunt for some pheasant birds like you always do when it’s almost dusk? Why are you still here and where’s mother?” Jiang Cheng asked as he took a sit on the chair opposite Wei WuXian.

Wei WuXian shrugged as he poured tea into another cup before pushing it towards Jiang Cheng. “I don’t know. I mean, I would like to, but I guess I’m just too tired for it. Oh, Madam Yu just actually went back to her pavilion not a while ago, you just missed her.” Wei WuXian explained as he took a sip from his warm tea as he gazed at the lotus pond surrounding the gazebo.

Jiang Cheng stared at Wei WuXian for a while before he nodded. “I guess so,” he said. “You do seem quite unwell lately, been throwing up for days and freaking us out. Father and mother at first want to immediately demand you to stay in your room to rest until you are fine, if not for me and A-Jie protested it for you. We all know, lock up or not, you’re going to find one way or another to escape your room and saunter all around Lotus Pier like it’s nothing,” Jiang Cheng said as he narrowed his eyes down as he looked at Wei WuXian. The omega just chuckled at his words.

“Ah, you’re right about that Jiang Cheng. You all know so well how I can’t stay put in one place for so long.” Wei WuXian admitted.

Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes at his unhinged brother before he scoffed.

“Say, what’s going on actually? Have you eaten something bad that you just throw up every day?”

Wei WuXian shrugged, inclining that even he had no actual idea what was happening. “Beat me, but I don’t know why myself either. It had been a few days and I keep feeling nauseous every morning, or whenever I smell food. It’s a pity because I miss eating all those delicious foods…” he whined before he turned to look at Jiang Cheng with a miserable look on his face as he pouted. “And to think that I have to survive eating those bland foods at the Cloud Recesses and then, can’t eat any good foods after my return. Ah… Fate is too cruel to me!” Wei WuXian whined as he gulped his tea as if he was drinking his precious wine before slamming the cup onto the table. Although not too hard because Yu ZiYuan would murder him if he broke her precious cup, again. Wei WuXian shuddered at the thought.

Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes at the dramatic scene in front of him. “Well, sucks to be you,” he said with a snicker, earning a glare from the other. “So, how’s Gusu anyway? Anything new?” Jiang Cheng asked.

Wei WuXian lifted his shoulders in a dismissal motion. “Aside from me having to learn all those ‘omega etiquettes’,” Wei WuXian said as he made an air quote motion with his fingers and Jiang Cheng snickered at that, “― nothing much. Same rules, same regulations, same old people with a stick up in their asses. Oh, except ZeWu-Jun, he’s still the most tolerable Lan in the Cloud Recesses. He always gave me a pass whenever he caught me breaking some minor rules.” Wei WuXian said with a giggle, which caused Jiang Cheng to roll his eyes at that. “Still got the best wine in the entire world though. Even if I have to sneak out from the Cloud Recesses every day, it’s still worth the trouble,” Wei WuXian said with a grin.

“What about HanGuang-Jun? Are you still pestering him around like before?” Jiang Cheng asked. He couldn’t help but feel odd when Wei WuXian didn’t mention Lan WangJi in his conversation, as he always did before.

Wei WuXian seemed to be gulping for a moment, although Jiang Cheng brushed away those thoughts thinking it might not mean anything in particular. “Lan Zhan?” he paused, “Well, he’s the same old fuddy-duddy Lan Zhan, can’t let me break his precious rules, not even once,” Wei WuXian said as he forced a chuckle. He ignored the flashed memory of the last moment they shared in the JingShi belonged to Lan WangJi on the final night of Wei WuXian’s stay at the Cloud Recesses, before Jiang FengMian and Jiang Cheng arrived to bring him back to YunmengJiang Sect.

Despite his effort, he still dreamed about those heated nights, the way Lan WangJi could be so loving and gentle at one moment and so possessive and aggressive the next. It never failed to bring the heat down to his body, his body slightly flushed under the remembrance of the steamy night before he pushed them away. He didn’t want it to trigger his heat again, just like what had happened on the night they spent together.

Jiang Cheng smirked at that. “Of course, if you still remember that he’s the one in charge of the punishment since before. I can’t believe how you tried to provoke him so many times that I’m surprised he doesn’t try to lash out at you.” Jiang Cheng said, although silently, he gritted his teeth at the thought. If Lan WangJi had once dared to put his hands on his brother so carelessly, he would swear to make the other alpha’s life as miserable as he could because no one messed with Jiang Cheng’s family and get away with it.

(Not even Jin ZiXuan, despite now he and Jiang YanLi were happily engaged to each other and very disgustingly in love after clearing all the misunderstandings.)

Wei WuXian moue at Jiang Cheng. “Hey, you’re my brother, you’re supposed to defend me!” Wei WuXian complained as he threw an accusatory glare at Jiang Cheng.

The other continued to tease his brother. “We’re brother, yes, but I’m not going to save your stupid ass every time you do something stupid although I have warned you before not to.”

Wei WuXian huffed in disbelief. “Excuse me but you’ve also assisted me in my ventures and even encourages me!” Wei WuXian protested and soon, both brothers once again fell under the same process of their brotherly bantering session with the Lotus Pier’s residents as their audience.

Jiang YanLi smiled at that sight, Jiang FengMian had a complicated look that was stuck between amusement and horror while Yu ZiYuan just sighed in exasperation at the two idiotic boys she called her sons while face-palming.

…

Wei WuXian couldn’t help but feel overwhelmingly unwell that morning.

His head was pounding, his throat felt itchy and sore, his mind was buzzing and every scent that entered his nostril simply made him want to throw up everything in his gut whether he had eaten or not. His senses became unbearably sensitive lately, ever since a week after his return from the Cloud Recesses, although he didn’t tell anyone about the sudden increase of senses yet. All that they knew was that he had become unbearably nauseated lately to the point of puking and he could no longer consume anything that was heavily induced in spices or oozing an overwhelmingly strong scent.

For the umpteenth time that day, Wei WuXian sat weakly by the parlour after once again throwing his guts into the bucket, which was conveniently been placed there by the servants in the Lotus Pier. It was since the young master had been throwing up his guts for days on and so unexpectedly too that they simply put buckets at any suitable place.

(It was also because of Yu ZiYuan’s order to put buckets all around Lotus Pier that no one dared to question. Although, they did try their best not to spread the demand coming from the Madam of the Lotus Pier, just to avoid incurring her wrath. Still, the servants couldn’t help but feel a little bit touched by her consideration for her adopted son’s use, despite not showing the world outside how fond she was of the omega.)

Wei WuXian wiped his lips with the handkerchief he had fittingly brought along with him, considering how unpredictable his stomach would be when it came to him puking his guts out. The omega gave a loud and exhausted sigh at that as he sat tiredly on the smooth plank, leaning wearily against the pillar. He closed his eyes for a moment, enjoying the gentle breeze coming from the lotus pond nearby, bringing with them the pleasant scent of lotus flowers, successfully managing to calm him down.

Unconsciously, his hand slithered towards his covered neck, his fingertips brushing against the leather collar that served to prevent scent other than his own to ooze out of him. He knew that after a night spent with Lan WangJi back in his JingShi, he was for sure confirm that the alpha’s scent would surely be sticking to him for several days.

(It was to be expected with how much they went that night, especially when Lan WangJi kept on engulfing him with his domineering scent. He wouldn’t admit it out loud, not even to himself but sometimes, he would unconsciously wander back to how soothing and addictive Lan WangJi’s sandalwood scent made him. It was even more proven when the omega in him purred on each thought they had about Lan WangJi’s scent.)

However, he had expected that in a week or so, the scent would be gone and only his scent would linger around him, as it usually did. It’s almost a month and Lan WangJi’s scent had yet to disappear, and Wei WuXian was getting exasperated and anxious by it.

‘It can’t be that―’ he thought for a moment before forcefully trying to push those thoughts away. Nonetheless, that thought still lingered around the corner of his mind, getting louder during the night as he lied on his bed and was about to sleep.

He wanted it to be untrue, merely a false assumption his frantic mind made up. Yet, there’s a minor part in his mind that was hoping that it was true and that indeed he was―

Wei WuXian snapped out from his momentary daze, his eyes widened in surprise as he tried to refocus his mind to reality and away from his ridiculous mind. He couldn’t help but scoff at himself for earlier.

With a shake of his head, he stood up and went towards where the noise had come from.

There, a few feet ahead of him, was the new group of newly recruited junior disciples of YunmengJiang Sect and they were all running around like headless chickens.

Well, most of them were while a few tried to keep a cold-headed, although they seemed to be failing.

Wei WuXian sighed as he looked at the source of the problem.

Oh, it’s just Yu ZiYuan’s pot of flowers. Her favourite one too actually. Now shattered into pieces as the flower, the red rose Jiang FengMian had gotten her from his trip to some foreign land a few months back, laid pathetically on the ground. Next to the destroyed plant and pot were a few wooden swords (God knew how the heck they had gotten there) lying pitifully next to the crime scene.

Wei WuXian merely looked at the juniors and stated that “You juniors are so dead when Madam Yu see this mess,” he simply said out loud, which caused the already panicked juniors to panic even more than before. Some were running like lunatics, some just stood there resigned at their spots, some just stared blankly into oblivion and the dramatic ones kneeled on the ground either praying to Gods to save them from Yu ZiYuan’s infamous wrath or writing a will (with a paper and an ink brush Wei WuXian wondered where they stored them under their robes) for the upcoming storm.

Some didn’t miss the opportunity to go ahead towards Wei WuXian with snotty and crying faces. “Senior Wei, you have to help us! We don’t mean to break Madam Yu’s flower! We’re just practising the swords and suddenly, it went out from our hands and… and…!” One of the juniors tried to speak but Wei WuXian barely paid them any attention when his head suddenly felt dizzy.

He glanced upward a little bit, where the sun was supposedly shining brightly on the sky only to realize the said sun was hidden behind the clouds. However, despite the small fact, his headache was yet to be subsided as his head kept on getting heavier and heavier to the point he could barely focus and kept his eyes open. He blinked a few times when he heard silence, the juniors ceased talking when they noticed the state of their (favourite) teacher (and everyone knew that).

“Senior Wei, are you okay?”

“Senior Wei, Senior Wei, please don’t faint now!”

“Someone goes and call the physician here!”

“Sect Leader Jiang! Sect Leader Jiang!”

Wei WuXian tried to focus on what was going on, but it was hard to do so, especially when he tried to stay upright and smiled at the juniors in assurance. It didn’t do any good though, because they all noticed how he was trembling, how pale his face was and the fact his usually cheery smile seemed strained.

“Calm down children, I’m fine…” he said, trying to calm the hysteric children down but he was failing in doing that because they continued to panic.

That was until Yu ZiYuan came.

“Tell me, who the hell broke the pot of the roses my husband gave to me?!” she roared as she glared at the juniors.

They all stopped on track, for a moment, before they ran towards her.

“Madam Yu! Madam Yu! We need your help! Xian-gege… Xian-gege…”

Yu ZiYuan’s anger seemed to subside at that as she immediately looked at Wei WuXian who tried to smile at her, although he was failing as the smile looked more forced than ever. Even his whole body was trembling, simply trying to keep up the facade that he was in a fine condition.

The woman frowned at that. She had her suspicion but, she needed something much more solid to confirm her intuition.

“Wei Ying, what’s wrong? Didn’t A-Li had already told you to stay rested in your room?” Yu ZiYuan reprimanded the boy as she walked closer towards him.

Wei WuXian shrugged. “I was bored staying all day long in the room so, I go out. Besides, I have been cooped in the room since yesterday, I’m just ready to combust if I don’t go out!” Wei WuXian whined with a sheepish grin on his face, causing Yu ZiYuan to roll her eyes and some disciples to snicker or giggle at their teacher’s childish exclamation.

“Well, that doesn’t change the fact that you’re still under the weather Wei Ying. Go back to your room. I’ll ask some servants to send some porridge to your room later,” Yu ZiYuan said, as she glared at the juniors as if saying, ‘We’re still not done yet. Doesn’t mean you all are off the hook just because I can’t scold you now.’ She seemed to be saying so, just through her gaze alone, which made the juniors shudder, and some thought in horror because their Senior Wei wouldn’t be there to rescue them like before.

Wei WuXian nodded, as he stood up from his sitting position. His fingers were massaging his throbbing temple as he tried to bow to Yu ZiYuan. “Alright, Madam Yu. If that’s what you―?” he was about to finish his words when the throbbing of his mind suddenly throbbed heavily, much more so than before, as he clutched on his head.

Startled by the sudden groan coming from Wei WuXian, Yu ZiYuan wasted no time to help the youth to lean on her. “Wei Ying, Wei Ying, what’s wrong?” concern laced in her voice as Yu ZiYuan asked Wei WuXian. Her hold was steady and careful around the omega, trying her hardest as not to crush the delicate omega in her grip.

“M-Madam Yu…” Wei WuXian groaned before he glanced at her.

Then, he blacked out.

He missed the way Yu ZiYuan and the juniors screamed his name as he fell limp onto Yu ZiYuan’s body. All he could think at the moment was Lan WangJi and Lan WangJi alone before his world turned black and he fainted on Yu ZiYuan’s body.

…

Wei WuXian woke up with a heavy head and a groan.

He whined at how his head throbbed painfully as if an elephant was stomping on his head, as groggily he opened his eyes. He winced at the sudden brightness that hit him when he tried to open his eyes, although he managed to do so after a few tries.

Imagine how surprised he was to note that the entire Jiang family was sitting all around him, surrounding him from every corner.

What’s more concerning was the expression on their face.

Jiang FengMian was in disbelief.

Jiang Cheng seemed like he was ready to snap someone’s neck and whip them with Zidian all at the same time.

Yu ZiYuan looked like she was ready to murder someone.

Jiang YanLi appeared to be sad.

However, the obvious similarity that he could see from their expression was, they were worried.

Worried? Worried about what, he wondered.

“Ah… What happened?” Wei WuXian asked sheepishly as he nervously played with the edge of the blanket that was used to cover his tired body. (He noticed that he was in the Lotus Pier infirmary.)

“What do you mean by, ‘What happened,’ you little shit?” Jiang Cheng asked, earning him a disappointed look from Jiang YanLi and a twin sigh of exasperation from his parents.

“A-Cheng, be nice. A-Xian just woke up. Do you not remember what Healer Guo said earlier? Excessive excitement and stress aren’t good for his condition.” Jiang YanLi reprimanded her brother before she looked at Wei WuXian, a sympathetic smile on her face as she grasped Wei WuXian’s hands. “A-Xian, how are you feeling? Are you okay? Do you want us to bring you anything?” she asked as she tried to soothe the omega with her gentle beta pheromone.

Wei WuXian looked at her, confusion etched on his face before he shook his head. “No, it’s nothing. I’m okay,” he said in assurance with a tired smile. “Although, what happens actually?” he asked.

Yu ZiYuan rolled her eyes as she walked closer towards her adopted son. “You faint at the practice field earlier,” she explained and Wei WuXian looked at her with an ‘o’ shaped mouth, as if saying ‘Oh’ at her words. She sighed before she lightly knocked the boy’s head, earning a yelp from the omega. “Do you have no idea how worried you make us, Wei Ying?! Suddenly passed out just like that? Ridiculous!” Yu ZiYuan scolded Wei WuXian as she looked down at him with narrowed eyes.

Wei WuXian simply laughed nervously at her words as he rubbed the back of his head bashfully. “Ah… It must be the sun,” he said as he anxiously laughed, trying to ignore the suspicion he already had.

“A-Xian…” Both Jiang FengMian and Jiang YanLi said as they looked at him with concern.

Jiang Cheng merely clicked his tongue, but still refused to elaborate on what the physician that had to check up on Wei WuXian had mentioned earlier.

In the end, it’s left for Yu ZiYuan to drop the bomb.

“Physician Guo has taken an evaluation over your condition while you’re faint and, well, you’re pregnant, Wei Ying.” Yu ZiYuan said with a hint of discomfort in her tone.

The omega gulped at the news, thinking that perhaps Yu ZiYuan was taking a new joy in teasing as he chuckled uneasily. He shook his head in denial. “N-no, that’s not f-funny, Madam Yu. Why would I be pregnant? That’s… That’s absurd!” he said as he tried to push away the possibility of him being pregnant because, it couldn’t be, right?

(Although, he still remembered and dreamed of the passionate night he spent with Lan WangJi, of the alpha claiming him the entire night until morning. Not to forget the fact that Lan WangJi’s sandalwood scent kept on clinging onto himself so stubbornly with no notice when it would disappear.)

“Wei WuXian,” Jiang Cheng suddenly spoke when he noticed how his brother was slowly getting hysteric at the news. “Wei WuXian,” he called again when the omega hadn’t heard him the first time. Wei WuXian slowly looked at him and it hurt him, his heart stung when he saw the teary eyes of Wei WuXian, clouded with fear and angst before he sighed. “You are pregnant, Wei WuXian. You know how Physician Guo won’t let her diagnosis be mistaken. She had already experimented with a few tests on you and it is confirmed that you are pregnant,” Jiang Cheng said as he tried to speak in a soft tone. (It was a feat in itself that Jiang Cheng managed to do so, considering his domineering personality as an alpha.)

It was silent for a moment ― too silent and too quiet ― as Wei WuXian’s body trembled in consternation.

“Who’s the father?” Yu ZiYuan asked.

Wei WuXian couldn’t answer, he couldn’t speak. He was too nervous, too anxious, and too frightened to answer as his body trembled. (Anyone who saw him at the moment could see it.)

“A-Xian…” Jiang FengMian called out for the agitated omega. “Is it Second Young Master Lan?” Jiang FengMian asked.

Wei WuXian looked at him, his eyes bewildered before he scrambled his hands towards his neck only to find that the collar that he wore to suppress Lan WangJi’s scent was gone. Immediately, his heartbeats seemed to be quickened as his complexion began to get paler than usual.

“Where… where…?”

A chorus of sighs could be heard from everyone, except Jiang YanLi as she hugged Wei WuXian. “Oh, you poor child,” she said as she caressed Wei WuXian’s back gently. “How did this happen A-Xian? Did… Did Second Young Master Lan force himself on you?” Jiang YanLi asked.

Wei WuXian instantly shook his head in denial. “No! No, Lan… Lan Zhan wouldn’t do that! I know him, Lan Zhan won’t ever force himself on anyone!” Wei WuXian as he tried to defend the alpha.

“Then, what about you? Does Lan WangJi know that you’re pregnant with his child?” Jiang Cheng asked with a snarl as he stared at Wei WuXian with his eyes narrowed down. He wasn’t exactly angry at his foster brother, but instead, he was furious at Lan WangJi for daring to put his dirty hands on his brother and then, planting a child in him.

Weakly, Wei WuXian shook his head in refutation. “He… Lan Zhan… He doesn’t know. I… I’m not sure if I am pregnant, that’s why I never mention it to anyone.” Wei WuXian said in an almost defeated voice, which was the opposite of himself considering how the omega always seemed so energetic and boisterous to be considered a typical omega.

All of them couldn’t help but feel worried about him.

Yu ZiYuan sighed as she caressed the omega’s head gently, something she so rarely did but still welcomed. Wei WuXian couldn’t help but purr in comfort at the gentle treatment coming from someone with a brute personality like Yu ZiYuan. “Do you even intend on telling him, Wei Ying?” she asked.

Wei WuXian seemed as if he was struck by Zidian when his body suddenly froze up. He was silent for a while before he shook his head once again in refusal. “No. I… I mean, I want to but… but I don’t know how Lan Zhan would react to the news. Heck, I don’t even know if he likes me enough to even want to have a family together!” Wei WuXian said shakily as he tried to stop himself from crying. (It was true what the omega mothers he had met told him before. They became incredibly overemotional during their pregnancy and now, Wei WuXian was feeling it himself. Damn hormones!)

“But you love him right, A-Xian?” Jiang YanLi asked.

Wei WuXian looked at the female beta in front of him, their hands still clasping together. He gave her hands another squeeze before he slowly nodded. “I… I love him, I love Lan Zhan but, I don’t know if he loves me back or not.”

“Then it settles,” Jiang FengMian suddenly said. “We’ll send an envoy to the Cloud Recesses to talk about your marriage to HanGuang-Jun. Third Lady, if you’re willing?” Jiang FengMian asked as he looked at his wife.

Yu ZiYuan cleared her throat at the look her husband sent her before she looked away. (There’s a faint trace of blush on her cheeks, which no one tried to point out because just imagine what Yu ZiYuan would do to them if they dared to point it out?) “Hm, it settles then. I will gather a few of our best disciples to go to the Cloud Recesses for the proposal. Then, we’ll immediately discuss the dowry with the GusuLan Sect.” Yu ZiYuan said as she nodded in approval.

Wei WuXian only got exasperated by the sudden decision. “B-but, Uncle Jiang, Madam Yu, I… I don’t want to impose any of you on this. What… What if Lan Zhan doesn’t want to marry me? I don’t want to be with him if Lan Zhan doesn’t want me…” Wei WuXian cried out as his words pierced through his heart at the thought of the alpha didn’t want him.

Yu ZiYuan was about to protest but a look from her daughter stopped her from doing so. Jiang YanLi gave a small sigh before she smiled at the omega. Gently, she gave his hands another gentle squeeze. “But you do want Second Young Master Lan as your alpha, right? You also want him to be the father of your child, correct?” she asked.

With a blushing face, Wei WuXian shyly nodded at her claims.

“Then it settles. Tomorrow, the YunmengJiang Sect will send an envoy to the Cloud Recesses to talk with HanGuang-Jun and to discuss your dowry and marriage,” Jiang YanLi stated and from the way she spoke, she left no room for Wei WuXian to object ― not like he was capable of doing so with how to stunt he was from how Jiang YanLi asserted her dominance despite being a beta.

Seeing no further protests coming from the (stubborn) omega, the rest of the Jiang family look at each other as they made their decision.

Tomorrow, they will be going to the Cloud Recesses to confront the alpha that had impregnated their omega and demand him take responsibility.

…

It had been a day after they received the letter from the YunmengJiang Sect and the people at the Cloud Recesses were busy preparing the place to receive the envoy from the sect.

Lan XiChen knocked on his brother’s room, the JingShi.

It was a few moments later, after hearing cotton and silk rustling against each other in an indication of movements, did Lan WangJi opened the door. He saluted his brother, his head slightly bowed. “Hello, Brother,” he said before he stood upright once again. “Has the envoy from the YunmengJiang Sect arrived yet?” he asked, as monotone as ever was his voice but Lan XiChen could hear the bit of excitement in the voice of his brother as he saw how his brother’s golden eyes gleamed in anxiousness and enthusiasm.

Lan XiChen hid his smile behind his sleeve at his brother’s anticipation, but he didn’t bother to hide his chuckle; amused at his brother’s clear eagerness. He only smiled when he noticed the scowl on his brother’s face, although, to anyone else eyes, there was no change whatsoever on Lan WangJi’s blank face.

“WangJi, Uncle asks for your presence at the entrance gate to greet the YunmengJiang Sect’s convoy. They will be arriving by this afternoon, at most, as per the letter has mentioned.” Lan XiChen said.

Lan WangJi nodded and after closing the door to the JingShi, the two brothers walked towards the entrance gate as gracefully and elegantly as they had always been.

Lan QiRen, at seeing the sight of his two nephews sighed in relief, before gesturing for them to stand closer to him, alongside the rest of the few GusuLan Sect members.

“Uncle,” both Lan XiChen and Lan WangJi greeted their uncle with a salute. The old man merely stroked his goatee with a small, satisfied, nod.

“XiChen, WangJi.”

It was a few minutes later before they saw the YunmengJiang Sect convoy, all in their purple and black glory with their significant flags, with the iconic shape of a purple lotus flower insignia, fluttered through the air as proudly as the lotus bloomed across the lakes in Yunmeng. As expected, the YunmengJiang Sect Leader, Jiang FengMian was leading the convoy with Yu ZiYuan flying on her spiritual sword next to her husband. 

As soon as the husband-and-wife duo arrived in front of the gate, Jiang FengMian dismounted his spiritual sword before going to help his wife. Yu ZiYuan refused his help with a harrumph; her cheeks were dusted in red before she reluctantly accepted it when Jiang FengMian seemed to be stubborn enough over it.

(Lan QiRen force himself not to roll his eyes at the married couple. As usual, those two always played hard to get ― well, Yu ZiYuan at least. Jiang FengMian was mostly the constipated one in their relationship, dense in a way or two about the other’s feelings. It was no wonder that Wei WuXian was equally dense, despite not being blood-related to Jiang FengMian. It seemed that the brat had learned it from Jiang FengMian himself. Lan QiRen forced himself to remember the GusuLan Sect rules so as not to let himself face-palm there and then at the remembrance.)

“Sect Leader Lan, Lan QiRen, Second Young Master Lan,” Jiang FengMian greeted as he and Yu ZiYuan saluted the three of them, followed by Jiang Cheng who had accompanied the couple to the Cloud Recesses.

“Sect Leader Jiang, Madam Yu, Young Master Jiang,” Lan QiRen greeted in response as he and his nephews saluted them.

Jiang FengMian smiled at them, as graceful and gentle as it had always been. “I’m sure that I have already explained the importance of this marriage proposal through the letter that I have sent you. Perhaps, we should discuss such a delicate matter in privacy?” he suggested as he glanced at the GusuLan Sect members along with his own YunmengJiang Sect members that had gathered all around them.

Lan QiRen only nodded before he led them inside.

…

The Violet Room was as elegantly decorated as it always had been whenever it was ready to accommodate any guests that came to the Cloud Recesses. Despite the mundane appearance of white and blue of the people of the GusuLan Sect, it was never to be denied that they certainly have an eye when it came to elegant decorating.

“Please have a seat, Sect Leader Jiang, Madam Yu, Young Master Jiang,” Lan XiChen said as he insisted their guests sit before he and both his brother and uncle followed suit afterwards. “We have seen that your fellow disciples have been brought to another guest room that could fit them all by our disciples,” Lan XiChen added with that trade serene smile of his as he signalled one of the helpers to pour tea into the prepared cups.

Jiang FengMian nodded as he gave him the same smile that seemed to be reflecting Lan XiChen’s smile. “I’m glad to hear that, Sect Leader Lan,” he said before he winced when his wife pinched him not so gently at his waist. He chuckled nervously while Jiang Cheng tried not to sigh in exasperation at his parents. “It seems like my wife doesn’t want to delay this matter much so, let me get straight to the point.” At that, Yu ZiYuan gave a glare at her husband and Jiang Cheng tried hard not to facepalm himself at the exclamation.

Seriously, couldn’t his parents try not to flirt-banter in front of these three Lans?

Lan XiChen chuckled at that as he nodded. “Of course, Sect Leader Jiang, we understand the urgency of this matter. We have already talked with the elders about the prospect of the marriage between WangJi and Young Master Wei, and despite begrudging, they all have agreed to the proposal.” Despite saying it in such a light and soft tone, they all could hear the hint of threats in that gentle voice if the elders refused the engagement between his brother and Wei WuXian.

The Jiangs all nodded in satisfaction at that as Yu ZiYuan sipped on her tea. “If the matter with your Lan elders had been settled, should we talk about the date of the marriage?”

Lan XiChen nodded. “Yes, the date. We also have gone to see one of the monks that, we can assure you, are very well trusted and estimable to look for an auspicious date for WangJi and Young Master Wei’s wedding. Just yesterday, after we had asked her, she informed us that the best date would be during the next new moon date, which is a month away from now.” Lan XiChen said as he tried to hide his chuckle at the barely concealed excitement as he looked over at Lan WangJi. Not many would notice such an expression coming from the aloof brother of his, but Lan XiChen couldn’t help but notice the way Lan WangJi’s golden eyes lighted up at the mention of his marriage with the omega that had taken his heart, soul, body, and mind, the way his lips trembled as if to avoid himself smile at the mention and the way he gripped his robes, his hands trembling at the force as he tried his very best not to combust there and then.

How very unlikely of his brother, Lan XiChen admitted, but very much welcomed by the older brother.

Yu ZiYuan, as the representative of the maternal side of the entourage, nodded in agreement as she glared at both her husband and son when she noted that they both seemed to want to protest about the date. She most definitely could guess whatever these two father and son duos were about to say. “Plenty of time I say, for the marriage preparation. Besides, as I have told you, the pregnancy was barely a month old, so I agree,” she said as she glanced at the Jiang FengMian and Jiang Cheng as they both cowered under her gaze. She rolled her eyes at that.

Overprotective idiots.

At least they’re her idiots, so she needed to be responsible for any idiotic moves these two would make.

At the mention of pregnancy, Lan XiChen and Lan QiRen flinched at that while Lan WangJi merely seemed to be glowing at that news. Most likely delighted by the fact that he had managed to impregnate the omega that he had longed for.

It was obvious that even the Jiang family that hadn’t spent much time with Lan WangJi, except for Wei WuXian, could see it.

‘Stupid Lan alpha…’ both Jiang Cheng and Yu ZiYuan thought the same things with a scowl while Jiang FengMian was indeterminate whether to feel annoyed by it or happy that Lan WangJi seemed to be glad over the news.

‘The Lan alphas are confusing sometimes…’ Jiang FengMian thought in the end with a sigh.

“About that, we all are still sorry about it. While we are glad about this marriage, we hope it will happen under different consequences.” Lan XiChen said with an awkward smile as he nursed his cup of tea nervously while Lan QiRen stroke his goatee in capitulation.

“Don’t regret,” Lan WangJi said shamelessly as he admitted his deed, not even an ounce of remorse could be found neither in his voice nor his words, as he stared proudly at the adopted family of his omega.

Jiang Cheng tried not to strangle the alpha in front of him, Yu ZiYuan was a second away from trying to test Zidian on this fool of an alpha while Jiang FengMian was overwhelmed with the need to punish this alpha and force him to swim a few dozen laps in the cold water of the lakes surrounding Lotus Pier.

Meanwhile, Lan XiChen just wanted to dig himself a deep, deep, and he meant a very deep hole so, he could bury himself in the said hole and never came out to see the light again at his brother’s forwardness and shamelessness. Lan QiRen seemed to be more than ready to combust there as his face was so red as if he had just accidentally eaten Wei WuXian’s spicy congee (again).

Lan WangJi was just so happy and pleased that he would soon be marrying Wei WuXian and officially claimed the other as his mate to care what kind of chaos had he brewed with only two words he had said.

…

It was a week before the wedding and Wei WuXian was already at the Cloud Recesses, in the guest pavilion for the rest of the week awaiting his wedding day. Usually, as per tradition, the bride should be at their family household for the remainder of the wedding preparation, until the groom arrived to escort the bride back to their new family household. However, taken into consideration that the distance between Yunmeng territory and Gusu territory were hundreds of li away from one another.

To cut the time of the travel and to ensure the smoothness of the wedding, both families had agreed to have Wei WuXian stay in Cloud Recesses a week before the wedding. Jiang FengMian and Yu ZiYuan were both still at the Lotus Pier, still needing to organize something by the sect before leaving for the Cloud Recesses for their adopted son’s wedding. However, Jiang YanLi and Jiang Cheng, along with a few trusted disciples, had come with him for the week before accompanying him before the date of the wedding.

“Well, as the bride, of course, A-Xian is forbidden to meet with his groom before the wedding day.” Jiang YanLi chastised when Wei WuXian whined at her about how he missed seeing Lan WangJi and wanted to see the alpha now that he was at the Cloud Recesses.

Jiang Cheng scoffed as he sat by the study table that was conveniently placed not far but a few feet away from the bed, where Jiang YanLi and Wei WuXian sat. His fingers unconsciously played with the Zidian that settled nicely around his finger, the ring his mother had entrusted him to deter any alpha (a.k.a. Lan WangJi) from approaching his (pregnant) omega brother. God, he still couldn’t believe that the stupid, dense, and naive brother of his was pregnant.

“Just listen to A-Jie, Wei WuXian. She’s right, you know she is, and don’t even try to deny it,” Jiang Cheng said as he rolled his eyes when he noted the way his brother pouted at his words, definitely lost at words as to deny him. He had wanted to say something else if he was honest. Like, he wasn’t allowed to meet Lan WangJi. He wouldn’t let that stupid predatory alpha touch him with that dirty paws of his, again, as he did before ― being the reason why they were there at the moment. He wasn’t going to let that alpha have his way with his brother when they met again, before the wedding, because God helped him, he was going to kill the alpha if he dared to put his filthy hand on his omega brother.

Wei WuXian could only sigh in disappointment at his brother’s rejection of not allowing him to meet with Lan WangJi before the wedding. He had wanted to clear a few things before they were tied together for life, literally and figuratively, and one of them being, was Lan WangJi being forced into the wedding or was he not?

If the answer was the former, he would immediately call off the wedding because as much as it would hurt that the alpha didn’t truly want him, Wei WuXian still wished for the alpha’s happiness. If this wedding was doing the opposite of it, Wei WuXian would do anything to please that alpha that had captured his fragile omega heart.

However, if the answer was the latter, sure, Wei WuXian would be happy because that’s mean he could be together with the alpha. He would share his family’s name, be beside him all the time, be covered by his dominating scent, and grow a family together with him. God knew how long had he longed for the alpha, for Lan WangJi. To have his scent on him without any discretion, to bear both Lan WangJi’s mating mark and his child (officially) ― it would mean the whole world for the omega. He still remembered during his adolescent years, the way he arrogantly spoke about how he would survive without an alpha, how he didn’t need an alpha because he could take care of himself just fine, thank you very much.

It’s still a fact that Wei WuXian was an unruly and not a traditionally approved omega, but the arrogant words he spoke back then were rebuked when he met Lan WangJi. It was then he realized how the alpha was slowly taking his heart piece by piece until that very heart was no longer his to be controlled and contained. He still could and would survive without an alpha but, he could give one and the only exception to Lan WangJi.

Jiang YanLi giggled as she watched her brothers bantering with one another, knowing that they wouldn’t be able to do so after Wei WuXian’s marriage, well as often as they used to. She brushed Wei WuXian’s hair, gently yet precisely to untangle any knots Wei WuXian’s hair was prone to have as she was left with her thoughts.

She was happy about the marriage, knowing how much Wei WuXian adore Lan WangJi and vice versa (from what she can tell when she went to greet Lan’s second young master. No one could fake the look of pure bliss and glee Lan WangJi wore, despite it being slightly hidden by the other’s usual look of aloofness). However, she had wished that their marriage wasn’t so rushed, to allow them more time with Wei WuXian before he was whisked away to Cloud Recesses to stay with his husband. She had also wished that Lan WangJi, who was always rumoured to be a man of the gentry, known for his courteousness and honorability would have even a semblance of respect and self-restraint to not sully her brother before even sending a betrothal request, to properly ask Wei WuXian and her family to marry the omega.

Jiang YanLi sighed; it was no use crying over spilt milk. The consummation had already happened, and soon, Wei WuXian will be married into the Lan clan.

“ShiJie, what do you thinking so deeply about?”

Jiang YanLi snapped from her thought when she heard Wei WuXian’s question. She smiled, although it didn’t reach her face as she shook her head. “It’s nothing for A-Xian to worry about. Now, what about we talk about where you plan to go for the honeymoon with the Second Young Master Lan?” Jiang YanLi asked as she poked Wei WuXian’s nose.

“A-Jie, are you sure you’re okay?” Jiang Cheng asked after a moment, as he glanced worriedly at his sister.

Jiang YanLi smiled, “I’m sure, A-Cheng,” she assured before looking back at Wei WuXian, “Now, tell me about your honeymoon plan.”

Even though both Wei WuXian and Jiang Cheng seemed to inquire more about her, they decided to let it go as Wei WuXian beamed a little at the thought of spending alone time with Lan WangJi.

…

The day of the wedding arrived, and despite GusuLan Sect’s penchant for simple elegance, the Cloud Recesses were decorated in red silks to celebrate the wedding of their second young master with the head disciple of YunmengJiang Sect. As per tradition, a red sedan was waiting for Wei WuXian in front of the pavilion he was sent to stay for the remainder of his week staying at the Cloud Recesses for the wedding. Jiang YanLi and Yu ZiYuan had already finished dressing him up in his red wedding robe and putting the red veil on by the time the red sedan arrived.

Wei WuXian stared at the sedan in nervousness as he tightly held onto the red handkerchief Jiang YanLi had given to him beforehand. Yu ZiYuan and Jiang FengMian had just arrived a couple of days before the wedding, and both of them had brought their parents’ tablets for the wedding ceremony. It had brought tears to Wei WuXian’s eyes, happy that his parents could attend his wedding, despite not being able to physically be there.

As soon as Wei WuXian settled in the sedan comfortably, the six people that Cloud Recesses had tasked to carry the sedan began to walk toward the ancestral hall where the wedding ceremony would proceed.

Wei WuXian was surprised when he was nearing the ancestral hall, he could hear the sounds of firecrackers exploding near the hall. Wei WuXian huffed at that in amusement, at least they didn’t let their rules hold them back from celebrating the wedding of one of their young masters.

As Wei WuXian was about to get out of the sedan, an elderly woman, one he recognized to be one of the elders and, a distant relative of the main Lan family, greeted him.

“Wei WuXian, welcome to the Cloud Recesses. Please, let me escort you to WangJi,” she said before taking his hand into hers. Wei WuXian was a little stunt as he let himself be pulled by the elder toward Lan WangJi who was waiting for him by the entrance. Lan WangJi was wearing the same design of wedding robe, albeit he was decorated with the cloud motifs GusuLan Sect was famed for, and his usual white forehead ribbon was replaced with a red forehead ribbon, most likely to symbolize the fact he was getting married to Wei WuXian.

“Wei Ying,” Lan WangJi said as he offered his hand to Wei WuXian. Gingerly, Wei WuXian placed his hand on top of Lan WangJi’s, before Lan WangJi held his hand and intertwined their fingers together. Both bowed toward the woman, before slowly walking toward the ancestral hall. From behind his red veil, he could already see Lan QiRen and Lan XiChen seated on one side, and Jiang FengMian and Yu ZiYuan on the other side, both holding his parents’ tablets each. Jiang Cheng and Jiang YanLi were already seated next to their parents as they both stared at Wei WuXian, Jiang YanLi’s eyes were already misted with unshed tears.

The whole ceremony was a smooth event. After the couple finished with the bowing ceremony, signalling their marriage in front of heaven and earth, the families, and to each other, before proceeding to the tea ceremony. Wei WuXian had to admit that he was nervous, his hands were shaking slightly as he poured the tea to Lan QiRen, knowing how much the older man dislike him. However, Lan QiRen displayed none of those emotions as he gracefully accepted the tea.

After all is done, Lan XiChen proceeded to the Lan part of the ceremony, by presenting Wei WuXian his forehead ribbon, symbolizing his acceptance into the Lan family. Lan WangJi also tied his forehead ribbon around both of their wrists, to show that aside from his family, Wei WuXian (and their future children) would be the only people that were allowed to touch his forehead ribbon, and also those that he would not be restraining himself from.

After the ceremony ended, Wei WuXian as the bride was ushered toward the bridal chamber, also Lan WangJi’s JingShi after the first wedding banquet was held to celebrate the union between the couple. Lan WangJi on the other hand, despite wanting to be with Wei WuXian, had to stay at the banquet despite him wanting to just forsake it altogether. Alas, his bride had already been whisked away from him and he could not do anything about it.

However, when it was already nearing hai shi, Lan WangJi was excused by his family and in-law to greet Wei WuXian in the JingShi.

...

Mao shi: 5:00 - 7:00 am

Hai Shi: 9:00 - 11:00 pm

...

I hope you guys enjoy it. Initially, I actually planned to include the wedding night ceremony process as well (the wine drinking, knotting and cutting hair stuff etc) then I figured out I don't know much about it, nor am I well averse to it (despite numerous Googling) so, have to scrap that one out. If I didn't, it would be much longer than this hahaha.

It didn’t stop there because earlier last year, my step grandmother [on my dad’s side] also passed away, not sure why. Then again, I didn’t know her much tbh. So yeah, it has been quite a gloomy time. And oh, i also have a fallen out with a close friend of mine too so, there’s that. I haven’t had quite a good year but at least my CGPA hasn’t suffered? T~T

Anyway, I’ll be continue writing for these upcoming few days before I have to go back to campus next week (ahahaha, someone help me, I don’t want to return there yet), to continue my study. The progress will be slow but at least, there’s progress I guess? After this post, I’ll be posting one fanfic I have finished writing so, i hope you enjoy that one. It’ll take a while but it will be posted afterward.

(Also, if you guys noticed, I reblog a lil something yesterday and yeah, guess who has entered a new fandom? Come talk about ORV and JoongDok in the comment section or through reblog too - or come talk to me through my other social media! See’ya in a bit!)

At first I was planning to go on hiatus for a few months, after one hell of a semester I had in 2020 and 2021, which honestly really just stressing me more than ever. And then, I got burnout with a lot of stuff, writing being one of them so, I told myself to hold back for a few more weeks, for a month or so. And then, I got back to my studies, yeah.

My mental health isn’t that great either. I got diagnosed twice (or maybe three, but honestly, I can’t remember how many times though), and my doc changed my meds every couple of months because some meds works and some don’t and- it’s a lot. (Good news though, I’ve finally found a doctor [psychiatrist?] that I’m comfortable with and for the past few months, I can see few improvements here and there with my mental health but, it’s still a long ride though.)

And then, around mid September, my maternal grandfather caught COVID and, considering we’re two states away from where my grandfather was, and also movement restriction in my country at that time, we couldn’t visit my grandfather (after the doctor there said he’s cured from it). But I guess the doctor might have misdiagnosed or something because not a week after, around the end of September, my grandfather died from COVID. It’s probably one of the hardest things our family face that year, especially for my mom because my grandfather was the only parent she had left after my late grandmother died from breast cancer when she was in her final year in uni.

Not a month later, my aunt (via marriage to my mom’s older brother) died too, from her respiration problem. (It’s not COVID, just she already suffered from another health issue before.) Again, we couldn’t visit her either, because at that time, my whole family went along with my dad for his meeting out of state and yeah.

And then, in the end of December, my step-grandmother (I think. My dad’s family tree is confusing af) died too, although I’m not sure what’s the cause of her death to be honest. All of it has been too sudden to be honest so, yeah.

Uni also has been... tough. Not gonna lie, I love the subjects I took but some are just... stressing the heck out of me. Especially when some lecturers are such a perfectionist. Love them but boy, they do sure make the class tougher than I expected.

Anyway, it won’t be an immediate thing, but I’ll try to return slowly. And! I have some fics I somehow managed to finish (surprisingly) so, I’ll be positing some of them every once in a while. Not as often as before, but at least I won’t be going silent as much. Last but not least, thank you for everyone that’s still sticking with me to this point, even though I haven’t be writing much, nor been online much. I hope you guys have a wonderful days and years, and have a good day.