HAPPY HOLLYDAZE!! More Lady Mo if possible!!! ✨
a continuation of 52 53 54 55 56 57
"I believe," Lan Wangji says severely, "that what my wife does or does not do is no one's concern but mine."
Xuanyu raises an eyebrow at that, which he ignores. He knows exactly what she thinks about his concern regarding her actions. She'd been irritated that he was upset she faced fierce corpses alone, of all things.
Jin Zixun pales, but he must have a high opinion of his own importance because he says, "For fuck's sake, you're being ridiculous. A year ago no one would have cared if she drunk herself to death and now she can't even have a little wine?"
Lan Wangji does not make the conscious decision to unsheathe his blade, but there it is gleaming in his hand.
Jiang Yanli is being pushed back into her seat by her husband while her son stares wide eyed.
There's some intense shuffling from the Lan section. Although he doesn't turn around, he does hear Jingyi and Sizhui whispering furiously. He wonders who is restraining who.
Jiang Cheng is standing with a hand on his sword and no one is going to any effort to restrain him at all. Li Shuchun, the only one that might have a chance of it, is leaning back to exchange money with another Jiang disciple.
"This is quite enough!" Jin Guangshan shouts. "What's this about? Sect Leader Lan-"
"Oh, be quiet Father," Xuanyu says, getting to her feet and stepping forward to grab his hand and shove his hand down. "What's with you today, Wangji? Put that away." She's very close and glaring at him, so he resheathes his sword.
"Jin Xuanyu!" Jin Guangshan thunders.
She rolls her eyes, turning to Jin Zixun. She punches his shoulder, a move that he dodges instantly. Which leaves him wide open when she grabs his sword off his hip, tosses it to Jin Guangyao, and then drops to kick his legs out from under him.
She pushes down on his shoulder, keeping him on his knees, and says, "Wangji, dear, would you hold him for me?"
She called him dear.
He steps to grab Jin Zixun's wrists, keeping him in place.
"What are you doing?" he howls. "You can't just-"
"You wanted to drink, right?" she asks then picks up a wine bottle with one hand and pinches his nose shut with the other.
He opens his mouth and Xuanyu pours wine down his throat. He can either drink or drown.
"Come on," she says cheerfully, "don't you want to drink to another fruitful year? Have some more!"
He drinks until he's coughing and sputtering, eyes glassy. Everyone just watches, but then again who is there to say anything? Jin Zixuan is keeping himself firmly in his own seat and Jin Guangshan and Madame Jin are just staring, probably more interested in watching everyone else's reaction then anything else.
"There," she says once the bottle is empty. "Feeling better?"
"You're crazy," he coughs.
Xuanyu's grin widens. "I am the legitimate daughter of Sect Leader Jin. I am the wife of Hanguang Jun. What I am is someone who is above you. You're lucky I don't have you whipped for your impudence. Isn't he, Father?"
Jin Guangyao has never once made a fuss about his status, afraid that what was easily given could be easily taken. Xuanyu clearly is, because her own status can't be revoked without making a mockery of the Jin's treaty with the Lan, and Jin Guangshan either reaffirms her rights and privileges as his daughter or risks lowering the authority of the son he does favor - Jin Zixuan.
Lan Wangji is suddenly grateful that Xuanyu hadn't been interested in manipulating him to her benefit.
Jin Guangshan is nearly purple in rage, but he gets out through clenched teeth, "Yes, Xuanyu. Of course."
"Why has the music stopped?" she asks the hall, giving Lan Wangji a look. He lets go of Jin Zixun and can't help the curl of amusement when he falls flat on his face. "This is a banquet, after all!"
The music starts up again and conversation slowly starts once more as Jin Zixun stumbles from the hall. He doesn't want to leave her side, but she's seated by Jin Guangyao once more and chatting about the schedule for tomorrow. Jin Guangyao seems supremely relaxed, which Lan Wangji is given to believe that means he's laughing on the inside.
He sits down next to his brother, waiting for the scolding he rightfully deserves.
"Wangji," Xichen says seriously. "Don't take this the wrong way, but I think I love your wife."
He hides his smile behind his teacup.
