Chapter Text
It wasn’t that Wei Wuxian wasn’t expecting it, he truly was.
After all, he’d watched as his beloved Shi-Jie was betrothed to the peacock.
He’d heard about the scandal of Lan Xichen and Nie Mingjue promising to wed one another, with them both being Alphas, and then the second scandal that ensued when Lan Xichen brought the Omega bastard son of Jin Guangshan into the relationship, giving him just as many rights as Nie Mingjue.
Jin Guangshan had been especially annoyed about that one.
Especially because, as he refused to acknowledge Meng Yao as his own, he was unable to claim any sort of rewards for the marriage, nor was he able to state that the Jin family had any ties to the Gusu Lan Sect.
It was a bitter disappointment to him.
Back to the matter at hand though, he had also watched Jiang Cheng get betrothed to the Omega, second Young master of the Nie Sect, Nie Huaisang.
So, of course he was expecting an engagement of some sorts, but to a lowly sect… the third or fourth Alpha male of a lowly Sect maybe, as he was just the Head Disciple of the Sect. Not even an adopted son, not officially.
“Lan Wangji?” Wei Wuxian whispered, when his Uncle told him the news, “As in… the Second Childe of Lan?”
They’d met a year ago when Wei Ying went to study there, along with Jiang Cheng, Shi-Jie and numerous other Sect heirs.
Lan Wangji HATED him.
“It’s a solid partnership.” Jiang Fengmian seemed a little sympathetic, but battled on, none-the-less, “You are both strong cultivators, and with him being an Alpha and yourself an Omega, it seemed like the perfect idea.”
“But-but he hates me, and-and Lan Qiren hates me!” Wei Ying’s eyes widened, “I-I can’t! The rules! I can’t follow all those rules!”
“You’ll have to.” Madam Yu snapped, “I won’t have all this hard work ruined because you couldn’t control yourself!”
Wei Ying felt a little ill.
“When- “
“- All the official ceremonies are going to be held within the space of the spring months next year.” Jiang Fengmian sighed, “You have until then to get to know each other properly.”
Wei Ying didn’t hold much out hope there.
………………
Nothing.
Lan Zhan had avoided him successfully for well over three months now, only showing up for meals when he had to.
One by one, the other siblings had gotten married.
Shijie and the Peacock.
Lan Xichen, Nie Mingjue and Meng Yao (and hadn’t that been a fun one).
Jiang Cheng and Nie Huaisang.
And now it was his turn.
Underneath the red veil, Wei Ying tried not to bite at his lip, staring at the doors which would lead them into the ceremonial hall. His stomach twisted uncomfortably, and he felt like he was going to pass out at any second.
Could he run?
No…not when the honour of the Jiang Sect was on the line.
Still, it wasn’t as though he was an actual member of the family… why would they agree to this alliance?
Why would the Gusu Lan Sect agree to this?
He looked around, wondering if there was a way to get out of this still, only to hear a soft call of his name from the other direction, turning that way to see his Shi-jie heading towards him, Huaisang and Meng Yao following on behind her, the two male omegas looking a little concerned.
“You look beautiful.” Yanli whispered to him, “How do you feel?”
“Like I’m going to be sick.” He whispered, “He hates me!”
He never noticed how Huaisang and Meng Yao looked at each other, both looking a little exasperated. All he could focus on, was the soft smile on his Shi-Jie's face, “I know.” She whispered, “But we’re here for you.” He gestured behind her to Meng Yao, “A-Yao will always be here, even if we’re not, okay? He’s been through this before.”
“His Alphas love him though.”
“They do.” Meng Yao whispered, “But you need to trust us when we say that Lan Wangji isn’t unhappy with this pairing.”
He didn’t believe them, struggling to take in a deep breath as he felt Shi Jie place a steadying hand on his back.
“We’re right here.”
“Uncle Fengmian- “
“- Doesn’t deserve this honour.” He had never heard Yanli’s voice sounding so harsh, before she visibly took a breath, “Let me?”
“I- “
“A-Yao and A-Sang will be behind us.”
Wei Wuxian was starting to feel a little overwhelmed as Yanli continued.
“A-Cheng is distracting our parents though, so we have be quick.”
Taking a breath of his own, Wei Wuxian nodded, linking arms with his Shi-Jie, before the doors opened and he took his first steps. Through the red veil, he glanced at everyone gathered.
Madam Yu was glaring at him, even as Fengmian looked hurt by the sight of Yanli leading him down the aisle. Jiang Cheng was smiling though, as Nie Mingjue and Jin Zixuan practically gave heart eyes to their respective spouses.
Lan Xichen was standing up with Lan Wangji, who-
Why was his heart skipping a beat in the way that it was?
Why was his face heating up the way that it was?
As he neared the man, Wei Wuxian focused on his features, the details now a little sharper, even through the veil. The neatly pressed red robes, the golden eyes, the impassive look on his face… seriously not even a small smile.
With a jolt, Wei Wuxian remembered that Lan Wangji didn’t want to be here either, no matter what Meng Yao said.
A marriage was a marriage though.
He was under the protection of the Lans.
He would survive this.
--- 24 Years Later –
Wei Ying was dead.
He knew that he was dead.
Then why did it all hurt so much?
…
The Jin Disciples were scurrying through the woods, looking around nervously as the night made every sound ten times louder, and every uneasy feeling, ten times worse.
Over the past fifteen years, many hopeful disciples had made their way into this territory, and very few had been seen again. Those who did manage to make it back to Lanling, were never the same, ranting and raving uncontrollably before being shut away.
For their own good.
Their lanterns were held in front of them, but it did very little to break through the mist that surrounded these parts.
It wasn’t long before they stumbled across the burial ground, eyes widening in fear at the sight of decomposing corpses lying all around them, the vast majority wearing the golden robes of the Jin Sect. Red-eyed crows flew up away from the bodies, black feathers falling in their flurry to leave, revealing these corpses were in various states of decomposition.
Like someone had ransacked years upon years worth of graves and left the bodies out to be found.
The crows continued to caw, as the moon reflected off the red blood that stained the leaves and grass.
And then the sound of the flute echoed throughout the area, the crows all flying up, circling around a dark figure wearing a horned mask.
The eyes continued to glow though.
One by one, the corpses rose to their feet.
“THE YILING PATRIARCH! THE YILING PATRIARCH!”
Their warnings to the rest of the group did no good, as their screams echoed throughout the night.
The Yiling Patriarch died fifteen years ago, in an attack led by the Four Great Sects.
Those who were his family struck him down.
But he did not stay dead.