The next few days were an unsettling whirlwind for Wei Wuxian. Although he had made his decision—his path was now clear in his heart—the ripple effects of it reached far beyond him and Lan Wangji. His words still echoed in his mind: "I want this. I want you." Those were the words that had bound him to Lan Wangji, and yet now, he found himself standing on the precipice of familial obligations and traditions that seemed as distant to him as the sky itself.
As much as Wei Wuxian had longed for the freedom to live life on his own terms, his decision to be with Lan Wangji had placed him in a difficult position with his family. The Jiang clan, bound by their complex web of expectations, had yet to hear of his choice. The thought of how they might react stirred a deep, uneasy feeling in his stomach. He had never cared much for tradition, but even he couldn't ignore the weight of his last name.
The Jiang Manor
The gathering was small—family only—but the tension in the room was palpable. The patriarch, Jiang Fengmin, sat at the head of the table, his stern face giving little away, as his children and Wei Wuxian's closest kin waited for the announcement.
When Wei Wuxian stepped into the room, Jiang Fengmin's sharp eyes flicked over him, a calculating gaze beneath the calm exterior. The silence that followed felt thick, like everyone was waiting for something. Wei Wuxian opened his mouth, but the words died in his throat as his father's gaze lingered on him.
"What's this I hear about you and Lan Wangji?" Jiang Fengmin's voice was low, but firm. There was no anger, only a measure of disappointment Wei Wuxian had known all too well.
Before Wei Wuxian could respond, Jiang Cheng, his brother, shot him a look—half baffled, half concerned.
"You must know, Wei Wuxian, this is… this is complicated," Jiang Cheng said. "Marrying Lan Wangji? He's the heir to the Lan clan. What are you thinking?"
Wei Wuxian's stomach churned, but he stood tall. He knew his brother meant well, but he wasn't here to explain, wasn't here to ask for permission. It was his life, his decision. Yet Jiang Cheng's words stung—a reminder of all the things he would leave behind. He looked at his father, seeing the same tight line of his lips, the same silent expectation.
Jiang Fengmin's brow furrowed deeper. "Is this what you really want? Wei Wuxian, do you not understand the weight of what you're choosing? Marrying Lan Wangji would pull us into a realm far beyond our influence. And more importantly, you are the heir to the Jiang clan. This union could destabilize everything we've worked for."
Wei Wuxian took a deep breath. He had long learned that he could never meet his father's expectations. But in that moment, he could at least speak for himself.
"I've made my decision, Father," Wei Wuxian said, his voice steady. "I will marry Lan Wangji."
There was a silence that felt suffocating. His father did not immediately respond. Instead, he exchanged a brief glance with Madam Yu, who had been sitting beside him, her eyes narrowed with disapproval. In the stillness of that moment, Wei Wuxian could almost hear her reprimanding words in the air.
Madam Yu cleared her throat. "If you insist on this, Wei Wuxian, I hope you understand the consequences. The Lan clan is more powerful, yes, but they do not bend as we do. They will expect your full submission, and for that matter, your future children's fate will be determined by the Lan bloodline."
Wei Wuxian clenched his fists in frustration but kept his voice calm. "I know what I'm choosing."
Jiang Yanli, who had been quietly observing from the side, finally spoke, her voice soft and supportive. "Brother, I may not fully understand all that is at stake, but... I believe in you. I know you, and I know you wouldn't make this choice lightly. If this is what you want, I'm with you. You're my brother, and I support you."
Her words were a balm to his soul, and for a moment, all the uncertainty seemed to melt away. At least one member of the Jiang clan would stand beside him.
Madam Yu glared at Jiang Yanli, her face flushed with anger. "You would support this foolishness, Yanli?" she snapped. "You'd have your brother abandon his family, his future, for some fleeting fancy?"
Jiang Yanli held her ground. "It's not for just a fancy, Mother. It's for love. Do you not see that?" Her voice trembled but was unwavering in its sincerity.
Jiang Fengmin, silent until now, finally spoke again. His voice was measured, resigned, and far from the disapproval Wei Wuxian had expected.
"I will not fight you on this," he said quietly. "But remember, Wei Wuxian, you are part of the Jiang clan, no matter who you marry. And once you choose, there is no turning back." His gaze softened, but his words held the weight of a warning. "Don't forget your roots."
Wei Wuxian's heart clenched at his father's words. There was something more—something unsaid in his voice. But at that moment, he could only nod. "I won't forget."
As he left the gathering, with Lan Wangji waiting patiently outside the Jiang Manor, Wei Wuxian felt the weight of the choices ahead. He was no stranger to facing down the storm, but this... this was different. There was love, yes, but also a chasm between what he wanted and what he owed.
But whatever came next, he knew one thing for certain: he would face it with Lan Wangji by his side.
And, perhaps, with time, his family might come to understand. Or perhaps they wouldn't. That wasn't up to him anymore. What mattered was that he had made his choice. And for the first time in his life, Wei Wuxian felt the courage to walk the path that called to him—hand in hand with the man he loved.