~What If~

Chapter 1

I walk to the entrance of Cloud recesses with my disciplines behind me.

I am instantly reminded of my old days in cloud recesses when I had come here to study. Me being carefree and messing around, me catching feelings for two people at the same time.

What was crazy was that today was their wedding. Today was the wedding between Lan Xichen and Jiang Cheng. I see as a Lan discipline approaches me, bowing down.

“Welcome, Sect Leader Nie.” He says.

My eyes widen at the familiar voice, “Sizhui.”

He looks up at me smiling, ”Thank you for coming to Uncle’s wedding, you can head down the hallway to the right.”

“Thank you,” I say, as I walk in.

I walk inside, the hallways were draped in white and purple curtains. There were Lotus flowers kept at each corner making it smell lovely. I could see Lan disciplines running around doing last-minute preparations. While disciplines of the other sects were helping and talking with each other.

“You all are free to roam around.” My disciplines deserve to have some time to roam and talk.

They all bow down “Thank you, Sect Leader!” They scatter to go talk to the disciplines of the other clans.

“Brother Nie!” I turn around to see Wei Wuxian, Lan Wangji right behind him.

“Brother Wei.” I greet him, fanning myself.

“How have you been?” He wraps an arm around my shoulders.

I let out a sigh “Well there has been lots of work piling up in my office, so tired.”

“Must be hard being a Sect Leader.” He hums.

“You don’t want to know.” I joke, “How is married life going?” I glance towards Lan Wangji before looking at Brother Wei.

He giggles,” It’s been going good, it’s pretty nice being married to the great Hanguang-jun .” He looks over at his husband. Lan Wangji looks at him, his face blank. “Lan Zhan, don’t look at me with that much love in your eyes! It’s making me shy!”

“Mn” Lan Wangji says, face still blank.

“Can you believe it! Jiang Cheng’s getting married and, to Zewu-jun at that!” Brother Wei exclaims. “I remember when we used to joke about who would get married first and what type of person we would marry when we used to study here.” He lets out a sigh, “Those were the days, I miss them.”

I smile at the thought, “I remember, it was when you had told me the list Jiang Cheng had made for how his future partner should be.” It reminded me of how sad I had gotten when I realized I had not met more than half of the things said. And how the week after I had tried everything I could to meet up to the list which ended up with me crying in bed and giving up.

Or how my door had been knocked on by Second Brother as he asked me why I was crying. Which had resulted in excuses about classes and tests. He had laughed back then, as he told me he would tutor me and make sure I wouldn’t fail.

Funny how lying about one thing can put you in another situation, which is harder to lie out off. My younger self had whined about the studying I would have to do while also happy about the fact that I got to spend time with Second Brother.

I snap out of my train of thoughts as Brother Wei laughs.

“Exactly, and then I had gotten chased by him.” He smiles fondly.

He then blinks as if he remembered something, “Lan Zhan! I forgot the wedding gift I packed for Zewu jun and Jiang Cheng in the Jingshi!”

“I’ll be right back!” He starts running down the hallway, I see as Lan Wangji follows him.

“Wei Ying, no running in cloud recess.”

I couldn’t help but laugh, Brother Wei and Lan Wangji never fail to amuse me.

A Lan discipline approaches me leading me to the main hall, the wedding was beginning. I walk into the main hall, it was the only place covered by red curtains and tablecloths unlike the rest of cloud recess. The room was lively as everyone was excited about the wedding finally starting. The discipline leads me to one of the tables where I’m supposed to sit. I look around the room seeing the other Sect Leaders taking their seats as well.

At the front of the room, two figures appear dressed in all red.

Both of their heads were decorated with golden headpieces, and their robes were patterned with gold and held together with beautiful belts. Lan Xichen had a red forehead ribbon and a smile on his face as he looked at Jiang Cheng, his eyes soft. While Jiang Cheng’s head which was always in a bun was cascading down his shoulders reaching his waist.  

No one could see Jiang Cheng’s face which was covered by a veil, but from the way they both were holding hands, anyone could see he was happy as well.

They both looked beautiful, almost like a painting. I felt my hand itch to grab a brush and stroke their delicate figures on paper. I couldn’t help but smile they looked better than how I had imagined them as a kid back then.

They both turned towards their ancestors bowing down three times. Then turned towards each other bowing three times. Lan Xichen approaches Jiang Cheng taking the veil off his face they look at each other smiling, before hugging.

Everyone in the room cheers and claps for the newlywed couple.

The food and drinks are served as they both sit at the front of the hall, the atmosphere is lively as everyone congratulates them, giving gifts. I look at all the people crowding around them, maybe it’s better to approach them after the feast to give my gift and congratulate them. Right now would be a hassle.

I look at the jar of emperor’s smile in front of me, I pour myself a cup gulping it down in one shot. I felt the familiar burn of the alcohol as it made its way down my throat. It felt nice, it gave me the feeling of comfort and being young again.

I pour myself another cup, drinking it slowly this time. The taste of the alcohol melts on my tongue before traveling down my throat, it burns less than my first cup. A sudden thought hits me which leaves me laughing at myself.

What if I had confessed to them both before leaving Cloud recesses back then?

I shake my head at the thought, was the alcohol getting to me? I never got drunk easily but this made me wonder if I was drunk on just two cups. I let out a sigh, pouring another cup.

I drink it slowly, I felt my eyelids turn heavy with each sip of the alcohol. Why was I feeling sleepy? Alcohol never made me feel sleepy.

Before I can snap out of it, I feel my eyes close as everything turned dark.