My flower

      —Lan Zhan, are you ready? I can’t wait to hit the road! Wei Ying was saying, jumping around his spouse.       —Yes. Now. The second jade adjusted his sleeve, which contained extremely interesting things, and stood up to his full height. — Come on.       —Well, finally! His restless husband smiled even wider and, taking Lan Zhan by the hand, led them to the exit of Jingshi.       It so happened that the young husbands accidentally started a tradition — every week they went to the market to buy all sorts of trinkets, take a walk and generally have a carefree time, completely forgetting about their titles among the simple and peaceful people.       And now Lan Wangji, along with his mate, flies on swords to the mentioned place, on the way having listened with interest to stories about rabbits from Wei Ying, while he himself was not around at that time.

***

      There were a lot of people at the newly opened market — there were several people standing near almost every shop and choosing goods that they would like to buy for themselves. The kids clung to their mothers with their hands and poked their fingers at various toys brought from various parts of China. But unfortunately, they only had to hear a refusal, and mothers were reminded every time that their family did not have enough money.       … Meanwhile, Elder Yiling passes by them with his new trinket, decorated in bright colors and ringing loudly. Wei Ying is laughing happily and like a child, at the same time pulling her husband’s sleeve, pointing at the fresh pieces of watermelon. Lan Zhan nods briefly at this and easily buys them the cherished sweetness.       Wei Ying, without hesitation, chews watermelon and munching, tells another story. His habit of chatting while eating worried Lan Zhan — what if her husband choked and suffocated? The very thought made me sweat involuntarily. Therefore, Hanguang-jun makes mild remarks. What now, what thirteen years ago — Wei Wuxian was not going to change. However, Lan Zhan does not want this. He loves his partner. By anyone.       But at one point, Wei Ying’s voice trailed off, the story involuntarily ended, and his gaze stared at one of the counters. Wangji, who had not understood what had suddenly affected his spouse, looked there. In an instant, he immediately understood everything.       Flowers again.       Lan Zhan sighed briefly and looked lovingly at Wei Ying. Yes, it happens. He often fixated on these plants. And when I received a small bouquet in a set along with a gift, I generally screamed with happiness.       What is the reason for this? Unclear.       But the fact that at every convenient moment Wei Wuxian sniffs flowers touched Lan Zhan. Having a sensitive sense of smell, he was content with the beautiful aromas emanating from the flowers. If such an opportunity did not arise and it was physically impossible to approach the favorite plants, then you just had to stare at them…       For example, when the next meeting of the orders was held, the head of the clan did not give Zeu-jun unique blue orchids, which are not in Gusu. Throughout the meeting, they flaunted in the middle of the table and no one else paid attention to them. Except, of course, Wei Ying.       Or there was a case when Hanguang-jun noticed during a class with younger students that his husband was carefully watering the flowers in the Gusu garden. Only later Lan Sizhui had to be the only one trying to bring his father, forgotten in love, back to consciousness, while other students were simply afraid of incurring the wrath of Hanguang-jun…       —Wei Ying,” Lan Zhan called in a softened voice. — Go buy it. He held out his hand, which contained dozens of gold coins.       Wei Wuxian seemed to wake up and involuntarily shuddered. He blinked stupidly, shifting his gaze to Lan Zhan, then quickly waved his hands.       —No need! We already have plenty of berries…        — But you want flowers… — Wangji said softly, but Wei Ying quickly interrupted him.       —Oh, look, something is starting there! — He stood up to his full height and, having finished the last pieces of watermelon, ran towards the beginning of the event, simultaneously waving Lan Zhang to catch up with him.       Wei Wuxian’s attention was attracted by a large-sized shop, next to which a fairly large crowd was forming. The people who were standing nearby just watched all this commotion, not daring to approach and win the desired product themselves. After all, it is the rarest and most expensive that was presented on the current market.       —Ahem-ahem, dear ladies and gentlemen! — Shouted the seller of this very product. — Please pay attention for a moment…       The crowd, which had been shouting about a plea to sell them this, subsided by one tone.       —I understand you all want to take this amazing… flower with you. He gently ran his fingers over the yellowish petals, which also had white spots on them, which gave him a special feature. —Therefore, in order to choose the best buyer…       The people listening to him finally quieted down.       —… I propose to arrange an auction!       Half of those present sighed in disappointment, and the other half whistled happily. It seems that this unique flower, which, as it turned out, grew up in an enchanted cave, will, as usual, go to the next rich man.       —The initial price is a thousand coins!       The crowd had already gradually dispersed and only men remained near the shop, who had a decent amount of money in their pocket, judging by their expensive clothes.       —I offer fifteen hundred. Although no, two!       —Three thousand, three!       —Three and a half!       —Five thousand!       —What?! Where so much! — Exclaimed the guy who offered two thousand at the very beginning. — Oh, come on!       The men, shouting over each other every now and then, did not even notice the departure of the son of the head of the village, on which the market was located.       —… Seven thousand and nine hundred and ninety-nine…       —Ten thousand coins.       Suddenly, everyone fell silent in shock and stared at their friend with a mute question.       —Sold!       Wei Ying stood with a slightly clouded gaze and watched the unfolding events. When he stared intently at this flower, which did not really have anything interesting except white spots, his eyes involuntarily lit up. The wind gently ruffled his hair, adding even more beauty to this picture. While Wei Ying stared at the unremarkable flora, Lan Zhan admired himself.       After finishing, Wei Wuxian sighed bitterly, but with a smile.       —Let’s go, Lan Zhan. Let’s take a walk near the clearing and go home…” Without waiting for him, Wei Ying walked in the opposite direction from all this gathering.       Seeing such a state in the spouse, Lan Zhan’s gaze slightly darkened. Hearing that false cheerful voice, knowing that in fact Wei Ying was just trying to hide his disappointment, was unbearable. But why does he do it? Does he really think that they don’t have enough money for this unfortunate flower? Or that Lan Zhan will reject the choice of goods? Why didn’t Wei Ying simply step in and name his price, as he always did? Oh yes, Lan Zhan knows better than anyone how much his husband loves to participate in these stupid auctions.       Even still not understanding what was going on in Wei Ying’s head, Wangji firmly decided one thing for himself.       He must get this flower.       In fact, Lan Zhang thought that the merchant from the market was just lying about the location of this flower. But as it turned out, this is not the case.       According to his calculations, the stay in the cave cost him three hours. And all those minutes he spent in the night in the cold dungeon were for Wei Ying.       In places it was rubbish and dirty, the closeness in the cave was maddening. Few people have come here, but despite this, they have conducted more than one expedition. But due to the lack of knowledge about this place, Lan Zhang had to rely only on personal experience.       Memories of those very days spent with Wei Ying more than thirteen years ago immediately covered him. But unfortunately, I had to dive into them a little, because it is absolutely impossible to lose vigilance in such a place.       Walking even further, within a couple of dozen minutes he finally came out into a rounded space that was almost all filled with a crystal clear lake. Apparently, it was not even too deep, since it was possible to see its bottom. However, nothing unusual for such a cave.       But at the same time, he was surrounded by many different colors, just like those that the merchant successfully sold. The only thing was that they differed among themselves in their shades. There were both white and black flowers…       But Lan Zhang unwittingly caught the eye of purple a flower hidden among the stones. It was not easy to notice because of its muddy color and, of course, shadows.       At first, he didn’t seem very attractive to Wangji, even slightly ugly. After all, how can you give such a dark squalor to his beautiful husband? But after carefully taking a closer look and bringing it out into the light (which came from a campfire), he returned his words back. This flower was… unusual. As if showered with sequins.       Turning it a little in his hands in the light and admiring it himself, Lan Zhan frowned habitually. You can’t just give one flower.       Then the Second Jade explored this entire cave in search of the best colors, following a simple rule: “the flowers should be as beautiful as Wei Ying.”

***

      Weekday. Morning.       Wei Wuxian yawned sweetly as he stretched out in bed.       —Mmmm, Lan Zhan… what time is it?… Did I break my record? — He said sleepily, stretching out his hand to the place where his spouse should lie.       Empty.       Wei Ying sighed in disappointment, realizing the reason for her husband’s absence. It’s the Gusulan assembly again! Lan Zhan’s damn job again!       Every time Wei Wuxian wakes up on a weekday, he feels a cold emptiness inside. He still wasn’t used to the new schedule in Lan Wangji’s life. If a petition had been opened in the Gusulan Order, he would have been the first in line just to cancel working days!!!       Ruefully passing his other hand over his forehead, brushing away the remnants of sweat, he stood up on the bed.       Finally, after another sleepy yawn, he focused his vision and noticed… flowers in front of him?       In front of him, pink flower petals were scattered beautifully and in an even order. A little further away, at the tips of his feet, there was a small bouquet consisting of a blue and yellow flower, while wrapped in a light bow. They were just like in the market!       —Lan Zhan… is it really them?! Wei Ying said into the void in an excited and joyful state, a wide smile immediately blossomed on his face. After admiring this view a little, Wei Wuxian decides to quickly get up and run to his beloved husband, until he notices another miracle on a nearby table.       There was a vase with a dark purple flower, on the petals of which sparkles flaunted from the rays of the sun.       At the bottom, near the vessel, the phrase was neatly written on a small piece of paper:       I understood. Nothing compares to the beauty of Wei Ying. Even his favorite flowers.

Husband.