One stupid head of the Jin clan...

Spellcasting is still flourishing as it is. In the past few years, there haven't been any more phenomenal events. The Lanling Jin clan had almost completely recovered from the betrayal of Jin Guangyao, and the young clan leader himself had matured and matured and was now almost as terrifying to the adepts as his maternal uncle. — In order for you to hit the target, you need to put your hands like this, just like I told you before. — Jin Ling, having been the head of the clan for a good dozen years now, had fully adapted to being in charge and running the order. However, the one thing about himself he could not eradicate. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't bring himself to walk past the clumsy junior adepts who were shooting arrows. At one time, he had the best mentor, archer - and also the best foster uncle he had (but he wouldn't tell anyone that) - Elder Yilin, Wei Ying, Wei Wuxian! No, he really didn't want to scare anyone, or worse, draw the indignant looks of the elders. It just so happened that he couldn't teach anyone any other way. No, perhaps he would like to support his actual students, but to make himself be nice to them... It would be more expensive to him. Plus, he had his own image of the "young mistress", who was not young but old. No one would dare to call the head of the Jin clan by such a nickname, which was true, but the only people who could do so were very far away... and how far away could they be? Jin Ling stood over the negligent disciple, straightening his arms at the elbows and tensioning the bowstring. After that, the sound of a bow shot was heard. An accurate hit! The junior adept instantly lost his tenseness and even slightly stuck out his chest like a turkey. He was very pleased that the clan head periodically came to him for training! The poor boy really thought that the Koi Tower Lord only came to see him. The others, however, decided to keep quiet that Jin Ling was only helping him because it was painful to look at him. — Let's take it from here. — Jin Rulan returned the 'control' of the bow to his disciple's hands and walked towards the main hall. One of his subordinates was waiting for him there. The servant folded himself in half in a polite bow as soon as the clan head walked in. — Head of the Jin clan, you have a letter from Hanguang Jun. Jin Ling walked over to the servant and took the outstretched package. After doing so, the subordinate immediately left the hall, as he knew that he knew how to annoy his own master with his presence. Jin Rulan sat down at the tea table where some documents were and opened the bundle. Contrary to the expectation of the head of the Jin Order, there was a simple offer to visit the Cloudy Depths for "negotiation purposes due to suspicious activity of small clans in the Lanlin Jin and Gusu Lan border area". The current head of the Gusu Lan clan, Zeu Jun, had been in seclusion for a long time. He had now come out of meditation, but he couldn't fully accept all the responsibilities. His brother, Hanguang-jun, and his uncle, Lan Qizhen, helped him with this. Old Man Lan was indeed already old and did not go out as often, but he was the only one who attended important meetings. Lan Wanji handled the internal affairs of the clan, such as negotiations, filling out documents. To this he had his own duties as the chief of punishments and reader of the reports of Lan's junior adepts, the best husband in the Celestial Empire, a good father and just one of the people who had achieved immortality. The second, by the way, is his husband. And now the riddle - why them? Running his eyes over the letter, he sighed and averted his eyes to the other important papers on the table. It was a political letter that, like the others, was "urgent". Although what was the matter, if the small clans on the border were once again rampaging and rioting over literally nothing, then the matter really needed to be resolved faster. Do it and forget it. Lately, the orders, which had not even seen the first siege on Luanzang Mountain, had been making a big deal out of themselves and meddling in their own business. Okay, if they had claimed political or combat merits, but no, they had to get their way by killing potential competitors. It even came down to the four great clans. There was a case where the Ji clan attacked one of the adepts of the Nae order. After this incident, the four great orders tensed up, and the other smaller ones were frightened. After all, how could it be that another war was coming? What if the head of the Ne clan will become insane because of the failure of the head of the clan, will become like Jin Guangyao, or worse, Wen Zhohan and demand the destruction of all those who are smaller than him? Would this Zhi Clan start taking lessons in the dark arts from Elder Yilin? Is a new Annihilation of the Sun coming? Too many questions, but so few answers! Jin Ling shook his head, banishing his thoughts, and turned the bundle over. He looked at the emblem of the Gusu Lan Order. He thought for a moment. He remembered that he had nothing else to do but fill out paperwork. Analysed why else he might come to Cloudy Depths. An idea. It had been a long time since he had seen his acquaintances from there. He remembered Lan Xizhui and Jingyi. Jin Ling wouldn't tell anyone, not even himself, but he genuinely loved his friends. How much they had been through everything, from the adventure in Yi City, to the last night hunt, which was... About five years ago, if not more. Why is that? It was all because of problems with the clan, securing himself as the head of the order, as well as a change in the training process. The two of them saw each other very little, and corresponded more, but Xizhui usually wrote first, only to change his handwriting to Jingyi at the end of the message. As Jin Ling knew, he was ranked second in his generation in terms of beauty and spiritual ability level. Surprisingly, he wasn't even angry about it. Even his uncle was expecting his nephew to come to Yunmeng and start complaining about his hard life as the number two in spellcasting success. But that didn't happen. It even turned out that he was happy for number one. It turned out to be, of course, Lan Yuan. Almost the third jade, the pride of his teacher Lan Qizhen, coincidentally the most beautiful and flawless exemplary Lan of his generation. And how angry Jingyi was then when he ended up in fifth place! It was calmed down by the whole clan. And now Jin Ling is already rushing with his delegation to Gusu Lan. How long he would stay there was unknown, but he hoped to stay longer. After that, he would release his adepts and go to his uncle's place in Lotus Wharf. He might send a letter of invitation to Wei Wuxian in Yunmen, but it's not certain. Then he'll make up his mind. First to sort out all the business, rest afterwards. He was met at the place by a disciple of the Cloud Depths, who escorted him to the residence, where Hanguang Jun and Zeu Jun were waiting for him. In their negotiations, which was not peculiar to him, Lan Xichen hardly participated. He only smiled and apologized for "his incompetence and inability to participate in the conversation". It was true: even after his release from seclusion, the Lan Clan head tried not to interfere in worldly affairs and mostly only monitored the training of the adepts. As a result, Jin Rulan ordered his men to help deal with the annoying minor clans. After the most boring part, Jin Ling finally said hello to his uncle normally. There was no opportunity to do so before, nor did the position allow for it. The head of the Jin clan had personal rules that he could not break. And one of them was: "before the negotiations, you must restrain your emotions. Afterwards, one can have a drink with acquaintances, or if possible, even escape for a night hunt." Wei Ying was very happy to meet his nephew and told him that in addition to the day's negotiations they would have a feast in the evening because of the arrival of the Jin Head. Jin Zhulan was overjoyed with this news and on the way to Jinshi chatted about how he was doing, told about his uncle and elders. He didn't meet his friends. Because of his train of thought, he didn't notice that it was evening. Wei Wuxian's monologue had stopped one cup of tea ago, but Jin Ling didn't notice, immersed in his own thoughts. ''The feast will be in the evening. All the important bigwigs of the Cloud Depths will be invited. Could Xizhui and Jingyi be there? Why not? They're talented spellcasters, they should be there. Maybe. Or maybe Old Man Lan won't let them in because "they're not part of the clan's gold mine"? That can't be the case. Sizhui should definitely be there - Hanguang Jun will at least fight for him, and Wei Wuxian will threaten the old man and the elders with a drink if anything happens. Jingyi is something to think about. What if before the head of the Jin Order arrived, the adepts of the order went on a night hunt, and they would not be in time for the celebration? Wei Wuxian brought him back from his thoughts with a distinctive cough. — Why are you so downcast, fighter? Are you worried? — Me? No way — Jin Ling rolled his eyes defiantly and rested his head on his hand. Wei Wuxian looked at him with a defiant look, as if doubting his words. — What about the truth? Jin Ling squeezed out a sigh and sat down more studiously. — Can you tell me if Lan Xizhui and Jingyi are currently in Gusu territory? Wei Wuxian didn't even try to suppress a laugh, he covered his eyes with his hand and laughed quietly. This time didn't last long and he said: — Are you worried because of this? Who would have thought that the head of an illustrious order would worry about this! Even Jiang Cheng had been outdone! — The dark caster's laughter ended and he removed his hand from his eyes, but the chuckle in his eyes remained. — Don't worry, they're already gathering for the feast right now. You'll see them soon enough. At that moment, the door to the jingshi opened and Lan Wanji walked in. Jin Ling flinched in surprise, as he had forgotten that he was not just anywhere, but in the residence of the second jade Gusu Lan, or rather the husband(!) of his uncle. — It's time. — Let's go, head of the Jin clan. — Teased Wei Wuxian and got up from the tea table. — To meet your friends... — I'll be there soon. I just need to finish a few things... You kept distracting me with your talk. Wei Wuxian only shrugged his shoulders and left his interlocutor all alone jingshi. Elder Yiling knew that his nephew, even with great desire, would not steal anything, and why would he do so? To incur the wrath of Lan Wanji himself? Who would want that? So Wei Ying left his nephew alone with the oppressive silence of the house and ran after his beloved. The feast was not at all what the Jin Adepts, and their head among them, had expected. No, he remembered that the last time he had been in the Cloud Depths for a dinner party, the food had not been plentiful. Not at all. Some sort of herbal poison before the meal, the food itself tasting bland. No meat, of course. But something in the room had changed. That's right. New furniture had been added. In the middle of the hall, where the clan head was supposed to sit, sat Lan Xichen with his unchanging smile and holding a cup of green tea. To his left sat old man Lan, his uncle. To the right were Hanguang Zun and his husband. A little further away from Lan Wanji and Wei Wuxian's table sat...cute…pretty...girl!? She was dressed in traditional Gusu Lan robes, and her headband had floating clouds on it. She was wearing the white robes of a senior adept, they were different from the others in that the person wearing them could change one of the elements of the upper hanfu. Beautiful black hair the colour of a crow's wing accentuated the whiteness of her face, highlighting her soft but at times harsh features. The front strands hung down and framed the face. Some curls were braided behind in a bundle, while the rest lay on the back. Adorning this splendor was a simple guan. Her skin was whiter than snow, as if it was glowing from within. His eyes were downcast, and from Jin Ling's perspective, it seemed that this person's eyelashes were lusher than anyone else in this room. But he was distracted from looking at the mysterious unknown girl (boy?) by another look…. Across from him sat Lan Jingyi. Yes, he was the one. If that obnoxious Lan hadn't endlessly nodded at him in greeting, he wouldn't have noticed him. And no, it wasn't because of Jin Rulan's nastiness or because his friend was too inconspicuous and lost among the others, no, not at all. It was just that his own gaze was not there at all. And as for Jingyi... Oh, he had hardly grown at all. Or had grown quite a bit. His hair was gathered into a high ponytail, his hair long, the same color as always. The fringes were lying to one side of his face as before, lying slackly on one side of his face. Hanfu was also just as slightly modified. Not much had changed since the past. Jin Ling nodded to him calmly and squeezed out a slight smile. Immediately, that unknown beauty looked at him. Jin Rulan noticed with the corner of his eye that she leaned towards Jingyi and whispered something, smiling lightly. What's going on? Does she know him? The head of the Jin Order flamed with jealousy. How could this Lan listen to the voice of his bride-to-be? Jingyi shook with laughter. More accurately, he tried not to laugh, and it must be noted, he successfully held back. But what was the laughter about? Okay, whatever. I need to finish this feast and call my friend over to talk, to ask where Seijui is. One hour passed. A second. Maybe Cloudy Deep isn't such a bad place. Throughout the entire gala dinner, Jin Ling threw quick glances at the stranger and Jingyi, who occasionally chatted, even chuckled softly. But it was getting close to the end of the day. Lan Xichen went to bed first, followed by Qizhen. Only Hanguan Jun, Wei Wuxian and the girl who was sitting next to them remained seated at the 'main' tables of the Gusu Lan Order side. Jin Rulan decided to leave early and walked out from behind the table, saying goodbye before doing so. Behind him, Jingyi walked out. That girl also got up, but did not immediately followed them, but first came to Hanguang Jun and whispered something in his ear. Then she still went after Jingyi. When Head Jin saw that his friend and his companion were following him, he decided to go to a more private place to talk. He just wanted to culturally drink wine and eat something other than grass from the local meadow. They approached the Jin adepts' chambers. Among them was Jin Ling's room. — Let's go to the room. We'll talk and get to know each other there. Jingyi laughed obscenely. He didn't even try to hold back! Especially in the territory of the Cloudy Depths! — What funny thing did I say? Hurry up and get back to your room! — He glanced at the girl, who was sweetly covering her mouth with her hand and apparently laughing quietly. — And you... If of course the rules of the order allow you... You can come in too. Jingyi was the first to fall into the room and flew onto the cushion that was near the tea table. The girl entered after him and sat down at the table as well. The last to enter was Jin Ling. — Can you behave more decently when there's a lady in front of you? — Jin Rulan had been holding back, indeed, for too long. It was time to yell at someone to keep their cool! — A-Ling, please take a seat at the table. Jin Ling felt a twitch. Why didn't her voice sound like a woman's? Looking at this girl (there was already some doubt as to whether it was a girl), one could tell that her voice was supposed to be sweet, perhaps at times gravely. But for it to be masculine? Never in her life. Maybe a werewolf? The color of his face slowly paled. — You're not a girl? Jingyi grabbed his stomach and started laughing even louder. So that's what it was. That was why 'some girl' was sitting at the same table as the main branch of the Lan family! All because there had been a Lan Xizhui all along! Jin Ling's complexion seemed to change with all the colors of the rainbow. He had just realized that he had mistaken Lan Xizhui, his best friend and moral support, for a girl! With whom, by the way, he would have loved to take the path of double perfection! — What are you... Why have you... Changed so much? — It's nothing like that. — Lan Xizhui grabbed Jin Ling's wrist and forcefully made him sit down on the cushions. Before he naturally fainted. — We just haven't seen each other in a long time, that's all. So nothing has changed in my life. Except maybe, as you know, becoming a senior adept and being officially accepted into the main branch of the Lan family. Now, perhaps, if Zeu-jun does not have a companion in the path of perfection and, consequently, children, I will be the first candidate for the place of the head of the clan. Although I'm not likely to be the head of the clan. Before accepting any position, the council of elders must be convened, and even if I wasn't the number one spellcaster, I wouldn't be accepted because I don't have any native Lan blood in me. The first thing they'll look for is the closest relative of the head among the elders, and then they'll look at me. But don't worry, I don't care what they say about me..... Jin Ling didn't listen to the second part of Xizhui's monologue. He only had a thought swirling in his head: how could he mistake a man for a woman? This even sounds unreasonable. And he was not stupid, but quite the wise head of his order! — Jingyi, did you know about this? Is that why you laughed? Along with Sizhui? Lan Yuan, who had been so shamelessly interrupted, looked over to the already calmed Jingyi. — That's right. I noticed the way you were looking at me, so I shared it with Jingyi. I didn't think you wouldn't recognise me. — That's right, that's right! When I saw you, I thought it was a peacock. But it's you! When Yuan said, "Our mutual acquaintance is looking at me," I started looking for someone famous from your clan. Honestly, if I wasn't a senior adept and sitting at an important event, I would have laughed. I was nearly rolling on the floor in there. If I'd had to be pumped, I'd have changed my mind about forgetting us! — I still can't believe it... It's humiliating. — It's all right, don't worry. Before I left, I told my father that I would stay with you and Jingyi, we have plenty of time. Just keep quiet and we won't be noticed. — I wonder why you went to Han-guang Jun before entering the hall. Damn you, you noticed Jin Ling before anyone else and didn't tell anyone! Sizhui laughed softly, covering his mouth with his hand. — Okay, now I think we should have a good celebration and drink wine to celebrate our reunion. There was a stash of Emperor's Smile somewhere in this room, Teacher Wei warned me. Jingyi got up from the cushions and stomped his foot around the table until he heard a rumbling sound. — Found it! And so, gentlemen and maidens, let us drink to the mind of the head of the illustrious Jin Order, Jin Ling…. — Shut your mouth before I break your legs! If I steal Wei Wuxian's wine again, I won't share it with you. - Jin Rulan sharply threw back, filling his and Xizhui's cups. After that, he went to the cupboard beside the bed and took out two vessels of Emperor's Smile from there. — Do you think dad won't get angry? - Cautiously asked Sizhui. — Does Wei Wuxian know how to get angry? - Jin Ling replied with a question to a question. Chuckling merrily as Jin Rulan sat back down at the table, Jingyi continued to chase his line: — It seems we will now have two young mistresses in our company! And thank you for the wine, I will never forget your kindness. An extra pillow flew towards Jingyi, which Lan Jingyi did not have time to dodge. A light laughter was heard from Xizhui..... *** Dinner had long since finished, the three friends had long since left for Head Jin's chambers. Only in the jingshi was the light still burning. — Lan Zhan... — Mhm. Wei Wuxian lay on his consort's chest and listened to the measured heartbeat of someone else's body. Lan Wanji was lying down and flipping through a book. He did so not because he wanted to, but because he didn't want to burden Wei Ying with unnecessary burdens. But there was one problem that if Wei Wuxian didn't tell Wei Ying about, he would simply 'explode' as Jiang Cheng said. — Look... Do you think there will be anything left of Gusu when Jin Ling finds out that you didn't call him to solve clan problems, but to see his friends? — I did it for you. — Yes, I understand, Lan Zhan. Thank you very much. You can't imagine how much I missed my nephew, my son and my best student. And for the three of them to be together. Wei Wuxian fidgeted a little under the blanket and accidentally, or maybe not, grazed Lan Wanji's groin a few times with his foot. — Thank you, my love... Wei Ying finally melted and pulled Lan Zhan into a deep, sensual kiss....