Author Notes: Hello again, everyone! Here's the final chapter at last. Enjoy :)

- Chapter Start -

"When is the date of the wedding?" Chen-yishi asked the question on everyone's minds.

"Meng Yao is only fifteen," ZeWu Jun began. "I intend for us to be engaged until he turns sixteen."

"Which will be in two days' time," Meng Yao added with a shy smile.

ZeWu Jun turned to him, eyes widening in pleased surprise.

"Two days?" He repeated and grabbed Meng Yao, giving him a sound kiss that resulted in a minor uproar from their audience again. Then turned to the elders with Meng Yao's hand held in his.

"With the elders' permission, our wedding will be in two weeks' time," he replied firmly. Then his smile faltered. "It would be ideal if WangJi could return in time."

Before Lan QiRen could say anything, the sound of footsteps were heard hurrying towards the hall. One of the disciples guarding the entrance appeared, apologising for his intrusion.

"What is it, Lan Ming?" ZeWu Jun asked.

"Second Young Master Lan has returned from the QiShan Wen lectures!"

As the murmur of voices rose, ZeWu Jun stepped forward.

"How is he?"

"His leg is still a little injured, but other than that, he appears fine."

"That is good news. Please bring him to the infirmary, I will meet him there."

"We will too." Both Lan QiRen and Chen-yishi got to their feet. "Are we agreed on the wedding date then?"

ZeWu Jun smiled.

"Yes. Meng Yao and I will marry in two weeks' time," he declared.

- o -

Two weeks later...

Meng Yao had assured ZeWu Jun he was perfectly happy for them to do the three prostrations without any wedding robes or witnesses, but ZeWu Jun vetoed his suggestion. Lan QiRen and the other elders even insisted that they hold a more formal occasion befitting a Sect Leader, with everyone in attendance.

The Jiang, Nie and Jin sect leaders were invited, but only the first two attended. Meng Yao immediately apologised for Jin GuangShan's slight and told ZeWu Jun he didn't care if he never saw his father again. Knowing he had everyone's blessing to be ZeWu Jun's cultivation partner was all the recognition he needed. In fact, HanGuang Jun's quiet words of congratulations meant more to him that his father's would have.

On the morning of the wedding, everyone gathered again in the same hall. There were no fireworks or musicians, no banners or dancers. None of the pomp and grandeur any other sect might have thought necessary for such an auspicious occasion.

But everyone looked happy to be there and many smiles appeared when the bridal couple entered the hall, wearing auspicious red robes. They weren't new or particularly lavish, but Meng Yao didn't care. In fact, he was hard pressed to keep from weeping out of sheer joy and ZeWu Jun was almost as teary eyed as he was.

The ceremony was a simple and quiet one, even by Lan standards, out of deference for the lives so recently lost, and the general losses and damage they had sustained.

After the three prostrations, Lan QiRen presented Meng Yao with a new forehead ribbon bearing the same cloud design in metal. With a radiant smile, ZeWu Jun tied it around Meng Yao's forehead, whisked away the latest tear and kissed him, just brief enough that no frown had a chance to settle on any of the elders' faces.

Then it was time to receive congratulations from everyone. Meng Yao caught a glimpse of envy in Sect Leader Nie's eyes and couldn't help wondering, with a pang in his chest, if the man harboured more than just brotherly feelings for ZeWu Jun who thankfully, didn't seem to notice.

The midday feast that followed was also a simple one, but had fish and even chicken in honour of the wedding and their guests.

Two hours later, after everyone had enjoyed themselves and their guests had left Cloud Recesses, the bridal couple retired to the Hanshi. As soon as the door was closed, they turned to face each other.

For the past two weeks, Lan QiRen had insisted that Meng Yao slept in one of the guest quarters. The engaged couple had no chance to meet in private or to enjoy anything more than a quick hug and kiss. But now, they were finally together and could adore and indulge in each other to their hearts' content.

With a smile, ZeWu Jun held out his hands. Meng Yao smiled back and placed his hands in those larger, warmer ones, gazing into eyes so filled with love and wonder that he found himself blushing and even squirming.

"A-Yao, how did I get so lucky as to have you as my cultivation partner?"

And here was Meng Yao thinking he had cried every happy tear he had. Blinking more back, he smiled.

"Because you asked me to stay a day."

"That was without doubt, the best decision of my life," ZeWu Jun declared and drew him closer.

After several lingering kisses that turned Meng Yao's knees to jelly, ZeWu Jun removed his silver hairpiece and new forehead ribbon. Then he swung Meng Yao up in his arms without warning, surprising a soft cry from him.

"XiChen-ge! I can walk!"

ZeWu Jun laughed.

"I know you can. But please indulge me. I've had a little dream of carrying you to our bridal bed."

"Oh." Meng Yao looped his arms around his partner's neck and buried his hot face in one broad shoulder.

"And you shouldn't call me 'ge' anymore, remember?"

"I'll try to remember, XiChen."

"Good." ZeWu Jun carried him to the bed and deposited him on the mattress before sitting down beside him.

"Would you untie my hair, A-Yao? And my ribbon?"

"Gladly!" Meng Yao scrambled onto his knees.

As soon as both items were removed and ZeWu Jun's hair finger combed until the tresses lay like black silk against his red robes, he tumbled Meng Yao onto his back and followed him down, kissing him, eager hands roaming all over until Meng Yao was squirming, his breath coming out in hitching pants.

They started stripping each other of their wedding finery, kisses and caresses getting in the way until there wasn't a stitch of clothing left and pieces of red silk garments lay scattered on the bed and floor. Then they paused to stare their fill, cheeks flushing red and hearts racing, nipples tightening and already stiff flesh between their legs hardening still further.

"A-Yao, you're so beautiful."

"That's what I should say to you."

ZeWu Jun smiled and lowered his head, trailing gentle fingertips and lips down Meng Yao's trembling body.

"Xi... XiChen!"

Crouched between those pale thighs, ZeWu Jun looked up, eyes warm with desire.

"I remember when you touched me in that cave," he said, his voice deepening and sending shivers through Meng Yao. "I remember telling you I wanted to do the same."

"You're not obliged to." Meng Yao gulped as his flesh twitched in those warm hands.

"I want to," ZeWu Jun assured him. Grabbing a pillow, he slid it under Meng Yao's hips before lowering his head to kiss the flushed, round head.

"Aah!"

ZeWu Jun's smile widened and then there was no more need for words as he started to love Meng Yao in earnest, elbows keeping those trembling thighs widely spread. He didn't stop when Meng Yao told him to, not even when he pleaded.

Panting, Meng Yao leaned up on one elbow and made a wild grab for ZeWu Jun's hair, trying to tug his head up in an exact mirror of that incident in the cave. Just like that day, it was too late. He came a second later with a sharp cry and spilled inside that warm, loving mouth.

ZeWu Jun swallowed it all before pulling Meng Yao upright and kissing him.

"XiChen...!"

"Don't be embarrassed, you taste fine."

When Meng Yao's blush deepened, ZeWu Jun chuckled and kissed him again. Then he leaned back, looking solemn.

"A-Yao, I want you to take me."

Meng Yao stared at him in shock.

"What? But-" A finger placed against his lips stopped him.

"When I proposed to you that day, you said you would be happy to serve me. I don't want that."

"But-"

"Shh. I may be Sect Leader, I may be older than you, my spiritual power may be higher than yours, my physical strength greater... but in our marriage, I am never your superior. We are cultivation partners and we are equal to each other. I want our lovemaking to be on equal terms as well."

Meng Yao gulped as more tears welled up in his eyes. Then he took a deep breath and nodded.

"In that case, I have an idea."

Picking up the small jar of jasmine oil from the table beside the bed, he took ZeWu Jun's hand and dipped two fingers in the fragrant oil.

"A-Yao? I thought-"

"Shh." It gave Meng Yao a thrill to say that to ZeWu Jun in turn, and an even stronger one when he received an obedient nod in return. Putting down the jar, he straddled ZeWu Jun, knees on either side of those muscled thighs.

"Please indulge me, XiChen. I've also had a little dream about our wedding night."

ZeWu Jun's eyes gleamed.

"And what would that be?"

Taking ZeWu Jun's hand, Meng Yao positioned those long, oiled fingers against his opening.

"I dreamed of you making me yours," he said.

"But-" ZeWu Jun swallowed as his index finger slid inside a tight channel.

"I will take my turn later," Meng Yao promised, his voice hitching as he pushed that finger deeper inside him. "But not now."

"A-Yao, I... I'm not sure I know how," ZeWu Jun admitted, cheeks flushing pink and looking so adorably uncertain that Meng Yao just had to kiss him again.

"I will guide you. You know I read everything I can get my hands on, right?"

ZeWu Jun's soft laughter caught when the tip of his middle finger was placed against the same opening and pushed inside.

"But I've never done this with anyone," Meng Yao promised.

"I know. You're my first as well," ZeWu Jun assured him.

"I know." Meng Yao pushed down on those two fingers, forcing them deeper inside him.

"Ahh!" They gasped in unison, Meng Yao grimacing at the sudden stretch.

"Does it hurt?"

"No. I'm fine."

Looking down into XiChen's concerned eyes, Meng Yao felt the discomfort fade and smiled. He leaned down to kiss him again and then he started rocking back and forth, inhaling sharply when those fingertips pressed against a certain spot, resulting in a sharp burst of pleasure.

"Ah," ZeWu Jun said softly, eyes gleaming with newfound knowledge. There was no need to guide him any further. He started thrusting his fingers in and out, twisting his wrist this way and that as Meng Yao shivered and panted above him, his spent flesh growing heavy again.

"XiChen... e-enough. I'm ready."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I think so."

They used a little more jasmine oil to coat ZeWu Jun's length which he held upright in one hand. Meng Yao positioned himself over it, grabbing onto ZeWu Jun's shoulders for balance as he lowered himself.

Their joining was smoother than either had expected for ZeWu Jun was long but slender, and Meng Yao's body young and supple. Despite his inexperience, ZeWu Jun's control of his body was impeccable. He kept his hips still and coaxed Meng Yao to find his pleasure first as he mapped the slim contours of Meng Yao's chest with his hands and leaned forward to suck the taut pink nipples into his mouth, one at a time.

Shivering, Meng Yao closed his eyes and rocked back and forth, his breath hitching in his throat each time the hard flesh inside him rubbed against that certain spot. His muscles tightened with anticipation as he grew closer and closer to another stunning release. Then he stopped moving and opened his eyes, panting softly.

"A-Yao?" ZeWu Jun gulped, cheeks flushed pink and breathing just as unsteady. "Why did you stop?"

"Would you come together with me?" Meng Yao requested with a shy smile.

ZeWu Jun's answering smile was brilliant. Closing a hand over Meng Yao's leaking erection, he started stroking it quickly, thrusting his hips up at the same time.

Meng Yao cried out, his body convulsing almost at once as he spilled between their bodies. Still fisting him, ZeWu Jun thrust upward and followed him into release seconds later with a gasp, releasing his warmth inside Meng Yao. They exchanged a breathless kiss before falling onto the bed with Meng Yao lying on top, both too overcome to speak.

After their breathing slowed down, ZeWu Jun turned onto his side and pulled Meng Yao into his arms, pressing kisses to his hair.

"A-Yao? Are you alright?"

Meng Yao turned to face him, his eyes roaming over happy eyes and a soft smile, awed anew that this beautiful, loving man was his.

"Yes. That was... so much better than I dreamed it would be," he replied.

"Agreed," ZeWu Jun said and leaned forward to drop a kiss on Meng Yao's nose. "So, what do you propose we do now?"

"Well, you could give me my second lesson on the guzhin," Meng Yao suggested with lowered eyes although his dimple betrayed him.

ZeWu Jun chuckled, running a gentle fingertip down Meng Yao's still flushed cheek.

"Or we could make love again because we'll need to build up our appetites for the tea I ordered."

"Tea? With those delicious little osmanthus cakes?"

"Of course."

"Ah. Then I supposed my guzhin lessons will just have to wait," Meng Yao agreed and laughed when ZeWu Jun rolled on top of him and started kissing him again.

- Story End -

A/N: Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed this story and if you did, please let me know. Stay safe! :)