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“Did you hear? Old Man Liu still hasn’t recovered!” Inside the teahouse, a farmer gossiped idly.
A scholar sitting in front of the farmer waved his fan. “Not only Old Man Liu, a lot of people did not come to our lessons today. Seems like it was quite a big scare!”
The passing waiter couldn’t resist cutting in. “Is it because they went to the night market on February second?”
The farmer exclaimed, “Of course! Their legs were so wobbly, the Lan sect had to get people to carry them back! As expected of such large, renowned sect, the Lan sect really are Gusu’s deities of protection!”
The waiter replied noncommittally, “But I heard the reason they ended up in that state in the first place was because of Hanguang-jun.”
In disbelief, the scholar said, “No way. Hanguang-jun has a cold temperament and is hard to approach, but he always speaks out and slays evil on behalf of the people. Together with the Yiling Patriarch, his story is the stuff of legends!”
The farmer said, “I* have also met the Yiling Patriarch before. He saw that my child was hungry and not only did he buy him food, he also played with him. And though Hanguang-jun’s face was aloof as usual, he stayed by the Yiling Patriarch’s side and, ah, his gaze never moved away once. At first, I even thought he was sizing up my kid, haha.”
“Speaking of, the reason Hanguang-jun became so emotional this time was also because of the Yiling Patriarch,” the waiter said.
Surprised, the farmer asked, “What happened? Could it be that the Yiling Patriarch was flirting around* too much and angered Hanguang-jun?”
The scholar shook his head. “Unlikely. Even though my knowledge of the Yiling Patriarch is limited, last time I went to study, he helped my wife get rid of evil beings. He was carefree yet courteous. And when Hanguang-jun came to collect him, he even bought him Emperor’s Smile which is banned in Cloud Recesses. According to my inside source, those two are attached like glue; a truly harmonious relationship.”
The waiter waved his hand and said, “The rumour is Hanguang-jun played Inquiry for thirteen years, awaiting the Yiling Patriarch’s return; how could that relationship possibly be anything but great! I heard it’s because the Yiling Patriarch got injured and is still bedridden in Cloud Recesses to this day!”
The farmer was doubtful. “Really? Cloud Recesses is not a place an outsider can simply enter; don’t tease this old man for not knowing anything.”
The waiter replied, “Ah, how could I? That day, I saw with my own eyes how Hanguang-jun lifted the Yiling Patriarch into his arms. The Patriarch was covered in blood, face as white as a sheet; Hanguang-jun’s expression was really dark and overflowing with murderous intent.”
The scholar said, “Then that really was quite serious! I wonder how it turned out. The image of Hanguang-jun’s killing aura is really…”
Meanwhile, deep in Cloud Recesses, the story’s two main leads were completely unaware and uncaring of the chatter at the foot of the mountain. One had no energy to do so and the other was too filled with worry.
“Lan Zhan, you don’t need to do this. I’ve already stayed in bed for many days; just a bit longer and I’ll be good as new! You can go ahead and rest!” Wei Wuxian really enjoyed being looked after by his lover, but even so, his heart ached as he watched the concern written all over Lan Wangji’s face. And, unable to reject the day-and-night service, Wei Wuxian could barely stand it any longer.
Lan Wangji, for once, did not listen to his request. “Cannot. Drink the medicine.” He gathered Wei Wuxian in his arms, blew on the medicine and, after making sure it was not too hot nor too cold, delivered it to Wei Wuxian’s lips.
Wei Wuxian, helpless, gave in and drank the incredibly bitter liquid one mouthful at a time. He was fully aware that, because of the risk he took, he nearly couldn’t see Lan Zhan ever again. Finishing the medicine, he reached out and wrapped his arms around Lan Wangji’s waist. He buried his face in his chest, breathing in the scent of sandalwood.
Lan Wangji put down the bowl and returned the embrace, kissing the crown of Wei Wuxian’s hair and resting his face against his head. His hold on Wei Wuxian was not light, almost as if, in this way, he could keep the person in his lap from ever leaving again.
Lan Wangji had truly been frightened out of his mind. At the time, he stopped anyone he passed on the street to ask Wei Ying’s whereabouts, paying no regard to those people’s shell-shocked expressions. He was really afraid; more afraid than any of those passersby. Those people were afraid of pain and death, but the thought of anything happening to Wei Wuxian was more frightening than his own death.
Right now, Wei Wuxian had no strength in his arms. He really almost died this time. Unexpectedly, that evil spirit hadn’t been an evil spirit at all, but a demon…and an inner demon type* at that. Though Wei Wuxian was carefree…his shijie would always be a knife buried in his heart. To leave it be was akin to letting the hurt continue forever, but to pull it out…would let bloody rivers flow freely…
Lan Wangji didn’t say anything; he would not press on those open wounds. He was angry, but he did not punish Wei Wuxian as usual which would only serve to feed Wei Wuxian’s guilt. Wei Wuxian tried to silently communicate that he was fine but he was contradicted by his own ghostly pale complexion.
Wei Wuxian opened his mouth. “Lan Zhan.”
Lan Wangji answered, “Mn. I’m here.”
“Don’t be scared; I won’t leave.”
“Okay. Your words.”
Wei Wuxian said, “I’ll mark my own words. In the future, no matter what evil beings I come across, I won’t act on my own. If I don’t listen to you, you can use your forehead ribbon to tie me up, press me down on the ground…”
The words started out sincere but got more and more ridiculous but Lan Wangji did not employ his usual methods to shut him up. Heavens knew how scared he had been in that moment, seeing this person collapse into a pool of his own blood with that demon’s teeth sunk into his neck. His sword-wielding hand had been shaking, all thoughts of cultivation principles – guide first, never kill – flung cleanly from his mind. He only knew that nothing was allowed to take Wei Wuxian away from him; he did not want to experience that feeling of helplessness.
In those thirteen years, that person had appeared before him, dispersing into the wind before his eyes, again and again, leaving without a word…
How fortunate that Wei Wuxian came back in the end, but Lan Wangji could not imagine there could be a second time.
Thus, after Wei Wuxian could finally get out of bed, Lan Wangji would not let him go far no matter what. Every time the Lan juniors were in class, legs numb from sitting, they could see the sprawling figure of Wei Wuxian propped up against a soft cushion, drinking the tea Hanguang-jun steeped for him yet still with a bitter expression, yearning to drink something stronger. His gaze would cross with Hanguang-jun’s occasionally and the latter would drop a light kiss on the Yiling Patriarch’s forehead…
Lan Sizhui: Heh, all of you lack experience.
Lan Jingyi: It will be fine after a while. Even I’m used to it by now.
The other kids, being slowly poisoned: (((o(*ﾟ▽ﾟ*)o)))