OUR HAPPILY EVER AFTER (A WANGXIAN STORY)
Chapter 54
The Jingshi was quiet when Wangji returned. Half his day was spent at the library, completing paperwork Lan Xichen left behind. Bichen was set on the table as he entered the inner chamber. A faint smile brightened his features. In his view was his partner, Wei Wuxian, and his nephew, Lan Jiang, resting peacefully on the bed.
Wangji turned the boy so he could lie down properly but after the shuffle, Lan Jiang rolled away from the spot- landing right next to Wei Ying. Wangji's worry was thrown off when Wei Ying responded to the boy's touch by putting an arm over him; his little body snuggling against the other's chest.
Wangji sat on the bed and stared at them a little longer. His hands grazed his nephew's head, then Wei Ying's face.
"Lan Zhan..."
"Mn...go back to sleep.", Wangji said softly when his spouse opened his eyes.
"...", Wei Ying smiled and drifted off again. Wangji carried on and changed into something appropriate then lay next to them. Staring at the ceiling above him, his mind was buried in things he didn't want to imagine. For almost an hour, the Jade could not find sleep. So he turned to the side and placed his hand on Wei Ying's; sandwiching his nephew. He was not sure it would work this time, yet after playing with the other's skin for a while, sleep finally usurped.
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"Where is he?", Li Qiang asked one of the disciples on guard. "He never left the room.", The person answered. Lan Xichen stepped forward, tired of the whispering and waiting for permission. "Take me to him", He said sternly. The others were careful about exposing their Master's current state to an outsider but they could not resist Lan Xichen's power for long and Li Qiang made them aware it was alright.
Xichen took a deep breath and opened the door. As he walked inside he looked left. Most of the candles were put out and the room was dark. With the flick of his fingers, the place came to life. Zewujun now had a clear view of the soft colors all around him; a few artifacts here and there, the neat painting of cherry blossoms hanging on the wall in the sitting area. The place was as warm as the person that stayed in it.
The strong stench of alcohol was first to greet him when he stepped into the bedroom. His feet met a few jars along the way as he walked to the man sitting on the floor with his back against the bedpost.
"Did I not warn you about disturbing me!!", Sect Leader Jiang's voice vibrated in the silent room. Lan Xichen halted. His heart was bruised by the sight. Jiang Cheng's whole appearance resembled that of a mad king ready to tear anyone apart in his rage.
"You're still here?!!... Xi, Xichen.", Jiang Wanyin yelled as he stood up to punish the disobedient disciple that entered his room but froze when he saw the Jade. Lan Xichen stood there silently, afraid, confused, and surprised. It was expected of Sect Leader Lan to be in pain: what responsible man would not break down after losing his wife. Xichen did not want to assume he knew how this person felt- he didn't. He only wished to ease the pain.
Jiang Cheng was a mixed bowl of unstable emotions and he didn't want anyone near him. Everyone around knew he was hurting but he wanted to believe they were ignorant of it. That, that was why they refused to leave him alone in his wife's room and constantly tried to get him out of there. Lan Xichen's steps were sluggish but he still got to his destination and buried Wanyin in his bosom.
Sect Leader Jiang thought he would fight back the urge but immediately those strong arms enveloped him, his broken end surfaced and he wept bitterly, calling for his wife.
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Jiang Ju's labor was a hard-fought battle. It went on for more than the estimated time. Judging by how well her first pregnancy went, the midwives believed this one would be easier. But it wasn't, the entire process exceeded twenty-four hours. The baby turned out to be macrosomic and was stuck at some point.
By the time they cut the perineum to pave the way, Jiang Ju was already a spent arrow. She had exerted too much force in the beginning and lost a lot of blood. Jiang Cheng was waiting in his study with Muyun then. He could not sit still the entire time and it bothered him that he was of no use now.
The woman shivered when the life inside her was finally out of the cage. The flesh on her chest heaved slightly with every strained breath. Physicians were already on standby to save any unpleasant situation.
Jiang Ju finally smiled when she heard the first cry. "It's a beautiful girl.", The head midwife said as she lay the naked baby on her mother's chest. 'Brother in law, you were right. A daughter is truly an amazing gift.', Her thoughts kept her smile up even when her eyes began to close.
"Lady Jiang...Lady Jiang!", the elderly woman quickly took the child to allow the doctors to do their work.
Jiang Cheng stood up the moment he sighted the Head Midwife. "Sandu Shengshau, you have a lovely girl.", the woman's words came with a faint smile. Jiang Cheng chuckled with pride and a sense of relief. Waiting for the baby to arrive had him on pins and needles for an entire day. "Thank you, Lady Su, is my wife in her room?", Jiang Cheng smiled.
"Yes...", Lady Su's voice was shaky.
"Is there any problem?", Jiang Cheng's smile was slightly slanted.
Lady Su, "..."
*****
Jiang Wanyin doubled his pace on his way to see his wife. Muyun had to run trice as fast to catch up to his father. "A'Ju...", Wanyin kissed his Lady's forehead and then her cheeks.
"Wanyin, have you seen our girl?", Lady Jiang smiled sweetly. "Not yet...Juju, are you feeling better... Is everything okay now?", Jiang Cheng turned to the physician in the room but they were oddly quiet.
"I'm okay my love, just tired.", Jiang Ju's breath was depreciating but her husband did not feel it. "Wanyin, we had a really good run, didn't we?...", Jiang Ju blinked from time to time, like there was sleep in her eyes.
"Hey, why are you talking like this?", Jiang Cheng wiped the sweat on her face with a wet towel by the bed.
"Nothing...", Lady Jiang shook her head. "...remember the first time I took your hand under the cherry blossom tree and promised to make you happy. Did I succeed? Are you happy with me?", Jiang Ju rushed with words this time around.
"A'Ju, slow down...I remember that time every day we're together. You kept your promise...I am happy you stayed by my side. Now stop talking and save your energy.", Jiang Cheng took her hand and kissed it a few times.
"...Yes dear husband, I should really...rest...now...", The Lady unhurriedly blinked twice. On the third count, her grip on her husband's hand loosened and her breath eventually seized...
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Lan Xichen stayed up all night even when Wanyin finally fell asleep. He could not bring himself to wake the Sect Leader up even if he knew it was necessary. Wanyin had clearly not rested in the past few days.
After ten, Sect Leader Jiang sprung up from the man's lap. "I need a drink.", was the first statement to escape his mouth. Lan Xichen's lips parted slightly, "You dont need a drink Wanyin, you need to clean up.", His eyes were fixed on the man searching the empty jars for a quick fix.
"Stay out this, I'm not in the mood.", Jiang Cheng did not want to waste time arguing. Checking behind the small table he found a sealed jar he missed the previous night. Jiang Cheng unsealed it and started gulping down the drink.
"Wanyin, that's enough!", Lan Xichen forcefully took the jar from him. "Lan Xichen!!!"
Xichen, "What?! Have you forgotten you have a family and a sect to take care of? Wallowing in self-pity and liquor will not change the outcome. Lady Ju is gone but she gave you something to protect."
"Hah...Haha! You think you're right because you gave a bit of advice? You have no idea how I feel or what I need to do.", Jiang Cheng walked past Xichen; wiping the drops of liquor on his lips with the back of his palm.
"You're right, I dont. That's why I'll help you figure it out. Let me take care of you until you're better.", Lan Xichen's eyes followed the other.
"No, where is Wei Ying?", Jiang Cheng asked.
"Wei Ying is not in the perfect state to help you, neither are you if you're going to keep hiding from your children. I want to help... We both know it is what Lady Jiang would expect of me, so please allow it.", Lan Xichen touched the heart of the wound.
"Is it because you still have feelings for me?", Jiang Cheng smirked painfully.
Xichen averted his gaze for a brief moment, that statement made him look like a hypocrite but that is not who he is. "Wanyin, I'm not here to take advantage of you. I'm only doing duty for my fallen friend.", Zewujun answered with a serious look on his face.
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Jin Rulan returned to JinLintai shortly after his Aunt was buried. He understood his Uncle wanted it to be private but he couldn't put away the fact that Wei Wuxian was not around. Jin Ling had seen Wei Ying a couple of times at Yunmeng and knew the Yiling Patriarch had a river to cross, yet it still bothered him. His Aunt and Wei Ying were very fond of each other; he should have been at the funeral.
In the end, he decided to go to Gusu to check if Wei Ying was alright; perhaps he was too heavy to travel.
The journey is always long but never unnecessary. Now that his Aunt was gone, they needed to be there to support Jiang Cheng as a family. Jin Ling didn't need an invitation to come into the Cloud Recesses because of Wei Ying, so he entered freely. Luckily for him, he found Lan Limin walking with some disciples and easily got his message across.
"I'm here to see my Uncle.", He said. Hence, the Lan boys found him a comfortable place to wait.
Lan Wangji was in the study with Sizhui when he received word that Master Jin was in the Sect. As the next in command after Sect Leader Lan, he needed to know when another sect Leader or important guest entered the Cloud Recesses.
"Sizhui, I have to talk to Master Jin before Wei Ying...Go to the Jingshi and stall him.", Lan Wangji said after the messenger left. His son was his right hand and knew what his father wanted to do. "Yes, Hanguanjun.", Sizhui curtseyed and went ahead.
*****
"Sect Leader Jin.", A disciple's voice made Jin Ling turn around.
"Lan Jingyi...Why are you the one bringing tea? Where are the juniors?", Jin Rulan nearly took the tray from the young man's hand when his feet drew too close. Jingyi smiled, "Well, they were busy.", He lied through his teeth.
"Sect Leader Jin seems to be swamped with work; you no longer come on night hunts with us.", Jingyi said.
"You're right, I do have a lot of work on my hands...", Jin Ling was not saying his truth. Yes, he had duties to perform but his main motives for not joining their night hunts was standing before him. "But, if you really want me to be there, I could make time.", Rulan's heart outwitted his mind.
"Hmph! As if I care what you do...Keep staying in your tower. Maybe one of these days a handsome prince will come to your rescue.", Jingyi mocked.
Jin Rulan frowned slightly as he shook his head, "Lan Jingyi, you're still annoying..."
Before the other could counter Jin Ling's word, the slight tap of Wangji's Bichen startled them. "Hanguanjun...", both men bowed in the awkward setting. Lan Wangji glanced at his disciple, then his partner's nephew. His plain expression seemed to hold some meaning this time around. He had been there for quite a while, yet both cultivators did not notice. Why Lan Jingyi would tell a lie and how Rulan wanted to compromise in the end was none of Wangji's business even if he could see it.
After one more stare from Hanguanjun, Jingyi left. As a guest, Jin Rulan wanted to follow the ways of the adults; beating about the bush before actually addressing what they really wanted to talk about. Wangji on the other end was getting impatient waiting for the Sect Leader to ask about the obvious.
Jin Ling, "Hanguanjun, is my Uncle's health in a bad state?"
Wangji raised his eyes after sipping on some tea, "No."
"That's good then, I was worried when he could not attend Aunt's funeral.", Jin Rulan finally let the cat out of the bag.
"Jin Rulan, your Uncle does not know yet. He may not be able to handle it...I dont want him to hurt himself and the...."
"Baby...", the younger one completed the statement while nodding his head. "Hanguanjun, as much as I see your reason dont you think Wei Wuxian will be angry if he finds out? When do you really plan on telling him?"
"Telling me what?"
Wangji's hand froze in the air; just as he was about to take another sip from the teacup. His eyes fell on Sizhui as Wei Wuxian leaned on him for support. "Go on, tell me what I'll be upset, Wei Ying managed to sit in the end. Lan Wangji was silent, trying to decipher what Wei Ying may or may not have heard...
Thanks for reading...Sorry for any grammatical errors. I know most of you will be upset about this update but I hope you accept my condolence for losing a character you may have liked or even loved😔🙏💔 😥.
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