XiCheng: The Last Lotus [AU- OMEGAVERSE]

10

"Hmph! Don't you 'my lady,' me!"

Yu Ziyuan narrowed her eyes, fixing a furious scowl at her disciples. "Fools," she muttered, grumbling under her breath. She was in a sour mood, and these idiots weren't helping. They kept slacking off, stopping the minute she turned around. Already, she could feel her temper rising, and rage bubbled up in her veins. Fucking hell. She was already so worried about Jiang Cheng- her precious baby having left for Gusu's yearly teachings. He would be fine, of course- but that didn't mean she didn't worry. Jiang Cheng might be 15 already, but he would always be her baby boy.

Yu Ziyuan sighed. It was all his fault. That soft, sweet husband of hers was far too forgiving. He spoiled his disciples rotten. Always spitting some nonsense about not pushing their boundaries. Hmph! Not pushing their boundaries? How were they supposed to get better then? At this rate- they weren't ever going to amount to anything!

She glared. As always, it was up to her to fix this mess.

"HURRY UP!" she bellowed, walking over to correct a junior's posture. "WHY IS YOUR BACK SO STRAIGHT? YOU WANT TO DIE? IF A CORPSE COMES AT YOU, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO DODGE AT ALL!"

"AND YOU! WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING? THAT FOOTWORK WAS AWFUL! YOU'D GET KILLED BY A LOW-LEVEL GHOUL!"

"ARE YOU DUMB?" she roared, spit flying as she narrowed in on a senior disciple. "AREN'T YOU SUPPOSED TO BE EXPERIENCED? ALL THESE YEARS OF TRAINING AND YOU STILL CAN'T DO SHIT! LOOK AT YOU! WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU EVEN DOING? WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU? YOU DON'T HOLD YOUR SWORD LIKE THAT UNLESS YOU HAVE A FUCKING DEATH WISH!"

"AND YOU! YOU FUCKING IDIOT. HOLD YOUR DAMN SWORD STRAIGHT. YOU WON'T EVEN LAST FIVE MINUTES!"

"YOU DIMWIT! BEND YOUR ELBOW! IF YOU DON'T BEND YOUR ELBOW, HOW THE HELL ARE YOU GOING TO USE YOUR SWORD?"

"WHY ARE YOU SLASHING?! IS THIS THE NIE SECT? ARE WE USING FUCKING SABERS? WHY ARE YOU USING YOUR SWORD LIKE IT'S A FUCKING KITCHEN KNIFE?"

"USELESS! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING? YOU OAF! THE JIANG SECT STYLE IS SUPPOSED TO BE GRACEFUL! YOU HEAR THAT? GRACEFUL. WHAT THE HELL IS THAT? YOU LOOK LIKE A HEADLESS CHICKEN!"

"ARE YOU FUCKING BLIND? HOW DO YOU TRIP OVER YOUR OWN TWO FEET? YOU WANT TO DIE?"

"AND YOU! HOLD YOUR GROUND. STOP FUCKING TREMBLING. IF YOU'RE GOING TO TREMBLE AT THE FUCKING AIR, HOW THE HELL ARE YOU GOING TO LIVE LONG ENOUGH TO KILL A CORPSE?"

"YOU OVER THERE! WHY DIDN'T YOU DODGE? DO YOU NOT HAVE ANY SENSE OF SELF PRESERVATION? YOU'RE GOING TO GET MINCED TO DEATH IF YOU DON'T FUCKING JUMP OUT THE WAY!"

"AND YOU! WHAT THE HELL?! ARE YOU HOPPING? LIKE A FUCKING RABBIT? I SAID JUMP, NOT HOP! JUMPING KEEPS YOU ALIVE, HOPPING MAKES YOU LOOK LIKE AN IDIOT."

"FUCKING HELL! YOU ABSOLUTE DUNCE! YOU-"

"My lady..." a soft voice interrupted, as a tall figure came to stand behind her. "Don't be so hard on them," the voice murmured, as strong arms came to rest at her waist. "Haste makes waste. Whatever level these children can achieve, will be up to their own destiny."

Ah. Her dear husband. Here to play the white knight. Of course, he would speak for them. Of course, he would protect these fools. Of course, he would give them an out. Of course, he would persuade her with that intoxicating voice of his. Of course, he would wrap her up in those strong arms of his. Of course, he would pepper her with kisses, slowly trying to draw out her fury. Of course, he fucking would.

And perhaps on any day, it would've worked.

But not today.

Today was the day Jiang Cheng went to Gusu. Today was the first time in seven years A-Cheng would see his mate. Lan Xichen was now the esteemed Zewu Jun, having undergone four years of service. He had traveled the world, earning his merits through skill and determination. And now he was back and better than ever.