[MDZS] The Dragon and the Fox

Sleepy Wei Ying

Lan Zhan didn't know what to do. Wei Ying wouldn't awaken even for eating. Lan Zhan was so worried, he didn't sleep at all. Even the local healers couldn't comprehend what caused it. Lan Zhan wished he had stayed in Gusu and just hid Wei Ying away. He hated placing his - beloved? No - ward! - in more danger.

He decided to carry the young fox back to Gusu - back to Cloud Recesses - and leave him there and ask Xichen to investigate for him. It would be much better. He would feel better. Wei Ying would be safer.

Lan Zhan went to his brother for advice. "Wei Ying isn't waking up. Am worried."

Xichen: "Tell me exactly what transpired between you three when you met the man in shadow."

Lan Zhan: "Brother should already know."

Xichen nodded. "Yes. I do already know, but I want you to tell me yourself."

Lan Zhan thought about it. He went over all the events in his head. Xichen waited patiently, sipping his tea quietly while doing so. "We chased the man down after we found them. We chased them into an alleyway. It was dark, and even with our eyesight being as good as it is, we couldn't see anything. This one suddenly heard a whooshing sound, as of a small object being thrown. There was a menacing laughter. Then...nothing. This one didn't think anything of it, until this one saw a thin needle in Wei Ying's arm. Pulled it out, but nothing happened so don't know if that's what caused this problem with Wei Ying."

Xichen already knew all which had transpired on that day. However, hearing it from his brother was more informational than seeing it himself. He frowned in contemplation. "I will tell you now, Wangji, that the shadowed man - his aim has always been, and always will be, Wei Gongzi. The young fox saw everything the man did, though he doesn't remember any of it. We need to find a way to bring that portion of his memory back. Does he have nightmares often?"

Lan Zhan nodded. Xichen smiled knowingly. "I thought as much. Wangji, when he awakens next, allow me to try something. You may not like it, because I have to touch him, and it will cause him a great deal of pain, but it is necessary."

Lan Zhan furrowed his brow with a frown. He was uncertain. "Problem is Wei Ying not waking up."

Xichen nodded. "I know, Wangji. I know. I will help with that as well. Actually, Uncle would be better suited for that than I would."

Lan Zhan raised a brow in confusion. "Why is that?"

Xichen chuckled. "I always tell you, you're forgetful of certain things. Uncle is a master of curses. Remember now?"

Lan Zhan did remember. However, he didn't think it was a curse. He thought something was physically wrong with the fox boy. He never once thought of a curse. He nodded. "Where is Uncle now?"

Xichen: "He is in his room, but I wouldn't go there right now. He has been very busy as of late with a project he is working on. Even I don't know what it is."

Lan Zhan nodded. He left. Back at the Jingshi, he sat on the bed beside the fox boy, who remained asleep. Lan Zhan gazed at the boy, holding his hand. "Wei Ying..." He moved the hair from the boy's face and kissed his forehead. "Wake up soon," he spoke softly to the other.

He left the Jingshi with a new resolve. Xichen happened to be passing by on his way to the gate. He stopped when he noticed his brother exiting the Jingshi and heading the same way. He quietly followed the other, until they reached the gate. "Wangji." Lan Zhan stopped and turned to face Xichen. "Where are you going?"

Lan Zhan: "To find the shadowed man."

Xichen: "Wangji. You can't very well find him on your own. What will happen should Wei Gongzi not find you here? After all, you did promise to always protect him."

Lan Zhan: "Am protecting. Wei Ying will stay here, while this one searches for the shadowed man."

Xichen sighed. "Wangji. What if I told you, the shadowed man is hiding somewhere in Cloud Recesses?"

Lan Zhan's eyes widened just the minutest bit. He immediately hurried back inside the gate. Xichen chuckled at his victory, but then he scowled. Sure, it was only to trick his brother into staying, until the curse could be lifted, but Xichen had a bad feeling all the while the two had returned. He didn't contemplate on it more. Instead, he gave orders to his informants to keep watch for the shadowed man. Why shadowed? It was very peculiar indeed. He walked on to his destination away from Cloud Recesses.

Lan Zhan ran back to the Jingshi. He sighed in relief seeing Wei Ying still sleeping, unharmed. His brother had tricked him. Lan Zhan knew his brother was right, of course. He couldn't leave Wei Ying - not then, not ever.

A light knock resounded on the door. "Wangji. It's me. Open the door this instant." Lan Zhan opened the door to reveal a tired and disheveled Qiren. "I've come to help. That blasted brother of yours is tricky as always. Anyway...what I wanted was to give you this." He held out a small object about the size of a pendant. Lan Zhan accepted it, inquiring as to what it was. "This will protect you from any harmful spells. It goes beyond the Jiang Clan's bells which protect from illusions. I made one for you and your friend over there."

Lan Zhan accepted them with thanks. He placed one of the objects on Wei Ying's sash belt. "This one thanks Uncle for the gifts."

Qiren: "No need to thank me. I did it to help, not to find gratitude. The young fox should awaken in an hour or so. I will take my leave now. Good day, Nephew."

Lan Zhan watched over the fox boy for the next hour or so. When curfew hit, he decided to ready himself for bed. He laid down beside Wei Ying.

In the middle of the night, Wei Ying awakened with a gasp. He shot upright in the bed. After calming down, he noticed the sleeping figure beside him. He smiled, noticing they were Lan Zhan. The cold air hit him hard, and he shivered. He laid down again, covering himself as best he could with the blankets, curling up, trying to warm himself. He froze when a pair of strong arms wrapped themselves around him.

Wei Ying felt warm and cozied closer to the source. Lan Zhan was always radiating warmth like a furnace. Wei Ying loved it. "Lan Zhan~ You know? You're always so nice and warm! How could anyone think you're cold when you're this warm?"

Lan Zhan: "Wei Ying. Sleep."

Wei Ying: "But, Lan Zhan! I slept so much, I'm not sleepy anymore!"

Lan Zhan rose halfway and whispered in the other's ear, "Sleep." Wei Ying felt himself grow drowsy, and darkness overtook him. Lan Zhan pulled the fox boy closer and smiled, falling asleep once more.

------------------

Finally have this chapter done! Sorry it took so long. I have a lot going on in my life like work and other stuff. I hope you enjoy the chapter❤️