Soul bonds

The third case

It was quite early in the morning and the air was very crisp. Lan Xichen and Lan Zhan walked towards one of the oldest cottages in the Cloud Recesses, the residence of their grandparents. It had not been used for a long time. Occasionally, their father would go there to conduct an inventory or clean the place. Not even helpers or servants were allowed in this area which was heavily guarded by spells and wards.

Lan Zhan had no memory of the place and Lan Xichen was very young when he visited. It was the first time in many years that they were coming to this place. QingHeng Jun had convened them as he had found a rare plant in the garden and was wondering about its medicinal properties. Lady Lan was a well-known herbalist and QingHeng Jun wanted them to see her garden.

QingHeng Jun and Lan QiRen were at the door waiting for them. Wen Qing stood behind them.

"Elders, Lady ZiYi sends her apologies. She was not able to come... She asked me to check the plant and report to her."

QingHeng Jun nodded. He turned to Lan Zhan, "A-Ying? I suppose he is still asleep?"

Lan Zhan nodded.

"Well, follow me..."

They followed him through the door and he immediately raised a ward. They were in an indoor garden, filled with all sorts of plants. The air and temperature was strictly controlled. Wen Qing felt like she was in wonderland. She was already impressed by Lady ZiYi's garden, which was much bigger than Lady Lan's garden. However, this one was special. Each plant was unique; some were hybrids. Lady Lan had even catalogued and documented all her work. She walked around in a daze, with a stupid smile plastered on her face, momentarily forgetting the reason they were gathered there.

"Wen Qing my child, these are all the special plants my mother cultivated. Feel free to look at them whenever you feel like. The purple flower is a rare one – it blooms once in fifteen years... You may need it to prepare some potions..."

Wen Qing quickly came back to her senses.

"Elder, I am really sorry! I got carried away..."

"It's alright child. Follow me... We have important things to discuss..."

The inner garden led to another outdoor garden. They strolled deeper in the garden till they reached a spot which held many fond memories in the hearts of the two Lan elders.

"This is such a lovely place. Thank you for sharing this little piece of heaven, Elder Lan" Wen Qing said.

Lan Xichen looked around at this vaguely familiar place. Lan QiRen looked at his brother and saw his glazed eyes. They were both thinking of the last time the family was gathered at this very spot.

"Xichen, you may not know this... This was where I announced your given name for the first time to your grandmother... You were not yet born..."

This was also the place where they had all chosen the names for Wei Ying – Ying, A-Ying, Ying-er, A-Xian, XianXian... where they had dreamt of a bright future filled with joy and laughter.

They each sat on the mats around a low table. QingHeng Jun prepared and served tea. He waited for everyone to finish before he spoke.

"Wen Qing, please tell us about A-Ying's mark..."

"Elders, a few months after he was born, A-Ying was brought to us. He was dying and it was somehow related to this mark... I have checked all the scrolls in my Father's library... This mark is the result of a curse which causes the loss of senses, possible Qi deviation, Qi dissolution, death within a couple of years and the soul being scattered in chaos... If my history lessons are correct, the caster must be a member of Lan family..."