WangXian Forever 5

Chapter 13 Corrections

Lan Zhan took them straight to the Jingshi.

He had not spoken yet.

Wei Ying and Li XiWang both knew they were in hot water right now. They both sat down at the table meekly, not daring to look up or speak at all.

Lan Zhan started pacing. Then he turned around and said, "do not move."

And then he walked out of the Jingshi.

Wei Ying couldn't help the nervous giggle that left his mouth.

Li XiWang reached out to hold his hand.

"I think he's really mad at us." She whispered.

Sure enough, there was a horrendous crashing noise not far away. It went on for a while, before a brief period of silence, and then Lan Zhan returned, straightening his robes.

He whisked his robes behind him, and sat down with an unintentional flourish.

Wei Ying couldn't help but admire him, and only the fact that he was in trouble, prevented him from sighing dreamily.

"Now, you are to listen to me." Lan Zhan pulled out a piece of parchment and ink.

"Rule number one, do not take unnecessary risks." He stopped to glare at both of them.

"Number two, one other adult must be present at all times, when Wei Ying is teaching Li XiWang." He glared at only Wei Ying now.

"Anyone...? Or do you have someone in mind?" His voice squeaked to a stop, and Wei Ying blushed with embarrassment.

"Amendment 2A, I must be present at all times." He sighed.

"But Lan Zhan, you have duties." Wei Ying summoned enough courage to blurt that out.

Li XiWang squeezed his hand in sympathy.

"I have an assistant." He bit out.

"S-sure." Wei Ying kept his eyes on the floor.

"Rule number three, if I am not available, Wei Ying must wait."

"Okay."

This went on until they passed the twelfth rule. Finally, Lan Zhan put his brush down.

"Now, you may go." He added.

Li XiWang bowed and left, throwing Wei Ying an apologetic look before disappearing.

"Does Wei Ying have anything to add?" Lan Zhan stared at him, his face completely devoid of any emotions.

"Um, well, I thought...I thought you might want to tell me off."

He was met with silence. He wasn't sure what to do. He started wringing his hands.

"No."

"No?" Wei Ying looked uncertain.

"No." The answer was firm.

Well, now he definitely didn't know what to do.

He stared at the floor, and to his dismay, his eyes started watering. He tried not to make a noise, but he couldn't help sniffling.

'Plop'.

'Plop, plop!'

More tears fell on the floor, before a soft handkerchief dabbed at his eyes. Blindly, he threw his arms around Lan Zhan's neck, still sniffling.

Lan Zhan sighed and carried him onto their bed.

"Do you know why I was upset?" He asked.

"Yes." More sniffling.

Lan Zhan thought he was so cute. Especially when he had done something wrong.

He hadn't meant to lose his temper, and was only glad that he had maintained enough self control not to yell at anyone.

The Lans did not yell.

"Do you know what I thought, when I saw that tidal wave?"

Wei Ying didn't care. He just wanted him to carry on talking in that lovely deep voice of his, that never failed to comfort him.

"It was dangerous."

Wei Ying nodded silently.

"What was your back up plan?"

"Huh?"

"I assume you had one. Perhaps not." Lan Zhan sighed and held him close. "It matters not. It will not happen again. Am I clear?"

Wei Ying nodded tearfully.

"Does Wei Ying promise?" But there was a twinkle in his eyes.

That was great! Wei Ying could work with twinkles.

He hastily wiped his eyes with his sleeve and put three fingers next to his temple.

"I promise."

"Good boy." Lan Zhan kissed his nose. "Do you feel better now?"

Wei Ying nodded again. He snuggled closer.

"Thank you, Lan Zhan."

******

They decided to wait a few days before approaching Lan Zhan again.

Lan Zhan happened to be in the library this time.

Wei Ying shoved the little girl in front of him, keeping a hold on her robes so she didn't fall. She scowled at him and turned to face her other father with the brightest smile.

"Father? Father was wondering if we can go and train today?" She looked so hopefully at him that he couldn't say no.

"Very well." Lan Zhan stood up, staring at a jubilant Wei Ying, who was trying not to look so happy.

At Lan Zhan's insistence, they travelled by sword to the same place they'd practiced before.

Trees lay broken surrounding the edges of the lake, and the area where they had sat to meditate first was completely ruined. Only the new tree stood firm, strong and still growing.

Wei Ying knelt on one knee and tested the ground; it hummed with a familiar energy.

"They looked at the destruction around them, and Li XiWang was sad.

"You were right, Lan Zhan. I...I was irresponsible. I'm sorry." Wei Ying whispered.

"I have a good idea for the lesson of today." He replied, brightly instead.

"Li XiWang, you must take responsibility for your actions. Even if you didn't mean to do it, all this," he gestured around them, "was caused by you. You must fix it."

"Yes, father." With the utmost seriousness, Li XiWang sat on the ground.

Wei Ying watched as she settled in through the first stages of meditation until she reached the second stage.

She channelled her spiritual energy into the earth, calling upon the natural energies already present, and asking for help.

Wei Ying saw the first tree, it's roots mangled and twisted, start to vibrate, faster and faster. The roots straightened themselves out and like fingers creeping along the ground, the roots dug up the earth and crawled into fresh holes.

Li XiWang repeated this process again and again, until every single damaged and fallen tree had healed and replanted itself.

Finally, she opened her eyes, exhausted. She lay down on her back, with a smile of pure satisfaction.

Wei Ying sat down next to her head and kissed her temple.

"I'm so proud of you, little rabbit. You did well." He told her, affectionately.

"Mn." Even Lan Zhan gave them a smile.