WangXian Forever 5

Chapter 57 Mandolins

Given the summer heat was too much for all of them except Hui Gai, they decided to change their travelling times so that it would be more comfortable for everyone.

This meant that, to ensure they covered enough distance daily, they would have to start out earlier in the mornings, take longer breaks at midday and travel later in the evenings. There wasn't exactly a rush to get to their destination, which was still somewhat of a mystery, but Wei Ying missed being at Cloud Recesses.

It wasn't so bad just yet, but he knew from the times he'd left before that there really was no place like home. He missed his XiChen-ge, and Jiang Cheng, and Uncle Qiren. But he missed all three of his other children more; even if all three were young men now.

And probably didn't need him that much. It was a sobering thought, and Wei Ying sighed deeply.

Lan Zhan was still feeling the effects of whatever he had drunk two nights ago, but he didn't miss the frown on Wei Ying's face. They were holding hands while they walked, and he gave it a hard enough squeeze to pull Wei Ying out of his reverie.

"Huh?" He looked blankly at Lan Zhan, and looked around.

They were now travelling through a thick, dense forest. Light from the sun struggled to penetrate through the thick canopy of leaves obscuring the sky, casting a gloomy darkness over their path. Dead leaves scattered the narrow trail, trees and overgrowth threatening to take back the cleared space which allowed them to walk unobstructed.

"What's wrong?" Lan Zhan purposefully kept his voice low, keeping an eye on Li XiWang who was definitely more subdued than normal.

He had seen Hui Gai look at her more often, checking the same thing.

"Nothing. Nothing's wrong." Wei Ying quickly reached up and kissed his cheek, shivering at the darkening of amber eyes.

"What is Wei Ying thinking about?" Lan Zhan persisted, wiping away the slight sheen of sweat on his face.

"Home." He answered straight away. "I miss Cloud Recesses."

Lan Zhan brought him closer into his arms.

Something whizzed past them, missing Wei Ying by inches, Lan Zhan's superb instincts kicking in just in time. Wei Ying looked at the glimmering silver dart on the ground, just a few inches away. More followed, only beaten back by WangJi's blue energy stream, and then just as suddenly, they stopped.

They hurried to catch up to the others, hearing voices just past the bend of the trees.

A carriage stood precariously balanced, its two wheels still on the trail, but two rocking dangerously off the side, leaning towards the wrong edge.

The carriage itself was beautiful. Red silk curtains were tied back at the windows and silk flowers decorated the entire structure. The darkness of the wood with the brightly coloured flowers created an attractive contrast that Wei Ying found himself admiring.

A cart horse stood to one side tied to a tree and trying to graze on a nearby bush. He tossed his mane now and again, neighing softly. Wei Ying went up to him first, stroking his head.

Loud curses flew out from the other side of the ditch and they were all surprised, because this carriage had looked abandoned at first glance.

Wei Ying crouched down to see a sweaty man dressed in brown robes, heaving with futility, trying to push the carriage out from the ditch. His features were ordinary and he looked pleasant faced enough.

"Hello." He said in a friendly voice, giving him a smile and a wave. "Need a hand?"

The man stopped what he had been trying to do and climbed out from the ditch. He wiped his hands on his clothes and bowed.