WangXian Forever 5

Chapter 65 Flowers

It was early in the morning when they reached the flower market. Vendors were hurriedly setting up stalls and displaying their wares, men and women sat either on bamboo mats or stools, making garlands and hair pieces, bouquets and posies.

The scents of perfumed blooms filled the air, sweetening their arrival.

Hongse had suggested making Wei Ying a target to draw out the Children of the Tree.

"Should we just walk up and down?" Wei Ying asked Hongse.

"Yes, that should be fine. My sisters will notice anyone acting out of the ordinary and I can help protect your rear." She replied, already scanning the few crowds amassing for the early bargains.

The other three Flowers of Venus were somewhere around, silently keeping watch over them.

Lan Zhan was slightly miffed that she thought Wei Ying needed protection when he was standing right there, but they'd already moved on. He hurried to catch up, wondering if there was a way to lose these hangers on...

There were roses, peonies, sunflowers, gentians too, but it was the lotuses that really caught Wei Ying's attention. He bounced up to the merchant, beaming without restraint. He looked so happy, Lan Zhan could feel his own irritation slipping away.

So what if they were in a dangerous situation? So what if their problems were mounting up? Could any of that compare to standing with the most beautiful person in his world? Watching him smiling, being happy, it filled up the hole that tore every time he was reminded of their separation, mending him internally. Moments like these would have been impossible...

"Lan Zhan! Look what he gave me!" Wei Ying had two lotus pods in his hands, and he excitedly gave one to him. Lan Zhan kept it safe, watching his beautiful face light up with joy. Wei Ying picked out a pod, shelled it and pressed it against his lips, smiling even brighter when he accepted it.

The flavour burst inside his mouth, but he had eyes only for this selfless man in front of him.

Wei Ying deftly removed all the pods and began chewing, moving away from the stall. Lan Zhan discreetly paid the man quickly and followed his husband as he excitedly moved along, flitting like a butterfly.

He turned to say something when something landed on his nose and he laughed because it was so unexpected. The flower petal balanced precariously and then floated away, leaving an astonished Wei Ying, who noticed that there were more, lots more as they fell from the sky. All around them, different coloured petals floated like confetti; pinks, blues, yellows, lifting the air with their scents.

Lan Zhan was reminded of another time, another place, when they had been tracking the Yin Iron to TanZhou. Petals had fallen from the sky then too, and he had glanced at Wei Ying, only to find the younger one staring back, something unidentified lurking in his eyes.

But now, while everyone's attention was diverted by the glistening petals falling like snowflakes, his feet found their way to his beloved, unable to resist any longer.

Surprised, Wei Ying looked up at exactly the moment Lan Zhan angled his face so their lips met in the sweetest kiss. The slide of warm lips against each other's, the blood pumping in his veins, heart pounding like a drum, this, this feeling was everything. So much love. He poured everything he felt into this one kiss, until they had to break apart.

"Lan Zhan?" Wei Ying reached up to wipe away his tears.

"Happy." Lan Zhan leaned into his palm, his cheek resting against warm skin.

"Me too." Wei Ying smiled through his own tears. "Look at the pair of us! So sentimental!" But he did not protest when Lan Zhan gathered him into his arms.

Just then, he saw something that made him whirl around still holding Lan Zhan. The dart pierced his back and he bit his lip, trying not to cry out. His body stiffened, alerting Lan Zhan, who felt the wetness on his fingers and was shocked when they came away red.

Hongse De was already manipulating the air, deflecting all other air missiles, and there were many in a matter of seconds.

Wei Ying could not keep his eyes open any longer, but he managed to say two words before he passed out:

"Lemon juice."

Lan Zhan, horrified, caught him, and looked around.

There was an old lady peeling a loquat.

"Zumu, do you have any lemons? Please? It's an emergency!" He asked her.

She rummaged around in a bag and produced one, even slicing it for him. Lan Zhan placed Wei Ying on the ground and turned him over, after loosening his robes. He eased the dart out, which was still leaking poison, and caught it in a pouch, before squeezing the lemon so its juice fell into the hole.

Before Lan Zhan could blink, the hole began to seal itself. When he was sure that it had closed properly, he turned Wei Ying around and squeezed the remaining juice into his lips.

Slowly, and to his relief, Wei Ying started to stir. His eye lids fluttered open and he smiled, ignoring his own pain.

"I love you." He whispered.

There was a commotion coming closer towards them, even as Lan Zhan picked him up. When he turned around, the women in red were half dragging a young girl with them, firmly gripping her arms.

When she saw Wei Ying was awake, if not walking yet, she was so shocked, she stopped struggling. She looked on the ground and saw the discarded lemon skins, and her eyes widened in disbelief.

"How? How do you know the cure? Who told you?" She spat out.

"Your sister, Zhitiao." Wei Ying muttered, still not feeling alright yet.

The lemon juice was taking its time...

"That's impossible! Our sister would never betray us!" She shouted.

Now, a small crowd had gathered around them.

"Let's go." Hongse motioned them all to follow her.

She marched them back to their campsite.

The Flowers of Venus were busy showing the little girl what they could do. They were playing with fire and water in front of her.

When Li XiWang saw Wei Ying, she raced to get up, but Hui Gai held her back.

"Wait," he told her.

Lan Zhan put him down next to a fire that was suddenly started. Wei Ying was starting to shake uncontrollably. Blankets were piled upon him.

Li XiWang broke free and sat down next to him. All of a sudden, her eyes became white, her hands reaching for his pulse. She began to transfer spiritual energy, and when Lan Zhan saw what she was doing, he joined her to do the same.

After twenty minutes, he woke up.

"Little rabbit," he said, cautiously, noting her appearance. "I'm okay now."

Lan Zhan slowly removed her fingers from Wei Ying, and the action had Li XiWang passing out.

All throughout, the woman they had caught, watched them with a cold gleam in her eyes.