Red Phantom

Chapter 5

Lan Xichen's POV

After the meeting with my uncle about Zhu staying here, I quickly made my way back towards my room, when a disciple came up to me with worried eyes.
"What's wrong?" I questioned softly.
"Zhu, she went into her room but didn't come out for a while. I knocked before looking in and she was gone, once I noticed I came to find you ZeWu-jun," He spoke with a shaky voice.
Without a word I pushed past him and ran to Zhu's room, going in seeing that she was indeed gone. Walking further into the room I found a letter on the bed, picking it up and reading it.

Xichen,
I know you'll be upset that I left, especially like this. Please understand, I had to go talk to Wuxian and try to understand all that has happened. I know that you'll send Wangji after me, when he comes to get me I'll wait for him in town. I just need three day's then I'll come back with Wangji and finish recovering. Sorry to upset you, or cause you to worry, that isn't my intention. Just please try to understand why I have to do this.

-Zhu

I put the letter down as I felt a tear run down my cheek, before turning and heading into my room. Why couldn't she just stay here with me, where she's safe, and I can protect her. I know her connection to Young Master Wei, but still I need to know she's safe. Especially after getting herback and her just waking from her coma, and she's gone again to try and make things right. Why can't she for once worry about herself first instead of everyone else, all though that's what I love about her. She's willing to sacrafice herself for anyone else, but especially for those closest to her. I just can't help but wonder and worry about her, I can't loose her yet again, especially after just convincing uncle to let her permantly stay here, finally I'd get to have her here, and keep her fully safe no matter what. I thought to myself before there was a knock on my door.
"Come in," I spoke softly.
"Xichen, why did you run in the hall?" I heard Wangji questioned as he took a seat in front of my table.
"A disciple informed me that Zhu was missing from her room, it made me worry so I had to go check. That's why I ran, and now I'm going to write out the rules of our sect as punishment," I whispered with a small smile.
"Where did Zhu go?" He mumbled while staring into my eyes.
"She went to talk to Young Master Wei, you will go to town where she'll be waiting to collect her and bring her home," I stated looking away from him.
"You've been crying," He stated emotionless.
"I'm worried Wangji, I dont want anything to happen to her that's all," I whispered while grabbing some paper and my brush.
"I'll leave in the morning, I'll bring her back safely," He sated before standing and going to the door.
"Thank you," I mummbled as he left my room.
I sat there at my table writing out the rules when a piece of paper and tailsmen appeared in front of me. Carefully picking it up seeing the transportation tailsmen that Zhu uses along with a letter from Young Master Wei. Carefully reading over his letter letting me know that Zhu was with him and that he'd return him when she was strong enough to come back. A smile formed on my lips as I knew she was safe, but slowly it faded as now knew she was still too weak, and never should've left in the first place.
"Xichen, uncle wants to talk with you about Zhu's disappearance," I heard Wangji say through the door.
"I'll be right there," I called while getting up.
Grabbing my flute and sword before leaving my room, walking slowly to uncles chambers. Once I arrived I bowed and sat infront of uncle, while Wangji stood next to me.
"I heard Zhu has disappeared to go talk to Wei Wuxian, and that you're sending Wangji to go collect her. Is that correct Xichen?" Uncle questioned softly.
"Yes, that's correct. She left because I told her what happened with Wuxian. She has a closer connection with him that even any of the Jiang's have. Her intentions are pure, she only wants to understand what has happened, and try to bring him back to the good side of things," I stated carefully.
"She may have good intentions but she must be careful being around him. He has a bad reputation now that could drag her down, and then reflect badly onto us since she'll be staying here with you," Uncle mused while staring at me.
"Once she gets back she won't leave again she'll recover until she's well enough to fight again," I whispered softly.
"You'll go with Wangji, the day you both arrive get settled in a tavern, Jiang Yanli will be marrying Jin Zixuan a few days later," Uncle muttered before drinking his tea.
"Will you not uttend?" I questioned quickly.
"With my health I can't, I also must stay here and watch over things. That's why the two of you will go. I'm having a few deciples prepare some womens clothing for you to take with for Zhu. She won't be at the wedding but she needs clothes to wear when you guys travel back," He spoke quickly with a soft smile.
"Thank you uncle," I stated bowing before standing.
"Another thing Xichen. With Zhu staying here you will court her and in a year you will get married to her, that's the only way she can permenatly stay here," He stated quickly.
"Yes Uncle I understand," I spoke bowing once more before leaving with Wangji.
"Xichen, does uncle know about what Zhu and Wuxian have in common?" Wanji asked softly.
"You mean the dark matter that surrounds her from time to time?" I asked curiously.
"Yes," He stated simply.
"He's aware of it, but he also knows that it wasn't something she chose willingly, like Wuxian has chosen. Zhu is actively trying to get rid of it, there's enough proof of that, but it has a strong hold on her. I'll be helping her once she's back here to destroy whatever it is, as soon as I know more about it, so don't worry Wangji," I mused quickly as we walked towards our chambers.
"Is there a way to get rid of what's controlling Wei Ying?" He questioned hopeful.
"Only if he wants to get rid of it, but if he doesn't then he can't. You have to find out why he has it to begin with, and then from there you can work on getting rid of it," I answered carefully.
"He won't tell me why he has it, I think Zhu knows though," He spoke eyeing me.
"I'll ask her about it," I spoke before walking into my chambers.
"Thank you Xichen, I'll see you in the morning," He spoke before leaving to his chambers.
Nodding my head before closing my door and going over to my table, sitting to write the rules once more. While writing I let my mind wonder a bit to the time I spent with Zhu, and how one of those days I had fallen for her without even realizing, until I had lost her.