[[忘羡 | WangXian 3]] : Our Flesh And Bones

[88.] Due south.

The following days were busy. 

Hanguang-Jun was making arrangements, giving final instructions about who should be doing what in the month to follow. Most of the servants were disappointed that they wouldn't be celebrating New Year's and Master Lan's birthday at Cloud Recesses, but some were glad as it was a lot of work. Lan Wangji allowed for anyone to go back to their homes and be with their families, if they wanted to  –  all the Lan Clan disciples were definitely going to enjoy the holiday.

Bai Li was panicking  – she was to be left in charge until Master Wen was back, and she dreaded it. She could not forget the bloody chamber from a couple of days ago, nor the night when Master Lan was so afraid of his husband that they had to travel to the Gusu Clan Lake House at night. 

She didn't want to admit it even to herself, but she was a little bit afraid of that baby. Miao Lu looked bland and harmless in herself, but she would never feel safe unless at least one cultivator was at the House.

Wei Wuxian was taking advantage to the warm weather and was circling around with a list in his hand, checking tasks off. He was still warmly dressed, and on most days he looked pale and sick. Of course, this meant that he was spending more time with Miao Lu, so much so that during the last two nights before their departure he had asked her to stay the night and sleep with them. He had expected his husband to sulk and protest, but Lan Zhan was surprisingly calm and let him take his time with her, using the free evenings to read more.

The young woman felt extremely uncomfortable and embarrassed, especially as she had to listen to Wei Ying apologizing to his unborn son for hours:

- Hey little darling! How are you, my baby? Good, yes?  Is it warm in there? Ah, I bet it is! Lucky you!  –  he was cooing. – You see, me and your Dad will be away for a bit... but we will miss you so much! So much, my babyboy! We love you so much! I promise we will be back soon! Very very soon!

Miao Lu was blushing, looking forward to the time when her belly would be bigger so that the baby could really be listening to those words. Lan Wangji was smiling at the foolish talk; late at night he was watching his sleeping husband - Wei Ying was smiling in his sleep, with his face buried in Miao Lu's lap. 

They were both taking a break from all the intense lovemaking, without needing to discuss it even. Their last hot night together had broken something in him, and in a good way too. He was often pondering about it, coming to the conclusion that one had to live through pain to reach enlightenment – there was no shortcut to it. 

All the clichés were true, but one understood them only after personal experience.

Miao Lu was battling with so many overwhelming emotions that she wasn't quite sure how she felt. She was excited, and a little scared too. She knew she would be missing her Master Wei, but she enjoyed her time with her Master Wen too. 

Staying all alone with Bai Li could be boring, but also a little frightening. Her maid had gotten into the habit of telling her fables and ghost stories and they laughed over those often, especially on the days when the Masters would not leave their room at all.

Sue Lin was more thrilled than her even, when Bai Li told her the Masters needed her in the bedroom – it was an honor. She was literally trembling that evening, but it soon became very clear that no sex was planned for the night, and as Wei Wuxian crawled all over her to reach her lap, she gasped, thinking that Hanguang-Jun would do something... well, extreme.

 But he never even looked at them – at the other end of the bed, he was leaning towards the candlelight, topless and sweating in the warm room, reading, focused. Wei Ying was so close to her, so lightly dressed, that she craved to just reach out and touch him, caress him. She knew she couldn't. His touch through the clothes had to be enough.

The physician came and went. He congratulated the Mistress for her "easy pregnancy", truly surprised by the fact that it was her first. He told them that the baby was to be expected in the beginning  of summer. 

Hanguang-Jun was watching her rosy cheeks, gnashing his teeth, knowing too well how pale and exhausted Wei Wuxian had been lately. He said absolutely nothing, but thanked the doctor, and invited him for a second check in spring, but he already knew that Wei Ying would not be physically able to ride to Yunmeng. He gave orders for the servants to prepare a carriage for the trip – he now had no doubts that it would take them two, even three days  in bad weather, to get there,  so he had to plan for a stay at an inn.

This, of course, opened more work for Bai Li, as Hanguang-Jun made it very clear that the carriage had to be warm for his husband. She prayed for warm weather, but the morning of their departure was overcast, and a light drizzle was in the air. Everybody knew it was going to rain.

- Bai Li, parasols. Let him sleep in.  –  Lan Wangji snapped at her, and she rushed to bring those.

The breakfast was ready, but was now getting cold, as Master Wei was still in bed. She had thoughtfully prepared some light food for the road for the Masters, but had no way to keep it warm. She sighed. She was pretty sure that if it was Miao Lu who was to travel that day  -  Hanguang-Jun wouldn't bother with such extensive preparations. But he couldn't help it; it was his nature.

A very sleepy Wei Ying appeared at the porch and approached the Mistress, who was watching the last preparations, nervous to see her Masters go. 

He bent down at an impossible angle and mumbled:

- Good morning, sweetheart... Are you very mad at me? Because I feel like you are...

- Good morning, Wei Qianbei.  –  she blushed, as she knew that he wasn't talking to her at all.  –  Good morning, Hanguang-Jun.  –  she bowed lightly now.

- Miao Lu. – he nodded quickly, all his attention was focused on Wei Wuxian.  –  Darling, let's get some breakfast; we are slightly... umm, late.

- Ah, Lan Zhan... Lotus Pier is not going to move anywhere...  -  Wei Ying rubbed his eyes, making his husband's heart skip a beat.

- Yes, sweetheart.  –  Lan Wangji wrapped his arm around his shoulders and led him to the kitchen  –  it was the warmest place right now.

They sat down for breakfast, ignoring all the bowing servants, sipping on hot tea and nibbling on some food. Everything seemed ready; Wei Wuxian's checklist has somehow magically appeared in his husband's sleeve, and they confirmed all tasks. Their personal belongings were loaded into the carriage, and also all the gifts Lan Wangji wanted to lay as offering at the temple for New Year's. He was pleased with his decision, as otherwise all the luggage was going to get soaking wet on horseback. And the fact that Wei Ying was going to be dry and protected from the bad weather warmed his heart.

- Be safe, Masters.  –  both Bai Li and Miao Lu bowed to all three of them when all was ready for setting off.

- Your Master Wen should be back by the end of the week. -  Hanguang-Jun said sternly.  –  Bai Li, I count on you until then.

She bowed, smiling. 

He cast one last glare at Miao Lu, and mounted the horse. 

They were gone with the first rays of the dull winter dawn.