The meaning of protecting you with my life

All clear check

"I need to examine you, Wei Wuxian."

Wei Wuxian only hardly noticed Wen Qing's words. He had been still struck with what Jiang Cheng had said about him being a threat. It was breaking his heart that his brother would think of him in such a way but after what he had learned while eavesdropping, it was actually making sense. Everyone around here was despising and fearing him, they were only tolerating him because of the power balance the Yunmeng Jiang sect got to keep because of him.

He closed his eyes minutely to get over his aching heart. He could live with that; he had already resigned himself to it after he had overheard the rumours. He just did not think that anyone would tell it to his face like this, much less Jiang Cheng of all people. Then again, perhaps he should have expected it after all, his brother was now the Yunmeng Jiang sect leader and it was his job to keep everything and everyone in check. It was clear he thought that Wei Wuxian needed that reminder of the conditions under which he was allowed and obliged to stay here.

When Lan Zhan tugged at his hand to make him move, he finally opened his eyes and looked at him. His heart immediately melted seeing the Second Jade's worried expression. There was at least one person who truly cared about him as far as he could tell.

Even if someone threatened him, he would not believe that Lan Zhan would ever betray him or go against him. Not after their heartfelt confession and those several days they have spent together. Just the two of them with some occasional visits from his family's members. Lan Zhan was so sweet and caring all the time. And he did try his best to distract Wei Wuxian and let him experience nice things, even under the circumstances they had found themselves in.

Wei Wuxian knew his place well and Lan Zhan also must have understood. Despite the disciples saying that he was not under house arrest the first day Lan Zhan took him to eat lunch outside, Jiang Cheng's behaviour just now talked about a different story. But it did not matter too much, not as long as Lan Zhan was permitted and willing to stay with him in his small, enclosed world.

He gathered himself enough to be able to joke around when Wen Qing was examining him. She always made the funniest faces when he answered her questions. Though she could also be quite scary when he lied to her about his condition. He had found out from the first time he had woken up that he should never try to pretend to be alright in front of her because she would immediately see right through him and would make him eat his words by showing him exactly where his body was aching the most.

That was all in the past though. Wei Wuxian felt great and nothing hurt anymore. Even the strain the resentful energy had put onto his mind had been dissipating steadily with Lan Zhan playing healing music for him every day and taking him out to have some fun. Distraction always worked the best for him in order to forget the screaming inside his head.

He now stood tall and proud and could answer all of Wen Qing's questions without pretending anything. And she knew it, it seemed. She did not look at him with suspicion anymore and did not take out her needles either.

"So, how is he?" asked Jiang Cheng, his voice full of concern. It was making Wei Wuxian believe that he still cared about him. Not as about a prisoner or as someone whom he needed to maintain his sect's power, but as about a brother or at least someone he truly cared about. Everything was forgotten and Wei Wuxian smiled brightly at him.

He even chose not to tease him about his apparent concern or about the fact that there was visibly something between him and Wen Qing. Perhaps even something similar to what he and Lan Zhan had. He could tell from the tone of his voice which was just a tiny bit softer and less angry when he talked with the Dafan clan doctor. Wei Wuxian was happy for his little brother and he chose to behave to not ruin this moment.

The examination was finished and Wen Qing was now looking at him with something akin to satisfaction. Then she turned to face Jiang Cheng and offered her verdict: "Well, I cannot see anything wrong with him anymore. I would say he is healed. At least as much as he is able to this quickly. He should still eat well and regain some weight and muscle but aside for that, he is fine, physically speaking."

Wei Wuxian did not like her last words as it assumed she knew about his unstable mental state and difficulty in dealing with the resentful energy. She was his doctor, so there was nothing he could do to hide that fact from her. But she did not have to spill it out to Jiang Cheng, he thought.

However, the Yunmeng Jiang sect leader did not seem to have picked up on that meaning and instead looked straight at Wei Wuxian, his eyes squinted into tight holes as If he was trying to see any lies. Wei Wuxian smiled reassuringly and leaned a bit into Lan Zhan, silently asking for some support. The Second Jade squeezed his hand lightly to let him know he was there with him. It soothed the Yunmeng Jiang sect head disciple.

"Alright then," Jiang Cheng said in the end. "Does that mean that he is free of confinement to bed? Not that he had spent much time recovering in it thought."

Wen Qing gently patted Jiang Cheng's shoulder and the Yunmeng Jiang sect leader visibly relaxed. His expression became less suspicious as well. He really must have been fond of her to show a small smile while talking to her, thought Wei Wuxian.

"Yes, I say he is fine to do whatever he wants again. Of course under supervision." Wen Qing confirmed and shot a meaningful glance in Lan Zhan's direction.

Wei Wuxian did not even feel offended when it would be the Second Jade keeping him company and guarding him. He knew fully well that his loved one would not deny him things unnecessarily.

He would still have to be careful to not overstep any bounds and not let the cultivation world doubt his intentions. But it would be fine, at last, he was allowed to go back to his duties as the Yunmeng Jiang sect head disciple. The days of leisurely rest were finished, now it was time for him to play his part in front of the whole cultivation world.