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

[132.] Damage Control.

Bai Li was really strict about talking to everybody in the House about the story they had to present to the world as to protect the Masters and their son. 

Hanguang-Jun took on himself the heavy, and unpleasant task to write to all the Clans and inform them that Miao Lu had lost the baby in childbirth, and for the time being – it was Lan Sizhui who would become the new Gusu Clan Leader.

One more letter was sent  –  to travel swiftly to Lan Huan in Yunmeng. Lan Wangji was warning him not to trust any rumors connected to Gusu, and asking the permission of the Yunmeng Jiang Clan Leader to visit soon, telling him that they had one or two surprises for them. Zewu-Jun read the letter together with Sandu Shengshou, who was climbing all over him, as was his habit lately, and the two of them would laugh and wonder what the surprises might be.

Jiang Cheng was too sure that the baby was a girl and was cheering that: "Serves them right! Those idiots wouldn't know what to do with a girl!",  grinning. After discussing it at length, and after a lot of huffing and sulking on the part of Jiang Wanyin, Lan Xichen wrote that they would be happy to have them, that the wedding was planned to be in a couple of weeks, and that they would be very pleased if their brothers could visit them for their birthdays in the fall as well.

- Pleased! Who would be pleased!?! I won't be pleased for sure!  -  Jiang Wanyin scoffed, sulking.

- Kitten, behave.  –  Lan Xichen said gently, sealing the letter, and patting his lover's head, which was now resting in his lap, as Sandu Shengshou purred and hugged his waist, too happy to be close, and yearning to receive a praise, and maybe a kiss.

**

 

Miao Lu was recovering well, all things considered. Physically, she was already fine, but she was still quite shaken by the whole experience and could barely look at her Master Wei now. People were saying that he looked almost the same, but she had spent so much time being close to him that she knew  –  it was a whole different person. She would shudder every time he smiled at her. What amazed her most was Hanguang-Jun's reaction to it all  –  he acted as if absolutely nothing had happened. 

But then her Master Wen told her that this was Yiling Laozu's true body, and that Lan Wangji had known him to look precisely like that when he fell in love with him many years ago. She grew to sympathize and pity her Master Lan even more now.

After several conversations with Wen Ning, she was ready to face her Masters for a final talk – it was her time to go. She found them in the new pavilion in the garden – there was no need for it any more, but they loved spending time alone there, sipping on tea, or taking naps, away from the heat.

- Masters.  –  she bowed low.

- Ah, LuLu! Come, join us! You can serve the tea.  –  Wei Ying grinned, his head resting in Hanguang-Jun's lap, and his long legs propped up and resting on one of the supporting beams of the gazebo.

- What do you need, Miao Lu?  –  Lan Wangji thanked her for the tea and she smiled.

- Masters, I wanted to talk to you. I am planning to leave tomorrow.  –  she lowered her eyes.

- Hmmm.   -   Hanguang-Jun did not comment further, but was also not really surprised.

- But... But... How? Why?  –  Wei Ying turned to her, confused.  –  Lan Zhan, why is she leaving? – he mumbled.

- Master, I am no longer needed. I told you before... I was never planning on staying at Cloud Recesses. And now... there are just too many... memories here.  –  he said quietly.

- Ah, I see what you mean.  –  Wei Ying mumbled, knowing well what it was like to be sick of the Cloud Recesses.

- I have talked to Master Wen, and he agreed to my plea to stay with him as his maid.  –  she blushed.

- But A-Ning hardly needs a maid!  –  Wei Wuxian exclaimed, surprised.

- Mmmm.

- I know, Master. But I need some peace and quiet, and the Master sometimes needs cares... and he... seems to like me for some reason... -  she blushed even deeper.

- Miao Lu, you fully realize that he....  –  Wei Wuxian did not continue as she hid behind her fan, but they saw her nod.

- Yes, of course, Master. It is not like that. We just... understand each other.

- I see.  –  Lan Wangji nodded.  –  I think this might be the best thing for you right now, Mistress. Does A-Yuan know about this?

She nodded, feeling uncomfortable and too hot.

- Splendid. He could come to visit you then  –  he loves his Uncle very much.  -  Hanguang-Jun seemed pleased.  –  Me and my husband need some peace and quiet too.

- Indeed, Master.  –  she said sadly.

- I will miss you, Flower girl.  –  Wei Ying pouted.

She smiled through tears and shook her head:

- Master, you have Hanguang-Jun. I am sure you will be fine without me.