[曦澄 | XiCheng]: The Fear Of Falling In Love [~PART 1~]

[129.] A tight rope. [TW]

Note:

Trigger Warning

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Inspiration for this chapter's title:

Lacuna Coil - "Tight Rope"

(I really tried to represent the atmosphere of this song in this chapter.)

(Of course, the song is a masterpiece, and I am a potato. 😅) 

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After breakfast, Zewu-Jun spoke seriously, and both of them listened attentively, knowing that the matters were too severe, and their personal squabbles could not, should not affect the political decisions, concerning the Clans.

- I will be brief.  –  he said sternly.  –  You really don't need all the details. Not any more.  –  he looked down; Sandu Shengshou was sitting comfortably between his legs, his hands on his belly, listening.

- The war is over; but I am afraid that the last battle was quite severe. Yunmeng was the last stand... And the Yunmeng Jiang Clan fought bravely. I am afraid both your parents are dead.  –  he said solemnly.

Jiang Cheng went very pale  –  he had been suspecting so, but now the confirmation pierced his heart. He looked up  –  Wei Wuxian looked sad, but not surprised; he bit his lip  –  obviously, Lan Wangji had told him the news two weeks ago. Everyone had been hiding this from him. Zewu-Jun had done this for him.

- The Yunmeng Jiang Clan is almost no more. Perhaps I am to blame...  -  he sighed.  –  I will be honest; I have promised my husband that I would never lie to him, and I will keep my promise. Moreover, now Sandu Shengshou is the new Clan Leader.

- Beloved...  -  he faced Jiang Cheng, who was looking up at him now, stricken, but unable to cry. – I must tell you that my Uncle had written to me, asking for help for the final battles. I just ignored his letters. I didn't want to start a conflict with your Clan, although I had every reason to. Our baby is more important than my pride, Wanyin. But... I fear that the fault is mine. Many are dead; very little remains of the Yunmeng Jiang Clan now. Because I never sent people to fight side by side with them.

Wei Ying was frowning. As Clan Leader, it was Sandu Shengshou's decision now whether to retaliate and seek revenge for his people. He had every right to do so. And it meant  –  it could mean  –  a blood feud. It was betrayal of a contact between the two Clans, sealed with an arranged marriage. 

Jiang Cheng was staring at his hands, very quiet, frozen still.

- I knew about this. I had sent spies across the Clans weeks ago. I knew it was coming. I couldn't predict that the devastation would be so awful... Lotus Pier has been burnt to the ground.  –  he said sadly.  –  My brother's birthday rather turned into a conference meeting for the Gusu Lan Clan and the Lanling Jin Clan. Your sister knows all about it too... In the end, it will be Sandu Shengshou's decision as to the future of the Yunmeng Jiang Clan.

He was biting his lip, feeling Jiang Cheng shivering slightly next to him. He was praying with all his might that all this bad news wouldn't affect their child.

- I had to remove you from all the madness, Wanyin... Forgive me... I didn't know what else to do...  -  he almost whimpered.   -  Husband, please, say something...  -  the silence was killing Lan Xichen's heart.  –  Do you hate me now...?