[[[忘羡 | WangXian 1]] : The Second Kiss That Came Too Soon

[48.] Falling. (II) [TW]

Note:

Trigger warning for this chapter.

***

 

Lan Xichen was torn between sorrow and regret. He knew for sure that if Wei Wuxian really died, his brother would go berserk, go insane. When they were very young, they had to observe their own mother wither and die, not too differently from now, and he too was suffering inside.
He asked the physician politely to spend the night as their honored guest, as it was too late, and too dark to travel back – and he accepted.

The next thing he heard was the loud cry of a servant, who – he saw briefly –was now running towards him, pale and shocked.

- Zewu-Jun, Zewu-Jun! Forgive me, Zewu-Jun – I was just bringing Master Wangji some dinner, as you ordered – but... but... Zewu-Jun, he would not wake up... I couldn't wake him up at all... - the servant was kneeling, and crying, afraid for his Master's life.

Lan Xichen's heart stopped for a moment. He ran into his brother's room to find Lan Zhan lying on his back, his cheeks burning and lips parted, as he was taking small shallow breaths. 

He fell to his knees and shook him:

- Wangji... Lan Wangji, wake up...!!! Please... Please!  –  he turned around to see a couple of terrified servants in the doorway and he yelled:

- Fetch the doctor! Now!

***


He was standing in a corner of the room, pale and exhausted, and his brain was catching the doctor's words as if from across the ocean, it seemed.

- I am sorry to say, but the situation is identical. This young man is in excellent physical shape. I cannot help him. He is soulsick. – the doctor said sadly.  –  Call for a priest. Maybe saying some prayers could ease his spirit, and he could find some peace before the end.

- Before the end?  –  Lan Xichen gasped. His head was spinning.

The doctor shook his head:

- Without food and water, without relief of his spiritual pain and anguish  –  no matter how physically strong he is – he will perish. This one is stronger than the other Young Master, I must say  –  he looked at him with a critical eye - maybe...2 or 3 more days...?

**


The priest arrived with the first rays of the sun. Lan Xichen had totally neglected his uncle's shouts, and had sent a servant out straight away. He could not let his brother die. He could not let either of them die, really.

Jiang Fengmian was furious, only briefly spitting out: "What have you done to my boy?!" – and the Yunmeng Jiang Clan had retreated to their chambers, Jiang Yanli crying, Jiang Cheng drinking. 

He had to fix this.

The servant had told the tale to the priest as they were travelling to the Cloud Recesses, but he had not commented. He had entered Wei Ying's room first, and then Lan Zhan's. Now he was standing, much like the physician the previous evening, in front of the two Clans, looking at them without judgement, with just pity in his eyes. 

He bowed deeply and said calmly:

- I am sorry, but I have to confirm the diagnosis. Both their golden cores are almost dark now. They have been apart for too long. Once they fade out completely – the persons will expire too.

Yanli thought she was going to pass out any second now. Lan Xichen went very pale and gave out a little cry, there was loud noise in the room around him as everyone was shouting and commenting loudly, his head was spinning. 

He whispered:

- Is there... is there nothing to be done...Anything...? I can't lose my brother too.  –  he croaked.

The priest waited for complete silence and nodded.

- There is always a way. The true question is  –  are you willing to take it?

Lan Xichen's face was wanton with shock and despair.

- Speak. Please.  –  he said.

The priest nodded again, looking around the room. No one objected. Whatever their crimes were, both boys were really loved by their families.

- It really is very simple. On occasion, the Gods would choose to send a pair of souls that belong together, fully and truly. Then they would split one golden core, one of the most brilliant and purest kind, in half, for them to share. It is truly rare and exceptional, such cores live in the strongest, most legendary cultivators in history. The two halves would constantly be searching for each other, trying to reconnect and become one. If united, they merge and shine brighter than any other cultivator's golden core. Such a pair is nigh invincible – they live and breathe in perfect harmony, as they are the two parts of one whole. And a whole cannot function without its half.

- So...  -  Jiang Fengmian said sternly.  –  They must be together? Just that? Live together? Get married?   –   he huffed, frowning terribly.

The priest bowed again, and said simply:

- If together, their cores will recharge each other. Marriage  is a construct of Man, not of the Gods. They don't care about the names we put on things. Those two souls belong together, this is all I can say. One cannot be without the other.

He waited for a response, and as none came, he said, lastly:

- I prayed for them both. May the Gods give wisdom to all of us.

He bowed again, and left the stunned Clans, each to their own thoughts.