Together

12. Yin Iron-3

In the evening, Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji met up with Lan Xichen and Lan Qiren. Lan Wangji pulled out the Yin Iron and Lan Xichen started playing Rest. After finishing the song, Lan Qiren collected the Yin Iron in a Qiankum Pouch. "The fatal lot is unavoidable." Lan Qiren said. "Uncle, brother. You both... already knew." Lan Wangji said. "Since Predecessor Lan Yi broke the taboo, Lan clan has forbidden people to enter the back hill. We're afraid the grievance of the Yin Iron may affect people. So, in the five great clans, only the Lans know what happened to the Yin Iron, and pass the story to the next generation." Lan Xichen concluded. 

"Uncle actually planned to go to The Unclean Realm and discuss this with Clan Leader Nie. But I didn't expect you both to enter the cave so soon, and I didn't expect the Yin Iron to appear so soon." Lan Xichen said. At this point, everyone heard an owl screech from outside. "Wen Rouhan's dire owl?" Wei Wuxian said, shocked. "Looks like our prediction was right. Wen Rouhan does have a piece of Yin Iron with him and is searching for the other pieces." Lan Qiren said. "But how did Wen Rouhan figure out Gusu has a piece?" Lan Wangji asked. "It is most probable that he is helped by someone." Lan Qiren said.

"Predecessor Lan Yi said Yin Iron pieces can feel each other. So why not use our Yin Iron piece to feel the others?" Wei Wuxian asked. "Uncle, brother, what do we do now?" Lan Wangji asked. "When the Yin Iron appears, if some evil guys get it, disasters will be brought. Now, we can only seal it, put it back in the cold pond and set an enchantment such that no one can get near it." Lan Qiren concluded. "Uncle, Wen Rouhan already has a piece. Shards have associations. Even if we put it back in the Cold Pond again, it won't change anything." Lan Wangji said. "Besides, Wen Rouhan had a covet for the Yin Iron. I'm afraid we can't hide it from him." "Let's discuss this later." Lan Qiren said. "Uncle-" "Don't mention this again. This is a secret of the gentry houses." "Master, don't worry. I promise I won't tell anyone." Wei Wuxian promised, making Lan Xichen give a small smile.

"Bro-Wei!! Bro-Wei!!" Nie Huaisang shouted, running towards him. "Second Young Master Lan." He said, bowing to Lan Wangji once before talking to Wei Wuxian again. "Bro-Wei. I knew you'd come back alive. Where did you go? Why did Zewu-Jun come to see you? Did he beat you again?" Nie Huaisang asked him, bombarding Wei Wuxian with questions so continuous that Lan Wangji wanted to silence him until Nie Huaisang stopped. "Relax, I won't be beaten again. But the Cloud Recess is so large. Me and Second Young Master Lan nearly got lost." Wei Wuxian said. "Got lost in the Cold Spring for a whole night. Did you both experience anything strange?" Nie Huaisang asked. "Strange?" Wei Wuxian said, puzzled.

"Ah! There is one. Want to know?" Wei Wuxian asked, throwing his arm around Nie Huaisang's shoulder. At this point, Jiang Cheng, who was searching for Wei Wuxian, saw him talking to Nie Huaisang and stopped behind him to listen. "It was a dark night yesterday, with big winds sweeping, a pair of hands stretched out the Cold Spring suddenly and pulled us into the pool. Guess what that was?" He asked his friend. "What?" Nie Huaisang asked. "Devil Snake." He shouted on his friends' face. Nie Huaisang got scared and tried to move away but Wei Wuxian pulled him back, making Lan Wangji clench his fist.

"Stay here. Do you want to know his look?" Wei Wuxian asked Nie Huaisang only to have the latter move away while stammering. "D...don't tell me. I'm afraid of snakes. This kind of experience, keep it for yourself. I'll go now." He said and was about to leave until he turned around again. "By the way, don't forget the lanterns tonight." He reminded Wei Wuxian before leaving.

Wei Wuxian turned to Lan Wangji, who still had an unreadable expression on his face, and smiled at him making Lan Wangji's ears turn red. At that moment, Jiang Cheng, who was behind Wei Wuxian the whole time and even heard his talk with Nie Huaisang, came forward. Feeling a pair of eyes pierce him from the back, Wei Wuxian turned around only to find Jiang Cheng look at him angrily.

"Jiang Cheng?" Wei Wuxian said. Jiang Cheng didn't say a word and simply looked at him once before walking away jealously. "Hey, Jiang Cheng!" Wei Wuxian said before chasing him and throwing his arm around Jiang Cheng's shoulder. It's not that Wei Wuxian hated Jiang Cheng completely, he only hated his advancements and continuous flirting. "Why are you in a hurry?" Wei Wuxian asked Jiang Cheng. "Wei Wuxian. Aren't you familiar with Lan Wangji these days? Why don't you go to his clan and stay in The Cloud Recess? Don't come back to Lotus Pier." Jiang Cheng said, his voice full of anger and jealousy.

"What's wrong with you? It's obvious that Lotus Pier is much better than Cloud Recess. Those three thousand family rules will only kill me." Wei Wuxian said, feeling quite shocked with what Jiang Cheng said. "Don't think too much about it. Let's go." He said as the two boys walked away, leaving Lan Wangji alone.

As Lan Wangji noticed Wei Wuxian leave with Jiang Cheng, he forced himself to stay calm. The next second, he sighed deeply. 'Why am I feeling so angry? I don't understand.' Lan Wangji thought as an internal battle between his mind and heart started. His entire body was burning with jealousy. Only his mind remained sane. 'He's engaged. What right do I have to feel jealous.' Lan Wangji reminded himself. He looked down once before turning around and walking inside the room.