Who You Are

Chapter 25 - Sour Taste of Lotus Pier

This chapter contains sensitive words. Contains verbal abuse and mental health issues, talks of suicide. So please read with caution.
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The Jiang's and Wei Wuxian in Lotus Pier, sitting at a small table. Wei Ying was smiling, talking with his siblings and eating food, he was glowing, relieved to be back home... until.

"I see you're back!" A shrill voice screamed.

Wei Ying instantly shut up and lowered his head as Madam Yu' marched to the table with her servants. Wei Ying was first to stand up, filled with fear and dread.

Smiling, "Mother." Jiang Cheng and his siblings bowed, a soothing stroke landing on his arm.

Wei Ying rose from his deep bow last, breath being held as Jiang Fengman spoke, "Since you're here you should sit," He sighed, seemingly angering his wife, "The children are hungry, I told them to eat first, all of you, sit," He smiled, turning to his kids.

However, they hesitated, glancing at Madam Yu. Wei Ying mostly hesitated, knowing if she was angered by anyone, it didn't have to be himself, but he would be the one to taste the Zidian. He just knew how things went.

Yu Ziyuan tutted, "It is not the right time to be hungry, " She scowled despite the fact that Wei Ying felt sick with hunger, however, the feeling wasn't new for him, he could endure, "After a few days, when they go to Qishan for indoctrination, whether they can eat or not remains unknown, so they better go hungry for a while to get used to it," She said, directing her words to all three children, although, her glare only remained on one.

Jiang Fengman sighed, his heart always stung when Wei Ying was treated oh so badly, "No matter what will happen in the future, it is necessary to eat every day."

...

"Fengmian! Not long ago you said you didn't know my son was being treated in such a way! What is this I hear now! You knew he was being abused, not just verbally...didn't you?" Wei Changze exclaimed, "I am ashamed to be your right hand, your head disciple, and your friend. If this is how you let MY SON! be treated."

"I..."

"Don't say anything if it's not an apology, even then I'm not sure I want to hear it!" Wei Changze stated and turned back to the screen.

...

Madam Yu' grit her teeth, finally sitting, the children gulped, sitting, although Wei Ying looked at his siblings first for guidance and approval. The tension was thick, anything could set Yu Ziyuan off and nobody wanted that, although Jiang Cheng had to speak to her about important matters and so Wei Ying, despite his fear nodded reassuringly to his younger brother.

"Mother," Jiang Cheng began, "Are we really going to accept indoctrination in person?"

That seemed to do it because not even a moment later, she snapped, "Ask your father!" She huffed, stopping Jiang Fengman's meal.

He sighed, "Here is the thing," He began as he set his cup down, "Presumably you have heard about it in Qinghe, but the Wen Clan of Qishan has also sent a special envoy to Yunmeng, urging all the clans to send their young family members to Qishan for seven days, they will offer indoctrination in person."

Wei Ying gulped, turning to Yanli, 'she can't go.' He declared internally, forgetting he was younger, 'Shijie can't qo, she can't qo I'll qo, she can't go.' Then turning to Jiang Cheng, Wei Ying, despite the fact that he was terrified (he would never admit it) decided he couldn't go either, at least, not alone. 'They're the blood of Yunmeng, of Uncle and Madam Yu. I am the orphan, I am the lesser, the shield, I must protect them no matter what happens to me,' Wei Ying thought on the inside.