Always

Chapter 42 - Care

When Lan Wangji returned, A'Ying was still asleep but she looked uncomfortable. Since he read up on how to care for her, he went to his newly made kitchen and made a hot water bottle/ bag. He then wrapped a cloth around it and when he sat beside A'Ying, he gently laid it on her lower stomach.

A'Ying let out a sigh as if she was letting him know she was content and thankful even though she was asleep. Lan Wangji settled beside her to keep her company, lightly combing his fingers through her hair. Wangji just smiled down at her, admiring her beautiful features. He never thought he could love someone so much.

When A'Ying returned to Gusu after running away long ago, Wangji felt relieved to know that she was technically safe. A'Ying was still suffering from the curse then but he was glad he had A'Ying safely in his arms. Hearing that he was A'Ying's soulmate, now soul bond, was just icing on the cake.

A'Ying was slowly starting to wake from her nap when she felt something warm soothing her stomach cramps. Despite feeling slightly crappy as she had blood coming from between her legs, she felt a bit better knowing that she was being cared for. She was slowly starting to get used to being treated this way.

A'Ying opened her eyes to meet a set of gold eyes, "Hi," she said quietly as a smile formed on her face.

"Hello beautiful," Wangji replied.

A'Ying took the pillow from under her head and placed it over her face to hide her flushed red cheeks, "Laan Zhaan!" She whined, "stop being so sweet!"

"Mmm, no," Wangji told her.

A'Ying sat up and held the water bag on her stomach, "what? Are you trying to give me a heart attack from how sweet you are being?" She asked.

"You will live," Wangji said and pulled her to lay back down.

A'Ying's bottom lip popped out and was pouting, "is it too early for a bath? A hot bath sounds so night to me."

"No, I can prepare a bath for you if you want one," Wangji said.

"Yes please," A'Ying nodded. She was even giving Wangji puppy eyes.

Lan Wangji lifted her chin by his thumb and pointer finger and gently kissed her, "I will come and get you when it is ready," He said after pulling away.

"Thank you," she said.

"No need to say thank you and I'm sorry between us A'Ying," Wangji said standing.

"Mnn, well then, how about I love you," she said.

Wangji smiled at her, "I love you too," he replied and then went to prepare her bath.

Upon preparing her bath, he put some epsom salt in her water. The high magnesium content in epsom salt helps to relax uterine muscles contracting and offer cramping and pain relief. It was actually something sent to them by Baoshan as she felt it would be useful. Once it was ready he helped A'Ying undress and into the bath.

"I will let you relax here for a bit. I will just be in the other room," Wangji said.

"Mnn," she nodded as she sunk further into the water until the water was just below her chin, "okay."

Lan Wangji placed a kiss on her forehead and then went into the main room. When he was there, he made some ginger tea for her for when she was done with her bath. He then got fresh robes laid out for her as well.

Once he was done with that, he sat at his desk and read through some scrolls that he could get through for the sect. While she was doing her thing, Wangji was content with working at home. A'Ying spent an hour soaking in the tub before getting out and got dressed with the robes Wangji prepared for her. When she entered the main room, she saw that he made tea for her and poured a cup before going to crawl into his lap and snuggle up to him while Wangji worked.

"Mind if I sit here?" She asked.

"Mnn, of course," Wangji replied.

"I already took care of the water, I appreciate the help," she told him, "and the tea is nice."

"Just doing my job as your husband," Wangji said.

"Did you know that candied ginger is my favorite sweet snack?" She asked.

"No, but I do now," Wangji replied.

"It's nice as it has a spice to it but it's also sweet. Aside from her soup, Shijie makes amazing candies ginger...but then again, she is a good cook," A'Ying said.

"You miss her?" Wangji asked.

"Mnn," A'Ying nodded, "I was actually really happy when she accepted my new appearance. Though I felt that out of many people, she would be one of them to accept me."

"I actually respect her as she has made an effort to try to help you," Wangji said, "Jiang Wanyin....I have no promises."

A'Ying giggled, "he has his mother's personality. I can understand why he acts the way he does. It's just what happened with how he was raised. Shijie was dotted on and Madam Yu did try to get her to cultivate more but she didn't give in to her. Shijie preferred to cook and be more mellow."

"I figured," Wangji said, "and if you ever mention that witches name again I will punish with the silence spell."

A'Ying raised her eyebrows, "as I am married to you, am I actually able to learn that?"

"Mnn, if I teach you, you are not to misuse it," Wangji said.

"I understand," A'Ying replied, "and about...my contribution to the sect. If I am not doing enough I do apologize. I am trying."

"A'Ying, do not listen to those two," Wangji told her, "I have spoken with my brother and said that you and I can talk about what you want to do to be more involved. I suggested you teach the younger disciples in archery as I know you liked to do that in the past."

"I would love to teach archery," A'Ying said, "I remember how happy I was when I started to learn and fell in love with it. It's not as nice as using a sword but I still love archery."

"I thought as much," Wangji said.

A'Ying rested her head on Wangji's shoulder as she got comfortable in his lap. The two would occasionally have a small conversation but A'Ying was actually enjoying herself as she watched Wangji work.