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

[37.] Obey your Master.

Note:

Inspiration for the title of the chapter (naturally):

Metallica   - "Master Of Puppets"

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Lan Xichen barely managed to escape the strong grip on his body.

He had noticed that sometimes Jiang Cheng slept somehow tensely, almost aggressively. He would frown in his sleep, unable to relax, perhaps dreaming awful things, all his muscles tense, and he would often cling to him, squeezing his body, or even a single arm, so tightly and fiercely that he would wake up bruised the morning after. He never commented on it, and didn't mind it, but he felt awfully sorry for him  –  the constant fear and anxiety he often had had to mask and hide had formed him into the person he was today.

He left the bedroom as quietly as possible. The housekeeper frowned when she saw Zewu-Jun so worried and gloomy again, but said nothing.

- Master, we have to start preparations for Sandu Shengshou's birthday, and yours.  –   she snapped.

- I don't care about this!  –  he snapped back. –   I want absolutely no noise anywhere near the bedroom today! Do you understand?! He needs to rest! – he growled.

She bowed. There was no point in trying to explain and she didn't try.

- I need a bath ready when he wakes up... And then another one  –   for me... - he was thinking out aloud.  –   Dinner might be late tonight, but it doesn't matter... We will dine whenever he wakes up... I hope he is strong enough...  -   he murmured sadly.

- Very well, Master. Is the guest list ready?  –  she ventured to go back to the topic that was her greatest concern. Just a couple of days remained, it could not be postponed any more.

- No.  –  he scoffed. – I have more important things to worry about. Use the list from our wedding.

She bowed and waited. Zewu-Jun was deep in thought, but it was clear he was not done yet.

- Hmm. You are right. Rooms need to be made ready for the guests... But... As soon as they leave... Hmmm. We must discuss something important. –  he looked up at her thoughtfully.

- Master?  –   she was not sure what that expression might mean, as her Master Lan was smiling a very strange smile now.

- We need to decide which room to turn into a nursery. Perhaps after New Year's. If we decide not to travel to Lotus Pier then, for Wangji's birthday... -   he said dreamily, already planning ahead.

- Master! – she exclaimed. – Have you and Sandu Shengshou planned to... perhaps...

She dared not even venture with suggestions. The Second Master Lan and his husband had adopted a child, and then another, and then another. But their love story was quite different.

She still clearly remembered the months after Zewu-Jun's wedding, when he looked utterly miserable, constantly looking for excuses not  to be at home. In the last weeks things had turned upside-down, and she truly believed it was some sort of a miracle; miracles were known to have happened in the Cloud Recesses before.

- Yes. I think you should know. We are working on it.  –   he smiled gently.

She bowed, and said excitedly:

- I am so pleased, Master. It is so good to see you happy again, Zewu-Jun! Finally, an heir to the Gusu Lan Clan! Your Uncle will be pleased, I'm sure.

Lan Xichen frowned immediately. He didn't even remember to consider what Lan Qiren would think about his husband getting pregnant.

- I need to ask you something.  –  he now looked at her sternly.

She lowered her eyes and bowed respectfully again, waiting.

- I need to know where your loyalties lie. I need you to be absolutely honest with me. I know that my methods are... different from my uncle's. But if my child is to be born next year, this means a very difficult couple of months, mind you. Look at me!!!  –   he said in a low commanding voice.

- Master, I am not sure what your words mean, but you are the Clan Leader.  Zewu-Jun, my loyalties will always lie with you and your family. – she bowed again.  –  You are my Master before all others. Your orders will never be questioned.

There was an extended moment of silence, and she waited patiently, not daring to look up.

In the end, he asked quietly:

- If I go against my Uncle's wishes, would you take my side? The side of my husband and my child?

She frowned. Her Master Wangji's deformed and ruined back was a sight she could never ever forget. That day she was grateful that Zewu-Jun was Clan Leader, and not Lan Qiren, as even the servants were crying and mourning for their Second Young Master Lan.

- I swear it, Master.  –   she bowed low and stayed that way until her Master spoke again.

- I appreciate this. All this can't have been easy for you either.  –   he hummed.

- I am privileged to serve the noble Lan Clan. If my Masters are happy  – I am happy.

He nodded.

- Please, prepare some strong food for your Master's dinner... Red meat and wine... Bring us also any painkillers you might have. He is very weak today. – he sighed.

- Yes, Master.

- Leave. And don't worry about the damned birthday. Sandu Shengshou is far more important.

- Yes, Master.