Jade Dragon [Lan Xichen x Reader]

Chapter: 15

The next day, Wei (Y/n) was walking toward the room she had been told. the room where the fierce corpse was contained. She stood in front of the door ready to pull it open and enter but was stopped by a calm voice "You're already here." She turned towards the source of the voice "Zewu-Jun." She greeted him with a smile. Lan Xichen only smiled at her and walked forward standing beside "Are you ready Lady Wei?"Asked Lan Xichen as he put his hand on the door handle. With a nod from (Y/n), he opened the door and stepped inside first followed by her.

In the center of the room, the puppet was enclosed in a wooden cage and numerous talismans were placed on the cage as well as around the room to restrain the puppet. (Y/n) started to move towards the puppet and took a look at it. Before she could delve much further the voice Lan Xichen pulled her out of her thoughts." Lady Wei, I believe we should start it may take quite some time" (Y/n) looked at him and moved back. There were two stools in the room both on either side of the cage. (Y/n) sat on the left while Lan Xichen occupied the one on the right.

(Y/n) pulled out her flute, Yì Jūn, and looked at Lan Xichen who was holding Lièbīng. She put her flute to her lips and nodded to Lan Xichen who returned the gesture. Wei (Y/n) started playing a long note and Lan Xichen looked at her with admiration. Her eyes were closed and she was playing without making even a minor error in the notes. The puppet started to move and Lan Xichen joined in playing Lièbīng.

The duo played in complete synchronization. The puppet was now wide-eyed and was trying to rip out of restraints. (Y/n) opened her eyes sensing the commotion. She poured more of her spiritual energy into the notes and the puppet stopped moving for a few minutes before lashing out again and breaking from the cage. Both Lan Xichen and (Y/n) jumped back quickly to avoid the puppet. (Y/n) stopped playing abruptly and started to play a note quite familiar to Lan Xichen. The vines arose from the ground binding the puppet and immobilizing it.

The puppet tried to break free but Lan Xichen summoned Shoùyuè and stabbed the puppet successfully killing it. (Y/n) heaved a sigh and put away her flute. When she spoke, Lan Xichen looked at her and saw a frown upon her lips "I've failed. I thought I would be able to do something useful to aid in the Sunshot campaign but it appears not all things go as planned."

Lan Xichen shook his head in denial and spoke softly "It was a mere test to see whether it could be possible or not. And having you fight from our side is an honor and a great asset. You are an excellent fighter." He told the girl and she looked at him. With the tips of her ears burning she bowed her head lightly thanking the male who in return smiled softly. "I would like to report this Chifeng-zun," said (Y/n) as she bowed and started to walk out but was stopped by Lan Xichen "Would you mind if I follow you to Chifeng-zun, Lady Wei?" He asked and she merely shook her head "Not at all, Zewu-Jun" At her answer, the older of the twin jades of Lan smiled following her out.

Both (y/n) and Lan Xichen entered the main hall where Nie Mingjue sat and greeted him. With a nod from Chifeng-zun,(Y/n) straightened up first followed by Lan Xichen. "How did it go? Were you able to extract the resentful energy possessed by the puppet?" inquired Nie Mingjue and (Y/n) dropped her gaze to the floor ashamed. "I'm afraid I wasn't capable to do this, Chifeng-zun." (Y/n) responded him.

"It's quite alright Lady Wei." Nie Mingjue said and the girl looked up. "Though I have discovered that I can control the puppet for a few minutes." She added and Mingjue nodded. "That's good to hear." He said and (y/n) nodded."Please Excuse me Chifeng-zun, Zewu-jun" She said and bowed to the two males and made her way out.

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(Y/n) woke up in cold sweat, her appearance disheveled and her heartbeat unsteady. She put her hand on her chest and took a few deep breaths. This was the third time she woke up that night because of the nightmares. This time, however, She couldn't fall back asleep. So, she opted to do the thing she usually did when she couldn't sleep or had much going on inside her mind. She got up and put on her outer robes and left her hair free, flowing down her back like a waterfall. She picked up her flute and exited her room. She roamed the unclean realm and stumbled across a pond that was quite well hidden.

The pond was reflecting the moon in its clear water. Many flowers were growing around the pond and the soft grass tickled (Y/n)'s feet. The fireflies that flew around made the whole scene looks very beautiful. This sight made her remember the sleepless nights back at the celestial mountain. The nights she would sneak out of her quarters just to lie down on the grass and gaze at the full moon and fall asleep in the fields. Then early in the morning being woken up by a worried Xingchen and later scolded by Baoshan only for her to repeat the deed. She smiled fondly at the memories and sat down by the pond, pulling her knees to her chest and resting her head on them.

She thought back on the past few months that had been anything but peaceful. The hectic time she spent away from the mountain made her rethink her's and her master's decision to leave. No matter how much she convinced herself that her brother was happy for her presence, these nightmares and the lingering dark thoughts made her think otherwise. Unknown to her a few tears escaped her eyes which soon turned to sobs. She lifted her head, sensing the fading light of the moon, and sure enough, the clouds had come in front of the moon, obscuring its light. She wiped her tears and held Yì Jūn in her hands and looked up at the sky again before putting the flute near her lips and playing.

The clouds that had blocked the moon started to disperse leaving (y/n) sitting in the pure moonlight, to any onlooker she would have looked Ethereal from her blue robes and black hair that swayed in the slight breeze to the euphonious music being played by her and that was exactly what Lan Xichen heard. Lan Xichen wanted to discover the source of the melodious yet sad music. He stopped when he saw the scene before him. He cautiously took a few steps towards her and she snapped her head up hearing footsteps. Of Course, a trained cultivar would sense the presence.

She stood up and turned to face him "Zewu-Jun." Before she could bow, Lan Xichen gently grasped her elbows stopping the bow. "No need to bow, Lady Wei." He said smiling lightly and (Y/n) could feel her face heating up. She backed up and turned around once again facing the pond. Lan Xichen walked forward and stood next to her."If I may ask Lady Wei, Why do you linger here in the late hours of the night?" Lan Xichen inquired and (Y/n) sighed trailing her eyes to the full moon."I merely couldn't sleep." She said softly. "What troubles your mind, Lady Wei?" He asked again and she sighed. "Zewu-Jun shouldn't worry about me." She said looking at him from the corner of her eyes.

"I wouldn't pester you to tell me, Lady Wei. But sometimes talking about what troubles us can lift a great burden." He said smiling and looking at her. The manner of his speech made her wonder whether she should tell him or not. She wasn't one of the people who would ask for help when needed. She was stubborn and wanted to keep her troubles to herself, A trait she had very much in common with her brother. But the tenderness in his voice made her want to tell him. She sighed and sat down on the grass, Lan Xichen following suit and sitting at some distance.

"I worry for my brother. He said something to me and it bothers me, though I am very much aware that he didn't mean but the words haunt my dreams and keep me awake. He doesn't let anyone help him and keeps a distance. I can't help but question myself whether it was right to come here." As (Y/n) finished she let her gaze drop to the flowers that grew around.

"I saw your brother Lady Wei. When he came for lectures at Cloud Recesses. He is reckless, Yes, but has a deep regard for his friends. You are his sister so I can only imagine how distraught he feels." Lan Xichen told the female who was busy stroking the flowers. "I know it wasn't his intention so I decided to give him some space to think. I don't want to trouble him more than he is. God knows what happened to him the three months he was not here." She said looking at Lan Xichen. "Just support him Lady Wei and when he needs help, help him. He is your twin, He can't cut off from you." He said and stood up. The breeze that was blowing made (Y/n) shiver a bit.

Lan Xichen smiled and looked at her holding his hand out to help her up. "It's getting quite cold out here. I suggest we head back." (Y/n) put her hand hesitantly in his and he helped her up. (Y/n)'s cheeks bloomed pink at the contact. Lan Xichen's ears also tinted red and he let go of her hand once she was standing. (Y/n) smiled, the most real one since the argument with her brother."Thank You Zewu-Jun. I am feeling at peace after talking with you." Her words made Xichen's smile broader "I'm glad I could be of help, Lady Wei." (Y/n) smiled at him once more and started walking back. Lan Xichen smiled at her retreating figure and followed after her.

This time (Y/n) slept without any dreams to keep her awake and with a smile on her face unbeknownst to her, someone else had the same smile as he lay awake thinking of her.