The Tainted Jade of Gusu

Chapter 12 : Rumours

Lan Xichen visited at sundown, just as Wen Qing had instructed.

He found her carefully unwrapping the bandages from Wangji's torso, revealing the pale, lean figure , back crisscrossed with angry red lines.

Whenever Wen Qing was treating someone, she refused to acknowledge the world around her. This time was no exception. She soaked a cloth in the water of Cold Springs, and cleaned the wounds. This was followed by careful application of a thick yellowish green ointment over the scars, and a light infusion of spiritual energy to speed up the process of healing. Layer after layer of white cotton bandages were wrapped over the wounds, covering the entirety of the torso. 

Only after the ordeal was over, did Wen Qing wash her hands and greet Lan Xichen.

A few words were exchanged regarding the condition of Wangji.

Finally, Lan Xichen brought up the topic that had been pushed down because of the crisis at hand.

"Lady Wen, pardon my straightforwardness," he said, "but I don't think it's possible for any of us to clear Wei Gongzi's name, especially after what happened at Qiongqi road, and at Nevernight."

"Zewu Jun needs not apologize, " Wen Qing replied, "it is impossible for us to clear Wei Gongzi's name right now. And that makes the situation dangerous for Wangji."

"People are going to make an outcast of him, they're going to treat him like a subhuman creature, a freak in existence!" Lan Xichen's voice was distressed.

"It sounds terrible, " Wen Qing replied calmly, "but I assure Zewu Jun, people are not going to simply stop at ostracizing Wangji. They never do. The moment they get a whiff of the fact that the child he's carrying is Wei Gongzi's, people will call him a traitor, a deviant of the righteous ways, and just like they didn't hesitate to push Wei Gongzi to his demise, they wouldn't hesitate tearing Wangji apart, limb to limb."

Lan Xichen lowered his head and remained silent. He was painfully aware of the fact that every word Wen Qing said was true. When it came to describing , she neither exaggerated nor tried to soften the blow of the situation ; she painted a vividly accurate picture with her physician's preciseness.

As Lan Xichen took his leave, Wen Qing told him, "I can't tell you how to deal with the situation. But if my participation can aid you handle the situation in any way, I will be more than willing to take part."

Lan Xichen brought the palms of his hands together and lowered his head before Wen Qing.

"I really don't know what I would have done if not for Lady Wen," his voice sounded a little strained, " I don't know how to repay your debts."

"No need to thank me, Zewu Jun, " she carefully extended both her hands and touched both of Lan Xichen's elbows gently, gesturing him to stand up, "I know what it is like losing a brother. I'm trying to make sure you don't have to."

Lan Wangji found himself in a field of purple gentian flowers. The buds were small, while the color of the blossoms was brilliant. Under the light of the full moon that hung low in the sky, they seemed to glow softly, as beautiful as a dream, an illusion.

Lan Wangji was contemplating  sitting down amidst the flowers,  and smell the beautiful, slightly bitter but delicate floral aroma, when an all too familiar voice called out to him, "A-Zhan!"

Lan Wangji shuddered. He had waited for years to hear this voice, he had knelt on the snow covered ground in bitter frost, only to get to hear this voice one more time. And the last time he had been lucky enough to actually hear the voice, he was six.

Lan Wangji turned around, his golden phoenix eyes beginning to fill up with tears to the brim.

Amidst the swaying gentian flowers, stood a familiar figure, clad in robes of the most delicate periwinkle, her almond shaped eyes warm with affection. She too had golden eyes that twinkled like twin stars in the moonlight.