Reap What You Sow

Chapter 10

The news of the engagement between the second young master and young lady Hua was spread through the Unclean Realm. Shocked, they did not know what to say about it. Didn't the two just meet, or is their something they don't know about. Had they met before that, none know about. Some did not really care because they had bigger things and problems to worry about. Like will they be able to win this war and finally overthrown Wen Rouhan. Others, though, were just plain busy bodies. They wanted to know how these two met. How is it possible for them to get engaged in such a short time. Is it a strategic plan on the Lan part to marry one of the most powerful cultivator to their second jade and what would they want to achieve with that. Do they plan to rule the cultivation world. What are their plans truly.

Dinner went as unineventfull as it could. Considering that the others' eyes would glide over to the Lan tables more so often as required. Caihong and Lan Zhan paid them no mind at all. Lan Zhan, being the ever gentleman, would make sure that Caihong got the best and most juicy parts of the chicken or meat, which in turn would make her smile at him. And so dinner went. Wine flows the atmosphere light and filled with excitement, but underneath, they all know that not many would make back. Yet still, they celebrate. Still, they dare to hope. Still, they grasp onto that little hope that just maybe, just maybe they would come out victorious. Yet still they enjoyed their meal. Talking and laughing amongst each other. Dinner finally came to an end, and sect Leader Nie told them all to go to their sleeping areas and rest because they would be moving out first thing in the morning.

Once almost everyone had left the Lan and Nie were having a conversation when they heard soft footsteps coming their way. Looking to their sides. They saw Jiang Yanli and Jiang Fengmian walk their way. Lan Zhan immediately took Caihong's hand in his under the table. Fengmian and Yanli greeted them, and they returned the greeting.
"I am sorry for disturbing you, lady Hua, but my daughter A-Ling wanted to meet you after she heard that you are A-Xian's sister". Fengmian spoke. Feeling Caihong's hand shaking under the table Lan Zhan gave it a light squeeze. Reassuring her that he is there with her.
Caihong had to suppress the urge to apologize to Yanli for breaking her engagement. Pretending that she is three years old again so that Yanli could give her pork rib soup. She took a few deep breaths and stood up. She bowed and said.
"This one is Hua Caihong and it is a pleasure meeting young lady jiang".
Yanli had a small smile on her face and bow back.
"It's a pleasure meeting young lady Hua and A-Xian's sister. I did not know that A-Xian had a sister. He never talked about her". Yanli said looking at Caihong.
"We got separated when we still small. I was raised by a very kind man. I looked for him but could not found him. It's only later that I heard that he was taken in by the YungmiangJiang sect after sect Leader Jiang found him". Caihong answers.

Yanli nodded her head and said.
"Maybe young lady Hua would like to come visit once this is all over. Then you can see where A-Xian grew up. The things he liked to do. He really liked to train the disciples and help the little ones". Yanli said and Caihong had a sad smile on her face after hearing that.
"Thank you lady Jiang but I don't think that would be a good idea. Your mother would never allow that and I myself would rather not set foot in the place where my brother had to endure so much". She said honestly. Yanli's smile faltered for a second before she answered.
"It was not all bad. A-Xian was truly happy at lotus pier right father?". She said looking at her father. The others silently follows the conversation between them.
"Yes he was. He was like a breath of fresh air in the place. Like my daughter said it would be good if you can see where your brother had grew up and started his cultivation. I see that you have his sword lady Hua. How did you get it?". The man asked.

She lifted the sword and looked at it.
"Sect Leader Jiang. You said my brother was happy there and I believe you. He was to some extend happy there. Am I right. I don't need to see where my brother grew up or started his cultivation. And about his sword it was thrown with him in the burial mounds and that's where i found it. Do you want it back?".
"No you can keep it lady Hua. But won't you consider coming to lotus pier. My wife won't be a problem I can assure you of that". He said desperation seeping through his voice. Caihong started to laugh and through the tears she looked at the two.
"Your wife won't be a problem you say. Your wife have been attacking me. Spatting vile words at me she even went as far as to attack me with her zidian. So do not tell me that you assure me. You have not once told your wife to stop. If you can allow her to treat a stranger like that. It just makes me think what my brother had to endure at her hands. Did you intefer on his behalf or did you kept your mouth shut. Did you once stood up for him against her? When the gossip around his birth started did you dispute it or did you do what you always did. Kept quiet and be indifferent hoping that it will go away on its on. Tell me sect Leader Jiang what exactly did you did for my brother other than looking and finding him". She asked with anger in her voice and a raised eyebrow.

"Lady Hua it is not like that. There was nothing i could do about the stories being spread. My lady is in charge of the disciples and their punishment. I treated him as my own child". He answered.
"Lady Hua you must understand that A-Xian was a very mischievous young man. Mother just punished as she see fit but you must know that she loved him". Yanli said.
"For the love of God. The things you tell yourself to sleep better right. My brother endured the worst abuse at the hands of that woman and by the looks, it was not only her but all of you. You may not have hit, but know this emotional abuse is just as worse as physical abuse. Because the wounds are in here where no one can see". She point at her heart.
"You sect Leader Jiang only went out to find my brother knowing who our parents were. Two of the most powerful cultivators and so their son must also be. You only look for him so that you could have a shield for your children. Someone who would lay down his life for them. You have put so much on him. Making him feel guilty and making him believe that he owe you. When the truth is. You owe him for all that he had done for you. I don't want to see you ever again in front of me you make me sick.  Your whole damn family". She by now was vibrating with anger. Father and daughter were shocked and turn around and left. She watch them leave. She watch the woman she once called elder sister. She watched the man she once called uncle and the urged to drive her sword through them all over take her. She unsheath suibian without thinking and dive forward sword being held straight.

Lan Zhan acted quickly and sprang up and grab her around her waist. He swing her around facing him. She glared at him with eyes going from red to grey and without thinking and even why he did it. He smashed their lips together and he kissed her. The kiss was awkward at first. Lan Zhan put his hand behind the back of her head and dip her head to the side. He poked with his tongue and she opened her mouth and the kiss was deepend. The anger slowly started to leave her body as the kiss intensified. Once Lan Zhan was sure that she has calmed down he broke the kiss and looked down at her. Caihong's was out of breath just like Lan Zhan.
"You feeling better now?". He asked shyly and all she could do was nod her head.
"Well that's one way to calm a murderous lady down". Mingjue said with a laugh in his voice.
They turn around and shyly looks at the others. Lan Qiren were busy looking up at the heavens asking silently since when did his nephew became  this shameless.
Lan Xichen kept himself busy by pouring himself some tea.
Huaisang had only this to say.
"That was hot as hell".
And everyone burst out with laughter.

"Come on let's go to our rooms to get some rest and sleep. You have a hard fight before us". Mingjue said and everyone agrees. They all made their way towards their rooms after saying good night. Lan Zhan walked Caihong to her room making sure that she was fine before he himself returned to his tent. Caihong went into her rooms and closed the door behind her. Touching her lips with her fingers a soft smile grazes her face. Who would've thought that Lan Zhan would be so bold and brave to kiss her infront of his family and friends. She undressed and went to bed.