Flipside

Chapter 25

Wen Qing was doing her best not to stare at Wen Xu while Wen ZhiLui examined Wen Ning's "body." Instead, she quietly opened a new tear stick inside her sleeve. 

Wen Zhuliu looked at Wen Xu and shook his head before closing the coffin tight.

"This is Wen Qionglin's true body. The Lans were correct. He died from a fall, an accident. There is no doubt."

Wen Xu grunted in response to the Core Melting Hand before glaring at the crying girl, his face a burning mess of raw scratches, that showed no signs of healing, even a month later.

 Fighting the urge to itch at the criss-crossing marks, he growled in displeasure.

"Stupid boy! Why did he have to die?! Father is beside himself in grief, and accident or not, he will want answers! What does the Lan Sect have to say?!"

Wen Qing hid her grimace of disgust at Wen Xu's rudeness with her handkerchief while Lan Xichen and two Lan Elders explained how her brother had been found in the deepest part of the Restricted section of Cloud Recesses.

"First Master Wen, we are as confused as Wen Sect Leader as to why Wen Qionglin was found dead on the back mountain during a storm, on a rarely used path at that. What could be of interest to a boy his age to have him out in such weather? "Lan Qiren said placatingly, but Wen Qing could hear the accusation behind his tone. 

The Lan elders kept asking pointed questions that flew very close to outright accusing the Wen's of using a child to spy, much to Wen Qing's amusement. After three hours of bickering and being unable to combat the elder's words, Wen Xu was forced to leave.

Wen Qing settled in the carriage feeling triumphant. She had seen Jiang Cheng's signal when leaving the Lanshi, and knew her baby brother was safe. 

The coffin loaded on the cart held the doppelgänger, and then she felt her skin crawl at her cousin's words before he let the curtain fall, closing them in together.

"Father wants to see you in three days, cousin. That stupid boy's death has messed with Father's plan, and you have much to answer for."

                                               · · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

Well, your sister is on her way back to Nightless City, so now we're on the way back to Jiangnan," Wangji announced as their friend group, plus Wen Ning, snuck into the Jingshi through the window.

"But i-isn't Jiangnan a thousand miles away?" Wen Ning asked, unsure as to why they were in Lan Wangji's private quarters.

"One thousand two hundred and forty-three, actually."Jiang Cheng helpfully added. After being in charge of battle routes these past few days, he had a point-by-point detailed map in his head.

"S-so...?" Wen Ning looked around, expecting to see a large travel bag or something of the sort. How else was he going to get there?

"With magic, obviously."Wangji gave a long over-the-top stretch before he went over to the corner of the room.

"Heh?"Wen Ning made a face that resembled a deer, as he went over to the corner of the room and found not a trace of Wangji.

"Young Master Wen, hold your breath." Wei Ying gave a pleasant smile which threw Wen Ning even more off guard.

"Hold my-" Wen Ning started but never finished as he found himself falling head first into what felt like liquid copper, except it was cool and tingly. He could feel the centre of gravity shifting in the core of his stomach as he braced himself for a harsh impact, eyes still firmly shut.