Lotus Serenade || Mo Dao Zu Shi x Reader

| 四十二 |

──❝Whispers Among the Lotus❞──

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The damp, earthy scent of the early morning lingered in the air, a subtle reminder of life's ebb and flow. [Y/n] stood outside the inn, watching the first tendrils of mist roll across the path that led towards Gusu. A heavy, unspoken emotion gathered in her chest, unfurling like the leaves of a lotus upon the dawn light, revealing the dawning realization that Lan Wangji had departed. She had not anticipated the void his absence would leave or the silent sting of a farewell left unsaid. Her hands clenched at her sides, nails biting into her palms in a feeble attempt to anchor herself against the surge of disappointment that threatened to overcome her senses. The cool air bit at her skin, a physical manifestation of the hurt that whispered through her veins. Footsteps approached, light and shuffling on the dew-kissed ground. Wei Wuxian appeared at her side, breaking the crestfallen contemplation that held [Y/n] captive. His hand reached out, warm and real, against the chill of the morning, taking hers with a gentle firmness that belied his eager demeanor. 

"A-[Y/n], let's go to Lotus Pier together!" Wei Wuxian's voice was like a melody, a stark contrast to the quiet of the morning. His eyes sparkled with an invitation to an adventure, and it was almost enough to sweep her from her brooding. She was hesitant, her gaze flitting back towards the path to Gusu, to the possibility of tracing Lan Wangji's steps. "I should go back to Gusu," she murmured, the words tasting like resignation. Jiang Cheng emerged from the shadow of the halls doorway, his stance firm, eyes alight with a rare softness. "You'll be traveling all by yourself. It wont be safe," he said, his voice carrying the weight of unspoken wisdom. "Come with us. Lotus Pier could use your strength." The tension of uncertainty wavered in her resolve. It was an emotional tug-of-war, with the invisible threads of loyalty and the comfort of the familiar pulling at her from one direction. "Please, A-[Y/n]?" Wei Wuxian's grip on her hand tightened, not with force but with hope. She looked between the two of them, saw the sincerity in Jiang Cheng's eyes, felt the warmth in Wei Wuxian's touch, and something within her eased. With a slow nod, her lips curled into the mirror of a smile, the decision settling in her heart. "Alright," she agreed softly, allowing the sentiment to flow through her voice. At that, Wei Wuxian's face broke into a grin, wide and unrestrained, as he let out a whoop of joy that startled a nearby bird into flight. Jiang Cheng's lips twitched into a rare smile, one that he reserved for moments of true comradery and relief. The weight in [Y/n]'s chest seemed to lift slightly, and as they set off together, her thoughts of Gusu and Lan Wangji were left to disperse like the morning fog, ethereal and fading with the promise of the journey ahead. 

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〖 YUNMENG 〗

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Yunmeng flourished as an exquisitely picturesque region, adorned generously with crystalline lakes that mirrored the skies above. It was therefore entirely befitting that amidst these aqueous realms lay the distinguished abode of the foremost cultivation lineage, none other than the Jiang Clan of Yunmeng. This ethereal dwelling, renowned far and wide, bore the name of Lotus Pier. A vessel rowing the meandering currents, gliding towards a vast body of water adorned abundantly with the resplendent blooms of the lotus, was christened Lotus Lake. Here, amidst the aqueous tapestry, delicate petals of a vibrant pink hue intertwine with broad jade-green leaves. The aqueous expanse extended to the horizon, resembling naught but an infinite swath of liquid silk, undulating gently beneath the caress of the breeze. When a breeze tenderly brushed against the tender petals, the blossoms responded in a dance, their movements akin to a symphony of grace and innocence. Thus, the landscape was imbued with a beguiling allure, an enchanting tapestry of nature's unspoiled beauty.