-= fallen =- (Book 0.5 Of Angel Devourers)[WangXian FF]

A Gift

“M-married, Your Majesty?”

Wei Wuxian was so flabbergasted that he stuttered his words. He also felt like his heart lurched violently from the sudden question.

He knew that Lan Wangji did not ask for his permission, since he had a lot of marriage proposals already, so he just kept quiet about it. But somehow, it hurt him more.

“Yes. There have been… protests, from the ministers, that I should start to choose my Empress and the concubines for the sake of the future heirs.” Lan Wangji drank the alcohol in one gulp and then poured another one. “And I think it’s time too. But before that, I would like to ask for your help, Wei Ying.”

He turned his beautiful golden gaze to Wei Wuxian, and right at that time, he would do anything for the Emperor in a heartbeat – even if he had to take his heart out and throw it away.

His love was never meant to be, and he would not sully the Emperor’s memories of him – his best friend and most trusted aide – with his own desire.

“I will do anything you want me to do, my liege.” Wei Wuxian bowed his head and Lan Wangji took his arm and pulled him up.

“Good. I want you to go back to Yingying’s house and let her know that I will be visiting her in three days.”

It took an extra second for Wei Wuxian to digest Lan Wangji’s words, and when he did, he was shocked.

“I beg your pardon?”

Suddenly he could not breathe and it was like he was drowning.

What’s it all got to do with Yingying? Why would the Emperor want to visit her?

“You heard me loud and clear. I want to thank her for her generosity since we did not inform her of my departure.” Lan Wangji drank his alcohol and continued to fill both of their glasses to the brim. “And please prepare gifts.”

Wei Wuxian only nodded because he could not find a word to say. Then he changed the topic before he said something wrong that would expose him, because Lan Wangji was not a stupid man. He would definitely find out if he did not stop talking.

“So, Your Majesty, please inform me who dared attack you? I will definitely take revenge on them.”

Lan Wangji took his time to answer, and when he did, his eyes were hard.

“Wei Ying, do you believe that there are monsters among us? I mean literal monster, not the psychobabble thing.”

It was the second time that Wei Wuxian became speechless.

He was able to change his gender at will, did he count as a monster too?

He swallowed his nervousness and cleared his throat.

“Do you mind to elaborate more, Your Majesty? I’m afraid I don’t understand what you mean.”

What was wrong with the Emperor today?

He seemed like he was out of sort and he spoke about things that he never talked about – making his heart race in panic.

But Lan Wangji did not elaborate more, instead he stood up and turned around to walk back into his chamber.

“It’s getting late, Wei Ying. We should take a rest now. It will be a long day tomorrow.”

Wei Wuxian was confused.

He excused himself and prepared for the Emperor’s arrival by cooking all the food that he liked and cleaning the house and changing into a decent dress multiple times.

He didn’t even know what he was doing, but he felt restless and anxious, and as the clock was ticking, he couldn’t help but feel more and more frustrated.

As the Emperor’s General, he knew everything that must be done, every etiquette, every rule, everything.

But as Yingying the commoner?

He didn’t know what to do or say so that Lan Wangji did not find out about her true identity.

But then again, he remembered how Lan Wangji told him that he was going to get married, and he felt his stomach churning.

Should he use this one opportunity to… do something that he wouldn’t dare even dream of doing? After all, he was in the body of a woman now.

Unfortunately he didn’t have the luxury to contemplate what he was going to do next, since there was a knock on his door.

He quickly fixed his dress and walked over to open the door – to see Lan Wangji in his commoner clothes.

“Hello again, Yingying.” He smiled and Wei Wuxian’s heart was beating very fast. He had never seen the Emperor smile like that ever before.

“Hello… Lan Zhan.” Wei Wuxian spoke sheepishly.

It was hard for him to call Lan Wangji’s given name, especially when he knew that he was the Emperor. But he had to feign ignorance since Yingying the commoner did not know that the man in front of her was the Emperor of the country.

“I brought gifts for you. May I come in?”

He knew that his heart wouldn’t be able to handle this… soft side of the Emperor. But then again, he was a glutton for punishment.

“Ah I’m sorry, yes please. Your aide has told me about your visit, and I told him that you shouldn’t have. It’s a relief for me to know that you’re happy and healthy.”

“Still, I have to show proper gratitude for your help.” He entered the house and Wei Wuxian pulled out a chair for him to sit on, and then he poured the tea he had prepared beforehand.

Lan Wangji thanked him and drank the tea slowly – savoring it.

“You are very good at brewing tea, Yingying, just like someone I know.” He looked straight into Wei Wuxian’s eyes and Wei Wuxian shivered.

The look Lan Wangji gave him was giving him a chill, like he could see through his lies, and he was waiting for him to admit it before he punished him for lying to him.

“You flatter me, Lan Zhan. Anyone can brew a pot of tea like this.” Wei Wuxian couldn’t help but want to escape as far as possible.

“Anyway, I come here to give you this.” Lan Wangji took out a beautiful wooden box with exquisite jade carving, and put it on the table, and Wei Wuxian’s heart stopped once again.

It was a familiar sight, since he once saw the blessing ceremony for this special item by the Saintess, and he wondered why such an important item was here, in front of him.

Lan Wangji slowly opened the box to reveal a very simple yet very beautiful white jade necklace, and it shone with rainbow colored light – a sign of a holy item.

Wei Wuxian gasped at the sight of it.

He never saw the necklace up close before, but even from afar, it was beautiful. Now when he saw it closely, he couldn’t speak, as if he was being entranced by the mysterious necklace.

“This necklace will protect you from harm, since you live alone and the nearest neighbor is very far away. If and when someone – or something – tries to harm you, this necklace will cast a barrier strong enough to withstand even a martial arts master.”