Beloved Beyond the End

Part 18.

Lan Qiren could no longer contain his frustration and shouted, "WHAT'S GOING ON HERE!? Everyone is acting innocent and lying. Madam Jiang, if you know your daughter is unhappy with the marriage, why did you force her to marry Wangji?"

Madam Yu fell silent, and Xichen seized the moment. "Mrs. Jin Yanli, if you had a problem with this marriage, why didn't you tell us-or at least Wangji-before the wedding?"

Yanli lowered her eyes, shame washing over her. "I couldn't; my mother told me not to say anything."

"Jijia! What about me? Why didn't you say anything to me before? Why?" Jiang Cheng's voice trembled as he fought back tears. He was overwhelmed with emotion-sad for Weiying's condition, angry that Yanli had hidden the truth from him, and hurt that she seemed to trust Weiying more than him. Without another word, he turned and left the pavilion.

Lan Qiren then addressed Jiang Fengmian. "If this is true, why don't we search for Jiang Yanli near Jin sect territory?"

Jiang Fengmian explained that they had no idea their daughter was in love with Jin Jixuan. No one believed him; it was clear the entire family had an inkling of where Yanli might be if she ran away-and still blamed Weiying for everything. In Qiren's eyes, Wei Wuxian was equally at fault for trying to protect the wrong people by marrying his younger nephew.

Meanwhile, Wangji stood silently, staring at Weiying's pale body lying lifeless on the bed. The truth of the situation was breaking him beyond expectation. As he turned to leave the pavilion, a heavy breath echoed in the room.

Suddenly, Weiying opened his eyes wide. Wangji rushed toward him, about to call out his name when he saw the shock in Weiying's expression.

"W... Weiying... Wei...ying... No... No please..." Wangji cried out loudly, tears streaming down his face. It was only the second time his brother and uncle had seen him cry like this-the last time being at their mother's death.

The elder called for a healer who rushed inside to check Weiying's pulse but found nothing.

Silence enveloped the room. Yanli fainted in Jin Jixuan's arms, while Madam Yu and Jiang Fengmian were left speechless. Lan Qiren remained silent as well, and Xichen could only watch his brother in anguish as he held Weiying close.

---

The news spread quickly throughout the clan. Jiang Cheng, who had just left the pavilion moments earlier, rushed back inside, tears flowing freely down his face. He fought with Weiying often and harbored jealousy toward him but loved him deeply nonetheless. Now that love poured out in his sorrow as he realized what he had lost.

"It's said that a person's importance in our life can only be realized when they're gone," reflected Jiang Cheng bitterly as he mourned his brother's sacrifice and the moments they'd wasted fighting.

The healer checked on Yanli too and confirmed that both she and her child were safe; she had fainted from stress. But would Yanli ever forgive herself after this?

Jin Jixuan took Yanli away from the chaos, severing ties with Madam Yu and Jiang Fengmian. He wasn't one to do that lightly, but if it meant protecting his child from harm due to her parents' actions, he would do whatever it took.

Madam Yu was left shattered as Jixuan took Yanli away, her cries echoing in the silence of the room.

Jiang Cheng also declared he wouldn't address her as "mother" again, breaking Madam Yu completely.

---

Another knock on the door jolted Wangji from his thoughts.

He steeled himself and opened the door to join the others for night hunting.