Dust & Gold

16

~*Lan Wangji POV*~

Wei Ying is difficult to understand. He says one thing and does another, he says he will of left but he goes right. I am trying so hard to understand him. I know that I should have gone to him after my brother came after me that day. When he told me what he endured, all I could picture was him as a small child, even though he couldn't feel anything, he was still begging for anyone to help him. No one noticed. I was so angry and hurt at the same time that I needed some time to myself to not only think but to meditate on it all. If I didn't, I probably would've done something I would later regret.

I am grateful that he took care of the water ghouls and I will do what I can to make sure he doesn't get punished for being out after curfew. I felt that his hard work was paying for that punishment anyway. I don't get how he was so powerful though. All it took was for him to play a flute and it was over within minutes. I was amazed by him, and I still think that even if my bloodline was not bound to this bond with your soulmate, I'd still love Wei Ying. I still have a lot to learn about him but I already like him a lot.

On my way to the dining hall, I ran into Xiongzhang, "Wangji, didn't you tell me that Wuxian was joining you this morning?" He asked.

"He is still sleeping. I want to talk to you about him actually," I said.

"Alright, want to tell me now or after we eat?" He asked.

"If you have a moment," I said.

He nudged his head and I followed him into his Hanshi (residence). He then placed a privacy charm over the room for more privacy, "alright, what did you want to tell me?"

"I caught Wei Ying out past curfew last night. He went to town after we had that meeting. He came back late at night and said that there were water ghouls infesting Biling Lake," I explained.

"Alright, well we can have people investigate this," Brother said.

"That is not necessary because he already dealt with it by himself...I helped him out a small amount but he did more than me," I explained.

"How?" He asked.

"He is a lot more powerful than he seems," I said, "he can play the Dizi (flute) and he used it to help him. He someone knows our sect techniques..."

"People outside of Cloud Recesses can still learn music cultivation. He may have found some books at Lotus Pier to help him," Xiongzhang explained.

I nodded, "I did tell him that he won't be punished for being out past curfew," I told him, "he..."

"He what?" Brother asked.

"He was angry with me. He wanted me to go see him after I calmed down the other day. He also said he may not stay here," I said, "he said since he is no longer in grasps of Madam Yu, he doesn't want to be bound by so many rules. He looked tired and angry."

Brother nodded, "we will have to sit down and talk with him properly," he said, "as he is your partner, you are solely responsible for his punishments. If you wish to not punish him then I will allow it. I just ask that he at least tries to respect our rules."

"I just want him to be happy," I said, "if he isn't happy here...I don't know what else to do...I will follow him if he allows me."

"Wangji, you are not bound to the sect forever," he told me, "if you wish to travel with him then do so. I will not get in the way of your happiness. I just want to make sure that this is what you want too."

"I do," I said.

Brother nodded, "you said he was asleep now?"

"Sort of," I answered, "he was tired and as he was out late last night and not used to our sect sleep schedule, I told him he could go back to sleep. I'd bring him breakfast."

"That's nice of you," brother said.

"Though he confuses me, I am really taking a liking to him," I said.

"I'm just glad that you are happy," Brother said.

***

~*Wei Wuxian's POV*~

I wasn't expecting for Lan Zhan to allow me to go back to my room to rest for a while. I needed to learn how to trust him more, but I fears that word. I fear that if I finally learn to trust someone again, it will only end badly. Now that I was back in my guest room, I was sitting on my bed and pulled my legs up to my chest so I was sitting in a ball. I felt trapped in this void that I could never get out of.

I sat there for what seemed like hours but it was only maybe two at most. Lan Zhan had returned and had breakfast for me as he promised, "come and eat," he told me.

I sighed and went over to the table and sat down, "thanks," I said.

"You don't have to thank me," Lan Zhan said, "I am very pleased do help you whenever you need me," Lan Zhan then handed me a plate of food. I just nodded and ate silently, "I spoke with my brother."

I stared at him, "am I in trouble?" I asked.

"No," Lan Zhan answered, "I am in charge of your disciplinary affairs...and I will not punish you for last night. You helped us with a probably which I believe is payment for it."

"Alright," I said.

"He did want to sit down and talk with the two of us eventually," he said.

I nodded, "alright."

We sat in silence for a while again as I finished eating. Lan Zhan eventually broke the silence again, "is the food to your liking?" He asked.

"It's fine," I answered. It was bland but I didn't want to complain. It was food and I was grateful for it. I've gone through moments where I had to go without it so I don't dare complain about what I eat anymore...especially since I got punished severely for doing that once when I was younger. I learned after that to stop asking for more than I was already given. I guess I am just conditioned to be like this now.