Unrestrained Heart

Chapter 23

Wei Wuxian pauses outside the door of Jin Guangyao's room when he hears Qin Su shriek, "No don't come near me, don't touch..." Her words are cut off, which is more disturbing. For a minute Wei Wuxian wants to return but he can't do anything in this form. He hurries back to the rooms where he and Lan Wangji are staying.

Lan Wangji is waiting for him when he returns to his body. The alpha looks anxious, almost frantic, and that more than anything tells Wei Wuxian how long he has been gone.

When Wei Wuxian tries to stand, he stumbles, dizzy. It's never been like this before; the paper effigy and empathy really has taken everything out of him. He needs to gather his spiritual energy but there is no time. They have to hurry, "Lan Zhan, help me, we have to get back to Jin Guangyao's rooms now."

Seeing Wei Wuxian's facial expression, Lan Wangji doesn't waste time. He kneels down and pulls Wei Wuxian up to carry him on his back. He snatches up Bichen and Suibian on his way out the door. Wei Wuxian can't help but notice the alpha isn't slowed by his weight at all, he carries him as easily as if he were one of the children.

There are several guards patrolling the family living areas, mostly to keep drunk guests from wandering off into private areas. They move to bar their way.

"Put me down, Lan Zhan, I'm okay now." Wei Wuxian tells him. Lan Wangji hesitates then carefully puts Wei Wuxian down, steadying him in case he is still dizzy.

"Call Lan Zixuan, the family members are in danger." Wei Wuxian orders the guards. It's not a lie. Qin Su is in a lot of danger if they don't get to her soon. The guards hesitate, but one of them recognizes Wei Wuxian as Jiang Yanli's martial brother and they head towards the banquet hall where everything is wrapping up. Jin Zixuan and Jiang Yanli will still be there calling people to escort drunk guests back to their rooms.

The guards assigned to Jin Guangyao's residence aren't as reasonable. They block their way even when Wei Wuxian tells them it's a matter of life and death. Feeling he is running out of time Wei Wuxian reaches for a binding talisman.

"What's going on here?" Jin Ling asks. "These are my little uncle's sleeping chambers."

"Your aunt is in danger." Wei Wuxian tells him. "I've already sent for your parents." Wei Wuxian doesn't mention Jin Guangyao's name to the boy. He knows the two of them are close, that Jin Guangyao is even the one that gave Jin Ling that horrid beast he calls Fairy.

"Move!" Jin Ling orders the guards.

"But young master..." The guard protests.

"If something happens to my aunt because you are standing in our way, I will personally have my father banish you." Jin Ling says. This scares the guard enough to move aside.

The three of them race to the residence. By the time they arrive JIn Zixuan and Jiang Yanli are there along with Nie Huaisang, Jiang Cheng and Lan Xichen. The commotion the guards made at the banquet hall has also drawn many curious onlookers.

"What's this about? Who's in danger?" Jiang Cheng asks.

"There isn't time to explain." Wei Wuxian tells him, he is already knocking on the door of the residence. For a minute it seems as if no one will answer, then the door opens.

"Wei-gongzi?" Wei Wuxian steps back in surprise, the person who answers the door is Qin Su. What's more, if he hadn't seen her earlier, he would think nothing at all was wrong. She looks bleary eyed and confused as if they have woken her from her rest.

"A-Su," Jiang Yanli says, "Where is A-Yao?"

Looking even more confused at this, she answers, "Isn't he still at the banquet hall? He hasn't come back yet." Qin Su answers appear genuine and not prompted, her look of confusion is real enough.