Dust & Gold

32

Before entering the Cold Caves, Lan Zhan stopped me and wrapped his forehead ribbon around our wrists. I gave him a look, "I know I am yours, why are you staking your claim again?" I asked.

"Once inside, there is a guqin that guards this place. It is a sacred place for only people of the Lan Sect. It does not touch people of my blood but it is only because of our ribbons. Our ribbons have an enchantment of our blood. Even if we marry, the guqin will not recognize you unless you have this on you. With both of us wearing it, we are safe," he explained.

I nodded, "alright, wouldn't the bond protect me? Plus I...never mind."

"You were going to say it can't hurt you but I can feel the pain for you," Lan Zhan reminded.

"Sorry," I said looking at the ground, "it was thoughtless of me."

Lan Zhan lifted my head using only his index finger and thumb. He had me looking at him, "do not apologize. I am guessing that slipped your mind for a moment."

"I didn't mean to forget...a lot has happened lately," I said, "I'm sorry, please know that I didn't mean to seem like I didn't care."

"I know, and it's alright," he said.

"Let's just, get this over with," I said and turned away from him.

I heard him sigh but didn't say anything else. He led me into the cave. It was cold that was for sure. The caves were all ice, but it was filled with so much spiritual energy. I can tell that this is a good place to be in seclusion when a cultivator is advancing in their cultivation.

The guqin Lan Zhan spoke about, did not attack. He used it to call upon Lan Yi. I just stood there quietly and patiently. Lan Zhan soon stood beside me and had me kneel with him.

"Hello young ones," a female voice said.

We bowed, "pleasure to meet you Master Lan Yi."

"You two can stand," she said.

We stood up. She was actually quite beautiful. Though, almost everyone in Gusu is. I can tell she was a relative of Lan Zhan's there was some similarities between them.

"What brings you two here?" She asked.

"Ancestor Lan Yi, my husband here has an ancient curse and we know you have some knowledge on someone who could possibly have a way to remove it," Lan Zhan said.

"Yes I know someone, but I do not know where she is," Lan Yi told us.

"She is my grandmother, Baoshan Sanren, right?" I asked.

"Grandson?" She questioned and stepped closer to me, "your mother?"

"Cangse Sanren," I answered, "she would probably know where her mother is located but we thought about asking you first as you were easier to find and contact."

"Your mother is no longer alive?" She asked.

I shook my head, "my parents died when I was young."

"Can you two wait here? I might be able to find her for you," Lan Yi said.

We nodded. She turned to leave but turned back for a moment, "if she comes back and I don't, let me tell you this first, you two are married and you have a very special bond between you. Trust it. Trust each other. No one will ever understand you like the way you two understand each other. Cherish that. Learn to communicate with each other, it saves a lot of headaches," after she spoke she turned and left.

I sighed and knelt down again, "Are you going to be alright?" Lan Zhan asked.

"Yes," I answered, "just nervous about seeing her again."

"I know," Lan Zhan said.

"Ying'er," another woman said.

Wuxian stood up quickly as he heard that name. He saw her. He saw the woman he hasn't seen since he was a very young boy, "Mom?"

"It's me," she said, "and you have company."

I smiled, "Mother, this is my cultivation partner Lan Wangji, you might know his uncle, Lan Qiren," I told her.

She smiled, "I see," she said, "it's good to see you. Lan Yi told me you are looking for your grandmother."

I nodded, "I've been cursed, Mom, and we think she is the only one who knows how to break it," I said.

"What kind of curse?" She asked.

"It's an ancient curse, one that makes it so you cannot feel pain," I told her, "but since Finding Lan Zhan, he can feel pain I take. We just want this curse gone."

She nodded, "she has been hidden for so long and the only way you can find her is if you go to one of her safe houses," Mother explained, "she has a couple of them. The one you would probably have the best luck with is in Yiling. It looks like a brothel but once you step inside, it is all people seeking refuge under her care. Each of her places has a symbol of a peach blossom tree. That is how you can tell. She visits them once every month."

I nodded, "thank you Mother...are you and father resting peacefully?"

"We are, and we will look over you now that we finally know where you are...we are sorry for leaving you the way we did," she said.

"I'm not upset," I said, "but I do miss you...every day."

"And I miss you," she said, "we will see each other again someday."

"Thank you, and I love you," I said.

"And I love you," she said and looked at Lan Zhan, "thank you for being there for him. For being the one constant in his life now."

"Of course," Lan Zhan said, "I will do everything I can to love and protect him."

"I know," Mother said, "you Lans are very possessive and protective."

"Not really a bad thing," I said.

"No, I think it's nice," she said, "I do have to go now. Goodbye Ying'er."

"Goodbye mom," I said and watched her disappear. I took a moment before turning to Lan Zhan, "so, we have some ideas on what to look for."

"We can leave in a few days. We need to gather some supplies first," he said.

"I know," I agreed, "can we get out of here, it's very cold in here."

"Come," he said and led me out of the cave.