Jade Dragon [Lan Xichen x Reader]

Chapter: 57

Wei (Y/n) blinked, her senses overwhelmed by the unexpected beauty around her. Cherry trees stood tall, their branches heavy with blossoms that drifted gently in the breeze. The scent of fresh flowers filled the air, mingling with the soft rustle of leaves. For a moment, she felt weightless, as if she were floating.

Am I dead? she wondered, a pang of fear tugging at her heart. Is this supposed to be Heaven?

A light, melodic laugh broke the silence, making her spin around. Standing a few steps away was a woman whose very presence seemed to command the space around her. Her black hair was arranged in an intricate style, held in place by a headpiece adorned with jewels that glimmered in the soft light. Her robes, a harmonious blend of blue, purple, and white, flowed gracefully as she moved, made from the finest silks Wei (Y/n) had ever seen. The woman's eyes were a striking lavender, and her smile was warm and inviting.

"Welcome, Lady (Y/n)," the woman said, her voice as soothing as a gentle breeze. There was an air of familiarity about her, something that made Wei (Y/n) feel at ease despite the strangeness of her surroundings.

"Who are you?" Wei (Y/n) asked, her voice tinged with caution. The sense of attachment she felt toward this woman was odd but undeniable, like a memory.

The woman chuckled softly, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "There are many names I have been called, but you may call me Meiying," she replied. "And as for who I am... I am you, and you are me."

Wei (Y/n) stared, her confusion evident. "What do you mean? How can you be me?"

Meiying smiled gently, stepping closer to Wei (Y/n). "There's a long history between us, one that binds us across time and space," she explained. "But for now, know that I mean you no harm. Come, let's have some tea. We have much to discuss."

Without waiting for a reply, Meiying took Wei (Y/n)'s hand and led her through the garden. They walked in silence until they reached a small table set beneath a canopy of cherry blossoms. The table was elegantly laid out with tea and an assortment of sweets. Meiying motioned for Wei (Y/n) to sit, and she did so, feeling a strange sense of comfort in the serene setting.

As Meiying poured the tea, Wei (Y/n) watched her, a thousand questions swirling in her mind. The scent of the tea was soothing, and for the first time since arriving, Wei (Y/n) felt a hint of calm. She took a sip, savoring the warmth that spread through her.

"Why am I here?" Wei (Y/n) finally asked, breaking the silence. "And why do I feel like I know you?"

Meiying set down her cup and met Wei (Y/n)'s gaze. "You are here because you needed to be saved," she said softly. "I intervened, but in doing so, I disrupted the natural flow of time and events. This place is a consequence of that. Here, time moves differently.."

Wei (Y/n) frowned, trying to piece together what Meiying was saying. "You saved me... but from what? And what about my family? I need to get back to them!"

"I'll explain everything." She smiled and said gently.

---

Lan Xichen sat beside the bed, his eyes weary and red from lack of sleep. It had been weeks since Wei (Y/n) fell into her coma, and he felt more lost and broken with each passing day. His heart ached with the weight of his responsibilities, but he knew he had to stay strong—for their children, if not for himself.

Lifen, who had once been full of joy and curiosity, had grown quiet. She trained under Lan Qiren's strict guidance, throwing herself into her studies with a fervor that worried him. Lan Zhixin, a month old, cried often, his small voice a constant reminder of Wei (Y/n)'s absence. Lan Xichen found himself spending countless hours rocking Zhixin to sleep, whispering words of comfort that he hoped would reach Wei (Y/n) too.

He sighed, looking at his wife's sleeping form. The room was filled with fresh flowers, their vibrant colors a stark contrast to the pale stillness of her face. She looked almost like a porcelain doll, so peaceful yet so distant. Gently, he brushed a stray strand of hair from her forehead, his fingers trembling.

"A-(Y/n)... please, come back to me," Lan Xichen whispered, his voice breaking. "I can't do this alone. The children need you... I need you."

Tears slipped from his eyes, and he wiped them away with the back of his hand. He felt helpless, much like his father must have felt when his mother left, and how Lan Wangji must have felt when Wei Ying was gone. The pain was sharp and unyielding, an ache that would not subside.

"A-Xin cries for you every day. He knows you're not here," Lan Xichen continued softly, as if speaking to her would somehow bring her back. "Even Lady Jiang came to see you. She spoke to you, hoping you could hear her. Wangji... Wangji has been confined to the cold caves for breaking the rules..."

Oh how he wished to break his brother out. But he was helpless in that matter as he was in this. He leaned to press a kiss against her forehead. "I'll come again in the morning. And I'll bring Zhixin too. He was sleeping now." He said with a small smile, brushing her hair behind her ear.

---

Back under the cherry trees, both of them sat as Meiying explained. "You see," Meiying began, her tone serious, "when I saved you, I altered the timeline. Your survival set off a chain of events that have affected many lives." She gestured, and visions appeared around them like mist, showing scenes from Wei (Y/n)'s past actions.

Wei (Y/n) watched as the events played out—saving a young girl from a fall, healing disciples during the Battle of Lotus Pier, helping Wen Qing and her clan. Faces of the people she had saved appeared before her eyes, each one a testament to the choices she had made.

"These people were meant to die," Meiying explained softly. "Your actions have saved them, and in doing so, you've created ripples that must now be balanced. The timeline has been disrupted, and your coma is a consequence of that. It's a pause, allowing time to correct itself."

Wei (Y/n) felt a mix of guilt and relief. She had saved lives—how could that be wrong? But the knowledge that her actions had consequences beyond her understanding was overwhelming. "Will they be alright?" she asked, her voice small. "The people I saved... will they suffer because of me?"

Meiying shook her head, a reassuring smile on her lips. "No, nothing will happen to them. The timeline will adjust, but the lives you've saved will remain unchanged. You have given them a chance to live, and that is a blessing."

Wei (Y/n) nodded, though her heart still felt heavy. "I need to go back," she said, her thoughts turning to Lan Xichen and their children. "Zhixin... he's just a baby. And Lifen... my poor girl..."

Meiying nodded in understanding. "You will go back when the time is right. But before that, there are things you need to learn."

Wei (Y/n) looked at Meiying, her determination renewed. "Teach me," she said firmly. "I'll do whatever it takes to return to my family."

Meiying smiled, a proud gleam in her lavender eyes. "Very well,"