The Untamed (Season 2)

Chapter 18

Wei Wuxian's P.O.V

As the late afternoon sun cast a warm glow through the curtains, I stirred awake at 5:00 p.m. The house was quiet, save for the soft sound of my husband, Lan Zhan, meditating peacefully in the living room. His presence was calming, grounding me as I slowly emerged from my slumber. When he noticed I was awake, he turned to me with a gentle smile and suggested that I join him for dinner with Jiang Cheng, Zewu Jun, and the juniors in the dining room. I nodded in agreement, grateful for the invitation, and planted a soft kiss on his lips.

We made our way to the dining room, and just as we approached, our maid hurried toward us, her face a mixture of concern and urgency. I exchanged a glance with Lan Zhan, sensing a shift in the atmosphere.

After catching her breath, she bowed respectfully and addressed us. "Young Master, I'm terribly sorry to interrupt. Jiang Cheng is quite upset; he became angry with Young Master Sizhui."

The gravity of her words sent a jolt through me. "What?!" Panic gripped my chest as I dashed toward the dining room, desperate to understand the situation. As I entered, my heart sank at the sight before me: Sizhui was on the ground, visibly distressed, while Jiang Cheng stood over him, his expression fierce and filled with anger. The tension in the room was palpable, and I knew I had to intervene.

"Jiang Cheng!" I called out, my voice cutting through the tension in the air. He turned, his eyes widening in surprise as he caught sight of me. Without wasting another moment, I rushed over to A Yuan, who lay crumpled on the ground.

"A Yuan," I said softly, desperately trying to coax him back to consciousness. But he remained unresponsive, unconscious from the effects of Zidian's shocking power.

Frustration bubbled within me as I shot a glare at Jiang Cheng, who stood nearby looking equally distressed. I chose to hold my tongue, resisting the urge to unleash my irritation. I knew that getting worked up wouldn't help the situation. Turning to Jingyi, I instructed him, "Please, take A Yuan to his room. He needs rest."

I could feel Jin Ling's eagerness to follow, but Jiang Cheng's hand shot out to stop him. "What on earth is wrong with you!?" he snapped, irritation spilling from his voice.

Not wanting to let that slide, I stepped into their brewing confrontation. "How dare you speak to A Ling like that?" I challenged him, my tone firm but laced with exasperation.

Jiang Cheng merely glared at me for a brief moment before turning his back and walking away, dismissing me as if I were nothing more than a whisper. I felt the flare of anger rise again, but Lan Zhan, ever by my side, gently grabbed my arm, a silent plea in his touch that urged me to calm down.

Just then, Zewu Jun approached us, a look of concern etched across his features as he grabbed A Ling in his arms. "Master Wei Gongzi, it seems Sect Leader Jiang lost his temper over a trivial matter concerning Sizhui. I meant to intervene, but before I could, he unleashed Zidian," he explained, his voice steady but weighed down by the tension.

Jiang Cheng's temper was as volatile as ever, and I found myself at a loss for how to handle this without letting my own frustration spiral out of control, especially since I was also worried about my baby.

Lan Zhan offered a respectful bow to Zewu Jun before leading me away, saying nothing but allowing his presence to be a soothing balm to my heightened emotions. He held my hand gently, guiding us back toward our Jingshi, away from the chaos that had erupted.

Upon entering our quiet space, he spoke softly to the maiden stationed there, letting her know that we would dine in our room this evening.

Exhaling deeply, I began to pace our shared quarters, my mind racing. The worry I felt was suffocating. But as I sat down on the edge of the bed, Lan Zhan settled beside me, pressing tender kisses onto my forehead, each one a gentle reminder of his unwavering support.

"I don't want you to get stressed," he murmured, his voice low and soothing, as he rubbed soothing circles on my back.

I nodded, leaning into his touch, letting the warmth of his body calm the storm inside me. With a soft hum of contentment, I eventually succumbed to the comfort of his embrace, drifting back into a peaceful sleep nestled against him.

Jiang Cheng's P.O.V

I found myself fuming earlier when Sizhui tried to counsel Jin Ling on the importance of remaining calm and not letting his anger get the best of him. It struck a nerve, and before I even realized it, I had let my frustration explode and unleashed Zidian. Deep down, I know I don't want Jin Ling to merely be calm and polite; I want him to possess the strength to confront every challenge and adversary he might encounter.

How foolish I must seem to my nephew. A heavy sigh escaped my lips as I grasped my sword, the familiar weight grounding me. I stepped out of my room, my footsteps echoing softly in the quiet corridor as I made my way to Jin Ling's door. When I raised my hand to knock, silence hung in the air—he didn't respond.

Just then, the Maiden strolled past, offering a casual remark that A Ling and Sizhui were together. I shrugged it off, reluctant to meddle and risk further aggravation. Instead, I opted to seek solace by the falls, hoping the sound of rushing water would calm my restless thoughts.

As I stood there, absorbing the tranquility, I spotted Zewu Jun approaching. He caught sight of me and bowed respectfully. "Sect Leader Jiang!" he greeted, and I returned the gesture with a bow of my own.

"Sect Leader Lan," I replied, ready to drift away into the serene surroundings, but he seized my arm lightly, stopping me in my tracks.

"Let's talk," he suggested, a hint of seriousness in his tone.

Moments turned into minutes as he began to lecture me gently, emphasizing that Sizhui is quite sensitive and that my outburst could have far-reaching effects. I nodded along, feeling a mix of guilt and irritation, until he suddenly posed a direct question.

"Do you like me?" he asked, his eyebrow raised in teasing curiosity.

Caught off guard, I felt my heart race. "Yes," I admitted, the word escaping in a breathless whisper.

He arched an eyebrow higher, clearly expecting more than just that simple affirmation. "That's all?" he pressed, intrigue glimmering in his eyes.

Before I could muster a proper response, embarrassment surged through me, and I dashed away, unable to face him any longer. I could hear his chuckle ringing in my ears as I fled, leaving him to amusement at my flustered retreat.

As I walked through the quiet halls, I spotted A Ling and Sizhui making their way toward A Ling's room. Just as they drew closer, Sizhui's eyes met mine, and he bowed his head respectfully, a gesture that reminded me of the formalities we often upheld. I felt a wave of regret wash over me; I knew I had to apologize. So, I returned the gesture, bowing my head slightly, and said, "I'm sorry."

To my surprise, A Ling's eyes widened with disbelief, as if he couldn't quite process the fact that I was actually admitting to my mistake.

Sizhui, however, smiled gently, his expression warm and understanding. "It's okay, Master Jiang. I know you can't always control your emotions. I'm sorry too," he replied, displaying a kind-heartedness that truly touched me. What a remarkable young man he was—no doubt a testament to the wonderful upbringing he had received from Lan Wangji.

A Ling seemed momentarily stunned, struggling to formulate a response. I couldn't help but throw him a playful glare before walking away, lightening the mood with a hint of mischief.

Jin Ling's point of view,

I couldn't shake my shock at what I had just witnessed. Uncle, known for his stern demeanor, had bowed and apologized to Sizhui. I glanced at Sizhui, searching for a reaction, but he simply smiled, his demeanor calm and composed.

"Love, you need to rest now. I'll see you tomorrow," Sizhui said softly, planting a gentle kiss on my cheek. A warm feeling spread through me, and I couldn't help but smile widely as I leaned in to kiss him back on the cheek.

After our sweet exchange, I bid goodbye to my boyfriend, feeling a mixture of happiness and contentment wash over me as I headed to my room, ready to drift off into a peaceful sleep.