The Mad Ҡìղց

A Tangled Web

Wen Ruohan smiled, a wicked glint in his eyes as he cleared his throat. "I hear Lan Wangji is in love with another. Why does he still wish to marry Lady Yan Li?" His voice dripped with false innocence as he addressed the room.

Lan Qiren's face turned crimson with rage. His hands trembled slightly as he clenched them on his robes. "Where did you hear such vile rumors?" he demanded, his voice a low, dangerous hiss.

"Oh, it circulates," Wen Ruohan replied, the smirk never leaving his lips. "Among the servants, of course."

Lan Wangji, seated behind his father, felt a twist of discomfort. He could feel the weight of every gaze in the room, each one expectant and scrutinizing. The rumors being whispered behind closed doors were indeed true—his heart was captivated by Wei Ying, not Lady Yan Li. But he knew his family's honor hung in the balance. He kept his face expressionless, suppressing the pang of guilt, perhaps Lady Yan Li would not have to suffer in a marriage built on duty rather than love.

"Servants?" Madam Yu spat, her tone cutting through the tension in the room like a blade. Her dark gaze fell upon the attendants, now quivering with fear. "Well? What is this talk among the slaves?"

The servants fell to their knees, trembling as silence stretched on. The air was thick with anticipation and unease, each second fueling Madam Yu's wrath. Her hands twitched, purple energy flickering around her fingers—a warning of the danger that simmered within.

"I asked a question!" Madam Yu's voice was sharp and commanding, her tone leaving no room for defiance.

Finally, one of the braver servants spoke, her voice barely a whisper. "We... we don't know how it started. But we heard that Young Master Lan is... in love with Wei Ying."

A collective gasp rippled through the room. Lan Wangji's heart pounded, but he forced his face to remain impassive. Wei Ying's name had been dragged into this mess, and now his own family's honor was at stake. Despite the risk, a small part of him felt a strange relief. The truth was out, and though he feared the consequences, at least it would bring clarity.

"Call that insolent boy for me!" Madam Yu's voice thundered, her fury palpable.

"Wife," Jiang Fengmian interrupted, placing a calming hand on her arm, though she shot him a look of pure venom.

Mrs. Lan, who had been silent, observed the scene with a small, knowing smile but said nothing.

Lan Wangji glanced at Ayana. Her eyes softened as she offered him a faint smile, one filled with understanding. She, perhaps more than anyone, knew the truth of his heart. But in this room, where pride and family honor took precedence, she, too, remained silent.

Moments later, the door opened, and Wei Ying entered, his posture humble, his head bowed. He had been given no explanation for his summons, and his confusion was clear. His hands were folded respectfully, but there was an air of worry in the way his shoulders tensed.

Jiang Fengmian's voice broke the silence. "Wei Ying," he began, his voice calm yet firm, "what is this that I am hearing? Is there anything you wish to tell us about you and Young Master Lan?"

Wei Ying fell to his knees, his forehead nearly touching the floor. His heart pounded, yet he kept his head low. He suspected that Lan Wangji's father, Lan Qiren, had told them of the bond that had grown between him and Wangji, and he feared the worst. Struggling to keep his voice steady, he murmured, "I... I don't understand what you mean, sir."

Before he could explain further, Madam Yu's fury exploded. Her purple zidian whip, enchanted with her powerful energy, cracked through the air and lashed across Wei Ying's back. He had braced himself, anticipating her anger, and managed to keep from flinching.