To Love the Gentle Moon - Lan Xichen X Reader

Threads of Destiny

A/N : Here's another chapter just as promised. Feel free to share your thoughts by commenting. Don't forget to VOTE for the chapters. Your support will mean the world to me 🙏❤️
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Feng Yuemei bowed respectfully to her parents, her voice calm and composed as she excused herself. "Zongzhu, Furen, Da-yi if you'll allow me, I'd like to oversee my last-minute packing and speak with my brother before we leave for Gusu."

Zongzhu nodded approvingly, while Furen gave her a soft smile. "Of course, Mei-er. Ensure everything is in order."

She turned and exited the room, feeling a mixture of relief and anticipation. Outside, San-er was already waiting for her, the young maid standing at attention with a respectful bow. She noted the girl's presence with a faint smile-her ever-attentive shadow.
As they walked, her thoughts lingered on the earlier conversation with her family, particularly the sharp yet unreadable gaze of her aunt. While the elder woman had maintained a sweet and easygoing demeanor, Feng Yuemei couldn't shake the feeling that something lay beneath her words and actions. The smile she had worn hadn't always reached her eyes, especially when addressing her.

Curiosity gnawed at her, and Yuemei decided to probe. She glanced at her maid, adopting a tone of casual inquiry. "San-er, why do you think Da-yi was looking at me like that today? She usually pampers me, doesn't she?"

San-er hesitated, glancing around nervously. After ensuring no one was nearby, she moved closer and spoke in a low voice. "Oh, Gunniang, I overheard the maids of Zhao Furen saying that she was disappointed Zhao Gunniang wouldn't be going to Gusu this year."

Feng Yuemei arched a brow. So, her mother's elder sister was married into the Zhao Sect, a minor sect she didn't recall from the book. That explained Zhao Furen's presence, but not her peculiar behavior.

"That doesn't explain her attitude today," she prompted, her voice light but insistent.

San-er squirmed under her gaze, clearly reluctant to continue. But after a moment, she relented, lowering her voice even more. "Gunniang... they say the sect heirs of the four Great Clans are attending this year's lessons. Zhao Furen was hoping to match Zhao Gunniang with one of them. And..." San-er glanced around again before whispering conspiratorially, "she's worried that you might attract the attention of one of the heirs and receive a betrothal before the lessons end."

Feng Yuemei blinked in surprise, then chuckled softly. The idea that she might catch the attention of the sect heirs amused her. But it also piqued her curiosity. Who were the sect heirs attending this year? If she could determine their identities, it might give her a clearer sense of where in the story's timeline she was.

Feigning casual interest, she tilted her head slightly and asked, "Sect heirs?" Her tone carried just enough curiosity to encourage San-er to elaborate.

San-er, seemingly reassured by her young lady's measured demeanor, giggled shyly. "Oh, Gunniang, you're so elegant and beautiful. The heirs would be lucky to catch your eye."

She raised a brow, silently urging the girl to get to the point.

Giggling again, San-er ushered her into her room, closing the door firmly before continuing. "Lan-er-gongzi will be attending, and you may not see Lan Gongzi much, but you will see him often enough, unlike Nei Zongzhu. If rumours are to be believed, Nei-er-gongzi might join the lectures. Then there's Jin gongzi from Lanling Jin, although he's betrothed to Jiang Gunniang. Jiang gongzi and his Shixiong, Wei gongzi from Yunmeng Jiang will also attend, and of course, there will also be young masters from minor sects like Zhao, Ouyang, Chang, Yao, Yu, and Wang along with our young master and several disciples."

Familiarity hit Feng Yuemei like a lightning strike. This was the year when Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian first met-the very beginning of Mo Dao Zu Shi's main events. Her suspicions were confirmed. She was at the precipice of the story, the year that shaped everything.

Still, she needed to confirm one more detail to be absolutely sure. "Of course Nie Zongzhu will be missing," she said, keeping her tone casual. "but won't he drop by at least?" She knows that her question wouldn't be odd as from what she gathered from the character interactions in the book, everyone looks up to Nie Mingjue and he is somewhat of a legend.

San-er nodded, preparing tea as she spoke. "maybe not gunniang, the Qinghe Nie are hosting the discussion conference this year-for the first time in a long while."

She suppressed a victorious grin. That settled it. She was precisely where and when she thought she was. Everything was falling into place.

As she sipped her tea, her mind raced with possibilities. She knew the events that would unfold-Wei Wuxian's brilliance, Lan Wangji's unwavering morality, and the devastating tragedy that would ultimately consume them all. The destruction of Yunmeng Jiang, Wei Wuxian's fall, and the heart-wrenching misunderstandings that scarred Lan Wangji were etched into her memory.

The thought of letting those events happen made her heart clench. She couldn't simply sit by and let fate take its course. But interfering was a risk. What if her actions made things worse?

Feng Yuemei set her teacup down, her expression resolute. No, she decided. I won't let them suffer through those hardships if I can help it.

Now came the harder question: How?

How could she alter the story without drawing undue attention to herself? How could she ensure a better future for Wei Wuxian, Lan Wangji, and Yunmeng Jiang without unraveling the delicate web of relationships and alliances that held this world together?

Her fingers tightened around the cup as determination surged within her. She didn't have all the answers yet, but one thing was clear-she would find a way.

The threads of destiny might have been woven long ago, but she was determined to spin them anew.

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