To Love the Gentle Moon - Lan Xichen X Reader

Farewell to Fenghua manor

A/N : First off, We have 100 reads on our story 🎉 Thanks to each and everyone for enjoying my story. Hope that you would remember to Vote for it as well !!!
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Shout out to Anyeless for voting on the story and showing their support. Means a lot to me to see your support in the form of votes 🙏😀
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So finally Yuemei is preparing to leave her home in this chapter. The actual journey would be in the next chapter. Just going to wrap up somethings in this chapter before we leave the Fenghua manor.
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On with the story ...

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As Yuemei walked out of the vast, quiet library, her mind buzzed with newly absorbed information about the Feng Sect's history, traditions, and intricate family dynamics. The details weighed on her, but knowledge was her shield in this unfamiliar world. Adjusting the hem of her flowing robes, she let out a slow breath, centering herself.

Just as she reached the stone path leading back to her chambers, she spotted a familiar figure-her maid, San-er-standing alongside an unfamiliar young man. He appeared around her age, with steady eyes and a sword strapped firmly across his back. Another blade rested in his hands, its hilt wrapped in deep indigo cloth embroidered with faint crescent motifs.

'How many more new faces do I have to meet?' she inwardly groaned, forcing her expression into polite neutrality.

The young man stepped forward with practiced precision and bowed respectfully. "Shijie, the sword master has completed cleansing your sword and tasked me with returning it to you." His voice was calm, tinged with reverence as he presented the sheathed sword with both hands.

Curiosity sparked within her as she reached out. The moment her fingers brushed the sword's cool hilt, a gentle hum resonated through her palm-a pulse of recognition, familiar and welcoming. Startled by the sensation, she hesitated only for a breath before wrapping her fingers firmly around the hilt.

Her actions felt instinctive, like muscle memory guiding her as she drew the blade halfway from its sheath. The polished edge gleamed in the soft afternoon light, flawless and deadly. The intricate crescent carvings near the guard stood out, radiating quiet strength.

'Of course,' she thought, suppressing a bitter laugh. 'I'm someone who's gone on night hunts, fought beasts, and faced demons. This body knows what it's doing... even if I still don't.'

Satisfied with the blade's pristine condition, she slid it back into its sheath with a decisive click. "Thank you for bringing it to me personally," she said, bowing slightly out of courtesy.

The disciple returned her bow with sincerity. "It was my honor, Shijie." He lingered just a moment longer before turning and walking away, his posture disciplined yet light.

As she turned, she caught San-er smirking at her.

"What's that look for?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

San-er chuckled. "You could have thanked him a bit more warmly. Yang dizi admires you greatly and brings the sword himself when any servant could have done it."

'Oops,' she thought, a flicker of guilt surfacing. Yet, building relationships felt dangerous when her knowledge of this world was still so shallow. With a faint shrug, she gestured for San-er to follow as she continued toward her chambers. "I'll keep that in mind," she said, her tone mild.

After a quiet dinner in her room, Yuemei listened half-heartedly as San-er went over the travel supplies packed for the long journey ahead. The prospect of trekking from Bijie to Gusu loomed heavily on her mind. Even with talismans and horses, it would be a grueling three- to four-week journey-a far cry from the convenience of modern transportation she sorely missed.