The Mad Ҡìղց

Memory Spell

The tension in the Jiang household was palpable. The air felt heavy, as though the impending full moon brought not only light to the night but also truths that could not stay hidden. Ayana paced her chamber, her heart pounding. Today was the day she would uncover the real culprit. Her palms were clammy, and her thoughts were scattered, but she knew she had to remain strong.

Meanwhile, Wanji had been keeping to himself. The weight of Ayana's mission seemed to press on them, but none more so than him. Wei Ying had been his constant source of comfort, visiting him often to ensure he wasn't drowning in his thoughts.

"Wanji, will you stay with me when Ayana performs the spell?" Wei Ying asked softly, his eyes full of both worry and hope.

"All the way," Wanji replied, his voice steady. He leaned forward and kissed Wei Ying's hand, a quiet promise of solidarity.

Wei Ying smiled faintly, though his mind was elsewhere. "Okay, I'll be right back. I need to do something," he said before leaving Wanji's chamber. His steps were purposeful as he made his way through.

Everyone was on edge, especially Madam Yu. Her fiery temper had been stoked further by the lack of confessions. No one had come forward, and her patience had worn thin. She had given the Lan family until the full moon to reveal the truth or face consequences.

Wei Ying approached Ayana's chamber but paused when he saw Niobe nearby. His brow furrowed as he decided to follow him discreetly. When Niobe stopped near the garden, Wei Ying stepped forward.

"Niobe, it's been two days, and I haven't heard anything from Ayana," Wei Ying said, his tone sharp.

Niobe turned, startled. "What are you talking about?" he asked, his face a mask of confusion.

Wei Ying's eyes narrowed. "Two days ago, I went to the stream to clear my mind. I overheard your conversation with—goddess knows who."

Niobe's eyes widened. "You... overheard?"

"Don't play dumb," Wei Ying snapped. "You said something about only marrying Ayana for a purpose. What did you mean?"

Niobe hesitated, scratching his head nervously. "I... I didn't mean it like that. I... Look, I just wanted to lay with the maiden nothing serious. I'll tell Ayana tomorrow. Please, just give me time."

Wei Ying's gaze hardened, but he nodded curtly. "You'd better," he said before turning and walking away. The full moon was coming, and with it, the truth.

Evening draped its darkening veil over the land, the air thick with tension. The golden glow of the sun's descent painted shadows across Wanji's chamber as Wei Ying stepped inside, his expression unreadable but his energy electric.

"Wanji, I need to talk to you," Wei Ying began, his tone firm but quiet.

Wanji, sitting on the edge of his bed, looked up sharply. "If you've changed your mind about anything, I'll stand by you." He rose, moving toward Wei Ying, his steps deliberate.

"I'm not changing my mind," Wei Ying clarified, his voice steady. "This is about Niobe."

The mention of the name tightened Wanji's jaw. "Did he insult you? Assault you?" His anger rose swiftly, the protective edge in his voice unmistakable.

"No," Wei Ying said quickly, shaking his head. "Do you remember when we went to the stream? When I told you I heard something?"

Wanji furrowed his brow, nodding. "You said it was the wind."

"It wasn't," Wei Ying confessed. "It was Niobe. He was with a maiden—I don't know her name. But I heard him say something."

Wanji's expression darkened further. "What did he say?"