Fluffy WangXian Oneshots Book Two

Come Back To Gusu With Me Part 19

One day later, XiChen arrives back in the Cloud Recesses. He holds a meeting with the elders first to inform them what had happened in Lanling, and a second, much quieter meeting where he tells Uncle Qiren, Lan WangJi and Wei WuXian details that might not have come to mind earlier, or as A-Ying says, this is the Spicy version.

Just as they're wrapping things up, a messenger knocks on the door to let them know that Jiang YanLi has arrived in the Cloud Recesses and is asking to be taken to see her brother, Jiang WanYin.

“Thank you for letting us know. I will bring Jiang-Guniang to the infirmary myself,” XiChen dismisses the disciple and turns to face his younger brothers. He addresses Wei Ying first. “How would you like to handle this? Of course, we're not going to stop her from seeing Jiang WanYin. But I would like to hear your thoughts before we go ahead.”

“To be honest, I'm a bit numb. Things used to be so simple between us, if one-sided, and I know she'll expect me to be the same. But I've also always felt frustrated around her because she never took me seriously. Yes, okay, I like playing pranks and joking around, but there were times when I just wanted her to listen to me and not brush my concerns away under a rug.” His voice has steadily been rising. “I'm not scared. I am worried that she's going to do the same thing here and not listen to me. I know I've changed, and I'm not willing to put up with any kind of disrespect when it comes to what I want. She won't understand that right away.”

“Agreed. You don't have to answer or decide anything right now. The Healers are telling me that they'll keep him in that state for at least three days. I'm sure Jiang-Guniang will want to be with her brother during that time.” XiChen stands up to leave, and then he's surprised when Lan Zhan stops him.

“I would like to talk to Jiang-Guniang. Just the two of us.” Lan Zhan is talking to him but looking at Wei Ying.

“Why? What are you going to say to her?” Wei Ying squeezes their hands together, feeling a little on edge. “It's not that I don't trust you. It's that you can get a bit overprotective sometimes. I'm not saying no.”

“I want to gauge her state of mind. Perhaps ask her a few questions. That's all.” Lan Zhan explains nicely. Yes, he's being very nice. Nice is good.

“Okay,” Wei Ying shrugs.

“Perhaps we could play some music together,” Lan Qiren suggests, out of the blue. “When WangJi wants to meet up with Jiang-Guniang.”

“What?” Wei Ying really can't believe his ears. “First the Dual Cultivation books and now this?” It comes out like a squeak and too late, he realises he's just said that out loud.

“Uncle wants to help,” XiChen says, with his tongue definitely in cheek. He's desperately trying not to laugh.

“Um, okay, if you're sure,” Wei Ying says, still thinking he's gonna wake up soon. This has to be a dream. One possibly affected by drugs. Maybe there was something in the tea. That would explain it.

“Or…” Lan Zhan starts off saying but then stops speaking altogether.

“Or what?”

“Or you can be there but not visible to her. You can listen to what we talk about. I do not want there to be any secrets between us.” Lan Zhan says this without a trace of uncertainty. He really wants this, now that he's thought of it.

“We can play in the evenings, maybe, if you don't have time,” Uncle Qiren says, but it's the disappointed look on his face that astonishes Wei Ying.

“Alright, that'll be nice, Lan Laoshi. Whenever you want, we can do it.” He gets a slight curl of the lips and then Uncle Qiren leaves them.

“Perhaps both of you can decide where you want to host your meeting with Jiang-Guniang. Set things up while I show her around and let her freshen up after her journey. Her cultivation isn't strong enough to allow her to travel by sword, so she had to share a strong cultivator’s sword all the way here.” XiChen has reached the door by now when Wei Ying stops him.