The Rise of the Divine Oracle

Chapter 14 - Feverish Days

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Wuxian develops a high fever. During the night, he opened his eyes to see Wangji holding his hand, humming their song to calm him: "Lan Zhan." Wangji smiles down at him while wiping his brow: "Hm?" Wuxian tries to lift his hand but he's too tired to move so he just blinks and whispers: "Did it work?" Wangji continued to smile and returns to humming their song.

Wuxian pouts and before he's pulled back to sleep whispers: "So boring."

For three nights and two days, fever plagues Wuxian's body. The healer tried every method he could think of to reduce his temperature but without success. Grandmaster Qiren came to visit on the second day after he recovered from his emotional turmoil, and hasn't left the Quiet Room ever since. Zewu Jun is starting to worry for both his uncle and brother. If their vigil continues, they will collapse soon.

On the third night, Wuxian woke up hallucinating: "I.. I have to go clean up the clan shrine. Madam Yu will whip me.. She said I have.. Have to clean it because.. I'm.. I'm a servant's son.. I have to clean.." He tries to get up, but Zewu Jun, who's watching him at that time, shushes him and tries to calm him down. Wangji hears his soul bond's distressed voice and gets out of his meditation to help his brother calm Wuxian. Qiren watches them from afar with concerned eyes.

Wuxian seems to get tired after a few minutes and lays back down. Then suddenly sits up and starts coughing blood. Wangji steadies him while he continues to cough: "Wei Ying!"

Zewu Jun rushed out to fetch the healer while Qiren gets closer and points his finger at Wuxian's wrist to soothe him by transferring spiritual energy.

The healer assures them that now the stale blood is out of Wuxian's body that his condition should start to improve soon.

Zewu Jun convinced a reluctant Qiren to go back to his quarters to rest properly and they both left on the fourth night.

Wangji garbbed a fresh pan of cool water and started to clean Wuxian. While he was wiping his arms, Wuxian opens his eyes slightly and whispers: "Shameless." Wangji stops and smiles back: "Wei Ying. You still have a fever." Wuxian just blinks back in confusion. Wangji clarifies: "You performed Soul Empathy with my Uncle. You passed out from duress and you've been plagued with fever and illness ever since."

Wuxian whispers: "Is your uncle mad at me?"

Wangji shakes his head: "He's concerned for you."

Wuxian eyes are getting heavier: "Hm.."

Wangji continues wiping Wuxians body and when he's done, he hears Wuxian whisper in his sleep: "Shijie, I'm cold." A single tear rolls down Wuxian's closed lids and Wangji's heart breaks a little.

He takes out the used water pan and then lays next to Wuxian. He moves him so he's half lying on top of Wangji enclosed in a warm embrace. Wuxian moves closer with a content sigh: "Thank you." Wangji whispers back: "Rest. I will guard you while you heal."

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