The Rise of the Divine Oracle

Chapter 29 - The Favorite

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Wuxian was bed ridden for 5 days. During that time, he was too exhausted to complain. Wangji snuck a few bunnies over one night to keep him company. He brought him chicken broth and washed him when he was too weak to do it himself. Sizhui took his father, when he was well enough, to visit the construction site of the new Treasure Room. Wuxian was overjoyed: "Wah! It's so big!" The keeper bowed and smiled: "Treasure Wei, I hope you are feeling better?"

Wuxian bowed back: "Keeper Daozi, thank you for sending herbs to aid my recovery."

Sizhui went to look around and he followed. He saw a big pit being dug at the back: "Keeper Daozi, what is this part?" The Keeper smiled: "Grandmaster Qiren instructed us to make an underground demon trap to contain spells and wayward spirits. We will prepare the area but you will have to ward it properly before you use it." Wuxian's eyes were sparkling with the prospect of all the facilities that will be available for him to work with.

He looks at Sizhui who has been grabbing his robes on and off since they left the Quiet Room. Wuxian: "Let's go wet our feet in the Cold Spring."

Sizhui nods and they head over to sit between the rocks. Wuxian notices that Sizhui sat very close and was still acting strange so he pats his head: "What's bothering you?"

Sizhui smiled at him: "Nothing. I'm just enjoying your company."

Wuxian: "Ever since you were a child, when you get stressed you cling to me or Wen Ning. Tell me?"

Sizhui grabs Wuxian's robe again and starts to sob: "I'm sorry."

Wuxian wasn't expecting that so he scoots closer to comfort his son: "Why are you crying?"

Sizhui threw his arms around Wuxian and sobs harder: "You were sick.. and I forced you.. to go anyway.. I didn't listen.." Wuxian was having a hard time listening to what he was saying: "Ayuan, calm down. Who forced me to do what?"

Sizhui pulled back and took a deep breath and tried again: "The afternoon tea meeting. You told me when I woke you up that you were tired but I forced you to go anyway. Then.. then you collapsed and it's all my fault. I knew you were sick but didn't do anything."

More tears rolled down his cheeks: "I won't bear it if you die again!"

Wuxian laughs awkwardly: "Calm down you big baby! No one is dying. And for the record, if I didn't want to go anywhere, nothing you or anyone else can do to force me."

Wuxian pulls him back into a hug and whispers: "It's not your fault. I'm the adult, so leave the worrying to me."

Sizhui sniffs and whispers: "You don't act like an adult."

Wuxian pulled away with a scandalous look: "How dare you!"

Sizhui stood up and ran away as Wuxian followed him yelling: "Come here you coward! I will plant you like a turnip and grow a better son!"

Few seconds of running and Wuxian was bending over, exhausted and pointing at Sizhui who stopped a few paces away laughing: "I'm blaming Hanguang Jun for raising you with poor manners!" Sizhui comes closer to help Wuxian stand up: "I definitely got these qualities from you." Wuxian huffs: "You should be grateful. I made sure you didn't turn up with a boring personality."

Jingyi voiced from behind them: "You didn't do a good job because he is boring."

Wuxian jumped in surprise and then smacked him on the head: "Don't sneak up on a 'recently recovered from a serious illness' person like that!"