The Song of Inquiry | The Untamed 陈情令

Chapter 08: Beyond Time

"ASHLEY!" LAN SIZHUI EXCLAIMED AS HE RUSHED TOWARDS HER- laying down on the floor after losing her consciousness during that music shook her head while Lan Xichen is already beside her. He helped her stood up as she still felt a little numb after her decision to stay in time, "Lan Sizhui!" she exclaimed as Lan Sizhui with Lan Jingyi beside him already in front of her, bowed and replied,

"It's been a month! But..." he paused when Lan Wangji walking towards them, his eyes stared right at Ashley, wearing the black kimono with a bit of red color fabric attached in the neckline, gray fabric between the end of the straps with her hair perfectly tied in a half-bun while her excess long hair can be seen.

"Why do you come back?" Lan Xichen asked and Ashley turned to stare at him, "I will explain once we get to Master Lan Qiren...I really need to talk to him." Ashley replied as Lan Sizhui nod in agreement while he accompanied Lan Xichen with Lan Jingyi back towards the Jingshi (Silence Room), Lan Wangji stayed with Ashley whose expression didn't change after Ashley talk to Lan Sizhui.

Ashley noticed Lan Wangji stare and spoke, "What? Am I pretty? Also! I can tell you that now I'm a girl..." Lan Wangji turn his stare away from hers and replied, "How boring..." he walk towards the Jingshi, "Oiiii Lan Zhan! Wait for me!" she exclaimed as she run towards him - both silenced as they reach the Silence Room (Jingshi) and saw Master Lan Qiren with Lan Xichen and others.

"Ashley." Lan Qiren said.

"Master..." she replied as she bowed before she continue to speak,

"Let me explain myself, I came back...because I realized the song of inquiry's ability to travel and turn in my own time..."

"It is, why are you back? Your time is endangered now that someone knew this method and can go forth whatever they pleased..." Lan Qiren replied.

"I-I don't want to hide...I want to help, I realized that there is a reason why I enter this world...and perhaps I can help with the issue that is going on around here...I as Wei Wuxian's reincarnation maybe connected to this crisis..." Ashley replied as Lan Qiren shook his beard,

"Well then, If that's the case...you must stay for a while before travelling far away...you still need to adjust in this world by practicing yourself being a cultivator." He replied as Ashley smiled in satisfaction.

She bowed and replied, "Thank you Master, for letting me stay...but I had a favor."

"Such as?" He asked.

"I can go back in time as I pleased, I have responsibilities in my own world as well. I will organized my schedule in case if you allow me..." She replied.

Lan Qiren thought for a moment and replied, "Well...you are allowed to do so..."

"Really?! Thank you very much!!!" she exclaimed as she hugged Lan Wangji - both earlobes are flushed even his cheeks while Lan Xichen noticed his sudden reaction.

"Oops..." she replied as she let go of her grasp towards Lan Wangji.

Lan Qiren smirked and replied, "Well then, Lan Sizhui."

"Yes?" Lan Sizhui replied.

"Prepare her room...she must be very exhausting from her trip and Jingyi, prepare her bath."

"Understood." Both replied as Lan Sizhui and Jingyi walk outside while Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji are left behind with Ashley.

"And Ashley." Lan Qiren called.

"Yes, Master?" she replied.

"Your first day in practicing cultivation will be tomorrow morning, rise at 5 and Lan Wangji will be your teacher." He replied as Ashley gasp in excitement.

Whoah? Lan Zhan? As my teacher? Cool!! She thought to herself as she replied, "Understood...I had a question...should I practice swordmanship?"

"Well, you're a beginner...so a woman shall practice archery."

Shiyaaa just like Kagome in Inuyasha she thought, she watched a couple of anime series related to archery...but in reality, she can't even hit a single arrow in the perfect spot.

"Understood." She replied as Lan Qiren nodded, "Well the, goodnight." Ashley and Lan Wangji bowed once more as they turn and walk outside.

Lan Wangji accompanied Ashley in the bathroom and waited for her, Ashley inside and undress - sitting already in the bathtub, she sighed deeply. The smell of rose petals indulged her and she looked towards the ceiling, "Oh...it's good to be back..." she sighed as Lan Wangji came inside with clothes in his grasp. She stared and observed that the fabric of the garment is white.

"White?" she muttered to herself as Lan Wangji heard her, "During your stay, it is a must you will wear same garment as the Gusu Lan Sect..." he said as she nod.

"Although, this fabric is different than mine." He added.

Confused she replied, "What do you mean?" Lan Wangji walk towards the bathtub, sat in the occupied mini chair and stared at her.

"The fabric color is white...you're a girl, so the pattern is filled with lotus printed all around." He replied as he showed her a strap of red fabric.

"Use this to tie your hair." He added as Ashley never felt appreciated before and replied,

"Thank you, Lan Zhan." She replied as Lan Wangji softly smiled and she chuckled when she saw it.

"You know, you're cute when you smile." She added as Lan Wangji flushed which to her surprise.

"Mn." He replied as he turn away. Ashley on the other hand, finished bathing - reached out the towel and wrap around her naked body, Lan Wangji stared much further - trying his best not to stare.

"Well, I'm done!" she exclaimed as Lan Wangji stared observing her features.

Pale petite figure, wet strands of her long black hair falls down towards her shoulder blade, Lan Wangji flushed at the sight of her.

Ashley noticed his stare and spoke, "Lan Zhan?"

"Mn?" he replied as Ashley walk towards him.

"You alright?" she asked as Lan Wangji didn't reply but walk outside much to her confusion.

"Okay? I'm going to wear my clothes ah? Wait outside!" she exclaimed as Lan Wangji replied,

"No loud noises in Cloud Recesses." Ashley smirked.

"Okay okay, sorry!" she replied and stared in the garment, letting out a deep sigh - wearing the garment in silence.

Lan Wangji waited outside, glancing towards the night sky. He was supposed to be sleep by now for it is already past 9...but he chose to wait for Ashley because he never felt content if she is already in her room and sleep in peace. He deeply worried for her safety now that she is back...he never felt the happiness in the past 10 years.

"I thought you went back to you room." Her voice echoed through the area, he turned and saw Ashley's freshly worn the garment and pink flushed in this both cheeks when he saw that her hair is already tied up in a ponytail, the excess small hair increased an amount of her undying beauty. He blinked as she is already in front of him,

"Let's go...I think it's late already...sorry to keep you waiting."

"Between you and me, there is no 'thank you' and 'sorry' understood?" he replied.

Ashley nodded and replied, "Understood." She smiled as both of them walk back towards her room where Lan Wangji escort her there before walking back to his room.

Before he walk back, Ashley grab his wrist and spoke,

"Lan Zhan...Goodnight..." she smiled as she received "Mn" reply from him as he left a small faint smile before he walk back towards his room. Hearing the sound of Ashley's room door closed, he turned and stare towards it and spoke,

"Goodnight and welcome back, Ashley..." he smiled as he turn and walk back towards his room where the night sky glowed with stars dotting all around.