The Song of Inquiry | The Untamed 陈情令

Chapter 09: Beyond Time

"STEADY..." LAN WANGJI SAID WHILE AIDING ASHLEY as her both arms and legs are in position, with the bow and arrow in her grasp, she let out a deep sigh - staring towards the rock pointed towards her. She breathed deeply as she began to strike almost aiming at her target, Lan Wangji sighed, "You're both shoulder blades must not be tense or else you can't shoot the target perfectly..." Ashley stared at him and hissed in annoyance.

"HanGuang-Jun...we've been practicing for an hour, can I just rest for a while??" she replied as she waited for his reply but came no answer, only his action by walking towards the riverside and sighed. While Ashley, hair already tied in a ponytail leaving the excess hair down towards her chest and sweats continuously. She sighed as she place her bow and arrow towards the ground and walk towards him,

"Oii Lan Zhan..." she exclaimed as Lan Wangji summon his Guqin and positioned himself to the "The Song of Clarity" - a calming music to maintain empty mind and meditate perfectly. Ashley sat down in front of him and watch his movements in his Guqin. She remembered the part where he played this to Wei Wuxian, conflicted about her situation, she sighed,

"HanGuang Jun...?" she spoke.

"Mn?" he replied.

"I wonder how Wei Wuxian died 10 years ago..." Lan Wangji stop in his music and stared at her. Unable to let out the words he wanted to say, a sting of his heart disturbed him as memories of what it seemed like yesterday ache him inside even more.

Ashley noticed his reaction and felt the guilt for asking that, "Sorry...I was j-"

"Between you and me, there is no need to say that word..." he replied as He stood up and stared at her.

"Let's move..." he said as Ashley get up, feeling the guilt of what she just said earlier. I shouldn't trigger his memories...now I feel bad to myself... she thought as she followed him back to Jingshi (Silence Room)

I already knew how he died...I was just curious to know his side... she thought to herself while walking with Lan Wangji towards the door of Master Lan Qiren's room. Lan Xichen, Lan Sizhui and Lan Jingyi are already there.

"Master, Zewu Jun, Sizhui and Jingyi." Ashley said as she bowed towards them, Lan Wangji does the same. Lan Qiren nodded and replied, "Ashley...I have decided to cover up your identity now that you're here to stay as a disciple in Cloud Recesses." Ashley widen her eyes as she stared at Lan Wangji who already stared at her.

"Your name shall be Lan Usagi, you will disguise as one of our disciples with Suizhui and Jingyi since your age is the same as theirs." Lan Qiren added as Ashley nodded.

"Thank you..."she replied as Lan Sizhui walk towards her with a wrapped paper in his grasp. She stared confused at him as Lan Sizhui smiled,

"Ash- errr Usagi, I shall call you by that to prevent suspicion."

Ashley smiled, "Yes?"

Lan Sizhui handed the wrapped paper to her and replied, "Yunmeng Clan Leader Jiang Cheng wanted to give this to you." Ashley widen her eyes as she received the wrapped object.

"He knows I'm back?" she asked as Lan Sizhui nodded.

"Yes, Young Miss Usagi, he will visit here today." She widen her eyes as she stared at Lan Wangji whose already staring at her with the object in her hands.

"Well then, thank you...I need to go back in my room." She replied and bowed at Lan Sizhui before she bowed towards Lan Qiren and Lan Xichen before she walked outside with Lan Wangji as he escort her back to her room.

Ashley went inside as Lan Wangji is already gone, she observe the wrapped object as she wonder what it is. Hmm, sometimes Jiang Cheng is weird...when I first met him, he is arrogant and smartly called me "Ash"...she mutter silently to herself as she opened the wrapped object.

It contains a letter sealed with lotus object, and a women's comb with a new sewn garment whose she examined by unfolding it - pink fabric with lotus flower printed all around. She became confused as she grab the letter and opened it while she read it aloud;

Welcome back, Ashley...here is my small gift to you...don't thank me when I'm here. And for your information, I will visit Cloud Recesses not to see you but because of what happened one month ago...

"Hmph, what an idiot..." she muttered to herself as she continue to read;

You see, I learned more about you by Lan Xichen...and don't think any weird things! It's just that...I fancy you...a little...so this small gift is a token of my newfound feelings for you...please wear this garment I gave you when we see each other...

"Did I just read it wrong? Jiang Cheng....? Fancied me??? Shiyaaaa..." she muttered as she read it again, but it is real to her eyes. She examined the garment once more and stood, before she walk outside with the garment and head to the bathroom to take a warm bath.

"Yunmeng Clan Leader Jiang Wenyin..." Lan Qiren spoke as Jiang Cheng with Jin Ling beside him walk towards the entrance of Cloud Recesses. Lan Wangji is with Lan Xichen who's beside Lan Qiren with Lan Sizhui and others in the right corner, greeted him both.

"I see Ashley had returned, where is she?" Jiang Cheng asked as Lan Sizhui replied, "She is in her room...you want to see her?"

"Yes, I need to talk to her urgently..."he replied as Lan Sizhui walk towards him.

"I'll lead the way." Lan Wangji replied as Jiang Cheng walk with him as he escort Jiang Cheng towards Ashley's room.

"Done!" Ashley exclaimed as she worn Jiang Cheng's gift from her, she smiled while examining the fabric. She is already in her room and while resting a bit, she tidied her bed...laying down as she indulged herself. It's so comfy... she thought to herself as she was about to close her eyes when a knock on her door startled her.

"Who is it?" she exclaimed and get up, wearing her boots.

"Ashley, Jiang Cheng is here..." voice of Lan Wangji replied as Ashley stood and walk towards the door and open it.

She gasp when he saw Jiang Cheng beside Lan Wangji while Jiang Cheng already stared in awe, he secretly felt flattered when he saw his gift from her worn.

She bowed and spoke, "Yunmeng Clan Leader Jiang Cheng..." Jiang Cheng grab her wrist and replied, "No need, Ashley...errr I just need to talk..." he replied as Lan Wangji stayed outside while Jiang Cheng and Ashley talk inside.

"What are you here?"

"Errr...I heard you come back...I am happy you worn it."

Ashley stared at her outfit and replied, "Thank you..."

"It's not a big deal...not that I care...I want you come at Lotus Pier to attend a banquet." He replied as Ashley widen her eyes.

"A banquet? Why did you come here to tell me that instead of writing a letter?" she asked and saw Jiang Cheng's cheeks are already turned pink.

"Errrr...I wanted to see you that's all..." he replied as Ashley raised an eyebrow in confusion.

This guy is really weird...he really fancied me she thought to herself as an idea came into her. She walked towards Jiang Cheng and kissed his cheeks - much to his surprise.

He walked backwards and replied, "What was that for?!" he exclaimed and blushed as Ashley chuckled, "You know, I am not blind Jiang Cheng...you need that..." she smiled and turn away as Jiang Cheng sighed in defeat.

"You will come?" he asked as Ashley stared at him.

"Yes..." she replied as Jiang Cheng let out a small smile before he went outside and walk away of her room as Lan Wangji waited and stared at her.

"What did he say?" he asked as Ashley smiled.

"Well it's our chance to find clues, we are going to Lotus Pier." She replied as she walked with Lan Wangji towards the Jingshi to meet the others.