The Song of Inquiry | The Untamed 陈情令

Chapter 14: Make Things Right

THE CLEAR SKY IN CLOUD RECESSES IS CLEARER AND BRIGHTER, you notice the clouds are too soft when touched. It was another week without Ashley in Cloud Recesses, everything is peaceful and without some bits of Wei Wuxian's countless tantrums in creating trouble, it will never be the same as compare to 10 years earlier.

Lan Wangji practiced waking up at 5 in the morning, bathe, and cloth and ate before his venture outside the Cloud Recesses and took long walks. He went deeply in thought and didn't notice Lan Xichen already beside him, "Lan Wangji." He greeted Lan Wangji and after a minute, he stared at his brother and replied, "Zewu Jun."

"I noticed you're deep in thought recently, what's bothering you."

He let out a deep sigh and replied, "Nothing."

Lan Xichen chuckled, "Well...I suppose you think about the girl...isn't it?"

"It's been another week since she went back..." he replied as Lan Xichen nodded.

"Hmmm, I guess you should visit her to see what she is doing." Lan Xichen replied as Lan Wangji realized,

He really should, he never thought of playing the song of inquiry for the past week after his unexpected conversation with her uncle. He thinks that he distract Ashley during her exams...but that is not the case and he expect she should be back. Now that they have to investigate further back in Lotus Pier.

"I guess." Lan Wangji replied as Lan Xichen pat his shoulder and left him alone as they both reach the riverside of Cloud Recesses. While Lan Wangji was left alone, he venture to the other side where couple of cute white rabbits stayed and lived. Lan Wangji loved rabbits ever since he was a child, Lan Xichen began to send him few ones and hide it from his uncle and reasoned if they ever get caught – they are naturally exist in Cloud Recesses.

He sat down between the cute white rabbits and gently embrace his favorite kind, it's nature is the same as him while the other rabbit beside him reminded him of Wei Wuxian, whose nature is to mess someone's space...like he did to him 10 years ago. He sighed and gently place down his favorite rabbit and summon his qin.

He positioned his both hands and start to play the song of inquiry, which he added new notes from the music he played to Wei Wuxian 10 years ago, he firstly never understood what his uncle meant about the song of inquiry and seems it is already clear to him about it. Although, he noticed Ashley's weird behavior...more like she is hiding something form him. He knew how advanced Ashley was but she is obviously showing signs that she is indeed hiding something from him. He sighed and keep playing the melody, until pink aura surrounded him and everything went black.

He opened his eyes and recognized Ashley's uncle, he got up and inspect his bichen (the name of his sword) with him. Ashley's uncle sighed and spoke, "What brings you here?" Lan Wangji stared at him and replied, "I need to see Ashley." Ashley's uncle became confused and stood reaching for something.

Then he came back and handed him a piece of paper, Lan Wangji became confused as he examined the paper, "You said...Ashley is already with you...?" her uncle replied as panic starts to endure him as he examined the handwriting;

Hi, I brought Ashley with me back to Yi City...sorry if I worry you...

He replied, "That handwriting is not mine."

"What do you mean?" her uncle replied as Lan Wangji stood and summon his qin.

"The material of this paper is not from where I live, I must return and find her." He replied and play the song of inquiry.

Lan Wangji – who already back in Cloud Recesses ran as fast as he could towards Lan Qiren's residence and opened the door. Lan Xichen, Lan Sizhui and Lan Jingyi are inside, Lan Wangji stood and bowed.

"What happened? Why are you running?" Lan Qiren asked as Lan Wangji replied,

"Ashley is kidnapped in Yi City." All gasp when Lan Wangji said it, Lan Qiren stood and replied, "So...I knew it will come...someone will take her."

"What do you mean?" Lan Sizhui replied as Lan Qiren sighed.

"Xue Yang."

Lan Xichen replied, "Xue Yang??"

"Last I heard...Clan Leader Jin Guangyao invited Xue Yang in a mini banquet." Lan Sizhui replied as they both stared at each other.

"I knew it...Ashley might be right..." Lan Qiren spoke as Lan Wangji became confused.

"Right about what?" he asked.

Lan Xichen replied, "I think this is what Ashley meant to me and uncle a few weeks ago."