Lan Zhan's Untamed (Lan Zhan x Wei Wuxian)

Young Jin Ling

Wei Ying was asleep and unwilling to wake him up, I leave him to his peaceful slumber and walk away from Jingshi for my morning routines. Reminiscing our night, I bring my wrist to my eye level and pull up the sleeves to find faint red fingerprint marks on my pale skin. It was from the moment when he pinned me below him. If he witnessed this mark he would go berserk and I didn't want that to happen, ever.

It was still early for the Lan Clan to be up and going around with their chores which gave me some tranquility around. The mornings were much cooler now and faint lace of ice could be seen by the naked eye instead of the dews of dawn. 

My steps halt and what surprised me was to see a familiar young boy sitting and facing the vast expanse of the mountains waiting for the sun to rise.

"Jin Ling" my voice was soft enough so as to not startle him yet he quickly turned to face me and bowed with respect "Hanguang-Jun". His eyes were troubled enough for me to know that this child hadn't slept a wink. As much as I didn't want to be involved, yet I knew at this very moment he didn't have anyone in his life who would patiently hear him out. Knowing Jiang Cheng, he would dismiss any soft emotions and would prefer tough love and Wei Ying, he would more be sarcastic in his approach with the kids and this child needed neither.

Taking the seat next to him on the marble bench, I enquire softly "Is there something bothering you?" I knew the answer but I did want him to open up.

"Hanguang-Jun" his voice was shaky "I miss my parents" a pause later he questions further "is it hilarious to miss someone whom you have no memories of?". He might not be expecting an answer from me but I truthfully did want to answer his question "No it's not. You have the right to miss them".

"Do you miss yours?" He questioned out of curiosity but immediately held back "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked".

He shouldn't have but I still did answer him. He was child after all and I hope to the contrary belief, I just wanted him to know, he wasn't alone "I do. Everyday. But the pain lessens eventually if not completely dissipated. One can never stop missing their parents Jin Ling and you have the right to feel whatever you wish to feel". He was surprised with my answer, probably wondering if I would tell him to buck up and say that men should not feel a thing but that wasn't true. Men, women or just anyone, everyone had the right to feel their emotions.

"Was my father a good man?" He enquired and I reminisced our times together back during the Sun Shot campaign, Muaxi Mountain, Pheonix Mountain and his wedding.

"He was a headstrong man. We seldom interacted with eachother but he had his righteous principles" was my answer and Jin Ling seemed to think about it.

"My mom?" The last question was a whisper and it just brought back memories of a kind soul who loved her brothers.

"She was the kindest soul I have ever met" he seemed to accept my answer and finally met my eyes "Hanguang-Jun, is my uncle a bad person?" though I shouldn't be surprised by this question, I knew he would be conflicted with whatever he had heard.

"I won't lie Jin Ling. There have been innumerable circumstances where we haven't seen eye to eye. We once shared a good comradeship but that came to a standstill when he raised his voice against The Yiling Patriarch. Throughout the years our relation turned out to be worst and it was only when Wei Ying returned that now we're amicable".

"Have you forgiven him?" His voice is soft and I chose to look at the sky that was now painted with hues of fresh pink.

"There is nothing to forgive Jin Ling. He did what he did. He chose to do them because of his principles. I won't condone his acts but I am beginning to understand his motives. Back then I was enraged with his deeds. Often when one is grieving, they don't find logic most suitable and can you argue with that?"