The Rise of the Divine Oracle

Chapter 98 - By Accident

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Grandmaster Qiren has seen it all. He's seen clans climb up and others fall. He's been in war and lived in peace. He even fell in love once upon a time. The only thing he hasn't seen was a man as stubborn as his son, desperately clinging to a little girl he barely knows and asking his permission to adopt her into his family.

Qiren glares at the smaller man: "Have you lost your mind?"

Wuxian shakes his head: "But Father, she calls.."

Qiren cuts him off with a loud voice: "I swear to all that is holy, if you say: "she calls me mama" one more time.. I will have you flogged!"

Wangji clears his throat in protest. Qiren turns to glare at him: "And you! You're the sane one! Why aren't you stopping this idiocy?"

Wangji steps closer to his soul-bond in support: "If she's happy, then he's happy. That's enough reason for me."

Qiren throws his hands in the air in frustration. Zewu Jun, the peacemaker, tries to intervene: "The girl needs a home. They're both capable men. I don't see why it's a problem?"

Qiren points at Lan Ran: "She has a family! Am I the only one who's confused by this turn of events?"

Ran sighs: "I'm more confused than I thought was possible.."

Zewu Jun: "Lan Ran, you're a young unwedded woman with a bright future ahead of you. Caring for a child will hinder your prospects. Don't you think she will be happy with these two?"

Ran shakes her head: "I'm not doubting their competence. Lan Sizhui is a testament to their excellent parental skills. It's just.. Treasure Wei has a lot on his plate and his Excellency is the head of all clans.. Children require a lot of attention. I'm not sure if it's fair to her or to them."

Wuxian tightens his hold on the girl in his arms: "It takes a village to raise a child. Lan Zhan and I are not alone. We have you all to help, right?"

Wuxian looks hopefully around the room and receives affirmative nods from those present.

Wuxian then looks at Ran: "Sister Ran, I'm not trying to steal your niece from you. We will all be one big family. I just want to provide a safe place for her to thrive and feel comfortable after the ordeal she went through. Both Lan Zhan and I know what it feels like to lose a parent and don't wish for her to suffer as we did. I promise you that we will try our best to comfort and nurture her until our last breath."

Ran closes her eyes in resignation. These two men are probably the greatest men alive. She cannot measure up or complete with them. If she has to think of what's best for Hweiru, they are clearly the better choice. She turns to bow to Grandmaster Qiren: "I cannot argue that this is not disappointing from my perspective. But, it's not about me. This little girl has suffered enough and if being under the care of Treasure Wei brings her peace then I would be honored to accept their request to adopt her."

Wuxian smiles hopefully at his father. Qiren was struck with a memory from Wuxian's past.. when he was laughing in Burial Mounds with a young A-yuan, planting him like a turnip on the ground and pretending that he will grow friends and family for him. The look Wuxian was giving that girl was similar. Wuxian wanted a family of his own since he was little and Qiren cannot allow himself to be the one to block his son's happiness.

Qiren turns to look sternly at Wangji: "You are aware of the responsibility you're accepting?"

Wangji nods: "We are aware."

Qiren: "This is not something you can undo."

Wuxian nods: "It's not something we will ever consider undoing."