A Clan of Our Own | The Untamed/Chen Qing Ling/ Modao Zushi

A Family of Snowy Rabbits

"Why did you take so long?" Uncle Ning asked as he and his nephew walked into the woods and onto the pathway back home.

"There was a lot to see," Sizhui replied nonchalantly, still fiddling with his new toy. "they really went all out this year."

"And it has nothing to do with that person you were talking to?"

Sizhui put his head down, holding the butterfly in his hand tighter.

"Maybe."

"Who was he?" Ning asked, suddenly becoming overprotective. "Do you know him?"

"H-He's a cultivator." Sizhui replied. "From the Lan Clan."

"The Lan Clan?!" Ning exclaimed in shock. "That's..very risky."

"Why?"

"They're a big clan, and getting involved with them may be dangerous especially if they don't like you."

Sizhui frowned as he and his uncle reached the outer boundaries of the Rabbit Grounds, at Ning's house, but said nothing. Instead, he put the butterfly back into his pouch, took out his white headband and began to wrap it around his head. Ning immediately went to help him fasten it tightly so that the gold embellishment was central. He then went into his house, then came out with Sizhui's sword then handed it to him.

"Thank you, Uncle."

He turned to the entrance and held a tight grip on his sword's hilt, and his uncle was to his right. 

"Let's not keep your fathers waiting."

Sizhui nodded, and they continued on to the main gates of the Rabbit Grounds. Ning gently tapped what seemed as if was empty space and air, but a protective ward bounced back against his finger.

"You always do that," remarked Sizhui.

"Just making sure it's in place."

Because Sizhui had the headband, he could walk past the ward without issue as it recognised him as a Lan: Ning didn't have such an item, but he could easily fly over the gates, so it wasn't a necessity for him. As for his Pa, he rarely left the Rabbit Grounds, and whenever he did, he had his husband's headband tied to both of their wrists as to leave or enter.

Sizhui then walked into the gates without troubles, and when he turned around to wait for his uncle, Ning flew upwards, then landed next to him.

They then proceeded to walk further.

***

"Why did you take so long getting home?" Wei Ying asked, walking out of the house as Sizhui and Wen Ning entered the inner courtyard of the Rabbit Grounds. "Your father has been waiting half an hour for you to show up to your Qin lesson. Haven't you learned to be punctual?"

"I'm sorry, Pa. It was wrong of me to do so." Sizhui apologised, bowing.

Wei Ying tutted, then turned to Wen Ning.

"So? What took you both so long?"

"A' Yuan wanted to look at the festival stores. The Petal Banquet has expanded this year."

"I see." Wei Ying sighed, crossing his arms. "Well, go to your father and start your Qin lesson, A' Yuan."

Sizhui nodded complacently and made his way to the southwest building of the grounds, appropriately named the Concert Hall, without another word. Wen Ning was about to leave, but Wei Ying tapped him on the shoulder.

"Wen Ning."

"What is it, Wei-gongzi?"

"What did Sizhui actually do before going home?" Wei Ying asked, this time putting his hands on his hips and keeping a firm gaze on Wen Ning.