Loyal, Brave & True

Chapter 15

The night after the big hunt, everyone had retreated to rest since the following day they had the bouquet. Each clan was given places to stay inside the city of Jinlintai. Yet, not everyone was gathered in their respective residual places.

Zhouan and Xichen were as per usual, taking a night walk in the periphery of the major area. They discussed the incidents that took place during the day.

"You should be more careful now. Just because you participated in the campaign, there are still many who do not approve of the results" the older of the two Lan siblings explained as he walked slowly, one hand behind his straight back.

Zhouan walked, their steps synchronized, and she had her attention on the ground. Her hair was loose, moving slightly with the night wind. "I am well aware, but I could not stand and watch such bad treatment on people who did absolutely no wrong other than carrying the Wen surname"

Xichen looked at her, smiling faintly at her good heart. "I am well aware. I also do not approve, and you know that. However, there is so much we can do"

She came to a halt, looking up to the skies with a hurt expression. "Don't you wish sometimes to just...do more? Without worrying about consequences all the time"

He stopped by her side, watching her in silence as the stars were reflected in her eyes and the moonlight made her skin glow. His hand touched hers and subconsciously, their fingers interlocked slightly.

"Everything in life works based on the reactions our actions bring. Being mindful of those can help us prevent serious destruction"

She lowered her head and gaze, smiling faintly. "There you are right. However, such thoughts will always bother me"

"You can always come to me then"

She turned to look at him, their eyes locking, and she kept the smile as she took in each small details of his god-structured face. His lips parted slightly while gracing her with his sweet and gentle smile.

His hand felt warm and was bigger than hers, almost protecting as their fingers interlocked more. That was the most contact they had made until now and she felt slightly flustered but also happy that she could approach him more freely.

Until the day of the wedding, they were careful and had to show manners along with etiquette which she didn't like. She wished she could be freer with him, like she was at that moment but even then, she was careful not to draw any attention that could raise gossip.

Xichen felt a similar way, getting lost in her eyes under the light of the night. He barely registered when his hand was almost holding hers entirely and it felt right to him. That moment and the feeling of her skin against his.

He never would have thought it would be this way and a part of him wished he could be more open and show more, make her smile more and be even comforting. He was not sure how, but she would teach him, he knew that.

But for the moment, he had to wait and be careful. With everything going on, he had to be very careful and proper. He also didn't want to scare her or act improperly in front of her. He was confused as to how he should exactly be.

Yet, as she smiled at him, he couldn't help but smile back. She reassured him and calmed him down, giving him a new feeling and strength which he cherished a lot.

"Okay, what is in your mind?" she asked, snapping him from his gaze. "I saw you talking with Wangji and you have that face when something is bothering you"

He smiled, the air coming from his nose as she let go of her arm. She knew how to read him. "There is something Wangji and I talked about" she motioned for him to keep walking which they did. "He asked permission to bring someone in Cloud Recess and I suspect this someone is Young Master Wei"