Soul bonds

Wedding eve party

"Wen Qing..."

Wen Qing turn around in shock. Standing in front of her, in full regalia, stood Wen Ruohan with his arms open.

"Uncle, you came!"

Wen Qing starred in the soft brown eyes of Wen Ruohan. She ran and hugged her uncle. Then she pulled back and bowed.

"Welcome, Your Excellency!"

Wen Ruohan smiled and looked around the village.

"It is very cosy here..."

"Yes... Sect Leader Jiang was quite generous... Uncle, thank you for giving your consent to my wedding!"

"Child, I have not been able not much for you and your family. This was the least I could do..."

Wen Qing guided Wen Ruohan into her residence and offered him tea.

"Uncle, how is your health?"

Wen Ruohan removed his gloves and pulled up his sleeves, Wen Qing saw the black spider web marks spreading from his hand up to his arms.

"Uncle, are you taking your medicine regularly?"

"Yes I am... I am not concerned about the marks... It's what it happening inside me... I'm transforming again..."

"Uncle..."

"Wen Qing, I know that everyone thinks that I want war, but that is the last thing I want... I have always wanted to unite the lands... But not with force and fear... I spent too much time cultivating and finding ways to control the Yin Metal shards... I gave the reins of power to my sons and kept away from politics for the past decade. I realise that this was a mistake... It is too late to make amends now."

Wen Qing sipped her tea and listened as Wen Ruohan talked.

"Child, even if it's too late, I wish to apologise for desecrating your family temple at Daffan Mountains. At that time, I was too young; I did not understand the implications of my actions... I should have listened to your father. He was younger but wiser. I did not. I deeply regret it now. I just hope I can make up for some of my actions..."

"Uncle, why don't you talk to other Sect Leaders?"

Wen Ruohan sighed.

"Your old uncle is unfortunately too proud, my child!"

"Everyone blames you for what Wen Xu and Wen Chao are doing."

"I know... I was right to send you and Wen Ning to Gusu... That was the only place where you two could be safe... I never thought that you would find love and marry in the house of the Jiangs..."

He sounded a bit disappointed.

"What about the Jiangs, Uncle?"

"Qing Qing, the Jiangs are amazing people... But the security and control of the borders of Yunmeng and the Lotus Pier are almost non-existent ... Anyone can just walk in anywhere... I cannot broach this subject with Jiang FengMian. Please talk to your husband about it. I am concerned about your safety..."

"I can defend myself Uncle..."

"Your enemies would be different this time, Qing Qing... I can no longer call Chao and Xu my sons... they are spawns of evil... They will have no qualms walking over this place and destroying everything, including the Wens staying here."

"Uncle, we are not at war..."

"Qing Qing, you spend too much times with your potions; you need to pay more attention to politics. Your husband will be the Sect Leader one day; so you must be more involved in the affairs of the state. I am pleased with this alliance between the Wens and the Jiangs... but the Qishan Wens are not Wens; there are not even humans; they are soulless creatures of darkness... I am worried for you, child!"