Chapter 10: Suspicious Woman

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A gust of cold wind blew along with a faint smell of sandalwood. It was a familiar smell. Wei Wuxian had this feeling that if he looked up, it would be his end. But his head seemed to have its own life as it tilted upwards on its own or it was rather because there was a majestic attraction forcing him to do so.

The snowy robes with a pattern of flowing clouds was what first appeared on Wei Wuxian's sight. There wasn't a single speck of dust or wrinkled spot on the white fabric. The robe itself was billowing like clouds. Very ethereal. But Wei Wuxian couldn't help but think that the robe was mourning clothes. Upon seeing the familiar mourning clothes of Gusu Lan Sect, Wei Wuxian instinctively raised his head.

His eyes met a glass-like pair of golden crystal orbs which were staring back at him with no trace of surprise. It was indeed Lan Wangji. Wei Wuxian's heart pounded like a war drum, his cheeks heated up despite the cold of the night. When he saw Lan Wangji's face, he couldn't help but be reminded of the thing on the Phoenix Mountain. Who would have guess that this poker face would do such unruly thing that only ruffians would do?

Lan Wangji lowered his gaze as he carefully extended his right hand to retrieve the Clarity Bell on the top of the rock. Wei Wuxian as if magnetized followed Lan Wangji's every action with his eyes.

"A-a-ha-ha-ha! We meet again, Gongzi!" Wei Wuxian stood up and gave Lan Wangji a dazzling smile, but the corner of his eyes were slightly twitching. He hoped that Lan Wangji had not noticed.

Lan Wangji looked at him coolly then down to the bundle in his arms, "...."

Wei Wuxian came out from his hiding spot with Wei Yuan and the dog. It was not long for him to completely recovered his shamelessness and confidence as he grinned. "This one sincerely apologize for eavesdropping once again. I hope Gongzi will show leniency to this lady."

Lan Wangji, "...Mnn."

Eh? Was Lan Wangji really letting it pass?

"Really, this one did not intend to eavesdrop. I came here first," Wei Wuxian thought that Lan Wangji didn't fully believe him so he explained.

"I know," Lan Wangji answered. His face was as emotionless as ever.

"Eh?" What do you know? You believed that he didn't intend to eavesdrop? Or you knew from the start that he was hiding? If it was the latter, then Lan Wangji knew but did not bother to act? Was he so weak for Lan Wangji to bother about his existence?

Instead of answering him, Lan Wangji once again looked at the bundle he was holding. He seemed to be deliberating but in the end asked, "This child?"

Wei Wuxian beamed with pride, "Oww! Mine!"

Lan Wangji slightly frowned, "How?"

How? Wei Wuxian wanted to laugh and so he did. Since when did Lan Wangji had an interest in such things? He grinned and stepped closer to the man while controlling his excited heart. "Gongzi, that's quite overstepping. Do you want me to explain to you how babies are made?"

Lan Wangji glared at him, swiftly creating a distance between the two of them.

Wei Wuxian contentedly roared in laughter. He tilted his head and happily observed the priceless reaction of the man and even more once he noticed those ears that were so red, it appeared to be bleeding.

Wei Wuxian was still thinking of other ways to get a reaction from Lan Wangji but his thought was interrupted by the elderly voice of Elder Heiying. "Brat, a large group of people are approaching."

Approaching? It was said that when the meeting was held, many sect leaders were not in favor to the campaign but Lan Xichen suddenly appeared with a group of cultivators that silenced the opposing parties. If he was not wrong, then it's the time for Lan Xichen to comeback. Then it also meant for him to excuse himself. It wouldn't be good if others would see Lan Wangji with a young woman in a remote place. Even more so, in the middle of the night. Not to mention that Wei Yuan's presence would definitely mean something to other people's eyes.

"You have a visitor, Gongzi. So we will meet again next time," Wei Wuxian said.

Lan Wangji frowned as he tightly clenched his hand around the Bichen. The woman had not waited for his answer before walking away, just like what she did to him before.

There was still no news about Wei Ying. Even the spirits had not seen the man. While the maiden he had met in the foot of Mount Yiling gave him some ridiculous thoughts, it was of no logic. The woman looked and acted uncannily similar to Wei Ying. But she had a smaller frame compared to the man, her eyes slightly larger, her jaws not as sharp, and her skin whiter.

It was impossible for a man to suddenly turn into a woman and gave birth to a child. Throughout the history, none had been recorded.

Lan Wangji stared at the far away distance where the woman disappeared. Deep within his eyes were the turmoil from the mystery behind the identity of the said woman and the bundle she was holding. He didn't want to ponder any deeper about the parents of the child before he could confirm her identity.

Lan Wangji had decided. No matter how reasonable or not, any inklings could be the answer to his inquiry. He couldn't just ignore his suspicion. He needed to know what was the relation of this mysterious woman to Wei Ying. He glanced at one part of the forest before trailing the woman under suspicion.

As soon as Lan Wangji disappeared to follow and observe some unfortunate young madam, a man cladded in familiar robes of Gusu Lan Sect walked out of the shades from the other direction of the forest.

The man's ever amiable smile trembled. Was he hallucinating or his little brother was indeed in the company of a woman that look so much like the missing head disciple of Yunmeng Jiang Sect...and a...child? He didn't want to think any further; let's end it here.

۞

Times Have Changed [MDZS]Waar verhalen tot leven komen. Ontdek het nu