Once Jin Guangyao was given to the Nie Mingjue, each sect started to clean up their own, having found many spies within.
Jin ZiXuan had taken over as Sect Leader and started cleaning up the ignorance within Lanling any that had the makings of a core was welcomed, Jin Yanli sought to set the house in order after the mess that was left by Jin Guangyao, many minor sects had come for help within their own area and even the watch towers that was used to spy changed.
Each sect had their own sect's people within each tower, watching over the people and for once the people truly felt safe. the cultivational world finally came together and worked together, they all shared the burden of the cultivational world and the juniors would nighthunt while the adults watched.
After a discussion with Jin Yanli, Hua Cheng along with Qi Rong would cause trouble for the sects so that the children would gain experience, the ghost realm helped greatly by only sending out malice and malicious ghosts and ghouls.
The next issue was assigning a new chief cultivator, many had suggested Lan Xichen to take the position but he refused, after Jiang Cheng and Jin ZiXuan tried persuading him and failed, they both went to Nie Mingjue who then suddenly rocked up at Cloud Recesses and roared on top of his lungs that if ZeWu-Jun didn't take up the position and fix the mistakes that the three great clans and minor clans had done, he would truly be disappointed in him and would break off all ties, then walked off
Lan Zhan was truly broken by what he had done. After he and ZeWu-Jun had come back alone from the Nie sect he told his uncle and Lan SiZhui that he was going to seclude himself and not planning to come out any time soon.
ZeWu-Jun had ordered that no iron brands, weapons or any other sharp and dangerous tools are not to be within any kind of distance between Lan Zhan and even Bichen was taken after what had happened the last time. Lan Zhan spent his time with Beauty fluttering around him.
For the last month and a half Lan Zhan receded back into himself as he sat on the floor and stared at the box in front of him that he had placed on the table, the tears continued to stream down his face as the grief, regret and guilt flowed through his veins as the pain in his soul worsened.
He would continually whisper for Hua Ying to fight... to live... to come back. He was visited by ZeWu-Jun and SiZhui who tried getting him to speak the only time, he would speak is when his Guqin would sing in Inquiry and he would answer.
Lan Zhan sat there as he remembered how he had gotten the box after coming back from the Nie Sect along with ZeWu-Jun and Lan Sizhui, he had come and secluded himself three days ago He left the Jingshi and sat on the roof as Hua Ying use to do as he gazed up at the stars and when he returned, he had found a letter on the table when he looked at it, he had seen it was his father's handwriting he opened and was surprised that he ran out of the Jingshi almost knocking ZeWu-Jun and Sizhui over who turned and followed. as they reached the cavern they heard the unmistakable sounds of sobbing, they had entered slowly and stopped inside the cavern was all of Hua Ying's belongings that Lan Zhan had collected over the years, as he went forward Lan Zhan cradled a wooden box to his chest and at his side was a discarded letter:
Wangji
I hope this finds you well, I know the pain of losing everything. I had done it too the day your mother had passed, the reason why you couldn't burn down her cottage was partly because of an array I had used and it was A-Ying's invention, I had everything duplicated what you burned was nothing more than empty papers and things I had collected, A-Ying knew and he wanted to keep them for himself and for you in his home once you had moved there, but he is gone now... shattered just like his dream... I do not even know if my son will return... so I have returned them rather to you and let you do with it what you will.
congratulations on your engagement.
QingHeng-Jun
ZeWu-Jun, looked at the letter as he reread each character, he wondered how his father knew that Wangji would do something like that, how long had he known... finally placed a hand on Lan Zhan's shoulder,
Wangji take as long as you need if you want help all you need to do is ask, SiZhui and I will help you take them back to mother's cottage, with a sigh ZeWu-Jun stood up and gestured to Lan Sizhui as they walked out the cold cave.
Sizhui watch him I shall be back said ZeWu-Jun
Later that evening Lan Zhan finally emerged and pile for pile, took all the belongings and placed them how they originally were before taking the box and once again shut himself within the Jingshi.
The next two days Lan Zhan had not eaten anything, and Lan Sizhui was getting worried then he saw ZeWu-Jun with Jin YanLi and Jin Ling then ZeWu-Jun knocked on the Jingshi.
Wangji? you have a very important visitor here today who would like you speak with you said ZeWu-Jun
Lan Zhan then got up and walked over and opened the door, standing there was Jin Yanli with a lunch basket.
Second young master Lan bowed Jin Yanli
Madam Jin said Lan Zhan as he returned the bow
May I come in asked Jin Yanli
'Mn' replied Lan Zhan as he directed her within his quarters and have her sit at the table and sat opposite her and poured the tea.
Your brother has told me what has transpired and Sizhui said that you have not eaten in two days? are you trying to kill yourself asked Jin Yanli
Lan Zhan did nothing but look down before he answered
He had a home prepared for us when the whole truth came to light, he had a home prepared, and we were going to be a family and I destroyed it all said Lan Zhan hoarsely
I know he had a home prepared it was prepared the night you had discussed it when he took you to paradise manor the first time remember. He had built it where the white palace stood and connected with an open array to the paradise manor so you could have each other and he could still have his parents said Jin YanLi
What you had done was wrong I admit I was furious but after everything that has happened, I realized that I too was in the wrong, I should not have blamed any of you how could any of you have known? Asked Jin Yanli
Lan Zhan reached for the box and sighed, after all the misunderstandings we had in the past how do I rectify this one asked Lan Zhan
You do as I have done before, protect the people said Jin Yanli would you like to see she asked as she took out the memory ball and placed it on the table.
An empathy ball stated Lan Zhan
No this is different it is just a memory ball this one is smaller than an empathy ball and much weaker. So, you will see what is displayed but you won't get sucked in said Jin Yanli
How? asked Lan Zhan
Xie Lian, I had asked to place my memories of A-Xian in them and he gave me two, the smaller one is for you said Jin YanLi as she took the other one out it was the size of a pearl.
I had begged Chenric to add all of A-Xian's memories within them... both good and bad... there is more, good in it even when he descended A-Xian was something that could take a bad placed hand and change it to something good said Jin Yanli
May I see asked Lan Zhan as he pointed at the large Memory ball
The memory
Madam Jin called ZeWu-Jun
Sect leader Lan what brings you here to lotus pier asked Jin Yanli as she walked closer to him.
Madam Jin I need you, if you are not busy said ZeWu-Jun
By looking at his face Jin YanLi could see something was wrong and led him to her old room where they could talk privately.
Alright XiChen, how bad is A-Zhan truly asked Jin YanLi
YanLi he received a letter from father he said as he took it out and showed her, then he ran out of the Jingshi and to the cold caves, Sizhui and I went after him, Yanli he is broken truly... I do not know how to fix it said ZeWu-Jun
This old man, just he wait and see what I will do to him said Jin Yanli as he threw the letter onto the table then sighed, it was most properly one of A-Xian's remaining wishes she said
If you could help, please said ZeWu-Jun
You both need to stop blaming yourself for something you had no control over and the 'what ifs' won't work either, XiChen it was you and Lan Qiren the first time that tore them apart with the help of my brother and before that it was A-Zhan's own doing by sealing his memories as you had done. you both finally feel a drop in the bucket of what he had to go through and you are all breaking, how is it he could take so much and you all less than nothing asked Jin Yanli
We aren't Hua Ying replied ZeWu-Jun
No, no you aren't and I am glad for it anyway let me go and see the juniors first then I will make my way with you. Said Jin Yanli
As they walked out to the training field, she had watched as the older children had shown the true image of what her A-Xian truly looked like many more juniors ran up and were speechless
THAT IS MASTER HUA screamed Lan Jingyi in shock
An otherworldly beauty with a smirk the spells mischievousness and a serene otherworldly beauty as she speaks of innocence captured with in a smile said Ouyang ZiZhen
You do realize that is my uncle... aunt... hell family you are drooling over growled Jin Ling as he punched Ouyang Zizhen on the arm, and I might add the spicy Congee that could even bring the dead back to life...
A-Xian really did like his food that had spice, he once believed that if were to marry his partner should eat as he does but he fell in love with someone completely opposite to him laughed Jin Yanli as she walked forward and admired the portrait, A-Sang had really out done himself, it captures my A-Xian perfectly.
Our textbooks did him wrong pouted the one junior
So why was he depicted as a hideous monster in the first place asked another
Sect Leader Lan are you sure that this is truly him... he does look different here from where we saw him said Lan JingYi as he held the portrait out as ZeWu-Jun stepped forward then nodded, you see the two smaller figures at the bottom those are considered his mortal forms the two larger ones are considered his immortal forms this is why he looks different smiled ZeWu-Jun as he explained
Madam Jin... may I keep this? Asked Lan Sizhui
I don't see why not, the original is not even here, what this is, is a copy of the original and A-Sang has many copies as he is responsible for changing the texts pictures back said Jin Yanli
He was ranked fourth at the time as most eligible bachelor behind myself, Sect leader Lan and Second young master Lan Said Jin Zixuan as he walked forward and admired the portrait in ZeWu-Jun hands
How old exactly is Master Hua asked a junior Lan disciple
He should be the same age as Nie Huaisang and second young master Lan so Thirty-Five said Jin Zixuan as ZeWu-Jun nodded, th... that means he bought me back at the age I died... I am only twenty-two said Jin ZiXuan shocked as Jin Yanli laughed and I was twenty-four.
You are twenty-two! then that mean master Hua died when he was twenty-four cried Ouyang Zizhen
I can't believe it and here they always depicted him as an ugly old monster man but he was a young beautiful man! cried a Jiang disciple
He did all that you said Madam Jin when he was young wasn't it asked a Lan Disciple.
Let's see said Jin Yanli as she thought
He was Ten, when he destroyed a ten foot measuring snake, and started then night hunting with his uncles, he was Fifteen when he destroyed the Waterbourne abyss that was chased into Caiyi town, then he was attacked by a tainted dire wolf Lan QingHeng-Jun saved him, he was sixteen with the indoctrination of the wen sect clan where he survived a dire wolf mauling thanks to Wen Ning and he turned seventeen the day he and second young master Lan killed the tortoise of slaughter, one week after that he had survived the most painful experience of turning his core to liquid so that he could repair my brothers core and was thrown into the burial mounds while weak.
Then at nineteen he had helped at the night-less city, he was Twenty when young second master Lan kissed him at phoenix mountain and two months after that he had freed all the wens that was slaves from Qiongqi path and started a new life with in the burial mounds he turned Twenty-one the day he had bumped into Second young master Lan in Yiling and met sweet little A-Yuan.
Then when he was twenty one he sacrificed his life to destroy himself and the seal thirteen years later he returned because a helpless boy was about to sacrifice his life to bring him back he was Thirty-five and ran into second young master Lan, two months after that they bowed in front of not only his Lan ancestors but also second young master Lan's family and his, they day after that they did the ceremony again but this time for my mother and father then a day after that everything went wrong and you all know the rest said Jin Yanli
Then why was he depicted as an old man then a monster asked one of the Lan Juniors
Well... started Jiang Cheng who had just walked into the training grounds then looked towards his sister
A-Cheng, I believe this question is directed at you said Jin Yanli calmly and sweetly as Jin Zixuan started backing away
Madam Jiang... ZeWu-Jun tried to intervene but stopped when he saw Jin Zixuan shaking his head
Sister pleaded jiang Cheng isn't it enough that the truth of our Shidi is now out there asked Jiang Cheng as he tried cowering
I would like an answer said Jin Yanli as her Aura frosted over.
Fine I was jealous, how it that he got more fucking beautiful and I stayed the same, he more powerful and yet I stayed the same cried Jiang Cheng, I'm sorry forgive me. He went to his knees
The juniors laughed and went back to commenting on how ethereal Hua Ying looked
If I was second master Lan, I would be the luckiest man alive to have someone like that on my arm said Ouyang ZiZhen then looked to Yanli and ZeWu-Jun, sorry sect leader Lan, sorry Madam Jin but the truth is the truth, if Jin Guangyao didn't do what he did, even the jade emperor would've been jealous and second master Lan would have to commit murder or cut his eyes out.
I mean I am jealous I want to meet someone with his brains and beauty he should've been the number one bachelor instead of fourth. Pouted Lan Jingyi
Again... growled Jin Ling as he punched both Lan Jingyi and Ouyang Zizhen, that is my family member you are speaking of!
A-Xian never cared for those kinds of things he cared for his sword art, music, archery, calligraphy, strategic war placements, go, talismans but more than that family is important to him said Jin Yanli
He has a mind as bad as his mother when it comes to events and people, but one thing is for sure Hua Ying hated deceit and people that do wrong, and he lived up to the Jiang motto said Jiang Cheng
As the memory ended Jin Yanli smiled, you see, as the world learns the truth, the world heals and like Ouyang Zizhen said if Jin Guangyao hadn't done all that you would've had your family and the red wedding you were planning, then she opened the box and revealed lotus pork rib soup. I know you do not eat pork so I have made that without and it has less spice suitable for you,
Lan Zhan looked at the bowl in front of him then looked up at Jin Yanli, thank you madam Jin said Lan Zhan
As the tears fell down her face she looked up and smiled, the last time I had made this for him was the day of my wedding ceremony, A-Cheng help me sneak into Yiling so I could show him my wedding dress
The one that you are eating he had made it himself. he had said that you could not eat spice as we do and you didn't eat meat so we took the ingredients and made a new kind of lotus and pork rib soup it tastes exactly the same except no spice and no pork he told me that he never wanted anyone to know he had done so said Jin Yanli
A-Zhan, there is something I had been meaning to ask of you, I have only seen what you all have seen otherwise it was Xie Lian that helped me with the rest of the details do I still do not know the full story yet I have heard many stories two being; one you were both arch enemies and that you despised each other even then when it was said I never believed it as I saw how you were, although I knew A-Xian isn't one to hate until the last time but betrayal does that to a person and the second, I heard from the boys that you understood one another and they had guessed that the two of you were lifelong partners, if Xie Lian hadn't shown me I would not have believed it, I would like to know what is my A-Xian to you? Asked Jin Yanli
Lan Zhan looked at her with painful eyes that were rimmed pink and fresh tears, he is my soulmate if he were to walk in a different body, I would know him instantly said Lan Zhan as the tears began to fall but I betrayed him... I had hurt him that he shattered his soul... I am always too late he whispered
As you saw XiChen had asked me to come and now I do understand why she said as she took out a little Hua Doll from her sleeve and handed it to him, I will not give you my recipe yet as it gives me a chance to come and visit and we can share our stories of A-Xian said Jin YanLi
Lan Zhan swallowed a sob as he reached with shaking hand across the table and gently took the doll, thank you he said hoarsely
may I ask what is in the box asked Jin YanLi
Lan Zhan passed the box over to Jin Yanli and she opened it, she put her hand over her mouth and cried silently, once she gained control, she looked at him.
you were collecting memoirs of you time together stated Jin Yanli
'Mn' replied Lan Zhan
May I come again? locking yourself away in seclusion will not help, we cannot hide from our mistakes, and I know A-Xian wouldn't want to see you like this no matter what feelings he has towards you said Jiang Yanli
I deserve this said Lan Zhan as agony and self-hatred shone in his eyes, I am a murderer, a betrayer I abandoned him time and time again.
Then I shall come and share stories said Jiang Yanli, Xie Lian had giving this to you not to hurt you but to show you who A-Xian truly was it is memories of every birthday every important event since he had come and stayed at paradise manor, we even added those from Jiang sect Chenric had helped by adding and placing the memories in order...every week I will come and tell you stories of the memories of your choosing.
Here is one when he was around ten, he had met a boy in white that was stoic and I and guessing that it was you, he loved you since then although he never knew the meaning then he had said you made his heart stop then race, his breath felt short and he felt light headed, your image was burned into his head and if Yin Yu hadn't shown, he would've kissed you before he disappeared smiled Jin Yanli as she saw Lan Zhan ears turn pink.
Do not hide A-Zhan, A-Xian fell in love with the person who went out and fought even the minor monsters so people could sleep better at night, he fell in love with the cold stoic person who would only speak to him, only look at him like he was the only person in the world.
He fell in love with the person who lit up the junior's world as you walked into any situation, you have a son that needs you. do not continue hurting yourself because you end up hurting the people around you.
You spoke of father; do you know where he is asked Lan Zhan
I do said Jin Yanli, the day you find him is the day I hope you find A-Xian as well, watch the butterflies they will tell you when if he lives, they will live if he dies so will they said Jin Yanli
I do not need the wraiths Madam Jin, when he went to hid descension trail, we did something... I know he is dying, the piece of his soul that is within me is dying and it pains. If he were to live then I would know said Lan Zhan
You consummated your marriage as a ghost in other words, you shared your soul and thus become one whole said Jin YanLi as she got up and walked to the door. I shall see you next week then and it is A-Li or as A-Xain says Shijie, she smiled and walked out.
For the month Jin Yanli had kept her promise for visiting Lan Zhan every week telling him stories to the memories Lan Zhan pointed at, he smiled as she recalled each and every story many were funny and daring always mischievous and cunning, mostly it was always Jiang Cheng, Hua Tianshi and Le' Fray.
Lan Sizhui was finally allowed within the Jingshi when Jin Yanli came for her third visit as he sat in between them and listened to the stories when she had left he came in everyday to sit by his father and read or they would speak of problems he had encountered on night hunts and how he had solved them.
The last day Jin Yanli told Lan Zhan that she could not visit anymore as there was a problem with the child she was carrying and it was dangerous for her to be travelling but he was more than welcome to visit Laning, that day she taught him how to prepare all of Hua Ying's favorite meals, she also taught him how to make the original lotus pork rib soup and the soup Hua Ying had made for him. this had made ZeWu-Jun happy as Lan Zhan had finally broken his seclusion and became close to Jin Yanli.
She truly does have a healing heart said ZeWu-Jun
Aunt A-Li knows where mother is, also where grandfather is said Lan Sizhui
Have you asked? Asked ZeWu-Jun
I have but her reply is the same... only when mother and grandfather will it, will they be seen said Lan Sizhui as he looked down.
Sizhui, do not be hard on yourself, Wangji told you what he knew of master Hua since you were small, you know there was no hatred and come to think of it even I mistook him for a woman the first time we met said ZeWu-Jun
Mother never had it easy but that is not... there is a song, but I do not know how to play it and I do not want to ask father said Lan Sizhui
Why not asked ZeWu-Jun
I am afraid of hurting him more said Lan Sizhui
Ask him SiZhui, Wangji is the best at writing new scores he can help you with this smiled ZeWu-Jun.
As Lan Zhan and SiZhui walked down to the entrance Jin Yanli stopped and placed her hand on the tree like she had done ever since she started visiting, although they tried everything but destroy the Yao it did not want to move or rest.
A-Zhan, why do you keep it here asked Jin Yanli
Because to destroy it seems heartless said Lan Zhan
Father wants to revive it to what it used to be, great uncle has taken to teaching us disciples about it and uncle XiChen plays for it, we water it and look after it said Lan Sizhui
You know only A-Xian can remove it so again why keep it asked Jin Yanli
A reminder, not all we see is black and white replied Lan Zhan
Jin Yanli left as soon as her husband showed leaving their son with Lan Zhan, as they walked up Lan Zhan could see there was something on Lan Sizhui mind but waited until he spoke rather than ask and startle him
That night in the JingShi Lan Zhan was going through the memories on the ball when he heard a knock slowly the door entered, and Lan Sizhui stood there silently.
Sizhui what is wrong asked Lan Zhan
I want... I want to ask for your help... uncle XiChen said you could help... but I do not know how to ask you without hurting you father struggled Lan Sizhui
Come said Lan Zhan.
Lan Sizhui slowly walked in and closed the door then made his way to the table with the memory ball frozen on Hua Ying's laughing face and the contents of the box laid carefully on the table. He stood and stared then looked at Lan Zhan
It seems that I have come at a bad time... I apologize said Lan Sizhui as he bowed
Sizhui, you are our son, I haven't been a good father to you as I have not been there as one for this, I apologize come sit said Lan Zhan as he carefully started placing everything away.
What are these? Asked Lan Sizhui
Memento's, I started collecting them when we were ten and I never stopped said Lan Zhan, every one of them holds a memory whether good or bad they are all from our time spent together, even the ones I couldn't recall at the time.
Father why do we struggle to tell the ones we cherish how we feel asked Lan Sizhui
"My son likes someone?"
I mean to say... why can we not just walk up and tell them; 'hey I like you', why do we fear rejection? Asked Lan Sizhui
We fear rejection, it took me years to tell your mother how I feel and a few times there were just impulses, after the seal and he did not make things easy, even though he was the only one who knew.... Nie Huaisang knew as well but... I guess even for A-Ying it was the fear of rejection explained Lan Zhan
So, if I were to just tell the person how I feel, I fear the rejection even if the outcome could be good, asked Lan Sizhui
Sizhui, don't be like me and not like A-Ying either, he would tell you to kidnap and then tell the person while kissing them, I on the other hand never said a word I cornered him in a library and kissed him... don't drink either... Sizhui figure out how you feel, there is a book I can show you that made me realize who my soulmate was and that he was doing his punishment with me in the library pavilion... if those are what you are feeling then trust me that person is on the same page unless he is as dimwitted as Jin ZiXuan said Lan Zhan
Father, we haven't spoken like this before smiled Lan Sizhui, it is nice he said
Come tell me now, what I can help with said Lan Zhan
Lan Sizhui slowly took out the piece of paper and looked at it before handing it to his father, Lan Zhan looked it over then smiled slightly has his hand brushed over each character.
Mother use to sing it when I got scared or when I couldn't sleep this is the only part I remember, and I wanted to make a score for it said Lan Sizhui who went red.
"The moon is bright, the wind is quite
the leaves hang over the window
my baby fall asleep quickly
sleep, dreaming sweet dreams
the moon is bright, the wind is calm
gently moving cradle
mother's baby, close your eyes
yeah sleep, sleep dreaming sweet dreams"
Sizhui, you remember this? I will help said Lan Zhan as he handed the paper back to Lan Sizhui