return from lanling

[shangba]

A full moon, unblinking.

You did not sleep, to see?

Comments

[emperorssmile]

We'll see what passes first then. Your restlessness or my wine.

Does it hurt to breathe? To swallow?

[shangba]

...no.

Foremost, the hurt is to my pride. I admit, freely: had believed myself above such wounding.

But I bear it, with a vulnerable husband, a young child, a son unwedded. Must settle your house. My affairs.

[emperorssmile]

I didn't help you keep a tranquil mind while you were working.

I'm not completely powerless and Sizhui's cultivation is progressing well. You're not alone, Lan Zhan. Let us carry some of the weight.

[shangba]

Wei Ying. I have seen a world whole turn fang on you.

I will not leave you undefended.

[emperorssmile]

You can still defend me. I'm just saying you don't have to do it alone.

You were scared when the attack got through?

[shangba]

Witless.

[emperorssmile]

And we hadn't been kind to one another beforehand, so that made it worse.

I always assume that nothing can stop Hanguang-Jun from coming home to me. It was a close call?

[shangba]

It must heal. Will heal.

[emperorssmile]

It will

I'll help you through it, too.

I really need to stop taking you for granted, Lan Zhan. Even if we're having an argument, let's always end it with 'I love you.'

[shangba]

'I do not like you on this day.'

Then, 'I love you.'

Unsure our quarrels would flow.

[emperorssmile]

Yeah, it probably would feel out of place at best and sarcastic at worst.

Did our argument distract you?

[shangba]

Unlikely.

It was chance. Pure chance. Even to me.

[emperorssmile]

You're not just saying that to make me feel better?

It's okay, I believe you.

Still, I don't like that you were hurt. You should take better care of my husband, Lan Zhan.

[shangba]

He will become stronger. That too, a lesson. Must provide better.

[emperorssmile]

Stronger, hmm? Hanguang-Jun is already so strong, if he becomes more so, I’ll swoon every time he holds me.

[shangba]

You do not take this seriously.

[emperorssmile]

You’re right. I was trying to lighten the mood.

I get it. You could have died or been severely injured. I’m just scared to let that sink in.

[shangba]

Not that.

The urgency to strengthen. To protect.

Now, I have a family who requires me fully. Sizhui, Liang, Wei Ying.

[emperorssmile]

Do you think having a training partner would help you get stronger faster?

[shangba]

Perhaps.

But it cannot be Wei Ying.

[emperorssmile]

Right… I’d probably hold you back if we tried training together.

[shangba]

No.

But could never strike at my beloved with full force.

[emperorssmile]

Good! I don’t think I have a talisman strong enough to survive that if you did.

Do you ever spar with Zewu-Jun?

[shangba]

At times.

Demonic spirits, meditation. Calisthenics, forms.

[emperorssmile]

Too bad you don’t get along with Jiang Cheng. He’s not weak and you’d gladly use full force.