Chapter 125 The Taste of Missing
Though his golden elixir had been restored, Wei Wuxian's old wounds remained a thorn in his flesh. Even with all the celestial elixirs Jun Wu used, he could only barely suppress them, unable to completely eradicate them. Reforging the golden elixir that day was an act of heaven-defying defiance, and the price he paid was Wei Wuxian's intense pain and the backlash of his spiritual power. It would require years of meticulous care before his condition could slowly heal.
But Wei Wuxian couldn't stand this "meticulous conditioning." He was worried about Lan Wangji and Si Zhui, and he spent every day plotting how to leave the Heavenly Palace and return to the human world where they lived. He tried to sneak out of the palace several times, but Jun Wu spotted him and stopped him.
"Your body isn't healed yet, so don't run around." Jun Wu's tone was filled with unquestionable authority, but his eyes were filled with worry. "When you can use your spiritual power freely and stop coughing up blood, I'll allow you to go back and see the doctor."
Wei WuXian refused to believe it, thinking it was just a lie to coax him in. He tried coaxing her into giving him a hard time, feigning illness, and even contemplating using the same method he'd used at the mass grave to create chaos and slip away, but he was caught off guard every time.
That morning, as Wei Wuxian reached the side door of Lezhi Palace, he was blocked by two people guarding there.
Xie Lian crossed his arms, smiling gently, his eyes revealing a certain understanding: "Ah Xian, you want to go out again?"
Hua Cheng stood beside him, arms folded across his chest, looking at him with raised eyebrows, a hint of teasing on his lips: "Which way do you want to go this time? The roof or the dog hole? I just blocked the dog hole last night."
Wei Wuxian looked at the brother-in-law and wife-in-law before him, and his anger immediately deflated. Xie Lian's cultivation was unfathomable, and Hua Cheng was notoriously difficult to deal with. In terms of martial arts, his newly recovered golden core was no match for them; in terms of brainpower, his clever tricks were like child's play in front of these two.
“Brother…Brother-in-law…” Wei Wuxian’s shoulders slumped, his tone somewhat flattering. “Just let me go out and take a look. I’ll just stand at the South Heaven Gate and take a look. I promise I won’t run away.”
Xie Lian shook his head, his tone gentle but firm, “Daddy is doing this for your own good. Your body can’t handle this.”
Hua Cheng followed up with another blow: "Besides, can you escape?"
Wei Wuxian was choked and speechless. Seeing the two men's implacable obsession, he felt completely hopeless. He hung his head like a puppy caught in the rain, turned around, and walked back into the hall, his steps revealing a sense of despair.
Not long after, a report came from the guards outside the Lezhi Palace - Junwu issued an order to confine Wei Wuxian to the Lezhi Palace, and he was not allowed to leave without other orders.
"Grounded?!" Wei Wuxian leaped up from his bed upon hearing the news. His chest felt tight, and he nearly coughed up blood again. Was he completely trapped?
Xie Lian and Hua Cheng came in at this moment, looked at his angry look, and smiled at each other.
“Don’t be angry,” Xie Lian handed over a cup of warm tea, “Daddy is just worried that you might do something reckless.”
Wei Wuxian turned his face away, not accepting the tea, but his eyes were reddening. He knew they meant well, but he truly missed home. He missed the cool fragrance of Lan Wangji, Si Zhui's soft "Daddy," and even Jiang Cheng's impatient yet secretly concerned look.
"I want to go find my father!" Wei Wuxian stood up suddenly and grabbed the thick cloak that the immortal servant had just brought him and wrapped himself in it - he was now very afraid of the cold, and even in the warm Lezhi Palace, he couldn't do without this cloak.
He put on his cloak and ran out, determined to go to the main hall to plead with Jun Wu. In this heavenly court, only the "father" he had just acknowledged might be willing to relent because of their blood relationship.
Xie Lian and Hua Cheng watched him hurriedly, but didn't try to stop him. Some truths require one to hit a wall before they're truly believed.
Wei Wuxian trotted along, passing through the corridors and around the Jade Pool, finally catching sight of the magnificent palace in the distance. The guards at the palace gate bowed in greeting upon seeing him, but no one dared to stop him—everyone knew this was the Majesty's newly adopted youngest son, a beloved heir.
He rushed into the hall, panting. Jun Wu was sitting on the throne reviewing memorials. He heard the noise, looked up, and seeing it was him, he put down his red brush and asked, "Why are you here? Aren't you cold?"
Wei Wuxian ran to the throne, tilted his head back, his eyes red, like a wronged rabbit: "Daddy..."
This time, the call of "Daddy" was soft and pitiful, with a bit more coquettishness than the awkward name in the past.
Jun Wu's heart softened instantly, and he waved for him to come over: "What's the matter?"
Wei WuXian walked over to him, tugged at his sleeve and shook it gently, his voice tinged with tears: "I don't want to be grounded... I want to go home..."
"Your home is right here." Jun Wu frowned. "What's so good about the human world? Can those people protect you? Have you forgotten how you got hurt like that?"
“But Lan Zhan and Si Zhui are there…” Wei Wuxian’s voice trailed off, “They’re waiting for me to come back.”
"When you're well again, I'll let you go back to see them." Jun Wu's tone brooked no room for argument. "But for now, you must stay in Lezhi Palace to recuperate. No more mischief is allowed."
Wei Wuxian looked at his determined gaze, knowing his plea was hopeless. His nose felt sore, and tears nearly fell. He sniffed, and with a last glimmer of hope, he asked, "Then... can I talk to them? Just tell them not to worry..."
Jun Wu fell silent. He knew Wei Wuxian was worried, but he was even more afraid that if he were to contact the human world, the child would find a way to escape back, and all his efforts would be wasted.
Seeing that he didn't answer, Wei Wuxian's heart sank completely. He let go of Jun Wu's sleeve, took a step back, lowered his head, and whispered, "I understand."
After saying this, he turned and walked out. His back was thin, wrapped in a thick cloak, like a reed swaying in the wind.
Jun Wu looked at his back, sighed in his heart, and finally did not call him.
Some roads just need to be walked slowly and figured out by himself.
Wei Wuxian walked out of the hall. The wind outside was a bit chilly, making him shiver. He wrapped his cloak tightly around him and walked slowly towards the Lezhi Hall, the grievances and longing in his heart surging like a tide.
He looked up at the sky, where rolling clouds blocked the direction of the human world.
Lan Zhan, Si Zhui... wait for me a little longer.
When I get better, even if I have to break in, I will definitely break back.
In the direction of Lezhi Palace, Xie Lian and Hua Cheng were standing in the corridor, watching his lonely back from afar.
“He seems very sad.” Xie Lian said softly.
Hua Cheng held his hand, his eyes calm, "You have to endure the sadness. This is for his own good."
Xie Lian sighed and said nothing more.
Some guarding is destined to be helpless; some waiting is destined to be full of torment.
Wei Wuxian, trapped in this gorgeous cage, didn't know that his difficult "journey home" had just begun.
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