Chapter 220 Xianxian asks to see his son, but Nianqing refuses his warmth
When Lan Wangji returned from the retreat, his face was gloomy. Seeing him like this, Wei Wuxian's heart skipped a beat: "What's wrong? Where's Zhui'er? Did something happen?"
"Zhui'er got into trouble and injured a fellow disciple's soul. Mister Nianqing has punished him by barring him from seeing us for seven days. He also has to be caned and have the rules repeated every day." Lan Wangji recounted the news he had heard from the fairy boy, his tone filled with worry. "I went to the gate of the retreat and saw him kneeling alone. I wanted to take him back, but Mister Nianqing stopped him outside the door."
Wei WuXian stood up abruptly, the teacup in his hand clattering down onto the table. "What? A cane? Zhui'er is so small, how could he possibly withstand it? No, I have to go and plead with Mr. Nianqing!"
As he was about to leave, Lan Wangji quickly grabbed him and said, "Mr. Nianqing is adamant. I'm afraid it would be useless for you to go."
“How could it be useless?” Wei Wuxian was so anxious that he was spinning around in circles. “I’m very familiar with Mr. Nianqing! Before, when I was recovering from an injury and didn’t want to take medicine, every time Dad wanted to punish me, it was Mr. Nianqing who interceded on my behalf! He’s so kind, he’s sure to be flexible!”
With that, he broke free from Lan Wangji's hand and hurried to the monastery. All along the way, his mind was filled with Sizhui's aggrieved expression—that child was most afraid of pain. Thirty lashes of the cane would probably make him cry for a long time.
At the entrance to the Qingxiuyuan, Mei Nianqing was standing in the corridor, holding a scroll of "Master's Rules." Seeing Wei Wuxian rushing over, his face showed no surprise. He simply said gently, "Ah Xian, are you here to plead for Zhui'er?"
“Father Nianqing!” Wei Wuxian immediately put on an aggrieved expression. He moved closer to him, tugged on his sleeve and shook it gently. “Zhui’er knows he’s wrong. Please forgive him this time! He’s so small, he can’t withstand the cane. If he gets hurt, Wangji and I will be so heartbroken!”
He still thought he could get away with it by acting like a spoiled child like before, but he didn't expect Mei Nianqing to simply gently pull back her sleeve. Her tone remained gentle, yet it carried a firmness that brooked no argument: "Ah Xian, the rules cannot be broken. Zhui'er has harmed a fellow disciple's soul, which is already a serious mistake. If he isn't severely punished, who will protect him if he makes an even bigger mistake in the future?"
“But…” Wei Wuxian wanted to say more, but Mei Nianqing interrupted him, “I know you feel bad for him, but this punishment is to teach him a lesson, to make him realize that immortal power isn’t for mischief, and certainly not for hurting others. If you truly want to do this for his own good, then stop pleading.”
Wei Wuxian saw the seriousness in Mei Nianqing's eyes, and suddenly felt uneasy. He remembered that when he got into trouble in the past, Mei Nianqing would plead for him, but she would also teach him the ropes in private. Now, he thought, she had the same attitude towards Zhui'er—stern on the surface, but truly for the child's own good.
"Then... can I see him? Just a glance, I want to see if he's okay and then leave." Wei Wuxian took a step back, his tone full of pleading.
Mei Nianqing shook his head: "The seven-day period has not yet arrived, so I can't see him. Don't worry, I will let the fairy boy take good care of him and won't let him suffer any more."
Wei Wuxian was about to say something more, but he saw Mei Nianqing turn and walk into the courtyard, leaving behind only a gentle yet determined figure. He stood there, feeling anxious and aggrieved, but also knowing that this time, he really couldn't get what he wanted.
Back at Yunshen Pavilion, Wei Wuxian told Lan Wangji and Jun Wu what had happened. Jun Wu was silent for a moment, then slowly spoke, "Nianqing did the right thing. This child is too soft-hearted, and he relies on everyone's favor. He should be taught a lesson and understand the importance of rules."
“But I just feel so bad…” Wei Wuxian leaned against Lan Wangji’s chest, his voice muffled, “When I think about him being punished alone and not being able to see us, it feels like needles pricking my heart.”
Lan Wangji patted his back gently, his tone gentle: "Wait a little longer, seven days will pass quickly. When Zhui'er comes out, we will take good care of him."
Wei Wuxian nodded, but secretly made up his mind - even if they couldn't meet, he would find a way to let the fairy boy bring some of Zhui'er's favorite osmanthus cake to let him know that even if they couldn't see each other, his family was always thinking about him.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
