Chapter 228: The whole family is always warm and healthy
After returning from the Imperial Gardens to release the lotus lanterns, a warm bath was already prepared in the Yunshen Pavilion bedroom. Wei Wuxian, holding Si Zhui, whose eyelids were drooping with sleep, smiled as he walked towards the bathroom. "We've had a long day of fun. Let's take a bath and get a good night's sleep. We have to learn new techniques from Master tomorrow."
Si Zhui leaned in his arms and murmured softly, "Daddy, tomorrow I want to practice the protective barrier that my grandfather taught me. I want to protect everyone quickly."
"Okay, I'll do as you say." Wei Wuxian gently pinched his cheek and put him in the tub. Lan Wangji walked in with the prepared bath salts and bent down to massage Sizhui's shoulders, his movements so gentle as if he was afraid of breaking a treasure. "It's been a breeze by the pool today, so a bath to chase away the cold."
When Si Zhui finished his bath and was wrapped in a thick towel and carried to the bed, Lin Yan was already sitting beside the bed, holding a copy of "Record of Celestial Beasts" in his hand: "Would you like to hear a little story before bed? It's about how the spirit deer guarded the fairy grass."
Sizhui nodded immediately and lay down obediently. Lin Yan read softly, his voice as gentle as the evening breeze. Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji sat nearby, watching the child's eyes gradually close, their eyes filled with tenderness. Once Sizhui was fully asleep, the three of them tiptoed out of the bedroom and closed the door.
In the courtyard, Jun Wu and Mei Nianqing were sitting on a stone bench drinking tea. Seeing them come out, Mei Nianqing smiled and waved: "I have just brewed the cloud tea. Come and try it."
Wei WuXian leaned over, picked up the teacup and took a sip, narrowing his eyes in satisfaction. “The tea made by Father Nianqing is still the best! Dad, you should learn more from Father Nianqing in the future and stop drinking those agonizingly bitter medicinal teas.”
Jun Wu glared at him helplessly, but didn't refute. He simply reached out and poured some hot tea for Mei Nianqing, his movements natural and intimate. Lan Wangji sat beside Wei Wuxian, looking at the scene before him, and couldn't help but smile slightly. The perfection that he once thought was out of reach was now within his grasp.
In the days that followed, the daily routine at Yunshen Pavilion was always filled with warmth. In the mornings, Sizhui would study the Dharma with Mei Nianqing, with Jun Wu occasionally offering guidance, teaching him how to combine his immortal power with his mindset. In the afternoons, Wei Wuxian would drag Lan Wangji fishing in the immortal pond, occasionally secretly picking a couple of lotus pods to bring back for Sizhui as a snack. In the evenings, the family would gather in the courtyard to eat, chatting about the day's fun, their laughter wafting far.
When it was a celestial festival, Jun Wu would order a banquet in the Imperial Garden, inviting Xie Lian and Hua Cheng to attend. Si Zhui would join Lin Yan, using his immortal power to craft small lanterns to hang from the trees; Wei Wuxian would enthusiastically demonstrate his newly learned immortal arts, making everyone laugh; and Mei Nianqing would watch all this quietly with Lan Wangji, occasionally exchanging gentle glances.
Once, Si Zhui successfully used a protective barrier to block the charge of an out-of-control immortal beast. Jun Wu looked at the determination in his eyes, smiled and patted his shoulder: "Good boy, you can protect yourself now."
Si Zhui raised his head proudly, looked at Lin Yan beside him, and then looked at Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji not far away, his heart filled with joy - he had finally grown up to be able to protect his family, and he finally understood that happiness is never a matter of one person, but a family staying together year after year.
That night, Si Zhui was lying in bed, looking at the stars outside the window, when he suddenly said to Lin Yan beside him: "Brother Lin, I feel that the days we have now are sweeter than sugar in the mortal world."
Lin Yan smiled and ruffled his hair: "It will be even sweeter in the future."
Yes, it will be even sweeter, Sizhui thought to himself. Because he has his beloved family, the people he wants to protect most, and a home that will always be warm. Such happiness will shine forever, like the stars in heaven, forever and ever.
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