Author Notes: Hello again, everyone! Enjoy this next chapter :)
Beta: JeanGirlMY
- Chapter Start -
Later that evening, the two Wen siblings visited Sisi; one to check on the reopened cut on her cheek while the other brought her her dinner. Neither of them mentioned the earlier incident, but Wen Ning's sympathetic almost smile suggested he knew about it.
They, along with GuangYao and Wei WuXian, had likely realised what the three Lans probably still didn't - that in wanting to spare Sisi from what he deemed as menial tasks, Lan QiRen had denigrated the few skills she had.
She knew he meant well. He had apologised in front of his four nephews who thought so highly of him, to whom he must have wanted to appear as wise and respected. He had even bowed to her.
But why did he offer her the post of assistant to the Head Librarian?
The Library Pavilion in Cloud Recesses was famous throughout the Cultivation World for its vast collection of ancient scrolls and precious manuscripts!
Everyone else, even the late Meng Shi - bless her ambitious heart - would have jumped at the chance to work there, but Sisi was terrified of touching those precious items lest she accidentally damage them. She felt faint just thinking about it.
Did Lan QiRen think it would be an easy job because she wouldn't have to stand under the sun or slave over a hot stove?
Well, that was sweet of him. Under any other circumstances she would be happy to accept. He just hadn't realised she was the least qualified person in the world.
She was illiterate.
Hopefully, the Head Librarian was a very patient woman.
- o -
The next morning, ZeWu Jun and GuangYao turned up at Sisi's doorstep to invite her for lunch. She happily accepted and didn't realise it wasn't a cosy lunch for three until they passed the Hanshi and headed for the main buildings.
Wen Qing was waiting for them outside the Main Hall. The wedding decor had been removed and the hall partitioned to form a smaller common area and several private rooms, each with a round table that could seat up to eight people. Sitting in one of the rooms were Lan QiRen, HanGuang Jun and Wei WuXian.
Sisi bowed with the others, warmth creeping into her cheeks as she recalled - for the hundredth time - how Lan QiRen had dried her tears rather fussily before walking her back to her room yesterday. Judging from the awkward bob of his head, he was recalling the exact same thing.
By the time she tore her gaze away, there was was only one seat remaining, on Lan QiRen's left. He was glaring at ZeWu Jun who pretended not to notice.
As soon as Sisi sat down, lunch was brought in and they started to eat. It was a silent affair with Wei WuXian fidgeting a few times and exchanging meaningful nods with GuangYao. Sisi finished her portion of fried noodles and tofu soup, and declined a second helping. She was grateful for food that she didn't have to prepare or pay for, but Gusu Lan's cuisine was... well, very lightly seasoned.
As ZeWu Jun boiled water for tea, GuangYao cleared his throat and smiled at Sisi.
"Sisi-jie, is that one of the spare robes from the guestroom? It fits you so well!"
"Thank you," Sisi replied. "It was too big, but I managed to alter it last night."
"I'm not surprised." GuangYao's smile was guileless. "I remember watching as you altered and even embroidered the robes for the other ladies. You made them so much more pleasing to the eye."
Sisi stared at him in surprise. She was sure that nothing short of torture would induce him to talk about his childhood let alone relate an anecdote about it. And in front of Lan QiRen and the Twin Jades, no less!
She glanced at Lan QiRen beside her who kept silent.
"What about you, GuangYao?" Wei WuXian, ever curious, wanted to know. "Did Sisi-jie sew you anything?"
A soft pink tinted GuangYao's cheeks as he nodded.
"Sisi-jie found out my mother was saving every bit of money to buy me books so she collected the discarded robes from the others to make inner clothes for me. I didn't mind wearing them... except for the pair made from embroidered red silk because they itched!"
GuangYao was an excellent conversationalist who could strike the perfect balance between brevity and humour while looking perfectly innocent. Wei WuXian, Wen Qing and ZeWu Jun chuckled, HanGuang Jun nodded but Lan QiRen's eyebrows shot up.
"That's amazing, Sisi-jie," Wei WuXian praised.
"She's a good cook too," GuangYao added, warming to his subject. "She could take the plainest of ingredients and make a tasty dish from them."
Sisi blushed as everyone's eyes turned to her again.
"Our madam only allowed us to have vegetables and not much variety at that," she explained. "I had to get creative or we would eat the same dish everyday. Eggs were rare while chicken and fish were reserved for customers. Whenever one of them ordered a meal, the cook would ask for my help and later, I would ask the chosen companion of that customer for feedback to improve my knowledge."
Lan QiRen, who had started to look grudgingly impressed, now looked displeased again. Realising she had divulged a bit more than she intended, Sisi bit her lip and looked down at her plate.
"Oh, I can cook too!" Wei WuXian declared and ignored a skeptical look from Wen Qing. "Sisi-Jie, you're from Yunping so you must love spicy dishes, right?"
"Of course," Sisi agreed.
"A-Yao does too. What's your favourite dish, Madam Sisi?" ZeWu Jun asked politely.
"It's saliva chicken, also known as mouthwatering chicken," GuangYao answered and dimpled. "It was my mother's favourite dish too."
"Oh, mine too! I'm drooling at the thought!" Wei WuXian said. "Please teach me to cook that dish, Sisi-Jie!"
"Me too," GuangYao added, not to be outdone.
"If Madam Sisi doesn't mind," ZeWu Jun began only to pause when Lan QiRen cleared his throat with a rather loud harrumph.
"Killing of animals is forbidden," he said curtly. "Your wedding feast was an exception."
"Of course, Uncle QiRen!" Wei WuXian grinned at him, not in the least bit abashed.
"Yes, of course," GuangYao murmured.
An awkward silence descended on the table.
"Da-ge likes spicy food too," ZeWu Jun said into the silence, a non sequitur which had everyone looking confused. With a tiny sound, GuangYao snatched up the teapot and began pouring the tea.
"However, an occasional fish may be allowed," Lan QiRen announced.
Wei WuXian perked up at that.
"That's right! We've been having fish twice a month which, come to think of it, is rather odd. Doesn't that count as-"
"As for you four," Lan QiRen cut him off, "aren't you leaving tomorrow morning for your honeymoons?"
Wei WuXian blinked owlishly at him and then at Lan Zhan, possibly wondering why he had been interrupted.
"We have decided to stay until the end of the week, uncle," HanGuang Jun replied.
"Yup," Wei WuXian said cheerfully. "We plan to travel to Lanling on foot to see Shijie. And the peacock."
"Mn."
"Oh, we plan to travel on foot too," ZeWu Jun said with a smile. "But we're going to QingHe first to see Da-ge."
"And HuaiSang," A-Yao hastily added.
"And HuaiSang, of course!"
Everyone drank their tea and A-Yao refilled their cups.
It was Wen Qing who cleared her throat next.
"I expect Sisi's cuts to fully close in two days' time," she announced, eyes sliding ever so briefly in Lan QiRen's direction. "If they don't get wet again."
As he shifted in his seat, Wei WuXian jerked his chin at Wen Qing.
"What's the hurry?"
It was Wen Qing's turn to look a bit discomfited.
"Granny Wen, A-Yuan and I plan to travel to Yunmeng," she explained. "Uh, for wedding plans."
"What?! Jiang Cheng proposed? When was that? Why didn't he tell me? And you're taking my son?" Wei WuXian exclaimed in rapid succession. "Go make your own!"
GuangYao and Lan QiRen choked on their tea and had their backs patted. Wen Qing ignored the quiet 'Wei Ying' from HanGuang Jun and gave a rather unladylike snort.
"You asked Granny Wen to look after A-Yuan while you enjoyed your honeymoon!" She shot back.
Wei WuXian opened his mouth and closed it again in favour of giving a sheepish smile.
"Our heartiest congratulations, Maiden Wen," ZeWu Jun said with a warm smile.
"Thank you," Wen Qing inclined her head.
"Congratulations. Chen-yishi informed us you would hold a few classes with our senior healers on acupuncture before then?" Lan QiRen asked after a careful sip of tea.
"Of course, Master Lan," Wen Qing replied. "My wedding isn't for another three weeks."
"We'll be sure to attend, Healer Wen," GuangYao told her. "My congratulations as well."
"Please don't worry about me, Wen Qing," Sisi said. "I'm sure I can start work at the library tomorrow or the day after."
"But-" Wei WuXian protested.
"Sisi-jie," A-Yao said at the same time.
"And I am very grateful to Senior Lan for the opportunity," Sisi added firmly. She appreciated their rather transparent attempts to showcase her skills, but it was better than no work at all.
"You are welcome. I am sure you will enjoy it," Lan QiRen told her, one hand stroking his goatee.
He didn't see the mutinous looks his two newest nephews gave it... as if they would have liked to shave it right off.
- Chapter End -
A/N: Thank you for reading! Please leave a review if you enjoyed this chapter and take care!
