and sings the tune without the words
by Rose Thorne
Disclaimer: I don't own anything associated with The Untamed, and make no money writing fanfiction.
Chapter Four
Cheng-ge,
You're the best gege anyone ever had! Lan Zhan told me you showed him the chili sauce to buy, and I remembered that time you took me all around the marketplace and got everyone to let us taste their chili sauce so we could decide which one we liked best, and this one made your face turn super red! I think I'd die if you hadn't helped him buy it—the food here is so bland!
It's super quiet in the Cloud Recesses, and you're not allowed to run, which is weird, but everyone has this way of walking super fast which is kind of a cool skill, so maybe I'll learn how to do that, too. Lan-xiansheng is being really nice when I accidentally break a rule, but I'm trying to remember so I don't shame the Jiang sect.
They have a Cold Spring here and Lan Zhan and Lan Xichen took me to meditate in, and it really lives up to its name—I'm shocked it's not frozen over, with how cold it is! But it's infused with spiritual energy, and Lan-xiansheng thinks it might help clear out the resentful energy some.
Some of the elders are researching curses in the Lan library, which is super extensive. I get to read whatever I want when I'm not in class and studying and practicing my dizi. So I mostly look for stuff on resentful energy since maybe I can find something that will help me get more memories back. Lan Zhan is looking up scores that might be more effective, too!
Lan-xiansheng wrote to Wen-zongzhu to ask about the healing branch, so please thank jiejie for the idea. Even if they can't help, it's good to look into all the possibilities.
Lan Zhan's father came out of seclusion briefly to meet me. Lan-xiansheng was surprised when he came out. I guess he wasn't really happy about the betrothal because of Lan An's love story. Apparently the Lans take love super seriously.
I told him what I remember about my parents, and what I remember about me, and how much Lan Zhan has helped me. I told him if Lan Zhan finds his fated one, we can break the troth. I don't know if he likes me, but he hasn't said anything and he went back into seclusion, so I guess he's fine with it.
People are really restrained here, and so I'm really loud and stand out in comparison, but it's so fun to hear the Gusu dialect. It's adorable! Lan Zhan's ears turn red when I say so, though.
I miss you, and Jiejie, and Meimei, and A-Niang, and A-Die. Please tell them all I love them, and give my regards to the disciples and snuggle little A-Yu for your didi.
Jiang Wuxian
Xian-di,
I also remember you pushed me off the pier that day and said the water would help cool me down. You're lucky you were right, or I would've broken your legs! There might be new vendors since we did that, so when you come back to Yummeng, we'll taste all the new ones, too.
I heard there's like 2000 rules or so, but I guess that's why Lan Wangji was surprised we don't have many. I can't imagine how you can do anything, having so many rules to keep track of. How can you remember anything else? Anyway, don't worry about shaming the sect: you're Jiang and Lan-xiansheng knows you'll act like one.
That's an interesting way to meditate. I read once that some monks use hot springs that way too. I wonder if we could use swimming as a way of active meditation. I'll ask a-die. Then we can get away with going swimming and calling it training.
I wish we had a big library like that, but books don't do well in the humidity. I'm glad they have a lot of resources to help you. When I go to the lectures when we're fifteen, you'll have to show me all the best books!
The Wens are pretty clan-oriented so they might ignore the letter, but I hope they send someone. But even if you get your memories back, you're still my didi, okay? I'm your gege forever, even after we cultivate into immortality.
Qingheng-Jun is supposed to be one of the top cultivators of A-Die's generation, so I'm jealous you got to meet him. He better approve of you, even if you don't wind up marrying Lan Wangji. It's already obvious you'll be friends for your whole lives. There are different kinds of love, right?
A-Die says each region has different dialects. Maybe someday we'll get to travel and hear all the different ones. Make Lan Wangji talk in the Gusu dialect when he's at Lotus Pier next so I can hear it!
We all miss you, too. The new disciples are doing well. Meng Yao is really smart, and the kids you were helping are doing well in their lessons and starting meditation and exercises. A-Niang said some of them were hiding food in their rooms like you used to, but they know they can go to the kitchens any time and so they're getting better about it.
A-Lian wants you to find her a pretty doll while you're in Gusu, if you can. Jiejie says to make sure you eat well—we can send you more chili sauce if you need it. She's learning medicine still, and her golden core is getting stronger. A-Niang and a-die said to study well and do your best.
Make sure to learn some Lan forms and teach me when you get back!
Jiang Cheng
A-Ying is spending his first three month stint in the Cloud Recesses, and they managed to keep the chili sauce a secret until he got there.