Madam Wang looks down at the objects she's gathered. Teas. Candles. Some more bath salts. Lotions. She continues to stare wondering if she forgot anything.
She lets out a sigh.
She shouldn't have left the room. By the time she realize her mistake and returned to the room they were gone. Must have gone home. It was for the best. She didn't even know what she would say anyway. She's not sure how she feels about them.
She can't believe she missed the signs. To be fair they did not let there be signs; not obvious ones. Now she can see them. The way Ran-er is always happy when Yuheng is around. How Ran-er always search for Yuheng, always being close to each other. Going on missions with each other. It was always there, she didn't connect them. No one seems to have made that connection either.
Now it's time to think about what she feels about the relationship. What problem does she have with them?
The age gap is the biggest.
She shakes her head, letting a breath out. What is she talking about? Age gap? There are larger age gaps in the world. They are both adults at the moment. There's nothing morally wrong about their decision.
Student and Teacher?
Her shoulders slump. They aren't really teacher and student anymore. Yuheng hasn't been a teacher to his disciples since he woke up. Everyone is doing their own thing now.
Why can't she be okay with this? Why is she looking for problems? Shouldn't she be happy? Her friend is about to have a baby. Her nephew is going to have a baby. Their first baby. Together.
She wants to be upset, but she can't decide who she should be upset with. Should she be on Yuheng side? Or Ran-er. Why is she trying to choose a side at all?
She should first learn if they are happy with each other. She has to talk to them. Get some answers because how long have they been together? She knows them both. This situation, this news, is making her see them in a new light. She should be happy for them.
She wraps the objects in a cloth. Standing up. Ready to face them. On her way she tries not to think about it to deeply. She can only hope they are not offended by what she did two days ago. She wants to help Yuheng. The man has no clue what to expect. Ran-er is equally as blind. They need help.
Chuqing hands shake as she gets closer to their home. She can only hope they don't hate her. They need someone on their side. She knocks.
And she waits for a minute before she can hear someone tumble towards the door. The door then bursts open to a tired looking Ran-er. "Auntie?" he calls her name looking visibly confused.
She gives him a smile. "I came to talk... and help." Mo Ran stares at her, the look in his eyes scaring her. As if he doesn't care about her. Thrown her away. His eyes land on the large pile in her hands. "I brought some thing for Yuheng." she explains. That seems to get on his good side.
"Come in." Ran-er steps to the side to let her in. Chuqing walks in, taking a look at the place. It's been clean. No doubt Ran-er doing. She pauses at the dining table. Stacks of scrolls and books scattered. Along with paper and ink. She catches the text of one of the books. Talking about pregnancy. "What did you want to talk about?" Ran-er gets in front of her. Cleaning the table. Once again her eyes spot the familiar handwriting of her nephew. A little too messy to be Yuheng. She does see a couple notes written down by Yuheng himself in the pile.
"Ah..." Chuqing opens her mouth to start talking but stops, her mind coming up short for an answer. She had already upset them she doesn't want to lie and upset them further. On the other hand she's not sure what to say. She's not sure what they should talk about. Not sure what to ask.
The sound of Wanning throwing up is heard from where they stood. Worried, Mo Ran rushes forward. "Wanning." He calls as he sprints to their room. Chuqing stands in place. She's never seen him so worried over someone. She follows the sounds to Wanning leaning over a bucket. Mo Ran by his side, soothing him with sweet words and a hand on his back.
It's obvious he cares for Wanning. Yuheng has a special spot in Mo Ran heart. For now she'll help them. Especially Wanning who looks ready to murder everyone. "What's wrong?" Chuqing asks taking her coat off, setting it to the side.
"It's the morning sickness. It got worse last night." Mo Ran explains, sounding as worried as he looks.
"Has he eaten anything lately?" Chuqing asks opening the cloth she had tied closed.
Mo Ran shakes his head. "Wanning was fine yesterday but last night he couldn't hold anything in. He hasn't been able to hold any foods down. He threw up the whole night." Mo Ran explains holding a cup to Wanning to drink.
"Thank you." Wanning rasps, throat sore from constant vomiting.
"Ran-er make this for him. It's a ginger tea. Ginger help with nausea. And small crackers are good for now." She hands over a small square case for the dry tea leaves.
Mo Ran takes it. Looking at his aunt, eyes baring into her soul. All the way to her core. Wondering why she's helping? Has she turned around and is now supporting them? Was it that she needed time?
He goes to the kitchen to get what was asked. Tea and crackers.
Chuqing helps Wanning who is obviously not feeling well as he's only in his inner robes. The same with Mo Ran. The two seem to have had a long night. "I'm sorry." Wanning breathes out lowly as Chuqing helps him get into bed.
"For what?" Madam Wang wonders, genuinely not sure what he needs to apologize for.
"Our relationship. I know you would not approve. But don't treat him any differently. Blame me. I will even cut contact if need be." Wanning rasps out, looking at Chuqing with sorrow in his eyes but also a fire. To protect Mo Ran.
"You love Ran-er." She states. Wanning has always been willing to sacrifice himself for his disciples. But he died for Mo Ran. You are only willing to die for those you love.
"I know it's wrong. But I always have. He's always been so caring. Kind. I've never meet someone not afraid of me, to show me such kindness." Wanning eyebrows furrow eyes getting misty.
"For now rest." Chuqing says. She's heard enough from Wanning. She can see where Wanning is coming from. Before Mo Ran only two other people had requested Wanning to be their shizun. But neither had treated Wanning with kindness. They respected him as their teacher but they drew a line. Mo Ran didn't. Before their relationship soured they were seen together more often than not. They were connected.
And happy. Who knows where'd they be if they didn't have a falling out?
Chuqing wipes the stray tear from Wanning cheek.