A/N: Well, I'm glad that last chapter was entertaining to you guys because I spent over an hour researching poisons and antidotes. 

@gegeford , I could be a disciple of Han Yunxi now!

FYI, the so-called Fatal Silver is a fancy name I made for methylmercury. Which is a toxic chemical. The antidote for methylmercury is another chemical called N-acetylcysteine. It's an enhanced form of cysteine, which can be found in all those said legumes, meat and sunflower seeds. Tea tree oil and wine [alcohol] are known to help with wound healing. 

So yes, I've stuck to the facts. And this is an entirely new Chemistry lesson hahahaha

Looks like my hours of red-eyed researching didn't go in vain! Thank you!!!!!

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The paste was prepared and applied immediately. Not for a moment did either Doctor hesitate: both instantly agreed that as long as Wen Qing suggested it, it's bound to work! A week passed by. The doctors didn't give up, out of absolute and pure faith in their senior — Wen Qing was younger than Lan Yuanhua but he still considered her his senior.

As the seven days and seven nights ended and the eighth day dawned, Lan Zhan was set on leaving Gusu to find Baoshan Sanren wherever she was. He would sweep the mountains all across the lands. She had to be there somewhere. But he'd wait first. He too had faith in Wen Qing: this should work. But if Wei Ying didn't wake up on the eighth morning, that was it. His love overpowered his faith.

As Lan Zhan lay beside Wei Ying, wide awake as always, he felt the sun's yawn. The eighth morning had arrived.

He removed the ward on their house to allow Madam Fan to enter. She knocked before entering, nodded to Lan Wangji who was standing at the table, placed the tray with its two bowls of soup, and left.

Lan Wangji closed the doors behind her. He moved to the table, picked up Wei Ying's soup, and walked back to their bed. He repeated his daily feeding procedure, then placed the empty bowl back on the tray beside the always-untouched one and walked to the drawers. He pulled out a few robes and a large white bag. The bag was his travelling bag, which he had never used before. It was pristine white and embroidered with pale blue clouds, just like his robes. He wasn't bothered to fold and place the five sets of GusuLan-wear he had taken out, just stuffed them into the bag.

He then placed the bag on the table and stood there, wondering. Was there anything else he needed? This trek would last more than just days, so he got his clothes... But what else? Right, Bichen.

He waved his hand and Bichen was by his side in an instant. He placed Bichen beside the bag. Something's still not right. Was it Wei Ying he was missing? No, he knew he couldn't take such a tired Wei Ying on a journey as uncertain as this. Wei Ying would stay; Lan Zhan would ask for help and the cure and return. But what if she wouldn't believe it was her grand-disciple he was talking of? He needed proof.

He picked up and placed Chenqing beside Bichen. Chenqing was Wei Wuxian's spiritual tool, the immortal healer might have a way to recognise it. He nodded satisfied. Still, somehow, the bag felt empty. Shouldn't he take something else? What else would you need on such a long journey? Oh, right, food. Never mind that, he can't eat anyway.

Lan Zhan stepped back to look at his belongings. Perfect, he sighed. He took out another set of robes and left the Jingshi to have his last bath in the Gusu springs before departing.

When he returned, clean and dressed, he walked to the table, hung the bag over his shoulder, slung Bichen and Chenqing on his back, and opened the door. He stopped. Turning back, he walked to their bed. Lan Wangji stood beside the bed for quite some time, just staring at the exquisitely divine beauty lying there. He bent down and gently lifted the head, before equally gently pulling off the red ribbon that adorned the silky hair.

I'll take this, A-Ying, to remember you, to comfort myself. I'll only return with the cure, A-Ying. My life's not worth living without you. I won't step inside Gusu without finding the right cure. But I promise I'll come back. Soon.

Lan Zhan said all this in his mind, then lightly pecked the younger's forehead. As he moved his head back, his finger stroked the pale cheek for some time, lost in thought. Lan Zhan suddenly remembered what he prepared for, so he stood straight, nodded to a sleeping Wei Wuxian, and walked towards the open door.

The instant he set foot on the wood beyond the threshold, he felt something slam his back.

Somebody dusted off their hands and cackled as they walked forth towards him from within the room. The someone moved to stand in front of Lan Wangji and crossed his arms before his chest.

"Well, well, Second Young Master Lan, where do you think you're going?" The man's voice was teasing, mischievous as ever. He raised an eyebrow and asked, "Without me?"

Lan Zhan didn't bother to try to move or talk, he knew the feel of the immobilising paper man well enough by now.

Wei Wuxian chuckled. "You dared to leave without me? How naughty of you, Lan-Er-Gege? You deserve a punishment. But first, what's this?"

Wei Wuxian took the bag off the motionless shoulder. He rummaged the contents then looked up, scrunching his nose like a dissatisfied robber. "Just clothes? No food? At least money? You don't want to eat, nor buy the food? Lan Zhan, just where were you headed to?" Wei Wuxian craned his neck to look behind Lan Wangji's back. "Bichen? Chenqing? What are you doing with my Chenqing?" Suddenly, he realised something. "You wouldn't take me, but knew you'd miss me?" He asked, grinning as he saw the red ribbon missing in his hair but occupying Lan Zhan's hand instead. Despite the laughter, deep inside, he melted. Lan Zhan was sneaking off for something serious: why else would he take so many robes, and even his ribbon? But where?

"A-Zhan, where were you going off to?" He asked, his voice now a soft whisper.

Lan Zhan strained to raise an eyebrow.

"Oh, right," Wei Wuxian laughed nervously as he realised Lan Zhan couldn't reply with the spell on him. Wei Ying snapped his fingers and the paper man burst.

Lan Zhan flexed his back and stood straight. While he stretched his body, his thoughts flew around. Wei Ying was back! His A-Ying was back! His heart was finally at peace. "Wei Ying..." his voice trailed off as his world suddenly turned blurry.

"Lan Zhan? What is it?"

Lan Zhan would have to answer soon. "Wei Ying didn't wake up, so I..." Lan Zhan blinked hard. He shook his head several times, forcing his consciousness to hold on.

"Lan Zhan, are you alright?" Wei Wuxian's voice rose in fear and panic with each syllable.

"Wei Ying didn't wake up," Lan Zhan mumbled, "so I was going to find Baoshan Sanren." There, he'd answered A-Ying's question. Lan Zhan felt the world go black as his body began to sway and his feet gave way. He fell, and Wei Ying caught him. His body wasn't unwell, in fact, it was finally calm and tranquil. Wei Ying was back; that's all that mattered, Lan Zhan thought as he let himself succumb to the darkness. 

"Lan Zhan? Lan Zhan! A-Zhan, please wake up! Why do you and I have to keep exchanging sleeping hours?" Wei Wuxian shook his head as he lifted his head towards the sky and shouted "DOCTOR!"

**********

"He's fine."

"Huh? Then what did he fall for?" Wei Wuxian, who had been pacing up and down the Jingshi, asked the Lan physician.

"Of course, this idiot doesn't know," Jiang Cheng retaliated. He had come upon hearing from Jiang Yunxi that Wei Wuxian had recovered.

"What? If I don't know then tell me–!"

"Fine, then I'll tell you. This husband of yours neither ate nor drank nor slept, do you know that?"

"What?!" Wei Wuxian stopped in his tracks.

Jiang Cheng shook his head. "Good, now listen to me. This Lan Wangji of yours, ever since you were found bleeding near your lovers' waterfall, he was all panicked and insecure. He kept staring into space or staring at you. For the first two days, he wouldn't let go of your hand. Said something about 'never letting him go again' but then Xichen persuaded him to get active. So he started researching ways to destroy the Seal, saying it'd end all these problems. For one whole month, this man did that. Either the Lan cook or our Auntie Yue will come in with a soup three times a day, and so far, not once was the second bowl touched. He hadn't eaten at all. Even Xichen knew coaxing would be of no use: Lan Wangji said he lacked appetite. But the way he read books in the morning, all reddened eyes, black underneath them, anyone could tell he didn't even sleep. And you, you idiot, have been in Dreamland for an entire damned month! Then he contacted Wen Qing. He found the cure. Then he waited another week! When you still didn't wake up, where the hell do you think he'd go to as his last resort?" Jiang Cheng was booming now, his voice loud and clear, chastising Wei Ying for his stupidity.

Wei Ying, on the contrary, had lost all his senses.

Each sentence had made him move a step back, on and on until his back hit the wall. By the time Jiang Cheng turned around asking the question, his body had slid down the wall. Wei Wuxian sat there, on the cold, hard floor, curled up into a ball, his silver orbs gleaming, staring at Lan Wangji.

"Tell me! Where?"

Wei Wuxian let out a barely audible whisper. "Grandmaster."

"Right! Baoshan Sanren! And you, of all people, know how easy it is to find her! Nowhere, that's where she is! But this idiotic husband of yours wanted to go find her. And you told us now how he didn't even bother to pack food or money? Well, of course–"

"He didn't have the appetite," Wei Wuxian whispered again.

"Exactly! He's all set to go on a mission to god knows where and what's the first thing you do when you wake up?"

Wei Wuxian sighed.

"You slam his back with a paper man," Jiang Cheng finished, sitting down beside his brother.

Doctor Lan Yuanhua chuckled in a side. To think one was too weak to even walk but ready to go away to an unknown destination, and the other crashes a spell onto the weak back. No wonder Lan Wangji had fainted.

Wei Wuxian felt terrible. His darling had done so much, without food, without rest, and here he was being idiotic.

No, he'd make up for it all. No more tricks on my A-Zhan, he vowed.

"Master Wei, it's fine. Wangji is just tired. Like Sect Leader Jiang said, he'd gone on for a month and a week without food and rest, so his body must be terribly weak. He held on for so long, but might have let go when you woke up. He's peaceful now. A good three days' sleep would do him good. And Madam Fan will send some soup in the meantime, just keep feeding him that. Tell me when he wakes up," the doctor nodded and walked to the door. He suddenly stopped and walked to Wei Wuxian. "Master Wei, can I check on you? To see if you're fully cured."

Wei Wuxian nodded and stood up. He stretched his arm. Doctor Lan checked his pulse — all good and normal — and his fever — which was not there at all. He then pointed his fingers to the forehead and checked his energy. A string of red energy drifted out of Wei Ying's forehead and reached the doctor's finger. The demonic energy was too harsh so the doctor took his hand back quickly. But he was sated: the energy thread was sparkling a bright crimson. Needless to say, Wei Wuxian had cured completely. What else could be expected of the great Wen Qing?

Lan Yuanhua nodded his approval then bowed to the two Jiangs before leaving the Jingshi.

Wei Wuxian sat by his shidi again. Bending his legs, propping his crossed arms on his knees, he sat there with his head on his arms, gazing at his husband. Lan Zhan, ah, Lan Zhan, why are you like this? See, now you worry me. Not eating, nor sleeping, being a bad boy now aren't you? I'll teach you a good lesson. But I promise, no more tricks.

Wei Wuxian couldn't believe how Lan Wangji could be like this. But then again, hadn't he been like this himself? The last time Lan Zhan fell ill?

He chuckled. "He really is an idiot."

Jiang Wanyin smiled. "And so are you," he said to Wei Wuxian, smacking the latter's back.

The two laughed for some minutes, just to relieve themselves from the stress of the past days. They were disturbed by the sound of someone entering the Jingshi again.

"Wanyin! How nice of you! Left the child to me to have a chat?"

Wei Wuxian gawked. What was this scene unfolding before him? There stood Lan Xichen with a baby on his shoulders. And he was staring at Jiang Cheng, who was pursing his lips, embarrassed. 

Jiang Cheng laughed nervously. "Er... Xichen, I'm sorry. But you said you wanted to play with Meilien so I left the two of you and came to see A-Xian!" Jiang Cheng defended himself.

Wei Wuxian burst into laughter. "A-Cheng, since when is my gege Meilien's mother?"

Jiang Cheng was outraged. "YOU!" He shouted and began to chase Wei Wuxian. Lan Xichen smiled. Back then, and even now, it had always been Yanli who made these two fool around like this. Meilien, who was jumping around on her favourite person's shoulders, watched the cat-and-mouse chase joyfully. The Jingshi was raucous with shouts, giggles and laughter.

Wei Wuxian ducked behind Lan Xichen, crying, "Ge! Save me!"

"Oh? From who?" Lan Huan chuckled.

"From that Lunatic in Lilac!"

"You–!"

"Didi, that's a good one!"

"Right? We'll screw the Angry Lotus. Lunatic In Lilac! Lunatic In Lilac!" Wei Wuxian sang as he run in circles around Lan Xichen, who wished his xiongdi was awake to watch the scene.

"Hey, A-Cheng, enough, enough! I want to see my niece!" Wei Wuxian screeched to a stop.

"Fine!" Jiang Wanyin stopped chasing and stopped by the table, before dusting himself down and sitting down comfortably. He poured himself and the other two tea while Lan Xichen and Wei Wuxian seated themselves too.

"Meilien, look who woke up!" Jiang Cheng laughed as he poured the tea.

"Meilien, you're just over two months old but you've grown so much! You were such a tiny baby! Look at you now, all round and jolly!" Wei Wuxian beamed, clapping his hands to beckon the little one. Jiang Meilien looked between Lan Xichen and Wei Wuxian for some time, before entering into Wei Wuxian's grasp. Wei Wuxian hugged her and she giggled. Her father's iciness tended to overcome the brilliant lotus fragrance of a true Jiang, so this warmth felt wonderful to her. 

Both uncle and niece radiated a scent of lotuses, so divine it was an ambrosia to the tired sect leaders.

"Meilien. Who's my good niece?" Wei Wuxian asked in a singsong voice as he swung his red ribbon in front of Meilien's face. She immediately caught it and stroked it for some time. Realising it was a fabric, she yanked it, but to no avail. It just wouldn't tear! She pouted and tossed it back onto Wei Wuxian's face. He scrunched his nose as he caught it and tied it back. Then, bringing Meilien up to his level, he pouted at her. "Meilien's being picky? She doesn't want Wei Shishu's ribbon?"

Lan Xichen and Jiang Wanyin couldn't help but roll eyes at the impeccable sight of uncle and niece conducting a pouting contest.

"Well, what does Meilien want?" Wei Wuxian enquired. The baby girl understood wonderfully. She twisted her head to the table behind her and insistently stared at something.

The three followed her line of sight to a black flute.

"Chenqing?"

"Oh, she must be thinking it's like my Liebing. Careful," Lan Xichen warned, knowing the power of a demonic spiritual tool like Chenqing.

Wei Wuxian picked Chenqing up. Should he let her touch this? A memory flashed across his mind: back when he'd returned from the Burial Mounds, Shijie had touched Chenqing, but it had burnt her. What if it burnt Meilien too?

Wei Wuxian, lost in thought, regained awareness as he felt a tug on his hand. Something was slowly pulling Chenqing away. He looked along his flute to see a tiny hand clenched around its end; two yellow eyes stared at Wei Wuxian, eyes asking for permission.

The three cultivators gasped. Meilien was actually holding Chenqing? How? Why didn't it repel her?

"How come?" Jiang Cheng whispered.

"Has Chenqing ever accepted another before?" Lan Xichen asked, as Wei Wuxian handed Chenqing to Meilien.

"No. Oh yes, actually, Lan Zhan can handle it without issues. But none other than Lan Zhan and me can touch it!" Wei Wuxian was amazed.

"Sizhui? Or the others?"

"No," Wei Wuxian shook his head.

"Wow." Xichen had nothing more to say.

"Is it that..." Jiang Cheng's voice trailed off. How was he to say it?

"That little Meilien's my possible heir?" Wei Wuxian voiced the others' thoughts.

The two looked up at him, eyes wide and surprised.

"Well, possible. It might be destined for her. But no. If she ever insists on that, I'll have to accept. But for the moment, no. No way. My practices are far too dangerous. I can't put her in that risk. She was my Shijie once. I won't let Shijie encounter harm. A-Cheng, you raise her as a pure Jiang. That's all she is for the moment. The future leader of the YunmengJiang sect. Our first female leader. We don't want anything in the way. Even if that hindrance is me. I won't teach her such dark arts. Let her get used to Zidian. Even Liebing is fine. But no," Wei Wuxian shook his head adamantly as he plucked Chenqing from Meilien's hands and placed it back on the table. "Not Chenqing. Not my way. Let her go your way."

He handed her Bichen's sheath to quieten her wails, and Meilien ran her fingers along the patterns for sometime before Wei Wuxian tossed her up and down playfully for a few minutes, then handed her back to Xichen. Jiang Meilien proceeded to play with Xichen's headband. Evidently, she'd forgotten who her real father was. Wei Wuxian chuckled as he stood up. He walked over to the bed and sat beside Lan Zhan.

"I'll stay with him and you guys in peace. I don't want anyone learning my dark arts. I don't want Meilien to inherit the trouble I go through every day." He straightened Lan Zhan's hair as he spoke, "A-Cheng, send me some of our Jiang books. And I think that snake had some dark arts books in his treasure chamber, send them too. I'll read them all. We have to get things over with, soon."

So that even if Meilien did insist on it later, she wouldn't have to bear the pains of being the possessor of this nuisance of a Seal, Wei Wuxian thought. 

**********

Two days later, Wei Wuxian sat in the jingshi, cross-legged on the bed, his legs covered with books. Three books from the Gusu library lay in front of him, along Lan Wangji's sleeping body. Two Jiang books lay on his lap, while a book with golden sheets of drawings and notes scribbled in red ink was in his hand. His eyes moved from book to book, page to page, his hand flipping over a random page every now and then. Yes, Jiang Cheng had remembered right: Wei Wuxian could read six books at once.

As he sat there, reading with furrowed brows, Nie Huaisang came in to inform him that his scouts had found two more leads, and in a few days, they might be able to find the exact location this Luo Qingfei, or MeiRen Sha, was in.

Huaisang came and left. So did the sun. Evening fell as Wei Wuxian rubbed his sore eyes and placed Jin Guangyao's book aside. He looked out through the window at the starry sky. So in a few days, they'd find her. I better find the Answer before that, Wei Wuxian resolved.

"Oh God, help me! Where on earth am I to find it? Well, guess I'll finish this book first," he mumbled as he turned back to the rusted old book.

A draught of wind drifted through the window and over the sleeping Hanguang-Jun. It crept over to the books and whistled past Wei Wuxian's ears as he looked down at the book. The wind turned some pages over leaving the book open at a point two pages before the last. 

Wei Wuxian stared at the title. He read aloud, almost shouting in glee: "In case of a siege: Demolishing the Stygian Tiger Seal!"