" Yes, I have the proof. " Lady Xiuyang claimed firmly.

Anticipation was screaming through the Hall, as mystified eyes stared at her, as a prey anticipates for further attacks from its predator.

" I want to see what proof you have " Lan Xichen demanded. His aplomb did not perish for a single moment.

" Sure sect leader Lan, " The lady said with a smirk.

Lan Wangji - the frozen solemn soul, stared at the scene with dour eyes and glum face, so did Lan Qiren. The three Lans' eyes were bemused, and they avoided each other's eyes deliberately. They didn't dare to... Didn't want to confront the storms that were whirling in each of the Lans' eyes.

But Lan Xichen was still composed - sedated, staid and collected as ever, and waited for the upcoming motion that might, or might not be in his favour. But he is not afraid; Head held high, he gazed at a general direction with confident eyes.

Lady Xiuyang walked towards the centre of the Hall and took a glance at everyone - the gaze lingered on the Jin clan leader for a prolonged moment. The other frowned; though his face was still calm and pleased, the inner turmoil whirling inside him was perceived by the lady, and she smirked.

" I shall expose the true colour of the so-called righteous Lan clan, who claims and charades to be the most virtuous and upright clan, but in reality are pitch black ogres. Their white robes are besmirched with hidden sins " Lady Xiuyang loudly claimed.

The three Lans were so shocked from the intensity of the accusations, that their calm eyes widened in horror. Their muddled minds are whirled with insecurities. The younger jade and the older Lan are not suspecting the elder Lan, but instead, they are waiting for the impending storm they have to face.

Bringing index finger on her lips, lady Xiuyang started chanting whispering spells. Within a moment, a thick swirl of cloud appeared around her and the Hall turned misty. A deluge of spiritual yang energy shrouded the place, and through the translucency of the foggy mist, a bright light illuminated - blinding all the eyes.

The intensity of the mist gradually departed from the room, and the dazzling figure of the lady emerged from the dangling translucency. Her graceful features shone brighter than the sun and she stood with face held high. It was so bright, that the evil eyes could not gaze at its vehemence.

Red and faint black threads of smoke started looming around her and bright cloudy smoke engulfed her surrounding. Among the dazzling luminance, she indeed looked like the heavenly being descended from the fortitude.

Amazed and wondered eyes stared at the scene with awe, but the extreme light could not let the eyes gaze for too long. Murmurs echoed in the Hall, accompanied by astonished exclamations.

As the bright light finally fainted, and the celestial smoke and clouds finally disappeared, a huge golden spectacular gleaming mirror appeared in the air, followed by a wooshing sound and final departure of the spectacular bright light.
The mirror dangled in the air conspicuously. A faint yellow fireball was gleaming at the centre of the smooth mirror surface.

Amazement again found its way through every mind and eye. The mirror envinced a spectacular aura, which transpires the vibe of a heavenly tool. The aura of power this mirror emanated, is capable of motioning any mind to have faith in its ethereality.

" This is the ' Truth demonstrating mirror!" A cultivator exclaimed.

" You are right Gongzi. This is the real truth demonstrating mirror " Lady Xiuyang replied.

The Lans were staring at her with confused eyes.

" This is the real ' Truth demonstrating mirror' ", She declared with a strange glint in her eyes.

" What do you mean? " Lan Wangji asked.

This is the first time he opened his sealed-by-grief mouth, after spending hours with the void silence. His solemn heart is now blemished with a deluxe of anticipation and anguish out of concern for his cherished brother.

" Wait and watch Lan-er-gongzi" The lady assured with a sly smile.

She again whispered chanting spells with closed eyes, and the smooth silvery surface of the mirror emanated blazing luminesce and the small yellow flame that was adorning the surface initially, expanded into a wide blaze - covering the entire mirror surface. Another fist of the dazzling light flashed in the mirror to blind the eyes, and with a final wooshing sound, the luminesce vanished with a waft of air.

The mirror turned black.

Soon, a scene appeared inside the mirror - a portrayal of a very familiar scene.

In the mirror

The tranquil pavilion of Cloud Recess dormitory quarters was embraced by rows of Sakura trees that were standing a few feet away, along the line of the mahogany wooden railing.

Tip tapping sound of brisk and sturdy flow of footsteps was heard from the distance, and the tapping sounds were slowly nearing the third magnolia tree that was vividly visible in the mirror scene.

Lady Xiuyang entered the scene with her usual graceful and attractive confident frame. A sweet mirth was adorning her face, as she looked idyllic for some reason that had successfully been able to cheer her heart. Her pulchritude was gleaming in the soft rays of spring sunlight, making the scene pleasingly beautiful to watch, as she looked like an elegant Sakura.

She was walking briskly, and it seemed that she was in hurry.

Suddenly, Lan Xichen entered the scene. His forehead was fluttering along with the spring Zephyr, and his pure white robe - adorned by hues of blue clouds at the hems and all over the body, swayed in the air like a white splashing cloud. His long inky hair was flowing in the air like strands of ink - held back by his pearly skin. With his smooth, fair and gleaming porcelain skin, and meticulously carved figure, he looked like a painting in motion. A smile was painted on his face, as he stared at the lady while walking with slow and silent steps behind her.

" Lady Xiuyang " He called out in a silvery voice.

Hearing his voice, the Lady halted her steps. Turning around, she bowed before the jade and greeted him with a smile.

"May I know where you are going, Lady? " Lan Xichen asked politely.

" I am going to meet Hanguang-Jun sect leader Lan " She replied in a sprightly tone - a shy pinkness crept through her cheeks.

But Lan Xichen's smile faltered, and he averted his gaze from the lady - eyes seemingly appearing unamused.

" Anything wrong Zewu-jun? How may I help you? " Lady Xiuyang asked with a concern laden tone - confusion smeared on her face.

" Yes. You can help me " Lan Xichen said with eyes swept with a deluge of an eery look. With a pinch of malice in the light brown eyes, he stared at the Lady, and the latter's discomfort from the elder Lan's stare was vividly visible, as she shifted uncomfortably.

" How may I help you, sect leader? " Lady Xiuyang asked while levelling her eyes confidently with the white-robed man.

"You want to know? " Asking in an equally eery voice, Lan Xichen started advancing towards the Lady with light footsteps, and the woman frowned.

" What happened sect leader Lan? You don't seem to be alright. Is anything wrong? " The Lady retreated her steps as the man kept on advancing towards her.

"Call me Xichen." The elder jade said with eyes whirling with malicious intent.

"How could I call you th... Ahh " Before the Lady could finish her words, two strong arms grabbed her shoulder, and pushed her against the wall.

"What are you doing!!! Let me go" She wailed.

"There is no point in wailing Xiuyang, you and I are the only ones present here. Why not use this opportunity to engage ourselves in a pleasurable work? " Lan Xichen started caressing the Lady's beautiful face while tightly grabbing both her wrists - making red marks on them.

"What's wrong with you! Let me go! " She spat out venomously, ad started struggling to free her hands from the utterly tight hold, and from the clutches of the apparently righteous monster.

" Do whatever you want. " Saying this, Lan Xichen flashed an evil smile and started fumbling around the lady's body, while pressing on her tightly against the wall.

" Ahhhhhh..... Let me go... What are you doing!! Let me m h... Mhhh... Mhhh " Suddenly, her wails turned into muffled sounds, since Gusu silencing spell was used on her. Tears started swelling in her eyes, as she frantically tried to get out of the painful and menacing grip of the white-robed ogre.

Lan Xichen scratched with his nail on her shoulder, and a piece of the silky red cloth got ripped apart - exposing her polished gleaming skin blemished with nail scratch. She bellowed out of pain.

Lan Xichen grabbed her with full force and started smooching her neck, as she tried her best to push him away. Her muffled frantic cries of help were smothered by her tightly shut lips from the effect of the silencing spell.

The scene was viewed from the backside of the elder Lan, as the lady's struggling figure was peeking from behind the Jades' broad frame.

Suddenly, Lan Xichen was pushed away violently by lady Xiuyang, and a flash of white ray shooted through him. He staggered a few steps back.

The lady took out her mesmerising spiritual sword and surged towards Lan Xichen. The latter was agile and swift enough to dodge the attack. However, the sword tip brushed against his upper arm - soaking the white robe with a patch of Scarlet.

Lan Xichen seemed utterly displeased. As he was about to catch hold of the lady, the heavenly woman took out a tailsman and vanished from the scene. With another waft of air, the entire scene turned into the void black of the mirror surface.

End of the mirror scene

The hall was silent - as quiet and calm as the parched doldrums - hiding the trepidation of the impending storm.

" I hope everyone is now acquainted with the extreme righteousness of the Lans? " Lady Xiuyang spat out venomously, stressing on the last few words.

Silence was still prevailing in the massive hall.

" It is a sham " Lan Xichen firmly declared. His usual sangfroid was glinting in his eyes and voice - unshakable as the valleys, and as conspicuous as the mountains.

There was neither guilt, nor shame in his eyes, and he stared intently at the lady.

" What happened? Why is everyone silent? Master Lan, will you still deny my accusations? And what happened Zewu-Jun, satisfied with my proof? " Li Xiuyang asked with deride and admonition.

" It is fake " Lan Xichen affirmed with gritted teeth, and rage was boiling like molten lava that is ready to bomb its way through the sealed caldera.

" Fake? Are you trying to assert that a heavenly tool is lying? Are you disregarding the heavens? If it is so, then listen carefully Lan Xichen, you are in no position to ridicule the heaven just to shroud your sins. The heavens will never forgive you " She claimed with a loud voice.

" I don't know, and I don't care whether it is a heavenly tool or not. The scenes shown there are all lies, and it is a sham. I am warning you for the last time Lady Xiuyang, without further conversation, tell the truth - why are you fabricating these burning lies? What are your motives? " Lan Xichen asked in a cold voice. His pleasant smile is now replaced with frost solemnity, and he almost resembled his younger brother.

" Xichen" Lan Qiren called out in a perplexed and aaddled shaky voice.

Lan Xichen, " Shifu, I claim with all confidence that this lady is lying and this is a well-planned conspiracy that is being woven against us. "

Lady Xiuyang, " As I said earlier, you are quite good at acting Zewu-jun. How could you lie so easily? Where is your Lan righteousness? You have tried to rape me, and now you dare deny it? "

Lan Xichen, " Lady Xiuyang, how could you ensure that this mirror is real and not fake? Why should we believe you? "

Lady Xiuyang, " Why? Is it not the same mirror with the help of which you were able to eradicate the evil? That time you didn't bring this question to the table. Why now? Because your own selfishness is involved here? "

Lan Xichen: What do you mean? I am trying to prove your allegations wrong and to prove my innocence against the nasty blaming you are blemishing on me. And, why are you so agitated? If you are confident about the validity of your accusations, then prove it. Why should we believe that you are telling the truth? Is this even the real truth demonstrating mirror?

Lady Xiuyang: Lan Xichen, was this same question not asked already by someone? At that time no one paid heed to his pleas. Then why should you be the exception?

Lady Xiuyang demanded in a commanding tone. Her stern face was accompanied with a smirk, and a certain black fire flame was glinting in her grey orbs.

Lan Xichen frowned, and an unsettled expression was plastered on his face, as he looked visibly confounded. His calm face looked perplexed, and his eyes seemed to be pondering on something.

The cultivators, as well as the three Lans, seemed flustered and staggered. A pair of golden eyes were whirling with unreadable perplexity, and the stoic face was slowly twisting with invisible bemusement.

Lady Xiuyang: What happened? Why are you all now suspecting the extent of the reality of this mirror? should I assume that this cultivation world and those so-called Lans are hypocrites? Everyone believed Jin Guangyao so easily, then why are you all mistrusting me?

An eery quietude collapsed upon the Hall - as if Gusu silencing spell had been imbibed inside every voice, but it was not the case.

" Xichen " Lan Qiren called out to his elder nephew.

" Xichen, whatever she is telling, is a truth or a lie? " Lan Qiren asked strictly.

No response.

Lan Qiren and Lan Wangji frowned, and the former was losing patience with each passing second.

" Why are you not responding! " The old Lan asked furiously.

However, the Lan Xichen did not utter a single word. His lips were tightly shut, as if someone stitched them furtively - covertly from the prying eyes in the Hall, and took away the elder Jade's voice along. The Jade was as silent as the moon and as unmoved as the valley and kept his head hung down like a withered flower. His eyes were teary, and he stared at the ground with stolen eyes.

" Xichen why are you silent? One answer from you is what I demand. Look into my eyes and just say, yes or no? " Lan Qiren was getting irked with the unwanted silence from his nephew.

" Brother? " Lan Wangji called out in a hoarse and jaded voice, and his face was swept by concern and trepidation. His confounded honey eyes were constantly trying to study his brother.

" Brother, why did you suddenly go so silent? She is lying, isn't she? "

No response.

The old Lan and the younger Jade stared at the elder Jade with bewildered eyes. A sinister storm is rampaging their hearts in the silent Hall. The silence of the elder jade seemed like a roaring noise of turmoil in their minds.

White cloud is blemished,
With the mar of lies.
The crevasse in the cold frost

Runs along the slope.
Cascade of impending truth
Are engulfing the hope -
Of the tranquil storm
That was desired to be calm.
A chasm of lies,
Breaking the frost of bond,
The burning lies are crumbling
The truth;
A gale of clash is yet to war,
And it shall break the zing of Ruth.

What do you think? Did Lan Xichen really try to rape her? 🤔

I did a lot of edits and changes in the book - the chapter names, dialogues, paragraphs, etc. I have also added short poems at the end of the chapters. I would love it if you check them out (ㆁᴗㆁ✿)

See you soon (✿❛◡❛)