Lan XiChen had decided to stay back with Nie Huaisang in the Unclean Realm, to aid in finding out more about the mysterious black robed sect and the slashed faced man. Now they had a name to put to the face, things were getting interesting.

He hugged Lan Zhan as they were about to set off, a convoy of several horseback travellers and Wei Ying in the carriage. He insisted on Jin Ling accompanying him, who grumbled loudly.

"But it's fitting for the young mistress." JingYi grinned, earning a scowl.

"Be safe. Send word when you reach Lotus Pier." XiChen told them.

Wei Ying waited a while until they were alone inside the carriage, wanting to address his own concerns for Jin Ling.

"Are you really all right? You know you can tell me anything," he prodded.

"I'm fine now, Uncle Wei. Just...when it happened...all those people..." He sighed. "I didn't have time to panic, you know?"

Wei Ying patted his hand. He could sit up now, which was a small consolation compared to the undignified position of lying on his front. The healer had sent painkillers which he steadily chugged down regularly.

*****

Three days later, they arrived at Lotus Pier. This place was beginning to feel bittersweet to Wei Ying now. Forgetting the past was one thing, but he knew he would have to face his Shijie at some point, and he was dreading what she might have to say to him.

His last visit had ended so abruptly that he had successfully avoided visiting her; now that both he and Lan Zhan were here, it was a definite probability. Plus it would be the least thing he could do for Jin Ling.

So he sighed and dramatically fell on his bed, immediately regretting it at the surge of pain it caused. Lan Zhan noticed, of course. He silently mixed another batch of the healer's vile concoction and handed it over. Wei Ying took it, drank it and grimaced, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.

"We should go to the library." He showed no sign of actually getting up.

"Mn. Rest for now. I will bring books later." Lan Zhan covered him with a blanket and sat with him until he passed out, still hesitating.

*****

Jin Ling brought them the box in the early evening. They gathered around, excited at the prospect of finding something relevant to their current problems.

Wei Ying examined it first. It was made out of a deep mahogany wood. No joins indicated the separation of a lid, no hole to put a key, although it felt excessively heavy for a wooden object that was at least partially hollow. For there was definitely something inside, in fact, Wei Ying was ready to put money down that there were two items inside it. One was a hard noise, the second, a shuffling sound when he shook it carefully.

Next came the talisman challenge. They tried the one for opening secret things, the one to show hidden doors, the one to illuminate, but other than a fine silvery glow appearing, they were all useless.

When it became too late for them to continue, and Wei Ying had yawned for the third time, Lan Zhan pushed everyone out wordlessly and forced him to go to sleep ( having to exchange a few kisses in return).

*****

The same richly dressed lady appeared. This time, Wei Ying was aware he was dreaming, and as he had an idea who she was, he bowed.

Again, she presented him with another flat peach. "Pantao." She said.

Then, with a wave of her staff behind her, the scene changed. Rows and rows of peach trees laden with their fruit appeared. People worked on harvesting the crop, some carrying baskets, others up ladders filling them.

The scene changed once again to show long tables arranged at a banquet. Peaches were piled high on silver and gold platters all along the lengths. But then, a few people dressed like the workers he had seen previously, approached the tables, looked around before taking a handful of peaches and hiding them in their robes, then rearranging the platters to look as if none were missing. Suddenly, a cry alerted others, the ensuing commotion resulting in these people fleeing away, afraid.

Wei Ying woke with a gasp, his heart pounding, confused at what he had just seen. Lan Zhan remained undisturbed, and Wei Ying was glad for that at least. He was all too aware of Lan Zhan's vigilance during the past few weeks; he did not want to wake him unnecessarily.

Silently, he crawled as lightly as he could, over him. He grabbed an outer robe and opened the door to where he knew Wen Ning was waiting.

"Another dream," he sighed, answering the unspoken question in his eyes.

Wei Ying sat down on the familiar steps next to him, shoulder to shoulder.

"Do you want to tell me?"

He did. But afterwards, Wen Ning had no idea what it could mean either.

"I bet the Queen of the West is wishing she had picked someone smarter."

Wen Ning grinned.

"I used to sit on this roof when I was a kid, looking at the stars." He said, suddenly. "Shijie would tell me off every time. She was scared I'd fall off after drinking so much, but honestly, it was so comfortable."

There was a crash in the room behind them, before a disheveled Lan Zhan stumbled out, his hair loose, robes hurriedly thrown on, still half asleep.

Wei Ying stood up to steady him, seeing the blatant relief in his eyes.

"I woke up, you were gone!"

"Hush, it's alright. I'm here." Wei Ying smiled apologetically at both men.

He led Lan Zhan back into the room. They were just going to sleep when Wei Ying stopped. He stared at the box and pointed at it to Lan Zhan.

Moonlight shone on the box, it's pearlescent glow illuminating a line of writing. Wei Ying grabbed a brush and a piece of parchment, copying the text quickly.

"Wow! Moon Writing!" He said, gleefully. "I didn't even think of that!"

Lan Zhan smiled at him sleepily. "Wei Ying is amazing."

Wei Ying grinned back and reluctantly returned them both to bed.