Lan Zhan frowned at their guest.

So far, he had learned that Jiang Cheng used to pull Wei Ying's blanket off to wake him up, which to him, was the behaviour of savages, plus it had been done to his Wei Ying, which was simply unacceptable. And Jiang Cheng had been eyeing up something clearly not for his consumption, and even if Lan Zhan had intervened, it did not excuse the fault.

Thirdly, he was asking them to attend a meeting which would delay their visit to Healer Fei, which was also yet another unacceptable thing in Lan Zhan’s opinion.

"We have to go and see the healers. Before the meeting. Kindly relay the reason for our delay to Xiongzhang." His gaze was unwavering.

"But Lan-"

Lan Zhan silenced him with one look. One that said, you promised...

Wei Ying shut up and looked at his hands.

"You said it wasn't serious!" Accused Jiang Cheng, glaring at his brother.

"Well, that's the thing. It might be?" Wei Ying hedged.

Lan Zhan pinched him.

"Ow! Alright, alright." Wei Ying scowled. "We're not sure what's wrong with me, but I keep falling asleep, for long periods of time. Like last night...or whenever it was, and I fell asleep for...?" He looked at Lan Zhan, sure that the Jade could provide an answer.

"Sixteen hours." Lan Zhan replied.

"Sixteen?" Jiang Cheng gave a low whistle. "Anything else?"

"There was loss of appetite a while back, but that's gone. Now it's just lethargy, lack of strength and feeling tired."

"And you did all the checks, right? Meridians, Qi, core?"

Lan Zhan glared back with a what-do-you-think look.

Wei Ying was getting pissed off with both of them talking about him, and not letting him join in.

"Since when are you a doctor?" He said testily, glowering.

"Since I became Sect Leader. It's synonymous for Doctor, father figure, in some cases, mother, trainer, and psychiatrist...whatever is needed." Jiang Cheng fired back.

"Then why aren't you there?" Wei Ying asked, pointedly.

"Good question." Lan Zhan supplied. It was well known how he felt about the Purple Grape.

"It's called delegation. You two should think about that..." Jiang Cheng sounded smug.

"Wow...what a great idea!" Wei Ying deadpanned. "Why didn't I think of that?"

"Because Wei Ying isn't stupid." Lan Zhan stared back at Jiang Cheng icily.

"You know, I have better things to do than to just sit here and take this..." Jiang Cheng stood up. "I'll see you guys in the library. And don't take too long." He stomped off.

Wei Ying copied his speech in a higher pitch, making snarky faces. "It's not like we're going there for fun..."

Lan Zhan poured some fresh hot tea for him.

"We will go once Wei Ying has finished this."

Wei Ying wanted to be petulant but he remembered how Lan Zhan had made an effort to pacify his feelings by making him moon cakes. So he sighed and drank the tea.

"Good boy." Lan Zhan kissed his temple. "Come children. You can stay with Grumple until we come to collect you." He stood up still carrying Wei Ying, while Li XiWang opened and closed the door of the Jingshi.

"I can walk..." Wei Ying said, hoping Lan Zhan would agree.

Of course, it was too much to hope for.

Lan Zhan scooped him up with a soft smile.

"Wei Ying promised."

"You know, that's going to get old, real quick."

But the moment the cold breeze hit them, Wei Ying burrowed into warmer robes with an endearing whine, one that had Lan Zhan holding him closer.

Uncle Qiren opened the door before they reached his threshold, and welcomed them in, but Lan Zhan remained outside, not letting go of Wei Ying.

"We are going to Healer Fei. Will come and collect children after meeting with Xiongzhang." He told his uncle.

Uncle Qiren looked at Wei Ying, who could not stop his blushing.

"Let him look after you." He said, after a few moments had gone by.

Wei Ying had been ready to make a smart comment but the words died on his lips at the concern in Uncle Qiren’s face.

"Yes, Uncle." He tilted his head respectfully from where he was, as did Lan Zhan who was impatient to leave.

Some kind of trepidation must have shown on Wei Ying's face, because Lan Zhan paused outside the doors of the infirmary. Wei Ying had been unconsciously clinging onto his robes with a tightening grip, and looking anxiously at those doors, and when they stopped, he looked back at Lan Zhan.

Lan Zhan was gazing at his face, his golden eyes softer than ever before. Infinite, unconditional love glowed from his whole self, as if trying to lend Wei Ying strength for what was to come.

"I know Wei Ying does not wish to go inside. But please, do it for me."

Wei Ying bit his lip to stop it from trembling. He reached up and hugged Lan Zhan fully, pressing their hearts together.

"Anything. I would do anything for us." He leaned back only so far as to touch his lips to Lan Zhan’s, kissing him with every inch of courage he could muster.

Lan Zhan kissed him back, empowering this brave man, speaking without words to show him how much Wei Ying meant to him. How proud he was of his husband, and to reassure him that it wasn’t going to be as bad as he thought.

They rested their foreheads together, breathing heavily. Their breath was little puffs of steam in the cold afternoon sun, as warm as it was going to get.

"It's going to be alright, my love. Healer Fei knows what he's doing. I bet he'll have a cure just waiting for me in there." Wei Ying said, though neither was sure if the words for Lan Zhan or himself.

"Mn."

Lan Zhan did not delay any further and walked into the infirmary.

Healer Fei was already there, and did not have to be called in specially. He turned to see Lan Zhan place Wei Ying on the empty bed behind him. He came straight away and pinned Wei Ying with an intense stare. Grabbing his wrist, he checked Wei Ying's pulse immediately.

"What new mischief have you gotten up to now, Young Master?" His tone was almost fond.

Through the few interactions they had in the past, both had developed a strong respect for each other's capabilities, each surprising the other with the way they thought. And Healer Fei knew Wei Ying abhorred the infirmary if he was its guest.

Lan Zhan didn't wait for Wei Ying to respond, he just ran down the list of symptoms as if they were ingrained.

"Sixteen hours, you say?" Healer Fei scratched his chin, deep in thought. "And the tonic taken by the demon did not help?"

"Only for a short while. Then the fatigue returned."

For the next half hour, Wei Ying was poked and prodded and examined, all under the watchful eye of his husband, who intensely disliked anyone else touching his Wei Ying, but was willing to suffer it as long as they got results.

Healer Fei was particularly interested in Wei Ying's back, but Lan Zhan stopped him from touching the golden rippling scales, or the wings that burst out to cover him up, a natural reflex.

"You will summon the one who gave those to him." He warned.

Healer Fei's face was priceless with his shock.

"I must admit, I have never had the good fortune to come across a case like this. For now, drink this." He thrust a cup of foul smelling liquid towards Wei Ying. "And I'll let you know as soon as I have something for you."

Lan Zhan slapped a talisman on the cup and Wei Ying smiled at him gratefully before downing the contents willingly.

"What was that?" Healer Fei inquired, full of curiosity.

And he beamed, transforming his stern features, when he heard that the talisman was for making medicine taste better.

"Well then, whenever you have time, can you make some more of them for us? You won't believe the trouble we have to put up with, in uncooperative patients."

"Or....or you could just make it taste better yourself!" Wei Ying suggested, wiping the back of his mouth distastefully.

The medicine hadn't tasted bad at all; a curious mix of Emperor's Smile and spicy sandalwood...but just the thought of it at all was enough to raise his hackles.

"Not always possible with the ingredients we have to use." Healer Fei chided.

Lan Zhan lifted Wei Ying into his arms, a little concerned when this time, Wei Ying did not protest, instead snuggling up to him and closing his eyes.

"How long before you will know?" He asked, already walking away.

"A few days. I'll let you know." Healer Fei called out, a fond smile in place for the Second Jade and his husband.