Xichen could not believe his eyes and neither could MingJue who was next to him! Lan Wangji had died at the same time as Wei Wuxian 3 years before! How was it possible that they were both alive. Wei Wuxian had been reduced to ashes and Wangji lay in a coffin in the middle of what had been their clan headquarters in Gusu!

"Lan Xichen, can we, put him out of sight. I don't like to see him like this. He wouldn't like it himself!

"Come into my tent."

Lan Xichen beckoned him to follow and led him to a respectable-sized tent. The interior was simple but refined, just like the former Lan clan leader.

Wei Wuxian gently laid Lan Zhan on the bed. He carefully pulled aside the cloak's flaps and uncovered the countless wounds.

Xichen placed a bowl of clean water next to him, along with some clean cloths. Tears streamed down his cheeks.

Wei Wuxian wondered if he was crying to see his brother alive again or because of the wounds he had sustained, or both!

Two knocks were struck on the tent post. The face of the man who entered was known to Wei Wuxian: Song Chang, the chief physician of the Lan clan! He paused when he saw who was sitting on the bed. Then his gaze fell on the injured man. His face showed amazement.

"Song Chang, Wangji needs you. Please help him," said Wei Wuxian.

Song Chang approached. He frowned when he saw the injured man's deplorable condition. He placed the equipment he had brought on the table next to the bed. He sat down on the other side and began to gently remove the shreds of cloth.

"What can I do to help you?" asked Wei Ying. Song Chang looked at him and finally said

Song Chang looked at him and finally said, "Soak the pieces of cloth stuck to the wounds. Lan Xichen, can you wash his body as gently as possible?".

The three men went to work. With so little clothing left, the shreds of cloth were quickly removed. When Lan Zhan's body was completely undressed and washed. Wei Wuxian laid a sheet over the lower part of his anatomy to preserve his modesty, even though he was unconscious!

Now the wounds were clearly visible. One could see different stages of healing. The spiritual energy, once released, had done its work. The less serious wounds had healed. The others were healing well. Only three of them seemed to worry Song Chang. One on the stomach, the second on the shoulder and the third on the base of the back at the level of the spine.

Lan Xichen had gone to look for the clothes composed of a tunic and a half-long pants. After cleaning the wounds with a herbal lotion, Song Chang put bandages on the most serious wounds. Wei Wuxian slipped his arm around Lan Zhan's shoulder blades and, with Xichen's help, put on the robe. They could not put on the pants because the belt fell over the wound on his back.

Wei Wuxian put Lan Zhan back in the bed and folded the sheet over him. To the astonishment of those present, he put his lips to his forehead.

"He said to Song Chang, who seemed petrified. Xichen seemed to be in the same state!

"What? Don't you ever check for fever this way?"

"Not that I know of!" the doctor said.

"This gesture is, to say the least, intimate," added Xichen.

"Forgive me if I have shocked you! But where we come from, it is commonplace. I'll try to remember that in the future.

Wei Wuxian looked at his soul mate. He still looked better. Only his hair was left... he noticed that he was no longer wearing his headband!

Song Chang tried to make him drink a potion, but Lan Zhan's jaw was so tight that he couldn't get the liquid down his throat. Wei Wuxian hesitated and finally took the cup.

"Lan Gongzi, doctor, can you, turn around?"

"¨Why? You may need help getting it down his throat!"

"Lan Gongzi! If I ask you to turn around it means I might shock you again, so a word of advice turn around!"

The tone used by Wei Wuxian left no doubt. Xichen and Song Chang looked at each other and then turned away. Wei Ying took a sip of potion and leaned in to kiss Lan Zhan. Lan Zhan, even when unconscious, recognized her touch and parted his lips. Wei Ying let the liquid flow down his throat. He took another sip and continued until the cup was empty. Lan Xichen turned slightly and saw the indecent way in which Wei Wuxian administered the treatment to his younger brother Wangji.

"Lan Xichen, I told you not to look, now you are shocked again!

"He drank the whole potion?" asked Song Chang unaware of what had just happened.

"Yes, now he needs rest. Doctor, do you think he'll stay asleep for long?"

"It's hard to say. It all depends on him and his resistance. For the moment, the wound that worries me the most is the one on his back. It's so close to his spine that I'm afraid he won't be able to walk!"

Wei Ying felt the blood recede from his face. No, it was impossible; Lan Zhan could not stop walking. No! He was stronger than that!

"Doctor, you don't know Lan Zhan, he could have been born in the Jiang clan, because he is very good at "Achieving the impossible"! Nothing can stop him.

"You seem to be sure of yourself, but his wound indicates otherwise.

"Doctor, believe me.

"Well, I'm going to take care of the other wounded, keep an eye on him. And if there is any problem, come and get me!

"Mnn, uh, is that all?"

"What more do you want me to do, except wait for him to wake up?".

"Probably nothing... more! Wei Ying made a face that did not escape Lan Xichen's notice.

When Song Chang came out, he turned to the injured man. Then his gaze returned to Wei Wuxian.

"Well, now tell me, who are you two really?

"Eight days ago, Lan Zhan and I were returning to Gusu after spending a week with my nephew in Jinlintai, when we were attacked just before entering the gate of YunShen Buzhi. I was injured and our attackers took Lan Zhan away. I managed to follow them. I saw them go through some kind of passage, so I jumped in before it closed. I arrived here and at this moment, I still don't know where this place is!"

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)