The lantern ceremony had gone smoothly. After leaving Wangji and SiZhui, I accompanied the disciples for the meal.

Like every time for the occasion, the cooks let their imagination run wild and the dinner was, it must be said, succulent. This year, they had prepared fish with vegetables and rice with bamboo shoots and curry. A real delight.

The dining room, usually so quiet, was filled with words and exchange of opinions on the dishes ... I must admit that all this hubbub was starting to give me a headache. I looked at Uncle. He too didn't seem to be in the mood for all this "ruckus", but he didn't say anything. The day of the lanterns was special.

I couldn't stand the noise and finished my dinner, so I left my uncle and the elders under the pretext of an emergency to be dealt with for the clan alliance. I went out promising myself to do penance for the lie I had just made. I could use a little copying! It had been years since I had done any! I thought with a smile on my face.

Once outside, I took a deep breath in the cool winter air. Outside, the further away from the buildings the quieter it got. I followed the stone walkways and wandered through the various courtyards and gardens. I found myself on the path to the cold spring. The mist was floating over the water. From the top of the bridge, I watched the river meander through the stones and then flow into the pool. I knew that a little further on a narrow passageway gave access to the cold cavern. The memory of the discovery of this particularity of the spring came back to me... as well as another lantern ceremony... it was not so long ago!

I was so happy that day, Wangji had finally found a friend of his age. He was so lonely. He had never talked much, but the death of our mother had finally closed the doors of his heart. I had a hard time keeping myself inside. Of course I knew that he loved me, but he never had any words or gestures to indicate it.

Wei Wuxian was constantly pushing him out of his way and Wangji accepted it. They were opposites of each other and yet they were one...now I knew why.

Wangji considered Wei Wuxian as his soul mate. It's strange because when I think about it, from the very first day, they called each other by their birth names as if they had known each other all their lives...they probably had. In another life, they must have been soul mates!

But how could I, who thought I knew my brother, not see the feelings he had for the Jiang Clan disciple! Was I too focused on my responsibilities and this story of fierce corpses?

I realize now that even back then, I relied entirely on his abilities and sent him on missions to solve problems that other sects were solving with more experienced cultivators. Had I asked too much of him too soon? He had never been a child with childish games or a teenager; he was always so straight, so perfect ... Uncle's pride. All of this must have weighed on him in the end.

And then Wei Wuxian had changed and Wangji had become worried... he had tried to stay by his side to help him... in came. It was then that the breakup occurred and Wei Wuxian left for Yiling. My brother had gone there ... and had suffered the wrath of Uncle when he found out. Strangely, Wangji seemed reassured when he returned ... and then there was the death of Jin Zixuan and the fall of Wei Wuxian. That night in Qishan, I had seen Wangji's face when Wei Wuxian had fallen! I should have known... I should have known what was going to happen ... that break in his soul and heart! But once again, I put my duty to the sect before my brother and lost him .... I know very well that he has not completely forgiven me. I didn't support him as I should have. I left him to fend for himself all his life in the end ... when did I really act like an older brother to him? In the future, I will not make the same mistake. I will listen to what he has to say and support him no matter what it costs me, even if it puts my position at risk.

I left the cold spring and walked up the path. I arrived near the Jingshi. I stopped for a moment. Wangji and SiZhui were in the clearing behind the pavilion, setting up a lantern.

The wind carried their voices to me.

"Father, is it normal for one of the rabbits to wear a headband like ours and the other to wear a red ribbon?"

"Mnn. This lantern carries my wish."

"Father, is this lantern a message for the person you are looking for every night by asking the spirits?"

So Wangji was trying to get in touch with Wei Wuxian every night... It should not have surprised me!

"Father, why didn't you ever get married? Why do you always stay alone?"

Good question, I too would like to know ....even though I suspect it!

"I was married, but I lost my love and no one will be able to take his place at my side."

What did he say? What did he just say? Married? But what was he talking about?

"So let's get your message out father and pray that one day you will find each other."

I watched them light the candle and let the lantern rise to the sky. Tears began to roll down my brother's cheeks.

A red ribbon... Wei Wuxian! Was this who he was talking about when he said he had been married? Had their relationship gone that far? The subject was too intimate for me to discuss with him... but if one day he wanted to talk about it... then I would listen and be there because we are brothers and it is my role to be by his side.

SiZhui slipped his hand into Wangji's.

With a sigh, hands behind my back, I left them and headed back to the Hanshi.

Wangji had started his own family with Wei Wuxian's son. He was no longer alone, another was helping and supporting him, even though he was a child.

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