Chapter 7: Part 7.
Lan Qiren could no longer contain his frustration and shouted, "WHAT'S GOING ON HERE!? Everyone is acting innocent and lying. Madam Jiang, if you know your daughter is unhappy with the marriage, why did you force her to marry Wangji?"
Madam Yu fell silent, and Xichen seized the moment. "Mrs. Jin Yanli, if you had a problem with this marriage, why didn't you tell us-or at least Wangji-before the wedding?"
Yanli lowered her eyes, shame washing over her. "I couldn't; my mother told me not to say anything."
"Jijia! What about me? Why didn't you say anything to me before? Why?" Jiang Cheng's voice trembled as he fought back tears. He was overwhelmed with emotion-sad for Weiying's condition, angry that Yanli had hidden the truth from him, and hurt that she seemed to trust Weiying more than him. Without another word, he turned and left the pavilion.
Lan Qiren then addressed Jiang Fengmian. "If this is true, why don't we search for Jiang Yanli near Jin sect territory?"
Jiang Fengmian explained that they had no idea their daughter was in love with Jin Jixuan. No one believed him; it was clear the entire family had an inkling of where Yanli might be if she ran away-and still blamed Weiying for everything. In Qiren's eyes, Wei Wuxian was equally at fault for trying to protect the wrong people by marrying his younger nephew.
Meanwhile, Wangji stood silently, staring at Weiying's pale body lying lifeless on the bed. The truth of the situation was breaking him beyond expectation. As he turned to leave the pavilion, a heavy breath echoed in the room.
Suddenly, Weiying opened his eyes wide. Wangji rushed toward him, about to call out his name when he saw the shock in Weiying's expression.
"W... Weiying... Wei...ying... No... No please..." Wangji cried out loudly, tears streaming down his face. It was only the second time his brother and uncle had seen him cry like this-the last time being at their mother's death.
The elder called for a healer who rushed inside to check Weiying's pulse but found nothing.
Silence enveloped the room. Yanli fainted in Jin Jixuan's arms, while Madam Yu and Jiang Fengmian were left speechless. Lan Qiren remained silent as well, and Xichen could only watch his brother in anguish as he held Weiying close.
---
The news spread quickly throughout the clan. Jiang Cheng, who had just left the pavilion moments earlier, rushed back inside, tears flowing freely down his face. He fought with Weiying often and harbored jealousy toward him but loved him deeply nonetheless. Now that love poured out in his sorrow as he realized what he had lost.
"It's said that a person's importance in our life can only be realized when they're gone," reflected Jiang Cheng bitterly as he mourned his brother's sacrifice and the moments they'd wasted fighting.
The healer checked on Yanli too and confirmed that both she and her child were safe; she had fainted from stress. But would Yanli ever forgive herself after this?
Jin Jixuan took Yanli away from the chaos, severing ties with Madam Yu and Jiang Fengmian. He wasn't one to do that lightly, but if it meant protecting his child from harm due to her parents' actions, he would do whatever it took.
Madam Yu was left shattered as Jixuan took Yanli away, her cries echoing in the silence of the room.
Jiang Cheng also declared he wouldn't address her as "mother" again, breaking Madam Yu completely.
---
Another knock on the door jolted Wangji from his thoughts.
He steeled himself and opened the door to join the others for night hunting.
Lan Qiren and many elders insisted Wangji marry again, but he was unwilling. Every night he played "guqin" in Weiying's room where he used to stay during his seclusion. Wangji remained lost in thoughts of Weiying while playing-using music as a way to communicate with his soul and ask for forgiveness.
He knew Weiying loved him; after all, Weiying had written everything in a journal during his time in seclusion-a journal Wangji had asked a junior servant to retrieve for him.
---
Years passed without change in Wangji's life. Now a renowned cultivator known not only for his skills but also for the story of his late husband, people often spoke of how he never remarried and devoted his life solely to Weiying's memory.
Now in his early sixties, Wangji continued to play "guqin" for Weiying every night. Tonight felt especially cold as he sat in the place where Weiying once stayed. Everything remained untouched since his departure; it looked exactly as it had during their time together.
A smile broke through Wangji's somber expression as he played a few final notes of their song before closing his eyes. His head slowly fell onto the guqin-a peaceful end that Xichen would discover when morning arrived.
Xichen made sure Wangji's body was buried near Weiying's grave; it was something Wangji had once expressed to him.
---
A memorial for them was erected within Lan boundaries-exactly where they had lived their lives together.
In their honor, many laws were changed regarding marriage in the cultivation world after their deaths-a testament to their enduring love that would never be forgotten.
:Which had been read out loud at the Clan meeting.:
'No bride is allowed to cover more than her half face with a veil.'
'If there's disputes in husband and wife relationship, that can't be solved, they can apply for divorce.'
'In any hearing at least six elders should be present and both bride and groom's side would be discussed.'
'Both bride and groom family should be presented and both the parties have an equal right to speak and present their evidence.'
'If divorce happened, right to second marriage will be given to both bride and groom, where groom can marry an another girl after 6 months from divorce and bride after 2 years of divorce.'
'Not before and after hearing, and family had a right to torture any person in any way.'
'The Right to food and water, The Right to sanitation will be imposed and can't be taken away even from criminals!'
And a few more laws were made.
---
Five years after Weiying's death, Jiang Fengmian passed away from illness, followed two months later by Madam Yu. Their deaths marked a significant turning point for the Jiang Clan. Jiang Cheng stepped up as the new sect leader, carrying the weight of his family's legacy and the memories of his brother. He kept Weiying's flute as a cherished memento, a reminder of their bond and the sacrifices made.
Meanwhile, Jiang Yanli welcomed two children five months after Weiying's passing. She named them A-Xian and A-Rulan, honoring her brother with A-Xian and choosing A-Rulan based on a name Weiying had once suggested during a conversation about their future in Lotus Pier.
As time went on, Lan Xichen, now the sect leader of the Lan Clan, took decisive action against the elders who had contributed to Weiying's suffering. He dismissed those who had blamed Weiying for his condition from speaking on family matters and removed several from their positions in sect decisions due to their cruelty and inhumanity toward Wei Wuxian, the late Lan Furen.
The changes in laws regarding marriage and relationships in the cultivation world were profound. Many lives were altered as a result, with numerous visitors coming to the memorial for Wangji and Weiying. Young couples often visited to pay their respects, ensuring that the story of Wangxian would never be forgotten-a tale of love that transcended even death.
---
Beloved beyond the end...
THE END.
Not all love stories are remembered for their happy endings; some are etched into memory for their tragic sacrifices. Not every narrative brings joy; some evoke tears that linger forever. Across the globe, countless love stories exist, but it's those incomplete yet incomparable tales that resonate most deeply-where love is revered, where lovers are caught in the throes of fate.
Even when battles are lost, victories remain. In people's hearts, those who have departed continue to live on. I believe that when a story stays alive in people's hearts, it becomes immortal.
Just like Romeo and Juliet, they are remembered not because they were together but because their love was genuine-a love that endures long after their passing.
---
Years later, Wangji became a renowned cultivator not just for his skills but also for the poignant story of his late husband. People often spoke of how he never remarried and devoted his life solely to Weiying's memory.
Now in his early sixties, Wangji continued to play "guqin" every night for Weiying. Tonight felt particularly cold as he sat in the place where Weiying once stayed. Everything remained untouched since his departure; it looked exactly as it had during their time together.
A smile broke through Wangji's somber expression as he played a few final notes of their song before closing his eyes. His head slowly fell onto the guqin-a peaceful end that Xichen would discover when morning arrived.
Xichen ensured Wangji was buried near Weiying's grave, fulfilling his brother's wish.
A memorial for them was erected within Lan boundaries-exactly where they had lived their lives together.
In their honor, many laws were changed regarding marriage in the cultivation world after their deaths-a testament to their enduring love that would never be forgotten.