Beloved Beyond the End! Wangxian...

"Wangji," Xichen called, his voice steady yet filled with concern. "How's Master Wei?"

Wangji lowered his head, struggling to find the words. He felt a knot tighten in his chest, unable to articulate the turmoil within him. His brother, attuned to his emotions, noticed the worry etched on Wangji's face-something only Lan Xichen could read like an open book.

"Wangji, don't worry. It's not your fault," Xichen reassured him gently. "I'm sorry you have to go through this. Whatever happened to Master Wei is their doing; he shouldn't have put himself in that position."

Before Xichen could finish, Wangji interrupted, "Brother, do you think he's hiding something?"

Xichen studied Wangji for a moment before responding. "Do you mean that the Jiangs forced him into this marriage?"

Wangji shook his head. "Their worries seem genuine."

Xichen nodded thoughtfully. "Don't dwell on it too much. I'm here to check on Master Wei's condition to inform Uncle and the elders. Yu Ziyuan is furious and wants answers."

Wangji nodded in understanding as Xichen entered the pavilion. He turned away, seeking solitude in the Jingshi. Inside, he began to meditate, yet his mind was a tempest of thoughts about Weiying. *What are these feelings?* he pondered. He resolved that he would be the first to speak with Weiying when he woke up, despite knowing how difficult it would be for him-his communication skills were worse than those of a five-year-old when it came to emotional conversations.

After a few minutes, Weiying stirred awake, unaware of the shocking announcement waiting for him.

The healer entered the pavilion and noticed Weiying staring blankly at the ceiling. Approaching him, the healer checked his condition and advised him to rest. Weiying sensed the healer's displeasure at his presence; it felt as though everyone hated him now-not just Madam Yu but others too.

*They'll learn my secret,* he thought bitterly, knowing it would hurt them deeply. But for now, he decided to remain silent until he felt it was the right time to reveal everything.

After checking on Weiying, the healer headed toward the Jingshi as Lan Wangji had instructed him to notify him first when Weiying regained consciousness. He knocked on the door, and Wangji opened it immediately, recognizing it was the healer-no one else dared approach.

The healer bowed slightly and informed him of Weiying's awakening.

Wangji nodded curtly and followed the healer back to the pavilion, instructing everyone not to disturb until he emerged. As he stepped inside again, anticipation and anxiety coursed through him; he was ready to face whatever lay ahead with Weiying.

Wangji entered the pavilion and settled onto the stool beside Weiying's bed. "Um," he said softly, prompting Weiying to open his eyes and look towards him. Attempting to sit up, he struggled, and Wangji quickly helped him by placing a pillow behind his back.

Once comfortable, Weiying turned to Wangji and offered a short bow in greeting. Wangji nodded in acknowledgment, his expression serious. "I would like to have some words with you before anyone else asks again."

Weiying took a deep breath, masking his unease. "How can I entertain Second Master Lan?"

Wangji tightened his grip on Bichen, his voice steady yet probing. "I would like to ask you if you married me of your own will."

Weiying hesitated for a moment before responding, "Yes."

"Does this have anything to do with Miss Jiang's disappearance?" Wangji pressed.

Weiying nodded, then shook his head, leaving Wangji more puzzled than before. Frustrated but determined to get answers, Wangji shifted tactics. "Do you have anything to do with Jiang Yanli's missing?"

To this, Weiying nodded again, surprising Wangji but he maintained his composure.

"Why did you marry me?" Wangji asked, his patience wearing thin.

Weiying glared at him, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "Don't you think, Second Master Lan, that you should have asked about this before dragging me into the hall by my hair and insulting me and my family?"

Wangji felt anger rise within him as he retorted coldly, "I asked! I asked where Lady Jiang was and why you were here! You didn't answer then, and you're not answering now."

Weiying lowered his head, tears brimming in his eyes as he realized the truth—this was his fault. Wangji had given him opportunities to speak before; he was still offering one now. Yet here he was, hiding the truth.

Seeing Weiying cry broke something in Wangji. He softened, passing a handkerchief to Weiying as he stood. "Uncle has decided to keep you in seclusion—not a normal one. The rules will be different for you as punishment. If there's anything you want to say, I'm ready to listen."

He created a butterfly message using his spiritual energy and handed it to Weiying. "While transferring your spiritual energy into it, read the message you want to deliver. It will fly to me; I'll come personally if you decide to speak."

With that, he left the pavilion and made his way to the main hall.

In the main hall, Madam Yu glared like a storm ready to unleash her fury upon Weiying. Jiang Cheng sat silently in the corner, unable to escape Yu Ziyuan's wrath after trying to intervene during Weiying's punishment.

"Wangji! You didn't bring Wei Wuxian with you?" Lan Qiran asked in an annoyed tone.

Wangji bowed his head respectfully but avoided eye contact with his uncle. "The healers said his health isn't suitable for coming now; we should let him rest for a few more hours." It was a lie—his first lie to his uncle—and it felt heavy on his conscience.

Yu Ziyuan erupted with anger. "What do you mean!? I want to know where my daughter is! Let me meet him! I don't care what those healers say; I want my daughter's location—that's all!"

As Madam Yu's shouts echoed through the hall, Wangji felt the weight of the situation press down on him. It was clear that everyone was against Weiying, yet his heart whispered something different. Conflicted, he grappled with feelings of disappointment in himself and anger at those around him—should he be angry at Weiying for withholding the truth, at the Jiangs for their outbursts, or at himself for feeling so helpless? Emotionally broken, he felt like a sadhu, devoid of love yet yearning for a family he had never truly known.

He composed himself and glanced at his brother, Lan Xichen, who was striving to restore order. Wangji knew Xichen could see through his façade; he had lied about Weiying's condition, and it was evident that something serious lay beneath the surface.

"Sect Leader Jiang and Lan Jiang," Xichen began, his voice steady but compassionate. "We understand your worries. We're all facing this difficulty together. We don't know where your daughter is, but I believe she is safe wherever she may be. I think it's best if we let Wangji speak with him; if he claims to have married him willingly, perhaps he will reveal the truth."

Just then, an elder of the Lan Clan spoke up. "I believe punishment is the best way to make him speak."

Lan Qiran stroked his beard thoughtfully. "You're right; if he isn't punished, he won't talk. But we can't beat him anymore or he'll die before we get any answers."

"Let's proceed with the punishment we decided earlier," another elder suggested. "It will break him down and force him to open his mouth."

Wangji's heart sank at the thought of further tormenting Weiying. He felt a surge of protectiveness rise within him, battling against the cold logic of clan traditions. *This isn't right,* he thought, but felt powerless to voice his dissent amidst the clamor of anger and fear surrounding them.