[Mo Dao Zu Shi Fanfiction] I Raise A Ying in Yiling

Ever since seeing off Lady Yan, who brought good news, Wei Chaoyan would inexplicably fall into a strange and happy mood from time to time. Whenever this happened, she would let out a creepy, silly laugh that would give anyone goosebumps.

Of course, if there were any modern-day fans of the Wei Wuxian/WangXian pairing who were completely obsessed with it, they would immediately understand why Wei Chaoyan is in such a state. However, the real Wei Wuxian/WangXian, Wei Ying, hasn't even entered your fold yet, and the other protagonist is still hiding in the Cloud Recesses, a place of uncharted territories, without a trace. For you to be so obsessed with this pairing in broad daylight is truly baffling.

Stimulated by Qi Ye's disdainful expression, Wei Chaoyan snapped out of her daze and awkwardly made a self-deprecating remark. Then, she composed herself and grabbed Qi Ye, this embarrassing brat, to begin today's character learning.

After teaching the day's lessons, Wei Chaoyan asked Qi Ye to take Qingyan to play in the courtyard for a while. Once Qingyan fell asleep, she would go to her study to review the characters she had learned over the past few days. Meanwhile, she returned to her embroidery room and began carefully designing the composition of the embroidery pattern she wanted to create. Because she wanted this embroidery to fetch a good price, it was quite long, with diverse elements and a novel composition. Therefore, she needed to put in more effort and be more careful to complete the work.

In the following days, aside from her daily morning exercises, studies, and cooking, Wei Chaoyan focused all her time on figuring out how to draw embroidery patterns. Even Qingyan was mostly cared for and entertained by Qiye. As a result, Wei Chaoyan didn't have time to overthink anything, and time slipped by like flowing water without causing a ripple.

The weather was perfect that day; the sun shone brightly, its golden rays dispelling much of the chill that had lingered in the recent winter. Seeing the pleasant weather, Wei Chaoyan moved her easel to a large tree in the courtyard, sat down on a stool, and began sketching the flower design she had already conceived. Qi Ye, who was reading to Qingyan in the study, saw her older sister doing the same and followed suit, taking out a book to read and casually handing Qingyan a difficult Luban lock to play with.

So, in the small courtyard, under a large tree that still had many leaves on its canopy, the three people sat basking in the rare sunshine. One was drawing flower patterns, the other was reading, and the other was playing with Luban locks. They were all doing their own thing, yet they got along very well. Such a warm scene made time seem reluctant to disturb it and slowed its pace.

A few birdsongs suddenly rang out from the outermost corner of the courtyard. Startled awake, Wei Chaoyan abruptly raised her head, her eyes lighting up with surprise. She knew that Lady Yan's people had arrived.

Filled with a strange anticipation, Wei Chaoyan gently comforted the equally startled Qi Ye, telling him to continue reading. She then ran as fast as she could to a hidden side door at the back of the house (left by the previous owner; Wei Chaoyan didn't know its purpose, only discovering it by chance while cleaning cobwebs in the corner of the back door that day. At the time, she didn't think much of it, just that the door was exceptionally well-hidden. When Lady Yan came to make a reservation that day, she had asked if there was a discreet way to enter the house, and Wei Chaoyan had told Lady Yan about this place, agreeing that the sound of birds would be a signal for her to notify her when her person arrived at the side door to open it).

Wei Chaoyan stretched out her nervous, trembling hand and quickly pulled open the wooden door. As soon as the door opened halfway, a middle-aged man dressed in inconspicuous gray linen clothes rushed into the room, carrying a ragged child whose face was obscured.

Seeing this, Wei Chaoyan's hand involuntarily slammed the half-open door shut. The man didn't waste any words and directly handed the child in his arms to Wei Chaoyan. Seeing her reflexively take the child, a smile appeared on his ordinary, unremarkable face. He nodded and said, "The child has been delivered safely, and the other potential problems have been resolved. You can go to the county government office to handle the household registration procedures for him later. We've taken care of everything. We've fulfilled your request, and we hope you can fulfill ours as soon as possible!"

After finishing his long speech without pausing, the man nodded to indicate his departure and swiftly flipped over the wall to leave.

Watching the man's series of actions, Wei Chaoyan was somewhat dazed. Only the warmth of the person in her arms told her that she wasn't dreaming. Realizing that she was holding the very Wei Ying she had longed for and sought day and night, Wei Chaoyan almost let out a high-pitched scream of excitement. Fortunately, she reacted quickly and pulled one hand to cover her wide-open mouth. Otherwise, such a loud scream would have definitely frightened her younger brothers in the yard and Wei Ying in her arms, and would have also alerted the neighbors around them.

Wei Chaoyan patted her chest in relief and looked down carefully at the person in her arms. The person she was holding was dressed in tattered and dirty clothes. Through the holes in the clothes, she could vaguely see that there were many scars of different sizes and ages underneath. The wrists and ankles exposed by the cuffs had little flesh; they were just thin skin covering a few slender bones. The dirty little face was red from the cold, and the baby fat that was lovely a year ago was gone. Instead, it was filled with the hardships of the difficult years of wandering the streets.

Wei Chaoyan reached out and gently stroked the child's pale face with heartache. It seemed that even with the secret care of a few kind people in the town, little Wei Ying's life was not much better. He could only barely keep his life afloat.

Recalling Wei Ying, whom she had seen a year ago living happily by his parents' side, and comparing him to the person before her now, Wei Chaoyan's eyes welled up with tears. "If Senior Wei and Senior Cangse were alive, how heartbroken they would be to see you suffering like this!" Wei Chaoyan thought to herself.

As she carried the unconscious Wei Ying to the master bedroom to clean him, apply medicine to his wounds, and change him into clean new clothes, she silently prayed, "A-Ying, you've suffered, but with your older sister here, you won't have to suffer anymore!"

Ah Ying, welcome home!