Jiang Cheng steps back, perhaps too soon for Jin Ling but they had their moment. That was enough. He feels numb, remembering another time these floors were soaked in blood and violence was prevalent within the walls of his home. This was quite different from back then, but the shock and horror was uncomfortably similar. Even worse, he has his nephew and these other people relying on him. He has to be the one to remain calm and do the practical things now.
He looks back at his nephew and the guilt almost made him scream. He'd left his nephew alone for too long. He'd known the boy had pulled away and was trying so hard to be brave and independent. Jiang Cheng had encouraged that. However, he hadn't known what Jin Ling had really been fighting all alone. Wanyin had just wanted peace.
"Go to your bedroom next door and wash the blood off," he instructs his nephew in as even a tone as he can muster. "Hanguang Jun, Wuxian, take your son either to Ling's room or back to your own. Ouyang-gongzi, give me a moment and I'll get one of your cousins to help you with Lan-gongzi." This room needed to be sealed until it could be cleansed.
Jin Ling staggered slightly when his uncle first let go of him. He had been far from ready. He tried to recover quickly and act like he hadn't been affected by it. When he was told to leave the room, he scooped down and picked up his sword, but he waits, turning to look at Yuan. "I'm not leaving him," he informs whoever cared to listen to him.
no subject
Just what he was going to tell his fiancé and guests, he didn't know. No one here needs to know what this was about to cost him. In comparison, it didn't matter, even if it was him once again making the silent sacrifice. He'd promised her a scandal-less marriage. Peaceful. They could opt out of the drama if there ever was any and live their quiet lives together. To gain an heir and a stable home for that child, it had seemed like enough. Now?
He looks back at his nephew and the guilt almost made him scream. He'd left his nephew alone for too long. He'd known the boy had pulled away and was trying so hard to be brave and independent. Jiang Cheng had encouraged that. However, he hadn't known what Jin Ling had really been fighting all alone. Wanyin had just wanted peace.
"Go to your bedroom next door and wash the blood off," he instructs his nephew in as even a tone as he can muster. "Hanguang Jun, Wuxian, take your son either to Ling's room or back to your own. Ouyang-gongzi, give me a moment and I'll get one of your cousins to help you with Lan-gongzi." This room needed to be sealed until it could be cleansed.
Jin Ling staggered slightly when his uncle first let go of him. He had been far from ready. He tried to recover quickly and act like he hadn't been affected by it. When he was told to leave the room, he scooped down and picked up his sword, but he waits, turning to look at Yuan. "I'm not leaving him," he informs whoever cared to listen to him.