The Nine-tailed Fox receives a letter

Over the next days Wu Yun becomes a recurrent fixture in Cang Chuxi's pavilion. Perched at Lan Tian's bedside, waiting on him night and day, looking for any sign of improvement or awareness.

He gives him the medicine Cang Chuxi prepares, and feeds him plenty of nourishing soup, talking with him all the while, as if he could reply at any moment.

"This soup reminds me a little of our first meal together, do you remember that?" he says, lifting the spoon to Lan Tian's lips, who's propped upright against a nest of pillows.

Lan Tian doesn't answer, and Wu Yun swallows around the knot on his throat, and continues smiling, compelled to put on a brave face for Lan Tian's sake.