The Legend of Moonflower

Chapter 36 - Confrontation and Resolution

Robes rustled with the swirl of the cool breeze in the open courtyard. The chirping birds that inhabited the trees in the imperial gardens had flown away at the first sign of danger. Creaks of armour from the soldiers and rattling of swords had replaced their birdsong.

The banished half-sister of the Lan empire stared defiantly at her half-brother. Her sword still unsheathed but lowered at her side. She did not bother extending the appropriate greetings.

"Lan Anli," Zewu Wang said, shaking his head sadly.

She gave her brother a mocking smile. "Why do you say my name with such disbelief? Royal brother, is it because you can't believe that I am incapable of strategy? That I'm lesser in skill and strength than Lan Wangji?"

"Royal sister, no one has ever doubted your skill," Lan Xichen said with a sigh.

"Then why?" Lan Anli all but shouted. Her anger was visceral, causing some of the guards nearby to cower at her scent. "Why was I overlooked for the throne. He didn't even want it!"

"Traditionally..."

"Do not speak to me about tradition. These antiquated rules and traditions are what led my mom and I to be banished. Do you know how my mother died?" Lan Anli's lips furled in disgust. "She froze to death. She begged and begged for the emperor to send more coal or wood for the braziers. She covered me in all her layers of clothing and blankets to keep me alive. Our royal father ignored us and let my mother die."

Lan Xichen closed his eyes, his face took on a look of deep sadness and regret.

"And don't you dare tell me that he was busy managing an empire. He neglected your mother, didn't even realize she was being poisoned."

Zewu Wang's eyes snapped open and he stared at her.

Something in the way he looked at her made her huff out a laugh in disbelief. "You knew?"

"I investigated for years and found out only after your mother passed," Lan Xichen said. "A former servant of hers came forward to repent her sins, afraid she'd be joining your mother in hell in her afterlife."

"Yet, you never told him," she accused. "Why would you care if our brother destroyed what was left of the Wu clan?"

"I did not want the emperor's first act to be fratricide," Lan Xichen said. "You were innocent. It wouldn't be fair for the sins of your mother to be taken out on you."

"I'd rather he had come to kill me. Then we would have fought it out and everyone would have seen that I am the stronger alpha. The one who deserves the throne!" she growled.

Wei Wuxian's muscles were tense, he hadn't lowered his sword or taken his eyes off of Lan Anli. He tilted his head, instinctively turning further when he caught the familiar scent, ever so faint but poignant.

"You can still have your chance," a cold voice said from behind them.

Lan Anli's lifted her sword while her eyes frantically searched the courtyard.

The guards parted down the centre and bowed as their emperor calmly walked past them. Wei Wuxian smiled broadly and bounced on his toes happily at Lan Wangji's approach and only remembered to bow when Zewu Wang bowed his head respectfully.

"How?" Jin Zixun questioned, swinging his gaze to Mo Xuanyu

"It's not possible. There is no antidote," Wen Chao faltered.