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*He pets Mu Qing's head - wah, he missed just existing with his beloved.* Do you have medicine to counteract the pain?

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What hurts? Are you sick? *He puts the water down and sits down on the bed, nudging his sad wife to lay his head in Nianqing's lap.*

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*He comes back soon enough, bringing water.* How are you feeling?

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Can't a man miss his daughter? *Off he goes, cleaning peepaw time*

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*And doesn't that sound familiar?* I think you underestimate A-Qing's capacity to worry... *he huffs.* But yes. I am Mei Nianqing, your son's husband. Do forgive my rude manners, madam Mu.

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That you can't. *He'll press a small kiss to Mu Qing's forehead - his mouth tastes... not kissable.* Go lay down, love.

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Yes, because you getting sick again and making the mess worse is worse than me doing something for a change. *He huffs.* Don't be silly. ...let me clean up and get you something to drink, then I'll lay down with you.

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*Concerned peepaw noises.* You need to lay down, A-Qing. And tell me where you felt sick so I can clean that up...

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-ah, madam Mu. *She's so young, referring to her as mother-in-law would feel weird.* Be careful. Your son will be very cross with me if you bump into something and hurt yourself.

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One thing at a time, love. Let's get you clean and healed first. Do you want me to get medicine for you?

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...stop flattering me for a moment. *He grumbles, flushing.* You're beautiful. Being a god suits you. I will not have my beloved wife degrading himself.

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That we do. *He notices Mu Qing's gaze and quickly shrugs off his own outer robe, covering his wife's body with it.* A-Qing, look at me.

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*He frowns, shaking his head.* What in my words made you think I'm on anyone's side but yours? *He lifts the towel, rubbing away a bit of mud from Mu Qing's cheek.* I'm here now with you, am I not? *He glares at nothing, scoffing.* Dianxia can rot for all I care. All that talk of doing good..tsk.

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*He leans in to kiss Mu Qing's cheek as the other winces, murmuring apologies.* No one deserves to be stabbed by someone they trust. Maybe you were both wrong, maybe you were both right - the world is not so black and white.

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I'm not certain. I didn't see much of the happenings. *Having cleaned the area around the wound, he carefully wraps it.* It's not important now, A-Qing. Don't beat yourself up over it.

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*He turns back to look at Jun Wu, then nods after a moment.* Take care or your family, my Highness.

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Sweet boy. I'm glad you have him. *He's gently cleaning of the blood and mud, careful not to hurt Mu Qing even more.* We both need you, love. Stay with us.

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Mh... We'll get out of your hair, Your Highness.

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It's alright. You came home - I'm already proud of you. *He takes Mu Qing into the bathroom, sitting him down on a towel while he got another one wet to clean Mu Qing.* Juhua is sleeping. She was looking for you, you know?

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Huahua... *he hugs his daughter ever closer.* She needs her father. I need my wife.

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I know, my heart. I know you did. Shh, this husband will take care of you now. *He murmurs, pressing their foreheads together.* Lean on me, A-Qing? I'll take you to the bathroom, we need to clean you up. Don't fall asleep yet, stay with me.

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And what, pray that he comes home? *He huffs, grimacing. His eyes are getting teary.* Curse the heavens. Curse the gods. Curse them for doing this to me again.

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A-Qing! *He runs up to Mu Qing, hugging him tightly.* You're alive, heavens above, I... *He steps back, cradling Mu Qing's face in his hands, quickly looking over him.* You're wounded...

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...do you know where he is? *He's shaking a little, holding Juhua close.* Your Highness, I need to find him...

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We could I even talk to, I... ! *He wraps Juhua up to make sure she wouldn't be cold, then scuttles over to the one house whose owner he still dares to call his friend, knocking on the door.* Your Highness? Are you home? I need your help, I... @shenwunderock.bsky.social

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... We're back here already. It wasn't a long move, was it, Huahua? *He murmurs to his daughter, pushing open the door of his home on Tonglu. He looks around with hope in his eyes, that slowly dies after he checked all the rooms.* He's not here. Then where could he be?

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I care. What other reason would I need?

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I will keep that in mind. *He reaches out the the ghostly butterfly approaching him, shuddering at the cold touch as he closes his eyes to focus on the vision.*

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*He sighs, squeezing Mu Qing's waist.* Silly boy. You're too good to me.

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...send me one of those butterflies. I need to see that with my own two eyes.

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I made you cry just a couple days ago.

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...Dianxia, I warned you not to piss him off. If you're talking about his blood pact with the abyssal dragon, I know about that.

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*Nianqing doesn't dare look up, he's fine.* She's your mother, A-Qing. You shouldn't be am unfilial son...

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I am... not a good person. *He murmurs, arm wrapping around Mu Qing's waist.* You might not listen to what others say about me, but she's your mother. If she dislikes me...

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*...he's just going to hide his face against Mu Qing's neck.*

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*That's gonna be a stable connection, with Nianqing's currently broken and not yet fixed cultivation.* ...Dianxia?

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I haven't met her yet... *Dreading it.*

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Mh... this master wasn't in the best state of mind, that's all I'm saying. *He does get kissies though.*

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