Backlash Part 1

Chapter 20: The Infirmary

Lan Wangji wasn't certain how to answer Lan Xichen's question. Did he talk about the multiple breakdowns? Wei Wuxian crying himself to sleep? The turmoil of his interactions with Jiang Wanyin? The horrible future Wei Wuxian had endured? Lan Wangji looked toward Wen Qing for guidance. It was starting to become a habit to look to her for assistance when it came to Wei Wuxian. Wen Qing gave him a reassuring smile before she turned to Lan Xichen.

"Better than I expected to be honest." Wen Qing's voice was calm and confident as she spoke. "It's been a rough morning." Wen Qing's strong confident voice sounded tired. Lan Wangji felt a bit guilty for putting the burden of explaining on her. She was up last night calming Wei Wuxian down when he first woke up. Then she was in this morning. When she wasn't calling down Wei Wuxian she was strategizing how to help him or talking Lan Wangji through his own anxieties. Just when she was going to leave and take some time for herself Lan Xichen arrived wanting answers too.

"Is Wei-gongzi still suicidal?" Lan Xichen asked. Wen Qing gave him a complicated look.

"I don't believe he is actively suicidal right now, but that isn't to say that the wrong stressor can't put was back where we started." Wen Qing said point blank. Lan Xichen visibly wilted. Wen Qing took a calming breath. "He has accepted support from Lan Wangji. Which did take some doing on Lan Wangji's part, but is a fantastic development. He may try to pull away again in the future, but I believe Lan Wangji is stubborn enough to deal with that." Wen Qing took pity on Lan Xichen as she tried to reassure him a bit. She had a small amused smile on her face as she spoke the last sentence.

Lan Wangji tightened his arms around Wei Wuxian so much that a small sound of complaint came from beneath the outer layer of Lan Wangji's robes. Hearing Wei Wuxian's quiet protest, Lan Wangji immediately relaxed his hold. Wen Qing's affectionate smile grew. When she looked back at Lan Xichen she saw a soft expression on his face. It seemed once he was over his shock he was quite happy with the development between the two cuddling in front of them. After a long pause Lan Xichen seemed to gather his thoughts.

"I see the Jiang siblings are not here. Did Wei-gongzi get a chance to see them yet today?" Lan Xichen asked. Lan Wangji and Wen Qing immediately reacted to the question. Lan Xichen thought this had been a very ordinary and reasonable question. Yet somehow asking this question had resulted in Wen Qing and his didi immediately reacting in a bizarrely similar fashion. As Lan Xichen looked between Wen Qing and Lan Wangji he tried to decipher the meaning behind their expressions. Both had suddenly become rigid and their eyes swirled with hesitance, concern, and something akin to displeasure. Lan Xichen was growing increasingly confused.

"Is there something between Wei-gongzi and the Jiang siblings that I need to know about?" Lan Xichen asked, his voice laced with concern. Lan Wangji directed his gaze toward the table. A clear sign that he was upset about something, but did not wish to speak. Wen Qing took a steadying breath and sipped her tea.

"Wei Wuxian had very strong reactions to his siblings." Wen Qing began. Lan Xichen turned to her. Instantly relieved that he did not need to try and get his brother to speak about something he did not want to. "I think saying he was distraught is an accurate enough word for it. He was not willing to discuss his suicide attempt or anything that was bothering him with them. Jiang Yanli respected this and he was eventually able to calm down around her."

'I suppose that isn't too unusual. Since his family was not aware it was already an indicator that he had not shared his difficulties with them.' Lan Xichen commented silently as he nodded his head in acknowledgement.

"Jiang Wanyin was..." Wen Qing paused. The urge to give voice to all of her resentment towards Jiang Wanyin filled her chest. She steadied herself again. She bought herself time to calm down by slowly drinking her tea. "Jiang Wanyin yelled at Wei Wuxian and stormed out leaving Wei Wuxian in a state of extreme distress. He reacted poorly to Wei Wuxian not being ready to talk with him about what happened. He also did not react well to Wei Wuxian seaking out Lan Wangji for support. Jiang Yanli promised to talk with Jiang Wanyin, but did not specify what exactly she planned to say." Wen Qing was quite proud of herself for only having a disapproving and unhappy tone in her voice. She had not slandered Jiang Wanyin's character. She had not expressed that she felt he should not be allowed near Wei Wuxian without Wei Wuxian's explicit request. She had not said any of the many insults she had begun to use in the privacy of her own thoughts.