Backlash Part 1

Chapter 22: The Infirmary

Before Lan Xichen had a chance to bring up another topic the door behind them opened. Wen Qing entered and waited for Jiang Yanli to come through before closing the door behind them. Jiang Yanli had her hands full as she approached the table.

"Zewu-Jun." Jiang yanli's voice was filled with pleasant surprise. "Are you joining us?" she asked. Lan Xichen had wanted to speak with both of them, but he had clearly not been paying attention to the time. He hadn't realized it was time for the evening meal, and the room only had four sitting mats around the table. He supposed he could leave and come back when they were done.

"I'll get another sitting mat from one of the other rooms." Wen Qing's voice cut in before Lan Xichen had a chance to express his intention. Lan Xichen was surprised, but he supposed it would save time if he did not have to guess when they would be done.

"No need." As soon as Lan Wangji spoke he dragged Wei Wuxian into his lap, effectively freeing the mat beside them. Wei Wuxian's face broke out in a grin as he giggled.

"Lan Zhan. I thought I was supposed to be the shameless one." Wei Wuxian's voice was filled with laughter as he teased Lan Wangji. Lan Wangji pretended not to hear anything as the tips of his ears tinted pink. Jiang Yanli was so happy to see Wei Wuxian playful again. She could almost feel tears gathering in her eyes. She quickly began serving the dishes she had prepared. She carefully positioned the two place settings in front of Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian so that there was a clear divide of which one was easier for which person to reach.

Lan Xichen internally braced himself before he began to eat. He had been to Lotus Pier on official business more than once. Most of the time the dishes would be so painfully spicy that he had to force them down. He'd desperately endure the burning in his mouth and throat. Then do his best to covertly alleviate the pain with rice and tea. A few times he had discovered dishes that were not so spicy. These dishes were usually intensely flavorful or sweet dishes. He always made sure to take a larger portion of those dishes. Both because he enjoyed them and because they could help diffuse the painful burning of the spicy ones.

Since Jiang Yanli had served them he did not have a chance to see if he recognised any of these dishes. He was not able to strategize so he only hoped for the best and expected to try and reserve more of his rice for at the end. As Lan Xichen took his first bite he was internally relieved. The first dish was not so painful. There was a mild heat, but it was not so overwhelming as to prevent him from tasting the dish. This would be a dish he could enjoy and not have to endure. Lan Xichen continued to try a small amount of everything that Jiang Yanli had served him. Once he tried the last one he couldn't help but examine the table more closely.

All of the dishes he had been served were quite mild by Yunmeng standards. That is to say that, while they were certainly much spicier than anything served in Cloud Recesses, they did not burn his palate as he had come to expect from Yunmeng cuisine.

"Lan Zhan. How is it?" Wei Wuxian asked excitedly as he watched Lan Wangji's face with interest. Lan Wangji continued to chew the food in his mouth carefully. "Lan Zhan... Lan Zhan~" Wei Wuxian dragged out Lan Wangji's name. Lan Xichen did his best to conceal his amusement as his brother swallowed his food completely and set down his chopsticks.

"No talking while eating." Lan Wangji stated evenly. Wei Wuxian pouted.

"But this is made by my Shijie." Wei Wuxian whined. "You have to answer when I ask you what you think of it." Wei Wuxian bounced slightly in Lan Wangji's lap. "So, Lan Zhan. How is it?" Wei Wuxian prodded again. Lan Wangji was almost scowling at Wei Wuxian. The scowl was faltering, not able to hold back a soft look of fondness.

"Good." Lan Wangji stated. Wei Wuxian lit up. He bounced with such excitement that the only thing that kept him from falling out of Lan Wangji's lap was the arm Lan Wangji had wrapped around his waist.

"See! It's not hard to answer my questions. Why didn't you just say so the first time?" Wei Wuxian's smile matched a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"No talking while eating." Lan Wangji repeated, then resumed eating the dishes that Jiang Yanli had served to him. Wei Wuxian fussed a bit more before he eventually returned to eating. This was when Lan Xichen noticed that while Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji were eating the same dishes, they looked slightly different. Lan Xichen examined the extra still on the table and the dishes everyone had been served. It seemed that specifically what Lan Xichen had been served and what Lan Wangji had been served looked slightly different from what everyone else was eating. Just to check, Lan Xichen went to take a small additional amount of one of the dishes. He was stopped by a light touch on his wrist. Lan Xichen turned toward Wen Qing who withdrew her hand after getting his attention. She shook her head lightly.

"That bowl is full spice. You want the smaller one." Wen Qing gestured. Lan Xichen nodded his understanding, and gave a small smile of appreciation. So that was it. Jiang Yanli specifically made portions of the dishes with less spice. Since Wen Qing and Jiang Yanli herself were both eating the full spice dishes Lan Xichen could assume this consideration was taken for Lan Wangji's benefit. And it most certainly was an act of consideration. Lan Xichen knew Lan Wangji would not have voiced any complaint. So most likely it was a step Jiang Yanli took upon herself either due to careful observation of Lan Wangji, or based on inference that the mild palates of the GusuLan Sect would probably struggle with the full spice dishes.

At the end of the meal Jiang Yanli cleared everything away. Wei Wuxian had never truly stopped talking. He had chattered away during the meal. Mostly at Lan Wangji who eventually gave up reminding Wei Wuxian to not speak while eating.

"Jiang-guniang. Wen-guniang. Before you two came I was speaking with Wangji and Wei-gongzi. We agreed to move Wei-gongzi from the infirmary to Wangji's residence. It is in a more secluded area and should offer better privacy." Lan Xichen said with a polite smile. "Wen-guniang. There is an empty residence across from it. If it is not too much trouble I would like you and Wen-gongzi to move there. You can bring any supplies from the infirmary you deem appropriate. I believe it is still important to have Wei-gongzi's care supervised, but I think there should be no reason preventing that care from occurring in a slightly different setting." Wen Qing smiled and nodded her head in agreement.

"Zewu-jun. Thank you so much for everything you are doing for A-Xian." Jiang Yanli said bowing her head in thanks. Lan Xichen shook his head lightly.

"There is no need. Wangji and Wei-gongzi wish to court each other in any case. While I have not yet been able to discuss this with Wei-gongzi's guardians, this won't be an issue for too much longer. Sect Leader Jiang and Madam Yu should be here within a day or two, and I will speak with them then. In the meantime I believe this arrangement is for the best."