Backlash Part 1

Chapter 25: Nie Huaisang's Theory

No one had said why exactly Wei Wuxian was suddenly absent from classes. One day everything was as usual. Then suddenly no one saw Wei Wuxian anywhere. Nie Huaisang knew that disappearing for an afternoon wasn't anything to be concerned about from Wei Wuxian. He had heard many stories of Wei Wuxian's antics and triumphs. Certainly none of Nie Huaisang's previous years in Cloud Recesses were anything like this year. This year was so much better, and Nie Huaisang was quite certain that it was because of Wei Wuxian. So if it was just an afternoon or even for an evening Nie Huaisang's only real thoughts were disappointment that he didn't get dragged along on the fun. Then the next day came and Wei Wuxian was not in class.

Not only did Wei Wuxian suddenly not come to class, but several other students were also suddenly absent. Five students to be exact. Five students were suddenly absent and Lan Qiren didn't say anything about it. Wei Wuxian, Jiang Wanyin, Jiang Yanli, Wen Qing, and Lan Wangji were all suddenly absent on the same day. Even stranger, no one seemed to know anything about it. When people asked Wen Qionglin where his sister was he just stutteringly replied that she was assisting in the infirmary. He said nothing about why or if it was related to the other absent students. Outside of class Nie Huaisang had spotted Jiang Wanyin while he was heading back to his guest residence. Nie Huaisang considered going to ask him what was going on, but changed his mind very quickly. Jiang Wanyin was walking around like Nie Mingjue did after he found Nie Huaisang's saber left on the floor somewhere.

'I've never seen anyone look as angry as Dage before.' Nie Huaisang commented silently.

He quickly decided he would not approach Jiang Wanyin with any questions right now. The Jiang heir was frequently grumpy, but not like this. Nie Huaisang had never seen Jiang Wanyin this angry before. Two days with the same five students absent. Everyone was curious and poor Wen Qionglin was being hounded outside of lectures. Wen Qionglin began taking his meals in the infirmary. Nie Huaisang could only guess it was Wen Qionglin's last attempt at trying to escape the endless barrage of questions. No one was being allowed into the infirmary unless they were in need of medical assistance. Nie Huaisang didn't know if this was new. He was not aware of any time in the past when people tried to enter the infirmary without a valid reason. It was not exactly an exciting place to visit.

On the third day Jiang Wanyin was suddenly in class again. The other four were still absent and everyone who had tried to get answers out of Wen Qionglin were now asking Jiang Wanyin. Nie Huaisang was quite certain this was a bad idea and by the end of the day everyone else had figured that out too. Not only did they learn not to ask Jiang Wanyin anything about his absence or the other absent students. They also learned not to even mention Wei Wuxian in front of the Jiang heir. Now Nie Huaisang was truly worried. Clearly something happened, specifically to Wei Wuxian. Something serious enough to excuse his family from class, and require the skills of Wen Qing.

Wen Qing was a gifted doctor. Most likely they were using her services in treating Wei Wuxian. So there must have been some sort of serious medical emergency. Something complicated enough to warrant using the services of an outside doctor, rather than a GusuLan healer. Wen Qionglin was not absent, which was a bit of an odd complication to this theory. From what Nie Huaisang could recall he was certain that Wen Qionglin usually served as Wen Qing's assistant. Either Nie Huaisang's information was wrong, or the situation did not require extensive direct medical intervention. What could constitute an emergency worthy of an outside doctor, but not involve extensive hands on medical treatment? Wen Qing had not returned to class even after an entire week. So it had to be something that required continual monitoring.

Then of course there was Lan Wangji. Nie Huaisang had first considered that this might be a coincidence, but he had spotted Lan-er-gongzi coming and going from the infirmary a few times. It had only been a few times and they were all very brief. Not frequent in the slightest, making it seem as though Lan Wangji were living in the infirmary. Not that Nie Huaisang was keeping a close eye on the infirmary. It just so happened there was a nest of a very beautiful bird near the infirmary. If he happened to have a view of the infirmary's entrance while he observed the bird, it was purely coincidence.