Backlash Part 1

Chapter 32: The Jingshi

Nie Huaisang had considered something akin to this as an option. He had been told numerous stories of Wei Wuxian taking scoldings and blame to protect others. Nie Huaisang had seen even more evidence of this when he met Wei Wuxian in person. Wei Wuxian was always risking punishment to cover for his friends. When the water borne abyss was being investigated Wei Wuxian had almost died saving another disciple's life. When Wei Wuxian was being dragged back into the water and couldn't reach Jiang Wanyin's hand, Wei Wuxian had still thrown the disciple at Jiang Wanyin. Protecting the other disciple even as he himself was being dragged down.

To Nie Huaisang this was both an example of how much Wei Wuxian cared about others, but also an example of disregarding himself. Wei Wuxian may have been always smiling and lively, but that did not mean he was not suffering. Given his self-disregard, it would be very much his style to conceal any signs of depression or hurt. He might not even think of it that way. He would probably disregard his own feelings as much as he disregarded his safety. In Wei Wuxian's mind it was possible that he felt he was overreacting or shouldn't feel the way he did.

Nie Huaisang sighed. He liked the idea of a scandalous pregnancy better. That at least would be something joyous, although stressful. Instead he was now forced to confirm his least favorite theory. Wei Wuxian was suffering, and that suffering had exceeded his ability to cope with it. Nie Huaisang approached Wei Wuxian cautiously. He did not have a full understanding of the condition his friend was in. He did not want to make anything worse, but he also desperately wanted to do something that could help.

"Wei-xiong. Is there something I can do? Something that would help?" He hoped Wei Wuxian would answer, but he suspected he might not. Wei Wuxian didn't even turn his head to look at Nie Huaisang. Wei Wuxian's eyes looked empty. It was like the life had been stolen from his eyes. His friend seemed utterly broken. Nie Huaisang wanted to go get someone. Probably one of the people who had apparently been helping him for the last week.

"Wei-xiong? Is there someone I could bring who might help?" He tried asking instead. At this point he wasn't really expecting a verbal answer so he continued.

"Jiang Yanli?" He watched for any reaction.

"Wen Qing?" Still no reaction.

"Lan-er-gongzi?" Tears began falling from Wei Wuxian's eyes. His face, previously devoid of expression, transformed into a look of anguish.

"Lan Zhan." Wei Wuxian's voice came out so quiet that it was almost like the name was exhaled on the end of a silent sob. Nie Huaisang almost immediately got to his feet to go to the meeting hall. Certainly they wouldn't mind being interrupted for this. Then Nie Huaisang stopped himself. Wei Wuxian was in a bad state. He wasn't doing anything right now, but that could change. With a deep sigh he realized he couldn't immediately go find someone else. Wei Wuxian could not be left alone right now, and Wen Qionglin had previously gone toward the meeting hall. At the first opportunity he was sure Wen Qionglin would express his concerns to those in the meeting and Lan-er-gongzi would return. 

Nie Huaisang was at least pretty sure of that, given how the only name Wei Wuxian responded to was Lan Wangji's.  Nie Huaisang tried to think about what else he could maybe do. So far the only thing Wei Wuxian responded to, was the mention of Lan Wangji.  Lan Wangji was probably Wei Wuxian's main support given how little Nie Huaisang saw the Second Jade leaving the infirmary.  Nie Huaisang couldn't leave to bring Wei Wuxian the person in question.  His eyes drifted over to the closed door of the Jingshi.

"Wei-xiong. I'm gonna get something real quick. I'll be right back." Nie Huaisang said quietly. Wei Wuxian didn't respond, but the most important part was that Nie Huaisang had told him what he was doing. Well, he sort of told him what he was doing. Nie Huaisang quickly made it to the door of the Jingshi.

'Am I really about to enter Lan-er-gongzi's residence?' Nie Huaisang very cautiously touched the door, immediately pulling his hand back as though it might burn him. Nothing happened.

'Maybe it is not Lan-er-gongzi's residence. Maybe there were just two empty residences that they were all moved to?' With that hopeful thought he very carefully slid the door open. Nie Huaisang groaned quietly when he got a look at the room.  Everything about it matched Lan Wangji.  The minimal and excessively tidy interior.  A spare robe was hanging on the other side of the room.  A single glance at the material and elaborateness of the embroidery was enough to tell Nie Huaisang that these were not just any GusuLan Sect robes.  While the differences were subtle Nie Huaisang could clearly see the slight differences in material, and most noticeably the extra details of the embroidery pattern.

'It's Lan-er-gongzi's room. Of course it is. Who in their right mind would try to infiltrate Lan-er-gongzi's room? Even if Wei Wuxian were inside no one was curious enough to risk Lan-er-gongzi's wrath.' Nie Huaisang glanced back at Wei Wuxian hoping he had miraculously improved. He had not. Nie Huaisang took a deep breath and stepped very lightly into the room. He made a quick dash inside. He grabbed the the spare robe then bolted back outside and closed the door.

'I feel like I just shortened my life expectancy by violating Lan-er-gongzi's personal space.' Nie Huaisang shuddered before he walked back over to Wei Wuxian.

"Wei-xiong. I got you an extra robe." Nie Huaisang announced before he cautiously draped it over his friend. Once it was roughly in place he moved a little away from Wei Wuxian and sat down. All Nie Huaisang knew for sure was that Wei Wuxian was in a bad state right now, and Madam Yu had been verbally abusing him.  He knew nothing of what happened just over a week ago, though he suspected it must have been something very drastic.  More importantly he had no specifics about what Wei Wuxian's symptoms were or how he was being treated.  There were plenty of things he could try, but he had nothing to tell him what would be helpful versus harmful. 

"I'm here if you need anything. I'll wait with you until Lan-er-gongzi is back." Nie Huaisang said gently.  He resigned himself by just staying close by and telling his friend that he was here.  Nie Huaisang watched from the corner of his eye as Wei Wuxian slowly pulled the robe tighter around him. He heard Wei Wuxian inhale deeply before he moved slightly, curling in on himself. He was desperately clutching at the robe like it was a life line.

A sad smile rose on Nie Huaisang's face. He had been inconsolable when he and Nie Mingjue lost their father. For a long time the only thing that Nie Mingjue could do to help Nie Huaisang sleep, was to wrap him in their father's robes. Anything that smelled like him. It was the only thing that helped him calm down and feel safe enough to rest. The only thing that Wei Wuxian was responding to was the mention of Lan Wangji. It was not a stretch to realize that Wei Wuxian needed him right now. Nie Huaisang could not bring him Lan Wangji, but he could bring him something that could remind him of Lan Wangji. It was the best Nie Huaisang could do right now, until Lan Wangji returned.

Nie Huaisang fiddled with this fan as he sat with Wei Wuxian. He wasn't certain how long had passed when he finally heard approaching footsteps. He looked toward the entrance when a group of people suddenly appeared. Nie Huaisang reflexively tensed when he saw the Second Jade of Gusu appear at the head of the group. Then he saw Lan Wangji take several, almost shaky, steps closer. He had never seen such a clear look of distress on Lan Wangji's face. He actually wasn't certain he had seen any expression so clearly on Lan Wangji's face.

"Nie Huaisang. Please explain in detail what happened?" Wen Qing's voice was low and soft, but Nie Huaisang was suddenly not so scared of Lan Wangji.  Right now, Wen Qing was far more terrifying.