Chapter 37: Wen Qing Goes Off

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Wen Qing very carefully and deliberately set her cup down on the table without a sound. She slowly let her gaze travel to Jiang Fengmian and let it settle there. She hoped he could feel the heat of her anger boring into him through her eyes. This man. Wei Wuxian had so many words of praise for this man. He credited this man with a level of respect and gratitude that she was now certain he did not deserve.

Wen Qing did not know if it was wilful ignorance on the sect leader's part, or something more malicious. Nie Huaisang's testimony had been very clear regarding the damaging verbal assault of Yu Ziyuan towards Wei Wuxian. Wen Qing had given very clear information about Wei Wuxian's overall progress and presenting symptoms. She had answered numerous questions about his treatment and concerns related to the proposed courtship. She had been painfully clear how instrumental Lan Wangji had been to Wei Wuxian's safety and recovery.

"Wei Wuxian is suffering severe symptoms that have developed in response to repeated trauma. I have until now been extremely delicate and polite in my implications regarding the source of this trauma. However, I would not be worth my reputation as a doctor if I did not step in to correct the obvious misunderstanding this seems to have caused." Wen Qing kept her voice low and steady. Articulating each word with the utmost precision.

"Wei Wuxian has been traumatized within Lotus Pier." Wen Qing made sure each of those words sunk in but did not pause long enough for anyone to feel it was their turn to speak. It was not their turn to speak. It was hers.

"Wei Wuxian's feelings of worthlessness are so severe that he firmly believes that his existence does nothing but bring others harm. He has no value for his own safety or well being. He experiences such severe distress over upsetting someone he cares about that he completely breaks down. As such, unless someone stops him, he will repeatedly actively harm himself to accommodate even the mildest discomforts of others.

"Today was a very clear example of some of what has brought Wei Wuxian to this point. Anyone here can attest that Wei Wuxian was doing much better this morning than when we just went to see him this afternoon. This afternoon is the worst I have seen him since his suicide attempt. He was severely dissociated and Lan Wangji was the only one who was able to get through to him. Dissociation is a very common response to trauma. In order to protect itself, Wei Wuxian's mind tried to separate him from what was happening around him. This happened when Madam Yu was screaming at him. Something I suspect you consider normal, but which I can assure you is not.

"We were given a rather detailed account of what was said and I can categorize all of it under specific examples of emotional abuse. If you'd like to disagree with me we can spend the rest of the day breaking down the full details and exactly how they impact and damage a person's psyche. I could probably even do a decent job of breaking down some of the behaviours of other family members here that contribute to Wei Wuxian's current state. I'll spare you from the detailed version for the moment and just describe some broad strokes. From the victims perspective, other people ignoring or allowing these things to continue solidifies in the victim's mind that they deserve this treatment. It makes them feel like everyone agrees with it, otherwise why would others let it happen. It makes them feel like no one cares about them. They start to question if the abuse is actually their fault, or if it is mistreatment at all. They stop seeking or accepting help, because they don't believe they should receive it." Wen Qing could see a few people considering opening their mouths to respond, but she did not give them the chance.

"Wei Wuxian currently has little to no ability to set limits with anyone for his own safety.  He considers himself responsible for Jiang Wanyin's emotions and readily harms himself for the sake of calming Jiang Wanyin.  Maybe because of this or maybe for other reasons Jiang Wanyin seems to struggle to regulate his own emotions and regularly puts that responsibility on Wei Wuxian. 

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