Backlash Part 1

Chapter 71: Is Lan Qiren impressed

Lan Xichen understood his uncle's confusion. Lan Xichen would have been going through the same thing himself if he had not been warned. As is, he was at least aware that this topic was going to come up. He also had the luxury of understanding Wei Wuxian's primary motivation for returning. Wei Wuxian had devoted a lot of time and energy to protecting Cloud Recesses, knowing that it would be attacked. Lotus Pier would also be attacked and, from the description that had been given, Lan Xichen knew the aftermath of that battle had been far worse. Wei Wuxian would be no less committed to protecting Lotus Pier, even if Lan Xichen felt that Wei Wuxian should probably stay far away from there.

"I'm still the head disciple of the YunmengJiang sect. I can't just disappear indefinitely." Wei Wuxian reasoned. Lan Qiren had a strange look on his face. He was staring rather intensely at Wei Wuxian. Brows fluctuating between furrowed in disapproval and raised in something like mild surprise, Lan Qiren's lips were pressed in a firm line. Wei Wuxian didn't know what it meant, and he wasn't sure if he liked it. It sometimes seemed disapproving, which Wei Wuxian was used to seeing on Lan Qiren's face even if this seemed a little different than before. Lan Qiren didn't say anything and Wei Wuxian was feeling even more nervous now. He rubbed his neck trying to relieve the tension.

"Additionally once classes end there is only a month until the discussion conference in Qishan. I'll be expected to participate in the archery competition for YunmengJiang sect, as I am sure Lan Zhan is expected to participate for GusuLan sect. Sect Leader Jiang usually asks me to help decide which disciples will participate in competitions." Wei Wuxian explained. Lan Qiren's eyebrows did that thing where they quirked up again. On anyone else's face Wei Wuxian would suspect the expression might mean surprised and impressed. Since there was no way Lan Qiren would ever be impressed by him, Wei Wuxian was left completely lost as to what the elder was thinking.

"Wuxian, If you're certain about wanting to spend some time at Lotus Pier that is your decision. Meanwhile with the new barrier, it would be much safer to perform when there were no visitors within Cloud Recesses. Perhaps you could delay your return by a week or two? Afterwards you and Wangji could visit Lotus Pier and then travel together for the discussion conference in Qishan." Lan Xichen suggested. Wei Wuxian watched as Lan Qiren frowned slightly.

'Well that should be expected I guess. I can't imagine he is happy about the betrothal, so even if he doesn't say anything he probably isn't thrilled about us spending time together. I'm guessing no one told him Lan Zhan and I have been basically living together for months. He'd probably go into qi deviation.' Wei Wuxian held back a sigh. Lan Qiren cleared his throat drawing everyone's intention.

"Then after the discussion conference you could travel with us back to Cloud Recesses." Lan Qiren stated with that same weird expression on his face that Wei Wuxian couldn't decipher.

Wei Wuxian was a little disappointed, but not surprised. Lan Qiren naturally didn't want the two of them spending time together. Of course he would suggest Lan Wangji returning with them after the conference. Wei Wuxian tried not to show visible disappointment. True, he hadn't actually talked to Lan Wangji about this yet, but Wei Wuxian had already been assuming he would have to go alone. It wasn't like Lan Wangji could abandon his duties whenever he felt like it. It wasn't reasonable to expect Lan Wangji to come with him when Wei Wuxian returned to Lotus Pier.

Wei Wuxian noticed Lan Wangji suddenly still. It made Wei Wuxian feel warm inside that Lan Wangji might be disturbed by that suggestion. If Wei Wuxian was being honest, he didn't want to go back to Lotus Pier. For many reasons. There was the horrible thought in his head that told Wei Wuxian that he was the problem. He was why the Jiang's were all in conflict. He was the reason Lotus Pier was attacked. He was the reason they died. A tiny voice in his head that sounded a little bit like Lan Zhan told him these things weren't true, but it was hard to fully believe that.