Backlash Part 1

Chapter 77: Avoiding Guilt

It took only a few seconds for Jiang Yanli to lead them to a secluded walkway, at which point Jiang Yanli sighed in relief. She gave Lan Wangji an imploring look. She glanced towards Wei Wuxian and back to him. Lan Wangji needed no more prompting than that. Lan Wangji took Wei Wuxian's hand in his own. Wei Wuxian's skin felt cool to the touch. Lan Wangji could feel a light tremor radiating through Wei Wuxian's body.

"Wei Ying." Lan Wangji called gently. He brushed his thumb across Wei Wuxian's knuckles in a soothing motion. Wei Wuxian closed his eyes and took slow deep breaths. Wei Wuxian leaned his forehead against Lan Wangji's shoulder.

"I... I need a minute before..." Wei Wuxian's voice was breathy.

"How about I take you both to your room, A-Xian? You can rest for a bit." Jiang Yanli inquired gently. Wei Wuxian nodded quietly. After a few more seconds Jiang Yanli led them towards Wei Wuxian's room. Lan Wangji noticed a few disciples who saw them. A few had taken a few steps towards them. Lan Wangji glared at them, causing the disciples to quickly change their minds about approaching.

'Wei Ying is not ready yet. I'll keep them away until he is.' Not to mention Lan Wangji did not especially like sharing Wei Wuxian's attention with other people. Lan Wangji understood it was a necessity, and there were some people who bothered Lan Wangji less than others. That didn't mean Lan Wangji had to like it. They arrived at Wei Wuxian's room without incident. Jiang Yanli led them inside, seeming to take a moment to collect herself.

"Shijie..." Wei Wuxian said quietly. Jiang Yanli looked up immediately when Wei Wuxian called her. "Thank you for earlier, with Jiang-shushu." Wei Wuxian half whispered. Jiang Yanli stepped forward and hugged Wei Wuxian.

She would have been lying if she said that taking charge of the conversation and interceding between Wei Wuxian and her father was easy for her. It was not, but it was also exactly the type of thing she was trying to get better at doing. Wen Qing and Luo Qingyang had both encouraged Jiang Yanli to learn to speak out more. They were both strong and confident in their own ways, and Jiang Yanli found she did wish to be a bit more like them. Specifically like them, not like her mother.

Wei Wuxian had barely said two words to Jiang Yanli's father. It was clear to her that Wei Wuxian was struggling in that interaction. This was exactly the kind of situation she wanted to be able to step up during. So she swallowed her anxiety and did her best to cover for Wei Wuxian and end the conversation as quickly as possible. Wei Wuxian had been frozen in place. Jiang Yanli could only get him to start moving by gently pushing him towards the door.

Jiang Yanli could only guess what might be going on inside of Wei Wuxian's head, but she didn't need to know the answers in order to be able to help. She knew what she had been doing before was not enough support. If it was, Jiang Yanli couldn't help but think that Wei Wuxian would not have arrived at the point of seeking his own death. Jiang Yanli wanted to do more. She didn't want to just be someone who could offer a few comforting words.

"A-Xian..." Jiang Yanli said softly. She held Wei Wuxian until he pulled back with a sigh.

"I just need a few minutes. I can greet Jiang Cheng and the disciples then." Wei Wuxian, sounding like he was trying to convince himself. Jiang Yanli smiled gently at Wei Wuxian.

"A-Xian, take as much time as you need. I can keep them distracted." Jiang Yanli said gently. She gently pat Wei Wuxian's head. "Just come to the training grounds when you're ready." Wei Wuxian nodded in agreement and Jiang Yanlie gave him one more smile before she left, presumably to make sure no one enthusiastically stormed Wei Wuxian's room.

"Wei Ying..." Lan Wangji called gently. Wei Wuxian's expression faltered. Slowly Wei Wuxian turned and walked into Lan Wangji's embrace. Lan Wangji's arms wrapped around Wei Wuxian automatically.