Backlash Part 1

Chapter 99: Return to Cloud Recesses

Wei Wuxian felt restless. He had been dreading this moment for weeks. Wei Wuxian had very deliberately not said anything about his and Lan Wangji's plans following this discussion conference. He had not mentioned returning to Lotus Pier, or going to Cloud recesses. He had not mentioned it, and no one in Lotus Pier had asked.

Jiang Yanli seemed to have guessed. She requested Wei Wuxian show her new things to practice for after the conference. She seemed to assume that Wei Wuxian would not be around to show her them following the conference so she asked for them before. Wei Wuxian had smiled nervously, then obliged her.

Jiang Wanyin and Jiang Fengmian seemed to have taken it for granted that Wei Wuxian would be returning to Lotus Pier. Jiang Wanyin's outrage and Jiang Fengmian's shock certainly seemed to indicate their expectations. Wei Wuxian did not know how Lan Xichen could look so calm. Zewu-Jun seemed politely perplexed as to why the Jiangs were assuming Wei Wuxian would return to Lotus Pier. He had said as much, even though Wei Wuxian knew Lan Xichen had been warned to expect this.

"They had not mentioned plans to return to Cloud Recesses following the conference." Jiang Fengmian said after an awkward hesitation.

"Did they say something about planning to return to Lotus Pier?" Lan Xichen inquired curiously. The answer was no. Wei Wuxian had not said anything about staying. Lan Wangji had certainly not said anything about staying. They had simply assumed Wei Wuxian would be staying. Probably they assumed Lan Wangji would return to Cloud Recesses. Perhaps they thought they only needed to wait for things to return to how they used to be.

'What is the point in things returning to how they used to be?' Wei Wuxian questioned silently. In scarcely two months Lotus Pier would be attacked. There was no point in attempting normalcy for two months. Wei Wuxian's chest was tight with anxiety. He wanted to crawl out of his skin. He felt like he wasn't breathing enough, but he knew he was. He was carefully taking calm regular breaths, ignoring that panicked urge that was trying to push him towards hyperventilating.

"I suppose they did not." Jiang Fengmian said slowly, visibly trying to reclaim is polite tone that always accompanied his political conversations. "It did not occur to me that after months in Cloud Recesses they would be so anxious to return." Jiang Fengmian proceeded.

"Is there something wrong with them returning to Cloud Recesses?" Lan Qiren's voice was not as calm and gentle as Lan Xichen's. It was evident in the tone that Lan Qiren would find it insulting if Jiang Fengmian was saying there was a reason for either boy to not wish to go to Cloud Recesses. Jiang Fengmian gave a slightly tense smile.

"Not at all. Their stay at Lotus Pier was very short in comparison." Jiang Fengmian seemed uncertain what to say. Or rather what to say that would not sound offensive to the GusuLan sect. Lan Qiren raised and eyebrow at the statement.

"Wangji is not marrying into the YunmengJiang sect. Wei Wuxian is marrying into GusuLan sect. Who needs time to adapt to the expectations of which sect?" Lan Qiren's tone was irritable.

If Wei Wuxian wasn't focusing so much on keeping himself calm he might have found it funny. He was used to Lan Qiren's irritation being directed at him. Right now it felt a lot like Lan Qiren was irritated almost on his behalf. Wei Wuxian tried to put that thought out of his mind. There was no sense getting his hopes up. It wouldn't take long for Lan Qiren to be back to growling angrily at him. Wei Wuxian was certain that once he had to start using his demonic cultivation, any good will Lan Qiren might have for him would dry up.

Wei Wuxian suddenly heard a very familiar sigh. It was quiet and would normally be subtle, but Wei Wuxian had heard it so many times. It was the sound Jiang Fengmian made whenever he gave up an argument with Yu Ziyuan. It was the sound of Jiang Fengmian giving up. Usually that sound filled Wei Wuxian with dread. Usually it meant some very vicious words were about to be thrown mercilessly and Wei Wuxian would be both the recipient and the one who had to clean up the painful mess left behind.