Backlash Part 1

Chapter 121: Enough for A-Jie

Jiang Yanli was starting to get the feeling that she should start making sure she was in sight of either Jiang Wanyin or Wei Wuxian at all times. After everyone was finally back in Lotus Pier and had a few good nights of sleep, Wei Wuxian woke up. Jiang Yanli felt like she could breathe again. Finally Jiang Wanyin and Wei Wuxian talked. Not about anything important, but honestly that was the best part about it. They just teased each other. Light, completely harmless teasing. No commentary about Wei Wuxian's relationship, betrothal, or the many things Jiang Wanyin had been ruminating over for the last half a year.

Jiang Yanli could have cried, she was so relieved. Lan Wangji had even moved far enough away to play music on his guqin. Jiang Yanli thought that maybe everything would be fine. She had only left to make food at Wei Wuxian's request. It was almost lunch time, but he had slept through breakfast. She could hardly fault him for that given his fever had only broken that morning. Wei Wuxian and Jiang Wanyin were actually enjoying each other's company. So she went to prepare food. Apparently that was a horrible mistake. Something had happened while she was gone.

Jiang Wanyin was standing beside a small decorative pond. Jiang Yanli amended her observation as she got closer. Jiang Wanyin was brooding beside a small decorative pond. Fists shaking slightly at his sides and shoulders set in frustration. This was definitely what Jiang Wanyin looked like when he was brooding. He was glaring at the fish in the koi pond like they had personally offended him. The image overlapped with one in Jiang Yanli's memory of a much younger Jiang Wanyin in a similar pose, except the tiny figure's cheeks were also puffed out in frustration.

"A-Cheng?" Jiang Yanli called softly as she came to stand next to her didi. Jiang Wanyin's expression softened at her approach, but he still kept his gaze on the koi.

"A-Cheng, What happened?" Jiang Yanli inquired. Silence stretched on, but Jiang Yanli waited patiently. Lan Wangji would not leave Wei Wuxian's side. Whatever happened, Lan Wangji would look after him. So Jiang Yanli allowed the time to pass slowly and waited for Jiang Wanyin to fill the silence.

"A-Die visited." Jiang Wanyin said finally. "Wei Wuxian killed a legendary beast after all. He did the impossible, like a true YunmengJiang sect disciple. A-Die's proud of him." Sarcasm barely covered the hurt tone in Jiang Wanyin's voice. Jiang Yanli fought the urge to sigh. Jiang Wanyin had always been desperate for the approval of their parents, and he's always been sensitive about seeing others receive it. About seeing Wei Wuxian receive it.

"A-Cheng. Is it so bad that A-Xian receives praise for what he did?" Jiang Yanli inquired softly. Jiang Wanyin frowned passively.

"It's..." Jiang Wanyin began but had to stop and take a breath. He seemed to dismiss whatever he was going to say. Silence fell around them once more, creeping by slowly until Jiang Wanyin broke it again.

"A-Niang heard." Jiang Wanyin said quietly. Jiang Yanli felt dread slide down her spine. Jiang Yanli had made sure their mother was gone when Wei Wuxian last visited Lotus Pier. She was hoping that her mother would be more polite for the sake of the betrothal, but she had not wished to bet Wei Wuxian's well being on it. That her mother was in the same room as Wei Wuxian was never a good thing.

"Did they fight again?" Jiang Yanli asked quietly. Jiang Wanyin's fists tightened.

"I'm too much like A-Niang. That's why A-Die doesn't like me. I don't have Wei Wuxian's temperament, or his skills." Jiang Wanyin said in frustration. "But shouldn't thinking about our sect matter?!" Jiang Yanli tilted her head in confusion. JIang Wanyin let out an exasperated sigh.

"Sure. What Wei Wuxian did protected those disciples who had resisted Wen Chao. I can even somewhat understand that since Lan Wangji was one of them, Wei Wuxian would want to protect him. But what did he think would happen afterwards?! Is Wen Chao going to forget that Wei Wuxian held a sword to his throat? Is he going to forget Wei Wuxian is the Head Disciples of the YunmengJiang sect? Wei Wuxian has put our entire sect in danger, but A-Die is smiling at him with pride and telling him he did well." Jiang Wanyin panted for breath.

"What about me? What did I do that was so wrong? I tried to look out of our sect. I tried to caution Wei Wuxian against bringing trouble onto us. He didn't listen. Sure, Wei Wuxian killed a monster, but what did I do? I had to travel without rest to get help, and avoid QishanWen sect soldiers the entire way. I'm his son, but A-Die can barely stand to look at me. It's always Wei Wuxian." Jiang Wanyin shouted, tears threatening to fall.

Jiang Yanli stepped forward and gathered Jiang Wanyin into her arms. He buried his face in her shoulder, not daring to make a sound. Jiang Wanyin hated to ever let anyone see him cry. Jiang Yanli knew that was their mother's doing. He was supposed to be a strong leader after all, so how could he cry? Jiang Yanli tried to tell him otherwise, but even with her Jiang Wanyin always did his best to hold back his tears.

"It isn't wrong to want to protect our sect and our home, A-Cheng." Jiang Yanli said softly. "Nor is it wrong to protect others, even if it could put our sect in danger." Jiang Wanyin flinched in the embrace.

"Is this more excuses for him? We can't both be right A-Jie." Jiang Wanyin muttered.

"Why not?" Jiang Yanli asked. "Why does there have to be only one right answer?"

Jiang Wanyin frowned.

"A-Cheng. Maybe it isn't about one of you being right, or better. How A-Die treats A-Xian versus how he treats you, they are separate things. More importantly, they are A-Die's actions. A-Xian has no control over whether or not A-Die praises you." Jiang Yanli said gently.

"He has no control over always being the one to play the hero? Always showing off? Always drawing attention to himself? Those aren't choices Wei Wuxian is making?" Jiang Wanyin challenged. Jiang Yanli sighed.

"A-Cheng. I wish A-Die would tell you that he sees how hard you work, how much you do for our sect, and how much thought you put into trying to be the best heir that you can. I cannot make A-Die tell you these things. I believe A-Die knows, but A-Die has always been better at showing praise to the other disciples and A-Xian. He has never been good at expressing himself with me or A-Niang, or you." Jiang Yanli took a deep breath.

"A-Cheng. You are the heir of the YunmengJiang sect. One day you will be sect leader, and I know you will always do everything in your power to live up to that responsibility. You are enough A-Cheng. Even if A-Die never says so, and even if A-Niang is always pushing you to be better."