Backlash Part 1

Chapter 183: It Could Be Better

Lan Wangji didn't seem to agree with Wei Wuxian's assessment of how things were going. Lan Wangji's temper was simmering somewhere between righteous indignation and protective fury, illustrated in his expression for all to see. All to see, if everyone could actually understand his expressions. Most people could not, so the reality was that Wei Wuxian was one of maybe four people who understood what that look meant.

Jiang Yanli didn't feel she had by any means mastered interpreting Lan Wangji's expressions, but she was reasonably confident that she was reading that particular glare correctly. Lan Wangji's presence had seemed to take on new levels of intimidation. Jiang Yanli could visibly see the impact on some of the more sensible cultivators. They fidgeted uncomfortably while they're voices grew quieter.

Jiang Yanli had spent most of the journey from Dafan going through the arguments in her head. She had prepared extensively for the opposition she knew they were going to face. She certainly hoped that having Sect Leader Lan and Sect Leader Nie supporting her would drastically minimize the need for these preparations.

However, as far as Jiang Yanli was concerned, this concerned her family intimately. This was her niece and nephew. This was the extended family of her niece and nephew. Jiang Yanli had spent a lot of time getting to know the Dafan Wens. Luo Qingyang and she had managed to uncover several very embarrassing childhood stories about Wen Qing in the process. Luo Qingyang was so excited to get to tease Wen Qing with them. Jiang Yanli was looking forward to it.

Most importantly of all, it was her didi they were shaming. Jiang Yanli was not in the mood to simply let things slide. She was not in the mood to begrudgingly accept the disrespectful remarks, or accusatory tones. Jiang Yanli was very pleased to see that Lan Wangji agreed.

In the end her preparation left her well equipped to cut through the remarks and protests. When people still grumbled senselessly in complaint, Nie Mingjue finally lost his patience. He demanded to know if they felt the the sects, who had been affiliated with the QishanWen sect and since joined the allied sects, were also still suspicious. If the civilians who sheltered Chifeng-zun were not to be trusted, then how could anyone who had ever been affiliated with the QishanWen sect be trusted?

Many minor sects had been subjugated by the QishanWen sect. It was not a small number of their forces who were made up of those sects previously operating under the QishanWen sects authority. When someone tried to make a complaint about having the DafanWens in the infirmary Nie Mingjue said they were welcome to treat their own injuries if they wanted to get picky about who would treat them.

Jiang Yanli was not entirely pleased with the situation, but accepted it for now. The cultivators dispersed. A few cast dark glances toward the Dafan Wens. Jiang Yanli found herself resisting the urge to scowl. It was not really in her nature to glare the way Lan Wangji was. She settled for keeping her impression stern as she watched the cultivators scatter out amongst the camp.

Jiang Yanli suspected she would have more to deal with in the future. The Yin Hufu would inevitably become a topic of discussion. With the rumours already being heaped onto her Da-di, Jiang Yanli fully expected the Yin Hufu to cause some sort of unpleasant stir.

Jiang Yanli gazed at Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji. Lan Wangji was still glaring somewhat murderously at the retreating cultivators. Wen Yuan was currently distracted by Wei Wuxian and a toy drum. Wen Nuan was held securely against Wei Wuxian's hip, but she was gazing up at Lan Wangji like he had done something amazing.

Jiang Yanli wasn't certain what exactly had impressed Wen Nuan so much. Lan Wangji had mostly glared bloody murder at the amassed cultivators. Wen Nuan was quite fond of glaring at people to express her displeasure, so perhaps this was what had impressed the four year old. Jiang Yanli tried to imagine Naun-er following behind Lan Wangji trying to imitate his glares. Jiang Yanli had to fight back a fit of giggles that would have been entirely inappropriate for the present situation.

Once she calmed herself Jiang Yanli took the lead on getting the Dafan Wens settled. To her surprise, and delight, Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian insisted on helping. The two of them spent minimal time around camp. Wei Wuxian especially minimized his time outside of his tent. Jiang Yanli encouraged him as best as she could. She made sure to include him in things and asked for his help so that he would still be seen among the YunmengJiang cultivators.

Jiang Yanli knew he was creating distance on purpose. Wei Wuxian stopped wearing YunmengJiang colours. He started spending more and more time in his tent. She knew that the talk around camp was not easy on him. She was honestly impressed by how well he was managing his responses to other cultivators, but she hated that he needed to. Jiang Yanli had never gone as far as to ask Wei Wuxian to spend less time in his tent. She couldn't ask Wei Wuxian to subject himself to the stares, gossip, and accusations.

Seeing him get so involved in helping to settle the Dafan Wens was like turning back a clock. He teased the Dafan Wens as he flitted about from one task to another. He directed Nuan-er in helping to set up a tent while he bounced A-Yuan gently. He had freed up Lan Wangji's arms and Lan Wangji put himself to work assisting in any tasks that might demand more strength than the elderly Wens could manage. Much of the tension among the DafanWens dissolved under Wei Wuxian's bright laughter.

Jiang Yanli adored seeing her Da-di in such high spirits. He seemed unbothered by slanderous words from the cultivators earlier. Jiang Yanli was not certain if he was perhaps concealing his emotions regarding it. He seemed pleased with how the day had progressed. If it was genuine, Jiang Yanli couldn't help but wonder how Wei Wuxian thought this was going to play out. Had he imagined something much worse, and so he took what had occurred in stride as a fortuitous turn of events?

Jiang Yanli was not especially pleased with how things had gone. She expected better of the sects. Better than devolving into fear mongering and gossips. Neither of those things seemed particularly righteous or normal. It felt petty and small minded. Such things should not be so common. Jiang Yanli swallowed back her disappointment with the other cultivators. She focused on Wei Wuxian's bright laughter, and Nuan-er's excitement to help by fetching items back and forth.

Wen Nuan glanced frequently at Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji. Ensuring they were always in sight, but finally interacting with the other members of her family once more. After a few discussions with Wen-Popo and a number of the other DafanWens, Wen Nuan seemed to finally believe none of them were going to try and take her away from Wei Wuxian. Jiang Yanli allowed the sight to warm her.

Jiang Yanli supposed today had at least ended somewhat satisfactorily. It could have been better. Should have been better, in Jiang Yanli's opinion. It would do. Her Da-di was smiling. His future husband was watching him fondly while Wei Wuxian showered his son and daughter with affection. Jiang Yanli would have liked it to have gone better today, but this would do for now.