Backlash Part 1

Chapter 185: Strategy and Limitations

The next day Chifeng-zun made an unusual visit to Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji's tent. A-Yuan and Nuan-er were with Jiang Yanli and the other Wens. With the knowledge that Wen Qing was in danger, trying to adjust Nuan-er to being away from Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji had become even more urgent.

Jiang Yanli had suggested taking Nuan-er to help in the infirmary. She had retrieved them after breakfast. Wen Nuan took a bit of coaxing. After securing promises from Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji, that they would be there when she came back, Wen Nuan agreed. Wen-popo and San-yi had apparently also signed on to assist. Both were trained healers and many other Wens would be in the infirmary helping as well. There would be no shortage of people there to assist if one of the kids became too restless or needed to be put down for a nap.

Jiang Yanli had noted that Nuan-er seemed to be curious by nature, when she wasn't stressed or overwhelmed. She also seemed very fond of helping people. Something Jiang Yanli had already figured out when she first met Nuan-er. Jiang Yanli was certain Nuan-er would enjoy helping in the infirmary, and she was hopeful that the more challenging and attention demanding activities would give Nuan-er less time to think about things that made her anxious.

Chifeng-zun had met with Lan Xichen and Jiang Yanli early in the morning, and had been told by Jiang Yanli when the children would be out. They had some preliminary discussion about Wen Qing's situation. They knew very little. Only that Wen Qing was alive, in danger, and probably in Nightless City.

'Probably in the Flame Palace.' Chifeng-zun added quietly. He remembered their conversation as they waited for Wen Qionglin to find them. He remembered the way Wen Qing had so casually talked about being, 'chained in one of these rooms.' Like it was something she expected. Like her imprisonment in Wen Rouhan's hall of torture was an eventuality, something that was always going to come to pass. Nie Mingjue had not been in the Flame Palace for very long. All things considered, he had been quite lucky.

'No.' he thought quietly. 'Not lucky.'

It had not been luck that made his stay in the Flame Palace short. It had been Wen Qing's planning and efforts that removed him so quickly. Wen Qing had traded her freedom and safety for his. Because Zewu-jun asked if it could be done, she did it.

'Wen Rouhan has turned our surname into a curse. I'm just hoping I can keep one small village of healers from being killed by it.' Wen Qing had said quietly. A hollowness in her voice that hit differently when Chifeng-zun suddenly found himself in a village too large for the number of people still living in it.

As much as Chifeng-zun hated the Wens. Hated them for the pain and loss his family had suffered. Chifeng-zun did not earn his title or reputation by holding his hatred above honor. He owed a life debt to Wen Qing and the Dafan Wens. Nie Mingjue had helped bury the bodies. He knew how many died when Wen Rouhan's soldiers turned on the Dafan Wen's in their pursuit of Nie Mingjue. He was also not ignorant to what Wen Qing might be suffering now.

Hastening a war he was already fighting in hopes of preserving Wen Qing's life, did not even begin to pay the debt Nie Mingjue owed them. Words Meng Yao had spoken with a placid smile interrupted Nie Mingjue's thoughts. Words describing what Nie Mingjue's future in the Flame Palace would look like. Nie Mingjue wondered if Meng Yao would do to Wen Qing what he had said he would do to Nie Mingjue.

Something in the back of Nie Mingjue's mind whispered, 'Maybe... But she cost him the chance to do those things to you.' In his gut Nie Mingjue knew that, in all likelihood, Meng Yao would do something worse.

All this urged Nie Mingjue on in his decision to speak with Wei Wuxian. He had witnessed what Wei Wuxian did in Dafan. He also knew Wei Wuxian had been unconscious for several days following it. Nie Mingjue had a few ideas about how they could potentially proceed, but he needed to know what he had to work with before he could formalize those plans.