A Means to an End (WangXian)

Shield

Wei Wuxian wiped the sweat off his brow and let out a breath of air. He had just finished setting up a barrier around Lotus Pier, one that is invisible and is not obviously there unless harm were to come towards it. It is also set with similar defenses and offenses that Wei Wuxian had used for the Cloud Recesses.

The Wen attack should still be at least a few days away, but Wei Wuxian wanted to be prepared as much as possible. Reports came in from Nie Mingjue that the Wens already seemed on the move towards them, Wen Chao leading the charge.

So far, everything seemed to be going exactly as planned.

However, one thing Wei Wuxian would say is beginning to frustrate him is that he is having to take the time in the middle of the night to put these defenses up. During the day, he was constantly swarmed with tasks to complete. Yu Ziyuan has seemed to start her recurring routines of running Wei Wuxian ragged. Between trainings, meetings, chores, and so forth, he hasn't had a chance to himself to begin preparations for the battle.

Lan Wangji and Lan Xichen grew angry and frustrated at this, but until discussions were over about courtship, there was not much they could do. Angering the Jiangs would only result in further issues, and they may not be able to provide the aid the Jiangs and Wei Wuxian will need.

Though, if you asked Lan Wangji, then he would say let the Jiangs burn. 

However, he couldn't do that because he knew, despite everything, Wei Wuxian still cared about his relationship with the Jiang siblings, and he would never forgive himself if something were to happen to them.

Lan Xichen hoped that discussion about the courting would go smoothly and hopefully relieve some of this tension going on in the air. Sure, Yu Ziyuan was keeping herself tempered in front of the Lan Sect heir, but even Lan Xichen could feel her seething energy wafting off her in waves, always towards Wei Wuxian.

The other part of Lan Xichen knew that this was not going to be easy though. Even if discussions went smoothly, something told him that at least one of them would put up an argument, maybe even both, demanding unreasonable things.

Lan Xichen tried to stall the meeting as long as possible, not wanting tensions to be too high, but as discussions of the indoctrination came to a close, he acknowledged he could no longer be quiet.

So, Lan Xichen arranged the meeting with the two of them, but asked Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji to be part of the meeting as this impacts the two of them more than anyone.

Jiang Wanyin gritted his teeth, knowing where all of this would lead, but a small voice in the back of his head told him to keep quiet for the moment.

Even if it is Nie Huaisang's annoying whiny voice.

Yu Ziyuan opposed this at first, not agreeing that this meeting had anything to do with them, especially Wei Wuxian, but Lan Xichen was insistent.

Now the five sit in a private room, tea and light snacks being passed around. Wei Wuxian kept his head down, shoulders squared, and not once reaching out for the tea or snacks in front of him.

Lan Wangji wanted to reach out and reassure him, but knew it needed to wait. They both felt like they were walking on hot coals. Even the smallest of wrong movements would burn their feet.

"What is it you needed to discuss with us? I hope you have a good reason for including the Second Young Lan Master and Wei Wuxian." Her voice was more cold as she uttered Wei Wuxian's name.

Lan Xichen gave a strained smile. This was already looking like it would go against him.

He needed to steel his nerves. Lan Xichen never liked conflict, but this was his brother's happiness, and Wei Wuxian's safety. He could not back down.