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[rootsforyou]

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[rootsforyou]

[gives herself a chance to sip at her tea, which is probably now cold, to collect her thoughts]

[strikingchords]

[he drinks tea, too. it bit unexpectedly deep that Jiang Yanli took his grief at his own failures as a lack of commitment, but she's the one dead of his failures between the two of them, so perhaps she has the right to judge him that frivolous after all.]

...

[rootsforyou]

[jesus lan wangji she is just using normal words that do not say anything about your levels of commitment, have some chill

she is actually going to get up to check on the soup and reheat the tea too]

[strikingchords]

[he has no chill and "just didn't want anyone here to think it was easy!" implies some things, Jiang Yanli

he watches the cooling tea in his cup instead of her.]

[rootsforyou]

[we will work on those bad faith assumptions of what people mean when they say words later, or something

comes back with a warm cup of tea for him!]

Here. Something warm in your belly can do wonders to lift your spirits.

[strikingchords]

[sometimes someone says something that hurts when you're already beating yourself up and insists on it even when you push back, it is what it is!

he takes the tea, but]

My apologies. That is also unnecessary.

[rootsforyou]

Is it? Please indulge me anyways, if it's no trouble. I couldn't possibly drink a whole pot of tea myself.

[strikingchords]

I thank you for the drink.

But you have misunderstood. I do not require reassurance, any more than reminders.

I require knowledge. So that ignorance does not repeat itself.

[rootsforyou]

It is my habit as an older sister to remind and reassure.

As for knowledge, I don't know if there is anything else that would be useful at the moment. Unless you can think of something.

[strikingchords]

Do you know aught else of the Wens' history?

I had met them, but was unaware.

[rootsforyou]

[shakes her head]

Aside from that, I only know what I've heard from others. Wen Qing had a reputation for being exceptional in liberal arts and medicine. She was quite talented, and it was likely for that reason that she was also a favorite of Wen Ruohan's. She was often at the banquets that took place at the QishanWen Sect. I'd seen her from a distance at a few banquets, but never spoken to her. Before the Sunshot Campaign I am aware that her reputation was that of a medic, someone whose hands did not carry a sword to draw blood. But of course, after that, every Wen was the same. There were always some whispers of people who wanted her to take over the sect after Wen Ruohan, even though she was the daughter of one of his distant cousins.

I had not heard anything about Wen Qionglin or the other members of their branch. A-Cheng mentioned that it was only the elderly, women, and children there, so that would make sense. A medic does not gain much notoriety.

[strikingchords]

[nods]

This matches my information. The debt you spoke of was not widely known.

[and exhales]

I regret this, but it reduces further complications.

[rootsforyou]

Since A-Xian knew them best he would have the most information regarding anything else. But I expect it's also difficult for him to talk about them.

[strikingchords]

[inclines his head; the distance in his eyes and quiet on his face might have a more predictable cause, now]

Had offered to speak of anything he did not remember. He has not yet returned to ask.

I would not salt a wound.

[rootsforyou]

[the reason for sad gazes is very apparent here]

It's still...fresh. For everyone. I think it will always be a little painful no matter how careful we are with our words.

Since there is no immediate need for this information we should wait a bit.

[strikingchords]

When he asks, I will say. Not before.

...

[gently]

Is there more you would delay, young Madame Jin?

[rootsforyou]

Delay...? Nothing that I can think of. I didn't want anyone to feel pressured to talk about something before they're ready, that's all.

[strikingchords]

And, yourself?

[he doesn't seem to assume it's the case, but he's putting it out there]

Please advise of pressure.

[rootsforyou]

[shakes her head minutely]

There is none. It's not exactly easy to speak of certain events. However, I don't mind discussing them. It's almost helpful to be able to talk about it.

[strikingchords]

[nods, very seriously]

...

If ever, you wish to speak.

I will listen.

[rootsforyou]

Not now. But, in the future, I will certainly take you up on such a kind offer if it isn't inconvenient for you. And I would extend the same courtesy to you.

[strikingchords]

The offer will remain. Do not consider inconvenience.

[he just nods at the latter, not responding in words but not ignoring it either]

[rootsforyou]

I will endeavor to do so, though I ask your patience in that. Breaking old habits is not easily done, even here.

[strikingchords]

It is not.

...

I will also endeavor.

[rootsforyou]

That is all that I can ask of anyone. We can only strive to improve ourselves. Even in circumstances like this. Or perhaps moreso?

Ah, but I am rambling on. Please don't let me take up too much of your time.