It’s a beautiful day when they kill Wen Qionglin.
Wen Qionglin had come to the jingshi a couple of weeks ago – not a particularly unusual occurrence, as he often visited Wei Ying and Sizhui – but this time, when he sat across the table, watching Wei Ying and Lan Wangji drink tea, there was a… subdued air about him.
Wei Ying, ever watchful, was more boisterous than usual, filling the somber silence with more laughter and more gossip.
“Wei-gongzi,” Wen Qionglin had said suddenly, and something about the way he said it let Lan Wangji know that he had been working up the courage. “I – I have a request.”
The forced smile dripped off of Wei Ying’s lips and he had leveled Wen Qionglin with a sober gaze – as if he already knew what Wen Qionglin was going to request. “Must you leave?” Wei Ying had asked quietly, and Lan Wangji had been lost. Hadn’t known what Wei Ying had meant by his request.
Wen Qionglin had let out a little sigh and looked down at the table – seemingly unable to meet Wei Ying’s eyes. “I will always be grateful to you, Wei-gongzi,” Wen Qionglin had said steadily, his fists clenched resolutely, “It has been my honor to serve you. But my sister is waiting for me, and I’ve made her wait a long time.”