"It will. It's--not as bad as last time, but--the comparison is there. And we still haven't exactly recovered from that." 

No, they haven't.

Well. She cannot and will not just sit here moping all day. Time to get back to checking on everyone, making absolutely sure that there are no injuries and that everyone has what they need.

Wen Ying hugs lots and lots of people, and fetches food and water, and hovers anxiously. Eventually A-Yuan's mom hands her the baby again just to distract her. 

Lan Zhan really does not want to rush Wen Ying, but seeing Wen Chao actively trying to snatch the Yin Iron away from them has put her on edge. 

"I can go on alone. If you wish," she finally says when the sun marks noon. 

She gives the baby back to his mom and stands up. 

"No, you're right. I'll ask jie how much longer she's going to be, gimme a sec." 

"Mm."

She weaves her way through assorted relatives to her sister. 

"How's it coming? I don't know how long the shitty spoiled fool will be out." 

"Ah. I am not necessary for anything more, we can say our goodbyes." She is frowning, clearly unhappy at the prospect of leaving everyone behind.

"I... want to leave A-Ning here. But we can't, anything could happen..."

"I think I've managed to terrify Wen Chao into leaving this place alone. He knows he can't take me, if I decide to follow through on my threats." 

She chews her lip. "But anything could happen between us. A war could start. What if we can't reach him?"

"You're not wrong, but...in that case Granny wouldn't be safe either, or A-Yuan or anyone." 

"...yes. They would be safer with him here."

She looks completely miserable about it.

"You could stay too. I'll be perfectly safe with Lan Zhan." 

"Don't be stupid."

"Am I stupid for thinking A-Ning needs you more than I do, or for trusting her?" 

"Do you think it's safe here or not?" she snaps. "You're stupid for wanting to go off by yourself, you always do this! Do you think I'm going to let you report back to Uncle all by yourself, having to explain where we've gone? Do you think I'm needed less by the people actively angering Wen Chao than the people not doing that?"

"I think it's safe here! The thing people need you for here isn't physical protection! And I wouldn't even be alone this time." She shifts uncomfortably. "It was kind of stupid not thinking of Uncle, though. I wasn't," she clarifies. "Just the parts that come next." 

Wen Qing huffs. "Yes, you always think only of the parts that come next! This is exactly why I won't let you go alone, A-Ying. I trust Lan-guniang within reason. I trust your capabilities. But if A-Ning will be safe as you say, here on his own, I must go with my little sister."

"Sorry, jie." 

"Mhm." Hug. Sigh. "A-Ning will be unhappy about separating also. I should tell him now."

Nod nod. 

She goes with her. Hugging A-Ning about it is her big sister responsibility. 

"A-Ning. A-Ying and I are going to leave soon. We need you to stay here."

"W- what? But. But, you already said that..."

"That was before last night. A-Ning, everyone here is so shaken. They are vulnerable and might need defending again. I want you to stay home and take care of Granny. Can you do that for me?"

"But Jie, I want -

I want to help you and Ying-jie and Lan-guniang and, and Zewu-jun, like w-we promised. I can..."