In all honesty, several things would be easier if Wei Ying did not love Jin Ling so much. Ideally, he would also exile Jiang Wanyin from his heart. Lan Wangji understands, however, the impossibility of that, and that he himself would not love Wei Ying the way he does if Wei Ying were not so given to loving others, even those who barely deserve it.

Love does not compel Lan Wangji to stand here and listen as Jiang Wanyin aims poison darts at Wei Ying's heart. "Jiang Wanyin," he says again, in a voice like crackling ice, "hold your tongue." As a warning, he lets Wangji's strings rumble beneath his fingertips.