The Lecture hall was set up to hold the trial against the Jiang's. It was a bigger room and it was perfect to keep everyone separated as we hope to keep this trial as civil as possible but my gut is telling me otherwise. Two Jiang sect elders and Jiang Yanli were already here. The two elders were actually a married couple and they were Jiang Fengmian's Uncle and Aunt from his mother's side. The healer from Yunmeng was also here.

They went by Elder Jiang Liena and Elder Jiang Kun. They were a lovely couple and they have been kind to me and have always tried to help me through my struggles at Lotus Pier. They felt terrible when their efforts were only to be in vain. Jiang Yanli was here and she had Jin Zixuan beside her for support. I didn't really talk to the guy much but he was Yanli's fiancé so I was very happy and supportive of them. The healer is actually a really sweet older woman named, Healer Ànhé*, who is basically like that cool and fun aunt. She was always very nice and did well to ease tension when her patients were scared.

*Ànhé (aan-hwu) The word "an" is used to mean "calm and peaceful," while "he" refers to a "water lily." Think of a tranquil flower floating on a pond

"Ànhé, Aunt Liena, Uncle Kun, Shijie," I greeted them, "it's been a long time."

"A'Xian," Liena said and pulled me into a hug, "look at you, you have grown so handsome. You look healthy, and I am happy to see it."

I smiled, "Aunt Liena, this is my fiancé Lan Wangji," I greeted.

"Oh, you chose well, A'Xian," Liena told me.

"A'Ying, we are finally glad that we are doing this. My nephew has been too much of a coward and has let you endure this for too long," Kun said, "it's good to see you are safe and healthy."

"I am still trying to get by as I am struggling with some post trauma, but it is to be expected I guess," I told them.

"We are just glad that this is finally being handled," Kun said.

I nodded and turned to shijie, "are you going to be upset with me for basically tearing your family apart?" I asked.

"No, my mother did that to the family a long time ago. This was not in you and you were the victim not the other way around," she told me, "I tried several times to talk to my parents but they too, shut me up and kept this up. I am just relieved that this is finally being resolved."

"And Jiang Cheng?" I asked.

"He has been sulking and being bitter and angry as per usual," Shijie replied, "he might show up unannounced and cause a scene."

I sighed, "has he been more upset since I left?" I asked.

"Yes but only because he has no one to blame when he messes up," Yanli said, "it's finally showing that he has not been training very well. The sect has actually been very hostile lately as they know this trial is going to happen sometime soon. Kun and Liena were not the only elders who wanted to speak up for you. They all wanted to but they needed to stay back and fix everything that Mom and Dad screwed up."

"This is just a giant mess," I said, and pinched the bridge of my head.

"A'Ying?" Baoshan called for me.

"Wai Po, I am here," I waved and she came over to me, "this is my Shijie that I told you about."

"Hello sweetheart," Baoshan greeted, "I appreciate you doing this."

"Of course, A'Xian should not have gone through any of this but since he did, he should have been protected long ago. I am just relieved that it's finally happening," Yanli said.

"A'Ying tells me that you want to cultivate but you have a hard time with it and you do not like the idea of using a sword. If you would like, I have some ideas that could be useful for you," Baoshan told her.

"Really?" Yanli asked.

"Of course, let's just say it's something to give back to you as you stuck by A'Ying and helped him as much as you could with what you had. I know you wished you could do more but you being there to give him aid and to feed him is still something that was of great importance," Baoshan told her.

"I would do it all again," Yanli said, "he is too precious of a human being to be treated like dirt."

"That is true," Baoshan agreed.

I sighed as I did not want any more compliments right now. Lan Zhan took my hand and pulled me into a hug, "can't handle the praises?" He asked.

"Not yet," I answered, "I'm not used to such words."

"You will get used to them over time," he told me, "and to be clear, you are a very precious human being. I am so glad that you are mine."

I could only sigh again and rest my head on his shoulder, "alright, alright, I love you too," I said, "can you ease up a bit? I can't handle such things right now. My might heart burst."

"Mnn, I will make sure your heart is fine," Lan Zhan said.

"Please try not to leave my side at all. I need you next to me, maybe even holding my hand through this," I said, "I am honestly very nervous."

"I am here, Wei Ying," Lan Zhan reassured me.

Baoshan stood beside us, "stay beside me as well. Stick close to me, Wangji, Lan Qiren and Lan Xichen if you are nervous."

I nodded as Lan Zhan guided me over to stand by his uncle and brother, "well, I appreciate your help with all this," I told them.

"We are here for you, Wuxian, you are a part of our family now too," Lan Qiren said, "you and Wangji may not be married yet but you two are tied by fate, it's enough for the moment to know that you have family here in Cloud Recesses."

"Thank you," I said.

"Wei Ying?" I heard a familiar voice from behind me. I turned around to see Sect Leader Jiang standing there, Madam Yu and Jiang Cheng were beside him, "have you been hiding here in Gusu this whole time?"

"No," I answered, "I have been living with my grandmother."

"Hello again Fengmian," Baoshan greeted.

"Baoshan Sanren?" He asked, "why are you here?"

"It seems that a simple request for an alliance was all it took to get you all here, when this is actually your trial that should have happened long ago," Baoshan told him.

"What trial?" Madam Yu spat, "Wei Wuxian, just what do you think you are doing?"

"Getting my freedom from your petty jealousy and Sect Leader Jiang's bystander mentality that had me endure years of suffering and abuse, not once feeling any sort of love from any of you...actually, shijie was the only one who had ever shown me love and support. Otherwise it was abuse, neglect, ignorance, and hatred that I endured...and do not worry. If you say that we need proof, we have it," I explained.

"Wei Ying, why are you only now telling me all this?" Sect Leader Jiang asked.

"Do not stand there and tell me that you never knew of your wife's behavior towards me!" I yelled, "You know very well what she has done and you have seen me in the infirmary several times due to infections of wounds that I could not get treatment for under orders of Madam Yu. If I died, you would not have cared and I am sure the sect now is doing great without me there."

Sect leader Jiang was shocked that this was all now coming to light and that today was going to let out all the truths of their past abuse towards me. I looked forward to seeing them all lose everything for what they have done to me.