The distress on his face is genuine; Huaisang mixes his truths with lies, but the sorrow and pain of Nie Mingjue's passing is raw still. Huaisang only needs to let it show rather than bury it down.

"That San-ge was responsible using..." He falls silent, and gives Lan Xichen a hesitant look. "The teachings of the Lan sect, the teachings you entrusted him with, Er-ge." But even in a hospital bed, exhausted and bitten, Huaisang will not let down his guard.

Even for Lan Xichen. Especially for Lan Xichen. "Is all of that true?"