it had been months since the emperor was killed, and months since Mu Qing betrayed xie lian.. but he still felt guilty. He had a tendency to take things personally way longer than anyone should. It was another day for him having literal war flashbacks as he half heartedly helped stitch xie lians robes(which he refused to do then angrily grabbed them), maybe just because he liked the way xie lian smiled and appreciated the skill he used to sew.

he was sitting on a bench outside the tacky Puqi shrine sewing, assuming no one was around. He completely stopped to stare at his wrist… remembering the feeling of having a cursed shackle and the way it was used to control him and abuse him while xie lian was out of Jun Wu’s grasp. Used, emotionally abused and physically exhausted just to be found out right away and feel like a traitor