( He finishes off another bun as Lan Xichen talks, not too foolish to let politeness mean he cannot eat. Hunger is an old friend he doesn't want to be reacquainted with and if he's breaking any rules he doesn't know them, humming a thoughtful note after he swallows. )

I confess I have not heard of this 'sunshot campaign' you speak off.

( Which is fair. He had spies in the Jianghu, obviously, but he'd aimed them towards the Five Lakes. It's not entirely in the realm of possibility he's missed something further out. )

But I can hazard a guess. Isn't that what great clans do? Fight between themselves for the honour of being the very best? ( His tone shifts slightly on the word honour, a hint of venom before it's gone. Perhaps he shouldn't speak so viciously of clans when he's in the sphere of a sect leader. Wen Kexing glances at Lan Xichen and then, more demurely. ) Though what do I know, I'm merely a commoner. My parents were clingy, they wanted me close.

( It's not ... entirely a lie. They could have left him with Four Seasons Manor. Maybe they might have sent him back, once things died down. )