( ...ah. The prickling, the stirrings of outrage. This is the Five they never love yet often remember. Earlier, he had been tickled by the possibility of entering the Whispering Houses and their domain. Now, his intent given voice, he shies.

Lan Wangji considers, for a moment, tempted to drag him along for the sheer novelty of coaxing Five into a dreadful affair, for a chance. What must it be like, for him not to instigate, but follow? Shocking, no doubt.

But they have no time to squabble. Never time, even to know their own thoughts. Then, half shrugging: )

I have no need of you.

( Beyond a pale veneer of legitimacy to balm his conscience. )