"I know that." Not that knowing had made it easier, but he'd thought they'd have longer to enjoy the peace after everything had finally calmed down. But that hadn't been the case and he'd been doing his best. Although maybe if he'd found more time to go play for Mingjue, there could have been more time.

"I should have played for you myself, but with Wangji's situation, I taught A-Yao the songs and he took my place. I didn't..." Xichen takes a slower breath, shakes his head.

"It doesn't matter now. You're here and that's more than I ever expected."