Well, in The Untamed, Wen Ning and Jiang Yanli had the opportunity to interact at least a few times beyond when she offered him soup that one time. And I imagine that Jin Ling would be eager to hear any stories of his mother, no matter the source.
Cooking for their siblings in Yiling, after the fall of Lotus Pier.
With Wei Wuxian preoccupied with finding anything to help Jiang Cheng, Jiang Yanli finds herself retreating to an unfamiliar kitchen to find comfort in keeping her hands busy by preparing food for her brothers. Only to find Wen Ning there, preparing food for his sister.
Wen Ning’s happy to help her find what she needs to make soup. He seems almost desperate to try to make up for what his clan has done to hers when he isn’t speaking. The fact that he’s already forced his sister’s hand into giving them sanctuary doesn’t seem to come into his consideration. Never mind that he rescued Jiang Cheng from Lotus Pier, that he had arranged for her parent’s bodies to be removed and respectfully cremated.
Jiang Yanli turns her head when Wen Ning goes quiet, pausing as she finishes chopping the lotus root. He’s looking out the window, an almost haunted look of longing on his face. And out the window, Wei Wuxian is crossing the courtyard, more texts piled in his arms, his face shadowed but determination in every inch of his bearing.
Looking back at Wen Ning, Jiang Yanli sighs as she reaches for another lotus root. It doesn’t take a genius realize that Wen Ning is profoundly lonely. He loves his sister and he seems to have loyal disciples. But that isn’t the same thing as having friends.
