on a more serious note the idea that wen qing and wen ning didn't actively oppose their clan's actions in any way is (apart from just untrue) a testament to how ppl tend to view "unsuccessful" help as worthless. that's also why they look down on wwx protecting the wen remnants
captive prince being known as the slave yaoi book is so sad because it’s so cool? a stalemate between enemy princes who have to choose between taking revenge on each other or securing their claims to the throne? gradual balance of a circumstantial / illegitimate power imbalance?