[ The relief is powerful, and shows on his face clearly, the lines of his mouth softening, the furrow of his brow. At least his brother hasn't been party to the dangers of this place. It doesn't guarantee that he won't find his way here, but -

Nie Mingjue had hidden his brother from the Sunshot Campaign, bundled him off to the Cloud Recesses, safe in Gusu far from the fighting. He wanted his brother to be capable of fighting, of defending himself, but he didn't want that so much he was willing to pretend his skill was greater than it was. Having him in this place would have been a nightmare. ]

Small mercies.

I've spoken with both of them, and your brothers as well. They've given me some insight into this place. [ He doesn't need to say that some things are best seen with the eyes. Xichen is here, and as whole as he can be. ] That we are not all of us from the same time or the same world, hard as it is to believe.

And that Meng Yao is here with us as well.

[ He's never been one to tiptoe around a subject. Little as he cares to discuss their sworn brother, it would be unnecessary and cruel to allow Xichen to believe him unaware, and fret over whether and when to bring it up. ]