#Mu Empress

[rubys-forest]

nothing like redrawing another piece of art for swap au

[chernobog13]

The Empress of Mu trying real hard not to freak out from the creepy guy looming next to her.

JK! Actually a behind-the-scenes shot from Atragon (1963), with director Ishirō Honda lining up a shot while actress Tetsuko Kobayashi waits for her cue.

[kdram-chjh]

Cdrama: The Legendary Life of Queen Lau (2022)

The Legendary Life of Queen Lau, #shorts #silhouette

Watch this video on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/0dqnyuwTQUk

[dkmediacc1]

One piece Boa hancock

[majormeilani]

part of my unhappiness with the lack of content for certain ahit characters is what inspired me to make my "aus" anyway bc i'm like. why do they get so little? did they not know what to do with these characters? i've got this lol

the stuff i make up about em is canon to me anyway because i'm just like that

[jayblanc]

Chinese Censorship of the 2023 Hugo Award Nominations

Back before the 2023 Hugo Nominations were conducted, I noted that the Chengdu Worldcon Hugo committee had inserted a worrying clause indicating that local government officials could invalidate nominations for breaching the norms and standards of China. I suspected this would result in arbitrarily applied censorship to control the ballot. I am sad and unsurprised to discover I was correct.

The 2023 Hugo Nomination vote data has been published (https://www.thehugoawards.org/2024/01/2023-nominating-and-final-ballot-statistics-published/), and includes notation where nominations were excluded from the ballot. Those with normal reasons, such as being in the wrong category or not being published in 2022 are identified with their reasons for exclusion. This time there are a number of nominations that are merely marked at "Not eligible".

Here is the list of those nominations, that would otherwise have been placed on the final 2023 Hugo Award Ballot.

Babel - R.F. Kuang - Best Novel: Very likely excluded for referencing student revolution, and the use of language and translation as coercive tools of oppression. Color the World - Congyun "Mu Ming" Hu - Best Novellette : A story about perception of, aid of, and discrimination against disability. Congyun Hu has left China and now lives in New York. Fogong Temple Padoga - Hai Ya - Best Story : Either there is something in the original Chinese that was not translated, there's a taboo subject that elides my reading, or this otherwise innocent looking near future tale of cultural building restoration was written by the wrong person. The Art of Ghost of Tsushima: Dark Horse and Sucker Punch Games - Best Related Work : The video game Ghost of Tsushima was subject to directed social exclusion for it's depiction of the Mongol invasion of Japan. Sandman, Amazon Studios: Best Dramatic Presentation (Long and Short) - A diverse and divergent cast, includes subject matter and social issues that are currently taboo in China. Paul Weimer - Fan Writer: Publicly Critical of holding a Worldcon in China. Xiran Jay Zhao - Astounding Award: Qualifying work "Iron Widow" is reimagined story of Chinese Empress Wu during a fantasy/mechanical alien invasion.

This raises a lot of questions as to if this basically taints the process, and what can be done about it.

[chinesehanfu]

[Hanfu · 漢服]Chinese Western Han (202 BC–9 AD) Traditional Clothing Hanfu Photoshoot

She is the emperor's sister, She is also the emperor's aunt.

【About Princess Guantao Liu Piao/馆陶公主刘嫖】 Princess Guantao, Liu Piao (born before 188 BCE—died before 116 BCE), was the daughter of Emperor Wen of Han and Empress Dou, and the sister of Emperor Jing of Han. She was granted the title of Princess Guantao, but after marrying Chen Mu of Tangyi(堂邑)Marquis, she was also known as Princess Tangyi. As the aunt of Emperor Wu of Han, she was honored with the title of Dowager Dou(窦太主). Her daughter, Chen, became the first empress of Emperor Wu of Han.

Liu Piao's birth year is unknown, but her younger brother, Emperor Jing of Han (Liu Qi/刘启), was born in 188 BCE. At that time, their father, Emperor Wen of Han (Liu Heng/刘恒), was only fifteen years old and still a vassal king of han dynasty, so Liu Piao's birth year is unlikely to be later than 188 BCE. In September 180 BCE, Liu Heng was ushered to Chang'an and ascended the throne as Emperor Wen. A few months later, Liu Qi was made Crown Prince, Empress Dou was made appointed, and Liu Piao was given the title of Princess Guantao. During this period, Liu Piao married Chen Mu, Marquis of Tangyi, and they had at least two sons and one daughter. Chen Mu became the third-generation Marquis of Tangyi in the third year of Emperor Wen’s reign (177 BCE), but the exact date of Liu Piao's marriage to him is no longer verifiable.

During the Reign of Emperor Jing of Han(Princess's brother) Peirod

In 157 BCE, after Emperor Jing of Han ascended the throne, Princess Guantao Liu Piao continued to frequently visit the palace. With the favor of Dowager Dou and the indulgence of Emperor Jing, she became a significant figure in the Han court. During this time, her son Chen Jiao was granted the title of Marquis of Longlü because of his mother's status.

Liu Piao was adept at political maneuvering and used her daughter, Chen Shi（陈氏）, as a political pawn. Initially, she intended to marry Chen Shi to Crown Prince Liu Rong(刘荣), the son of Lady Li(Concubine). However, due to her frequent introduce of beautiful women to Emperor Jing, which caused deep conflict with Lady Li, this proposal was firmly rejected by her. Enraged, Liu Piao later sought a marriage alliance with Consort Wang, who agreed to the match. Through the combined efforts of Liu Piao and Consort Wang, Crown Prince Liu Rong was deposed and made the King of Linjiang in the seventh year of the Yuan era (150 BCE), and two years later, he was forced to death, with Lady Li also dying from grief.

Soon after, Consort Wang was made Empress, and her son, Liu Che（刘彻）, was established as Crown Prince and married Chen Shi（陈氏）.

During the Reign of Emperor Wu of Han(汉武帝)

In 141 BCE, after Emperor Wu of Han (Liu Che/刘彻) ascended the throne, Chen Shi was made Empress（陈氏）. As the granddaughter of Dowager Dou and the daughter of Princess Guantao Liu Piao, who had contributed to the appointment of Liu Che as Crown Prince, Chen Shi enjoyed significant favor. At this time, Princess Guantao Liu Piao had been elevated by the emperor and was honored with the title Dowager Dou(窦太主).

Later, Emperor Wu favored Wei Zifu(卫子夫), a singer from the residence of his sister, Princess Pingyang(平阳公主). This situation made Empress Chen extremely jealous, especially since she was childless and unable to conceive despite seeking medical help. Meanwhile, Wei Zifu(卫子夫) became pregnant. As a result, Empress Chen resorted to witchcraft, but Emperor Wu discovered her actions, leading to her deposition in the fifth year of the Yuan Guang era (130 BCE).

By 129 BCE, after the death of Dowager Dou Liu Piao's husband, Chen Mu, she was a woman in her sixty year old, living as a widow. At this time, she became infatuated with a handsome young man named Dong Yan(董偃). Dong Yan(董偃)'s mother had been a pearl seller, and from the age of thirteen, he had frequently visited the home of Dowager Dou Liu Piao. Known for his good looks, Dong Yan was summoned by Dowager Dou Liu Piao, who took him into her household, where he was educated and trained in various skills. At eighteen, Dong Yan served as Dowager Dou's attendant and also acted as her inner chamber servant. His gentle and kind nature, combined with their illicit relationship, led many to address him as “Lord Dong/董君.”

Later, Anling Yuan Shu(安陵爰叔) advised Dong Yan to suggest to Dowager Dou that she offer the Changmen Garden as a separate palace to Emperor Wu. Emperor Wu was pleased with this gesture and renamed the garden “Changmen Palace.” Dowager Dou, delighted with this outcome, rewarded Yuan Shu generously.

Subsequently, Anling Yuan Shu suggested that Dong Yan propose to Dowager Dou that she be ill and unable to see Emperor Wu. When Emperor Wu visited to inquire about her health, Dowager Dou expressed a desire to host him. After Dowager Dou recovered, Emperor Wu was invited to a banquet. During the event, Dowager Dou removed her jewelry, knelt to apologize to Emperor Wu, and then had Dong Yan do the same. Throughout the banquet, Dowager Dou and Dong Yan showed great respect and hospitality to Emperor Wu, who was very pleased. As a result, Dong Yan became highly favored and frequently participated in palace activities.

Han dynasty scholar-official DongFang Shuo(東方朔) was quite critical of Dong Yan, disapproving of his affair with the princess, which he felt undermined moral standards and distracted the ruler from his duties. Emperor Wu gradually distanced himself from Dong Yan, who fell out of favor and died in his thirties. After losing Dong Yan, Princess Guantao Liu Piao lived for several more years before her death. Her final wish was not to be buried with her husband, Chen Mu, but rather to be interred with her lover, Dong Yan, in Balin. This request is considered the beginning of more extravagant practices among princesses and noblewomen.

In the first year of the Yuanding era (116 BCE), her two sons, Chen Xu, Marquis of Tangyi, and Chen Jiao, Marquis of Longlü, committed suicide during their mother's mourning period due to their involvement in illicit affairs(with woman)and disputes over inheritance. The title of Marquis of Tangyi was abolished. A few years later, her daughter, the deposed Empress Chen Shi, also passed away.

In Chinese history, princesses were often unfortunate victims of political marriages and diplomatic alliances. However, there are also many fortunate examples, such as Princess Guantao. Unlike many others confined by the conservative constraints of a feudal empire, she lived a life of personal freedom and pursued her desires, breaking free from traditional limitations.

________________

📸Photo & Model :@金角大魔王i

🔗Weibo:https://weibo.com/1763668330/O3vkEFAC9

________________

[nemainofthewater]

Have you ever watched a love triangle and known with a bone deep certainty that no matter the final/offical pairing, they could solve so many problems by all getting together?

Alternately, has the drama got three protagonists and all of them have amazing chemistry with each other?

Do you just think it would be funny?

Instead of choosing between love interests, help to vote between OT3s!

Propaganda, examples, and write-ins are absolutely encouraged!

[youhideastar]

Why you should watch Story of Yanxi Palace

It seems ridiculous to do a promo post for literally the most-watched television show on the planet, but I follow a lot of accounts that post cdrama gifs, and I don't think I've ever seen a single Yanxi Palace gif, and that's a tragedy.

Story of Yanxi Palace is a 2018 period drama with 70 episodes, set in the harem of the real-life Qing Dynasty Qianlong Emperor and featuring some real-life events and characters from that period. Our heroine is Wei Yingluo, a teenager who enters the Forbidden City as a maid, seeking to solve and then avenge her sister's murder. It was a smash hit when it was released, although it was later censored. You can find it on Viki.

If you liked Nirvana in Fire, you will probably like Yanxi Palace: Wei Yingluo is very similar to Mei Changsu in all the best ways, in that she is devious, ruthless, occasionally very funny, driven by revenge, and possessed of a fundamental core of decency despite her scheming ways. She is also a fifteen-year-old girl. (At the beginning of the show, that is - the drama spans more than a decade.)

Wei Yingluo's relationship with the primary love interest, Fuca Fuheng, is also just *chef's kiss.* She suspects him of her sister's murder, tries to secretly off him a couple times, and he then confronts her about it and hands her a knife, saying, "If you really think I killed your sister, you can kill me now. I won't stop you." We've all seen this scene a dozen times in assorted movies and shows; she loves him so she can't bring herself to do it; she'll drop the knife, they'll embrace--

Reader, Wei Yingluo takes that knife and STABS HIM IN THE CHEST. She stabs him in the chest!!! How can you tell she likes him? Because he survives the experience. Barely.

After that, you think this is a Mei Changsu/Mu Nihuang pairing where there's a relatively normal person who loves their devious little meow meow--and then Fuheng turns around and gaslights Yingluo with zero remorse and you realize that this pairing is actually 100% deranged 4 deranged. The shit these two do to each other and for each other is completely unhinged. At one point, she kills his wife and the two of them never talk about it. Not before, not after, not ever. Legendary. He calls her his zhiji. They will convince you that the height of romance is marrying other people but knowing one another so deeply that you can coordinate intricate political schemes without ever communicating with each other because you can predict one another's moves with perfect accuracy.

Also, the costumes, sets, and props are ridiculously beautiful (and historically accurate!), the characters are like 20 incredibly intelligent and complex women and then like 4 hot dudes, and the score is incredible.

Is there queer rep, you ask? Nothing explicit. But there are a lot of female characters who have very intense, passionate relationships with other female characters. Also, there's a subplot where the Emperor suspects the Empress is having an affair with one of his consorts and you can see his point; finally, there's a character who is intentionally set up to have a very ambiguous sexual orientation: I think you could plausibly argue that he's ace, that he's bi, that he's gay, or that he's straight. I'm not sure even he knows.

There's a lot more to love about it, but when a show's been streamed more than 15 billion times (yes, with a b), I feel like I don't have too much to add. 😂 Give it a try!

[rubys-forest]

Holy shit official swap au art!!

Drew it based off of the official ahit cover art hehe

[redrandomposts]

Gifts to the Crown Prince

After being fed up with their son pursuing cultivation, the XIanle Emperor and Empress had arranged a marriage with a respected omega. The omega now has to win favor in a loveless marriage.

(crown prince!xie lian x hua cheng (kind of))

A wedding with a celebration of three nights descended among the Xianle Kingdom, lanterns lit even in the outskirts of the city. The crown prince had a wife, and it was the most joyous news of the century in the kingdom.

Hua Cheng would say the same - he had spent years building a name for himself, ever since he was saved by his highness - if his highness didn't seem to hold animosity toward him.

He had only seen his highness twice since they were married. It's been an entire week since the wedding! On their wedding night, Xie Lian had given him a mating mark and they laid stiffly next to each other. When Hua Cheng awoke on dawn, his highness had left with not a bit of warmth on his spot of the bed. The last was a coincidence, barely a glimpse, at his highness training.

(Did his highness really hate Hua Cheng so much?)

Hua Cheng would take what he could get though. He's married his highness, so there surely has to be something he could do.

===

Xie Lian didn't hate his...spouse, as much as anyone would suggest. He just hated the idea of having a spouse, of one day breaking his cultivation clause. And it may bleed a bit onto his impression of his spouse, so he'd taken to avoiding him.

It had been a week since their marriage, and he'd successfully avoided his problems. Even Mu Qing had commented about it. So, for the day, he was also avoiding his attendants, swinging his sword in an empty, unused courtyard.

"Your Highness." A beta servant stood at the doorway, holding a scroll. Xie Lian supposed this was his spouse's servant, because he wore red with simple, silver embroidery. No other servant in the palace wore such a color.

"What does he want?" Xie Lian asked, knowing that the other would know he's talking about his spouse. It was quite a bit since their marriage, so he'd expected to be summoned by his spouse once.

The servant was drawn in on himself. "No, no, he doesn't want anything... He has simply wished to gift your highness a painting. This one was unsure of where this should go."

Xie Lian hardly glanced at the painting, gesturing to a stone bench. "Place it there. I will bring it to my rooms after I'm done training."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Xie Lian didn't watch as the servant left it there and scurried away, focused on going back to his training.

That night, he unraveled the scroll to see a lovely mountain range, reflecting into a winding river. He might be more interested in swords, but the art must be praised. He wondered who the painter was as he hung the scroll.

===

Hua Cheng refused to be disheartened by his husband. The fact he took the scroll meant he had a chance at befriending him at the least.

He wiped off his makeup as he shapeshifted into his true form, throwing the simple robes into a corner.

Perhaps Xie Lian would accept another one of his paintings, or if he would get bored of it quickly. Remembering Xie Lian's earlier dismissal, Hua Cheng should do something different.

He knew one thing his husband loved; swords. He could paint a thousand paintings, yet it would not be worth the weight of a single sword to his highness.

As an omega, he wasn't even allowed to do such heavy work, but his ability to shapeshift into an unassuming beta lets him into the forgery easily. He's a quick learner, perhaps, with how fast he learned to forge a sword. Forging one worthy of his highness, however...

That week, he sent yet another painting while he forged sword after sword until he perfects it.

===

Two months into their marriage, Xie Lian sees no hint of his spouse since the first week. However, his spouse had sent painting after painting each week, and Xie Lian was running out of room on the walls to hang the scrolls. Each painting was a beauty that deserved to be displayed. His parents had even liked the paintings, and had lowered the intensity of nagging after seeing them. (Perhaps, they could smell his spouse from each painting. Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps, they were elated he was seemingly getting along with his arranged lover.)

Still, they were beauties. Perhaps that was why he felt less-than pleased when the servant didn't appear on the day he'd normally appear with a scroll in hand.

This disappointment had swiftly faded the next day, when the servant had shown up with a sword in hand, presenting it to him. It looked as if it was only a ceremonial sword, yet Xie Lian could tell - this sword was just as functional and sharp as it was beautiful.

He displayed it as the centerpiece in his room after training with it once. In the future, he'd polish it again and again so it'd forever stay beautiful.

===

The sword had been an overwhelming success. Hua Cheng had seen it; the way his highness' eyes had lit up at the sight of it. However, forging it had been too time-consuming. He'd be able to get a sword a month at the rate he forged it. His highness deserved more than that.

So forging had become a thing he did in the background; he was left with trying to find something new to gift his highness.

It had come a day when he - in his servant disguise, strolling through the market - encountered a solution. Folding paper to make shapes.

At first, it was simple - a sword, a flower, small decoration pieces that he paired with the paintings. Soon, he wrote illegible things on it that would allow folded birds to fly and folded flowers to bloom when embued with spiritual power. But he has to go further, further, further; his highness deserved only the best.

So what if he had to spend sleepless nights painting and folding to make a puppet-esque play with the origami figures? His highness deserved no less.

===

Xie Lian didn't understand. He had seen his spouse only once, when he left his mark on their wedding night. Why did his spouse continue to send him paintings each week, beautiful flowers from paper that could bloom, and swords bimonthly? It's been six months, and it seemed that the gifts had only grown in quality.

Even Mu Qing and Feng Xin were puzzled. The only person he could get an answer from, presently, was his spouse or his spouse's servant.

...Speaking of which, had not appeared yet today. A feeling inside him bubbled up. He was worried.

He put the sword he'd been training with away, then wandered to the hall his spouse lived in. It was a bit far from the main palace, but it was not lacking. His parents had put the utmost effort into his spouse; the gardens, the architecture, even the talismans placed on it were of top quality.

He opened the door. An overbearing yet pleasant smell had filled the hall.

...It seemed his spouse was in heat.

=============

okay so omegaverse only so i have a reason that they can get married

plotholes? who? no, idk how hua cheng was able to become xie lian's husband. no, idk how he can shapeshift just accept it

i have a...feeling crown prince xl is really stubborn and oblivious. no, he doesn't want a husband, so he'll ignore the problem. no, he doesn't know who the strange servant is. no, he doesn't know it was his husband who painted each painting. no, he doesn't know his husband had forged the swords. he might be able to accept his husband can do origami.

Do they fuck? i mean, it's open-ended, but... in my head, they don't. hc might be too young to go through sexual heats. xl simply helps his husband through heat by cooking him food (counter productive? not for hua cheng!) and fetching him things. they nest together and scent together and form a close bond during the week.

you can think of the central idea like this: after three to seven years from the festival, they get married. so. it's ancient china, and i don't want to extend a plot so long. it might even follow canon, albeit delayed.

how was my writing? im seeking to improve it.

[kdram-chjh]

Cdrama: The Legendary Life of Queen Lau (2022)

Drama : Legendary life of queen lau #dramaexplain #dramaone #cdrama #dramalover

Watch this video on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/vwGBNSkCSf0

[majormeilani]

i already rambled about it before but i literally am actually so proud of cassidy's design if not for the fact that i mashed a bunch of pre-existing design traits the other characters have together and made him but he stands out too compared to them but i think just enough to fit in. you probably can assume some looking at him

[douqi7s]

Baihe novels I read in 2023, in order of when I read them:

Miss Forensics by Jiu Nuan Chun Shen. Contemporary thriller featuring a push-pull romance between a forensic pathologist and a police detective. Big action scenes, big emotional set-pieces, big emotions.

Distance by Mi Nao Nao. Contemporary romance billed as 'woman who has broken a thousand hearts vs woman who has never lost her heart'. I found it underwritten and lacking in structure, but lots of people seem to like it.

The Collapsing Palace by Ming Ye. Historical palace harem novel. A wilful noblewoman marries her cousin, the crown prince, so she can get close to his mother/her aunt the empress, whom she's been crushing on since forever. And she's not even the most toxic / messed up main character in this novel.

Life is Like a Dream by Qing Xiang. A short novel set in the Yue opera scene during the Republican Era. Small-scale, elegantly understated, makes highly effective of use of the author's detailed knowledge of opera and the opera scene.

Suffocation by Hua Qiong Ran. One of those 'toxic lesbians' contemporary thrillers, featuring the protagonist being repeatedly stalked and imprisoned by her own wife. Amped up the depravity too quickly to be wholly effective.

Zebra Crossing by Yi Bai Shou. Early baihe novel featuring a romance between a CEO and police detective, a mixture of thriller and romance. Strong beginning with appealing characters, somewhat let down by meandering middle and end and odd approach to extras.

She Belongs to Me by Da Ying. An uncomplicated contemporary romance between two femme professional women who are excellent communicators. Does make effective use of several k-drama style romantic set-pieces.

Bo Zhou by Ruo Hua Ci Shu. Time loop contemporary romance in which the protagonist tries to safe her girlfriend's life again and again. Overall competently plotted, well-paced and genuinely suspenseful.

The Tribulation of the Peach Runaway Blossom by Ning Yuan. A solid xianxia/xuanhuan novel with a big cast of complex female characters, competent world-building and assured prose. Somewhat falls down on the main romance (though the secondary romances make up for that a little), which was at once the lynchpin of the plot and not particularly present on the page.

The Abandoned by Mu Feng Qing Nian. Three words: sapphic xianxia shizunfuckery. Horny unhinged lesbians, plot twists on top of plot twists, and much violence.

Her Mountain, Her Sea by Fu Hua. A contemporary high school romance. Very solid, competent slice-of-life for the most part. The leads are well-characterised and their growing relationship is deftly handled, especially in the early stages.

The Creator's Grace by Ning Yuan. A near future sci-fi thriller. 12/10, no notes (though the sci-fi element is subordinate to the romance and thriller elements).

Minister Xie by Ruo Hua Ci Shu. This historical novel is The Goblin Emperor meets Sha Po Lang. Teenage emperor Liu Zao does her best to turn her prime minister Xie Yi (who is 14 years older) into her wife.

Snow on Her Pillow by Liu Yuan Chang Ning. Historical fiction featuring a romance between Princess Jieyou and her devoted attendant Feng Liao (described as the first official female diplomat in Chinese history). Competently and compellingly written; manages the Feat of treating Central Asian characters (of which there are many) as regular, undemonised people.

Spring on the River by Da Ying. This xuanhuan novel features supernatural women behaving very very badly, weird structure and pacing, and a rather hapless main character who frequently reminded me of a protagonist in a shoujo reverse harem novel.

Listen, God by Xian Yu Bu Chi Cai. A contemporary time loop thriller featuring a romance between a scriptwriter and an up-and-coming actress. Mostly carefully and cleverly plotted (though starts to unravel in the last 20%), though the relationship development between the leads left me cold.

A Taste of You by Si Bai Ba Shi Si. A contemporary romance between a talented chef and a CEO. A grounded, realist novel told through a charmingly wry first-person POV (bar a sharp swerve into melodrama in the last 10%), deeply embedded in the local lesbian scene.

Snow in the Spring Courtyard by Liu Yuan Chang Ning. This wuxia novel had good relationship development, a compelling love interest, and excellent pacing, and is likely to appeal to readers for those reasons. For me personally, it was let down by an extraordinarily bleak view of the jianghu which I don't think the author was fully aware of.

I Think About You Day and Night by Yu Shuang. In this contemporary romance, a CEO rescues a penniless girl from an abusive household, and k-drama-style shenanigans ensue. There's terminal illness, birth secrets, an incest scare (dw they're not actually related), and corporate machinations. The author's commitment to these tropes and their emotional stakes makes this an enjoyably dramatic read.

Cover Her Face by Qing Tang Shuan Xiang Cai. A mostly breezy, mostly fluffy, and unexpectedly sexy historical romance plus a dash of wuxia, with likable main characters.

Waiting for You by Min Ran. A contemporary showbiz romance, basically an exes-to-reunited-lovers story courtesy of a handy rebirth and time rewind. Another one for the 'attractive femme couple resolves their relationship problems through Better Communication' folder.

Climbing High by Po Po Po. In this historical court intrigue novel, aspiring scholar Fang Jian sells herself into indentured servitude to court official Gao Yunqu in exchange for the latter's promise to help her free her parents from unjust imprisonment. Published on PO18, so allowed to be sexually explicit in ways JJWXC and Changpei novels can't be, and the author makes full use of this (though I found the sex scenes between the tertiary couples stronger than those between the main couple, for the most part). Very strong political writing, a great cast of complex female characters.

[haruhar-u]

Hard Armour Does Not Make A Good Pillow

-2779 words

“Feng Xin’s brain told him he should panic, flail and kick his legs and start yelling at Mu Qing to put him the fuck down. Unfortunately for him, his heart had other plans”

beta read by @good-vs-evo

For @fengqingaction donations are open until July 5th please consider donating :)

prompted by Ladysara_writer on ao3

—Basically Feng Xin has a migraine and Mu Qing takes care of him—

“Currently mount Tonglu is stable,” some random middle court civil god from the palace of Ling Wen, that’s Feng Xin’s guess as their blue robes matches Ling Wen as if she was their fucking idol or something,  practically droned on; they leaned over a piece of paper as they wrote on it at the head of the table. The other officials were all pretty much craning their necks to get a look at the paper. Feng Xin, on the other hand,  desperately tried to block out the constant droning of their voice. It was akin to a mosquito flying near your face and especially buzzing around your ears yet you can’t swat them away no matter how hard you try. 

“…the mortals are doing well as of now…Lord Windmaster is on his way to ascending again...now onto finances,” they continued as Feng Xin stifled a groan. The light streaming through the wide windows felt like it was going to practically burn out his eyes. Actually, Feng Xin wouldn’t be surprised if it was slowly burning his brain through his eyes. That’d make a lot of sense considering how he felt right now. 

The civil god started stating random amounts of merits in numbers so large Feng Xin didn’t want to process even thinking about them right now. He buried his face into his hands which were resting on the table in front of him, allowing the soothing darkness to engulf him…Well it wasn’t as dark as Feng Xin would like but it was slightly better than before. It wasn’t the most comfortable thing in the world and hard armour is not a good pillow. He felt like he was heaven’s biggest idiot for thinking he’d be able to endure what started out as a dull ache for the entire hour the meeting would run for. And, dull ache? Nah, that became an intense throbbing pain clawing at his head and Feng Xin swore he felt bile come up.

Feng Xin tightly shut his eyes; if he has to stay here for another 45 minutes, might as well wallow in misery while he’s at it! The droning of the civil god got worse and their voice went from a buzz in Feng Xin’s ear to what sounded like the long nails of a ghost empress scratching at metal right next to his ears. Why couldn’t his state of misery have waited until after the meeting? Actually, why couldn’t it have stopped right this second? That’d be pretty ideal, if Feng Xin wasn’t to lie. He’ll just ask another heavenly official, probably Xie Lian, –he wouldn't mind for sure–what happened at the meeting. If he were to ask Mu Qing, he can see the eyeroll coming from where he is now.

He felt a light tap on one of his shoulders. Reluctantly he turned his head to the side and opened a single eye, slightly wincing at the light. 

          “You look worse than usual.” It was Mu Qing who tapped him. Was that a hint of concern in his hushed tone and facial expression? No, why would Mu Qing be concerned about him? 

      “Fuck off.” That just kinda came out weakly without Feng Xin even thinking about it. Force of habit, he supposed. 

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Mu Qing roll his eyes at him. Typical. “Obviously you’re well enough to curse me out.”

“..’m fine” Feng Xin mumbled, turning his head back to how it was before Mu Qing came and decided he must disturb the peace by bothering him.

“No, you’re not.” 

“I am”

            “I don’t believe you.”

“I said I’m fucking fine.” “Sure.” Mu Qing retorts. “I’ll believe you when you sit up and pay attention.” 

Why did Mu Qing have to be so fucking fustrating? Feng Xin didn’t understand it! Why couldn’t Mu Qing just leave Feng Xin to suffer alone and in peace exactly how he wanted to in the first place. 

Feng Xin let out a sigh and forced himself to sit up straight. The bright lights from Mount Taicang poured burned into his head from the windows when he opened his eyes causing his head to feel like it was about to split open leaving only one martial god of the south. He couldn’t close his eyes. There was no way in the ghost realm he’d even think about looking weak in front of his greeted rival!

“You look…like you’re about to throw up all over the table,” Mu Qing comments in a whisper just loud enough for Feng Xin to just barely hear him. 

“I’m fine.” Was that really all Feng Xin could say? He was seriously starting to think that was all he knew how to say at this point! At this point if this headache kills him, ‘I’m fine -tremendous masculinity’ is going to be the thing engraved onto his grave! That fucker Mu Qing would make sure of it. 

Mu Qing rolled his eyes again. Then he did what Feng Xin would never imagine in a million years. He wrapped one of his arms under Feng Xin’s knees and the other under his armpits then lifted him up. Which unfortunately caused the judgemental gazes of all the heavenly officials in the room to land on the two of them.

Feng Xin’s brain told him he should panic, flail and kick his legs and start yelling at Mu Qing to put him the fuck down. Unfortunately for him, his heart had other plans as it started to beat uncontrollably fast. The heart wants what it wants and the heart wants him to lean against Mu Qing’s chest. He didn’t have the strength to fight it and then he buried his face against the silk of Mu Qing’s outer robe and closed his eyes once more. 

“General Xuan Zhen, General Nan Yang, just where do you think you’re going? And Xuan Zhen, why are you carrying Nan Yang??” the middle court official asked. Either Feng Xin didn’t catch what was said after or Mu Qing just straight up ignored them.

He felt the air get colder as Mu Qing stepped out into fresh air. There was a slight breeze that hit Feng Xin’s face. The breeze felt surprisingly soothing, like a mother’s touch, but cold. The air was definitely way less stuffy than in the temple, so that’s definitely a plus.

Mu Qing didn’t say anything as he walked, which Feng Xin deeply appreciated. He definitely thought the bastard would immediately start scolding him or use this as a chance to prove he’s better somehow. Feng Xin isn’t really sure how. But Mu Qing’s silence was a welcome change compared to the constantly grating voice of the junior official from Ling Wen palace. Feng Xin wishes banishment upon them for ...He'll get back to you on that. 

They must’ve gotten back to the palace because although Feng Xin’s face was still buried into Mu Qing’s chest the air surrounding them got slightly warmer and the breeze completely went away. Wait…Feng Xin’s face was still against Mu Qing’s chest? Well, a world of teasing is in for him once he gets better. He should probably think of bracing for the impact of Mu Qing’s words and start thinking of comebacks, you know? 

At this point, Feng Xin didn’t know where Mu Qing was taking him; in fact, he didn’t even know which palace he was even in! Did Mu Qing take him to his own palace or did he go to Feng Xin’s palace? Then a door slowly creaked open as Mu Qing supported Feng Xin’s body weight with one arm as the other was opening the door. Feng Xin was laid upon the bed. The bed felt soft and the blankets on top were completely messy and unmade and he could feel pillows thrown about all around him. This bed felt familiar. It felt like home. Oh wait, maybe that’s because it was home. Yeah that’d be a good guess. 

Mu Qing clicked his tongue. “You can’t even make your own bed in the morning? Seriously?” Feng Xin desperately hopes that’s a rhetorical question as he didn’t feel like answering that. Mu Qing then lets out a sigh, but it’s not one of those annoyed kind of sighs but it’s one of those exasperated-affectionate kind of sighs. “Do you have any rags anywhere?”

“In the bathhouse,” Feng Xin answered. Honestly, he wasn’t 100% sure if there even were any in the bathhouse. That was just the place where there would most likely be a random cloth laying about. Knowing Feng Xin’s organization skills, it’s definitely on the floor. He just has to trust that Mu Qing will be able to find it. He probably will. If Mu Qing wasn’t a martial god, he’d definitely be a civil god of organizing or some shit like that. 

Mu Qing then closes the door to leave Feng Xin with only the sounds of his own thoughts and breathing. Even that was a bit too loud at the moment. At least it wasn’t as bad as the heavenly official meeting. That literally felt like that time Hua Cheng and Xie Lian invited everyone to the ghost realm for dinner…it definitely wasn’t pretty and Feng Xin wondered if what was being served was actually edible. The ghosts were also incredibly noisy. Like a whole bunch of little tiny children in a martial school learning how to learn a sword for the first time or some shit. Like congratulations kids  now please shut up. Or in Feng Xin’s case, congratulations we are in a shit load of debt from rebuilding everything now shut up!

Mu Qing came back quite quickly. A lot quicker than Feng Xin thought he would, considering the state of his bathhouse. Feng Xin blinked open his eyes to see Mu Qing folding a cloth. His dark hair, which was held back in a half ponytail, was slightly messy with the occasional fly-away strands poking out. His robes were also a bit out of place, the outer portion was pulled slightly down, Feng Xin could only assume it was him who caused it, revealing a bit of his beige inner robes. It was...in the dimly lit room…No. There’s no fucking way Feng Xin is finding a man with messy hair and messed up clothes attractive. Especially if said man is Mu Qing. 

Mu Qing finished refolding the cloth in a rectangle shape and lay it gently onto Feng Xin’s forehead. The cool feeling of the damp cloth felt nice on his skin, it didn’t immediately soothe his headache but it felt good nonetheless. Then Mu Qing softly helped Feng Xin undo his top knot, letting his hair flow down to just under his shoulder blades. Having his hair down felt way nicer than laying on a permanent bump on his head due to the way his hair was styled. 

“I brought a bucket and water  from the bathhouse, just in case,”  Mu Qing states, putting the bucket and water down by Feng Xin’s bedside. Nope, there’s no way in the ghost realm he’d need to use the bucket in front of Mu Qing. There was definitely no way he’d give his biggest rival blackmail! Mu Qing seeing Feng Xin in pain like this was already enough, if he were to throw up in front of him it’d be ten times worse.

But if Mu Qing really was his biggest rival ever, then why does the mere thought of him taking care of him ever so gently and attentively cause his heart to feel like it was about to beat out of his chest? Or why does it cause his cheeks to go slightly pink. This is all too weird for Feng Xin! He hates Mu Qing right? Right??? And Mu Qing hates him back! But if he truly hated him back, why is he taking care of him like this! Why does he care?

Mu Qing leaves the room again, slowly closing the door behind him. Feng Xin doesn’t know why he didn’t want him to leave. He desired Mu Qing to stay and sit in serene silence with him the way he once did Jian Lan back in the day… What the fuck???

Mu Qing came back to check on him randomly throughout the day. He was a natural caretaker. It was odd. Whenever Feng Xin needed anything, it would be around the time Mu Qing came in to check on him. Mu Qing didn’t say anything when Feng Xin had no choice but to use the bucket he brought. Mu Qing only rolled his eyes, picked up the bucket and took it somewhere else. He probably cleaned it out and put the same bucket back. That or Mu Qing has found an endless supply of the same buckets somewhere. 

Still, this feeling Feng Xin had towards him. It was just (regrettably) gratitude for having at least someone to take care of him this time, right? There’s no way this is love! Feng Xin shudders at the thought of him and Mu Qing being anywhere near as sappy as Hua Cheng and Xie Lian. Gross. 

Mu Qing came in to check in on him one more time before Feng Xin fell asleep that night. He offered to run Feng Xin a bath or help him out of his armour. This was really wracking Feng Xin’s brain in more than one way. Does Mu Qing think he’s back in Xianle and that Feng Xin is still Xie Lian because the way he’s taking care of him is so…so soft, gentle and caring. Like a loving person. Ha! Someone loving Feng Xin, to him that’s funny. Who would even love someone like him? And to Feng Xin, Mu Qing wasn’t a loving person. At all. 

But Mu Qing was so tender when he was around Feng Xin. He was so caring when he added sugar to the bitter tasting pain killing herbs to make it taste better. He was even more tender when he brushed Feng Xin’s hair for me. And he was so soft when made sure that the cold cloth —which alternated locations between his neck and forehead— was replaced whenever it heated up. Feng Xin definitely didn’t expect this.

At the crack of dawn, Feng Xin felt way better than he did yesterday. Of course, it didn’t completely disappear, but what was once a throbbing pain was now a dull ache that he could definitely manage on his own. His eyes didn’t practically start screaming at him the moment light was let in too, which was definitely a plus. He stretched his arms, which felt like he was ascending once more or something, because he was basically stiffer than that giant statue Xie Lian had that one time. At least that thing could actually move! Mu Qing helped him into the bath and that was about it. 

There was something weird about the palace though…It was a lot neater than Feng Xin left it. And did Mu Qing fucking tuck him in?! Everything that used to be scattered all over the floor was now neatly put away in places where logically you’d think you’d be able to find them. Everything down to his bathhouse was neatly organized. Now this was weird. Mu Qing helping him yesterday and willingly spending the day with him was already odd. Not even with him actually considering he spent the whole day playing doctor. He even went the extra mile to grab him some painkillers which did wonders and now his palace is neatly organized??? What the actual fuck. 

Placed on a table in the corner of the bathhouse was a note on a crumpled piece of paper. Feng Xin reluctantly picked up the piece of paper and did his best to straighten it by rubbing it against the table way more times than he actually needed to and almost ripped it. It read:

Feng Xin, your house was a literal nightmare to get around. Everything was everywhere and I literally couldn’t find anything. I have taken the honour of being the one to organize your welcome. I just wanted to add that taking care of you and rescuing you from that meeting made me realize I l-

-Mu Qing

After the “I l-“ the rest of the letter was scribbled and crossed out repeatedly like Mu Qing desperately didn’t want Feng Xin to read what he wrote. This left Feng Xin to only question what it was Mu Qing could possibly  have written. …I l- huh? I loathe you. Absolute loathing was all they felt for each other and that’s that! 

reblogs appreciated! Also cross posted on Ao3

[mightbeagod]

HAS ANYONE WRITTEN AN ANASTASIA AU OF TGCF BCS CONSIDER:

Xie Lian as Anastasia

Hua Cheng as Dmitri

He Xuan as Vlad

Feng Xin and Mu Qing as Dowager Empress Marie

Shi Qingxuan as Sophie

Jun Wu as Rasputin

Qi Rong as Bartok

SOMEONE PLS WRITE THIS BCS IF NOT I WILL BE FORCED TO WRITE IT MYSELF AND I WILL BUTCHER IT CAUSE I AM FAILING ENGLISH