#everyone look at dianxia

[nekoning]

final part - huafenglian turns xi4nle and everyone is gay in a kinda lame way / parts 1 & 2

ID courtesy by @imber-florum

[Image description: A grayscale comic featuring Feng Xin, Hua Cheng, Xie Lian, and Mu Qing. As a note, all caps text in the comic has been adjusted to regular capitalization in this description to aid readability for screen readers.

Feng Xin is fiddling with a torn dummy from fighting practice. San Lang scoffs and says, "You're pretty miserable, huh?"

"Yeah, this dummy tore apart too soon..." Feng Xin says, focused and not looking at him.

"...Not what I meant." At Feng Xin's confused glance, San Lang says, "You have no choice but to share with someone you hate."

"I don't hate you though."

"Oh, and you expect me to believe that?"

Feng Xin turns back to the dummy. "I thought you were going to hurt Dianxia so I wanted you away from him, but he's safe and happy with you, so it's fine now."

San Lang's eye twitches. "...You really are simple-minded."

"Fuck you!" Feng Xin shouts. "Tch, and you think too much. Just like Mu Qing." Hua Cheng abruptly shifts to his Crimson Rain Sought Flower form, his hair raised and shadows looming ominously around him. He barely restrains himself from punching an oblivious Feng Xin by thinking of Xie Lian's happiness at him and Feng Xin getting along better.

"Speaking of that one," Hua Cheng says, "What is he up to?" The comic shows Xie Lian approaching Mu Qing, who blushes.

"Uh, I think Dianx— ...A-Lian wanted to plant cherry trees," says Feng Xin. His words are paired with an image of Mu Qing looking downward, still blushing and perhaps saying something. Feng Xin continues, "And he offered to help, because 'he didn't trust him to do it right' and all that." These words are paired with an image of Mu Qing's eye glancing to the side.

The next frame shows Mu Qing in simpler clothes diligently sowing, planting, and watering seeds. One of Hua Cheng's butterflies flits around him, spying on him.

One day, Hua Cheng comes to spy on Mu Qing in person from behind a bush. 'Does he really have to come every single day?!?' he thinks.

It is on this day that the cherry tree seedling sprouts. Mu Qing smiles happily. At the sight, Hua Cheng leaps from the bush, shouting, "What the—?! Who is that?!?!"

"It hasn't changed!!!!" shout Xie Lian and Feng Xin, who leap up at the same time from the bush next to him. The three of them turn to each other, flustered, and Mu Qing jumps and hisses at them, a furious blush on his cheeks. Hua Cheng and Xie Lian look back to him with bemused frowns while Feng Xin sweats in fear of Mu Qing's rage. End image description.]

[mikaela-the-slut-expert]

How about a Hualian x calamity!reader oneshot? Maybe HC and reader know each other already and pursue XL together? Idk, love your writing tho!

Gang up

Hua Cheng x calamity!reader x Xie Lian

So sorry it took a while, I had strep these past few days but I feel good now so ty for being patient with me 😙🖤🖤

I tried to make it vague enough to where you can input your guy's own character in there 🥰🙏

I hope it isn't too short, and if you can't tell I pulled some make believe facts out of my ass. Have to change the story up a little bit

Spoilers Below!!!

____________________________________

Everyone talks about the four calamities, but recently all three realms have been talking about a fifth one. Another terrifying, devastation level calamity. Because that's all the heavenly officials, someone else to worry about.

That's your bad, woops. It's not like it was on purpose. Maybe. It's not like it was your fault. Really! They should have known by now but your crimes and deeds have been hidden behind Crimson rain's for so long, everyone has thought there were only four calamities. Now, with so much activity from Hua Cheng it's impossible to hide behind him. Oh well.

Now you get your own title, lore, rumors and all that nice stuff since everyone knows you now. It's crazy how fast words spread.

You've always been here, in fact you and Hua Cheng appeared one right after the other. So of course with such a close timeline one of you was going to overshadow the other. Not that you have a problem with this.

Surprisingly you and Hua Cheng know each other well. You met a long, long time ago and have been friends ever since. Since you're such close friends. Why not live in paradise manor together, why not rule a ghost city together too? The two of you really are glued to each other's side.

The base of your friendship? Xie Lian. Now of course it's more than that. You're both dead, both calamities, both know Xie Lian, would do anything for Xie Lian, both knew Xie Lian. . .

You guys still hold affections for one another though so it's okay. And the best thing? I lied. You guys aren't friends at all. After hundreds of years of knowing each other you and Hua Cheng have seen the absolute worst in one another. You still stayed. He still stayed. Just because you guys are lovers doesn't mean that you're going to stop pursuing Xie Lian either. There's nothing wrong with three.

Now the second best thing is that none of you harbor jealousy against the other because usually you guys are side by side like Siamese cats causing trouble.

Very often the two of you gang up to pursue Xie Lian together. You guys even bully heavenly officials together. It's all a part of the fun.

So when Xie Lian initially hears about one ghost? He meets two. Like, okay so he has two calamity body guards. Neat. The same goes as follows. Just when he thought he only had to deal with one smart mouth, it's two. Feng Xin and Mu Qing are very annoyed by this but Xie Lian finds it endearing.

It's actually very nice. He used to have two people by his side, but then the trio was separated. Now he has two people by his side again and he doubts that you two will be leaving anytime soon.

Though, since you're actually a known calamity now the stories and details change up a little bit. Xie Lian can click a few more pieces of the puzzle together.

I mean how do you think Hua Cheng got so good in bed, he wasn't practicing on statues alone. How did Hua Cheng get his smooth, suave, attitude? That'd be you too. You had to encourage him to actually make a move on his precious dianxia instead of seeing him act like a blushing maiden anytime Xie Lian looks at him.

Not that you can speak differently on that one. You've always been there through Hua Cheng's worse and. . . worser. You're both awfully silly. Silly enough to give Xie Lian your ashes one random day.

When Xie Lian woke up with a ring of ashes around his neck? Pause. One ring? Isn't one missing? There's two of you. Hua Cheng and you so, where are your ashes.

He's absolutely delighted and curious when he finds out the two of your ashes are mixed. He finds it endearing the two of you trust each other that much and are so close. That's how he learned the two of you were lovers.

Because that's a big risk, a big promise. To mix your ashes and give it to one person. If Hua Cheng goes, you go too. If you go, Hua Cheng goes too. Which on a usual note would never happen.

Hua Cheng breaking Xie Lian's shackles is not a usual note though. He's devastated when not only one of his lovers fades away into a flock of butterflies but when his other lover does too.

The two of you would never leave him alone though, not with that ring around his neck. He knew you two would come back and you both did. Hand in hand, running to Xie Lian excitedly. The two of you would never have to disappear like that again.

Xie Lian doesn't mind that there's two of you. he has two hands, more the merrier. He's happy and loved. Isn't that all that matters?

____________________________________

I thought this new ashes idea of mine was cute so 🥰🙏 I hope you guys find it cute too

Sorry about grammar mistakes

[good-vs-evo]

saw some ppl on tiktok getting SO PRESSED about polycules and relationships other than hualian and that was kind of funny so i needed to make and explain my relationship chart

i’d love to explain to them (as a polyam person myself >:3) that love is not a limited commodity and hua cheng falling for yin yu doesn’t mean he suddenly doesn’t care about xie lian at all but i fear that would be lost on them HAHA

also if you… don’t wanna see that kinda stuff… just don’t look at it… don’t hate on people who do… life would be easier for everyone… but moving on

i debated splitting yin yu x he xuan x hua cheng from the moon quartet then decided against it because it was getting waaaay too chaotic

rip to quan yizhen, either he has no manhua art or i couldn’t find it (i haven’t read the manhua yet ffjhshd)

uhhh i got a lot of inspo abt huayin from @devotedbutterfly’s tiktoks and stuff (sorry for going thru like all of ur stuff and generally being a demon on ur tiktok and tumblr ahsjdj) and xuanyin/blackmoon stuff from @ghooostbaby so. yes their stuff is very cool :]

anyways-

first chart is different explanations for everyone’s relationship with one another

the second is me trying to simplify them into categories

BUT i’ll explain this a lotttt better in text

quanyin

uh. this one feels self explanatory

hualian

if i have to explain this one it’s over

fengqing

same as the first two LMAO

xianle trio

yes, i had to break the trio and quartet into different categories

mulian: mu qing always admired xie lian for his self-assuredness, strength, and also beauty. he was a bit jealous of him for a long time, but they were able to talk about it and they both forgave each other for everything that happened in the past. he's had a crush on him since the beginning, but was bad at showing it. xie lian thought mu qing was pretty and a very interesting person; when he got older, he regretted not spending more time getting to know him, so he makes up for it later on in life! he loves when mu qing is softer and shy and more vulnerable than he is usually, and loves how mu qing is a good listener and is pretty emotionally intelligent.

fengqing: well. you get the idea

fenglian: feng xin was always loyal, the first person to have fallen in love with xie lian, and dianxia’s first kiss. he would’ve never left xie lian if xie lian hadn’t told him to. he respected xie lian a lot. xie lian loved how much feng xin cared, and felt immensely guilty about being unable to give him anything more. when they reunite, he showers feng xin with gifts and words of affirmation (he got better at expressing his emotions) and they spend a lot of time together

xianle quartet

all the other ones stay the same, so i’ll just explain the two new ones

huaqing: they were once stuck together and had to talk just out of boredom. they bickered a little but the more they talked the more they realized that there was more to the other. mu qing feels genuinely bad about what he did to hua cheng. he has a hard time apologizing but he tried his best to express his remorse, and hua cheng was pretty shocked (previously thought mu qing was a bit of an asshole) and, since mu qing was being sincere, decided to accept his apology. they hit some rough patches now and then, but xie lian and feng xin help them through it. they realized they’re pretty similar, and team up to stir up trouble with people they don’t like sometimes!

huaxin: feng xin was jealous of hua cheng because he was the one who won xie lian’s heart after 800 years and was really happy when he found out that xie lian liked him too. he admires that hua cheng was strong enough to help xie lian so many times. he also likes that hua cheng is a little cocky sometimes (read: very often), and finds hua cheng very good looking. hua cheng was jealous of feng xin for being the first person to be that close to xie lian, but appreciates how loyal he was throughout everything that happened and finds him pretty cool. he likes the way feng xin curses a lot when he’s pissed (finds it endearing)

huayin

ONE OF MY PERSONAL FAVES!!!

yin yu fell first, because hua cheng was so fascinatingly determined and also like the prettiest person he’s ever met. he was intimidating, but could be quite kind, as he was to yin yu when they broke past the employee/employer relationship and became closer

hua cheng began to notice the way yin yu came off as so meek and unnoticeable, but had a kind of poised anger and strength beneath all of that. he trusted yin yu with a lot of more important tasks, paid him well, and considered him as more of a right hand man or partner in crime than a henchman, then eventually as just a partner

e’ming also likes yin yu, and trusts him to take care of it

hua cheng finds it endearing when yin yu gets protective of him (both of them know hua cheng is perfectly capable, but hua cheng finds it sweet regardless)

yin yu cheered hua cheng on a lot with xie lian and patiently listened to everything hua cheng had to say about him

huayinlian/hualianyu

ANOTHER PERSONAL FAVE

ppl keep being like “oh but hua cheng would never cheat on xie lian” HOW IS THAT CHEATING! GOOD LORD! HUA CHENG STILL LOVES XIE LIAN, BUT HAS ALSO DEVELOPED FEELINGS FOR THE PERSON HE SPENT THE MOST AMOUNT OF TIME WITH

i digress

yin yu fell for xie lian because he heard about him all the time. how could you spend so much time hearing about how wonderful, kind, gracious, and amazing someone is without catching feelings a little? additionally, hua cheng allowed yin yu to visit xie lian’s temple and leave offerings, trusting him to be genuine in his actions. yin yu saw some of the paintings and sculptures of xie lian and found him beautiful. he knows a lot about xie lian's life, and truly wants him to find peace and happiness

xie lian loves how devoted yin yu was to hua cheng and how much he helped him. he knows those years were hard for hua cheng, and he’s glad that he had a companion (contrary to what people say about “cheating”, xie lian is incredibly happy that hua cheng managed to find love while he was waiting). i know yin yu is canonically “plain”, but xie lian loves him and thinks he’s very handsome :) he gives him a lot of compliments and words of affirmation

blackmoon (yinxuan)

taking a moment to appreciate that very awesome ship name

yin yu thought he xuan was terrifying and intense, only to discover that. he’s just a guy (/pos). but he does have a lot going on! he has urges and a complex history and emotions he doesn’t show to a lot of people and plans within plans and is generally such an interesting person with so many layers to him. beneath a lot of those layers is a guy who’s kind and smart and would’ve stayed kind and smart if his life wasn’t utterly ruined

he xuan initially thought yin yu was just kind of pathetic, but learned more about him and started to like him more. he finds his passion really attractive, loves how genuinely sweet, kind, and gentle he is as well as how harsh, cruel, and unrelenting he can be. he treats he xuan well and makes him feel human and real and knows when to leave him alone and knows when he wants attention and cooks for him and-

they feel seen around each other, having experienced similar things (such as having their destiny “stolen” in different ways though) and have experienced suffering in such a firsthand way. they’re ready to just chill together now :)

moon quartet (hua cheng, xie lian, he xuan, and yin yu)

xie lian finds he xuan cool, doesn’t have too many thoughts about him. he xuan thinks xie lian is cute and also mildly terrifying (i’m definitely editing this later on, i just don’t have a lot of thoughts about them yet)

hua cheng and he xuan have been close for a long time, helping each other out with ghost king business. hua cheng let he xuan relax and chill at ghost city when he needed to, and he xuan kept a close eye on the heavenly capital, so they met often and bonded. they’re both motivated by something and are incredibly passionate about that thing, so they mutually admire the other’s drive and courage

i have the least for them so far, but i just think they’d be sweet together :] they’d all help each other heal and be able to talk to each other. they’d love each other a lot and take care of one another when they need it and be there when someone needs someone :3 idk they’re so traumatized and deserve to recover from that i’ll form more thoughts i swear

ANYWAYS. that’s it for now i’m def gonna write stuff for all of these ships :0 they’re all very special to me 💖 i might add them to my 30 day fluff challenge :3 cuz they all deserve some nice fluff! (ill also keep updating + editing! feel free to ask me to explain relationships more, id love to <3)

[xueyuverse]

Xie Lian's beauty is ethereal. Even though he ascended as a martial god, he could easily be recognized as a God of Beauty, his believers would pray to him for protection, youthfulness, beauty and marital blessings, so he would be a God of Beauty, Youth and Love as well.

He already came close to being one once, when he was a Flower Crown Martial God, and there were many believing women who worshiped him because he was beautiful, because his temples were beautiful and because he was a god who holds a flower in one of his hands.

At the same time, people would have forgotten, as they always do, that Xie Lian became a god thanks to his sword. It was his struggle that made him rise, it was his desire to protect common people that made him a god.

Now he is a Scrap God and people still pray to him for protection, tomorrow he may be a God of Justice, after all he is benevolent, but firm in hand, his mercy is not flexible.

Taizi Dianxia, Xie Lian, is the martial god that people always look for because of his beauty and kindness, because they know that he is the only god who would offer himself as a sacrifice if he needed it, but everyone forgets that his sword is still there, ready to be used when necessary. He is benevolent, but ruthless.

[feanarotherindion]

If Hua Cheng (literally the hottest guy to ever hot) had Wattpad he would have:

“I looked in the water puddle and sighed at my plain appearance. It was unsightly. Then I got the biggest shock of my life. I was getting sold to One Direction Taizi Dianxia. What will become of me? Will I gain his love? Many gods obstacles lie ahead. Read and find out if I manage to kill anyone and everyone who hurt Gege succeed.

#1 in Romance

#1 in Xie Lian

#1 in RPF”

[en-d-d]

So, this is my first post, so hello everyone! I don't really know how to properly navigate this platform just yet, but I'm sure I will figure it out, so please bear with me.

Having said that, unfortunately, I've come here today to rant a little on social media about things that make me borderline insane just from listening to. Most specifically, from MTXT's works. (Because if I ever see another wrong characterization for those fictional people I've became very attached to, I'm actually going to go mad.)

(This is not meant to be an attack of any sorts, I'm just a teenager on social media pulling my nerves into writing because who knows, maybe I can finally be at peace then.)

Let's start then!

Xie Lian is not owo small cutie or sum, and if I hear that one time... my man may be short, but he could fight off almost anyone, just thanos clapping people out of existence. He's also very insane and very horny about the Calamity attached to his hip. My guy is pretty smart and also just kinda gives patient auntie vibes (you know, that auntie that can see beyond everyone's bull but choses not to).

And if I already started with TGCF, may as well continue with it. Hua Cheng is a switch and you can't convince me otherwise. (If his Dianxia wanted to top, he would be as elated as he would be if Dianxia wanted to bottom. My man doesn't care.)

Luo Binge being referred as a white lotus and people not knowing what it means ("In Chinese internet novels, the term "white lotus" refers to a character who appears innocent, naive, and pure on the surface but uses this reputation to backstab, blame, or sling mud on others.") (I believe maybe people confuse this with the other meanings of the white lotus, like, actually naive or pure in character, but those are obliviously not what they mean in the chinese novels)

Shen Yuan is Kim Dokja, but chinese (or maybe KD is SY but korean)

Lan Wangji did not like Wei Wuxian despite him being 'evil', he loved him exactly because he isn't evil. I can't stress this enough. If wwx was a actually bad person, lwj would not hesitate to cut his head off and be done with the matter. Whenever I see someone saying something about him liking wwx even if he's evil, I'm slowly loosing my mind, bcz no, lwj is not such a shallow person, to be attracted to someone based purely on looks (and we do know this bcz he loves wwx in mxy's body just as much as he loved him in his original body.)

Now, we're moving into a territory I like exploring. I just want to start this off saying that I don't like Jiang Wanyin. I just don't care very much about him and I find him annoying as a person. With that being said, I'm a little miffed with fellow jc dislikers bcz they sometimes invent some things up about him or such shenanigans. Like. Man, you do not need to invent things to hate abt him, there are already plenty of them. I'm pretty unbiased when it comes to actual judgements about others. I will protect someone if the points made about them is incorrect as much as I will point out every thing they actually did bad.

And the next point is still abt jc (wow, what a surprise) just bcz, honest to god, a lot of his fans are straight up annoying. I've said it. A lot of y'all are hella annoying. (Not to say that there exist a lor of annoying fans for other characters, it's just that jc has a very high number of them) Some of the ones I don't find bad are those that like him just becouse of how bad of a person he is. I can respect that. What I can't respect is another owo he's innocent and traumatized and a tsundere and everything is wwx's fault owo jc fan. Fam, did we read the same book, or has media really rotten our colective brain that much??

(I believe I have more comments on this jc topic, but my brain is starting to hurt.)

And the last one is Wei Wuxian, probably the most controversial character in all of MTXT's novels. First of all, I have to be clear about this, but in all of this post, I'm purely referring to the characters from the books, not the other adaptations. This is important, bcz the adaptations further skewed wwx's image in the fandom.

I have saved him for least because of just how much things tick me off in this fandom when discussing wwx in special.

Disclaimer that I sincerely believe that you should enjoy and do art and fanfiction of characters however you want. If you want wwx to be, idk, a demon that terrorizes people and breaks lwj's heart and then jc comes and saves the situation from the evil patriarch and then french kisses Lan Xichen, then go ahead, idc (Unless you say he's owo, you have no excuse that would allow you to do that unless you're a child, and if you are, then you shouldn't even be here). But I draw the line when people lie about canon characterizations.

And there is just so much misconceptions on wwx's character that I would need an essay just to compose a list of them. They range from huge details that somehow miss people like how their neurons miss firing, to small details, like his handwriting (I believe the novel said it was cursive, not messy, like how almost all the fandom has apparently mutually agreed on. Do corect me if I'm wrong on this, some things are lost from translation to translation)

I will be discussing just some of them here. Maybe I will do another post where I go in more detail, we will see.

ADHD Wei Wuxian. The people that believe wwx has ADHD should probably reread the novel, bcz that characterization comes mostly from CQL. In the novel, wwx is a very chill guy that can stay in one place perfectly fine. I will not go into more details, just read the novel.

Wei Wuxian is the reason for the Jiang's collapse. Bull statement, everytime I see it, well, I go a little more insane. If you know a little politics, you would realize the Jiangs were next on the list for sure. Why, you would ask. The Lans already burnt themselves to the ground. The Nies have a fortress for a sect. The Jins are almost-not-exactly allies with the Wens. Now, guess who is the most unfavorably positioned gentry sect (lakes are not a good strategic spot), with lax protection (how did the Wens just march in like that like what) and a little too carele leader (Jiang Fenmiang really thought the Wens will give them back the swords after that whole disaster that was the indoctrination? Really??). Oh! I think I know who it is! And maybe you guessed it too. Glad we're on the same page.

Now, wwx being the reason why jc lost his core. Very many people already came to their own conclusion on why jc gave himself up. Brotherly affection, suicidal thoughts or just straight up idiocy. Whatever you believe, it's fine with me (but I do have a brother and I can assure you, wwx and jc never really seemed like brothers to me. They are a little too far to the left to be considered brothers, but this is my opinion, take it however you will). So, was it wwx's fault?

We're finally getting into the juicy stuff. The blame game. I hate it with my being, still, as long as I'm in fandoms, I must persist. My answer is yes & no. Did wwx deliberately made it so jc would be captured? Of course not. Did it still happened? Unfortunately, yes. To go deeper, we will look a little at fate. There are some things that are outside of our control. As much as we prepare, some things will still blow us over. So the definite answer is no. Jc made the decision to be seen by the Wens. It might sound callous , but the decisions you make are yours, even if you protect someone's life or not. Wwx did not ask to be protected. In conclusions, it's not his fault.

And that is a very good statement to make, seeing as we got to the core transfer. People often criticize wwx for giving non-consensualy his core to jc. I always thought it as a weird thing to hate him about, but whatever, I still shall address it. I will start with an exemple. If you loved someone very much, and they would die if they don't get, idk, a new arm (maybe think of something less inconspicuous, but you understand the ideea) they would die. You are the single person that can do it. But you're sure that if someone told your loved one that you would give it, they would refuze it. Are you still going to give your arm? Will you let your loved one die? Knowing that you can help?

And for those that say jc was not on the brink of death. He was suicidal. He would not have resisted a week with the shame of inferiority plus all the trauma that the Lotus Pier massacre was, combined. 'Regaining' his core might have actually made him feel better, like he beat the odds, like he has another chance. That's also why wwx never told him he gave him his core. Bcz he knew jc would not take it easy, finding out that all his accomplishments were thanks to wwx's sacrifice. Because jc has a big ego that's clearly evident through the story.

Anyways, let's continue.

Ghostly Cultivation. It's more popularity used the Demonic Cultivation term, but they are not the same think for Christ's sake. Modao Zushi does mean The Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation, however the title is for click bait. In the actual novel, I believe wwx talks abt ghostly cultivation, not demonic. It was probably lost in translations.

I don't think I need to explain how wwx needed guidao to escape the Burial Mounds, so at least half of my job is already done. Now I go into dangerous territory however, bcz guidao is not expended upon. Still, I would rather listen to wwx when it's about, you know, the path he himself created?

To explain my stance, we would need to go deeper into the novel's points. A novel can have multiple themes, ranging from obvious ones, like love, family, to obscure ones, like, the importance of standing up for oneself (not the best exemple, but I believe y'all understand what I mean).

I'm someone that loves thinking abt MDZS. It's my dearest. So, I tend to analyze it pretty often. And the themes I usually get are things like 'the danger of hearsay and mob mentality', 'the importance of standing true to your ideals', 'the inherit unpredictability of life' and so on, and so on.

Anyways, what does that have to do with guidao? Well, everything, I believe. The MDZS world has a mentality resembling that of the curent China. Or well, the China of when MXTX wrote the novel. If you know some history, I believe you can connect the similarities. What does that mean then?

Wwx is someone that does not fallow the path set by the ancestors. He creates his own. When the cultivators see that, they are revolted. Becouse everything that strays from the 'right' path must surely be evil. And so, after Wen Ruohan, the Jins paint him as the new anarchist, and the rest is history.

Now, I would actually love to continue, but I've been typing nonstop for hours now, I need to stop. I will continue my points in another post, bcz I still have a lot of them.

Thanks for reading, and have a wonderful day 💐

[drwcn]

《WITHOUT ENVY》 STORYBOARD 20 - SERIES COMPLETE!!!!

cql au: concubine/sleeper agent!wwx & prince!lwj

[storyboard 1]  [storyboard 2]  [storyboard 3]  [storyboard 4] [storyboard 5] [storyboard 6] [storyboard 7] [storyboard 8] [storyboard 9] [storyboard 10]  [storyboard 11] [storyboard 12] [storyboard 13] [storyboard 14] [storyboard 15] [storyboard 16] [storyboard 17] [storyboard 18] [storyboard 19]

Snippets chronological: [5] [10] [2] [6] [6.2] [1] [3] [4] [7] [8] [9] [11] [12]

Final Storyboard 20 Undercut! a bit long since it is the last one. Sorry it took like 8 months... I am a baby doctor and am off doing busy baby doctor things (as in i am junior, not that i'm a neonatologist)

The Emperor, the Consort, and the Concubine:

Like Lan Wangji, Lan Xichen was having relationshp problems of his own. For months after the war, he did not visit Meng Yao, nor did he strip him of his title and rank. Instead, Meng Yao was allowed to carry on living as though nothing had changed, for on paper, nothing had. Still, the ears of the palace had caught wind of the Emperor's changed heart, and of the sordid truths from Meng Yao's past.

Nie Mingjue knew better though. He knew the real reason why Lan Xichen was angry was not because he found out that Meng Yao was the son of a prostitute, but that he had organized and ruled over an entire secret military operation behind Lan Xichen's back. He had everyone on his team: Lan Xichen's uncle, Lan Xichen's husband, Lan Xichen's courtiers...everyone except Lan Xichen himself.

Ultimately Lan Xichen was just hurt by Meng Yao's lack of trust. Nie Mingjue, not wanting to see the two men he loved the most hurting like this, did his best to play the mediator, helping Lan Xichen to understand Meng Yao's reasons. See [Snippet 11].

Yes they reconciled. I'm not crazy, this is a happy story with happy ending for my little meow meows. [Snippet 12].

Hanguang Manor aka all was not well in the state of denmark

Lan Wangji's visit to the Imperial Prison left him in a state of emotional disarray, having discovered the truth about Wei Wuxian's role in the war. As with most things that didn't involve war and battlefield, Lan Wangji's only source of pragmatic advice on how to manage his otherwise clusterfuck of a private life, is his wife.

The candle was burning low in the princess consort's chamber by the time Lan Wangji stumbled through its threshold. Jiang Yanli looked up from from where she was waving a fan slowly beside a slumbering A-Yuan, drool dripping sideways onto his cherub cheek.

"Dianxia..." Jiang Yanli rose to her feet. She stood in her socks, having already dressed down for bed. "A-Yuan was particularly clingy tonight, threw a bit of a tantrum, so I -"

"It is no matter," Lan Wangji shook his head. "I should not have interrupted, I shall return to my own chamber -"

"No, please, stay. There's much we need to discuss." Gesturing at her handmaiden, Jiang Yanli gave instruction to move the little princeling to his own suite. The toddler whined a little when he was lifted into the handmaiden's gentle and practiced embrace, but otherwise remained utterly oblivious. His mother soothed him with a light kiss to his temple and bid him off.

Lan Wangji approached his heir before the maid carried the boy away. He remembered the night Lan Yuan was born and recalled Wei Ying's absolute delight - Lan Zhan, look how adorable he is! I don't mean to play favourite with the children but I think this one is going to be special - aww he yawned. Oh! And he has your nose. Out of his three sons, A-Yuan was the one Lan Zhan knew the least. For the majority of his short young life, Lan Wangji had been away at war. He had once believed when A-Yuan was born that he would grow up raised by all three of them: Yanli, Wei Ying and himself, but now...

"Is it true, what A-Cheng said earlier about A-Xian?"

"It is."

"And what will happen to him?"

"I went to the Ministry of Justice. I..." Lan Wangji stared helpless at his wife. The negotiations for the release and exchange of the prisoners of war were still being deliberated by Qishan's ambassadors and Gusu's Secretariat, but that only meant Wei Ying's days were numbered. "I asked to see the list of prisoners who could potentially be traded. Wei Ying's name was not there."

"What...what does that mean?"

"It means Qishan has discarded Wei Ying, left to Gusu's devices. And I know the court is going to seek justice. Except they do not know that it will be a false one."

Jiang Yanli had always been a meek and obedient girl, but her fortitude and poise throughout the war effort had demonstrated to the world that she was a fiercer woman than anyone ever given her credit for. A fact her husband already knew, which is why she was the only one he trusted to be completely and unquestioningly on his side in his moment of need.

The merits of her character, the fruitfulness of her pregnancy, and the contribution of her maiden familly during the war all came together to supply her elevation from deputy consort to princess consort. The imperial decree came just days after Lan Wangji's victorious return. Jiang Yanli was named his legal wife, the lady of his princely manor, the mother of his heir, just as they had planned all along. Theirs was no love match, but she will be his Empress one day, his partner on the throne. They understood each other well, and Lan Wangji knew that Jiang Yanli would stand with him to fight for Wei Ying. After all, her devotion to her family was absolute. And Wei Ying... Wei Ying was her family, and from the looks of it, she had believed in him even when Lan Wangji himself didn't.

"Tomorrow, dianxia, tomorrow, you and I will go to court and beg our royal brother for clemency. If he knew the truth, if he knew all A-Xian had done for our country, for you, if he knew his love for you -"

"I cannot speak on that, he - tonight -"

"Don't be a fool, my prince. Oh what am I saying, you're both fools. Wei Ying, that idiot boy, of course he would deny everything now. But if you doubt him, doubt his devotion to you, after everything he's done, then perhaps you are an even bigger fool than my brother."

Morning came and brought thunderous summer rain, but despite the downpour, Jiang Yanli and Lan Wangji donned their official courtly robes of prince and princess consort and set off to see Lan Xichen. But Lan Xichen was not in his usual imperial study, nor in his official palace of work. Instead, his brother and sister-in-law found him and Nie Mingjue in Fangfei-dian (Fangfei Palace), alternating between handling court matters and serving at Meng Yao's bedside. Unfortunately, their uncle Lan Qiren was also there.

"I am sorry, Wangji. You were never meant to find out this way." Lan Qiren sighed, dropping his tea cup onto the table with a resigned clang. They were in the zhengtang(1) of Fangfei-dian, away from Meng Yao's private quarters where he rested. Lan Xichen and Lan Qiren sat at centre front, with Nie Mingjue looking caught in an awkward position to the left. "Get up, up!" Lan Qiren urged, frowning most disapprovingly. "What are you doing, kneeling there like that in your full regalia, completely inappropriate -"

"Not until bixia has agreed to reveal the truth." Lan Wangji remained unyielding, presenting the silk-bound parchment of his letter of submital with upturned hands, elbows defiantly straight. The letter detailed Wei Wuxian's true allegiance throughout the war, written by his hand and cosigned by himself and Jiang Cheng.

"Hmph!" Angrily, Lan Qiren slammed the table. "Forcing your soverign's hand? This is sedition!"

"You are not the soverign, huangshu!"

Even Nie Mingjue appeared surprised at Lan Wangji's raised tone of voice. For a taciturn and laconic man, this was entirely out of his character. Lan Xichen rose from his seat, for he knew better than anyone present, that this was his baby brother being pushed to his limit.

"Wangji-"

"I beseech you, bixia, huangxiong -" Lan Wangji's voice wavered.He raised his eyes from where he had fixed it upon an indeterminate point ahead of him and gazed up at his older brother desperately. "Da'ge... please."

"Do you understand what you're asking your huangxiong to admit to?" Their uncle interrupted them, but with a softer tone this time. "To create the illusion of Wei Wuxian's alligence to Wen Ruohan, we've had to... make sacrifices of our men, our soldiers, sons and brothers and fathers who now can no longer go home to their families. Their sacrifice earned us the peace we have today. You would have your brother, the soverign, making such an admission which would undermine his rule at a time when this country needs stability and hope! You would, for one man, have the entire country question Xichen's integrity, his judgement, his character when he is the most blameless of us all!"

The hall was silent for a long beat.

And slowly, Lan Wangji lowered his arms, his submittal dropping to the floor. Jiang Yanli reached for him, hesitating, "Dianxia."

When no one spoke further, Jiang Yanli looked fully ready to pick up the submittal and continue where Lan Wangji had failed. But it was not necessary. Her husband stilled her hand and said without looking at anyone this time: "You are right, huangshu. Huangxiong is innocent, but Wei Ying was not the one who orchestrated those underhanded schemes either, was he? You and I both know, huangshu, which mind - mastermind - was behind it all."

Lan Xichen's expression stuttered, the worry and empathy in his eyes cooling and overtaken by another kind of emotion, something thicker, darker. Behind him, Lan Wangji saw from the corner of his eyes Nie Mingjue's fist tighten anxiously.

"Hanguang-wang -"

"Do not scold him, Da'ge. He is right." Meng Yao voice came from the doorway. He was dressed in mere sleepwear, hair half bound, with a cloak draped over his shoulders, the edge of which was damp with rain despite the umbrella Hengsheng held overhead.

"A-Yao," Nie Mingjue hurriedly helped him into the room and chastised without much heat. "You should be resting."

"I am rested enough. And it's true what he says. I was the one behind it all."

"No." Before either one of Meng Yao's lovers could protest, it was Lan Qiren who disputed his claim. "What you did was brokering an agreement with Dafan-junzhu Wen Qing to protect Gusu, supplant Wen Ruohan and replace him with her father. You did it with the full knowledge of myself, the late Marshal Jiang and Mingjue. And believe me, A-Yao, I had you investigated extremely thoroughly, and I am satisfied to say you did not act against Gusu's longterm interest in any way.

"We cannot reveal your bargain without compromising the identity of the other party. We promised Wen Qing that her father's rule would not be stained by treason, collution with outside forces, and kin-killing. Qishan needs peace and time to heal as much as we do. Dafan-junwang will make a good soverign for his people, and a good neighbour to Gusu. For the sake of our citizens, we cannot risk Qishan's court finding a reason to despise and dispose him.

"That aside, whether Wei Wuxian eventually worked for us or not, it is undeniable that he had stolen the defence plans for Yiling which directly led to the massacre that happened and Qishan's subsequent occupation there. He did that of his own volition, for Wen Ruohan. Not for us. If nothing else, he still has to answer for that, and that alone is enough to cost him his life."

Lan Wangji rose to his feet, Jiang Yanli in toll. There was anger and tears unshed in his eyes, but the way he breathed harshly signalled to all those present that he knew he had lost this fight. He watched his brother take Meng Yao's hand and Nie Mingjue's protective paws curling around Meng Yao shoulders.

Meng Yao stared at him. There was pity in his eyes, but no remorse.

Lan Wangji's knuckles turned white.

Jiang Yanli saw it before anyone else. He wanted Meng Yao dead, but he left wordlessly nonetheless. Out into the pouring rain without another look.

His wife picked up the letter of submittal and sighed. "That night, as I understand it, A-Xian had every intention of leaving Gusu and abandoning Wen Ruohan's mission. He no longer wished to fight for any side. It was Lianfang-jun who convinced to him stay. Of course I am happy that my brother, my mother, and my son are all alive today, but sometimes I wonder if A-Xian had just left, perhaps that would've been okay too. I think my husband could've lived hating A-Xian forever, but this...this I don't know."

Jiang Yani collected her self, placed her hands together and dipped into a proper curtsy. "I shall take my leave, and bid you well."

Notes: 1) zhengtang 正堂 - a traditional chinese home, from as small as a peasant's home to a palace, is actually multiple independent houses/structures within one courtyard. This courtyard can be quite complex with multiple inner sections but ultimately the perimeter is a square or rectangular wall enclosure. Each independent house within the courtyard has its functionn. A sleeping quarter is usually in the inner most portion, while a zhengtang is the front and centre house where guests are received formally.

The Execution and Other Related Shenanigan:

Wei Wuxian was scheduled to be executed in the fall. And so began a month long cold war between Lan Wangji and the rest of the Lan family. He shut himself away and refused to see anyone. Jiang Yanli, Luo Qingyang, and Qin Su became increasingly concerned.

"If Wei Wuxian dies, forgive my inauspicious words, but I fear dianxia will do the unthinkable." Mianmian whispered to her harem sisters on a hot summer night when their children were asleep. "I mean...there's a family history of Lan men throwing it all away when their beloved dies, especially when there are an abundance of heirs and regents."

In addition to Lan Wangji thinking daily of just offing himself, Jiang Yanli and Jiang Cheng decided - fuck it - they were gonna storm the execution site and rescue Wei Wuxian because to hell with the rules. Attempt the impossible. Or whatever. Family motto. Detailed snippet here [snippet 8].

Thankfully, Nie Huaisang (with the help of Xiao Xingchen, Song Lan and Xue Yang) managed to drag his injured partially recovered ass back to the capital at the metaphoric 11:59pm like a procrastinating college student submitting their assignmen, and saved Wei Wuxian's neck from the chopping block.

"We have less than hour before his execution, shouldn't we head to the arena?!" Song Lan called out over his shoulder as he violated several ancient fantasy china traffic laws while speeding down the street in his horse-drawn carriage.

"And say what?!" Exclaimed Nie Huaisang back in frustration. "We have no official decree, and I look like a stale shit shat by a constipated cow in my state. I need to see my brother, give the Emperor a usable reason to pardon Wei Wuxian, and a good enough lie for old man Lan to placate the court and their pesky ministers."

Nie Huaisang's sudden ressurection changed everything. While he could not claim that Wei Wuxian was their spy from the start, he did create a very believable and elaborate lie about how he was able to convince Wei Wuxian part way through the war to do act against Wen Ruohan for Gusu's benefit. Not because he loves Gusu oh no, but because despite Wei Wuxian's "loyalty" to Wen Ruohan, his heart lies with Lan Wangji. And while yes he had faced the prince on the battle field, had killed his men, and even injured the prince himself, he never wished for Lan Wangji to die. So when told about Lan Wangji's predictament in the snowy freezing hills of the Burial Mount, Wei Wuxian devised a plan to rescue Lan Wangji.

Nie Huaisang produced an eloquent and vague letter from Wen Qing, who had corresponded with since he learned of Wei Wuxian's impending death. In it, Wen Qing said nothing of Wei Wuxian's history as a spy, only that in the last moment when Wen Ruohan had trapped his entire court inside the palace, lured in Gusu's troops, and had every intention to light everyone aflame, it was Wei Wuxian who stopped him, saving everyone, and forgoing his chance to escape to freedom. This much, she can publically acknowledge without implicating herself or her father in any way.

And to Nie Mingjue, Nie Huaisang said, "Da'ge, if it weren't for Wei Wuxian sending Xue Yang to rescue me, I probably would've been tortured to death or worse at the hands of Xue Chonghai."

The public asked: if Wei Wuxian was not the hellish monster that they all believed to be, if his love for Hanguang-wang was true, then how come then he did not say anything to defend himself?

Because, replied Nie Huaisang, Wei Wuxian is a man who has a conscience, and he knows he's done wrong, and he believes he deserves to die. Such a man is rare in this world, and should be given a chance to do more, to atone with the rest of his life all that he'd taken away. The dead can never come back, and killing Wei Wuxian when there's so much he could do for the those left behind by the dead, would be a waste and a shame.

And so after many months, it was decided that Wei Wuxian would be exiled indefinitely to border city of Yiling - the neutral zone - to rebuild the community that his actions had destroyed. He was due to leave at the onset of winter.

In the meantime, Lan Wangji was officially installed as Crown Prince, his brother's legitimate heir, and Jiang Yanli as Crown Princess Consort.

Before Wei Wuxian began his exile, his family came to see him off. Detailed snippet here [snippet 9].

And immediately following snippet 9 ->

Lan Wangji arrived on horseback, his white winter cloak bellowing behind him as he charged towards the departure party. He must have come straight from the palace, for he was still in his stately court robes.

Wei Wuxian did not wish to stare, but he couldn't tear his eyes away. The last he'd seen of the man he loved was when he had driven him away, tears in his eyes, from his prison cell. The time before that was when Lan Wangji found him cradling Wen Ruohan's dead body at Nevernight and promptedly arrested him. And then time before that was when they had clashed swords in the snow and Wei Wuxian had inadvertidently killed Mo Xuyuan. And the time before that, was when Wei Wuxian had held Jiang Yanli and A-Yuan hostage trying to escape from Hanguang Manor, and then shot Lan Wangji with an arrow during the chase.

Wei Wuxian thought he would feel more upon this reunion, but all he felt was shame. He would hide himself in a hole in the ground if he could, except of course, this may in fact be the last time he'll ever see Lan Wangji ever again.

When the man in question reined his horse to a stop and hastly jumped off, Wei Wuxian found he suddenly could not raise his eyes off the ground, off the sight of his worrying fingers and the lingering dirt still trapped beneath his nails. At least he had bathed. Thank the gods that the administrators of his exile had allowed him to scrub himself clean of months of prison grime before his journey. As it was, he was in his least threadbare prison garb, and probably was not going to looked better than he did.

Lan Wangji advanced towards him without hesitance, and Wei Wuxian dreaded that he would embrace him, or kiss him, or anything that involved the physical touching of his skin against his own. Because - because -

There was no part of him that Wen Ruohan left unmarred.

So when Lan Wangji was all but a step away, Wei Wuxian tried to drop into a deep kneeling bow. "Taizi-dianxia -"

But Lan Wangji was one step ahead of him. Catching him at the elbow, he pulled him to his feet and gripped him in a crushing embrace. "Wei Ying."

Shaking despite himself, Wei Wuxian fought with the very last of his pride. "I am not Wei Ying."

Except he should've known he could never win against Lan Wangji's bullheadedness.

"You are."

"I am Qishan's Wei Wuxian."

"You are. You are Qishan's Wei Wuxian. And you are my Wei Ying."

Wei Wuxian would be embarrassed at how easily he gave in and all but crumbled into tears in Lan Wangji's arms, except he was literally about to be exiled for life, so he really didn't care.

"I'm sorry," said Wei Wuxian when he collected his breath and drew back to gaze upon Lan Wangji's face properly. "I'm so sorry."

And Lan Wangji did not implacate him with lies. "I know."

"I came to Gusu with the singular goal of infiltrating your court. I endeared myself to Jiang Fengmian to use his family for access. I followed Jiang Yanli to get close to you. I was tasked to seduce you."

"I know."

"I killed 37 men and women while living under your roof. I stole the defence plan of Yiling and countless other documents."

"I know."

"I killed Mo Xuanyu on the battlefield. I didn't mean to."

"I know."

"I...I laid with Wen Ruohan, after you. I never wanted to, but I never refused. I laid with him four hundred and seventy one times in the last two years." Wei Wuxian swallowed, his words becoming thick and dry in his mouth. "I laid with him even the night before I killed him."

Wei Wuxian held his breath. He kept his eyes lowered, too ashamed and afraid to look at Lan Wangji now, until he felt warm hands cradling his face, and a pair of warmer lips press into forehead.

"I know," said Lan Wangji quietly. "I've heard it all."

"I'd ask for your forgiveness, but I don't even know how to forgive myself."

"For what?"

"For...? For - "

"He had hurt you in the worst ways possible. I'd offer to kill him for you, but you've demonstrated that you're more than capable of avenging yourself."

Wei Wuxian can't believe Lan Wangj is making a joke, of all things, at a time like this. But it made him laugh, nonetheless. "I'm capable of so much more than you know."

"Oh I know. You were a formidable enemy, ruse or not. Perhaps one day you'll agree to a fair duel, mhm?"

"Perhaps. But what will the people say when their Taizi-dianxia lose to a lowly servant?"

Lan Wangji was quiet for a moment, his eyes turning serious, but gentle. Wei Wuxian had a split-moment premonition that whatever the prince planned to say would break his heart all over again.

"I already lost to you, Wei Ying."

"Lan..." Wei Wuxian struggled with a shuddering breath, Lan Wangji's name choking in his throat, his eyes flooding again with tears. He sniffled in the cold, and made an inelegant swipe at his snotty and drippy nose. "Lan Wangji, you bastard! Saying things like that - how am I supposed to go into exile in peace?!"

"If I could but keep you..."

"You can't, Lan Zhan. This is what I deserve. Putting aside sentiment, you have to see that this is fair."

Lan Wangji held his hands tightly, tears like crystals in his eyes. “Wei Ying, I’ll wait for you.”

But Wei Wuxian only shook his head. “Don’t. Time doesn’t stand still. Live your life Lan Zhan, and one day when I come back, you can fill me in on everything you have achieved. My Lan Zhan is the best. You will be a great taizi, and a great huangdi. And I will guard Yiling and its people for you, until the end of my days."

Overwhelmed, Lan Wangji pulled him in by the nape and kissed him squarely on the lips.

And even though they were about to part forever, for the first time in two awful years, for Wei Wuxian, it felt like coming home.

Eventually, the exile party had to depart. Jiang Cheng bear-hugged Wei Wuxian and threatened him with bodily harm if he was stupid enough to get himself killed in Yiling. "If you dare die on us, I'm going to hell to bring you back and kill you myself!" Jiang Yanli had many many reminders for Wei Wuxian to take care of himself, before handing him the bundle of things she'd packed for him. "Zhangjie, you know I have to carry this to Yiling myself." - "The guards can help you carry it if you get tired" - "Zhangjie, I'm being exiled, not going on vacation!" Two-year-old Lan Yuan was very confused by all the emotional adults, but was extremely cute when he hugged Wei Wuxian around the legs and obediently said, "Xian-diedie, goodbye", like his mother asked him to.

Wei Wuxian embarked on his journey with a care package from the Crown Princess Consort, and the Crown Prince's own winter cloak drapped around his shoulder. His family watched him go until they could no longer see him in the distance.

The End

Okay fine...some closing remarks, epilogue of sorts.

1. Jiang Cheng and Wen Qing:

Yu Ziyuan just about had a stroke when her son, the now very popular and in-demand bachelor Young Marshal Jiang Wanyin wrote to her that he had every intention of marrying Qishan's Grand Princess Wen Qing. And the very political but equally very love-driven marriage was underway when unexpectly Wen Qing's father the new emperor of Qishan had an ACTUAL stroke. He didn't die, but this bout of severe illness left him incapable of governing, and because Wen Ning was all but thirteen, the position of Regent naturally fell to his very capable older sister who was twenty-one and wise beyond her years. Jiang Cheng had his own very unironic "I'll wait you" moment with Wen Qing, and if Wei Wuxian knew about this he'd laugh.

They pushed their wedding back by 5 years, but just when Wen Ning came of age, he told his sister that he never wished to rule and would rather be a physician or a general or literally anything but a soverign. Wen Qing could not force her beloved brother onto the throne, so she became Empress and claimed all children of royal Wen blood eligible to inherit. The heir would be selected by merit alone, and she alone would name her heir when the time came.

Jiang Cheng eventually became Wen Qing's consort at the age of 44 when his eldest niece Lan Yiran, by special dispensation of her royal father His Majesty Hanguang-di, was named Marchioness of Yunmeng and commander of the Jiang Clan army in the southern border. She relinquishes her royal surname Lan and adopts her mother's maiden name Jiang. She reports to court every summer, but lives her days in her main helm of Yunmeng. Ouyang Zizhen, the lovesick son of Minister Ouyang, follows her there as a zhuixu(2) despite his clansmen's protest.

Note: zhuixu - is a man who marries into a woman's family, whose children will have his wife's last name instead of his own. Tend to be looked down upon in history.

2. Lan Wangji, Jiang Yanli & the Harem (Mianmian and Qin Su):

It was a sentiment shared amongst all of them that there wasn't enough daughters to spoil rotten. Kaisong, Jingyi and Sizhui (yes Lan Wangji is still that bitch who names his son to long and yearn for) were great kids, but they were dirty rowdy boys. And since Mianmian and Qin Su were very devoted to each other and living their best sapphic life, and since Jiang Yanli was in fact the legal wife, she and Lan Wangji decided to make a few more people. They were very lucky and got two daughters back to back: Yiran and Duanluo.

3. Lan Xichen, Meng Yao, and Nie Mingjue:

Lan Xichen ruled for another seven years after the war. Then one day he decided okay that's enough of that and abdicated the throne to his brother. Both Meng Yao and Nie Mingjue too left their status behind and the three of them fucked off to travel like retirees in a throuple. But don't worry, Nie Huaisang and Jiang Cheng were more than experienced enough to fill in for the brains and brawns position of Lan Wangji's new court.

4. Xue Yang, Xiao Xingcheng, Song Lan ....And Wei Wuxian

Xue Yang, having been Wei Wuxian's shidi and friend most of their violent lives, just couldn't abandon his pathetic little meow meow shixiong to wither away in Yiling by himself. So he convinced Xiao Xingcheng that like...isn't a good taoist supposed to go and help the needy or whatever. The three of them eventually went to Yiling to see what they could do to help the wartorn city. What they found was that Wei Wuxian had already started the rebuilding effort. Yiling was far away from both Nevernight and Cloud Recesses, so Wei Wuxian's infamy wasn't as well known. But the fucking idiot announced on day one of his arrival who he was and confessed his 300 crimes. "I have no protest if the good people of Yiling find my crimes deserving of death. My life is yours to take. But, if you grant me the grace of mercy, I will use the remainder of my life to rebuild and serve this city. I am Yiling's servant, from this day till the last of my days."

And so little by little, Yiling recovered. Wei Wuxian wrote countless letters to local and provincial and imperial administrations asking for grants and funds (and books. What he didn't know, he learned, and read, and sought help from the locals). Thankfully, Wen Qing and Jiang Cheng took it upon themselves to make sure funds were provided. Neighbourhoods were rebuilt. The poor, wounded, widowed and orphaned were cared for. Wei Wuxian set up schools, re-developed farmlands, retrained the able-bodied to form the new defence system of the city. Slowly, businesses returned. Newcomers arrived seeking these opportunities. Babies were born. The sun rose and the sun fell, day after day, night after night.

Wei Wuxian had found a small abandoned residence when he first arrived, no more than a 600 square ft courtyard, barely enough to fit a donkey and a well. He lived there even after things got better, and never moved from this cramped little place.

Xue Yang, XXC and Song Lan came to visit every now and then, so he didn't get too lonely, but being nomadic, they never stayed too long. Jiang Cheng and Jiang Yanli wrote, as frequently as they could.

Every month or so, a letter would arrive from Cloud Recesses, and Wei Wuxian would sit by the dim light of his oil lamp and bore over Lan Wangji's neat calligraphy. The next day, he would send off a letter of his own.

The years went on. A decade went by.

Entirely against his will, Wei Wuxian had somehow gained a new moniker: Yiling Laozu. He's not sure who started it, but the people of Yiling now would smile and kindly call him Yiling-jun, whenever they pass him on the street. His repentence and dedication had earned him their forgiveness, and over the course of 13 years, their respect. But the toil of his labour took a toll on his health, and at 35 years old, Wei Wuxian found himself at death's door yet again.

"If I didn't come to see you, were you really going to just roll over and die? Why didn't you say something in your last letter, fucking idiot!"

Wei Wuxian's fever addled brain could hardly process the blurry figure sitting at his bedside. "Jiang...Jiang Cheng?"

"Yeah, who else. You look like shit."

"...Thanks."

"Don't worry, you'll live. Qing'er sent her best physician."

"Qing...? Qishan's Empress? Damn, she hasn't dumped you?" Wei Wuxian chuckled despite the heavily in hs chest. Literally even breathing hurt. "Amazing."

"Shut up. When you stopped writing altogether, Lan Wangji nearly lost his goddamn mind. A-jie too was worried sick."

The emperor and empress had sent three consecutive royal missives, which were delayed by outrageous winter storms known to plague the borderlands. Jiang Cheng had found them unopened. Wei Wuxian had been too weak to do much else than lie in bed and wait to die by the time he'd arrived. "Jiang-dage, Wei-gongzi should rest. There will be plenty of time to chat later." A kindly young man interrupted their banter as he entered the room with freshly brewed tonics. Wei Wuxian took in the sight of him and found him entirely too ...unintentionally posh to be just a physician. "Thank you, A-Ning. Leave the tonic to me, I'll make sure he takes it. You go get some rest. The travel here was rough; if you fall ill your sister will declare war on my entire house."

"A-Ning" didn't argue, merely smiled and said he'll come back to reassess Wei Wuxian in a couple hours. "...Was that?" "Yeah." Jiang Cheng helped Wei Wuxian sit up, and handed him his medicine. "Drink up, get better, we'll return to the capital at the onset of spring."

"...We?" Jiang Cheng gave him a crooked smirk. "You've been pardoned, you dumbass. The citizens of Yiling banded together and submitted a letter on your behalf to the imperial court, so moving it made even Old Man Lan shed a tear - okay, maybe not. Point is, the people gave Lan Wangji a reason to pardon you. Your exile is over."

"...Over? I'm...I'm going home?"

"Yeah Wei Wuxian, you're going home."

[trafalgarlogy]

THE KING'S WOMAN QIN SHI HUANG X FEM!READER

CHAPTER 2 !

WARNINGS FOR THE UPCOMING CHAPTERS!: GORE, MASS KILLING, OBSESSIVE BEHAVIOUR, YANDERE-ISH, BETRAYAL, LOVE TRIANGLE

THIRD PERSON POV

In a heavy crowd, passed three noble men, people gave them respect by greeting them but deep down everyone curious about one man among them who looked oddly feminine and smaller in height compared to the others..

but it didn't change the fact that young ladies passing by could get off their eyes off this young man whose (h/c) flowed with the wind and his beautiful (e/c) eyes sparkled in confidence walking towards the direction of the restaurant.

later entering the restaurant, the three men sat down on an empty table placing their swords beside the cushions they sat on, as one of them spoke, who appeared to be an old man who was supposedly in his 80s, "What a tiring day...." he sighed, " Master, is there something troubling you ?" the young man asked who was sitting at the left of the table. "it's nothing you should worry about, Jing Er, I'd suggest you practice more" said the old man, "Grandfather, I think you are going way too hard on senior " said the (h/c)-ette, " You won't understand it (Name), he is the young man who I entrust on carrying my legacy" he said looking at (Name), who was lowered her head in disappointment, "Grandfather, why don't you let me do it? why do you never give me chance to fight by your side......." she said in a sad tone in her voice, "(Name)....you're the only descendant of our clan...if anything happens to you then who will carry our clan's pride?" the old man confronted his granddaughter while the waiter served their drinks, "(Name), please try to understand it for the best of you" as he placed his hands on her palm, "I understand it grandfather but I also have a dream father, I want to bring peace in this world with my strength and prove the society wrong-", "and show them that women can do great things, I support it (Name), you have a beautiful dream but your a young lady, who has weak body if you get deeply injured there is a high possibility you die..." he continued on grabbing the bottle of wine and pouring it in his cup, "Grandfather, I-" (Name) argued, "Enough, no further discussion should be made", he said raising his voice as he sipped the wine.

"yes, grandfather....." (Name) nodded lowering her head once again, both Jing Ke and (Name)'s grandfather drank in silence as the whispers from the table beside theirs came into their ears...

"Do you know recently there have been rumors spreading around the King of Qin..."

"Oh Really? what is it...."

"They say he is not the biological son of King Zhuangxiang....."

"Wha-What?!....are these people crazy?.... The King of Qin will cut their tongues, or maybe something worse"

"yeah, I agree...I have heard the King of Qin is a total monster...."

as the conversation went on, (G/f/n) sighed as he finished his fifth cup, placing down the cup; taking his sword he got up, "let's get going..." he commanded, Jing Ke and (Name) nodded and got up without saying a word, paying up the money in the counter, the waiter bowed "thank you for coming! please come again!", the three of them walked out of the restaurant.

SCENE SKIP !

as the sun shined brightly, the guards cheered up for their king who was targeting its prey, a deer, the commander of their troop, Li Zhong said " this species of deer is quite rare and the demand for its skin in the market has raised, Dianxia*, you are certainly lucky" praised the king, who let go the arrow from a distance. As the arrow hit the deer, it struggled a bit and then collapsed dead on the field; guards clapped and praised his highness. The king smirked a bit and walked toward the dead corpse of the deer, he kneeled down placing his hand on its body and caressing its fur, " Li Zhong," he commanded, "Dianxia" he replied placing his hands in front his sword in middle of his hands, "take this deer away" he said proudly

*Dianxia means your highness in Chinese. I couldn't find the word that they used to call and greet Ying Zheng in the drama so yup-

the happiness didn't seem to last long as the messenger came running and bowed down, "Greeting, Dianxia, Ying Zheng, my apologies but you can't take it away"

"The king does not like to be disturbed during hunting.", said Li Zhong looking down on the messenger, "What's the matter?.", "Dianxia, there's a rule here at the Xishan hunting site, which states that anyone who gets any prey here....", "must give it to Marquess Changxin"

hearing the words Ying Zheng paused when he was caressing the fur as the guards insulted and spat on the messenger,

"Absurd! ",

"Dianxia, himself caught this wild deer.."

"Is Marquess Changxin more powerful than our king?", Li Zhong argued, hearing those words Ying Zheng's smiling face took no second to change into a face displaying annoyance

"How dare a servant like you dare offend, Dianxia" Li Zhong continued on, "QUICKLY APOLOGIZE TO THE KING" he yelled in anger. " I didn't intend to offend our king, I only act according to the rules.." the messenger said lowering his head, "The rules are set by the Empress Dowager Zhao", silence spread among the guards upon hearing the name of Lady Zhao who was known as the Empress Dowager Zhao, for she was a highly respected woman in the kingdom alongside Grand Empress Dowager Huayang.

"His majesty may decide this.." he ended his sentence. Ying Zheng just smiled it off and later got up slowly, " I might like to hunt for fun, but capturing the prey is not my pleasure." said raising his head up and looking at the blue sky, " Since there's the rule, I'll give Marquess Changxin, this deer" he continued putting his arms behind,

"Li Zhong!", "Dianxia!", "Let's get back to the palace" Ying Zheng commanded.

TIME SKIP

walking through the long corridors, two guards escorted Ying Zheng and his step-brother, Cheng Jiao.

Finally reaching the room of his mother, Empress Dowager Zhao, he intsructed the guards to not announce his arrival. Ying Zheng held the handles of the door and slowly opened it without making any noise; Ying Zheng and Cheng Jiao walked in quietly inside the room as they see Empress Dowager and a strange man giggle as they lie on the throne.

The man played with her hair, this view indeed disgusted Ying Zheng as he lightly cough to get his mother's attention, who flinched alongside the man; he quickly got up and walked to the side of throne bowing down as the Empress Dowager made herself seated properly and fixing her clothes.

as there was only awkward silence in the room, Ying Zheng broke the silence, "Greeting, mother" as he lowered his head, "Greetings, Taihou*" Cheng Jiao greeted along with his older brother

*Taihou means Empress Dowager

"guards, why didn't you inform me that the king is here?." she growled, "I told them no to.", Ying Zheng raised his head, hearing the answer Madam Zhao sighed as she complained " ah, I'm having a slight headache.." placing her hand on her head, "So, I asked Lao Ai to give a massage.", "That's right, Dianxia" Lao Ai stepped forward.

Ying Zheng stared blankly at the man, as Madam Zhao spoke, "Is there anything, that you would like to tell me?.", turning his gaze towards his mother he replied "Mother, everything is ready for the coming-of-age ceremony.", "I'll go to Yong City in a few days, Cheng Jiao will go along as well" he continued. "Great.", "You've been waiting for this ceremony, I'm really happy for you" Madam Zhao smiled at her son, "You're late father will be very pleased...to see your younger brother supporting you in the ceremony", as Cheng Jiao smiled brightly hearing it.

"Seeing Marquess Changxin here...reminds me of something." Ying Zheng said glaring at Lao Ai aka Marquess Changxin, "this morning when I went hunting in Xishan. I caught a deer", Lao Ai raised his head a bit as Ying Zheng was talking," Only then I got to know, you take charge of everything in the palace, the horses and the hunting field." Lao Ai turned his head towards the Empress Dowager, making slight eye contact with her.

His mother smiled gently turning her head towards Ying Zheng, "Lao Ai, is a detailed person. Dianxia is always busy with state affairs. So, I assigned these tasks to him hoping I could share your troubles as well."

"Since Dianxia likes the deer, I'll order the servants to return it." Lao Ai said confidently. Ying Zheng just smiled a bit, "You don't have to. This deer is beautiful, and Mother rarely comes to the Palace.", "Since mother you're here, I'll give this deer to you as a gift" announced it proudly as she continued on to smile, "Thank You for the gracious gift, Dianxia" Lao Ai thanked him, getting off Ying Zheng's smile from his face.

"So mother, I shall now leave." Ying Zheng bowed as well as Cheng Jiao. Both of them exited the room silently leaving Lao Ai and Empress Dowager alone again.

when Ying Zheng got out he stormed into the hallways, as a vein popped up on his head.

"They acted so shamelessly!, I can't even find any other words to describe them!" Ying Zheng complained, "Brother! why should you be so angry with a mere official like him?" Cheng Jiao looked up at him, " Lao Ai is a crude man from the southern city. He is favored by Empress Dowager, your mother; that's why he is being so arrogant and discreet." he rolled his eyes. " People say Lao Ai is not a real eunuch. He accompanies mother and that they're in a relationship" Ying Zheng turned his head to his brother, "Do you believe it?"

"What if it is true?..." Cheng Jiao replied, "If the news Lao Ai being punished spreads out, the Empress Dowager's reputation will be highly damaged." he continued on. Both the brother stood silence

"Since when did mother care about her reputation...." Ying Zheng spoke in annoyance leaving Cheng Jiao speechless.

Cheng Jiao sighed and moved forward to Ying Zheng's ear, " Brother, now your goal is to go against the chancellor.", "Why should you worry about the harem?" He whispered. " That Chancellor and mother restrain each other. We'll need to start from the harem to get rid of those traitors." Ying Zheng said, as footsteps approached from a distance to reveal Li Zhong, Li Zhong bowed "Greetings, Dianxia", "Dianxia, I've managed the wild deer that was hunted at Xishan as per your orders."

Ying Zheng smirked in satisfaction, "Very well then"

TIME SKIP

In Empress Dowager Zhao's Chamber(The Next Morning)...

Both Madam Zhao and Lao Ai rested on the bed, sleeping peacefully and silently. As the sun ray hit Madam Zhao's face, opening her deep black eyes to get up, removing her slender hands from her lover's chest, she discovered her palm to be covered in blood

making a shiver run through her spine, and her body turned cold in fear.....she screamed in horror making Lao Ai who was sleeping as well wake up, discovering his vest having a huge blood stain making them both jump in panic, they looked around to find any other blood stains, and removing their bed sheets, their faces turned pale in horror as both screamed seeing a dead deer's head on their bed. Blood was everywhere around the sheets. Lao Ai quickly held its horns and threw the head on the dark wooden floor of the room, taking Madam Zhao into his arms both looked at it with their eyes reflecting fear.

SCENE SKIP!

In the dark night, the three of them rode their horses rushing somewhere, days passed by they rode continuously finally reaching their destination to find the person they have been looking for, Ge Nie the infamous warrior of Qin, who quit had to serve as Qin's warrior.

the reason for him to quit to serve Qin was, he didn't want to be under Lu Bu Wei's control, who was a corrupted chancellor who was always hungry for power.

rushing to the scene to see a little girl getting thrown aggressively as she cried for her mother, (Name) ran to catch the little girl; getting hold of her and helping her stand back, running to pull out her sword at the scene to attack the bad guys, she was stopped by her old man, as his eyes widen to see the flexible moves of a strange man fighting them taking them down one by one with ease, "G...Ge...Nie..." the old man stuttered, as the little girl ran to her mother crying into her arm, going inside their house. "So are you waiting for me to take your life?" the man said glaring coldly at the men lying wounded on the ground, who trembled in fear; for the sake of their lives, they quickly got up and ran away as fast they can. "Are you....Ge Nie, the warrior?" (Name) as out of curiosity, getting Ge Nie's attention, "I'm Wei (Name), and my grandfather Wei (G/f/n), is the commander of Puyang in Wey"," We had walked hundreds of miles just to come and meet you" (Name) said with a smile

as He turned around to be greeted by the three bowing down to him. "Sir. I've seen your letter at the residence of the Chancellor of Wey, and found out you'll be leaving Qin today." (G/f/n) said showing respect towards the other old man. "Hearing this, we rushed over here just to personally express our wish...for you to serve the six states." "You've flattered me." said Ge Nie who sighed in disappointment," I'm just a mediocre and unambitious old man", "I'm not competent to serve the Six States" he continued leaving nothing but awkward silence at the end of his sentence. "Sir, this is important for all of us in the Six States," said (Name) on her grandfather's behalf, "Qin wants to conquer all the states regardless of the nations; all of us know you're a citizen of Qin but even after that you don't share the same path as others...You're a martial warrior, you are known worldwide as the world's best sword warrior" "If you can resist Qin with us, you'll surely inspire others", said (Name)" ah, the nickname..' world's best sword warrior" is purely a rumor, Don't mention it".

"Mr. Wei. Since we have now met here: why not try to stop me from out of tow, I'll listen to you if you're successful.", "But...if you fail to do so, then please go back," Ge Nie said walking slowly towards (G/f/n) as the wind blew. (Name) and Jing Ke got aside when (G/f/n) commanded them to do so making enough space for a duel. the two men glared at each other coldly as the silence spread in their surroundings. Ge Nie surprisingly passed by the old man, making him annoyed. They both walked towards the exit standing quietly. until (G/f/n) took a chance to strike when Ge Nie wasn't looking but coming to his surprise Ge Nie blocked his first attack and shifted his sword aside. This kept going on till (G/f/n) couldn't take it anymore and pulled his sword out, and ran towards Ge Nie; Ge Nie took no second to take out his sword behind his cape. and running towards him, the two of them fought to destroy most of the abandoned stalls in the surroundings and tore the clothes of the villagers that were hanging, in a blink of an eye.

Ge Nie gave a final strike to (G/f/n) sending him flying back. (G/f/n) coughed a little as he wasn't too weak to even cough out blood in just a blow. (G/f/n) stood up with a face of disappointment. "You're indeed, the world's best sword warrior, I admit defeat." said (G/f/n) lowering his head, "I've never wanted to get involved in the state affairs, But. Since we met today, there's something I want to tell you.", " I saw the general and the troops went out of the city on my way here.", "this time. If Qin wants to conquer Wey, the king of Wey would offer Puyang as self-protection.", making (Name)'s eyes widen as she covered her mouth with her hands, (G/f/n) and Jing Ke looked at each other in shock," We shall meet again someday" said Ge Nie, turning his back and leaving the village.

all that he left was a piece of worrisome news, cause after all it was their hometown, Puyang, on the line, where they grew up and spent memories of childhood. How could they let Qin conquer their precious home?

To be continued.....

NOTES !: i. totally not the author just rewatching the entire first episode just for the goddamn dialogue ii. the fact I forgot to mention at the start, this story has love triangles over love triangles, is just fucked up. iii. this chapter is long cause mf the start had nothing, like NOTHING

[fallloverfic]

TGCF donghua Season 2, Episode 12 thoughts

The end episode for the season had some lovely stuff :3 Spoilers for the book and donghua below. CW: blood.

I do love the cute little back and forth between Xie Lian and Hua Cheng a lot. ...I kind of wish it wasn't repeated here so we could focus on new stuff, but okay.

Xie Lian chuckling with Shi Qingxuan about what happened to Feng Xin lol He loves Feng Xin but also it's funny. No snow-white lotus here. They're so cute T-T Their friendshippppp T-T

But also he apologizes for it. Feng Xin's little smile/soft sad look(?) as he looks at Dianxia T-T I CRYYYY And then they awkwardly look away from each other (after Feng Xin talks about superior skill) and I cry more T-T

Mu Qing still approves of Feng Xin covered in blood. His little chuckle. As someone pointed out, this is how this part is phrased in the English translation:

“Only Mu Qing held [Feng Xin's] gaze. He not only didn’t care to avoid him, but he purposely stared, his intent more than obvious.” (Volume 2, Chapter 24).

Smirky boi.

Jun Wu's character model is pretty but also growing on me. He has some nice shots this episode.

Terrible man. Horrible. Pretty.

Xie Lian sadly running while having all his terrible memories T-T Pretty shots, tho.

The tomb is so pretty! I love how it looks like a sky!

Xie Lian thinking about what Qi Rong might have gone through... I know part of it is just worry about all the terrible things Qi Rong has done, only some of which Xie Lian knows of, but he has some sadness about what horrible things happened to him, too. Like I'll never get over that seemingly neither Xie Lian nor his parents know how Qi Rong died. Even Xie Lian didn't actually die (because he was a god when he got mortally injured T-T). But Qi Rong did. They just sort of lose track of him around when Xianle falls. And that's really sad.

So it looks like they mostly kept Qi Rong's new body the same, and just added his green make-up to indicate possession, which makes sense. He looks similar enough like this it's fine. Poor Guzi T-T He's having a bad lotta days.

I'm gonna be honest, I'm not a fan of the massive use of reused footage this episode. I get that they're going into another arc for season 3, so there has to be a cut-off somewhere, and this is a good place to cut off. But it... well. At least there's lots of gay pining on Xie Lian's part. A nice note to end the season on, I suppose, particularly because it parallels season 1 and they are the central relationship.

I can't recall any sub issues this episode, other than the continued use of "Green Immor", and I did a double-take when they directly translated the name for Mount Tonglu. Hoping they go back and fix all the issues in previous episodes.

All in all, this was a really wonderful season, with only a few minor issues overall, mostly in terms of the subs and that one very weird art decision in one episode. The art was beautiful, the voice actors did a great job, the music was lovely as always, the new intro and endings were wonderful, the additions were wonderful (yee Xiao Mengyou/Xiao Shiwei :3), and it's so fun to see all this in animation at last! Lots of wonderful Hualian, YIN YU FOR FIVE SECONDS MY BELOVED!!!!, lots of wonderful Shi Qingxuan & Xie Lian, lots of wonderful Xianle trio drama, some lovely Beefleaf tidbits, lots of wonderful Qi Rong being The Worst (I love him so), and lots of wonderful Lang Qianqiu. Lots of wonderful everyone!

Here's to season 3! May we see it soon!

Other episode thoughts for season 2 (didn't start till episode 3):

S02E03

S02E04

S02E05

S02E06

S02E07

S02E08

S02E09

S02E10

S02E11

S02E12 (you are here)

[xieliansbignaturals]

I'm trying to think of a kink that Hua Cheng WOULDN'T be into with Xie Lian, other than hurting him in a significant way or certain kinds of degradation...

Inflation? Well, if he could fill Xie Lian up with cum so much that he looked pregnant, he'd absolutely be into that.

Vore? Who *wouldn't* want to live inside Dianxia, cozy and safe? (Answer: literally everyone else.)

Tentacles? Of COURSE he wants to overwhelm Dianxia with a whole bunch of extra limbs...

etc.

[princessofxianle]

Do you mind if I ask your top 10 favorite characters (can be male or female) from all of the media that you loved (can be anime/manga, books, movies or tv series)? And why do you love them? Sorry if you've answered this question before.....Thanks...

well THANK YOU for asking, you are the first to!

tbh ive been meaning to do this on my main blog bc I take these wayyy too seriously lol but ANYWAY heres my top 10 faves (in no particular order) that I can think of (tbh theres prob more i forgot about, or i wanted to keep only 1 per fandom... except tgcf)

Huge Spoiler Warning: for ALL of tgcf, 2ha, aot, AND JJK MANGA!!!

1. Feng Xin (tgcf)

do i even need to explain this one? loyal to a fault, just a cute lil puppy, one hell of a sculpted archers back, and he's head over heels in love with Xie Lian (but tbh same) i have a lot of thoughts about him on a daily basis on this blog (and also theres the #fx backstory au tag)

2. Noé Archiviste (the Case Study of Vanitas)

MY BABY

the absolute bestest boy of EVER... with a LOAD of unprocessed trauma (yknow the typical stuff like seeing your childhood bff get decapitated in front of you) and a lot more to come once we find out how he kills his boyfriend best friend, Vanitas...

i ALSO think about him a lot but over on @noes-pillow

3. Sejanus Plinth (The Hunger Games: tbosas)

hated reading as a child... HATED it... picked up the og trilogy when i was 12 and i was a goner. The funny thing is i still hated reading for YEARS up until i picked up the prequel novel then in 2020, and now ive read all of tgcf, 2ha, and more fanfic than i could ever imagine... all because this stupid boy (i love him) chose to trust the WORST person as his friend, rip sejanus my baby

the movie is v good btw, if you havent seen it you should

4. Xie Lian (tgcf)

*Taizi Dianxia Fang Xin Guoshi General Hua Xie Lian*

how this man survived 800 years of being physically unable to die and never went insane is a mystery i will never be able to fully comprehend (aaand im in love with him... hmm i wonder why...)

5. Mihael "Mello" Keehl (Death Note)

the chocolate-addicted blonde boi that was my first anime crush... by proxy I must also add Mail "Matt" Jeevas because they are a package deal

these two are also the reason i started writing fanfic so they will ALWAYS hold a special place in my heart

6. Xue Meng - (2ha)

*sigh* he's just everyone's fav peacock (yes technically the image is XM 0.5 but he had a cool ass bird so im using this photo bc its COOL anyway...) mengmeng is another one of my trauma bois who has lost next to everything and yet is STILL kicking ass and taking names #thatsmyfuckingsectleader so proud of you my son

also this might get me into hot water here but imma go ahead and say it...

this is what i wanted Jiang Cheng to be... (i LOVE my angy grape but...) through thick and thin, despite EVERYTHING, and even mo ran fucking abandoning him he will still call mo ran his "ge"...

fgjhdfhfdg THEYRE BROTHERS, OKAY???

7. Howl Pendragon (Howl's Moving Castle)

ok this one i just simply do not need to explain... if you think i do, go watch this whole movie and then there ya go thats your answer...

GENDER

8. River Song (Doctor Who)

aside from being the character that unlocked my unhealthy obsession with :) Main Character Death :) at the ripe ol' age of 8 YEARS (although Will Turner from POTC also helped on that front... Orlando Bloom my beloved) River's story was a stroke of absolute GENIUS from start to finish and i simply love how Alex Kingston played her...

"You don't expect a sunset to admire you back."

I just love the doomed ones, okay...

9. Satoru Gojo (Jujutsu Kaisen)

look... theres *gojo girlies* uwu and then theres GOJO GIRLIES... i couldn't give 2 shits about how he's fan-serviced (tho im not complaining) but have you SEEN the amount of grief pumped into that man? he could explode in a fit of fucking insanity at literally any moment and take the whole goddamn world down with him bc what happened with suguru WASNT FAIR to him and satoru has more than enough power to go apeshit... but he DOESN'T... even after losing so many of his co-sorcerers... he still puts on a brave face to the end in order to protect the childhood of his students even tho his own youth was stolen from him during hidden inventory...

SEE? The DOOMED ones!

10. Levi Ackerman (Attack on Titan)

i read the manga during my last year of uni and when i tell you i SOBBED at the end... yes ofc for obvious reasons, but mostly bc my little Levi loses EVERYTHING. He is the SOLE survivor of the veteran scouts. He's missing multiple fingers, an eye, and the ability to walk. He was the strongest (yowaimo) but wasn't even granted the mercy to die at the end of his narrative! Broke my fucking heart.

BONUS: Morph (Treasure Planet)

he's a morph!!! nuff said <3

fin

[c-noveladdict]

Names of Devotion

Part 1 Part2 Part3

This post is filled with heavy spoiler. Read it at your discretion.

It's the part 2 of my on going series how Hua Cheng's devotion has changed and evolved with time. If you don't agree with something feel free comment with respect.

Hong Hong'er's Reason To Live

Enduring the beating and mockery of his family and neighbours and beating them back as much as he could. Roaming the streets when his so called 'mother ' kicked him out of house after a fight. Searching for scraps of food when hungry - Hong Hong'er continued to live his life as before.

Most of the time, he just felt suffocated especially , when he saw kids his age playing outside - well fed, warmly clothed, rosei cheeked. He wanted to burn the world from the unfairness of it. Why couldn't he have that?

One day he heard a pleasant news. His Dianxia was now a god! Everywhere temples were being built, everyone was worshiping Dianxia. He felt proud....and smug.

After all he was the first to know that his Dianxia was a god.

Now he could see Dianxia everyday and worship him in his temple. When kicked out of the house he could live with his Dianxia in his temple. The world no longer felt as bleak.

He tried to visit the Crown Prince tample on Mount Taicang as often as he could. But most of the time he went to the small shrine in his neighbourhood. It was so pitifully small, not something deserving of Dianxia. Wished he could build the best temple and statue for his Dianxia. Unfortunately, he could only offer him a small wild flower.

That day, his so called family once again kicked him out, after beating him black and blue. So he hurried back to his Dianxia's. Dianxia wouldn't kick him out for sure. After offering him the flower - since Dianxia had forbidden to bow- he made a silent prayer by clasping his hands.

Of course this peace didn't last long. When those annoying little bastards came to taunt him, he really wanted to beat them into a pulp. But, when the beating started he could only protect his head with his hands and endure it.

He hated being so powerless! He hated his life! His 'family'!The whole world!

[The‌ ‌kids‌ ‌by‌ ‌the‌ ‌door‌ ‌teased,‌ ‌“Hey‌ ‌ugly‌ ‌monster,‌ ‌you‌ ‌sleeping‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌shrine‌ ‌again‌ ‌tonight?‌ ‌Better‌ ‌watch‌ ‌out,‌ ‌that‌ ‌‘mom’‌ ‌of‌ ‌yours’‌ ‌gonna‌ ‌beat‌ ‌the‌ ‌living‌ ‌hell‌ ‌out of ‌you‌ ‌when‌ ‌you‌ ‌get‌ ‌home!”‌] ch73

[Under‌ ‌the‌ ‌wrapped‌ ‌bandages,‌ ‌the‌ ‌boy’s‌ ‌one‌ ‌eye‌ ‌flashed‌ ‌with‌ ‌anger,‌ ‌he‌ ‌raised‌ ‌his‌ ‌fists‌ ‌and‌ ‌yelled,‌ ‌“I‌ ‌don’t‌ ‌have‌ ‌a‌ ‌home!!‌ ‌I‌ ‌don’t‌ ‌have‌ ‌a‌ ‌mom!‌ ‌She’s‌ ‌not‌ ‌my‌ ‌mom!‌ ‌Get‌ ‌out!‌ ‌Get‌ ‌out!‌ ‌Keep‌ ‌talking‌ ‌and‌ ‌I’m‌ ‌gonna‌ ‌beat‌ ‌the‌ ‌crap‌ ‌outta‌ ‌you!”‌] ch73

‌[“You‌ ‌dare?‌ ‌Careful‌ ‌we‌ ‌might‌ ‌just‌ ‌tell‌ ‌on‌ ‌your‌ ‌dad‌ ‌again‌ ‌and‌ ‌let‌ ‌him‌ ‌teach‌ ‌you‌ ‌a‌ ‌lesson.”‌ ‌Some‌ ‌raised‌ ‌their‌ ‌brows‌ ‌and‌ ‌sneered,‌ ‌“Oh‌ ‌right,‌ ‌you‌ ‌don’t‌ ‌have‌ ‌a‌ ‌mom,‌ ‌because‌ ‌your‌ ‌mom‌ ‌didn’t‌ ‌want‌ ‌you.‌ ‌You‌ ‌don’t‌ ‌have‌ ‌a‌ ‌home,‌ ‌because‌ ‌your‌ ‌family‌ ‌doesn’t‌ ‌want‌ ‌anything‌ ‌to‌ ‌do‌ ‌with‌ ‌you.‌ ‌That’s‌ ‌why‌ ‌you‌ ‌can‌ ‌only‌ ‌sleep‌ ‌in‌ ‌this‌ ‌pitiful‌ ‌shrine...”‌ ‌] ch73

Suddenly, a puddle of water flew up knocked those bastards up and scaring them away. Afraid someone might see his ugly eye he quickly rewrapped his bandage. After making sure he was truly alone, he sat infront of Dianxia.

He was hurt and hungry. Just as his stomach gave a loud growl, he was hit by something. He was quick protect to his head, exceping another attack. Yet the attack never come. When he carefully looked around he saw that it was a fruit from the offering plate.

He was a bit spooked by these weird incidents. Soon after that he heard raindrops hitting an umbrella, yet nobody came in. Slowly as he turned his head he saw that it was only an red umbrella under the rain, like someone deliberately left it there for him.

Even though he saw noone. He knew that it was Dianxia. Dianxia was here, protecting him from those brats, giving him fruit to eat, now giving him an umbrella.

Without thinking he called out 'Dianxia'.

Even though nobody answered, his gut told him Dianxia was here. So he asked him the question he wanted an answer to, yet had noone to question....

[The‌ ‌young‌ ‌boy‌ ‌clutched‌ ‌onto‌ ‌the‌ ‌umbrella‌ ‌tightly‌ ‌with‌ ‌both‌ ‌hands,‌ ‌gritting‌ ‌his‌ ‌teeth,‌ ‌“I’m‌ ‌suffering!‌ ‌Everyday,‌ ‌I‌ ‌wish‌ ‌I’d‌ ‌die.‌ ‌Everyday,‌ ‌I‌ ‌want‌ ‌to‌ ‌kill‌ ‌off‌ everyone‌ ‌in‌ ‌this‌ ‌world,‌ ‌and‌ ‌then‌ ‌kill‌ ‌myself!‌ ‌I’m‌ ‌living‌ ‌in‌ ‌agony!”‌ ‌] ch73

[The‌ ‌boy‌ ‌was‌ ‌still‌ ‌looking‌ ‌up‌ ‌at‌ ‌the‌ ‌statue.‌ ‌His‌ ‌eye‌ ‌was‌ ‌becoming‌ ‌even‌ ‌redder,‌ ‌yet‌ ‌there‌ were‌ ‌no‌ ‌tears.‌ ‌With‌ ‌the‌ ‌umbrella‌ ‌in‌ ‌one‌ ‌hand,‌ ‌he‌ ‌reached‌ ‌out‌ ‌with‌ ‌the‌ ‌other‌ ‌and‌ ‌tugged‌ ‌on‌ ‌the‌ ‌clay‌ ‌statue’s‌ ‌robes,‌ ‌he‌ ‌persisted,‌ ‌“For‌ ‌what‌ ‌should‌ ‌I‌ ‌live‌ ‌for‌ ‌in‌ ‌this‌ ‌world?‌ ‌What‌ does‌ ‌it‌ ‌mean‌ ‌to‌ ‌live?”‌ ‌]

He waited for an answer he knew would never come. Surely Dianxia would be horrified with his words. Yet, he repeated the question almost begging him to answer for what he had to live for. Because tired of living like that.

Unexpectedly there really was an answer. And it was enough to shook him to his very core.

[To‌ ‌his‌ ‌surprise,‌ ‌suddenly,‌ ‌a‌ ‌voice‌ ‌from‌ ‌above‌ ‌broke‌ ‌through‌ ‌the‌ ‌dead‌ ‌silence,‌ ‌“If‌ ‌you‌ ‌don’t‌ ‌know‌ ‌how‌ ‌to‌ ‌live‌ ‌on‌ ‌anymore,‌ ‌then‌ ‌live‌ ‌for‌ ‌me.”‌ ‌] ch73

[The‌ ‌young‌ ‌boy’s‌ ‌head‌ ‌shot‌ ‌up‌ ‌but‌ ‌there‌ ‌was‌ ‌no‌ ‌one‌ ‌there.‌ ‌Only‌ ‌a‌ ‌soft‌ ‌and‌ ‌gentle‌ ‌voice‌ came‌ ‌from‌ ‌that‌ ‌clay‌ ‌statue:‌ ‌“I‌ ‌have‌ ‌no‌ ‌answer‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌question‌ ‌you‌ ‌asked.‌ ‌However,‌ ‌if‌ ‌you‌ ‌don’t‌ ‌know‌ ‌the‌ ‌meaning‌ ‌to‌ ‌your‌ ‌life,‌ ‌then‌ ‌make‌ ‌me‌ ‌that‌ ‌meaning,‌ ‌and‌ ‌use‌ ‌me‌ ‌as‌ the‌ ‌reason‌ ‌to‌ ‌live.“‌ ‌] ch73

Hong'er was stunned into silence. For a while he could only hear the melodious voice. It took him a while to focus on the word.

Dianxia wanted him to live for him?! For Dianxia?! Live for Dianxia!

He never expected an answer to begin with. Especially an answer like that. Even if Dianxia answered, he thought Dianxia would tell him to die in disgust.

Oh!

Before he could recover from the previous blow once again the melodious voice rang out.

[ ‌“Thank‌ ‌you‌ ‌for‌ ‌your‌ ‌flower!‌ ‌It’s‌ ‌beautiful,‌ ‌I‌ ‌like‌ ‌it‌ ‌very‌ ‌much!”‌] ‌ch73

Dianxia was thanking him for the flowers? flowers?! He liked them?! He, who was given many expensive offering, noticed his little flower? Apparently not only that! He liked it enough to thank him for it.

He also special come down from heaven to protect him. For Dianxia he really was that important?

No, he knew he was not special. Dianxia care about everyone equally. He was kind like that. Yet, for him it was everything.

Whenever he was at his breaking point that man (his god!) had given him a safe haver. Always. Now he was asking him to live for him. It didn't sound that bad. In fact, it sounded wonderful!

A life dedicated to his Dianxia. Live for him and die for him. Wouldn't that be a life worth living?

Yes! He could live for Dianxia. He 'would' live for Dianxia!

After waiting for a long time, when the voice didn't come again, he rubbed his dirty and tear strained face. He straightened his back and grabbed the fruit his Dianxia given him to eat. He needed to eat to live. It wouldn't do to die of starvation.

He swore in his heart he would never think about dying. If he had to die, he would die for Dianxia. He had to live for Dianxia after all.

His life was no longer his. It belonged to Dianxia now.

[imu-chan]

absolutely obsessed with a lookalike au for tgcf, a la Padme from Star Wars

Mu Qing dressing as Xie Lian as a safety measure, while Xie Lian disguised himself as one of like five ‘princes’

Even better if like they came up with this while XL was still pretty young, because a crowd of babies all pretty much look like lil blorbos and then he hits puberty and gets *pretty* and the king and queen are like ‘oh shit oh fuck’ so they have to like curate people who look enough like him to fool outsiders and infiltrators

I love sqx and xl besties so let’s put He Xuan and Shi Qingxuan as two of the handmaidens (ladies in waiting??) and perhaps Yushi Huang? Maybe Ling Wen????

I imagine that everyone has like. A Real Job besides being part of the Prince Squad, like Ling Wen is a scribe/librarian/messenger etc., Yushi Huang is a farmer or herbalist or something etc and Mu Qing is the personal attendant/concubine or whatever

If this started SUPER young, imagine the king and queen in disguise, sneaking around the kingdom and stealing acquiring poor children to grow up with XL (they get narrowed down to just the aforementioned) and itty bitty Mu Qing and Xie Lian shyly becoming friends

And Feng Xin!!!!!! lmao what if he’s the only one besides like the king and queen to be able to tell the difference between everyone (because he and mq are soulmates obvi) but everyone has to treat all of them the same so as not to blow the cover so fx refers to them all as ‘Dianxia 1, Dianxia 2, Dianxia 3, Dianxia of my Heart, Dianxia 5, Dianxia 6’

Qi Rong would HATE this scheme because he only likes XL and all the other Dianxias are done with his shit

[aidoftheservant]

Thorn of lenience, day 1

Written for Mulian Week 2023: Blooms of Our Yearning. @mulianweek-event

Prompt (Day One): Cherry Blossom (deception)

In more ways than one, Mu Qing isn't who they say he is. (But it's not his tricks being discussed here.)

The explicit rating is for chapters 4 and 7.

Or, read the chapter here:

Kneeling on the cold floor wasn’t too unpleasant. Not only because it was familiar - knowing that this act helped secure his position and kept him safe - but also because he knelt before His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. That alone was enough to make him ignore any aches and pains he was experiencing.

Taizi Dianxia always had the innate power to inspire awe in everyone who was in his presence, especially in the case of boys from lowly births like Mu Qing. 

Mu Qing noticed Taizi Dianxia's voice before turning to face him. He had been monitoring the prince for months, getting to know his routine and impulses, looking for the most likely angles from which he would be targeted.

Once he had proven himself competent, he was assigned the duty of shadowing the prince in public.

"Please, you may rise."

Mu Qing did so after one final courtesy. "Many thanks to Taizi Dianxia," he spoke, his tone as low as he could naturally get at his age, and somewhere between casual and respectful, as befitting of someone who would come to work very closely with royalty.

The State Preceptor looked at him and frowned. Mu Qing knew the man couldn't say anything that would get him sent away. Even if the scrutiny made him feel he had many flaws, his records were legitimate, and he'd been properly assigned to this task.

But the State Preceptor was not alone in his dissatisfaction.

Mu Qing noticed the apprentice bodyguard's obvious displeasure. The hostility irritated his skin and kept him alert ('Good,' he remembered his handler saying, 'never let your guard down.')

Feng Xin, like Mu Qing, had been groomed to be Taizi Dianxia's confidant. But unlike Mu Qing, Feng Xin has been by his side for several years.

Feng Xin's accomplishment was also more commendable. Mu Qing was a servant, whereas Feng Xin was the result of proper Xianle breeding, all with the intention of best serving the royal family. They could never be compared.

Though they were all still boys and should have paid less attention to such details, Mu Qing already had the disadvantage of Feng Xin's mistrust and Taizi Dianxia's somewhat resigned acceptance.

A bodyguard had to have faith in his master's retainer.

Mu Qing almost sympathised with the boy's misfortune that the bodyguard had to cooperate with him. Almost.

Mu Qing could understand how the crown prince, especially one as free-spirited as Taizi Dianxia, might see having a personal servant as a restriction. Even with the crown prince unaware of the extent of Mu Qing's responsibilities.

Mu Qing had spent his entire life watching Taizi Dianxia, looking for any signs of outside danger that he would have to report to his handler so that his superiors could intercept the threat. He came to learn a lot about the prince.

Taizi Dianxia, for example, liked to walk with a slight lean to the left. When the crown prince sneezed, he was always caught off guard. Mu Qing was well aware of Taizi Dianxia's habit of sleeping with his lips slightly parted.

Mu Qing was now to personally assist Taizi Dianxia in full view for two main reasons. For one, Mu Qing was the same age as the crown prince. Their familiarity might help ease Taizi Dianxia’s transition into the harsh realities of kingdom rule that he seemed to find less appealing.

Another reason was that Mu Qing had made a call while watching Taizi Dianxia's back just months before this arrangement. A significant decision that resulted in Mu Qing's first kill without being explicitly ordered to do so, the discovery of a rebel group in the crown city, and the execution of four of their leaders.

The court believed Mu Qing was prepared to take the next step in becoming Taizi Dianxia's trusted handler for his shadow politics, just as Mu Qing's handler was for the king.  

Mu Qing, like Feng Xin, had been raised to be loyal to Xianle's future king, and he had always thought their efforts were unnecessary. He had been captivated by the crown prince since the first time he saw him, when Taizi Danxia was kicking a ball alone in the palace's large garden. Mu Qing recalled the few times he had spent playing alone, knowing no one his age and not being close to any of his seniors. He sympathised with the crown prince, however unworthy he felt of it.

He'd even kicked the ball back when Taizi Dianxia thought he'd misplaced the toy. Mu Qing's little secret was that he had once 'played' with the prince.

Even now, as Mu Qing raised his head after a few moments of keeping himself lowered in submission, Xie Lian's gaze was like the breeze coursing through the fabric of his uniform. His hair sprang up on his arms, and his skin itched with nervousness.

"It's nice to meet you, Mu Qing," Xie Lian said cheerfully, though with reservation. 

The crown prince was nearly fifteen years old and was well underway with intensive martial arts and cultivation training. He evidently saw no need for further security with a bodyguard already by his side. He must have considered the additional staff to be more of a nuisance than a benefit.

That was why Mu Qing would primarily act as his servant, to lighten his mood. It was his duty to ensure Taizi Dianxia would feel safe at all times, after all.

He was used to hiding his face behind a modest mask, ensuring his anonymity. Years later, when Taizi Dianxia had more personal servants, Mu Qing would re-adorn that mask and act solely per his official profession.

Mu Qing had to greet Taizi Dianxia with his face bare and exposed to ensure a peaceful transition.

Mu Qing was embarrassed. He didn't want Taizi Dianxia to dislike him at first sight. Many people had told Mu Qing that he was aloof and unapproachable, especially for someone his age, so he chose to keep his lips slightly pursed in a polished and cordial manner on this day.

Mu Qing was never encouraged to smile, and as a result, he never did. He'd be happy to put an end to the farce as soon as possible and return to hiding behind a mask or even a veil.

Taizi Dianxia examined his features and appearance with the detached air befitting of a passing interest in another person's work.

"It's an honour," Mu Qing said, slightly tilting his head. He was young, he reminded himself, so he had to act restlessly and exude excitement.

He knew he couldn't keep it up, especially with Feng Xin looking down on him for his efforts. Mu Qing quickly adjusted his approach after noticing this. He shifted from his warm disposition to a colder attitude that was more natural for him, though the change was hardly noticeable.

Or so he thought, because Xie Lian's lips curled in amusement, and his eyes twinkled with interest.

This revealed to Mu Qing that Xie Lian was more perceptive than his handler had led him to believe, and that he had a penchant for mischief, implying Mu Qing was in for a world of trouble.

Surprisingly, Mu Qing, enamoured by the sight of a plotting crown prince, didn't seem to mind.

Weeks passed with no incident. Mu Qing kept a low profile and concentrated on his domestic responsibilities as well as his actual objectives. He left the rooms spotless. Taizi Dianxia's robes were flawless and his shoes appeared to be as new as the day they arrived. Knowing how the crown prince longingly looked out the window whenever he could, he kept the scents in Taizi Dianxia's room light and earthy.

Mu Qing had long informed his handler of the crown prince's agitation. Because Taizi Dianxia had no idea an attempt on his life had been made, he felt that being barred from leaving palace grounds was unjust. Mu Qing had been assured by his handler that the king had already been informed, but given that the crown prince was still very much inside, the king had clearly decided against entertaining his son's whims.

Mu Qing also discovered that Taizi Dianxia's bodyguard-in-training, Feng Xin, was more than just a royal shield and sword, and had grown close to the crown prince.

Taizi Dianxia frequently tried to entice him into various games of play, which were met with excitement or a sad apology when the apprentice was on duty.

Feng Xin alternated between being a stuttering mess and a calm royal family servant. When it came to Taizi Dianxia, Mu Qing couldn't find a pattern for when Feng Xin acted like the former or the latter, and he couldn't hold back an exhausted sigh when he had to conclude that Feng Xin was simply an idiot.

To his frustration, Mu Qing discovered that he was widely despised in the palace. Feng Xin not only distrusted him, but the other attendants and guards avoided him as well.

Mu Qing's low birth was no secret. For him to still be Taizi Dianxia's personal retainer? Of course, this would lead to complaints. His every move was scrutinised, and his work was frequently made more difficult to teach him a lesson.

Mu Qing's tools would go missing or be misplaced in places he had no business being, such as near the queen's quarters, where only women were permitted to go. If he didn't watch his laundry like a hawk, he'd inadvertently discover tears that he'd have to painstakingly repair.

None of these behaviours was a threat to Taizi Dianxia, nor did they necessarily stop Mu Qing from performing his duties just yet, so Mu Qing let it be. 

It was almost amusing to watch others try to get him to make mistakes, until it was Feng Xin who almost tripped over a 'misplaced' broom. "Watch where you put these things!" he had snarled at him.

Mu Qing pursed his lips and bowed his head in acknowledgement. "Begging forgiveness, this one will be more mindful in the future." The words were poisonous. Mu Qing felt like spitting rather than accepting responsibility for things he hadn't done.  

Feng Xin snorted, not believing Mu Qing's sweet-talking. Feng Xin stormed off after warning him with a glare, fuming but unwilling to cause a scene.

That same afternoon, Mu Qing was hiding inside the walls of the palace. A complex maze of corridors that Mu Qing knew as well as he did the palace proper. 

He sat down, leaning against the wall of that unlit, pitch-black passageway, and listened in on a conversation between the bodyguard and the crown prince. It was not yet time to make the prince presentable for dinner that evening and Mu Qing had completed all his other tasks. 

He waited and listened in on this conversation because Feng Xin might decide to make his life even more difficult today. He kept himself from scoffing at the thought. It would be easier if Feng Xin posed a threat, as Mu Qing would have a reason to retaliate if Feng Xin attempted anything. But, no, the apprentice bodyguard acted too much like a puppy towards Taizi Dianxia, which the crown prince noticed and loved to tease him about.

And teasing he did, even now. “Feng Xin,” the crown prince cooed. With how dark it was and how intently Mu Qing was listening, he almost hallucinated the corner of Taizi Dianxia’s lips curling up in a titled smirk as if he was in front of him. 

Taizi Dianxia continued: “He apologized. If anything, shouldn’t you be assuring me you won’t trip over a broom again?”

Feng Xin muttered something Mu Qing couldn't hear, but it sounded sufficiently anxious to be something along the lines of an embarrassed agreement.

"Do you have a specific reason for bringing this incident to my attention?" Taizi Dianxia's tone became a little sour.

"He's been slacking off," Feng Xin grumbled. Mu Qing imagined him furrowing his brows and folding his arms. "Servants have complained that his carelessness bothers them."

Mu Qing rolled his eyes in the dark for no one but himself. He was very familiar with those particular servants. They didn't have anything on him, so they couldn't move to report Mu Qing. They did, however, manage to get their rumour mill to spread to the crown prince's close associates.

This was a disaster.

Damn that Feng Xin. If Taizi Dianxia needed an excuse to get rid of him, this would suffice. And what would become of Mu Qing?"

"That's strange." Xie Lian hummed a little tune in that elegant mannerism that Mu Qing was so fond of privately. "I've never found a flaw in his work."

"Granted, neither have I." And Mu Qing took sadistic pleasure in hearing how much admitting that had hurt Feng Xin. "Until the broom."

"Until the broom," crooned Xie Lian. His voice reverted to its gentle tone when he seemingly changed the subject on a whim. "Feng Xin, did you mend your robes by yourself?"

Mu Qing felt as if he'd been dropped into a bottomless pit of freezing water. Did Taizi Dianxia notice the patched-up clothes? He forced himself to calm down. To his horror, he had missed a portion of the conversation. A mistake he hadn't made in a long time.

"I figured," Xie Lian responded after only a brief silence to whatever Feng had said. "I found similar repairs in my clothing, too."

Mu Qing blinked, still unable to see anything in the dark. What Taizi Dianxia said couldn't be right. No one would dare to rip His Highness's robes. They wouldn't even if it had inexplicitly meant saving their lives, let alone for the sake of getting to Mu Qing in some way.

Taizi Dianxia's wardrobe was meticulously maintained. Many servants would rather beg to be moved to the stables for a month than risk ruining the crown prince's clothes.

Nobody would do something like that just to bother Mu Qing.

If Taizi Dianxia was truly willing to lie like this, Mu Qing would have to reconsider every note he'd ever written about the crown prince.

Feng Xin demonstrated a sense of awareness when he realised the gravity of what Xie Lian was implying. "That sounds excessive," he mumbled. “It’s odd that laundry would be such a difficult task for him that he’d have to repair so many tears. Before I saw a misplaced tool myself, I thought it was weird so many supposedly caught him slacking off. That guy usually goes to great lengths to ensure he does well.”

Momentarily - and somewhat uncharacteristically, Mu Qing noted - distracted, Xie Lian made an inquisitive noise at that tidbit of information. 

Feng Xin snorted, amused but also a bit ruffled. “I admit he’s somewhat impressive. I once walked in on Mu Qing while he was cleaning. He was in a very contorted position, just so he could reach a tapestry from the staircase, holding himself up with core strength alone.”

“Really?” Xie Lian sounded unlike what Mu Qing had heard before. If he had to put a name to it, his voice sounded almost excited. Eager, like a child who really wanted to watch a performer.

“Yeah, really.” Feng Xin could mock a little in turn, too. 

Xie Lian coughed, getting the conversation back on track. Which was good for Mu Qing, because his chest was aching something fierce within him. He remembered that day. Sure, Feng Xin had seen him, but he had been fine with it, even somewhat smug about it. He liked having something over the bodyguard’s head and he enjoyed silently bragging about anything he was better at than Feng Xin. 

But the thought that Taizi Dianxia could have seen him like that - that the crown prince hinted that he would have wanted to have seen it - had Mu Qing feeling breathless. 

He tried to ignore the feeling and refocused on listening in. It was difficult, but Mu Qing quickly found himself invested again. 

“My usual clothes are left well enough alone,” Xie Lian explained. “I have a few sets that I used to wear informally outside the palace until my father assigned Mu Qing to keep a closer eye on me.”

Mu Qing blinked again. He had no idea. But Feng Xin clearly did, because he hummed along as if he now understood the situation better. 

“I am usually loath to risk exposing them. They will definitely be taken away if Father figures out that they’re mine. Still, I had to find out what was going on somehow.”

It felt wrong to be the one out of the loop, to have missed something so glaring as the crown prince sneaking out. At the very least, Mu Qing's presence had put a stop to his naive behaviour. His instinct had been on point when they met: Xie Lian was hiding a devious side, that trickster. 

“And I was right to,” Xie Lian continued, “If Mu Qing truly were that awful, even my most elaborate pieces would show signs of mistreatment.”

Feng Xin spoke then, with some regret in his voice. “The work we actually know that Mu Qing does is flawless to the point of showing off-” Mu Qing bristled at that “-and what we’re being told is that he is incapable.”

“Mu Qing mends the clothing,” Xie Lian said. “I don’t have proof, but I’m sure of it.”

Mu Qing’s heart skipped a beat, not sure he deserved it.  

“Well, if His Highness is certain, then it must be so.” Feng Xin let out a sigh before suddenly groaning in frustration. Mu Qing was startled enough to briefly imagine the bodyguard pulling at his hair. “Why won’t he say anything?”

Xie Lian hummed. “Maybe he doesn’t think I’ll believe him?” he didn’t sound sure of it. He also sounded a bit sad. “I may have been harsh on him because I’ve been feeling so caged in.”

Feng Xin denied it. “It’s probably me, Taizi Dianxia,” he confessed. “I believed hearsay before I even considered asking him about it. That’s on me. He’s your retainer, I should have tried better to work together with him.”

Mu Qing lowered his head down to his knees. He couldn’t deny that their words were comforting. He didn’t think he needed them to give him the benefit of the doubt, but it was nice to hear they were essentially already convinced of his innocence just because of what sort of person they thought he was.

He mulled it over while Feng Xin and Taizi Dianxia moved on to the next topic of conversation: the dinner Xie Lian did not look forward to. The relationship between the king and his son had been increasingly strained as of late, but the meals spent together only seemed to make it worse.

Perhaps Mu Qing would try to get Feng Xin on board to make a case for giving some freedom back to the crown prince. To repay him.

[chattyghostlovesyou]

I have a modern au idea that I'm 100% sure I'm not gonna write it so will left it here for everyone

So, it's been 15 years since destruction of Xianle business umpire and scandalous dismissal from FBI (or something of sort) it's heir Xie Lian. His friends turned from him, his former boss Jun Wu was merciful to drop all charges, but nobody could blame Xie Lian more than himself.

After years of picking up garbage Xie Lian is suddenly found by Ling Wen (president's secretary, why on earth is she doing this) who offers him a position of a war history professor in FBI Academy and Xie Lian is willing to try, hoping he'll not meet his former colleagues. Besides, he's always loved to tell people about ancient wars, to be paid for it seems tempting. First few days are alright – then Xie Lian finds himself in a middle of a mess with some maniac kidnapping young engaged girls.

Mu Qing and Feng Xin, of course, are partnered (not by their will, believe me) FBI agents whose case it is. They choose to ignore Xie Lian at first but he comes with new and new clues and evidence that really help (and sometimes they fight so much they miss obvious things. he doesn't). Some of them he definitely couldn't find without serious shadow word connections.

And soon enough they see Xie Lian in some incredibly expensive boutique with a man whose face they know all too good. Hua Cheng is convincing Dianxia that the clothes he's buying for him is not costly untill Xie Lian yields. Next time Xianle trio see each other, Xie Lian has a brand new phone with a two black dice trinket, new white hoody (Hua Cheng actually bought about a dozen for they're definitely gonna be torn, stained or something else), new jeans and Xie Lian seems to be absolutely okay with it.

Long story short, Four Great Calamities are four great crime lords: White No-Face is a drug lord, who, everyone believes, Xie Lian killed – with dozen other people; every smuggling operation is related to Black Water (no idea who he is, what he wants, what he looks like); Hua Cheng has greatest casino network in the country (there definitely are illegal ones too, but police can't find them) and he is closest to mafia cause he's protecting those who works for him and their families; Qi Rong is kidnapping people for money, he's not a big deal but quite a pain in the ass

Jun Wu is a president (former FBI director) with his exhausted secretary Ling Wen, Pei Ming is a present day FBI director. Shi Wudu is a treasury secretary, whose brother Shi Qingxuan finally stops escaping from bodyguard. Though new guy Ming Yi is gloomy, they seem to become friends

soo, that's it. what do you think?

[hulijingemperor2]

Rusong: *standing outside A-qing's door*

A-qing: *coming out, wearing a beautiful pastel green dress~ along with accessories, her gifted comb, and makeup*

Rusong!

Rusong: *glancing at her*

A-qing: *blushing*

Rusong: you look pretty.

A-qing: thanks. Mo xuanyu did my makeup.

Rusong: that's sweet of uncle Mo.

*grabs her hand and lovingly placed his lips on her ear*

A-qing: R....Rusong....*turning red* what if someone....sees us.....

Rusong: *hugs* everyone knows that we're a couple. And who dares to eavsdrop on us.

A-qing: oh. *blushing* then, I can do this.

*kisses his dimple*

Rusong: *looks into her eyes*

A-qing: Rusong, you have a cute little smile.

Rusong: *lifts chin* you too.

Shall we, A-qing?

A-qing: let's go.

~~

The party was in full swing! The Junior quartet were there sampling wine while a notorious Gumihos, Kitsunes and Hulijings were lounging around, having a good time.

Everyone present were either young business heirs~ and heiresses, or the elite.

Hey Dianxia,

Greetings, Dianxia.

Rusong: hello. Glad you can make it. *smile*

Your party is awesome as always, Dianxia.

Rusong: Jingyi and I had planned it.

Oh nice!

Rusong: mn. This is my girlfriend, A-qing.

You two make a perfect pair.

A-qing: *shy* nice to meet you guys.

Like his A-Die, Rusong loves mingling with the elite and being a proper host.

You have good tastes in women, Dianxia.

Love your style, Wangfei.

A-qing: ah. We're not married yet. *blushing intensely*

And I don't get that a lot.

Rusong: isn't she adorable? She's so cute when she blushes.

Of course Dianxia. She's extremely adorable.

Rusong: A-qing these are the children of merchants, ministers business owners, marquise, and minor nobles.

A-qing: ohh. (Rich Dianxia has rich friends)

Rusong: we'll be over there if you need anything.

Or if you can't find me, just look for er Dianxia.

Sure.

You're a wonderful host!

Er Dianxia! *hugs*

Jingyi: hey dude.

We came all the way to Korea.

Jingyi: ohh! My Gumiho counterparts.

Yea!

Jingyi: pleasure to meet you.

Jingyi: *exhales*

Jinling: finally, you got a job.

Jingyi: Jinling I always had a job. I'm a cultivator!

Jinling: dude that's more of a sport.

Jingyi: cultivation is hard work.

Sizhui: oh guys, don't argue. I totally agree that cultivation is a task by itself.

Jingyi: thank you Sizhui. My well wisher.

Ouyang Zizhen: *chugging down some more wine*

Jingyi: I don't know how Rusong can host a party. It's kinda tough.

Rusong: what's so tough?

Quartet: Rusong!!!

Rusong: hey guys.

Ouyang zizhen: hi Dianxia. And A-qing.

Sizhui: Dianxia. Who's this?

Jingyi: she's my sister-in-law. I'll beat someone up if they do anything to her.

A-qing: since when are nice. Where did your bossiness go.

Jingyi: Jinling was rubbing off on me so that's why I was bossy.

Jinling: hey!

Rusong: she's my girlfriend, Sizhui gege.

Ouyang Zizhen: well we all know the bro code. Our bro's gf is our sister-in-law and we got to protect them.

A-qing: ahh.

Jinling: Rusong, you didn't tell me this!

*nudges* why?!

Rusong: because it wasn't official yet.

Jinling: congrats Song. You little chick magnet.

Rusong: *laughing* thanks Ling gege!

A-qing: who are you? And why do you look like the scary peacock?

Jingyi: that's mistress Jin. Aka princess Jin.

A-qing: lol why are you calling him mistress Jin.

Jingyi: soon you'll find out.

Rusong: A-qing. This is my cousin, Jinling.

He's also like a brother.

A-qing: ohh waww. He looks so fancy, like you.

Jinling: thanks a lot.

And you better treat my baby cousin right.

A-qing: yea I got it.

So you're a Wangzi too?

Jinling: yes. My A-Die is the emperor.

The one you called the scary peacock.

A-qing: my bad.

Jinling: you shouldn't talk about my A-Die like that.

A-qing: fine.

Anyways, you two are the next generation of peacock and fox.

Rusong: exactly.

Jinling: we'll be Huangdis soon! *rests his arm on Rusong's shoulder* just Rusong and I, running the empire.

A-qing: cool!

Jingyi: I'll get so drunk on that day. Celebrating Rusong.

Then I'll congratulate Jinling.

Jinling: you can't stop being sour, can't you.

A-qing: I'm happy that you guys have a healthy bond!

Sizhui: mhm. Yes we do.

Where are you from?

A-qing: Yi city!!

You know. Coffin town!

Jingyi: that foggy place we went, Sizhui. Your remember?

Jinling: your brain is foggy.

Jingyi: because I'm sharing a brain cell with you.

Sizhui: I remember. We were doing some night hunting there once.

Ouyang Zizhen: isn't she gorgeous? Even though we're sharing Rusong Dianxia.

Rusong: ehem.

Ouyang Zizhen: sorry.

Rusong, you and your dimples had really attracted a beauty, as well as myself. Um...

How are you so charming.

Rusong: I think i do it without trying.

Ouyang Zizhen: Rusong, you're fab.

Jinling: you're so suspicious.

Sizhui: in Yi city, we were almost attacked by xue yang.

Jingyi: oh yea! I forgot about that!

A-qing: because you guys were trespassing. He doesn't like when people are in his territory, and also he was already in a bad mood.

Ouyang Zizhen: what happened to him? How can a hot dude be in a bad mood.

Rusong is never in a bad mood...*panics* not that I'm saying you're hot! Well...you are....Rusong, it isn't about you.

Rusong: *confused*

A-qing: he was in a bad mood because Songlan tried to choke him, then he went away with Xingchen.

And on top of that he accidentally soiled his xingchen cosplay.

Jingyi: with dirt?

A-qing: no. With blood.

And blood stains.

Rusong: as expected of uncle muffin.

A-qing: Are you guys princes too?

Sizhui: cultivators.

A-qing: you're Wangxian's kid?

Sizhui: yes. I was originally a wen.

A-qing: ohhhhh xue yang told me a lot about you! And how your parents do everyday means everyday.

Sizhui: haha. That's what they do best.

Ouyang Zizhen: I'm the sect leader of the Bailing Ouyang clan. For now I'm doing sect leader training.

A-qing: that's great.

Sizhui: and I'm the Wen sect leader.

Aqing: ohh. Well my Rusong is~

Sizhui: the Laoling Qin sect leader.

I know. He's awesome.

Aqing: right!

Afterwards some Kitsunes and Gumihos came and greeted Rusong and Jingyi.

Rusong: hey guys. *speaking Japanese*

Kitsunes: *heart melting*

Yes yes, Dianxia. We're enjoying ourselves.

Dianxia, your Japanese is so cute and quite proper.

Rusong: thank you. I practiced.

Ouyang zizhen: *shocked* Rusong knows Japanese?!

Jinling: and Korean. He has been able to speak them since childhood. Thanks to Xiao shushu and a couple of tutors.

Jingyi: my bro is super talented.

I'm still taking classes for those two languages.

Sizhui: that's cool!

Jinling: I hope you don't stress out the hulijings.

Some random Gumiho: Dianxia, can you tell a joke in Korean?

Rusong: my Korean is still rusty but I'll try. Just for you.

If A-Die was here, he would have helped me.

Er Dianxia, we want to hear your Japanese too.

Jingyi: ok guys. *speaks Japanese*

Awe. Brilliant!

But practice makes perfect!

Jingyi: yea I got to keep practicing.

Gumihos: *cracking up* Dianxia you have one wicked humor.

Rusong: glad you like, lol.

A-qing: Rusong, Rusong. Tell me something pretty in Japanese.

Rusong: *lifts chin* like?

A-qing: something what will make me blush.

Rusong: Anata wa watashi no monodesu.

A-qing: now what does that mean?

Rusong: *kisses her in her forehead* you're mine.

A-qing: *blushing* Rusong.

Rusong: it's true.

Ouyang Zizhen: awwwwwwww. I ship you two!!

A-qing: now i want to learn Japanese so I can understand you and your love talks.

Rusong: *smiling* as you wish.

Ouyang Zizhen: bro, isn't that your code language.

Rusong: nop. My Yunping dialect is. *wink*

Ouyang zizhen: nice!

Jinling: Rusong is very smart as always.

Sizhui: very charming.

Rusong: oh guys.

Lol, let's go take some cocktails. Shrimp and wine.

Jingyi: right behind you! You diva.

Rusong: A-qing, what type of wine do you want?

There's Korean wine there too.

A-qing: well let me go with the Korean one then.

Rusong: delightful choice.

Try the takju.

It's the best.

A-qing: ahh.

~~~

In Jing Manor's main mansion 📍.

Yao: *reclining while eating shrimp and drinking expensive wine from Dongying.

Xue yang: diva. Your shrimp is bussin.

Mo xuanyu: are these from Song'er and Jingyi's party?

Yao: mhm.

Su she: *sipping wine* I bet this will get Lan lips drunk.

Mo xuanyu: one way to find out!!!

Xue yang: Dianxia got some expensive stuff for his bash.

Yao: because he's Song'er.

He has the best things.

Su she: Song'er was born a diva.

Yao: exactly.

Xue yang: Jiggy, Jiggy, let's do some sexy roleplay nah. Since the juniors are busy partying.

Su she: stop acting like wei wuxian.

Anyways, can we, Huangdi?

Mo xuanyu: with your whip.

Yao: *laughing* I don't see why not.

Mo xuanyu: let's do it in your torture chamber.

Yao: excellent idea.

*stood up* i need some more wine.

Xiying.

Xiying: yes Huangdi. I'll order more wine and deliver it to your torture chambers

Fuying: should I get you your execution heels?

Team dimple: YES!!!!

Yao: *glares at them. Then looks at his attendant* certainly, Fuying. Please get them.

(Whenever Yao huangdi operates his torture chamber or handles criminals, he would wear high heeled boots. He has countless pairs of high heeled boots but these are his execution boots~ which are kept in another place.

Hulijings are hoarders when it comes to their Huangdi)

Fuying: yes Huangdi.

~~~

Torture chambers 📍

Yao: *sitting while his fox spirit servants put his execution boots on him, as well as poured him wine and fanned him*

Other fox spirits: *clinging on to their emperor*

Team dimple: *wiping their nosebleed*

Mo xuanyu: Yao gege looks so powerful with his fox spirits.

Su she: he's definitely the lord of fox spirits.

Xue yang: Jiggy can take over the world with them. I'll find it very hot if he do.

Yao: team d.

Trio: *falls on their knees*

Yao: relax. I just called you.

Do you want me to chain you myself. Or should I ask my fox spirits to do it.

Su she: do anything you like, Huangdi.

Xue yang: *grinning*

Yao: *puts some shackles on mo xuanyu* A-Yu.

Mo xuanyu: *blushing* Yao gege.

Yao: I'm going to chain you to a post. *caresses mxy's lips* but don't worry. Team dimple will keep you company.

Mo xuanyu: do whatever, Yao gege.

Yao: perfect hostage. *lifts chin*

*turns to his servants* get the Lan.

Hulijings: yes Huangdi.

Mo xuanyu: why Lan lips?! He doesn't deserve you, Yao gege.

Yao: shhh. *kisses*

Mo xuanyu: oh my goodness.

Yao: don't quarrel. *pats his cheek playfully*

Yao:  xue yang.

Xue yang: *grinning* what do you want Jiggylicious. *goes to hug him*

Yao: *grabs his chin* not so fast.

Xue yang: are you gonna destroy me?

Yao: certainly, my little delinquent.

Xue yang: *goes to touch A-Yao's butt*

Yao: *hits him with his fan.*

Xue yang: dang Jiggy. Why are you protecting your cakes like that.

Are you preserving them for Xichen?

Yao: *glares at him*

*then chained him up and tied him next to mo xuanyu.*

Xue yang: can I have one kiss?! That little cutesleeve xuanyu got one!

Mo xuanyu: because Yao gege loves me!

Xue yang: he loves me more!

Mo xuanyu: I don't believe that!

Yao: enough!

Both: yes Huangdi.

Yao: *caressing xue yang's face* my delinquent. Why are you upset. *shows him some candy* hungry?

Xue yang: for those lips of yours.

Yao: *throws the candy away* as you wish.

Xue yang: how is my savage Jiggylicious not fighting me tonight.

Yao: because I'm a fair person. Everyone deserves a kiss.

*kisses passionately*

Xue yang: Jiggy. You're so sweet! Like honey!

Like candy.  

Yao: ah really.

Xue yang: I love you. You make me feel so drunk! Ah!

Yao: *smiling* do you want to kiss the dimple.

Xue yang: hell yea.

*kisses*

Yao: mn.

Minsh~~

Su she: *kowtowing* I'm here, my emperor. I was waiting for you to chain me up.

*kneels before him and kisses A-Yao's hands*

Yao: my dear. You're the sweetest thing.

Su she: here are the chains and shackles.

Should I bring your whip?

Yao: *amused*

Yao: that isn't necessary. But I'll indeed chain you.

Su she: *stood up*

Yao: *pecks him* devoted henchman.

Mo xuanyu and xue yang: *jealous*

Su she: Huangdi, all my masculine energy is yours. Feel free to use me.

Yao: I'll never hurt you, Shanshan.

*Chains him up*

Hulijings: *coming in with Xichen*

Yao: hi Huan. *sits and crosses his legs*

Xichen: *astonished by his surroundings and A-Yao who was surrounded by fox spirits*

A-Yao you have a whole torture chamber?!

Yao: mn.

Do you like?

Su she: do you have a problem, Lan lips!

Mo xuanyu: you can leave if you want.

Xue yang: I don't know why this hot emperor Yao even called you.

Yao: *sips some wine*

Xichen: *kneels* A-Yao Huangdi.

Yao: *grabs Xichen's flute and lifted Xichen's chin with it*

Don't listen to team dimple.

Would you stay with me?

Xichen: *hiccups*

Yao: *using the flute to caress Xichen's face* excellent.

Xichen: *hiccups* A-Yao Huangdi, are those heels you're wearing? *hiccups*

Yao: yep. 

Xichen: you look hot, my love. *kisses*

Yao: *kisses him some more*

Xichen: *rubbing A-Yao's hips affectionately* 

Yao: *amused by him*

Huan, I feel cold.

Mo xuanyu: Lan lips, how dare you give Yao gege discomfort.

Su she: evil Lan.

Yao: guys. He didn't give me discomfort.

Winter is about to come soon, so nights would be chilly.

Su she: this Lan lips is turning everything into the cloud recesses.

Yao: *laughing*

Xichen: take my outer robes, A-Yao! You'll feel warmer.

Yao: *looking at his attendants* take it off for him.

And don't touch his headband.

Yes huangdi.

Attendants: *putting the lan robes on him*

Yao: since you're mine Huan, if someone else touches your headband,

they might lose their fingers.

Xue yang: why is Jiggy so hot.

Su she: I know right.

Yao: *ties Xichen's hands with his headband* beautiful.

Xichen: *blushing*

Yao: *drags him* let's go, Lan lips.