#thinking about the purple ribbon for jin ling

[kagamikoi]

prompt for @clintbeefwoods

modern au transfem!jin ling and lan jingyi sharing a lil smooch T4T LINGYI WE LOVE TO SEE IT 💛💙👏

[arugulaextract]

Still reading MDZS (I’ve been taking my time) and I have a question that I was wondering if anyone could answer about colors, as someone who wishes to draw fannart. Is the blue often drawn in Lan uniforms book-cannon??? I can find no textual evidence that Lans having any details in their robes that aren’t white, and would like some. Personally, rn I have the inclination to draw the forehead ribbon embroidery in silver/grey. Additionally, I can’t find Wei Wuxian’s outfit description, and definitely can’t find him wearing a red ribbon. WWX definitely wears black as the Yiling Patriarch, and is probably wearing it during present timeline given ch 14 his description of his father and mother and comparing them to him and Lan Wangji (his father wore black and his mother wore white), but I can’t find any explicit mentions of colors for his robes. The red seems to come from chenqing’s tassle. I can’t even find the color of WWX’s sword glare :(

Further color questions/comments below:

Also only note I could find on WWX eye color is that they were originally dark. In Mo Xuanyu his eyes are described as bright but I can’t find any other mentions. Additionally, it’s unclear if they look alike to me; ik WWX described Mo Xuanyu’s face as definitely not the face of the Yiling Patriarch but this seems to be more about the fact that his face has pristine and bright and youthful vibes. Also he’s shorter lol.

Also for the Jin’s robes the only one that specifies a single flower that I can recall was Jin Guangyao’s, and I think Jin Ling was introduced with flowers (plural) on his robe, so I want to know if anyone knows about this discrepancy. This feels like this could be a translation discrepancy though as according to my minute google search Chinese doesn’t have plurals. “The embroidery on his robes was indisputably exquisite, swirling together into extraordinary white peonies.” Is Jin Ling’s robes vs “the full bloom of the Spark Amidst Snow family insignia embroidered on the chest of his round-collar robe, matched with a nine-ringed belt and a pair of tall boots.” For Jin Guangyao.

I also can’t figure out if WWX wears Jiang’s purple robes when he was head disciple.. I can’t even figure out for certain if all Jiang disciples wore purple, as the mentions of it I find are associated with Yu Ziyuan or her kids (Jiang Cheng and Jiang Yanli). Because WWX’s robe gets specified as black post burial mounds but I can’t find it before it I’d assume he wears Jiang colors, if they were Jiang colors. If not, and he wears black otherwise, I think this would be because it’s the color his father wore not because Yu Ziyuan is particularly jealous. Actually, it could just be that bells were what indicated being a sect member instead of clothing color, but idk if not color coding sect members is common??

Also can’t figure out if the studying disciples at The Cloud Recesses wore white. My guess actually leans towards yes as at the archery competition all the disciples had to wear Wen red, so if that’s the standard I’d assume they’d have to wear white in the cloud recesses (though the Wens may have been doing a power play).

Also if anyone has a chapter/page number for a description of Wen robes that would be appreciated. I started this post like 30 minutes ago and spent a long while looking for textual evidence (luckily I’m on kindle so I have a search feature) of each clan’s robes but I’m feeling done. .. same with what the burial mound Wens were wearing bc I always see them in Wen robes which in my mind kinda makes sense but also kinda doesn’t, but I haven’t reread to that point.

If anyone has any clothing information of sects/characters that hasn’t been mentioned from book cannon and wishes to share with me I’d appreciate it so much I’m going insane. Or if you have any particularly good resources on embroidery/robes/swords/instruments/hair/other things that understanding would give better idea on how these babies actually dress. MDZS isn’t trying to exist in a particular time period is it? I’ve seen guestimations on the internet of like 2nd century to 6th century, but my understanding is that it’s kinda like high fantasy novels which just get set in vaguely-Western Europe and unmodern.

[raidens-bitch]

A-Yuan remembers everything AU

Ok so, I have this little angsty head cannon that LZ didn't talk to Sizhui about his childhood because he didn't want him to seek for revenge and hate both Lan Qiren and Lan Xichen (and the rest of the cultivation world) for WWX death. One because LQ and LXN were his "inmidiate" family and the other because he didn't want him to be a pariah like his Wei Ying.

So, how about a fanfic where A-Yuan remembers everything and has kind of a big, titanic trauma about the day of the siege, how he saw men dressed in gold, purple, white and tons of other colours kill his family without mercy, without caring if they were guilty or not. How his Xian-gege dies after destroying the stygian tyger seal, and all that A-Yuan can think of is 'why is everyone so mean? Why are they hurting us? WHAT DID WE DO? Why isn't everyone waking up?' Of course he can't understand anything while he has the possesions of the clan with himself in a qiankun bag. Then LWJ finds him and A-Yuan is scared because he saw people dressed like Rich-gege kills unlce fourth so there is a huge probability that he will hurt him too, he doesen't, somehow he triess to get his little hands in Chenquing before Jiang Cheng (wich includes more trauma because he is seeing what is remaining of his Xian-gege) but he didn't succeeded because he is five and Jiang Cheng is stronger. But it's ok, A-Yuan will regain the flute sooner or later because it was his Mommy's flute so it was his now.

Then LWJ takes him to Gusu and A-Yuan absolutely hates the place. To many rules, the food is abundant but didn't taste like Popo's food that was cooked with love, he hates every colour that isn't red or black except the opaque white of his old Wen robes (he tried to convince LWJ to wear black and red but LQ didn't let him, the only red in his outfit is the red ribbon of his Xian gege), the place is nice, but to quiet, he can't hear laughs of anything that isn't random thing that he doesen't care. He hates the whole clan and sect and he doesen't have any friends except Jingyi (because Jingyi is like Xian-gege, so A-Yuan keeps him close). Lan Xichen and Lan Qiren tried to talk to him but A-Yuan knows they hurt his family and in consequence him, so he doesen't talk unless is necesary wich is only to Lan Qiren and only when he is questioned something in class. He is naturally a cold, introvert kid when he is young, and his hate towards the sects gets worse as he grows up and undesrtands ehat happened more and more, and LWJ doesen't know what to do. He becomes fifteen and he mets his "cousin" for the first time Jin Ling is spoiled, has a bad humour and talks shit of his Xian-gege so much that Sizhui wants to use his strength to rip the twelve year old's head like a watermelon, but he is young and easily driven by the adults around him, so he stays calm. That same day, Suibian amd the demonic cultivation notes dissapear, but no one knows what happened. A week later, Lan Wangji discovers the sword and notes in the back hill so he talks with Sizhui just to tell him he will take care of WWX things. Suibian remains sealed, under the tabloons of the Jingshi besides the Emperor's smile jars, and the notes are preserved in nice box besides it.

Another year passes and during the discussion conference in Yunmeng, Chenquing dissapears. The only trace is a peace of a red ribbon, but no one knows who is the owner because Sizhui is nowhere to be found, the cultivation world just blames the Yiling patriarch, again.

Of course Nie Huaisang knows this and decides to help.

And I don't know how to continue, but if you want it, you can write a fanfic. Just give me the credits of the main idea.

[truly-morgan]

[JL knows one of jiujiu secret, implied past chengxian]

Junior Quartet | Mo Dao Zu Shi 13-10-2021

[Jin Ling pov, implied xiancheng, pre-novel]

If anyone were to ask what sect leader Jiang looks like, people would talk about his server expression and his purple robes.

But little Jin Ling also had something else no one knew about.

for as far as he can remember, his jiujiu has always worn purple, the colour of his sect. The sect leader looks proud of wearing them, probably no one will stop him from wearing them. Even his accessories are purple most of the time.

but then there is the red ribbon.

Jin Ling noticed it when he was young when he would sneak to his uncle's room in the middle of the night because he didn't want to be alone in his room. He never really noticed it much at that age, it was simply there.

in the intimacy of his room, the red ribbon was a contrast to the light purple night robes. The only time he would catch his uncle wearing it was at night when no one was meant to come and bother him. When his uncle knew he would be alone.

Only then would he use the ribbon.

The thing looked rather old. Old but not tattered, as someone had clearly taken care of it over the years as if it was something precious. Jin Ling didn't understand why. The thing was clearly a bit damaged despite the carefully done stitching, some old and faint stains could be seen on it if one were to look closely at it.

He didn't understand why his uncle kept it when he could easily get a new and better one. but Jin Ling never asked why.

Not when he saw the nostalgia, regret and sadness in his eyes.

when he grew older and wanted to visit his uncle at night, he would sometimes stop at the door, looking curiously at what his uncle was doing.

In the dead of night, he was meticulously cleaning a flute.

Jin Ling also didn't understand this object. He couldn't recall a time when his uncle ever played any instrument, even less a flute.

Yet he was taking care of it as if he was a musician who was taking care of his previous instrument.

He was never able to see the flute from up close, his uncle putting it back into his elegant-looking box If he were to enter the room.

But from the little he was able to see, the instrument clearly had been through a lot, most likely not to the hand of his uncle.

and the red ribbon was there, always there, keeping his uncle's hair loosely tied.

Jin Ling couldn't understand why his uncle was so attached to these two objects. He was also never able to find where this elegant box was hidden. He did try to sneak into his uncle's room to search for it, out of curiosity. Same thing for the red ribbon.

It was as if his uncle was hiding a precious treasure.

But suspicions as to why his uncle was keeping them slowly started making their when in his mind when he caught his uncle leaving what seemed to be a kiss when the musician's mouth would be on the flute. It was short and seemingly light, but he was sure of what he saw.

He also saw his uncle gently clutch the red ribbon in his hand, tears in his eyes as he was whispering quietly as if speaking to it. He had many times seen his uncle cry over the flute, clutching it close to his chest.

He had many times here he speak to himself as if talking to someone about old memories.

Jin Ling was eleven when he realise why these objects were so precious to his uncle. Old memories of a lover he had lost. The last of a lover he would never see again.

If anyone were to ask what sect leader Jiang looks like, people would talk about his server expression and his purple robes.

but Jin Ling also knew of the red ribbon his uncle would wear at night when no one was looking, meticulously cleaning a flute he never played as a longing and sad expression covered his face, calling for a past lover he didn't know the name of.

But Jin Ling never mentioned those to anyone, keeping the memory of these fragile and intimate nights to himself.

Maybe one day he would ask who his uncle is thinking about late at night.

Original

[featherfur]

Thinking about Jiang Cheng slipping into the soft Zongshu role around the juniors that normally only Jin Ling and the youngest Jiang’s get to see.

Just like walking past Lan Sizhui and gently patting his head with a quiet ‘Nice work, get some dinner’ and walks on without noticing. Every time he sees Sizhui, he always tells him that they have some food that is blander to make sure they’re not overwhelmed. He has helped him redo his hair after falling in the lake and Lan Sizhui has never had someone be so gentle when tying his hair up.

Jiang Cheng sees Lan Jingyi failing at making a flower crown (it’s for a prank he swears, not because he thinks it makes him look pretty) and he bends over without an ounce of judgement and shows him three times until he gets it, and Lan Jingyi sees a ghost of a smile when Lan Jingyi tells him, very matter of factly that this is not for himself.

Ouyang Zizhen shows up a few days early, intending to meet up with the other juniors and Jiang Cheng greets him at the gate and brings him into his office for tea. They go over a few things about sect business (and god Zizhen always gets whiplash about how genuinely Jiang Cheng listens to his opinions and his ideas unlike Sect Leader Yao who insists he’s too young) and then talk about Drama, because Zizhen knows everything going on and Jiang Cheng thinks the romantic idiocy that happens in other sects is absolutely the funniest thing and he wants to hear about it.

[vvienne]

XICHENG FIC RECS

hold my hands by Snooze (Chiruka)

Transplanting a core into a new person isn’t without repercussions. One year after the events at Guanyin Temple, Jiang Cheng found himself once again faced with the possibility of losing everything he had. Reconciling with his brother, learning to let Jin Ling go, and dealing with his blooming emotions toward the First Jade of Gusu — will Jiang Cheng accomplish what he wants before time runs out?

it all passes someday by screamlet

A week before the anniversary of Wei Wuxian’s death, there was a commotion outside Lan Wangji’s house.

*

Jiang Cheng and Lan Wangji over the years.

The Unlikely Expression of Love by manamune

When everything has settled, when everyone else has moved on with their lives and their friends, Jiang Cheng has a realization which shouldn’t actually be a surprise:

He’s lonely.

Indigo, lavender, and violet (I don't wanna be red) by ohwhatevrewhatevr

It, in the pale colors of the late morning, is the closest to perfect Jiang Cheng will ever reach. He strokes Lan XiChen's hair and presses a light kiss to where his ribbon and hair meet. The sky is a pale blue, and the pastels of flowers and clouds are spread out through the window, a brilliant world waiting for them, them in the gentian house, safe from stronger breezes - there is the clutter of birds fluttering and chirping outside. It is a warm, perfect, spring morning.

Jiang Cheng and Lan XiChen have been together for an year. In which, no one ever really gets over things, Jiang Cheng has the misfortune of interacting with his brother, the juniors help out with the proposal, and there's a marriage.

Altitude by starknjarvis 

When Jin Ling lures Jiang Cheng to the Cloud Recesses under false pretenses, he finds himself out of place among this new family Wei Wuxian has formed.

Lan Xichen, at least, seems pleased to have his company.

Perhaps there is still a chance for Jiang Cheng to make amends and move forward.

[Modao Zushi Online] GLITCH REPORT: My Brother Got Chased Down And %$@*$&@ By Gusu Dungeon Boss??? by oh_fudgecakes

Modao Zushi Online is a virtual reality MMORPG. Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian are top ranking players in its new server, currently tied with their arch-nemesis from their previous server, Wen Chao. In an attempt to defeat him, they take on the Gusu Dungeon Boss, Zewu-jun, to win the reward of a legendary weapon. Ever the cheat, Wei Wuxian tries to take advantage of a glitch to defeat the seemingly undefeatable boss. It backfires. Jiang Cheng gets fucked by a boss monster.

He can't get enough.

Meanwhile, Lan Xichen, the unwitting staff member in charge of controlling Zewu-jun, absolutely did not sign up to be pulled into a secret virtual reality fling with a player. Mod Ji, who has to deal with Wei Wuxian's incessant glitch reporting of his brother's sex life, is long-suffering.

Mulberry by xxdz

Jiang Cheng grits his teeth and pushes harder. He feels like torn silk, the embroidery needle sinking in again and again and again; patiently, desperately, endlessly trying to make something beautiful out of something broken.

Jiang Cheng builds his sect, learns embroidery, and raises his nephew.

we can raise a little family by lanyon

“Well, brother,” says Wei Wuxian, leaning against the outside of Jiang Cheng’s chambers. “I had heard that you and Xichen went on a night hunt and came back with a baby, which is not the order I’d choose to do things in…”

In which Jiang Cheng and Lan Xichen acquire a baby of unknown origin, and are the very last to know what it means.

Beyond the Impossible by Silverine

Summoned by Lan Qiren, Jiang Wanyin goes to the Cloud Recesses to drop his nephew Jin Ling, expecting to discuss relevant matters with his old master. Instead, he's asked to take with him no other than Sect Leader Lan himself, all the way back to Lotus Pier. If the reason why he accepted such an outrageous task is indeed a mystery, he's about to be surprised by how this entire trip, their encounters, and his warm company, suddenly feel fated.

Incrementally by xxdz

Jiang Cheng is trapped in a day on repeat where he begins by waking in Zewu Jun’s bed at dawn and ends by dying painfully at dusk.

It’s getting very irritating, and he has the sneaking suspicion that his chances to solve his own murder are rapidly running out. Soon, his death will be much more permanent.

All in all, worst birthday ever.

Audience of One by WinterDreams

“Then let an established star go first,” Lan Xichen interrupts again before Lan Wangji can give a stubborn reply. Both men twist toward Lan Xichen, and he smiles at Wei Wuxian’s tilted head. “If I publicly date a man for awhile first, your engagement shouldn’t receive as much backlash.”

Or, that AU where everyone is famous in some way or another, Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji have been dating in private for years, and Lan Xichen and Jiang Cheng pretend to date publicly for their brothers' sake.

A Bit of Ruthlessness by jirluvien

When Jiang Cheng hears that Lan Xichen went into seclusion following Jin Guangyao’s death, it’s almost as if he can see the grabby hands of a restless ghost, reaching out for something to keep him company. For something warm and living and devastated. And as history has proved time and time again, the Lans are perfect victims when it comes to giving in to ghosts.Yeah, no. Not on Jiang Cheng’s fucking watch.A story about grief, determination, unexpected friendships, abandoned watchtowers, and letters. So many letters.

All Tied Up In You by Clearpearls

Yet again, the night had come to this:

Jiang Cheng on the floor, kneeling, Zidian wrapped around his wrists.

Alone.

Thank You, and I'm Sorry by Hamliet

Jin GuangYao might be dead, but his story is not. Taking advantage of the chaos he instigated, someone makes an attempt on the life of the young new leader of the Jin Sect. When Jiang Cheng takes Jin Ling to the Cloud Recesses to have him study while he attempts to work with Wei WuXian and his husband Lan WangJi to eliminate the threat, he encounters a mourning Lan XiChen, lovestruck teenagers, and a persistent corpse--and both pairs of brothers find themselves struggling to move on.

saturn's rings (don't be a heartbreaker) by iskendaris

Set after the seige of burial mounds, Yunmeng rebuilds as they hold the first Discussion Conference at Lotus Pier. Sometimes the night is a gift, a refuge for loneliness. "So stern, Sect Leader Jiang," Lan Xichen murmured, "So glacial... What will it take to melt that icy exterior? What can I say?"

"Nothing. There's nothing you can say or offer."

reciprocity by jukeboxhound

There’s a pause before Lan Xichen says, in a tone that’s a little more neutral, “I would like to paint on you.”

“…What?”

“Of course, if you say ‘yes’ but then change your mind at any point, for any reason, you need only say so and I will stop immediately,” he adds.

Well, silver lining: Jiang Cheng is feeling much more awake than he was a moment ago.

Talent Hunt Crew Finds Angry Guy Shouting On College Campus, Recruits Him For Vocal Projection Abilities by oh_fudgecakes

Jiang Cheng, resident Angry Guy and heir to a conglomerate empire, has never been the apple of his father’s eye. Quashed under the shadow of his brilliant brother, the music prodigy Wei Wuxian, Jiang Cheng sees his chance to turn things around when he is recruited by the All-Stars Lan Talent Hunt. One problem: he can’t sing to save his goddamn life.

As he struggles to develop his nascent singing abilities, Jiang Cheng finds himself sucked into the whirlwind drama of reality TV, helped along by his adoring siblings, his irritable vocal coach Wen Qing, and strangely enough, the unfairly attractive host of the All-Stars Lan Talent Hunt, Lan Xichen. Somewhere in the glare of the stage lights and an unexpected first love, Jiang Cheng stumbles upon the thing he was searching for all along: the courage to dream — and to attempt the impossible.

Marginal Costs by ohwhatevrewhatevr

“You think you know what you want, Er-Ge,” A-Yao says. “But you should consider what you’re willing to give first,” he says wryly, taking Lan XiChen’s chess piece with slim, skilled fingers.

Lan XiChen looks up at A-Yao’s concentrated expression and the hint of contentment on his face that he is special enough to be allowed to see.

“It’s not just one decision, but the lead up to many more. One decision decides what else you’re going to have to pay, and each time you have to ask yourself, ignoring the sunk costs, if this time it’s worth it as well.”

When his sworn brother looks up at him with those clear, amber eyes, waiting, Lan XiChen feels the pull and gives in: he asks.

“Are you happy being in love?”

(First half is two sad sworn brothers talking, internally mourning how unfortunate their other sworn brother’s death was :/ and second half is when a mopey boy in blue meets an angsty boy in purple whilst chasing a demonic cultivator, and a lil bit of sexy dual cultivation happens.)

Somewhat Tender by theherocomplex

There is no defense against kindness; it has always undone him.

I didn't expect you to be lonely (too) by bettydice (BettyKnight)

Jiang Cheng's life is a mess, he's a mess, and he doesn't miss his brother at all. So when his sister gifts him ten sessions with a massage therapist, who turns out to be someone he was crushing on for a hot minute as a teenager and is still as hot as ever... yeah, that might as well happen. It won't have to mean anything.

This feels intimate to Jiang Cheng in a way that's probably very inappropriate and maybe even pathetic. Nobody touches him like this, right where he’s hurt the most. There's no one who handles him so gently, so carefully.

It's the gentleness that's his undoing, he thinks. He would be able to deal better with it if it was painful.

Life for Rent by yodasyoyo

“Yeah well. You’re not taking me seriously. This guy is my soulmate!”

“Soulmate.” Jiang Cheng rolls his eyes. “Whatever.”

“Just because you don’t believe in them—”

“I believe in them!” Jiang Cheng says. “I’ve never denied they exist.”

“Just last week you said that it was an evolutionary quirk that had been used by greetings card companies, movie makers, and corporations to exploit lonely and vulnerable people.”

“And I stand by it! That doesn’t mean that soulmates aren’t real. Just incredibly unlikely and probably pointless.

-

Or:

Xicheng vs Soulmates. Fight!

Halfway Around the World by theherocomplex

Normally, Jiang Cheng would be seething, jaw clenched tight, if someone sounded like that while they were talking, but — Lan Xichen has the trick of always making you feel like you're in on the joke, whatever the joke is. That you're laughing together.

Whelmed by yodasyoyo

For months now Jiang Cheng’s been idly fantasizing about how it would be if something were to come between Wei Ying and Lan Zhan. Mostly those daydreams have been simple enough — they break up (probably because Lan Zhan is boring or Wei Ying is annoying), Wei Ying is sad for a couple of days (Jiang Cheng’s willing to allow some space for feelings, he isn't a total monster), but then Wei Ying realizes he’s better off, he gets over it, and Jiang Cheng gets his brother back.

Unfortunately the fantasy version of events has only proven partially true, so far. They've broken up. Wei Ying has been sad.

Now weeks have passed, though — and Wei Ying is still sad, every. Single. Day.

It’s like Jiang Cheng's stuck in a looping GIF, and it’s driving him insane.

Or:

Jiang Cheng plots, Lan Huan pines, and, unfortunately for Lan Qiren, Wangxian are inevitable.

[gusu-emilu]

miscellaneous MDZS/CQL fic recs (AO3)

broken into sections: Character Study (-esque), Wangxian, Jiang Cheng ships, Yi City (or Yi City-adjacent), Humor/Crack, and Other

Character Study (-esque)

Wei Wuxian

my eyes got used to the darkness by @curiosity-killed (M, Sunshot Campaign era, 4.4k): The funny thing, the thing that makes his lips curl in a grin and his hands shake with laughter, is that all these cultivators with their lofty principles and noble ambitions can’t even notice the ghost among them. Sure, they shiver at his presence and flinch from his cold hands, but not one of them puts it together. Lan Wangji chases him with healing music and Nie Mingjue frowns solemnly at his dancing corpses—and he laughs and laughs and laughs because they just don’t get it. Emilu's commentary: CW for mild body horror.

Jiang Cheng

in our respective ways by @veliseraptor (T, Sunshot Campaign era, 5.7k): Jiang Cheng has his golden core back. But he seems to have lost Wei Wuxian.

You Know I've Fallen, but I Know How High by villainais (M, Post-WWX's death, 2.7k): Jiang Cheng loses both of his siblings in Nightless City. Minutes apart. He trudges home to Yunmeng with one body, holds a private funeral with a single coffin, and allows himself to wear his mourning robes for ten days—permits himself not a single day more. He is still too young and inexperienced, an unfledged boy to the cultivation world, and he is rebuilding Lotus Pier on his own. He will not gift the other sect leaders the satisfaction of seeing him vulnerable. Propriety be damned. Hanguang-jun emerges from his seclusion wearing white. He does not stop.

Nie Huaisang

it deepens like a coastal shelf by @wolffyluna (M, Post-WWX's death, 21.6k): When Nie Huaisang meets Mo Xuanyu, he realises two things quickly. One, this kid is so doomed. Two, this kid would be a great unwitting spy in his plans to bring down Jin Guangyao. It would be so easy to get into Mo Xuanyu's confidences, and so easy to get him to tell him anything he needs. ...only thing is, that wouldn't be very good for Mo Xuanyu's life expectancy. But he'll do it anyway, if it helps him avenge his brother. A fic about man handing on misery to man, the parallels and cycles in the relationships between Jin Guangyao and Nie Huaisang and Mo Xuanyu, and the lengths these characters will go to meet their goals and if there are lines they won't cross.

Lan Xichen

an old man in dried mouths by @tenacious-minds (T, Post-Canon, 3.3k): Xichen thinks. The tea had always stained the crockery red. Emilu's commentary: Lan Xichen and Jin Ling talk about Jin Guangyao.

can you be a quiet man? by @basket-of-loquats (Unrated, Post-Canon, 70.7k+) But something inside him snapped at Guanyin Temple-- and Lan Wangji watched it happen, saw the exact moment that Lan Xichen went from broken to shattered, when he buried his sword into Jin Guangyao’s chest, when his sworn brother stared up at him with wide eyes, blood dripping from his mouth, when he pulled himself closer and closer and closer-- When he whispered "Why don’t you die with me?", and Lan Xichen hadn’t argued. Emilu's commentary: Lan Xichen / therapy with a side of Wangxian.

Wen Ning

breathless (but i'll pretend to breathe for you) by swordsainted (T, Burial Mounds Settlement era, 4.1k): Wei Wuxian is silent for a long minute, and then he looks at Wen Ning, something raw and open and hurting behind his eyes. “I’m sorry,” he says again, softer this time, and Wen Ning shakes his head, still smiling. “You’ve protected everyone. How could I hate you for that?”

Mo Xuanyu

stand at the pit's mouth by @eldritch-elrics (M, MXY's death, 9.3k): The dreams and regrets of a man on the edge of oblivion. Emilu's commentary: Surrealist/absurdist screenplay.

Wangxian

I would wait for a thousand years by bleuett (T, Immortality Post-Canon, 10.4k): During the worst of winter, a traveler comes to stay at Lan Wangji's inn. He wears a red ribbon in his hair. “Do you see the rabbit?” Wei Ying asks and points at the moon. “That’s the moon rabbit, he helps make Chang’e more immortality elixir. He keeps Chang’e company.” “I do not wish the rabbit for company,” Lan Wangji says tightly. “You are the one I want by my side.” “And I’m here, Lan Zhan. If you go to the moon, I’ll follow you, I’ll always be here now.” Emilu's commentary: Lan Wangji meets Wei Wuxian centuries later and does not remember the past. There is also an excellent podfic by @forgotten-envies

Look Not With The Eyes by Spodumene (G, Post-Canon, 28.1k): Wei Wuxian returns from his travels to join Lan Wangji on a routine night hunt, but when things take an unexpected turn, Wei Wuxian will have to fight for what he's really looking for. Emilu's commentary: Case fic.

All In A Good Time by bigboobedcanuck (E, Post-Canon, 8k): Lan Zhan is struck by a curse that brings him intense physical pain unless he's being touched. He is stoic and tries to hide his suffering. Wei Wuxian is worried and protective. Perhaps they will finally admit their feelings?

Across a Lake of Glass by Zizzani (E, Figure Skating AU, 92.2k+): Each year, Gusu Skating Club runs a camp for only the most elite athletes of each region. This year brings a new skater from the Yunmeng Club who wears skates lined with red and a smile made for war. He skates like a demon. Figure skating au featuring lots of healthy rivalry, pre and post-competition bonding, and an inexplicable fall from grace through the eyes of the media.

Jiang Cheng Ships

Chengqing

display my heart for you to see by @souridealist (M, Post-Canon Wen Qing Lives AU, 5.5k): Jiang Cheng has his own secrets. Some of them are part of the unburied past; some of them are about how long it's been since anyone has touched him.

while I'm in this body by @souridealist (E, Post-Lotus Pier Massacre, 3.9k): For just a few minutes, alone in her office, Wen Qing allows her self-control to slip enough to cry. It's just her luck that that's when Jiang Cheng comes looking for her. Emilu's commentary: Femdom.

Chengning

it may be that it doesn't matter by @wildehacked (T, Post-Canon, 6.6k) “Are you crying?” Jiang Wanyin asks him, and Wen Ning frowns. Pats his cheek with one hand. “No.” Emilu's commentary: Holy Grail of Chengning.

Whatever It Is by morau (E, Post-Canon, 20.5k): It starts, as with a lot of things, with a very poorly thought out prank, courtesy of Wei Wuxian. Emilu's commentary: A LOT of sex and even more emotions lol

won't run away (we're here to stay) by @qi-ling (T, Post-Canon, 3.5k): "Please don't feel any pressure to accept this, and you can take as much time as you need to think about it." It's a set of robes, in shades of deep purple, complete with leather bracers. Cut in a different style than that of the disciples or household staff, closer to the understated robes Wen Ning typically wears. He reaches out to feel the fabric. His deadened nerves can't sense delicate textures well, but even he can tell it's of a quality on par to Wanyin's own wardrobe. This is startling enough coming from Jiang Wanyin, but then Wen Ning notices the belt. In particular, the silver bell in the shape of a lotus affixed to it. Only recognized members of the Jiang sect may wear the clarity bell. Or, Jiang Cheng has an invitation for Wen Ning.

Zhancheng

By Proxy by @veliseraptor (E, Post-WWX's death, 12k): Jiang Cheng and Lan Wangji, looking for comfort in all the wrong places. Emilu's commentary: Hate sex that made me cry

Yi City (or Yi City-adjacent)

Songxuexiao

Heaven Has A Road But No One Walks It by @silvysartfulness (M, Post-Yi City arc Canon Divergence, 123k+): One of the most complex spells of demonic cultivation the world has seen is brought to fruition, and Xiao Xingchen draws his first shaking breaths in over seven years. This, it turns out, is only the start of his problems. Emilu's commentary: Pretty sure everyone already knows about Silvy's happy songxuexiao road trip fic but it has to be here.

Xue Yang & Lan Xichen

Hours On Empty series by @lady-of-the-lotus (M to E, Post-Canon, 57.8k+): AU where Wei Wuxian never came to Yi City and Xue Yang is still running around post-canon disguised as Xiao Xingchen. "Fractured Ice" - Xue Yang whisks a nihilistic Lan Xichen off on a murder roadtrip to raise Xiao Xingchen and Meng Yao from the grave. Because that will solve all of their problems, right? "Control" - "Fractured Ice" retold from Xue Yang's pov. "A Thousand Miles In Its Light" - Alternate ending to "Fractured Ice" and "Control"

Songxiao with Xuexiao Flashbacks

Nothing Beside Remains by @eldritch-elrics (T, Post-Yi City arc Canon Divergence, 21.9k): And Xiao Xingchen is dressed in dark clothing that is not his, and his sight is all of a sudden sharp in a way that it has never been before, and Xue Yang is not here. “He wouldn’t,” he breathes. “No, he wouldn’t do that. He’s too—” “He’s too what?” Wei Wuxian steps a foot closer, face hard-set. “Too cruel? Or too kind?” Or: Xue Yang uses the Sacrifice Summon on Xiao Xingchen. Xiao Xingchen lives with the consequences.

Humor/Crack

The Hangover: A pre-wedding Dramedy series by natcat5 (M, Modern AU, 51.6k): It is not a bachelor party. That was made clear on all the invitations. It is a congratulatory get together for Jin Zixuan, attended by his family, the family of the bride, and the young masters of the other two families in their circle. The gathering is not to go later than midnight, everyone must drink in moderation, and no one is allowed to be hungover tomorrow. Wei Wuxian had promised Yanli, three fingers in the air. Jiang Cheng had rolled his eyes, but promised as well. Saturday morning, Nie Huaisang and Jiang Cheng wake up alone in a hotel room, missing shoes, phones, and almost all their memories of what in the world happened last night. Also missing: Wei Wuxian, brother of the bride, Lan Wangji, esteemed guest, Lan Xichen, esteemed guest, Jin Zixun, cousin of the groom, Jin Guangyao, brother and best-man, Jin Zixuan, THE GROOM, who is due at his bride-to-be's house in six hours. That's plenty of time to find everyone...right?

Jiang Cheng Loves Jar Jar Bombad Mui by @lady-of-the-lotus (G, Post-Canon, 1.7k) Jar Jar Binks washes up on the shores of Lotus Pier. Can he win the lonely Jiang Cheng's proud heart? Neb neb answer is yesa. Emilu's commentary: There's also a podfic by @aowyn. Yes, with a Jar Jar voice.

Other

Nie Huaisang & Wen Ning

By Name by nirejseki (G, Post-Canon, 1.3k): After the traumatic events in the now-collapsed temple, Wen Ning lingered behind and unexpectedly saw Nie Huaisang, the undisputed victor of an all-around terrible evening, sitting on the steps of the temple, looking exhausted and miserable, as if he’d won nothing at all. Wen Ning found himself drifting over to him.

Jiang Yanli & Nie Mingjue

utility by magicites (G, Arranged Marriage AU, 2.3k): Jiang Yanli and Nie Mingjue's wedding is a political one — a gesture of unity between their Sects. A way for her parents to finally get some use out of the plain-faced sham of a cultivator they call a daughter. “Jiang-guniang,” Nie Mingjue says, and the formality in such a setting as intimate as their wedding chambers startles her, “I don’t wish to bed you. Or any other woman, for that matter. It isn’t fair for you to live alone because of my own preferences.” She rests her hand on his arm, cool relief flooding her body like water on a summer afternoon. “If it helps, I don’t feel desire for men,” she whispers.

Jin Guangyao / Nie Huaisang

Pulling Strings by @eldritch-elrics (E, Post-WWX's death, 5k): Nie Huaisang, quite drunk, turns up at Jin Guangyao’s door one night with an unexpected request. Emilu's commentary: Nie Huaisang knows Jin Guangyao killed Nie Mingjue. This interaction is more symbolic than anything else...

[lansplaining]

thinking about jiang cheng raising sizhui and was like ‘hmm it’d have to be CQL canon or else the burial mounds stuff gets reaaaally messy’ and then i thought ‘right, so, into the mess then’ 

- Jiang Yuan has been sitting quietly in his room ever since he left the banquet hall.

It happened by accident. Some cultivators on a night hunt near Yunmeng passed through Lotus Pier to pay their respects to Sandu Shengshou. Uncle Jiang hated these kinds of transparently groveling visits, but they were invited to stay for supper anyway, and when the meal devolved into compliments to the host, his brave deeds, how he devised and led the Siege of the Burial Mounds and slaughtered every Wen-dog to cross his path. 

Jiang Yuan-- born Wen Yuan-- waited until the course of the conversation had slightly shifted, so he would not be suspected, and quietly excused himself, claiming he felt suddenly ill. 

He knew, of course, in an abstract sort of way, that there was a reason Uncle Jiang was at the Burial Mounds to find him in the first place, and it wasn’t because he was just taking a pleasant stroll. But it was different to hear it. Once it’s been said, you can’t pretend not to know. 

So he sits quietly in his room, partly because he doesn’t know where else to go or what else to do, and partly because he knows there’s no way Uncle Jiang didn’t see him leave the hall. 

Night has definitively fallen by the time Uncle Jiang appears. Jiang Yuan braces himself to be yelled at for leaving the banquet, but instead Uncle Jiang stands silently in the doorway for a few moments, then thrusts a letter at him. Jiang Yuan takes it.

“Sir?” he says, confused. 

“I’m told Hanguang-jun is usually in private meditation or out on night hunts, so it may be a while before you can speak to him. Don’t let anyone convince you to give them that letter, he’s the only one who can see it.” 

Jiang Yuan stares blankly at the letter, the purple silk ribbons tying it. “I don’t understand.”

“Cloud Recesses isn’t anything like Lotus Pier, you’ll need to be ready to do what you’re told and not ask questions. But Hanguang-jun’ll look out for you. That letter explains.” 

“But-- I’m too young for the lectures.” And what does that have to do with anything? Where is this coming from? A spasm of fear seizes him. “Did-- did those cultivators guess who I--” 

“No,” Uncle Jiang cuts in. “They did not. They…” He clenches and unclenches his fists. “You can tell people I said I thought your cultivation style would suit the Lan techniques better. There’s a rule against lying there but-- now I’ve said it, so it’s not a lie to say I did. Nobody will be allowed to think you were thrown out of Lotus Pier. When you’re a little older, you can tell people whatever you want.” 

Jiang Yuan does not reply. He stops, takes a moment to sift what Uncle Jiang says from what he really means, a process of translation that Jin Ling can undertake instantly but he always needs a moment to be sure of. 

“You think I want to leave…?” 

He looks up, and Uncle Jiang finally meets his eyes, his mouth turned down into a scowl. 

“I can’t ask you to forgive me,” he says. 

No. The history they’re taught is written in the blood of revenge: a father is killed and a son must seek retribution. The light of Jiang Cheng’s formidable golden core was fueled by the fire of vengeance for the deaths of his parents, for the near-fall of his sect. 

Jiang Yuan is not as quick at it as Jin Ling, but he has learned to read the things Uncle Jiang means and won’t say. He has no courtesy name yet, because Jiang Cheng says that is for his father to give. A few months ago, he gruffly introduced Jiang Yuan to a cultivator who would teach him to play the dizi. 

Jiang Yuan, who has always done as he should, tries. He tries to imagine the light inside of him is a dark flame of hate. Many people hate Sect Leader Jiang. 

The golden core that Uncle Jiang helped him grow hums warm and steady within him, and the flame will not spark.

[winepresswrath]

With the caveat that I changed my mind three separate times while making this list and undoubtedly changed it again the second I hit post:

Number Three: Baby Grape’s First Sect Leader Robes

This outfit is trying very hard to say “trust me. I am a very mature and adult sect leader. You can tell because I’m decked out entirely in purple for the first time, like a grown up. Please disregard any and all memories you may be harbouring of me as a child in my brother’s company. I was probably wearing blue at the time.”

black on purple is v. fetching on him.

the gray pleats along the outer edges of that light purple outer robe are lovely; the pattern on his collar is lovely; his sidebang is doing excellent work.

I object to the asymmetrical leather flap coming off of his belt but I appreciate that he took the risk. 

I’m sure reusing costumes is a budget thing, but I think him wearing this set of robes all the way through the sunshot campaign makes sense for the character and I really like that. He’s rebuilding his clan in the middle of a warzone. He doesn’t have the money for an elaborate wardrobe full of fancy purple robes (yet), but he needs one nice set so he can look the part.

He has not yet fully come into his own as a fashion icon, but he’s not afraid to play with texture and he’s got an excellent eye for drama.

Numbers Two and Two and a Half: Audacity

You know those three years when every single red carpet was mostly boring, tasteful looks because all the minor celebrities who can usually be counted on to get weird were afraid to end up on Go Fug Yourself? Jiang Cheng’s fashion philosophy is the antithesis of that. It’s like he channels all his risk taking impulses into epaulets. There are two outfits in this section because I make the rules. Behold, shoulder pads that make the 1980s cry about their unrealized potential:

his feelings are hurt but his layering is flawless

if his eyes are closed he can’t see what Wei Wuxian is wearing

these are shoulder pads for smothering your sadness and abandonment issues in retail therapy and glory. They are magnificent. He looks like a fancy roof.

I’m not really into his big solid fuck off hairpiece, but I do think it compliments the relative simplicity of the middle robe very well.

Silver and gold together because he’s confident in this one area of his life.

I assume this costume was chosen to contrast the opulence of the Jiang siblings with Wen Ning and Wei Wuxian in their peasant robes, and it does its job nicely. Sect Leader Jiang has arrived.

It is possible that Jiang Cheng believed he was dressing down for the occasion because his middle robe is dark (for stealth).

Also in this category is this outfit, which is technically an honourable mention but still very good:

Jiang Cheng is wearing this when we meet him in the second life and he doesn’t change until after the burial mounds, I assume because Jin Ling keeps on running away and imperiling himself or getting kidnapped and it’s distracting. I like it because:

a) it visually echoes the Yunmeng Jiang uniform. Same basic shape, similar colour contrasts, that ribbon highlighting the neckline. It’s a very Jiang look despite not being very purple.

b) it is totally fucking bonkers. Look at the middle robe! Green and silver-purple splotches on the neckline, diamonds on the sleeves. Elaborate detailing on the front panels of the outer bodice and skirt. More panels with studs on the overcoat. There are like five different patterns on this thing if you count the elaborate weave. It’s all being set off by a bright purple under robe. Have I been blinded by his beauty or is he actually making this work? Jiang Cheng never bores me with his choices in fashion or life and that is why he is my favourite.

Number One: The Prettiest Sect Leader in all the Land

Bloodstain splotch accent optional.

The lacy fractals on his outer robe are probably my favourite costume detail in the whole show.

the way the middle robe and the under robe combine to make it look like he’s layered four separate collars is just very good.

more importantly, while I was going through getting screenshots for this, do you know what I noticed?

Jiang Cheng doesn’t change his outfit for almost the entire second life. He goes to the burial mounds in outfit 2.5: Advanced Pattern Mixing

He leaves the burial mounds in this cute little number

We see Sect Leader Yao get very insistent that everybody head back to Yunmeng asap, Jiang Cheng says “We’re just going to leave... like this???” and then makes an upset face as he hears Sizhui call for Wei Wuxian

The next time we see him, a significant period of time has clearly passed, people are boarding the boats in a leisurely and unhurried manner, and he has debuted a brand new outfit

Actually a lot of people have made significant wardrobe changes

Continuity error... or Jiang Cheng made the entire cultivating world wait to evacuate the burial mounds while he changed outfits because he has STANDARDS.

Sect Leaders Yao and Ouyang, eager to demonstrate that they too have standards, decide to change as well

If Wei Wuxian happened to catch up while everyone present is busy frantically searching through their magical pouches and pocket dimensions for spare robes, suddenly more afraid of Sect Leader Jiang banning them from the Ancient Magical Chinese Met Ball than fierce corpses, what of it? That’s not Jiang Cheng’s business.

Jiang Cheng’s business is fashion

with regards to your last question I’m a monster but i think he’d look really good in Wen red.

[amedetoiles]

Hello! Just discovered your blog! Even though I have already read most of your posts?? I ADORE PEOPLE WHO LOVE THE YUNMENG BROS. So, here I am asking you for meta on how the yunmeng bros reconcile over their shared love for dramatics? Does it involve more cape throwing? Does it involve elaborate wardrobe choices? Does it involve trying to out curse each other with their sailor mouths? Does it involve trying to out prank eachother? Give me the stupidest/funniest ways they would reconcile!

WELCOME! I am delighted to know that my reputation for crying incoherently about Yunmeng bros has preceded me. Before I get started on this, please also read these amazing posts by @howdydowdy and @winepresswrath because I will never be nearly as funny or galaxy brained as either of them.

Any way these two manage to wrangle out a reconciliation is, in fact, stupid and dramatic because they are losers, and I adore every single thing about their emotionally inept, mutual pining faces. But please have for your consideration the following:

Soup Drama 2.0: Someone makes a comment about soup during a scheduled break at a Discussion Conference. Half the junior delegation has to hold Wei Wuxian back while he expounds vehemently on the finer intricacies of this young master wouldn’t know a good soup broth if it was fucking shoved up his ass. Lan Sizhui, out of bewildered desperation, grabs Jiang Cheng because even Lan Wangji can’t get Wei Wuxian to calm down (and Jin Ling, currently joining his uncle in outrage, is unhelpful). Jiang Cheng takes one listen to the argument and then backs Wei Wuxian because how dare this fucking moron insult the very principles of soup-ology in his presence! Lan Wangji, nearly two decades since Soup Drama 1.0, still Does Not Understand.

NHS Art Therapy: Nie Huaisang invites Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng to his room under the guise of catching up with an old friend the evening before Jin Ling’s anticipated Phoenix Mountain Hunt and neglects to inform either of them of the other’s presence. They are Stubborn so neither one of them leaves. Instead they get into a silent and increasingly aggressive drinking competition until they end up half-screaming, half-sobbing apologies and insults and praises in each other’s arms. Nie Huaisang waits until they both drunkenly pass out on each other’s shoulders and then contentedly sketches their drooling flushed faces. There is certainly nothing like a good sketching session to relax the mind.

Prank-ciliation: Wei Wuxian wants it to be known that it had been, in fact, a complete accident and absolutely not his fault that a brood of hens was released into the Sword Test Hall while Jiang Cheng was in a meeting. He had been perfectly fine with bringing himself and the brood (they were a gift, he didn’t steal them!) to an inn, but Jin Ling had insisted. Two weeks later, the walls of the Jingshi are plastered from top to bottom with every rendition of Yiling Laozu portraits that has ever been drawn. Wei Wuxian thinks this motherfucker and promptly designs a talisman that makes all of Jiang Cheng’s ink pots explode on his face and robes. Wei Wuxian returns one evening to find that all of his black robes have mysteriously been dyed hot pink. Jiang Cheng’s hair ornaments take a sudden life of their own and refuse to stay atop his head requiring him to make do with only a hair ribbon like some common mule. It ends when Jin Ling stages an intervention 9 months later by locking them both in a room without swords, flutes, or talismans because Jin, Jiang, and Lan disciple responsibilities have been completely derailed into planning (Jiangs plus Lan Jingyi) or mitigating (Jins plus the rest of the Lans) the aftermath of said pranks. Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian spend the time planning a joint prank on their nephew, but they do end up reconciling.

Dress Up Your Shidi: Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian end up separated from the juniors during a night hunt in the Northern quarters of Meishan without their swords or any other means of transportation. They also lose the majority of their supplies and clothes in the disgusting caustic goop from the demon beasts they just slaughtered, so Jiang Cheng has to wear Wei Wuxian’s spare black robes. Jiang Cheng stares at them with utter disdain, and Wei Wuxian manages with variable success to not laugh in his face. But he is finally fed up and irritated after three days of foot travel to the nearest town listening to Jiang Cheng’s not-so-silent snide comments about lack of taste in clothes AND men, so he goes straight to the tailor shop instead of an inn. They end up bickering for two and a half hours over a black leather belt with purple and gold embroidered detailing and a black leather belt with purple and glitter gold embroidered detailing while the terrified tailor hides in the corner. Wei Wuxian does pick out a particularly beautiful deep purple patterned outer robe with elegant lavender and royal blue embroidery because he might think Jiang Cheng’s fashion senses are ostentatious and impractical, but he still knows his didi. Jiang Cheng pretends he isn’t having feelings about this. He does buy Wei Wuxian a new ribbon to replace his destroyed one – in Jiang purple. If they are a little weepy, the tailor is too terrified to make a comment.

Ok, I type too much so now my brain is tired. Sorry there’s only four. I may come up with more but I hope these will do for now, anon!

[ruensroad]

Kissing Snowflakes

I’m glad I’m not the only RenCheng/QiCheng fan <3

Part one here.

In Lan Qiren’s office, in a place of honor above his desk, was a small fountain. Ornately crafted from jade and painstakingly repaired with gold, it stood as a testament to many things: Lan Qiren’s affections for Jiang Fengmian, the long standing respect between their sects, the destruction and rebuilding of the Jiang and, in many ways, Jiang Cheng’s own affections given right back.

He hadn’t had to give it back. It had been a wedding gift from Lan Qiren to his parents, and Jiang Fengmian had cherished it. Even broken jade had been valuable to the Wens, who’d stored it away in their treasure trove. Jiang Cheng had taken it back with the rest of his home. It was a part of Lotus Pier as much as he was. Had been there even longer than he had been. 

But he’d repaired it and given it back. Had seen the way Lan Qiren’s eyes had shown with unspoken tears and a thousand words. Jiang Cheng had pledged himself as the new Jiang Sect leader before him, pledged his loyalty to the Lan clan, and that enduring friendship carried over by generations before. He knew it’d been the right move and the softness that had captured Lan Qiren, the sorrow and gratitude, was forever seared in Jiang Cheng’s mind.

He hadn’t known it at the time, but that was the beginning of all his problems.

The fountain was there each time they met for tea and go, sitting on the shelf always polished to perfection. Even if Lan Qiren were the kind  of man to allow dust to collect, Jiang Cheng was certain it would be the only artifact up there utterly spotless. Lan Qiren was a meticulous man, clean and tidy, a study of restraint, and yet Jiang Cheng would argue that the fountain seemed almost over polished, too clean. He didn’t have the heart to ask why.

Because, in truth, he was scared of the answer.

Scared, and overthinking. Gusu was cold always, but in winter it was like walking into a sheet of ice. Very beautiful ice, to be sure, but still. Fuck. 

Jiang Cheng shivered as he walked the veranda around the guest house he’d been given to use. It was large and spacious, with a wonderful heater and soft bed - a match made in heaven for someone that had a demanding five year old to put to bed. Jin Ling had fallen asleep in a cocoon of blankets on a daybed near the fire and Jiang Cheng’s sharp hearing could still hear his childish snores. The night was calm and silent, with fluffy flakes of falling snow dotting the night like stars. Given the stars were covered with clouds, it gave the effect of stardust, and he breathed in the peace that thought brought him.

Jin Ling’s snore cut out as the boy shifted, and Jiang Cheng tensed, waiting to be called in to fight nightmares, but the boy simply fussed in his blankets for a moment, then his tiny noises started up again. Jiang Chen breathed out with him, the gentlest, most secret of smiles on his lips, and he resumed his patrol around the rooms, taking in the snow and the silence of the night.

He was aware of Lan Qiren before Lan Qiren realized he’d seen him, given the elder still cleared his throat to announce himself. Jiang Cheng was surprised to see him awake, given there was a rule about that, and off the beaten path under a persimmon tree behind the guest house, his hair unadorned and loosely tied, and there was certainly a rule about that too. One Jiang Cheng’s own lack of finery and his simple braid had broken.

“Old Master,” he greeted, sending one last look towards the rooms before stepping down from the veranda. It was strange, approaching the man like this, like it was a secret meeting and not just two men awake too late meeting off chance. Perhaps it was because Lan Qiren, for once, was not harsh in his ornate robes, every line of him perfect and in place. His robes were fine and the fur soft, but it was, without a doubt, the least put together he’d ever seen Lan Qiren, and he’d known the man on the battlefield.

Jiang Cheng was far less dressed, in a mere few layers for sleeping, but with a single spark of Zidian, his core ignited with fire and electricity to warm him, every breath he took glittering with misted qi. Lan Qiren stared at him a long moment, and he wondered if, perhaps, the man’s teacher senses were tingling, that somehow he knew Jiang Cheng had been breaking rules and had come to lecture him. The thought was more amusing than anything and he felt himself soften, especially when Lan Qiren didn’t bother with a bow of greeting. 

Somewhere in all their meetings, they’d lost that stiff formality and titles had warmed into fond jokes. Jiang Cheng could say he didn’t have many by way of true friends, but he counted Lan Qiren amongst the ones he did have. There was a warmth in him that grew each time they were together, and it was worryingly insistent now seeing the snowflakes dotting the older man’s hair.

“Sect Leader.” There was something wry in the way Lan Qiren said it, voice low and proper. He held up a persimmon like it wasn’t breaking two other rules to do so and Jiang Cheng took it gladly.

“So, what brings Old Master out on this fine day?” Jiang Cheng asked, as close to teasing as he ever got, and bit into the fruit. It was partially frozen, which added a delightful texture and coolness to the bite he took. He closed his eyes a moment to savor how it tasted, then refocused on the man, who was looking at him with that same, almost bewildered sort of fondness in his eyes. “With the sun so bright.”

The moon was nearly full, which added to the joke. It was bright enough, even with the fog of snow, to light up Lan Qiren clearly, even if it was more of a blur, like the way light played through tears. It made him almost ethereal in the way Lan Qiren never was, and Jiang Cheng found himself staring at the way the moonlight gleamed on his forehead ribbon, shiny with melted snow.

There were snowflakes on the man’s lashes, he realized, and felt his heart skip. Worrying, that.

“I was about to ask Sect Leader Jiang the same,” Lan Qiren said, huffing in his usual way and reaching up for another persimmon. He was a tall, lean man, taller than Jiang Cheng, but the persimmons were higher. With a flick of his wrist, one fell neatly into his palm and Jiang Cheng’s breath caught. 

Lan Qiren had long, slender fingers and they wrapped around the fruit with ease. His thumb moved a slow circle on the frosted, waxy surface. Jiang Cheng’s mind whirled with each thoughtful revolution back to the too polished fountain with its too polished golden cracks, and looked down at his bitten persimmon with heat in his neck.

Overthinking, for sure. He wanted to kick himself. Of all the people to feel warm for, Lan Qiren had never even been on the list. And now here he was, feeling like a caught schoolboy with a crush. He had to concentrate hard from clenching his fist around the fruit and ruining it. He bit into it instead.

“Thinking too much, and I do like snow, for all I complain about the cold. What’s your excuse?” Jiang Cheng told him easily and fell into step with him at the barest tilt of Lan Qiren’s head. He was led down a faint path between the trees where the snow was more like a blur now, simplifying the world into shapes and colors. White, black, purple. Persimmon orange and red. 

He had to step closer to Lan Qiren to see him clearly and felt their sleeves brush. Lan Qiren paused in the snow and Jiang Cheng matched him, watching him through the veil of white.

“Thinking too much,” Lan Qiren echoed him, and Jiang Cheng was certain there was a smile on the man’s face that wasn’t just a trick of shadows and snow. “I enjoy the snow as well, including the cold. Gege and I spent many wayward nights like this stealing fruit.”

The fondness in the man’s voice did things to Jiang Cheng’s heart he had no right to feel, or so he told himself. He took a final bite of the persimmon and let the leafy top fall to the ground. In the corner of his eye, he saw a flash of orange touch Lan Qiren’s lips and wondered of impossible things. 

He reached for another persimmon to district himself and reached out with his core to Jin Ling, feeling the soothing ease of the boy’s body in sleep. It made him brave, as only a child’s love could, and he found himself smiling.

The persimmon twisted free in his fingers and he considered it, as well as Lan Qiren’s words. To his dismay, the thought of a tiny Lan Qiren running amok and breaking rules only furthered the warmth in his heart, and as he took a bite of his persimmon, he prayed the feelings would flee, lest they kill him.

“Old Teacher admits to rule breaking?” he asked, amused, and to his surprise he was scoffed at, coupled with the barest bump of an elbow against his own. 

“And no one will believe you,” Lan Qiren said to that, smug, and of course he had the right of it. Jiang Cheng couldn’t help but laugh.

It was a low chuckle, the best he could do, but still it got him a chuckle in return. Once more his heart wished for impossible things and once more he smashed the hope into obedient silence. It was not for him to want more than what he already cherished with Lan Qiren, so he wouldn’t. He couldn’t.

But it was there, in each fallen flake in the man’s hair, the kiss of fruit sliding against lips, the warmth and trust between them that spoke of respect and everything Jiang Cheng had fought to have in the world. Who was he to want more?

Loving Lan Qiren was like kissing snowflakes. Romantic in ideal, but impossible in practice. He was not nearly worthy enough to try. It would be too strange, too ruinous to what they had, and Jiang Cheng had ruined enough in his life. He wasn’t about to throw away such a good thing.

Even if it killed him, to keep even this was worth it. It had to be.

[rosethornewrites]

T and G rated fics I read this weekend!

This is all The Untamed/MDZS fics.

So I learned last week that I can only add 100 links. And I read over 100 fics 😬 so now this is gonna be two posts. Additionally, I’ll likely start posting these daily from now on. It just gets to be a lot.

Finished:

Tumblr Fics:

BEETOBER 2021 DAY 2 - EARRING, by @bloody-bee-tea

Rated T:

find a home in him, by makebelieveanything and nerdzeword

“Come on a-Cheng, let’s go,” she prodded, gently ushering him out the door as she handed off jackets to both boys.

“Why the fuck is he always doing stupid shit and making us run after him for?” Jiang Cheng complained as he shrugged into his jacket, Lan Wangji donning his own in silence.

“Wangji?” Yanli prodded gently. “Are you alright?”

“... what if we never find him?”

“We will,” Yanli said confidently.

or Modern AU where Wei Wuxian runs away from his foster home when he turns 18, and it doesn't end the way he planned.

My Brother's Keeper - Purple Years (The first stage of grief), by ArchiveWriter

Set after WWX plunges from the cliff after the battle at Nightless City. The ramblings of Jiang Cheng's mind in the first stage of grief, flicking back and forth between the past and then.

thank you, drunk me, by carmiemaybe (glazedlilies)

Or where Lan Zhan is confused at Wei Ying's behaviour after the previous, drunken night's events.

This Grave Will Not Be Mine, by Rana Eros (ranalore)

The Burial Mounds' claim to Wei Wuxian has been superceded.

Qinghe Jue, by Merinnan

Nie Mingjue promised to protect his brother. He wasn't going to let qi deviating and dying at Jinlintai stop him from keeping that promise.

With What Proof, by Preludian_Staves

"I know he did it!"

"What proof do you have?"

Meeting the Family, by sami (part of a series)

Wei Wuxian has a secret.

I’ll stick to my single-log bridge till it’s dark, by autumncolour

Can’t anyone give me a nice, favorable road to walk on?

Lan Wangji leaves the Burial Mounds. Wei Wuxian gets drunk. The night in Yiling is clear and dark, and full of thick, half-understood longing.

Love Me on the Sunlit Grass, by Eliza (second in a series)

Zizhen will always be there when Jin Ling calls in a panic about his uncle.

the mutability of survival, by tunnelOFdawn

All the ways Lan Zhan, Wei Ying, and Jiang Cheng could have died in canon.

i'll keep walking, by justdoityoufucker

Wen Qing died.

This, she knows; from the painful lick of flames to the unavoidable choking that came with the smoke to the wickedly satisfied grin on Jin Guangshan’s face before she closed her eyes the last time. She hoped, those last few moments, that it would be the end. Wei Wuxian would be free, and the last remnants of their family would be safe. She hoped that Wen Ning wouldn’t feel any pain, when the time came for him to follow her.

-

Or, the one where Wen Qing ends up in the past and fixes the future.

Rated G:

天涯之外 / beyond the world's end, by yuer (vintageblueskies)

"Wei Ying," Lan Wangji says, his voice cracks open in a way Wei Wuxian has never heard before. He crosses over to where Wei Wuxian is still sitting; Wei Wuxian starts to scramble up, but Lan Wangji just shakes his head, gets to his knees next to him. And isn't that something? The untouchable Hanguang-jun on his knees in the Burial Mounds, dirtying his pristine robes to sit next to Wei Wuxian.

-

or, lan wangji returns to the burial mounds

Song of My Heart, Mate of My Soul, by SakuraKage

The Gusu Lan are said to have an innate connection with music. The Gusu Lan are also said to love deeply – with their whole soul – so deeply that they seem to only be able to fall in love once.

Lan Wangji knows these rumours. He also knows the truth, or close to it, as it has been handed down through the generations. Their connection to music runs far deeper than the other sects could dream. Every Lan heart contains a song, a musical piece that encapsulates the very fiber of their being, and it only comes to life under a specific set of circumstances. The parameters to unlock your heartsong are highly disputed, but the generally accepted condition to fill is … to meet your soulmate.

see your face, hear my voice in the dark, by arypls

Wei Wuxian is having trouble falling asleep but Lan Wangji is there with gentle words and soothing touches to show his husband he's no longer alone.

If I knew what safety looked like, by askanis

Beautiful, brave Wei Ying is waiting for Lan Zhan to tell her she cannot be all of who she is. She will listen, if Lan Zhan says this. If Lan Zhan even looks uncomfortable, Wei Ying will take this back and never mention it again. Will pretend that this is not her truth, perhaps until she believes it herself.

And Lan Zhan will never get to fully see Wei Ying for who Wei Ying is.

underneath the magnolias, by krizzlesandblues

Summer in Cloud Recesses means iced fruits sent by merchants, more practical trainings for juniors, with some of them catching up on their lessons.

But for the youngest members of GusuLan Sect, summer means classes under the big magnolia tree.

Word Up, Talk the Talk, by Larryissocute

It wouldn’t have been a problem (it really wouldn’t) if they weren’t best friends. Wei Wuxian doesn’t know what good deeds he did in his past life to be blessed with Lan Wangji as a friend nor does he know what evil things he did to be cursed with being only a friend to Lan Wangji.

Or the one where Wei Wuxian kisses Lan Wangji and then runs away.

Hai Shi — Sleeping Hours, by Saint Er (wwxsays_er)

It's right before bedtime, when a drunk Wei Wuxian shows up on Lan Wangji's door, and suddenly, this has now become Lan Wangji's problem.

In the Silence, by XianleDianxia

With his husband and son on a night hunt, Wei Wuxian is left to his own thoughts. His temperament is not as calm as Lan Wangji would like it to be.

intervention (how to convince your very gay brother that he, is in fact, gay), by okok29

"You guys hold hands all the time around campus and he takes you out to brunch every Saturday. He even brings you roses," Jiang Cheng emphasizes.

"Yeah, as bros do!" Wei Ying says cheerfully.

jiang cheng tries to forcibly drag wei ying out of the closet.

No Regrets, by Sarehz

Lan Zhan gives his forehead ribbon to Wei Wuxian as a sign of his love.

Look Down to Reminisce About My Hometown, by Nadat (one-shot series)

A collection of short stories following a Promptember list; will add tags and alter the rating as appropriate. It will be mostly live action show canon but I may borrow here and there from the book if something strikes me.

jin ling's uncles and aunts, by saheeli

jin zixuan invites all of jin ling's uncles and aunts to his birthday party. there are more than he even thought possible.

Helianthus, by tinykira

"Say, Lan Zhan. Do you know that when people die, they become plants?"

~

The Jingshi, which was formerly called as The Gentian House, is now also full of sunflowers.

Magical Marriage Ribbons, by starandrea

But consider this: the Lan forehead ribbons are magical, and the mountain knows it. (It takes Wei Ying less than a day after Lan Yi’s cave to realize more than just her wards consider him family.)

Or: If you’re accidentally betrothed to your classmate in a mostly legitimate life or death situation, how long can you wait to tell him before he finds out by accident?

their mothers sons, by silversshadow

In one world Jiang Fengmian gave Wei Ying more attention than he did either of his own children. In this world he can barely look at the child.

A series of short looks into a different timeline.

You blow me away, by silverclaw

Lan Zhan’s neighbour is playing a song that has been stuck in his head for ages. The neighbour just so happens to be the singer of said song and he’s supposedly laying low.

Echo Of My Heart, by ColdBloodedReptile

A short insight of Lan Wangji's thoughts during Dafan Mountain, CQL version.

And the scene in Jingshi before Wei Wuxian wakes ft Lan Sizhui.

A new score, by Lhaewiel

Wei Wuxian does not know this new score. It is evening, Gusu looks like a painting during this time of the year, with snow slowly falling down and covering the court outside.

Parallel Lines, by Sarehz

Wei Ying: Lan Zhan is going to break up with me!

Nie Huaisang: No, he's not. But please tell me in great detail why you think that.

Jiang Cheng: [Unfortunately sharing an apartment with Nie Huaisang and therefore has no choice but to listen] Please leave me out of this.

Why Wei Ying Shouldn’t Matchmake, by PrinceJakeFireCake

Lan Wangji is NOT jealous of Jiang Cheng. He’s just trying to figure out why Wei Ying likes him so much. Wei Ying thinks it’s great that Lan Zhan has a crush on his brother. (Hint: he does not)

to home, by Guinny (4 chapters)

'My Wei Ying,

It seems that we are winning the war. Wait for me. I will come home. I will come home to you. We will spend the rest of our lives in peace. Far from all of this. In a place that is quiet and there's only us.

Yours,

Lan Zhan.’

if you love him, never let go, by cloud_wanderer

three times lan wangji let go, and the one time he swore to never do it again

Hard to forget, by Lucky_Moonly

“Aiya sorry for interrupting what must be a very interesting read,” a boy who seemed to be a first year as well, cheekily exclaimed, before he smiled widely at Lan Wangji and he stepped inside the compartment. “But did you perchance see my pet axolotl? He’s black and he’s missing one of his front legs!”

in sickness & in flames, by talesfromthecryptid (2 chapters)

the one in which lan wangji has a cold and wei wuxian fusses over him and falls even more in love with him, something he didn't even know was possible but oh, it really is.

learning and the dead, by northofallmusic (tofsla)

In a small house of his own, after everything, Wen Ning works with his hands.

Unpredictable, by canis_m

If Lan Wangji had said a few more things while drunk in Qinghe.

Waited For Precious Moments Such As This, by Preludian_Staves

He would not trade these precious moments away for anything in the world.

Unfinished:

Rated T:

No Regrets, by AluraRose

Lan Wangji took a deep breath, centered himself, and swallowed his pride.

“I apologize.” He bowed low to Jiang Wanyin and held it. “I wish only to help your brother. I humbly request access, and give my word that I will touch nothing and speak to no one of what I see.”

“I can’t just let you in there!”

“Even to save Wei Ying?”

And suddenly the wind seemed to go out of the sails of Jiang Wanyin’s anger. “I can’t” he repeated more quietly.

In order to save Wei Wuxian, Lan Wangji must first convince Jiang Wanyin to trust him.

Your Name On My Chest, by Director_XuanWu

Lan Wangji is the president, at the beginning of his second year on his first term.

Wei Wuxian, his ex fiancé, was dishonorably discharged from the military because of a well hidden scandal.

They meet again after 13 years. Lan Wangji will drop everything for him. Wei Wuxian will sacrifice himself for him again. What does it take to finally be together? Too many goodbyes, too many heartaches. Yet they conquer all.

Whatever it takes, by Moonlit_dewdrops

Jiang Cheng and Wei WuXian are sent back to the past. This time, they can save everyone they love. They can make the right choices. They can learn to trust one another. However, everything comes with a price.

underneath your skin, by tardigradeschool

Wei Wuxian falls into the Burial Mounds. His body walks out.

White Flames in a Red Sky, by ZipZapZop

Maybe it hadn’t been a good idea to run away in the middle of a snowstorm.

OR

Wei Wuxian needs help, but he can’t understand that for the life of him.

and so it goes, by doyeorem (pomellogranate)

"While a person is dead in one particular moment, they are still alive and well in all of the other moments of their life, because all of time exists at once."

-

In which Hanguang-jun is at Qiongqi Path, and instead of Jin Zixuan's death, he witnesses Wei Ying throw himself in the way of a punch from the Ghost General, and three swords - one of which is Bichen.

The Burial Mounds is enraged and offended, and many suffer for it.

Purgatory Divinity, by sinfulempire

"Your third and final mission is to rewrite history, Wei Wuxian."

In which Wei Wuxian, the son of the Heavenly Demon Empress, Cangse Sanren and the Celestial, Wei Changze has to rewrite history in order to prove himself worthy of the throne, however, this was a mission that he did not sign himself up for.

[WARNING!! WARNING!! System error, system erro-]

"What-"

Upon accepting the mission, Wei Wuxian found himself back in the past. He had returned to his 6 year old body accompanied by the system at the dingy streets of Yiling- far before Jiang Fengmian had found him and took him in.

Wei Wuxian was alone and surrounded by numerous hound dogs.

Rated G:

Coil Tightly, by Thunderstruck (Blueyed_Impala)

When Wei Wuxian stumbles across a shady pet store in the back alley of his new town he ends up leaving with a companion for life, and more than he bargained for.

Forced apologies, by Io_Palladium

Jiang Cheng confronts Lan Zhan after Wei Yings punishment and it changes everything.

[foularcadebanana]

Going Trick or Treating

Prompt for Day 30 of the Untamed Fall Fest is ‘Trick or Treat’. I can’t believe the fest is about to end already. I was having so much fun participating and writing for it. This is the second last prompt. I have big things planned for the last prompt. It’s going to be a classic!

Summary: Jiang Cheng and Jin Ling go trick or treating with Wei Wuxian, Lan Wangji and Lan Sizhui.

“A-Ling! A-Ling hurry up! We’re going to be late,” Jiang Cheng yelled from the living room. He checked the time on his watch. If Jin Ling didn’t come out of his room in the next five minutes, he was going in.

“I’m coming, Jiujiu!” Jin Ling replied loudly, and sure enough, he appeared in front of Jiang Cheng a minute later.

Jiang Cheng blinked at Jin Ling’s attire. He was wearing an all-white outfit. Everything from his shoes to his shirt was plain white. He looked like a ghost. “And what are you supposed to be? A ghost?” Wasn’t that a bit too common, a bit too obvious? Or as Jin Ling called it ‘too basic’?

Jin Ling was a boy that loved wearing dark colours. Purple, red, navy blue sometimes, but not black. Never black. That was a signature colour reserved for someone else.

Jin Ling levelled Jiang Cheng with an even look, completely blank, before he spoke in a neutral tone. “You are not qualified to talk to me.”

Jiang Cheng froze, starting to work up his anger as a frown made its way onto his face. He would probably say something along the lines of ‘you think you can speak to your jiujiu however you want just because you’ve grown up a little?’ But then he noticed the small curve of Jin Ling’s lips and the way his eyes had lit up with a hopeful look in them.

And it suddenly hit him. Oh.

“You’re going as Lan Wangji,” Jiang Cheng stated, and Jin Ling nodded his head enthusiastically, bouncing on the balls of his feet.

“Jiujiu, who are you dresses up as?” Jin Ling asked.

Jiang Cheng widened his arms. “Guess?” He was wearing all black with a red ribbon tied around his waist and another one on his wrist.

“Wei Wuxian!” Jin Ling excitedly exclaimed. “You’re going as Wei Wuxian for Halloween.”

“I just heard someone call out my name.” A familiar voice spoke from the entrance to Jiang Cheng’s apartment. He rolled his eyes before opening the door, with Jin Ling practically skipping behind him.

As Jiang Cheng opened the door, his jaw dropped. “What the hell?!”

Wei Wuxian’s eyes widened as he looked at Jiang Cheng too. “The fuck?!”

Standing in front of Jiang Cheng was a Wei Wuxian who wore a purple turtleneck sweater and black jeans. He had his hair tied up in a man-bun with a purple ribbon and he wore purple shoes. Jiang Cheng’s head spun. It was too much purple. Jiang Cheng did not dress up like this!

“Jin Ling, do you want to guess who I am?” Wei Wuxian asked, before he suddenly furrowed his brows and frowned deeply. “A-Ling,” his voice lowered unnaturally, “you are grounded for life!”

“Jiujiu!” Jin Ling jumped as he answered. “You’re dressed up as Jiujiu.”

Jiang Cheng crossed his arms. “I do not look like that,” he replied, pretending to be offended. Wei Wuxian only shrugged, the asshole, as he walked past him and entered the apartment.

“Sure, you do,” he said. “By the way, good job trying to be me. You’ve almost got it right.”

“Almost?” Jiang Cheng icily asked, glaring at his brother.

“Well, yeah. I just never look this grumpy,” Wei Wuxian said as he casually draped himself across the sofa, putting his legs up on the glass table.

“Wei Wuxian!” Jiang Cheng pushed Wei Wuxian’s feet off of his table. “Behave yourself.”

Huffing out a breath, Wei Wuxian sat up straight. Jiang Cheng glanced over at Lan Wangji, who wasn’t dressed any differently, and then at Lan Sizhui. “Who are you supposed to be kid?” He was dressed similar to Lan Wangji but there was something distinctly different about him. He was wearing a white beard that he kept twirling between his fingers.

“I’m supposed to be Professor Qiren,” Sizhui said, and Jiang Cheng’s eyebrows rose up.

He looked over at Wei Wuxian as he spoke. “Does he know about this?

Wei Wuxian snorted. “We’d be dead by now if he did. By the way, Jin Ling, who are you supposed to be?”

Jin Ling gave Wei Wuxian the same look he had given Jiang Cheng, and he spoke in the same voice. “You are not qualified to talk to me.”

Wei Wuxian’s eyes lit up. “Lan Zhan! You’re dressed up as Lan Zhan. Do you see that Lan Zhan? Isn’t he just the cutest you? Did you look like this when you were a child?”

“Mnn,” Lan Wangji responded, looking at Jin Ling once before his attention shifted back to Wei Wuxian.

“You do a really good impression of Dad, Jin Ling.” Sizhui said, making Jin Ling’s hold his head up high and tilt his chin up proudly.

“Of course, I do. You’re not bad as Grandpa Qiren either,” Jin Ling replied, observing Sizhui’s outfit carefully.

“Wasn’t my idea,” Jiang Cheng muttered, loud enough for only Wei Wuxian to hear. “Dressing him up as Lan Wangji.”

Wei Wuxian grinned at that and then happily clapped his hands as he looked at the rest of his family. “So, are we ready to go trick or treating?”

READ ON AO3

[aquadrazi]

Find Someone to Carry You

Chapter 44

………Qinghe………

Jiang Cheng was greeted by Nie Huaisang as he landed at the Nie Stronghold.  “Sect Leader Jiang!  I’m glad that you accepted my invitation.”  He smiled as he approached and bowed.

Jiang Cheng returned the bow.  “Of course I would accept.  Though I haven’t forgiven you yet for keeping me in the dark about the fact that my family has been alive all this time.”  He grumbled.

“I’m so sorry about that, really I am.  It’s just, you are a TERRIBLE actor, and you have a famously bad temper.  Can you tell me with a straight face that you would have acted the same, for these past 13 years, had you known the truth?”  Nie Huaisang eyed him cautiously.  “Could you have promised to keep Jin Ling from his parents for 13 years?”

Jiang Cheng didn’t answer.  He knew that Nie Huaisang was correct, and he hated it.  His emotions had always seemed to make him the weak link.  He just wished that everything didn’t come out as anger.  Wei Ying still didn’t want to see him, and he guess he couldn’t blame him.  They were in the same room, all those years ago, and he hadn’t even looked close enough to notice.  He could have save his brother from years of pain and suffering if he had just LOOKED.

Nie Huaisang was eyeing him over his fan.  “He will come around, just give him some more time.  He just…well…he avoids people who SAW him when he was like that.”

He wanted to apologize to Wei Ying.  He wanted to comfort him and tell him that he is loved, and wanted.  But no, Nie Huaisang was right, everything comes out wrong when his emotions are involved.  Better to speak through Lan Wangji, who is APPARENTLY Wei Ying’s HUSBAND?!  When did THAT happen?  Sect Leader Lan had definitely referred to him as his Didi at the conference, and he was wearing a Lan Sect ribbon, even if it was red.

“It was a BIG step for him to come out and say it in front of everyone at the conference.”  Nie Huaisang said quietly.

“Could you tell him that I’m proud to have him as a big brother?” Jiang Cheng asked, his voice threatening to break.

“I will pass along the message.” Nie Huaisang nodded.

*****Graphic Torture Incoming, just skip to the next chapter*****

They spent the rest of the walk to the Conversation Room in silence.  When then entered the room, Jiang Cheng saw that Lan Wangji was already there.

He had Su She tied to a table, his arms hanging down over the edge and bound to the legs of the table.  He was forced into a kowtow position, with his thighs tied to his calves and his ankles tied to the other legs of the table.  A rope was wrapped around his neck and another around his hips, and tied under the table, holding him fairly steady.  He was naked, and Lan Wangji was slowly shoving a red-hot rod up Su She’s ass as he screamed.

“I see you started without us.” Nie Huaisang said, as if he was talking about lunch, rather than torturing a prisoner.

“Sect Leader Jiang!  Oh good.  Please, Sect Leader Jiang, you can’t let this happen.  I’m on YOUR SIDE!”  Sect Leader Yao had a metal ring around his neck that was chained to the wall in the corner.

“MY side?!  And what SIDE is that?!”  Jiang Cheng spat at him.

“You’ve killed more demonic cultivators in the past 13 years than ANYONE.  Please, you can’t let this happen.  We were only following YOUR example.”  Sect Leader Yao wailed.

“My-  MY example?!”  Zidian began to crackle around Jiang Cheng’s wrist.  “You think that I’m ANYTHING like you?  Do you think that I TORTURED people before I killed them?  In fact, you didn’t KILL HIM AT ALL.  You kept him alive so you could CONTINUE to torture him.  MY OWN BROTHER!!”  Nie Huaisang had to hold him back.

Lan Wangji had stopped what he was doing and turned to watch.  His eyes were dark and he looked like he wasn’t all there anymore.

“You’re right, he had to be put down.  He was a rabid dog.  But he deserved to be punished first.  He killed so many people.  He killed your SISTER AND HER HUSBAND! He couldn’t just be ALLOWED to die.  He had to feel every ounce of pain possible before he would be allowed to just DIE.”  Sect Leader Yao’s face took on an ugly sneer.  “Besides, demonic cultivators become so evil that they don’t even FEEL pain anymore.  In fact, he LIKED it.  He was TURNED ON by it.  It was disgusting.  If you had seen it you would agree with me Sect Leader Jiang.  Please, don’t let Hanguang-Jun punish me for doing something that YOU WOULD HAVE DONE TOO!!”

“Oh, Hanguang-Jun isn’t here.  Haven’t you heard?  Once his husband was taken prisoner and tortured he became the Ghost of Gusu.”  Nie Huaisang informed, with a twinkle of amusement in his eyes.

Jiang Cheng took a closer look at Lan Wangji.  He looked like a dangerous predator, analyzing his prey before he played with it.  He also just noticed that he wasn’t wearing his forehead ribbon, which was supposed to be a constant reminder to maintain control and restraint.

“He was turned on by it…?”  Lan Wangji asked in a cold, quiet voice, causing a chill to run down Jiang Cheng’s spine.

“Yes, that disgusting brat was turned on by what we did to him.  As if the more pain we gave him, the more it turned him on.  Even when he screamed he was rock har-“  Sect Leader Yao was cut off by Lan Wangji reaching into his mouth, and grabbing onto his tongue.

“Oh boy, you’ve done it now.  You do NOT want to know what happened to the LAST guy, and he only called his husband a whore.” Nie Huaisang informed.

“Sect Leader Jiang, would you be so kind as to unleash Zidian for me?”  Lan Wangji said with no emotion.

Jiang Cheng was in shock, but he did as Lan Wangji asked, and walked over to him.  Lan Wangji picked up the end, which must have hurt a lot, but if it did, he did not show any signs, as he brought the tip of it up to Sect Leader Yao’s tongue.  The Sect Leader screamed and thrashed about as Lan Wangji wrapped the electric whip around his tongue a couple times.  He then held the man’s mouth open and watched as Zidian slowly cooked through his tongue.

“You will never speak another word about my husband again.” Lan Wangji said, staring at him as he screamed and thrashed around, noticing that his tongue was starting to come loose.  Once it flopped to the floor, Lan Wangji released Sect Leader Yao’s head, and walked over to the table in the corner.  He sat down and Nie Huaisang pulled out some medicinal lotion for Lan Wangji’s hands.

“Would Sect Leader Jiang like some tea?”  Nie Huaisang offered, gesturing for him to sit at the table with them.

“You-“ Jiang Cheng just stood in shock for a few seconds.  Unable to fully process what he had just walked in on and witnessed.

“I’ve found that Lan Wangji has a… need…to punish those that hurt Wei Ying.  I’ve found it’s best to just, let him do what he wants to do.”  Nie Huaisang explained gently, looking over at Lan Wangji.

“Does Wei Ying KNOW about this?!”  Jiang Cheng looked at him with wide eyes.

Nie Huaisang shook his head.  “We’ve offered to let him be present, or to dictate a punishment he’d like to see done, but he has stated multiple times that he doesn’t want to know anything.  He just wants it to be over.”  Nie Huaisang picked up a cup of tea and offered it to Jiang Cheng, prompting him to come sit at the table.  “It’s rather funny that he has more mercy towards the people who tortured him than they had for him.  And yet HE is supposed to be the evil one.”

“My brother wouldn’t hurt a fly unless it hurt one of us first.”  Jiang Cheng said, accepting the cup of tea.

Lan Wangji looked up at him.  “That is why I do this, for him.  They deserve to be punished.”

“Would you like to have a go while Lan Wangji’s hands heal?”  Nie Huaisang offered.  He gestured to the table that Su She was bound to, with the rod still poking out of his ass.  “He was the one who controlled who got to visit Wei Ying in Koi Tower, once Jin Guangyao had him moved to the private room.” Nie Huaisang then gestured to Sect Leader Yao.  “And, as you’ve already heard, HE took great pleasure in torturing Wei Ying as many times as he could, knowing FULL WELL who he was, and that it WAS NOT consensual.”

“Please, have mercy Sect Leader Jiang.”  Su She cried.  “I was only the gate keeper.  I was following Jin Guangyao’s orders.  I didn’t DO anything to the slut myself.”

“Oops.”  Nie Huaisang all but giggled at the slip.

“What, did you call MY BROTHER?!”  Jiang Cheng shot up out of the chair, Zidian snapped to attention, shooting purple sparks.

“Please…please it’s true.  He LIKED it.  He enjoyed what was happening.  He even CAME.”  Su She pleaded.

“Flip him over.”  Jiang Cheng growled at the guards.  “Flat on his back.  It seems you need a basic anatomy lesson.”

Su She sobbed as the guards untied him, flipped him onto his back, then retied him, because the rod was bobbing up and down due to the movement, inside his ass.

Jiang Cheng went over to the instrument wall and picked out some twine.  He returned to the table and grabbed Su She’s cock.  “So you think that this only gets hard when you’re enjoying it?  Do you think that this only releases at climax when you’ve been ENJOYING yourself?!”  Jiang Cheng nodded and took a deep breath. “Fine, okay.  Let’s see how much of a SLUT YOU are.”

Jiang Cheng fisted Su She and began stroking his cock, but not in an efficient way.  The more Su She begged and protested, the gentler, and more sensual he was.  Once Su She was good and hard Jiang Cheng took out the twine.  “I heard that my brother had a ring around the base of his cock, right HERE.”  Jiang Cheng tightly grabbed Su She, so he would understand where he was talking about.  “Do you know what the purpose of that was?”

Su She just sobbed as Jiang Cheng tightly wrapped the twine around the base of his cock, separating it from the balls and trapping the blood inside.  “So let’s see what turns YOU on.”  Jiang Cheng said threateningly as he flicked at Su She’s cock.  He grabbed hold of the metal rod sticking out of Su She’s ass and started rotating it.  Su She screamed and threw his head back and cried as Jiang Cheng slowly fucked him with the rod.  “Looks like you LIKE this.  You’re still hard and DRIPPING.”  Jiang Cheng mocked.

“No, please.  It HURTS.  Please stop.  I DON’T like it.  I don’t know WHY I’m still hard.  Please!”  Su She begged and sobbed.

“You hear that?  He doesn’t understand why he’s still so hard when it hurts and he doesn’t like it.”  Jiang Cheng said to Nie Huaisang and Lan Wangji, still seated at the table.  He took his hand off the rod in Su She’s ass.  “You see, the twine at the base of your cock is holding in the blood, keeping you hard.  Just like that device that was on my brother’s cock.”

Jiang Cheng started to pump Su She’s cock again, as he twisted and pumped the rod in his ass.  He kept going, watching Su She scream and sob and beg.  Protesting that he didn’t like it over and over.  “You say you don’t like it, but you’re DRIPPING.”  Jiang Cheng mocked as he ran his finger through the liquid spilling out of the tip of Su She’s cock.  “So either you’re lying, or it IS possible to be physically hard and not enjoy what is happening.”

Jiang Cheng began to slam the rod in harder as Su She got closer to climax, delaying it further and drawing out more powerful screams.  When Su She finally climaxed, it was with a powerful shriek because Jiang Cheng slowly pulled the rod out, twisting it as he went.

“See, you even CAME.  Guess you’re just a SLUT too.”  Jiang Cheng walked back over to the table and sat down.  “Sorry Lan Wangji, I don’t know if you wanted to keep that in him.”

“Mn, it is fine.  This was good too.”  Lan Wangji replied, then took a sip of tea.  “Do you still have the bamboo patch out back?”  He asked Nie Huaisang.

“We do.  They were freshly trimmed and sharpened just this morning.”  Nie Huaisang replied as if they were talking about the weather.

“Stretch him over the patch, face down so he can watch them grow.  If he manages to live for a week, we’ll see if he deserves to be set free or not.”  Lan Wangji told the guards.  “Unless, you wanted to go a few more round with him, Sect Leader Jiang.”

Jiang Cheng waived his hand dismissively.  “No, I’m done with Su She.”

Intermission

“So what do we do with THAT one?”  Nie Huaisang asked, fanning himself.  Clearly he was just prodding the others to continue the show.

“Wait.”  Lan Wangji said to the guards.  He walked over to Sect Leader Yao and unceremoniously untied his robes and threw them open, then shoved his pants down.  “Bring him over here.”

When the guards brought Su She over, Lan Wangji compared the size of his cock to Sect Leader Yao’s.  “He’s bigger.”  He then motioned for the guards to bring Su She to the center of the room.  He tied Su She’s wrists together and swung the end of the rope through a hook in the ceiling.  Lan Wangji then motioned for the guards to bring over Sect Leader Yao, as he held Su She in place.

He had the guards place Sect Leader Yao on his knees, in front of Su She.  Lan Wangji used the rope to adjust Su She’s height, so his cock would line up with Sect Leader Yao’s mouth.  He then tied off the rope.  “Nie Huaisang, would you help me with something?”  Lan Wangji asked, like he was asking for an interpretation on a text he was reading.

Nie Huaisang raised his eyebrows at Jiang Cheng, then got up and walked over to Lan Wangji.

“Would you help me arrange Sect Leader Yao, so that he is in the same condition as how you found my husband?”  Lan Wangji asked him.  The Sect Leader began struggling and making horrible noises in his throat.

“Certainly.”  Nie Huaisang bowed to Lan Wangji, then he went to the instrument wall to pick out what he needed.

Jiang Cheng watched in horror as the two worked.  Clothing removed, nipples pierced and weights hung from them, eyes sewn shut, needles shoved under his fingernails, some horrible claw-like contraption shoved in his mouth to keep it open, a thin rod shoved down the slit of his cock, a metal ring attached at the base of the cock, and then a bamboo pole was tied behind his neck, and his wrists tied resting on the pole, fingers exposed.

Lan Wangji walked over to the coals and picked out a thin poker.  He walked back over to the Sect Leader and grabbed him roughly by the hair.  He tilted the Sect Leader’s head to the side, giving him a good angle at his ear.  Slowly, he inserted the poker into the ear, causing the most horrible shrieking sound Jiang Cheng thought he had ever heard.  Then, he did it to the other ear.

Jiang Cheng thought he was going go be sick.

THIS is how they found Wei Ying?!

Blind, deaf, mute…

Bound in that horrible position?

Open and exposed for anyone to use…

Not knowing who, or how, or when?

Zidian crackled as Jiang Cheng’s rage flowed through his meridians.  Hearing about it was one thing, seeing it that one time out of the corner of his eye wasn’t as bad and being here now, faced with it head on.

“Monsters.  They’re all monsters.”  Jiang Cheng hissed.

“Wei Ying was only able to identify people by smell and taste.  He did not know who it was who was violating him.”  Lan Wangji explained in a quiet and cold voice.  “He couldn’t distinguish reality from nightmares.  It took him…a long time…to realize that here and now is real, and not some fantasy he dreamed up to cope with the torture.”

Jiang Cheng was glad he was sitting, because if he hadn’t been, his knees would have given out.  So he just sat there, dumbly, as Lan Wangji finished securing the two prisoners for whatever punishment he had dreamed up for them.

Su She’s cock was inserted into Sect Leader Yao’s mouth, almost to the hilt.  He was gagging and drooling and his eyes were watering.  Clearly he was trying to figure out how to breathe.  Lan Wangji spent some time flicking the needles sticking out of his fingers, causing him to scream around the cock in his throat, the vibrations combined with the gagging was causing Su She to harden.

Lan Wangji walked back over to the instrument table.  He picked out two thumb screws and something that looked phallus shaped.  He walked over to Su She and tightened first one thumb screw, then the other, on his balls.  He screamed and bucked at the pain, involuntarily fucking into Sect Leader Yao’s throat.

“Ohhhhh, I see now…” Nie Huaisang said, sitting back down at the table, a servant had just come with refreshments.

Jiang Cheng felt a tap on his shoulder and he realized it was Nie Huaisang’s fan.  He gestured towards the snacks.

He couldn’t eat.  He wasn’t hungry.  He was in too much shock and rage to think about anything else except that this is what his brother had gone through…for years…

Lan Wangji walked behind Sect Leader Yao, and without warning he shoved the phallus into him, violently.  He screamed and bucked at the sudden violation.  Lan Wangji proceeded to viciously fuck him with the object.  His screams must have been turning Su She on, because he began moaning and rocking his hips forward.  Every once in a while Lan Wangji would reach over and flick a needle, causing both the prisoners to scream and buck, one in pain and one in pleasure.

Jiang Cheng watched in fascinated horror as Su She eventually bucked and climaxed, shooting down Sect Leader Yao’s throat.  Lan Wangji motioned for a guard to continue fucking Sect Leader Yao, then he walked over and grabbed a paddle.  He walked behind Su She and began raining hits down on his ass, the force causing him to slam into Sect Leader Yao’s mouth and down his throat.  When another guard started to flick at the needles, it became a grotesque symphony of pained screams mixed with Su She’s pleasured moans.

Tears were freely falling down Jiang Cheng’s face as he watched.  He couldn’t look away this time.

THEY did this to him.

How many times?

How many PEOPLE?

Lan Wangji made eye contact with him, and gestured for him to join.  He felt himself getting up, and unleashing Zidian.  He felt himself walking over to the spectacle.  Before he realized what was happening, he had hit Sect Leader Yao across the back with Zidian.  Lan Wangji fed the Sect Leader some spiritual energy, then nodded to Jiang Cheng that he could continue.

So they continued like that for a bit.  Su She came again while screaming in pain, Sect Leader Yao screaming and writhing in pure agony.  Finally something snapped in Jiang Cheng and he rained down an almost constant stream of hits onto Sect Leader Yao’s back.  Beating him to death.

Lan Wangji stopped and stared for a bit, breathing heavily due to the exertion of beating Su She.  “Okay, you can take him to the bamboo patch now.”  He told the guards finally.  “I don’t care what you do with this one’s body.”

The guards bowed and took Su She away.

[zhuilingyizhen]

mdzs juniors // modern looks

trousers? idk her.

Lan Jingyi

being the fashion diva he is, you know he takes great care of himself. his hair is always really soft and he has a skincare routine he follows religiously.

the ends of his hair (which is still v. long, bc i need ponytail ljy, but he cuts it sometimes) are dyed blue, and he wears his hair in a ponytail.

only his right ear is pierced at first, but he gets the other one pierced too so he can wear long dangly earrings. 

jingyi’s fashion taste is definitely the most out there, compared to the other juniors. he prefers dresses over skirts (but likes both of em), and hates jean shorts but likes jeans. 

he wears a lot of light blues, and l e a t h e r

(not neccessarily together though. he has a black leather jacket he wears with red)

go-to outfit is a white tee or crop top paired with high-waisted jeans. probably wears checkered vans or something, but also likes leather boots. despises heels.

he also likes ripped jeans & graphic shirts, but can and will enjoy wearing a cropped tank top with a short skirt.

loves experimenting with makeup and nails, especially doing up his eyes

eyeliner!!!!!!

sometimes he goes out wearing a hot dog costume just to hurt jin ling. oyzz thinks it’s both the worst and best thing ever. lsz is facepalming so hard rn...

(but he loves them. most of the time.)

Ouyang Zizhen

cropped hoodies. jl thinks they’re an abomination.

go-to outfit is a short-ish brown-beige hoodie with a plaid skirt. 

wears the most jewelry!!

a jade necklace lsz gave him on his 16th birthday. emerald earrings jl gave him. (ljy got him a 5-year book subscription to this one book box company).

he also has a flower hairpiece his sister gifted to him. his hair’s just long enough to tie up in a bun

smells like ginger lilies. it’s the perfume.

the ends of his hair are dyed this bluish-green?? idk how to describe it but if you’re on tumblr you probably know what i mean.

wears very cutesy stuff, but hates overly tight clothing (only cause it’s not comfortable for him, if you wanna wear clothing like that, go for it!)

will wear yoga pants, but never black on black bc he likes color.

has really soft clothing. probably the most diverse in texture of clothing.

changes the color of his nails like every other week. fools around with them a lot, and is pretty good at them now.

pastels!! flowy clothing!!

everything has to be matching. he has like five different phone-cases (they were on sale) to match certain outfits.

randomly has this galaxy cat shirt that he adores.

sometimes wears color-changing contacts for fun, or to match an outfit.

sometimes wears concealer, but not much more makeup than that. special occasions call for eyeshadow!! absolutely rocks a smokey eye.

ugh he’s just so soft

Lan Sizhui

sometimes will wear cropped tops, but only with a blazer/cardigan.

hates collared shirts with a passion. is forced to wear them anyways.

not as fashionable as oyzz & ljy. as a child be basically wore the same outfit in different colors everyday.

really likes floral patterns!!

kpop idol hairstyle. it’s like that short messy-but-not-really kinda way.

puts on clear nail polish. he and oyzz do nails together once or twice a month.

a lot of blues, greys, and whites.

wears vampire sleeves?? idk how to explain it. they’re like... poofy but elegant. 

skinny jeans!! he likes the dark blue ones.

turtlenecks!! 

likes lacy clothing! or just lace in general. he thinks it’s pretty. 

in place of headbands, he and ljy have these woven cloth bracelets they wear almost 24/7.

wore a white dress once and the other juniors almost died,, it was amazing on him

doesn’t wear any facial makeup (once almost stabbed himself in the eye with a eyeliner pencil, has never recovered)

likes wearing flats. 

has this one cross earring hat he wears on his right ear, to really complete the soft bad boi/idol look.

has this white flowy button-up that he adores. wears it all the time, with black yoga pants or dark blue jeans!

Jin Ling

the most floofy, oversized clothing. will bury himself in a comfy sweatshirt or hoodie and never leave. 

surprisingly the only one of them who likes heels, cause they make him taller.

longer hair than oyzz, but shorter than ljy’s. wears it in a ponytail, with bangs framing his face (kinda like jzx’s hairstyle)

when he isn’t wearing a hoodie or sweatshirt, he’ll steal Jingyi’s beloved black leather jacket. Jingyi doesn’t really mind, bc he lives for jl dressing up.

the outfits ljy makes jl try on are scary.

will wear dresses and doesn’t give a fuck about what anyone has to say about it. 

has a thing for ribbons. idk why-

not a fan of plaid or patterns in general. however (unrelated), he will wear eyeliner/mascara on special occasions.

oyzz gifted him a lotus fragrance. he has no idea what to do with it though.

sometimes wears pink lip gloss.

he wears a lot of yellow, blue, purple, white, and sometimes pink. refuses to wear red, but sometimes is forced to.

jean shorts during the summer!! the one season where he can’t wear hoodies/sweatshirts. 

once ljy forced him into this denim overalls-skirt thing. very cute.

sneakers & boots.

comfort > fashion

sometimes he’ll be in the mood to dress up (ljy’s favorite days) and actually put an effort into looking nice. the others melt.

[introvertmoonflower]

Thinking of Watching The Untamed?

 For anyone thinking of watching The Untamed, here are some tips:

Watching Order:

You can watch the episodes in release order (1-50) but if have not read the book or watched the donghua (animation) you may get confused by the story. Basically, the story starts in the ‘present’ for the first 2 episodes then there is a 30 episode flashback/ ‘past’ section. I would suggest watching it in chronological order:

Episode 2 (last 2-3 minutes) --> Episode 33 (flashback ends at about 13 minutes in) --> Episodes 1&2 --> Rest of Episode 33 --> Episode 34-50.

[I know its a bit annoying how they started and ended the flashbacks in the middle of episodes]

I personally watched the episodes in order until episode 33, then I went back and watched episodes 1&2, and boy did some things make A  LOT more sense!

Character Names:

Most characters have two names (birth names and a courtesy name). Some even have titles that they are called by other characters. Here are the two main characters names and titles:

Wei Ying (birth name) + Wei Wuxian (courtesy name) + Yiling Patriarch/ Yiling Laozu (title)

Lan Zhan (birth name) + Lan Wanji (courtesy name) +  Hanguang Jun (title)

Note: They usually call each other by their birth names.

Note: these two main characters are really the only characters that are called all of their names/ titles, other characters are only referred to by one name or one name plus their title. For example:

Wen Ning (birth name) + Ghost General (title)  (only once is his courtesy name used)

Jiang Cheng (courtesy name; only once or twice is his birth name used) +  Sandu Shengshou (not really used except in formal situations)

Lan Xichen (courtesy name) + Zewu Jun (title)

Birth names are really only used by people who are very close to you, even then not always. Courtesy names are used most often. Family/ sect name comes first and does not change between birth and courtesy name.

Sect/ Families:

There are 5 key cultivator sects that you need to know and thankfully they each have a corresponding colour/s that make it helpful to differentiate between them:

Gusu Lan Sect: White & light blue (they wear headbands/ forehead ribbons)

Lanling Jin Sect: Yellow/ gold (they also have a red dot between their eyes)

Qinghe Nie Sect: Grey/ silver (there are only two named characters for this sect so it's the easiest)

Yunmeng Jiang Sect: Purple & dark blue

Qishan Wen Sect: Red & black

Left to Right: Lan Jingyi, Lan Xichen, Lan Qiren, Lan Wangi, Lan Sizhui, Lan Yi

Left to Right: Jin Zixuan, Jin Guangshan, Jin Guangyao, Jin Zixun, Jin Ling 

Left to Right: Nie Mingjue, Nie Huaisang

Left to Right: Jiang Fengmian, Jiang Cheng, Wei Wuxian, Jiang Yanli, Yu Ziyuan

Left to Right: Wen Chao, Wen Ruolan, Wen Qing, Wen Ning

The name at the beginning of each sect (E.g. Gusu) is the location of that sect or the closest town to where the sect is.

Wei Ying/ Wei Wuxian while having grown up on the Jiang Sect, does not conform to their style or colours of dress. Instead, he usually wears black, dark blue or dark grey robes with red (later white/ grey) under clothes.