#and his FACE when he said the line 'i knew he was wei ying all along' BRO...........

[loosingmoreletters]

Title: foolproof plans and the idiots executing them

Summary: Yu Ziyuan arranges for Wei Ying to be married off to Gusu Lan, promising an obedient wife for the second Jade of Lan.

As far as Wei Wuxian and his siblings are concerned, there are several issues with that promise, starting with the fact that despite appearance, Wei Wuxian is very much not a girl.

The solution? Ditch the nice dress on the way to Gusu, invent a fake twin, and behave so outrageously nobody could want to marry a girl with any blood relation to him.

Or, the one where Wei Wuxian pretends to be his own twin brother to break his engagement and Lan Wangji has an ongoing sexuality crisis about falling in love with his betrothed’s brother.

1.

“This is never going to work,” Jiang Cheng said with barely hidden panic.

“Not with that attitude, it won’t,” Wei Wuxian retorted and stepped out from behind the privacy screen half-dressed. “Jiang Cheng, grab the bandages—”

“What are you doing!?” he thundered and turned around, face flushed red.

Wei Wuxian grinned. His brother truly had the best reactions.

“But A-Cheng!” Wei Wuxian cried. “I can’t wrap the bindings around my chest on my own! And we’ll be rooming for the foreseeable future anyway, so you best get rid of any propriety now before all of Cloud Recesses hears you scream. Besides, you’ll never be closer to a maiden’s bosom—“

Snarling, Jiang Cheng took the bindings and marched over to his brother. “What fucking maiden are you talking about?”

It was true, Wei Wuxian was many things, but a maiden wasn’t one of them. This enraged Madam Yu especially as she had staged the last eight years on Wei Wuxian being a good little girl and doing as she was told.

When he’d first been brought to Lotus Pier, Wei Wuxian had been awfully timid and fearful, which Madam Yu had hoped he would remain. Unfortunately, Wei Wuxian was everything but, and the more comfortable he became, the more did his true personality shine through: that of a clever and mischievous boy. Truly, he hadn’t grasped the difference that people prescribed to girls and boys at a young age, only ever chafed at the expectations laid at his feet.

Which brought them to their current predicament. Madam Yu had striven to be rid of Wei Wuxian since he’d been brought to her doorstep, and a shy and timid girl had been an easy image to sell to Gusu Lan; thus, a marriage had been arranged. Perhaps Madam Yu had done it so quickly to prevent Jiang Fengmian from getting ideas, but regardless, Wei Wuxian was supposed to be meeting his betrothed for the first time.

And that just would not do.

2.

Jiang Yanli was the nicest person at Lotus Pier and nobody wanted to displease her.

“Alright, does everyone know their lines?” she asked with a smile.

“Yes!” the assembled disciples replied while Wei Wuxian, her A-Xian, threw his hands behind his head, grinning, and A-Cheng looked pained but determined.

One arranged marriage was enough for their family. Jiang Yanli knew she could make Koi Tower her home if she put enough work into it, but the Cloud Recesses, with its many rules and the false expectations her mother had fed the Lan, could never bring her brother happiness.

A-Xian’s old robes were packed away in his bags now while his own, all newly purchased and hidden beneath her own on departure from Lotus Pier, were now where they belonged. He didn’t have as many as he ought to as commissioning them had been expensive, and the seamstress needed to be sworn to secrecy as she padded the robes in the right places to hide A-Xian’s silhouette.

Her brother looked good in them, wearing dark violet, the red he was never without, and some black to further craft their illusion. Well, perhaps it wasn’t entirely an illusion, A-Xian was who he was regardless of his body, but Yanli could tell it pleased him that the cut of his robes matched that of the male disciples.

Let’s get this show on the road, then.

Jiang Yanli plastered a pleasant smile on her face and went to greet the guards.

3.

“Nobody told me he was pretty,” Wei Wuxian whispered to Jiang Cheng when Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji came to welcome them.

It took all of Jiang Cheng’s strength to not whack his brother.

“No, seriously, I think he’s prettier than I am when Madam Yu has Shijie doll me up.”

There were so many things that could be going wrong with their plan, the reputation of their sect might suffer from it too, but what was Jiang Cheng to do? Their mother wanted this and their father never listened properly when they or Wei Wuxian tried to explain the problem with the matter at hand. And perhaps scheming like this was unfilial, but didn’t Jiang Cheng also have a duty to his older siblings?

“We thank Gusu Lan for your hospitality, but we must also apologize for—”

That, Wei Wuxian took as his cue as he skipped away from Jiang Cheng’s side and walked right up to the two brothers, a mischievous smile on his face.

Oh, this was going to end in disaster.

Jiang Cheng would have to watch Gusu Lan be so insulted they’d decimate his brother, and then he’d have to go fight the Twin Jades on his brother’s behalf because nobody fucked with his people and mother would beat him with Zidian because she wouldn’t get it.

“My sister’s absence!” Wei Wuxian interrupted loudly. “Ah, it’s so nice to meet my future brother-in-law. Tell me, which one of you is it? No! Let me guess!”

He made a show of thinking about it before pointing at Lan Wangji, who seemed to be entirely displeased with the interaction. If this was all it took to get to the younger Jade of Lan, they’d have that engagement canceled by the end of the second week.

“It’s you! With that thick face!” Wei Wuxian finally exclaimed and pointed at Lan Wangji. “Don’t you know that you won’t please a girl with a face like that? My poor sister!”

Dramatically, he turned to the other Jiang disciples, who were all attempting to stifle their laughter. At least they hadn’t arrived with all the pomp of the Jin. As far as good first impressions went, they could still do worse.

“Sister?” Lan Xichen asked carefully, clearly making an inquiry all while attempting to sound polite about it. Jiang Cheng almost felt a little bad for lying to his face like that.

“Yes! My dear meimei, Wei Ying, your brother’s betrothed,” Wei Wuxian said. “She couldn’t make it to the lectures after all, so I decided to go instead to get a sense of her betrothed. I shall tell her that he cannot even smile at his future brother-in-law, treats me like a stranger! Ah, she will be so distraught.”

Wei Wuxian was getting entirely too invested in his performance, and Jiang Cheng couldn’t even be mad about it.

“I apologize,” Lan Xichen said. “I wasn’t aware Wei-guniang had a brother, or that you’d come to these lectures.”

Shaking his head like a disappointed elder, Wei Wuxian sighed. “It must be because of the name! See, when Sect Leader Jiang found us, my sister and I both listened to ‘A-Ying’, for it was what we recalled our parents calling us! So you certainly must have heard of me, but just assumed the Wei Ying in the stories is my sister! But fear not, this one is called Wuxian by courtesy. But as we are family soon—” At that, Wei Wuxian grinned absolutely shamelessly at Lan Wangji. “—Lan-er-gege may call me Wei Ying too.”

Lan Wangji’s face expressed that he would absolutely not be doing that.

4.

“We have a missive explaining it,” Jiang Yanli said kindly, handing a letter she’d forged to Lan Xichen.

She only felt a little guilty for faking her father’s signature, but if he hadn’t wanted her to know how to do it, he wouldn’t have let her watch him work that often.

5.

On the morning Lan Wangji was meant to meet his betrothed, he realized that he had no idea at all what he was supposed to feel about his engagement. He’d never met Wei Ying before, nor heard exceptionally much about her. Asking Uncle proved less than fruitful as his agreement to the marriage was mostly politically motivated. Even if not Sect Leader Jiang’s daughter by blood, Wei Ying was of sufficient standing through his benevolence that they gained a beneficial alliance. Marrying her in the future was Lan Wangji’s duty, so he’d see it through.

They could be friends, at least, he hoped. And if not, he’d do what he could to give her freedom to travel without losing her reputation.

He would not be his father.

6.

By the time night had fallen and Lan Wangji was in his bed, he was assured the engagement would be a disaster if Wei Ying was anything like her alcohol-smuggling, curfew-ignoring brother!

But, as her twin, they might be alike in looks.

Lan Wangji did not want to linger on that thought.

7.

After day two of their sort-of-but-not-really charade, Wei Wuxian was beyond convinced that their mutual agreement not to marry him off to Gusu Lan was the right choice. Constrained by more rules than ever before, Wei Wuxian thought he would lose his mind. Sure, Lotus Pier had its unwritten rules too, most of them boiling down to staying on Madam Yu’s not-bad side because she simply didn’t have a good one, but they didn’t hold a candle to all the ridiculousness the Lan came up with!

Unfortunately, as Lan Qiren’s steadily growing more irritated voice pointed out, Wei Wuxian hadn’t created a step-by-step plan for falling out of favor that did not summon Jiang Fengmian to the Cloud Recesses.

Well, all Wei Wuxian could do about Lan Qiren was quiet down a little in class. He wanted to break his engagement, not bring diplomatic turmoil over the sect, though a broken engagement was pretty much the same.

No, Wei Wuxian only had to annoy Lan Wangji enough and as his uncle’s prized nephew and student, surely once he wanted the engagement ended, Wei Wuxian would be free.

8.

Jiang Cheng didn’t see how incessantly spending time with Lan Wangji would keep one of the brightest of their generation from figuring out their trick, but he did know how to keep others quiet. It wasn’t too much of a problem as his mother had always kept Wei Wuxian far away from other sects, fearing he’d cause an incident.

The only one who knew better was stupid, pretentious Jin Zixuan, who kept giving Wei Wuxian side glances, wondering just why he was seated here with them instead of with the girls as their sister.

And Jin Zixuan, much like the bright gold of his uniform, had no sense whatsoever for staying the fuck quiet.

While Wei Wuxian happily skipped ahead in the line, pestering Lan Wangji about the nighthunt, Jiang Cheng stayed close to Jin Zixuan.

“Zewu-jun,” Jin Zixuan addressed Lan Xichen after yet another disbelieving look at Wei Wuxian. “If I may ask, why is Wei Ying attending our class?”

No, he may not ask, especially someone from a different sect.

Lan Xichen, who definitely seemed to have sucked all the pleasant emotions out of his mother’s womb, leaving Lan Wangji with nothing, only smiled. “I assume to ensure my brother will treat his sister right.”

Jin Zixuan frowned. “But Wei Ying doesn’t have—”

Without any remorse, Jiang Cheng stepped on Jin Zixuan’s foot. To his credit, the Peacock didn’t even flinch.

“—doesn’t have a brother who seems well behaved enough to attest these matters.”

The safe was good enough that Jiang Cheng didn’t step on his foot again despite his terrible and insulting excuse.

9.

Lan Wangji was an absolute riot to tease and make fun of. Wei Wuxian hadn’t had that much entertainment since he helped the newest disciples hide a whole batch of kittens in his room. They’d been discovered in the end, but the cooks had been glad for the cats running around the compound, getting rid of the mice by then.

But it was nice to spend time with his peers too without having to watch his words all the time, making crude jokes or just being around somebody without having anyone ring for a chaperone of some kind.

Okay, Jiang Cheng still hovered, but that was because his brother cared.

And it wasn’t like Jiang Cheng wasn’t making himself useful.

“Elbow up!” Wei Wuxian cheered as Jiang Cheng fixed Wen Ning’s posture. Wei Wuxian was going to do it himself, but Jiang Cheng had swiftly taken over that duty, leaving Wei Wuxian to sit with Nie Huaisang.

Truly, he’d miss this once he returned to Lotus Pier.

Or maybe he could leave for a while, go night hunting on his own, continue living up to his curtesy name before he’d eventually have to turn it in again, leave it only in his siblings’ mouth.

10.

Perhaps, as it occurred to Jiang Cheng in the morning, half-hangover, they should have taken Wei Wuxian aside to practice living as a man. Wei Wuxian was bold enough that his shameless behavior passed as that of an arrogant youth, but Wei Wuxian hadn’t ever really had the ability to live as Jiang Cheng. Although his brother was more advanced than him in cultivation, his lessons were cut short to learn the manners of a young lady alongside their sister. And while Lotus Pier didn’t go as far as the Cloud Recesses to separate the complexes, Wei Wuxian had never been surrounded just by men.

Maybe, Jiang Cheng thought as they stumbled to punishment, his brother wouldn’t have smuggled alcohol into the dorms and gotten roaring drunk if they’d sneaked away before the lectures and allowed him to indulge.

Or, Jiang Cheng thought as the first strike landed, Wei Wuxian would’ve acted just the same.

11.

Before this year’s lecture had started, Lan Wangji was doing fine. Now his entire life had been interrupted by Wei Wuxian. The other boy was so keen on bonding with him and distinguishing his character that he hardly left Lan Wangji alone, dragging him into his foolish endeavors.

To his horror, the more time Lan Wangji spent with Wei Wuxian, the more did his thoughts go to him even when Lan Wangji was alone. Everything Lan Wangji wanted to know about Wei Wuxian was entirely inappropriate, not the thoughts someone ought to have about their betrothed’s brother.

“Give me your ribbon!” Wei Wuxian hissed, arms wrapped tight around himself. “It’ll stop the attacks.”

A better fiancé would hesitate, at least for another moment, but Lan Wangji was a coward who couldn’t even admit the truth to himself.

He wrapped his ribbon around Wei Wuxian’s wrist, the weight of the action entirely unknown to Wei Wuxian. Engaged as he was, Lan Wangji couldn’t even honor it privately. He’d have to tell Wei Ying and tell her that even if her brother praised Lan Wangji’s ‘impeccable’ behavior, he was far from honorable.

Everything else would be improper.

12.

After they’d dealt with the Yin Iron.

He’d write his letter after they dealt with that.

His ancestor’s message and warning seemed a little direr than Lan Wangji’s own doomed heart.

13.

For the first time in years, Jiang Yanli did not spend most of her time with Wei Wuxian. They’d shared a room as little children, Wei Wuxian staying with her for a smidge longer than he should have. After, her parents probably thought that her influence could tame her brother and turn him into a proper young lady.

She’d probably failed on that account in their eyes, but seeing him now, with twice as much energy, laughing louder than anyone else, she couldn’t consider it a failure in her eyes.

“Shijie—” Wei Wuxian looked outraged.

Jiang Yanli knew her brother well, he wouldn’t let Jin Zixuan’s words be, and they couldn’t afford him causing a scene now for multiple reasons.

Her mother wasn’t a role model she wanted to emulate most of the time, but this once, she straightened her back and held her head just as high.

“Go with A-Cheng, A-Xian,” she told her brother. “I think Jin-gongzi and I have to talk.”

14.

She didn’t cry until she was back in her room, escorted by Mianmian, who deserved so much better than having to handle her. In the Jiang quarters, her disciples and friends surrounded her. There, Jiang Yanli allowed herself to cry.

Jin Zixuan didn’t love her, didn’t want her, and what right did she have to protest when staging to break her brother’s engagement?

How terrible that Wei Wuxian had found a friend in a stranger he’d been terrified to meet when she hadn’t gained even that.

15.

There was a stupid comment on Jiang Cheng’s tongue when Wei Wuxian dressed in his old clothes and tossed another set to him, but under cover of night, hurrying to their sister’s room in disguise wasn’t that bad of a plan.

And if seeing them both dressed up made her laugh, then that was really only a bonus.

16.

After a whole year at the Cloud Recesses, Wei Wuxian was, admittedly, not really closer to breaking his engagement. But maybe if he now fessed up to Lan Wangji that he was, indeed, his fiancée in disguise, perhaps he’d be so disgusted at Wei Wuxian’s shameless behavior that he’d call for its end.

So really, Wei Wuxian couldn’t consider the year a waste when he’d made a few friends more and learned how to wrap his bandages himself because, as funny as Jiang Cheng’s face had been the first couple of times, his brother took forever.

He’d get around to ending his engagement some time in the future. Right now, everyone was too busy eyeing the movement of the Wen anyway to think of marriage.

Nodding to himself, Wei Wuxian grabbed a brush and left his brother a quick note.

If he wasted any more time, he wouldn’t be able to catch up to Lan Wangji before it got dark. Honestly, what was he thinking going away by himself as if Lan Yi hadn’t given the task to the both of them?

Wei Wuxian grabbed his hastily packed supplies and vanished from the Cloud Recesses.

Jiang Cheng would think of an excuse to present his parents.

Wei Wuxian had the utmost faith in him.

#wei wuxian #lan wangji #jiang cheng #jiang yanli #wangxian #mdzs #the untamed #mdzs fanfic #fanfic #chapter 1 here we go #manifesting this to be less than 4 chapters <3

[kabybaali]

For Wen Ning's birthday event day 2, I made a Collab with my sweet friend uwu

Art made by me

Story made by @vahntares 💖

Wen Ning couldn't help but push the tray with the steaming red bean cakes away from the prying hands trying to steal them.

"Āiyā! I never imagined you could be so cold-hearted! You hide under those kind eyes and that beautiful smile!"

His cheeks tinged slightly, as he had never been accused of such things before, yet his hands remained firm and steady.

"The-they’re not ready y-y-yet!"

"Are you going to keep them away from me? I've never been able to taste one of these! A-Ning, please have mercy on this tormented soul, you're denying water to a man who spent years in the desert!"

More nonsense. Wen Ning could only hope that the heat in the kitchen was enough to explain the blushing heat on his face.

He stood his ground, as he had promised himself to give his best to the beaming young man in front of him, even if it cost him some teasing. Especially since, as he said, he had never tasted a red bean cake before and the experience had to be perfect. The young man pouted, yet Wen Ning already knew every single one of his false expressions inside out. So many months together were not in vain.

They met each other at a private event. Wen Ning's desserts were highly sought after and both his teachers and peers felt envy and admiration for his quick rise to fame. And that young man had been so fascinated by what he was eating that without a second thought he decided to spend the rest of the evening in the kitchen next to him.

After that it was hard to shake him off, although he never really tried. Something about his smile made it hard to refuse his company, not to say that all his remarks at the meal were very sharp and precise.

And all the requests he had were always gladly fulfilled once the cafeteria was closed.

It was a shared little space the two of them had build.

Wen Ning saw the red bean cakes and let out a big sigh.

"Fifteen minutes!"

Wei Ying shook his legs as he became increasingly impatient

"A-Ning! Don't you feel bad making me wait for SO long? Is this your customer service?"

Wen Ning thought it would be better not to answer. If Wei Ying ate the cakes at that moment he would most likely burn his tongue and all his effort would be thrown away.

''Good things come to those who wait'', he said to himself"

As if reading his mind, Wei Ying looked at him with such a plea in his eyes that it made Wen Ning's heart skip a beat.

"How about a milkshake!?"

Wen Ning yielded with a gentle smile.

Perhaps they both knew that if Wei Ying insisted again Wen Ning would eventually give in, but this was the game between them.

Request, bake or prepare, taste and please.

As long as Wei Ying had something in his mouth to taste he would be happy and as long as he was happy Wen Ning would be pleased as well.

Wen Ning began to take the ingredients out of the fridge. There was no use in asking about the flavor. Just as he knew all of his tricks, he also knew all the things he liked.

He looked up just long enough to make sure that Wei Ying's stubborn hands were away from the tray with the cakes.

And then he noticed something

Wei Ying looked different from the first time they met.

Wen Ning's hands began to mix the milk with the fresh fruits as his eyes continued to trail over him.

Wei Ying's face was not so sharply defined anymore, and the sharp lines had been replaced by something softer. His beauty was something that would hardly be overshadowed by the small cute rolls in his stomach as he sat up, perhaps that was why Wen Ning hadn't noticed it before.

When they first met, Wei Ying wasn't very aware of himself and in a certain light his skin would seem light, pressing against his bones. A very normal appearance by modern standards, standards Wen Ning did not approve of.

He added creamy vanilla ice cream and a dash of cinnamon to the milkshake.

Wei Ying, being totally honest, had more color in his cheeks and more energy in his movements. No one could blame Wen Ning if he refused to stop spoiling him with desserts.

Without being able to prevent it, his eyes met with the young man's. How long had Wei Ying been looking at him? Embarrassed, Wen Ning immediately lowered his head and continued to prepare the thick milkshake. He prayed that it hadn't been too obvious.

It was sheer agony to walk out of the kitchen and towards the table. His movements were stiff thanks to the embarrassment that kept flowing through his joints.

He held out the glass cup and a plate with some red bean cakes. He forced himself to act normal.

"H-here you go."

"But... You said it would take 15 minutes for the cakes to cool down..."

Obviously, if Wei Ying was told that the cakes would be ready in 15 minutes, he would wait 10 minutes at most. Wen Ning omitted this information and shyly shrugged his shoulders.

It was better to pretend that he made a mistake. 

Wei Ying didn't inquire further, he just let out one of his thunderous laughs and received everything.

Although there were neither customers nor critics, those kinds of moments were the ones that made Wen Ning really want to break out in a cold sweat. 

He had learned to take criticism and opinions about his work, but at the end of the day the only opinion that would matter to him would come from this outrageous young man.

He brought a cup of coffee with him to keep him company as he tasted the cakes.

When he reached the table, Wei Ying was already sipping the milkshake. Both of their hands tensed.

"Oh... damn... I blew it..."

The red bean cakes were supposed to be the main dish and Wei Ying had already sweetened his mouth with the milkshake. How could he properly savor one taste when his senses were coated with another, stronger one?

In a slightly desperate move, Wen Ning extended his cup of coffee that didn't yet have any sugar in it. Wei Ying joyfully accepted and took a good sip.

After that everything flowed as it was supposed to.

"They're not lying when they say the taste is addictive! So smooth! They're delicious! I'm so lucky to have A-Ning cook for me!"

Wei Ying kept heaping praise. It was a good thing, as a baker he was very confident in his taste and sincerity.

Wen Ning took a coffee sip.

His tongue grew warm, then his cheeks, and finally his heart.

"¡ !"

He began to cough uncontrollably.

"A-Ning!" 

Wen Ning waved as he tried to calm himself.

The rim of his coffee cup tasted like vanilla.

"I-I.. The coffee made me ch-ch-choke!"

"Your face is so red!"

Wen Ning squeezed his eyes tightly shut as if that could keep him from losing his mind.

He could barely endure mild feelings and this thing he was experiencing was taking his breath away.

He summoned up his courage and saw Wei Ying's worried eyes looking at him. There he was, plumper cheeks, lips with little crumbs.

His heart seemed to beat faster. Yes, Wei Ying had definitely gained some weight. It was a lovely sight, seeing spring blooming on his body.

Unable to control the train of thoughts, Wen Ning wondered where else the extra weight had gone.

He remembered when Wei Ying entered the cafeteria. His hips and waist now had a more inviting curve, enticing him to sink his fingers into the flesh and knead it.

And the backside... It already drew his attention before but now, and despite having such an innocent mind, it was hard not to want to look at it again.

The cough came back.

''Shouldn't be thinking about this!'' Wen Ning thought to himself.

"A-Ning..."

Wen Ning felt pats on his back.

It took him a few minutes to recover

"Āiyā..." Wei Ying saw the plate in front of him "they were so delicious that there's only one left."

Wen Ning had a placid smile "I made them for you."

It could be his imagination, but an adorable blush appeared on Wei Ying's face.

"At least eat this one, say ahhhh."

Ready to refuse, Wen Ning opened his mouth, but of course, instead of words coming out, a soft cake made its way in. He bit into a small piece and the dough fell apart like silk.

Wei Ying pushed the cake back in.

It was clear he wasn't going to give up so Wen Ning decided to finish it before his mind went off again. The last bite was bigger, and he miscalculated.

Wei Ying's fingers were trapped between his lips.

Wen Ning felt like he might die of embarrassment, but he couldn't cough again because Wei Ying's fingers dragged out slowly and carefully, forced to travel a twisting path to his chin.

Wei Ying's gaze seemed a little agitated, a little lost... a little hungry.

Even if the desserts, sweets and pastries whetted the appetite, a bigger craving was rising between the two of them. Something even sweeter and warmer.

Wen Ning doesn't quite remember who made the first move. Was it Wei Ying who sat on his lap or was it him who lured him in?

Who made the final step to close the distance?

The taste of red beans, vanilla and coffee blended into one. Wen Ning thought that combination was better than anything else that he had ever put in his mouth. Ever.

Their lips melted against each other, wanting to be tasted in full. Slowly he let himself go, guided by Wei Ying's playful nature, kissing in an ever-changing pace, sometimes long and soft, sometimes faster and full of hunger. Wei Ying couldn't make up his mind on how he wanted to keep going and Wen Ning wasn't going to stop him finding new ways to do it.

They ended up completely out of breath and put their foreheads together to give each other a break.

Unknown to them, they had both been watching each other silently, waiting to decipher what it was that was keeping them uneasy.

Wei Ying let out a light, hearty laugh.

"A-Ning" he said as he playfully kissed Wen Ning's cheek

"That was delicious."

#mdzs #modaozushi #魔道祖师 #wen ning #artists on tumblr #mdzsfanart #wen qionglin #weiwuxian #weiying #ningxian #hbdwenning #sandswenning #short story

[incorrect-web-novels]

It's making me slightly insane how some ppl are seemingly trying to "correct" the idea that Mianmian was discriminated against for being a woman when she questioned the prevailing narrative that Wei Wuxian was killing indiscriminately.

Suddenly, someone sneered, "You can stop arguing. We don't want to hear the comments of someone who has other motives."

The woman's face flushed. She raised her voice, "Explain things. What do you mean I have other motives?"

The person replied, "There's no need for me to say anything. You know, deep down, and we know too. You fell for him back in the cave of the Xuanwu just because he flirted with you? You're still arguing for him, calling white black no matter how irrational it is. Ha, women will always be women."

- Exiled Rebels, Recklessness (2)

"Who does she think she is... leaving as she pleases? Who cares? What's she doing this to prove?"

Soon, some began to agree, "Women will always be women. They quit just after you say a few harsh words. She'll definitely come back on her own, a couple of days later."

"There's no doubt. After all, she finally managed to turn from the daughter of a servant to a disciple, haha..."

- Exiled Rebels, Recklessness (2)

This is right after Lan Wangji directly contradicts Jin Guangshan's version of Wei Wuxian's confrontation at the banquet in search of Wen Ning & is awkwardly brushed off:

Suddenly, an indifferent voice spoke up, "No."

Jin GuangShan was in the middle of his fabrication. Hearing this, he paused in surprise, turning along with the crowd to see who it was.

Lan WangJi sat with his back straight, speaking in a tone of absolute tranquility, "I did not hear Wei Ying say this. I did not hear him express the slightest disrespect towards Sect Leader Jiang either."

Lan WangJi rarely spoke when he was outside. Even when they debated cultivation techniques during Discussion Conferences, he only answered when others questioned or challenged him. With utmost concision, he overcame, without fault, the lengthy arguments of others. Apart from this, he almost never spoke up. And thus, when Jin GuangShan was interrupted by him, he experienced a far greater shock than annoyance. But after all, his fabrication was exposed right in front of so many. He felt a bit awkward.

The good thing was that, not long after he felt awkward, Jin GuangYao came to save the day, exclaiming, "Really? That day, Young Master Wei busted into Koi Tower with such force. He said too many things, one more shocking than the next. Perhaps he said a few things that were along those lines. I can't remember them either."

His memory could only be equal to Lan WangJi's, if not better. As soon as he heard it, Nie MingJue knew that he was fibbing on purpose, frowning slightly

Jin GuangShan followed the transition, "That's right. Anyhow, his attitude has always been arrogant."

- Exiled Rebels, Recklessness (2)

The focus of this scene is the double standards between a male heir to a prominent sect and a female disciple born from a servant - gender and social class. It is more than clear that Wei Wuxian and Mianmian are being looked down upon for "stepping out of line" due to their lineage (as well as Mianmian for her gender).

Like, there are other factors at play in this scene, and I'm a big fan of alternative interpretations, but it's not wrong to say Mianmian is being a fucking badass in this scene by questioning and rebuking bigots, even if there's no real "reckoning" or retribution for said bigots. It was one of - if not the - most memorable scenes for me, and it’s driving me a little nuts seeing ppl trying to "Um, Actually" it

#not a quote #mdzs #mianmian #luo qingyang #meta #mdzs meta #I get characterization and scenes wrong all the time so no hate really meant #and I do see how this can be interpreted as a more tragic scene than a girlboss scene #but I'm not wrong lol. also it was very brave so I do consider her a girlboss in a bad situation. maybe just not that word idk #idk what the common consensus on this scene is tbh. but if I don't talk about it I might scream #my posts #sexism #misogyny #social classism #<-idk what the exact word is #discourse

[sngchngs]

Omg i LOVED the post canon wei ying death fic it was exactly what I was looking for!

U have another one if you don't mind

Married sangcheng where huaisang kepps firtling with his husband during conferences in front of everyone

And it's wangji's turn to be disgusted at them... (he's not actually disgusted just petty cus jiang cheng calls them gross all the time)

Thank you for waiting! And thanks for the prompt! Here it is!

There is a time and place, Lan Wangji thought, for married couples to flaunt their relationship. And a yearly Discussion Conference of the Cultivation Clans is not such a place. 

Especially when the host, Yunmeng Jiang's Jiang Wanyin, is one half of that couple. 

The other half is Jiang Wanyin's husband, Nie Sect Leader, Nie Huaisang. 

Who is currently, lazily, fanning himself and making direct eye contact with his husband, while slowly licking his lips from one corner of his mouth to the other. 

Lan Wangji couldn't help but to see it. He was sitting directly across from Nie Huaisang and had direct line of sight to this shameless display. 

Jiang Wanyin, to his discredit, from his raised seat at the head of the hall, eyes Nie Huaisang up and down. If Lan Wangji could describe the look in his eyes he would say that it was flirty with a touch of predatory. 

This whole exchange only lasted a few moments but was seen by nearly every person in the hall. The young Jin Sect Leader, Jin Rulan, was blushing furiously and glaring at the ground. No doubt embarrassed by his uncle's blatancy. 

Sect Leader Yao's droning speech about the newly found (discovered by Yao Sect, of course) correct methods to properly maintain a sword's sheath stuttered to a halt at the display. He loudly, obnoxiously, and with warrant, cleared his throat. 

"Perhaps," he said archly. "Sect Leaders Jiang and Nie might benefit from a short recess? The rest of us certainly would." 

Jiang Wanyin, at least, had the decency to blush. 

Nie Huaisang, on the other hand, ignoring the words for what they were, groaned in false discomfort. "What an excellent idea, Sect Leader Yao! My poor buttocks are becoming quite numb from sitting for so long!"

He stood up and sauntered his way over to stand in front of Jiang Wanyin. He raised his hands and made a parody of a bow. 

"Would this one's husband care to join me for a stroll?" He asked coyly. 

"With pleasure," Jiang Wanyin replied, his intent clear. To the room at large he said, "Sect Leaders, let us break for a thirty minute recess." 

Then the two were gone. 

Lan Wangji almost, almost, had a hard time believing that the Jiang Wanyin, who would regularly presume to criticise his relationship with his husband, Wei Ying, would have the impudence to now act in such a similar way himself.

What was that saying again? 

Ah, yes. 

The pot calling the kettle black. 

Thoughts of his husband made Lan Wangji rise to his feet and exit the hall. With long, unhurried strides, he made his way to the Jiang Ancestral Hall, where he knew he would find Wei Ying no doubt praying to his older sister and telling her about his daily life in the Cloud Recesses. 

On the way though, he stopped. And felt a sneer sneak its way onto his face. There, on the same wooden walkway as him, just off to one side against the wall of a building, and barely hidden behind some plants, were Jiang Wanyin and Nie Huaisang. 

Their mouths were locked in a deep, passionate kiss. Nie Huaisang's arms were wrapped around Jiang Wanyin's neck. And Jiang Wanyin had one hand sneaking its way inside Nie Huaisang's robes. The other hand was wrapped firmly around his waist. 

Lan Wangji cleared his throat, loudly. And felt a sense of accomplishment when the two broke apart, quickly, and acting like they had been caught doing something they shouldn't have. 

"Ah, Hanguang Jun!" Nie Huaisang breathlessly laughed, straightening his robes. "Were you perhaps looking for either Sect Leader Jiang, or myself?" 

Lan Wangji did not reply to the query. He simply looked Jiang Wanyin square in the eye, slightly raised one brow, and said, with all the judgement he could muster in one word: "Really?" 

With that one word he saw four emotions cross Jiang Wanyin's face. First confusion, then recollection, followed by understanding and finally shame. 

Lan Wangji felt a thrill of petty vindication.

And it was petty, his judgement of Jiang Wanyin's actions, but it also felt good. 

Without waiting for a response from the pair that was sure to come, he continued walking towards the Jiang Ancestral Hall. And as he neared he could hear his husband's voice, loud, and full of joy, as he regaled Jiang Yanli's Memorial plaque about his latest hilariously failed experiment. 

Yes. Lan Wangji felt like today was shaping up to be quite a good day.

--------------------

#sangcheng #lan wangji #jiang cheng #nie huaisang #wangxian #jin ling #(mentioned) #sect leader yao #mdzs #the untamed #wei wuxian #prompt fic

[mdzs-owns-my-ass-i-guess]

Just a dream

The moment Wei Ying walked into their shared kitchen that morning, finding Lan Zhan grumpily stirring into his cup of coffee, he could tell something was bothering him. It couldn't have been the early hour - it had always been Wei Ying who complained about waking up early the most, not Lan Zhan.

In fact, had it not been Wei Ying's turn to take A-Yuan to school (because Lan Zhan needed the car for work that day, as his work vehicle was still being repaired), he wouldn't have even been awake to see his husband glare into his aromatic brew like it offended his entire ancestry line.

"Morning, Lan Zhan." Wei Ying greeted, leaving a kiss on his husband's cheek before opening the fridge to rummage for something to put in A-Yuan's lunchbox. "Everything okay? You seem upset."

"I am fine."

Wei Ying made a displeased sound at the blatant dishonesty, closing the fridge after he picked an assortment of veggies and some ham for a sandwich.

"What happened to the 'do not lie' rule?"

Lan Zhan took a long sip of his coffee in response. "It's nothing."

Wei Ying began cutting up the veggies to fit the sandwich bun he picked from the cupboard and Lan Zhan quietly (even more so than usual) joined in the lunchbox preparations as well, taking out A-Yuan's favorite bento box from a cabinet and adding some raspberries and cut up grapes in one of the compartments.

Wei Ying decided not to press on the issue. Lan Zhan had always been the type of person who, the more pressed to talk about something, the more he refused to do it, so Wei Ying allowed himself to focus on the task at hand and wait for his husband to open up of his own volition.

After smearing some cream cheese over one side of the sandwich bun and topping it off with some ham and salad pieces, Wei Ying placed it in the bento box, careful not to mess it up, before reaching for a taller cabinet for snacks.

"Are there any more Oreos left? A-Yuan told me he liked the ones with-"

"I had a dream you cheated on me."

Wei Ying closed the cabinet without taking anything from it, turning to look at Lan Zhan, who pointedly refused eye contact, feeling equal parts embarrassed and frustrated.

"Lan Zhan, it was just a dream, you know I'd never do that." And Wei Ying wrapped his arms around Lan Zhan's neck, his own coming to circle Wei Ying's waist almost on instinct.

"I know. As I said, it is nothing. I am being ridiculous."

Wei Ying smiled, soft and loving, leaning on his tiptoes to kiss Lan Zhan's forehead.

"It's okay to be upset, I bet that dream was horrible, and even if it wasn't real, your feelings were. Just remember I'll always love you and I would never do something so cruel."

Lan Zhan sighed and cupped Wei Ying's face, pressing a deep kiss to his lips. Of course, he knew Wei Ying would never do such a horrible thing, he was good and kind and loving - but Lan Zhan had been so caught up in work lately that he felt like he wasn't being a good spouse, and that dream only served to stress him out needlessly.

Wei Ying loved him and he loved Wei Ying, and they had a son and a happy family, a perfect marriage. Whatever happened in that dream would never become reality.

When they finally broke apart from the kiss, Lan Zhan's features had softened immensely, the weight of his worries lightened.

"Let's finish A-Yuan's school lunch."

"Okay!"

They had indeed run out of Oreos, and several other things, so, picking up a pen, Lan Zhan noted everything they needed to get from the grocery store after he was done working that afternoon. They fell into their happy, domestic routine, and enjoyed several more minutes together until it was time to wake A-Yuan up.

"Can I ask you something about that dream, though?"

Lan Zhan nodded, rinsing his coffee cup in the sink.

"Who was I cheating on you with?"

"Su Minshan."

Wei Ying made a gagging sound that Lan Zhan was half sure wasn't just theatrics. "Why would I even go for the dollar store version of you? Of all people your brain could have paired me up with!"

Lan Zhan turned his head, a dark look in his eyes. "Would you have rather it be someone else?"

Wei Ying burst out laughing, and Lan Zhan's ears turned a bit pink.

"Lan Zhan, c'mon. Why would I want anyone else but you?" And Wei Ying came up behind him, leaving a kiss at the nape of his neck. "You're the best thing in the world for me, and I would be a fool to give you up for anyone else."

Lan Zhan's ears were positively red at that time, the low tone of Wei Ying's voice sending his heart into overdrive. He almost didn't notice Wei Ying very innocently trailing one of his hands down his side-

"Wei Ying."

"Hmm?"

"I can see you sneaking the coffee cup in the sink."

"..."

#mdzs #mo dao zu shi #wangxian #writing attempts #its sweet domestic wangxian time again

[igratecheeseonbenedictcheekbones]

WIP Wednesday

I’ve been working on this for a while and actually it’s the first time posting a fic in the untamed fandom or any fandom. Hope you like it! Lan Xichen and Wei Wuxian have a long overdue conversation.

____

“You don’t like me very much do you, Xichen-ge?” Wei Ying asked.

Surprise rippled across Lan Xichen’s body and he turned newly alert eyes on Wei Wuxian. It was the first real emotion Wei Wuxian had ever seen him express towards him/since he entered his seclusion.

“Why would you say that? You are a guest in my home, husband to my brother, I care for you a great deal.”

Wei Wuxian laughed, “A very diplomatic deflection, Xichen-ge.”

Lan Xichen gave no response and continued to stare at him intently.

“‘A guest in your home, a husband to your brother’,” Wei Wuxian repeated with a bitter smile, “those are all descriptions of obligations, Xichen-ge, delineators of behaviour. None of that tells me how you feel about me personally or my marriage to Lan Zhan.”

Lan Xichen was still for a long moment, gaze piercing through Wei Wuxian like he could see into the very core of him, then, almost as if it were never there, an imperceptible line of tension in his shoulders eased. “Truly your skills of perception are remarkable, Wei-gongzi. It’s been a very long time since someone has caught me in a lie, ” he said, placid expression still on his face as he brought the cup to his lips, “You’re right, I’m not very fond of you.”

It was soft as blows went. After all this was not news to Wei Wuxian. He knew, of course, he knew. He saw the way Lan Xichen’s eyes could never seem to settle on him too long, as though he couldn’t bear to look at him, the way his gaze grew colder, more distant whenever it did land on Wei Wuxian, the way the muscle along Lan Zhan’s jaw would tense whenever Lan Xichen addressed him. What had taken Wei Wuxian months to figure out, Lan Zhan had probably known from the beginning. It was because he knew that it had taken so much effort to muster enough courage to confront him like this and yet the confirmation still stung.

“Wanji and Sizhui love you very much and you bring both them great joy. Even the students are very fond of you it seems, your classes have become a crowd favourite or so I am told. So it is my responsibility to see to your comfort here, to ensure that your every need is met. Despite the stark differences between The Cloud Recesses and your Lotus Pier, it is my job to make sure that you can find peace and happiness here so that one day this could be a home to you.” He spoke so gently and earnestly that Wei Wuxian could almost forget what prompted this conversation in the first place. He could almost believe his brother in law held some kind regard for him.

“But personally I don't really care about your needs or your comfort. I care only in so much that they care/your well-being affects the happiness and comfort of those whom I do care about. Your presence here is dictated solely by and is entirely dependent on their love for you, else you would never have been able to step foot on this mountain much less allowed entry into The Cloud Recesses. As for my thoughts on your marriage,” he chuckled faintly, “you are not worthy of my brother nor will you ever be. Had it been my choice, you would never have been chosen for him. But as we both know, Wanji can be quite stubborn when he wants to be and when it comes to you his obstinacy has no limits. So no, Wei Wuxian, I do not like you. Yours is not a presence I am grateful for or rejoice in, your addition to this family is not one I welcome or celebrate, it is one I endure.”

He said all this neither cruelly nor scornfully, just with that same pleasant, inoffensive expression on his face as though they were discussing nothing more important than the weather outside or the taste of his new blend of tea. All the while Wei Wuxian had his fists clenched so tightly where they rested on his thighs, he was in danger of spilling blood on the fabric. He had to be careful, he was wearing his Gusu Lan robes today and if he dirtied them, the stain would never come out.

“Thank you, Xichen-ge, for answering me so honestly.” He was fine. It was not the first time he had been the subject of such disdain. He was used to being disliked by the people he loved and admired, from as early as he could remember. There had been a time when he had very much wanted to be loved by Madam Yu. Long years under her tutelage had taught him the futility of that desire. He was an acquired taste, tolerated and stomached rather than savored. No matter how hard he tried he was always too loud, too annoying, just too much. Nothing he did was ever good enough. Even now, Jiang Cheng…He felt a pain in his chest and his mind skittered away from the thought. It wasn’t a surprise that yet another person he respected and cared for, someone so known for their kind and just nature, someone who Lan Zhan loved so much, also disliked him. It was just a bit harder to withstand, was all.

#wip wednesday #mdzs #lan xichen #wei ying #the untamed #wip #fanfiction #fic #buckle in #we're gonna put wwx through the wringer

[rosethornewrites]

Wednesday & Thursday T & G reading

The usual

Finished

Teen:

Not Yet (There As Needed), by sunrise_and_death

As always, he arrives with no forewarning. One second, Lan Sizhui and the others are struggling against the hordes of resentful spirits created by some villagers’ accidental disruption of an ancient burial ground—far more spirits than had been initially reported, far more than they had been prepared for—and the next, he’s there, striding fearlessly into the mix, the sound of Chenqing piercing the air.

Or: A meditation on family and the merits of communication, courtesy of Lan Sizhui.

The Chinese Garden Court, by deliciousblizzardshark

Wei Ying has felt like he's been missing something his whole life. He finds what he'd lost at a museum.

An arrow to the heart, by IsilmeLasgalen

If you try to kill someone make sure they are dead or it might actually make them stronger.

Wei Ying can take a lot as long as he knew his A Yuan and his Lan Zhan were safe and sound but they should have never, ever hurt his family.

every cloud has a silver lining, by Joythea

Wei Wuxian has silver eyes, a rare trait in the cultivation world. People with silver eyes are said to be powerful enough to ward off the undead and reduce resentful energy immensely with a mere glare. As cultivators, they were supposedly destined to become very powerful.

Even so, he would rather be born blind than have silver eyes.

You’re my destiny (but I choose you), by LittleGirlMurder

"Soulmates bear the brand of each and every one of their partner’s most awful beliefs about themselves on their own skin."

Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji discover they are soulmates during the guest lectures at the Cloud Recesses.

the funny tricks of time, by lananshi (noekkin)

wei ying did not think his son would ever break his heart by simply growing up. he can panic a bit, as a treat

General:

late for the love of my life, by ravenditefairylights

“This is my son, A-Yuan. He’s five months old now. He likes to babble and hit me in the face.”

“I see,” Jiang shushu says awkwardly. “He’s a cute baby.”

“Yes,” Wei Ying agrees. “Yes, he is. The cutest baby.”

---

Wei Ying is a new single parent. He loves his baby more than anything else in the world, of course, but being single, being a parent, being a single parent--all of it is just so hard.

Scarlet and Snow, by endlessnepenthe

Viciously twisting his fingers into the fabric of his sleep robe over his heart, Lan Wangji hunches forward; if he made himself small enough, would the echoes of the past forget him?

Are You Really Here?, by irl_dazai

Wei Wuxian meets Lan Wangji

In a place full of white, he was his blue

~~~

or: Wei Wuxian lives in a mental institute and finds Lan Wangji

Keep your roots close, by clockwork_spider (3rd in a series)

Nie MingJue was born in the small County of Qinghe, Hebei, and for generations, his family had been the keeper of their ancestral tomb.

Nie MingJue considered himself a realist, and did not believe in curses or ghost or superstition. But he did believe in history. He believed in legacy.

When Nie MingJue was 14, he remembered.

The man in the mask, by danegen

Lan Wangji lowers the man in the mask onto his bed. He cannot call him Wei Ying yet.

But he hopes.

He knows.

He thinks he knows. Even after so many years, he knows the shape of those shoulders, knows the eyes that had locked on his for one breathless moment.

And the song, of course. There had been the song.

Or: a missing scene in cql between Wei Wuxian fainting on Dafan mountain and waking up in the Jingshi.

Unfinished

Teen:

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.

What has long been concealed, by Gaby007

The Burial Mounds change everything falling in their grasp, Wei Wuxian is well-placed to know it. Lan Wangji is rather nonplussed when he learns his beloved's secret yet seizes the opportunity to finally bring the Yiling Patriarch to Gusu and keep him safe.

Now, he just has to keep Wei Ying hidden from the cultivation world, and maybe he will get to learn some secrets of the Lan sect as he does.

Relentless, by nirejseki

“Why are we even here?” Wen Xu groused.

“Yeah! That’s right! Why are we here?” Wen Chao immediately chimed, very obviously taking his cues from his elder brother – much to the latter’s irritation, judging by his immediate scowl.

Lan Qiren knew that he needed to pick his next words very carefully. With recalcitrant students, a teacher only had a few opportunities to really connect with them. If he allowed them to dismiss him or categorize him as an enemy at this early stage, it would be an incredibly uphill battle to gain enough respect in order to teach them anything, and in this case, given the strength of their background and the fact that this little teaching session was both likely to be short and definitely completely unauthorized, it would quite possibly make it completely impossible to ever get through to them.

“You are here,” Lan Qiren said solemnly, each word slow and thoughtful, “because your father is an ass.”

(a story of kidnapping and falling in love, reluctantly)

A Jealous Flower Tries To Break The Sun's Silver Moon, by Preludian_Staves

Believing his mother when she said that no good son of a servant owed everything to the Jiang Sect, Jiang Wanyin tries to guilt Wei Wuxian into giving him his Golden Core after finding Wen Qing's Golden Core theory.

Or

Wei Wuxian learns how to rediscover his place in the Cultivation World during the Sunshot Campaign and after the War. Possibly with help along the way.

Callous, by Jengabears

"Jiang cheng! How could you stab me for real?!"

"Stop whining! You deserved it!! You broke my arm!"

Wei Wuxian is swaying but Jiang Cheng refuses to look fully at him, too angry about the arm. He hears a soft "Jiang Ch..." behind him as he begins to descend the mountain. Then a soft sound like falling.

The disciple in front of him points behind him and says "Sect leader he..." but Jiang Cheng dismisses him angrily.

"Ignore his theatrics! He just wants the attention. He's no longer my problem! Let's go!" and refuses to allow himself to look back at the brother who had abandoned him.

General:

Connecting My Heart To Yours, by AEPotatoB6

After being introduced to the public at the age of 15, many had wondered, Why does Hangung-jun never wore his forehead ribbon?

Once upon a lifetime, by HuaisangsIntellect

The second he awoke, Wei Wuxian realises that he has been sent to the past, but at what cost? How will he prevent the Sunshot Campaign and make sure none of his loved ones die? And... why is Lan Wangji so different than what he remembered?

(Or: Wei Wuxian somehow finds himself back in the past and causes trouble along the way.)

(This work is being rewritten and reposted!)

#the untamed #mo dao zu shi #cql #chen qing ling #mdzs #untamed fanfiction

[fannish-karmiya]

Wei Wuxian’s Position in the Jiang Household

Fandom tends to mischaracterise Wei Wuxian’s position in the Jiang family greatly. A lot of people project more modern ideas about adoption onto his relationship with the Jiang siblings, and write as if he really is their sibling and only Yu Ziyuan’s abusive nature gets in the way of their bond.

This strikes me as a bit misguided. While adoption was practised in ancient China, it was mainly for the purpose of obtaining a male heir in the absence of one, or obtaining more daughters to marry off for alliances. Jiang Fengmian had no reason to adopt Wei Wuxian into the main family, and he didn’t. Wei Wuxian’s position in the household is far more nebulous than that, and honestly it’s hard to find an exact corollary, in Chinese history or in any culture, precisely because it was so messy and ill-defined.

A Companion to Upper Class Children

Wei Wuxian is the son of a servant of Yunmeng Jiang; it’s notable that Wei Changze is always referred to this way, rather than as a disciple. Wei Changze wound up leaving the sect in order to marry Cangse Sanren, and Jiang Fengmian considered them dear enough friends that when he heard they passed away, he spent years searching for their orphaned son. He wound up finding Wei Wuxian on the streets of Yiling and brought him home as his ward.

Wei WuXian was taken home by Jiang FengMian when he was nine.

Most memories from back then were already blurred. Yet, Jin Ling’s mother, Jiang YanLi, remembered all of them, and even told him quite a few.

She said that, after his father heard of the news that his parents both died in battle, he had always dedicated himself to finding the child that these past friends had left behind. After searching for a while, he finally found the child in Yiling.

(Chapter 24, Exiled Rebels translation)

It’s clear from the start that beyond this sense of obligation to his old friends, Jiang Fengmian also had a role set out for Wei Wuxian: he wanted him to be a companion to his children, and Jiang Cheng in particular.

He encourages a friendship between them, insisting on a sleepover between the two a week into Wei Wuxian’s stay.

On the second day, Jiang Cheng’s puppies were given to someone else.

This angered Jiang Cheng so much that he threw a big tantrum. No matter how much Jiang FengMian comforted him gently, telling him that they should ‘be good friends’, he refused to talk to Wei WuXian. Quite a few days later, Jiang Cheng’s attitude softened. Jiang FengMian wanted to strike while the iron was still hot, so he told Wei WuXian to sleep in the same room as him, hoping that they’d grow fonder of each other.

[...]

That night, Jiang Cheng locked Wei WuXian outside his room, refusing to let him in.

[...]

Wei WuXian waited outside for a long time. When the door opened, before the joy could spread onto his face, he was bombarded with a pile of things being thrown out. The door banged shut again.

Jiang Cheng told him from inside, “Go sleep somewhere else! This is my room! You’re even gonna steal my room?!”

[...]

Standing outside, as Wei WuXian heard that dogs would come bite him, fear immediately bubbled within him. Twisting his fingers, he hurried, “I’ll go, I’ll go. Don’t call the dogs!”

Dragging behind him the sheets and blanket that were thrown outside, he ran out the hall. Having only arrived at Lotus Pier for a short period of time, he didn’t dare jump around yet. Every day, he obediently holed up in the places that Jiang FengMian told him to stay at. He didn’t even know where his room was, much less have the courage to knock on other people’s doors, scared that it’d disturb someone’s dreams.

(Chapter 71, Exiled Rebels translation)

After Jiang Cheng is worried about getting in trouble, he goes to Jiang Yanli for help, and she searches for Wei Wuxian.

But this was the first pair of shoes that Jiang FengMian bought him. Wei WuXian was too embarrassed to make him go out of his way to buy another pair, and so he said that they weren’t too big. Jiang YanLi helped him into his shoe and pressed the hollow tip, “It is a bit big. I’ll fix it for you when we get back.”

Hearing this, Wei WuXian felt somewhat uneasy, as if he did something wrong again.

Living in other people’s homes, the worst that could happen was to make trouble for the hosts.

Jiang YanLi put him onto her back and began to walk back, wobbling in her steps as she spoke, “A-Ying, no matter what A-Cheng said to you, don’t bother about him. He doesn’t have a good temper, so he’s always home playing with himself. Those puppies were his favorites. Dad sent them away, and so he’s feeling upset. He’s actually really happy that somebody’s here to be with him.”

(Chapter 71, Exiled Rebels translation)

Later, Wei Wuxian offers to cover for him, saying simply that he ran outside by himself because he was scared. In this one case it feels like a genuine instance of children showing solidarity and covering for each other’s little misbehaviours. But it also follows a pattern of Wei Wuxian doing this and making excuses, time and time again, for Jiang Cheng. I wonder if on some level, he already knew that his role in the household was in part to be a companion-servant to Jiang Cheng.

Wei Wuxian normally never puts up with people treating him poorly or being arrogant; he constantly bites his tongue when Jiang Cheng does so around him. While they study at Cloud Recesses, Jiang Cheng frequently insults Wei Wuxian, who always just smiles and laughs it off.

Jiang Cheng humphed, “Him? He wakes at nine in the morning and sleeps at one during the night. When he wakes up, he doesn’t practice his sword or meditate; he goes boating, swims around, picks lotus seedpods, and hunts for pheasants.”

Wei WuXian replied, “No matter how much pheasants I hunt, I’m still number one.”

(Chapter 13, Exiled Rebels translation)

Jiang Cheng scolded with a darkened expression, “What are you proud of?! What is there to be proud of with this?! Do you think that it’s a glorious thing to be told by someone to get lost? You bring so much shame upon our sect!”

(Chapter 16, Exiled Rebels translation)

We never see Wei Wuxian excusing this sort of behaviour from any other character; he has no problem scolding Jin Ling for his arrogant attitude and telling him that he shouldn’t be imitating his uncle, after all! It’s only where Jiang Cheng is concerned that he does this, and honestly, even then he seems to be quite aware that Jiang Cheng’s behaviour is wrong; he simply accepts on some level that it’s his role in the household to put up with it.

He actually does, very gently, try to guide Jiang Cheng at times. In Lotus Seed Pods, for example, he tries to give Jiang Cheng advice on how to flirt with some of the maidens in Yunmeng and make friends:

Wei WuXian threw the seed pods toward the shore. It was a far distance, but they landed lightly in the women’s hands. He grabbed a few more and stuffed them into Jiang Cheng’s arms, shoving, “What are you doing, just standing there? Hurry up.”

After a few shoves, Jiang Cheng could only accept them, “Hurry up and do what?”

Wei WuXian, “You ate the watermelon too, so you also have to return the gift, don’t you? Here, here, don’t be embarrassed. Start throwing, start throwing.”

Jiang Cheng snorted again, “You must be joking. What’s there to be embarrassed about?” Whatever he said, however, even after all of the shidi began to throw seed pods, he still didn’t start to move. Wei WuXian urged, “Then throw some! If you throw some this time, next time you can ask them if the seed pods tasted good, and you’ll be able to make conversation again!”

[...]

Jiang Cheng was just about to throw one when he realized how shameless it was the moment he heard it. He peeled a seed pod and ate it by himself.

[...]

After a while of laughter, he turned around and looked at Jiang Cheng, who was sitting at the front of the boat eating seed pods with a long face. His smile gradually disappeared as he sighed, “Well, what an unteachable child.”

Jiang Cheng fumed, “So what if I want to eat alone?”

Wei WuXian, “Look at you, Jiang Cheng. Nevermind. You’re hopeless. Just wait to eat alone your whole life!”

(Chapter 125, Lotus Seed Pod, Exiled Rebels translation)

He even sighs rather disappointedly when Jiang Cheng refuses to take the hint; he knows that Jiang Cheng’s sullen behaviour is going to make him miserable down the line, but all of his gentle efforts to nudge him in a better direction have failed.

He also speaks with great awareness of Jiang Cheng’s flaws after the fight in the ancestral hall:

Wei WuXian reached out with one hand and massaged his chest, as if trying to break up the pent-up feeling inside his heart. A moment later, he blurted, “I knew Jiang Cheng wouldn’t have let us go so easily. That brat… How could this be?!”

[...]

Wei WuXian’s eyelids throbbed, “Every one of them. The brat’s been like this ever since he was young.He’ll say anything when he’s angry, no matter how bad it is. He gives up on all grace and discipline whatsoever. As long as it’d annoy whomever he’s against, he’d say it no matter what terrible insults he uses. After all these years, he hasn’t gotten better at all. Please don’t take it to heart.”

(Chapter 90, Exiled Rebels translation)

This is so interesting to me, because it really makes it clear that Wei Wuxian has always been aware of these flaws of Jiang Cheng’s. He hasn’t been viewing him through rose-coloured lenses or making excuses for him because he’s ‘family’. He puts up with Jiang Cheng’s behaviour because being his companion is one of his duties in the Jiang household. It may never have been directly stated, but there seems to be some unspoken understanding to this effect.

I honestly don’t know if there is any official role in history (in any culture, not just China) which perfectly correlates to this. In China a lady’s maid was expected to also be a close friend and companion to her mistress (in canon, see Bicao to Qin-furen and Yinzhu and Jinzhu to Yu-furen). In Europe an upper class woman would hire a lady’s companion, a woman from the lower fringes of the gentry who would serve as her companion in exchange for financial support.

I don’t know of any version of this role which involves two men. In general, this sort of role existed because upper class women were confined to the household by and large, and had very limited social spheres. Men, meanwhile, had much greater ability to meet with their peers and make friends. I almost feel like Wei Wuxian wound up being shoved into this role simply because even as a child Jiang Cheng was so unsociable that Jiang Fengmian didn’t know what else to do!

Wei Wuxian also at least once steps in and starts a fight in place of Jiang Cheng (essentially taking the fall for him). He does this when Jin Zixuan speaks disparagingly of Jiang Yanli at Cloud Recesses:

Jin ZiXuan asked in reply, “Why don’t you ask me how on Earth can I be satisfied with her?”

Jiang Cheng instantly stood up.

Pushing him to the side, Wei WuXian walked in front of him and sneered, “You sure think that you’re pretty satisfying, don’t you? Where did you get the guts to be all choosy here?”

[...]

Wei WuXian sighed, “… It’d be nice if shijie came. It’s fortunate that you didn’t hit him.”

Jiang Cheng, “I was going to. If you didn’t push me, the other side of Jin ZiXuan’s face would also be ruined.”

(Chapter 18, Exiled Rebels translation)

It’s also very notable that Wei Wuxian is never shown having friends outside of Jiang Cheng’s social circle, despite what an outgoing and friendly person he is. Any time he expresses interest in someone for himself, as with Lan Wangji, Jiang Cheng tries to nip it in the bud. Being unable to deter Wei Wuxian from Lan Wangji directly, Jiang Cheng instead tries to drive a wedge between them, constantly telling Wei Wuxian that Lan Wangji hates him.

“Yeah,” Nie HuaiSang spoke, “It looks like he really hates you, Wei-xiong. Lan WangJi usually… No, he never does something so impolite.”

Wei WuXian, “He hates me already? I wanted to apologize to him.”

Jiang Cheng sneered, “Apologizing now? Too late! Like his uncle, he surely thinks that you are evil and unruly to the core, and didn’t bother to pay you any attention.”

(Chapter 14, Exiled Rebels translation)

Jiang Cheng pulled him even closer, “It’s not as if you’re familiar with him! Don’t you see how much he hates you? You’re going to carry him? He probably doesn’t even want you a step closer to him.”

(Chapter 52, Exiled Rebels translation)

He even directly orders Wei Wuxian not to invite Lan Wangji to come visit him at Lotus Pier during the Lotus Seed Pod extra.

Wei WuXian, “Why are you so upset? My watermelon almost flew away! I was just being polite. Of course he wouldn’t come. Have you ever heard of him go anywhere by himself to have fun?”

Jiang Cheng had on a stern expression, “Let’s make this clear. I don’t want him to come, anyhow. Don’t invite him.”

(Chapter 125, Lotus Seed Pod, Exiled Rebels translation)

It’s not only Lan Wangji he tries to steer Wei Wuxian away from; he also interrupts his conversation with Wen Ning at the archery competition:

Wen QiongLin was probably one of Wen Clan’s disciples furthest in bloodline. His status was neither high nor low, yet his personality was timid. He didn’t dare do anything and even his speech stuttered. Through much practice, he had finally conjured up the courage to enter the competition, but he blew it because he was too nervous. If he didn’t receive the right guidance, perhaps the boy would hide his true self more and more from now on and never dare to perform in front of other people again. Wei WuXian encouraged him a couple of times and touched on a few areas of growth, correcting some miniscule problems that he had when he was shooting in the garden. Wen QiongLin listened so attentively that he didn’t even turn his eyes away, nodding uncontrollably.

Jiang Cheng, “Where did you find so much nonsense? The competition is starting soon. Get into the arena right now!”

Wei WuXian spoke to Wen QiongLin in a serious tone, “I’ll be off to the competition now. Later, you can see how I shoot when I’m in the arena…”

Jiang Cheng dragged him away, short of patience. He spat as he dragged, “See how you shoot? Do you think that you’re a model or something?!”

(Chapter 59, Exiled Rebels translation)

Even when it comes to Wei Wuxian’s friendly flirtation with Mianmian, Jiang Cheng has something to say and tries to deter him from her:

Jiang Cheng, “The one that MianMian gave you? I didn’t.”

Wei WuXian exclaimed his regret, “I’ll find her for another one later.”

Jiang Cheng frowned, “You’re at it again. You don’t really like her, do you? The girl does look fine, but it’s obvious that she doesn’t have much background. Maybe she isn’t even a disciple. She seems like the daughter of a servant.”

Wei WuXian, “What’s wrong with servants? I’m also the son of a servant, aren’t I?”

Jiang Cheng, “How can you compare to her? Whose servant is like you, having your master peel lotus seeds for you and boil you soup. I didn’t even get to have some!”

(Chapter 56, Exiled Rebels translation)

Jiang Cheng really does seem to view Wei Wuxian in a very proprietary light; he’s not allowed to have any friendships which don’t exist under Jiang Cheng’s direct control.

The idea that Wei Wuxian was meant to be Jiang Cheng’s servant-friend is reinforced at its darkest when Lotus Pier falls: both Yu Ziyuan and Jiang Fengmian’s last words to Wei Wuxian are an instruction to protect Jiang Cheng.

One hand holding him, Madam Yu grabbed Wei WuXian’s lapels with her other hand as though to strangle him to death. She spoke through clenched teeth, “… You damn little brat! I hate you! I hate you more than anything else! Look at what our sect has gone through for your sake!”

[...]

Madam Yu, “Don’t make such a fuss. It’ll loosen up when you’re somewhere safe. If anyone attacks you on the journey, it’ll protect you as well. Don’t come back. Go to Meishan straight away and find your sister!”

After she finished, she turned to Wei WuXian and pointed at him, “Wei Ying! Listen to me! Protect Jiang Cheng, protect him even if you die, do you understand?!”

[...]

Jiang FengMian stared into his eyes. Suddenly, he reached out. Only after pausing in the air did he finally touch Jiang Cheng’s head, slowly, “A-Cheng, be well.”

Wei WuXian, “Uncle Jiang, if anything happens to you, he won’t be well.”

Jiang FengMian turned his eyes to him, “A-Ying, A-Cheng… you must look after him.”

(Chapter 58, Exiled Rebels translation)

Even Jiang Fengmian, who supposedly favoured Wei Wuxian, only gives him instructions as pertains to his own son; he doesn’t spare a single last word for Wei Wuxian himself.

A Lower Status Family Member

It wasn’t uncommon throughout human history, across many cultures, for wealthy families to take in relatives who were orphaned or had otherwise fallen on hard times. They tended to have a lower status than the main family; they lived with them and were still a part of their social sphere, but were not quite equal, either. The English term for this is ‘poor relation’.

Obviously, Wei Wuxian isn’t actually a blood relative at all. But his position in the Jiang household definitely has some similarities. He lives in the main house, eats meals with the family, attends school with the son... He is even on some conditional levels accepted into the gentry of cultivation society. But he isn’t a full equal member of the family, either.

The fact that he’s Jiang Fengmian’s ward, not a blood relative or adopted into the main family, puts him at even more of a disadvantage. It seems that Jiang Fengmian paid for all of Wei Wuxian’s expenses:

Wei WuXian took a bite, “Back then, I didn’t even have to pay when I ate at the dock. I grabbed whatever I wanted, ate whatever I wanted; ran after I grabbed, walked as I ate. A month later, the vendor would get the reimbursement from Uncle Jiang.”

(Chapter 86, Exiled Rebels translation)

While this is a bit of conjecture, I gather that he was given access to family money as if he was part of the clan, and could just charge Yunmeng Jiang whenever he shopped in Lotus Pier. Which is great so long as Wei Wuxian is accepted in Yunmeng Jiang...but as we see during the Burial Mounds settlement period, the moment that acceptance fades, Wei Wuxian is left out in the cold without a single coin. And because he isn’t a member of the family, it’s a far easier matter for him to be thrown aside, as he was when Jiang Cheng grew angry with him over his decision to protect the Wens.

Of course, Chinese families traditionally did share their wealth, and still do nowadays. Ideally, in a loving family, this is a positive and means they all support each other; but when that isn’t the case, it leaves the victims of abuse vulnerable.

In Wei Wuxian’s case, he has some of the benefits of being a member of the Jiang clan, without ever actually being a member. He can be cast aside at any time, and he is never afforded the same respect by wider cultivation society which an inner clan member would have.

I don’t believe the novel ever directly addresses Wei Wuxian’s acceptance into the guest lectures at Cloud Recesses in this light, but the donghua actually has a very interesting little exchange about it which takes place between Nie Huaisang and a relative of his:

“Wei-xiong is just a disciple from Yunmeng. Why could he come to Gusu to study?”

“Wei-xiong is the son of Jiang-zongzhu’s old friend. He has been treated as their own son.”

“Oh, I see. That explains why they don’t look like master and servant, they seem like brothers.”

(MDZS Donghua, Episode 3, Guodong Subs)

Wei Wuxian was only allowed to attend these lectures, which seem to mainly be for sect heirs and inner clan members, on the grace of being Jiang Fengmian’s ward (and probably to accompany Jiang Cheng). While this exchange is not from the book, we never do see or hear about any of the other students being outer disciples rather than members of the main clan. Here’s what the novel had to say about it:

In that year, aside from the YunmengJiang Sect, there were also the young masters from other clans, sent to study here from parents who heard of the reputation. The young masters were all around fifteen or sixteen. Because the sects all knew the others, although they weren’t close, they had seen others’ faces before. It was widely known that, although Wei WuXian’s surname was not Jiang, he was the leading disciple of the sect leader of the YunmengJiang Sect—Jiang FengMian, and also the son of his friend who had passed away. In fact, the sect leader regarded him as his own child. This, along with how youths were not as concerned with status and ancestry as elders, they were soon friends. Only a few sentences passed, and everyone started to call others older brothers or younger brothers.

(Chapter 13, Exiled Rebels translation)

And Wei Wuxian isn’t treated as an equal at school, either; when he and his friends get up to mischief, he’s frequently the only one punished. Nie Huaisang even notes that Lan Qiren seems to be far harder on him than the other students:

Nie HuaiSang spoke, “Why does it seem like old man Lan is especially strict towards you? He always directs his scoldings at you.”

(Chapter 14, Exiled Rebels translation)

And we see Wei Wuxian being the sole one punished out of a group taken for granted by his friends multiple times:

As a result of cheating notes flying everywhere in the air, Lan WangJi suddenly attacked during the test, and caught a few initiators of the commotion. Lan QiRen exploded with anger, writing letters to the prominent clans to tell on them. He loathed Wei WuXian—in the beginning, although these disciples could hardly sit still, at least nobody started anything, and their buttocks were able to stick to their legs. However, now that Wei Ying came, the originally spineless brats were influenced by his encouragement, venturing out at night and drinking alcohol however they pleased. The unhealthy practices grew greater and greater. As he had expected, Wei Ying was one of the biggest threats to humanity!

Jiang FengMian replied, “Ying has always been like this. Please take care to discipline him, Mr. Lan.”

And so, Wei WuXian was punished again.

(Chapter 14, Exiled Rebels translation)

The boys were all cheating, but Wei Wuxian is the one punished most severely. This happens when he's caught sneaking alcohol, too (though to be fair to Lan Wangji, he probably was only punishing him, and himself alongside him, for being outside after curfew when he threw them off the wall).

Of course, Jiang Cheng didn’t dare to say that Wei WuXian was at fault. Thinking back, it was them who urged Wei WuXian to buy liquor. Each and every one of them should have been punished. He could only speak in a vague way, “It’s fine, it’s fine; it’s not that serious! He can walk. Wei WuXian, why are you still up there?!”

(Chapter 18, Exiled Rebels translation)

It’s not entirely unreasonable for the one who gets caught to take the punishment (what’s he going to do, rat his friends out?) but their ready acceptance of this does fit into a pattern.

Jiang Cheng’s top was tied at his waist. Hearing his mother’s chastise, he hastily put it over his head. Madam Yu scolded again, “And you boys! Can’t you see that A-Li’s here? Who taught you brats to dress like this in front of a girl!?”

Of course, it was needless to think who led the group. Thus, Madam Yu’s next sentence, as usual, was “Wei Ying! Do you want to die!?”

[...]

He could still feel some pain in his back, so he tossed the paddles to someone else, sat down, and felt the stinging piece of flesh, “How unfair. Nobody else was wearing anything, but why was I the only one who got scolded and beaten up?”

Jiang Cheng, “Because you hurt the eye the most with no clothes on, for sure.”

[...]

Everyone nodded. Wei WuXian, “Thanks for the praise, you guys. I’m even starting to feel some goose bumps.”

The shidi, “You’re welcome, Da-Shixiong. You protect us every single time. You deserve even more!”

(Chapter 125, Lotus Seed Pod, Exiled Rebels translation)

While we know that Yu Ziyuan is an abusive person in general, she abuses Wei Wuxian far more harshly than anyone else, even the outer disciples. It’s made clear to us in Lotus Seed Pods that she whips him regularly over minor infractions:

Madam Yu was even angrier, “How dare you run! Come back right now and kneel!” As she spoke, she let loose her whip with a flip of her wrist. Wei WuXian felt a searing pain slash across his back. He loudly exclaimed, “Ow!” And almost tripped on the ground.

(Chapter 125, Lotus Seed Pod, Exiled Rebels translation)

And that his back is heavily scarred from it:

He felt his back, covered in scars both old and new, and still couldn’t hold back the question he’d be thinking about, “How awfully unfair. Why is it that I’m the only one who gets beaten up, whenever something happens?”

(Chapter 125, Lotus Seed Pod, Exiled Rebels translation)

Rumours about this even made it outside of Lotus Pier; during their visit to the ancestral hall years later, Lan Wangji even states that he heard about some of it:

Lan WangJi had on an expression of understanding, “Kneeling as punishment?”

Wei WuXian mused, “How did you know? That’s right. Madam Yu punished me almost every day.”

Lan WangJi nodded, “I have heard of a few things.”

Wei WuXian, “It’s so famous that even people outside Yunmeng, even you Gusu people know—how could it be ‘a few things’? But, to be honest, in all these years, I’ve never seen a second woman whose temper was as bad as Madam Yu’s. She told me to go to the ancestral hall and kneel no matter how small the matter was. Hahaha…”

(Chapter 87, Exiled Rebels translation)

Wei Wuxian’s lower social standing is definitely a part of why Yu Ziyuan is able to abuse him so terribly and receive little to no censure for it. Everyone at Lotus Pier simply takes it for granted, with the exception of Jiang Yanli who at least does try to deflect her mother when she is angry with Wei Wuxian:

Yet, all of a sudden, someone’s quiet voice drifted by Madam Yu’s ear, “Mom, do you want to eat some watermelon…”

[...]

Jiang YanLi almost cried from her mother’s pinching, mumbling, “Mom, A-Xian and the others were hiding here to relieve the heat and I came here on my own. Don’t blame them… Do… Do you want some watermelon… I don’t know who gave them to us, but it’s really sweet. Eating watermelon in the summer is great for cooling down and quenching thirst. I’ll cut them for you…”

(Chapter 125, Lotus Seed Pod, Exiled Rebels translation)

She both tries to deflect her mother from her anger, and also outright states that Wei Wuxian and the other boys weren’t at fault. Jiang Yanli seems to be the only one at Lotus Pier who ever does this.

After the war, Wei Wuxian attends social events at Jiang Cheng’s side but is never quite treated as an equal, either. See how at the Flower Banquet, Lan Xichen and Nie Mingjue greet Jiang Cheng but not him:

Suddenly, a voice spoke, “Sect Leader Nie, Sect Leader Lan.”

Hearing the familiar voice, Wei WuXian’s heart jumped. Nie MingJue turned around again. Jiang Cheng came over, dressed in purple, hand on his sword.

And the person standing beside Jiang Cheng was none other than Wei WuXian himself.

He saw himself walk with hands behind his back, wearing all black. A flute in the shade of ink stuck to his waist, hanging down with crimson colored tassels. Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Jiang Cheng, he nodded in this direction to show respect. Attitude slightly arrogant, he took on a profound, disdainful appearance. As Wei WuXian saw the stance of his younger self, the root of his teeth even cringed in soreness. He felt that he really was pretentious, and itched to just beat the hell out of himself.

Lan WangJi also saw Wei WuXian, who stood beside Jiang Cheng. The tip of his brows twitched ever so slightly. Soon afterward, his light-colored eyes returned to where they were, still looking forward in that composed way. Jiang Cheng and Nie MingJue nodded at each other with grave faces. Neither had anything unnecessary to say. After a hasty greeting, the two walked their separate ways. Wei WuXian saw his black-clothed self glance around as he finally saw Lan WangJi. He looked as if he was about to speak before Jiang Cheng came over and stood to his side.

(Chapter 49, Exiled Rebels translation)

They then proceed to talk about him and his lack of a sword behind his back, never having said a word to Wei Wuxian himself:

Nie MingJue’s gaze turned over again, “Why does Wei Ying not carry his sword?”

Carrying one’s sword was like wearing formal attire. In such gatherings, it was a non-negligible indication of etiquette. Those from prominent sects saw it as especially important. Lan WangJi responded in a lukewarm tone, “He had probably forgotten.”

Ning MingJue raised a brow, “He can even forget something like this?”

(Chapter 49, Exiled Rebels translation)

At Phoenix Mountain it also seems that Wei Wuxian is conditionally a member of the gentry, but not treated like an equal. Sometimes there are these more cheerful interactions:

Holding the flower, Lan WangJi seemed to be quite cold. His tone seemed cold as well, “Was it you?”

Wei WuXian immediately denied it, “No, it wasn’t.”

The maidens beside him spoke at once, “Don’t believe him. It was him!”

Wei WuXian, “How could you treat a good person like this? I’m getting angry!”

Giggling, the maidens pulled their reins and went to the formations of their own sects. Lan WangJi lowered the hand that he held the flower with and shook his head. Jiang Cheng spoke, “ZeWu-Jun, HanGuang-Jun, apologies. Don’t pay attention to him.”

Lan XiChen smiled, “That is fine. I will thank Young Master Wei’s kindness behind the flower in place of WangJi.”

(Chapter 69, Exiled Rebels translation)

But then he will be publicly disparaged and it is readily accepted by others. Jin Zixun first starts an argument with him by criticising Wei Wuxian for fighting Jin Zixuan, then turns the topic to Wei Wuxian’s having taken a third of the prey in the hunt.

Jin ZiXun, “Wei, just what what do you mean by going against ZiXuan so many times?”

[...]

Jin ZiXun sneered, “How is it presumptuous? How is any part of you not presumptuous? Today, in such an important hunt involving all of the sects, you really showed off your abilities, didn’t you? One third of the prey have been taken by you. You sure feel pleased, don’t you?”

[...]

He mocked, “But it’s only natural that you don’t think you’re in the wrong. It’s not the first time that Young Master Wei has disregarded the rules. You didn’t wear your sword in both last time’s flower banquet and this time’s hunt. It’s such a grand event, and you care nothing for courtesy. In what regard to you hold us, the people who are present with you?”

[...]

No disciple had ever dared say such lofty words in front of so many people. A moment later, as Jin ZiXun finally regained his composure, he yelled, “Wei WuXian! You’re only the son of a servant—how dare you be so bold!!!”

(Chapters 69-70, Exiled Rebels translation)

Naturally, Jin Zixun is able to weasel out of giving an apology, even though Jiang Yanli demands one. And guess who also takes a third of the prey, but this time without any censure?

Jin GuangYao, “In reality, not only did Young Master Wei keep a third of the prey to himself, our eldest brother has eliminated over half of the fays and the monsters as well.”

Hearing this, Lan XiChen laughed, “That is how Brother is like, after all.”

(Chapter 70, Exiled Rebels translation)

Never a Brother

As I’ve already mentioned, Wei Wuxian was never adopted by Jiang Fengmian, or adopted into the clan in general in even a distant way. And this nebulous ‘we’re letting you live with the main family as a charity, but you aren’t really one of us’ attitude also reflects in his relationship with Jiang Yanli.

I’ve already discussed how Wei Wuxian was more like a companion servant to Jiang Cheng than a brother. It’s also worth noting quickly that neither of them ever refers to the other as a brother. Wei Wuxian refers to Jiang Cheng as his shidi a few times, and Jiang Cheng never even refers to him as his shixiong (because Jiang Cheng views him as his servant, not as even a martial brother, I’d argue).

Only one member of the Jiang family ever does use familial terms to refer to Wei Wuxian: his shijie, Jiang Yanli. At Phoenix Mountain, when Wei Wuxian is being insulted by Jin Zixun, Jiang Yanli stands up and defends him, and states clearly that she considers Wei Wuxian a little brother:

The people who gathered around Jin ZiXun had on the same dark faces as he did. Yet, taking into consideration Jiang YanLi’s background, they didn’t dare talk back to her directly.

Jiang YanLi added, “Besides, hunting is hunting, so why bring the matter of discipline to the table? A-Xian is a disciple of the YunmengJiang Sect. He grew up with my brother and I, and so he’s as close as a brother is to me. Calling him the ‘son of a servant’—I’m sorry, but I won’t accept this. And thus…”

She straightened her back and raised her voice, “I hope that Young Master Jin ZiXun would apologize to Wei WuXian of the YunmengJiang Sect!”

(Chapter 70, Exiled Rebels translation)

It doesn’t come through in the Exiled Rebels translation, but she actually refers to Wei Wuxian as her didi in this scene, not her shidi. She’s trying to draw a line and state that Wei Wuxian is a part of the family. However, no one takes her seriously, and shortly afterwards we see Jin-furen insisting that Jiang Yanli and Wei Wuxian shouldn’t be walking alone together because it would be inappropriate.

Jiang YanLi whispered, “That’s not necessary. I’d like to have a few words with A-Xian. He can walk me back.”

Madam Jin raised her brows, looking Wei WuXian up and down. Her gaze was somewhat cautious, as if she was feeling displeased, “A young man and a young woman—you two can’t stick together all the time if nobody else is present.”

Jiang YanLi, “A-Xian is my younger brother.”

[...]

Wei WuXian lowered his head, “Excuse my absence, Madam Jin.”

He and Jiang YanLi bowed at the same time. As they turned around to leave, Madam Jin grabbed Jiang YanLi’s hand and refused to let her leave.

(Chapter 70, Exiled Rebels translation)

Jin Zixuan also never treats Wei Wuxian the way one might a brother who is still angered with him over his past dismissive treatment of his sister. For example, see their argument at the Flower Banquet:

Before he could see how Lan WangJi reacted, a series of clamor suddenly came from the other end of the base. Wei WuXian heard his own raging shout, “Jin ZiXuan! Don’t you forget about what things you said and what things you did? What do you mean by this, now?!”

Wei WuXian remembered. So it was this time!

On the other side, Jin ZiXuan also fumed, “I was asking Sect Leader Jiang, not you! The one I was asking about was also Maiden Jiang. How is that related to you?!”

[...]

Jin ZiXuan, “Sect Leader Jiang—this is our sect’s flower banquet, and this is your sect’s person! Are you going to look after him or not?!”

[...]

...Jiang Cheng’s voice came, “Wei WuXian, you can just shut your mouth. Young Master Jin, I’m sorry. My sister is doing quite well. Thank you for your concern. We can talk about this next time.”

Wei WuXian laughed coldly, “Next time? There is no next time! Whether or not she’s doing well isn’t any of his business, either! Who does he think he is?”

He turned around and started to leave. Jiang Cheng shouted, “Get back here! Where are you going?”

Wei WuXian waved his hands, “Anywhere is fine! Just don’t let me see that face of his. I never wanted to come, anyway. You can deal with whatever’s here yourself.”

Having been abandoned by Wei WuXian, Jiang Cheng’s face immediately clouded over.

[...]

Jiang Cheng stowed away the clouds on his face, “Don’t mind him. Look at how impolite he is. He’s used to such rude behavior at home.”

He then began to converse with Jin ZiXuan.

(Chapter 49, Exiled Rebels translation)

Jiang Cheng also quietly dismisses the notion of Wei Wuxian as a brother in relation to Jiang Yanli; when they visit to show him her wedding dress and she asks for a courtesy name, Jiang Cheng specifically says:

Jiang Cheng, “The courtesy name of my unborn nephew.”

(Chapter 75, Exiled Rebels translation)

Not our nephew, mine.

Even the disastrous invitation to Jin Ling’s one month celebration is framed as a favour to an old shidi, not a family member:

Jin ZiXun, “Since you’ve heard it from him already, you should know that I can’t wait. Don’t tell me that you’ll disregard your brother’s life for the sake of Sister-in-Law’s shidi?!”

Jin ZiXuan, “You clearly know that I’m not that kind of person! He might not necessarily be the one who cursed you with Hundred Holes either. Why are you so rash? I was the one who invited Wei WuXian to A-Ling’s full-month celebration anyways. If this is the way you do things, where does that leave me? Where does it leave my wife?”

Jin ZiXun raised his voice, “It’s best if he doesn’t attend! What does Wei WuXian think he is—does he deserve to attend our sect’s banquet? Whoever touches him gets nothing but a splash of black! ZiXuan, when you invited him, weren’t you worried that you, Sister-in-Law and A-Ling would receive an irremovable stain for the rest of your lives?!”

(Chapter 76, Exiled Rebels translation)

It’s clear that not only does wider society not consider Wei Wuxian and the Jiangs siblings...they themselves don’t, either. Wei Wuxian, after all, readily accepts that his relationship with them is over after he leaves the sect:

Before they parted, Jiang Cheng spoke, “We won’t see you off. It wouldn’t be good if someone saw us.”

Wei WuXian nodded. He understood that it wasn’t easy for the Jiang siblings to have come out here. If someone else saw them, all those things they did for the public to believe would be wasted. He spoke, “We’ll go first.”

[...]

He turned around, knowing that it’d be a long time before he’d get to see the people he was familiar with again.

But… right now, wasn’t he on his way to seeing people he was familiar with as well?

(Chapter 75, Exiled Rebels translation)

Cast Aside

The way cultivation society treats Wei Wuxian when he is not with the Jiangs is also very revealing. Any level of respect he is given is contingent on his position in the Jiang household, and when they aren’t around that minimal respect fades away. Look at how disrespectfully he is treated when he approaches Jin Zixun to ask for Wen Ning’s location.

Wei WuXian didn’t make small talk either, getting straight to the point, “No thanks. I don’t.” He nodded slightly at Jin ZiXun, “Young Master Jin, could I please have a word with you?”

Jin ZiXun, “If you have anything to say, come after our banquet is over.”

In reality, he didn’t want to talk to Wei WuXian at all. Wei WuXian could see this as well, “How long do I have to wait?”

Jin ZiXun, “Probably around six to eight hours. Or maybe ten to twelve. Or until tomorrow.”

Wei WuXian, “I’m afraid I can’t wait for that long.”

Jin ZiXun’s voice was arrogant, “You’ll have to wait even if you can’t.”

Jin GuangYao, “Young Master Wei, what do you need ZiXun for? Is it a pressing matter?”

Wei WuXian, “Pressing indeed. It allows for no delay.”

[...]

Jin ZiXun, “Wei WuXian, what do you mean? You came for him? You aren’t standing up for a Wen-dog, are you?”

Wei WuXian wore a broad grin, “Since when is it your business whether I’d like to stand up for him or cut his head off? Just give him to me!”

At the last sentence, the grin on his face vanished. His tone turned cold as well. It was clear that he had lost his patience. Many of the people within Glamor Hal shivered in fear. Jin ZiXun felt his scalp tingle as well. Yet, his anger soon soared. He shouted, “Wei WuXian, you are too bold! Did the LanlingJin Sect invite you today? And you dare run wild here. Do you really think that you’re invincible, that nobody has the courage to confront you? Do you want to overturn the Heavens?”

Wei WuXian smiled, “You’re comparing yourself to the Heavens? Excuse my language, but your face is a little too thick, isn’t it?”

[...]

Just as he was about to rebut, sitting on the foremost seat, Jin GuangShan spoke up.

His voice seemed kind, “It’s not anything too important anyways. You youngsters, why lose your tempers over such a thing? However, Young Master Wei, let me be fair here. Barging in when the LanlingJin Sect is holding a private banquet is indeed inappropriate.”

To say that Jin GuangShan didn’t mind what happened at Phoenix Mountain would be impossible. This was also why he only smiled when Jin ZiXun bickered with Wei WuXian but didn’t stop them, and only spoke up when Jin ZiXun was at the disadvantage.

Wei WuXian nodded, “Sect Leader Jin, it was never my intention to disturb your private banquet. My apologies. However, the whereabouts of the people whom Young Master Jin took are still unclear. Just a moment of delay, and it might be too late. One of the group had once saved me before. I will definitely not sit back and watch. Please do not feel pressured. I will make amends for this at a later date.”

[...]

After a few laughs, he continued, “Sect Leader Jin, let me ask you something else. Do you think that, because the QishanWen Sect is gone, the LanlingJin Sect has all right to replace it?”

All was silent within Glamor Hall.

Wei WuXian added, “Everything has to be given to you? Everyone has to listen to you? Looking at how the LanlingJin Sect does things, I almost thought that it was the QishanWen Sect’s empire all over again.”

[...]

A guest cultivator on his right shouted, “Wei WuXian! Watch your words!”

Wei WuXian, “Did I say something wrong? Forcing living people to be bait and beating them up whenever they refused to obey—is this any different from what the QishanWen Sect does?”

Another guest cultivator stood up, “Of course it’s different. The Wen-dogs did all kinds of evil. To arrive at such an end is only karma for them. We only avenged a tooth for a tooth, letting them taste the fruit that they themselves had sown. What’s wrong with this?”

Wei WuXian, “Take revenge on the ones who bite you. Wen Ning’s branch doesn’t have much blood on their hands. Don’t tell me that you find them guilty by association?”

Another person spoke, “Young Master Wei, is it that they don’t have much blood on their hands just because you say so? These are only your one-sided words. Where’s the evidence?”

[...]

Jin GuangShan stood up as well, his face a mixture of shock, anger, fear, and hatred, “Wei WuXian! Just because… Sect Leader Jiang isn’t here doesn’t mean you can be so reckless!”

Wei WuXian’s voice was harsh, “Do you think that I wouldn’t be reckless if he were here? If I wanted to kill someone, who could stop me, and who would dare stop me?!”

[...]

“Young Master Wei really is too impulsive. How could he speak in such a way in front of so many sects?”

Lan WangJi spoke coldly, “Was he wrong?”

Jin GuangYao paused almost unnoticeably. He immediately laughed, “Haha. Yes, he’s right. But it’s because he’s right that he can’t say it in front of them, correct?”

Lan XiChen seemed as if he was deep in thought, “Young Master Wei’s heart really has changed.”

(Chapter 72, Exiled Rebels translation)

The only person at this banquet who speaks to Wei Wuxian respectfully is Jin Guangyao, a consummate manipulator who is also of a lower social status. Everyone else speaks to him dismissively, refusing to respect his request for Wen Ning’s location even though he states that Wen Ning helped him during the war. Wei Wuxian is extremely polite at the beginning of this conversation, and only slowly begins to lose his temper when Jin Zixun speaks rudely and Jin Guangshan decides to bring up the matter of the Yinhufu (Wei Wuxian is right in suspecting him of wanting to replace Qishan Wen, of course, and that it’s very bold of them to think they have the right to a spiritual tool of his just because...they’re rich?).

When the sects meet at Koi Tower to discuss the breakout at Qiongqi Path, no one considers Wei Wuxian as an independent agent who they might actually want to meet and negotiate with themselves. He is a wayward servant of Yunmeng Jiang who the sect leader has failed to keep in hand.

Jiang Cheng only spoke after a few moments, “What he did was indeed a bit too much. Sect Leader Jin, I apologize to you in place of him. If there’s any way at all to help the situation, please let me know. I’ll definitely compensate for things however I can.”

[...]

Jin GuangShan, “Sect Leader Jiang, Wei Ying is your right-hand man. You value him a lot. All of us know this. However, on the other hand, it’s hard to tell whether or not he actually respects you. In any case, I’ve been a sect leader for so many years and I’ve never seen the servant of any sect dare be so arrogant, so proud. Have you heard what they say outside? Things like how during the Sunshot Campaign the victories of the YunmengJiang Sect were all because of Wei WuXian alone—what nonsense!”

[...]

Lan WangJi sat with his back straight, speaking in a tone of absolute tranquility, “I did not hear Wei Ying say this. I did not hear him express the slightest disrespect towards Sect Leader Jiang either.”

[...]

The good thing was that, not long after he felt awkward, Jin GuangYao came to save the day, exclaiming, “Really? That day, Young Master Wei busted into Koi Tower with such force. He said too many things, one more shocking than the next. Perhaps he said a few things that were along those lines. I can’t remember them either.”

[...]

Jin GuangShan followed the transition, “That’s right. Anyhow, his attitude has always been arrogant.”

One of the sect leaders added, “To be honest, I’ve wanted to say this since a long time ago. Although Wei WuXian did a few things during the Sunshot Campaign, there are many guest cultivators who did more than him. I’ve never seen anyone as full of themselves as him. Excuse my bluntness, but he’s the son of a servant. How could the son of a servant be so arrogant?”

[...]

“In the beginning, Sect Leader Jin asked Wei Ying for the Tiger Seal with nothing but good intentions, worried that he wouldn’t be able to control it and lead to a disaster. He, however, used his own yardstick to measure another’s intents. Did he think that everyone is after his treasure? What a joke. In terms of treasures, is there any sect that doesn’t hold a few treasures?”

“I knew that something would eventually happen if he continued on the ghostly path—look! His killing intents are being revealed already. Killing indiscriminately those from our side just because of a few Wen-dogs…”

[...]

Jin GuangShan continued, “Sect Leader Jiang, you’re not like your father. It’s just been a couple of years since the reestablishment of the YunmengJiang Sect, precisely when you should be displaying your power. And he doesn’t even know to avoid suspicions. What would the Jiang Sect’s new disciples think if they saw him? Don’t tell me you’d let them see him as their role model and look down on you?”

He spoke one sentence after another, striking the iron while it was still hot. Jiang Cheng spoke slowly, “Sect Leader Jin, that’s enough. I’ll go to Burial Mound and deal with this.”

Jin GuangShan felt satisfied, speaking in a sincere tone, “That’s the spirit. Sect Leader Jiang, there are some things, some people that you shouldn’t put up with.”

(Chapter 73, Exiled Rebels translation)

This is very reminiscent of the way that Jin Zixuan would often turn around and say, ‘Why aren’t you controlling your servant?’ to Jiang Cheng whenever he had a dispute with Wei Wuxian over his treatment of Jiang Yanli.

When Jiang Cheng goes to the Burial Mounds and Wei Wuxian defects from Yunmeng Jiang in order to help the sect save face, Jiang Cheng treats this as a personal betrayal. He not only challenges Wei Wuxian to a duel but then announces that Wei Wuxian has betrayed Yunmeng Jiang and declared himself the enemy of cultivation society:

After the fight, Jiang Cheng told the outside that Wei WuXian defected from the sect and was an enemy to the entire cultivation world. The YunmengJiang Sect had already cast him out. From then on, no ties remained between them—a clear line was drawn. Henceforth, no matter what he did, they’d have nothing to do with the YunmengJiang Sect!

(Chapter 73, Exiled Rebels translation)

“Wei Wuxian has betrayed the sect, and publicly regards all cultivation sects as enemy! Yunmeng Jiang Sect hereby expels him, breaking all ties with him and drawing a clear line between us. Henceforth, no matter what this person does, it will have nothing to do with Yunmeng Jiang Sect!”

(Modao Zushi Radio Drama, Season 3 Episode 5, Suibian Subs)

Naturally, no one ever questions this or wants to hear Wei Wuxian’s side of the story. Jiang Cheng is a sect leader and Wei Wuxian his servant, and that is all cultivation society needs to know.

In Conclusion

Wei Wuxian was never really part of the Jiang family. The wider social view was that he was a servant who was lucky to be taken in by the family and allowed to live in the main house alongside the sect leader’s children. He’s accepted into cultivation society conditionally, but only as someone who remains a rank below everyone else.

This attitude isn’t just the wider social view which the family themselves disregard; they all play into it. Yu Ziyuan and Jiang Cheng both actively enforce it, Jiang Fengmian passively enforces it, and Jiang Yanli tries but fails to break through the social barriers between them.

#mdzs #mdzs meta #modao zushi

[wangxianficrecs]

Follower Recs

Here are some more, both from readers and proud authors. Enjoy!

~*~

I would like to say that this fic is lovely and should be appreciated. I hope you like it. ~ @astarshine

Come Back to Me

by s6115 (M, 9k, wangxian)

Summary: “Second Young Master!” Jiang Cheng, rushing forward. “Unhand our disciple now!”

“You-“ Lan Zhan said. But the confusion was starting to become more prominent, showing in how he flexed his knuckles, adjust his grip.

“You,” Wei Wuxian said. "Do you remember me?”

Lan Zhan froze. So that was a no, he didn’t remember. His fingers adjusted again, completely ignoring Jiang Cheng as his shoulders were pummeled. If it was anyone else, they’d be asking a thousand questions. Wei Wuxian could see some of them in his eyes. Who are you was the first. Why do I feel like this was the second. That just made Wei Wuxian so curious, as well. Why was Lan Zhan so emotional (in his blank-faced way) if he didn’t remember?

The resentful energy had swallowed Wei Wuxian whole, but it had only grazed Lan Zhan’s hand. Was it possible he remembered the emotions, but not the memories themselves? Did he remember feeling their friendship, as fractured as it was, but not everything else?

AKA Wei Ying traveled back in time, and it seems Lan Zhan's emotions did, too.

~*~

In the spirit of self-love, I want to share with you my first MC fic that I completed while you were on break, and humbly ask that you add it to your to-read queue! I'm sure you have many many stories lined up to read, so please don't feel any rush at all! Any time you get around to it, I would be honored to have you read it & hear your thoughts, if you’re interested. Thank you again for all you do for the fandom! 😊❤️ ~ @superheavyrainmemes [I just read this one, and I loved it!  Here’s my bookmark.]

let me sing to you

by greybird_crookedbranch (T, 61k, wangxian)

Summary: A close call drives Wei Wuxian to protect the people he loves at any cost. But the real battle is within himself, and retreat is impossible. There may be casualties.

Or: Dealing with ordinary threats of the more average variety causes Wei Wuxian to struggle with the resentful energy that lingers in him. Lan Wangji wants to help. Decidedly less-ordinary threats follow.

~*~

For the next time you do reader suggestions, may I recommend this underappreciated fic. It’s JZX/JLJ and diverges after the broken betrothal. It’s a kinda sad/cute what if the Jins joined the Wens side of the war

This other war

by Misila (T, 30k, xuanli)

Summary: History books would record the Discussion Conference in Qishan as the precedent of the biggest rift fracturing in the cultivation world in centuries.

Jin Guangshan announced, with a wide smile and greed in his eyes, that the Qishan Wen Sect and the Lanling Jin Sect would collaborate more closely to achieve their shared goals.

Jiang Yanli, however, knew that wasn’t the beginning.

The beginning had been about one year prior, when Wei Wuxian got in a fight with Jin Zixuan and was expelled from the Cloud Recesses. When Jiang Fengmian broke his daughter’s betrothal and the Lanling Jin Sect lost its chance to extend its influence to the fertile lands of Yunmeng.

~*~

Fic rec! This one is a modern serial killer AU. The Yungmeng trio are all serial killers, when Wei Wuxian reveals he’s caught the attention of a very big fish in the serial killer pond. His siblings are very concerned, but the Yiling Laozu is very sure that Hanguang-Jun won’t hurt him if he doesn’t ask nicely.

scienter

by synonemous (E, 67k, wangxian, 4 works, series in progress)

Summary: Different shenanigans in the MDZS serial killer 'verse.

aw, r u worried bout me~? dont worry, bby, I gots it covered<3 [Sent]

Yiling. [Received]

*kisses* [Sent]

Mark your words. [Received]

Wei WuXian shivered. That was a new one.

~*~

#wangxian fic rec #follower recs #wangxian #mdzs #the untamed #follower rec #I HAVEN'T READ THESE YET #author boost #new work by a proud writer

[sepia-mahogany]

Prompt: hearing about xuanwus defeat, madam jin and jin zixuan come to lotus pier and overhear madam yu saying wei wuxian should have let the 'sect heirs die', lwj who's recovering also overhears, the 3 get first hand experience of jiang household situation and decide fk this and take wwx out of there, its a prompt from vrishchikawrites blog (a wonderful write!) So maybe ask permission?

From the prompt on @vrishchikawrites

Jin Zixuan could not forget the young man, the head disciple of Yunmeng Jiang, who, despite his previous (petty) grievances with, had stepped up when everyone else had been frozen on the spot, and no matter how hard he tried, he could not get his blood stained image out of his mind. Which had led to this discussion.

“What? No! I forbid it.” his father responded when he asked for sending reinforcements to Jiang Sect, while he understood with Cloud Recesses burnt down, and Nie under attack, either Yunmeng Jiang or Lanling Jin were next on the table, and despite having well equipped men, with the best of weapons, his father refused to extend help. 

Refused to stand against those who sought to harm his son, ‘in situations like these, know when to step back’ he had said, and Jin Zixuan could feel shame creeping up under his skin, outnumbered and clearly at losing stakes, he hadn’t hesitated to save him, and what would that make him if he forgot the debt so clearly owed? To live the lavish life of a coward..! He could see his mother fuming from where she stood, and closed his eyes to suppress his bitter thoughts, he wanted to do something, anything to help.

And suddenly, anger melted from her face and that smile crept up her face and he felt a chill down his spine, a sense of foreboding overcame him, he could see his father tense as well. “Of course, the Jin Sect sides with them.” she spoke, venom dripping off her every word. “Nothing wrong if the Sect Leader’s wife wants the marriage renewed?” a pit formed in his stomach, he did not want to marry a woman he barely knew, but using this opportunity, they could, in a sense create a bond, stronger than of just two sworn sisters.

However, “Madam Jin meets up with her sworn sister, Madam of Jiang Sect, just as Qishan Wen begins its attacks?” the war has been declared, how would it seem if the two sect Madams, and the Sect heirs are meeting, with or without the Sect Leader? “The risks are completely unneeded, what do we gain from this?” his mother glared at his father, who pointedly ignored her, Jin Zixuan exhaled, thinking things over.

As much as he disliked the engagement, he knew she would not bring it up, unless the situation, as dire as it was, needed it, this bond could provide future aid to one another should the need arise, so Jin Zixuan kept his disagreements to himself, because he knew she wouldn’t force him, not with the concerns of a  cold loveless marriage like his parents, he knew she was using it as a cover to aid her sworn sister.

An opportunity, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath, then remembered how the Second Jade, Lan Wangji had stood shoulder to shoulder with him,  and Wei Wuxian, Head Disciple, had stepped up to save them. 

Jin Zixuan exhaled, and made a decision, muttering out a half-hearted excuse, he left them on their own, and later into the night, he approached his mother.

--------

The boat landed steadily, unnoticed in the middle of the night, his mother had won the final say in the matter, of course with the reluctant agreement of remaining disguised as just another trade ship, the serene view would have been calming, had his nerves not have been high strung from adrenaline, small sacrifices, he could of course find a way to break off the engagement in a future of more peaceful times.

Jin Zixuan climbed out the boat first, followed calmly by his mother, the disguises were near perfect, for the disciples around the brightly lit place to look curious, but not alarmed. One, he recognised seeing a few times at Cloud Recesses, came near them with a nervous smile. “We offer you our sincerest apologies but...we’d appreciate it if travellers could avoid an audience with the Sect Leader?” 

The disguises were perfect then, for they had been mistaken as travellers that would go to and fro from Yunmeng Jiang Sect, his mother sniffed and looked at the disciple sternly “We are not here for the Sect Leader, but the Violet Spider, we have an important message for them.” Jin Zixuan had noticed before but now it had become more apparent as the disciples shifted around, something was off, it dampened his enthusiasm and the rush he had felt earlier, instead concern filled him, had something happened to Wei Wuxian?

His mother held out a token, the disciple’s eyes widened and he bowed in respect, “I assume this would be enough?” Madam Jin said curtly, and the disciple nodded, though tensely. “This one will escort you to the guest chambers” 

The curious gazes had not been moved, as they moved inside, step by step, down the corridor they went, as the muffled voices became more distinguishable, all 3 of them froze when they heard, unmistakably the Jiang Sect Heir’s voice. “-You shouldn’t have played the hero and you shouldn’t have cared for such a hell of a thing. If in the beginning you hadn’t….” 

Jin Zixuan felt a cold pit forming in his stomach, surely he must be mistaken, but seeing the expression twisting  on his mothers face, he could assume he was not, in fact, misunderstanding what Jiang Wanyin was implying. 

The disciple bowed quickly, slightly panicked “If you’d follow me-” Madam Jin pointed at him and he immediately shut up, head bowed, just as the Jiang Sect Leader reprimanded “Jiang Cheng.” Silence followed. “Do you know in which ways what you just have said is not appropriate?” was followed by a glum “Yes.”

Even if slightly, Jin Zixuan relaxed, his mother’s expression lightening into a frown, ‘at least someone is self-aware’ Madam Jin thought. “He’s just angry and speaking without care” another voice added, Jin Zixuan perked up, Wei Wuxian! So he was alright, he felt relieved. Madam Jin continued to frown, Wei Wuxian was clearly trying to lessen the pressure off of the Jiang heir. 

Another harsh voice cut through them all “Yes, he doesn’t understand but what does it matter, as long as Wei Ying understands!?” rang out her voice, Madam Jin’s lips pursed into a line, of what her son had just said, that was what she was focusing on?

 “‘To attempt at the impossible’ is exactly how he is, isn’t it? Fooling around even though he knew it’d bring trouble to his sect!?” Jin Zixuan sneaked a look at his mother to see her eyes cold, her fist clenched tightly, he was aware they shouldn’t be hearing this, but this? It wasn’t what they expected at all, he was frozen in place, what in the world was he hearing?

Madam Jin’s thoughts matched her appearance, for once she felt less than charitable towards Yu Ziyuan, and more and more like a fool, here she was, risking her and her son’s safety, her sects safety, for a woman who couldn't care less about her son’s life, but was also wilfully blinding herself to the war right on the horizon, ‘No’ she thought to herself, ‘it was I who was truly blind’

And it was the boy she heard being called ‘Fengmian’s bastard’ or ‘son of a servant’ who had saved her son's life instead, she bit back the bitter chuckle that threatened to escape her, truly, what a fool she was, to be caught in the violet spiders web.

She looked at her son, whose face clouded over the more he heard, she grabbed his arm tightly, if nothing else then to prevent him from barging inside, with Jiang Fengmian’s favor, she was sure that they didn’t need to interfere, until, “My lady, what are you doing here?” she held back her disbelief, her son on the other hand, inhaled sharply.

This was what he was focusing on? Not the insults to his bas- to his ward? To his sect’s entire foundation? It would seem she was truly mistaken, in her and Yu Ziyuan sharing their miseries, entirely wrong about her character, and who was still throwing around callous words for the sake of it, for what else? If not her own cruelty?

"What am I doing here? What a joke that I am asked of such a thing! Sect Leader Jiang, do you still remember that I'm also the leader of Lotus Pier? Do you still remember that every inch of the earth here is my territory? Do you still remember, between the one lying there and the one standing there, which one is your son?" Disbelief and disgust couldn’t even begin to describe what Madam Jin was feeling, the Sect Leader’s response,  however, “I do remember.” Enhanced those to the heights she didn't even know she was capable of feeling.

And so stood the enraged Madam of Jin Sect, the horrified Jin heir and one ashamed disciple whose head could bow no lower, but that was nothing compared to what was said next “You do remember, but there's no use if you simply remember. Wei Ying, he really can't take it unless he stirs up some trouble, can he? If I had known, I would've made him stay in Lotus Pier properly and not go outside. Could Wen Chao really have dared to do anything to the two young masters of the GusuLan Sect and Lanling Jin Sect? Even if he did, it'd mean that they ran out of luck. Since when was it your turn to play the hero?"

Blood roared in Madam Jin’s ears, her nails digging into her palm, she wanted to bite Yu Ziyuan’s head off there and then. ‘Of all the idiotic, foolish, horrid, things she could utter-’ in her cursing, she only realised she had put too much force in her rage filled haze when her son hissed in pain, she immediately let go of his arm, and pinched the bridge of her nose, taking calming breaths.

She was afraid she would do something terrible and irrevocable if she stayed there any longer, listening to a pathetic mockery of- she exhaled and pushed Jin Zixuan towards the open doors. “B-but mother-” he looked back but she gave him that look and he quietened “Later a-Xuan.” while moving outwards, the disciple trailing behind them, they could easily catch some of the words the woman threw at Wei Wuxian.

Madam Jin gritted her teeth in anger, and left without looking back, once she and her son were seated in the boat. “A-Xuan” she began, lightly ruffling his hair “Your marriage is up to you to decide, I will have no say in the matter from here onwards” Her son was not going to be married into that cursed Sect no matter what if she could help it, she moved forward to pull him into a hug, “Mother was wrong.”

 “But mother what about..?” She heard him say, she pulled back and rest one hand on his shoulder, the other caressing his cheek, her son, who by the Jiang’s standards, should’ve been killed, and her blood boiled in her veins. “We came here to make a bond and talk if it were possible, since that wasn’t possible, it can be done some other day.” She lightly patted him, and seeing his thoughts drift off, thought to herself darkly ‘and if the Jiangs are attacked, well, they ran out of luck then.’

Her son hesitantly nodded, “Wei Wuxian...I owe him, for saving me then, if not for him.....” She sniffed, as if indicating what was obvious “Of course,” When the news spread later that Lotus Pier was attacked, with Jiang Wanyin and Wei Wuxian on the run, she hoped for Wei Wuxian’s survival, more so than the Jiang Sect Heir.

And if, perhaps, after a few years her son proposed sworn brotherhood with that Wei Wuxian, well, it wasn’t without her approval.

----------------------------

authors notes i guess?

Okay so writing Madam Yu’s lines legit left me disgusted like wtf was she even saying?? Also like I tried to write Madam Jin similar but a bit less than Madam Yu (ya know madam jin never whipped kids with her spiritual weapons, if she had any, not to our knowledge at least...right?) but ended up venturing straight into slightly dark madam jin heh, also like no engagement, no jin-wei tense relationship, (there’ll be 1-2 parts more probably) also wwx woke up earlier in this one, this’ll serve as catalyst for later years. 

#mdzs fic #jin zixuan #madam jin #jin guangshan #jiang wanyin #jiang fengmian #madam yu #unnamed disciple lol #prompt writing #anon asks #my writing

[loosingmoreletters]

would you happen to have any recs for gender fuckery fic featuring lwj rather than wwx?

Not as much because I tend to prefer to toss the genderqueer experience at WWX, but I do have some lovely queer LWJ fic recs, be that as a trans, gender swap or just something undefinable.

you can always find me here by ScarlettStorm

Wei Wuxian doesn’t know how they got here sometimes.

Okay, like, yes, she knows how they got here (this village, this town, this forest, this city), and she knows how they got here (riding on a horrible donkey she’s decided she can’t bear to part with, Lan Zhan walking beside her leading said donkey by the reins, because of course Wei Wuxian’s donkey likes Lan Zhan more than her. She can’t blame Lil’ Apple! She also likes Lan Zhan more than she likes herself!), but it’s how she got here in the larger metaphysical sense that she doesn’t understand. There were thirteen years where she wasn’t here, after all, and very many places in the past year where she could have ended up not here again, but somehow she’s here, and—miracle of miracles—so is Lan Zhan.

Really, it’s the Lan Zhan part that she still struggles to understand.

Or: The inevitable post-canon get together... But make it extra queer lesbians.

brittle bones by lithali

Wei Wuxian dies in Xuanwu's Cave.

That changes things.

mirror, mirror by hauntedotamatone

Some people take him at his word, believing that they must have heard wrong about the child Jiang Fengmian had taken in all those years ago. They haven’t exactly heard wrong, but he isn’t lying either.

The first time Jiang-shushu had introduced him as the son of Wei Changze and Cangse Sanren, he had thought his face would split from the force of his smile. No one had argued with the sect leader, but Wei Wuxian is not a sect leader, and those of Gusu Lan do not seem to take kindly to any sort of correction. At least, if their esteemed teacher and acting sect leader is anything to go by.

or; Wei Wuxian attempts to sneak into the Cloud Recesses for a very different reason.

The Naming of Small Things by BromeliadDreams

Lan Wangji has known all his life that he is destined for some book-lined office, for publication credits and funding awards, the grown-up versions of school prizes for academic achievement. The prospect has, for the most part, been comforting. But as the academic year wears on, he finds his work increasingly taking a backseat to Wen Qing's plans to unseat, or at least unsettle, their Head of Faculty, and Lan Wangji begins to look beyond the library walls. (Any influence from local chaos gremlin Wei Wuxian will not be acknowledged at this time, thank you very much.)

Or: maybe the real academic networking was all the groupchats we were added to along the way.

A Promise Lives Within You Now by ElvenQueens

When Lan Wangji left the cave of the Xuanwu of slaughter and returned to her sect, she knew that the world as she knew it had come to a breaking point, she just didn't know the changes it would entail. When she left the Xuanwu cave, she and Wei Ying were still girls, but in the face of war and the devastation and destruction it wrought, they had been forced to grow up faster than they should and take on roles earlier than they had planned. If there is one thing these lessons have taught her, it is that sometimes one needs to stop and offer a helping hand.

conspecific sisters we by wildwestwind

Lan Wangji grows up trans in a society which has no words for her experiences.

a heroine that is called devil by SpeedingCheetah

The Yiling Patriarch was a woman, and she bared her teeth to every man to come and beg for her help in the midst of a campaign deigned to fail. Coming to the war with skin exposed and her neck open for any blade to cut, the matriarch asked for one thing for her payment of the war: the blood of an heir written across her chest as a promise.

(or: two cultivators come to face one another under a blood red moon, in the middle of the war of their lifetimes.)

The Amber Hairpin by may10baby

Lan Zhan took a moment to unwrap the delicate paper patterned with clouds. Inside was a silver hairpin, an amber stone nestled in the end, limbs of silver delicately wrapped around it, etched in a floral design. It was beautiful and very expensive for a servant’s son. She looked up at Wei Ying in question, who blushed.

“When I wrote to my parents about jiejie, I mentioned how pretty jiejie’s eyes were, so my parents sent back the amber? Apparently, they were offered it as a gift for helping with a night hunt years ago and the uncle and auntie in the night market offered to make it into a hairpin if I spent the past few weeks helping out at the store and-”

Lan Zhan calmly slipped the hairpin into her hair, before grabbing Wei Ying by the arm and yanking him inside the Jingshi.

fateful shipwreck, suspended time by dottie_dramas (dottie_wan_kenobi)

Once, when Lan Wangji is thirteen years old, he finds himself in his brother’s office.

It’s not a particularly comfortable place for Lan Wangji, but it’s better than most. On this day, it provides what Lan Wangji needs—privacy. Structure. And most importantly, his brother.

“Wangji, you don’t have to ask for a formal meeting just to see me,” Xiongzhang says, both amused and curious as Lan Wangji kneels down in front of him. Holding his brush steady, Lan Xichen smiles kindly. “I am at my didi’s disposal whenever he should have need of me.”

---

3 moments in Lan Wangji's queer journey; coming out, falling in love, and accepting a part of himself

This is for my mother, and this is for me by LuxRoyalty (luxroyalty)

Rules are important, and you should listen to them, but somethings are more important still,” Madam Lan easily said, like it wasn’t blasphemy against the Wall of Discipline that her uncle had been careful to teach her. “I want you to be safe, A-Zhan, above everything else. Do you understand?”

She thought about it, forehead creasing, and eventually shook her head. “No.” she told her, and her mother didn’t scold her like some of her teachers did.

“That’s alright,” her mother softly said, “you can learn. Just you, A-Huan won’t need to understand this, and you can’t tell him, or anyone else.”

“Or I won’t be safe?” she asked, trying to figure out the path of logic.

Madam Lan smiled gently, “close. Sometimes, last measures need to be secret to work the best.”

Lan Zhan is born female. This changes things, but more things stay the same.

flowers from ash by hauntedotamatone

There is the matter of a certain individual.” “That Wei Ying from YunmengJiang.”

A protracted Sunshot campaign spanning six years ends in a victory hardly worth the cost. With the former Five Great Sects whittled down to three, two of which have been devastated, the Jin Sect seeks to hang itself up in the place of the sun.

The first step in their climb to power is to get the woman who killed Wen Ruohan from within his own palace well out of the way. Lan Zhan is not someone who schemes, but she cannot allow Wei Ying to meet such a fate.

That she has loved her since they were fifteen is secondary.

#fanfic recs #mdzs #wangxian #lan wangji #reminds me that i need to post the wwx resurrected but make it gender fic rec list #ask #anon

[kurowrites]

Betting On You - Part III

Casually walks in and dumps this 500 years after the first two parts.

Previous parts

---

From that day onwards, Wei Ying started to see Lan Zhan more and more. Before Lan Zhan had come to their rescue that evening, they had mainly been content with a short greeting (in Lan Zhan’s case, usually just a nod of acknowledgement) as they passed each other in the hallway of the apartment block.

Now, however, things had started to change. Lan Zhan would stop every time they met and greet Wei Ying with actual words. He would even inquire about A-Yuan’s well-being, about Wei Ying’s well-being, and ‘stealthily’ feed A-Yuan healthy snacks if he was with Wei Ying.

(It wasn’t stealthy at all, because Lan Zhan checked with Wei Ying first whether A-Yuan had any food intolerances and if snacks between meals were appropriate for children his age.)

Wei Ying was tickled by the fact that Lan Zhan was sneaking his son healthy snacks. The worst part of it was that A-Yuan genuinely liked them, and so the snacks and Lan Zhan had a meteoric rise in A-Yuan’s esteem.

(His son was turning into a goody-two shoes who loved rabbit food, and Wei Ying had never been more shocked. His own child!)

Before long, A-Yuan would break into a run and firmly attach himself to Lan Zhan’s leg as soon as he caught sight of him in the hallway. Lan Zhan didn’t seem to mind the sudden acquisition of a spider monkey clinging to him every time he left the safety of his apartment, and so Wei Ying stopped trying to discourage A-Yuan from greeting him in this way.

Lan Zhan would walk with them for a little bit if they were both headed out, and that was another thing that Wei Ying enjoyed. Because, as it turned out, Lan Zhan’s company was always enjoyable. And Lan Zhan was genuinely funny. Even if he had the habits of an octogenarian.

More than once, Wei Ying ended up chatting to Lan Zhan for so long that they ended up in the nearby park together, A-Yuan running off to play with other children while the two of them sat down on a bench, still chatting. Occasionally, one of them was required to get up in order to give the children on the swing a push, but otherwise, Wei Ying might have been tempted to sit there and chat all day.

If he was honest, it was a bit strange, suddenly having Lan Zhan around all the time, and trying to act like it was no big deal at all (LAN ZHAN WAS WILLING TO SPEND TIME WITH HIM OUTSIDE OF AN EMERGENCY, HOW), but being in his company was too comfortable for Wei Ying to question it.

Lan Zhan had an exceptionally good hand with A-Yuan, even though he had no children of his own, and more than once, Wei Ying found himself relieved for Lan Zhan’s presence. He was so… calm all the time, seemingly unflappable, even that time when one of the children in the park suddenly started vomiting all over the place, making some of the other children get upset and start crying in the process.

Lan Zhan just calmly stood up, took care of it, and herded all the upset children back to their parents.

As if it was easy.

“You’re incredible, Lan Zhan,” Wei Ying said, much later, bumping shoulders with Lan Zhan as he shook his head. “Can you please leave some of that coolness for the rest of us poor schmucks?”

Lan Zhan levelled him with a gaze that clearly said that he had no idea what Wei Ying was talking about, and thought he was joking.

Well, Wei Ying was usually calling him a stick-in-the-mud, but he meant that endearingly! Lan Zhan was a very cool stick-in-the-mud.

Wei Ying might have said something along those lines, but then Lan Zhan reminded him that they still had to go shopping if they wanted to make hot pot that night, and Wei Ying got distracted counting all the ingredients he wanted in the hot pot.

---

A-Yuan had been put to bed with a belly full of delicious (though sadly very non-spicy) soup a while ago, and Wei Ying was starting to feel drowsy too. After eating far too much hot pot, he was feeling just the right amount of lazy and contented, and so getting up and leaving for his bed seemed like far too much of an effort.

And if he did that, he would also have to throw Lan Zhan out, and that seemed like more than he could accomplish right now.

“Lan Zhan,” he asked sleepily. “What is your stance on carrying adults to bed?”

Lan Zhan levelled him with another one of his flat looks, and Wei Ying chuckled to himself.

He couldn’t help it, it was funny! Just imagine Lan Zhan carrying Wei Ying to bed! It would be hilarious.

The next thing he knew, he was being lifted off the sofa, and carried to his bedroom in a bridal carry.

“Lan Zhan!” he exclaimed, but before he could do anything else, Lan Zhan had dropped him onto the bed like a sack of potatoes, stomping out of the room.

Wei Ying, feeling pretty awake now after the jarring experience of being carried around by a handsome man and then dropped suddenly, scrambled after him in a panic.

What the hell had just happened? It had just been a joke, he hadn’t actually wanted to ask Lan Zhan to carry him around! He was an adult, after all, and a parent at that, not a spoiled brat.

Wei Ying barely managed to catch Lan Zhan before he slipped out of his apartment, but when he stepped between Lan Zhan and the door, Lan Zhan stubbornly turned his face away and refused to look at him.

“Lan Zhan,” Wei Ying said, in his best cajoling tone, but Lan Zhan would not budge.

“Lan Zhaaaaan,” Wei Ying sang, and Lan Zhan finally turned to glare at him.

Well, Lan Zhan could glare all he wanted, he was looking at Wei Ying. Which was all that counted

And Wei Ying would not stop saying Lan Zhan’s name however he pleased. It was a good name, and Wei Ying liked saying it.

“It was a joke, you know,” he graciously informed Lan Zhan.

That, however, had the effect of making Lan Zhan look even more constipated.

“I know,” Lan Zhan said, with a strange amount of feeling in his voice. “You are never serious.”

And with that, he gently removed Wei Ying from the front of the door, and left the apartment with a final click of the lock.

---

The next few days, Wei Ying walked around in a daze, trying to figure out what had suddenly gotten into Lan Zhan.

Try as he might, he couldn’t figure out what the issue was. Though Lan Zhan couldn’t be described being a clown, he did have a working sense of humour. He might occasionally roll his eyes at Wei Ying’s dumb jokes, but generally was a good sport. What had been different this time?

Wei Ying couldn’t figure it out. The more he thought about it, the more confused he was.

It didn’t help that A-Yuan was unhappy with him. The day after the hot pot incident, he had demanded to see Lan Zhan. He had become used to seeing him every day by now, and had been accordingly grouchy when Wei Ying had told him that they couldn’t go and see Lan Zhan right now. Wei Ying felt terrible for it, because there wasn’t a good reason to keep A-Yuan from visiting Lan Zhan.

But.

Well.

He wasn’t sure if Lan Zhan wanted to see them right now, and he also wasn’t sure if he was ready to face Lan Zhan after that. Whatever it had been.  

He should probably apologise, but at the same time, he wasn’t sure what exactly to apologise for. And as long as he didn’t know…

… it was easier to just avoid the topic altogether.

Wei Ying might have carried on like that indefinitely, avoiding Lan Zhan like a pro and keeping A-Yuan from noticing his evasion tactics, but once again, Lan Zhan thwarted his plans.

Wei Ying had dropped off A-Yuan with a friend from childcare so they could play for two or three hours at the friend’s home. It was perfect, because now, Wei Ying was free to do all the housework and if he was quick about it, he might also get a short nap in.

Unfortunately, just when he had stuck the key into the keyhole of his apartment door, a familiar voice addressed him from right behind him.

He hadn’t even heard Lan Zhan approach.

“Are you willing to speak to me now?”

Wei Ying whipped around, and found Lan Zhan standing there in all his handsome glory.

Wei Ying laughed nervously, pushing his tousled hair out of his face.

“Willing to speak to you?” he asked, his voice probably a pitch higher than it should be. “When have I not been willing to speak to you?”

Lan Zhan just levelled him with a flat gaze, and herded Wei Ying into his own apartment by sheer willpower alone.

“Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan,” Wei Ying muttered as Lan Zhan closed the door behind them. “I know I should apologise, but I’m still not sure why exactly you got mad.”

Lan Zhan just sighed once, and stood in front of Wei Ying, simply looking at him without saying anything.

“Lan Zhan, if you keep looking at me like that, it’s going to look like you’re trying to flirt with me. I’m going to blush.”

Really, who wouldn’t, when such a handsome man was staring at you so intensely.

Lan Zhan shook his head minutely in apparent exasperation, and then…

And then he reached out, and gently brushed one messy strand of hair out of Wei Ying’s face.  

“Wei Ying. I am.”

And.

This time, it wasn’t a joke. Wei Ying actually blushed. Not a delicate, a little bit of red peppering the apples of his cheeks kind of blush. No. A full-on tomato red blush. He could feel himself radiating the heat of vicious embarrassment.

Ah, he thought to himself, as Lan Zhan took his hand and lifted it to his lips.

I might be a little bit stupid.

And then he might have stopped thinking for a little while.

#kuro writes #wangxian #mdzs #the untamed #wei wuxian #lan wangji #betting on you

[iamwestiec]

June 13: T4T Wangxian! 🏳️‍⚧️

genderbend wangxian, no, bendier than that

Read on ao3

When they first meet in high school, Lan Zhan can't stand him; she doesn't like boys as a rule, and Wei Ying is the worst: loud and cocky and flirts with everyone.

Her friend Nie Huaisang goes out with him once and swears up and down that he's pretty cool really, a perfect gentleman on their date. Lan Zhan bites her tongue and asks if he'll be seeing him again, but Nie Huaisang shakes his head.

"There just wasn't much of a spark there, y'know? I'd like to be friends, though, if you wouldn't mind him hanging out with us sometime?" And Nie Huaisang has been her best friend since they were five-year-olds drug to their big brothers' wushu competitions, so...

So that's how Lan Zhan finds herself eating lunch every day of senior year with Nie Huaisang and Wei Ying, Most Awful Boy in School.

It's surprisingly un-awful.

Wei Ying is still loud and cocky, but he is also kind and generous. She'd known he was smart—they'd often competed for the top spot in their classes—but she comes to realize that much of his flirting is honest curiousity about everyone and everything.

Including her.

"Lan Zhan, you should let me set you up on a date! Who do you like? There are lots of girls at this school who have a crush on Lan-jiejie, you know."

She did not know. She tries to tell him she does not need to be set up. Nie Huaisang betrays her and sides with Wei Ying.

Here's the other thing about Nie Huaisang & Wei Ying: they are weirdly good at matchmaking. She knows of at least four couples who started dating on their suggestion.

(They are not good at finding themselves dates, but that's a different story.)

"Hmm... oh! Lan Zhan, do you think you might like Mianmian?"

Lan Zhan goes on the date.

(She and Luo Qingyang date for the rest of senior year and part of that next summer, then break up amicably when they start university in different cities. They remain friends and pen pals.)

Lan Zhan and Wei Ying graduate at the top of their class. She has a little snapshot of them all at graduation, she and Nie Huaisang and Mianmian and Wei Ying and even Wei Ying’s brother Jiang Cheng, all in their hats and baggy gowns, looking proud and happy and ready to take on the world.

There's a lot of world, as it turns out.

People move, they graduate, they get jobs and fall in love and change their number and lose touch.

Sometimes they find out new things about themselves.

"Nonbinary" is a new thing.

Ge is adorkably supportive. Nie Huaisang congratulates them, and Mianmian sends a sweet message. Lan Zhan doesn't really have a conversation about it with Uncle, but the first time they wear a binder and blazer to a family lunch, he just compliments them on their outfit and asks about the new exhibit they've been working on for the museum.

Wei Ying’s messages had started bouncing a few years back, and Lan Zhan mostly manages not to wonder what he'd say.

Lan Zhan cuts their hair and grows it out again, because sometimes you just have to try things to see if they're you.

(Lan Zhan had learned that from Wei Ying.)

They date, a bit, and adopt a pair of rabbits. They find what makes them feel at home in their body.

They love their job and smile inside every time a wide-eyed kid takes in their long braided hair and earrings and makeup and the lean, crisp lines of their work outfits with awe.

They let Nie Huaisang teach them how to dance, and do brunch with Ge and his partners, and they travel, sometimes for work and sometimes for themself.

They visit Mianmian, meet her wife and baby daughter, and travel to see their mother's family, and other times go somewhere they know no one.

It's at a craft market in one such town, looking at handmade jewelry and homemade jams, that Lan Zhan hears a musical laugh they haven't heard in years.

They follow it past booths of landscape photos and hand-thrown pottery and beaded necklaces until they turn a corner to see —

Long glossy hair in a high ponytail. Elegant wrists and lively hands. A flowing skirt that flutters in the spring breeze as the person at this table of what Lan Zhan belatedly realizes is small-batch fruit wines waves goodbye to a happy customer before turning and—

"Wei Ying."

It's undoubtedly Wei Ying's eyes that go wide and surprised. Undoubtedly Wei Ying’s smile that spreads across this lovely face. Undoubtedly Wei Ying who responds, "Lan Zhan! Fancy meeting you here, after all this time."

Lan Zhan can feel a smile in the corners of their own lips.

"Come here, come here, tell me what you're up to these days. You look fantastic, Lan Zhan, have a seat, I want to hear everything that—ah, if you have time?"

Lan Zhan has time. Lan Zhan thinks they would sit at this market stall until dark to keep that smile on Wei Ying’s face.

"I do. Wei Ying, you also look—" beautiful, captivating, happy, alive "—fantastic."

Lan Zhan does not remember Wei Ying blushing like this in school. It's utterly charming.

Lan Zhan sits at Wei Ying’s stall for hours.

("This is more words than you ever said to me back then!")

They catch up. Wei Ying lives and works at a small family farm outside this town. Wei Ying declares Lan Zhan's job as a museum curator "perfect for you!"

They do the pronoun thing.

("It changes? But 'she' today."

"'They,' as a rule; 'she' when it's too..."

"Sure, I get it.")

Eventually, Wei Ying carefully asks if Lan Zhan has kept up with anybody they'd both known.

She's delighted by the news of Luo Qingyang's marriage and child, and thrilled that she and Lan Zhan remain friends. ("I knew you'd like her, Lan Zhan!")

Wei Ying’s face does something complicated when Lan Zhan asks about the Jiangs, so they let her change the subject. There's a little boy on the farm, apparently, who Wei Ying adores.

Wei Ying does not sell very much more wine that day, but she won't hear of Lan Zhan apologizing.

It's not quite dark when Lan Zhan helps Wei Ying pack up the unsold jars, but it is late enough that it's easy to ask her for a recommendation for where to eat dinner, then insist that Lan Zhan treat her to a meal.

It is dark by the time they leave the restaurant.

Lan Zhan goes to bed smiling that night, a new number in their phone under a contact they could never quite bring themself to delete.

Wei Ying has never visited the museum Lan Zhan had come here to see. Lan Zhan barely notices the art, too distracted by the light in her eyes.

The train ride between towns is not long.

Later, under cheerful lanterns strung up at the Wen farm to celebrate Wei Ying's birthday, Lan Zhan mentions they've gotten a position at the museum they visited that first weekend.

Wei Ying's kiss tastes like cherry wine and happiness.

Epilogue thoughts:

Wei Ying's jiejie does her hair at the wedding. Jiang Cheng cries on Nie Huaisang at the reception. Mianmian and Mian's Ma'am and Xiao Mianmian are, of course, all in attendance as well.

Lan Zhan and Wei Ying hang a picture of all of them at the wedding in their new house, with an old, faded snapshot tucked in the corner of the frame.

#PrideMonthSnippets Masterpost!

#PrideMonthSnippets #westie writes #wangxian #modern au #trans lan wangji #nonbinary lan wangji #trans wei wuxian #genderfluid wei wuxian #lan zhan #wei ying #notfic

[drwcn]

ok but for fem!wwx au does lan zhan believe the rumours? and if so what does that mean for the whole 'i birthed him with my own body!' cause lan zhan did the maths and was like 'no it was just the once and this child is too old' but if he thinks he was just one in a line does he go back to bm after nightless city to rescue a kid he thinks is wei ying's but with another man? does he spend the three years in seclusion cursing every jin whose name he remembers as cowards only to step out, take one look at sizhui, and have an 'oh. i know why wei ying was so determined to save wen qionglin' moment???

Answer:  Haha, nah, Lan Wangji was fairly sure Sizhui wasn’t Wei Ying’s, for several reasons. One, Wen Yuan was born before the wen remnants even went to the Burial Mount. Lan Wangji saw the small child amongst the escape party that rainy night at the  concentration camp. Also, Wen Ning was several years younger than them, which would make it kind of weird if he were the dad. Before Wen Ning became the Ghost General, everyone just knew him as Wen Qing’s kid brother.  Lan Wangji, however, absolutely believed Jiang Yan to be Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian’s child even before Wei Wuxian was resurrected... 

《the midnight sun》 — 

[original], snippets [x] [x] [x] [x], other posts found under #lanyan or #midnight sun

midnight sun [snippet 7]

When Yan’er turned ten, Jiang Cheng decided it was time for her to accompany him to Cultivation Conferences. Most sect heirs began their training this way; Jiang Cheng still remembered his first time, trailing nervously in Jiang Fengmian’s wake. 

Heiresses, in comparison, were few and far between. Even head disciples were rarely girls. Jiang Wanyin had no children. His head disciple was his heiress, and his heiress was Jiang Yueqian (江月千). 

长烟一空 - when the smoke clears; 皓月千里 - the moon casts a thousand miles of light 浮光跃金 - which dances upon the water, golden 静影沉壁 - the shadow of the moon itself like jade underwater*

A jade underwater indeed.

“Shifu.”

Speaking of the devil, here she comes, walking measuredly down the long stairs of Jinlintai towards Jiang Cheng, the epitome of an obedient, filial disciple. It had only been a day and Jiang Yan already had the world fooled. Only Jiang Cheng knew how impossibly obstinate and utterly uncontrollable she was when her mind was fixed.

"Ah, Jiang-zongzhu, this is..." Spotting her, Lan Xichen glanced beyond his shoulder, the question dangling in the sentence he did not deem necessary to finish.

Unbeknownst to Lan Xichen, the child that made her way over was his niece by blood. Jiang Cheng was acutely aware that Yan'er actually resembled Lan Wangji a great deal, and despite having weighed the risks and gains against each other repeatedly before deciding to bring Jiang Yan along, now he was no longer so certain in his calculations. Lan Xichen was not a simple peasant; what if he detected a trace or a hint of her heritage between the furrow of her brows or the curve of her eyes? What if...

Jiang Cheng turned, raising an arm towards Jiang Yan, an introduction ready, but whatever words he had prepared in advance died on on his tongue when he laid eyes on the girl. Suddenly, he was no longer worried that others would suspect her to be Lan Wangji's child.

There was a red ribbon in her hair.

Yan'er stopped at a polite distance from the two older men and bowed in perfect form.

Jiang Cheng's heart stuttered violently in his chest at the sight of that red ribbon falling sideway over her small shoulder. If souls could travel, his would have left him in an instant. He stood in disincorporated panic, wrestling with the nauseating sensation of being ripped from his reality and tossed so far into the distant past that he felt whole again.

"Shifu, Lan-zongzhu." Yan'er greeted.

Shifu. Lan-zongzhu. In another world, another life, she would not need to be so formal. She could easily bound up to them, carefree, cooing jiujiu and bobo and ask to be bailed out from whatever trouble she caused.

Instead, he was only her shifu, and Lan Xichen, a stranger in her life. It would be laughable, if fate had not dealt them each such a wretched hand.

Jiang Cheng stepped towards her. “Where did you get this?” 

Jiang Yan looked up in surprise, her hand reaching up and making an aborted motion to touch the red ribbon in her hair.

“Qin-shenshen gave it to me. Is it not nice?” 

Qin Su. Jiang swallowed down a sigh of relief. Earlier, the Jin servants had sent word that Jin-fu'ren had baked treats for Jin Ling, and the boy had wasted no time dragging his favourite person - his Yan'er jiejie - to his aunt's place with him. Clearly, Qin Su had seized the opportunity to dote on the girl in place of the daughter she never had. Qin Su meant well. She couldn't have known. She's never even met Wei Wuxian.

In this state, Jiang Cheng could barely bring himself to look at his disciple, but he forced himself nonetheless to kneel and tuck an errant strand of baby hair behind her ear. “Very pretty.” 

Yan'er smiled.

Jiang Cheng could cry.

They'd been lucky thus far. Yunmeng's Jiang-xiao-guniang was born a taciturn girl who did not like to smile or laugh, not even when she was expected to for polite society. Whether she was happy or sad, one would be hard pressed to tell. Only in front of her master Jiang Cheng or her Jin Ling-didi did she elect to reveal the full expanse of her emotions. Yet, whenever Jiang Cheng bore witness to that smile as warm and incandescent as sunlight, he could not help but shudder somewhere deep. Recalling the radiant days of years gone by, he could still see - every time he closed his eyes - his er-shijie smiling at him in the very same fashion.

Aiyo, Jiang Cheng ~

So...they'd been very lucky thus far, that Yan'er was not so like her mother in that way, not so free and generous with her smiles. Or else this devastating secret —Wei Wuxian's only wish — would not be able to withstand the test of time.

"Very pretty, Yan'er." He reaffirmed. "Did you thank Jin-furen?"

"I did."

Jiang Cheng stood and turned back to face Lan Xichen, and realized they were being joined by two others: Lan Qiren and Lan Wangji. The latter of two stared directly down at Jiang Yan, visibly stricken and unblinking, as though he'd just seen a ghost. After all, he had often been on the receiving end of that signature smile once upon a time. It was probably not a smile he'd ever expected to see again in this life.

In hindsight, perhaps Jiang Cheng should have made Yan'er wear her uniform like all the other disciples instead of her favourite indigo robes.

“Ah, Wangji, shufu -” Lan Xichen was quick to react, sensing animosity brewing in the disquiet that stretched taut between his younger brother and his fellow sect master. "Jiang-zongzhu, perhaps you would introduce us?"

The First Jade smiled kindly down at Yan'er. She returned his kindness with a polite nod.

Lan Wangji finally dragged his gaze up to meet Jiang Cheng's, a rarity since their violent parting at Nevernight. The venerated Hanguang-jun had developed a habit of pretending that Jiang Wanyin of Lotus Pier did not exist at all. He probably preferred, dreamed of it even, if Jiang Cheng had been one to fall of the cliff that day. He probably hated himself for not shoving him into the molten abyss when he could to avenge the love of his life.

Love. What did Lan Wangji know of love? Jiang Cheng sneered inwardly. One did not compromise one's love and abandon her, ill and with child, to bleed out alone in a cave tainted by demonic spirits.

One did not watch idly as one's love and her people are reduced to ashes for the power and greed of men either....

Jiang Cheng buried the offending thought, too familiar with Wen Qing's ghost that still haunted him in his moments of weakness. Without breaking gaze, he laid a hand on the crown of Jiang Yan's head and said, "This is my first disciple, Jiang Yan, Jiang Yueqian."

"Yueqian greets Zewu-jun, Lan-lao-xiansheng, Hanguang-jun."

Jiang Cheng watched as the icy fire within Lan Wangji's eyes flicker, fizzle, and extinguish entirely. Jiang Cheng's vague silence had allowed him the space to make his assumptions, and he had assumed the most insane explanation.

Is it so difficult for you, wondered Jiang Cheng. To believe that she could be yours? So impossible, that you would choose to doubt Wei Wuxian instead?

Fine.

Hanguang-jun. The venerated Second Jade of Gusu. That's all you'll ever be. Yan'er will never call you Father.

Jiang Cheng decided he had spent enough time today making nice. "Zewu-jun, it's getting late. If nothing else, I will be taking my leave. The conference continues tomorrow. I will see you then. Yan'er, come."

Yan'er bowed again to the senior cultivators, perfectly well-mannered. A dash of surprise crossed those bright eyes, however, when Jiang Cheng took her hand to lead her away. She followed wordlessly, trusting him, and did not look back once at the Lans she left behind.

Now that Yan'er was out in society, there would surely be rumours. No matter. Rumours were nothing Jiang Wanyin could not withstand. How ironic, indeed, that this was to be his lot in life.

For the first time, Jiang Cheng felt he could understand his father.

Note:

The poem is from the Song dynasty, by poet 范仲淹 from his work 《岳阳楼记》

Jiang Cheng of course is also working off a lot of assumptions about Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji's relationship. He has his reasons for hating and blaming Lan Wangji, but not all the blame is deserved.

#Anonymous #corie replies #cql #the untamed #lanyan #midnight sun #corie fics #cql ficlet #yes jiang cheng stringed enough brain cells together to come up with a half decent name #ly7

[stiltonbasket]

Baking AU prompt: Ok this is p dorky but what about Lan Wangji receiving some pastries from a rival bakery (idk maybe gifted from a coworker or a client who had a successful case). And WWX is fine, he really is, it's just that he feels very confused and off-center thinking about LWJ eating those mediocre, inferior pastries. So he ends up going on a baking spree and making a much fancier version of whatever LWJ received. Cuz you know, he'd hate for LWJ to not know what that dish is SUPPOSED to taste like, you understand. WWX's version is much better, isn't it Lan Zhan? Right? Isn't it?

Lan Wangji blinks down at the purple box in bewilderment.

“Moon cakes?” he asks, as Wei Ying turns away with flushed cheeks and a twitch in his left eyebrow. “Thank you, Wei Ying.”

Wei Ying nods and sticks his hands into a pan of sweet bread dough. “It’s the mid-autumn festival soon, so I baked you some.”

“Baked me some?”

“Of course! Aiyah, Lan Zhan, don’t you know how long it takes to make yuebing? And you have to leave them for a couple of days to make sure they’ll be good to eat, too! I’ve never sold mooncakes at Lotus Pier, and I never will.”

Hesitantly, Lan Wangji opens the box and peers at the twelve round cakes lined up inside. Wei Ying often gives him free buns and pastries, and Lan Wangji’s heart nearly beats right out of his chest with every one--but those gifts are part of the bakery’s everyday menu, even if Wei Ying does make sure to wrap and label them in advance, so for Wei Ying to have baked something for Lan Wangji specially...

His fingers move almost of their own accord, reaching for the smallest yuebing before bringing it up to his lips. The crust is perfect, rich and soft with a hint of warmth that must have come from some kind of spice--Wei Ying’s own addition to the standard recipe, most likely--and the paste of the filling is moist and fresh and oddly clean-tasting, as if something light and fresh had been blended in with the lotus seeds.

It’s the most delicious yuebing Lan Wangji has ever tasted, and he eats so many every mid-autumn from the gifts he and Lan Xichen receive that he was sick of them by the first year after his Xiongzhang started the law practice.

“How is it?” Wei Ying asks, halting with his arms buried up to the elbows in raisiny dough. “Do you--like them?”

Lan Wangji still has his eyes shut, with the sweet morsel cradled between his tongue and the roof of his mouth, and he extends a hand towards Wei Ying’s shoulder as if to assure himself that the love of his life is real.

“They are divine,” he says hoarsely. “Wei Ying, you--”

But before he can finish his sentence, the door flies open, and A-Yuan appears on the threshold with sugar smeared over his cheeks. “A-Niang!” the little boy cheers, wrapping his arms around Wei Ying’s legs. “A-Niang, did Lan-shushu like the mooncakes?”

He turns towards Lan Wangji without a reply, reaching out to tug at his slacks without letting go of Wei Ying. “Uncle Lan, you have to like them! A-Die didn’t let us try even one bite!”

“I only made enough for you,” Wei Ying mumbles, when Lan Wangji stares at him with stars in his eyes. “I don’t eat them very often, and you know I don’t sell them--but you had that dry one in your packed lunch when we went to the park with A-Yuan, and...”

Suddenly, his heart feels as if it could float right out of his body. “You wanted to make me one I would like?”

“I did.” Wei Ying’s cheeks are suffused with a beautiful flush, so delicate that Lan Wangji can hardly see it, but he is certain that if he touched his friend’s tanned skin, he would find it as warm as the oven counter. “Don’t eat those dry mooncakes anymore, ah? Come to me if you want them, and I’ll bake a batch for you.”

“I want to taste one,” A-Yuan clamors, butting his head against Wei Ying’s hip. “Please, Lan-shushu!”

“A-Yuan! The cakes were a gift, you can’t--”

“He is more than welcome to,” Lan Wangji says gently, bringing the most succulent-looking cake out of the box and offering it to A-Yuan. “If you take some, Yuan’er, the others will taste even sweeter.”

“Really?”

“Mm, they will. Food is the most delicious when it is shared.”

“That’s what I keep telling Xiao-Yu,” A-Yuan agrees, sighing as if the weight of the world were on his six-year-old shoulders. “His peanut snacks will taste better if he shares them with me, but he never does!”

“A-Yuan,” Wei Ying chides, bringing out a handkerchief to wipe Wen Yuan’s face. “Baobei, don’t speak with your mouth full. You might choke, and then what would A-Die do?”

The scene is so very domestic--with Wei Ying wiping A-Yuan’s cheeks, and Lan Wangji cupping his hand under the little boy’s mouth to catch the crumbs as he nibbles at the mooncake--that Lan Wangji almost dies on the spot. But then Xue Yang comes running in with Xiao-Yu and dumps the baby into his arms before rushing off to wait the tables in the dining room, and Lan Wangji comes so near to expiring that he has to cling to the table behind him for support.

“Dada,” Xiao-Yu whimpers, shoving his tiny nose into Lan Wangji’s neck as he curls deeper into the warm sweater Xichen forced him to wear before he went out. “Hug!”

Cause of death: cardiac arrest from spending too long with Wei Ying and the little ones, Lan Wangji think dazedly, breathing in a lungful of Xiao-Yu’s clean baby scent before Wei Ying leans over to take the infant from him. How can all three of them be so precious?

“Do you really think so?” Wei Ying teases. Lan Wangji turns crimson--he said the last sentence aloud somehow, and now Wei Ying is beaming at him as if Lan Wangji is the most wonderful thing he has ever beheld. “All this for a tasty mooncake, Lan Zhan? If I knew you liked good yuebing so much, I would have made them earli--”

“Have dinner with me.” Lan Wangji blurts out. “Wei Ying, I...please.”

“Aiyah, we’ve been friends for so long! You know you’re always welcome for dinner, right? I’ll ask Jiejie to make some extra noodles, and take one of the seasonal dishes off the menu so I can cook your favorite--”

“No, I...have dinner with me, Wei Ying. As...as a date.”

Wei Ying’s eyes go wide. “Lan Zhan?”

“A-Die says yes,” is A-Yuan’s solemn contribution. “Lan-shushu, he told me you make his heart beat fast, so you should take him to dinner!”

Lan Wangji takes Wei Ying’s hand, and for a moment he cannot tell which of their pulses is quicker. “Your A-Die makes my heart beat fast, too,” he tells A-Yuan. “It races every time he looks at me.”

“Do you mean it?” Wei Wuxian asks. He seems to glow under the low light fixtures hanging from the ceiling, though the smile on his face could surpass the sun itself for brightness. “Really?”

Lan Wangji nods, and he is suddenly very grateful that baby Xiao-Yu is safe in Wei Ying’s arms--because his laughing father chooses that moment to kiss Lan Wangji on the lips, very softly, and take his breath away again, and again, and again.

#wangxian #the untamed #mo dao zu shi #wuxian versus world: bakery style #my fic

[no--envies]

It’s hard to tell how much WWX was actually affected by his demonic cultivation during his first life. He's still the same person as he was before practicing it and the differences in his temper could be easily attributed to circumstances. I think it's important for the themes of the novel, because MDZS is not a story about someone corrupted by his powers; the point of everything that happened isn't that WWX's cultivation method was harmful and he shouldn't practice it anymore. This is clearly not what the novel is trying to tell us.

Part of WWX’s character arc is about facing his limits and accepting that despite being incredibly talented and skilled, there are things beyond his control. The loss of control of his demonic cultivation is connected to that theme.

He was the one who couldn’t control such a weapon. He was the one who grew too confident in his own abilities. He was also the one who ignored all of the ominous indications that had happened up to now, with the belief that he could suppress any loss of control.

(Chapter 76)

WWX himself admits that he “ignored all the ominous indications” because he felt sure that he could suppress any loss of control. This doesn't necessarily mean there's something inherently harmful about demonic cultivation, but using it as much as WWX did, especially in stressful situations, is not a good idea since it's clearly affected by the state of mind of the person practicing it. The problem isn't that WWX was so arrogant that he thought nothing could go wrong, but that he didn't really have another choice. Instead of worrying, he chose to keep an optimistic mindset and put his trust in his own abilities, as he always does.

I don’t actually consider what happened at Qiongqi Path his fault, since JZXun really pushed him beyond what anyone could reasonably stand, but WWX's thoughts indicate the loss of control wasn't something that happened suddenly. There had been signs before. Other than being plausible, this is important for the themes of the novel: this is a moment where WWX is faced with his own limits. Despite being a prodigy, he's still a fallible human being. He can get tired, stressed out, make mistakes and fail.

Taking all this into account, the signs mentioned by LWJ when they met in Yunmeng were probably real and he hadn’t imagined them. I don’t think LWJ would have been so worried otherwise.

Lan WangJi, “Last time, during the hunt on Phoenix Mountain, have you noticed certain signs?”

Wei WuXian, “What signs?”

Lan WangJi, “The loss of control.”

Wei WuXian, “You mean me almost getting into a fight with Jin ZiXuan? I think you got something wrong. I want to fight with Jin ZiXuan whenever I see him.”

Lan WangJi, “And the things you said afterwards.”

Wei WuXian, “What things? I say so many things every day. I’ve long since forgotten about the things I said two months ago.”

[...]

Lan WangJi, “It is not too late yet. In the future, even if you regret…”

Without waiting for him to finish talking, Wei WuXian’s expression changed. He suddenly stood up, “Lan Zhan!”

Behind him, red light had begun to glow within the eyes of the girls. Wei WuXian, “Stop it.”

Thus, the girls lowered their heads and retreated, but still they stared unwaveringly at Lan WangJi. Wei WuXian turned to him, “What can I say? Even though I don’t think that I’ll regret it, I don’t like it when people take guesses at how I’m going to be in the future, either.”

After a while of silence, Lan WangJi replied, “I am the one who was out of line.”

(Chapter 71)

LWJ’s way of approaching the issue could have definitely been better and it was a source of misunderstandings between them, but he did have a point. I think it's telling that WWX got very defensive every time LWJ brought up the subject. Although part of it was understandable irritation for feeling always judged by LWJ, I think he himself had probably already noticed the signs, but since he couldn’t really do anything about it (it’s not like he could go back to cultivating with spiritual energy) he chose to ignore them and believe in his own ability to suppress any possible loss of control. Having LWJ constantly reminding him that something could go wrong - especially without offering any feasible solution - only irritated him more.

After WWX came back, LWJ stopped being so insistent about the potentially detrimental effects of demonic cultivation, because he understood that his own attitude during WWX’s first life hadn’t helped at all and had only caused the rift between them to become worse, to the point that before he died WWX believed even LWJ hated him like everyone else:

Wei WuXian spun around to dodge the attack and laughed, “Fine, fine. I knew since the start that we’d have to fight a real fight like this one sooner or later. You’ve always found me disagreeable no matter what. Come on!”

Hearing this, Lan WangJi’s movements paused, “Wei Ying!”

(Chapter 78)

After losing WWX, LWJ had a lot of time to reflect on his mistakes and come to terms with his regrets. We see the result of this in all of LWJ’s actions during WWX's second life. LWJ is done with being still and waiting: this time he’ll actually do everything in his power to support WWX and keep him safe. As long as WWX seems unaffected by demonic cultivation, LWJ will never bring it up again. LWJ probably realizes WWX must have his reasons to cultivate that path (we learn in chapter 89 that LWJ had his suspicions and thought WWX’s spiritual powers were somehow impaired), so this time he chooses to just trust WWX’s judgement. LWJ’s own character development also made him become a lot more tolerant in general and less rigid about some things, so he doesn't care about traditions as much as he did when he was younger.

In conclusion, WWX's loss of control might have been due to inherent effects of his cultivation method, but it’s not meant to portray demonic cultivation as something that should be avoided no matter what: it's part of larger themes like facing one's limits and coming to terms with one's failures. I think it's highly unlikely that WWX will lose control again in the future: we see him using his powers with more moderation in his second life and, more importantly, his current state of mind is a lot better than when he was in the middle of very stressful situations. As much as WWX is mentally strong, he spent years isolated from the world, with a group of people under his protection and without knowing when someone would decide to attack him. Having to shoulder all of this alone would put a toll on anyone, so it's no wonder he lost control in the end. Now he has LWJ by his side, so he doesn't need to do everything by himself anymore.

#mdzs #mdzs meta #wei wuxian #lan wangji #wei ying #lan zhan #demonic cultivation