#jin ling and his xiao-shushu

[add1ctedt0you]

What warms my heart about chengyao, is that these two broken men looked at their nephew and decided that they would love the shit out of him, giving him what they couldn't have

#Like. I've seen people criticize jgy for giving jl Fairy. But he's giving to jl a loyal friend. Someone jgy didn't have growing up #While teen!jc and teen!wwx know that jfm would never rush to another sect for jc. While jc is always there for jl #Without saying that yzu at a crying jc wouldn't say 'who bullied you'. #They are traumatized men trying their best and I love that #jin ling #jin guangyao #jiang cheng #jin ling and his jiujiu #jin ling and his xiao-shushu #Mdzs #And jl love them so much #And the extra where jl says he can't hate neither jgy neither others. I love you jl. You are the true mdzs' protagonist

[thatswhatsushesaid]

#i cannot find a functioning link to the OG jiujiu version that inspired me to make this #anyway there should be more cute jin ling and his xiao shushu content in this fandom #mdzs shitposting #xiao shushu rights 🤝 #jin guangyao #jin ling

[least-carpet]

Jin Ling and Hensheng: Weapons and Power in MDZS

Alright, I saw a post float by about Jin Ling inheriting and using Hensheng, and I have thoughts about it. Not to be a hater—like if you love this thought, get down with your bad self and have fun, I wish you every enjoyment—but I disagree strongly that Jin Ling would ever use Hensheng, or even that Jin Guangyao would want him to.

Thoughts about Hensheng's name

All of the weapons in MDZS have highly symbolic names and Hensheng is no different. "Hensheng" apparently means "hatred or resentment for life" which seems like kind of a wild name to give your sword, although, what do I know, it's not like I'm a sword-naming expert. In all other aspects, Hensheng is unusual, since it's a soft sword which is meant to be worn concealed. It's a perfect tool for Jin Guangyao's time undercover, and he uses it to assassinate Wen Ruohan and end the Sunshot Campaign. However, I assume it's a dishonourable sword to carry, since it's not worn openly, although I have to admit that I don't know much about this genre or its conventions. As evidence, I want to point out that we don't see any other characters carry this type of sword. It simultaneously makes him a hero, beginning his ascent in the Jin Sect, and marks him as an outsider.

Jin Ling, on the other hand, is associated with father's (legitimate) power both through his weapons and his martial skills, i.e. his inherited sword and his archery. I think this is the ONLY instance we see of a named sword being inherited so this association is unusual and very important. (The sword also has a Big Symbolic Name, Suihua, "the passage of time." Why do you need subtlety when you can have BADASS SWORDS instead.)

While Jin Ling is in a delicate political position at the end of MDZS, I still don't think he would take up Hensheng, and to explain why, I think we should look at his refusal to take up Zidian in the second siege of the Burial Mounds.

Zidian as a symbol

The Watsonian explanation for this refusal is that he associates Zidian's transfer with the owner's death and he absolutely refuses to consider the idea that Jiang Cheng might die. But from a Doylist perspective, Zidian is a symbol of power under duress or constraint, in a similar way that Hensheng is a symbol of socially unacceptable power.

Zidian is associated with Madame Yu (constrained by gender and social position, access to power based on skill and a reputation for ferocity) and later Jiang Cheng (constrained by the decimation of his sect and his age, access to power based on skill and a reputation for ferocity). It's also associated with trauma linked to both the duress and the power—trauma associated with "what must be done to survive." Like it's legendary for sure, but at what cost, you know? Not even getting into it taking the form of a whip.

Jin Ling looks at it under immediate threat to life and limb and goes, No, thanks! I will do brave things without it! (And gives Jiang Cheng, like, five simultaneous heart attacks.) Even under duress, Jin Ling is still in a better position than Jiang Cheng was when he inherited Zidian, because he still has his uncle's support and knows it. He is secure enough in Jiang Cheng's love and protection that he doesn't need to take Zidian from him.

Jin Ling and his many inheritances

With that in mind, I can't see Jin Ling taking up Hensheng either. I also see it as thematically incoherent for him to use a weapon called "hatred for life," when his arc is about struggling with past events to work towards forgiveness.

He's not in the same situation as Jin Guangyao. He grew up in peacetime, as the heir to a wealthy sect, and his guardians loved him and supported him and were able to protect him. He just doesn't need to be as well-armed—emotionally or literally—as Jin Guangyao or Jiang Cheng.

(It also occurs to me that both Zidian and Hensheng are barriers to physical closeness. Hensheng is worn concealed in the wearer's clothes and Zidian is worn as jewelry—trauma functions as a barrier to closeness and intimacy. You can ALWAYS zap or stab a motherfucker if they get too close to you, which is good in unsafe situations and bad, emotionally, if you live like that forever. It's important that Jin Ling doesn't have to do that!)

Anyway this is why I hate this concept for thematic reasons, especially when Jin Guangyao did explicitly arm and protect Jin Ling—with Fairy, who is capable of discernment, who is a source of love and support, and not with a "hatred for life."

Although Jin Guangyao and Jiang Cheng's combined parental efforts were, uh, a little idiosyncratic, it seems like they were both trying to be mindful of what they passed on to their shared nephew. Jin Ling is a spoiled brat but also a very good and forgiving and brave little guy! He is so much more secure than either of them were basically ever in their lives! He doesn't need to resort to resentment or to Hensheng. (Thematically. For practical, in-text purposes, he doesn't need them because Jiang Cheng is still around and will kill anyone who touches a hair on his head. I'm sure Wei Wuxian would also be happy to help.)

TL;DR it is really important thematically that Jin Guangyao did not transfer his hatred for life to Jin Ling, who, along with Lan Sizhui, is part of the novel's hope for the future. Jin Guangyao looked at his nephew and he gave him a puppy (who can protect him AND love him) instead.

#jin ling #jin guangyao #jiang cheng #a-ling and his xiao-shushu #a-ling and his jiujiu #fairy #mdzs + #least-carpet thoughts

[demonicfarmer69]

gifts from your uncles // happy birthday jin ling! 💛

#jin ling #mdzs #mo dao zu shi #happy birthday baby #the neck scar is from his xiao shushu too :( #do u ever think about how jin ling celebrates his birthday and then his dads death anniversary is the next month

[wiseuper]

What happens every time somebody goes into JGY’s study.

JC: What is taking you so long!?

JGY: I’m trying to find something! *Tries to look for a box*

JC: Can’t you do that later!?

JGY: No! I’m trying to find a box big enough to hide NMJ’s head!

JC: *unimpressed* And you can’t you do that latter?

JGY: Of course not. Do you want JL to be scarred for life?

JC: Why do you do this every single TIME?!

JGY: Because I don’t want to keep NMJ’s head covered all the time. It feels weird. *JGY ignores how weird it was for him to keep NMJ’s head in his study in the first place*

*JC makes strangling motions with his hands to convey just how unimpressed he was. JL shuffles nervously at his side, not paying attention to JGY. He was too used to the weird stuff JGY says on the daily.*

JC: Are you done with your whatever thing yet!?

JGY: Not yet, still looking for something to hide NMJ’s… Ah! *pulls out box from under a chair and covers NMJ’s head* I’m done.

*JC barges into the study, dragging JL*

JC: This boy - *JC aggressively points at JL who tries to shy away* - has been causing trouble in Lanling.

#meng yao #jin guangyao #WeirdlyTruthfulJGY #jiang cheng #jin ling #mo dao zu shi #Jin ling’s uncles’ parenting #JGY&JC friendship #Friendship #that is weird #and aggressive #and i love it #jin ling and his jiujiu #Jin Ling and his xiao shushu #Jin Ling is in trouble #And he knows it #JGY’s Study #And it’s dilemmas #coparenting #mxtx mdzs #mdzs

[spriteofmushrooms]

As Nie Huaisang poured their tea, Jiang Cheng rubbed his thumb against the carved wooden box in his lap and tried not to fret over what the other man was thinking. He knew what he looked like: the white streak at his temple announced it all. Jiang Cheng's cultivation was failing, and with the discussion conference tomorrow, it would be impossible to hide. Not even the reputation of Sandu Shengshou could shield him from being known now.

"Jiang-xiong, if you brought me a present, you have to give it to me," Nie Huaisang said behind his fan. His eyes seemed amused, at least, maybe.

"I know that," Jiang Cheng said, flustered and annoyed for being so. He placed it on the table between them.

Nie Huaisang tapped his hand with the closed fan where he hadn't yet pulled it away, and Jiang Cheng snatched it back to his lap. "It's a beautiful box, Jiang-xiong, but you can't keep it, either!"

"We're supposed to drink tea first," Jiang Cheng groused as Nie Huaisang's dainty fingers opened the lid.

"No, I distinctly recall the Gusu edict that states gifts are more important than anything," Nie Huaisang said. "If it's on their wall, you know it's orthodoxy itself. Oh, what are these?"

In his hands, the brilliant pressed ink cakes were even more beautiful. He was holding the azure bird, and his skin glowed against it. "One of the painters in Lotus Cove has... eccentric ideas. She's been experimenting with pigment and ash combinations. These are her more stable creations, but even then, they're not as permanent as standard ink. But, well." Jiang Cheng pulled a small book out of his sleeve and handed it over. "Here."

Nie Huaisang pulled his bottom lip into his mouth, darted a glance at Jiang Cheng's face, and then set the ink cake back into the box. "I don't have enough hands," he whined, but he took the book graciously. Page by page, his expression grew sharper; a slight flush brightened his cheeks. "A generous gift, Jiang-xiong."

Jiang Cheng swallowed. "She said the pink is especially fleeting, so you shouldn't hang anything with it in direct sunlight," he said gruffly. "Some of them have inclusions that make them act unpredictably in water. It's... You'll have to work with them a lot. To know how they'll perform."

"This kingfisher shimmers with true to life colors," Nie Huaisang murmured. After a moment of silence, he said, "I haven't painted in a long time."

"I know," Jiang Cheng said miserably. At the other's look, he added, "The fans from the last few years weren't your style."

Instantly, Nie Huaisang's fan was between them again. Jiang Cheng looked away, neck hot.

After a tense silence, Nie Huaisang said, "Jiang-xiong, would you tell me if something was wrong?"

"You know something is."

"Can something be done?" Nie Huaisang paused. "Gusu healers, perhaps?"

Jiang Cheng scoffed. "What Lan would help me? Hanguang-jun has never hidden his disdain for me, and Zewu-jun seems determined to live on darkness and silence forever. The Lans who would graciously ignore the feelings of one can't forgive me for being associated with Jin Guangyao and Guanyin Temple, for not noticing a-Ling's xiao-shushu was a treacherous minx who had beguiled the First Jade and would hurt his precious feelings later. As if I've ever picked up on anything like that before."

"How is Jin-zongzhu?" It was hard to read Nie Huaisang's tone, but that wasn't new.

Jiang Cheng fiddled with Zidian, tugging the chain. "He has his friends, his duties, and his shibo."

"Not his jiujiu?"

"You know how Wei Wuxian is," Jiang Cheng said.

Another pause. "I suppose I do." Nie Huaisang picked up and repositioned ink cakes for a moment before asking, "Does he know?"

"Unless the Jin spies defected, yes."

Nie Huaisang rapped his knuckles with the fan, and Jiang Cheng looked up at him. "He should have heard it from you."

"You don't get to tell me how to die," Jiang Cheng snapped.

Nie Huaisang looked bored. "Oh? Then why are you here?"

"This is why tea is supposed to be drunk first," Jiang Cheng said peevishly. "The entire pot is cold now."

Nie Huaisang draped himself over the couch and fanned himself. "You're a thorough person, Jiang-xiong. You must have an heir to announce tomorrow; likely, one of your usual retinue to these things. Not your head disciple, for as dear as that boy is, he doesn't have the head for politics, and politics and reputation have kept YunmengJiang safe. Chen Helin?" At Jiang Cheng's sharp look, he added, "I pay attention to you, too, Jiang-xiong."

"If you know everything, why ask?"

"No one can know everything," Nie Huaisang said gently. "I very often know nothing and must hope for the best. QingheNie hasn't fallen yet, which suggests even caged birds in pavilions aren't always prey." He looked at the box. "You want me to paint again. Why now?"

"After," Jiang Cheng started. He wasn't used to seeing Nie Huaisang's entire face. He wasn't used to seeing Nie Huaisang in soft, unembroidered robes. He wasn't used to seeing Nie Huaisang's hair down from its braids. "After," he repeated, "I didn't ask about your leg."

Nie Huaisang waited, but then murmured, "It healed."

Jiang Cheng swallowed. "I was selfish. I didn't want to think about it. I didn't want to think about Chifeng-zun's body or what seeing it in pieces would do to you, because I can't—things are better when you don't think about them. But you stopped painting when he died, Nie-xiong, and all I did back then was scold you for not knowing how to triage your sect in its grief. In your grief." Here, the traitor that used to be his body swelled, and the foreign wave of mourning filled him once again. "You should paint," Jiang Cheng said through tears.

"Oh." Nie Huaisang opened his mouth, and then he closed it, simply looking at Jiang Cheng. "Come here," he said, patting the couch.

Obediently, Jiang Cheng moved to sit next to him.

"Good, good. Put your face here, please."

Jiang Cheng hesitated, but was it wrong to seek comfort when invited? He hadn't asked for it. Nie Huaisang probably didn't know how much he needed it, so it wasn't like he pressured him into it. He fell forward and pressed his face into Nie Huaisang's neck. Engulfed by the complex herbal and spice blend preferred in Qinghe incense and Nie Huaisang's sweet, peppery chrysanthemum, he simply breathed.

"You helped me a lot back then, Jiang-xiong." Nie Huaisang was a little cooler than him, since their cultivation levels were so different, but it was refreshing on his heated cheeks. "Maybe you were stringent, but someone fussing at me to take care of my duties was comforting." His hand moved to the back of Jiang Cheng's head. "I'm sorry I didn't go to Lotus Pier and make a complete nuisance of myself when you needed one."

"I didn't expect you to."

"Why?"

"They said I killed your friend."

Nie Huaisang's hand tightened in his hair. "Weren't you my friend?"

Jiang Cheng didn't want to say that he didn't know, so he said nothing.

#mdzs #sangcheng #pallas.rtf #my writing #i wrote this over a year ago but i still think it's cute

[whumpbby]

One funny scenario that came to my mind is that when Jin Ling finally becomes a full-fledged sect leader, and gains some self-confidence and pulls the Jin out of the swamp Menu Yao pushed it in...

And then he has to deal with Huanguang-Jun as the Chief Cultivator. Fuck that.

Others may respect the man and his "righteousness" but Jin Ling knows what sort of a petty gremlin the man is. Can still be. And he knows that Lan Wangji has the political acumen of a footstool. And still has it out for anyone who ever slighted his idiot husband.

Jin Ling has no time and patience to deal with that. He cannot make waves or go against the man, his position is barely stable after all, but Jiujiu raised no bitch and Xiao-shushu raised no idiot.

Thus, when Huanguang-Jun pisses him off to much, Jin Sect Leader sends a polite letter to the Lan Sect Leader requesting the return of all the loans the Jin has issued to Gusu Lan since the war. After all, they were marked as "loans" in the official paperwork and the understanding they don't have to be returned only existed between Lan Xichen and Jin Guangyao, the terrible criminal. One could say that the money was, gasp, mishandled by the man, as none of the sect elders signed off these loans.

That was really a lot of money, and Jin Rulan had a project in mind to build some orphanages and needed liquid funds. Urgently.

Say what you will about Jin Guangyao, but his bookkeeping was impeccable, and Jin Ling had bunches of receipts at the ready.

Also, there were these 200 spirit nets Huanguang-Jun destroyed five years ago. These weren't cheap. As they were Jiang Sect's personal gift to him, Jin Rulan would like to be reimbursed for the loss. As soon as possible.

Yes, he was aware that Gus Lan didn't have such amounts just laying around and trying to organise them may as well bankrupt the sect. Isn't that a pity. He feels for them, truly. But money is money and one needs to keep an eye on their assets.

Of course, he'd be amendable to forgetting some of these debts if properly motivated.

Say, Jin Rulan would be willing to let the matter go if, for example, the Chief Cultivator kindly fucked off.

#headcanon #mdzs #jin ling #lan wangji #xD #shenanigans

[lilapplesheadcannons]

We know Jin Ling ran to his xiao shushu any time he got in trouble. And HuaiSang ran to his San-ge anytime he got overwhelmed.

Imagine Jin Ling started a beef with HuaiSang, and they both got into trouble! Poor Jin GuangYao trying to console his precious nephew and calm HuaiSang's theatrics down and placate a raging MingJue while trying his best not to throw a cup at a sarcastic Jiang Cheng! All before he had his morning coffee!

Edited to add: Jiang Cheng and Nie MingJue are full on passive-aggressive parents who scream at their own kids while not so subtly implying that the fault lies with the other child's upbringing.

#mdzs #mo dao zu shi #mdzs crack #mdzs headcanons #lan wangji #jin ling #nie mingjue #nie huaisang #jin guangyao #everyone lives/nobody dies #Jin GuangYao is the default peacemaker #he also needs a vacation!

[symphonyofsilence]

Jin Ling & his Xiao Shushu appreciation, 'cause I don't see enough of it.

Remember that Jin Ling avoided LWJ like plague 'cause he was scared of him shitless, to the point that when WWX fake called Hanguang-Jun he ran without even looking back literally seconds after WWX pulled the same trick on him with JC 'cause he didn't want to risk looking back just in case it was actually HGJ, but he stood against Hanguang-Jun AND sect leader Lan when he thought they were invading his Xiao Shushu's room? Only Jiggy's own intervention made him back down.

& IDK maybe the reason Jin Ling was there at that time was that it was the family section. But since Fairy wasn't with him, maybe he was visiting his uncle. & I find it hard to imagine, like, say, WWX visiting Jiang Fengmian or Lan Sizhui visiting Zewu-Jun or the Lan brothers visiting Lan Qiren in the middle of the night in their private chambers unless something very important has happened. I think according to the standards of their time, they must have been very close for this visit to happen.

Running to Xiao Shushu 'cause JiuJiu is angry with him & adorably hiding behind him 'cause Xiao Shushu spoils him.

Defending Xiao Shushu and having a firm belief that whatever he says is for Jin Ling's own good even in the face of his cool uncle after the rush of winning a fight against a group of his all-time bullies.

Still using the affectionate term "Xiao Shushu"even when confronting him about why would he kill his father, begging him to "say something". Give him anything to make it a little bit less painful.

Jiggy wanting to comfort Jin Ling even when he's crying because he just realized that Jiggy has killed his father.

Jin Ling looking so hurt when Jiggy says that JGS didn't let him hold Jin Ling as though he can't imagine a world in which his uncle is not allowed to hold him. Not being allowed to hold JL being a notable part of JGY's villain origin story.

Jiggy pushing Jin Ling out of danger.

Jin Ling screaming for Jiggy to run even after Jiggy took him hostage. And all the other shit.

(It's worth mentioning that in the books, Jiggy doesn't push JL out of danger and JL still screams for him to run, and he still calls him uncle instead of Sect Leader as he does in the show. It's also worth mentioning that the show made some stunning choices in the Guaniyn temple scene regardimg JGY & JL. As half of the things I'm saying about that scene here only happened in the show.)

Jiggy looking so worried as Wen Ning goes towards JL even though he himself has lost an arm and is bleeding to death. And only looking relieved when Wen Ning holds the blade.

Jin Ling being scarred for life here. Oh my poor, poor baby.

With much difficulty, he coughed up some blood. Everyone present heard a crack that was abnormally clear and brutal.

A whimper of a last breath left Jin GuangYao's throat.

Jin Ling's shoulders shivered. He shut his eyes and covered his ears, too afraid to keep watching and listening.

And my favorite scene that emotionally crushed me: Jin Ling remembering when his uncle gave him little Fairy & mourning his uncle & becoming the hero of the nation who finally told Sect Leader Yao to kindly go fuck himself. 'Cause he told him that his uncle was not worth his tears. Jin Ling thinking that they wouldn't dare to tell him such bullshits if his uncle were still alive. Baby Jin Ling feeling so comfortable around the sect leader and the Chief Cultivator that he could break things beside his feet and scream at him, and his uncle just understanding that he needs to leave him alone at that moment, his Xiao Shushu being the only one who could comfort him and make him happy at that point, his Xiao Shushu giving him his spiritual dog & one of his rare actual, geniune smiles that was so warm & kind that Jin Ling remembers to that day, this happy memory being the one that Jin Ling remembers Jiggy with after all the things he learnt in the span of two days. Him acknowledging that Jiggy's love for him was geniune and real & still choosing to continiue to love his uncle despite everything. Him learning that he can't really resent JGY, WWX or WN 'cause though they gave him reasons for that, they also gave him reasons against that. They gave him reasons to love them. And why choose hate when you can...not choose that. Him breaking a cycle of hate that few of the adults of the story did not drown in. And it must mostly be Jiang Yanli's legacy, but it also proves that Jiang Cheng & Jin Guangyao, despite their own numerous issues did something right raising such a child. He feels so secure in their love. And he's right in that feeling.

#jin guangyao #meng yao #jgy #jin ling #jin rulan #the untamed #cql #mdzs #mo dao zu shi #chen qing ling #the grandmaster of demonic cultivation #mxtx #my two cents #cql meta #mdzs meta #xiao shushu rights

[otgo-brooklyn]

Jin Ling when it's his Xiao-ShuShu who wakes him up instead of his beloved JiuJiu

#Jin Ling #Jin Guangyao #Jiang Cheng #mdzs #jin ling and his jiujiu #JL sobbing the minute he wakes up from his tear induced coma for his JiuJiu #JGY: A-Ling please- it has been 10 hours since you last saw your JiuJiu-- and you were asleep for 8 of them #JL having absolutely NONE of JGY's bullshit #JL wants JiuJiu ONLY #Little JL was the biggest terror in Lanling because he only wanted JC and was either catatonic or completely inconsolable w/o his JiuJiu #JC: ♫A single mom who works two jobs- Who loves her kids and never stops♫ #JL is JC's BABY #i will die on this hill #i take no criticism #lanling jin #yunmeng jiang #mdzs fanart #digital art

[poorlittleyaoyao]

Similarily CQL takes some of JGY's attention from LXC to Jin Ling in the temple. That "he wouldn't even let me hold you" line isn't in the book because its show only, but also because he's mostly talking to Xichen in the book, whereas in the show he's also trying to explain himself to Jin Ling. I love xiyao but I'm entirely on board with this change, it's not ALL about you er-ge!! Xiao-shushu rights!(This is part of why despite its flaws I defend cql with my life)

That line is one of the few moments from the temple that consistently has me like 😭 and it’s suchhhh a good addition. We see it happen in real time, so we know it for sure happened, and it stuck with JGY so acutely that he’s listing it right alongside the stairs and the disrespect of MS and the fucked-up marriage situation as a reason JGS was the worst. It makes it all the more painful when JGY nonetheless takes Jin Ling hostage a moment later. JGY never caring about his nephew at all? Boooooring. JGY caring deeply but nonetheless choosing his own self-preservation when the chips are down? Now that’s the good shit.

And Jin Ling’s response to it all! He looks so distressed when he hears that Xiao-shushu wasn’t allowed to hold him! And even after JGY harms him (and, in CQL canon, after learning that JGY arranged his JZX’s murder), Jin Ling still yells for him to watch out once Baxia/Corpsejue shows up, thereby drawing their attention and endangering himself! And then his “fuck you!! I’ll grieve if I want!!” bit in the novel... I just! He is such a good boy and he loves both his uncles even when that’s hard to do. 🥺

#now. I will say. the includion of ‘he wouldn’t let me hold you’ + the emphasis on JL’s reactions in CQL #does make the utter LACK of reaction to Qin Su’s death all the more apparent

[add1ctedt0you]

Jin Ling, protecting his uncles

#I was searching for the quote where jl says to wwx to stay away from both his uncles. But I didn't find it #jl is so brave! #He is always protecting his uncles! #And jl is scared of lwj but he will fight him if it means protecting his uncles! #Best boy!! #Anyway wwx really takes jl as his punchbag lol he is always hitting him #Anyway I love jl and his relationship with jc and jgy #If mxtx wrote another book about them and their weird family I would read it! #jin ling and his jiujiu #jin ling and his xiao-shushu #mar reading mdzs

[thatswhatsushesaid]

- from the exiled rebels translation of the novel

#anyway just a reminder that the two characters who probably have the most reason to hate and loathe jin guangyao at the end of the novel #do not in fate hate or loathe jin guangyao at the end of the novel #in fact jin ling specifically still loves his uncle and believes that his uncle loved him too!! with good evidence to support his feelings!! #mdzs #jin guangyao #he did crimes??? good for him 😌 #xiao shushu rights 🤝

[least-carpet]

For the fandom trash questions, 13 and 14?

Hello very belatedly!!

13. What is your heart-breakingist head canon?

Part of the reason the Jin Sect was willing to hand Jin Ling over was that he basically became a sickly nightmare baby after the deaths of both of his parents. Losing both parents is potentially hugely traumatic, and Jin Ling went from a fat cheerful baby to an anxious baby losing weight in response, and one of the only adults who could carry him around without him howling uncontrollably was Jiang Cheng. (The other was his wet nurse, who was either a woman from the Yunmeng region or a woman from the Yu sect—either way, a woman who was there to be Jiang Yanli's support in the Jin sect. Given how many YMJ sect members and servants got massacred, probably the latter, especially since Madame Jin could have had her brought in—which would introduce different complications, of course.) Should have let xiao-shushu hold the baby (at least in CQL-verse), Jin Sect!

Faced with the decision between "potentially dead baby" and "baby temporarily living over there and extending our political influence," the Jin Sect picked the second option, and Jiang Cheng basically strapped Jin Ling to him and got back to work (unless the wet nurse had him). Frankly, this also helped keep Jiang Cheng alive, and is part of the reason those two are so tightly bonded to each other despite Jiang Cheng's whole deal.

If you want other sad headcanons, I also answered this here! And Jiang Cheng's crying room probably also qualifies.

14. What is ur crackiest crack ship?

Tied between ningcheng and zhancheng (usually as a precursor to zhanchengxian). Also now two of my main ships because I incepted myself into both of them.

OH WAIT, ALSO UNCLE4UNCLE (rencheng, Lan Qiren/Jiang Cheng). So far, I'm still kidding about this one (mostly) but if you make a good case, I'm willing to be persuaded!

#asks #fandom trash ask game #ask game #jin ling #jiang cheng #ningcheng #zhancheng #rencheng #uncle4uncle #mdzs + #least-carpet thoughts #a-ling and his jiujiu

[onhoude]

I feel there's something to be said about Jiang Cheng and Jin Guangyao risking their parents' affection for them in every interaction and that Jin Ling, essentially raised by his Jiujiu and Xiao-shushu, does not?

Jin Ling hesitates and is nervous about it, but he does freely go puppy-eyed and full-on moping to garner sympathy, accepts their help (monetary or in-person) in his night hunts, adores Fairy (gifted by his Xiao-shushu), disobeys Jiang Cheng and doesn't fear any threats he makes (because there are never actual repercussions as serious as he says there will be).

I guess something like not being afraid of risking immediately losing favour from your caretakers is a low bar, but they did reach that despite their upbringing and personalities.

#mdzs #jin ling #jin guangyao #jiang cheng #if there's a passage where all that's just void i will cry #mdzs spoilers #just in case #truth be told I lack the finess to really analyse or anything I #I just have feelings about them all #jin ling and his uncles yknow?

[evilhasnever]

Do you have fic recs focusing on jin ling and jgy? I'm really craving post canon JL mourning his uncle or a canon fix it. Xiyao content would be a bonus.

I’m afraid I don’t, sadly. I confess, I don’t usually read postcanon fic unless it promises to bring JGY back. That little guy getting his second chance is all I can think about on an average day.

I’m a full believer in Jin Ling missing his xiao shushu, though, and I think it’s absolutely canon that he did love him very much. If he has any mixed feelings about JGY postcanon, they would be no different from what he feels for WWX - whom he blamed for his parents’ deaths for the longest time, and hardly ever had a familial bond with. Jin Ling has a big heart, if he can forgive WWX then he can still love and miss JGY just as much.

Anyway, if anyone has recs for this anon, drop them here!

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