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pakhnokh · 1 year

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Wei Wuxian not knowing about the Lan Forehead Ribbon in "House of Gentians"

What LWJ says in this part is the HoG-verse assumption regarding WWX not knowing the meaning of the forehead ribbon. The idea/opinion is mine, it's how I see it based on my reading, so it might not be true! But this is the setting for HoG nonetheless.

Please take into consideration that this is me explaining the technical behind the scenes of my thought process to make these pages. I base my work on the novel and what is written there only. This is not me trying to explain the novel, but only what I, as a creator of an AU, thought that I can use for it to work.

So please, read till the end and if you have your own insights to share, do it!

So what is the explanation for Wei Wuxian not knowing the meaning of the ribbon and finding it out in canon? We have 2 versions.

Novel version (also Manhua and audio drama): WWX doesn’t know the meaning of the forehead ribbon, and the cause is unknown. He learns about it from the Lan juniors in his second life.

Donghua version: The source of information about the ribbon is the Lan rule book, and WWX copied that part wrong. Only in his second life, when he flipped through LWJ’s notes, he found the mistake and the correct meaning written by LWJ.

I believe donghua had its own reasons to bend the plot this way (especially since censorship laws would forbid presenting the meaning of the ribbon so straightforwardly fearing the possibility of hinting on wangxian relationship, so showing it as one second shot of a notebook with tons of text was a good choice on their part to both deal with the censorship and still maintain the main idea).

HoG-verse follows the novel, therefore it does not assume that WWX knew, or could know the meaning of the ribbon from the Lan rules. We don’t even know if it’s IN the Lan rules. According to the novel, WWX had to copy about four fifths of the entire Lan rule book, see here:

And we do know that WWX remembered quite a lot of the rules, as he says to Jin Ling in the temple:

(In fact WWX is shown as someone with good memory, especially of things he read. He excels in his class in CR showing that he knows a lot of stuff compared to his classmates, he remembered phrases he read once from Wen Mao’s book,and he remembers the Lan rules he copied many times).

I also don’t think he has “selective memory” cause the only times WWX was shown as forgetting something (as far as I recall) is the times he was feverish (Tulu Xuanwu cave, forgetting the song the LWJ played to him) and devastated/not caring about what’s going on around him (after the massacre on Nightless City, after his Shijie died, didn’t remember LWJ saving him and confessing to him).

In both cases, he eventually remembers. He remembers by himself the song LWJ played in the end of the novel, and about the events of Nightless City, when LXC tells him about what happened, he admits that his memory is clouded:

Meaning he eventually recalls the things he forgot. This is opposed to his reaction when he finds out about the Lan ribbon from the Lan juniors. It’s really something he hears for the first time. If WWX really copied this from the rule book and forgot, he should’ve remembered it at this point, but he’s too surprised, excited and embarrassed.

PLUS, if WWX had copied the meaning of the forehead ribbon from the Lan rule book, I don’t think he would forget it. He always thought the Lans to be strict, boring and uptight, so such a “juicy” piece of information would by no means go unnoticed by him. He’d use this info to tease the hell out of young LWJ hahaha…notice how he is surprised that the Lans could have a romantic side:

ANYWAYS this is just to show that the donghua version isn’t exactly possible in novel-verse.

In fact, in the novel, WWX does know only one meaning of the forehead ribbon, or maybe its purpose:

Maybe THIS was what he read in the Lan Rule book, but it’s still not as in the donghua, where he eventually came to know that the ribbon is supposed to be given to one’s fated other. If this knowledge about the ribbon being a tool for self-regulation was what he learned from the Lan book, then he is still left in the dark because he suspects there is another meaning to the ribbon and he just doesn’t know it:

According to these parts, it doesn’t seem that WWX knew and forgot, but that he really didn’t know the whole story behind the ribbon. Again, his reaction is very strong:

Again, this is different from him realizing that his memory was clouded after the events of Nightless City. This is REALLY something he NEVER knew. Anyways back to the conversation with the juniors, where WWX finds the truth, LSZ tells that:

Apparently this meaning of the ribbon is something that was passed down the generations. We don’t know if it was passed down by script or orally, or both, but it is something that has turned into a custom for the Lans.

And since it is a major custom in such a major sect such as theirs, I believe that it was known among other sects too.

There’s the opinion that this meaning of the forehead ribbon was known to Lans only, but I personally don’t think so, because the Lans themselves had no problem of telling about it to outsiders.

Recall the text I added before where JL says to WWX that he learned its meaning:

And also, LSZ and LJY have no problem revealing it to WWX, who they still think is Mo Xuanyu at this point.

Also, in his first life, back on Phoenix Mountain, it seems that LXC was willing to tell WWX the meaning:

(ok this is personally my head canon but I think that LWJ stopped LXC from revealing the meaning of the ribbon because he kinda lowkey wanted WWX to continue touching/asking to touch it, and was afraid that by learning what the ribbon means, WWX would feel ashamed and stop. I mean, if I was LWJ and my crush would constantly touch or ask to touch the object that is supposed to be given to my fated other I’D DEVELOP HOPES AND THINK WHAT IF THIS IS FATE??? And eventually I’d want it to become true. :’) )

Anyways back to the matter at hand, the Lans seem to have no problem telling others what’s the meaning of the ribbon is. I also don’t think that taking one’s ribbon off has an immediate sexual association. IT CAN HAVE, AND IT IS, but it’s not the main idea of it, in my opinion. It’s an object that’s supposed to be given only to the other’s beloved no matter in which situation. Meaning, that the moment they are together, or wed, the moment they know they love each other, then it gives the fated person the validity to touch the ribbon. If it had a solely sexual association then I guess this scene wouldn’t happen:

LWJ enters a wine shop without his forehead ribbon, and WWX plays with it. You can say that this is them acting SUPERRRR shamelessly, but I really believe there’s nothing so scandalizing about it. LWJ feels comfortable giving him the ribbon because they are finally together. WWX accepted his feelings, and therefore, LWJ can take it off and give it to him, and (correct me if I’m wrong) nowhere is it mentioned that it’s something that’s supposed to be done only at the couple’s private chambers.

(That’s also why I felt confident enough to have LWJ remove his ribbon and tie it on WWX in front of everyone at the inn, even though it DID have a strong meaning of letting go of self regulation, but in my eyes this was possible also because WWX is his beloved one, even though his feelings aren’t returned yet.)

ANYWAYS it seems that the Lans have no problem telling about the meaning to outsiders, because (in my eyes) there’s really nothing TOO sensitive about the fact that the meaning of the ribbon is that you can give it only to your loved one. I don’t think it’s THAT grave to be kept a secret from the world. On the contrary, in a world such as theirs, which is built on honor and respect to customs and traditions, I guess it’s important for others to know about such a custom, if only so that they’d know not to touch the ribbon accidentally or on purpose, to avoid offending the Lan member. (I don’t know if it’s true but in my eyes the Lans make this ceremony of giving their ribbon to their loved one on their wedding hehehe so yeah, I do imagine that if outsiders attended a Lan wedding, they’d see this custom happening).

And as I believe happened in all periods of our real world, that there were books and records written about history, cultures and traditions of peoples, the same exists in MDZS verse. I believe that there would exist books and records about the history and customs of different sects, and I think that it's not impossible that the meaning of the Lan forehead ribbon is also mentioned briefly somewhere in a book about the Lan Clan/Sect, or elsewhere.

And this finally brings me to this page of HoG that LWJ asks Wei Wuxian this question. WWX wants to know the meaning of the ribbon for the first time, after so many times of touching or wanting to touch it.

I think that younger LWJ didn’t even KNOW that WWX doesn’t know the meaning of the ribbon. Hell, in his eyes it could have been just another malicious prank done by this shameless boy who has no respect. Maybe only later did LWJ realize that WWX really didn’t know the meaning.

Hearing WWX’s question finally being asked, LWJ isn’t ready to answer him yet. He gave him the ribbon, yes, but it was something he did as a statement to his Shishu and others. As I mentioned before, he didn’t give WWX his ribbon during their wedding, nor after it. Because he knows that WWX doesn’t return his feelings and that this marriage isn’t really out of love.

That’s why he isn’t willing to answer his question right away. Instead, he just teases WWX by answering with a question of his own. And since WWX brought their past, with how he touched his ribbon and was rejected, LWJ also brings his perspective on the past - like, how could you do all that, and not even know what’s the meaning of what you do?

LWJ was a student with WWX in cloud recesses and heard how he answered all questions correctly and fast. WWX was outstanding compared to his classmates, showing that he did some reading. LOL as I was making this there was this picture of WWX’s room running on twitter, and I really loved that private library/study corner he had there with tons of books.

It was clear that WWX did read about the cultivation world, including random sects’ history, traditions etc. This is where I’m sure that such a book would exist about the Lan Sect too.

And LWJ asks him if he didn’t read anything about the Lans as he was reading about all other sects. What’s the answer to that? In HoG-verse, I guess WWX missed this information somehow. He really didn’t know the meaning of the ribbon from any source, and he still doesn’t know.

BUT HE’S GONNA FIND OUT I PROMISE HEHEHE SO….there you have it! This is HoG’s version of dealing with the forehead ribbon matter, where WWX stayed alive and dared raise the question before HGJ himself.

ANOTHER IMPORTANT NOTE

I need to clarify one more thing, guys. This isn't me stating an idea about the novel, this is me sharing my thought process in order to make my AU work. Let me explain:

Even if the info about the Lan ribbon is written in the rule book, I couldn't be sure about that because it isn't specified in a clear manner. The only certain source for that is the donghua, which, as I'm sure you can understand, I can't use since it made many changes to the original story. I couldn't be sure if the info about the ribbon in the Lan rule book is a canon possibility or a donghua way of dealing with the plot. So, I DO NOT OPPOSE the idea that the info is in the Lan rule book! But I just needed clear evidence to work with.

LWJ was not about to answer WWX's question in that instant. He wanted to ask him back - just how come he didn't know?

So imagine me having to think about the text (and believe me I put a lot of thinking hahaha), I couldn't make LWJ say "Didn't you copy it in the rules? How could you miss it?" because again, I couldn't be 100% sure it WAS in fact canon that it's written in the rules.

So I made the decision to make him require about WWX's studious character which does 2 things:

based on my assumption that some knowledge about the Lan ribbon was available to the public because it seems to me that the Lans themselves are surprised that WWX doesn't know. imagine that this is like others know not to offer alcohol to the Lans so to not offend them. I'm sure that some basic knowledge about the ribbon was available to the public too, again, from courtesy reasons.

LWJ asking WWX this is my way of making it show that his character DID notice and DOES acknowledge WWX's intelligence. their studying in Gusu days was a chaos of LWJ avoiding WWX or giving him the cold shoulder. >This< LWJ however takes that unfortunate past experience and by this slight sarcastic reply shows WWX that he in fact noticed and appreciated WWX's smart and studious character.

So once again I stress out the fact that this is me creating this idea (which can be untrue!) out of technical reasons to make not only the AU in general work, but also THIS SPECIFIC moment of LWJ answering WWX without telling him the meaning.

#house of gentians #mo dao zu shi #wei wuxian #lan wangji #wangxian #mdzs #grandmaster of demonic cultivation #Lan Sect #Lan Forehead ribbon #LONG POST

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batattack409 · 1 year

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The REAL reason sizhui never swears

Sizhui: mother fucker

Lan wangji: yes?

#Let's be honest #lan wangji would so #wei wuxian #mdzs #mo dao zu shi #wei ying #lan zhan #lan sizhui #lan yuan #wen yuan #why does that boy have so many names #lan sect

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lewiscarrolatemybrain · 9 months

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Reading about the cultural and social importance of bathing throughout Chinese history (because I am exactly the kind of person who spends hours reading about the cultural and social importance of bathing throughout Chinese history for no particular reason on a Tuesday night) and obviously now I'm imagining the sects all lowkey competing with regards to their public baths -- or at least the ones meant for visiting disciples and dignitaries.

The Jin are obviously doing The Most and being incredibly tacky about it. The floor of the bath is made of gold tile that dull super quickly and the whole tub needs to be frequently drained so the tiles can be deep cleaned and polished, and of course once they're shiny they reflect light up and through the water in a way that's actually really distracting. The bath bean has crushed pearls and seventy four different types of flowers in it. The benches are intricately engraved and inlaid with gems in places that pinch your butt when you sit on them.

The Nie have a natural hot spring that they have turned into their main public bath. The massive cavern houses a number of varying-sized pools, some of which interconnect and others of which are freestanding. The free standing pools are typically treated with different soaks to give the water various medicinal properties (most often for things like muscle aches or minor injuries, but also for skincare and such.) I imagine the Nie recipe for bath-bean would include animal fat and pancreas, making it very rich and cleansing.

Part of me wants to say the Jiang would just bathe in the lake but that seems cheap to me, so instead: Through a combination of well-placed pipes and clever array work, the Jiang bath house feels like a mini indoor rainstorm, with water falling in thousands of warm droplets from the ceiling above to fill the pools, which are more shallow that a typical bath would be. There are built-in overhangs you can sit under to get out of the "rain" while still being in the water. If requested the rain can be "turned up" and the lights dimmed, and cymbals crash so you feel like you're really standing out in a raging thunderstorm, which some people find incredibly soothing and others find terrifying. I can't think of anything unique for the bath bean other than lotus flowers but I do think, given the proximity to the river, that mud wraps would be a common treatment offered.

The Lan... probably have the worst public baths, actually. They may not even actually have a public bath at all. If they do have one, it's not meant to be a place of luxury or entertainment, although of course it would be tastefully decorated and comfortable. Rather they'd find some way to make public bathing less about socializing and more about silently meditating while pretending you aren't surrounded by other naked people. I guess the cold springs kind of sort of count as a public bath but not really. Bath bean smells distinctly medicinal, but obviously whatever is in it works, because the Lan all look Like That.

The public bath in Qishan stopped being a popular attraction when Wen Ruohan stopped having visitors, but for years their bath was one hell of a marvel. Massive, bronze statues of phoenixes would be heated until glowing-hot and then lowered into the stone tub, filling the air with thick steam. Patrons would sit around the room on their benches, sweating it out until the statues had cooled enough for the water to be safe to enter. If you wanted a cold bath, the adjoining room was also home to a massive bronze statue, this one of a dragon that sat in the center of the tub and poured cool water out of it's mouth. Bath bean was made with plant ash rather than rice or soybean powder, and the water was all treated with volcanic ash.

And, because I am Me, the Wei sect: I'm imagining a dark hall deep in the cave systems, the floor lined with man made in-ground pools of varying sizes not entirely unlike the Nie baths, however these pools aren't connected to an outside water source or each other. There are illusion arrays carved into the walls that send out glowing, ghostly shapes of fish and otters and other river creatures swimming through the air. The pools are filled through overhead pipes that pour water, oils, and herbal mixtures into the pool, and each pool has access to it's own set of labeled levers, so a person or group of people can customize their bath while they're having it, adding more cool water, hot water, or various add-ins. The bath bean is more of a paste due to the addition of a ton of collagen. (They get it from the kitchen's bone broth. The bones are not human, but that doesn't stop visiting disciples from scaring each other about it. Don't piss off the Yiling Louzu or you'll end up in the soap.)

#MDZS #The Untamed #what do i. Tag this as #Nie Sect #Jin Sect #Lan Sect #Jiang Sect #Wen Sect #Yiling Wei Sect #Worldbuilding #???#This is silly ignore me

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nerimaha · 11 months

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How heavy on events the last years have been! But everything comes to its end. The last of the Wen's have died, and the terrible Yiling Laozu have fallen. The cultivator world can sleep peacefully...

But not Lan Wangji.

He couldn't be there for his beloved, could not take him away from the darkness, protect him, save him. He failed - but no more. He won't let this kid down. Wei Ying loved him, cared for him...

So now it's Lan Wangji's job to raise him - all while yearn for and mourn for his lost love.

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carrot-felisidad · 10 days

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I read somewhere that The Gusu Lan's simplicity in terms of fashion sense is often overlooked, as it reflects their discipline and resolve towards cultivation. But then I also noticed that YunmengJiang's flashy purples are often overlooked, too. Like, my man Jiang Cheng is the most well-dressed man out there, and Jiang Yanli was always Aesthetic Goals TM. Wei Wuxian may be in his simple blacks and reds, but compared to other sect robes, I find his robes elegant and fashionable.

Although in terms of flashiness, Lanling Jin clan may be the winner, but I find their robes tasteless, with their brand logo in front, like rich people who wear bad fashion as long as the prints louis vuitton or chanel are visible.

But Yunmeng Jiang? *Chef's Kiss* All adaptations understood the assignment that this is the kind of family that supports all the local tailor shops. Each sibling has their own shop because one shop cannot accommodate their NEEEEEED for fashion robes. Meanwhile, Lan Wangji has been wearing the same robes since he was 18. He probably only has two sets that he washes everyday. Meanwhile, Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng:

#Yungmeng Jiang is the fashion sect #lanling jin is that new money international student #Gusu Lan is white shirt wearing nerd #nie sect is cargo pants wearing martial arts kid #mxtx #mxtx mdzs #Jiang sect #Lan sect #Jiang Cheng #Jiang Yanli #Wei Wuxian #Lan Zhan #Lan Wangji

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peculiardollart · 5 months

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Some hairstyles head coverings traditionally worn by the men of the Lan sect

Nie Men and Women

Jin Men and Women

Jiang Men and Women

#MDZS #The Untamed #Grandmaster Of Demonic Cultivation #Lan Wangji #Lan Xichen #Lan Jingyi #Lan Sizhui #Lan Qiren #tagged for visibility none of these are meant to be a specific Lan #Lan Sect #mdzs redesign #MDZS Worldbuilding Project

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frankencanon · 1 year

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my mom started watching the untamed recently and i just want you all to know that her nickname for the lan sect is "the angel boys"

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mo-chibee · 2 years

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MDZS junior buns having important discussion.

About world domination maybe (◕ᴗ◕✿)

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elogval · 17 days

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Kids 🐇🐇🐇

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bnnywngs · 2 years

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post canon where lan xichen is out of seclusion and he and wei wuxian get along pretty well

*in the middle of a clan meeting*

elders: *being rude, reminding them of lan wangji's punishment*

wwx: YOU-

lxc: a-xian, please don't be angry, remember what happens

wwx, pouting: *mumbles*

lxc, as if talking to a toddler: a-xian, what happens when you're angry?

wwx:

wwx, pouting harder: ....slaughter

lxc: and what we don't want?

wwx: ....more of that

elders, remembering what wwx is famous for: *sweating*

#mdzs #wei wuxian #wei ying #lan xichen #lan huan #lan xichen x wei wuxian friendship #mdzs imagine #mdzs headcanons #wangxian #married wangxian #gusu lan #gusu lan sect #lan sect #yiling laozu #yiling patriarch #just wwx things #yllz wwx #my writing #bnnywngs imagine

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miixz · 2 years

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It has been brought to my attention that we’re not all in agreement that the Wen attacked the Gusu Lan Clan first because they’re their biggest threat as an opponent and not because they were petty about the archery competition placements, so I guess this is a post I need to put out there.

Warning, lots of words ahead!

Let’s think about the other clans first, and what we know about them at the time:

Nie Mingjue is young. His father died at Wen Rouhan’s hands and though he is very mad about this, he hasn’t been able to retaliate, which says a lot about the position he’s in. He would fight back with all he has during an attack, but he’s likely not to fare well by himself against all of the Wen’s resources.

Jin Guangshan is clearly a cunning person, but he’s also a slimy bastard who’ll take the opportunity that's more advantageous to himself and everyone seems to know that. I can see why Wen Rouhan would think that he’s more of a controllable element, especially when he’s holding the most power. Jin Guangshan has enough self preservation and lacks enough morals that he just wouldn’t oppose the Qishan Wen too strongly while they’re winning really.

Jiang Fengmian and Yu Ziyuan’s relationship is known to be a bit of a mess and their leadership works, but they’re not coordinated and seem easy to break apart, as well as not being very politically minded or full of alliances. Yunmeng is a really good location to have, but there does not seem to be a rush to take over it since they’re destabilized enough that they wouldn't fight back as strongly if not attacked first. Which they don’t, they stay in Lotus Pier pretending a war isn’t on the horizon until it comes to their doorstep.

In comparison to these, Gusu Lan is kind of thriving?

Yes, the whole thing with Qingheng-jun and Lan Qiren is sort of a mess of its own, but it’s a controlled mess. It doesn’t reach or affect them outside of the Lan, it has not made them lose any respect that we know of, the management seems to be going fine, they’re well respected enough that the lectures are a big deal event that plenty of the other clans participate in, not just because it's a tradition but because they want to be there.

There was a virtuous and prestigious elder in the Gusu Lan Clan - Lan Qiren. Everyone in the cultivation world accepted three characteristics which described him: pedantic, stubborn, and a strict teacher who produced outstanding students. Although the first two points kept a lot of people at a respective distance from him, some even to the point of secret dislike, the last one made them try everything they could to send their children to study under him. He had brought up quite a number of excellent disciples of the Lan Sect. As long as they stayed a few years in his classroom, no matter how pathetically useless they were when they first entered, they would at least seem to be decent when they depart, especially in terms of appearance and etiquette. There were plenty of parents who were so excited that tears flowed down their cheeks when they picked up their sons.

That’s the kind of thing that requires good organization and coordination between clans, a measure of respect, that they all do seem to have for the Lan and for Lan Qiren (effectively their leader). Those things are very important.

Not to mention this creates a sort of network of all of the former disciples that would have come to classes and hold their own feelings of respect for the Lan Clan because of their time spent there. Plenty of people have a relationship of sorts with the Lan.

So, so far the Lan Clan has that the others do not:

A good functional environment within the Cloud Recesses where outsiders don’t really know of any strife.

Good relations and a history of coordination with other clans.

An experienced adult as a leader (or two, considering both LQR and QHJ sort of count).

They are also known to have the sort of beliefs that would evidently clash with Wen Rouhan’s conqueror ideas and wouldn’t be bought or manipulated on them.

Then we have the archery competition, which yes was a bit of a hit to Qishan Wen’s ego, but was also a great opportunity to look at the other clan’s disciples and ascertain their threat levels. strengths and weaknesses and such things. And it did prove that the Lan, along with what I have listed, seem to have the strongest and most well adjusted clan heirs - which isn’t exactly a surprise, they were already known as such. But it does add to the list of reasons why they’re currently the most well adjusted and the biggest threat, as even that reputation among the juniors counts as influence which is dangerous.

The respectable title of the Two Jades of Lan was given to the two sons of the Gusu Lan Clan’s current leader - Lan Huan and Lan Zhan. Just after they passed fourteen, they were deemed by the elders of each clan as exemplary models to compare with their own disciples. They were exceptionally famous among the juniors, so it was only natural that everyone recognized the names.

The Cloud Recesses are also on a pretty defensible territory should they be warned about an attack and ready for it to come. The terrain is in their favor. We know that in the war they did need to defend themselves from attacks, and that Lan Qiren was the one holding the fort, and since we don’t hear of any big attacks having landed on Cloud Recesses other than the first one, this proves both this point and also that as much as I don’t like him, Lan Qiren is as capable of handling this sort of operation as I’ve implied above.

During the Sunshot Campaign, stories of praise were told about all three of the Venerated Triad. The ones of Chifeng-zun were about how he swept over all obstacles, leaving not even a trace of the Wen-dogs after he finished. Zewu-jun - Lan Xichen - however, was different from him.

After the situation of the Gusu area had settled down, Lan Qiren was able to defend it with great tenacity. Thus, Lan Xichen often traveled to aid others, saving lives from danger. In all of the Sunshot Campaign, he had countless times recovered lost territory and assisted narrow escapes. This was why people were ecstatic whenever they heard his name, as though they gained a ray of hope, a powerful trump card.

Every time Lan Xichen passed Hejian as he was escorting other cultivators, he would rest shortly, with Hejian acting as some sort of a transit station. Nie MingJue led him to a spacious, brightly-lit hall. A few other cultivators also sat within the hall.

Let’s think of the situation where another Clan is attacked first and the Lan are left alone to prepare for what's to come. I can’t see them being okay playing nice with the Wen, and I can’t see them simply waiting around like the Jiang did.

They have a good relationship with all the other leaders they can reach out to. If Qinghe Nie was attacked, I think they would try to come to their aid while also raising their defenses, as they had a close relationship - and that's clearly possible for them to do all at once considering that passage I just included about Lan Xichen helping people in the war, a capable and whole Cloud Recesses would hold itself together even better.

If Yunmeng Jiang was attacked I’m not sure if they’d offer aid as strongly, but they likely would as well, as they’re very close geographically.

Lanling Jin… I’m not sure.

But either way, whichever Great Clan is attacked, they are in a good position with the remaining clan leaders to reach out to them and coordinate strategies, and not even them, there are a lot of minor clans that based on the lectures and other similar interactions based on sharing knowledge would have good relationships with them. Not all of them would rally behind the Lan, but some would, and some is much better than none.

That makes for a lot more functional opposition.

Being knowledgeable of the possibility this may happen, it really just makes the most sense that they went for them first. This is their one opportunity to use the element of surprise to their advantage, obviously it’d be used to attack their most well adjusted enemy that has a better chance to fight back.

I’m unsure where to put this, but I do think that the indoctrination was also a sort of proof that the regard the cultivation world as a whole had for the Lan Clan was noticed by the Wen Clan and it bothered them (which makes sense, considering they wanted to be seen as the unquestionable leading clan).

It’s a very similar scenario to the one we are presented in the lectures, that functions as a mockery of them, a dark reflection where instead of the boys being invited to learn and socialize, they are being exposed to the cruelty of the Wen Clan and the consequences of disobeying them.

#mdzs #mo dao zu shi #lan wangji #lan xichen #gusu lan #the untamed #lan clan #lan sect

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wangxianslillotus · 1 year

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Wei Ying, an immortal widely known in the cultivation world, comes to visit the Cloud recesses during the Study Conference when Lan WangJi is assisting as a teenager.

He takes no mind to day or night, time is a mere social construct for the immortal! so he gets in the Cloud recesses during night, and is stopped from doing so by the young Lan WangJi.

Wei Ying looks at the young man and smirks, because, how come he's the immortal one but this one adorable disciple looks like the immortal one instead?

Lan WangJi doesn't even let the intruder speak, and tells the other man who he thinks must be around his age, all the rules he's broken. Wei Ying just let's him take him to the Hanshi, where Lan XiChen and Lan Qiren are occupied with a private lesson.

And what a surprise for the younger ones of the Lan present in the room when WangJi cannot even finish his sentence of how many rules this unruly disciple has broken, before his uncle is standing up and bowing to the man at his side.

XiChen looks at his uncle with an open mouth, and he and his brother share a look of confusion. What is going on?!

"Immortal one, this Lan Qiren is honored to be on your presence," Uncle says. Xichen swallows dry. WangJi looks to the man at his side and goes:

"Shufu, he broke the rules of our Sect. He should still be punished for the offense."

Wei Ying hollers a laugh that bends him in half. He likes this one! He's the best he's ever seen! Daring to ask for punishment to an immortal, right after seeing a display of respect and obedience from his own elders. It lights something inside his chest.

Lan Qiren sighs because technically, WangJi is right. But how could he, a mere cultivator, dare and punish the man? And the Lan Sect... wouldn't that bring a thousand of troubles to his doorstep? So he glares at his nephew and bows again to the immortal in the room, "Immortal one, this one begs your pardon for his nephew's sake. He is still young-"

Wei Ying interrupts him, waving a hand and signaling him to stop the bow. He still has tears in his eyes from the laughter. "No need, Lan Qiren. I find him quite interesting. Besides, he's got a point. I did break in. Besides the age of this old one, there's nothing preventing the Lan Sect from providing a proper punishment. Just don't break me any bones! I'm old already!" He says, hands on his hips and elbowing Lan WangJi in the process.

Now, WangJi knows. He knows now that this man is immortal, all-powerful and mighty. Besides being older than him. So WangJi knows he should stand the man's displays silently and still. But he really can't stand to be touched by anyone, so he steps to the side without even sparing the man a glance.

Wei Ying laughs again.

The immortal man has an annoying laugh, WangJi thinks.

"WangJi-di," he hears from afar, and tries to hurry his step without running. This is in vain, because the man still breaks the rules and does run to him.

His uncle can't understand either, why the immortal that has come to the Cloud recesses has gotten a fixation on him. For the past weeks, the man, Wei Ying, has been following him around and about without a rest. Whenever he sees something he wants to share, or whenever he needs to ask for something, he doesn't go to his Uncle, and instead finds WangJi. If it's a book he wants to find in the library, or a good spot for painting or meditating... maybe is Lan WangJi's fault a bit. Because he proficiently provided the guest with what he asked, but still. Shouldn't an immortal one share table and hold discussions with older ones instead of a mere teenage boy? WangJi doesn't understand.

He also doesn't understand when the laugh of the man has become a sound he somehow likes to hear, when he disliked it so much at first. Now he feels jittery when he hears it. Wich is a lot.

They've been spending quite the time in the other's company, too. Since the Lan Sect wouldn't dare to whip the immortal, instead they've assigned him the punishment they've been giving to the visiting disciples when they break minor rules; copying conduct a hundred times. So they would spend most of their day at the library after the classes end. Then, his uncle would invite the immortal to eat dinner with them, and WangJi is the one who has to accompany him to his assigned rooms. Certainly, during the lessons is the only time he's not in company of Wei Ying.

One day, he's sitting inside the library, somehow alone. Wei Ying is nowhere to be seen, but his uncle would scold him if he dared to go and find the man to bring him to punishment again, so he's alone, reading poetry and taking notes of it for fun, when he hears his name being called again.

"Lan Zhan!"

WangJi looks towards the voice, finding Wei Ying proped up on the window frame. He's halfway opening his mouth to chastise him from doing so and telling him to use the doors when Wei Ying stretches his hand forward, offering him... bunnies.

WangJi is on his feet fast. He reaches for the bunnies and holds them carefully, mouth shut and eyes soft. He can't help it. The bunnies are pushing his palm with their cold noses and they are just so...

"Cute," he hears from the man in front of him, still hanging from the window frame. He doesn't look, he doesn't want to look. He feels his ears growing hot.

Wei Ying looks at the young man and just... yeah. Affirms his word. Lan WangJi is cute. The bunnies too, but the boy particularly is the most cute, with the tips of his ears red, and the way his fingers caresses the rabbits with the utmost care and adoration.

Then, "pets aren't allowed in the Cloud recesses," and it sounds so shy in comparison to the confidence with which he states all the other rules. That Wei Ying has to do something, say something, to make it better for Lan Zhan. He can't have him sad!

"Well, they were already here. I just wanted to show them to you!" He says, and tempted, he reaches and pets the bunnies too. They do look soft.

WangJi doesn't take his hand away from the rabbits when Wei Ying's comes in his sight. Their hands rub for a moment and WangJi remains still regardless of how much fire it lights in him. He endures. The bunnies look comfortable.

Wei Ying eyes the younger man, and smiles.

He can wait. He can always wait and see what happens next. But he can't deny that Lan Zhan has become someone important to him like no one has in decades, so he will treasure the man.

WangJi is panicking.

He knows Wei Ying is an immortal. That he's centuries old. But the man doesn't make his confused mind any favors when he acts the way he does, carefree and young, so full of freedom and smiles. He knows for a fact that not all the known immortals were stoic and calm, like Baoshan Sanren is known to be. But Wei Ying could might as well be on the same age group that WangJi and no one would bat an eye to his presence there.

And he would actually look more the part there than as an immortal. So WangJi is... is lost. He doesn't want to admit why he feels so much around the man, but he does and that he can't lie. Xichen has been looking at him with an increasing worry in his eyes and forehead and he can only keep it in so long before the traitor goes and tells their Uncle. And Uncle, Immortal or not, will kick Wei Ying out of the Cloud recesses if he thinks he's corrupting his nephew. So Lan WangJi is just there. Not knowing what to do. Sulking as he caresses the bunnies Wei Ying gave him.

"WangJi."

Speaking of...

"Brother," he answers, getting to his feet to greet his older brother properly.

XiChen smiles at him and pets the rabbit a bit too, "they are really adorable. Does Uncle know? You know that pets are not-"

"Not pets, brother. They were here. I am just caring for them from time to time." He interrupts, and has to close his mouth so fast that his teeth clatter. Xichen looks at him surprised but still laughs a bit.

Pets in Cloud recesses are just as forbidden as unnecessary laughter, so they're even.

"I see," his brother says, "friends, then."

And WangJi agrees, "mh."

Silence settles around them for a moment they give to admire the bunnies. There are just a couple of them, but something in XiChen eyes makes him think that that will not be the case for too long.

Then, XiChen speaks again, "WangJi..." tentatively.

He looks up, afraid of what he'll find in his brother's eyes.

"About the Immortal Wei, you... you're close with him. Is he a friend too?"

WangJi wishes for a moment that they were more, and he stunts himself with the idea, before pushing it aside to answer his brother's questions, "He is. A friend."

XiChen knows his brother too well, because he doesn't let the little shadow go unnoticed, "Do you consider him to be just a friend?"

WangJi doesn't lie, so he doesn't answer. His brother sighs heavily.

"WangJi, do you want him to be more? He's an immortal! This doesn't add up to me. He's- I don't trust his character. He's not acting like other immortals and it makes me wonder why he came to the Cloud Recesses for. I worry for you, didi..." he says, exasperated.

"Brother," he says almost shy. He's about to confirm his brother's suspicions because as soon as he opens his mouth, he's defending Wei Ying, "Wei Ying is good. He is carefree but he is not vane. Uncle wouldn't let him spend time with me if he suspected his character or his intentions... and I know him better. He would not do anything unrighteous or plot. He's not like that, brother."

XiChen looks at him and it takes a while, but a sad smile makes way in his face, "So you do want him to be more..."

WangJi looks down to the bunnies in his hands, "I don't dare to," he confesses.

Time goes swiftly from then on. The Conference ends, the other Sects' disciples depart from the Cloud recesses, and Wei Ying also does. But there's a difference, because WangJi has given him a gift; an entrance token he can use to come and go from the Cloud recesses as he pleases, as long as he doesn't come after the curtfew. WangJi made sure to remind his friend of that. Wei Ying smiled at him for it.

Then one day, letters arrive. Wei Ying sends them, along with more gifts for him, for uncle and even a couple of them for his brother.

Uncle does seem pleased with most of the gifts he receives; books from afar, music scores and even an incense burner made of a meteorite. His uncle is very pleased, WangJi counts it as a win.

Brother receives a Xiao, also made from the meteorite. His brother is impressed with it and the way the metal changes colors under the light; a rainbow travels the instrument in a lovely way. It is a precious gift. And he also gets some good tea from afar.

WangJi receives the most. He gets drawings made by Wei Ying's hand, picturing amazing places he wishes to see someday too. He gets musical scores to try on his guqin, and even a robe with a special cut that Wei Ying got for him in a far land. He receives loquats one time too. And he is happy. He likes this as much as he longs for it.

He longs to be standing by Wei Ying's side and see all the beautiful places he's seen only on drawings, and to listen to the different music from the different cultures around. He wants to nighthunt with Wei Ying, help the people that is in need. He reads the letters and pictures himself besides his friend, his soulmate, so much that it hurts from time to time.

He grows older, Wei Ying stays the same.

The next time Wei Ying graces the Cloud recesses with a visit, it is not unannounced. This time, he sent a letter to let them know, and comes by the door with his own token. WangJi counts that as another win. And he has to keep adding wins to his score when Wei Ying smiles at him again, wide and happy.

He can't even complain of being hugged in front of the whole group of disciples that came to welcome the immortal being in their lands. Instead, he closes his eyes tight and hugs back. His Wei Ying.

Uncle is not oblivious to his nephew's heart. He just hasn't said anything because he has seen the Immortal's heart too. In the way they grew longing whenever his nephew wasn't seeing, in how he held his hands behind his back whenever WangJi was around; as if containing himself from reaching for a hand or a strand of hair. He's seen Wei Ying gifting his nephew with practical things and other not so much, like the bunnies that are now a part of the Cloud Recesses. But over all, Lan Qiren has seen his own nephew smiling at the letters and the smugness in him when he liked his own gifts. He's seen the both of them being happy with how things were, and it pleased him greatly because this is what he wished for his little A-Zhan. A partner that would have in mind his nephew's necessities and times to do and think and act. Wei Ying lacks patience for many things, but not for Lan WangJi.

So when they hugged so much and long in front of the gates, he just sighed and waited to bow to the immortal, regardless of how disrespectful the gesture is from the man; he went right to WangJi and hugged him promptly! He ignored all the entourage of people that are standing there. But he doesn't blame him. It's been five years since they've seen each other. And he also knows that despite how many letters WangJi received, due to how much Wei Ying moved around, he didn't get to receive any himself. So he indulges the pair.

"Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan! You liked your gifts?" He asks as they walk towards the Jingshi. He knows the way, but he still walks besides WangJi.

"Mh, Wei Ying chose good gifts. I appreciated them," WangJi answers.

There's something in the air... that none of them can put their finger on, but it makes them nervous. As if the forest and the houses and even the birds around them were waiting for something to happen. Anticipation that grows louder with each step, that tries to hurry them to something. But they take their time, their steps remain unhurried if a bit more stumbler than usual.

"I'm glad, I wondered... but I'm happy you liked them, Lan Zhan," Wei Ying smiles at him and now he almost stumbles for real.

With that pace, when they get to the Jingshi, there's a servant already waiting for their arrival with tea and snacks for the evening. Wei Ying takes the tray and thanks the servant for the attention as WangJi opens the door to his home.

Inside, Wei Ying is frozen. There are some of his drawings and paintings hanged on the walls, many of his gifts are on display and it makes him want to cry a bit for how precious Lan WangJi is, and how lucky he is to be appreciated by the man. Because he's a lot more a man now than he was when they met.

WangJi has a bigger frame now, even grew a bit taller than Wei Ying for an inch. He realized when he hugged him at the gates, how time passed by for his Lan Zhan regardless of how he's still the same. But that's alright.

Lan Zhan still has the same soft look on his eyes, the same little smile and the same smirk, and he's still as beautiful as he was the day they met on the walls of the Cloud Recesses. But now he seems different too. So he observes the man in front of him and enjoys his presence after so long.

WangJi serves them the tea, and listens to everything Wei Ying is saying with care. A care that doesn't come from him being an immortal but from him just being Wei Ying. They spend the day like that, until dinner, which they are to spend with the Lan main family.

Lan Qiren gives the pair a knowing look, and Lan XiChen seems almost resigned, but they do listen to him and ask him about his travels.

There, he offers the Lan another gift; talismans and things that he came up with and thought useful for the Sect. It wouldn't do for other Sects, for these are to be activated with music. One of them, when used, gives the illusion of flying butterflies around the space, and it makes a really good company for when the Lan were playing their instruments. Other of the talismans works wonders for finding a specific book one cannot remember the title or look, but a single line of it. And the other one is for helping with excessive noises. It zones out the loud, and makes everything easy to the ear. It is dumb, somehow, but useful if put in a very specific case. Wich is, in the end, useful.

Lan Qiren thanks him for the gifts and sends them on their way after the meal, and once again, WangJi is the one in charge of accompanying Wei Ying to his rooms.

Lan WangJi felt like he had a timer set on his very stomach, nerves on edge and hands unsteady. He gave Wei Ying a long stare, as the other walked ahead just for a step.

He is happy, content. But oh, how he wishes.

And then before he knows it his fingers are closing around Wei Ying's wrist, stopping the man in the middle of the path, threes tall and giving a sense of solitude.

The immortal turns towards the younger man, eyebrows shoot up in a silent question. Which is for the best because he probably wouldn't have been able to speak; Lan Zhan's beauty is heavenly, the moon already at his back just like the first time he met him, but there's anticipation on his golden eyes, and Wei Ying, who cannot even talk, clearly can't either move.

WangJi looks at his friend's eyes, then he steps closer, audacious once he's over the fear of Wei Ying pushing him away. After all, Wei Ying doesn't mind the touches, the closeness. And WangJi wants that.

Wei Ying gulps saliva, but tries to steady his heart beat with a deep breath. WangJi is closer now.

The younger man envelops his arms around Wei Ying's neck and holds him close, "I missed you," goes unsaid but it is obvious for both of them.

Wei Ying's knees almost buckle under him, and he holds WangJi a bit harder just for the sake of stay standing. But once he's stable, he too, hugs closer, pressing all of his upper body against Lan zhan's.

They stay there for a while, not enough time for either of them. Then is Wei Ying the one pulling apart for a moment because he really misses seeing WangJi's handsome face, but once again, the golden eyes steals his breath away.

And now their faces are just centimeters apart, every little thing they can see on the other's face is kept on their brains and memories, is treasured.

"Lan Zhan-"

"Wei Ying-"

They spoke at the same time, and Wei Ying cannot help but chuckle a bit. Encouraged, he presses his arms around the other a bit harder, and tilts his head to the side, shamelessly.

"Tell me, Lan Zhan?" But WangJi, despite breathing weirdly, gives no other reaction.

"Wei Ying," his voice is... deeper. Darker even. And Wei Ying notices thanks to his perfect pitch, chills running down his back.

"Lan Zhan?" He asks in a whisper now, all the strenght he has left on his body. Then WangJi's eyes fall on his lips and he definitely stumbles a bit.

Due to this misstep, WangJi also makes a step back and before they both know it, they're supporting their weird hug against one of the trunk of the threes, having stumbled into it.

WangJi's back is pressed on the three, and to prevent his hands from being squashed, Wei Ying is holding onto the sides of his waist, fingers grabbing the silk of his robes.

Wei Ying looks almost savage, still held close by WangJi's own arms too. He himself cannot be in a much better state either, much less when this scene has been on many, many of his dreams and fantasies he's had for years. He's seen himself on the mirror one too many times, he knows exactly what expressions he must bear on his face right now.

But Wei Ying... He has his gray eyes wide open, sparkling in the moon just like the first time they meet, his mouth agape and a beautiful strand of hair falling over his face. He is the closest thing WangJi knows to a God. He is not sure if WuXian hasn't simply descended from the Heavens instead of worked his golden core until he became an immortal. Wei WuXian is just way too handsome for having been born into the same world as everyone else. He doesn't know that Wei WuXian can't believe that WangJi is mortal. Surely, such a perfect being is nothing else but a God! Gold eyes, full lips and carrying the greatness of the world onto his board shoulders, someone who is righteous, who cares... WuXian simply can't stop falling in love with this man. He can't stop himself from looking at him more. From trying and find every single detail and all the things Lan Zhan is and loves too.

As it is, they just stare at the other for a moment too long, breathing deeply and loudly, bodies reacting to the situation as if they were running laps around the compound.

"Lan Zhan..." Wei Ying calls, bitting his lips afterwards, "I really can't if you're like this. Do you know how hard you're making it for me?"

And WangJi, the brat, has the audacity of smiling all smug and pulls him closer.

"Mh, Wei Ying is to blame. Too pretty."

Wei Ying groans and hides his face on the other's shoulder. "Cruel, bad... you're bad on my heart, Lan Zhan."

WangJi snorts, but answers softly, "So is Wei Ying."

The immortal looks up and starts to tilt his head a bit, and if he thought that WangJi would quietly and patiently meet him in the middle, he's wrong.

Lan WangJi grabs his face with one of his big hands and presses their lips together at once.

"Mh-mh!" Wei WuXian let's out a little gasp of surprise, but soon he's way too melted into Lan WangJi's lips to do much else but kissing back.

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