#Hua Gongzi

[zhanglinghez]

XIAOHEI MY HERO 😭💚

EP.23 | My Journey To You 「云之羽」 (2023)

[rose-tinted-vision]

“是花公子，后山雪、月、花三大家族的花公子。”

"It's Young Master Hua, the Young Master Hua of the Xue, Yue and Hua families of the back hill."

[randomingoftherandomness]

What about a ff about them https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGJwEdD1B/ ?

Where Yuanzhi is the pretty but strong wife and looks down to his husband but little by little start to be fond of him and his gentleness

Anon, I want you to know that it is now four in the morning and I couldn’t stop thinking about this prompt 👍🏼 Good job

Tags: Hua gongzi x Gong Yuanzhi, Fluff, Arranged Marriage, Developing Relationship, Falling in Love

—

Yuanzhi marries Hua gongzi with heaviness in his chest and the burn of duty gripping at his throat. All he chooses to remember about his wedding ceremony is the look on Gege’s face as he veils him and the surprisingly calloused hand that takes his when they move to the Hall of Elders to give their respects.

The hand in his had been the one thing that kept his mind shackled to the reality of his situation.

Hua gongzi, when they finally had a moment alone together, had been gentle; carefully helping him out of his heavy wedding dress, attentively tending to his needs even as Yuanzhi mulishly refuses to speak a word to him.

“I won’t hurt you.”

That had given him pause even as he distrustfully glares at the man. Sensing it, Hua gongzi had smiled, bright and sunny as if unaffected by Yuanzhi’s dark mood.

“I’ll sleep on the daybed once we’ve exchanged our wedding wines,” He promises. And keeps to it.

Yuanzhi would know. He stayed up the whole night with a hand to the knife he keeps under his pillow.

Life as the wife to Hua gongzi starts like this.

There isn’t a need for him to manage the household seeing as he’s, well, a malewife Hua laoye betrothed his son to in exchange for the backing and the prestige of Gege’s name being linked to the Hua family. So, he spends his days either in his rooms or in the courtyard that he shares with his husband.

And Hua gongzi keeps to his promise to not hurt him. In fact, the fool with his softer disposition is anything but the image Yuanzhi had built up of him in his head.

He’s kind and gentle, considerate of others. It isn’t long before Yuanzhi figures out how much the servants and maids of their courtyard clearly care for their young master. There’s a deep, unwavering sense of morals in his dealings with others.

He’s an honourable man, Yuanzhi finds himself thinking when they have their shared meals. If anything, no matter how sharp Yuanzhi’s words are or how much his attitude toes on the line of disrespect and discontent, it doesn’t faze his husband one bit.

Yuanzhi’s gone and broken a gadget Hua gongzi spent a month on? Oh, that’s no matter! In fact, the broken parts actually work better when put back together.

Yuanzhi’s claimed a room in the residence to fashion into a laboratory without asking? Fantastic! Hua gongzi has his servants go out and buy up all the equipment and every ingredient for Yuanzhi’s personal stores.

All through this, his smile never fazes.

And as a river can change its course after a period of time, so can human emotions. The muscle that beats in Yuanzhi’s chest isn’t immune and he is human after all.

Their shared meals start to feel less like a burden and more like parts of the day he looks forward to. He allows himself to be openly interested in the little whizzbangs Hua gongzi makes, going so far as to willingly spend time with his husband in the workshop and allowing him space in his laboratory.

It becomes easier to accept the warmth and the regard he is given.

It becomes simpler to give his own in return.

So, when he finally plucks up the resolve to ask if his husband would accompany him to the market, he thinks his heart swells twice its size in the face of the smile he receives and the quiet and shy whisper of, “I would like that.”

Love isn’t immediate. Yuanzhi thinks it’ll be awhile before he feels anything of the sort. But he’s fond. Fond of the little rhythm they’ve built in their life together. Fond of how Hua gongzi lets him set the pace, content to be half a step beside him.

It’s undeniable fondness that guides him to take his husband’s hand one night as they’re readying for their separate beds and guide him to his own.

Fondness still, when Hua gongzi kisses him chastely on the cheek only for Yuanzhi to gently remind him, “That’s not how you kiss your wife.”

It’s still not love when they consummate their marriage. Not love when Hua gongzi takes to sleeping in Yuanzhi’s bed every night after, not yet that.

But he knows he will get there. His heart tells him so.

[heymeowmao]

云之羽 | My Journey to You E23 ° I had no intention of getting out of here alive.

[zishuge]

hi! what was gong zishang's pun regarding yue gongzi? is it the bit about the matchmaking god? i watched with english subtitles so subtleties are lost in translation. Thanks in advance!

Yes! The matchmaking god thing. In Chinese mythology the god of matchmaking and love is called 月老 (Yue Lao) - with the characters that mean "Moon" (月 Yue) and "Old" (老 Lao) because he's said to be an old man who lives on the moon.

So when 月公子 (Yue-gongzi) was first introduced I think Gong Zishang first calls him "Yue-gege" (Older Brother Yue) and he says something like "It's possible that I'm much older than your older brother"

Then she says "月公子 (Yue-gongzi) looks even younger than Jin Fan... how could you be old (老 lao)? If you keep insisting that you're old, then I'll have to call you 月老 (Yue Lao)"

It's just... such a dumb pun on his name and also a fantastically stupid pickup line and it made me laugh so much.

[ginsoakedgirl80]

Episode 19 had me bawling. like HE KNOWS WHAT HAPPENS IN THE 3 TRIALS. look at this guy ;_;

[verycharismaticdragon]

A couple days ago I wrote out a sales pitch short summary about 这位公子你别下毒 (Zhe Wei Gongzi Ni Bie Xia Du, which translates to something like "This Young Master, You Mustn't Poison") - the novel the guys in this art 🔽🔽🔽 are from, and I figure I should share it here too

SO there's this completely untranslated chinese webnovel 😭 that I read in machine translation because im unstoppable like that. It's very sweet and light-hearted which i didn't expect considering the premise. And while it's not like... a sweeping epic that would rearrange your brain like some others, I became totally enamored with the main couple's dynamic.

So the aforementioned premise: the main character, Helian Chunfeng (the guy with the sick sword in this art), is a prince/Emperor (depending on where in timeline we are) who had a very bad time, died, and woke up 2 years in the past, in his younger body, before everything went to shit. So he is a fun mix of being very calm and rational (lots of reflecting on mistakes done in first life) and just. a tightly wound ball of anxiety!!! Because of everything that went wrong in past life, most of all with his lover, Hua Baisu (the one with the fan. and poisons).

In the past life, Baisu sacrificed himself to help Chunfeng escape when Chunfeng’s younger brother staged a coup. The choicest bit here being that Chunfeng only figured out he was actually in love with the guy when Baisu died in his arms, because he is certified Dumbass About Feelings. As in, literally brought the guy home as a concubine… in what he Thought was revenge. (No one is more head in hands about that than himself.) Anyhow, Chunfeng comes back to the time when they just met, more or less, and sets out to Fix Things — and that’s the rest of the novel.

And they have just. such a fun dynamic? Personal favorites: Chunfeng introducing Baisu, the guy he pretty much fished out of a random cave, as "future Empress" to literally all of his friends, and sometimes to enemies (before letting said future Empress test poison on them because Baisu also has mad scientist vibe); every time Chunfeng tries to push Baisu away for his safety and Baisu is like 'oh? bold of you to assume you have any control over my actions tbh' (and Chunfeng being like ‘oh right nvm my bad’); the way Chunfeng switches out of his solemn and in-control Emperor vibe and into the 🥺🥺💕 vibe when he is with Baisu......

Oh and also, smth that i think is a bonus (tho might not make sense out of context of BL and particularly danmei fandom) — unlike... literally every danmei that’s popular rn, this novel doesn’t have rigidly set top and bottom roles for the ship (which was how its gotten onto my radar in the first place, i think). It can be considered a niche trope for m/m cnovels… 

AND THEN the author chose to top it off with adding mpreg too😂 the absolute madperson(respect and awe) 

[rhiangalaxy]

Congrats GYX on the gay awakening <3 (Immortal alliance conference pt.1) (Next)

[ID: A Scum Villain Comic. Panel one first depicts Chibi!Plant Yuan sitting on a bench resting his head on his hands with a disgruntled look. A caption says "Waiting for Binghe to register as SQQ banned SY from participating due to 'past incidents'" His demonic butterfly floats in front of him. A voice from off-camera says "Shen-Gongzi?" a zoomed in Chibi!PY perks up in surprise and his butterfly hides. A non-chibi Gongyi Xiao is shown with has hands cupped in a martial salute and bright expression saying, "You're Peak Lord Shen's son right? This one is Gongyi Xiao from Huan Hua." A chibi PY in a box in the corner continues to look up in surprise with his hands slightly lifted from his face with thought bubbles saying 'Woah..so bright.. Kinda reminds me of Binghe.'

Panel two depicts a non-Chibi! PY looking up with a gentle smile with his hands in his lap, replying "Yes, this one is Shen Yuan! Are you here to participate in the Conference?" The rest of this panel is depicted in chibi form. GYX sits next to SY and responds, "This one is! Is Shen-Gongzi not?" to which SY closes his eyes with a disgruntled/tired look and places his head back in his hands, stating "My A-Die banned me. Said this one attracts too much demonic attention..." to which GYX points and says "Oh? Is that why you have that demonic butterfly?" Leading SY to have a panicked look, his thought bubble saying "Shit" whilst he verbally says "Please don't tell my A-Die I brought her."

The final panel has chibi!GYX raising his hands up to placate SY with an amused nervous expression saying "Don't worry! This one won't. It seems very friendly, with you especially." To which non-chibi!SY, now having his butterfly balanced on one of his hands, the other raised up as if to gently pet it, looks down fondly and says "Yes she is... She's been with me a long time." A very flustered Chibi!GYX replies softly "oh". End ID]

[inakidoesthings]

MXTX characters and pun jokes :

Wei Ying would be non-stop, like a firecracker. His main target is Sizhui and the juniors. Otherwise, they would all be to annoy someone or entertain himself.

Wei Ying: "You know why Lan Zhan was single for so long?"

Ling: *sighing*

Jingyi: "Because he was a proper gentleman, focused on his cultivation!"

Zizhen: "Because of his first love!"

Sizhui: "Why do you think, Wei-gongzi?"

Wei Ying: "Because he was always so jaded!"

Xie Lian's proper jokes would be told to his demon nephew, like the ones told to your boss or in the office. But would twist when he got pissed off.

Xie Lian: "My Lord?"

Jun Wu: "Yes, Xianle?"

Xie Lian: "How many swords does it take to end a curse?"

Jun Wu: "Xianle?!"

Xie Lian: "As many that can fit on my back."

Hua Cheng does it to annoy the gods and remind them of their sired abandoned children (*cough* General Pei *cough* Feng Xin). Unless Xie Lian is there, then he's just doing pure ones to make his Gege laugh or smile.

Hua Cheng: "When they childproofed heaven, somehow they still got in."

Luo Binghe would joke mostly with his Shizun. But he would let loose mainly to pick fights with Liu Qingge or Yue Qingyuan.

Binghe: "Hey."

Liu Qingge: "What?"

Binghe: *prep tea for Shizun* What goes in dry & stiff; and comes out soft and wet?

Liu Qingge: "You perverted, shameless -"

Binghe: *straining the leaves* Tea leaves.

Liu Qingge: *Red cheeks* "..."

Binghe: "..."

Liu Qingge: "I hate you."

Shen Yuan would join in on occasion at a banquet as well. Mainly using them as distractions when he doesn't know what to do when his disciple cries.

Shen Yuan: "Why are you upset?! Don't cry!"

Binghe: *Upset that he can't do public displays of affection is moping*

Shen Yuan: "Ugh... Why were the grounds so windy? Because there were so many fans! - ... - Please don't, Binghe."

Lan Zhan would mostly make them with Wei Ying, and on occasion with Lan Huan and Lan Sizhui.

"Some call rabbits leaving a receding hareline."

creds to : @take-a-look-inside-yourselves

[xinyuehui]

Hua Gongzi ‖ First Apperance

[horsegirlwarcrimes]

Hi! I just got here. I'm curious about so so many of your WIPs (probably I am here to stay, I'm so curious xD) but don't want to send a million messages, so to pick one... Xie Lian Mud AU?

CW: Suicide mention/suicidal ideation

MUD AU MY BELOVED. this concept came from this prompt and ive been slowly plodding away at actually writing it. TLDR Xie Lian goes to Ghost City after escaping the coffin to ask Crimson Rain Sought Flower to finally kill him. Hua Cheng doesn't recognize him and assumes he's a ghost because he's still wounded and covered in grime from the coffin. He loses the bet and instead of being killed ends up in the service of the Gambler's Den Spirited Away style. He then proceeds to have a magical healing journey of ghostly employment while his and Hua Cheng's contentious relationship slowly becomes more...

“This humble one asks to be granted the gift of a quick death.”  Ghosts all around the den break out in loud chatter. Some jeer, and others catcall. A woman in green robes, with flowering branches sprouting from her hair like deer’s antlers, leans in and grins.  “Gongzi, I can help you with that for free. You don’t need to bother Chengzu, I could eat you right up.”  The kneeling ghost shakes its head, but doesn’t otherwise respond.  “And why should you need to come to me for that?” he asks, out of a sense of his own curiosity. It’s a strange request for a ghost, for whom typically the ‘life’ they live to must be actively clung to to be maintained, but not the strangest the Den has seen.  “This one heard that the Lord of Ghost City, Crimson Rain Sought Flower, can grant impossible favors. This one’s luck is not good, but I thought… to try.”  “I can,” Hua Cheng says, “For the right price. What will you offer me for the gift of your dispersal?”  “... I have little to offer my Lord besides myself. Anything I could give, I will. Whatever my Lord asks.”  “And why do you suppose that I would have any use for you?”  “This one has some talents, if my Lord wishes to make use of them. Fighting and strategy, repairing and cleaning things, and ah… performing I suppose.”  “Oh? Are you a musician?”  “A passable one. Most of my performances were more physical in nature. Sword swallowing… that sort of thing.”  Hua Cheng can’t help but snort, as the den’s patrons and workers alike burst into loud and delighted hollering.  “So,” he drawls, “you want to pay me with your body?” 

[joleenenaylor]

🤪

looking... respectfully... 👀

EP.14 | My Journey To You 「云之羽」 (2023)

[rose-tinted-vision]

in honor of my previous reblog: here's a mjty fic idea that I never really got around to writing

[randomingoftherandomness]

hospital au

Xiao Hua does his level best to hold his giggles in, but only just, because Zishang cracks first with a breathless snort and impossibly so, that kicks off Yuanzhi's own muffled chuckles. This thus leaves him the last man standing to brave the completely unamused glares from his father, Gong Shangjue and Lady Wuji.

"Why is it, when something happens," Gong Shangjue says with a slow drawl. "It is always you three?"

Xiao Hua would duck under the covers if it wasn't for the fact that they've kept the covers off him so that he doesn't aggravate his fractured hip if he gets too warm under it. Zishang's got no such challenges on her end. The traitor quickly hides the second Lady Wuji starts to shake her head.

"Ge, you can't blame us this time," Yuanzhi tries. "We were almost at a breakthrough! It was just--"

"An unavoidable explosion? Playing with fire too close to gunpowder? Gunpowder, I might add, that was meant to be in the stores and not in your workshop, Zishang?" Elder Hua evenly points out. Xiao Hua knows that voice. It's the 'I'm-terribly-disappointed-in-you-but-we-are-in-polite-company-and-therefore-I-cannot-let-it-show" voice.

Zishang sobers up at that, pulling herself up on the hospital bed to sit with her bandaged hands folded over her blanketed lap.

"Alright, enough out of you," Lady Wuji sighs. Moving over to Yuanzhi, she smoothly his hair out his face and minds both his arms in splints. The blast had caught him unawares and caused him the worst injuries. Luckily with their family's medicine, Yuanzhi should be fine after a few days of rest.

"Don't think that just because you three are looking down a couple of days in the hospital, that you're exempt from any punishment." Shangjue drops down onto Xiao Hua's bed with a bowl of medicine. "We're keeping score and you better believe we'll be settling it with you three."

[tinypinkmouse]

WIP folder tag game

Rules: make a new post with the names of all the files in your WIP folder, regardless of how non-descriptive or ridiculous. Tag as many people as you have WIPs. People can send you an ask with the title that most intrigues them, then post a little snippet/preview or tell them something about it!

Thanks for the tag @flamingwell. I know you suggested I just do a selection, but I have a list! Everyone will suffer the full list! (okay it's actually missing things like current exchange stuff and whatever I've been too lazy to add, but it's nearly the full list of WIPs)

weilanzun somno

deaged SW

arranged marriage yohe

cuddle the enemy

SW stalker

ZYL memory loss

I just had a dream

Mass Effect xover?

amnesia au

monster!ZYL... prequel?

android au

AC crossover

soulmate au writing

another soulmate thing

serum time travel

wish

android sci fi au

Shen Xi and Shen Wei

Parallel

this nice AU

amnesia

time travel fix it - ye zun

Dance, dance

so what happened in YOHE

sequel - he had a name

cohabitation

surviving

chronic pain

arranged marriage

blind?

tiny dragon

sequel? yohe

sequel seeing shadows

wants

Hell 

Shen Xi and Shen Wei

mirror!Ye Zun

Skyrim/elder scrolls fusion

quantum leap au

blue haired SW

weilanzun timetravel

but winter

Fringe AU

Somekind of eldritch AU?

AC fusion thing

undercover cop au

dragon au

So like, SW and HPS different people

DA fusion thing

da xover

Monsters in the jungle

yohe sex injury

fake dating

Untitled document

sw/zyl/hps

marriage proposal celbrity au

knitting

kidnapping

bear

dragons. for fucks sake. I cry

enemies to lovers

what do you mean by expected?

space farming

Shen Wei is not a disney princess

daemon au

another au

teaching cat

wolf cubs

hostile alien race?

chatfic

cyberpunk(ish) au

broken time

neigbours

shen wei/zhao yunlan/ye zun????

the world never touched me

assassin!au, I guess

dark fic?

 hps dream thing

haunted house sequel

guo changcheng

hive of two

ye zun?

Sequel - in the shadows

wind is cold

the future

ot3 kissing

possession ZYL-KL

grooming

AC reincarnation

same

SW and HPS different

imperial au

yet another soulmate au

FFVII xover

naruto xover

another ac crossover I guess

Zhu Hong time travel

voyager vorik/ye zun

voices

AI

tiny soulmate

YZ/DQ

somnophilia

Planet drop

Weilan Jurassic park

weilanzun monster au

vacation

help

SW wakes up as a woman

genderswapped!zyl

Weilan Jurassic park 

soulmate au

Sword!YZ

baby animals

sequel life's a little weird

other soulmate AU

more au

sequel k15 - it's complicated 

vampire

Gifts

Star Wars xover

monster

ZYL time travel 

memory

acquiring ZYL

lake dragon

tiniest dragon sequel

space pirate AU

he-man x-over

imperial harem au

mermaid love triangle in the forest

bb!SW modern

SW and HPS different 

ot3 arranged marriage AU

alone

in this thing together

weizun I suppose

let's go back to yesterday

tradition

voyager xover

marriage

Luo Qingeng/Han Chen

Jiang Yang/Mao Hou

Luo Fusheng/Jiang Yang

Yang Xiuxian/Xun Xu

Jiang Yang/Xun Xu

Jiang Yang/??????

sequel - unexpected turns

Luo Fusheng/Jiang Yang?

Jiang Yang/Han Chen the AU fusion version

Jiang Yang/?

a journey to love

gangster/stripper au somewhere after BY/LYN

porn au 0.5 or something

handcuffs sequel

Luo Fusheng/Jiang Yang Star Wars AU

Meng Shaohui/?

Mao Hou/Lin Dayu

Chen Yiming/Lin Dayu

Cheng Musheng/Jiang Yang

Luo Qingeng/Chen Yiming

Han Chen/Mao Hou

Jiang Yang/Han Chen (the worst idea)

Xun Xu/Luo Fusheng

Luo Fusheng/Chang Dong/Ye Liuxi

Ye Liuxi/Chang Dong/Hua Wuxie (?)

Chang Dong/Ye Liuxi/Jiang Zhan (also not derivative obviously)

Chang Dong/Gongzi Jing sequel

gangster/stripper au 44

porn au

sequel look at me?

sequel wake up

Yang Xiuxian/Xun Xu 

Han Chen/Clown

bank on me

Luo Fusheng/Jiang Yang 

Chen Yiming/Han Chen

Luo Qingeng/Jiang Yang/Luo Fusheng

Clown/Yang Xiuxian

Mao Hou/Lin Dayu

Jiang Yang/Han Chen/Luo Fusheng (android thing)

Han Chen/Mo Sanmei 

So, uh... I don't know that many people to tag. So if you're reading this consider yourself tagged. That probably doesn't cover 182 people, but what can you do?

[sylviesoothsayer22]

Well Matched - Chapter 3

Galanthus nivalis

Summary:

The ethereal butterfly led Wei Ying right into a place only known to him through folktales. Ghost City had an odd and chaotic pull that tugged at the young ghost. Another time. He'll gladly explore every nook and cranny in this city, but right now he needed to secure an audience with the city's lord.

Hua Cheng had heard so many rumours related to the Yiling Laozu and he was prepared to satisfy his curiosity with this one meeting. Not at all prepared for how unpredictable the young ghost could be, he receives the most shocking proposal he's ever heard.

Link to Chapter 1: https://www.tumblr.com/sylviesoothsayer22/767249587576651776/well-matched-chapter-1?source=share

Link to Chapter 2: https://www.tumblr.com/sylviesoothsayer22/768071739996618752/well-matched-chapter-2?source=share

Wei Wuxian blinked at the peculiar sight. His face tickled as the butterfly crawled from his nose to his still wet cheek. Right on his tear tracks.

He slowly plucked a nearby flower and offered it to the creature. Trying to coax it off his face. The butterfly wasn’t interested. Instead, it flew away and hovered near a forest path that he was sure wasn’t there before.

The butterfly appeared to be waiting for him.

Wei Wuxian followed.

He was led to a valley and found Wen Ning palming empty air. Wei Wuxian could sense the overwhelming Yin energy permeating from where his subordinate’s hands were pressing. Wen Ning felt his approach and turned to him.

“Wei-Gongzi.” Said Wen Ning. “It appeared again, but it won’t let me through. Look.”

He tosses a rock, the air before them shimmered and the object stopped in mid-air before being dropped to the ground.

Wei Ying watched this with calculating eyes. He glanced at the butterfly, now hovering near his shoulder before grabbing his own rock and throwing it. Once it reached where the entrance is supposed to be, it disappeared.

“…..”

“It seems that Crimson Rain is inviting me.” He remarked. He looked back at the butterfly.

“Can you take me to him?”

After promising Wen Ning that he’ll back within an hour and that he’ll be careful, he approached the shimmering wall.

As soon as Wei Ying passed through the barrier separating the world of the living from the dead, he was met with a sea of red.

He found himself in a street that stretched out endlessly. Bustling stores and stalls line both sides of the street. The crimson lanterns hanging above were painting the night sky in its bold hue. All kinds of supernatural beings crowded the area. Be they ghosts, demons or anthropomorphic beings. Many of them donned masks displaying happy, angry, crying faces. Ghost fires of varying sizes darted between the people, who hardly seemed to notice them.

For a moment, all Wei Ying could do was stare. A child-like part of himself that he never grew out of wanted to do some exploring. He stomped down on the temptation and looked back at where the butterfly was hovering.

It wasn’t there anymore.

While looking around for the ethereal creature, he accidently made eye-contact with what appeared to be a pig butchering meat.

Human meat.

Wei Ying snapped his head forward and walked away.

Nothing to see here. Nothing to see….

He wasn’t left wandering aimlessly for long.

Thin, claw-like fingers wrapped around his bicep and stopped him in his tracks. Wei Ying snapped his head at the hand’s owner and was met with the sight of a ghost lady in revealing clothing. The heavy makeup did little to conceal her rotting face. For a few heart-stopping moments, their eyes locked. He felt a twinge of worry and wondered if she recognized him despite the plain black mask hiding his face -Wei Ying put it on just in case he ran into the people he’s killed here. She blinked at his appearance before giggling coquettishly. 

“Hello, little gege. You seem new around here. Would you like me to show you around?”

Wei Ying forced his shoulders to untense. He gave the lady an impish grin.

“Sorry, jiejie. You’re not exactly my type. But…” He presses a heavy pouch into her hand. “I’d love to hear more about this city.”

The lady’s smile widened.

“Oh?”

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

He made his way to the Gambler's Den and was greeted with a cacophony of noise. Wei Ying chose to ignore the shouting of bets being made and checked his surroundings. Nobody inside matched the Ghost King’s description and he couldn’t see a figure sitting behind the red curtain. Crimson Rain’s usual seat was empty.

He spotted another ghost well on his way to passing out on a table. Wei Ying approached the drunk and asked about Hua Cheng’s whereabouts.

“Chengzhu….?” He slurred. “Ya just missed him. Better luck next time.”

“Is there any other way I can gain an audience with him?” He pressed. Now getting just a little annoyed at his situation.

The drunkard just laughed at him in response and threw his drink at Wei Ying, which he barely dodged.

After being laughed out of the building, Wei Ying put as much distance between himself and the den. He stopped at a secluded alleyway and shook off the excess wine from his boots, all the while cursing his luck.

Wasn’t ���Chengzhu’ the one who led me into the city? Why hasn’t he approached me yet? Or was I supposed to go to him?

He felt a prickle at the back of his neck. There was a presence right behind him. He quickly turned around and saw a youth in rich maple robes watching him with hooded eyes. The youth curiously titled his head to the side.

“You seem to be new around here, Gongzi. Would you like me to take you somewhere you can stay for a while?”

Wei Wuxian arched a brow. “I can hardly believe you’re helping me out of kindness. What do you wish in return?”

“Oh, nothing much. Merely a moment of your time.” The youth smirked.

Wei Ying examined the stranger for a moment. Something was off about this man. Deciding to test the other male, he called out:

“Chengzhu?”

The youth’s smirk widened.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

They were at an inn that has clearly seen better days. The only individuals occupying the building were them and the innkeeper who seemed determined to put as much distance between himself and the two powerful ghosts.

Both Calamities were sitting at a table opposite from one another. Gazes constantly assessing. Wei Ying took in the sight of Crimson Rain. The older ghost was often described as a devilishly handsome man, wearing an eyepatch, blood-red robes with silver vambraces and a red pearl dangling from his hair. As of this moment, the man in front of him resembled a rich merchant’s son and not the Ghost King of legend. He didn’t even reveal his true form despite them sitting somewhere private.

Maybe he just really likes putting on disguises?  He mused. Not sure what to make of him.

He doesn’t think that the dark eyes trained on him were supposed to be intimidating, though. Wei Wuxian felt like an art piece being inspected rather than a wild animal carefully watched for sudden movements. It wasn’t frightening, per say. But he felt oddly…open. He refused to let his discomfort show and took a swig of the wine served to them.

“So…” Crimson Rain drawled. “What exactly is your type?”

He nearly spat out his wine.

What the….?

The bastard let out a snicker at Wei Ying’s expression.

He was trying to fluster him!

Two can play at that game, Chengzhu.

“Why? Think you have a shot?” He snarked back with a smirk.

The other man’s eyes widened for a moment before he let out a surprised laugh. Strangely enough, Wei Ying felt some of the tension leave his shoulders at the sound.

“Why did you let me wander around your city? Why not just meet me right away?” Wei Ying asked curiously.

“Judging by your attempt at a disguise…” Crimson Rain began while briefly glancing at the mask Wei Wuxian had put aside. “Me coming to you directly would’ve attracted a lot of unwanted attention. So, I led you here. You wanted to remain innocuous, no?”

Huh.

It never crossed Wei Ying’s mind that Crimson Rain could be considerate.

“I still haven’t mastered shapeshifting yet.” He admitted sheepishly. Might as well return the man’s kindness with a little honesty. He knew the mask made for a poor disguise, but what else could he do?

Crimson Rain snorted.

“It appears that the Yiling Laozu isn’t brilliant at everything.” He remarked laughingly. “You’ve been causing such a ruckus, you know.”

“And yet, you still decided to meet me?”

“Hmm. Call me curious. You’re quiet the intriguing case.”

Wei Wuxian arched a brow.

“Am I truly?”

The Ghost King leaned forward. Dark eyes glittering beneath the low candle-light.

“People have had their eyes on you for some time. Many from the Ghost Realm and even some from the Heavens.”

Wei Wuxian’s eyes widened in surprise. Hua Cheng’s lips curled upwards. Humoured by the other ghost’s shock. He leaned back in his seat and continued:

“First, you were the only living being who founded and mastered demonic cultivation. Then you became the first Calamity born after near a millennium. One who didn’t even take the usual route to gain Supreme status.” Wei Wuxian blinked owlishly at that.

“There’s another way for ghosts to get this kind of power?”

“There are. But you becoming a Supreme after only being a dead for a few months would be considered…. highly unusual.” Wei Wuxian could practically hear the silent question within the older ghost’s words.

“Guess I’m just special.” He deflected. Wei Ying had a pretty good idea on how he gained such power so quickly and he did not want to open that particular can of worms. Hua Chengzhu was just gonna have to live with his curiosity unsatisfied.

Crimson Rain let out an amused huff, but didn’t press any further on the matter.

Wei Wuxian decided to stop beating around the bush.

“I’m not here to talk about my rank as a ghost.”

“Of course. We’re here to discuss on whether you and your people can stay here in my city.”

“It’ll only be temporary.”

“Oh?” He can hear the faint note of surprise in Crimson Rain’s voice. “I was under the assumption that you couldn’t create a realm of your own under the risk of attracting attention from your former allies.”

“I came up with a few ideas on how to make a ghost village. Undetected.” He revealed. They were only ideas, unfortunately. Who knows how many experiments it’ll take until they bear fruit?

“Have you now?” Wei Ying can see the sparks of interest shimmering in the other man’s eyes. “Ah, but I shouldn’t expect less from the Yiling Laozu.”

Hua Cheng held out his hand. Wei Ying looked at it confusedly.

“May I see the inventions that you’re hiding in your right sleeve?”

Wei Wuxian felt a spike of frustration, along with a hint of worry. The conversation seemed to be going around in circles, yet Wei Ying knew that he couldn't simply refuse Crimson Rain -completely forgetting that Hua Cheng just asked for his consent. He pulled out the pouch and handed it to the older man. Trying to not let his agitation -and nervousness- show. Judging by the amused glint in Hua Cheng’s gaze, he was doing a poor job.

Hua Cheng pulled out an emerald marble from the pouch. The sphere was emitting faint whiffs of green smoke. He held it up against the candle light. Inspecting its pulsing shell.

“Did you come up with this while on the run?”

“No. It’s an old invention from the Sunshot Campaign. Why so fascinated with my weapons? Don’t they seem amateurish to yours in comparison?”

“I might be looking for a tinkering partner.” Hua Cheng replied vaguely. Wei Ying’s expression twitched disbelievingly. “Why didn’t you use this weapon in your war?”

Have I had his attention all the way back then?

Wei Wuxian… wasn’t sure on what to feel from having someone fixated on him like that.

“I didn’t have precise control. It would’ve affected both my enemies and allies.” He reluctantly admitted. “Why the need for a ‘tinkering partner’?”

“Does there have to be a need?” Hua Cheng asked rhetorically. “Perhaps, I’m just bored and you can keep me entertained.” He smirked before putting the marble back in its pouch. The elder ghost began examining a jar full of black seeds.

“Last I checked, you had around fifty Wens under your protection. Now, you seem to have twice that number.” Wei Wuxian smiled humourlessly.

“I have a habit of picking up strays.” He remarked dryly.

“Who knew Yiling Laozu would be so charitable?” Hua Cheng asked, amusedly.

“Who knew Crimson Rain would be such a curious cat?” Wei Ying retorted. Hua Cheng chuckled in response. He put aside the spiritual tools and turned back to the younger ghost.

“I have no issue with the Wens residing here in my city.” Wei Ying connected the dots.

“But you need to keep a powerful ghost close to you. If it’s under the guise of a tinkering partner, then the residents won’t panic.” Hua Cheng’s eyes crinkled in delight.

“I figured you’d catch on fast.” He commented, clearly pleased. “This place runs on gossip. Half the city is already aware of your presence here. Despite your…. less than stellar disguise.”

Wei Wuxian winced in slight embarrassment.

I should really improve on my shapeshifting skills.

“I can’t take you up on your offer.” He stated. A part of Wei Ying felt oddly guilty for his answer.

“No?” Hua Cheng looked faintly disappointed. “Not even to trade blueprints or theories?”

“I can’t.” Wei Wuxian stressed. Thoughts on the Yin Tiger Tally and the disaster it spread on the forefront of his mind. He tightly gripped his thighs. Knuckles turning white. Never again was he going to carelessly create such a weapon.

“You’re afraid.” Crimson Rain observed. Expression softening slightly. “You needn’t worry. I won’t force you to create anything harmful.”

Wei Ying still shook his head no.

“Even if I were to create something without the intention to harm, someone smart enough could still find a way to weaponize it. I don’t mean you.” He hurried to say after noticing Hua Cheng’s frown. “I’d just like to keep my ideas to myself for now.” Wei Wuxian swallowed before continuing:

“Chengzhu.” He addressed respectively. “From what I understand, you need incentive to show the people of Ghost City that I’m not a threat, yes?”

At Hua Cheng’s nod, Wei Ying undid the ribbon holding up his hair.

“Hold out your hand.” The older ghost raised a brow at that, but decided to humour him. Once Hua Cheng felt the ribbon brush against his hand, his expression transformed from curiosity to shock.

“What’s this…?”

“Insurance. Now I can’t do anything to hurt anyone and your people can rest easy.” He replied as he tied the ribbon off.

“….is this a bluff…?”

Wei Wuxian solemnly shook his head. Hua Cheng stared at him for a few seconds. An unreadable expression on his face. Suddenly, he burst out in a fit of laughter. The Ghost King clutched his sides and curled in his seat. The ribbon now tightly bound to his right wrist. The younger ghost tried not to look too startled at the strange reaction. He waited for the other ghost to calm down.

“I can’t decide if you’re brave or dumb.” Hua Cheng stated, breathlessly. Wiping away at the tears from the corner of his eyes.

Alright. That’s a fair assessment. Considering what he just did.

Wei Wuxian responded with a shrug and a cheeky grin.

If only he knew the meaning behind the act, he’d realize how audacious this looks….

“You do realize that you just gave me the means to destroy you, yes?”

“But you won’t.” He replied confidently. He wasn’t worried. Besides, this is hardly the first time he put his life on the line.

“And what makes you say that?”

“I’m too entertaining for you to toss aside so quickly.” Wei Ying stated with his signature grin.

“How presumptuous of you.” Hua Cheng snickered.

“How can it be presumptuous when it’s the truth?” Wei Ying retorted good-naturedly.

The Ghost King shook his head. Still in disbelief. He looked down at the ribbon and curiously stroked it with his fingers. Wei Wuxian suppressed a shiver at the action.

“You’re even more interesting than I initially thought.” Hua Cheng admitted. A strange lilt in his tone.

“Hope you won’t get bored of me eventually.” Wei Ying quipped offhandedly. Ignoring the weird churning in his stomach.

“I sincerely doubt that.” The Ghost King breathed out. An odd gleam in his eye that the younger ghost chose to ignore.

It was only after Wei Wuxian finished his talk with the city’s lord, did he seriously think back on the older ghost’s strange reaction to the ribbon.

“Little gege!” He heard a familiar voice call out to him as he walked back the way he came. Wei Ying turned to the jiejie he talked to earlier. She smiled at him.

“How did it go? Did you manage to have an audience with Chengzhu?”

“Ah. Yes, I did. Thanks for the help.” He answered before giving into the thought that’s been niggling at him for the past few minutes.

“Say, jiejie. Is there a special meaning behind giving a Ghost King your ashes?”

“Oh, wel- You did what?!”

Chapter End.

Author's Note:

*Galanthus nivalis: known better as Snowdrops. The flower symbolizes hope, new beginnings, resilience, tenderness and vulnerability. This entire chapter is mostly in Wei Ying's POV and we only get a tiny glimpse of HC's inner thoughts near the end. WWX feels as if their first meeting is about to start something quiet new and different compared to what he's used to and he doesn't know what to feel about that. So, he falls into his familiar confident and shameless façade in order to hide his discomfort. HC is willing to offer safety in exchange for a light-hearted companionship, but WWX misinterprets his offer and assumes that HC just wants something out of him. So, he gives him his ashes as both a bargaining chip and a shield against making potentially new weapons. Completely unaware of the social connotations of such an action and that he just opened himself up more to the Ghost King.

BTW: HC will hold this act over WWX's head for the next century. You do NOT just accidently propose ghost marriage to Crimson Rain and expect him to let it slide.

Omake:

HC: *sitting contemplatively at his office. Occasionally brushing his fingers against the red ribbon tied around his wrist*

YY: *walks in, sees that Chengzhu’s ‘busy’ and was about to go and handle the work on his own -again*

HC: Yin Yu.

YY: *halts* Yes, Chengzhu?

HC: Make sure to empty your schedule by tomorrow. I need you to start planning mine and Lord Wuxian’s wedding.

YY: Of cour- Wait, what?!

I also included/edited in omakes in the previous chapters. Hope you enjoyed!

Be sure to leave a like and/or drop a comment!

Many thanks~