#JINGSU

[waterlilyvioletfog]

Nirvana In Fire is sooooo crazy. Prince Jing will show up at Mei Changsu’s house and say I dont usually do this… if my dead wife I mean! Childhood best friend! Lin Shu could see me now… he’d never forgive me for seeing a SCHEMER, a PLOTTER, a DASTARDLY and DECEITFUL ADVISOR… 👉👈😗 and Mei Changsu goes wow that’s so sad dianxia… anyways here’s a very insightful point about the military that only Lin Shu would have known. and Prince Jing goes 🤨🥺 is that you Lin Shu?? and Mei Changsu says whaaaaattttt?????? Nooooooo…. And then someone asks Mei Changsu why he won’t fess up to being Lin Shu and he’s like You Don’t Understand It’s Better This Way… After all, Prince Jing could NEVER develop an unhealthy attachment to a scheming dastardly advisor like Mei Changsu, and he’s got a history of reckless behavior in defense of people he’s attached to. *sad, sad coughing* Meanwhile Prince Jing goes home and tells his mom about this hot advisor guy he’s about to start a rebellion for

[zhoudadudugongjin]

"Prince Jing knew something was wrong and dashed inside. He found Mei Changsu lying motionless on the table, and when he examined him more closely under the light, he realized he was unconscious, his body temperature frighteningly low. He hurriedly picked him up, but there was already someone lying on the bed in the room, and Fei Liu’s bed was little more than a mattress on the floor, and so, after a moment of hesitation, he carried him into the main room of his own quarters and ordered for the imperial physician to be summoned immediately."

-The Langya List by Hai Yan, translated by Star-Shadows

[bitterflames]

what happens in the secret tunnel stays in the secret tunnel

[murderedbyhomework]

Xiao Jingyan 🤝🏻 Fang Duobing

Falling in love with their boyfriend's more scheming, sickly identities and actually appreciating and caring about that side of them before they find out that their boyfriend is actually the bright, glorious sun that was their childhood love

[awano]

Tingsheng turns seventeen this year. The blood of emperors in his marrow has welled forth into plain sight; a jade pin binds his hair in a neat topknot, and a jade belt adorns his waist; there is a vivid light in his curious eyes, and a poised elegance in his bearing. As he walks along the corridor, he carries the providential grace of kings in his wake. With a clever dodge he evades Fei Liu's hawk-like assault, nearly catching even Zhen Ping and Li Gang flat-footed. Mei Changsu gets to his feet and calls off Fei Liu. Then, just as he might greet an old friend, he smiles at the visitor in his courtyard: "You've come."

Peerless (倾国): Chapter 4 on AO3

[fateandloveentwined]

poetry lines befitting MCS and XJY

These are mostly chinese tang shi and song ci poetry quotes, with a great biased amount from Su Shi because OP doesn't know better. Crude, 5-minute english translations below. There are lines I semi-made up or adapted from fandom/cpop songs (that is, most of Xiao Jingyan's lines), ngl OP is rather embarrassed of them because they aren't good at all looking back now but we'll just leave them here or else XJY would end up with zero quotes.

梅长苏 Mei Changsu

想那日束��从军，想那日霜角辕门，想那日挟剑惊风，想那日横槊凌云。 ——夏完淳

Think to the day I tied back my hair and enlisted. Think to the day the horn rang at the frostbitten tents, think to the day I danced my sword making the sound that deafens the wind. Think to the day I took to the lance, and it pierced through the skies, rising higher than the clouds. — Xia Wanchun

将士百战身名裂。 向河梁、回头万里，故人长绝。 易水萧萧西风冷，满座衣冠似雪，正壮士、悲歌未彻。 ——辛弃疾

The warrior fights a hundred battles, yet what remains is his severed reputation. He looks to the bridge over the river, thousands of miles back, past acquaintances forever gone. In another life, over the howling of the west wind and the cold Yi rivers, the banquet sits, clothes adorned in snowlike white. The courageous man strides through the blizzard, the song of lament never ceasing. — Xin Qiji

零落成泥碾作尘，只有香如故。 ——陆游

The plum blossoms wither and drift to the ground, crushed into earthly soil and dust. The prevailing fragrance is what remains. — Lu You

亦余心之所善兮，虽九死其犹未悔。 ——屈原

So long as this is what my heart longs for and treasures, though I die nine deaths, my heart does not regret. — Qu Yuan

君臣一梦，今古空名。 ——苏轼

Lords and lieges ebb into nothing but a dream; in the river of time transcending present and past vain titles remain, cast into the void. — Su Shi

无波真古井，有节是秋筠。 ——苏轼

The heart is at peace like the ancient well that does not ripple; the integrity is as the autumn bamboos, steadfast and unfaltering. — Su Shi

舳舻千里，旌旗蔽空，酾酒临江，横槊赋诗。 ——苏轼

The warship moves a thousand miles, ensigns enshrouding the sky. He pours out wine by the riverside, holds out his lance, and writes verses as he speaks. — Su Shi

对一张琴，一壶酒，一���云。 ——苏轼

Facing but a guqin, a jug of wine, a stream of cloud. — Su Shi

江山如画，是我心言。 ——风起时

The rivers and mountains of the kingdom outstretches before me, as moving as in art: this is my heart’s will. — from the song “Feng Qi Shi”, when the wind blows

战骨碎尽志不休，冰心未改血犹殷。 ——改自《赤血长殷》、王昌龄

Bones completely crushed from the battle, yet aspirations unwavering. The heart has not changed; the blood flows red still. — adapted from the song “Chi Xue Chang Yan”, the noble blood flows red, and poet Wang Changling

袖手妙计权倾变，敛眸笑谈意了然。 ——改自《赤血长殷》

With folded arms, he devises labyrinthine strategies. The sceptre of power sways and shifts. He shrouds his gaze modestly, and in conversations of small smiles, he discerns the intention of men. — adapted from the song “Chi Xue Chang Yan”, the noble blood flows red

萧㬌琰 Xiao Jingyan

潜龙一朝御风翔，长歌挽弓射天狼。 ——《长喑》

The submerged dragon rises one day to ride the winds. Singing high and long; the bow is drawn pointed at the invading Sirius. — from the song “Chang Yin”, the Long Darkness found here

挑灯殿阙思悄然，闻钤行宫寝无眠。 ——改自白居易

Awashed in the raised lamps of the imperial palace, thoughts whisper in grievance. The bell rings at the Jiu’an grounds, and he lies abed sleepless. — adapted from The Song of Everlasting Sorrow by Bai Juyi

驰骋沙场繁华梦，谈笑鸿儒君臣纲。 ——改自《致陛下书》、刘禹锡

Dreams soar in the flurrying gallops of the battlefield, flourishing dreams of splendour and joy. In pleasant dialogue with scholars, civility obliges polite smiles into the etiquette of lords and lieges. — adapted from the song “Zhi Bi Xia Shu”, a letter to Your Majesty, and Liu Yuxi

铁马并辔封疆，几回魂梦游；更鼓落夜未央，笔下兴亡断。 ——取自《长喑》、《赤血长殷》

Armoured horses riding in parallel at the borderlands — how many times has the soul wandered to such dreams of the past. The hourly drums sound ceaseless across the long night; under the emperor's brush, the fate of prosperity and declination writes. — adapted from the song “Chang Yin”, the Long Darkness found here, and “Chi Xue Chang Yan”, the noble blood flows red

揽尽山河只手倾，昂冕袖手瞰苍生。 ——改自《长喑》

The future of his kingdom sweeps into a tilt of his hand. With crown upheld, he folds his arms in his sleeves awatching humanity. — adapted from the song “Chang Yin”, the Long Darkness found here

咫尺抚眉峰，万丈叠远峰；梦底枕笑纹，惊风掀水纹。 ——《致陛下书》

Up close, the furrowed brows are smoothed. Ten thousands of feet stretch before him, converging into mountains at a distance. In the deepest dreams, the markings of a smile lie; he stirs up the wind which marks and rips tides in the tumultuous waters. — adapted from the song “Zhi Bi Xia Shu”, a letter to Your Majesty

Two (three) things to note:

My dying obsession with Su Shi, sorry I can’t help it that perhaps over half of the all the poetry I know is from him;

To be really fair, my favourite description of Mei Changsu is 运筹帷幄之中，决胜千里之外, used in describing Zhang Liang in Si Maqian's Records of the Grand Historian. He orchestrates masterplans in the tent of the army; he determines the victory of the battle from afar, thousands of miles from the front.

As for my favourite depiction of Lin Shu, it is definitely Su Shi’s description of Cao Cao: 舳舻千里，旌旗蔽空，酾酒临江，横槊赋诗。 The warship moves a thousand miles, ensigns enshrouding the sky. He pours out wine by the riverside, holds out his lance, and writes verses as he speaks. Xin Qiji’s verse above just fits the entire story of Mei Changsu so much, it deserves a mention.

I was assembling/making these lines up for something back then and so just listed whatever came to mind (for reasons I know not I kept on listing stuff for MCS, but maybe XJY was the typical good emperor kind of person so wasn't as inspiring coming up with quotes for him).

If there are lines of poetry you find really befitting the two characters, we're more than interested starting a thread here just for that purpose.

[convenientalias]

Jingsu, for the ship asks?

I do ship this!

What made me ship it?

I don't have one right answer for this. Their dynamic is so central to the show that it's hard to pinpoint where it begins to hit. Like, even from their first interaction, the identity porn is really good--maybe the first "yessss perfect" moment is when Mei Changsu tells Jingyan that he's chosen to support him in the battle for the throne. It so totally blindsides Jingyan, and it changes the trajectory of his life from that point forward. And Mei Changsu is so smug and mysterious in that scene too.

What are your favorite things about the ship?

I love the identity porn of it all probably more than anything. It makes for great angst and humor both (admittedly more angst than humor tbh), and just a TON of dramatic irony. In terms of their dynamic, I like the fact that Sir Su and Prince Jing at first maintain a very professional distance and gradually come to trust each other more and work together more closely, while secretly Lin Shu cares about Jingyan more deeply and knows him more intimately than Jingyan can guess.

Is there an unpopular opinion you have on your ship?

Well, for one thing, although I ship it, it's not exactly an OTP for me because I multiship Mei Changsu with a whole bunch of people. I think for a lot of people, Jingsu is their ride or die for the Nirvana in Fire fandom, while I've written an equal number of fics shipping Mei Changsu with Nihuang or Prince Yu. What can I say, he's Da Liang's most wanted...

That's not really about Jingsu itself though! So here's something else: I don't think Mei Changsu was wrong to keep his identity secret from Jingyan. Yeah, maybe he kept it secret for longer than he really had to, but he was right that Jingyan knowing he's Lin Shu probably would indeed fuck up their plans in terms of Jingyan's priorities. I do think Jingyan could keep a secret; I don't think he could stay chill while Lin Shu risked his life at Xiao Jingrui's birthday party or got held captive by the Xuanjing Bureau. He knew Mei Changsu was Lin Shu for like five seconds before openly defying the Emperor and throwing a cup of poison on the floor while maintaining eye contact. So yeah I think he would have been very protective and it would sometimes have hindered Mei Changsu's plans. Also, I'm always pro people having secret identities no matter how angsty it makes everyone around them. Let them do what they want!

Thanks for the ask!!! I love Jingyan and Mei Changsu!

[sable-pigeon]

sorry, meng-dage

[finitepeace]

in november imi reads: jingsu!

I re-watched Nirvana in Fire this month. Didn't even make it to the second episode before deciding I don't need all this pain and just get to jingsu instead. Most of these are re-reads but they are my all time favorites!

Small Bump by orangememory | 3848 words | Jingyan will keep his pearls safe – or he will die trying. Consort Mei's good news lights up the Jing Manor, and digs up some buried memories.

Anew by gixi_ninja | 2045 words | “If only he was a girl,” Jingyang had said one day to Consort Jing, smiling over her cup of tea. “Then they could wed when they are grown. If there was anyone who could keep Xiao Shu from trouble…”

three can keep a secret (if two of us are dead) by marquisguyun | 1354 words | Mei Changsu gets unexpected news while away at war. There's nothing to be done about it.

From the Same River's Waters by bladedweaponsandswishycoats (jeweledichneumon), deepestblueskyc | 5252 words | There's no response. It's not the first time, but the silence now is different in a way Jingyan can't describe. It makes him realize that normally, even when they aren't communicating, the bond itself has a presence. Now, even that feels different and he can't help the fear growing in him. Aside from the silence, there is the last thing he did hear from Xiao Shu's side: "Jingyan, be careful—"

Palimpsest by ofsevenseas (Restricted) | 5566 words | Written for NIF Fest prompt #149 - accidental brothel girl MCS as a result of mistaken identity; MCS can't bear to correct JY, who seems so lonely & sad.

[rhysiana]

Do you ever open up a fic document and find something hilarious you forgot you ever wrote? Anyway, have this little modern NiF Jingsu inspired by this post. I'm pretty sure I never posted it because I meant to make it longer, but not everything has to be long.

Xiao Jingyan’s doom was sealed the minute Lin Shu spotted the new sign posted in the gym’s entry. “Note: Family membership cannot be used for rooomates! You must be in a real relationship!” His eyes narrowed, his lips pursed ever so slightly, and then he turned to Jingyan with a slow, evil smile.

“No,” Jingyan said immediately.

“You don’t even know what I was going to say!” Lin Shu claimed, aggrieved.

“I do.”

Nihuang came in behind them. “Why are we just standing in the entryway?” She leaned forward between their shoulders to see what they were looking at. “Oh, that. What bullshit.”

“Jingyan and I are going to fake date for a shared membership,” Lin Shu declared, and Mu Nihuang, the traitor, just nodded like it was obvious.

“We are not!” Jingyan insisted, increasingly desperate to be believed. “Why don’t you two do it?”

Nihuang and Lin Shu looked at each other and then back at him.

“No one would believe it,” Nihuang said, her tone all kind patience that set Jingyan’s teeth on edge. “We’ve tried dating, and we always end up at friends instead. Maybe in another life…” She trailed off in mock wistfulness and Lin Shu punched her in the shoulder. She shoved him away with a laugh and headed toward the locker rooms. “Get changed, you losers, or I’ll have already made it to the top of a route before you even get out there!”

“She’s right,” Lin Shu said. “It has to be you and me.”

“I don’t like lying, you know that.”

“This isn’t lying,” Lin Shu started, and Jingyan glared at him. “Okay, fine, it is, but it’s for justice! Besides, you won’t even have to say anything. I’ll do all the talking.” He patted Jingyan absently on the arm, attention already turning to how to best launch his attack on the front desk attendant. “You just stand there and look pretty.”

Jingyan felt heat flare high in his cheeks and was just glad Nihuang had already gone ahead.

~*~

When Meng Zhi arrived half an hour later, Nihuang, determined not to be left out of the fun, marched him back out to the desk and demanded they be given a couple’s rate too.

When Meng Zhi looked back over her shoulder with panicked eyes, all Jingyan could do was shrug helplessly.

~*~

“I don’t understand why you’re still going through with this,” Nihuang said when they got coffee after their shared poli sci class a few weeks later. “You’re rich! Just pay the membership fee. Pay his, too. Honestly, I thought you would just refuse.”

Jingyan scowled. “When has anyone ever talked Lin Shu out of a scheme?”

She smiled. “You just can’t say no to him.”

Jingyan scowled harder. “He holds my hand when we go in now,” he muttered, and she started cackling.

“You’re so doomed,” she said, wiping away tears of mirth.

“You will not believe what idiotic thing that guy in my philosophy class said today!” Lin Shu declared as he slid into the seat next to Jingyan, who automatically handed him the second coffee he’d bought. Lin Shu gave him a companionable shoulder bump of thanks as he continued straight into a dramatic retelling of his class.

Nihuang just smiled pointedly at Jingyan over her own coffee and he did his best to ignore her.

[cosmoglaut]

I know I'm in this fandom for merely a year and half, but I'd've thought I would come across this before. Ok, firstly, awww! Secondly, you were there when Hu Ge was full on playing up the CP and joking about Wang Kai coming to his room at midnight to check Mei Changsu's mole!!

[marquisguyun]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: 琅琊榜 | Nirvana in Fire (TV) Rating: Mature Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Lin Chen & Lin Shu | Mei Changsu | Su Zhe, Lin Shu | Mei Changsu | Su Zhe/Xiao Jingyan Characters: Lin Shu | Mei Changsu | Su Zhe, Lin Chen (Nirvana in Fire) Additional Tags: Unhappy Ending, Mpreg, Future Character Death, Canonical Character Death, Friendship, Infant Death, technically not bc the baby isn't born but miscarriage isn't accurate either so Summary:

Mei Changsu gets unexpected news while away at war. There's nothing to be done about it.

[zhoudadudugongjin]

[bitterflames]

my hands look like this (bloodied with the stains of foul deeds and scheming) so his can look like this (pristine and unsullied as he ascends the throne with conscience clear)

[arale2126]

this song sums up all my ships pretty well

Farewell the one I love the most Farewell the one I love the most The one I still love the most

How vexing How devastating You won't return anymore Even so, you are still the one I love most

I may not ever be able to forget anything To throw away anything I hate how miserable, pitiful and weak I feel

Farewell the one I love most Farewell the one I love most Always, you are the one I love the most Always, you will always be the one I love the most

I won't cry now Don't cry now Our hearts grow apart Even so, you are still the one I love most

I keep on saying it's the end Keep on saying it until the end Tears, stop flowing So what you will remember Would be my last smile

Farewell the one I love most Farewell the one I love most Always, you are the one I love the most Always, you will always be the one I love the most Always, always, you will forever be the one I love the most

[awano]

"Mother, you know this — to me, xiao-Shu has become more than Lin Shu, the boy who perished in the Chiyan atrocity. With fourteen years of his life, he reclaimed justice for the lost souls of the Chiyan army, forged a path for me onto the throne, and in the end, for the sake of all of Daliang's people, he flung the last of himself to the flames, and now lies amongst the fallen on the battlefield. For such a man, for such a heart, what does it matter, even if I should bend the might of a nation to his mourning?"

Peerless: Chapter 2 on AO3