#Jiāng Wǎnyín | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

rosethornewrites · 3 months ago

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Fic: the thread may stretch or tangle but it will never break, ch. 29

Additional Tags: Pre-Slash, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Secrets, Crying, Masks, Soulmates, Truth, Self-Esteem Issues, Regret, It was supposed to be a one-shot, Fix-It, Eventual Relationships, Angst and Hurt/Comfort, wwx needs a hug, Nightmares, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD, Filial Piety, Handfasting, Phobias, Sleeping Together, Fear, Panic Attacks, Love Confessions, Getting Together, First Kiss, Kissing, Boys Kissing, Family, and they were married, Bathing/Washing, Hair Braiding, Hair Brushing, Feels, Sex Education, Implied Sexual Content, First Time, Aftercare, Morning After, Afterglow, Implied/Referenced Alcohol Abuse/Alcoholism, Implied/Referenced Torture, Scars, Eventual Happy Ending, Hand Jobs, Chronic Pain, Biting, Conversations, Self-Sacrifice, POV Third Person, POV Lan WangJi, Bugs & Insects, Adoption, Ancestors, Ancestor Veneration, Golden Core Reveal, Top Lan Wangji | Lan Zhan/Bottom Wei Wuxian | Wei Ying, First Time Blow Jobs, Multiple Orgasms, Switching, sex-related injury, Lán Zhàn | Lán Wàngjī Stays at the Burial Mounds, Lán Yuàn | Lán Sīzhuī is a Wèi, Good Sibling Jiāng Chéng | Jiāng Wǎnyín, Dissociation, Burial Mounds Settlement Days, Disability, Scheming Niè Huáisāng, Disabled Character, somnophilia

Summaries: Jiang Wanyin visits the Burial Mounds following the attack by the rogue cultivator.

Notes: See end of each chapter

AO3 link

Chapters: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25-6 | 27 | 28

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The response from Yunmeng is swift, with Jiang Cheng showing up personally with multiple disciples within days. During that time, Wei Qing didn’t go to Yiling, and the magistrate sent a messenger to the Burial Mounds to inquire her whereabouts; he came away with details of the Jin-sent attack, and apologies that they may not be able to return to Yiling for some time.

Already ailing villagers have come to the base of the Burial Mounds, at least those desperate enough, and she treats them once they’re brought to the settlement by Wei Ying and Lan Wangji, sometimes with Wei Ning’s assistance.

All of them seem stunned by what they see at the settlement: peaceful people simply farming, the laughter of children playing, and none of the rumors of the Yiling Laozu evident. The lotuses have sprouted, though it will take time for them to bloom, but so far the commoners are witnessing the truth of the yuefu. In truth, having patients come to them will enable positive rumors to spread, something Lan Wangji is certain will help.

Children have continued to arrive as well, including two before Jiang Wanyin’s arrival.

He first informs them he sent a letter to the Nie about Jin Guangshan’s move, then lets Wei Ying know he’ll take all the children who want to go and any adults they can evacuate as well.

“I��d like to get you out of here, since they’re after you specifically,” he says to Wei Qing, adding, “and our brothers, of course.”

“I can’t leave until I figure out how to destroy the seal,” Wei Ying says regretfully.

“And this idiot needs me to treat him,” Wei Qing demurs.

Only the day before, they discovered that Wei Ying had resentful energy in his bones, concentrated around prior breaks—of which there were many because of his fall into the Burial Mounds. Wei Qing made him submit to an examination, and she cataloged the breaks and congratulated him on effectively binding them with resentful energy while they healed.

“None of them healed poorly enough to require rebreaking,” she told Wei Ying, who seemed relieved at the news. “Even your broken fingers, which is a bit surprising.”

Lan Wangji’s heart aches for the pain his zhiji has suffered.

They will just need to figure out how to dispel the resentment, as Wei Qing believes it could be causing some pain. She shared with Lan Wangji that she hopes rebreaking won’t be necessary to clear the remnants of resentment, and he hopes Wei Ying can be denied that additional pain as well.

They don’t tell Jiang Wanyin this information, as Wei Ying deserves some privacy, but Wei Qing gives him a list of additional ingredients she needs.

“Wei Wuxian, you have a target on your back!” Jiang Wanyin spits, Zidian sparking at his emotions as they walk up the mountain toward the settlement.

What Lan Wangji once would see as anger he can now tell is worry and a desire to protect Wei Ying, one he can appreciate in its intent. If not the method.

“What I have is a yuefu sending kids and sometimes battered wives here,” Wei Ying retorts. “That target has been on my back a while now, A-Cheng. I’m used to it.”

Jiang Wanyin deflates, recognizing the truth in his words—Wei Ying has had a target on him since before the war, and has simply changed from one odious marksman to another, trading Wen Chao for Jin Guangshan.

“I figured you’d end up staying, so I brought more supplies,” Jiang Wanyin mutters, handing Wei Ying a qiankun pouch filled with kid-sized disciple uniforms. “I’m leaving more disciples to help you, too.”

“Jiang-shushu!” A-Yuan shrieks as he catches sight of him, dragging A-Zhi behind him. “A-Zhi, this is Jiang-shushu. We have a lot of uncles. A-Zhi is my new brother, Jiang-shushu!”

A-Zhi grabs the leg A-Yuan hasn’t and looks up at him intently. At Jiang Wanyin’s questioning look, Wei Ying shrugs.

“A-Zhi asked if we would be his baba and die, too, and so he is your new nephew. He is the first one who came to the Burial Mounds,” Lan Wangji supplies.

“He’s the bravest,” Wei Ying says, patting the boy’s head. “None of the other kids asked, at least not yet. Some of them found family already here.”

“Then we’ll move family together,” Jiang Wanyin says after taking a moment to consider that information, picking his nephews up in the silence, to their delight. “Yes, I’m Jiang-shushu. Did anyone wish to take the Jiang name?”

Wei Ying bites his lip, and Lan Wangji shakes his head to respond for him.

“We asked which they wished to become and they wanted to take Wei like the rest here,” he explains.

Jiang Wanyin nods, apparently unbothered, and carries the children away, telling them of the toys he brought for them. He seems to have assumed A-Zhi will stay with them in the Burial Mounds, something not discussed but likely.

”Huh. I worried he’d be offended,” Wei Ying says, watching his brother approach Wei Qing. “I’m glad he’s not.”

They were raised, Lan Wangji knows, to be unhealthily competitive, something that has marred their relationship. He hopes this is a good sign.

Wei Ying passes out the disciple uniforms to the various children, calling them to queue up for them. Once he has them sorted out, he encourages them to “go meet Jiang-shushu,” giggling to himself.

“He won’t admit it, but he’ll love the kids mobbing him,” he tells Lan Wangji, smiling brightly.

Min Cenxi makes her way over, shaking her head at his antics.

“Da-shixiong, you’re incorrigible,” she says.

They watch as Jiang Wanyin passes out candy to the kids, prepared in a way that Lan Wangji wouldn’t have expected of him. Wei Ying seems unsurprised, and he subtly tugs on Lan Wangji’s sleeve and points surreptitiously at Wei Qing, who is watching Jiang Wanyin with a blush across her cheeks.

He imagines if he saw such a scene with Wei Ying in the midst of children, giving out candy, and he feels his ears heat as his body reacts to the image, and he understands Wei Qing.

The children, who now have new clothing and candy, eventually disperse to dress, and Wei Yating, the runaway wife, approaches Wei Ying, having changed into a dress in Yunmeng Jiang colors, the fabric high-quality. She seems overwhelmed, fingering the sleeve of her dress in a stunned way.

“Gongzi, we’re really going to Yunmeng? We’ll be safe from my husband there?”

Min Cenxi fields her, reassuring her that she and her children will be protected at Lotus Pier, that she needn’t worry, and the young woman returns to her children satisfied with the answer.

“The yuefu has truly worked,” she tells him, her voice elated. “So many children will bring life to Lotus Pier. Did you plant them here, or will you make them lotus babies?”

Wei Ying laughs brightly, and shakes his head.

“No, not yet—I think I’ll make A-Zhi a radish baby like A-Yuan, but the others will be happy lotus babies.”

“Could make them lotus babies here, as well,” Lan Wangji says, looking toward the lotus pond.

“Not with this batch, in their new clothes. A-Cheng would kill me.”

“I can handle them, Da-shixiong,” Min Cenxi says, giggling. “You can get the next ones. I already planted A-Mei while she was learning how to swim.”

“I bet she was thrilled,” Wei Ying says with a snort. “She seemed to have an aversion to dirt. When we dug the lotus pond she watched us like we were crazy.”

“If looks could kill!”

She tells them about A-Mei’s adaptation to Lotus Pier, which is going ’swimmingly’ (pun intended), and shares how having an adult close to her while she experiences the new environment has been a benefit.

“She’s a bit young for the disciple dormitory yet, so she’s housed with Qiuyue-ayi. She asked after you.”

“Ah, you can tell A-Mei her Xian-gege is just fine,” Wei Ying says, his smile wide. “She needs to focus on settling in well.”

Min Cenxi grins back.

“I think we’re spending the night and leaving in the morning, excepting those disciples who’ll be stationed here,” she tells them. “Zongzhu didn’t know there’d be so many kids—I think you impressed him.”

“Every time I impress him it gives him more work, so I’m not sure he’s happy about it,” Wei Ying says with a laugh.

“You’re giving me a new generation of disciples, so I’m fine with it,” Jiang Wanyin breaks in, waddling up to them with A-Yuan and A-Zhi clinging to his legs and giggling. “Though it’ll be a challenge to get them all this trip. We certainly don’t want to drop any in flight.”

“If you have to return for the others, you know you’re welcome,” Wei Qing says. “Or rent carriages from Yiling.”

“Too obvious,” Jiang Wanyin says. “That much movement from Yiling to Yunmeng won’t go unnoticed.”

Wei Qing scoffs.

“We have allies now, and Jin Guangshan has put a price on our heads. Obvious doesn’t matter anymore. Getting everyone to safety efficiently does. Wei Wuxian needs to focus on finding a way to destroy the seal so we can retreat to Lotus Pier,” she argues.

“It’s not like the Burial Mounds can’t be defended—there’s undead aplenty here,” Wei Ying says. “I just… With the kids in the mix, it’s a bit dicey. I can’t just raise corpse guards and scare them off.”

Jiang Wanyin looks at him like he’s grown a second head.

“No corpse guards, Wei Wuxian! We’re trying to repair your image, not make it worse.”

“Wei Ying is aware,” Lan Wangji interjects, holding his arms out for A-Yuan and A-Zhi, who immediately abandon Jiang Wanyin’s legs in favor of their baba.

Lan Wangji isn’t smug, and does not feel anything at the sect leader’s obvious disappointment. The boys clamor about their toys and candy, and he pats both of them on their heads.

“We must still think of other ways to defend the Burial Mounds from attack, now that rogue cultivators may do so.”

For now, they are handling it by not leaving the Burial Mounds, something possible now that they have ample supplies, but Lan Wangji knows Wei Ying worries about the wards and the possible need for defense against intruders.

“That’s why I’m leaving more disciples here,” Jiang Wanyin says, his voice brusque. “To defend the settlement.”

“I know, A-Cheng,” Wei Ying says, clearly trying to calm his brother. “I appreciate it.”

Jiang Wanyin reddens a bit, looking startled, as though he didn’t expect to be thanked.

“Yes, well… I’m not about to let Jin Guangshan’s bullshit hurt my brother.”

Wei Ning announces the midday meal is ready and the distraction of cheering kids heading for the main hall in barely-contained fast walks—Lan Wangji’s impact; he’d assured each child that they would eat, but stressed the importance of safety and how running could harm themselves or others—ends the conversation for the moment.

He is pleased when Jiang Wanyin sits with Wei Qing, who leads him to a table and surreptitiously waves for them to sit elsewhere, giving Wei Ying a short break from his brother’s acerbic brand of caring. Min Cenxi sits with them, as do their sons and Popo, and they all take turns putting more food in Wei Ying’s bowl until he’s laughingly accusing them of bullying.

Just as lunch finishes, Wei Ying tells them they have visitors at the foot of the mounds, having felt them at the wards. Wei Qing decides to accompany them, as does Jiang Wanyin. Lan Wangji walks with them, Wei Ning, and Wei Ying, wondering whether ailing patients or needy children will be waiting.

Instead, the sight that greets them is that of a rogue cultivator holding a young child captive, his sword at her throat. The poor girl is sobbing, terrified, and the cultivator is hissing at her to shut up, clearly anxious himself—and he should be, going against Wei Ying, but that sort of disposition can be disastrous. An older boy is cowering nearby, pleading for the man not to harm his sister.

The girl is wailing, “Guiying, Guiying-gege!”

It is a recipe for chaos, and a child could die. A situation out of their control.

“Wei Wuxian,” the cultivator says, looking directly at Wei Ying. “I remember you from the war. Nothing personal, but you’d best surrender if you want the girl to live.”

Wei Ying holds his hands up in a placating way.

“Ah, you have me at a disadvantage, Gongzi,” he says, taking a measured step toward the barrier afforded by the ward.

Lan Wangji can’t stop himself from reaching forward and gripping the back of his robe, stopping him.

”Lan Zhan, let me go,” Wei Ying whispers, and he can’t uncurl his fingers.

A man who holds a child hostage won’t hesitate to kill Wei Ying. He can see his husband, dead at this cultivator’s hands, his blood staining the ground at his feet. Another door, shut forever.

He won’t let Wei Ying sacrifice himself like this. He can’t.

He doesn’t have to, as several things happen at once, seeming to occur in slow motion. Wei Qing moves suddenly and needles appear in the man’s neck. The rogue cultivator drops the sword, and in the next moment Jiang Wanyin pulls the child from his clutches as he falls.

“I’ve got you, kid,” he murmurs, his voice ringing unnaturally in Lan Wangji’s ears. “It’s okay.”

He lets her cling to him, bawling, and beckons the older boy to come closer.

“A-Fang, A-Fang,” the boy says as he hurries to them. “You’re safe, you’re safe!”

Without waiting for instruction, Wei Ning pulls the unconscious cultivator onto his back and disappears in the direction of the settlement.

Lan Wangji pulls Wei Ying close, holding him tightly, beyond words. He feels dazed.

“I wasn’t going to surrender, Lan Zhan,” he murmurs. “I was trying to distract him.”

“Good,” Wei Qing says, her voice hoarse. “Idiot. You can depend on us to have your back. We’ll handle the kids. You two go back to the settlement.”

She can see how much this has shaken him, Lan Wangji knows, and he appreciates her perception. He can trust they will handle the children and the rogue cultivator, and he finds he doesn’t even care if they decide to kill the man for his transgressions.

He might even prefer it.

Wei Ying first must let the children through the wards, and Lan Wangji must go with, unable to let go. When Wei Ying turns to him, whatever he sees makes him take both his hands in his and lead him toward the settlement.

“I promise, Lan Zhan. I won’t put myself at risk. I swear it.”

It doesn’t matter; Wei Ying is at risk, too selfless for this world, too righteous. And now with a price on his head and people after him willing to harm innocents to get to him.

Lan Wangji still cannot find words when they arrive at the cave, when Wei Ying sends A-Yuan and A-Zhi to Popo, when they reach their alcove.

But there he can find action, and as soon as the blanket curtain is drawn shut, he does, crushing Wei Ying into the wall with his weight, kissing away his nonsensical words of apology.

He needs desperately to feel him, and he scrabbles at the ties of his robes to get them off him before yanking at his own, allowing Wei Ying to help him shed them, letting them fall to the ground without a care. Their hands tangle as they pull off their zhong yi.

Then he falls back onto his husband and bites at his shoulder, relishing in the way he lets out an erotic punched out ‘ah!’ and arches against him, their cocks sliding together. He has enough patience left to prepare him, and then he loses himself to passion, to fear, to need. To the need to show Wei Ying his worth, to make him set aside his selflessness for him.

Later, they will need to talk. For now, Lan Wangji allows his body to talk for him.

——————

Lan Wangji just had a sort of trauma response, whoops. Who can blame him, under the circumstances? It’s not really Wei Wuxian’s fault, and Lan Wangji knows it. He just can’t help how he feels here.

I’ve finally been officially diagnosed with multisystem long COVID, which is key to getting treatment and potentially disability. Yay? It’s an answer. I’ve been waiting for one since 2022.

桂英, guìyīng, means laurel/cassia/cinnamon and flower/petal/brave/hero. 芳, fāng, means fragrant/virtuous/beautiful.

baba = dad

da-shixiong = first martial brother

die/a-die = dad

gege = older brother

gongzi = young master

shushu = uncle

yuefu = a style of narrative poetry that basically borrows from Chinese folk song traditions—the Ballad of Mulan is an example

zhiji = lifelong confidant

zhong yi = trousers and shirt that act as underwear

zongzhu = sect leader

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kimuromou · 24 days ago

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夷陵老祖 Yílíng Lǎozǔ

三毒圣手 Sāndú Shèngshǒu

# KIMUROMOU : independent, highly selective, private ( mutuals only ) multi - muse RP blog featuring 魏无羡 WÈI WÚXIÀN and 江晚吟 JIĀNG WǍNYÍN, of MXTX's 魔道祖师 Módào Zǔshī. Drawing inspiration from the novels and donghua. Explored by Lee ( 25+, they / them ).

non-rp blogs dnf. carrd

#mxtx rp #mdzs rp #xianxia rp #danmei #;;[ self promo ]#//hello i'd love to wriiiiteeeeee !!!!

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glycerin-17 · 1 year ago

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The character for Jiāng (江) means 'river', the character for Chéng (澄) means 'clear', the character for Wǎn (晚) means 'night', the character for yín (吟) means 'to chant', and Sāndú (三毒) is a Buddhist phrase for the root of all turmoil (greed, anger, ignorance), so in a Modern MDZS AU where they all have social media for some reason, Jiāng Wǎnyín's social media name could, realistically, be OminousChantingAtTheRiverAtMidnight and still be completely based on his name. In this essay, I will-

#mdzs #modern au #mdzs modern au #jiang cheng #jiang wanyin #sandu shengshou #thank you for coming to my tedtalk

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fanfictiongreenirises · 5 months ago

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Writing Patterns

rules: share the first line of your last ten published works or as many as you are able and see if there are any patterns!

thank you @twilightarc-gm for tagging me 💜💜 i'm stealing the layout as well 😂

Be Careful What You Wish For (mdzs)

Wèi Wúxiàn groaned, registering the ache in his head and the soreness in his ribs far before he opened his eyes.

Rocky Road Trips (mdzs)

The bitch of it all, Jiāng Chéng realised about half an hour into this trip, was that he really should’ve seen this coming.

all at once (mdzs)

Jiāng Wǎnyín was being cagey, and Lán Wàngjī didn’t like it.

Whipped! By Zidian's Master, and Other Erotic Tales (mdzs)

Sāndú Shèngshǒu peers up at you through his lashes, wet robes clinging to him indecently.

The Case of the Vanished Lake (mdzs)

It’s almost midnight by the time they finally finish moving all the boxes.

Through The Ages (dc)

Dick didn’t know what time it was when he heard the key moving in the lock of his door.

Never Wrong, Always Right (mdzs)

“Okay, he’s here,” Jiāng Chéng hissed. “You remember your lines, right?”

Muscle Memory (mdzs)

Jiāng Chéng hadn’t even been expecting Lán Wàngjī and Wèi Wúxiàn to be back that night.

Catalyst (mdzs)

It wasn’t that Jiāng Chéng didn’t trust other sects (he didn’t); it was just that, with Jīn Líng new in power and this being his first cultivation conference, it’d be the first time for other sects to gather.

tangerine neon light (mdzs)

It was still dim when Jiāng Chéng woke up.

okay i'm so underwhelmed by these 😂 i think it's safe to say i begin fics very... neutrally? (but 7/10 of these were either gifts or for events so i feel like that definitely made them less exciting for me to write and therefore there isn't as much juice as there might've been otherwise 🤔)

no pressure tags for some writer friends (and anyone who sees this and wants to do it!!): @they-reap-what-we-sow @sassydefendorflower @applejee @dottie-wan-kenobi @babblingbookends @mickidona

#tag games #iris writes #this was fun!! <- ignoring im doing this instead of actual work

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mdzs-fics · 9 months ago

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I Believe in Miracles by NiobeFurens

AU - Canon Divergence 11 chapters complete 14k words [Must have an account with Archive of Our Own in order to read. An invitation is readily provided on the website.]

“Wēn Qiónglín, you have to help me get out of here;” said Jiāng Wǎnyín urgently, his voice was as weak, and unsteady, as his body; but his eyes were clear, and determined.

“W-w-what? Y-y-you can’t go a-a-anyw-w-where like this!”

“I know;" he murmured, "That’s why I need your help.”

“B-b-but..”

“What Wèi Wúxiàn wants to do! What your Jiějiě plans to do…” he said frenziedly, “I cannot allow it!”

“B-b-but…”

“Wēn Qiónglín, please! You have to help me get out of here!” implored Jiāng Wǎnyín again, “I thought you were his friend! How can you stand by and watch him destroy himself! I beg you!”

Wēn Níng fell silent. He had been against this scheme all along… He didn’t think it was a good idea… How could two wrongs make a right? But to go against Jiějiě, and Wèi Wúxiàn…

“If it had happened to you,” pressed Jiāng Wǎnyín, desperation in his eyes, “Would you want your Jiějiě to give you her core ?”

At the start of I Believe in Miracles, Jiāng Wǎnyín heard the discussion between Wèi Wúxiàn and Wēn Qing and is resolved it will never happen. Wēn Ning has a better plan: go find Bàoshān Sànrén. It turns out that it might be possible. Wēn Ning has studied the history of the Wēn for quite some time.

As the story progresses, we find that the "meek" Wēn Qiónglín is assertive, knowledgeable and willing to do what it takes to save Jiāng Wǎnyín. He can also be extremely persuasive.

The story goes back and forth between the characters involved. Wēn Qing and Wèi Wúxiàn, operating in different places, are involved the most. The swords are retrieved. An invitation to the Sun Palace is presented to the Sects by Bàoshān Sànrén (yes, Wēn Ning was successful).

Things go differently after that. The events at the Sun Palace and what comes after are satisfying. I'm happy I was able to read this work, which is so different to many of the Alternate Universe tales I've encountered. Enjoy.

#mdzs fic recs #wei ying #mo dao zu shi #mdzs #baoshan sanren #wen ning #wen qing #lan zhan #no yin iron was used in the creation of this story

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demoiselledefortune · 1 year ago

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Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: 陈情令 | The Untamed (TV) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Jiāng Chéng | Jiāng Wǎnyín/Niè Huáisāng, Minor or Background Relationship(s) Characters: Jiāng Chéng | Jiāng Wǎnyín, Niè Huáisāng, Jiāng Yànlí, Jīn Líng | Jīn Rúlán, Jīn Zǐxuān, Wèi Yīng | Wèi Wúxiàn, Lán Zhàn | Lán Wàngjī, Yú Zǐyuān, Jiāng Fēngmián Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, American AU, Fake/Pretend Relationship, Childhood Friends, Fluff and Angst, Family Drama, Scheming Niè Huáisāng, Oblivious Jiāng Chéng | Jiāng Wǎnyín, Boats, Swimming Summary:

When faced with an upcoming family vacation, Jiang Cheng invites Nie Huaisang, an old friend from summer camp who he hasn't properly spoken to in years, along as his pretend boyfriend. It's supposed to be a win-win situation: Jiang Cheng gets someone there who will have his back amidst family members and in-laws who have made their disdain clear and gets his parents off his back about his lack of love life, and Huaisang gets a week away from the city, his brother's knife company, and the reminder that his brother is in jail for a violent crime. Neither of them expect to catch feelings, but a lot can change over the course of a week at the Jiang family lake house.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/50818951

to make this dock my home by brightblackholes

Just finished reading this modern au fake relationship sangcheng fic and found it excellent!

#mo dao zu shi #jiang cheng #nie huaisang #sangcheng #fic rec

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kiragecko · 1 year ago

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When I get into foreign media, one of the first things I do is study the names. Because being a nerd is fun.

My friend is writing extremely good Untamed fanfic, so I've spent the last week trying to figure out how to pronounce Mandarin. And then, despite the fact that y'all can just LISTEN to the show to hear the pronunciation, I decided to share my new knowledge.

I'm a historical linguist (I study how languages might have been spoken in the past) so I'm also including how these names might have been pronounced in Middle Chinese (4th-12th C).

We don't know exactly how things were pronounced then. But this story is set in vaguely historical fantasy China, so I want it to have some vaguely historical names.

Explanation of the symbols afterwards.

The Names

Hanzi (Chinese Characters) | English Translation/Pinyin | IPA (Phonetic transcription of sounds) | Respelling (Phonetic Transcription designed to be easier to understand for English speakers) (Middle Chinese Reconstruction: IPA | Respelling)

姑苏蓝氏 | Gusu Lan Clan | ku˥˥‧su˥˥‧län˧˥ ‧ʂʐ̩˥˩ | kōo-sōo lán ʂʐ̀

(kuo‧suo‧lɑm dʑiᴇˣ | kwo-swo lahm jyé)

云深不知处 | Cloud Recesses | yn˧˥‧ʂən˥˥‧pu˥˩‧ʈʂʐ̩˥˥‧ʈʂʰu˨˩˦ | éeᵘn-ʂə̄n-pòo ʈʂʐ̄-ʈʂǒo (ɦɨun‧ɕiɪm‧pɨu‧ʈiᴇ‧tɕʰɨʌˣ | hhyoon-sheem-pyoo ʈye-chyúh)

蓝启仁 | Lán Qǐrén | län˧˥ tɕʰi˨˩˦‧��ən˧˥ | lán chěe-ʐə́n (lɑm kʰeiˣ‧ȵiɪn | lahm káy ñen)

青蘅君 | Qīnghéng Jūn | tɕʰiŋ˥˥‧xɤŋ˧˥ tɕyn˥˥ | chēeng-xóʸng chēeᵘn (tsʰeŋ‧ɦˠæŋ kɨun | tsaeng-hhang kyoon)

蓝景仪 | Lán Jīngyí | län˧˥ tɕiŋ˨˩˦‧i˧˥ | lán chěeng-ée (lɑm kˠiæŋˣ‧ŋˠiᴇ | lahm kyáng-ngye)

蓝翼 | Lán Yì | län˧˥ i˥˩ | lán èe (lɑm jɨk | lahm yeek)

云梦江氏 | Yúnmèng Jiāng Clan | yn˧˥‧mɤŋ˥˩‧tɕiɑŋ˥˥ ‧ʂʐ̩˥˩ | éeᵘn-mòʸng chyāhng ʂʐ̀

(ɦɨun‧mɨuŋᴴ kˠʌŋ dʑiᴇˣ | hhyoon-myòong kuhng jyé)

江厌离 | Jiāng Yànlí | tɕiɑŋ˥˥ jɛn˥˩‧li˧˥ | chyāhng yèn-lée (kˠʌŋ ʔiᴇmᴴ‧liᴇ | kuhng yèm-lye)

江枫眠 | Jiāng Fēngmián | tɕiɑŋ˥˥ fɤŋ˥˥‧miɛn˧˥ | chyāhng fōʸng-myén (kˠʌŋ pɨuŋ‧men | kuhng pyoong-maen)

魏长泽 | Wèi Chángzé | weɪ˥˩ ʈʂʰɑŋ˧˥‧tsɤ˧˥ | wày ʈʂáhng-tsóʸ (ŋʉiᴴ ɖɨɐŋ‧ɖˠæk | ngwèe ɖyuhng-ɖak)

藏色散人 | Cángsè Sǎnrén | tsʰɑŋ˧˥‧sɤ˥˩ sän˨˩˦‧ʐən˧˥ | tsáhng-sòʸ sǎn-ʐə́n (dzɑŋ‧ʃɨk sɑnˣ‧ȵiɪn | dzahng-sheek sáhn-ñeen)

兰陵金氏 | Lánlíng Jīn Clan | län˧˥‧liŋ˧˥‧tɕin˥˥‧ʂʐ̩˥˩ | lán-léeng chēen ʂʐ̀

(lɑn‧lɨŋ kˠiɪm dʑiᴇˣ | lahn-leeng keem jyé)

江厌离 | Jiāng Yànlí | tɕiɑŋ˥˥ jɛn˥˩‧li˧˥ | chyāhng yèn-lée (kˠʌŋ ʔiᴇmᴴ‧liᴇ | kuhng yèm-lye)

金光善 | Jīn Guāngshàn | tɕin˥˥ kuɑŋ˥˥‧ʂän˥˩ | chēen kwāhng-ʂàn (kˠiɪm kwɑŋ‧dʑiᴇnˣ | keem kwahng-jyén)

秦愫 | Qín Sù | tɕʰin˧˥ su˥˩ | chéen sòo (dziɪn suoᴴ | dzeen swò)

金子轩 | Jīn Zǐxuān | tɕin˥˥ tsz̩˨˩˦‧ɕyɛn˥˥ | chēen tsz-shyᵘēn (kˠiɪm tsɨˣ‧hɨɐn | keem tsée-hyuhn)

金子勋 | Jīn Zǐxūn | tɕin˥˥ tsz̩˦˥‧ɕyn˥˥ | chēen tsz-shēeᵘn (kˠiɪm tsɨˣ‧hɨun | keem tsée-hyoon)

莫玄羽 | Mò Xuányǔ | muɔ˥˩ ɕyɛn˧˥‧y˨˩˦ | mwò shyᵘén-ěeᵘ (mɑk ɦwen‧ɦɨoˣ | mahk hhwaen-hhyó)

金阐 | Jīn Chǎn | tɕin˥˥ ʈʂʰän˨˩˦ | chēen ʈʂǎn (kˠiɪm tɕʰiᴇnˣ | keem chyén)

清河聂氏 | Qīnghé Niè Clan | tɕʰiŋ˥˥‧xɤ˧˥‧niɛ˥˩‧ʂʐ̩˥˩ | chēeng-xóʸ nyè ʂʐ̀

(tsʰiᴇŋ‧ɦɑ‧ɳˠiᴇp‧dʑiᴇˣ | tsyeng-hhah ɳyep jyé)

岐山温氏 | Qíshān Wēn Clan | tɕʰi˧˥‧ʂän˥˥‧wən˥˥‧ʂʐ̩˥˩ | chée-ʂān wə̄n ʂʐ̀

(giᴇ‧ʃˠɛn‧ʔuən‧dʑiᴇˣ | gye-shen wən jyé)

温情 | Wēn Qíng | wən˥˥ tɕʰiŋ˧˥ | wə̄n chéeng (ʔuən dziᴇŋ | wən dzyeng)

温若�� | Wēn Ruòhán | wən˥˥ ʐuɔ˥˩‧xän˧˥ | wə̄n ʐwò-xán (ʔuən ȵɨɐk‧ɦɑn | wən ñyuhk-hhahn)

温旭 | Wēn Xù | wən˥˥ ɕy˥˩ | wə̄n shèeᵘ (ʔuən hɨok | wən hyok)

温晁 | Wēn Cháo | wən˥˥ ʈʂʰɑʊ˧˥ | wə̄n ʈʂáhw (ʔuən ɖˠiᴇu | wən ɖyew)

王灵娇 | Wáng Língjiāo | wɑŋ˧˥ liŋ˧˥‧tɕiɑʊ˥˥ | wáhng léeng-chyāhw (ɦʉɐŋ leŋ‧kˠiᴇu | hhwuhng laeng-kyew)

Others

抱山散人 | Bàoshān Sǎnrén | pɑʊ˥˩‧ʂän˥˥ sän˨˩˦‧ʐən˧˥ | pàhw-ʂān sǎn-ʐə́n (bɑuˣ‧ʃˠɛn sɑnˣ‧ȵiɪn | báhw-shen sáhn-ñeen)

欧阳子真 | Ōuyáng Zǐzhēn | ʔoʊ˥˥‧jɑŋ˧˥ tsz̩˦˥‧ʈʂən˥˥ | ōw-yáhng tsź-ʈʂə̄n (ʔəu‧jɨɐŋ tsɨˣ‧tɕiɪn | əw-yuhng tsée-cheen)

SYMBOLS USED

Pinyin (English translation) | IPA symbols | Respelling | English Example

m | m | m | mind

n | n | n | need

N/A | ɳ | ɳ | 'need' with tip of tongue curled up

N/A | ȵ | ñ | canyon

ng | ŋ | ng | sing

N/A | b | b | bat

b | p | p | keep

p | pʰ | p | peek

N/A | d | d | deep

d | t | t | cat

t | tʰ | t | tack

N/A | ɖ | ɖ | 'deep' with tip of tongue curled up

N/A | ʈ | ʈ | 'cat' with tip of tongue curled up

N/A | g | g | goat

g | k | k | peek

k | kʰ | k | keep

N/A | ʔ | none | uh-oh (sound made in English when two vowels need to stay separate, and neither is a 'i' or 'u')

N/A | dz | dz | beds

z | ts | ts | cats

c | tsʰ | ts | tsunami

zh | ʈʂ | ʈʂ | 'cats' with tip of tongue curled up

ch | ʈʂʰ | ʈʂ | 'tsunami' with tip of tongue curled up

N/A | dʑ | j | jump (hold tongue like a 'y' then say 'j')

j | tɕ | ch | pitch (hold tongue like a 'y' then say 'ch')

q | tɕʰ | ch | check (hold tongue like a 'y' then say 'ch')

f | f | f | fig

s | s | s | sit

sh | ʂ | ʂ | 'sit' with tip of tongue curled up

x | ɕ | sh | ship (hold tongue like a 'y' then say 'sh')

h | x | x | loch

N/A | h | h | help

N/A | ɦ | hh | help with slightly more air

l | l | l | lamp

r | ʐ or ɻ | ʐ | 'zip' with tip of tongue curled up

y | j | y | yes

yu | ɥ | yᵘ | you ('y' with lips rounded like you're saying a 'w' or 'u')

w | w | w | wet

Vowels

i | i, ɨ, iɪ, ɨi | ee or y | see (Can/Amer/Brit/Aus)

i | z̩ | z | bzzz (Can/Amer/Brit/Aus)

i | ʐ̩ | ʐ̩ | bzzz with tip of tongue curled up (Can/Amer/Brit/Aus)

u | ɥ, y | eeᵘ or yᵘ | lips say 'sue', mouth says 'see'(Can/Amer/Brit/Aus) ⁹

u | u | oo or w | threw (Can/Amer/Brit/Aus)

u | uə | wə | threw up(Can/Amer/Brit/Aus)

N/A | ʉi | wee | weak(Can/Amer/Brit/Aus)

N/A | ɨo | yo | yore(Can/Amer/Brit/Aus)

iu | ioʊ | yow | yoke (Amer/Can), between yore and yoke (Brit/Aus)

io | iʊ, ɨu | yoo | pure (Amer/Can), cute (Brit/Aus)

o | uo, uɔ | wo | wart (Can/Amer/Brit/Aus)

N/A | əu | əw | about (Can), starting as 'comma', ending as 'goat' (Amer) , no (Brit/Aus)

ou | oʊ | ow | soul(Can/Amer/Brit/Aus)

a | ä, æ | a | lad(Can/Amer/Brit/Aus)

a | ɑ | ah | arm (Can), palm (Amer/Brit), my without the 'e' (Aus)

N/A | ʌ | uh | run (Amer/Can/Brit), 'comma' (Aus)

a | ɛ | e | bed (Can/Amer/Brit), between 'lad' and 'led' (Aus)

ao | ɑʊ, ɑu | ahw | now (Can), 'palm' + 'w' (Amer/Brit), starting as 'my', ending as 'soul' (Aus)

N/A | ɨæ | ya | yap(Can/Amer/Brit/Aus)

ia, ya | iɑ | yah | yard (Can/Amer/Brit), yikes without the 'e' (Aus)

ia, ie | iɛ, iᴇ | ye | yes (Can/Amer/Brit), between 'yap' and 'yep' (Aus)

N/A | ɨʌ, ɨɐ, jɨɐ | yuh | yuck (Can/Amer/Brit/Aus)

yua, ua | ɥɛ, yɛ | yᵘe | lips say 'wet', mouth says 'yet' (Can/Amer/Brit), lips say wet, mouth says between 'yap' and 'yet' (Aus)

iao | iɑʊ | yahw | yard + 'w' (Can/Amer/Brit), yikes + 'w' (Aus)

N/A | ɨæ | ya | yap(Can/Amer/Brit/Aus)

ua | uä, ua | wa | wack(Can/Amer/Brit/Aus)

ua | uɑ, wɑ | wah | warm (Can/Amer/Brit), white (Aus)

N/A | ʉɐ | wuh | won(Can/Amer/Brit/Aus)

uai | uaɪ | why | wide (Amer/Can) wack + 'y' (Brit), way (Aus)

N/A | uɛi | wey | wet + 'y' (Can/Amer/Brit), between 'way' and 'wed' (Aus)

e | ə | ə | comma (Can/Amer/Brit/Aus)

e | ɤ | oʸ | lips say 'wore', mouth says 'yore'(Can/Amer/Brit/Aus)

e | e | ae | day without 'y' (Can/Amer/Brit), bed (Aus)

ei | eɪ | ay | day (Can/Amer/Brit), bed + 'y' (Aus)

N/A | we | wae ¹⁰ | way without 'y' (Can/Amer/Brit), wed (Aus)

ui, wei | ueɪ, weɪ | way | way (Can/Amer/Brit) , wed + 'y' (Aus)

N/A | iᴇu, jiᴇu | yew | yes + 'w' (Can/Amer/Brit), between 'yap' and 'yep' + 'w' (Aus)

N/A | wiᴇ | wye | ??

N/A | iuɪ | ywee | ??

N/A | iuᴇ, jiuᴇ | ywe | ??

N/A | iuᴇi | ywey | ??

(The 'i's at the beginning of the last 3 are there to distinguish them from other sounds, but we don't actually know how they're pronounced. Same thing with all the extra 'j's and 'w's in the Middle Chinese transcriptions.)

Other Symbols

ˠ - say the sound while back of tongue is raised.

ᴴ, ˣ - the 2 marked tones of Middle Chinese (third 'tone' is syllables with 'p', 't', or 'k' at the end, final tone is unmarked). It's uncertain what they were, but the guess is 'ᴴ' was low and 'ˣ' was high.

ó, ò, ō, ǒ | ˧˥, ˥˩, ˥˥, ˨˩˦ - Modern Mandarin tones. I'm ADHD and can't hear my own tone and volume, so I am have no help for you.

#the untamed #mo dao zu shi #linguistics #mandarin #middle chinese #historical linguistics

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twilightarc-gm · 1 year ago

Text

I Long For You (相思)

by twilightarc

Rating: Explicit

Categories: M/M

Relationships: Jiang Cheng | Jiang Wanyin/Wei Ying | Wei Wuxian, Jiang Cheng | Jiang Wanyin & Jiang Yanli & Wei Ying | Wei Wuxian

Characters: Wei Ying | Wei Wuxian, Jiang Cheng | Jiang Wanyin, Jiang Yanli, Original Characters

Additional Tags:

Alternate Universe – Shapeshifter, Wolf Jiāng Chéng | Jiāng Wǎnyín, Crow Wei Ying | Wei Wuxian, Jealous Wei Ying | Wei Wuxian, Possessive Behavior, Getting Together, Demisexual Jiang Cheng | Jiang Wanyin, Top/Bottom Versatile | Switch Wei Ying | Wei Wuxian, Top/Bottom Versatile | Switch Jiang Cheng | Jiang Wanyin, Anal Sex, minor Jiāng Chéng | Jiāng Wǎnyín/Qín Sù, Arranged Marriage, Sect Leader Jiang Yanli, Minor Jiang Yanli/Jin Zixuan, Minor/Mentioned Past Relationships, POV Alternating, POV Third Person Limited, Present Tense, Work In Progress

Summary:

Sure Jiāng Chéng is a sect leader and has a lot of filial responsibilities, but isn't it a bit too soon? And why so secretive about it? How come Wèi Wúxiàn isn't the first to know that his staunchly unromantic shīdì is arranging himself to be married? It's improper! Who is this woman anyway? Is she even good enough to be the next madam of Yúnmèng Jiāng Clan? He didn't tell Shījiě either?! Unacceptable.

Meanwhile, Jiāng Chéng is just trying to prepare for a future where his sister and sworn brother leave him for good.

Series:

Part 2 of Yā-Xiàn Loves Chéng-Láng

Completed: 2024-10-10 | Words: 45,781 | Chapters: 9/9 | Language: English | Published: 2024-03-03

#chengxian #jiang cheng #wei wuxian #twi fics

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ladysunamireads · 1 month ago

Text

#AO3 Feed Link #FanFiction #AO3 Wangxian #♥#Wangxian #Hualian #Xicheng #Junior Ensemble #MDZS #TGCF #⚣#⚔️#A:Greyanime

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zhancheng-ao3feed · 5 months ago

Text

#zhancheng #fan fic ao3

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rosethornewrites · 6 months ago

Text

Fic: the thread may stretch or tangle but it will never break, ch. 25-6

Summaries: The swearing of brotherhood and other fluff. Their guests leave, and they get started on the next phase of the plan.

Notes: See end of each chapter

AO3 links: 25 | 26

Chapters: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24

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

While his husband and son sleep, Lan Wangji tidies the alcove, putting anything unnecessary into a qiankun pouch for storage. While true cleaning would be more involved, with walls and ceiling stone and the floor dirt-covered stone it is impractical at best. He then settles with another bundle of Wei Ying’s notes, deciphering the messy tangles of thought in rather the same way he tidies Wei Ying’s oft-tangled hair.

He knows Wei Qing expects that he stay close to support Wei Ying, and he’s rather relieved to have an excuse not to need to be present as Jin Zixuan is shown the evidence of his sect’s crimes, as well as the reasons Wei Ying wields resentful energy. Jiang Yanli’s husband is an honorable man, and will no doubt respond favorably, but he doesn’t want to see pity for Wei Ying, or have it directed somehow at him, as though his marriage and Wei Ying himself are somehow lesser for his husband’s suffering. It may well be different; he was stationed elsewhere during the war and thus has little personal knowledge of the Jin heir, but he well remembers the many slights against Wei Ying by ranking members of the Jin sect.

Lan Wangji knows the reactions—the way people look at him differently and Wei Ying’s own swirled mess of emotions about the decision to give Jiang Wanyin his core, is likely why his husband kept it secret. He can’t regret urging him to tell his brother, though, not with Wei Ying looking physically healthier than he has the entire time he’s been here, and that transformation in part because of it, but he wishes others would see Wei Ying for the wonder, the genius he is.

Wei Ying is the first to stir, snuffling a bit in his sleep, and Lan Wangji waits quietly for him to fully wake. When he does, his eyes search the alcove before settling on him, and Lan Wangji is pleased that his husband relaxes upon seeing him.

“You’re probably the only person who could decipher my terrible calligraphy,” Wei Ying says after a moment, his voice fond. “Even me—I think I’ve finished more of my projects because you rewrite my notes!”

While Wei Ying is correct, Lan Wangji knows he is distracting himself from A-Yuan from the way he glances at the boy, as though afraid they might wake him, and afraid that he’ll still be terrified when he wakes. In truth, he is as well, and he’s not certain they have the ability to help their son, short of simply being with him and helping him feel safe. Wei Qing, being a healer, may have more expertise to share later.

“You no longer fail to sleep and forget to eat. You needed balance,” Lan Wangji responds, allowing the distraction for the moment, “and I am happy to help my husband in any way.”

Wei Ying blushes, and he realizes his husband has caught on to his ploy of tiring him with sex to ensure he sleeps.

He is very happy to help him with that, to be fair, even if it wasn’t what he meant this time.

“You bully,” he murmurs, his face flushed fetchingly and what Lan Wangji hears is ‘I love you.’

He can see there are things Wei Ying can never bring himself to say, too affected by sentiment, but he knows anyway. Lan Wangji knows his husband likes to be cared for, that for him physical acts of affection are important, though the words are too much. He knows Wei Ying also likes to show love in this way, giving him what trinkets he can make himself, such as the carved bunny guan, but also with the nontraditional dowry of his talisman inventions, wanting him to feel his worth equivalent to Xiongzhang’s gift of money.

When Wei Ying beckons, Lan Wangji is happy to set aside the work he has done and join him and their son, aware that A-Yuan will likely be fragile when he wakes, that their presence may help him feel safe. Neither of them know how the boy will react, given his earlier terrified meltdown, or whether he can handle the sight of Jin Zixuan even without the zhushazhi.

In truth, Wei Ying also likely needs him, already frazzled as he was with being bared as he was, not only to those visiting the Burial Mounds, but also to all of the jianghu through the yuefu.

Lan Wangji can offer little more than his presence to his husband and son, and hopefully that is enough.

A-Yuan murmurs unintelligibly when Lan Wangji joins them, sandwiching him between them, his sleep momentarily disturbed by the movement, but he doesn’t stir immediately. While they wait, Wei Ying leans his head against his husband’s chest and whisper-babbles about new ideas for inventions, distracting himself as best he can, and Lan Wangji is happy to listen.

Eventually their son wakes, letting out a sound of protest at leaving slumber and burrowing adorably into the area between them. He flails as he wakes enough to remember the circumstances under which he fell asleep, crying about the bad man.

“I’m here, Baobei, you’re safe, I promise,” Wei Ying murmurs, stroking his hair comfortingly. “And your baba won’t let anything happen either. That’s Guma’s husband, remember, the good one I told you about?”

The look A-Yuan gives them is full of doubt, and then he scrambles toward the end of the bed.

“Guma and Popo and Gugu and Bobo—” he rambles, clearly afraid for their safety before pitching off the bed, kept from hitting the hard floor only by Lan Wangji’s quick reflexes.

“Bobo will protect them, and Qing-jie has needles,” Wei Ying tells him, not able to help an involuntary shudder. “No one can beat her and her needles, and I pity the fool who tries.”

A-Yuan still looks uncertain, and Lan Wangji lifts him into his arms.

“We will join everyone shortly, after we straighten your clothing and hair, and you will see they are safe, A-Yuan,” he says, keeping his tone calm and measured.

The boy considers that before nodding—he still looks worried, but he allows them to tidy his hair and put him in new robes, these more formal than the disciple robes, more ornate in a way that seems appropriate for the sworn siblinghood that will hopefully occur.

“He listens to you more than me!” Wei Ying exclaims, looking oddly delighted.

Wei Ying nearly leaves the alcove in his underrobes, stopped only by Lan Wangji, and they find his prior robes marred by snot from A-Yuan’s earlier meltdown. His husband points out he is also similarly afflicted, and they both change, Lan Wangji donning a soft blue robe from the qiankun pouch Xiongzhang brought, while Wei Ying selects another robe Jiang Wanyin sent from his wardrobe, a black robe with purple accents that make it appear as though it shimmers in the dim light of the cave. They tidy each other’s hair, Lan Wangji gently combing Wei Ying’s to some semblance of smooth after his nap, A-Yuan helpfully pointing out places it’s mussed. Wei Ying sighs when he straightens his crown, and Lan Wangji recognizes that this is a day where the hair sits heavy on his head and he would be more comfortable in a braid.

“I will braid your hair tonight,” he murmurs, and Wei Ying pulls him close to share a kiss.

When they rejoin the others in the main hall, they find them all waiting, the positive atmosphere implying Jin Zixuan’s answer, and Lan Wangji lets out a breath he didn’t know he was holding. The swearing of siblinghood will take place shortly, offering Wei Ying and the people here more protection.

A-Yuan hides behind them, peering out at Jin Zixuan suspiciously, and it’s clear the man can tell the boy is still frightened of him and is unsure of what to do; were they in Yiling market, he could do as Lan Wangji had and buy him toys, but the Burial Mounds don’t offer such luxuries. He would recommend such a recourse, and has no doubt Jin Zixuan will send many toys for A-Yuan if he thinks it would help.

Jin Zixuan generally looks overwhelmed, and he’s not quite able to look at Wei Ying, which is preferable to looking at him with pity—his husband does not regret giving Jiang Wanyin his jindan, but he doesn’t like to be seen as piteous, even as he suffers still.

Nie Huaisang takes it upon himself to greet A-Yuan and give him another fan, distracting him by telling him about the motif, and then he manages to coax the boy to sit near him and his brother, who immediately sets the boy on his lap.

“Wei-xiong, Wei-xiong, your shijie brought her whole wedding banquet for later!” the Nie heir exclaims once A-Yuan is settled, ever the one for distraction.

Jiang Yanli giggles at Wei Ying’s incredulous expression.

“It’s not the banquet itself, but I cooked the same dishes for all of you so you can celebrate with A-Xuan and me. It just wasn’t right without my Xianxian.”

Though nothing can make up for missing the wedding, Lan Wangji can see how overcome his husband is by her attempt to bring the wedding feast here to the Burial Mounds.

Jiang Yanli comes to Wei Ying and hugs him, tweaking his nose in a way that makes him laugh.

“Let’s do the ceremony, and then you must call me Jiejie,” she says. “Wei Qing will be Dajie.”

Wei Qing nods in acknowledgement, clearly trying not to smile at their interaction and failing, then tweaks her own brother’s nose almost experimentally, laughing as he blinks, startled.

“It will be a chore to look after our collective didimen,” she says in a voice of exaggerated long-suffering, and Jiang Yanli giggles.

“And yet a fulfilling one,” she adds with a smile, her eyes twinkling even in the dim light. “This meimei will seek to learn from her jiejie.”

Wei Qing can’t hold back a chuckle, looking surprised at herself, to the amusement of Wei Ying.

“Wangji’s sworn siblings are, of course, mine as well,” Xiongzhang announces.

To Lan Wangji’s surprise and relief, Nie Mingjue agrees.

“A-Sang’s as well. You may call me Dage.”

“And me, Erge. We cannot speak for A-Yao on the matter...”

An uncomfortable silence falls, the reminder that Jin Guangyao may be complicit in the treatment of the former Wen. Jin Zixuan looks particularly unsettled, and Lan Wangji has the uncomfortable feeling he knows the identity of the smiling man that one of the remnants mentioned as having taken people who never returned. He hopes the man was doing the right thing, but he’s learned not to assume the best of people.

Nie Huaisang clears his throat and gestures to the decor, as though to remind them of the reason for their gathering. By this time, the new Wei clan has trickled in to serve as witnesses, tired from their day in the fields but also likely from reliving the trauma of the camps for Jin Zixuan, and there isn’t room for concern about Jin Guangyao.

While they no longer need the harvest, the idea of wasting the food is an anathema after going without for so long, and so they will cultivate this crop and discuss the future afterward. The radishes can be given to the needy in Yiling, if nothing else.

When Popo arrives, A-Yuan leaves the safety of Nie Mingjue’s lap to run to and cling to her, clearly still affected by his own reliving of trauma. She smiles sadly and sits down with the boy, letting him climb into her lap.

The ceremony is made elegant by the bunting and newly-hung lanterns, otherwise a simple swearing to the heavens and earth to honor and cherish each other as siblings, never to be rent asunder. As they bow, Lan Wangji is filled with relief that they have finally reached this moment, thankful for the protection it grants Wei Ying, the family it gives him.

Afterward Jin Zixuan approaches, his expression troubled. He seems very aware of A-Yuan’s eyes on him, staring from Popo’s lap as suspiciously as a toddler can manage.

“I will quietly seek records on the disposition of the other remnants, and look for ways to help. I hope A-Yao isn’t involved, but he likely feels a debt to our father, though he should have been taken in to begin with. I’ll do what I can to find out more.”

Wei Ying takes a breath before he responds, aware of how valuable that help will be.

“Just be careful. I don’t want Jiejie to become a widow. She… she needs you, too.”

Jin Zixuan nods, his expression making it clear he knows what sort of viper pit his sect is. Lan Wangji hopes he can navigate the murky waters successfully.

“A-Li and I have something to ask of you later, privately,” he says after a long pause, his eyes seeking his wife, who nods.

Wei Ying looks perplexed at what they might want, but he just nods, and Jin Zixuan takes it as a dismissal.

The conversation is awkward, but Jin Zixuan is earnest and so is Wei Ying, both wanting good outcomes. Given their past interactions, the stilted awkwardness is a welcome change compared to coming to blows.

Jiang Yanli enlists several people to help with bringing out the food, including a massive tureen of lotus root and pork rib soup that only Wei Ning is able to carry. The meal is a combination of the umami richness of Lanling cuisine with the spicy dishes of Yunmeng, and Lan Wangji can’t deny the aroma is mouthwatering. He can see from where he stands several dishes hued red that he knows to avoid, but is sure Wei Ying will enjoy, including re gan mian (hot dry noodles). Other dishes include shuijing zhouzi (stewed pork hock), whole Peking duck, and desserts like sweet doufunao (tofu brains) and basi pingguo (toffee apple fritters), among traditional wedding fare like cold jellyfish salad, roast suckling pork, whole steamed fish in soya gravy, peach sweet buns, and hot red bean soup with lotus seeds. Rather than serve the food in courses, Jiang Yanli has set the food out, the hot food on talisman-warmed platters, for people to serve themselves.

“Thank you for bearing witness. It’s been a difficult day for the Wei clan, and I believe they should eat first,” Jiang Yanli announces.

No one protests, and the refugees do so shyly, nervously, under the eyes of the gentry.

The swearing ceremony and the path to it has impacted them perhaps more than anyone but Wei Ying, Lan Wangji realizes. They’ve had to reveal their painful experiences, and they have gone from facing certain death, either from malnutrition or an eventual attack, to being tenuously protected via a sworn brotherhood with the sole man who sought to protect them, a home to be found at Lotus Pier in the near future, and full bellies. Given those selfsame sects involved in the brotherhood were complicit in their near-extermination, including himself, allowing them to eat first was the very least they could do.

He wonders if Jiang Yanli has also realized this or if she acts from instinctive kindness.

“Eat with Baba and A-Die,” A-Yuan insists, drawing Lan Wangji from his thoughts with a tug to his sleeve.

“She said Wei, and you’re still family,” Popo explains, taking Wei Ying’s arm before turning to Lan Wangji. “And you count, too—you married in.”

Lan Wangji can’t be certain whether he should be embarrassed as Xiongzhang fails to hold back a chuckle, but he’s oddly reminded of his mother’s gentle teasing and so he feels only a wave of fondness for his family, old and new, gathered here in a place of death that his husband carved life into.

Notes:

“To fail to sleep and forget to eat” is a chengyu about being focused on something to the exclusion of all else. Didimen is the plural of didi. Yes, there’s a reference to Mr. T. I’ve been referred to an outpatient long Covid unit, appointment in September because they’re packed all the way out. They’ll likely work to rule anything else out. But the timeline fits, so I might have an explanation, however unpleasant it may be. Today is my birthday. I’m 41 now. I had this done yesterday but decided to post it as a birthday gift to myself. In comments, please let me know what you like about this fic, if you don’t mind. Glossary: a-die - dad baba - dad baobei - baby bobo - father’s older brother dajie - eldest sister didimen - younger brothers gugu - aunt guma - father’s older sister jianghu - cultivation world jie/jiejie - older sister jindan - golden core meimei - younger sister popo - grandmother shijie - martial older sister xiong - brother xiongzhang - older brother yuefu - a style of poetry zhushazhi - cinnabar dot on the forehead

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The banquet has long since wound down, having ended with the rest of Jifu’s fruit wine consumed, mellowing the atmosphere nicely. Most of the Wei clan have started cleaning up and readying for sleep. Dusk has fallen, and someone has lit the red lanterns near the living area, casting a soft glow on the Burial Mounds settlement. The air has a hint of chill in it and the smell of coming dew.

Nie Huaisang, when they left the great hall, was arguing that the bunting should be left up to lighten the atmosphere, and Wei Qing looked rather resigned to it—A-Yuan has fallen sound asleep on a piece of bunting, and so it was a losing argument; his timely exhaustion is the only reason they were able to leave without him panicking.

The five of them—Wei Ying, Jiang Yanli, Jin Zixuan, Jiang Wanyin, and Lan Wangji—gather in Jifu’s old hut for this conversation, where Jiang Yanli and Jin Zixuan will sleep, the only quarters available that don’t involve sleeping on the stone floor of the great hall with the other visitors.

As it turns out, Jiang Yanli, with support of Jin Zixuan and apparently by the suggestion of Jiang Wanyin, wants to request that Wei Ying name his coming wai sheng, an honor he’s clearly not expecting.

“I wanted to ask you when we last came to Yiling, but there wasn’t the opportunity,” she says, watching him with soft eyes.

Wei Ying rallies quickly and immediately identifies the Jin’s next generational name Ru. He considers, brushing at his nose with his forefinger as he does, taking the request seriously.

“How about Rulan?” he finally suggests, then hurries to clarify when Jiang Wanyin protests. “Not that lan, A-Cheng. Lan as in the gentleman of flowers, the orchid. After all, any son of Shi— ah, Jiejie’s is bound to be a refined young man.”

“Rulan,” Jiang Yanli says, tasting the name. “Jin Rulan. It’s perfect, A-Xian.”

“I agree,” Jin Zixuan adds. “It’s regal.”

“It’s okay, but of course you’d name him after your husband,” Jiang Wanyin grouses, ready to dodge when Wei Ying punches at his arm, blushing.

Jiang Yanli chides them gently and they take on the countenance of scolded children.

Wei Ying’s sister is clearly tired from travel and the banquet, and so they excuse themselves quickly to let her rest, assuring her that she needn’t help clean up from the banquet and swearing ceremonies, leaving her to the care of her husband.

By the time they return to the hall, Nie Huaisang has won the argument with Wei Qing, the bunting to stay at least until they’ve all moved to Lotus Pier. The Nie heir’s bedding is opulent, something Lan Wangji didn’t see the night before, and he can only again wonder about his spy ring, or if he may have corresponded with someone among the newly-renamed Wei or the people of Yiling somehow. Their other guests have largely made do with simple bedrolls, Xiongzhang’s the same as his own.

Jiang Wanyin breaks from them to speak with Wei Qing, and they help Popo move A-Yuan to her rooms for the night. He blessedly doesn’t stir. With the night winding down, their guests settled, nothing else is needed from them.

Lan Wangji steers Wei Ying toward the cave and their alcove, noting the signs he is exhausted—a fine tremor in his shoulder blades and drooping eyelids. It has again been an emotional day, one that had required his husband to engage with their guests and accept that others were taking control to help. Letting them take it, and what that help entails, has not been easy for Wei Ying.

He is unsurprised when Wei Ying falls asleep in the bath, the warmth seeping into him and making him drowse. Once he has soaked with the sachet, Lan Wangji lifts him from the tub and dresses him in a simple underrobe before tucking him in and joining him in the bed for a much-needed rest, hai shi upon them.

“Do you think this will work?” Wei Ying asks in a whisper, having stirred. “The poem, the brotherhood?”

Wei Ying sounds worried, and Lan Wangji pauses to consider.

“Mn. We have allies. All four sects, if you include Jin Zixuan.”

That receives an amused snort, then a more thoughtful noise.

“Jin Guangshan is going to be pissed… which could backfire if we’re not careful.”

Lan Wangji remembers the plan to ply Wei Qing’s trade and feed the street children, and has to admit that will be one way in which they are vulnerable. She will need protection away from the warded settlement, which will mean Wei Ying and Lan Wangji will spend their time in Yiling with her. A-Yuan as well, he suspects, as the boy is likely to become more clingy after his reaction to the zhushazhi. He cannot predict the future, but hopefully they can protect their own until they are safely in Lotus Pier.

“We will take care,” he assures his husband.

Wei Ying hums in response, already slipping back into sleep, hopefully reassured. Lan Wangji pulls him close, kissing him chastely and tucking him against his side.

Where Wei Ying was all angles when Lan Wangji first arrived, now he is softer, having gained precious weight, his bones no longer prominent. He is healthier, and Lan Wangji will do whatever is necessary to ensure he stays that way.

The next morning he wakes his husband in the best way possible, bringing him to completion with his mouth. Wei Ying returns the favor and makes a crass joke about breakfast, and Lan Wangji’s ears burn at the idea—far from finding it offensive; he finds it entirely too thought-provoking. They lie idly together for a period of time before joining the outside world, enjoying the peace of their alcove.

Their guests filter out a few hours apart after a breakfast comprised of actual rice congee, instead of the cheaper millet, and with leftover food from the banquet repurposed as toppings. They gather in the great hall afterward as their guests prepare to leave, their departures staggered to prevent suspicion.

Jiang Wanyin leaves first with two more refugees disguised as Jiang disciples. The uncle with the broken leg is one of them, as Wei Qing hopes being away from the Burial Mounds will hasten his recovery from the necessary rebreaking. The other is the woman with the peony branded on her shoulder.

The Nie leave without much fanfare, though Nie Huaisang promises tearfully that he’ll get the yuefu out as soon as possible.

“You deserve a better reputation, Wuxian-xiong,” he says, clapping his arm companionably.

They’ve decided to refer to each other not with titles, but with the honorifics xiong to refer to an older brother and di to refer to the younger, with Wei Ning being Ning-di to everyone and Jin Zixuan being Zixuan-xiong to everyone except Wei Qing and Jiang Yanli.

Lan Wangji fully intends to continue calling his husband Wei Ying, while Wei Ying will undoubtedly still call him Lan Zhan or Lan-er-gege. Jiang Yanli and Jin Zixuan will continue referring to each other as A-Xuan and A-Li. Jiang Yanli also intends to keep calling her brothers A-Xian and A-Cheng. Meanwhile, Wei Qing and Jiang Yanli are Qing-jie and Yanli-jie to most of them, with Wei Qing using Yanli-mei.

Likely it would be simpler to use dage, erge, etc., but those are already being used by the Venerated Triad, and they know the Auspicious Eight needs to be distinct.

Being called Wangji-xiong or Wangji-di will take a little getting used to, but it isn’t a complex system.

“You have the support of the Nie, Wei Wuxian,” Nie Mingjue states, and Wei Ying bows gratefully.

Xiongzhang leaves with the promise to schedule night hunts to the Burial Mounds with the Nie and the delivery of supplies.

Jin Zixuan and Jiang Yanli are the last to depart.

A-Yuan has spent the morning eying Jin Zixuan distrustfully, as though waiting for the zhushazhi to reappear. They are all at a loss for how to remedy the situation.

Eventually, as they near the entrance to the Burial Mounds, the Jin heir removes the tassel from Suihua and holds it out to A-Yuan, stoking his curiosity enough that he takes it and then retreats to hide behind Wei Ying’s leg before examining it.

“Soon your guma will have a baby,” Jin Zixuan tells the boy. “He’ll be your tangdi. Can I trust you to keep that safe for him until he is born?”

The idea of more family seems to help, and A-Yuan nods after only a little hesitation.

“For Tangdi and Guma,” he says, shaking the tassel and watching it sparkle in the sun.

Lan Wangji has to admit it’s a brilliant strategy, giving A-Yuan a job and the promise of a cousin, along with the bauble itself. Wei Ying helps the boy attach the tassel to his belt next to his clarity bell, and the boy continues to play with it.

“Thank you for taking care of that for your guzhang and tangdi,” Jiang Yanli says to him, bending before the boy. “His name will be Jin Ling, courtesy name Rulan, and he’ll be happy to have you as his biaoge, A-Yuan.”

A-Yuan hugs her when prompted, then clings to Wei Ying’s leg as they watch the two step into the carriage and the carriage fade into the distance.

By the time they return to the settlement, lunch has been prepared, with Wei Ning having repurposed more leftovers into an array of xian bing, baozi, and zongzi. A-Yuan is less interested in the food than the tassel at his waist, but they manage to get him to eat with Popo’s help.

The day passes quickly, Wei Ying falling asleep to musical acupuncture treatment and napping with A-Yuan, both of them exhausted. A-Yuan in particular is fussy before he sleeps, eventually falling asleep with his fingers in his mouth, which Lan Wangji remedies afterward.

“Do you think becoming ba xiongdi will work?” Wei Qing asks, unknowingly echoing Wei Ying.

“Those who have sworn brotherhood are likely to honor it,” Lan Wangji says, “but the reaction of Lanling Jin is unpredictable.”

Wei Qing nods, her brow furrowed as she watches A-Yuan and Wei Ying sleep.

“We will need to begin fulfilling the yuefu,” he tells her, and she nods. “Wei Ying will need to grow lotuses.”

She snorts.

“He’ll manage. I’ll need to put together supplies for a clinic in town.”

“And you will need protection while you do,” Lan Wangji points out, and her lips twist in distaste.

“You and Wei Wuxian will need to adopt the street kids anyway, so I’m sure you’ll be in town with me when I go,” she says with a sigh, heading for her medical alcove. “Hopefully the Jin don’t act against us, but we’ll keep aware.”

It takes several days to prepare and make plans. They decide on baozi for the street kids, something that doesn’t require dishes, unlike Wei Ying’s idea of soup. He had to concede that the need for dishes limited them, but argued successfully for sweet zongzi in addition to the baozi, on the grounds that they would be a nice treat.

Wei Qing was hopeful she could examine the kids as they came to treat any injuries or maladies, but the first order of business was finding and leasing an appropriate stall.

Fortunately, when it is made clear she intends to treat and feed people for free, space is made in a small booth for a very small price by the Yiling magistrate. He is thrilled to have the famous doctor back in Yiling, as she previously treated patients for free if they braved the Wen sect to reach her. He even tries to offer the former supervisory office, which is a better place for them than the Burial Mounds, but it has no defenses and they regretfully decline.

If they can convince Jiang Wanyin—Wanyin-di if he had to in polite company, though fortunately it would have the benefit of irking the other man—to provide disciples for defense, they may revisit that, but it’s likely better to simply retreat slowly to Lotus Pier.

Wei Ying does not prove easy to wake early to go to Yiling, and Lan Wangji resorts to waking him carnally, which is quite effective. It takes little time to clean up.

Lan Wangji dons the blue robes he arrived in, and Wei Ying wears a black robe that shimmers purple in the sun. They debated wearing more nondescript robes, but decided on more opulent ones since they weren’t sneaking around or trying to hide their identities. Wei Qing is wearing a dress in Jiang blue and the comb Jiang Wanyin gave her is in her bun. Wei Ning is wearing the nicer robes Nie Huaisang gave him—they intend to get him another nice set or two in town—and aside from his pallor and black veins he looks as though he could be alive, his hair properly in its crown.

The preparation of food took place the evening before by Wei Ning and several aunties and uncles, who are happy with the prospect of helping children, even as they also need help. With the help of a qiankun pouch, they’re ready to be cooked up later. Wei Qing also enlisted the help of the aunties and uncles making several medicines she knew would be requested, with ingredients tucked away for medicines that could hopefully be made on-site. They even have a hand painted sign with both the character for doctor and the yin/yang symbol so those who cannot read will know the booth has a doctor.

They don’t like the idea of leaving the Burial Mounds unprotected, but Wei Ying has spent the last few days adding wards and maze arrays, as well as a talisman to alert him if the wards go down so they can rush back, and so it is as safe as it can be. Hopefully the Jin are too busy choking on their own opulence to notice.

A-Yuan insists on coming, refusing to let his fathers go away without him. Lan Wangji can see it is a losing battle, as the boy seemed primed to throw a temper tantrum at the idea. Wei Ying also seems to recognize that, and given his reaction to Jin Zixuan, it seems prudent to assuage him.

“He needs reassurance and will reassure the people of Yiling,” Wei Qing says with a shrug when they tell her. “They all know who I am, and whose company I keep. Time to rehabilitate your image, and if A-Yuan can help, so be it.”

They take him back to the cave to change him into nicer robes, and then start the trip to Yiling.

Wei Ying and A-Yuan ride in the cart pushed by Wei Ning on the way, as part of the plan for the day is to purchase some items needed to make the rest of their stay in Burial Mounds more comfortable, now that they can afford them, including talisman paper for Wei Ying, ingredients and supplies for medicines, cooking utensils, and other sundries.

“I want to cook… to cook a wider variety of food,” he said when the list was compiled, arguing for cooking utensils, and Wei Qing wrote it down immediately.

Lan Wangji agrees with her decision, and not only because it will expand their diets, something that will benefit Wei Ying. Wei Ning enjoys cooking and he deserves the enjoyment. He feels no small manner of gratitude to the man for all he does around the settlement and how he has helped Wei Ying, and he is happy to be his sworn brother.

When they arrive at the booth, almost a hut with no walls, a small throng of people are already waiting, word of mouth having already spread, and the croud breaks into murmurs. Bits of rumor, wondering which is the Yiling Patriarch, the Ghost General, who is the child? Wei Ying doesn’t react to their curious gazes, ignoring them.

Wei Qing gets to work treating the patients, introducing herself as Wei Qing, to ensure it is known she is no longer Wen. Wei Ning sets up the sign and starts a fire in the little hearth to get the food cooking. Wei Ying and Lan Wangji attend to the list, but keep the booth in view in case of problems, cautious. A-Yuan comes with them, holding their hands securely even when they come to a toy stand, clingy even as they get him several toys, whether because of the aftermath of Jin Zixuan or because he picks up on their worry.

They manage to find at least some of their purchases within view of the booth, but the rest will wait until afterward now that A-Yuan has toys to distract him the rest of the day.

Only past the shichen of the snake, when they eat some of the baozi and zongzi themselves, does the first likely street kid show up, which makes a morbid amount of sense.

“We’re new, and every street kid has heard of the stranger with poisoned food,” Wei Ying explains softly, and a chill runs through Lan Wangji at the idea of that being a risk, one his husband has faced.

The child thanks Wei Ning solemnly and keeps close to the booth while he eats, watching warily around, then disappears once the food is eaten, not even thinking to ask for more. Wei Ying watches the space the boy was in with a sad expression, and Lan Wangji takes his hand to bring him back to the present.

“It will take time, but we will wait,” he says, and is given a breathtaking smile in return, full of love and appreciation and gratitude. Of hope and happiness.

There is not much Lan Wangji won’t do to protect that smile, one not long ago he feared he’d lost.

Notes:

After I posted the last chapter, I wound up in the hospital the next day with pancreatitis caused by my gallbladder. I was admitted and had my gallbladder removed. Went home, the incision got infected, wound up back in the hospital. Never got to celebrate my birthday and spent a large portion of June in the hospital. I’m completely healed now, though! No, Wei Ning isn’t xiao didi, as that’s slang for penis. This is why they decided not to do the titles. According to my research, the yin/yang was a symbol of medicine because it was about balance and good health is about achieving various balances in traditional Chinese medicine. The shichen of the snake is the 9-11 shichen, so past that would be the shichen of the horse, as each shichen is associated with the animals of the zodiac. baozi = stuffed buns ba xiongdi = sworn brothers biaoge = cousin (mom’s brother’s son, elder) hai shi = 9-11pm guma = father’s older sister guzhang = father’s sister’s husband jiejie = older sister jifu = fourth uncle (季父) mei = little sister popo = grandmother shichen = 2 hour period tangdi = cousin (dad’s sister’s son, younger) wai sheng = sister’s son xian bing = stuffed pancakes xiong = older brother zhushazhi = the cinnabar mark on the Jins’ foreheads zongzi = sticky rice dumplings

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