#and this time i had to read all of the horrible things xxc said

[elvencantation]

Brother? Would I ever have a brother like you? Luo Fusheng, do you know that you’ve destroyed all of our happiness? Is this what you call being my brother? From now you, you are no longer my brother.

[silenteyes]

If Wei Wuxian Grew Up In Different Sects (or with our lovely Rogue Cultivators)

ft. fanfictions I’ve read for each of them - excluding Yunmeng Jiang Sect

Warnings: Spoilers for MDZS, Canon-typical Yu Ziyuan and her treatment to WWX, a few uncensored cursing

Yunmeng Jiang Sect

Clearly, we know that he and the Jiangs have a- complicated relationship. With Jiang FengMian it’s on a thin line, and though it’s clear he cares for WWX - JFM still sees WWX as just a disciple, not a son because the last words he says to WWX are “A-Ying, A-Cheng... you must look after him.”

With Madam Yu it’s clear that their relationship is unhealthy, she basically abuses him. With Jiang Cheng it’s also unhealthy - as much as I loathe to say it, they will NEVER get the reconciliation we want because WWX has done too much for JC to forgive and JC and his anger issues are not safe for WWX. The only ACTUAL healthy relationship he’s got in the Jiang Sect is with Jiang Yanli. She forgives a lot and it’s clear she loves WWX.

Gusu Lan Sect

Ah - yes, this one. In all honesty, if he WERE to be found by the Lans he would’ve probably be well-behaved since he was just a child and easy to, how do I say it - teach. 

He might still have his playfulness but it would be toned down quite a lot. I also like to think that he would get along with Madam Lan and most probably prevent her death. This may be an unpopular opinion, but he and Lan Xichen would get along well, and LXC would be the one to make him comfortable first. WWX would still grow close with Lan Wangji of course, but if anything happens he would not go to LWJ first.

If they grew up together, I’m sorry - but I can’t imagine that he would date LWJ then. But, you can think the other way around! I don’t boss you and tell you who to ship and who not to ship! 

Fanfiction: ‘Some call it kidnapping. The Lan Clan call it adoption.’ by IceBreeze 

Summary: “Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan, look!” Wei Ying did a twirl. “I’m the same as you now! Am I pretty? Say Lan Zhan, am I pretty?”

Huan muffled a laugh behind his sleeve as A-Zhan said “Mn,” eyes never once leaving Wei Ying. There was something a little like awe in his stare, like Wei Ying was the only one in the world to him at that moment, and if Huan hadn’t already known that his little brother cared deeply for Wei Ying then that look would have been all the confirmation he needed.

(If A-Zhan knew what marriage and romance was beyond the vague explanations he’d heard then he’d probably already be courting Wei Ying, with all the dogged determination he shows everything he puts his mind to. It’s adorable, and Huan supports it wholeheartedly, no matter what direction it heads in the end).

Or: an AU Wei Wuxian is taken in by the Lan clan instead of the Jiangs.

Qishan Wen Sect

Hm, this one is quite complicated. To be honest, WWX would probably fit in well in the sect, and Wen Ruohan most possibly cares about power, and WWX is powerful so he’d care for him AND Wen Xu. Wen Chao is just there in the background being bullied, I like to think.

WWX would make Wen Qing their head doctor and give her more power, while he would also help Wen Ning with archery. All and all he would be alright in the Wen Sect, but there would still be a couple casualties here and there, because of Wen Chao’s jealousy.

Fanfiction:  ‘ He was brighter than the Sun’ by AncientOceanmelody

Summary:  Wei Wuxian was the head disciple of Yunmengjiang Sect, he was the pride of Yunmeng. Jiang Fengmian see him like a son, everyone (except Madam Yu) love him.

He would do everything for those who were dear to him.

So why do is feel horrible when Uncle Jiang didn't hesitate when he offer himself to the Wens instead of Jiang Cheng?

Why is he crying?

After all, he was just the son of a friend, the son of a servant, is was obvious his Uncle would prefer his Sect over him.

Qinghe Nie Sect

Again, I’m gonna be honest, but this sect would be the BEST one for WWX to grow up in. Nie Mingjue would get along great with WWX (we’re ignoring canon GROWN WWX) and Nie Huaisang has another brother :D

NHS and WWX would use their time to cause mischief and plot stuff while NMJ is like “These are my brothers. They’re annoying. Don’t you fucking dare lay a finger on them.”

Just - THEY WOULD BE THE HEALTHIEST RELATIONSHIP EVER IN ALL THE SECTS! NMJ taking care of WWX and NHS, NHS constantly worrying over WWX and NMJ because they fight (you know- war I mean) and WWX just being the self-sacrificing moron he is and protecting NMJ and NHS

Fanfiction: ‘shades of grey’ by cl410

Summary: This was why he didn’t like to leave the Unclean Realm, Nie Mingjue thought with dismay. Guileless dark eyes blinked up at him, tiny hands clutching at his robes.

Or: Nie Mingjue comes across Wei Wuxian before Jiang Fengmian, and decides Nie Huaisang could use a friend.

Lanling Jin Sect

OH BOY! I just love Jin Zixuan getting along with WWX and being an older brother to him. I would think that if JZX (Not Zixun, I despise him) grew up with WWX they would definitely get along and have a healthier relationship than the Yunmeng Bros. Jin Guangshan would definitely not see the point in having WWX in there, and Madam Jin is much more empathetic and she would be the on to take care of WWX.

You may be wondering - Jin Zixuan is Jin Zixuan. Wouldn’t his pride get in the way of things? He’s not called a peacock for no reason, and yes! I can see why you think that! But look at MianMian! She’s JZX best friend BECAUSE she probably grew up with him, and it’s clear in terms of temperament she’s better than JZX and she might even rival him in swordsmanship. If given the choice to grow up with him, WWX would have an amazing brotherly relationship with JZX, and would most likely accept the fact that WWX is amazing and would be PROUD of him. 

Also JZX’s relationship with Jiang Yanli may improve JUST BECAUSE WWX is there

(I might just be biased, idk)

Fanfiction: ‘Twin Treasures’ by crossdressingdeath

Summary: When Madame Jin happens to come across Cangse Sanren's orphaned son on a trip to Yiling, she can't bring herself to leave him there. Wei Wuxian finds a somewhat different family. Jin Zixuan finds a little brother. The course of history changes accordingly.

(Some things are written in fate, but even fate itself changes.)

Rogue Cultivators - Song Zichen and Xiao Xingchen

Let me point out first that Xingchen is ETHEREAL! HE’S THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PERSON ON THE PLANET! (Song Jiyang is amazing istg I’ve never watched The Untamed but I’ve SEEN clips of them like 哥你怎样那么美). 

ANYWAYS, BACK TO THE POINT! Xiao Xingchen and Song Zichen would be amazing parents, don’t deny it. SZC would be rocky at taking care of WWX at first but he would get the hang of it and be the most over-protective person on the planet and would KILL ANYONE who hurts his family. Xiao Xingchen on the other hand would be the doting and loving parent. He spoils WWX but not as much as SZC (though he would never admit it). SZC and XXC would be the best if you want WWX to have parental figures.

Fanfiction:  ‘Frost moon's sun’ by RenaFair

Summary: Xiao Xingchen and Song Lan had dreamed of founding a sect together, that is until Xingchen heard what happened to his shijie. The two then decides to put their little dream on hold as they care for a pair of tiny hands between them, protecting the little boy with a sunshine smile as best as they can.

Alternately; Xiao Xingchen and Song Lan adopted Wei Ying after his parents' death.

[veliseraptor]

In Yi City arc culmination flashbacks, when Xiao Xingchen stabs him, XY tells him that when XXC listens to his story, he can do whatever he wants, and XY will obey. Do you think that, if XXC didn't kill himself, that smth like that was possible? That he could have wanted to kill XY, and Xy would have let him?

It strikes me as unlikely that Xue Yang would let Xiao Xingchen kill him, though I do wonder, given that he says that and (at least in CQL) how he delivers that line. Because there’s a few different things for me that come into play here.

The first is that Xue Yang is, however reckless he can be with his personal health and safety (and he absolutely can, and there’s a certain degree to which I’d argue he has more than a little bit of an overpowered death drive), he’s also a survivor and he’s very devoted to himself - he values his life pretty fuckin’ highly and isn’t going to let it go easy or cheaply. I have a hard time seeing him presenting Xiao Xingchen with this argument, having Xiao Xingchen go “yeah no, that’s not good enough, die” and Xue Yang being like “fine, I accept that.”

The second is that I think rather than accepting any judgment Xiao Xingchen lays down, Xue Yang is more likely to consider Xiao Xingchen not being convinced to be an indication that he just hasn’t explained himself well enough, because if he had then obviously Xiao Xingchen would get it and agree with him! Of course! Or else if he doesn’t agree then Xiao Xingchen was never listening after all.

Xue Yang in arguments can be a little ‘if you were paying attention you would agree with me and since you don’t agree with me you’re clearly just stupid and not paying attention’ about things, I think. He’s very difficult to convince that way.

I mean! That’s how it goes in canon, basically! Xue Yang tells his story, Xiao Xingchen is like “what the fuck, that’s horrible and you are a monster” and Xue Yang is like “OH REALLY WHO’S A MONSTER HERE NOW, DAOZHANG” and detonates an emotional bomb in the whole conversation.

But then there’s also...I don’t think that Xiao Xingchen would necessarily be interested in performing an extrajudicial execution of Xue Yang, for at least a few different reasons, both personal and philosophical. I can see Xiao Xingchen killing him in the heat of despair or anger, but I can’t see him making that choice in a measured or deliberate way. So even in a universe where he processes and absorbs Xue Yang’s story, condemns it, and Xue Yang says ‘okay do what you want to me, then’ I don’t know that Xiao Xingchen would really know what to do next.

(There’s an interesting AU there, but I’m not looking at it right now because I don’t need more AU ideas at the moment, thank you.)

And in a universe where Xiao Xingchen by some miracle is calm and level headed enough to respond to Xue Yang’s tragic backstory in a more measured way at all, and where they’re both emotionally calm enough to actually have a conversation where dead exes and corpse poisonings don’t come up and it’s solely about the ethics of revenge...well, then we’re talking about two different characters, really.

But to go back to my hesitation, because this has all been pretty categorically on the side of “that’s bullshit” - the reason I don’t out and out feel like Xue Yang is just straight up lying when he says that has to do with the fact that he says it at all (and Xue Yang, for all his many faults, doesn’t actually tell direct lies all that often), and the way he delivers it.

The saying it at all doesn’t necessarily mean much on its own - after all, it’s a useful rhetorical ploy, but it would strike me as a little out of line with the way Xue Yang communicates if he was literally just saying it with no intention backing it up. (Xue Yang says what he means and he means what he says, generally speaking. Not even a dog alive, etc.) But I think the delivery (again, in drama-verse) is what I mind more.

One of the things I think about a lot when I’m assessing Xue Yang in the very bad breakup scene has to do with his body language and facial expressions, because those are things that Xiao Xingchen can’t see and therefore I’m inclined to put more genuine weight on them, because there is (in universe) no intended audience there. And when he says that line you’re referring to, he doesn’t exactly look like he’s bluffing. He looks like he’s conceding something, and not very happy about it, particularly compared to his expression immediately before.

Of course, this is dramaverse - novelverse gives me less to go on since I don’t like to rely on a close read very well when I’m reading in translation, and the section in question has very little description outside the dialogue.

I guess what I’m inclined to think here, after all this long-winded noodling, is that when Xue Yang said it he meant it, at least to a certain extent, but he genuinely expected - or wanted to expect - that Xiao Xingchen would get it if he explained himself. Or at least get it enough that he wouldn’t just want to kill Xue Yang right away.

If he had gone that route, when push came to shove I don’t think Xue Yang would’ve let him do it without a fight.

[razberryyum]

The Untamed/陈情令 Rewatch, Episode 10, Part 1 of 2

(spoilers for everything MDZS/Untamed)

[covers MDZS chapters 29, 30 and 48…again, only kinda because things happen differently in the drama...I guess that’s why they call it an adaptation….]

WangXian meter: 🐰🐰🐰+ 🐰🐰🐰+ 🐰🐰🐰🐰+ 🐰🐰🐰+ 🐰🐰+ 🐰🐰+ 🐰+ 🐰🐰+🐰🐰🐰🐰+🐰

(Each WangXian scene automatically gets one 🐰 even if they’re just thinking of each other; one scene can earn up to five 🐰 depending on intensity of WangXian-ness. Each scene is separated by an “+”)

When I first watched this scene where Wei Ying was equating himself and Lan Zhan to Song Lan and Xiao Xingchen, I simply thought Wei Ying was just being flirty and adorable and didn’t attribute much significance to it beyond that, but now, after all that’s happened, it’s become so much more meaningful, especially to Lan Zhan, that not only do I love the moment so much more, but it also makes me feel that much sadder for Lan Zhan because of the almost careless way Wei Ying made the association.  Originally I think he did it as a means to gain Lan Zhan’s favor because Wei Ying sincerely wanted to be his friend and break through that cool exterior that Lan Zhan put up all the time. The romantic in me would like to think it’s also because Wei Ying was also starting to crush on him, butat the same time, realistically, I really don’t think Wei Ying in this point in time was even aware of his true feelings yet so while I don’t doubt his sincerity, his intentions were probably more simplistically platonic.  However, in contrast, for Lan Zhan, who was already “falling” for Wei Ying, the idea automatically embedded itself into his mind, so naturally he began to see Song Lan and XXC’s partnership as a goal in life.  Not only did the two cultivators embody their ideal of living without regrets while helping people, but growing up in a highly regulated environment, Lan Zhan probably also envied their freedom to live freely as they wanted.  

I really appreciate how Team CQL steadily lays down the bricks early on for the foundation of not only Wei Ying and Lan Zhan’s relationship but also for Lan Zhan’s character development so certain moments can build upon each other over time. This scene is a prime example of that: even though Lan Zhan didn’t react much to Wei Ying’s words at first, later on, as they were bidding farewell to Song Lan and XXC, the wistful expression on his face as he watched them leave followed by the deliberate way he looked at Wei Ying, again with that same expression, was a pretty good indication of just how much of what Wei Ying said earlier actually resonated with him.  

As time went on and he started to question the principles of his own sect and the cultivation world, I can only imagine how much more he longed to live the life that Song Lan and Xiao Xingchen did, with Wei Ying by his side. Therefore, when everything went so horribly wrong for the two cultivators, it’s no surprise that Lan Zhan took it to heart since it no doubt reminded him of happened to him and Wei Ying.  

Staring Contest

I just love all the many little times the two of them make eye contact, especially since, again, we went from Lan Zhan not even wanting to look at Wei Ying to this, where he almost can’t stop himself from looking his way. Again, brick building. Love it.  

You’re on your own, bro

Wei Ying instinctively protecting Lan Zhan from Xue Yang’s poisonous powder wasn’t surprising, but what did surprise me a little was the fact that he completely left poor Jiang Cheng to fend for himself. Didn’t even attempt to reach out to pull him back. If Jiang Cheng was keeping track of all the times Wei Ying was choosing Lan Zhan over him—and he probably was—that would definitely make his list (along with the aforementioned moment since it did sound like Wei Ying was giving up his place in Lotus Pier to go cultivate with Lan Zhan).  

SongXiao

When I first watched this episode, I remember thinking, “wait, they’re a couple too? How many gay couples are there in this show??” Seeing the way Song Lan swept down to protect XXC, how they called each other by their first names and referred to each other as good/close friends, naturally made me wonder if there was more to their relationship than meets the eye.  Of course the official MDZS answer is no, WangXian is the only gay couple in the story, but obviously Team CQL either didn’t get that memo or decided to ignore it so they can ship to their hearts’ content, or supply enough fodder to let us ship to our heart’s content. Whatever the reason, bless them for giving us these precious morsels which were unique to the drama since by the time we met the two of them in the novel, their lives had already gone to hell.  

I spend most of my time lamenting the suffering that WangXian had to go through before they were finally able to get their happy ending but truth of the matter is Song Lan and Xiao Xingchen probably suffered much more, especially since their ending was so much worse. Because they are called dao zhangs, I have to assume they live as Daoist priests and therefore have the vow of celibacy imposed on them as well, so whatever feelings they have for each other can only be emotionally consummated through chaste companionship and never through carnal fulfillment of any kind. Basically, unlike Wei Ying and Lan Zhan, everydaying could never be an option for them because of their lifestyle and beliefs. Being of much higher cultivation mindset (or so I assume since they’re much more revered), just being able to enjoy each other’s company was probably more than enough for them, and yet, even that they were denied. It’s like, they’re asking for so little and yet they are deprived of that in the most absolute way possible. So now, seeing the image of them walking away together, only fills me with immense sadness for them—I actually got a little teary-eyed over it tonight—knowing they will never be able to even enjoy something as simple as walking side by side with each other like that ever again.

Xue Yang

For how much I feel for SongXiao, again, I really should HATE Xue Yang, but dammit this evil monster is so damn hard to hate. If he was Lucifer in human form, my soul would be totally screwed. Every time I see Xue Yang again I can’t help but like him and want to see even more to him. Wang Haoxuan is very easy on the eyes, so that helps a lot, but it’s not just his looks, it’s also his very effective performance. He just looks like he’s having so much fun and by osmosis Xue Yang becomes fun to watch as well; it’s almost as if his joy at murder and mayhem is infectious. Everything he does works for me, like, I even got delicious excitement chills from just how he appears on the scene at the Yue Yang Chang sect...

...like some kind of sexy, malicious gargoyle of doom. The only other time I felt the same way is when Wei Ying first appeared as the Yiling Patriarch when he returned from the Burial Mounds. I said before that Xue Yang constantly has this DTF aura about him that makes him shippable with just about anyone and everyone, which makes this moment one of my favorites because I think his sexy evil energy was at maximum output while Wei Ying was feeling him down. It’s almost unfair how alluring he is, like all the time. I know his detractors absolutely don’t feel that way, and honestly, I envy being able to so resolutely dislike him.  

XueXiao

Considering all the pain and suffering he caused Xiao Xingchen I sometimes think Xue Yang doesn’t deserve to even be shipped with such a pure angel, but the two actors have such good chemistry it’s hard to resist. I mean, when Xue Yang said that to XXC, I seriously couldn’t wait until they met again and I was hoping we would get to see their future interactions (again, this was when I hadn’t read the novel yet and didn’t know what horrifying things were in store). And I felt this way even though I was already fully supporting SongXiao. I seriously don’t want to know what would have happened if Xue Yang had more interactions with Wei Ying; my WangXian-devoted heart is too afraid to even go there.

To be continued in Part 2...posted

[multsicorn]

XXC pls?

... this ask is from 16 days ago because I am SO BAD AT LIFE, omg, but anyway hopefully I’ll be more present now for a while again!  Cause I do want questions and really like engaging with people, etc.  (Sorry and thank you!)

How I feel about this character: Xiao Xingchen is, for once, literally, ‘too good for this world, too pure.’  And we know what happens to cinnamon rolls!  They get eaten :D.  (... and now I want one.)

[this got pretty long! so more under the cut]

I feel like - I might?  I hope to!  Have more of a ~take~ on him after I finish rewatching the show, maybe after I finish the book and steal supplemental material from there (... though I’ve already finished the Yi City arc, so that’s probably all there is?), because during the time when we first met Xiao Xingchen and Song Lan on my first watch-through, tbh, I was still trying to orient myself wrt the clan/sect system and the magic and like... the many many people we met who were mentioned who may or may not be significant.  Only in retrospect did I know I’d care about Songxiao but not the dead Chang clan!  (This is absolutely on me for not being genre-savvy, but it is what it is.)

BUT!  I just think that his idealism makes for a really good/interesting contrast with, like, the world.  He and Song Lan sent Xue Yang away to the Jin sect, which clearly went badly.  Although he’s very righteous himself, he’s not stern the way the Lan sect is, instead he is forgiving of A-Qing, who he knows to be a pickpocket - he gives her money and travels with her.  And then again he also cares for and lives with Xue Yang... though he doesn’t know who Xue Yang is!... but he knows that he doesn’t know who this person is, he thinks it doesn’t matter, he’d care for anyone who needs him.  So he’s really a great case study in the interest and the complexity and the danger of being too universally kind/caring/giving/etc.

All the people I ship romantically with this character: I mean Song Lan/Xiao Xingchen is canon, it just is, I can’t find enough of a narrative hook there (or haven’t yet) to find much interest in ficcing or reading fic for it, but... I appreciate it as a very ‘ring of keys’ beat for wangxian, and for being (sry not sry mxtx), there are more than two non-straight people in this narrative.

Xiao Xingchen/Xue Yang, otoh, is very! interesting to me!, but I’m not sure if.... romantic is the right word for it, lol.  Which is to say I do think Xue Yang (at least in show canon) is very much in love with Xiao Xingchen - which doesn’t mean that he wants the best for him! or respects XXC’s desires! etc. - I never said it was a good or healthy type of love, okay.  And Xiao Xingchen and Xue Yang are, actually, very domestically cute together in the sort of way that could easily bleed right into being romantically together (... I’ve read fic where it’s all the way to romantic, and I’d happily read more), but this is, of course, premised on Xiao Xingchen not knowing who Xue Yang is.  So there’s, uh, a lot of conflict there.

Anyway long story short: my kingdom for fic that manages to smash together ‘Xiao Xingchen maybe loved the-stranger-who-was-Xue-Yang in Yi City’ with ‘Xiao Xingchen hates absolutely everything that Xue Yang did and stands for’ in some sorta satisfying way.  And, going back to Song Lan, and my love of polyfic cause it makes things more complicated: doubly so for fic that combines the aforementioned xuexiao story with the also fascinating question of: how much does Song Lan hate Xue Yang because Xue Yang is evil, and kills people, and did horrible things especially to Xiao Xingchen... and how much does Song Lan hate Xue Yang just because he gets to live with Xiao Xingchen and make him smile, and how dare.  And can Song Lan find a way to reconcile this hate with the fact that both he and Xue Yang are absolutely one thousand percent devoted to trying to bring Xiao Xingchen back from the maybe-not-quite-grave, despite all their differences.

My non-romantic OTP for this character: Absolutely, one hundred percent, A-Qing.  It’s cute that he tries to restrain her... but likes her spunk, I think!  And is probably helped by her lack of such stringent morals in their wandering together, even if I don’t think the show ever shows us this.  They’re an interesting odd couple...

My unpopular opinion about this character: Songxiao is a good idea but too boring to really do anything with, is that an unpopular opinion?  I’m not sure.  He only really becomes interesting to me in his interaction with less moral characters?  Maybe now that’s spicy!

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon: It’d be nice if there was more hope/indication that Song Lan could bring him back, by the end of the story?  I like stories where people struggle and suffer a lot, but I really don’t need them all to die.

OH ALSO I know it’s not censorship because they’re not together in the novel either - if anything they gave me less strongly couple-y vibes there than they did in the drama!  Which is interesting, actually... maybe I’ll reread the relevant bits and post about it later.  But anyway it would’ve been nice if Songxiao had been actually explicitly together in canon, rather than just strong ~vibes,~ with a kiss or a marriage reference or something, just for the way that Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian feel ‘are they us? can we be them? that could’ve been us,’ etc.