#i am trusting everyone to remember the burial mounds scene properly and know why the quote is so very apt for that bit okay fhdcnx

[sodrippy]

I am malicious because I am miserable. —Mary Shelley

[missholland]

Lan Wangji (mostly, his love)

LAN ZHAN! I read somewhere that this was said 102 times by Wei Wuxian in The Untamed. It feels like an understatement, cause I’ve watched the show so many times now I could hear ‘Lan Zhan’ being called in my sleep...

My first time watching the drama, I was full on Team Xianxian. I mean, who would not be? He’s the central character of the story, he’s the first thing you see within the first few seconds of episode 1, and who could resist his sunflower aura? I was not into Lan Wangji at all. I remember this clearly because I just found an old Instagram story in my Archive on the day I first watched this show: a screenshot of Wangji’s face in episode 3 and my caption was: ‘OMG how could Wei sunshine fall in love with this dry and boring man?’. And just like how Wangji eventually swallowed all of the statements he had made about the young Wei Wuxian (’I don’t touch other people’, ‘We’re not close’, etc.), I am not the same person on that fateful day tuning in the first episode on Netflix. I am now Team Hanguang-Jun through and through!

What I’ve been enjoying so much these days is watching random earlier/later episodes just to compare how Wangji’s attitude changed toward Wei Wuxian over 16 years-ish. It’s probably so obvious for everyone that he definitely falls in love first, even when the drama purposely made their early relationship a lot more intense comparing to the novel i.e. showing Wei Wuxian somewhat feeling the same way about Wangji in his first life, with the constant flirting and mutual pining (don’t even get me started...). Now that I kinda understand what the character is like, it makes a lot of sense the way he processed his feelings for Wuxian in his youth. I wonder how different he would have reacted without the push from the best brother/wingman in the cultivation world - Lan Xichen. Sure, Jiang Cheng had a lot to say about this too, but mostly out of a slight envy (I reckon) over Wuxian’s new subject of desire. But Lan Xichen sees through his brother, and has been pretty much WangXian fanclub admin since day 1. I don’t have a brother, but man, I wish Lan Xichen could be mine.

In my humble opinion, the fact that we were given 3 versions of Wei Wuxian throughout the series kinda gifts us 3 versions of Lan Wangji too in a way - the straight face, the confused heart, and the national boyfriend/husband. Considering the number of times I rewatched the latter half of the series i.e. episode 33 onward, I just want to write down all of my thoughts about the national boyfriend/husband Lan Wangji, and not just because that version seems to have the most lines comparing to the other two.

There are several details that were not explained much in the series (although shown on screen) so I have to read from the novel later on. But oh my god, the stuff I found... I never realized that the scene before Lan Wangji went to Mo’s manor where his guqin was playing behind him standing on the balcony referred to how he used Inquiry to find Wuxian. What Jiang Cheng said to him about having gone to a lot of places for 16 years and searching for someone completely went over my head in the first watch, and imagine how I scratched my brain revisiting that part. That plus ‘oh I’ve never seen you at a cultivation conference before’ in episode 41 - my goodness, because he was spending ALL of his time LOOKING FOR Wei Wuxian.

Another thing I hope would have been addressed in the series was the hot iron mark on his chest. I thought the story of him drinking wine and giving himself a mark identical to Wuxian’s was the prime work of a broken heart. He must have thought about their conversation in Xuanwu cave, about the mark staying on his skin forever and how Wuxian was convinced Mianmian would never forget him. Was that how Wangji was making a point of never forgetting Wei Wuxian? If that scene made into the drama, I would have thought Wangji’s character song Buwang to be play in the background. The lyrics fit the situation so much.

Personally, everything from episode 33 onward was perfection for me, finally getting to see Wangji embrace his feelings and ACT ON THEM toward the romance-blind idiot Wei Wuxian (yes, he totally is). All the caring touches and details played out so astonishingly. One of my favourite (which doesn’t seem to be a popular one since I have not seen many gifs of it on Tumblr) was when, after interrogating Huaisang, Wangji comfortably moved over the other side of the table and picked up Wuxian’s left leg to CLEAN THE EVIL SPELL - think of the level of intimacy this act is! Although that came after the romantic piggyback under the moonlight, I thought that speaks volume for someone who doesn’t even physically interact with his family members, and serves as a great follow-up right after he, again comfortably, pulled up Wuxian’s trousers to check his leg.

What I thought was always presented so beautifully is every time Wangji serves Wuxian liquor. The way he carefully picks up his sleeve, prepares the cup (I know they’re probably not called ‘cups’ but I can’t find another word), pours the liquor and slides it over to his partner is so well demonstrated and shows how much he wants to properly take care of Wuxian. Would you put so much effort in such a tiny mundane act if you’re not doing it for the most important person in your life? 

In a way, I feel like everything he does is making up for what he could not do the past 16 years, including remembering so many tiny details and keeping all sort of Wuxian-related things. My favourite Wangji keepsake moment, despite being a very short one, is the butterfly talisman at Yunping City which he gave to Wuxian to rescue Wen Ning. I don’t know why that moment makes me really really happy, probably because that was one of the earliest items Wangji could have kept hold of from Wuxian’s. That tells us how way long before he was developing feelings toward this little rebel. Not to mention, we did see Wangji even use this very talisman in episode 11 when he encountered Wen Chao on his way back to Cloud Recesses.

Yes, the ‘I knew he was Wei Ying all along’ while having all the swords pointed at you is highly pivotal as it’s basically the censored version of ‘I love you’. BUT, the moment all leading cultivators of all major and minor clans ran to Burial Mounds just to witness Lan Wangji standing proudly without flinch on the other side with Wei Wuxian makes me appreciate that whole arc a lot more than the big revelation in the last 3 episodes. Wangji ignoring his own Grand Master, Wuxian once again standing against every single person in the cultivation world but with so much confidence this time around - to me, is beyond satisfying. I love this arc so much so I wrote a separate piece about episode 44-45 - if you’re interested in more of my random thoughts, feel free to have a read here.

Thinking about all this, I’m absolutely in awe of how protective national boyfriend Wangji is to Wei Wuxian even before knowing he lost his golden core. They either have insanely accurate GPS, or just really good telepathy. Wangji’s constant attention to his partner (without having to verbally find out where he is) blows my mind every time. Remember how proud Wei Wuxian was having Lan Wangji come out just in time to fight Xue Yang at Coffin Town? That’s how much Wangji’s love and trust empowers Wuxian and makes him so so so secured, even when everyone was walking around in the fog hiding from the most notorious killer and his puppets. 

The one detail that pushed me over the edge completely (thanks a lot Lan Xichen) was the story of Wangji’s mom. Oh my god, baby Wangji sitting in the snow really messes with my head. I cannot believe it took 40 something episodes for us to learn about Wangji’s emotionally damaged upbringing and what shapes him into a stubborn lovebird as we know today. It adds A LOT more context and sadness to his famous phrase ‘bring a man back to Cloud Recesses and hide him’, as well as Lan Qiren’s statement ‘have you not learned from your father’s lesson’. I revisit the ‘bring back and hide him’ scene with a completely new perspective and can sense Wangji’s pain and confusion that Xichen described. The desperation in that statement of Wangji was a lot heavier in my eyes now that I understand the back story. If I were Wei Wuxian listening to all of that from Lan Xichen, I would probably have a meltdown right there at the doorsteps of the Silence Room.

Now we all know the source of inspiration of the infamous ‘I want to bring a man to Cloud Recesses. Bring him back and hide him’ in episode 25:

So after all of Xichen’s effort in telling Wuxian how Wangji actually feels about him through the tear-jerker story about their parents, Wei Wuxian STILL asked Lan Wangji WHY he was willing to seal Bichen and his own spiritual power so that Jin Guangyao would not hurt him. This dense man, of course, brought up the guilt card i.e. ‘Oh you don’t owe me anything’. I mean COME ON NOW YILING PATRIARCH! CAN YOU ACTUALLY BE THAT OBLIVIOUS WHEN IT COMES TO THE MAN THAT TOOK 300 LASHES ON HIS BACK FOR PROTECTING YOUR LEGACY? 

I know it went the other way in the novel, where the big confession happened. Maybe a bite from Fairy could do you some good, or just talk to Lan Xichen some more and then you can start appreciating your soulmate the way he deserves.

The silver lining after being deprived of an epic love confession is everything that happened in episode 50. It might have not been spelling-it-out clear as in ‘I love you’ ‘I love you too’ because of the government censorship, but it’s easily the most obvious yet emotional type of ending the production team has worked to hard to deliver. If you are still having trouble processing the allegedly ‘ambiguous’ finale, I can help with that - here. Just a heads up: it’s a happy ending. 

Good to know Wei Wuxian has the rest of his life making up to Lan Wangji. Everyday means everyday, because Wangji deserves THAT much!

[grandmasterofwangxiancultivation]

MDZS ch.84

you people are beautiful. just, i love it when you comment my screams, but hurrying me to READ CH.84 BECAUSE YES, MY PRAYERS HAVE BEEN HEARD, THE CHAPTER C A M E O U T WHILE I WAS SLEEPING, I’LL NEVER SLEEP AGAIN IN MY LIFE TY ERS

now that’s here, though, i’m less than ready for this and at the same time i’ve been dying to read it so- HeLp

Lan WangJi wrapped his right arm around Wei WuXian’s waist and took up Bichen. Mounting the sword, the two of them landed on the boat.

okay OKAY I’M WEAK FOR LWJ HOLDING WWX BY THE WAIST. LIKE, WEAK IN MY KNEES. IT’S THE BEST THING. THE ABSOLUTE BEST. LIKE HUSBAND AND HUSBAND, I MISS THEM BEING SO LOVEY DOVEY

EDIT:

Wei WuXian was just about to speak again when Jin Ling suddenly broke into tears. 

[...] Even as tears streaked down his face, Jin Ling still shouted, sobbing, “This is my dad’s sword. I won’t put it down!”

EXCUSE ME WHAT??!?!?!?!?! MY SON IS CRYING?!?!??!!??! HoW dArE yOu Do ThIs To Us MxTx sdingfpwiorjgw okay but, how heartbreaking is it that he doesn’t want to drop that sword? i can totally picture why jin ling would be so frustrated and couldn’t hold back anymore, can you even image what kind of battle is going on inside of him? how much he misses his parents and wants to get revenge only to realise that killing wwx is not what he wants and probably feeling guilty about stabbing him and secretly looking up to him even if he knows he shouldn’t do that and wishing things were different WHY DOES HE HAVE TO SUFFER LIKE THIS. WHY-

EDIT 2:

The one who called was Jiang Cheng, who stood near the edge. Still teary-eyed, as soon as Jin Ling saw his uncle, he immediately wiped his face, sniffing. He looked here and there and finally made up his mind to fly over, landing at Jiang Cheng’s side.

Jiang Cheng grabbed him, “What happened to you? Who did this to you?!”

(UNCLE JC TO THE RESCUE boy, does he care greatly for him. he is all he has left of his family *cough* jc-wwx-is-also-there-pls *cough* and i love this jc/jl moments, makes my heart really warm. i just wanna wwx in the picture, that’s all)

Jin Ling rubbed his eyes roughly, refusing to speak up. Jiang Cheng lifted his head, casting a nasty look at the fishing boat. His cold glare passed by Wen Ning, just about to land on Wei WuXian as Lan WangJi stepped out and blocked Wei WuXian’s silhouette, whether intentional or not.

(oèdkgoewigvp0wri LWJ STOP BEING PERFECT.

NO, WAIT, KEEP BEING PERFECT JUST WaRn Me-)

EDIT 3: disciples protecting wwx is- 

okay, i know i always say this, but it’s so, so, so good to see these disciples taking up to them to defend him. i LOVE the relationship that mxtx built between them, full of trust and spontaneity and loyalty and feeling secure in each others’ presence, and i love that it came to be like this after many hardship and doubts. the disciples came to know wwx for who he really is, and finding out about his identity made them more alert, sure, but their affection is still there and it burns in scenes like these when they just argue against sect leaders and adults and protect him like that. it’s so important and beautiful and i want wwx warm and loved by all of them-

EDIT 4: SORRY I’M SO TALKATIVE TODAY, BUT THIS CHAPTER-

Sect Leader OuYang hurried, “ZiZhen! Come back, come over to Dad!” 

OuYang ZiZhen was confused, “Dad, weren’t you the one who told me to get on this boat so that I didn’t annoy you guys?”

CAN I JUST SAY THAT I LOVE THIS SMART, SMART BOY?!?! BLESS YOU. 

EDIT 5:

Seeing this, Wei WuXian let out a long sigh of relief. As soon as he relaxed, heavy exhaustion suddenly passed over his face. He fell to one side.

It seemed that he didn’t waver because he couldn’t balance himself on the boat, but rather because he really was so tired that he couldn’t stand steadily.

E X C U S E  M E ODSJGIOWJGIORJ OMG OMG MY LOVE IS SO TIRED HE FREAKING FAINTED. WWX FAINTED i can’t even- i need him somewhere safe with his husband and their sons, not on a bOaT.

EDIT 6:

However, without requiring their help at all, Lan WangJi bent down slightly. With one hand at his arm and another behind his knees, Lan WangJi picked Wei WuXian up at once.

(of course he would. of course. LOOK AT HIM CASUALLY PICKING UP HIS HUSBAND. lwj you are a star in the sky, the moon of my dark nights, you give me hope and joy and you’re so perfect and caring pls just marry wwx now)

Carrying Wei WuXian just like this, he walked into the cabin. Inside the cabin, there wasn’t anywhere to lie down, only four long benches. Thus, Lan WangJi held Wei WuXian’s waist with one arm, letting his head lean on his shoulder, and with his other hand he pieced together the four benches into a platform wide enough to lie on. He gently laid Wei WuXian on the benches.

(i- just- wwx needs to stay comfortable, so lwj provided a makeshift bed for him and my heart can’t take all this fluff without crying a bit. they are an example of love and beauty. THEY ARE ALL I WANNA READ ABOUT. I LIVE FOR THEIR HAPPINESS)

Lan SiZhui suddenly realized that even though HanGuang-Jun was drenched in blood, the bandage that Wei WuXian tore from his sleeve and wrapped around that tiny wound of his was still knotted properly, tied around a finger of his left hand.

(did lwj purposefully tried not to ruin the bandage during the fight? IS THAT WHAT YOU WANNA SUGGEST, MXTX?)

[...] Right now, Lan WangJi finally took out his handkerchief, slowly wiping away the blood clots on Wei WuXian’s face. Soon, the snowy handkerchief had been dyed with red and black. Although he’d finished wiping Wei WuXian’s face, he hadn’t wiped his own yet.

(omg. *sobs* one knows how much lwj loves and adores wwx but is always taken aback in front of the extent of that feeling)

EDIT 7:

Lan JingYi was amazed, “I thought that Senior Wei would never get tired!”

(don’t you feel extremely happy whenever jingyi appears? i do)

[...] However, Lan WangJi shook his head. He only said four words, “We are all human.”

They were all human. How could a human be tireless? How could they stand forever?

(there. four words and he gave them a life lesson. this-

is so importan. for anyone, even us irl, this is so true but- can you think about the fact that the upstanding, renowed lwj is talking by experience? can you imagine how broken he was when... sorry, i can’t-)

EDIT 8: dfmoiwjgiowr the disciples eye-talking with each other is GOLD-

Suddenly, Wei WuXian wrinkled his brows, his head tilting to the side. Softly, Lan WangJi moved his head back where it was, so that he wouldn’t end up with a stiff neck. Wei WuXian murmured, “Lan Zhan.”

Everyone thought that he was waking up. They were ecstatic, but Wei WuXian’s eyes were still tightly shut. Lan WangJi, on the other hand, looked just as usual, “Mn. I am here.”

Wei WuXian was quiet again. As though he felt safe, he shifted closer toward Lan WangJi and continued to sleep.

(òkdjasKLFDIPEJRGIWJROIGNERJGNEKLRJG I’M SORRY DID I READ THIS SCENE RIGHT IS WWX CALLING OUT LWJ’S NAME IN HIS  S L E E P  AND IS HE DE FACTO  S N U G G L I N G  CLOSER TO HIS HUSBAND WITH NO CARE IN THE WORLD SOIFOWIRHGIOERHJGIEROGF

OMG I AM SCRYING -yes, scrying, like, screaming and crying at the same time and i needed a new word for this- SO HARD I CAN BARELY TYPE THIS SHIT)

The boys stared at the two blankly. For some reason, their cheeks suddenly flushed. Lan SiZhui was the first to stand up, stammering, “H-HanGuang-Jun, we will go out and get some fresh air…”

(OH

MY

GOD

I AM LAUGHING SO HARD. THE BOYS GOT FLUSTERED BY PDA.

AND THEY ARE ALL ASKING EACH OTHER WHYAREYOUBLUSHING I CAN’T EVEN START TO TELL YOU HOW FUN AND CUTE THIS SCENE IS WHO KNEW I NEEDED THIS-)

EDIT 9:

Wen Ning, “Young Master Lan, may I call you A-Yuan?”

[...] Lan SiZhui replied gladly, “Sure!”

Wen Ning, “A-Yuan, have you been well these years?”

Lan SiZhui, “Very well.”

Wen Ning nodded, “HanGuang-Jun must’ve treated you kindly.”

Hearing him speak of Lan WangJi in such a respectful tone, Lan SiZhui felt even closer to him, “HanGuang-Jun treated me as if he were my brother or my father. He even taught me how to play the guqin.”

THIS CHAPTER IS A FREAKING ROLLER COASTER AND I AM FEELING A BIT DIZZY BECAUSE-

“a brother or a father” i can’t believe i’m alive to read this.

THIS IS SO TENDER AND WARM I’M JUST GONNA SNUGGLE NEXT TO THESE TWO

EDIT 10:

After some thought, Lan SiZhui responded, “I cannot remember either. It was probably when I was around four or five. I do not have many memories of the things that happened when I was younger, but when I was younger, I doubt HanGuang-Jun was able to take care of me. I think HanGuang-Jun had been in secluded meditation for many years back then.”

He suddenly remembered that when HanGuang-Jun was doing secluded meditation, the first siege on Burial Mound happened at the same time.

WAIT

W A I T

W  A  I  T

ARE YOU TELLING ME THAT DURING THE SIEGE LWJ WASN’T ON THE FIELD

ARE YOU TRYING TO IMPLY THAT-

OH MY GOD

OH MY GOD I NEED TO SIT DOWN AND TAKE A BREAK FROM THIS CHAPTER