#jin zixuan x jiang yanli

[red-pearl-white-flower]

My second prompt for the MDZS Gotcha for Gaza event, requested by bianca_boop on twitter! Jian Yanli/transwoman Jin Zixuan. I chose that moment of gender euphoria when you finally look like yourself!

[kibutsujidemon]

"jiang and wei husband"

[frostfires-blog]

Valentine's Day Poll Winner:

Top 10 MXTX Side Ships

Sorry that I'm only posting this almost 2 full days after Valentine's Day... I highly underestimated how long this was going to take and had a few things up which delayed me further... Before I start, I just wanted to remind everyone that this is what won the poll—so I'm not just putting this out to rile people up. I'd also like to reiterate that this list is based on my own opinions—so please don't get upset with me if your favourite ship isn't here or isn't in the placement you'd want to be. Admittedly putting together this list was a lot more difficult than I thought it was going to be... Considering I value ships that have a good basis in the canonical narrative and avoid pairings with a lot of toxicity, there weren't many options... There are also a quite few popular ships that I have mixed feelings on, so I chose not to include them... That being said constructive comments are welcome! I'd love for you to politely share your own favourites in the comments!

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-> Honourable Mentions:

Lan Yuan × Jing Ling

Lan Yuan × Lan Jingyi

Sha Hualing × Liu Mingyan

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-> Top 10 MXTX Side Ships:

10.) Moshang │ Mobei-Jun × Shang Qinghua

I'm sure a lot of you are going to be disappointed that the only canonical M/M side pairing in MXTX's novel was placed so low on my list... I don't know how to explain it other than that I like the idea of them as pairing but don't quite like the execution... I feel that they weren't given enough time to properly grow on me and that we don't see enough of their dynamic for me to like them as much as the other ships on this list. They have a lot of issues that weren't handled as carefully as I would've liked due to SVSSS' light-hearted tone. That being said I like how they gradually bring out the best in one another—with Shang Qinghua becoming more standoffish and bold while Mobei-Jun becomes more expressive and compromising.

09.) Tianlang-Jun × Su Xiyan

Admittedly it's a little hypocritical of me to place them above MoShang considering that these two got even less screentime and things ended tragically... But I really liked the bit of their dynamic that we saw. Tianlang-Jun is such a fun character and Su Xiyan complements him so well. What I appreciate most about this ship is its subversion of a few conventional tropes, particularly with Tianlang-Jun being characterised as a "lovestruck teenage girl" and a "pampered young lady who fled from home and was oblivious to the world".  In contrast, Su Xiyan is characterised as a "wealthy young master," "cold and ruthless," and "solemn and driven."

08.) QuanYin │ Quan Yizhen × Yin Yu

The fandom has many opposing opinions on this ship and while I have my conflicting thoughts, I can't help but want to root for them. They have an intriguing yet complex dynamic in the canon narrative. While Quan Yizhen is strongly attached to Yin Yu and admires and cares for him, Yin Yu intentionally avoids Quan Yizhen, claiming that he despises him—though this hatred appears to be a front to conceal his own guilt and uneasiness. I find it incredibly moving that, despite everything that has transpired, Quan Yizhen has chosen to believe in Yin Yu's sincerity—despite what others say—and continues searching for him. Yin Yu is someone who struggles to see the good in himself—while Quan Yizhen can only see the good in Yin Yu. Despite their difficulties communicating, the extent they've gone to defend one another despite everything makes their care for one another evident.

07.) Pei Xiu × Banyue

Dare I say that this ship is one of the most underrated ones in the TGCF fandom… They somewhat serve as a parallel to HuaLian like most other hinted ship pairs in the series do. Pei Xiu's guilt and helplessness to save Banyue—along with his willingness to sacrifice himself and others to protect and avenge her—are reminiscent of Hua Cheng's feelings and actions. Similarly, Banyue's benevolent beliefs led to her achieving no success and culminated in her suffering, drawing a subtle parallel with Xie Lian's tribulations. On the other hand, Pei Xiu and Banyue differentiate themselves from HuaLian in a lot of ways. While Pei Xiu values Banyue over her own wishes and ends up harming innocent people, Hua Cheng greatly respects Xie Lian's desire to protect others and sacrifices himself instead. TGCF delves into the interplay between devotion, morality, and obsession—with several subsidiary relationships depicting the alternative trajectories the main pair could have followed under slightly different circumstances. This results in dynamics that are both notably comparable but also significantly distinct from the main pair in several of its prominent side pairs.

06.) FengQing │Feng Xin × Mu Qing

I'm sure their presence on their list was expected given that they're the most popular side ship in TGCF. Their immense popularity isn't without cause and can largely be attributed to their dynamic chemistry and abundance of comical canonical interactions. I'm a huge fan of the rivals-to-lovers trope which these two embody perfectly with their tension-filled interactions and contrasting personalities. Despite their distaste for one another they are almost always seen collaborating with one another, often not needing words to do so. They have also saved and protected one another numerous times. They bring out the best in one another as they are very closely matched in numerous respects, and as such their competitiveness drives them to strive for improvement. Although their lengthy history together denotes that they have a better understanding of each other than anyone else, the long-standing misconceptions they have of one another provide opportunities for them to grow as they work through them—which lends their dynamic a sense of novelty. Despite their contrasting viewpoints and personalities, they have the capacity to be a good match given Mu Qing's desire for acceptance and stability and Feng Xin's innate reliability and protectiveness.

05.) SongXiao │ Song Lan × Xiao Xingchen

It's a common conception that Xiao Xingchen was supposed to have his own separate story—I think that the depth of the bond between these two makes this even more apparent. That being said, the Yi City arc integrates itself well into the narrative of MDZS. Song Lan and Xiao Xingchen serve as a great parallel to WangXian. Both Xiao Xingchen and Wei Wuxian had noble aspirations and promising futures but instead fell into despair after doing what they felt was right brought them and their loved ones suffering. Furthermore, both characters sacrificed a part of themselves for a loved one, leaving themselves vulnerable. Likewise, Song Lan and Lan Wangji have similar dispositions and have both erratically pushed away the person they cared about most—leaving them to lament the person's death as they were unable to save them. Although their story ends tragically, their care for one another is evident in their final actions: Song Lan not alerting Xiao Xingchen of his presence to avoid hurting the latter with the revelation of Xue Yang's deception, and Xiao Xingchen taking his own life after discovering that he had been deceived into killing Song Lan. Furthermore, Xiao Xingchen's willingness to give up his sight for Song Lan is not just a display of his innate altruism—or to assuage his guilt—but is also a testament to his care for the latter.

04.) Pei Ming × Yushi Huang

I've really come to like this ship upon my second full read-through of TGCF. While they don't get many interactions, the ones they do get are quite telling. I never get tired of seeing the "pretty boy gets brought down to earth by a nonchalant girl" trope. In this regard, these two are somewhat reminiscent of the dynamic Jinshi x Maomao (The Apothecary Diaries) has. Pei Ming's awkwardness around Yushi Huang, and how he repeatedly finds himself saved by her despite his masculine chauvinism, is incredibly amusing. I maintain that this is the only pairing in which Pei Ming is not depicted as a suave heartbreaker—given that Yushi Huang subconsciously forces Pei Ming to confront his flaws and archaic viewpoints. In my opinion, a healthy relationship is one that continually encourages you to better yourself. Yushi Huang's genuine selflessness and humility sharply contrast with Pei Ming's excessive arrogance and egocentricity. Pei Ming and Yushi Huang are essentially the antithesis of one another, which adds to their complexity and chemistry. Their dynamic is further compounded by their uncomfortable history which necessitates for them to actively work at things for a relationship to work out.  In the original novel, I got the impression that there were some unrequited feelings on Pei Ming's end—and from what I've heard the revised version further hints at this. With that in mind, another aspect of this pairing that I appreciate is that it provides a sense of fulfilment regardless of whether it culminates in a mutual relationship or remains unreciprocated. In the latter case, there is a sense of poetic justice as Xuan Ji's curse on Pei Ming will have manifested as a punitive karma.

03.) LiuShen │ Liu Qingge × Shen Yuan

I'm not sure if this counts as the side ship, but I'm going to opt to include them... I've spoken about LiuShen here before—but I'll repeat a lot of what I said because it still stands... SVSSS is the only MXTX novel where I've fully committed to shipping a protagonist with a character aside from their main romantic interest. I just find something about LiuShen's dynamic so gripping... I truly adore all of their interactions. The little presents Liu Qingge occasionally brings Shen Qingqiu from missions along with him constantly returning the latter's lost fans are the cutest detail. They balance each other out so well, with Shen Qingqiu relying on Liu Qingge's physical strength and Liu Qingge trusting in Shen Qingqiu's vast knowledge and intellect. Liu Qingge is a relatively stubborn, aloof, and straightforward person—but Shen Qingqiu brings out this sort of determined, flustered, and complex side of him. The saddest thing for me is that it's highly implied in the extras that Liu Qingge thought that Shen Qingqiu was his soulmate... Shen Qingqiu while often subtly annoyed by Liu Qingge's aloofness and bluntness, clearly has a degree of respect and admiration for him. The way he sometimes finds himself inadvertently poetically describing Liu Qingge's features is both amusing and endearing. Another aspect in the canon narrative that makes me gravitate towards these two is the fact that Liu Qingge spent all those years trying to get Shen Qingqiu's deceased body back from Luo Binghe—despite there being nothing in return for him other than having his pride repeatedly trampled on. Out of all the MXTX pairings, I probably read the most fanfics of these two (& WangXian), so please drop any LiuShen fic recs in the comments below!

02.) XuanLi │ Jin Zixuan × Jiang Yanli

Generally speaking, I find people in the fandom either really like this pairing or really dislike it. While I somewhat understand people's misgivings, I do think many overlook the context of their relationship ignore and Jin Zixuan's character development. Although Jin Zixuan is initially immature and arrogant, he becomes more mature, upstanding and caring. His initial dissatisfaction with his arranged engagement to Jiang Yanli is comprehensible—considering no one desires to be coerced into a lifelong commitment—particularly when confronted with numerous instances of arranged unions resulting in turmoil. After their engagement is dissolved, Jin Zixuan is free to pursue anyone he likes, and it is only after maturing that he falls for Jiang Yanli's compassion and thoughtfulness. Only once his misguided assumptions about her are dispelled is he able to pursue her of his own volition. They complement each other—albeit in a more nuanced manner than WangXian. Jiang Yanli acts as a source of tranquillity, humility, and sincerity to Jin Zixuan—who is otherwise encircled by ostentatious and duplicitous individuals. While Jin Zixuan provides fulfilment, security, and assurance to Jiang Yanli—who has experienced significant loss and upheaval. In this sense, they remind me a lot of Kyo x Tohru (Fruits Basket), which makes me adore them even more. They were both brought up in households with parents who were constantly at odds and as a result, they share a strong desire to better themselves for each other. This is most notably seen when Jin Zixuan invites Wei Wuxian to their son's one-month banquet—despite their prior disputes—to make Jiang Yanli happy. It was truly endearing to see him swallow his pride and embarrassment whilst courting her, and one of my favourite details is that teases him about this after their marriage. I'd give anything for an added scene of them interacting with Jin Ling, their son who embodies their best traits despite them never having had the opportunity to raise him.

01.) Beefleaf │ He Xuan × Shi Qingxuan

Unsurprisingly, I had to rank these two at #1! Why am I so infatuated with these two, despite what occurred during the Black Water Arc? I do not know... But what I do know is that I don't go a week without thinking about them and what could have been... Their dynamic centres around the interplay of vengeance, duty, guilt, friendship, and betrayal—making them narratively complex and intriguing in a way that's different from HuaLian. I fear I'm secretly a sucker for unexpected angst... They pack in so many great complex tropes that I can't begin to list them all... Although I'm typically drawn towards happy endings, they satisfy my deep-seated yearning for angst—in a way that only Eren x Mikasa (Attack on Titan) has managed to do. The Black Water Arc is so messy because while you absolutely feel for Shi Qingxuan, you can totally understand He Xuan as well. That duality is quite difficult to pull off... I believe that we oftentimes tend to focus on Shi Qingxuan's sentiments towards He Xuan while rarely examining the latter's feelings. It's evident that He Xuan wanted to despise Shi Qingxuan but couldn't quite bring himself to. He practically acknowledged that he had wanted Shi Qingxuan to choose him over Shi Wudu by offering him several chances. While Shi Qingxuan never picked up on anything, and He Xuan couldn't let go of his desire for vengeance—the sentiment of "what if" will always remain. While I would've liked to see more of them in the series—particularly after their fallout—I liked how ambiguous and nuanced their feelings are portrayed towards one another. Although it is improbable that they would ever reconcile—it is apparent that Shi Qingxuan will spend the rest of his life rehashing the past, dwelling on overlooked details while wishing he had done things differently. Similarly, it is implied that He Xuan will be watching over Shi Qingxuan from a distance, wondering if he made the right decision—as suggested by the former returning the latter's fan and not having dissipated after exacting his revenge. They possess strikingly complementary yet contrasting aesthetics and attributes that evoke an ethereal, poetic quality. This is undoubtedly what allows me to hear them in so many songs and see them in so many things…  Just like with many other TGCF side pairings, several parallels can be drawn between Beefleaf and Hualian. Both Shi Qingxuan and Xie Lian—who are apart of the Famous Four Tales—are among the few gods who are compassionate, moral, and fair. He Xuan and Hua Cheng—both ghost kings apart of the Four Calamities—are seen as antisocial, haughty, and bothersome.

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Thanks to everyone who participated in the poll... Hopefully, this met your expectations. You're more than welcome to share your own lists and any fic recs in the comments! There are a lot of points that I chose not to expand on due to time constraints... So, if there's anything you want me to elaborate on, then feel free to send me an ask. My inbox is also open if you have any other questions or requests...

[rhaenyraqueenred]

The Untamed AU: Bridgerton Version with extract (invented) of Whistledown articles.

"Marquess Jiang Cheng, has found his heart ensnared by a most unexpected match. Lady Wen Qing is well-known for her compassion and skill, yet her family’s scandalous reputation has cast her as an outsider in our circles. How shocking, then, that the fiercely proud Marquess—one who values family and honor above all—should find himself drawn to a lady with such a tarnished lineage..."

"Now we turn to a romance far sweeter, though no less enthralling. Lady Jiang Yanli, the cherished flower of Lotus Pier, has long been a favorite of our ton. Kind, gentle, and ever graceful, she is as close to perfection as one might find in this world. It should surprise no one, then, that her hand was sought by the esteemed Duke Jin Zixuan of Lanling..."

"...But no one has captivated the ton quite like Wei Wuxian, that notorious rogue with a penchant for rule-breaking in everyone he meets. His wit is as sharp as his reputation is dark, but it seems one person alone has tamed the restless lord's heart: Marchess Lan Wangji of the Cloud Recesses..."

[stormblessed95]

Hi, newly making the transition from twitter to tumblr. I followed you for the BTS connection, but I noticed you are a fan of The Untamed. I just finished the show and now I'm working my way through the show again, the second book, and the anime (!) I have so many questions. I am curious why you think Yanli agreed to marry Jin Zixuan after he treated her so badly? That whole part of the story felt strange to me and I wonder if the books will explain it better? It was so random how he was such a jerk and then overnight decided he liked her. Any thoughts? Thanks!

Friend we are like in the SAME SPOT in the book so far! Lol I'm only through vol 2. I've seen the untamed and I haven't seen the donghua yet. But I've seen clips. I'll find someway to watch that one after I finish the books I'm sure. But i do think we are getting better characterizations in the novel then we got in the show. We are seeing so much more from every character!

As for Jin Zixuan and Jiang Yanli. I'm sure we will see more in future volumes, which could change my answer here....BUT for now, it honestly just gives me stupid teenage boy vibes. Lol i think he resented the idea of an arranged marriage (and look at his parents marriages, not exactly giving the idea to him growing up that marriage is fun 🙃 the serial cheating, the multiple half siblings born from said cheating, and the way they only tolerated each other). And I think he just handled that resentment poorly. He couldn't take it out on his parents, who he was ACTUALLY upset with, so he dealt with it by being a bitch to Yanli. Who didn't deserve it at all and is way more forgiving than I am 😂

But seriously, he was a young kid and handled his emotions badly. They were all teenagers in the cloud recesses flashbacks, like 16ish years old give or take. And then BARELY adults during the war. And he barely knew this girl he was supposed to marry for political alliances. It's fair to have not wanted that. But it's NOT fair for how he handled not wanting that 😂

And then once that pressure was removed and their engagement broken and Yanli's protective brothers punched some sense into him for his bad behavior once or twice and he grew up and got to know her. I think they just geniunely fell in love on their own. I definitely don't think it was an overnight change. Nor do I think he ever actually hated her. I think he was just pissy about his situation and handled it AWFULLY lol

And while Yanli forgives and forgets very quickly, her brothers seemed to be salty about it regardless of her loving him 🤣 at least in the show, we shall see how it is in the books. But yeah, I think he just grew up and Yanli doesn't seem to hold his past mistakes of harsh words to push her away against him.

And again. Who knows, my opinions here might change as I read more 🤷🏻‍♀️ I'm still only 2 books in out of 5!

If yall aren't careful, I will NEVER shut up about the MDZS characters because I'm reading these books now and it IS my current hyperfixation lol

*credit to the artists for the fanart*

[wipbigbang]

The final round of art claims is open at @wipbigbang! We have all sorts of great stories left in multiple fandoms, and we'd love any type of fanart for them: traditional art, digital art, fanmixes, moodboards, fic covers/chapter headers...any kind of art you can imagine!

The synopses are located at https://wipbigbang.dreamwidth.org/173272.html

The form is located at https://forms.gle/yyxkCxyXJopMTyUs8.

The Untamed/MDZS

#164

Title: Consequences

Pairing/Characters: Lan Wangji/Wei Wuxian, Jiang Cheng/Nie Huaisang, Nie Mingjue/Lan Xichen/Jin Guangyao, Jin Zixuan/Jiang Yanli

Rating Mature | M

Warnings/Tags: Major Character Death, it's the MCD from canon but extra un-death, so more Major Character Aliving on... several counts XD

Summary: "Blood as medium… Hand as means…"

Mo Xuanyu passed out and never woke again. Wei Wuxian took his place.

But there were people that loved him, too.

[cinemairon]

20/2 Happy Birthday Jin brothers

[iwanttoshareamorange]

More art from the fic I’m working on, wwx and jyl are both demonic cultivators and sometimes their husbands have to yoink them when they get in over their heads

(Fic is Brother I Never Left (Please Let Me Stay) by KnivesInParadise on Ao3)

[kjwaikiki]

Protective Jiang Yanli Headcanon:

I have this idea in my head where Jiang Yanli is a bit more protective and political than in canon.

In my head when Wei Wuxian comes to Lotus Pier Jiang Yanli latches on to him just as he seems to latch on to her. Here is someone who needs her, who to a certain degree relies on her. In many ways Jiang Yanli sees Wei Wuxian as her child because she is the one that raises him.

The political side comes in regarding her engagement to Jin Zixuan. Wei Wuxian isn’t treated well by Yu Ziyuan and Yanli knows that her father won’t step in to stop Yu Ziyuan from hurting Wei Wuxian. So Yanli comes up with a plan. Yanli plans to take Wei Wuxian with her to Koi Tower.

Of course this brings its own set of difficulties. She will have to convince her father to let Wei Wuxian go, the toxic environment of Koi Tower, and the fact that Jin Zixuan resents their engagement.

Jiang Yanli schemes. The easiest to overcome is Zixuan’s dislike, she just needs to make him see her as a victim or ally rather than an enemy. This idea leads to her ultimate plan.

Yanli is going to poison herself while she is at Koi Tower. She is going to lay the blame on either one of the female Jin disciples who acted out of jealousy or one of Jin Guangshan’s cronies with the excuse that they think closer ties with Yunmeng Jiang will cause a decrease in their power (or something similar). The point is that she needs there to be an initial panic, investigation, and ultimately while someone will be caught Yanli needs there to be doubt in her parents’ minds as to whether Koi Tower is safe for her.

At this point Yanli will request that Wei Wuxian comes to Koi Tower and acts as her bodyguard. She knows that with the recent poisoning attempt her father will be weak to her request and more likely to grant it. It will be even more effective if she can get Jin Zixuan to request that Wei Wuxian come to Koi Tower to look after her because her parents can’t deny a sect heir easily.

Jin Zixuan will make the request because after Yanli poisons herself and her fiancé comes to see her she will tearfully request that he bring one of her brothers to Koi Tower. She will say she is afraid and that she misses her brothers. She will act weak and pitiful to soften Jin Zixuan’s heart to her. Jin Zixuan will see how Yanli was poisoned by someone of his sect and see her as a victim. He will pity her and thus accept her request and bring it up to her parents.

Of course Jiang Cheng cannot come to Koi Tower he is the sect heir and must stay in Yunmeng Jiang where it is safe. Wei Wuxian however is much more free to come to Koi Tower and look after his Shijie.

Jiang Yanli is happy. Months of planning, carefully building up an immunity to poison, and gathering the necessary ingredients have all payed off. As for the toxic cloud hanging over Koi Tower, there was already one poisoning attempt who is to say that there won’t be a second and that Jin Guangshan is the unfortunate victim this time. Of course with Jin Guangshan dead and Jin Zixuan the new sect leader Wei Wuxian will need to stay at Koi Tower indefinitely to protect Jiang Yanli.

I’m not sure how this ends. Maybe with Jin Ling’s birth or maybe with Wei Wuxian marrying Lan Wangji. I don’t know how much Jiang Cheng or Wei Wuxian know about Jiang Yanli’s plan. I am aware that Jiang Yanli can be considered OC. In the end this is just an idea that I had and wanted to share. I hope you like it!

[naehja]

Jin Zixuan: Brother, i didn't drank THAT much last night Jin Guangyao: You flirted with lady Jiang Jin Zixuan: So what? She's my fiancee! We'll be married in one month! Jin Guangyao: You asked her if she was betrothed to someone. Jin Zixuan: … Jin Guangyao: and you cried (on my shoulder) when she said that she was getting married next month.

[chirpycloudyrobin]

Previous || Masterlist || START || Next

Interlude: godly husband and wife break some heavenly rules to take care of son, new heavenly emperor finds this adorable and lets them get away with it

jiang yanli ascends first, despite dying after jin zixuan. turns out fate sees sacrificing yourself as a non-combatant with very low cultivation for a demonic cultivator who is at the brink of insanity takes some insane balls. fate sticks her in the water master role immediately after ascension and heaven sighs in relief that shes not another water tyrant.

jin zixuan ascends second as the new martial god of lanling or maybe shandong. technically he got his heavenly calamity shortly after dying but he wanted to stay behind and wait for his family to pass on naturally before ascending. fate saw it as very romantic and let the man do his thing.

they both agree that wei wuxian is not to be blamed for their deaths and to bring him up as a deputy god when the time comes.

their first and foremost worry is, of course, their baby jin ling. they cant go to him immediately as they have to settle in their new roles as gods. they have to establish themselves first, and that means amassing believers.

it takes them a few years but eventually they have a good cluster of worshippers within lanling and yunmeng and other, scattered areas. nobody really recognises them as the former lanling jin heir and the former young mistress of jiang since most of their worshippers are either non-cultivators or rogue cultivators who dont want shit to do with the formal cultivation sects. righteous clan cultivators, after all, dont have time to practice something so common as the common folk's religion.

they first appear to jin ling through dreams. jin ling knows them as his parents as soon as he was able to understand. granted he still gets pretty upset that he only gets to be with them through his dreams but jiang yanli and jin zixuan are stretching the rules pretty thinly already.

it's through his dreams that jin ling gets the full picture surrounding his parents' deaths. he still hates wei wuxian just a little bit, but that's just grief for you.

when jiang yanli and jin zixuan get their own deputy gods, they assign a couple of them to infiltrate jinlintai and end up working close to jin ling. through them, jin ling was able to have an additional way of contacting his parents short of actually, physically meeting them. the couple essentially strong armed their way into raising jin ling from beyond their mortal time, but heaven and fate are apparently okay with it.

so jin ling grows up with his parents' influence. he has jin zixuan's tsundere tendencies, but around those he is closest with he is a bit of an extreme mother hen. he has few friends around his age, still, but hes a lot less lonely compared to his canon counterpart. he has his martial aunts and uncles, the deputy gods his parents sent to teach and take care of him. when he grew old enough to go on night hunts, he often takes detours with his caretakers to help his parents' worshippers. he does it enough that he ends up being known as his parents' messenger or (more embarrassingly) their priest. he cannot let the cultivation world know of that. absolutely not.

does jiang cheng know of his sister and his brother-in-law's ascension and their active participation in the raising of jin ling ? absolutely. the first thing jiang yanli did when they met in the dream world was apologise for leaving him all alone, but also whack him upside the head for the absolute stupidity he and wei wuxian got into after her death. jiang cheng had to confront his complicated emotions about wei wuxian a lot sooner. jiang yanli is severely unpaid as the family therapist.

jiang cheng makes up for it by helping build temples of her around yunmeng and the hubei area.

overall, their family is as perfect as can be. almost.

one final question lingered: where was wei wuxian ?

wwx had died, yes, but they found no sign of him in the heavens. according to (reluctant) heavenly emperor xie lian, he wasnt in ghost city either. they scoured the earth but no fragment of his soul could be found.

maybe jin ling hates wwx a little for worrying his mother and uncle with his disappearing shenanigans. maybe.

and then the dancing goddess of dafan mountain happened. his jiujiu thinks wwx somehow took over the body of the dude who was with mo xuanyu. who he proceeds ??? to whip ??? jin ling is definitely tattling to his mother.

in their shared dreamscape that night, he does tattle to his mother. unfortunately, his jiujiu also tattles on him for taking the dancing goddess head on. theyre both scolded to hell and back that night.

whatever. at least they have a clue where wwx's soul had gone. does it weirdly coincide with heavenly news of a newborn calamity level ghost ? yes. but what is a calamity-level ghost against the wrath and worry of a big sister ?

[khepiari]

WangXian Fic Update: Chapter 4 of Lan Wangji's Accidental Husband Is An Airheaded Cutie!

Summary:

A.U. Set In Old Times, Slow-Burn, Underage protagonists who will fall in love and grow into adulthood, Happy Ending. Pairing: Lan Wangji x Wei Wuxian| Jiang Yanli x Jin Zixuan| Mo Xuanyu x Nie Huaisang At thirteen, Wei Wuxian thought he was the cleverest, he could solve any problem with his intellect and protect his loved ones with a punch! When his favourite person, Jiang Yanli is forced into an arranged marriage with a seventeen-year old Lan Wangji, Wei Wuxian hatches a plan! He offers himself as a decoy bride so that Jiang Yanli can elope with her beau Jin Zixuan! Once away from his home and inside Gusu Lan Sect, Wei Wuxian would reveal his true identity and get kicked out immediately! Simple and easy plan, right? Lan Wangji has other ideas!

Chapter 4: Lan Wangji's Little Husband Makes His Debut As The Lan-er Furen 

BEGINNING OF SEVEN DAY CULTIVATION CONFERENCE 

Day 1: Early Morning

Steps of Lanlin Jin Sect

Little Lan-er Furen was nervous, extremely nervous, to be precise. His fingers had turned into iron claws that were digging into my arm. When he had offered himself as the decoy bride, he had never imagined this reality. A simple plan of deception that I ruined for personal reasons.

Wei Ying looked gorgeous for his part, unfortunately, he looked way younger than his age. Which was “not good” for my already tarnished reputation, Nie Mingjue whispered. 

After all, this grand debut of the Lan-er Furen was the most anticipated event of this conference. And it would be troublesome if people who loved to stretch their tongues continued to gossip about the unripe fruit that I, a perverted man, had plucked from Jiang Sect’s garden.

As long as Wei Ying and my close people understood that I plucked the fruit, but I did not intend to devour him, it didn’t bother me much. My brother and Nie Mingjue didn’t like this attitude of mine. “Can we go back?” Wei Ying whispered and snapped me out of my thoughts.

“Are you feeling unwell?”

“My stomach feels like a wash basin. Everything inside is going gulul gulgul glu.” I think I understood what he was implying. “What if I vomit it all out?” Wei Ying’s strength was a death grip, he dug his fingers deeper into my arm. He was beyond nervous. “Or worse, shit on my expensive robes? We can’t shame you, dear husband!” My little husband was dead serious.

“My sweet, you are nervous. It's alright.” I gently uncoiled the claws and took his palm in mine. After interlocking our fingers, I bent my head and asked, “Better?” Wei Ying nodded.

“Shall we?” My brother asked. I nodded, and we began walking towards the grand hall of Jins.

The walk to the hall was not hard. But Wei Ying was not used to so many things pinned to his head and attached to his clothes. Since we had been married for more than a month, it was evident my husband preferred practical and fuss-free clothes. He absolutely disliked the long sleeves of my robes; if he had his way, he would have cut them. If my naughty husband had his way, he would be walking in here wearing a thin cotton undershirt and pants while his hair would be coiled with a calligraphy brush.

My husband followed me like a duckling as we walked on. Every eye was on us, and every tongue was waiting to wag. One misstep, one misspoken word, one misinterpreted exchange, and we would be a topic of discussion for the next seven months.

My brother and Nie Mingjue did a fantastic job of walking ahead and using their height to shield us. For now, it was all right. “How many steps are there?” Wei Ying hissed softly. “Why can’t we just create a device to fly up these monstrosities?”

“I heard 3000,” I informed. “Before you say, ‘Just like Gusu has 3000 rules which are pointless, ’ I agree with you.”

Seeing that I understood how his brain worked a little bit, my little husband gave a little nod. “I will faint. I am weak. My legs are soggy like three-day-old rice noodles.” And the dramatic voice was back. “I will trip and fall and twist my ankle because I can’t bear the burden of these titles and such expensive hair ornaments.” Where did he learn all this nonsense? It cannot be those romance novels alone, so I still wonder where he picked all these from.

“Lies.” I couldn’t chuckle openly, but my voice carried my tone to him just fine. “My little Wei Ying is way stronger than the children of his age.” 

Finding I had no intention to fall for his theatrics, he sighed, “They are waiting to gobble us, ain't they?”

“Yes.”

“So, my task is to stay out of trouble?”

With all my might, I resisted the urge to raise my eyebrow and instead asked, “Can you?” Mentally, I finished the rest of my statement in my mind, but I doubt it. “Just try to stay away from the spotlight, if possible.”

Every year, Cultivation conferences have a series of scandals, and only one Scandal stands out and gets inked into the public memory. My only hope was that we didn’t become that standout scandal this season. 

Last year, one of the two Wen Heirs brought his mistress instead of his official wife or his appointed concubines. People generally turn a blind eye if the companion is a ranked concubine, accompanying the Sect leaders or Sect heirs to such events. Bringing a mistress of no stature to the conference was seen as an insult. Last year’s host, Yueyang Chang Clan, was a relatively younger and smaller sect, and they didn’t dare to call out this behaviour, and let the Wen Heir move and gallop around shamelessly. Their public display of affection bordered on vulgar, and none said a single word to them. As if having more than one life partner was not an act of moral degeneracy, he had to exhibit his foul nature with pride; his wandering hands were such a problem that multiple women who had arrived at the conference left early. 

Everyone turned a blind eye. Almost everyone. When I did raise my voice, every other sect leader begged me not to bring trouble. Each leader had the same message: “The Wens are too powerful and wealthy.” Then my father told me to leave the Conference immediately.  

The year before that, the Laoling Qin Clan saw its host get drunk on the first day and punch another minor sect leader. This led to the breaking down of their trading agreement, and their borders have been a mess, which further helped the Wens dig their claws in. 

The scandal of this year had already begun. It was about me, bringing in a child spouse who was of the same-sex!

So, it was redundant not to expect trouble. Trouble not running into Wei Ying was impossible; before leaving, Sister An had mused that it was in his horoscope. I would love it if he didn’t run into any issues, but it was a pointless waste of my hope.

When we reached the middle of the steps, Wei Ying replied softly, “I cannot promise about staying out of trouble.” My heart wanted to crack open like a coconut and let a laugh out. Instead of a worded reply, I offered him an equally soft squeeze.

Read more:

https://archiveofourown.org/works/44782600/chapters/161518660

[symphonyofsilence]

‼️Spoiler for lots of anime and MDZS‼️

Six feet under || many Anime and Danmei de*d couples

Happy valentines!💕

[frostfires-blog]

Módào Zǔshī Hanakotoba Analysis Part 2

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-> 4) Lotus/Water Lily

-> 4.1.) Lotus/Water Lily Flower Symbolism:

Despite having a few differentiating characteristics, lotuses (Nelumbo nucifera) and water lilies (Nymphaea) are often confused with one another. As a result, there is a lot of overlap in their symbolic meanings, to the point that they convey the same sentiments across multiple cultures. In China, lotuses are known as lián huā (蓮花) or hé huā (荷花), whereas water lilies are known as shuìlián (睡莲) and héhuā (荷花).  Lotuses are known as the "gentleman's flower" in China because they grow upwards pure and unstained from the mud. The flower is thus associated with perseverance, elegance, resilience, as well as ultimate purity of mind and heart. The lotus is revered as a sacred flower in Buddhism, representing the essence of divine beauty, wisdom, humility grace and rebirth. It is also a sign of moral integrity, emphasising the importance of maintaining inner purity and virtuous behaviour in the face of worldly temptations. The word “l蓮” (lián) also sounds like “連續” (liánxù) which means continuous. This conveys the idea of constant growth and spiritual progress thus making the lotus a symbol of the continuous pursuit of knowledge, wisdom, and enlightenment. The lotus also has profound significance in Taoism, representing serenity, balance, and the "interconnectedness of all things and the inherent harmony within the universe".  The lotus' adaptability to various environments embodies the Taoist concept of living in harmony with nature, flowing with life's rhythms, and preserving equilibrium in the face of change. Additionally, the lotus' ability to rejuvenate and blossom year after year, despite the shifting seasons, represents the continuous cycle of life, death, and rebirth. Part of the lotus flower’s Chinese name “l蓮” (lián) is homophonous with the words “聯” (lián) meaning “to bind/connect as in marriage”; “戀” (liàn) meaning to love; and “廉” (lián) meaning modesty. As a result, the lotus flower has also come to symbolise union, love and marriage in Chinese culture and is thus a prominent motif in both historical and modern works to convey love and emotion. Lotuses are commonly used in bridal bouquets as a symbol of luck and 100 years of love.  A single stem bearing two lotus flowers represents the desire for harmony and a shared heart. This is derived from the fact that the “荷” (hé) in the lotus’ other Chinese name also means “union” and is homophonous with the word “和” (hé) meaning uninterrupted or one after another. Furthermore, a lotus flower with a leaf and bud symbolises complete union. In Japan, lotuses are called ren (蓮) or hasu (はす), while water lilies are called suiren (睡蓮). In hanakotoba, lotuses symbolise a pure heart, eloquence, sacredness and departing love—while water lilies symbolise a pure heart, faith and trust. Additionally, both flowers are also associated with rebirth, transformation, enlightenment, beauty, grace, and perfection. In Western floriography, water lilies symbolize purity of the heart, virtue, innocence, achieving great things, beauty rising from humble beginnings and bringing together separate things. Pink waterlilies are commonly associated with feelings of admiration. Since its scientific name was derived from the mythical Greek nymph, water lilies also symbolise dangerous beauty and estranged love.

-> 4.2.) Lotus'/Water Lilies in MDZS:

Lotuses are the most commonly referenced flower in MDZS, and they are generally associated with the Yunmeng Jiang clan. This is due to the clan's insignia, a nine-petaled lotus, as well as the name of their residence, Lotus Pier. According to the novel, the compound is surrounded by “pink blossoms with broad jade-green leaves rose from the depths of the lake, whose waters spanned hundreds of kilometres […] giving the lovely scenery a sort of charming innocence” (MXTX, v. 3, p. 9).

The lotus’ symbolic meanings best embody the characters of Jiang Yanli and Wei Wuxian. > 4,2,1) Jiang Yanli: The flower's symbolic representation of virtue, modesty, innocence, beauty, faith, grace, and purity of the heart perfectly conveys Jiang Yanli's kind and caring demeanour. Jiang Yanli's relationship with Jin Zixuan is a key aspect of her character. The lotus' symbolism of love, union, marriage, and a shared heart corresponds with this. Additionally, in both the web drama and MDZS Q, Jin Zixuan grows lotus flowers as a gift for Jin Yanli. > 4,2,2) Wei Wuxian: Wei Wuxian's life can be divided into three parts: his time as the first disciple of the Jiang clan, his time as the Yiling Laozu, and his life after his resurrection as Mo Xuanyu. During his youth with the Jiang clan, he was a promising upcoming cultivator with a humble background. Despite displaying a mischievous and carefree attitude, he was intelligent, dedicated, virtuous and possessed a strong sense of justice. This ties into the lotus’ symbolism of flowing with life's rhythms, wisdom, perseverance, virtue and beauty from humble beginnings. As the Yiling Laozu, he defies convention by developing an unorthodox cultivation path that deviates from the norm. This corresponds with the lotus' symbolism of the continuous pursuit of knowledge, wisdom and achieving great things. He is determined to protect the innocent regardless of prejudicial beliefs—however, this sense of justice renders him capable of brutality at times. This is what inevitably results in him being seen as an outcast in the cultivation world. Ultimately, his power overwhelms him, causing many casualties given that “no one can walk along a single-plank bridge their entire lives and never fall” (MXTX, v. 2, p. 173). This turn of events all juxtaposed against the lotus’ symbolism of preserving stability in the face of change and achieving ultimate purity of mind and heart. After his resurrection, as a result of his experiences as both a hero and a pariah to the cultivation world, Wei Wuxian sees nuance where many do not and often expresses regret and admits his faults—“You’re not the only ones who remember what I’ve done. I remember too. You won’t forget—what makes you think I will?” (MXTX, v. 4, p. 174). This ties into the lotus’ symbolism of wisdom, constant growth and spiritual progress as well as the continuous cycle of life, death, and rebirth. Additionally, his courtesy name Wuxian (无羡) is derived from the last line of a poem by Xu Ben which translates to “to be free of envy and aspire to greater heights; not be misguided by honorary reputation and personal gain”. This ties into the lotus’ symbolism of maintaining inner purity and virtuous behaviour in the face of worldly temptations.

-> 5) Peony

-> 5.1.) Peony Symbolism:

Peonies (Paeonia) are known as mǔdān (牡丹) in China and were regarded as China’s national flower during the Tang Dynasty (618 to 907 A.D.). In accordance with this, they symbolise prosperity, honour, wealth and beauty, love and happiness. The Chinese term for peonies means "the most beautiful” while other Chinese names for peonies are "fùguìhuā" and "huawang," which translate to "king of the flowers" and "flower of riches and honour," respectively. In Japan, peonies are called botan (牡丹) and symbolize shyness, wealth and regalness in hanakotoba. The flower's profound appearance, notably its multitudes of large petals that are thin and silk-like, is where the peony’s symbolism of wealth and regalness originated. In Western floriography, peonies represent bashfulness and compassion.

-> 5.2.) Peonies in MDZS:

In the series, a white peony cultivar named “Sparks Amidst Snow” is used as the symbol of the Langling Jin Clan. It is said that “by comparing themselves to the king of flowers, they implied they were kings among immortals” (MXTX, v.1, p. 65).  This ties in with the peony flower’s symbolic meanings of prosperity, wealth, honour and regalness. Furthermore, pink peonies are often associated with the novel’s central love story between Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji. During the Siege Hunt at Mount Baifeng, Wei Wuxian throws a pink peony to Lan Wangji amidst the parade. Later, while on a trip to Yunmeng, the latter once again encounters Wei Wuxian who throws him another pink peony. In this audio drama adaptation of this scene, Wei Wuxian asks a ghost woman what the meaning of peony is, and she responds that it means "wishing you would return my feelings" or to part with a heavy heart." Years later, following Wei Wuxian's death and resurrection, he finds a pressed peony flower that Lan Wangji uses as a bookmark. This peony was noted by Wei Wuxian as being “extremely well preserved, [with] the colours still vivid and the veins on its petals so delicately textured that it still looked alive” (MXTX, v. 3, p. 191). Given Lan Wangji's sentimental nature, this peony is undoubtedly one of those given to him by Wei Wuxian. The flower’s association with the pair ties into its symbolic meanings of love, compassion, and happiness.

-> 6) Willow Tree

-> 6.1.) Willow Tree Symbolism:

Willow trees are known as liǔ (柳) in China. They are regarded as a symbol of friendship, long-lasting affection, and "urging someone to stay." Willow trees are also connected with spring, therefore they can represent renewal, resilience, the cyclical cycle of existence and the revival of life after a dormant period in winter. Additionally, the willow tree's supple branches can convey an image of meekness and humility. The willow tree's interwoven branches symbolise the depth of friendship because similarly to how branches connect and support one another, genuine friendship is also based on trust, understanding, and mutual support. The willow tree is also associated with separation from loved ones, prompting feelings of sorrow and longing. Willow branches are commonly utilised in Chinese funeral rites as a symbol of grief and remembrance. Willows, known in Japan as yanagi (柳), represent obedience, independence, and the melancholy of love in hanakotoba. The willow’s symbolism of obedience is derived from how its leaves sway in the wind. In contradiction with this, its symbolic meaning of freedom also stems from how freely its leaves sway in the wind. In Western floriography, willows are associated with both freedom and sadness. Weeping willows in particular represent grief, melancholy, and mourning.

-> 6.2.) Willow Trees in MDZS:

Given its symbolic meanings, willow trees can be associated with Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian’s complicated, but strong dynamic. This is supported by Wei Wuxian specially mentioning a willow tree when remising about his youth spent in Lotus Pier with Jiang Cheng—“there was an old willow tree rooted on the bank, with a thick, sturdy trunk that slanted over the water and branches that trailed onto its surface. The boys of Lotus Pier would often walk along the trunk of this particular willow tree to sit and fish from the treetop” (MXTX, v. 3, p. 109). While the duo's bond started as one of trust, support, and mutual understanding, it has distorted into one of melancholy, mourning, and longing. This juxtaposition encompasses all of the willow's connotations across various cultures. The willow’s association with spring, renewal, resilience and revival could be indicative that Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian’s bond could be repaired if given time, considering that they never properly reconciled because of Jiang Cheng’s reluctance—“But just as the Wei Wuxian of the past who’d extracted his golden core for Jiang Cheng had been unable to tell him the truth, the Jiang Cheng of the present could no longer bring himself to speak up” (MXTX, v. 5, p. 127).

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╰┈➤ Part 1

╰┈➤ TGCF Hanakotoba Post Part 1

╰┈➤ Other Hanakotoba Posts

[Please check out part 1 as well! If anyone has any ideas on what anime/anime theme song I should cover next in this series please lmk✿ Also, if you liked this post, check out my other hanakotoba analysis posts... Lastly, if I've gotten any of the kanji, romaji, hanzi or pinyin incorrect, feel free to correct me]

[searchingforserendipity25]

no water in the gardens, no flowers in the water.

300 words. AO3

Have you head, have you seen Sect Leader Jiang and Sect Leader Jin, whenever she comes to Koi Tower? He blushes like a boy hoping for.a moonlight walk still when he greets her. 

Hearing the gossips speak, then, one would think the affair a certainty, a sordid thing.

But their walks were done in daylight, with courtiers spying behind walls and screens, and all they spoke of was the counting of grain and the hunting of foul beasts.

They made a point of it. Deep bows when trading courtesies during Cultivation Conferences, deep but equal. No excessive toasting, and no goading to be tolerated - it never was.

No room in the Jianghu that Jiang-zongzhu could not quiet. The gossips said that, too; and mostly that, after some years passed, and old betrothals were forgotten into ancient history.

Always in company, for of course Jin Zixuan was forever surrounded by a cloud of disciples and aides, thick as dragonflies in summer at first; and then fewer, a well-pruned collection of peony-yellow robes, those few that had served in the Sunshot Campaign with him, and survived his father's underhanded displease in the years after victory.

Jiang Yanli, all knew, was forever accompanied by her sworn sword whenever she left Lotus Pier under her brother's keeping.

The Yiling Patriarch was a terror, only kept half-tame beneath her chiding glance; and he was a devoted chaperone, also, as much as he ever had been.

Devoted, in making certain no spies hid in the eaves, none besides the high moon glinting off the golden walls. Wei Wuxian leapt to his guarding place, scratched his nose. Tilted his ear towards the whispers of ghosts and demons, tried his best to ignore the murmuring. A-Xuan, A-Li. The rustling of reeds, a sound like water running, rippling.

[incorrect-web-novels]

Wei Wuxian to Jiang Yanli: You're such a strong, beautiful, kind, and vibrant woman. How did you end up married to such a boiled potato?

(Source)