#lian cha

[madammonkie]

Lmao i saw your daddy issue shirt post and i realized that the whole nezha's assistant gang has daddy issues including Lian Cha

welcome to the club, Lian Cha

[kiraisrika]

I've been offline for who knows how long pls accept this art of my oc as an apology

[movielosophy]

Derailment | What if she gets the wrong idea?

[zellia-rambles]

Doodles of my other oc bc why not

Jia Dragon, Hazel's sister. She's a year younger than Hazel. She's 165 cm tall. Has a crush fan on MK since she was collage. She accidentally found him somewhere on social media.

Lian Lanfen (She had been sitting on my oc wip for TWO YEARS) was one of my not so-mainly oc. She's a murder alongside with her bf mate, Migze (which I can show you in the future maybe). She's 165 cm tall

Ivy Dragon (not pepper) is Hazel's mom. She's like 57? I guess?? Years old. She's 163 cm tall (haha taller child than mother go vrr). Her husband is Peter Dragon, which I haven't design it yet (I'm lazy hrhrhrh)

A 5 year old version of Hazel! Before disaster ofc 👌🏻

Chamomile Daisy, or Cha. Aka Wukong and Hazel's first child from three (when they're already married lol). Literally never smiles after that sudden incident because she (spoiler)

Yue Kira. She's a one tailed fox from a family with her parents had two and her sister had three. She's abused, because her sister is better (her father said that lol). She was paired with Nezha bc why not (don't hate me. I did not say that Nezha is 12)

She's like.. 164 cm tall

Xia Lí, a cat. (I redesign her for like three times and now she's a furry)

She is the second child from two. Her brother's name is Louis and he's in collage to study for Doctor (Dr.). Her mom died when she gave birth to Xia. Her father was mad at her and become abusive to her.

She was paired with Yin. Because I said so.

She's 165 cm tall

[onthewaytosomewhere]

the wip-iest of days

so after a bit of delay - i.e. distraction in the another wip variety i'm back in my southern philanthropy words.

thanks ever so much (dr, alex) @theprinceandagcd & @typicalopposite for the early wednesday tag! 💚

words and lots of tags under the cut

“I have it on good authority that anyone from Texas can be a cowboy with the right attire, though that drawl of yours makes me think you wouldn’t need the clothes for it.”

“I have a friend that used to say that every Texan was one cowboy hat or flannel away from singing ‘Home on the Range.’” Percy cocks his head, and Liam elaborates, “It’s an old song we all had to learn to sing in grade school and all about ‘that cowboy life’”

“Yeah, I’m somewhat familiar with the song …” Percy trails off, and Liam seizes the opportunity to get them back on track; after all, he was promised to be allowed to play the part of the broncing buck. His fingers make quick work of undoing Percy’s fly, and he follows as Percy stands back on the floor at the side of the bed and assists Lian in pushing the not-quite-leather pants to the floor.

Liam is curious about how they can be both leather but also something else he can’t place, and he is about to ask when he realizes Pez is standing in front of him in nothing but a thong. They leave nothing to the imagination, clinging to his uncut cock, and Liam slides his finger along them, sliding one under the waistband and exposing the tip of Percy’s cock. He leans in and licks at the exposed tip, tonguing the foreskin still clinging to the head. He watches as it slides down to rest just under the tip and tongues at the frenulum there on the underside of what might be the prettiest cock he’s ever seen, and he hasn’t even seen it all. He hooks a finger in the silky thong, tugging it down to expose the rest of the cock, he really wants to get his mouth around.

💚💚no-presssure, tag ur it to @adreamareads @agame-writes @anincompletelist @bitbybitwrites @blueeyedgrlwrites

@dragonflylady77 @duchessdepolignaca03 @england-would-fall @firenati0n @firstsprinces

@forever-fixating @getmehighonmagic @henryspearl @heysweetheart-writes @hgejfmw-hgejhsf

@inell @inexplicablymine @itsmaybitheway @jellibuns @jmagnabo92

@junebugclaremontdiaz @kiwiana-writes @littlemisskittentoes @lizzie-bennetdarcy @mikibwrites

@msmarvleouswinchester @nocoastposts @piratefalls @priincebutt @softboynick

@sophie1973 @sparklepocalypse @stellarm @suseagull04 @tailsbeth-writes

@taste-thewaste @thedramasummer @thesleepyskipper @thinkof-england @tinyarmedtrex

@wordsofhoneydew @yrsacdfox @indestructibleheart @everwitch-magicks

@cricketnationrise @orchidscript @cha-melodius

@captainjunglegym @eusuntgratie @bigassbowlingballhead @violetbaudelaire-quagmire @oxfordslutphase

[visualtaehyun]

I still have yet to finish ep. 4 of Naughty Babe because I keep getting side-tracked by pronoun choices, the tiger symbolism, the color-coding, and my draft about Yi and his name(s). Since it's all starting to merge in my head, I figured I'd at least attempt to combine the easy ones for a start:

More pronouns (and some names)

Disclaimer: not a native speaker of Thai, still learning 🙏

Diao's father: Sattha ศรัทธา /sat thaa/ = faith, belief; have faith/confidence

- calls himself อา /aa/ = lit. younger sibling of father; uncle - calls Yi: คุณอี้ /khun Yi/ = Mr. Yi; Yi is his nickname - calls Diao: คนเดียว /Kondiao/ = Diao's full nickname

Diao's stepmother: Orn อร /awn/ = beautiful (woman); make happy

- calls herself น้า /naa/ = lit. younger sibling of mother; aunt - calls Yi คุณอี้ /khun Yi/

Diao's younger siblings: Tam and Tem แทม & เทม /taem & tem/ = I don't know that these hold meaning, might be shortened from something like Tambourine, Thames etc. or they've just been given these nicknames because they sound good together

- call Diao พี่เดียว /phi Diao/ = lit. older sibling; polite, used for anyone older - call Yi เฮีย(อี้) /hia (Yi)/ = lit. older brother; polite, of Chinese origin, and used for an older male, it's how Diao, Kuea and Yi's sisters all call him

Yi's father: Makorn มกร /ma gawn/ = dragon, sea monster

- calls Diao น้องเดียว /nong Diao/ = used to address any younger person; calling someone nong+[name] reads as affectionate - calls himself ป๊า/ป๋า /bpaa/ with Diao and with Yi generally only when Diao is present lol = dad, Pa -> Diao uses these reciprocally, so Makorn ป๊า/ป๋า /bpaa/ and himself น้องเดียว /nong Diao/ which is so endearing

- calls Yi มึง /mueng/ = rude informal 2nd person pronoun - calls himself กู /guu/ with Yi = rude informal 1st person pronoun -> these are the same pronouns Yi and Lian use with each other for example -> Yi calls his dad ป๊า/ป๋า /bpaa/ and himself ผม /pom/ = polite male 1st person pronoun

Yi's younger sisters: Ing-Ing Chatchada * อิงอิง ฉัตรชฎา * Aun-Aun Chatchanok * อันอัน ฉัตรชนก * ฉัตร /chat/ = a type of royal regalia shaped like a multi-tiered umbrella + ชฎา /cha daa/ = a headdress used in Thai classical dance and theater + ชนก /cha nok/ = father *the sisters' last name(s) are unknown afaik

- call Yi เฮีย /hia/ - Aun-Aun calls Diao พี่ธชา /phi Tacha/ that one time = Tacha is Diao's first name

Aun-Aun, Ing-Ing, and Yi-Yi

Yi Phayak Chatdecha Chen อี้ พยัคฆ์ ฉัตรเดชา เฉิน พยัคฆ์ /pha yak/ = tiger + เดชา /deh chaa/= power, heat เฉิน /chen/ = a common Chinese surname

Kuea and Diao think he's lost his marbles because he just went /ee ing ing an an/ as if he's making baby babbling noises lmao until Kuea realizes that Chinese nicknames commonly use reduplication and all three nicknames go together... almost like they're siblings haha... who'd have thunk, what a funny misunderstanding, hia Yi 🫠

Yi-Yi is delightfully cutesy for Mr. tiger himself, no?

ผมฉายาพยัคฆ์กระดูกเหล็ก /pom chaa yaa pha yak gra dook lek/ = I'm called the iron-bone tiger!

Sure, honey.

[kiarakarma]

what are some of your other ships that you like? except for huaxian ofc

Well aside from HuaXian...

I also ship HanXian (Wen Ruohan x Wei Wuxian) & MingXian (Nie Mingjue x Wei Wuxian) 🫣🫣🫣

But other ships I really like are:

Jun Wu × Xie Lian - JunLian

Yan Wushi × Shen Qiao

Song Lan × Xiao Xingchen - SongXiao

Feng Xin × Mu Qing

Jin Guangyao × Mo Xuanyu

Mobei-Jun × Shang Qinghua

Mei Hanxue × Xue Meng × Mei Hanyue

Mo Ran × Chu Wanning - RanWan

Yue Qingyuan × Shen Jiu

Luo Binghe × Gongyi Xiao - BingXiao

Liu Qingge × Shen Yuan - LiuShen

Jiang Cheng × Nie Huaisang

Nan Feng × Fu Yao

I forgot to add:

Baek Cheon × Chung Myung

Yi Zaha × Cha Sungtae

[godzilla-reads]

Godzilla’s Top 5 Dragon Children’s Books

🐲 The Truth About Dragons by Julie Leung and Hanna Cha

🐲 100 Mighty Dragons All Named Broccoli by David LaRochelle and Lian Cho

🐲 Amy Wu and the Patchwork Dragon by Kat Zhang and Charlene Chua

🐲 Saint George and the Dragon by Margaret Hodges and Trina Schart Hyman

🐲 Puff the Magic Dragon by Peter Yarrow and Lenny Lipton

[ask-missparker]

Familiar additions / AU series

Pairing: Charming!Nikolai x Snow!Amelia, Liane x Ethan, Cole x Jeremy

Characters mentioned/shown: Joshua Nolan, Belladonna St. James, The Twins, Cinderella!Rochelle, Mal!Liane, Rumple!Cole and etc

Summary: What happens if a glimpse of hope starts to become truly foreign to the touch? In other world, the pages aren’t as they seem to be.

———

It’s been a short while since the young brunette moved into the cozy loft of the man who offered him a place to live. Not just that, due to him being rather young he was forced to stay out of trouble and go to the school in Fighter-Town. It wasn’t so bad because his newfound friends were there and he was able to go to Riley’s grandfather’s diner afterwards.

School day wasn’t so bad. Belladonna and him got to be in the same English class with Professor Charles Xavier teaching them about William Shakespeare’s books, it was rather nice. Professor Xavier was pretty noble and gentle with his students young and old, speaking every single of them with such a nice voice. Lunch was okay being able to hang out with everyone, usually he was the loner kid in the hallways at school or in the library eating his meal, never really got a chance to socialize properly. The twins, Georgia and George, were silly enough to talk about bicker on and on about a which superhero was better, Riley shared her chips with Belladonna and he brought everyone extra water bottles.

He didn’t know why he felt so comfortable within this little Scooby-Doo gang but he just did.

Once all the class would ended, he would sit outside of the steps with Belladonna watching the teachers and students leave. Rick would come over with Riley to speak with Belladonna about going straight home if possible after school as she would nod, Riley would giggle knowing the young latina wanted to roll her eyes at her father but didn’t. Rick would suspiciously eye Joshua giving him a once over and a hint of snarl at the boy’s demeanor but something about him felt calming, he couldn’t place his finger on it.

Rick would go over to Rochelle, his co-teacher, for a quick talk as their children chatted. Rochelle would listen to Rick’s theories and thoughts every now and then on things that came to mind. With Rick being always more intense about things, he tends to be suspicious about any harm that might come to their children, such as thinking Joshua was a pot-head or something, in which Rochelle would shake her head and chuckle at his ideas.

Yes, the boy seemed nice by all accounts but his gut feeling says that there is something fishy about this new teen boy hanging out with the other kids. But he guessed since Riley seemed to like him, maybe wasn’t so bad per say.

Rochelle has heard about the boy from her twins and even come across him at the park once in a while, to find him harmless in her eyes. But a part of her felt familiar wave of fairness and nice dose of spunk when she came across Joshua, a go with the flow attitude that sometimes reminded her of Nikolai. She assumed it was because they were living together their personalities clashed.

Rochelle would pick her kids up from the park, along with Riley, where she would find the young brunette reading a notes in a book and scrolling on his phone. She smile and lean over the bench, “Hi.”

“Hey.” He replied with a soft smile, putting his book down getting a sense of sweetness from the redhead.

“I couldn’t help but notice your now living with Nikolai. How’s that working out for you?”

“H-how did you..”

“He’s does my ear piercings and we tend to chat a lot. It’s surprising how he let you stay with him, he’s not one to have too much company.”

“Yeah, he offered to help me out and after his little rescue a while back, he seemed in need of some company..it just feels right, you know? I’ve never had someone do that for me…”

“Why’d you say that? You seem like a nice kid, at least where I’m staying.”

“I’ve been alone for a few years now, no one to ever give me a chance..and my parents, I never found them..”

“Maybe you might find them one day.”

Joshua glanced at his notebook with ripped pages inside muttering, “Maybe closer than I think..”

Rochelle placed a hand on his shoulder and smiled, “Keep hoping, kiddo.”

——

———

Ethan clearing his head after a hangover when suddenly there was a knock on his door, as in walked his daughter who exclaimed in a killer tone of attack how this is a minor bug in her plan.

“Uh what?” He asked.

She groaned, “I got you here. Brought Nolan here to see his parents and you met mom, the sheriff kinda doesn’t like you very much…yet something is missing.”

“You’re talking about your book again?”

“What else would I be talking me?”

“I don’t know? Your a teen girl, shouldn’t you be focused on parties, texting your friends and boys?”

She made a face in disgust at his comment, “No. I’m not my mother, focusing on my social life and work. I got bigger things on my plate.”

He deadpanned and sighed, “Right. Because that would be ridiculous, I’ll play your little game, since I don’t want trouble with your mother.”

“It’s not a little game. Theses tales are real, just not as realistic as you may think. Why do you think you’ve felt like a idiotic loner for so long? You keep drinking and drowning yourself in the question of where your family is all this time? A part of you knows something is wrong here. You were suspicious of the Mayor like I am, he is up to no good.”

“Bella, honey, the mayor is playing his own business here. Yes it was suspicious he and your mother were Ms. Spencer’s emergency contact, but there has to be a good reason for that.”

“A very good reason. I asked mom if she had any actual paperwork on her years prior and she said no. That it was sorta odd for her. Ethan, I’m not one to believe in many things but in this, I am. I’m just asking for a bit of knowledge on your part, even if you don’t remember anything yourself.”

The man sighed, taking in her information and repeatedly telling himself that his daughter might be onto something here despite his own thoughts. She was right about him being a huge drink and a slight lowlife. He wasn’t quite convinced of the whole truth about this town or the tales she is tell, her face meant that she was serious.

He bite his inner cheek and groaned, “Fine. What is it that you meant me to do?”

“Get a job. Make yourself known around here and possibly go out on a date with my mother, if you can get your head out of your ass.” She said with blueness in her tone, but a hint of a smirk on her face.

With that, the girl left. Went out of his small room at the diner, Ethan asked around for paperwork knowing the Mayor might have his head for hearing that fact about him somewhat jobless. He was recommended to ask certain accents shop, so he stepped into a vintage looking store only to be met with a brunette behind the counter.

The brunette, Cole, was sipping on a glass putting away to meet his eyes. He half smiled, leaning against the counter to find his brother entering his store. Both men have crossed paths before briefly on the street but he has never been in here til now, which meant something happened. Like always his idiot older brother needed something from him and he sighed knowing he was relentlessly provide it.

Ethan looked at Cole, asking what can be done get a job around here that won’t draw much attention and give me some kind of respect. Cole smirked telling him to be one of the sheriffs around town, but he would have to prove to Erik he is worth the time and enough, that not just a save for a missing persons case would help his act. Ethan took a few seconds to take in what he meant and left the store, not without a slight glare at the Mayor who entered the moment he left to the station.

Alexander walked inside the store, glancing over at Cole with a glare, “I need you to do something for me.”

“And why would I do that? I’m a busy man, I got a date within a hour at the library. But what would you know your lonely and single?” Cole replied sipping his drink with glee.

“Zip it! I have two new town members here and one of them is Belladonna’s father. And my sources tell me that he is a alcoholic who has been in jail more than once. I don’t need a day drinker here.”

“I’m the town’s day drinker, mister mayor. So your out of luck, Ethan is just some normal guy who is here to be with his child.”

“He solved a case with my brother some time ago and dragged everyone down with him. I want him gone, or at least something worse.”

“Like what? Jail? Alexander, please, your working yourself up over nothing. Your just bitter your brother is having a decent day and Ethan is being liked around the townsfolk.”

“What do you know?”

“Nothing of the sort, just that he is not leaving anytime soon.”

Alexander turned around to leave but stopped short when Cole said, “And he will be getting a job as sheriff here very soon.” That seemed to turn the mayor’s attention bright red as he stormed out calling Liane to file down and order whatever paperwork to be printed by noon on Ethan. Liane with a deep breath did as told going to have the mall sent out about the handsome brunette despite her best wishes, a little saddened by the information as well.

Cole snickered to himself loving the idea of Alexander fuming over things not being in his control, he went to prepare for his date with Jeremy. A part of him wished he could tell his man the truth and hoped to figure out a way soon to tell him, for now it was sorta nice having a chiller version of his husband. Once he returned to the front desk, leaving his shop and closed the door he noticed his old friend walking past him with a small smile wearing a jacket.

Amelia looked calm yet nervous, fluttering her hands a bit as she nodded at him. She may not remember him since she just got out of a coma with foggy memories, it was pretty nice to see her out of a hospital bed. From his sources, he heard she has been wondering around town trying to get back to the swing of things and even met some familiar faces at the diner. Sadly due to the false memories everyone had, it was like they forgot Amelia existed and never went looking for her, to even claim her as their own at the hospital. But the moment she woke up from the coma, some of the townsfolk were reminded of her existence again.

It was odd.

He noticed she walked into the tattoo parlor that was nearby his store, as a small grin appeared on Cole’s lips. He knew why. Knowing that information, he stumbling in the library to find Jeremy waiting for him holding two bottles of champagne and take out from the diner, pressing a kiss to his cheek. Cole rolled his eyes and winked, sighing softly at the sight loving the thought of his husband out of all black leather and in lighter colored outfits, wearing a prosthetic hand that suit his well. Even though he liked the hook more.

——————-

Amelia walked into the tattoo parlor, in awe of the placement inside. The prints of different types of designs on the wall, the display cases of earrings, the big comfy chairs, the accented details and even the lighting was cool toned. The rooms seemed to be occupied by clients, so she awkwardly waited sitting in one of the chairs. She saw men and women walk in and out of the rooms, chatter could be heard and sounds of tools ringing her ears. She winced hearing a small scream that seemed that a women that calmed down shortly afterwards, then said women walked out thanking the person in the room.

The said women, who she recognized as pink haired lady from the record store, being Luna, paid at the front desk, giving Amelia a small smile then walked out. Then in came from behind one of the double doors was the man was waiting to see, dressed in a gray hoodie, boots, a couple of tattoos himself and a baseball cap that suited him very well.

His eyes seemed to stutter for a moment the second he noticed she was there and held back a little cocky grin. But his grin couldn’t help but shine across his entire face. He remembers that night he saved her and not having the full blown courage to see her again properly despite crossing with each other at the diner more than once. He didn’t know why he never came up with a good reason to talk with her but here she was.

“Hey.” He said, walking up to her having the grin laced softly across his face.

She returned the soft grin, “Hey. I um..”

“It’s okay, take your time. Are you here for a tattoo or piercing?”

“I don’t think I’m brave enough for one, yet. I actually came in here to thank you for the save earlier. You found me.”

He nods taking a soft bow, “I guess it’s all in a days work, m’lady. Anyone would’ve done the same, I’m just glad it was me who uh, did it.”

“You were brave enough to be the one to break me back. I don’t know how to repay you. And honestly I wish I could tell you more about myself but my mind is still fuzzy from being asleep..sorry.” She replies with a soft smile.

“How about a date?”

“A date?”

“If you’ll have me, I can take you on a little tour and have dinner later.”

“I’ll like that.”

He wanted to see if she was playing with him but the innocent look on her face said otherwise. He smiled telling her that he will pick her up near the flower shop a few stores down from his shop. She smiled at that, waving at him as she walked out just as another customer walked in. Nikolai waited for her to walked out to fist pump himself for scoring a date that fact, he wasn’t expecting it but he did it!

——//—-

Meanwhile, the word spread about Ethan being a slight alcoholic and someone who has been in trail more than once for past mistakes, resulting in a few surprises being his daughter. Belladonna sound out as the newspaper dropped on her lap that afternoon when she was at the diner, shown to her by George who sighed stealing two fries from her plate.

She groaned about to say something when Ethan slip into the booth and quietly exclaimed, “You weren’t supposed to know half of it.”

“I bet. It must’ve been my mother, he made her to do.” Belladonna added with a sigh, “What are you gonna do about it?”

“I need to get the town to see me not as a asshat..but first I thought of evening the playing field.”

“Like how?” Said a voice, that belonged to Riley who was standing in front of them with a curious tone.

Ethan raised an eyebrow, “How long were you standing there?”

“Long enough. I’m silent like a wolf.”

“Okay? I was thinking of cutting down the man’s bushes.”

“Yes!”

“No!” Belladonna yelled over them, knowing Riley can be a little insane and will definitely go for an idea like that, “As much as I would like to do that myself, or better burn his house down, it’s too early for that.”

“That’s plan B then! I wanna cut down a tree.” Riley said with a smirk nodding.

“Yeah but..we gotta think smart here. Ethan has to prove himself a hero.”

“But how?”

“I’m working on it..”

But it seemed like a certain shop owner had an similar idea to the long haired Latina…

At Town Hall, Rick and Liane were discussing with Alexander on the topic of the school tax rates along with activities that could be done for students. Rick was on about more field trips and after school activities he would like to be such as expanding on the greenery of the area. Liane was surprised by his suggestions, wondering on how they can bunk that up with any legal issues, possibly even adding a larger playground at the school.

Alexander was half listening, taking down notes and reading over the files on how all of this can contribute to the overall development budget of the town. There were bustling across the building but few people here today.

Ethan was in the building himself waiting to speak with whoever could be help him with the current situation surrounding him. He was in the hallways of the second floor getting impressively impatient about to walk into the room when he smelled it, slight noise of smoke.

He ran down the hallway trying to slam open the door until it swung open as he yelled, “Sorry to intercept but there is more pressing matters.”

Liane scoffed, “Uh excuse you, Ethan, but we are in a meeting!”

“She’s right. I’ll have to ask you to leave now or I’ll get have get someone to escort you out.” Alexander spat standing up from the desk.

Ethan glared, “Escort me out, go ahead and do it some other time, mister mayor. But we have to go now.”

Rick was deeply confused barking a few things to Ethan until the smell reached his nose and entered his lungs. Fire. He gasped, “No he’s right! We gotta leave now, like right now. Come on Liane.”

Liane was suddenly pushed out of the door by Rick as Ethan ushered Alexander who elbowed him past the double doors, leading everyone down the stairs carefully. Ethan and Rick escorted all four of them down the stairs as the fire on the first floor grew. Liane screamed loudly grabbing Ethan’s hand quickly as Rick tried to search for an way out meanwhile Alexander shouted over them, climbing down the stairs first opening the door.

Rick yelled, “Wait!”

The moment the door open, the fire behind them caused an exploding blast that pushed all of them back. Rick mustered all the strength he had standing up, sharing a glance with Ethan as they both helped the others up. Alexander hit his shoulder from the blast laying in the staircase as Liane landed nearby a gray wall. Rick helped the blonde up from the ground, who yelled how didn’t she expect this to happen today as Ethan held out his hand for Alexander to take.

“Dude come on!” He yelled.

Alexander scoffed not saying a word taking his hand and groaned in annoyance, asking, “What’s your genius plan now?”

Once he was pulled up the ground, Ethan and Rick jumped in front of them, coughing and shouting as they did. Rick noticed a fire extinguisher and an axe lifting the red objects from the wall and tossing one to Ethan. Both men smirked nodding to one another. Ethan used the fire extinguisher as white foamy smoke filled the air, dying down the fire as much as possible but still grew and Rick grinned swinging the axe with all his might breaking down the doors as they all walked across from the entrance.

As they got outside, coughing and sneezing stumbling out the way, Erik and others came in to finish the job. The fire department and ambulance arrived behind him just as quickly. Liane coughed and squeezed her eyes shut hearing a voice that belonged to her daughter along with a couple of kids.

Ethan was holding Liane when Belladonna came rushing asking if they were okay, sharing looks with one another.

“What happened?” She asked her parents with concern in her eyes, a true moment of event feeling.

“There was a fire, someone must’ve forgot to turn something off or something.” Liane said, trying to figure out what happened, “B-but we’re alright..yeah.”

“That was oddly dramatic. Glad you’re both doing well. Uh, I guess you got a savior, mom.”

Liane glanced up at Ethan who tiredly smiled as she muttered, “Yeah..yeah i guess so.”

Erik rushed over to make sure they were doing alright, bringing over two nurse practitioner with him.

Rick was laying Alexander down gently as he heard his own daughter’s voice followed by a couple of adults. It seemed like Belladonna and Joshua were hanging out with the youngest member of their crew, when they saw the fire department and ambulance coming across Town Hall.

Joshua was holding Riley’s hand leading her carefully to her father, as Rick picked up his daughter mumbling in her ear, “Shh, shh I’m here. It’s okay.”

Riley lay her head on his shoulder, “You were brave out there..”

“Yeah. Yeah, you can say that was. I sensed the fire as soon as it hit my nose.”

“Of course you did!”

Riley gasped seeing the axe next to her dad and grinned, “Cool!”

Rick chuckled softly then looked down at Joshua who stood there awkwardly and sighed, “T-thank you for watching over her, i guess..”

The young brunette shrugged with a half smile, “It was nothing, we were all worried about what happened..”

When Rochelle arrived with Cassie, she gasped wanting to go see if her friends were alright, apparently Nikolai and Amelia weren’t far behind since all four of them saw the fire department and ambulance from the flower shop.

Nikolai rushed over to his brother who was sitting on a chair with a nurse who was checking his shoulder for any hard damage, Alexander brushed his brother off saying he was fine. Nikolai was trying to be nice and see if he needed any help but his big brother wasn’t having it, scoffed saying he just needed to ice his shoulder tonight. He’ll be fine in the morning, if he wanted to help he would’ve been there in the beginning.

Nikolai rolled his eyes at his brother’s soft outburst and walked away from him going to check on the others. He found Amelia with the Rochelle’s twins talking to the others about the accident.

No one was badly injured or anything, just needed to ice themselves, rest and most importantly get cleaned up, which wasn’t half bad. As well as file any paperwork if needed.

—//—

The next day couple of days were busy with soft noise. Some newspapers about Ethan’s time in jail were forgotten as he was seen in a better light. The students in class had something new to talk about, which resulted in poor Professor Xavier along with Rochelle to quiet down the children and return back to their textbooks instead.

Rick and Liane went to have their meeting at her house instead, without Alexander around, due to the man wanting to deal with fixing the Town Hall building instead. Especially since Rick busted down a couple of doors with a freaking axe, which Riley was bragging about later on, finding it very cool.

Ethan was seen as a good man after that, Erik even though about it and offered him a job as co-sheriff after seeing his bravery. He took the offer but couldn’t help but stay curious as to how the fire starters in the first place. He has been racking his brain about it for a long period of time until it hit him.

He left his desk at the station and rolled up to the shop, opening the door with a small lined smile. The small bell rang alerting his attention.

The man in question had his back turn and sighs, “I guess when i brought that ‘We’re closed’ sign, i was just wasting my money.”

“I guess so.” Replied the older man with his arms crossed watching the younger one turn around, “I know what you did.”

Cole leaned against the counter and shook his head. The stance in front of him reminded him of his younger days in wonderland where him and his sister got into some chaotic fun, then his older brother would show up with some questions.

He decided to play coy and said, “Did what? Oh! You mean the fact that i used the roof of the library to watch the stars last night? Yeah i did.”

His brother rolled his eyes sighing, “No. You set up the fire.”

“I did that? Ah can’t remember.”

“You did it to make me look in front of everyone.”

“Someone had to do it. What were you gonna do? Fight fire with fire this early in the game?”

“Hmmm. I could have handled it myself! I could have you arrested for that.”

Cole hummed and smirked, “But you won’t do that, would you? I did you favor, you don’t look bad in front of the townsfolk and now you get to play hero. Isn’t that what everyone want?”

Ethan looked down for a moment and bit the inside of his cheek, “Okay, I’ll let it slide, for now! Don’t try to pull that shit again, I’m letting you off with a warning.”

“Feels good, doesn’t it? Don’t lie. Your kid seems to have a smile on her face, her mother possibly likes you, Mr. Banner and his friends were saved. Oh and my favorite, the blast gave the mayor a little boo boo! All is right in the world.”

“And what’s in it for you?”

“Let’s just say I like to see the heroes come out on top. And, now that I made you look good, when the time comes that I ever need a small favor from you, I’m betting you will help me with that.”

“Sure. Whatever. As for you using the roof for stargazing, I know about that too. Why am I so important to you?”

The young brother just shrugged, “Because you just are, sadly, you are. Now go off, enjoy your day! I heard the diner is having a special on half priced pancakes this morning, and I know how much you love to eat.”

Ethan didn’t say a word and just rolled his eyes walking out, realizing that he needed to get himself a better apartment soon but first, he wanted some breakfast. Well, a second helping of breakfast.

~~~~~~~~~~~

On the other side of town, after visiting his brother because the man wanted to talk with him about the tax rate of his tattoo parlor, in which he remarked how his business was doing fine and how his clients seemed fine with his prices. The tattooed brunette found himself stumbling at the park side, to find a certain young brunette wearing a uniform and jacket that he recognized all too well.

He stifled back a laugh shaking his head and slide onto the park bench beside her saying, “Hi.”

The girl looked up from her fingernail to face him with a nod, “Hey.”

“You got a job I see?”

“Oh yeah, the town’s redhead..Rochelle? She recommend me to work at the coffee place for a while.”

“Funny. I used to work there myself, it’s not a bad place and it’s right next to my shop. You’ll love the cafe, I promise.”

“Loving it already.”

The two chuckled, as cheesy their dialogue seemed, it sounded pretty nice. The brunette winced as he remembered the last couple of day and said, “I’m sorry by the way..”

“About what?” She asked, title her head a bit rubbing her eyes.

“Our date was cut off by the fire attack at Town Hall. We barely got a chance to grab a coffee or dinner..”

“Oh no it’s fine! I get it, I would’ve done the same.”

He thought for a moment and hummed, “How about I make it up to you? Right now. You and me, head back to my place, I’ll make up a early lunch, or we can get food from the diner, whichever you prefer.”

She chuckled at his forwardness, “Already inviting a girl over? I haven’t been asked out yet.”

“Well I move kinda fast, it’s my whole thing. And technically, I already did ask you out I just didn’t precede with my intentions! So what do you say?”

“I say, you got yourself a deal.”

He stood up as he held out his hand for her to take, as she took it with a light grip following him to the apartment. The two chatted and chuckled, as the man gave her a small tour of the town while leading her home. He honestly didn’t know what came over him to be so forward with his decision but he liked it, a lot. They ordered a small lunch from Bruce���s diner as they did so, her giggles were promptly stated the whole way home.

~~~~~~

Joshua was at home, reading some ripped pages from the text book given to him by Belladonna earlier during class that day. A small part of him choose to possibly believe in the idea of her parents being Snow White & Prince Charming, from the moment they saved one another in the tale to the very night they met in the woods of Fighter Town.

Not just that, Belladonna pointed out how him and Nik loved the smell of dark rich coffee in the late afternoon, along with a nice slice Italian beard. Yes, it was a simple sense of a meal but comforting. Just like George pointed how his mother was Cinderella based on the fact that both tales connect to the sliver lining almost glass like jewelry she wears. Riley, being always the optimistic young blonde, loved to state the obvious to her father’s traits and who her mother seems to be.

To be honest, every single one of the stories seemed to be interesting with the finest details to the larger interconnect ways they lend to the other. His favorite had to Rumple’s way to making a dramatically sparking appearance in every tale, it made him laugh.

Okay? Was he getting invested? Can you blame him? He loves to read and watch movies like any other person on the face of the planet.

He looked up when he heard the front door open and he saw Nik walk in with a guest. He didn’t think he’ll be home yet with a lady friend, he had to bite back a small grin due to it. Nik hoped he didn’t mind if he invited the girl over, in which the young brunette shook his head.

“Nope. Not at all.” He smiling warmly at the young women, “I don’t think we formally met. I’m Joshua Nolan, his roommate.”

She smiled shaking his hand politely, “Amelia.”

Nik smiled unboxing the bag of burgers and fries from the diner, watching the two interact. He didn’t expect them to be rather polite to one another, especially after the fact that he accidentally brought a pretty stranger into his home unannounced.

He noticed their similar eye color being a blue-green but didn’t a word, until Amelia pointed out, “You two got similar, almost identical cheeks and hair, but more rounder? Weird.”

The two guys muttered a soft, “Weird.” Nik just shrugged with a light smile putting the burgers on the plates, asking the young brunette if he wanted to join them but he denied his offer saying he had some homework to get started on. He nodded watching the boy leave.

“What was that about?’ Amelia said with a chuckle.

Nik sighed and smiled, “Honestly? No idea. The kids in this town are plain weird.”

“I like weird, added a sense of..unique factor.”

“Maybe. I can see where your coming from. But normalcy and commonality is sometimes more my style.”

“Says the guy who invited me into his home for dinner?”

“Hey! I never said I was completely normal.”

“Yeah okay, sure, Romeo. Let’s go with that.”

——

Joshua showed up at the St. Jame household that night knocking on the front door, in which Ms. St. James opened the door. The two of them haven’t properly met before so it seemed a little awkward but she looked kinda dressed up. As if she getting ready to go out somewhere.

“Um hi..Ms. St.James. I’m Joshua, a friend of your daughters..” He said with a half smile looking up at the blonde women.

Ms. St.James, Liane, got a sense of urgency but calmness from the boy’s face as if she had seen it before. She shook her head and smiled, “Ah yes, your the kid who Bella said was her Pen Pal, right?”

“You can say that. Yeah. Is she come? I wanted to see her about our English homework.”

“Yeah, she’s upstairs. Glad to see my daughter making some friends her age.”

The blonde let him inside and pointed up the stairs, as the boy nodded thanking her. Once the young teen entered the room, he saw Bella lock eyes with him raising eyebrow wondering what exactly he was doing here. She was sitting on top of her bed about to insult him, but stopped noticing the look on his face.

“Uh, we need to talk..” Is all he muttered.

She closed her computer and hummed, “Go on.”

—-

———-

Welcome back to the town! I hope you liked it, let me know what you think

Tags: @missstrawbs2001 @purpleprincessonfyre @meiramel @gcthvile @rickb-chaos @gaminggirlsstuff @wizzzardofoz @thechoooooosenone @sherloquestea @luna-d-marsh @rooster-84 @thecavalrywife @cherrysft and etc

[ungodly-amounts-of-godly-trauma]

major bracket contestants

a whopping 64! see all the teams, the contestants, and the fandoms below. i likely won't be including who's in the teams in the polls due to character limits, but the fandoms will be there. if you want to suggest better team names, my askbox is open!

team greek mythology (greek mythology) consists of odysseus, io, and orpheus

team percy jackson (riordanverse) consists of percy jackson, nico di angelo, luke castellan, apollo/lester papadopoulos, and also the rest of the cast!

gabriel (ultrakill)

orel puppington (moral orel)

teams tma and apotheosis banded together to form: team be not afraid (the magnus archives and just roll with it: apotheosis) consists of jonathan sims, martin blackwood, peter sqloint, thanatos, rumi, and exandroth

quasimodo (the hunchback of notre dame)

volo (pokemon)

anders (dragon age)

team mechanisms (the mechanisms) consists of galahad and drumbot brian

team awakening (fire emblem: awakening) consists of robin and lucina

akito sohma (fruits basket)

jack kennedy (dayshift at freddy's)

kristen applebees (dimension 20: fantasy high)

team cookie run (cookie run: kingdom) consists of white lily cookie and pastry cookie

chosen one (animator-vs-animation 2-5)

the entire cast of midnight mass (midnight mass)

team charlie pc (jrwi: riptide and jrwi: fated) consists of gillion tidestrider and br'aad vengolor

matthias helvar (six of crows)

team genshin (genshin impact) consists of la signora, scaramouche, and kaeya

stanford pines, catra, and adora, banded together to form: team lets go lesbians (gravity falls and she-ra: princesses of power) consists of stanford pines, catra, and adora

zagreus (hades game)

team tgcf (heaven official's blessing/ti guan ci fu) consists of xie lian, qi rong, and he xuan. yikes

team real life (real life) consists of me, you, submitter, and submitter's dad

scp-096 (scp foundation)

team three houses (fire emblem: three houses) consists of all the characters especially byleth!

team free will (supernatural) consists of sam winchester, dean winchester, and castiel

seven brothers (obey me! one master to rule them all)

salem (RWBY)

beverly toegold (not another d&d podcast (NADDPOD))

raven (new teen titans)

team warrior cats (warriors) consists of hollyleaf, lionblaze, jayfeather, ivypool, dovewing, goosefeather, leafpool, shadowsight, and also the rest of the cats!

team steven universe (steven universe) consists of steven universe, pearl, and the corrupted gems

sister carpenter (the silt verses)

team botw (breath of the wild) consists of link and zelda

lloyd garmadon (ninjago)

all of the boiling isles especially hunter (the owl house)

jack harkness (doctor who/torchwood)

team we know the devil (we know the devil) consists of neptune, venus, and jupiter

the hollow knight (hollow knight)

hyness (kirby: star allies)

edward and alphonse elric (fullmetal alchemist)

casey jones jr (rise of the teenage mutant ninja turtles)

the outsider (dishonored)

five pebbles (rain world)

town of hatchetfield (hatchetfield) consists of literally everyone!

the holy quintet (puella magi madoka magica) consists of homura akemi, madoka kamane, sayaka miki, kyouko sakura, and tomoe mami

yuna (final fantasy x)

arthur lester (malevolent)

aziraphale and crowley (good omens)

marble hornets cast (marble hornets) specifically jay, tim, alex, and brian

team critical (critical role) consists of kashaw “kash” vesh and vax’ildan

norman minecraft (ghost and pals)

team trigun and team traumageddon banded together to form: four gays in a trenchcoat (trigun and bungou stray dogs) consists of vash the stampede, nicholas wolfwood, chuuya nakahara, and atsushi nakajima but then they joined hands with yoo joonghyuk and kim dokja to form: six gays in a trenchcoat (trigun and bungou stray dogs and omniscient reader's viewpoint) consists of vash the stampede, nicholas wolfwood, chuuya nakahara, atsushi nakajima, yoo joonghyuk, and kim dokja

kfc dreemurrs (undertale and deltarune) consists of kris, frisk, and chara dreemurr

team princess (princess tutu) consists of ahiru and fakir

vector (yugioh)

nicolo di genova (the old guard)

team bible (the bible) consists of jesus christ himself and the devil aka satan aka lucifer!

niko (oneshot)

team mistborn (mistborn) consists of vin and sazed

MYSTERY CONTESTANT (mystery fandom) consists of many mystery people

[shookethdev]

a o e i i er ai ei ao ou an en ang eng ong i ia iao ie iu ian in iang ing iong u ua uo uai ui uan un uang ueng ü üe üan ün a o e er ai ao ou an en ang eng yi ya yao ye you yan yin yang ying yong wu wa wo wai wei wan wen wang weng yu yue yuan yun b ba bo bai bei bao ban ben bang beng bi biao bie bian bin bing bu p pa po pai pei pao pou pan pen pang peng pi piao pie pian pin ping pu m ma mo me mai mei mao mou man men mang meng mi miao mie miu mian min ming mu f fa fo fei fou fan fen fang feng fu d da de dai dei dao dou dan den dang deng dong di diao die diu dian ding du duo dui duan dun t ta te tai tei tao tou tan tang teng tong ti tiao tie tian ting tu tuo tui tuan tun n na ne nai nei nao nou nan nen nang neng nong ni niao nie niu nian nin niang ning nu nuo nuan nü nüe l la le lai lei lao lou lan lang leng long li lia liao lie liu lian lin liang ling lu luo luan lun lü lüe g ga ge gai gei gao gou gan gen gang geng gong gu gua guo guai gui guan gun guang k ka ke kai kei kao kou kan ken kang keng kong ku kua kuo kuai kui kuan kun kuang h ha he hai hei hao hou han hen hang heng hong hu hua huo huai hui huan hun huang z za ze zi zai zei zao zou zan zen zang zeng zong zu zuo zui zuan zun c ca ce ci cai cao cou can cen cang ceng cong cu cuo cui cuan cun s sa se si sai sao sou san sen sang seng song su suo sui suan sun zh zha zhe zhi zhai zhei zhao zhou zhan zhen zhang zheng zhong zhu zhua zhuo zhuai zhui zhuan zhun zhuang ch cha che chi chai chao chou chan chen chang cheng chong chu chua chuo chuai chui chuan chun chuang sh sha she shi shai shei shao shou shan shen shang sheng shu shua shuo shuai shui shuan shun shuang r re ri rao rou ran ren rang reng rong ru rua ruo rui ruan run j ji jia jiao jie jiu jian jin jiang jing jiong ju jue juan jun q qi qia qiao qie qiu qian qin qiang qing qiong qu que quan qun x xi xia xiao xie xiu xian xin xiang xing xiong xu xue xuan xun

NAKU 🫵

[kiraisrika]

Oc doodles *proceeds to go offline again

[nothing-in-the-ordinary]

just watched the TGCF season 2 episode and Xie Lian doin the cha cha slide with the heavenly officials had me dead

[mxtxfanatic]

If one touched it, Xie Lian was afraid that the whole array would launch an attack at that point. However, with the teenager’s current pace, it seemed like he hadn’t noticed something was there. Xie Lian was just pondering over whether he should give the teenager a warning when he heard a ‘ka-cha’ noise. With this tragic crunching noise, Xie Lian blankly watched that person’s foot step onto the skull and shatter it into dust.

Then, as if he hadn’t felt or noticed anything, this person indifferently stepped on the skull dust and kept on walking.

—Chapt. 8: Heaven Official's Blessing The Ghost Holds a Wedding, The Crown Prince Climbs Onto the Marriage Sedan (Part Three)

I love how op Hua Cheng is immediately shown to be. Like with Xie Lian, the narrative does this back and forth where it plays him like a fool and a ditz before revealing that that’s only his persona and he means business, but Hua Cheng? Introduction scene has everything cowering from him, weapons crushed into dust beneath his boots, all while he takes a leisurely stroll with his lifelong crush and future husband who is pretending to be a bride. Love it!

[eyenaku]

Ji ji fu ji ji

a o e i i er ai ei ao ou an en ang eng ong i ia iao ie iu ian in iang ing iong u ua uo uai ui uan un uang ueng ü üe üan ün a o e er ai ao ou an en ang eng yi ya yao ye you yan yin yang ying yong wu wa wo wai wei wan wen wang weng yu yue yuan yun b ba bo bai bei bao ban ben bang beng bi biao bie bian bin bing bu p pa po pai pei pao pou pan pen pang peng pi piao pie pian pin ping pu m ma mo me mai mei mao mou man men mang meng mi miao mie miu mian min ming mu f fa fo fei fou fan fen fang feng fu d da de dai dei dao dou dan den dang deng dong di diao die diu dian ding du duo dui duan dun t ta te tai tei tao tou tan tang teng tong ti tiao tie tian ting tu tuo tui tuan tun n na ne nai nei nao nou nan nen nang neng nong ni niao nie niu nian nin niang ning nu nuo nuan nü nüe l la le lai lei lao lou lan lang leng long li lia liao lie liu lian lin liang ling lu luo luan lun lü lüe g ga ge gai gei gao gou gan gen gang geng gong gu gua guo guai gui guan gun guang k ka ke kai kei kao kou kan ken kang keng kong ku kua kuo kuai kui kuan kun kuang h ha he hai hei hao hou han hen hang heng hong hu hua huo huai hui huan hun huang z za ze zi zai zei zao zou zan zen zang zeng zong zu zuo zui zuan zun c ca ce ci cai cao cou can cen cang ceng cong cu cuo cui cuan cun s sa se si sai sao sou san sen sang seng song su suo sui suan sun zh zha zhe zhi zhai zhei zhao zhou zhan zhen zhang zheng zhong zhu zhua zhuo zhuai zhui zhuan zhun zhuang ch cha che chi chai chao chou chan chen chang cheng chong chu chua chuo chuai chui chuan chun chuang sh sha she shi shai shei shao shou shan shen shang sheng shu shua shuo shuai shui shuan shun shuang r re ri rao rou ran ren rang reng rong ru rua ruo rui ruan run j ji jia jiao jie jiu jian jin jiang jing jiong ju jue juan jun q qi qia qiao qie qiu qian qin qiang qing qiong qu que quan qun x xi xia xiao xie xiu xian xin xiang xing xiong xu xue xuan xun

[duhdumb89]

A Forbidden Happiness | Chapter 16

Jiang gui ren ran her hands over the silken collar of her brand-new Imperial Concubine's chaofu*. All the little pieces were dazzling. The embroidered jacket, the precious necklaces, the golden chaoguan!† She had toiled so many years for this, and it was finally happening. Was it bittersweet that His Majesty didn't personally promote her? Sure. But being part of a group promotion for The Empress Dowager's birthday celebration was better than no promotion at all. The notice of her promotion and her chaofu was delivered last week. However, she was still recovering and couldn't venture outside. Now, for the first time in a month and a half, she was leaving her rooms as the soon-to-be mistress of Xianfugong.

"Mistress," said Susu, "You're going to look so dashing when you wear this for your promotion ceremony. Not even Lian pin will be able to match you,"

Another bittersweet mouthful to swallow.

Lian pin would soon become Lian fei. She bore no children and made no merits, yet she somehow was going to be a Consort.

"His Majesty is set on respecting her family," replied Jiang gui ren, "At the very least, Xiang gui ren got nothing,"

"It's so embarrassing. Even Wang chang zai is getting a promotion!" Said Susu.

"The Empress Dowager is just showing her pity. His Majesty wouldn't dare to clean away the cobwebs between the legs of that old fish," said Jiang gui ren.

Their giggling was interrupted by a delivery of purple fabric. As a Noble Lady, purple was a color far above her station. Now, she would wear it as often as she could.

"Did Huan momo unpack all of my jewelry yet? And my good clothes?" Jiang gui ren asked, digging through the stacks of silks.

"Yes, I even convinced them to leave a few gold pieces. I tried to tell momo that you could wear kingfisher feathers, but Haun momo wouldn't listen," replied Susu.

"No matter," replied Jiang gui ren, "Once I have a son, I can send them all back home with some money. I asked Lou taiyi about my odds of having a child, and he said nothing should stop me from getting pregnant. I only have to suffer them for a bit longer,"

"You don't...." Susu dropped her voice, "You don't want to get rid of them sooner?"

Tsking, Jiang gui ren rolled her eyes, "Idiot, don't be so impatient,"

"Mistress," Yao gonggong said, coming into the bedroom, "His Majesty and Her Highness have invited you to share a meal with them and a few of the other mistresses to celebrate your promotion,"

"Shall I call Huan momo and Cui momo to help you dress?" He asked.

"Yes, quickly, quickly!"

–––

In all, The Empress Dowager had chosen 12 women to promote. The majority were first and second-class attendants. Beside Lian pin and Wang chang zai, there was Jiao gui ren and Cha chang zai. Jiang gui ren smiled as Zhang Wei led her to the chair on the other side of The Emperor. It should've been Lian pin's seat, as she was the most senior concubine at the table. The Emperor was gracious enough to let Huaguang come to the celebration. While it demonstrated how far above she was of the other women, it was so annoying. Huaguang was squirmy and fussy, crawling into His Majesty's lap and back to hers again. Whenever she tried to converse with His Majesty, Huaguang was pulled at her collar or made a mess at the table. Luckily, His Majesty appreciated Huaguang's vigor instead of finding it unkempt.

To make matters worse, Xiang gui ren arrived. An gui ren had done her duty and kept Jiang gui ren company, but Xiang gui ren still needed to visit her daily. It was awful to watch that whore gloat about how The Empress Dowager loved her gift and how happy it made His Majesty. Just looking at her was making her sicker. At least in a few days, Xiang gui ren would never be able to look down on her again.

The Empress ordered that Cha chang zai move one seat down so Jiang gui ren and Xiang gui ren could sit together.

"I'd like to propose a toast," said Xiang gui ren, "To my jiejie. No one is more deserving of becoming mistress of Xianfugong than you,"

It took everything in Jiang gui ren to keep her lips from curling in disgust. She raised her cup and sipped her wine.

"Xiang gui ren, I can't help but feel sorry for you," said Lian pin, "You and Jiang gui ren are two peas in a pod. You both should be called Your Highness by now,"

Lian pin covered her mirth with a polite cough. Jiang gui ren fumed. Lian pin had a lot of never comparing her to a prostitute like Xiang gui ren.

Xiang gui ren bowed her head, "Jiang jiejie is of noble blood and has given His Majesty a daughter. I can't compare,"

"Yes, jiejie," said Jiang gui ren, "I hear a few doctors have come by your Jingrengong. Is there good news on the way?"

Lian pin shifted in her seat, "...No. It was just a bit of sickness from the heat,"

Jiang gui ren frowned softly, "That's too bad. Jiejie is young and healthy. I"m sure you'll be able to give His Majesty a child soon. You can come to me for advice if it ever happens,"

"Enough," The Empress said, "If fate allows, a child will come. There's no use in talking like this," 

When Huaguang began to cry loudly in His Majesty's arms, Jiang gui ren pulled her over,only for her to squirm and cry even louder.

"What's gotten into you?" Jiang gui ren muttered.

Xiang gui ren leaned in close, "Oh, is she sleepy? Should her nursemaid take her back?"

"Not at all," said Jiang gui ren, "She's just being fussy,"

"You should let Xiang gui ren hold her for a moment then," said His Majesty, "The Empress says Huaguang behaves with her at the A Ge Sou,"

It rankled Jiang gui ren to be reminded that Xiang gui ren could spend more time with her daughter than she did, but she passed Huaguang over anyways. Amazingly, Huaguang did quiet down in Xiang gui ren's arms.

"Maybe I'll go to Xiang gui ren for advice when I get pregnant," said Lian pin.

Jiang gui ren glared at Huaguang lying quietly in Xiang gui ren's arms. It was obvious that the momos were turning her daughter into a brat.

"Are you tired? You can sleep in my arms," Xiang gui ren whispered to Huaguang.

With a roll of her eyes Jiang gui ren let Susu refill her wine. If that bitch wanted to play nursemaid, Jiang gui ren wouldn't stop her. She lifted her cup and leaned into The Emperor's side.

"A toast to Your Majesty,"

The Emperor locked eyes with her and smiled. Just as they touched the rims together, a chorus of gasps erupted around the table.

"Huifen!" The Emperor sprang to his feet and nearly knocked Jiang gui ren over in his haste.

Xiang gui ren moaning in pain, clutching her head. Her forehead was split open, and rivulets of blood were dripping through her fingers. Huaguang was screaming in Xu niang's arms, face red and blotchy. Xu niang looked frantic, bashing her head to the ground, begging for forgiveness.

His Majesty grabbed a handkerchief and pressed it to Xiang gui ren's face, "What happened?!" He asked.

"I don't know!" Said Lian pin, "Xiang gui ren was holding Fifth Princess when she suddenly grabbed a plate and...hit her!"

It was as if the blood was draining from Jiang gui ren now. How could a two-year-old child do so much damage? Was it a trick? She and her daughter were favored, but there wasn't enough favor to return from something like this. Jiang gui ren flinched as The Emperor kicked Xu niang to the ground, not caring that Huaguang was in her arms.

"You worthless thing! How have you been raising Fifth Princess?"

Xu niang cried, "I deserve to die, I deserve to die!"

Jiang gui ren threw herself at The Emperor's feet, "Your Majesty! Forgive Huaguang. She's just a child! She didn't mean it!"

That was a mistake. The Emperor turned his rage to her."

What sort of devious child have you raised, Jiang gui ren?" He hissed, "How could you birth this beast?"

"Your Majesty, please dissipate your anger," said The Empress, stepping between them, "Take Xiang gui ren into the side hall. I'll call for Hwang taiyi to stop the bleeding,"

The Emperor nodded before turning to Xu niang again, "Get that child out of my sight!"

Xu niang scooped up Huaguang and ran off. 

The Emperor followed as Xiang gui ren's limp form was dragged away. Jiang gui ren stayed collapsed on the ground.

"You can all withdraw," The Empress said, "The mood's been spoiled,"

Susu helped Jiang gui ren to her feet as the other women exited the courtyard.

"Jiang gui ren," said The Empress, "Make yourself scarce,"

––––

An gui ren's spirits soared as Weiwei recounted the events at His Majesty's promotion meal.

"What about Jiang gui ren?" An gui ren asked.

"She's locked in her rooms," Weiwei replied, "There's no word if His Majesty will take back her promotion,"

An gui ren sighed. Jiang gui ren really did have all the luck. Her child damn near bludgeoned Xiang gui ren, and she was still becoming an Imperial Concubine. An gui ren didn't have much of an idea when she started to fuss with Huaguang. At best, the girl would embarrass Jiang gui ren and have her lose a bit of face. It seemed the scare tactics made Huaguang go above and beyond.  It all meant nothing in end. Jiang gui ren was going to be a mistress, and An gui ren was not.

As she continued her stroll, An gui ren spotted a large group of servants clustered together, giggling and whispering.

"Has there been any good gossip lately, Weiwei?" She asked.

"Not that I've heard. We're still talking about Fifth Princess going crazy," replied Weiwei.

An gui ren hurried over to the group, watching their backs shift with laughter. 

"How absurd!" Weiwei said. 

The servants jumped and at the sight of An gui ren, dropped to their knees. 

 "An gui ren is here and you won't even acknowledge her! She should report you to The Emperor right now!" said Weiwei. 

"We beg your forgiveness! Please have mercy on us!" A eunuch cried.

"I don't know," said An gui ren, "Is it really worth it to spare such useless things like you?"

The servants began to beg for lives with renewed fervor.

"Alright, alright. I'll forget about this if you tell me what's so interesting these days. What were you chatting about just now?"

The servants fell silent and glanced at one another. It was something juicy then. "I recognize every one of your uniforms. One word and you'll lose your heads," Said An gui ren.

A brave maid spoke up, "It was...A'Fen from the ice house just came from visiting her new baby sister and told us about the rumors in the capital about First Princess,"

"First Princess?" Said An gui ren, "What about her?" "I don't want to dirty your ears with this sort of talk," said the maid.

An gui ren rolled her eyes, "Spit it out already,"

"They're saying First Princess is...keeping company with the eunuchs here," said the maid.

"What?" Asked An gui ren, "How can anyone believe that?"

"Some palace eunuch from the palace was bragging about it in a brothel. Apparently First Princess' underwear and love tokens are hidden in a eunuch's room,"

"Which eunuch?"

The maid shook her head, "Nobody knows,"

An gui ren shook her head, "And this is all over the capital?"

"Even the gêgês are talking about it,"

"You're all dismissed," said An gui ren, "Don't you dare speak more of this,"

She tugged Weiwei down the road, "Hurry! We have to see His Majesty,"

Finding The Emperor was a struggle, and when she did, An gui ren waited outside his doors for almost an hour.

"An gui ren, His Majesty has no time to see you. Please, return to your palace," said Zhang Wei.

"Wei gonggong, this is important. Announce me, please," she begged.

When it looked like he wouldn't budge, she added, "It's about First Princess," An gui ren said.

Zhang Wei stared at her for a moment longer before sighing, "Fine then,"

The Emperor was sitting behind his desk, missives nearly covering the entire surface. An gui ren's heart began to race. It had been some time since she and His Majesty were alone like this. He hadn't flipped her tag in almost a year.

"This concubine wishes–"

"Speak quickly and withdraw. I don't have time for nonsense today," The Emperor said.An gui ren paused before quietly finishing her greeting. The Emperor was still in a bad mood because of Xiang gui ren's injury.

"Your Majesty, I have something to report,"

––––––––––––

*chaofu: Court attire for women of Imperial Concubine status and above †chaoguan: Hats worn by consorts have two tiers of dongzhu pearls and phoenixes topped by a cat eye stone

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