#madam koi koi

[therosettasun]

The World of Birds of Paradise!

Your favorite cryptids, Bigfoot, Mothman, Nessie, and more! All come to life in the hidden city of Inferno! Cryptids, Yokai, and Urban Legends from all over the globe coexist within the world of Birds of Paradise!

Lucy, Leola, Iris, and Creek — once human — are tossed into this new world as newly formed, vicious(ly adorable) cryptids!

[yourlocaleftelinghoe]

Madam Koi Koi

[connectparanormal]

Madam Koi Koi

In West African folklore, Madam Koi Koi is a well-known person, especially in urban legends from Nigeria. People have passed down Madam Koi Koi's exciting ghost story over the years and frequently share it with schools. Madam Koi Koi's story revolves around a spectral woman who is believed to haunt boarding schools. Her high-heeled shoes, which give her name, distinguish her. Depending on who narrates it, the story changes slightly, but the essential plot always stays the same. Once upon a time, Madam Koi Koi was a stunning educator who was highly regarded for her grace and flair—particularly her famous red shoes. She was renowned, meanwhile, for her severe punishments and inhumane treatment of her students. The story goes that she got into a fight with a pupil and lost her job as a teacher, which put an end to her reign of terror. Feeling humiliated and furious, she swore to get even. She mysteriously passed away shortly after, and her ghost reportedly returned to haunt the school's grounds.

Students say that Madam Koi Koi makes the unsettling "koi koi" sound with her heels, alerting people to her presence as she wanders the corridors at night. Given that she is rumored to target misbehaving kids or those who stay out late in the halls after curfew, this sound is both a warning and a threat. Madam Koi Koi's narrative power instills fear in many students, keeping them in line. In addition to being a ghost story, the Madam Koi Koi folklore reflects social mores and cultural values. It emphasizes concepts of discipline, authority, and the results of one's deeds. By highlighting the consequences of cruelty and the potential for retaliation, the story facilitates a discussion about the relationship between students and authority figures. Additionally, Madam Koi Koi unites students through shared experiences and group storytelling, acting as a cultural touchstone. Often spoken during late-night events or power shortages, the narrative fosters a sense of companionship and shared anticipation. For many students, it is a story that unites them through both terror and curiosity and serves as a rite of passage.

The legend of Madam Koi Koi serves as both a warning story and a window into how society views women in leadership roles. Her persona, which symbolizes the nuanced relationships between gender and authority in educational contexts, combines terror and admiration. This tale prompts discussions about authority, respect, and the repercussions of abusing power. Ultimately, Madam Koi Koi's mythology endures because it satisfies universal curiosity and concerns. This tale appeals to everyone who has ever experienced the suspense of a ghost story or the anxiety of a powerful authority figure, regardless of their cultural background. The terrifying story of Madam Koi Koi demonstrates the timeless power of storytelling, captivating listeners and imparting lifelong knowledge.

[fuchsiamilk]

Evil teacher Madam Koi Koi

[briefbestiary]

Surely a wicked spirit to fear, Madam Koi Koi's legend has spread out from its origins in Nigeria to haunt the students of other African countries.

[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!

[gulaab-jaamun-galaxy]

Women's are simple beings... Badi divya aur madhur hoti hai unki dictionary... aur jab ek stree kisi mard se prem karti hai toh aur bhi khoobsurat ho jaati hai uski vaani... jaise...

Here are a few phrases and their meanings...

I need you - You need her

Itni zyada mohabbat karte ho tum mujhse - Main jeeetni tumse karti hoon utna kar paaoge kabhi tum? Huh, Kabhi Nahin!

Can you drop me home - Oye Hero, Baraat lekar nachte-nachte idher udher na nikal jaana, yeh ghar dekh lo yahin aana hai sidhe tumko. Bujhe?

Mere liye aapka prem kaafi hai, mujhe aur kuch nahi chahiye aapse - Chup chap weekly jhumke aur bangles shoppings jaana hai mujhe fir IMAX mein meri favourite movie dekhungi fir main daba ke Paani-Puri aur Momos khaungi fir Park mein ghumi-ghumi karna hai mujhe fir Library mein kitabein pardhte hue coffee piyungi tumhare saath

Apna khayaal rakha karo - Itni si baat tere moti bhuddhi mein kyun nahi jaati hai ki tujhko jitna hurt hota hai usse dugna mujhe hota hai ullu de patthe!

Look what I made for you - Oye Mister, chup chap acche compliments de mujhe baad mein apni sakhiyon ke saamne teri baatein karni hai

Tum pagal ho poore ke poore - Main tumse zyada pagal hoo chuki hoon

Ek thappad maarungi tumhe - Kisi ne ek kharroch bhi di tumko toh chamdi ukhaad dungi uski

Acchi lag rhi hoon na? - Mujhe toh pata hai main acchi lag rhi hoon bas ab tum bhi fatafat meri tareef kardo, mujhe aur bhi kaam hai sunder dikhne ke alawa

Pardhai kar lo tum bhi - Mujhe shaanti se pardhai karne de mere baap!

To know the other side of the list, contact my Ardhangini - @bareilly-wala-jhumka she'll tell you that list... 🌻❣️🌼

[thegenxorcist]

Lady (Madame) Koi Koi

Throughout the boarding schools in Nigeria, Ghana, and parts of South Africa, students fear the ghost of a vengeful spirit known for the sounds her red heels make. Late at night if they hear the telltale sounds of her heels walking down the hall, they know Lady Koi Koi is out looking for new victims...

Lady Koi Koi: The Red-Heeled Ghost of Nigeria

[vforvalensa]

Halloween movie marathon day 3

[lavendersartistry]

plotting away with lore on KoiRite

SO UH NEW OC (that fits Space Riders too much-)

meet KoiRite, warrior princess from the planet Imbeko (Xhosa for “honor”). She’s the middle child out of 5 siblings and only daughter to Queen Melokuhle and King Liyabona.

I was heavily inspired by the Black Panther movie series so she’s the Space Rider’s “Black Panther”. She’s a buff lady with a good right hook!

Space Riders AU - @onyxonline

[brother-ki-dulhan]

Brother ki dulhan

Isse pehle ki hum aage badhe ..there are some of our mutuals who really showed interest in this whole wedding..so we are gonna make them humare parivaar ka hissa

abb jaise vanilla ice cream chocolate syrup ke bina adhuri hoti hai vaise hi ek desi shaadi apne characters ke bina adhuri rehti hai (complaining phupha... gossip wali chachi... shaitan bacche aur corner mei romance krne wale couples etc. etc.)

@raindropsofloev ye hai humare dulhe raja!! iss shadi mein dulhan se zyada lag nhi rha inka kisi cheez mein intrest hai, bas bechare kuch bhi bolne lagte hain to inki behne dara dhamka kar chup kara deti hain isiliye itne chup baithe hain

@chal-jeete-hai yeh hai roop ...dulhe ki behen no.1!! dulhe se 1 saal choti hai but bechari zimmedario ke bhojh mein itna dab gai hai ki pata hi nhi chalta inmein se kon bada hai. Ab aakhir kisi ko to samajhdaar banna hi padega varna kon ladki iss ghar ki bahu bane. Par haan jab yeh sab chodd ke yeh nritya karti hai ..toh haaye kisi ki nazar na hate inse.

@ae-dil-ae-saudaai ye hain hum sab ke eklaute jijaji and roop ke patidev!!bade samajhdaar hain, saara din didi ki har baat mante hain aur unhe khush rkhne ki puri koshish karte hain (shabash jijaji aise hi humari didi ko khush rkhna varna yaad rkhna asla hum bhi rkhte hain janab🥰) ...wese jab yeh apna dilruba bajate hai toh humari behen kya har ladki inpe fidaa hojaye.

@celesteablack yeh hai geet, behen no2 aur dulhe raja ke shabdo mein ghar ki gundi. humare ghar ki jaan hai . inn madam ko masti mazak ke alawa aur kuch nhi aata and darmebaaz hai ek number ki vo to badi behen ne dara dhamka ke shaadi ke zimmedario mein laga rkha hai...par iski zabaan jitni bhi teekhi ho ...jab yeh gaati hai toh iske jitni meethi awaaz kisi ki nahi .

@hauxicrook yeh hai humare hone wale jija... geet ke fiance..pata nhi kaise ...dono saara time ladte rehte hain, jiss time ye dono ekdusre se agree kar jaye uss time ko hum diwali ki tarha celebrate karte hain!! but kuch bhi kaho hone wale jij ji humari behen ka dhyan bohot acche se rkhte hain, kabhi use kisi cheez ki dikkat nhi hone dete

@oosajnire ye hai bittu behen no 3, sabse choti but god forbid choti behen wale kaam karle, mummy kehti haina ki padhne wale bacche kahin bhi padh lete hain, yess ye wahi bacchi hai jab dekho padhti rehti hai, iske chakkar mein bohot suna hai humne, but koi ni hai to apni pyaari si chirkut hi

@bandarrrrr yeh hain humare dulhe ke one and only bestfriend!! honestly bataun to jaise ye dono behave karte hain, inki shaadi ekdusre se karwa deni chahiye thi, bechari bhabhi!! and pata nhi kyu jahan ye dikhta hai vhi bittu dikh jaati hai, what's more shocking is vo bina kitaabo ke milti hai!! is there something going on? guess we'll never know or maybe we will.

@orgasming-caterpillar @tothemoonandbacklove aur yeh dono pyaare pyaare log humari bhen no 2...roop ke devarji and devrani bade hi cute hain dono, saara din ek dusre ke saath khusar pusar karke haste rehte hain...aadhe time aap madhu ko chiru se maar khaate hi dekhenge par haan yeh apni bhabhi ka bada khyal rkhte hain vaise .

@11-th-mein-science-mt-lena ye humare bakchod chacha, honestly hum sabke fav!! inse aap kisi bhi prakaar ki baat kar sakte hain i'm damn sure ye aapko bore nhi hone denge and @cafffeineconnoisseur yeh hai humari pyaari se chachi jo inki bakchodi sehte sehte thak chuki hai ...but the best part?? ye aapko chacha se bachati hai jab woh marks puchne aate hai.

@chaosmakethemuse yeh vo shaant maasi hain jo har time sabki care karti rehti hai aur khud ka dhyan rakhna bhool jaati hain;! Uff maasi thoda dhyan rakho apna aur inki humari chachi @cafffeineconnoisseur ke saath badi jamti hai pata nhi saara din kya baat karti hain ye

@yappergfdotcom @losergfdotcom yeh hai vi and tanvi..dono twins hai but inki similarity yahi khtm hoti hai ...vi madam apni social media star hain, jab dekho haath mein phone aur phone pe insta!! But wahi humari tanvi ji ko real life experiences psnd hai yeh baccho ko dance sikha rhi hain

@pyaari-naari ye iss ghar ki sabe samajhdaar bua!! stereotype mat kardena ye sabse pyaari hain, inho ne hi to hume bade pyar aur patience ke saath saari rasmo se kash makash karwaya hai

@talesinmyhead040122 ye humari bua no.2, humari gossip queen, i swear to god jaisi tea ye spill karti hain karan johar can only dream!! duniya ki har khabar hai inke paas

@depressed-bi-twerking ye humari one more cousin...ye madam agar aapko kahin na mile to please ek baar dance floor check karlena, kyuki dance floor to maano madam ka ghar hai.

@pretentious-hana ye hana hai, humari cousin, iski nai nai shaadi hui hai @hectorfrombritain ke saath saara time ye dono ek dusre ke saath lage rehte hain, ahh newly weds yk how it is. Ahem.

@kenzenkokri humare phupha ji inhe har cheez se dikkat rehti har har time complain but humari help bhi bohot karte hain, ye na hote to main kiski buraiya karti bhala? jox phupha ji jox!!

@shadowseductress ye humari maasi!! she is just that aunt yk, the coolest rich aunt. ye jab bhi aati hain humare lie mast gifts laati hain... honestly hum diwali se zyada inke arrival ka wait karte hai also yeh dikhati nahi but dil se bhot pyaari hai ...so those random meds you find when you get ill? Yepp that's her.

@sunlonaplsaisha ye humari ek aur cousin, she is our makeup queen. ye aise looks create karti hai kisi ne apne sapne mein socha bhi na hoga but bechari iss shaadi mein sabka makeup karne mein lagi hai!! fas gai bechari

[therosettasun]

Could you please describe the most average interaction between Nurse Toad and Madame Koi Koi

Kinda like this

ART BY @33v33lyn

“I don’t get paid enough for this…”

“I don’t get paid…”

[sf-a2collab]

★ SF-A2 Collab 2024 ★彡

Shining brighter than any star, it's SF-A2 Miki and her wonderful fans!

The theme this year was: Redraw her iconic V2 design

⬆️Click on the image for better quality⬆️

We expected her SynthV VB to come out this year and saw it fitting to celebrate with her very first look. Unfortunately her SynthV was delayed, but that just means we have something to look forward to next year ^u^

Please check out all the lovely artists below and on the Carrd page

★彡Shin. ☆彡Lumi ★彡@electriczayre ☆彡@meowonaise ★彡@pond-of-koi ☆彡@autistic-shaiapouf ★彡Nathan ☆彡noctlas332 ★彡@yulilyuta ☆彡Queefan ★彡@thetechnicolorphase ☆彡Phú ★彡Deli ☆彡Olly ★彡Buunloon ☆彡SaiSuta ★彡bunipops ☆彡Pepper ★彡@scootarooni ☆彡Mieledoll ★彡Flanasso ☆彡Prof Carrot ★彡Sirendroid ☆彡Sab.arts ★彡Laujita ☆彡Rilly ★彡Alisus ☆彡the_art_kitty ★彡Madame Moxy ☆彡星空★lone ★彡Slimeederee ☆彡Mayor Dea

[mxtxfanatic]

Jiang Yanli's Sacrifice of Love

Something that's bothered me for a while has actually been how Jiang Yanli's sacrifice at Nightless City is discussed. It was neither a spur of the moment decision nor something that she would have avoided had she "had more time to think." For one, the reason why Jiang Yanli is at Nightless City is to speak to Wei Wuxian. It's pretty clear that this is the reason, because when Wei Wuxian had gone to Koi Tower to retrieve Wen Ning and Wen Qing's ashes, he was discovered by Madam Jin outside of the palace where she and Jiang Yanli had been mourning over Jin Zixuan's coffin:

Madam Jin had good sight. She saw the features submerged in the darkness, and her face twisted at once. She yelled in a shrill voice, “Everyone! Come, everyone! Wei Ying—he’s here! He crept into Koi Tower!” Wei WuXian leaped down the roof. Suddenly, he heard a series of hastened footsteps. Somebody hurried out of the palace. He could only make a run for it.

—Chapt. 77: Nightfall, exr

Jiang Yanli hears that Wei Wuxian is in Koi Tower and immediately leaves her vigil over Jin Zixuan's coffin, but Wei Wuxian avoids her. Her only other option is to go to the Nightless City pledge banquet, because she would not get another chance. The cultivation world was planning on besieging the Burial Mounds the next day:

Jin GuangShan raised his hands, signaling for the people to be quiet and listen to him talk. When the cheers slowly died down, he continued, raising his voice, “Tonight, the ones whose ashes had been scattered were the two leaders of the Wen Sect’s remnants. And tomorrow! It will be the rest of the Wen-dogs and—the YiLing Patriarch, Wei Ying!”

—Chapt. 78: Nightfall, exr

So now we see that Jiang Yanli's presence at Nightless City wasn't an accident or plothole, and she wasn't there without the knowledge that what she would walk into would likely be bad. She simply did not care because she needed to see her didi, if only for the last time.

Jiang YanLi managed, “... A-Xian. Before... why did you run away so fast... I didn’t even get the chance to look at you, or say something to you...” ... And so, she didn’t know what else she could say to Wei Wei WuXian, under such circumstances. It was just that she felt like she had to see this brother of hers once more.

—Chapt. 78: Nightfall, exr

Now let's discuss the second part:

Jiang YanLi, “I’m... I’m here to tell you...” To tell him what? That it’s fine? That I don’t hate you? That everything is fine? That I don’t blame you for have killed Jin ZiXuan? It was impossible. But she couldn’t say anything that was the opposite either. And so, she didn’t know what else she could say to Wei Wei WuXian, under such circumstances.

—Chapt. 78: Nightfall, exr

I've seen this section analyzed in a way that makes it seem like Jiang Yanli does wholly blame Wei Wuxian for everything that has gone bad but simply has no will to speak that hatred into existence. That is clearly an overly simplistic and mean-spirited interpretation of Jiang Yanli's internal dilemma. Jiang Yanli's hesitance is not a reluctance to give validity to her hate but that she doesn't know how to directly face the contradictions in her relationship with the man she sees as her didi. When they were both children in Lotus Pier, the contradiction between she as a master and Wei Wuxian as a servant could be ignored because the strictest enforcer of them, Madam Yu, spent most of her time away from home. After the Jiang Clan massacre and Jiang Cheng assuming leadership, there was nobody who would override her stance on seeing Wei Wuxian as a true brother. When she had Jiang Cheng sneak her to Yiling to show off her wedding outfit to Wei Wuxian, she was making a conscious choice to act as if the dynamics between them have not been irreversibly changed despite Wei Wuxian's defection from the Jiang, his subsequent exile from the cultivation world, and her impending marriage into the main clan pushing for his persecution. She even invites Wei Wuxian to Koi Tower for Jin Ling's one-month celebration despite surely hearing about how terrible his reputation was at the time!

But the Qiongqi Path Ambush crushes her dreams of peaceful coexistence and pushes the contradictions to the forefront where they can no longer be ignored. Wei Wuxian is not just her didi. He is the feared Yiling Patriarch, loathed by all, and now the murderer of her beloved husband/father of her child. Her other brother and father-in-law are gathering cultivators to kill him, in turn. She is hurt and grieving, and this pain is for more than just the loss of her husband. This is the same dilemma that Jin Ling finds himself in at the end of the novel: he suddenly has to contend with the fact that his favorite uncle, Jin Guangyao, is the real reason why he was orphaned, and he must contend with that betrayal atop all of his memories of Jin Guangyao's acts of love and kindness towards him as well as the fact that the man is now dead. Does the love cover the hurt? No, but the hurt also doesn't erase the love nor convert it into hatred. Likewise, for Jiang Yanli to say otherwise to Wei Wuxian would be a disservice to both of them. Yet despite not having words prepared beforehand to discuss all of these conflicting feelings inside of her, Jiang Yanli still rushes out of the palace to catch a glimpse of Wei Wuxian, still finds her way to Nightless City, still calls him by his pet name and speaks gently to him despite having just been slashed in the back by one of his corpse soldiers.

And while she wasn't expecting it to be the last time they'd see each other because of her death, that doesn't make her sacrifice any less meaningful for the fact that she did not predict it prior to it happening. She—a notoriously frail woman who had just had her back cut open—gathered enough strength to push a grown man out of the way of an incoming attack that only she saw coming:

Shyly saying a few words to Madam Jin, [Jiang Yanli] walked to the edge of the watching platform and tossed out two flowers at them. This used up as much strength as she could muster. For one second, Wei WuXian and Jiang Cheng were even worried that she’d fall off. Seeing that Jiang YanLi steadied herself, they finally relaxed.

—Chapt. 70: Departure, exr

Suddenly, Jiang YanLi’s eyes opened wide. Her hands conjured up an explosive current of strength from nowhere and pushed Wei WuXian hard! Wei WuXian was pushed onto the ground again by the force. The next time he looked up, he saw the gleaming blade of a sword pierce through her throat.

—Chapt. 78: Nightfall, exr

If that wasn't an act of love, I don't know what is.

[batbusiness-schooldropout]

Absolute bananas crack fic idea

Nie Huaisang: Are you going to Koi Tower as well?

Wei Wuxian: Why would I?

Nie Huaisang: Haven't you heard? Madam Jin has invited all twinks to Koi Tower to determine if any are Sect Leader Jin's bastards

Wei Wuxian: Yeah. But I know who my father is, and I won't insult my parents by acting like it could be anyone else

Nie Huaisang: I understand. I know that I'm not one of his bastards either. But rumor has it that if the number of bastards exceeds 5, Madam Jin WILL attack Jin Guangshan

Wei Wuxian: Ok. Just to be clear. In no way am I saying that there's even a chance I'm Jin Guangshan's son

Nie Huaisang: Of course

Wei Wuxian: I will not actually be participating in whatever tests there are

Nie Huaisang: I understand

Wei Wuxian: But if a Jin gets hit and I'm not at least in the room when it happens, I will cry. Let's go

[shanastoryteller]

Happy Birthday grandma! How about BFF WWX LXC and NMJ? Or female!MXY? Your choice🌻🌻🌻🌻🎉🎉🎉🎉

Ps. Made it?!?!

a continuation of 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37

Lan Xichen arrives to his brother and Xuanyu in the middle of an argument.

They’re surrounded by corpses, Xue Yang inexplicably among them, and the missing Xiao Xingchen is standing there huddled against Song Lan’s side, looking strangely small, while a blind girl stands on his other side.

Sizhui and Jingyi are staying several steps back in an attempt not to get caught in the couple’s argument.

He almost regrets leaving A-Yao behind with the rest of the disciples. It had made sense at the time, with the low but present chance that they’d run into trouble, but now he wishes he could be the one dealing with their siblings instead of him.

“-not just going to – XICHEN-GE! GET DOWN HERE!”

The disciples, who’d demanded to come along, cringe away and even send him sympathetic looks.

She only calls him Xichen-ge when she wants something. He’s pretty sure A-Yao taught her that.

He descends, jumping off his sword, and frowning when he gets a closer look at her. She has wounds around her waist and shoulder even though they seemed to have stopped bleeding and there’s a variety of colorful bruises on the bits of skin he can see on her, which means there’s even more hiding beneath her robes. “You’re injured.”

“It’s nothing,” she says dismissively. Wangji’s eyebrow twitches. “I want Song Lan, Xiao Xingchen, and A-Qing to accompany us to Koi Tower.”

He assumes A-Qing is the blind girl. “Ah.”

“It’s not proper,” Wangji says, enough irritation bleeding though that this is clearly not the first time he’s said that.

She sends him a scathing look. “We can’t send them back to Cloud Recesses, Lan Qiren will eat them alive, and we can’t leave them alone. Look at them! Look around! They need help.”

“Ah, Madame Lan,” Song Lan says tentatively, “you’ve already done-”

“Shut up,” she says and his mouth snaps shut. Lan Xichen stares. He’s encountered Song Lan many times and has never seen him act like this. “Where are you going to go? What are you going to do? You deserve rest, all three of you, and while I would hardly call the Jin restful, it’s at least better than having to watch you back on the road.” She frowns. “Also, what’s with Madame Lan? I told you to call me Xuanyu. If you fight an army of the undead together, you don’t have to use titles. It’s a rule, or something.”

Wangji’s eyes narrow and Song Lan smiles at Xuanyu before he catches sight of Wangji’s expression and then his lips thin out into a straight line.

Lan Xichen can already feel a headache building.

She’s only been missing for a few hours. How did any of this even happen?

If he wants to find out, then he’s going to have to give in to her. She won’t tell him anything otherwise, he assumes, because A-Yao definitely wouldn’t. Besides, he has no reason to deny her. She is Madame Lan and Lady Jin and she’s more than entitled to add people to their traveling party and to invite wandering cultivators to Koi Tower.

“The rest of our party is nearby,” he says finally. “We’re happy for you to join us.”

His brother glares at him, but what does he expect him to do? She’s Wangji's wife.