#scholar ling

[its-sixxers]

Scholar Ling and Empress Sun Lian enjoying a moment of piece for @sunlians!

[countessofwisdom]

If Ling Ruo was a disciple of Shen Qingqiu, she would take the Head Disciple position so effortlessly. Ming Fan? Don't know him.

[tianshiisdead]

question for the mdzs/cql fandom

does anyone have any thoughts on the Nie sect being north asian coded? :0 i’ll admit i’m not knowledgable enough to have more than a couple thoughts (my in depth knowledge starts and stops at manchu/jurchen culture which isnt fully in that range exactly and a lot of it is dead or half dead culture smfh) and would love to hear someone else’s opinions

[noswordinourlake]

I was just going through my WIP folder and found a Jiuyuan pre-canon AU I started and then totally forgot about. Since I doubt I'll be able to work on this for a hot minute, posting the bit I do have here.

The premise is "Shen Yuan, transmigrator and rogue cultivator, with the righteous fury of an internet gremlin who never let anyone get away with being inaccurate in his lives, becomes Shen Jiu’s reviewer #2.

[Everyone disliked that]"

—

A-Jiu, his shizun had said, a scholar must build their name.

A-Jiu, his shizun had said, a scholar must share their knowledge.

A-Jiu, his shizun had said, a scholar must publish.

Well. Fuck his shizun anyway.

—

Shen Jiu had been developing his thesis on the effect of strong spiritual and demonic fields on the development of spiritual beasts for several years (only partially influenced by the Incident with the luminescent bat beetles in the Ling Xi Caves and how close one had come to eating the disgusting Liu brat’s leg. Such a near miss. A tragedy) when his shizun cornered him at his favorite reading table in the Qing Jing peak library.

His master was holding the latest draft of his work with a look on his face that boded no good to anyone, but particularly Shen Jiu. He had the smile of a Bodhisattva and the eyes of a two-tailed eagle shark that had scented blood in the water.

“A-Jiu,” he said, rolling over the moment where Shen Jiu failed to rise or greet him, “This master was looking over the latest copy of your work and I really do think it's time—”

“This disciple disagrees!” Shen Jiu snapped. Like hell was he sending out his treatise to get picked at by idiots who couldn't tell a yao from a feral cat. Not that he could say that. “Shizun, it surely needs further revision.”

His teacher's smile grew wider and more serene. “The pine tree grows because of the wind and the rain, not despite them.”

Shen Jiu was silent for a moment to see if this would be followed by words that made sense to anyone not his shizun—sometimes these statements were. Not today though.

His shizun didn't seem to need a response anyway. He flapped the stack of papers in his hand in Shen Jiu’s face in farewell and left the library with that infuriating smile unbudged.

—

Shen Jiu only realized his shizun had circulated his treatise among his network of old students and acquainted scholars when the first absolutely infuriating letter made its way into his hands.

[makingqueerhistory]

Queer history fact: (493-534 BC) Duke Ling, a married man, was madly in love with his courtesan, Mizi Xia. Mizi Xia was said to be incredibly beautiful and well-loved throughout Wie, the land the Duke ruled. While the two were in an extramarital relationship, the Duke was very open about his love for the other man.

When Xia's mother became ill Xia forged the Duke's signature to take one of the carriages. This offence was punishable by cutting off the thief's feet, but when Xia returned, the Duke didn't punish him. Instead, he praised his love's loyalty to family and willingness to face punishment to be with his mother.

Another source of pride for the Duke was the bitten peach; a symbol still used to signify love between men in China. While walking through the garden together, Xia picked a peach and took a single bite. When he realized it was particularly sweet, he gave it to the Duke. The Duke praised Xia, saying:

"How sincere is your love for me! You forgot your appetite and thought only of giving me good things to eat!”

It is a beautiful story, but its telling begins for another reason. It was originally recorded by a scholar who used the story's beginning and eventual end as a parable. It was said that after Xia's beauty faded, so did the Duke's love for him. He was accused of crimes against the Duke—the crimes for which he'd received praise. The theft of the carriage and the gift of the half-eaten peach, once hailed by the Duke, now brought punishment for Xia. The scholar used the Duke's shifting attitude to ward against the dangers of falling into the favour of powerful people.

[lacamorte]

~ beast tamer

For whatever reason, when Shen Qingqiu plays music, he draws all manner of beasts to him. All sorts of qi butterflies, crystal deer, brimstone crows — even the fierce, troublesome beasts of Ling You, the Beast Taming Peak, could often be found outside of their pens and instead flopped over on their bellies by the side of one Qing Jing Peak Lord. They cannot be beckoned by food or familiar hand, only insistently nudging their heads to nestle against the scholar's palms when he stops playing, refusing to leave until they've been acknowledged by the man.

Maybe that's why Luo Binghe, the worst beast of them all, cannot seem to draw himself away.

[pumpkinpaix]

Chapter Spotlight 4:

"Iterative Violence: English (mis?)Translations of Modao Zushi and Chen Qing Ling" by Chant Y. Ng

Describe your topic/chapter in one sentence/one meme/140 characters.

A work by any other translation would NOT smell as sweet!!! In fact!!!!

What drew you to this topic?

Hi yes it's me, your pal cyan, you may know me from such hit posts as 8k words of rage-crying about the translation of 知己 as soulmates (which is about translation as violence), or maybe that other one about translation as violence (shockingly, it's really about translation as violence), or perhaps even that other other one about how one might translate Lan Xichen's title— (you know, I think this one is also about translation as violence)

If there’s one thing you hope the fandom takes away from your article, what would it be?

I hope that people think harder about how impossible it is to translate a text, and that they choose to extend more grace and compassion to authors and translators alike. A translation is not a window but a painting. Also, I'm manifesting better pay and respect for the work of translation into the cosmos. Please consider this a memo I am posting on the great message board of the universe. Thank you.

What is your MDZS/CQL origin story? (i.e. how did you come to this text?)

Started watching, made some gifs, read the book. Had a breakdown. Bon appetit.

Favorite adaptation, if any?

Audio drama! The love, care and effort put into it continues to astound me. Sometimes, to get the sound of a dizi hitting the ground, you gotta throw a dizi on the ground, y'know?

If you were isekai-ed into MDZS/CQL, what sect affiliation would you choose and why?

Please let me live my life in peace, I am but a feeble scholar.

Most compelling relationship in the text?

Twin Jades!!!!

Chaotic one-sentence pitch to get your friends into MDZS/CQL?

*gripping you tightly by the shoulders* don't

If you could ask MXTX one question, what would it be?

你最近怎么样啊？

Anything to say to potential readers of the collection?

Thanks for checking us out! It's been a wild and unpredictable (four-year!!) ride but everyone worked very hard on their parts. Means a lot even if you're just here for our little promo. :) If you'd like a copy of my contribution for classroom use, please do reach out!

You can find Chant (cyan) here on Tumblr @pumpkinpaix.

(FAQ) (all posts on Catching Chen Qing Ling)

[baiwu-jinji]

"Since the late 2000s, some scholars have criticised danmei for its erasure of women, objectification of the male body and replication of unequal power dynamics in heterosexual relationships. [...] For some, the aversion to female characters in danmei—and to female identity in general—is closely linked to the questioning of femininity, the refusal of traditional gender roles and the desire to seize men’s power."

-‘OPENING THE DOOR TO A NEW WORLD’: Danmei and the Gender Revolution in China, by Ling Yang and Yanrui Xu

[dangermousie]

Something that struck me extra on this LLTG rewatch - how subtle yet unmistakable the narrative is about the fact that being sheltered and spoiled as a woman is a recipe for disaster.

NN, ill-educated STEM feral child, gets how important marriage partner choice is more than all the rest of them, properly brought up in womanly virtues.

No, I don't mean she yearns for true love (she gets it, eventually, but that is not what she hopes or looks for) - but what she gets and a lot of the rest of the young women we see do not, is that you want a husband you can like and get along with, who can let you be yourself (and who is also acceptable socially because she's pragmatic.)

That is why her first choice, until it's OBE, is Yao - he's sweet and he's a friend and she knows she'd be the boss in that marriage. All the ladies in the capital swoon for Ling Buyi but she is never consciously swayed. She doesn't realize he likes her and she's not someone to build fantasies/pine for someone she can't have (in a way, knowing the man likes her is a necessary precondition for her to be even able to open her heart - she's spent too much of her childhood fruitlessly yearning for familial love to want to repeat that in her marriage.) Yao openly adores her so this allows her to consider him as a partner (that is why Scholar dude never had a chance btw, his courtship style is negging and NN is the last person that would work for.)

In fact, even after she knows Ling Buyi likes her, she is NOT excited to marry him because she doesn't want someone too high a status compared to her and someone as strong-willed as him because what she sees, and a lot of the rest of women looking for husbands in this story do not, that if there is a huge status disparity and a man is used to getting his own way, there is a risk of having yourself subsumed. A lot of the latter half is the two awkward, scarred by various trauma young people navigating boundaries of their relationship and what is OK for them and what is not (Ling Buyi IS used to barking orders, NN is overly defensive about even the slightest suggestions - they eventually meet in the middle and it's lovely but it's even more lovely that the drama shows it takes work and conversations and compromises.)

The thing that she gets, perhaps because she's a pragmatic survivor, is how the choice of a husband is the most important thing for a woman in that society. Her life fully depends on that, even more than of e.g., an Austen heroine, because in addition to those hurdles, this is a polygamous society (so how many other women brought in and how husband treats the legal wife versus concubines etc also is an issue) AND a society where if your husband goes down, you and your kids will be executed/enslaved along with him. We see how badly wrong marriages can go - Yao's eventual wife's first marriage is a great example, where she marries a man who abuses her and kills her family. Or even that one woman who marries a general who dotes on her and is a great husband, but commits treason and is executed (and she's only spared by the grace of the emperor.)

And the fact that all those women swoon for Ling Buyi and want to marry him SHOWS how the sheltered/spoiled thing has fucked them up. Remember princess whatever? She is dead set on marrying Ling Buyi and it's insane to me. Yes, he's good-looking and quasi-son of the emperor who dotes on him (since it's safe to do so, he's outside the dynastic fight) but that's great for about three minutes and boasting at parties. She is so sheltered from reality, she does not think what it would be like to be married to him. I don't mean his revenge quest since nobody knows. I mean if he was exactly who he appears with no other goals. Ling Buyi dislikes her and makes it known. He's rude to her (he's rude in general. Hell, he's rude to his parental family, openly! And emperor lets him get away with it), he clearly looks down on her and at a couple of points he genuinely threatens her and her family with murder. He's not charming or gentle or considerate. THIS IS NOT A MAN YOU WANT TO MARRY OMG!!! It has clearly not occurred to her to think past being carried into this house, envy of all her girlfriends - day in, day out with a rude, violent man who is the emperor's favorite (so you can't really seek help from your family if he doesn't treat you well), who dislikes you and who is entitled to take other wives.

Anyway, I love NN and her pragmatic mind and that she makes Ling Buyi EARN her consent and her loyalty and her love. (But then she is ride or die for him, isn't she?)

[maleyanderecafe]

Astra's Dream (Manhwa)

Created by: BITE

Genre: Romance/Historical

Astra's Dream is extremely beautiful, though the story is fragmented into 2-3 points of views and stories. The yandere we're looking for is the right hand man of Hunag Ling and appears after the third chapter. This story not only has a yandere but also yuri and a bit of yaoi at the end, and I had to ask @flaine1996 to help me make sure that this guy was a yandere since the series itself is very short.

Although there are some chapters that focus more on Astra and her lover, I will go over those as well in the summary since the story itself is very short. You could probably cast Astra as an overprotective yandere, but we're on maleyanderecafe not femaleyanderecafe.

The story starts out with Huang Ling a women who runs what seems to be the mafia finding two young siblings and taking them in because she likes the hair color of the brother. Because of this, she has favoritism for Kim, the brother and mostly neglecting the sister, laster named Astra. Astra is trained by Huang Ling to become an assassin, yet Astra seems very lonely and empty, not really caring if she lives or dies, only living out of convince. This changes when she meets a blonde girl and falls in love with her. We learn that this girl, is part of a lineage where whenever there is a child, they will be a blonde girl, almost like a curse. The two meet while the blonde girl is loading luggage onto a boat, and her contemplating about drowning herself, However, before she can do anything, Astra comes forth and kills one of the men who is packing up the luggage. She drags Astra away and fakes not understanding Chinese, though Astra still vows to protect her and runs away with her. We get to see the blonde girl's backstory, seeing that she was happiest when she was reading stories with her mother, who told her to be patient and careful like a hunter. Despite being beat by her father after her mother's death, she remains holding on tight. Astra promises to protect her though is caught off guard when kissed.

We cut to the story of the yandere, Zhang Siwen's backstory. We see that his family raised him to be a scholar, yet despite this he ended up killing. Because he hates boredom, he ends up turning to a life of crime due to the excitement of violence and killing as a double life, though feigns just being a scholar as a result. When the chief ends up telling him to beat someone during his time as a soldier, he blanks out and completely kills the person. Eventually he is taken in by Huang Ling and her gang with Astra warning him that she will eventually get bored with him, just as she does for most others. Huang Ling seems to take interest in him as while he pretends to be simply a scholar, she can see past him, even testing him to judge his great reflexes and stamina. He happily joins her gang afterwards and even is able to beat up Astra. There's a cute moment where he gets drunk next to Huang Ling and acts like a cute puppy. Zhang Siwen goes against his former boss to kill him and we see that Huang Ling has been setting up for rebelling against the government, though she still has a soft spot in making sure innocents don't get killed and children are saved. In the end, the two get married.

We cut back to Astra trying to entertain the blonde girl by bringing her to places to eat, shop and have fun and even asks for a safehouse for her, though Zhang Siwen is not pleased. We see too that Jin, Astra's brother is really jealous over Zhang Siwen, not understanding why she loves him over Jin. We see that ever since he was young he had a crush on Huang Ling, seeing how she chose him out of all the other children out there. He feels jealous that while he and his sister lived in the slums for most of their lives, Zhang Siwen lived a rather nice and noble life, with good education, whereas Jin had to learn himself, though it seems another guy has an eye on him. We see too that Huang Ling has a softer side to her, while she is able to clear out unfair guys she's also kind to children, going to visit them despite feeling that she is not a good person.

We see the blonde girl and Zhang Siwen conversing with each other, though the two seem to dislike each other. The girl finds a gun where Zhang Siwen discusses the rumor of it essentially having lovers commit double suicide similar to a Romeo and Juliet situation. When Astra buys her a new dress, she gets flashbacks to when she was mistreated and while Astra is sleeping, attempts to shoot herself with the gun.

This webcomic/manhwa is pretty fragmented, but considering it was never a fully released series, it's understandable. The artwork is extremely pretty with all characters being beautiful in one way or another. It touches upon a lot of different couples, though the main ones of course are with Astra and Zhang Siwen, though it is hinted at that Jin would have had a boyfriend if it were expanded upon. Unfortunately because of its fragmented nature, the story itself is pretty incomplete and confusing at times, as it jumps between different points of time and different points of view pretty quickly without really explaining much of it. I also am going to judge the typesetting on this because while the translations do look pretty good, the text could have probably been placed better given that in the last chapter some of the Chinese text isn't even erased and the English is just overlayed ontop of the Chinese text (which is just bad to look at).

Anyways, because of this, I had to ask @flaine1996 to double check it for me and since she says that he's a yandere, it is a gogo. Zhang Siwen is a pretty mild one given that Huang Ling is also a gang leader. Though similar to Jin, Huang Ling was able to see something in him and see his potential. Zhang Siwen has a pretty standard backstory for a yandere, loving violence and killing more than his boring job, only to be scooped up by someone who was able to utilize his skills and reflexes to do something more. That and I guess he's probably into getting beat up by Huang Ling since he did seem pretty enamored with her after she kicked him in the face. As her right hand man, Zhang Siwen does everything she wants like burning down the capital and killing those she wants dead, though he does obviously have a soft spot for her and gets annoyed when talking to someone like Astra's girlfriend. The two do have a happy ending and get married though. Like I said, there's not a lot of the story going around and it is currently very disjointed. I think that if these ideas were made into a fuller series we could see more of the yandere develop with Zhang Siwen.

It's a good series, though short and fairly disjointed. I'd still read it despite everything because of the artwork and concepts, but you do have to think about the parts of it before making judgement as because of the format it's in, it does make it hard to understand. If you like guarddog type yanderes, yuri and violence, this one might be a good read for you.

[mdzs-owns-my-ass-i-guess]

Most iconic Ling Wen things according to me

Contains spoilers

Eyebags and always being tired

Having HR department vibes and knowing everything about everyone

Helping Xie Lian with things all the time, as far back as his first ascension

Being appalled at the notion that people might think her and Pei Ming ever had a romantic past together

Mountains upon mountains of paperwork

The Brocade Immortal and how it was responsible for about a quarter of the plot if not more

When Hua Cheng turned her into a daruma doll and she was holding little scrolls

The fact that her claim to fame as a mortal was an essay literally roasting her country so well she won a contest for scholars despite being a shoe-seller (and pissing off the civil god at the time)

When she became a middle court official and the civil god at the time treated her so poorly she orchestrated his downfall and took his place, becoming even more successful than him

When at the end of the book she said she rested more as a prisoner than she ever did as a god

And then they made her pick up all the slack after everything because the heavens cant function without her

The fact that she created the communication array and the heavens fell into chaos when it disappeared

The fact that Jun Wu literally entrusts her with the whole heavenly court whilst hes off doing god knows what

Literally being the backbone of the heavenly court

Not iconic Ling Wen things:

When she decided to be on Jun Wu's side when his true identity was revealed??? Girl why.

Suffering from misogyny

[its-sixxers]

Sketch commission for @sunlian of a smiley Scholar Ling! My favorite of the JE player characters. <3

[sylvia-forest]

[CN] Shaw's Sweet and Sour Date (Part 2)

⚡Warning: This post contains detailed spoiler for a date which hasn't been released in EN yet!⚡

[Released Date: 6 December 2024]

[Section 3]

Seeing that my character in the script was about to be taken to a completely different place by Shaw's words, I started to think of an explanation in my mind.

MC (makes up a story): Uh... actually, I’m the sister of the Lovesick Maiden. My name is 'Qing Si, the Second Miss.'

MC: This person is indeed the one I like. He is the young master of the Ling family. MC: Because the elder sister is suffering from lovesickness and resting in her room, she asked me, her younger sister, to temporarily take her place and welcome kind-hearted guests.

The tourists all murmured a long "Oh," their expressions full of curiosity.

Compared to following the tasks and storyline step by step, it was clear that they were much more interested in this unexpected turn of events.

Tourists: So, do we still need to find the Lovesick Scholar? MC: Yes, yes, please take this mandarin duck sachet from my elder sister to him. He will explain things to you. Tourists: No problem, don't worry, Miss Second. How about Mr. Ling? Does he have any tasks to issue?

Shaw: Your task is to go find the scholar quickly. Don’t delay me and the Second Miss from enjoying our romance. Tourists: Hahaha, understood! You two continue enjoying your time together!

The tourists took the sachet, laughing and joking, waved goodbye. As soon as they left, I turned around and punched Shaw twice.

MC (pouting): Humph, you just want to see me embarrassed!

Shaw: Not at all, isn’t this the kind of improvisation an NPC should have?

Shaw didn’t dodge. Instead, he grabbed my finger and lightly bit it.

After we played around for a while and sent off a few more batches of tourists with the same story as before, Shaw pointed at the cloth bag on the ground.

Shaw: So, when can you get off work? After you deliver all these sachets?

MC: It’s still early. Handing out the sachets is just the first part of the storyline. After the scholar receives the sachet, he will understand the maiden's feelings and go back to work hard.

MC: Once the players help the scholar complete the 'achieve success and fame' task, there will be a scene where the Lovesick Maiden marries him. Only after that will the story be considered finished.

Shaw (fuming with anger): Getting married? So that's how it is…

MC (confused): So that’s how it is?

Shaw (someone is feeling jellyx1): What I mean is, Miss MC is in luck. The etiquette consultant for this town is Professor Shen. He's quite busy, so some of the work gets handed off to his graduate students.

Shaw (x2): When it comes time for the wedding vows, I'll be the one helping you with the reciting.

MC (speechless): ……

His tone wasn’t just jealousy anymore—it was like eating raw hawthorn or biting into a green lemon tart!

But instead of feeling bothered, I felt a sweet sensation blooming in my heart from Shaw's boiling jealousy. I grinned and leaned closer to him.

MC: Hey, you really don't want me to marry someone else?

Shaw (x3 + dangerous laughter): Well, it's not too bad. After all, it's 'Lovesick Maiden' getting married, it's all just acting.

Hmph, here it comes again, the classic Shaw stubbornness. I leaned in a little closer and lowered my voice.

MC: But I don't want to get married. How about you elope with me like you did last time?

[T/N]: This is a reference from his surging date!

Shaw (clicks his tongue): Eloping is such a bad idea. Miss MC is so responsible; how could I let you slack off at such a critical moment?

MC: …..

Seeing that he didn't respond to me at all, I couldn't help but get a little anxious.

MC (angrily): Shaw, enough already. I’m practically giving you a way out, and you...

Shaw (still not giving up on his stubbornness act): What do I need a way out for?

Shaw raised his eyebrows and turned his face away.

Shaw: Just go to work with peace of mind.

MC (feeling hurt): …..

The sweetness that had been flowing moments ago completely faded in the awkward standoff, turning into an indescribable sense of agitation.

I bit my lip, no longer trying to hide my emotions, and pushed him sullenly.

MC: No problem, I’ll focus on my work, you can go take a walk in the streets. After I finish the wedding, we can meet again.

Shaw: …..

Shaw turned his head and opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he just brushed off his clothes and stood up.

Shaw: Okay.

Shaw, this guy! He actually left!

I don't want to care about him anymore in my life!!

I initially thought Shaw was just trying to scare me, but after several batches of tourists came and left, that tall figure never appeared in the courtyard again.

My emotions fermented in the waiting and the emptiness, shifting from simple frustration to a more complex and unspoken anger.

A sourness crept into my nose, and memories of the small, unnoticed tensions whenever I was with him began to surface uncontrollably in my mind.

MC: It’s always like this, always...

I can’t recall how those events happened or how they were resolved afterward—-

It felt like all those memories had become fuel for a fire, feeding the flames of my anger, making it burn hotter and hotter.

Yet, when footsteps echoed at the entrance of the courtyard, I instinctively turned my hopeful gaze in that direction once more.

Sister Xiaolan: Oh, that's great, little MC, you're still here. MC: Sister Xiaolan? Sister Xiaolan: It's me. I'm sorry for having you cover for me all this time. I’m feeling better now, so I’ll take over the rest of the work. You can go get some rest.

I saw that she had changed into her outfit, looking much better, and after giving her a couple of instructions, I handed over the remaining sachets to her.

Finishing up early works perfectly—I can go find Shaw right now... and have a good, long argument with him!

Toot—toot—

The phone call went unanswered, the long busy tone ringing before automatically disconnecting. I slowly tightened my grip on the phone, as though I was tightening my hold on my own heart.

What does it mean that he’s not answering my calls? Does he not want to talk to me? Is he preparing to start a cold war with me?

MC: How is that possible? What am I thinking? Hahaha…

I knew I couldn't just let my thoughts and emotions slide in a scary direction, but the insecurity of not being able to contact Shaw was making me feel suffocated.

MC: It must be too noisy in the town, and he didn’t notice his phone... Actually, this kind of thing isn’t something to discuss over the phone. It’s better to talk about it face-to-face.

I forced myself to clear my mind of the chaotic thoughts, stood up and ran towards the long street.

The sunlight began to move westward, but the streets were still bustling with tourists.

At the end of the long street, I didn’t know when the sound of music began to play, likely signaling that today’s main event, the "Lovesick Couple's Union," was about to begin.

And none of this has anything to do with me.

I searched against the crowd, stopping passers-by one after another.

MC: Hello, have you seen a young man with blue-purple hair, wearing ancient costumes? Really? Thank you. MC: Hello, have you seen the young man in the photo? I lost him... Well, thank you, sorry. MC: Excuse me, have you seen the young man in the photo?

The festive music was getting closer and closer, so I had to raise my voice and ask again so that the tourists in front of me could hear what I was saying clearly.

She glanced at the photo, then looked around, and suddenly raised her hand, pointing in one direction.

Tourists: Isn't he the one you're looking for?

I looked in the direction she pointed and was stunned for a moment.

The wedding gown gleamed brightly, with sharp brows and starry eyes. The bright red headband accentuated the striking blue-purple hair, making it even more eye-catching.

How come the groom riding on the horse is Shaw?!

[Section 4]

MC: Shaw—! Tourists: Wow, the groom is so handsome, and he is a perfect match for the Lovesick Maiden~ MC (in a loud voice): Shaw, I'm here!

Shaw had a smile on his face, and was looking ahead expectantly. He couldn't hear my voice at all, nor could he see me in the hustle and bustle.

Tourists: Strange...I remember the scholar wasn't played by this person? Tourists: Maybe it's a plot setting, we'll know when we go to the wedding!

The crowd was like thick, impenetrable walls, and my calls were completely drowned in the noise. I could only watch helplessly as the wedding procession passed right in front of me.

I was swept forward by the crowd and arrived at the wedding square.

Master of Ceremonies: Invite the bride!

Surrounded by the crowd, the bride and groom came to the center.

Shaw looked at the bride in the red veil with a smile, tenderness in his eyes that could not be concealed.

Shaw (THE WAY HE RECITED IT WITH SUCH AFFECTION): The magpie has its nest, and the dove resides in it. The bride returns to her home, escorted by a hundred carriages.

[T/N]: This is a classical Chinese poem, often interpreted as symbolizing a woman’s marriage and her journey from her family to her husband’s home, accompanied by great ceremony and respect.

MC (stunned): ……

I stared at the newlyweds, knowing clearly that it was all fake, all acting, but the sadness and grievance that was ignored kept piling up in my heart.

In the end, it turned into overwhelming jealousy.

In an instant, I completely understood Shaw's feelings today that he never expressed out loud.

It wasn't possible from the beginning, even if it was just acting.

You cannot exchange 'affections' with anyone else, you cannot 'marry' anyone else, and most of all, you cannot have feelings for anyone else!

Master of Ceremonies: The newlyweds shall bow to each other—

As the officiant was about to guide the couple through the bowing ceremony, I didn't know where the strength came from, but I pushed my way through the crowd with all my might.

MC: Wait a moment-----!

For a moment, the music and the noise disappeared. I took a deep breath and shouted loudly to the stage, word by word.

MC (shouts from the top of her lungs): SHAW, YOU. CAN. ONLY. MARRY. ME!

Everyone's eyes were focused on me, and Shaw's eyes widened with disbelief.

Shaw (confused): Wait, why would you... Then she is…

Sister Xiaolan, who was playing the bride, quickly lifted her veil when she heard the commotion, and was also startled by Shaw in front of her.

Sister Xiaolan: Eh? I remember you were little MC's boyfriend, why are you here…

It seemed like everyone at the wedding had momentarily frozen, but surprisingly, it was one of the tourists who first recognized us.

Tourist A: Hey, isn't this the Second miss and her Young Master Ling? Tourist B: What, what, did I miss something?

The audience who had seen Shaw and I began to explain the "hidden plot" to others, and excitement spread among the crowd in an instant.

Sister Xiaolan: Didn't you hear what my sister said, silly boy, you almost married the wrong bride!

The music, which had previously stopped backstage, suddenly resumed. Shaw stepped in time with the notes, slowly making his way toward me with deliberate steps.

Shaw (lovingly): MC. 

As I maneuvered through the crowd, my skirt picked up quite a bit of dust, and the hairpin was askew.

But Shaw's gaze was as if he were looking at a precious treasure that had been lost and then found again.

In an instant, he finally woke up from his dream and quickened his pace.

Amid the crowd's exclamations, my groom rushed towards me and hugged me tightly.

I responded to his embrace with almost greedy force.

MC: Did you hear what I just said? Shaw (in a sweet, tender voice): Of course I heard it. Shaw (HIS A LOVESICK FOOL): Since you only want me to marry you, why don't you take me with you?

Shaw (DAMMIT, HE SAID THIS IN SUCH AN AFFECTIONATE VOICE SKSK): My bride.

The crowd cheered and applauded, automatically making way for us as if they were watching a good show. I held his hand tightly and ran towards the setting sun.

_

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, we “eloped” all the way to the deep bamboo forest, a place off-limits to tourists. As soon as we stopped, the phone from the performance team rang.

MC: Sorry for the trouble we've caused... Sister Xiaolan: It’s okay, the audience thought it was a plot arrangement, and later the scholar came back and completed the ceremony. Sister Xiaolan: The scriptwriter said this development was very interesting and planned to turn this accident into a permanent story!

After giving a few more instructions, I hung up the phone and turned to look at Shaw.

And he looked at me steadily.

We stared at each other for a long time, and finally Shaw spoke first.

Shaw (scream in pain): So... hiss!

Shaw was caught off guard by the sudden move, and just as I thought I could struggle some more, he had already firmly pinned my hand.

My emotions have been up and down all day, my mind has been in a mess, and I don’t know what to say.

MC: You don't know anything at all…

Shaw: You didn't say anything, how was I supposed to know? MC: You don't know how worried I was when I couldn't reach you... After finally finding you, you were about to marry someone else...

Shaw listened to my "accusation" and he also felt a little helpless.

Shaw (feeling wronged): This is such a mix-up! I couldn’t reach you either! I thought you’d keep playing the role of the young lady, so I went to find that scholar...

Shaw frowned and his throat rolled violently.

Shaw (he sounded so hurt and wronged here): I wanted to marry you, to give you a surprise. MC (starts crying): No surprise, what surprise? I’m not surprised at all… not one bit!

The bitterness finally had an outlet to pour out, and my eyes were red as I glared at him.

MC: Rather than some surprise wedding, I’d rather have you stop being so difficult all the time. MC: I want to hear your sincerity.

Shaw was silent again.

In the tense silence, his hand remained firm until the moment when a sharp pain radiated through my skin and bones. At that instant, Shaw suddenly released his grip and leaned against me.

Shaw (in a serious tone x1): ….. MC. 

His voice, hoarse and tinged with a nasal tone, reached my ear.

Shaw (x2): I'm not being stubborn... I just... just can't say it out loud. Shaw (x3): "I don't want you to be an NPC and pretend to be a couple with someone else, even if that person doesn't show up"; Shaw (x4): "I don't want to see you marry someone else, even if it's just a show.”

Shaw (troubled by his own feelings): The thought of myself fretting over such trivial matters like an ordinary person disgusts me.

Shaw: I thought I could solve it in some "cool" way.

Shaw: Without making me say such petty things, I still want to make you happy.

MC: I'm not happy…

Shaw: But you're not happy.

Shaw's voice overlapped with mine. He gently cupped my face, and a kiss landed on my eyes, hotter than the tears that had yet to fall.

Shaw (in a low gentle tone x1): I know you've discovered it a long time ago…

Shaw (x2): Every time I pretended not to care and turned everything upside down for you, I was actually jealous to death.

I nodded, and Shaw's kiss slid to the tip of my nose.

Shaw (in a soft, sweet whisper x1): I am very petty and a super stingy person.

Shaw (x2): Do you still want to marry such a stingy person?

MC (happily): I do, so much.

The restless heart that had been wavering finally found its anchor in the shared breath, resonating with the fervent rhythm of his heartbeat.

Shaw let out a soft, muffled laugh. His lips descended again, capturing mine in a seamless, fervent kiss.

Suddenly I remembered that we also escaped from a wedding a long time ago.

At that time, Shaw seemed so relaxed and unrestrained——

Has he already become a super miser?

Not even a needle can fit in.

Until our breathing and moods slowly calmed down in this kiss, I snuggled in his arms and belatedly remembered the most important thing.

MC: ...Now that the theater has already ended, we can't hold the wedding ceremony, right?

Shaw (HE'S SUCH A GREEN FLAG): Then we won’t do it. MC: But if we don’t do it, wouldn’t it just be a runaway marriage? Shaw (in a lighthearted tone x1): Who said that? Shaw (x2): "Where there are no clouds, there is no rain; where there is no matchmaker, there is no marriage." As long as we find a "matchmaker," it won’t count as a runaway marriage.

Perhaps it was because he had untied a huge knot in his heart, Shaw's voice sounded particularly comfortable at this moment.

He looked around and pointed forward toward an old tree at the end of the bamboo forest.

Shaw (x3): Let's go with that one. It looks just like a matchmaker.

MC: Pfft... How do you know this tree looks like a matchmaker?

Shaw (x4): It feels right. Besides, there are precedents in ancient times for using trees as matchmakers. Since it's "getting married," following ancient customs is fine.

MC: That's nonsense.

Shaw (x5): Nonsense is still logic.

As Shaw spoke, he took out the red veil.

Shaw (x6): Want to cover it?

MC: Yes!

I nodded without hesitation, and he covered my face with the veil. For a moment, my eyes were full of burning red.

Because my vision was blocked, Shaw didn't walk very fast with me.

He walked step by step with determination and confidence, but the slight dampness in the palm of his hand revealed his current emotions.

MC: Shaw.

Shaw (clicks his tongue): Tsk, have you ever heard of the rule that a bride cannot talk when she is wearing a veil? MC: But I really want to talk to you, you don't want to listen, do you? Shaw: Want to hear.

There was no stubbornness, no retort; this rare display of sincerity from Shaw made my heart, which had calmed down, race again.

MC: I want to say… MC: I didn’t dislike the roundabout way you used to be, it was cute. Of course, the straightforward you now is also very cute. Shaw: Can you use a different word? Do "cute" and I even go together? MC: How about "cool"? Shaw: Aren’t those two descriptions a bit too far apart? MC: But in my heart, it's all you.

Shaw snorted. Even through the veil, I could tell what his expression was.

Shaw: If you say so, I also have something to say. MC: What?

Suddenly, the veil that was covering my eyes was lifted up by a hand.

I looked at the young man in front of me with a bright smile and unconcealed affection in his eyes.

I really love the new BGM which starts playing at this part!

The dim sunlight, with the warmth of a warm winter, was filtered through layers of bamboo leaves and fell on us.

Shaw (HIS VOICE SWEET AS HONEY X1): Just now, you were as wronged as a red-eyed rabbit, and then you stood up during the ceremony and loudly “stole the groom”. Shaw (X2): Both cool and cute.

It’s hard to explain, but it feels like he shoved a mix of sour dates, sweet pears, and bitter apricots all at once into my mouth.

In the end, I couldn't say anything and could only snort loudly like he did just now.

MC: The cool, cute, and petty bride is now giving the groom his first task — to repeat his vows just for me.

Shaw's smile became wider and he held my hand even tighter.

Shaw (laughs): Is the oath enough? Shaw: Together we share, and in unity we bond. As a student of a ceremonial advisor, my efforts are not in vain. Shaw: MC, everything you want, I can do it all.

He and I couldn't help but quicken our pace, holding hands, our hair and red thread flying in the air.

Maybe we still can't grasp the so-called perfect measure of getting along with each other, but I am sure that we will become what each other expects.

We both know that happiness is just ahead.

Shaw: The auspicious time has arrived.

[Section 5]

I regret it.

The moment I left the garden, I regretted it.

The instinctive urge to find her made me turn around and take two steps, but I forced myself to stop.

After all, what should I say when I get back? Say that I know I was wrong?

But I don’t know where to start talking about this “wrong”. Besides, if that was "wrong", she was wrong too.

I raised my head and looked in her direction.

From this angle, all I could see was a small section of her dark blue hairpin. She had been standing motionless by the artificial hill, almost like an NPC. I stared at her for a long time, until the clouds in the sky slowly moved away, and the overly bright sunlight fell on the hairpins in her hair. The reflected light hurt my eyes. ... Don’t you want to look for me at all? Not even lifting your head?

I don't know why, but I suddenly felt a dull discomfort in my chest. This feeling wasn't the first time I'd had it today. I had the same feeling when she smiled and said she wanted the players to give the mandarin duck sachet to a scholar this morning.

But how can I tell her?

"I’m so sad! I’m jealous! You’re not allowed to play a couple with anyone else! ... Just thinking about it makes me feel disgusted. If being in a relationship makes me turn into such a cliché person, I’d rather die. Thinking of this, I simply turned and walked toward the long street, stopping a tourist holding a pair of mandarin duck sachets. 'Hello, do you know where I can find the lovesick scholar?' I’m Shaw, and of course, I’ll solve the problem in my own way. The frustration from the morning had already been eased by her first 'lovesickness,' but I can’t just sit by and watch her become 'a couple' with someone else."

The negotiation with the scholar went much smoother than I had imagined, and I was also clear about the wedding process. But when I changed into the wedding dress and picked up the wedding vows, I still felt a bit stunned. When I helped them refine the wedding ceremony, I never thought that in the end, I would be the one using them.

"The magpie builds its nest, and the dove dwells in it. The bride goes to her home, escorted by a hundred pairs of guards..." I whispered each word softly.

———— Thousands of years ago, when weddings were still called “wedding rites” (the ceremony for marriage), the groom would recite such words. Thinking of this, my heartbeat inexplicably quickened, and the scenes that had once been chaotic in my mind became increasingly clear under the influence of the words.

In the dusk, she stood at the end of the long street, wearing a wedding dress, waiting for me. I would recite the vows, lift her veil with my own hands, drink the wedding wine with her, and finally hold her hand, accepting everyone's blessings. It’s so interesting. A person like me, who doesn’t believe in marriage at all, can still feel sweetness in such a childish fantasy, like playing house. I looked at myself in the mirror and tugged at the corner of my mouth.

When I put down the vows, I glanced at my hand. In a daze, it seemed like another hand appeared in my palm, hers. It was much smaller than mine, much softer, and with just my fingers together, I could completely envelop her hand.

... It’s just that when it comes to hitting, I do have some strength. If it weren’t for my impulsive decision to leave, I should still be playing the role of Young Master Ling, holding her hand and frolicking in the garden, right? The moment that thought crossed my mind, a wave of regret suddenly surged in my heart. I started to doubt whether replacing the scholar to marry her was a bad idea. What if she doesn’t like it?

"How could that be?" This completely unexpected surprise, she would definitely like it. Absolutely.

I repeated this word in my mind, stood up, and walked toward the door.

It's time to go get married.

—

⚡Call 1

⚡Call 2 

[red-garden]

After Jin Guangyao’s death, Lanling Jin is falling apart. Dozens of scholars have fled, no one know what their orders are, the bills aren’t being paid. Paperwork no one knows how to do any more is piling up by the cart, all of it left at the feet of a 14 year old boy that just lost his uncle. 

[mediocretosubpar-soup]

I realize that I am not helping the Jiang Cheng fandom bicylce situation but whatever.

So, the premise is this Shen Jiu respawns and since he's unhappy about his place in Cang Qiong Mountain Sect with the better liked impostor and the smug demon lord etc. He strikes out on his own and ends up in Lotus Pier where he works as JIang Cheng's second in command. Jiang Cheng unlike Shen Jiu's hypocritical former sect sibling does not tolerate abuse and does not throw a snit because a guy is ruthless and likes to sleep in brothels. (This could be the romance but it isn't because Qijiu rights.) Yue Qingyuan rolls up to Yunmeng Jiang Sect and after some drama, misunderstandings, and enough pining to make even seasoned veterans of the legendary XuanLi courtship roll their eyes, Qijiu get their shit together and get together. Yay, celebrations!! Jiang Cheng cries with both eyes, one is happy for his loyal SIC, the other is unhappy because once again someone dear to him is leaving him. Except Shen Jiu is like, no way, am I quitting, I'm not going back to Cang Qiong, they frown at murder, they don't like my cutting remarks! Jiang Cheng tries to gauge how Yue Qingyuan feels about that. Yue Qingyuan, on cloud nine, no problem, Shen-shidi can lead the sect while I visit. (this could lead to Qijiucheng but not right now as I am still getting to the point)

During the events of MDZS, Shen Jiu is vacationing at CQMS (aka smugly feeding YQY treats while his former sect siblings pretend they are unaware that the two of them are an item.)

So, MDZS ends. Jin Ling becomes Jin sect leader and his reign is stabilized with support from jiujiu and occasionally helpful advice from WWX.

And then some person decides SL Jiang has gotten too powerful let's knock him down a peg. They threaten to expose the core transfer. Jiang Cheng kills that person but the whole thing gets him thinking. He's not really ok with the whole transfer but what can he do it's not like he knows an immortal master...oh wait he does.

He writes a letter to Yue Qingyuan and Shen Jiu: Hey for no particular reason. Have you heard of a way to transplant a golden core from one person to another? Maybe you know a doctor who would agree to do it without the other person knowing?

YQY and SJ: WTF, my man?

It takes Qijiu all of five minutes to find out, why.

SJ runs back to YJS: No, you stupid idiot, you can't do it!!!

JC: My mind is made up. I will do it with or without you

YQY, after hearing the whole story: Hmm. I see your point. If you have carefully considered it. (Shen Jiu shoots daggers from his eyes.)

YQY: Anyways, have you met Tianlang-jun, my Shen-shidi's father in law. He's a scholar of the demonic arts and can definitely help you out.

And that ladies, gents and everyone beyond, is the crossover pairing that launched this post.

[kattythingz]

Believe it / I'm in love and I mean it / Her name's Penelope and I need her to be mine

And the epic brainrot continues... This time thanks to yet another TOO DAMN ADORABLE animatic that I just had to redraw edling to, with the wonderful collaboration of @sirchenchen!!! She did Ling's design (that I had to crop WAY too much of... Full version under the cut) and I did Ed + the bg. Chen also does other art on her account so y'all better check her out 🔪🔪

Au details nobody asked for under the cut~

Ling has been the youngest king of Xing for some years now, and his council is nagging him to find a bride now that he's turned a very mature sixteen. There are many things Ling can and has fought his council on—but they won't budge on this specific matter. Thus, Ling resigns himself to opening his hand for neighboring nations.

Xerxes is one of the many nations to hear of this opening, so King Hohenheim drags his own children to the event in hopes of cementing an alliance with Xing. Al goes along with his father's will, ever the polite boy, but Ed is far from happy.

Right off the bat, there's a bit of a misunderstanding, as Xerxes arrives in their fanciest whites for the occasion... unknowing that white is Xing's mourning color. Ed is the only one to refuse to dress up like the rest, so he compromises with a fancier cut of his favored red-and-black instead.

This creates a laughable confusion as people assume Xerxes suffered a great loss. Only the First Prince seems unbothered, dressed boldly in colors not of supposed mourning.

Ling, bored out of his mind already, is naturally piqued by this rebellion, and he's compelled to talk to the First Prince—Edward—before the rest of the suitors.

("Wait. Are you saying you're only talking to me right now because you thought I was an insensitive jackass spitting on someone's grave?!")

("That does seem to be the case, yes!")

... Ling doesn't think he made the best first impression.

Edward's brother is much less of a riot, though perfectly pleasant. All the suitors are. They just... don't interest Ling. Not as much as Edward had just in that single conversation. Edward doesn't even participate in the bridal events, skipping every time in favor of hitting the town, chatting up the locals and learning their crafts. Or just finding the largest olive tree in the palace gardens and settling down to study in its shade.

Ling is in love.

Desperate now to right his wrong with Edward, Ling beseeches Athena help him court the boy of his dreams.

It's then that Athena so kindly reveals that Edward is one of the rare few scholars personally blessed by her. Xerxes has always been close to Athena, worshipping her moreso than the other gods, but Edward and Alphonse's minds are especially sharp, she tells Ling with an almost smile gracing her lips.

(He was almost made her champion; she's watched him long enough consider it. Upon further observation, however, he proved a little too soft-hearted.)

She supposes this wouldn't be such an awful union to see through. One of her brightest scholars, wedded to her chosen champion? The results oughta be fascinating, at least.

No amount of godly advice could save Ling from fumbling those first few wooing attempts, of course. But Ling is nothing if not dedicated to a good cause. And Edward might just be the best cause there is.

He's absolutely not subtle as he, too, begins sneaking away from the bridal events to seek out Ed and "run into" him several times a day. The locals have watched their young king grow since he was but a sunspot of a child. And that look right there in his eyes is positively moonstruck.

(Or perhaps... sunstruck is more appropriate to say?)

They wish their king the best of luck. Judging by Edward's impressive scowl at the mere sight of him... he has quite the challenge ahead of himself.