#xie lian does so much for others. never himself

[dreamingthroughwords]

thinking about 'what matters is you, and not the state of you' and that xie lian is the one who originally says the quote: yet, in one of the most vital moments, when xie lian is the one who needs to to see those words in action hua cheng takes what xie lian has told him, and gives back what xie lian has given him - which hua cheng always wants to do, really, to give everything to xie lian because of his love. hua cheng doesn't need to say them back: his action of repeating how he had greeted xie lian as wuming is all he needs to do to show xie lian 'what matters is you, not the state of you' in actions, not words.

what's interesting is that, xie lian says this originally - and thus does not apply it to himself. it's a testament to xie lian's feelings and trauma about his past, which he represses and does not think about. whenever an implication of him almost becoming the white clothed calamity comes up? he panics. hard. he's terrified of not even just anyone finding out, but especially hua cheng. only to find out - hua cheng has believed those words all along, even before he had heard them from xie lian. different context, sure, but hua cheng's devotion never wavered. his belief never wavered. xie lian may tell hua cheng 'what matters is you, not the state of you' - but he never even thought to think that for himself.

and hua cheng won't have that. he wants xie lian to know that he will be there - he was there at his lowest, and didn't leave. he won't leave. he never will.

it ties into xie lian's guilt and trauma about his past yet still, to others - he belives in it for everyone but himself. to be kind - to strive to keep being kind no matter what life takes to him.

now, he has hua cheng - to remind xie lian that he deserves to be kind to himself, too.

[benevolenterrancy]

hi! I recently came across your tgcf fics, and I wanted to say you’re a phenomenal creator. the recovery series fic and the gloves fic and just all of them. thank you for your content and great attention to detail.

do you have any thoughts/hcs on FXMQ and Xie Lian you’d be willing to share? within the original story or the universes of your fics!

Thank you so much, I'm glad you're enjoying them! (ﾉ*^▽^*)ﾉ.｡:*☆

hmm, random thoughts about the FXMQ... a silly headcanon: Feng Xin has very much been hoisted by his own petard by heckling Mu Qing! That is to say, he'll harass Mu Qing relentlessly about something stupid only to be confronted with a similar situation and realise that there's absolutely NO way he can act in anyway similar to Mu Qing or he'll never hear the end of it.

(For example, he has tolerated some truly atrocious divine statues in the past because he's heckled Mu Qing so much about how picky he is with his divine statues that there's no WAY he can say ANYTHING without seeing that smug bastard's face in his head so he just has to bite his tongue and tolerate some unspeakably ugly statues.)

Mu Qing doesn't generally suffer from similar overthinking (he'll just prepare to kick FX's ass if he dares to say anything about it) except for things more directly related to himself. I think he genuinely finds sewing/embroidery/etc rather relaxing work but he'd rather die than have anyone ever see him do it because he's made such a big deal about not doing that sort of "servant" work anymore.

(He actually really enjoyed stitching Ruoye back together because it gave him the perfect excuse -- he's returning a favour!! and Xie Lian is hopeless!! of course he had to!! -- and he secretly considered using white thread to embroider some invisible little designs just because he doesn't quite want to stop... only he knew he'd get caught if he messed with Xie Lian's spiritual device like that and gave up the idea)

[biboomerangboi]

Hua Cheng essentially cockblocking himself for possibly all of eternity will literally never not be the funniest thing MXTX ever wrote.

Xie Lian was pretty much completely in love with him the second he saw those lanterns (and completely oblivious about it) and then we get the wonderful first kiss underwater moment and Xie Lian is basically drawing hearts around Hua Cheng every time he sees him. While like quietly dying cause he literally has no idea what to do with it. Like at this point he doesn’t even really understand that he is head over heels totally gone for this man.

Until Hua Cheng is like I have a beloved I just haven’t won them over yet. Which he thinks is perfectly reasonable because his self esteem is the worst and he doesn’t understand how he could have won Xie Lian over yet. (He’s only on step 22 of his Marrying Dianxia 3000 step Master Plan ((that he debates throwing out on a regular basis because he doesn’t deserve to even dream about wanting Xie Lian)). So course he’s like yeah I have this wonderful noble beautiful beloved I just haven’t won them over yet wink wink nudge nudge.

But Xie Lian is like oh of course obviously I don’t deserve nice things and fuck I actually wanted him so badly I’m actually in love with him and now I will resign myself to never being happy for his sake. (Their combined self esteem is truly a so low it’s a hole in the ground which is hilarious because they think the other person is to good for them and unattainable forever because they literally have the same neurosis.) So he starts boxing up his feelings forever constantly wanting Hua Cheng and feeling guilty about it and literally dying inside because he wants Hua Cheng like he’s never wanted anyone.

Like essentially books 3 and 5 only happen because Hua Cheng has now cursed them both by saying he has a beloved because Xie Lian believes he isn’t wanted and therefore any nice thing Hua Cheng does is just him being nice and not Hua Cheng pulling out steps 23-34 of his plan thinking he still hasn’t won Xie Lian over. (He has he so has but he shot himself in the foot so badly it’s painful to read).

Like thank the Gods Hua Cheng is so unhinged and created the cave of 10000 Gods cause Xie Lian would literally be at his own wedding to Hua Cheng still convinced he wanted someone else and this was in fact a thing they were doing to solve a case together otherwise.

Like he needed something that unhinged to put 2 and 2 together otherwise he never would have caught on he’s Hua Cheng’s beloved. Meanwhile Hua cheng is like 🥺 he’s going to think I’m a weirdo now and I’m only on step 50 of the plan 🥺 like the two of them wouldn’t have been fucking nasty 2 books ago if he just kept his mouth shut and didn’t cockblock himself so violently.

[sillygoofyqueer]

I'm bored, so take different people's reactions to Xie Lian's spiritual array password ('just recite the Ethics Sutra a thousand times'): Quan Yizhen: No matter how many fucking times it is explained to him, he will never get it. He will sit there in utter silence for at least twenty minutes (everyone thinks he's talking to Xie Lian), until he's asked what he's talking about to Xie Lian, and he gets pissy because they interrupted his count - by this time, it becomes realised that he has fallen for it again. Extra points if it's like, a super dangerous mission and his team is in desperate need of support so they're like "Qi Ying, contact His Highness for backup now!" while they fight this massive fucken ghost and he goes utterly still, face screwing up in concentration, and just gets pummelled into the nearest wall. He ends up just using other people to talk to Xie Lian.

Lang Qianqiu: At first, he finds it funny because what a silly little joke from his former mentor, if only he was this funny when he had been teaching him all those years ago. After a while though, he starts getting slowly irritated each time he has to communicate with Xie Lian because he has to catch himself out as he starts reciting the Ethics Sutra, silently cursing himself out in his head. Ling Wen: If she ever does need to communicate with Xie Lian, it's for official business so she has no time to think about it too much, and therefore cannot be tripped up by it. However, after a long while without sleep, she will occasionally find herself quite literally doing what the password commands, and will allow a little smile at the thought. One time when this happened, she was reported to have started manically laughing and placing her head into her hands. Pei Ming: He finds it fucking HILARIOUS. Like, imagine Feng Xin's reaction but times ten at least, as he laughs uproariously and slaps his hand to his knee, all the while pointing at Xie Lian and going, "Your Highness, I didn't realise you were such a comedian!!" No matter how many times he communicates with Xie Lian, he will always laugh at it for a few minutes. He's like a father. I if he's talking about using the array, everyone can immediately tell who he's communicating with based on whether or not he laughs. Shi Qingxuan: I honestly think they'd have a little laugh about it at first, and then never react to it ever again. Like, "Hahaha" and that's it. They never really get caught out by it, because their brain is going into overdrive about whatever they want to talk to Xie Lian about so they just break their way into his Array with little thought to it all. Not that they're dumb in any sense of the word, they're just so focused on their gossip that they shake at the bars of the cage without even remotely thinking too hard about it. Shi Wudu: I know he'd probably communicate with Xie Lian through other people but, on the rare occasion that he communicates with His Highness personally, he is not at all amused. He calls it childish and silly. Well, in public, anyway. In private, he'll probably actually find himself having a little chuckle about it, shaking his head as he enters the array before pulling up his walls instantly. Yushi Huang: Xie Lian gets really embarrassed telling her because it feels childish, and she let him borrow her spiritual device during his first ascension, so he doesn't want her to be like "can't believe I let this child use my spiritual device." When he does eventually tell her, she probably smiles and nods, but doesn't give any other reaction. Inside? Knee slaps all around for the Crown Prince. He Xuan: Why does he have to personally communicate Xie Lian? He doesn't want to risk Hua Cheng beating him if he says something "wrong". When he hears Xie Lian's password, he stares at him with a glower that could kill if it were any other person, letting out the most empty laugh ever so he didn't get beaten, before walking away. So no, he does not care for Xie Lian's humour, and did not fall for it - he did. He did fall for it, but he has such a resting bitch face that it's hard to tell. He gets mad at himself for falling for it. He pretends not to. Hua Cheng knows though, and He Xuan knows that he knows. Yin Yu: So, imagine you're an underpaid, overworked employee with an absolutely terrifying boss. He scares the shit out of you. He has a very lovely husband who he cares about dearly and will definitely be pissed off at you if you dare hurt his husband. His husband makes a joke and you can feel your boss' eyes glaring right into your soul from behind. This is how Yin Yu feels when he's told about Xie Lian's password. So, of course, I'm sure you can all picture the - in Yin Yu's opinion - most exaggerated falling for it ever, followed by laughter that reeks of "please, PLEASE go with this. I don't want to lose my job", until Yin Yu has to physically stop to breathe.

[mikaela-the-slut-expert]

right, dont know if this makes sense but lets say reader (any gender really idm) was a god who had seen the ups and downs of hualian and had always been there for them but despite the mutual feelings between the 3, none of them confessed.

the thing is that, jun wu (ew…) had become obsessed with reader (since they stuck so much by xie lians and hua chengs side, they got noticed by jun wu) and left his obsession for xie lian behind and one day after planning so for many years, jun wu captures reader and theres no word of reader for days, weeks even yet jun wu acts as normal.

would hualian tear up the whole place, get revenge, rescue reader then make sweet love to them? up to you! you dont have to write ab this request btw:)

Rescue Mission

HuaLian x gn!reader

Ignore grammar mistakes

Slight OOC

Slight misinformation

You, Hua Cheng and Xie Lian have spent centuries together

But despite this you've never told them your feelings

And unknown to you, they've never told you their feelings either.

So you're all single but like, everyone else knows you guys are sort of together.

Other people know not to fuck with you when Hua Cheng has obviously staked his claim on you and Xie Lian

Except for Jun Wu, he doesn't care one bit.

Hua Cheng can't have the both of you so Jun Wu decides to obsess over you instead🤷

While Hua Cheng and Xie Lian are deep-rooted in their past, you're a little newer.

You definitely haven't spent 8 centuries with them

Plus how can he not notice you when you're stuck by the strongest martial god, and the strongest ghost king.

It's hard not to put a light on you

Jun Wu's obsession starts there. A small prick of intrigue

None of you would have guessed that he would've gone so far

After years of planning, and years of getting closer and closer to you his intrigue and obsession grows

So he finally takes you

Hua Cheng is on alert within the first 2 hours you're missing.

Maybe he's overreacting, maybe he's not.

You've always stayed by Xie Lian's or his side

And if you leave by yourself you would've told them.

When A whole day passed Xie Lian tries to assure Hua Cheng that you can take care of yourself and you're probably just on a mission

He's trying to make himself feel better too.

When three days pass Hua Cheng and Xie Lian think you've gone missing.

You would never do this to them, you would never make them worry

Hua Cheng has the ghost city on high alert and the ghost realm is already looking for you.

Xie Lian does what he can't in the mortal realm, giving people your description and hanging up drawings of you.

He also does what he can in the heavenly realm, after all a god going missing is very important

Especially when it's a god of the upper court like you

The upper court is in a slight panic. No one knows where you are and a lot of people in the upper court are your friends. So of course everyone's a bit in disarray when none of them have heard from you in three days

Not Feng Xin, Mu Qing, Pei Ming, Ling Wen, nor Shi Qingxuan.

You have so many friends, so many people that love you and yet you're not with a single one of them have you

So where are you?

A majority of the upper court brings it to attention to Jun Wu only for him... To act like nothing's wrong

He says gods are frivolous and curious, you may have just gone out alone.

There's no cause for worry he says

But everyone is still wary, especially Xie Lian

When he tells Hua Cheng what happened it doesn't go well.

With you gone missing and Jun Wu playing it off it doesn't take long for Hua Cheng to be blaming the emperor of your disappearance. Whether it's out of spite or genuine thought he doesn't know.

When a week passes Hua Cheng gives up on searching through the ghost realm

Not as in he gave up on you but as in he's breaking into the heavens to search for you instead.

You think Hua Cheng can't find you?

You'd be silly.

Xie Lian doesn't encourage it but he doesn't stop Hua Cheng either.

And maybe he slips some details about the emperor's palace. On accident of course.

Hua Cheng doesn't care to tear through the heavens as he did before for Xie Lian.

He tears through lower court gods and upper court gods who refuse to give details about your whereabouts, and who won't help him.

It doesn't take long at all for Hua Cheng to get into the main palace.

Especially when most of the upper court gods have gone missing...

Coincidentally enough all your friends aren't in the heavens to protect it

Feng Xin and Mu Qing on a mission, Shi Qingxuan out with the earth master. And the security of the heavens, Pei Ming? Apparently he's gone too.

So Hua Cheng can basically walk through the heavens to get to Jun Wu.

Hua Cheng doesn't feel bad for ripping the palace apart to find you.

And he does find you

Locked away in one of the far rooms, puzzles beyond puzzles. He just broke through them though.

When he finds you he's relieved you have no wounds, and that you're relatively okay despite being taken away for a week

Shaken up from being taken away from the people you care for most.

Hua Cheng would kill the emperor right there if Xie Lian didn't make a clear emphasis on just getting you home.

That doesn't stop Hua Cheng from setting fire to the heavens though

Once you're brought home, it's a lot of hugging, tears, and a lot of questions about what happened.

You cry and tell them that you were scared simply for the fact you would never get the chance to tell them you loved them.

They most literally freeze in their spots and are like "??? For real?"

Once all the I love you's pass Xie Lian and Hua Cheng cling to you

Taking you into bed and worshipping you on the sheets.

You've had a busy week, you deserve to be taken care of and that's exactly what they do.

After that they'll never let you be alone again

One of them is always at your side.

Especially Hua Cheng

The silver butterflies become a common sight in the heavens anytime you or Xie Lian are around

[yoyowrites]

small hc that mu qing is the best cook out of the xianle group and he still occasionally cooks. he doesn't need to. he usually doesn't eat the food himself, instead leaving it to his poorest devotees. those meals are a secret even from other people in his camp. he doesn't plan for anyone to find out but people never plan for their secrets to be revealed.

xie lian, after the honeymoon period calms a bit, loves to drop by on short notice. he only does it to fengxin and mu qing. after mu qing's friendship confession the air, while occasionally a bit awkward, was much lighter. xie lian wanted to catch up and also be mire straight forward with the fact that they are friends. when he asked hua cheng how to do that, his husband told him to just be himself.

so xie lian sent a letter stating, he'd be at mu qing's palace that afternoon. when he appeared, the palace seemed to be mostly empty, no mu qing in sight. xie lian was ready to hop back down when a scent caught his attention. xie lian had come right after fulfilling a prayer and was a but hungry.bhe let his nose lead the way.

he found mu qing, relaxed, hair in a low braid, plating what he'd just finished cooking. he was so focused he didn't notice xie lian until he called out.

"ah mu qing," xie lian didn't bat an eye when a serving spoon was sent his way. he dodged it easily and stepped closer "what are you doing?"

"your highness, shouldn't that be my question? why are you in my palace?"

xie lian tilted his head in question "i sent notice didn't i?"

mu qing shook his head in disbelief but he had shown up at puqi shrine unnanounced more than one. "its nothing."

"i didn't know you ate?" xie lian pressed.

"I don't," mu qing got his serving spoon and cleaned it.

"but you cook?"

mu qing sighed and handed xie lian the plate. xie lian shook his head to deny but mu qing put the plate in his hand. "you're practically drooling over this. if i let you leave in this state who knows what that thing you call a spouse will pull."

xie lian saw through the lie. he's not so weak as to faint and if xie lian returned early due to hunger hua cheng would be happy to spend time eating together. still, he sat and happily took a bite. then his tears began to flow.

mu qing, who had been leaning with his arms crossed across from him, was startled. he walked closer with his arms outstretched unsure what to do. "your highness? what's wrong?"

it was like xie lian was in a trance, he took another bite and more tears fell.

"your highness if my food displeases you spit it out!" mu qing raised his voice in panic.

"no no," xie lian finally said. "it's good. i just haven't eaten this in so long."

mu qing relaxed. what he'd cooked was the staple dish of the kingdom of xianle. the recipe had long since been lost and its no wonder that xie lian hadn't had it forever.

"please wipe your tears," mu qing handed gim a napkin. "it's nothing to cry about."

xie lian took it graciously. "my apologies."

"now you make me look like the bad guy," mu qing said. "just finish your food, your highness."

after a few more bites, xie lian offhandedly mentions how he'd like to hua cheng to try the meal. as soon as the words left his mouth, his husband appeared by his side. seeing xie lian's red and puffy eyes, he wanted to make someone suffer but xie lian gives him a bite of the food. hua cheng pauses and chews.

"good right?" xie lian said. "mu qing made it."

"not as good as what gege makes but its passable."

xie lian laughed.

"you two know I'm still here," mu qing said. "you can take it home and please do not come and go to my palace as you please."

"ah, sorry mu qing."

the three bid their goodbyes.

that night, when they were laying in bed together. hua cheng brushed a stray hair from xie lian's face and asked "do you miss the kingdom? it was your home after all."

xie lian leans in to the touch and smiles. "my home is with you. the meal was just a nice memory."

[squiddy-god]

Lmao last time I asked for Avenpaz but this is x reader so what about Aventurine x reader? Hehe thank you :3 (Desperate for some Aventurine stuff 🥰)

Yes you may, i'm going to do general hcs for this because thats what im feeling right now teehee- on a side note, aventurine but its the scene with hua cheng and xie lian with the dice rolling- there was just,,,so much tension in that scene please  

♡requests open♡

Cw : gn!reader, mentions of trauma and spoilers for his story and a bit of penacony, fluff. Both established and un established relationship hcs, a little bit of angst 

Ok so pre relationship i think that aventurine is actually quick to catch feelings but slow to realize them

Like off the bat he can tell how he feels in about someone, like or dislike, trust or not trust 

What is slow to build is how deep that runs, both his romantic feelings and his trust are gained slowly but eventually snowball and that is when he finally either realizes or admits it.

Something i never got in general is when people talk about like how {character} wouldn't trust you until xxx into relationship etc

But the thing is like, are y'all dating people you dont trust? Because especially as someone who is depressed/traumatized, I fully would have to trust someone to get into a relationship, and that trust does not reset to 0 because we got together like??- i promise i will tie this in trust me 

The other slight problem with aventurine pre relationship is that after he realizes/admits his feelings to himself he is taking that to his grave. He will casually flirt or maybe drop little hints, but he is content to never speak these feelings out loud to you, 

Half of this is a fear of forming intimate connections that he knows he's ultimately powerless to protect, he fears rejection and loss when it truly matters and this prevents him from ever really bringing himself to pursue you. The other half is a subconscious self sabotaging hatred. Despite his fronting he is an insecure and traumatized man who's become jaded by the cosmos. While he at this point would trust you implicitly he cant help the feeling that you won't, dont, and couldn't possibly like him and return his feelings. 

Reasonably he knows that he is an attractive man, a man with both wealth,power, and status, and yet he feels that you won't possibly want him. His self loathing even in his subconscious holds him back, giving a false sense of apathy towards your relationship status that outweighs the jealousy he feels. In truth the jealousy only serves to prove his point on how you don't return his feelings

There are scenarios that I think he would confess first if you don't beat him to the punch. 

The first is said jokingly, and yet there is not that sharp witted teasing edge or bite to his words, unexpectedly raw and genuine when he poses a simple “what if” question 

The second involves many different factors, maybe you catch him on a good day, maybe he sees the way you seem to look at him and in your eyes is the reflection of his own affections. Maybe you catch him on a bad day, and in his pit of despair he decides that it is at least worth the risk to gamble.

These are the moments he confesses to you, bated breath waiting for the other shoe to drop and for you to lash out with laughter or anger but he is delighted when you return his feelings

Ok ok enough angst-

This man is a shameless flirt, he is romantic long before you every begin a relationship- you just take it as a joke, a bit that's silly between close friends 

After you manage to pry that confession out of him or you make the first move, he is shockingly quick to put a label on it, you are his romantic partner! His love, hes your lucky charm

Ok ok like i said before i really don't thing that aventurine is the type to be in an actual relationship with someone he A)doesn’t trust, or B) doesn’t love

So by the time you get in a relationship there is already a strong foundation of real trust, but he has already realized he is hopelessly in love. 

I will die on the hill that aventurine is a stage 100 clinger 

This is a clingy man to his core, he is sending you 50 messages a day

Good morning, good night, have you eaten? I love you, miss you, literally anything because he truly dose miss you 

Have you eaten? Yes? Good have a little treat +500 credits 

No? Wait there he's taking you to lunch- or +5000 credits 

I know everyone says it but he really does spoil you. Now the way he sees it genuinely isn't as like a bribe but both something that genuinely makes him happy and also he likes to make your life easier 

Seeing you happy, being able to spoil you with gifts and treats and money brings him genuine joy, and knowing that he is able to provide some relief from the harsh reality of life makes his a very merry man

As I said, clingy- he loves your time, being able to spend time with you and relax in your presence is truly heaven. 

Most of his missions aren't dangerous, just business so he enjoys taking you with him so that he can spend more time with you

He is touch starved for positive physical contact and affection 

Sit in his lap, let him sit in yours- honestly he isn't very picky as long as he gets to touch you 

If you thought his playful bestie flirting was bad you are gonna die, because he gets so much worse, now that he knows exactly what to say so that he can fluster you he grows ever bolder in his pursuit

No matter what he says his actions always follow his words, he shows he loves you with the way he sees you and treats you, in the way he seems to crave you like a thirsty man craves water or how a plant craves the warm sun, to breathe you in like air and love you tenderly 

Even if he is clumsy at love and intimacy he still puts in a profound sense of effort. 

The definition of if he wanted to he would. And he definitely wants to

[emotionaldisaster909]

Today’s episode was heartbreaking

We’ve seen so much of Xie Lian’s pain

So much of the fall of XianLe

But now

Will you tell me that it was all his fault?

The “consequence of his actions”?

So what should we blame him for?

For being a child against the most powerful and cruel ancient evil?

The one that lived 1000 years, destroyed all the gods and deceived the entire world?

Or was he too stubborn and not listened to other people?

Well let me tell you

XIE LIAN WAS NEVER WRONG FOR NOT LISTENING TO OTHERS.

Who should he have listened to?

That very evil that told him not to try and help his people?

His guoshi who knew everything and told him nothing but to sacrifice an innocent child in “penance” to that very evil?

Should he have crushed all youngans in one go, kill the poor starving people, led to desparation?

Should he have told his own desperate people that their cure was in murder and watch the inevitable massacre?

The only thing

The only thing that he should have seriously done differently

His biggest, most fatal mistake

He did

BY LISTENING TO SOMEONE WHO TOLD HIM HE WAS WRONG

ONE TIME.

He listened to his father.

The King of Xian Le.

When at the very beginning of it all they had an argument

Where Xie Lian insisted they should melt his golden statues and let the starving homeless people into his shrines

That’s EXACTLY what they should’ve done, but they did not

Because guess what the father said

We can’t. Because we did not build the shrines and the statues.

People of Xian Le did.

Do you want to disregard your people by doing that?

SAID THE KING

Knowing VERY WELL that he is talking about THE ROYALTY OF XIAN LE.

THE RITCH PEOPLE OF XIAN LE.

THE ONES WHO LET HIM RULE.

THE ONES WHO EASILY MIGHT TAKE HIS POWER

AND LIFE AWAY

IF HE DISPLEASES THEM.

But he knows how to PHRASE IT RIGHT to his son who CHERISHES HIS PEOPLE NO MATTER THE STATUS.

And who might very much not know the intricacies behind the ruler’s chambers.

Because Xie Lian

Was

Never

Meant

TO RULE.

He was raised to be a Martial God.

To fight demons and grant wishes.

NOT

TO RULE

A COUNTRY

BUT GUESS WHO

WHO WAS SUPPOSED TO RULE THE COUNTRY????

WHO WAS SUPPOSED TO MAKE SURE A HUGE PART OF IT WON’T STARVE TO DEATH?????

THE KING

And his son had to

ABANDON HEAVEN

To come deal with his mess

You can try blaming Xie Lian for not listening to the prayers from that part of Xian Le.

But he did not NOT listen.

He DID NOT HEAR.

Because the prayers system of “the ritcher - the louder” is inherently corrupt.

And growing up in a wealthy capital

Xie Lian must’ve not even SUSPECTED that there’ll be a part of his country so poor that no offerings would be enough for him to hear the prayers.

He did not know.

BUT THE KING

DID.

There’s no way he didn’t.

Yet does anyone

Does anyone in the book

And outside, anyone of the readers

Ever thought to blame him?

No.

Not even once have i seen this take.

Not even i realised it until recently. Thanks to my dear friend @3luecactuz

And why?

Because Xie Lian tells us the story.

And he himself

Completely believes

That it was all his fault.

When his only real fault was in not standing his ground

Agains the only person

Who held authority in his eyes.

Who was the authority in his life from the very beginning of it.

Who, no matter the future arguments, was the person he loved.

His father.

In the face of the greatest crisis he’s ever seen

Under the pressure to make the right choice for so many innocent lives

He gives in and listenes to a person who he not only inherently trusts

But who objectively had much more experience and knowledge than him

Who’s flaws he has not yet seen clearly enough. And never will.

Because this person raised him to be

Perfect.

And he failed.

Because no one is perfect.

And he believed in it in the wrong time and place. He gave in.

Decided to look for another solution.

And gave the evil orchestrating his demise just enough time to pull the first string.

Of many.

So tell me.

Really, tell me.

Did he deserve this?

Should he have listened more?

Should he have?

Or maybe

Just maybe

He needed someone

Who could have told him

To do what he thinks is right.

[o-winterqueen-o]

fengming is such a fun ship because you have these two guys who are deeply and irrevocably traumatized by their closest relationships and how those relationships intersected with their own sense of duty, loyalty, and honor. and they both have such opposite responses to that trauma.

pei ming finds new friendships with ling wen and shi wudu but does his utmost to remain carefree and tries to leave the past in the past. to not think of everything he's lost everyone he loved who he cut down with his own hands tries to not let himself to get too attached to anyone else (he fails) and just live in the moment. even though his past still clearly haunts him,,, he can't commit himself to a weapon, he can't speak to yushi huang, he can't bring himself to have more than a fling with anyone.

meanwhile feng xin digs in with all his might and grasps at every straw he can to not let his connections fade even though they've twisted and gone sour because he refuses to move on and refuses to make new meaningful connections. he'll pick fights with mu qing and chase after xie lian and jian lan because even after all they've done to hurt him, he loves them and doesn't know how to stop,,,

but in the end they're both a couple of guys who never meant to ascend, who never sought to be more than what they were. pei ming was happy as a general. feng xin was happy as a bodyguard. and they've lost so much in a way that few people can understand but at least they can understand each other.

[questionable-sanity]

Hmmmm a WIP, probably:

Hurt/Comfort Modern FengQing fic where Mu Qing, who lost his mother before his relationship with Feng Xin, finally meets Feng Xin's parents.

------------------

Mu Qing would never admit it, but he is extremely family oriented.

Feng Xin and his parents are distant. Feng Xin's mother in particular, who had been extremely focused on her son being successful from a young age, had been disappointed with her son when he'd broken his engagement with Jian Lan - an engagement decided between their families when they were teenagers. That was strike one, according to Feng Xin.

She had then all but disowned Feng Xin when he'd come out as bisexual. His father had done nothing in his defense. Strike two.

And she had not once spoken to Feng Xin when he announced either his relationship with and eventually his engagement to Mu Qing.

Strike three. That is, Feng Xin had decided at that point to go no contact with his mother and father.

Feng Xin is stubborn. So are his parents. Mu Qing had been under no delusion that he would be able to force them to make up, not until one of them made the first move.

So, when the invitation came in the mail, Mu Qing had bit his lip and hid it away so that Feng Xin wouldn't throw it away on sight.

Inevitably, when Mu Qing ambushed his fiancé with the invitation at dinner that night, it led to an argument.

But, if there's one thing Mu Qing has learned how to do in their four-year long relationship, it is how to slowly and subtly push Feng Xin in the direction he wants him.

(All of those seasons of Scheming Concubine worked to his benefit after all)

So, when Feng Xin finally agrees to one - one dinner, Mu Qing, I swear to fucking god - Mu Qing pulls out all the stops.

He drags the richest person he knows with taste (read: not Xie Lian nor Feng Xin (other than Hua Cheng, thank you very much, he still has dignity)). Shi Qingxuan helps him pick out a heart-stoppingly expensive bottle of wine to bring as a gift and spends literal hours with him shopping for the perfect 'meet your rich in-laws' outfit.

Mu Qing pulls out his mother's cook book and spends the day before pouring his blood, sweat, and tears into her most delicious and traditional dishes (made more difficult with the challenge of swatting Feng Xin's greedy hands away from the food at every turn).

He goes to bed the night before in full skin and haircare - including those heatless curlers Feng Xin absolutely hates given they get in the way of their cuddling.

And, perhaps most importantly, he spends the first half of that morning keeping Feng Xin relaxed, his fiance clearly feeling completely on-edge at the prospect of seeing his parents. (This, at least, is easy. Feng Xin is a simple, simple man, so all he has to do is drop to his knees once ("Hands off, idiot. Do not fuck up my hair.")) . The second half is spent ushering a pliant Feng Xin into a presentable outfit.

And in the afternoon, when he and Feng Xin arrive at the Feng household (Read: mansion. What the fuck Feng Xin?), Mu Qing gives his hand one last reassuring squeeze, and they knock on the door.

And at first, Mu Qing thinks it's all going well. He stays carefully polite, but quiet, and he watches with some relief as Feng Xin's shoulders become less and less tense as his mother showers her son with praise and affection.

And, truly, it makes Mu Qing so happy, because he never, ever wanted someone he cares about to lose their family, least of all because of an association with himself.

He never wants Feng Xin to lose this.

So, when the comments start, Mu Qing says nothing. They start innocuous enough, at first, to the point Mu Qing wonders if he's imagining things.

But soon, they become meaner, more targeted. It becomes clear that Feng Xin's mother has investigated his background - his father's criminal history and his mother's lack of education, namely - and does not like what she sees.

Mu Qing is a threat to Feng Xin's reputation with his family background, not even considering that he is a man. Feng Xin could have at least been paired with a much better match, male or not - The Feng's after all, have close ties with the Shi, Xie, Pei, Qi and plenty of other high-society families. Mu Qing's training as a doctor hasn't paid off yet, seeing as he is still in residency, and he hasn't chosen a more lucrative or prestigious subspeciality anyway, so his only selling point falls flat. He is attractive enough, but with his mother's history of cancer and autoimmune disease, his genetics are subpar. His personality is cold, unbefitting of Feng Xin's sunny and warm disposition. He is clearly not trained in proper etiquette, standing out like a sore thumb, an eyesore.

His detriments seem to be endless, and are told to him in every spare moment when he and Feng Xin's mother are alone.

Mu Qing is no push over and never has been. Never has he allowed someone to speak so disrespectfully to him.

But, as he watches Feng Xin smile at the dinner table, looking so at peace and relieved to have his family back -

Mu Qing, sick to his stomach, keeps his eyes on the table, biting his tongue. He can suffer any indignity for one night, if it means making Feng Xin happy.

The night continues on peacefully.

(That is, until Feng Xin finds out what's going on.)

-------------------------

Ugh the plot bunnies are heeeeere but I have to resist and focus on my main project. Maybe I'll flesh this out for a christmas one shot?

[breadlover64]

BINGQIU VS LIUSHEN/ANY OTHER SHIP WITH SQQ PART 1

BEWARE I HAVENT READ SVSSS IN A WHILE AND I MIGHT’VE MISSED SOME STUFF! Feel free to correct and give your opinions about this.

Theres gonna be two parts to this bc tumblr can’t take all my writing sooooo 😛

In the SVSSS fandom, I’ve noticed that compared to other mxtx’s novels, the mc gets shipped with half of the cast more often and is more widely accepted in the fandom compared to the tgcf and mdzs fandoms (if you ship Hualian or Wangxian with anyone, it will get you death threats, istg 😓). However, with Shen Qingqiu, while of course he gets shipped with his love interests, another really popular one is him with Liu Qingge and many other characters in the novel. I do think this also has to do with the fact that the fandom is more chill than the other two fandoms. Shen Qingqiu in general is just VERY shippable. But why? Why do some people like liushen more than bingqiu? Obviously, I know this is simply a preference, but why do people prefer it more than the canon couple? Well, I have some speculations. First, while I love Bingqiu, I can admit that their relationship is not for everyone; even for me, they’re my least favorite main couple of the three (it's just my opinion, DONT ATTACK ME🙏) because their dynamic can be seen as somewhat toxic. Luo Binghe is very obsessive and kind of yandare like in the novel, and yes, he does have character development and regrets his actions and never really wanted to hurt Shen Qingqiu. I personally don’t feel like we see as much of this development until the very end. At least for me, I feel like we should’ve spent more time with a changed Luo Binghe, and I KNOW he was influenced by Xi Mo. I still didn’t feel completely satisfied with the Luo Binghe arc. I do think we see more of his development in the extras, which is what made me like Bingqiu a lot more, but I just wish we could’ve seen this in the main story instead of optional extras because I think the extras really show Luo Binghe’s growth and his love for Shen Qingqiu in a healthier way. I am aware this boy is very mentally ill. While I’m not a writer, as a reader, I think mxtx could’ve done more for him because he can end up more dislikable for some people and just less appealing of a love interest. I personally LOVE Luo Binghe and how chaotic he is, but again, that is not for everyone, so I can definitely see why some people don’t like him as much. With Shen Qingqiu, this is a bit different. I felt that by the end of the novel he had massive progress and huge development for his character; even if he still has his flaws, you can really tell he has changed and grown throughout the story, but he’s still himself if that makes sense. I felt wayyy more satisfied with his arc than Luo Binghe's; however, I will say that Shen Qingqiu has this sort of shame. While I wouldn’t necessarily call it internalized homophobia, he does have this sort of stigma towards gay people and him being gay himself. And while it can be funny, if you really think about it, even by the end of the novel and in the extras he still has this shame of sleeping with Binghe and showing basic affection, but I won’t really criticize this much because he does improve in this a lot by the extras. By that point, it really feels more like shyness than the shame he felt at the beginning when he first discovered Luo Binghe's feelings. So I will argue that Shen Qingqiu arc is pretty well done and concluded by the end of the book; at least to me, it really did feel like he changed. Okay, so the second reason is because Bingqiu got together when they were both still ‘not at their best’. What do I mean by this? Well in tgcf Xie lian had to endure a lot of torture and experience several traumatic situations and almost released face disease and killed a bunch of people with it. He was clearly very mentally unwell! And for Hua Cheng, he also went through a lot of trauma with his mom dying when he was young and the abuse he went through from his father and the kids who made fun of him to the point where he wanted to end his life, and then later he became a ghost with his parasocial attachment to a god. We see these characters at their worst, but when they get together, they are already 800+ years old and have lived a long life and matured and learned from their experiences.

[dreamingthroughwords]

Sometimes, Xie Lian will sit in the rain.

He’ll go out in their garden, smile softly as he passes by their freshly planted herbs and flowers, and strolls to the edge where he can see everything he and his husband have built together.

Adorned only in his robes, bamboo hat long passed to someone who needed it; who had shown him no kindness yet Xie Lian could not help but give that kindness to someone who had only given him anything but.

The rain soaked through him, drips down his face and wets his hair, and he lets the rain surround him and lets it leave gentle pats against his cheeks as if it was a tender kiss, as he reminisces.

Hua Cheng notices the first time he does this of course, he follows him outside.

He’ll say “You’ll catch a cold, Gege;”, before taking off his outer robe and placing it on Xie Lian’s shoulders, and he’ll sit next to his beloved.

Hua Cheng always waits for Xie Lian to speak first. Knowing him too well, oh so well, better than himself, he knows Xie Lian needs to gather his thoughts; turn them into something that makes sense, that coherently wraps his feelings into words that he may struggle with.

But his husband has all and so much patience for him; he will wait for him no matter how long it takes. That is a fact well known to both of them.

So Hua Cheng simply sits next to his husband, and when he pulls out his umbrella to cover Xie Lian, his husband stops him.

“It’s alright, San Lang, I’ll be fine,” he says, gazing at Hua Cheng with the usual kindness and love his still can’t believe is directed his way.

Xie Lian will then turn his head back to the sky, where Hua Cheng takes in the profile of his beloved as the rain sticks to his skin, takes in his neck that was once shackled now bare, and visions of a bamboo hat flicker in his memory, and Hua Cheng is beginning to understand.

“It feels nice, doesn’t it?” Xie Lian speaks and Hua Cheng knows this is Xie Lian’s way of telling him without needing to be direct. He doesn’t need to be for Hua Cheng to understand his everything. “How cool the rain feels. It’s almost kind, like reaching out to you when you need it. Don’t you think?”

And Hua Cheng has flashes of a life once gone; one that was his and reborn a new as he watched as someone, finally, gave his God the kindness that he so deserved.

Tears of the sky can hold memories and the one held within it today is the one of the hand that had reached out for Xie Lian when no one else did; a nobody in a world of meetings in which are fleeting yet one person took the time to go out of their way to finally, return the kindness to one who had given so much he almost had none left.

“I do,” Hua Cheng whispers as Xie Lian smiles at him when he knows his husband understands him, and for the rest of the day they simply sit with the other as they think back on all that’s happened and how they finally, are back within each others reach, will be forever and eternally.

Each time it rains, together, they will join the other as raindrops coat their skin. Never forgetting, and always remembering, but now, never alone, and forever grateful for those who they crossed paths with who even showed one shred of kindness. Because sometimes it really is only one person, that can change everything.

[ajmasch]

@here4hualian kissmas day 1: kiss(es) on the cheek(s)

“San Lang, can you pass me that knife?” Xie Lian asked one day while cooking dinner.

Hua Cheng, as much Xie Lian’s tool as anything else in their kitchen, obliged.

“Thank you, San Lang!” He rewarded Hua Cheng with a light peck on the cheek and returned to his cooking. Hua Cheng remained nearby, watching, content to wait until he was needed again.

Sure enough, “San Lang, can you grab me the salt?”

Hua Cheng walked the two steps over to where they kept the salt and brought it to Xie Lian. He received another kiss on the cheek for his effort.

It wasn’t as if he had performed some great service worthy of reward, Xie Lian very easily could have grabbed what he needed himself, but…

“It’s hard for me sometimes,” Hua Cheng confessed one night under the cover of darkness, “to feel like I deserve your affection if I haven’t earned it somehow.”

“You never have to earn anything from me,” Xie Lian reassured.

“I know, Gege, but-”

“But until San Lang learns how to quiet that little voice that says he does—and he will, I know he will���” Hua Cheng thought he could do anything if Xie Lian said it that confidently, “Until then, I have an idea that may help.”

So they began their game. Xie Lian would ask Hua Cheng for something simple, something he could easily do himself, and when Hua Cheng complied, he earned a kiss on the cheek. It worked because the tasks were so simple, Xie Lian was clearly using the requests as an excuse to dote on Hua Cheng. It worked because Hua Cheng was able to provide just enough service that he could convince himself it was okay to accept the reward he so desperately wanted. It worked because the rewards were devastatingly sweet, each one so full of affection it made Hua Cheng want to cry, placed on his cheek with no expectation for him to do anything other than receive it.

It worked because on some days, like today, Hua Cheng would see something that needed doing, a strand of hair that was getting in Xie Lian’s face, and he would do it without being asked. He reached up and brushed the hair away, tucking it behind Xie Lian’s ear reverently. Without being asked, it was a request, an invitation. I think I deserve this, it said, am I right?

And of course, the answer, in the form of a beaming Xie Lian and a flurry of kisses to his cheeks while the food burned behind them, was yes.

[bafvkun]

I think this might be one of my favorite thing in Hualian’s dynamic.

I just live for the way Xie Lian accepts Hua Cheng, and by that I don’t mean like his love and affection or whatever, I mean his person, temper and objectives.

Xie Lian knows that Hua would help him in a heartbeat even if he didn’t ask but wouldn’t help anyone else out of kindness or worry. He doesn’t care about anyone but Xie Lian.

And Xie Lian isn’t like, bragging about it or showing to everyone how a Ghost King, a damn Supreme is always ready to help him without second thought. All he does is accept the help and he NEVER asks more than just his help.

If Hua doesn’t feel like helping anyone else ? It’s fine. If Hua wants to mock someone and be stingy about them ? Then so be it. Xie Lian absolutely do not intend to make him change his ways.

I’ve seen toooo many times characters trying to change another because their morality doesn’t align, the protagonist trying to change the antagonist’s ways because they find it bad. Never had Xie Lian even just so much as thought about it, it’s just not a possibility for him.

He will either accept Hua Cheng the way he is, acts and talks or nothing. He is mature and wise enough to know that at the end of the day he isn’t anyone to force him to change (despite being the love of his life but yk).

Hua Cheng has his own life, his own objectives and his own way to do things, never has Xie Lian judged him or resented him simply because he knows they’re two different people and no matter their relationship nothing can be changed about that.

The better exemple is when Hua Cheng’s affiliation to Black Water is revealed and you learn that for a long time at that moment of the story Hua has been hiding a lot from Xie Lian. He absolutely did not resent Hua Cheng even if he just sent his friends right to danger. Hua has his own limits and boundaries, his own goals and relationships and he respects them without even thinking twice about it.

Rather than complain because Hua Cheng hid him all this he would rather see how much Hua protected him and how he can himself save his friends, they often go one against the other because sometimes their objectives don’t align but they’re both mature enough to understand that they can’t control one another and that they have their own principles.

Just this. Hualian owns my heart, soul and body. My life isn’t mine anymore it’s theirs I love em sm I could die on the spot.

[ideasloading]

boy trouble (a wulian micro-fic)

CW: The last sentence is suggestive!

Xie Lian isn´t sure when it started but at some point it has become the norm for Wu Ming to lick any small wound the former prince sustains.

"Spit" The ghost had said. "while not outright a cure or medicine does promote the healing of open wounds." He had explained that he had been told as much in the army when bandages had been short in supply and the young soldier wasn´t nearly important enough in rank to hope to get any more than the ones he already had around his head at the time.

A cut there, a tiny injury here. - Without fail the soldier would dutifully lick it, never once doing more than he had promised he´d do.

And for some reason...that bothers Xie Lian. He means: Come on! - One man licking another so regularly would always naturally lead to "more", right?! So why hadn´t Wu Ming done as much so far...?

Is the brunet not appealing enough? - So undesirable to the point that Wu Ming could taste his skin and not feel even an ounce of want?

He knows he´s not exactly...as kind and gentle, let alone sane for that matter, as he used to be but at the very least he is confident in his physical beauty!

So he decides to "test" Wu Ming: Xie Lian purposefully bites his tongue to the point that it slightly bleeds. He acts like it was an accident, like this is a bother worth complaining about.

When the ghost hears his Highness´s woes he instinctively gets ready to lick but after taking a step closer to the former god he suddenly freezes in place.

"T-this one can...ehm...go look for a village to steal salve from-" He stammers, trying to sound calm and collected.

"Come here right this instance, insolent ghost. - You have a job to do." The smaller man commands with an icy glare, his stature not making him any less imposing.

The other abides: He walks over to Xie Lian, hesitating as he slowly cups his god´s cheeks.

Getting impatient from the wrath´s hesitance, the brunet leans forward himself - kissing Wu Ming with tongue.

The former prince must admit to himself that he is neither knowledgeable nor skilled at the prospect of kissing and neither seems Wu Ming. Yet...Xie Lian finds the other endearing and his own flawed performance no obstacle at enjoying the moment.

When they part, the ghost momentarily chases after his lips, catching himself just barely. - Ah, so he does have desire!

Xie Lian lets out a wicked laugh. "Well, well, well, with how eager Wu Ming is he might just find the next cut on my length."

[mikaela-the-slut-expert]

Tea Shop

Xie Lian x M!reader x Hua Cheng

Y'all I've been thinking for ages how to make a two person scene a three person scene. What am I supposed to do, make two brides??? So if you have any ideas come bless me with them. 🫵🙃

Previous part: God of Song's second ascension

_____________________________________________

After you guide Xie Lian carefully out of the heavens so that he doesn't kill himself by accident . It takes a day to get to a tea shop. It could've taken longer, like three days but you saved yourselves sometimes. Since you can actually have spiritual prowess. The only reason it wasn't any quicker is because Xie Lian demanded you to not overwork yourself and use too much mana.

Xie Lian has always looked simple enough with plain, white robes. You on the other hand have to take on an 'avatar' you don't need anyone noticing you either. So you also dawn white robes, but of course a veil stays on.

You and Xie Lian sit at a table in the corner of the tea shop and you sit across from him. The two of you look over the scroll Ling Wen has given you... it isn't very helpful, but that's alright.

Both yours and Xie Lian's attention is captured by a silver butterfly. It flies across both of you and out the window. When you turn your head your heart almost drops out of your throat. Xie Lian is surprised as well to see two men sitting by you. One sat by you and the other sat by Xie Lian. There's only so much room on these benches after all.

You grimace at their presence. It's not hard to read the spiritual energy from them, they're obvious officials. You glare at them, Xie Lian is much kinder, "Oh uh who are you guys..?"

"Fu Yao" the one by you replies.

"Nan Feng" the one by Xie Lian replies.

You've never side eyed someone so hard in your endless years of life. At the 'Fu Yao' person beside you.

Ling Wen transmits a message to the two of you that they're volunteer officials. You huff inwardly. There's no way anyone from the upper court would offer their deputies from the middle court to help them.

That's because they aren't from the middle court though.

"Well I thank you for your help" Xie Lian says, quickly accepting their new guests.

"Which highnesses sent you?" You ask with narrowed eyes. You know they aren't deputies. Who are you to stress Xie Lian out more though, he already looks horrified when the officials answer his question.

"The palace of Nan Yang"

"The palace of Xuan Zhen"

"..."

Your glare only grows sharper. You've no clue why Mu Qing out of all people would want to help. You also have no idea why he would sit next to you of all people.

"Oh did your generals send you?" Xie Lian asks with a mouthful of tea.

"They didn't know we were coming" they answered in unison.

Xie Lian ponders for a moment, but you're quick to make the two squirm. Just because you can.

"Two officials from the lower court shouldn't go off without permission no? The trouble surely isn't worth it." Your eyes crinkle, as you smile at the two.

Lower court used to be what's now called the middle court. It was changed when whiny officials started complaining it made them seem trivial compared to officials in the upper court. To them an apparent mark to their honor. To you a pathetic attempt to seem important.

"..."

"..."

Your smile widens under your veil when they don't answer. What are they going to say? Their lack of words don't stop Fu Yao from glaring at you or from making Nan Feng squirm in his spot.

Xie Lian ever so kindly saves them, "Well do you know who we are?"

"You're his royal highness the crown prince and he's general /n"

"You're the justice of the mortal realm, the center of the world"

Mu Qing does not regard you at all and rolls his eyes when he answers.

Xie Lian chokes on his tea, "Did he just roll his eyes?"

" He did, tell him to scram" you and Nan Feng say together.

"Any official who was available was welcome to help so who are you to tell me to scram?" Fu Yao sneered. Again his words are only pointed at Nan Feng, not you.

"Ah well more help is better than none right?" Xie Lian smiles.

You sigh and all four of you go over the scroll together.

**********************************************************

Eventually it begins to get dark and all of you will need to find a place to sleep. Long ago, Xie Lian and you would sleep in the streets or on the ground. You put a stop to that. After becoming a powerful enough ghost and god you entreated yourself to your own palace. Not in the heavens though, you chose for it to be in the ghost realm. This was a while before Crimson Rain took over ghost city

Your palace just happened to be in close proximity to it and eventually ghosts started inhabiting themselves. Now all three realms call your palace, "The city of the lost". It's rarely talked about because well it's "lost" not many people find it, your city also doesn't cause trouble. It's just kinda there.

That is where you would usually go though but now you have two more officials with you and you'll be damned if you bring Mu Qing into your city.

"Why don't we find a temple of Nan Yang? I'm sure there's one around." You say, standing next to Xie Lian.

The four of you do eventually find one, it's a little run down but it's good enough. Your attention is dragged away when you notice a girl praying. A girl praying in a temple of Nan Yang? Makes you want to give your heart out.

You can't resist your temptations when Xie Lian asks why the temple has so many women worshippers. It's unusual for a martial god's temple after all. While Nan Feng feels the need to block the question, Fu Yao indulges it.

"I know what you want to ask, you want to ask why there's so many female worshippers right?"

You hold the urge to cackle, and lean in close to Xie Lian's ear. You happily ignore the two officials's glares. You whisper to him, "Xie Lian many women worship Nan Yang's temple so in the future their man will have... Good assets" you giggle into his ear.

For a martial god it isn't normal for many women to pray in their temples. Xie Lian was an exception because he was more of a ' feminine god ' depicted with lotus flowers. You were an exception because of femininity and because you're the God of song. The arts, like dance, drawing, and song were more partaken by women than men. Most martial gods don't have femininity, so rare for women's prayers.

You stay close to Xie Lian's side as Fu Yao judges the poor girl to pieces, calling her ugly. Xie Lian sighs, "You can't talk about girls like that Fu Yao" but you can tell Xie Lian is thinking the same thing. You snicker placing a hand on your hip.

Xie Lian notices a slash in the girl's dress, he tries to offer her his outer robe so that she can cover herself but of course she freaks out. She moves to slap Xie Lian but why would you just stand there? You grab her wrist and throw her to the side. 'throw' is an overstatement it was truly a nudge.

Once Xie Lian tells her she has a slash in her dress she finally accepts his robe and then runs out of the Temple.

Now Xie Lian's undressed. Bandages over his chest, and neck can be seen now. Nan Feng and Fu Yao stare in quiet shock. You on the other stare in admiration. Xie Lian is undeniably beautiful. You chuckle softly and remove your outer robe, unlike Xie Lian you have an under robe on. You move it over Xie Lian's shoulders.

"Should've let her run out with the slash in her dress. It's just like you to give the clothes off your back, A-Lian" you hum softly. Xie Lian smiles in thanks and puts on your robe.

He does look very pretty especially in your clothes.

**********************************************************

The next day all four of you go back to the tea shop. You aren't paying attention to the conversation about Mount Yunjin. You'd much rather pay attention to Wèizhī. The two birds hop around on the table and chirp away.

You decided to bring them today, simply because they bring you peace of mind. Of course they aren't only birds they're much more than that. Anyone would know if they're close to you, and they've seen the earring hiding behind your long hair.

Right now they're birds though and you'd much rather chirp away with the Magpies then pretend to chat with the officials next to you.

It isn't until loud drums and a gathered crowd outside has all four of you going outside to check it out. A line of men outside carrying a sedan is what the crowd is gathered for. As for the last inside the sedan... She looks like her neck has been snapped. It proves so when a fake head rolls to yours and Xie Lian's feet.

"Ew" you sneer and quickly kick it away. You assume whatever these mortals are doing is connected with the Ghost Groom. You stand to the side however as Wèizhī perches on your shoulders.

"If I was a ghost groom I'd kill the entire group for sending such an ugly thing to me" Fu Yao comments in disgust and rolls his eyes

"Fu Yao you aren't talking like an immortal should." Xie Lian said. "And can you fix that eye-rolling habit of yours? Why don't you set a small target for yourself first and only roll five days or something like that?"

" Set it fifty times a day and it still won't be enough!" Nan Feng yells

"Leave Fu Yao alone, if he rolls them hard enough maybe they'll fall out on their own." You add, with a snicker.

You're interrupted by yelling, one of the men in the group yelling about how it's useless and that they should just charge into Mount Yunjin and dragging an ugly freak out. They all hoot in agreement.

"Ugly Freak? Shopkeeper what are they talking about?" Xie Lian asks

The tea master explains, "The ghost groom has such an ugly appearance that no woman loves it, so he wears bandages around his face. That is why he kidnaps brides."

"Just because his face is wrapped in bandages doesn't mean it's ugly. There's a possibility it's so beautiful that it doesn't want others to see it, so he covers it up" Fu Yao says.

When Fu Yao quickly glances at you, you ignore. This isn't about you and you know that Fu Yao is truly a prick. No need to make something out of nothing.

Your group's attention is caught when the same girl from yesterday begging them not to go do anything dangerous and a man bitching at her because she refused to join them.

You don't care about anyone's affairs unless it has something to do with Xie Lian. You perk in attention when the man pushes the girl roughly, Xie Lian ever so kindly catches her.

Xie Lian uses Rou'ye to smack down the man and then just as quickly hides back in Xie Lian's sleeve. You snicker softly at the slumped man in the dirt. The man is not happy though, he's having none of it. He brandishes his sword and yells that Xie Lian is using wicked magic.

Nan Feng uses his palm to snap a wooden pillar of the tea shop and the group of men run in fear. You side eye Nan Feng. You have mixed opinions on him, but even after so long... "You're still just a brute dummy. You're paying for that" you smile behind the veil and return to Xie Lian's side.

The four of you eventually head back to the temple. With newly acquired information from Ling Wen, you now know that you're going to need a fake bride. However you can't use any mortals since it's a wrath level ghost.

"Well if we can't use women we'll have to use men" said Fu Yao.

"What man is going to want to dress up as a bride?" Nan Feng sighs.

The two suddenly have the same idea and look over to you and Xie Lian.

"???"

"No." You glare.

**********************************************************

Nighttime, the temple of Nan Yang.

You watch as Xie Lian walks from the back in a brides dress, hair down and flowing. You sigh into your hand. It doesn't look like a bride at all

Nan Feng has a more extreme reaction, "Fuck!" He just can't stand to see Xie Lian in a brides dress, it's awful.

Fu Yao scans Xie Lian with a complicated look.

"Do you have something you wish to say?" He asked

Fu Yao nodded "if someone sent a woman like this to me..."

"you'd kill the whole town was it?" You snicker.

"No I'd kill the woman." Fu Yao replied frigidly.

Xie Lian smiles, "Then thank goodness I'm not the woman."

You hum, "A-Lian let me help you, obviously these two have and never will see a bride in their lives" you smile, "not unless it's each other..." You mutter the last part out.

"Excuse me..." The four of them look at the voice. It's the girl from earlier. She has a white robe in her hand and stands with trepidation. "I've washed these clothes to return them to you and thank you so much for yesterday and today"

You see Xie Lian smiles in response but suddenly remembers his attire.

"Are you... if you want I can help?" She asks, no longer shy.

"No miss you misunderstand this isn't a hobby of mine" Xie Lian laughs nervously.

You on the other hand are happy with this development. "Yes! Come help us."

And so that began Xie Lian's makeover. The girl has a sewing kit on her and helps Xie Lian fit into his dress. You do Xie Lian's hair - you do it all the time anyways - and together the two of you do Xie Lian's makeup. After you're finished with him, he looks like a proper bride and a damn good one too. If you weren't a ghost there would be a blush on your cheeks.

__________________________________________________

Guys. If anyone has actually read all of these parts I need y'all to tell me if Y/n is making sense. 😭 Like do we understand the background and his character? Do we understand the b i r d s?

Time gap between here and first glance

First Glance