Some… not-so lovely tidbits in Chapter 56 of Mo Dao Zu Shi (ExR translation) that caught my eye:
This chapter is really so interesting in a lot of ways. Most of them not fun though.
Wei WuXian, “I didn’t. I just feel that, compared to him, I really didn’t do much.”
Jiang FengMian nodded, “Well done.”
He was able to kill a four-hundred-year-old beast at the mere age of seventeen. It was much more than a ‘well done’.
Jiang Cheng, “Congratulations.”
The tone of his congratulations sounded quite strange. Seeing how he folded his hands and raised his brows, Wei WuXian knew that those sour feelings were at him again. Jiang Cheng, right now, must be making a fuss in silence, defiantly asking himself why he wasn’t the one who had stayed in the cave to kill the beast. If it had been him, he could definitely also do this and do that.
I think this interaction perfectly sums Wei Wuxian’s relationship with the Jiang Fengmian and Jiang Cheng.
Wei Wuxian clearly is aware Jiang Cheng is jealous of him—even saying that ‘he knew those sour feeling were directed at at him again’ implying that it’s not the first time Jiang Cheng has gotten jealous over him. So he’s quick to downplay his accomplishment here with Jiang Fengmian giving the bare minimum of praise for what is frankly an award worthy achievement.
They even mention that the Wen’s are throwing a party for Wen Chao “killing” the beast but Wei Wuxian just gets a ‘well done’? The difference in treatment for the same deed is apparent.
And yet Jiang Cheng still gets jealous.
And after seeing Jiang Cheng’s bad mood Wei Wuxian is quick to try and correct it:
Wei WuXian laughed, “What a pity that you weren’t there as well. Or else, you’d be able to share some of that credit as well. You’d also be able to chat with me and chase the boredom away. Good Heavens, sitting face-to-face with Lan Zhan these days almost bored me to death.”
Jiang Cheng, “It served you right to be bored to death. You shouldn’t have played the hero and you shouldn’t have cared for such a hell of a thing. If in the beginning you didn’t…”
Suddenly, Jiang FengMian spoke, “Jiang Cheng.”
Jiang Cheng paused, knowing that he had said too much. He was quiet at once.
Interestingly this seems to imply Jiang Cheng doesn’t think what he said is wrong or feel guilty for it—just that he said enough for his father scold him.
Jiang FengMian didn’t look as if he was blaming him of anything, but his expression had turned from calm to more solemn, “Do you know in which ways what you just said is not appropriate?”
Jiang Cheng’s head hung low, “Yes.”
Wei WuXian, “He’s just angry and speaking without care.”
And Wei Wuxian being relegated to peace keeper and making excuses for Jiang Cheng’s behavior. Which he shouldn’t even have to do because this a fairly normal parent-child exchange. Jiang Fengmian isn’t even shown to be mad at Jiang Cheng here. It’s just that Jiang Cheng can’t handle criticism.
Seeing how Jiang Cheng’s mouth and heart were still at odds, how he still felt defiant, Jiang FengMian shook his head, “A-Cheng, there are some things that can’t be said even if you’re angry. If you said them, it means that you still don’t understand the motto of the Jiang Sect, that you still don’t…”
Once again this implies that despite agreeing with his father out loud Jiang Cheng apparently feels that he’s said nothing wrong at all. Or at least that he was right to say it. So Jiang Fengmian tries to explain why what he said is wrong but…
The harsh voice of a woman came from outside the door, “Yes, he doesn’t understand, but what does it matter, as long as Wei Ying understands?!”
Ah, and Yu Ziyuan, interrupting her husband trying to teach their son an important life lesson to complain about unfair favoritism that is completely absent from this scene.
In front of Jiang FengMian, Wei WuXian had to give the madam some face. He didn’t protest at all, though he thought to himself, He couldn’t have dared to do anything to them? That’s not for certain.
Bless Wei Wuxian, calling out bullshit like always. Even if it’s just in his head.
Wei WuXian could only roll out of bed and chase over, dragging with him his stiff, sore body, “Jiang Cheng! Jiang Cheng!”
Jiang Cheng walked forward without a care for anything else.
Wei Wuxian literally almost died and was unconscious all of five minutes ago and yet he’s stuck doing damage control with the Jiangs. The lack of consideration being given to him, with Yu Ziyuan even barging into his room to start a fight with her husband, is jarring honestly. Literally the only peace and comfort he got in this household after his near death experience was when Jiang Yanli brought him soup.
Jiang Cheng ducked from his strike and shouted, “You’re hurting so much now, but why did you play the hero back then?! Serves you right! Teaches you your lesson!”
Notice how Jiang Cheng immediately starts saying the same things that his father just scolded him for saying now that his father has left the room? Jiang Cheng clearly hasn’t learned a goddamn thing or tried to take his lesson to heart.
Jiang Cheng frowned, “You’re at it again. You don’t really like her, do you? The girl does look fine, but it’s obvious that she doesn’t have much background. Maybe she isn’t even a disciple. She seems like the daughter of a servant.”
You know what this is called? Being classist.
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