#the only reason jgy won was because nmj was good and lenient and patient

[songofclarity]

Thinking about Nie MingJue and the three times Meng Yao/Jin GuangYao harmed him always brings to mind Snow White’s stunning monologue from The 10th Kingdom (a highly recommended fairy tale miniseries):

“Twice she came. Once with a corset to crush my ribs and then with a poison comb to drug me. The last time she came, she brought the most beautiful basket of apples that I ever saw.

“And this time she stayed to watch me die. And to be sure, she held me in her arms until I died in front of her, choking on a piece of poison apple.

“And I often think, ‘Why did I let her in? Didn't I know she was bad?'

“I did. Of course I did. But I also knew that I couldn't keep the door closed all my life, just because it was dangerous, just because there was a chance I might get hurt.”

The corset was given at Langya, where Nie MingJue is betrayed for the first time in his life by someone he trusted. He is left frozen on his knees, his chest tight and body unable to move, as Meng Yao leaves him stunned silent on the battlefield.

The poison comb was given at Nightless City, where Meng Yao drags it through Nie MingJue’s trauma and battle-tangled hair, hair grown long to honor his parents, to honor a father whose death was caused by the Sect Leader now watching the display of Nie MingJue’s abuse at Meng Yao’s hands.

The beautiful basket of apples was brought to the Unclean Realm, where Jin GuangYao makes promise to do better and be better if only Nie MingJue will open the door to him again. Sweet, delicious apples Nie MingJue is encouraged to eat until the poison is in his blood and a piece is caught in his throat. He claws at his neck, choking on it, as Jin GuangYao stays to watch him die, as Jin GuangYao is the last thing he sees.

Nie MingJue knew the world was dangerous. That was why he fought in the Sunshot Campaign. That was why he wanted Nie HuaiSang to practice his saber. The world was dangerous, but Nie MingJue tried to make it safe.

Nie MingJue also knew Jin GuangYao was bad or, more accurately, that Jin GuangYao had done bad things. Of course he knew. He had seen those things happen right in front of him. But that didn’t mean Jin GuangYao couldn’t change. Nie MingJue wanted him to do better. He gave him opportunities to do the right thing.

Which is why Nie MingJue opened the door and let him in again.

#some people have wicked step mothers and some have wicked sworn brothers #mdzs thoughts #please go watch the 10th kingdom it's literally my favorite thing #nie mingjue #jin guangyao #jgy vs nmj #please dni with shipping on this #i'm procrastinating on studying and hw again gdi #this is yet another soft post asking you to stop saying nmj is unforgiving or stubborn #the only reason jgy won was because nmj was good and lenient and patient #if nmj was stubborn and had black and white morality he would have lived #because he wouldn't have suffered jgy to live as he did #and that's that