#youre so valid jingyi

[wenningfanclub]

I love a modern-AU dadfics as much as anyone, but we have to stop glossing over how Wei Wuxian adopting A-Yuan would impact the Wens. Because if he does, something has gone terribly wrong for them and it would absolutely affect everyone involved.

The issue is that A-Yuan has primary caregivers other than Wei Wuxian who should be taking care of him, and if they're not in the picture then there’s going to be a reason why. The first person missing is Granny Wen, who is Wen Yuan’s actual caregiver in mdzs and would most likely be taking care of him. Unfortunately in most dad!xian fics she's immediately fridged or has her grandchild taken away from her due to her age off-screen—which would be deeply traumatic for everyone involved, especially if she’s subsequently unable to be involved in her grandchild's life.

The second person who would be taking care of A-Yuan before Wei Wuxian is Wen Qing. Sometimes the in-fic reason for her not being his caregiver is due to unavoidable circumstances (usually financial issues, which like. yikes), but most of the time it comes down to Wen Qing not really… wanting? to be a caregiver, often because she’s too busy or is putting her career first or is just too much of a GirlBoss. So she chooses to adopt out Wen Yuan to Wei Wuxian (again, off-screen) and that's the end of that.

Listen. Not everyone wants to be a parent. Not everyone should be a parent, or can. It’s a reasonable and valid decision to prioritize other parts of your life over parenthood—especially if being a parent or caregiver wasn’t your choice in the first place. But Wen Qing is going to have SOME kind of feeling about letting A-Yuan be adopted out of her family, and that feeling is probably going to be complicated or bittersweet, if not painful. Not only because she’s, you know, a human being with emotions, but Wen Qing’s primary motivation in the book is to take care of her family and keep them together. So her deciding “nah, I’m too much of a girlboss to be a caregiver, here’s a free kid and I’m going to feel absolutely nothing about this cause it’d be inconvenient for the fluff” is not only a dismissal of how complicated that decision would be for her, it’s also wildly out of character. No matter what the reason is, she's going to feel something about it.

(I’m not getting into how Wen Ning is never tapped as another potential caregiver btw because we're really not ready to talk about ableism just yet)

If you love the idea of Wei Wuxian adopting A-Yuan in your modern au, there’s are a couple of changes that can address this. One is to make Wen Yuan not related to Wen Qing and the shared surname is just a coincidence, like Lan Jingyi. Another is to have them be a blended family where they’re all caregivers for A-Yuan, or have Wei Wuxian be his primary caregiver but help A-Yuan actively maintain a connection to his family of origin. Or have Wei Wuxian adopt A-Yuan but the Wens actually get have feelings about it for once, regardless of why it happens—sorrow, frustration, relief, gratitude, regret, something. Let Wen Qing have complicated feelings and let them shape her relationship with Wei Wuxian, too, for better or worse or just messier. Maybe even let Wei Wuxian, who was also separated from his family of origin and is a walking ball of family trauma, have complicated feelings about it as well! Or go the extra mile and let A-Yuan have some emotions about it for once, because regardless of the context the loss or change of support structures is traumatic, especially for a small human.

Anyway read A Temporary Fix by Bosgood for your complex Wen family feels (feat. Lan Wangji adopting Wen Yuan, because all of this goes the same for him as well).

#mdzs #the untamed #wei wuxian #wen qing #wen ning #wen yuan #lan sizhui #I didn't even get into the legions of other dafan wen either #like where's uncle four?? #where are the aunties?? #not to mention that wwx isn't wen yuan's dad in cannon #he's a very cool babysitter/fun uncle/involved caregiver but he's not his dad #and that doesn't diminish their relationship! a-yuan having multiple caregivers and guardians is a good thing! #idk I just hate seeing wen yuan's birth family shoved into a meat grinder or stripped of complicated feelings #I get that people want a fluffy kidfic but c'mon y'all we can do better #stop fridging Granny Wen 2k23 #can you tell I want to be a parent but have Feelings about the adoption industry

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

Self-reflection

@amynchan here is the ficlet based off the idea you gave me on my post asking for ideas to write. I've been struggling with it for a while now, but I think this came out okay-ish.

Prompt: AU in which Jin Ling and Jiang Cheng go to family therapy

Disclaimers:

1. I've never been to therapy (and it shows, I know), so what I'm saying here may not be reflective of how therapy actually works.

2. My opinions on JC might be considered controversial, in that I am critical of his actions and his approach on a lot of things. This is my view on him as a character, you don't have to agree or to like it, I don't claim I'm right or that my opinion is the only valid one. This is my personal interpretation and you are free to have your own, similar or opposing. I won't entertain discourse, if you're unhappy with my ideas/points, feel free to block me!

The car drive home is silent, only the hum of the engine and the sounds of traffic filling the silence between Jiang Cheng and his nephew. It's awkward and uncomfortable, so Jin Ling tries to play on his phone to distract himself from the tension, but he can't focus on any game or social media or even the stupid memes Lan Jingyi sent in the group chat.

He sighs and closes his eyes, thinking over what just happened.

His therapist had suggested he bring his uncle in for a session or two, claiming it would help Jin Ling manage his anger issues and his trauma if his uncle talked to her as well and she tried gauging what their dynamic is.

In reality, all that seemed to do was make his uncle even angrier than usual and so defensive that he even cried at some point from the frustration of it all.

It all started from the moment the therapist asked Jiang Cheng why he felt the need to make (albeit empty) threats towards Jin Ling. Uncle took offense to that, saying it was just part of tough love - to which the therapist said what makes him think love should be tough instead of soft, why he used violent language when he didn't need to. Uncle said he didn't want to raise a weak man - and the therapist asked him why he thought violence equated strength. He said nothing to that.

Then, the therapist asked uncle about his parents. Instead of talking about them, though, all Jiang Cheng did was talk about how his father favored Wei Wuxian, and how unfair it had been for him. When the therapist asked him how he knew it was favoritism and uncle said "it was obvious! My mother even told everyone, my father included!", she asked him whether he was the one seeing the favoritism, or he was seeing it because his mother was, because he wanted her approval and validation. Uncle, once again, said nothing, but he clenched his fists so hard his knuckles turned white.

The therapist asked uncle about Jin Ling's parents after that. How they were like, what relationship he had with them. But uncle yet again talked about how they died because of Wei Wuxian, and the therapist asked him if that was all that mattered to him in regards to them. Uncle yet again didn't respond, but Jin Ling could see frustrated tears form in his eyes.

The therapist told Jiang Cheng to think about whether his anger is his own or his mother's.

To think about whether it is fair of him to blame all his life circumstances on one person, as if that person's life purpose had been to ruin his own from the start.

To think about whether he was so quick to hate Wei Wuxian because it was easier to do that than to see the bigger picture.

To think about whether he had adopted so many of his mother's mannerisms because he missed her and grieved her and inevitably tried to feel closer to her.

To think about whether this is the kind of man he wishes Jin Ling to grow into.

The session ended and uncle said nothing at all anymore after that. Jin Ling sneaks a look at him, and sees his expression darker and cloudier than ever before.

He wonders if he should say something, but ultimately decides against it.

The drive keeps silent all the way home.

#mdzs #writing attempts #i hope this doesnt start discourse because i really dont mean it to

[dual-domination]

Juniors (and whoever else like Jiang Cheng or Lan Xichen) dealing with wangxian being...well wangxian post canon

Some shenanigans for the soul 🙏

The jingshi would fall, they thought. The jingshi wasn’t strong enough for that, they thought. Whatever that could be, the jingshi would definitely fall.

Jin Ling: I can’t even tell jiujiu about this!!

Sizhui: Calm down, we’ll find a way…

Jingyi: You believe in miracles, don’t you, Sizhui?

Sizhui: Isn't that bad…

Zizhen: We can hear your necromancer dad from here, at this distance… 

Jin Ling: They’re your parents, you should know what to do!

Sizhui: Is the first time I have to deal with both of them at the same time, you know… not really, but I was just like… three… and… 

Jingyi: I bet even Xichen-shushu can hear them from his seclusion… No, I bet he’s coming out of his seclusion because it’s impossible to meditate with those “sounds”...

Zizhen: “Shushu”? Since when do you refer to Zewu-jun like that?

Jingyi: Since is weird to say “Zewu-jun-shushu”.

Jin Ling: But Hanguang-jun is not your “shushu” as well?

Jingyi: If I call Hanguang-jun as WangJi-shushu, it’d be the last day of my life.

Zizhen: You can call him whatever you want when he’s too busy like that… It’s like we can see nothing, but we can hear everything… and I have to say, I’m too young for this kind of… words…

Sizhui: Guys, I’m gonna die of embarrassment… could we just get out of here and find Ning-shushu and go hunt some ghosts, corpses, anything?

Jingyi: I found their word choices very educational. I’d rather be here and learn more.

Jin Ling: I’d rather be here than going where jiujiu can find me and ask why I’m not here, so I’ll have to tell the truth and this is not gonna end well. 

Sizhui: Do you know that, if shufu finds out, we just…

Jingyi: Grandpa Qiren is not coming here, he’s already using some spell so he won’t hear a thing. Don’t worry.

Sizhui: How do you know that?

Jingyi: He didn’t hear when I screamed calling Jin Ling “Young Mistress” and told him to abandon the damn Jin Clan to marry you already.

Sizhui: The Lan Clan is wise and calm, they said… you will be safe and in peace with the Lan Clan, they said… now look at me.

The four boys sitting in a circle in the middle of the grass with a bunch of rabbits didn’t notice the man bending over them.

“It seems that we got some trouble here…”

Looking above, they found the respectable Zewu-jun with a worried face.

Sizhui: Ah, Zewu-jun, it’s that, ahm… my parents… how can I say?

Xichen: You don’t have to explain anything you don’t understand, Sizhui.

Jingyi: Xichen-shushu, who said he doesn’t understand? He just hasn't gotten to his parent’s level yet, but…

Jin Ling: Please, shut up… (I can’t even complain to jiujiu about this too).

Xichen: I was trying to be delicate here, Jingyi.

Zizhen: Zewu-jun, are you sure Jingyi is really a Lan?

Xichen: Unfortunately, yes… No, I mean… I just… I…

Jingyi: I understand, Xichen-shushu is very disturbed for leaving his seclusion in such circumstances, (as I told he was going to).

Xichen: Is that so. 

Sizhui: Zewu-jun… is the jingshi… strong enough?

Xichen: I’m not sure anymore. I know my ears are not strong enough and…

The sounds coming from the jingshi got louder. 

Jin Ling: Oh, c’mon, really? It can get worse?!

Zizhen: I still don’t understand why you don’t tell your jiujiu about that…

Jin Ling: Are you really listening the same as me? Because if you are, you’ll understand: Jiujiu is gonna use Zidian on them. 

Zizhen: And?...

Jingyi: It’s obvious. They might like that very much and the things will get uncontrollable. Zidian is a whip, and it’s sexy…

Zizhen: Is it what?

Jin Ling: Oh, gods, Zizhen…

Xichen: I have to agree with Jin Ling, is better not say a thing to Sandu Shengshou about this… Jin Ling’s points are… valid.

Sizhui: Zewu-jun, are you telling me that there’s no way to make them stop or, at least, don’t make the whole Lan Sect take an involuntary part on that?!

Xichen: We could use the Silence Spell, but my brother would be so upset about this and… and… maybe a magic arrangement around the jingshi?

Jingyi: Poor Xichen-shushu, you don’t have any hopes, do you?

Xichen: My only hope is that, at any moment, they’ll get tired and stop, go to sleep or something.

Jin Ling: But it’s not a solution!

Xichen: Unless I get a seclusion in far mountains, I’m officially leaving my seclusion because it’s impossible to keep my rest and meditation.

Sizhui: And what are you planning to do, Zewu-jun?

Xichen: Taking back all my responsibilities as Sect Leader, so I can travel for Discussion Conferences and any other sect matters far away from here. 

Jingyi: You’re running away, Xichen-shushu.

Xichen: Definitely. 

Sizhui: Please, Zewu-jun, have mercy and take us with you! We’ll behave!

Jin Ling: We beg you, Zewu-jun.

Jingyi: You guys are cowards and not funny at all, you know.

Because there’s no way to deal with Wangxian being… Wangxian.

...

Sorry, is the first draft I try after around 8 months without writing with MDZS and I don't know if still have the hand, so I have to practice. But thank you for the ask, is very welcome!

#mdzs #mdzs fanfic #mdzs fanfiction #the untamed #the untamed fanfic #junior quartet #lan xichen #lan sizhui #lan jingyi #jin ling #ouyang zizhen #wangxian #hyde dual-domination

[pharahsgf]

Hey

who are your fave mdzs chrackters ? If you have answered this before but if you have what about your top 5 denmei chrackters?

i may have answered this before but i like listing characters so here's a little penta pharahsgf seal of approval ranking

highly blessed: wei wuxian, lan wangji, wen qing

valid: jiang yanli, wen ning, jin ling, nie huaisang, mianmian, lan jingyi, a'qing, qin su

valid but boring: lan sizhui, xiao xingchen, song lan, nie mingjue, lan xichen, lan qiren, jin zixuan

cool villain: jin guangyao, wen zhuliu, wen ruohan except in cql, (sigh) wang lingjiao

valid but by g-d you are so annoying sometimes: jiang fengmian, xue yang

NOT valid: yu ziyuan, su she, b list sect leaders

not valid and also you are so annoying, all the time: jiang cheng, jin zixun, wen chao

i will actually fucking deck you: jin guangshan

i haven't consumed any other actual danmei besides tgcf, which is a rare novel where i like basically all the main characters, so all of them would probably get squeezed into the valid tier. except shi wudu he goes next to xue yang

#replies #anonymous #i actually like shi wudu to some extent but he is also inexplicably extremely annoying to me #maybe i'm just a he xuan apologist

[that-was-anticlimactic]

What are your thoughts on the new season of stranger things? 👀👀 jingyi

okay so ngl i haven't seen past the second episode of s3 lol

granted, the reason i never watched past that was because of all the pointless relationship drama and like i was already constantly fifth wheeling in my house, so i just. couldn't do it.

but. i do know who dies, though, and tbh even tho i don't know much, i feel like it was pointless? but then again, i feel like stranger things has a bad case of main character syndrome where they feel like mike and el have to be the center of everything and then they do the steve stuff for fanservice. i mean, will is always a plot device and i feel like doesn't have much character because we were never allowed to get to know him and lucas got the short end of the stick within the four boys because, at least in s1 and s2, they kept treating him like a side character.

idk i feel like it had the opportunity to be a good show, but they realized how popular the show was and let them think they could do whatever they wanted with the characters. idk, i also just don't like most of the characters because i feel like they aren't really fleshed out and good. like, i like steve and dustin and lucas and i think that nancy and jonathan deserve better.

anyways not to just trash on the show because i know a lot of people like it! i just don't like that they queerbaited and i hate the emphasis they put on romantic relationships, and i think that is one of the biggest downfalls. max and lucas wasn't necessary, el and mike's personalities changed when they got together (imo!), the love triangle was pointless,,, idk maybe i'm just still bitter about feeling like i was trapped in people being in relationships at the time because of my mom and her boyf, my sister and her old boyf (they were literally with their boyfriends at our house constantly and then i couldn't blame hopper for banning mike and el from seeing each other lol i was clapping but that is a personal bias thing and i am willing to admit that lol)

what i'm trying to say is that i've heard good things and i've heard bad things. i do still stand by too much emphasis on romantic relationships and they split characters into groups too much rather than having them all together (that's what it seems like, i could be wrong about this one!!!)

if people disagree with me, that is SO very valid and tbh, i would actually love to hear why you disagree because i'm not caught up and don't really plan on continuing (i also feel like it may be a little too scary for me lol - could be wrong about that one too tho lol but the few episodes i saw in s3 kinda freaked me out lol) and i love having conversations about this kind of stuff! i just don't want anyone to think that i'm just trashing on a show they like because i did truly like s1!

i hope this answered your question lol and i would love to hear your opinions!

#jingyi tag #sorry if this is so rambly lol #i'm scared this sounds too mean #i'm sorry y'all please don't hate me i respect your opinions !!! it's just not really my genre of show! #mad respect for dustin / lucas / max's actors because they're broadway actors lol #i get so nervous posting stuff like this because i'm so used to people not liking when i share my opinions like this - they usually #disagree with me and then get upset when i do disagree so #okay imma just stop and post it haha #st spoilers

[demonitized-cultivation]

Lan Jingyi: Homophobia is whack, dude. I mean, we're all the same color on the inside.

Lan Sizhui: I'm glad you're being progressive, but judging people for their skin color is racism.

Lan Jingyi: Really? Then what's homophobia?

Lan Sizhui: When people think being gay is bad.

Lan Jingyi: PEOPLE THINK BEING GAY IS BAD?!

#youre so valid jingyi #how can it be bad if hgj is gay? #hgj is perfect #lan jingyi #ljy #lan sizhui #lan yuan #lsz #Juniors #lan juniors #mdzs #mo dao zu shi #mxtx #incorrect mdzs #incorrect quotes #cql #incorrect cql #the untamed #source: unknown #mdzs juniors

[admirableadmiranda]

What do you think is the occupations of your fav MDZS characters in modern AU?

Ohh anon let me introduce you to some headcanons!!

Wei Wuxian: He definitely always has his parents or found family, he's not stuck with the Jiangs. I could go all sorts of places with him, because he's so talented and clever and good at so many things, but wherever it is he's making things and having a blast and making all the money to support...

Lan Wangji: his househusband. Listen, I know he's a great teacher, I'm sure he'd enjoy that, but what he's enjoying most is taking care of WWX. And he raised a child in canon. If it's a modern au and Wei Wuxian isn't being tied back by an incredibly classist society, Wei Wuxian is the breadwinner and Lan Wangji stays at home and raises the children and still fucks his husband until he begs for mercy every night. They're just great like that.

Lan Xichen: a lawyer, and not in the field he wants to be in. He's pretty decent wherever he is, but he'd be much happier in a different field and that smile is cracking day by day.

Lan Sizhui: being the best boy with both great adoptive parents and still getting to be loved and adored by his bio family as well. He is going to grow up to be so loved.

Lan Jingyi: Sizhui's little brother. The best boy. He's the one who's always covered in dirt and laughing, and he's going to grow up to be as cool as his dads.

The Lan Sect in general: hippies. Live in harmony with the earth and each other, get involved in protests and get in the way of things that are harmful to the earth. None of this rich austere family, we're going with first do no harm, second reach out and use your power to help things be better for all.

Jin Ling: The third baby. In a modern au where Xuanli still die there is no way that anyone comes close to being as great an option to raise him as Wangxian. He deserves a good loving family who understands that he's cranky because he loves and wants to protect them.

Nie Huaisang: He is a spoiled rich boy living on his inheritance and doing nothing just as he wanted. If he does anything with his day, it's collecting things. But he wants to do nothing with his life and it's valid for him to do nothing with his life.

Jin Guangyao: corporate drone who managed to use his father to get into a good job but he's just absolutely miserable because he can play the game so well but the bodies he's left in his wake to get where he is are coming back to haunt him. Whether this is figurative or literal depends on the fic.

Mianmian: Wei Wuxian's best friend, a probono lawyer who specifically goes and finds people who need help and can't afford it. Works with charities and is very big on helping those in need.

Wen Qing: Wei Wuxian's best big sister who is out being a cool doctor wherever she wants. Gets to live a happy life either with a wife or by herself, no scandals needed ever.

Wen Ning: Wei Wuxian's best little brother who is going to find himself a sugar daddy someday, even though his big brother is also happy to buy him whatever he wants. It's just not the same as finding some hot rich guy to spend a lot of money on you. Maybe he'll hook up with NHS in this.

Mo Xuanyu: the other wannabe sugar baby who definitely has something going on with NHS if I'm not shipping him with Wen Ning. May have committed a little murder in the past, but given that his family was definitely abusing him it's not like anyone really tried to do anything about it. Just ruled as self defense.

Jiang Fengmian: got to divorce his terror of a wife and rescue his poor daughter from that. Married for a second time to a kind woman who is nothing like YZY and is recovering and getting to be a happy man again.

Jiang Yanli: got to get far away from her mother and brother and live with her dad instead. Has a simple job and a simple home and a simple life with no contact with the family that does not care for her and is much happier for it. Volunteers at a soup kitchen sometimes and feeds everyone delicious soup. Let her have a kind quiet life. She and Wei Wuxian may not be super close but they like to spend time together.

Xiao Pingguo: Gets to be the family donkey and kick annoying people in the balls.

Wangxian rabbits: Get to be the family pets and loved and adored by everyone.

#mdzs #mdzs headcanons #mdzs modern au #wei wuxian #lan wangji #lan xichen #lan sect #lan sizhui #lan jingyi #jin ling #wen ning #nie huaisang #wen qing #jiang yanli #jiang fengmian #mo xuanyu #jin guangyao #xiao pingguo #wangxian bunnies #mianmian #asks #anon asks #this was a lot of fun #plz send more anon #long post

[plan-d-to-i]

It’s not much but I do take joy in JC having to see WWX’s inventions even long after he died. I just know he had to of completely lost it seeing the flags catch on with the sects

I'd take a lot of joy if jc took a long walk on a short pier... I mean what? Who said that. Anyway I do get the feeling that jc derived no small measure of schadenfreude seeing the cultivation world turn against WWX and condemn him because in a way it validated his own mindset/feelings. So It's likely seeing WWX's inventions being used, by the Lan Clan no less, pissed him off.

You know jc is generally a sheep so he wouldn't go after an entire bigger clan for using them but he wanted Jin Ling to kill MXY FOR A PAPERMAN! So I wonder how difficult it was for those unaffiliated with powerful Clans to use any of WWX's methods without jc deciding they’re WWX and taking them to be tortured. After all jc is so crazed he even tried to challenge LWJ for MXY... Plus as Lan Jingyi says his standards for what constitutes a demonic cultivator and therefore possible WWX are not very stringent:

"Not to mention, Chief Jiang suspects everything that moves. If he tries to catch everyone, when will he ever be done? And look at yourself, playing your flute like that…hmph”"

But anyway back to how brilliant WWX is!!

As for why the flags looked familiar…how couldn’t they? The inventor of the yin summoning flag was none other than the Yiling Laozu himself! It seemed that though all the cultivation clans had furiously called for his head, they had no qualms about using the things he’d invented… (chapter3)

Cultivators had a very strict classification system for “vicious ghosts.” If a ghost killed one person a month for three consecutive months, it could already be classified as a vicious ghost. Wei Wuxian had been the one who had come up with these standards, but cultivators most likely still used them. He was the top expert on these types of things, and as he saw it, a ghost which killed once a week already counted as one that killed very frequently. (Chapter 5)

Don’t you remember who invented these compasses? I’ve never heard of anything disturbing the direction the needle points.”

“What exactly do you mean by that? Why are you asking such weird questions? Of course I remember evil wind compasses were invented by Wei Ying, but just because he invented something, doesn’t mean it’s all beautiful and perfect. Aren’t people allowed to question him?”

“I didn’t say you weren’t allowed to question him, or that his things were perfect. There’s no need to spew mud everywhere, your highness!” (Chapter 7)

In all fairness, the cultivator who had questioned him wasn’t wrong. The evil wind compasses in use were only the first edition, and indeed left something to be desired when it came to accuracy. Originally, Wei Wuxian had worked to improve them, but who told people to destroy his home before he was done? So he had no option but to inconvenience everyone and continue to force the inaccurate, first edition compass on them. (Chapter 7)

Sassy WWX alert. lol. ofc we find out the compass was working just fine. Even that first edition.

"By granting wishes, it could obtain the souls “voluntarily” offered by the wishers. After all, it was a fair exchange—each got what they wanted and gave up something in return, so it appeared reasonable and just. This was why the evil wind compass’s needle wouldn’t move, and why the yin summoning flags didn’t attract it, and why the swords and talismans had no effect. The thing on Dafan Mountain wasn’t an evil spirit or monster at all—it was a goddess!"

Then ofc the Summoning of the Painted Eyes:

The disciples inside were speechless and stupefied.

Previously, they had only heard descriptions of a few vile, unorthodox techniques from their seniors, or from their books. At the time, they hadn’t been able to understand it: “If these techniques are so vile, why do so many people want to learn them? Why does the Yiling Laozu have so many imitators?” But now that they had seen one of these techniques with their own eyes, they finally knew why such practices were the subject of such fascination. Moreover, this was only the tip of the iceberg, this “Summoning of the Painted Eyes.” Thus, once most of the youths had recovered from their stunned silence, their expressions, far from repulsed, were full of irrepressible excitement. They felt as though they had gained a lot of first hand experience, and when they returned home, they would have a lot to tell their fellow disciples. (36)

Xue Yang: “Of course. Ever since you entered and whistled, I thought you were a little strange. So I chose to join in on the action personally to get a reading. Sure enough, you were able to produce so much power from even such a low level technique as the Summoning of the Painted Eyes. You must be its inventor.” (37)

WWX is so cool for this because he doesn't hoard inventions he thinks might help others, but he's very circumspect about what he shares so others don't misuse it. When he realized the power of the Yinhufu for ex, and the fact that it could be used by anyone who possessed it, he sought to destroy it before he died. But something like the compass seems to be in the possession of many (⁀ᗢ⁀)

#mdzs #answers #jiang cheng #canon jiang cheng

[pocketfulofrecs]

ChilianXianzi was one of the first authors I (Dee) read in this fandom and These Mortal Treasures was one of the first fics I read. ChilianXianzi has a great writing style and you’re fully immersed into the story she’s weaving. We are really looking forward to anything she writes in the future.

She has written 39k+ words on 7 works, both mdzs and cql canon. You can find her @chilianxianzi on Tumblr.

Her fics:

To Not Vainly Break Branches - [mature | 3k | wip | emperor LWJ/empress WWX]

For Safekeeping Purposes - [mature | 2.9k | crime boss/sugar daddy LWJ]

The Shadows of My Old Places, Falling Across the Moats - [teen | 8.4k | QHJ goes to Burial Mounds]

To Start A Bridge From A Single Log - [teen | 4.7k | epistolary]

These Mortal Treasures (our post) - [teen | 9.3k | dragonji]

They say - [teen | 3.1k | LWJ is troubled by rumors]

Proximity to Knowledge (our post) - [teen | 7.2k | WWX protection squad]

Dee’s favourite: These Mortal Treasures, definitely. It is one of the first fics I read when I entered this fandom. It is also one that planted the idea of writing a dragon fic. I really love it. The story, the pacing, LWJ’s response to WWX, everything.

Ju’s favourite: Proximity to Knowledge! I love genius WWX, and I love WWX and his ducklings, and this fic gives me both so well! Jingyi pov is so much fun, and all the juniors doing whatever they can to be close to WWX and learn from him just makes me so happy. It’s a really good fic to read when you’re feeling down.

The Interview:

Q. When did you start writing fics? Did you have fandoms before this one?

A. I think around 2006-ish? I used to write character and quest mods for Baldur's Gate 2 before I went through the Knights of the Old Republic fandom and the whole ouvre of Bioware's games, although Dragon Age was the fandom I was most involved in and wrote the most for. There was of course a Harry Potter phase amidst all that, as one does, but also a good deal of Sailor Moon.

Q. What made you start writing for MDZS?

A. Definitely the worldbuilding and the issues and themes raised in canon. In a way, MDZS is the complete package of family issues, class issues, communal responsibilities, my childhood love for Wuxia/Xianxia, and the increasingly dangerous and volatile court of public opinion - which is also reflected very prominently in the MDZS fandom proper.

And let's not forget the Wangxian, because they're just a couple that works not just because they look good together (They do) and have a deep love for each other (Hell yeah they also do), but they also work perfectly together because they are constantly, stubbornly striving for the same values in a world where such values often come second after ideas of honor and performative righteousness.

Q. What’s your favourite fic you’ve written?

A. It's an ongoing one and it's called "To Start a Bridge From A Single Log" where I wanted to explore the possible uses of Cultivation outside of the super insular scope of the cultivation world and how that would impact both communities, because all of these hogging of spiritual resources, I cannot stand it. But it also has ridiculous amounts of Wangxian mutual pining so there's that, it's just all my favorite things piled up together.

Q. What’s your favourite type of fics to read?

A. Oh, it really depends on my mood at the moment like that's why rec blogs like this is just so *mwah chef's kiss* because there's just a ready selection of different stuff for different occasions! In the MDZS fandom, I do gravitate towards fics about Wei Wuxian finding a home and his place in the world outside of his Jiang upbringing, or fics where Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian just work together realizing their mutual vow, being a good role model for the juniors.

Q. What’s your favourite comment? Or type of comment?

A. Any comment is a favorite, honestly! Writing stories are just like talking to people right, so being answered is always nice :D I suppose whatever the comment is, it's just always really interesting and heartening to see that parts of what you're talking about resonates with other people, enough to get an answer in words :)

Q. What motivates you to write?

A. I think I'm inherently a very angry person. Like literally the way I set my career path had been to find what things made me the most angry and do my best to fix it, and I feel like that's also my approach to writing. I would tackle something I think is a problem or a question that makes me angry and try to find my way through it via the characters and worldbuilding - And even if in the end the problems don't get solved or the questions are not answered, there would still be dialogue incited and there would still be the process of seeing said problem from many perspectives as writing (and reading!) encourages you to do.

Q. Who’s your favorite author?

A. The authors that really stayed with me are the Shoujo mangakas of the late 80s and the 90s, because they gave me examples on so many different ways to express myself outside of the one-note "girls should be like this" sentiments that were still somewhat prevalent when I grew up. My favorite has to be Kyoko Hikawa, though. Other writers would probably be Margaret Atwood and Nnedi Okorafor because of the way they talk about many issues through stories so they're not directly talking about it but still kinda blatantly talking about it.

Q. What is your favorite trope to read and/or write?

A. Curtain fics! There's just something inherently telling about how a character approaches the everyday and its logistics, because in a way these everyday things around them are also the things that molded and shaped them to be who they are.

Q. Do you have any advice for new authors?

A. I guess start small? I used to teach piano and after all the godawful finger exercises and endless scales it's always SO nice and validating for the kids (and adults!) to be able to complete an actual song, even if it's just a tiny piece of twelve bars. And I feel like it's a bit like that with writing too, the joy of just like, finishing something with your own hands and then having people hear/read it is such a great motivator to do more. Like we could totally start with super simple goals and as we go on, the goals or the objectives could become bigger or more diverse.

Q. What do you think is the most important element in writing? Plot, characterization, relationship?

A. I really think it depends on what kind of experience you're looking for your readers to have? For me, some plots or concepts are so engaging that you'd be fine even if the characters are switched to another fandom, and some fics have such good characterization that it happening in limbo would be fine with me, that kind of thing. I guess it's also fun to experiment with each pressure point and see which feelings and reactions from readers (and yourself!) you gain from each you love the most and how to combine each element in a portion that works out for you.

~

Check out their stories on ao3 and remember…

Comments and kudos feed the author’s soul.

#mdzs #author spotlight #chilianxianzi

[vrishchikawrites]

Imagine how horrifying it would be if we found out that after taking A-Yuan in, the Lans constantly belittled him for his parentage, only punished him for minor offences that they let other disciples get away with, and got furious with him for outperforming e.g. jingyi

I wonder if people would still write think pieces about how child abuse doesn't count and is actually fully justified if it's just some orphan your husband/relative brought home ~without permission~

The irony is that these people who write think pieces justifying abuse also hate the Lans for being so strict. From what I could understand, Lans were a strict but just sect, assigning corporal punishment based on clear guidelines and always for a valid reason. They didn't seem to give arbitrary punishments.

I was raised in a strict, conservative environment too (though physical punishments weren't a thing) The Lans, I get.

I don't consider the Jiangs strict - I consider them abusive. Simply because every time anyone (let's admit it only WWX is ever being punished. No one else is seen to suffer from YZY's whip) gets punished, there's no process behind it. All culprits aren't punished equally (which is why WWX was so surprised when LWJ assigned himself punishment too).

YZY is very lucky that a powerful and brilliant disciple like WWX didn't turn into some resentful being like JGY or the Jiangs would've been fucked.

I think a lot of people excuse the Jiang sect actions because they like JC and they think YZY whipping Zidian around is some sort of girl boss moment. If Lans did something similar to LSZ, there will be Twitter riots.

#reader asks

[tangledinmdzs]

somewhere in the clouds, junior quartet hcs

reaction: junior quartet reacting to you being ill

᠃ ⚘᠂ ⚘ ˚ ⚘ ᠂ ⚘ ᠃. ᠃ ⚘᠂ ⚘ ˚ ⚘ ᠂ ⚘ ᠃  ᠃ ⚘᠂ ⚘ ˚ ⚘ ᠂ ⚘ ᠃  ᠃ ⚘᠂ ⚘ ˚ ⚘ ᠂ ⚘ ᠃  ᠃ ⚘᠂ ⚘ ˚ ⚘ ᠂ ⚘ ᠃

Lan Sizhui

notices your lack of appetite during lunch

you’re pushing your food around more than eating it

Sizhui actually wants to swat Jingyi’s hand away from stealing more of your food, but you’re too nice to deny your friends.

in less than a second, Sizhui is able to notice your trick of giving other people your food so you wouldn’t have to eat.

the food of his home is usually bland (from Jin Ling’s complaints) so he concludes that you’re probably a little more than under the weather if you can’t even stomach that.

after lunch, he catches your wrists and asks about your health.

but you don’t really say anything other than the fact that you’re feeling a bit tired.

he doesn’t buy it one bit.

and Sizhui’s not usually very physically aggressive, but the one thing that drives him up the wall is when his friends blatantly don’t take care of themselves (*cough* Jingyi *cough*)

so right before you’re all heading to your next class, Sizhui ends up dragging you to the physician’s tent, despite your protests.

he knows you need the medicine and the rest

you know you need it too, but you’re stubborn!

halfway there you stop trying to break away from his hold and let him escort you to where he want to take you.

sometimes, it’s good to have someone worry about you when you forget to worry about yourself.

you’re glad you found that in Sizhui.

ₓ˚. ୭ ˚○◦˚.˚◦○˚ ୧ .˚ₓ  ₓ˚. ୭ ˚○◦˚.˚◦○˚ ୧ .˚ₓ

Lan Jingyi

senses something is wrong when he’s unable to catch your eye during class.

you’re his partner in crime, the person that’s always passing notes to and really the only person that would entertain his antics during class time.

Sizhui’s too much of a scholar to indulge in

so Jingyi’s more than a little surprised at your cold attitude towards him, inattentive to his little notes and jokes.

in all honesty, you’re not paying attention to anything, not with how the headache muddles your senses.

and what’s worse is that you’re quickly leaving right after class is dismissed with all the other disciples, not even sparing a wave of goodbye.

a little more than distraught, his mind is running with scenarios of what he could have possibly done to offend you while his feet run to catch up.

you’ve only just made it halfway down the path to the dorms when you’re abruptly blocked.

you bump into someone pretty hard.

you stumble back in surprise, but Jingyi catches your wrist. 

“You’re acting different today; are you mad at me?” he’s blunt and straight to the point. 

you shake your head in response (he’s your closest friend, how could he think that?) when the action sends dots into your vision and you sway.

that’s when he realizes something else is very wrong

you sway into Jingyi’s arms and he steadies you, furrowing his eyebrow in worry

this close he can feel how unnaturally warm you, despite how cold and clammy your arms feels from where he’s holding you.

he stutters your name to get you to look at him. 

Jingyi is absolutely breaking more than 10 rules on the wall when he opts to carry you to the infirmary.

but rules never really mattered when it came to you. 

ₓ˚. ୭ ˚○◦˚.˚◦○˚ ୧ .˚ₓ  ₓ˚. ୭ ˚○◦˚.˚◦○˚ ୧ .˚ₓ

Jin Ling

you’ve been avoiding him.

it wasn’t your intention, but you hate to appear weak to people, especially people like Jin Ling, who has always see you as a damsel in distress.

you were friends with him yes, but he was also the one that would always baby you.

you didn’t need that right now.

after waking up with icky feeling on your skin and a chill in your bones, you knew you were feeling under weather.

but classes at gusu must be attended, less you miss something important. 

you’re also quite headstrong so you go about physically shouldering away your illness with pure activity

you just hadn’t realized that it had gotten this bad.

but it’s fine, you’re just too more steps to your dorm and then you can finally sleep-

someone pulls you back roughly by the arm

because you’re as tired as you are, you end up losing you balancing, landing straight into someone’s chest. 

embarrassed, you try to stumble away but the perpetrator holds you at arms length.

there’s a squeeze at your shoulders that draws your attention up

Jin Ling looks quite angry (red in the face, dare I say) when you end up seeing him through your hazy vision.

“You don’t get to ignore me like you have. I’m a Sect leader...didn’t you know that I’ve been looking for you all day...” 

you want to apologize, want to say something more to explain yourself but you can’t. your head is too heavy to hold up.

so you finally let your eyes fully shut.

Jin Ling’s angered rant is cut short by how limp you suddenly become in his arms and he catches almost instinctively. 

he immediately tries to shake you, but with your head by his shoulder he finally feels the fevered state that’s emanating from you and curses. 

quickly brings you to your room and finds a physician

ₓ˚. ୭ ˚○◦˚.˚◦○˚ ୧ .˚ₓ  ₓ˚. ୭ ˚○◦˚.˚◦○˚ ୧ .˚ₓ

Ouyang Zizhen

Zizhen hasn’t seen you in classes for a few days and he worries

decides that as your honorary friend would stop by the dorms to check up on you.

calls Jingyi for company (not because he didn’t want people to have any other thoughts if he were to visit your dorms alone)

brings some ‘notes’ that he’d taken for you for the classes that you’d missed (cause that’s a totally valid excuse)

gets to your dorm and knocks only to get silence in response.

with Jingyi’s brashness opens the door anyways and when he walks into your room sees you wrapped up in the blankets.

he visibly softens at your look, glad to see that you’re okay

Zizhen doesn’t know that he looks at you a little differently

but Jingyi totally does

and he’s gonna make fun of him later

he walks into your dorm and is about to just leave the notes on your table and leave when your cough startles him.

firstly because it was loud

secondly because it was horrible

Zizhen comes to you bedside at the sound, Jingyi in tow and that’s when he notices the sweat dotted on your brow and the actual fact that you’re shivering

the first thought that crosses his mind is, how long have you been like this????

sits down by you without another thought and checks your temperature

when his fingers land on your forehead, Zizhen flinches back at the heat.

in a second, Zizhen turns into Sect Leader Ouyang, barking orders at Jingyi to get a physician while he tends to you now as much as he can.

#mdzs headcanons #mdzs fandom #mdzs #mdzs headcanon #mdzs head canons #mdzs juniors #mdzs junior quartet #mdzs junior headcanons #mdzs x reader #mdzs x y/n #mdzs reader insert #mdzs reader inserts #mdzs self insert #mdzs self inserts #mdzs reader #mdzs reaction #mdzs reactions #mdzs scenarios #mdzs scenario #mdzs imagines #mdzs imagine #mdzs lan sizhui x reader #mdzs lan jingyi x reader #mdzs jin ling x reader #mdzs ouyang zizhen x reader #mdzs sizhui x reader #mdzs jingyi x reader #lan sizhui x reader #lan jingyi x reader #jin ling x reader

[jingyismom]

Tumblr Get To Know - Tag game

Thanks @rinielle for the tag, what a fun little bio Q&A! More information than anyone needed about me below the cut.

1. Why did you choose your url? Probably self-explanatory but...I love Lan Jingyi with my whole heart, and he is definitely the chaotic good sort of child I would hope to raise, if I wanted to raise a child. My FIRST tumblr was a username I’ve had practically my whole life and it was Elvish I cobbled together myself from Ruth S. Noel’s handbook when I was, like, 9; my second blog was a tattoo I have in Latin.

2. Any side-blogs? I have a personal blog that I RARELY use, and it’s mostly just gothy aesthetic shit and some multifandom yelling.

3. How long have you been on tumblr? Ah...since...2010? 2009? Something like that.

4. Do you have a queue tag? I’m too lazy and I’m actually not sure what the point of it is? So, no.

5. Why did you start your blog in the first place? Because I desperately needed more people to scream about The Untamed with!!! And it WORKED, I love you all.

6. Why did you choose you icon/pfp? It is the closest representation of my actual self that I could find within the theme of the fandom. It’s pretty close, honestly, going by Vibes.

7. Why did you choose you header? IT WAS THE GREATEST GIFT OF MY ENTIRE LIFE, FROM THE INCOMPARABLE CLOUD. GO LOOK AT HER ART AND HER FIC AND HER WONDERFUL EVERYTHING @milkcrates!!!!!! AAAHHHH!!!!!! *cries about it for the hundredth time*

8. What’s your post with the most notes? I think this fic promo post. But this one is a close second. I don’t get very many notes!! This tumblr is more like a warm lil house full of love than a big noisy stadium, and I do not mind at all.

10. How many followers do you have? Don’t know, don’t care. :)

11. How many people do you follow? No idea! (I am aware all of these numbers are available but like I said...I could not care less.)

12. Have you ever made a shitpost? N...no? I don’t think so? I don’t often even MAKE posts. Maybe that Titanic ficlet I added onto Dani’s genius AU idea almost counts but honestly it is too earnest to be a shitpost.

13. How often do you use tumblr each day? Less than I used to but more than I should? But I don’t feel like I just scroll mindlessly here, I’m really actively enjoying the content I see. I love this fandom.

14. Did you have a fight/argument with a blog once? Who won? Nope! I’ve never widely engaged with internet people before this fandom, and this blog is very much a drama-free zone. If somebody has a callout or constructive criticism for me, I will accept it wholeheartedly; if someone comes at me with wank, they will be lightly bopped on the head or entirely ignored. But none of this has happened as of yet! Like I said: warm lil house full of love.

15. How do you feel about ‘you need to reblog this post’? Nobody is obligated to reblog anything! Tumblr-as-escapism is valid, and guilt is an ineffective information-spreading technique. Also, Tumblr is not a credible news source. Educate yourself and disseminate information as you personally see fit!

16. Do you like tag games? Yeah! It’s fun to see and be seen, is it not? I did sort of miss a few I think, in the last month, things have been a little crazy. But I like it, it’s fun, and if you’ve tagged me, thank you for making me feel involved!!

17. Do you like ask games? Maybe? I’ve never reblogged one because I don’t feel like I have enough followers for people to see it, and I get so few asks anyway. But they sure look fun! I love talking to the people here, everyone is so great and has such fascinating thoughts, and obviously...I also love to talk. 😅

18. Which of your mutuals do you think is tumblr famous? u r all famous 2 me

19. Do you have a crush on a mutual? I have a crush on every single one of you, so there.

20. Tagging some newer mutuals: Um okay, no idea who’s been tagged or done this, and I haven’t talked much with some of you yet, so I hope this isn’t weird. Feel free to ignore!! @huigusu @shlebji @susuwatari-kompeito @shenergyx @suibianjie @inessencedevided

#tag game #thanks again for the tag!! #get to know me a lil bit!

[captain-apostrophe]

congrats on your fic-iversary! may I ask for 10 (the good place) for the junior quartet, please? 💞

I hope you enjoy the fic, Nana! Thanks for all your support and, as always, for reading <3

(also available on ao3, if you prefer to read there)

[gen; Juniors Quartet; Good Place AU]

- DON'T PANIC -

DON'T PANIC, the writing on the wall told him. Jingyi, who wasn't yet sure where he was or how he'd gotten there, hadn't even thought about panicking just yet. He was considering it, though, when a door opened and a man with a jaunty, red-ribboned ponytail stuck his head out.

"Lan Jingyi, right?" he said. "Hey, come on in!"

Jingyi followed him into what turned out to be a quite unremarkable office. Nothing to panic about so far.

"So," the man said, once he'd settled in the chair opposite his desk. "Good news bad news - unfortunately, you're dead."

Ah, well, there was the reason to panic.

"But don't worry - you came to the good place."

The man, who introduced himself as Wei Wuxian and who was, as far as Jingyi could tell, apparently some kind of afterlife secretary, explained that Jingyi's life of selfless philanthropy had more than secured his eternal reward. Wei Wuxian played him footage of these philanthropic acts, which was a trip - as if 'his' eyes had been cameras recording the whole time.

"Congratulations," Wei Wuxian said. "You're an amazing person; we're so glad to have you."

Wei Wuxian took him for a tour, then. To his house, which had been tailor-made to his particular passions - it looked like a haunted manor, complete with a resident ghost who tapped her cane spookily along the corridors when he wasn't looking. For a bed he had an elaborate coffin.

"Fun, isn't it?" Wei Wuxian said, grinning ear to ear with pride.

Through gritted teeth, Jingyi agreed that it was.

"And don't worry," he added. "There's no horrible spices or overly-flavorful ingredients in the kitchen. But there is a lukewarm broth dispenser! Just the way you like it."

Jingyi began to think that he might panic after all.

The neighbours came to welcome him - he could see their home through the cracked, dusty windows: a lavish mansion, shining in the sun as if it was gold-plated, with peacocks roaming its lawns.

"Jin Ling," Wei Wuxian said, introducing him to the first neighbour, a young man dressed as dramatically as his home was appointed. "Who spent his life on fundraisers for more charities than I can count! And his soulmate, Zizhen, a celebrated Daoist monk who is so dedicated to his path that he wishes to continue with his meditations here, too. You probably won't see much of him as he needs absolute seclusion to really... center his qi."

Wei Wuxian clapped Jin Ling on the shoulder, not seeming to notice his wince.

"Luckily for these two, Jin Ling prefers his own company. It would be such an inconvenience to have someone clinging to you all the time, wouldn't it? Trying to lavish you with love and attention and validation. Who needs it!"

"Who needs it," Jin Ling repeated.

"You mentioned soulmates?" Jingyi said, hopefully.

Wei Wuxian's grin broadened.

"That's right. C'mon, there's someone I want you to meet."

Sizhui was serene and composed and looked like he'd never doubted himself before in his life. He was cute, too, which was a shame - he seemed like he would have been a good soulmate. Whoever this saintly Lan Jingyi was had clearly led a truly good life, to deserve someone like that by his side in paradise.

"We'll leave you two to get acquainted," Wei Wuxian said, with a lascivious wink. "Get settled in, get to know each other. Just don't miss the Welcome Party this evening!"

He ushered the neighbours out with him, and Jingyi took a deep breath.

"Okay," he said, as the door closed and they were alone together. "As my soulmate you've got my back, right?"

"Of course."

"You promise to, like. To help me? Keep all my secrets?"

Sizhui smiled, gently. Kindly.

"I promise."

Jingyi sighed, relieved.

"Okay," he said. "Thank god. Because I'm not the person they think I am - I'm not supposed to be here."

#prompt fill #fic-iversary prompts #the untamed #fanfic #juniors quartet #good place au #cap' writes

[eyeslikefoxglove]

Do y’all think that the first time JC catches sight of the aftermath of WangXian’s everyday he freaks the fuck out?

Because I can see him clocking on some rope burn or some bruises (or lord forbid WWX is limping) and him brain goes Kill Bill sirens because someone is hurting his little brother and he’s gonna yeet a bitch off this fucking mountain, no he doesn’t give a fuck who they are. And he knows WWX won’t ask for help so he goes on a rant about WWX never bothering to go to Lotus Pier and how dare you not go visit JFM and Mme Yu (and Shijie? Is Shijie there too?) pack your shit, grab your kid, you’re coming with me. *cue a bunch of awkward unfinished conversations in which JC tries to convey, using only his left eyebrow, that he will electrocute to death whoever is hurting WWX, that he’s safe in Lotus Pier, that he does love him*

He corners Sizhui, because the kid is a weirdo, but he’s a good kid and he reminds him of A-Jie. Sizhui, bless his beautiful soul, royally freaks the fuck out and goes into research mode (aka get Jingyi to listen in on the gossip). Jingyi continues the freak out chain by asking Zizhen, who cries, and goes to get Jin Ling because two sect leaders are better than one he guesses.

Sizhui, praise his single solitary Braincell, convinces JC that his dad would never hurt his other dad and thus can be trusted to get justice and gruesome murder on WWX’s behalf. Which fair enough JC hates the bastard, but he’s devoted he’d give him that. Unfortunately for everyone it was WWX’s day with the braincell when they explained what is going on to LWJ so now HGJ is on the warpath and also a bit hurt because why wouldn’t Wei Ying ask him for help if someone was hurting him?

Meanwhile WWX is very much aware shit is weird around him but he can’t quite put his finger on it. *cue some angst probably, this is WWX*

It finally comes crashing down in one of LWJ’s visits to Lotus Pier with yet no intel. JC snaps, says something about his brother not going back to Gusu if LWJ can’t protect him, shouting match ensues (or well, JC shouts, LWJ just *Bichen grip*). WWX catches wind of it, tries to defend his Lan Zhan, JC makes the valid point that WWX is clearly not safe in Cloud Recesses, WWX demands an explanation.

... and everyone has the dubious honour to be made aware that WangXian are kinky bastards but everything is very safe sane and consensual. WWX of course tries to make it a teachable moment by giving the juniors the sex talk.

A blood oath is made to never mention this bullshit again please and thank you.

#the untamed #cql #mdzs #wei wuxian #jiang cheng #lan wangji #lan sizhui #lan jingyi #ouyang zizhen #jin ling #wangxian #yunmeng bros #yunmeng siblings #yunmeng shuangjie #foxglove babbles

[trans-axian-archive]

Lan Qiren despite everything growing to like (read: love) sizhui despite the tragic events of his origins, though there is a special kind of flat fucking terror when sizhui looks at him with the same Wei “what the fuck you boomer” Wuxian Face if he says something that may cross a line. (Or hey jingyi and sizhui being like “we are wild children, really rebellious childs. We be like ooo-aaah.” But are so not, lwj wants to smile and say “your nothing like wwx as a teen..” but he can’t.)

lan sizhui is a good lan disciple. he's at the top of his class and has a strong cultivation and is respectful and kind and well mannered. he doesn't tend to cause trouble. but in raising him lan wangji has made a desperate and successful attempt in preventing his son from growing up with the same rigid world view that he had when he was younger. he also cannot bear to raise wei wuxians child to be someone who follows without question or, god forbid, someone who questions inwardly but follows anyway. so to make up for his mistakes and to honor wei wuxian, lan wangji teaches sizhui that there is more to the world than the gusu lan clans thousands of rules. lan wangji teaches sizhui to follow his heart rather than what he is told. lan wangji teaches sizhui to ask questions. what is right, and what is wrong? lan sizhui is good at doing this in a very unsuspecting way. he doesn't make a show of not following the rules. lan sizhui is a good lan disciple. so lan qiren is a little caught off gaurd the first time lan sizhui raises his hand in class and directly questions the validity of what lan qiren has just said. lan sizhui questions the truth of his lesson, the morality of it, is the subject really that black and white? lan qiren has to blink to get the image of a young boy with a shit eating grin and hair tied up in red ribbon out of his head. it's the first time lan sizhui is told to leave his classroom. lan wangji should be disappointed, but he is not. lan wangji is proud

lan wangji is taking a walk one night when he hears hushed, giddy voices. it is after curfew, the could recesses should be quiet. he finds sizhui and jingyi sitting atop a wall, looking out over the world beyond the cloud recesses and whispering about the thrill of breaking rules. lan wangji thinks about telling them to get down and go to bed and write lines in the morning, but he looks away and walks the other direction. just this once, he'll let them have this little adventure, this gusu rooftop, the moonlight and the cold night air. he's made soft by a memory, and it's not the worst thing they could do. sizhui has wei wuxians smile and his sense of morality, but looks nothing like him when breaking the rules

#if you tag this with jingi and sizhuis ship name I'm GOING to have to kill you #wei wuxian #lan wangji #wangxian #lan sizhui #lan qiren #lan jingyi #cql #mdzs #ask #anon #ghost posts

[antiquecompass]

Untamed Fall Fest Day Four

Yale was lonely.

Zizhen expected  to be lonely during the first year. That was logical. It made sense. New school. New city. Few friends from Lan Academy. The first time in his life--that he could remember--where he hadn’t spent most of his year in the Berkshires. Of course the first year would leave him feeling lonely and somewhat isolated. He’d adjusted, of course. He’d made friends throughout his freshman year. He’d joined the chess team and a knitting club. He’d attended various sporting events. He’d met with various other young up and coming members of society. He’d dodged all the invitations to the secret fraternities, wanting to be far away from that entire mess as possible while still maintaining a generally pleasant relationship with students who would surely be some of his business partners in the future. He’d established himself here.

And yet he just felt out of place. Still. Always.

The second year almost felt more lonely than the first. Two of his best friends were already engaged, and while he knew Jingyi and Sizhui were a special case, it still felt like everyone around him was figuring things out while he was still struggling, keeping his head just above the water. He missed the days when life felt simpler. When his future wasn’t such a heavy weight on his shoulders.

He had planned to go home for Fall Break, to see his parents and sort his head out. His plans changed, of course, when an invitation to attend an important fundraiser in New York city arrived in Zizhen’s mailbox, in all its gilded ink and heavy card stock glory. Zizhen couldn’t--and wouldn’t--turn it down. His father’s health was holding steady. Neither of his parents needed to go to New York City for the weekend. Zizhen would make the drive down, would stay at the family home in the Upper East Side, and would be the best representative for the Ouyangs he could be. This was his duty. This would be part of his career.

“Going home?”

Zizhen set his suitcase down and shifted the garment bag in his hands as he stood in the hallway of his apartment building. He plastered a smile on his face as he turned to his neighbor, Jay, a fellow sophomore. Jay was nice enough, another pampered son of a wealthy family, but he’d come from California, and they apparently did things differently there--had a different set of priorities. Jay was almost too friendly, overly familiar. Always with a smile and small talk and attempts to appear genuine in humble even as he walked around in thousand dollar outfits. He wasn’t a bad person, not at all, just a little out of touch. He was also the closest thing to a friend in Zizhen’s building, and they both watched out for each other.

“Business dinner,” Zizhen said.

“Still, Autumn in New York,” Jay said. “Can’t be too bad.”

“Yeah,” Zizhen said as he locked his door. “You’re staying here?”

“Not worth it to take the flight back just to turn around,” Jay said. “I’ve got a schedule packed full of gaming.”

“Have fun,” Zizhen said. “Remember to sleep. And eat. And drink. And shower.”

“We’ll see,” Jay joked.

***********

Zizhen was most definitely one of the youngest attendees at this fundraiser. He recognized some of the other guests. Some celebrities, others politicians, and a few he knew as his family’s business associates.

He felt that lonely isolation creeping up on him again. Just now under some glittering lights and surrounded by some truly inane conversations.

“Don’t slouch where they can see you.”

Zizhen nearly dropped his glass of sparkling water in surprise.

“Mr. Jin,” Zizhen said, quickly bowing. “I wasn’t aware you were attending tonight.”

Jin Zixuan looked like a king among a crowd of peasants. There would always be a natural arrogance to him, even if Zizhen knew he was quite kind under that air of superiority. The attitude was its own sort of armor, keeping away the hanger-ons and protecting the real person who existed beyond the reputation. He’d rarely seen this side of Jin Ling’s father--the well-known socialite, the true Peacock King of East Coast Society. He was much more familiar with him in his designer sweatpants, chasing after one of his many children, or in the kitchen baking up masterpieces. Or proudly standing on the sidelines in his ‘Team Jin’ track jacket as he cheered Jin Ling to victory.

“My brother-in-law was supposed to attend, but even the mighty Jiang Cheng falls victim to the occasional cold. So I offered to attend in his place,” Mr. Jin said.

“Madame Jiang made you, didn’t she?” Zizhen asked.

Mr. Jin nodded. “My wife is very convincing, but truly, all she had to do was ask. No, it was another member of my family who insisted to the point of aggravation when we heard you’d also be attending. While I know it’s not good to give into spoilt children, he made a few fair points.”

Zizhen smiled as he perfectly pictured Jin Ling demanding his father attend.

“I am thankful you’re here,” Zizhen said. “You must thank him for me.”

“Thank him yourself,” Mr. Jin said, a smirk on his face, as he glanced somewhere over Zizhen’s shoulder.

Zizhen whipped around to find Jin Ling walking through the crowd. His hair was down, completely loose, and while it should’ve made him look even younger than his soon-to-be seventeen years, it gave him that quiet gravitas the members of his family carried so well.

“You’re too thin,” Jin Ling said as he tugged on Zizhen’s suit. ���They’re clearly not feeding you well at Yale.”

“I missed you too,” Zizhen said.

“Obviously,” Jin Ling said. “Who wouldn’t miss me.”

Mr. Jin didn’t bother to hide his amused snort as he watched them.

“And you’ll be staying with us tonight, of course,” Jin Ling said. “You should’ve called one of us the second you accepted the invitation. There’s always someone in the family available. You can’t go to these things by yourself. They’ll devour you.”

“As much as I would like to disagree,” Mr. Jin said, “my son does raise some valid points.” He gripped Zizhen’s shoulder. “Despite what you may think, you’re not alone in any of this. Obviously we can’t and won’t meddle with your family’s business--”

“Unless you ask us to. Uncle Yao probably already is, if we’re being completely transparent here,” Jin Ling said.

“Yes, possibly,” Mr. Jin agreed. “I don’t ask what my brother gets up to in his boredom. Still, we can help you--support you--at these events. Never hesitate to ask, Zizhen. Everyone here, everyone, has a support base. No one needs to or should do this alone. We’re all just a simple call away.”

“Thank you,” Zizhen said. It was all he could say, not willing to show more emotion here. It wasn’t the right time or place. “I didn’t think--just--thank you.”

“Of course,” Mr. Jin said. He smiled at them. “I’ll leave you two for now. I’m sure you have much to catch up on. I’ll see you at dinner.”

“Thank you again, Mr. Jin,” Zizhen said.

“You’re welcome,” Jin Ling answered for him. “Now, what in the hell were you thinking? You’re already pulling that lone wolf bullshit at Yale. It’s New York City. There’s always a reason for one of my uncles to come here. How in the hell do you just not mention it. I had to find out from one of my Jin cousins and that was just embarrassing for all of us.”

Zizhen wanted to laugh as Jin Ling continued on. He couldn’t help but smile at him. He reached out and patted the top of his head.

“I’ve missed you.”

“I will bite your hand off,” Jin Ling threatened.

Zizhen did laugh at that, feeling more content than he had in months. He’d still have to go back to Yale in a few days. Back to the different version of himself that lived there, building up the image he’d uphold for years to come as he grew into his future role. But it was nice to be reminded that he had another family waiting for him--hopefully still waiting for him--even if he knew they had a long way to go before he could truly call them his own.

#untamed fall fest #day four #ouyang zizhen #verse: lahl #fic: now the leaves are falling fast #fandom: the untamed #my ridic writing