#Jiang Cheng's canon homophobia | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

ninjakk · 2 years

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JC suspected something from the very beginning

JC was always suspicious of WWXs feelings for LWJ from the start. A lot of people claim he didn't have a clue... But that's simply not the case.

First and foremost, MXTX has actually stated in interviews that JC was creeped out by the way WWX acted around LWJ from the start. He noticed WWX acted like a flirty girl who had a crush whenever he was around LWJ and it just didn't sit right with him. Here's a link to a translation of it if you want to check it out.

If you don't trust the interview just take a look at his reactions whenever he's around WWX acting like a lovesick puppy. When I first read the novel, as I have previously stated, I was not aware of it being a danmei. But I found JCs uneasiness around WWX when he was talking about or interacting with LWJ, very disturbing from the start.

He noticed from the very beginning that WWX acted differently with LWJ. That WWX treated him differently to how he treated others. Granted JC didn't put a label on it, probably due to his homophobia and the fact he deemed WWX useful as his future subordinate - but he noticed nevertheless. JC is many things, but he is not stupid. He knows how useful WWX will be as they get older, he knows how talented and smart WWX is. JC also knows how loyal and fiercely protective WWX is to those he cares about. WWX feels indebted to JCs family and the Sect that took him in - which JC also finds useful.

With all the above in mind, he was reluctant to fully confront his suspicions of WWXs sexuality. JC is literally showing signs of a homophobe who is in denial about the sexuality of someone who is close to them. He would rather not focus on exactly what makes him feel uncomfortable about WWX and LWJ being together. Instead JC tries to keep them apart and converts his discomfort into anger towards WWX and hatred towards LWJ. In his eyes LWJ is the reason why he feels this way. LWJ makes WWX act differently, which makes him feel uncomfortable - so he needs to make sure they stay apart.

Chapter 14

Wei WuXian, “He hates me already? I wanted to apologize to him.” Jiang Cheng sneered, “Apologizing now? Too late! Like his uncle, he surely thinks that you are evil and unruly to the core, and didn’t bother to pay you any attention.” Wei WuXian thought otherwise. He chuckled, “Who cares if he ignored me? Does he look pretty?” After a thought, he realized that Lan WangJi did look pretty. And so, he happily threw away his desire to twitch his lips.

JC has already noticed WWX gravitating towards LWJ and how he seems to desire his attention. Heck, he's probably noticed how WWX has already mentioned how good looking LWJ is a few times and they only arrived at the CR yesterday! Either way, JC notices how desperate WWX is for LWJ's attention, even though he ignores him. So, JC immediately starts to basically gaslight WWX in an attempt to keep him away from LWJ.

As we can see from the above, WWX refuses to believe that LWJ hates him, for now at least. WWX is already very much attracted to LWJ by this point, even though he doesn't quite understand his feelings. He can't keep his eyes off him, his thoughts away from him or indeed himself from gravitating towards him whenever he is near. It's all very cute! The sentence about him not caring if LWJ ignores him is all bravado for the boys. Because the reader is able to see that he does indeed think LWJ is pretty and doesn't smile at his little joke in the end.

Chapter 15

Jiang Cheng scolded with a darkened expression, “What are you proud of?! What is there to be proud of with this?! Do you think that it’s a glorious thing to be told by someone to get lost? You bring so much shame upon our sect!” Wei WuXian spoke, “I really wanted to apologize to him, but he never paid attention to me. He silenced me for so many days, so what’s wrong with me having a little fun with him? I presented him the book with a nice intention. HuaiSang-xiong, what happened to your treasured porn was really a pity. I didn’t even get to finish it; it was so good! Lan Zhan definitely doesn’t understand proper relationships. I gave it to him, yet he was still unhappy. It’s such a waste of that face of his.” Nie HuaiSang blurted, “It’s not a pity at all! You can have as many as you want.” Jiang Cheng sneered, “You’ve seriously offended both Lan WangJi and Lan QiRen. Just wait for your death tomorrow! Nobody’s gonna bury your corpse.” Wei WuXian waved his hands, putting his arm around Jiang Cheng’s shoulders, “Who cares, as long as I tease him first? You’ve already buried my corpse so many times, so what’s wrong with once more?” Jiang Cheng responded with a kick, “Shoo, shoo, shoo! Next time, if you do such a thing, don’t let me know! Don’t ask me to watch, either!”

WWX was ecstatic about finally getting LWJ's attention. If LWJ won't give him attention when he is being friendly, he'll just incessantly tease him until he gets something out of him instead. JC is not impressed by this at all. He just can't understand why WWX is so fixated with LWJ. He mentions being concerned about him bringing shame on the Sect.. but this is just him trying to justify his anger. JC doesn't seem to mind WWX or himself ignoring the rules later when they break curfew, drink and gamble. He only gets annoyed when LWJ is mentioned. JC goes on to say that he doesn't want to know or see when he is messing around with LWJ. This could be taken as an offhanded remark, but to me he just doesn't like to witness or hear about his 'strange' behaviour with LWJ.

Chapter 16

Wei WuXian’s paddle lightly glided through the water, and the boat’s speed quickened, so that he was right next to Lan WangJi’s boat. He spoke, “Lan Zhan, I didn’t splash water on you on purpose. Water ghouls are really clever. If I said it out loud, they would’ve heard it and got away. Hey, don’t ignore me. Why don’t you look at me, Second Young Master Lan?”Lan WangJi finally condescended and gave him a glance, “Why did you come?” Wei WuXian spoke with sincerity, “I’m here to apologize to you. Last night was my fault. I was wrong.” Lan WangJi’s countenance was slightly dark, most likely because he still didn’t forget how Wei WuXian “apologized” to him. Wei WuXian asked although he knew the answer, “Why do you look so gloomy? Don’t worry. Today, I’m really here to help.” Jiang Cheng couldn’t watch the scene any longer, “If you want to help, then stop chattering and come here!”

It's a bit strange for JC to not be able to watch the above scene any longer... It's only WWX apologising for his antics the night before and trying to explain why he splashed water at him not long ago. Why would this annoy JC so much he had to stop them from talking? Since he has already reprimanded WWX earlier for embarrassing their Sect by being unruly - wouldn't he be happy that WWX was trying to fix things and clear any animosity between the two Sects? Unless of course, it has nothing to do with WWX 'disgracing' the Sect, and everything to do with his sudden attachment to LWJ.

Chapter 17

Suddenly, Wei WuXian felt his collar tighten, and he was lifted into the air. He turned around to see Lan WangJi holding the back of his collar with one hand. Although Lan WangJi merely looked into another direction with an indifferent look, he and his sword carried the weight of three people, and fought with the mysterious force of the lake at the same time. Moreover, their position was still rising at a steady pace. Jiang Cheng was rather shocked, If I went down to pull Wei WuXian before him, using Sandu, I probably couldn’t have ascended so quickly and steadily. Lan WangJi is only around my age… At this point, Wei WuXian spoke, “Lan Zhan, your sword is quite strong, isn’t it? Thank you, thank you. But why did you pull my collar? Can’t you hold on to me? I don’t feel comfortable if you do this. Why don’t I stretch my hand to you and you can grab it?” Lan WangJi replied with a cold voice, “I do not have physical contact with others.” Wei WuXian, “We’re already this familiar with each other, so how am I ‘others’?” Lan WangJi, “We are not.” Wei WuXian pretended to be hurt, “You can’t do this…” Jiang Cheng really couldn’t hold it any more. He scolded, “You can’t do this!!! Can’t you speak a few sentences less while you’re held in mid-air by your collar?!”

It's quite a subtle scene, but WWX still can't help but flirt with LWJ even though he's dangling from his collar in mid air over a deadly waterborne abyss! WWX wanted LWJ to hold onto him instead and pouted when he wouldn't let him. It's quite sweet how much he wants LWJs attention so badly to be honest. JC isn't impressed with WWX acting this way with LWJ and couldn't hold his anger in any more, shouting at him to effectively shut up.

Chapter 18

Jiang Cheng was somewhat surprised, “Lan WangJi? Why did he come? He still dared to come see you?” Wei WuXian replied, “Yeah, I also thought that he should be praised for having the courage to come see me. He was probably told by his uncle to come check if I was kneeling properly.” Jiang Cheng instinctively felt a foreboding sensation, “Were you kneeling properly?” Wei WuXian, “I was kneeling properly. After he was some distance away, I found a stick and started to dig in the dirt. The pile beside your foot. There’s an ant hole there that I went through tons of trouble to find. When he turned his head, he saw that my shoulders were shaking, and he definitely thought that I was crying. He even came back to ask me. You really should have seen his expression as he saw the ant hole.” “...” Jiang Cheng spoke, “You should get lost and go back to Yunmeng as soon as possible! I don’t think that he wants to see you ever again.” And so, on that night, Wei WuXian packed up his things and returned to Yunmeng with Jiang FengMian.

This scene is really telling to the reader. Why would JC have a foreboding sensation... WWX is already in a whole lot of trouble, why would him not kneeling properly make any difference? It's because the foreboding feeling isn't about that. It's about the fact LWJ came to see WWX. Their developing relationships is what gives JC the uneasy feeling. WWX practically confirms LWJ was concerned about him when he tells JC that LWJ came back to check on him, because he thought he was crying. It's very sweet of LWJ and shows he does indeed care about WWX. So it's a bit strange for JC to react by reaffirming that LWJ hates him and urging him to leave. It's quite a statement considering LWJ was worried WWX was upset and only caught him playing around with a bloody ant hole! JC just can't wait to get WWX far away from LWJ - it's that simple.

A year later, when JC witnesses WWX pining after LWJ at the archery competition during the Qishan Discussion Conference. JC turns and walks away, because he can't stand watching the way WWX acts around him. And later still, JC gets angry at WWX once more.

Chapter 45

Lan WangJi turned around and walked alone toward the outside of the range. Jiang Cheng came over and asked, “What did you do, this time? Didn’t I tell you not to tease him? Your day just won’t be complete unless you dig your own grave at least once, huh?” Wei WuXian shrugged, “I said that his forehead ribbon was crooked. I was tricking him the first time but the second time was real. He didn’t believe me and got mad. I didn’t pull off his forehead ribbon on purpose. Why do you think he’s so angry? He’s not even participating in the contest anymore.” Jiang Cheng mocked, “Isn’t it clear? It’s because he especially hates you!”

JC's comments here are very interesting. He has just indicated to the reader that after WWX's little scene before the start of archery competition, he has had words with WWX. He stated he had told WWX not to tease LWJ. From the sounds of it, JC must have been more annoyed than he let on during their original encounter, as he just tutted and walked away obviously not wanting to watch them anymore. As I have mentioned in a previous post, the scene prior to this is undeniably flirty and brimming with sexual tension - so we can only imagine how uncomfortable seeing this would have made JC feel. That being said, JC actually turned away prior to WWX forcing LWJ to brush up against him and watching him walk away. So he didn't see the whole thing, yet he's obviously angry enough to speak to him about it just as the competition was starting.

The last comment JC makes in the above quote, is just dripping with vexation. Again, he tries to reaffirm LWJ hates WWX. He uses this opportunity to further his one man smear campaign against LWJ, trying to halt WWXs feelings towards him in the process.

We continue to see glimpses of JCs underlying uneasiness throughout the novel. I could pull up nearly every encounter WWX has with LWJ in his first life and JC would have some snarky comments about it all. Always reinforcing that LWJ hates WWX, trying and eventually succeeding in driving a wedge between them.

I think it's hard to deny that JC did notice something between the two. JCs overreaction during each encounter WWX and LWJ have with each other, is the start of his deeply-seated discomfort - which continues to grow into the ugly homophobia he starts to display over the course of the novel.

#mdzs #jiang cheng's canon homophobia #jiang cheng #mo dao zu shi #mdzs meta #long post

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breakawayfrom-world · 1 year

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A lot of JC Stans compare Jiang Cheng's homophobia to disliking pda. They said " Who likes it when their siblings show pda in front of them"

1. Jiang Cheng has not considered Wei Wuxian as his siblings for a long time. You don't strangle your sibling or announce them as world's enemy or plot their death or refuse to help the said sibling when that person is fulfilling life debts on their behalf or injure them in a supposed "fake" fight. (Not necessarily in that order)

2. There is a glaring different in JC's homophobia and not liking pda. Not liking pda is when you are okay with people in love but just not infront of you. But Jiang Cheng hated that Wangxian were very much in love. He hates them both being in love whether it be infront of him or no.

#mdzs #canon jiang cheng #jiang cheng's canon homophobia #mo dao zu shi

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jiangchengneedstherapy · 11 months

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Bit tired of Jiang Cheng's homophobia being brushed off as disgust towards pda when he was the one stalking them secretly (and he uses insults about that) and in scene 1 its just someone saying mxy is gay and thats enough to disgust him

Jiang Cheng asked, "That? Which?"

"That... As in that..."

Someone couldn't help but to comment, "The cut-sleeve penchant!"

Jiang Cheng's eyebrows twitched. His eyes which stared at Wei WuXian seemed more disgusted than before.

Wei WuXian and Lan WangJi enveloped in a tight embrace under a tree, unwilling to let of each other even after so long.

Goosebumps immediately ran down Jiang Cheng's body.

Although he'd made guesses at the relationship between Mo Xuan Yu and Lan WangJi before, they were only attacks trying to offend Wei WuXian, not that he really doubted anything. He'd never thought that Wei WuXian would have ambiguous ties with a man.

But hugging like that seemed abnormal no matter what. At least, they didn't seem like normal friends or brothers.

He immediately recalled that Wei WuXian had always stuck to Lan WangJi ever since he came back. Lan WangJi's attitude toward him was also different from what it was before he was reborn.

At once, he was almost certain that the two really were in that kind of relationship. He couldn't turn around and leave, yet he didn't want to say a single word

So he continued to hide himself as he followed them.

Every single look and movement that passed between them seemed different in his eyes.

For a while, the shock, absurdity, and slight disgust that he felt combined to overpower his hatred.

#man was so shook and homophobic it overpowered his 13 year long hatred #canon jiang cheng #homophobia #mdzs #return of stalker jc #arrogance and loyalty source #some moments #jiang cheng

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wutheringskies · 6 months

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I'm going to do an indirect ^^

Are straight people who have watched the censored, plot-changing version of MDZS, a.k.a The Untamed allowed to have an opinion on whether or not Jiang Cheng was homophobic? You can simply believe in the CQL! JC as "homophobic" JC comes from the novel. Homosexuality was lightly coded into CQL which was literally trying to pair up Wen Qing and WWX and also JC, how would they even have space for homophobia? But saying he was not homophobic, because you love the Untamed and have lightly read the book and are a straight person is just so unreasonable. Not to mention, completely ignoring the text that showcases his homophobia, and drawing up your own reasons of how he was jealous of how free Wei Wuxian was.

"JC was raised believing people with free will are a problem -> so he turns homophobic towards Wei Wuxian."

This simply doesn't make sense and even justifying it sounds homophobic, lol.

Not to mention, believing Wei Wuxian was "free" is ??. If JC doesn't wish to run the sect, he can let WWX do it, lmao. But his classism wouldn't allow that. Secondly, WWX can never act freely - due to his social status. JC can whip up whoever he wants, speak whatever he wants, scream at, and shout at people, but WWX can't do SHIT. That's why he's so happy to be Mo Xuanyu.

Even so, excusing people for being homophobic cause they were bought up like that is, you guessed it, homophobic. I'm sure most of our parents/grandparents are homophobic. Look at Jin Ling. He grew up.

Anyway, saying you don't think Jiang Cheng is homophobic - I'll link this post here by @jiangwanyinscatmom

#canon jiang cheng #cw homophobia #jiang cheng is homophobic #mo dao zu shi

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wangxianficrecs · 11 months

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💙 Resilience. by Vrishchika

💙Resilience.

by Vrishchika

T, 7k, Wangxian

Summary: Five times things get out of Jiang Wanyin's control and the one timeline where everything goes right for Lan Wangji. Kay's comments: In which Jiang Cheng time travels, but things are just not going the way he's expecting (because he time travels sometime after Wei Wuxian's death and doesn't have all the puzzle pieces yet) and meanwhile, Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji are thriving. Really loved Vrishchika's take on a time-travel fix-it, especially one from Jiang Cheng's POV, because I don't think he's got it in him to be an actual mastermind behind a time-travel fix-it. Excerpt:The Sunshot Campaign begins in earnest soon after. Like the last time, they manage to retrieve their swords within a month. Jiang Cheng watches as Wei Wuxian greets Suibian with a wide, delighted smile, twirling it around with effortless grace. The sword responds by singing to its master, pulsing with electric spiritual energy. The scene pleases him and baffles him at the same time. Wei Wuxian hanging onto his sword means less trouble for the Jiang Sect in the future but what of the Ghostly Path? What of Wei Wuxian's wicked tricks? Didn't Wei Wuxian give up his sword around this time? Why is he embracing it now like a well-missed companion? … can they win this war without that power? Without the Yīn Hǔ Fú?

pov jiang cheng, pov lan wangji, canon divergence, time travel, time travel fix-it, golden core transfer fix-it, not jiang cheng friendly, everybody lives, implied/referenced homophobia, getting together, marriage proposal, 5+1 things, first kiss, @vrishchikawrites

~*~

(Please REBLOG as a signal boost for this hard-working author if you like – or think others might like – this story.)

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sanduchengjiu · 6 months

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the possibility of jiang cheng being gay in canon is so funny to think about because he’s definitely the type of guy to be homophobic to you if he just doesn’t like you

#a lot of ppl say his homophobia (barely) to wangxian is the worst ever but have they ever met a mean cunty gay man irl like that’s him #jiang cheng #mdzs #if he was canonically gay he would be worse and funnier #mxtx missed out ngl

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admirableadmiranda · 2 years

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The fact that when I go to my canon jiang cheng tag, there are posts there that have my filtered tags (Xicheng, SangCheng, Zhancheng, Chengxian) on them so I can’t even see the post just tells me that it has nothing to do with what is actually canon or not.

They’re just super mad that I refuse to be bullied out of a tag because they want to control the fandom again. No, you still do not get to push me to anti jiang cheng because I have the temerity to talk about his actual character and at this point I consider the desire to ship a homophobe with every random man in the story despite him being clearly uncomfortable with the concept in any way, far more anti jiang cheng than my posts pointing out what he actually does.

At least my takes actually sound like the Jiang Cheng in the book.

#mdzs #canon jiang cheng #jiang cheng’s canonical homophobia #salty on a Sunday #this is brought to you by the post I had to click and see through a filtered tag so I could block yet another person #insisting on misusing my tag and thinking they’re being cute #jiang cheng is done so dirty by his stans

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hauntedcats-tales · 7 months

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Would you like a new one-shot? It's not Jiang Cheng friendly, and I spent the entire night writing it. Why? I got started and couldn't stop. ADHD obsession. Anyway, enjoy what my brain thinks up in the night.

#wangxian #mo dao su zhi #wei wuxian #the untamed #mdzs #ao3 fanfic #canon jiang cheng characteristics #not jiang cheng friendly #canon Jiang Cheng homophobia #Definitely not Jiang Cheng friendly.#Not Jiang family friendly either #nanowrimo 2023 #nanowrimo #nano 2023 #Am I still awake? Nope.

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jiangwanyinscatmom · 2 years

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Once more, why Jiang Cheng's homophobia is not funny, cute, or anything to do with a sibling dynamic:

Hi! So first of all I want to clarify that I’m not in any way saying jc isn’t a homophobe, because I mean, it’s pretty obvious. However back when I read the mxtx interview I read her answer as ‘wwx acted all of a sudden very different with lwj, to the point where it was jarring for jc who had not seen him act that way before.’ I do not think jc understood at all wwx’s affections towards lwj, and this did not think it was disgusting because he saw it as flirting. (½)

I find it weird that people use it as a 'proof’ that jc is homophobic when it’s not straightforwardly telling us it’s homophobia, and also since you know, the novel is right there and tells us far more clearly that jc is, in fact, a homophobe. (2/2)

So, here, I agree the interview isn’t a stated full explanation in itself and not to be used as evidence alone.

I think that at the time it was not fully homophobia on his part when he had first noticed Wei Wuxian’s attention for Lan Wangji in Cloud Recesses. Jiang Cheng had never understood Wei Wuxian’s penchant for wanting to be around Lan Wangji and I think that his surprise of Wei Wuxian flirting with a man (He himself talks about how he never thought it odd with Wei Wuxian flirting with women all the time) Lan Wangji was always the strange outlier for flirting. It steadily devolves into more overt homophobia as they get older.

Cloud Recesses when they’re 15,

Wei WuXian replied, “Yeah, I also thought that he should be praised for having the courage to come see me. He was probably told by his uncle to come check if I was kneeling properly.”

Jiang Cheng instinctively felt a foreboding sensation, “Were you kneeling properly?”

Wei WuXian, “I was kneeling properly. After he was some distance away, I found a stick and started to dig in the dirt. The pile beside your foot. There’s an ant hole there that I went through tons of trouble to find. When he turned his head, he saw that my shoulders were shaking, and he definitely thought that I was crying. He even came back to ask me. You really should have seen his expression as he saw the ant hole.”

“…” Jiang Cheng spoke, “You should get lost and go back to Yunmeng as soon as possible! I don’t think that he wants to see you ever again.”

The part that sticks out here is the fact that Jiang Cheng feels any sense of foreboding at all for a silly situation that Lan Wangji had walked away from seeing Wei Wuxian was actually okay. It’s the first seed of him continuing the line of thought that “He hates you”. He is already feeling strange about Wei Wuxian’s flirting and chooses to sort of project this hate into Lan Wangji for Wei Wuxian.

Lotus Pier summer after Cloud Recesses lessons:

I just thought of someone.”

Jiang Cheng, “Who?”

Wei WuXian, “Lan Zhan.”

Jiang Cheng, “Why would you think of him for no reason? Reminiscing what it felt like to copy sect rules?”

Wei WuXian spat out a seed, “It’s fun to think of him. You don’t even know—he’s just too amusing. I told him, ‘Your sect’s food is disgusting. I’d rather eat stir-fried watermelon peel than eat your food. If you have time, come have fun with us at Lotus Pier…'”

Before he even finished, Jiang Cheng slapped his watermelon off, “Are you mad? Inviting him to Lotus Pier—are you trying to torture yourself?”

Wei WuXian, “Why are you so upset? My watermelon almost flew away! I was just being polite. Of course he wouldn’t come. Have you ever heard of him go anywhere by himself to have fun?”

Jiang Cheng had on a stern expression, “Let’s make this clear. I don’t want him to come, anyhow. Don’t invite him.”

Wei WuXian, “I never knew you hated him so much?”

Jiang YanLi sat down between the two, “Who are you talking about? A friend you made in Gusu?”

Wei WuXian responded happily, “Yeah!”

Jiang Cheng, “What a shameless ‘friend’ you are. Go ask Lan WangJi and see if he wants you as one.”

Wei WuXian, “Fuck off. If he doesn’t want me, I’ll bother him to the point that he does.” He turned to Jiang YanLi, “Shijie, do you know Lan WangJi?”

Jiang YanLi, “I do. He’s that Lan-er-gongzi whom everyone describes as handsome and talented, isn’t he? Is he really that handsome?”

Wei WuXian, “He is!”

Jiang YanLi, “Compared to you?”

Wei WuXian thought about it for a moment, “Maybe just a bit more handsome than me.”

He formed a tiny bit of space between two fingers. Taking the plate away, Jiang YanLi smiled, “He must be truly very handsome, then. It’s a good thing you made a new friend. In the future, you two can visit each other in your free time.”

Hearing this, Jiang Cheng spat out his watermelon. Wei WuXian waved his hands, “Forget it, forget it. All that’s at his place is bad food and a whole lot of rules. I’m not going again.”

Jiang YanLi, “Then you can bring him here. This is a good opportunity. Why not invite your friend to come stay at Lotus Pier for sometime?”

Jiang Cheng, “Don’t listen to his nonsense, Jie. He’s super annoying in Gusu. Lan WangJi would never want to come home with him.”

Wei WuXian, “What do you mean!? He would.”

Jiang Cheng, “Wake up. Lan WangJi told you to get lost, didn’t you hear? You still remember that?”

Wei WuXian, “What do you know!? Even though he told me to get lost on the surface, I know for sure that he secretly wants to come play with me in Yunmeng—in fact, he would love to.”

Here Wei Wuxian is still in the belief that Lan Wangji does like him. Jiang Cheng of course isn’t amused by Jiang Yanli’s indulgence in Wei Wuxian’s daydreams. Wei Wuxian continues to, well, essentially pine innocently about Lan Wangji, his fellow disciples even encourage it leading to… Jiang Cheng sulking even further over the fact that Wei Wuxian is in fact pining over another boy. He puts two and two together as Wei Wuxian is flirting with the girls on shore later on and he talks of the things he will do with Lan Wangji as he visits. He talked of training with Lan Wangji in the same way he invited the girls to watch him train.

Phoenix Mountain Hunt:

Lan WangJi suddenly raised his hand, stopping a flower tossed over from behind him.

He looked back. Over at the side of the YunmengJiang Sect’s riding formation, which hadn’t departed yet, Jiang Cheng clicked his tongue impatiently, seated at the front. However, the person beside him sat on a horse with black, gleaming hair. His elbow was at the head of the horse as he looked to the side as though nothing happened, talking and laughing with two slender-bodied maidens.

Lan XiChen saw that Lan WangJi had drawn the reins and ceased to move forward, “WangJi, what happened?”

Lan WangJi, “Wei Ying.”

Wei WuXian finally turned around, face full of surprise, “What? HanGuang-Jun, did you call me? What’s up?”

Holding the flower, Lan WangJi seemed to be quite cold. His tone seemed cold as well, “Was it you?”

Wei WuXian immediately denied it, “No, it wasn’t.”

The maidens beside him spoke at once, “Don’t believe him. It was him!”

Wei WuXian, “How could you treat a good person like this? I’m getting angry!”

Giggling, the maidens pulled their reins and went to the formations of their own sects. Lan WangJi lowered the hand that he held the flower with and shook his head. Jiang Cheng spoke, “ZeWu-Jun, HanGuang-Jun, apologies. Don’t pay attention to him.”

Lan XiChen smiled, “That is fine. I will thank Young Master Wei’s kindness behind the flower in place of WangJi.”

When they slowly rode into the distance, carrying with them the clouds of petals and fragrance, Jiang Cheng glanced at the colourful sea of handkerchiefs waving on the watching towers before turning to Wei WuXian, “Why are you throwing out flowers along with the girls?”

Wei WuXian, “I think he looks nice. Can’t I throw a few as well?”

Jiang Cheng pointed his nose into the air, “How old are you? Who do you think you are, still playing tricks like that?”

Interestingly enough, this flower scene is similar to what had once occurred during the summer of Lotus Pier. This is after it had been established that Wei Wuxian thinks Lan Wangji now dislikes him morally. Yet he still reaches out to tease and flirt with him, leading Jiang Cheng to continue asking why well into their early 20’s is Wei Wuxian still doing this. It was excusable when they were younger but now this is inexcusable and troublesome for someone who is supposed to be his righthand acting on whims still and flirting with a man of reputation. Jiang Cheng actively had encouraged the rift between Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji after the return from the Burial Mounds. He agreed very readily that Lan Wangji wanted to imprison Wei Wuxian instead of extending any help in regards to Wei Wuxian’s volatile disposition that went on for years after this altercation, convincing himself and Wei Wuxian of Lan Wangji’s supposed hate.

Wei WuXian was in such a state of distress that he couldn’t remember whether or not he called someone’s name at all. He only managed to pull himself together after Jiang Cheng commanded the dog to back away. After a moment of hesitation, he abruptly turned his head away. On the other side, Jiang Cheng left his seat. There was a whip attached beside his waist. With one hand on it, he bent down to look at Wei WuXian’s face. After a pause, he straightened up and asked, “Speaking of it, since when have you been so close to Lan WangJi?”

Wei WuXian immediately understood whose name he had unconsciously called out.

Jiang Cheng smiled menacingly, “It really is quite curious how far he went to protect you, back on Dafan Mountain.”

A moment later, he corrected himself, “No. You weren’t necessarily the one whom Lan WangJi was protecting. After all, the GusuLan Sect couldn’t have forgotten what you did with that loyal dog of yours. How could someone so celebrated for his righteousness tolerate the likes of you? Maybe he’s familiar with this body that you stole instead.”

His words were cruel and sinister. Every sentence seemed well-meaning on the surface, but was actually derogatory. Wei WuXian couldn’t bear hearing it any longer, “Watch your language.”

Thirteen years later his taunts have become more refined as he is well off into hating Lan Wangji himself now that Wei Wuxian had been dead. He taunts that Lan Wangji is more promiscuous than presented as well as using Wei Wuxian’s old goodwill for Lan Wangji for him to go on the defense. Jiang Cheng however thinks using the fact these men are gay is only a tool, he does not believe they are as his disgust of Mo Xuanyu being gay does disgust him. His suspicions have turned into bigotry instead finally in the years that Wei Wuxian was gone.

When Jiang Cheng accused him, Wei WuXian couldn’t defend himself at all, but he just couldn’t bear it when those words were being directed at Lan WangJi.

Wei WuXian reprimanded, “Jiang Cheng, just listen to yourself. What are you saying? Is it appropriate? Don’t forget who you are. After all, you’re the leader of a sect. Insulting a renowned cultivator in front of Uncle Jiang and Madam Yu’s spirits—where is your discipline?”

His original intention was to remind Jiang Cheng to at least hold some respect for Lan WangJi. However, Jiang Cheng was always sensitive. From those words, he managed to make out the notion that he wasn’t fit to be a sect leader. Immediately, darkness crawled up his face, bearing an eerie similarity to how Madam Yu looked when she was angry. His voice was harsh, “Who is the one insulting my parents in front of their spirits?! Could you two please understand whose sect you’re in? I don’t care if you act so shamelessly outside, but don’t you dare fool around inside our ancestral hall, before my parents’ spirits! After all, they were the ones who brought you up—even I feel ashamed for you!”

Wei WuXian never expected such a huge blow to crash down on him. He was both shocked and furious, blurting, “Shut up!”

Jiang Cheng pointed outside, “Mess around outside however you want, whether under a tree or on a boat, hugging or otherwise! Get out of my sect, get away from anywhere my eyes can see!”

Hearing him mention ‘under a tree’, Wei WuXian felt his heart skip a beat—could Jiang Cheng have seen the moment where he crashed into Lan WangJi’s arms?

His guess was not wrong. Jiang Cheng did indeed go out to find Wei WuXian and Lan WangJi. He chased after them in the direction that the street vendors pointed at. A voice in his heart seemed to tell him which places Wei WuXian would definitely go. He caught up to them in just a while. Yet, he just so happened to see Wei WuXian and Lan WangJi enveloped in a tight embrace under a tree, unwilling to let go of each other even after so long.

Goosebumps immediately ran down Jiang Cheng’s body.

Although he’d made guesses at the relationship between Mo XuanYu and Lan WangJi before, they were only attacks trying to offend Wei WuXian, not that he really suspected anything. He’d never thought that Wei WuXian would have ambiguous ties with a man, because after all, when they grew up together, Wei WuXian had never expressed any such interest. He’d always loved good-looking girls with a passion. On the other hand, it was even more impossible for Lan WangJi. He was famous for his asceticism, seemingly interested in neither men nor women.

But hugging like that seemed intense no matter what. At least, they didn’t seem like normal friends or brothers. He immediately recalled that Wei WuXian had always stuck to Lan WangJi ever since he came back. Lan WangJi’s attitude towards him was also different from what it was before he was reborn. At once, he was almost certain that the two really were in that kind of relationship. He couldn’t turn around and leave, yet he didn’t want to say a single word to the two, so he continued to hide himself as he followed them. Every single look and movement that passed between them seemed different in his eyes. For a while, the shock, absurdity, and slight disgust that he felt combined to overpower his hatred. It was only after Wei WuXian brought Lan WangJi into the ancestral hall that the long-suppressed hatred was awakened again, devouring his courtesy and rationality.

Wei WuXian was holding something back, “Jiang WanYin, you… apologize right now.”

Jiang Cheng mocked, “Apologize? For what? For exposing your thing for each other?”

Wei WuXian raged, “HanGuang-Jun is only my friend—what do you think we are?! I warn you. Apologize right now—don’t make me beat you!”

Hearing this, Lan WangJi’s expression froze for an instant. Jiang Cheng laughed, “Well, then I’ve never seen “friends” like that before? You warn me? Warn me against what? If you two had the slightest trace of integrity left, you wouldn’t have come here and…”

Seeing the change in Lan WangJi’s expression, Wei WuXian thought he must have felt insulted by Jiang Cheng’s words. He was so angry that his entire body was shaking. He didn’t dare think about what Lan WangJi would think after being shamed like this.

Obviously in the penultimate scene Jiang Cheng himself is being “the unreliable narrator” that fans love to accuse Wei Wuxian of. He says he never expected this of the two, but all the years of his behavior shows that he had always gone out of his way to keep the two away from each other and had always been mildly homophobic when the two did express interest in the other however innocent it had been in their youth.

All of this is to say, when it comes to how MXTX worded that interview answer, I think it was meant as a careful nudge for those who had still tried to insist that Jiang Cheng didn’t mean to be homophobic, actually wasn’t homophobic and was just angry at any other actions of Wei Wuxian and lashing out about that etc, it was her telling people to simply pay attention to the underlying shadowing of Jiang Cheng and how he exasperated his own pre-existing biases that morphed into an uglier hate.

#mdzs #mo dao zu shi #jiang cheng's canon homophobia #it is nothing to do with him seeing WWx as a sibling #and everything to do with him believing two men can't be romantically involved

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lancabbage · 3 months

Text

How can people claim JC is not homophobic and is just "Wangxianphobic"...

Liiike... Did you read the first few chapters? You know, the ones where, after he had been told about MXY being gay (literally just finding out the dude likes men, not the apparent inappropriate behaviour towards JGY) his reaction is clearly homophobic.

JC was staring at "MXY" with such HATRED when he suspected he was WWX and the text literally states his look of detest INCREASED when he was told MXY was gay!

He was disgusted and his disciples were frightened of telling him such a fact because they knew how awful he would react.

At this point he now assumes MXY is just another person who follows the ghost path! Yet he is still repulsed by his sexuality.

MXTX clearly wrote that little exchange to show us it was more than just "JC doesn't like WX". Stop glazing over JCs blatant homophobia ffs 🙄

#mdzs #mo dao zu shi #canon jiang cheng #mdzs novel #jiang chengs canon homophobia

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ninjakk · 2 years

Text

JC attempts to rationalise away WWXs sexuality

For some strange reason, some people seem to take JC's comment below as gospel. Assuming that because he said this, WWX couldn't possibly have had feelings for LWJ in his first life - which of course, is ludicrous.

Just as WWX uses self deception as a coping mechanism, JC uses denial to try and rationalise things that make him uncomfortable or he does not wish to acknowledge. So, when he states the below, he is still in complete denial that WWX might have had feelings for LWJ.

Chapter 88

He’d never thought that Wei WuXian would have ambiguous ties with a man, for after all, when they grew up together, Wei WuXian had never expressed any such interest.

JC is lying to himself, because he still can't face the fact that WWX, someone he grew up with, might be anything other than straight or have feelings for a man. But deep down, he knows that this is simply not true. As I have already covered in a previous post, JC had suspicions about WWX's feelings towards LWJ since the very beginning. So, just to disprove his little rant above, lets take a look at all of the times WWX expressed he did indeed have 'such interests' in a man - right in front of JC. Obviously there are many other times WWX flirts or thinks about LWJ, but these are just the ones that were noticeable to JC.

So mentioning how pretty/handsome LWJ is three times in one conversation isn't showing any signs of interest, eh JC?

Chapter 13

Wei WuXian made the sound of an oh and asked, “Is he a lad who looks quite pretty?” Jiang Cheng sneered, “Is there anyone who looks ugly in the GusuLan Sect? His sect doesn’t even accept disciples with unclean features. If you can, find me one who has an average face.” Wei WuXian emphasized, “Very pretty.” He pointed at his head, “White from top to bottom, wearing a forehead ribbon, and carrying a silver sword on his back. He looked rather handsome, but with his straight face, he looked like he was mourning.”

Or the other times when JC was listening...

Chapter 17

Wei WuXian smugly tossed the loquat in his hand, and suddenly pointed at him, “Sisters, do you think that he looks handsome?” Lan WangJi didn’t expect Wei WuXian to suddenly talk about him at all.

...

Chapter 125

“Shijie, do you know Lan WangJi?” Jiang YanLi, “I do. He’s that Second Young Master Lan whom everyone describes as handsome and talented, isn’t he? Is he really that handsome?” Wei WuXian, “He is!”

...

Chapter 69

Jiang Cheng glanced at the colorful sea of handkerchiefs waving on the watching towers before turning to Wei WuXian, “Why are you throwing out flowers along with the girls?” Wei WuXian, “I think he looks nice. Can’t I throw a few as well?”

Not to mention throwing flowers at him, 'just like the girls'. Or the other gifts JC must have noticed WWX trying to give LWJ, like the loquat and the rabbits.

Or what about all the times JC caught WWX gravitating towards LWJ and chasing after him, even if he was being ignored...

Chapter 14

Everyone knew that their shouts were a bit too loud, and the noise had probably led him over, so they all shut their mouths. Yet, Wei WuXian jumped down and gravitated toward him, “WangJi-xiong!” Lan WangJi turned around and immediately walked away. Wei WuXian cheerfully went after him and yelled, “WangJi-xiong, wait for me!

...

Chapter 45

To Wei WuXian, the boy felt a bit familiar. After he thought for a while, he finally remembered and greeted the boy with enthusiasm, “Hey! WangJi-xiong, it’s you!”

...

Chapter 51

Within these past few days, there were many times when Wei WuXian wanted to approach him and catch up on what had been happening. However, Lan WangJi turned away whenever he saw him and Jiang Cheng had also beat it into him not to mess around. Now that they were closer, he couldn’t help but pay more attention.

...

Chapter 71

Wei WuXian, “How did you know that it was me who called him over first?” Jiang Cheng, “Do you even have to ask? Which time has it not been you? You’re a strange one as well. Clearly every time you part with him on bad terms, so why do you keep on trying to get him annoyed?”

Remember all the times WWX was trying to get LWJs attention however he could...

Chapter 16

He spoke, “Lan Zhan, I didn’t splash water on you on purpose. Water ghouls are really clever. If I said it out loud, they would’ve heard it and got away. Hey, don’t ignore me. Why don’t you look at me, Second Young Master Lan?"

...

Chapter 45

As Lan WangJi walked toward the entrance of the GusuLan Sect, Wei WuXian sneaked over before he could. Lan WangJi shifted to the one side, and he shifted to the side as well; Lan WangJi moved to the other side, and he moved to the other side as well. In short, he simply refused to let Lan WangJi pass.

...

Chapter 69

Wei WuXian turned to the Two Jades of Lan, who were drawing their bows on their horses, “Lan Zhan, want to help me?” Lan WangJi glanced at him. He didn’t reply. JiangCheng asked, “What are you up to this time?” Lan WangJi, “What?” Wei WuXian, “Can I borrow your forehead ribbon?”

Or maybe the time JC caught WWX thinking about LWJ, even after nearly a year of not seeing him?

Chapter 125

Wei WuXian grabbed another piece, “Nothing! Don’t misunderstand. I’m not gonna do anything. I just thought of someone.” Jiang Cheng, “Who?” Wei WuXian, “Lan Zhan.”

...

Chapter 125

Wei WuXian put his right hand above his brows, taking in the scenery. Amid the laughter, he let out a sigh. The others asked, “What’s wrong, Da-Shixiong?” “You’re sighing even when girls are chasing after you?” Wei WuXian swung the paddle onto his shoulder, grinning, “It’s nothing. I was just thinking that I invited Lan Zhan in all sincerity to come visit Yunmeng, yet he still dared to decline the offer.”

Or how about the fact WWX invited LWJ to come and visit? I don't see NHS getting an invite...

Chapter 125

Or maybe the time WWX suggested JYL names her unborn child after the man he is so obviously pining for...

Chapter 75

“Sure. The next generation of the LanlingJin Sect is named Ru. How about Jin RuLan?” Jiang YanLi, “That’s great!” Jiang Cheng, “No. It sounds like Jin RuLan, Lan being the Lan from the Lan Sect. Why should a descendant of the LanlingJin Sect and the YunmengJiang Sect be like someone of the Lan Sect?” Wei WuXian, “It’s not like there’s anything wrong with the Lan Sect, is there? The Lan flower is the gentleman of flowers; the Lan Sect is the gentlemen of people. A good name.”

WWX never acted like this with anyone else. Not even with any of the girls he's supposedly charmed. The only person he's ever acted like this with is LWJ. As I've explored in a previous post, seeing the way WWX acts around LWJ makes JC feel uncomfortable. Hearing the way WWX talks in a coquettish tone with LWJ, as opposed to his usual more boisterous tone with others, makes JC feel strange and he detests it.

No one could really blame WWX for holding back as much as he could around JC when it came to LWJ, especially with JCs growing homophobia and the environment he grew up in. In fact, it's probably one of the reasons why WWXs feelings are on a subconscious level, because Lotus Pier would not have been a pleasant place to live if JC suspected anything. But even with that in mind, WWX still inadvertently showed JC signs he was interested in LWJ from the minute they met.

We can only imagine what WWX would have been like if he'd actually accepted his feelings and felt safe enough to express them in front of JC and others when he was younger!

So from the above, we can clearly see JC not only had a suspicion WWX had feelings for LWJ - but he also got to see a number of signs to suggest as such, first hand as well.

#mdzs #mo dao zu shi #mdzs novel #wei wuxian #lan wangji #jiang cheng's canon homophobia #jiang cheng is blowing smoke out of his arse #jc is in denial #liar liar pants on fire #mdzs meta #where is nhs invite huh?

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ineffectualdemon · 11 months

Text

Things that will happen in the Jiang Cheng gets parented Shang Qinghua and Liu Qingge fic that is going to happen once I lock down details

1. Shang Qinghua will address Jiang Cheng's homophobia (aka metaphorically and a little literally beat it the fuck out of him)

2. If it's teenage Jiang Cheng he will slowly realise how gay for Lan Wangji Wei Wuxian is and will be 50% kinda vaguely horrified in that it's Lan Wangji, 25% worried for Wei Wuxian's feelings, and 25% cringing in second-hand embarrassment remembering all of Wei Wuxian's attempts to get Lan Wangji to notice him

3. Liu Qingge will introduce him to Liu Mingyan by saying "this is your Aunt" without any further details and confuse the shit out Liu Mingyan

4. In fact he will introduce him to everyone as his son and confuse the shit out of people. If this is post canon Yang Yixuan is going to be drinking a ton of vinegar

#svsss #mdzs #jiang cheng #shang qinghua #liu qingge #jiang cheng gets svsss parents wip

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wangxianficfinder · 1 year

Text

In the mood for...

~*~

1. Hi, I wanted to see if anybody knew any fics where the only person who knows Wei Wuxian is back is Lan Wanji. Like nobody else knows MXY brought him back, people just think MXY attached himself to LWJ.

Please and thank you 😊 @myblurryreality

Love Song In Reverse by timetoboldlygo (T, 237k, WangXian, Amnesia, Canon Divergence, Angst with a Happy Ending, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Non-Sexual Intimacy, Falling In Love, Slow Burn, agressively mixing and matching novel and cql canon, No Homophobia, Mentions of Starvation, Parental WWX) In this fic no one is aware that WWX is back, not even WWX himself, as he's lost his memories.

maybe someone has the link bc i couldn't find this fic. the premise is that immortal chief cultivator is gifted "mo xuanyu" by the emperor of the civilian people. its a bit removed from the canon timeline, but toward the end there's emphasis on wwx asking lwj to be loved in the shadows.

~*~

2. For the next ITMF, are there any canon divergent fics where wangxian get together in the cloud recesses arc? Not just, like, fuckin', but an actual relationship? @zenodotus-xxiv

solstice: 那夏天的我们 by auberjing (E, 24k, wangxian, canon divergence, no sunshot campaign, cloud recesses study arc, masturbation, sex education, pining, smut, angst w happy ending, getting together) The recs for 2 all involve a looot of fucking, but they also include genuine feelings and a relationship/beginning of a relationship.

teeth on my waist (i come undone) by martyrsdaughter (E, 20k, wangxian, ABO, alpha LWJ, omega WWX, public claiming, sexual tension, obliviousness, cloud recesses study arc, exhibitionism, public humiliation, dub con, bondage, forced presentation, dom/sub, non-con spanking, subspace, feminized language)

To be caught by Foregone_Shadow (E, 13k, wangxian, LXC/LWJ, LXC/LWJ/WWX, rape/non-con, underage, consensual underage, switch LWJ, top LXC, bottom WWX, incest, voyeurism, smut, unhealthy relationships, dead dove, disturbing content)

🧡 Stunted, Starving Juvenility by TomatenMark (E, 548k, WangXian, WIP, Fix-it of sorts, Talisman master WWX, Not JFM Friendly, Study Arc, Getting together, Fluff and Angst, Engagement) I love being able to rec this fic, it's one of my favorites!

Being Known Series by dragongirlG (M/T, 42k, WangXian, Drunken Confessions, Love Confessions, More Like Lust Confessions, Drunk LWJ, Wingman LXC, Oblivious WWX, Cloud Recesses Study Arc, Canon Divergence, Attempt at Humor, Fluff and Crack, Hopeful Ending, Accidental Betrothal, Cloud Recesses Shenanigans, Family Dynamics, Family Drama, Letters, Light Angst, Supportive Sibling LXC, Good Sibling JYL, POV Multiple, Sex Education, Jealous LWJ, Sexual Tension, 5+1 Things, Character Study, First Kiss)

~*~

3. Hi! I was wondering if there was any fics where they make a TikTok/video and say "to the person who I slept with last year" or something and then show a baby or a pregnant belly? I know there's a yizhan one but I want to know if there's a wangxian one? I think that would be a funny fic ☺️ (NO BOTTOM LWJ PLS)

~*~

4. jiang cheng based time travel fix it fics with xicheng or mingcheng… i’ve read some but i cant find em anymore🥲🥲 @crimsonrainsimpflower

Viper in the Grass by elegantflipflop2 (T, 130k, JC/LXC, JC & WWX, time travel fix-it, gender changes, JC centric, oblivious LXC, protective WWX, revenge)

All of Our Memories Gather by geethr75 (T, 72k, JC/LXC, wangxian, JYL/JZX, time travel fix-it, canon divergence, heavy angst, major character death, not everyone dies au, golden core reveal, golden core transfer, JC centric, LXC centric, depression, panic attacks, PTSD)

four out of five by castieldeansangel (T, 21k, JC/LXC, wangxian, LXC/JGY, JC/WQ one-sided, major character death, time travel fix-it, 5 things, angst w happy ending, butterfly effect, JC centric, dubious morality, LXC pov)

~*~

5. There have been several itmf's lately asking for long fics, but what about short fics? Drabbles? Or under 5,000's? ITMF favorite / most interesting / most impactful short fics. Can be about anything: favorite short pwps, fave short angst or horror, fave short epistolary, fave short meetcutes, etc. Which fics do you think use their short length in an impactful manner?

travellers' rest by lazulisong (G, <1k, wangxian, ABO, fluff, cuddling, scent marking)

A-Zhan is Three by westiec (T, 1k, LXC & LWJ, wangxian, post-canon, twin jades of lan dynamics, LXC in seclusion, hair braiding, sleepy cuddles)

The Nie Sect Discussion Conference That No One, Ever, Will Discuss Again. by mondengel (Not Rated, 1k, WangXian, Humor)

Online Classes by abbymyg (G, <1k, wangxian, modern, family fluff, teacher LWJ, mentioned COVID)

Next Door Neighbor by Rainewritesfanfics (G, 1k, wangxian, modern, neighbors, single parent WWX, pre-relationship, meet-cute)

The colour of my sky by mellowflicker (G, <1k, wangxian, modern, domestic fluff)

Drabbles full of kisses Series by Marudny_Robot (T, 200, WangXian, Kisses, Drabble, Fluff, Implied/Referenced Homophobia, Post-Canon, Married WangXian) idk about impactful, but I have two drabbles for mdzs in this series :>

Child Surprise by Ariaste (T, 4k, WangXian, The Law of Surprise (The Witcher), Canon Temporary Character Death, Fluff and Angst, but only a teeny bit of angst, they're married, they have a son)

the river and the sea by sasamelons (T, 7k, WangXian, Soulmates, Arranged Marriage, Misunderstandings, Angst with a Happy Ending, Idiots in Love, Falling In Love, Soulmate-Identifying Marks, Mutual Pining)

Three Months, but One Day Shy by mondengel (M, 1k, Angst, Gore, Cannibalism, Horror)

you can't ever tell me (I will burn this whole world down) by ThirtySixSaveFiles (T, 1k, WangXian, Post-Canon, Scars)

A Mate-Mark Would Be Redundant, Actually. by Full_Metal_Ox (G, 100, WangXian, Implied/Referenced Self-Harm, Understated Angst, Slice of Life, implied/referenced corporal punishment, Drabble)

inhale by lao_you_tiao (G, 1k, WangXian, Introspection, Character Study, Heavy Angst, Canon Compliant, Pining)

Jin Ling vs. The 8 Uncles of Sex Education by Wildcard (M, 4k, Comedy, JL Has a Lot of Uncles, background mention of wangxian, Tiny bit of Angst, happy ending!)

well-met by warlight by wukuiyuxin (Not rated, 2k, wangxian, WIP, Old English Style Poetry, Epic Poetry) Lan Wangji’s account of meeting, loving, losing, and mourning Wei Ying and raising A-Yuan—in mock-Norse epic verse

wangxian poetry by clippymagnet (LilDoodleCat) (M, <1k, wangxian, poetry, post-canon, fluff, Married wangxian)

authors with an established record of effective shortfics include aninfiniteweirdo, chomrafy, dragonofeternal, EHyde, lao_you_tiao, mondengel, loosingletters and Quiet_crash.

Five of Cups by mondengel (Not rated, 1k, gen, angst, horror, Wen Ning-centric) link in #8

his father's son by loosingletters (G, <1k, CSSR/WCZ, humor, gender roles, misunderstandings, rumors, cloud recesses study arc)

The Hiring Process by loosingletters (T, 2k, wangxian, modern w magic, humor, YLLZ WWX, protective yunmeng Jiang sect)

this body is a gift for you by loosingletters (T, 1k, MXY & WWX, WWX & OCs, trans female WWX, trans MXY, canon divergence, gender identity, gender roles, self discovery)

~*~

6. For the next iitmf, do yall have any post canon recs where wwx gets cursed or badly hurt and then lwj fears losing him again? just lots pain and reminiscing. wanting something similar to: let the yoke fall from our shoulders by occultings (microcomets)

appreciate the blog, ty!

the absence of hunger by parsnipit (M, 27k, WangXian, Hurt/Comfort, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Angst with a Happy Ending, Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified, Starvation, Food as a Metaphor for Love, Body Worship, Praise Kink, PTSD, Flashbacks, Blood and Injury, Additional Warnings In Author's Note, Cannibalism)

cherry lingers on the stone by ThreePlums (M, 26k, wangxian, post-canon, graphic depictions of violence, Angst, hurt/Comfort, curses, case fic, established relationship, starvation, animal death, cannibalism, dom/sub undertones, PTSD, mild för)

~*~

7. Hello! Thanks for all your work! Maybe a long shot but do you know any bilingual Mandarin/English podfics? @driadorim

~*~

8. thank you mods and everyone for the recs! i have a bit of an odd itmf... may i ask for fics that are... twilight-zone-ish? i remember that when i read cultivons notre jardin it gave me that vibe <3

Lost and Found by diamondbruise (E, 52k, WangXian, Modern AU, Aliens, Slow Burn, Alien LWJ, Crack Treated Seriously, Soulmates, Kid Fic.....kind of, i use that tag very loosely, Masturbation, Rough Sex, canon typical cnc elements, Happy Ending) for something with aliens

Clouded by diamondbruise (M, 15k, WangXian, Canon Divergence, Getting Together, Case Ficish, Curses, Dark LWJ, It's a curse, Dubcon Kissing, Jealousy, Sharing a Bed, Angst with a Happy Ending, Dubious Consent, no sex in this fic just in general) for something with building paranoia

Five of Cups by mondengel (Not rated, 1k, gen, angst, horror, Wen Ning-centric) if Troubling Existential Horror is a flavor of Twilight Zone you enjoy.

~*~

9. hi! i recently read One Can Keep A Secret (If He Does Not Know It's There) by H_Belle based on recs here (thank you!) and it hilariously great :D so i thought to ask for itmf, are there more fics where wwx sees with his own two eyes how much people appreciate his genius? like he's deprecating his talismans/abilities/art/etc, and ppl around him courting him as a scholar/inventor/teacher or they want to throw money at him? much appreciated!!!!!!!!!

To Respect a Scholar by FlautistsandPeonies (G, 5k, wangxian, WWX & LQR, genius WWX, not JC friendly, author WWX)

Nice work if you can get it by deliciousblizzardshark (M, 11k, wangxian, post-canon, protective LWJ, genius WWX, fluff & humor, getting together)

❤️ Gentians in bloom by teawater (M, 251k, wangxian, Canon Divergence, AU after cold spring, Political Marriage, Dysfunctional Family, Implied/Referenced Self-Harm, Fix-It, Hurt/Comfort, LQR bashing (not really), POV Multiple, Implied/Referenced Suicide, Eventual Happy Ending, BAMF WWX, JC is actually a lot better than canon, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, YZY bashing (again not completely) )

Time Charm by Jenrose (E, 141k, wangxian, later queerplatonic LWJ/WWX/WQ, LXC/JGY/2nd Madam Mo, time travel fix-it, post-canon, everyone lives au, genius inventor WWX, BAMF wangxian, first time, pregnancy, childbirth, asexual character, aftermath of time travel, telepathic bond, slice of life)

~*~

10. Hello, i quite liked reading while you were sleeping and still left with the river . So, for the next iitmf i’d like to request a love triangle fic of sorts.. maybe wwx is married or betrothed to someone else like jzx, wq or lxc 🤷🏼‍♀️ and lwj pines from far but eventually they do get together. Thankyou for all u guys do!!😤😽

Marital Prospects by Vamillepudding (G, 18k, WangXian, LWJ & NMJ, Canon Divergence, Everybody Lives, Romantic Comedy, Misunderstandings, LWJ Needs a Hug)

he gets under your skin by Skadiseven (M, 87k, WangXian, Inspired By While You Were Sleeping (1995), Modern AU, Accidental Engagement, Chicago (City), wangxian's tendency to self-sacrifice, Christmas, Mutual Pining, There's A LOT of Musical References, Slow Burn, Angst with a Happy Ending) - another While you were sleeping AU

i don't love you (but i always will) by sixstepsaway (E, 71k, WangXian, XianQing, Soulmate-Identifying Marks, Soulmate AU, wangxian endgame!!, handjobs, this ends wangxian and happy i promise, Angst with a Happy Ending, i had to give lwj an oc soulmate, Blanket Permission, Infidelity, Emotional Infidelity, Cheating, Pegging, Bottom!LWJ, top!WWX, Bottom!WWX, slight femdom!wq, Implied Consensual Somnophilia, Cockwarming, implications of consensual polyamory, undernegotiated polyamory, internalized ableism, Grief, Pining while fucking)

The Season of Fire by Magnolia822 (E, 31k, WangXian, Modern AU, Age Difference, Mutual Pining, Forbidden Love, Coming Out, Brief WWX/other, Homophobia, Unsafe Sex, Slow Burn, Lovers to Friends to Lovers) - there's a part where lwj pines in the middle.

~*~

11. hello!! for the next itmf, do you have any recs for fics where wwx's lack of golden core is mentioned or addressed, but it doesn't turn into a huge deal in the plot or with character relationships? it would be nice if it's something wwx or other characters work around, like finding cultivation aids he can use without a golden core or ways to hide that he doesn't have one, but there's no angsting about it.

❤️ kick at the darkness ‘til it bleeds daylight by AlfAlfAlfAlfAlf, tardigradeschool (T, 75k, WangXian, Hurt/Comfort, Everyone Lives/Nobody Dies, Eventual Happy Ending, Getting Together, Burial Mounds Settlement Days, Inspired by The Parent Trap (1998), Kid Fic, teen shenanigans, two a-yuans, Fluff and Angst) This mentions WWX building himself an artificial core, but it's not the focus of the fic.

could you find a way to let me down slowly, if you're leaving baby let me down slowly by ravenditefairylights (M, 36k, WangXian, Canon Divergence, Golden Core Reveal, Implied/Referenced Sex, Miscommunication, Somebody Lives/Not Everyone Dies, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Angst with a Happy Ending, Twin Prides of Yúnmèng Dynamics, Hurt WWX, Mutual Pining, Unreliable Narrator, Self-Esteem Issues, Twin Prides of Yúnmèng Feels, Protective Siblings, Trauma, Slightly dubious consent, courtesy of drunk sex, Inventor WWX, Genius WWX, Phoenix Mountain, Chronic Pain, Getting Together, Fix-It of Sorts, One Braincell Trio, PTSD)

~*~

12. Are there any fics where Wei Wuxian is a Jin?Thank y'all in advance.

Rotten Work by ShanaStoryteller (Not Rated, 63k, WangXian, WWX & JL, Post-Canon, Protective WWX, Protective JL, Yunmeng Bros Reconciliation, Reluctant Matchmaker JL) wwx eventually becomes a Jin

❤️ Candy & Conspiracies by Reverie (cl410) (T, 16k, wangxian, JZX & WWX, jin wwx, fluff & crack, found family, humor, no angst)

Silver eyes meet gold by EuphoricSuds (Not Rated, 3k, WangXian, JZX & WWX, XuanLi, Minor Character Death, Canonical Character Death, Implied/Referenced Character Death, BAMF WWX, Hurt WWX, Genius WWX, Mild Hurt/Comfort, Domestic Fluff, Tooth-Rotting Fluff, Family Fluff, WWX Gets a Hug, WWX is Loved, WWX is LSZ's Parent, WWX is a Jīn, WWX Isn't Adopted by the Jiāngs, Canon Rewrite, Out of Character WWX, Out of Character, Comfort No Hurt, Cute WWX)

Twin Treasures by crossdressingdeath (T, 81k, WIP, JZX & WWX, WangXian, Canon Divergence, Can't quite tag this as 'everyone lives' but I promise everyone who dies will DESERVE IT, mostly novel-verse with a bit of CQL here and there, currently being edited)

A Jin Disciple's Guide on How to Survive in the Cloud Recesses by holy_milk (T, 3k, gen, canon divergence, Jin WWX, JC pov, cloud recesses study arc, JZX pov, JZX has friends, WIP)

~*~

13. hello!!!! I am here to request fics with demons/fallen angels/angels. any and all of the above, with wangxian being the focus. something kind of like "Macabre Soiree" on ao3? i'd prefer them not to be succubus/incubus demons but i'm not too picky. thank you!!!

The Shape of Your Love (is Horny) by Vamillepudding (T, 25k, WangXian, XiYao, Urban Fantasy, Getting Together, Romantic Comedy, WWX is Bad at Being a Demon, LWJ is definitely a Monsterfucker)

and i sell my soul for the high by martyrsdaughter (E, 3k, WangXian, Angels & Demons, succubus wwx, Angel LWJ, PWP, Extremely Dubious Consent, Aphrodisiacs, References to Addiction, Manipulation, Self-Lubrication, Loss of Virginity, Bondage, Threats of Violence, Sexual Coercion, Spanking, Comeplay, Come Eating, Creampie, Multiple Orgasms, Mild Painplay, Overstimulation)

a series of fortunate events by defractum (nyargles) (G, 12k, WangXian, Modern AU, modern cultivation au, Immortality, Angels & Demons, Chinese Mythology & Folklore, (very loosely), Pre-Relationship, Humor, Sharing a Bed, but neither of them need to sleep, Case Fic)

It’s a Demon Thing by silverclaw (T, 1k, WangXian, Demons, wwx is a demon king which is very hot of him, lwj owns a food cart (a baby), wwx has a very loose understanding of the human world and its customs, Humor)

~*~

14. Hello! I am in the mood for fics where Wei Ying is an artist (of any medium) and he showcases Lan Zhan in his work or Lan zhan is his muse/subject. I really enjoy seeing Lan zhan be impressed by Wei Yings art! I know I can go through the artist!wei ying tag but I'd like to see what are ppls faves!💚 @the-marathon-continues-nip

paired wings soaring by typefortydeductions (E, 33k, WangXian, Modern, slice of life, domestic bliss, angst, fluff, smut, hurt/Comfort, kissing, bdsm, artist WWX, poetry translator LWJ, slight somnophilia)

💖 Pentimento. by orange_crushed (E, 73k, wangxian, modern, college/university au, art conservation, museums, pining, not actually unrequited love, angst w/ happy ending, misunderstandings, smut, major character injury, hospitalization, hurt/comfort, past incarceration, forgery)

The Sculptor by Eleanor_Fenyx (M, 27k, wangxian, LQY/WQ, LWJ & WQ, SL/XXC, modern, lavender marriage, period typical attituted and terminology, mute SL, queer themes, queer families, slow burn, getting together, intimacy, artist WWX, professor LWJ) Can't believe I forgot this one where lwj is literally his model and muse (also wonderful queer history)

🧡 paint smears on sunny days by SnowshadowAO3 (E, 53k, WangXian, Comfort, Fluff and Smut, Everyone Is Alive, Modern AU, Dadji, Mutual Pining, Happy Ending, Brief Alcohol Mention, Masturbation, Blow Jobs, Hand Jobs, Accidentally co-parenting with your son's art teacher, Fatherhood)

The Emperor's Portrait by catbrainedschemes (E, 32k, WangXian, Historical, Ancient China, Kinda, Historically Inaccurate, Meet-Cute, Mistaken Identity, Age Difference, Sexual Tension, Happy Ending, Fluff, Emperor!LWJ, artist!wwx, Misunderstandings, Hand Kink, Strength Kink, Smut, gege kink, lots of staring, Dirty Talk, Canon-Typical Bondage)

Inkstone by PorcelainBlue (T, 7k, WangXian)

The Tale of Hanguang-Jun's One Hundred Ghosts by enea (T, 17k, wangxian, post-canon, chinese shadow puppetry, tales, established relationship, outsider pov, art by @/6uooU) WWX, disguised as a storyteller/puppeteer, regales the children of Caiyi Town with Hanguang-Jun’s adventures; this cries out to be animated

wangxian poetry by clippymagnet (LilDoodleCat) (M, <1k, wangxian, poetry, post-canon, fluff, Married wangxian) love poetry from WWX to LWJ

~*~

15. This is a very weird request, but... you know how there are lots of fics where a lot of characters redeem themselves? LQR, YZY, JGY, even WRH. Do you know fics like that where SS, JZX and/or XY are good guys? Maybe not the main characters, but at least relevant to the story? Please and thank you! ^^

Xianyao AU by placeformysins (T, 161k, WWX/JGY, major character death, rape/non-con, WIP) link in #16

Take Some Advice Paesano by FeelsForBreakfast (M, 8k, WangXian, Mob, Mafia AU - Clown Version, Humor, Mistaken Identity, Modern AU, Getting Together)

Sail Away Sweet Sister by sami (M, 72k, wangxian, YZY/CSSR/Madam Lan, JYL/NMJ, time travel, family, not everyone dies au, childhood friends to lovers, families of choice, parenthood, fluff, angst, underage sex, PTSD) this has a villain character redeeming himself, and another one whose circumstances change early enough that he’s never a villain

The Untamed: A Dinner to Remember by YenGirl (Not Rated, 33k, WangXian, XuanLi, post sunshot, Indulgent Fic, Feed WY & the Wen survivors, Some angst, Some humour, Dinner is about family and love, Some Fluff, Soft Boys, Manly Tears, JGS is still greedy, Possible OOC-ness, No hundred holes curse, Unreliable Narrator, accidental heroes, Some violence and gore in Chap 9, Redeemed JGY, Redeemed SS) this one has a really nice Su She redemption! The only time I ever cheered the guy on and felt sorry for him was in this fic

❤️ Restoration by ritualist (M, 84k, WangXian, Fairy Tale Elements, Non-Linear Narrative, Time Skips, Time Shenanigans, YL WWX, Sentient Burial Mounds, Sunshot Campaign, Politics, Implied/Referenced Rape/Non-con, JGS Is His Own Content Warning, Necromancy, Surgery, Identity Issues, Yílíng Wèi Sect, Love at First Sight, Mutual Pining, Angst with a Happy Ending)

Yiling Wei Sect AUs are a good place to look for a sympathetic, or at least less-than-murderous, Xue Yang.

~*~

16. I am curious what other stories and relationships the fandom has to offer. So ITMF your favorite rarepair fics?

We Were In Screaming Color by qirongsmom (E, 12k, LXC/LWJ, modern, incest, bad parents LQR, massage, angst w happy ending, pining, porn w feelings, bottom LWJ)

💖 Love made visible by Moominmammashandbag (M, JYL/ZZL, wangxian, hurt/Comfort, amputation, major character injury, sibling love, angst w happy ending, cooking as cultivation, attempted rape/non-con, sexual assault, minor character death, family angst, dysfunctional family, protective siblings, near drowning, amnesia)

💖 hear my voice and it's been here by Sour_Idealist (E, 56k, JYL/NHS, wangxian, 5th in series, canon divergence, sect leader JYL, sect leader WQ, sunshot campaign, JYL pov, politics)

The Monster they Created series by noppoh (E, 47k, WWX/XY, dub con, under-negotiated kink, demonic cultivation, dark, revenge, bottom XY, mass murder, animal abuse, animal death, war, torture, suicide, dead dove do not eat)

Grumpy Sugar and Shameless Spice by BlueSapphire718 (T, 2k, LQR/WWX, JC/LWJ, canon divergence, slow romance, humor, light angst, pining, developing relationship, fluff, crack treated seriously, sugar daddy LQR, sugar baby WWX, WIP)

Xianyao AU by placeformysins (T, 161k, WWX/JGY, major character death, rape/non-con, WIP)

not too strong by fluffysocks (E, 89k, LQR/JC, WangXian, graphic depictions of violence, rape/non-con, marriage of convenience, slow burn, canon divergence, married couple, cohabitation, explicit consent)

you gave a kick, I gave a slap by sysrae (M, 2k, XuanCheng, Modern AU, PWP)

I would let you hold my heart in your hands by unnecessary (E, 21k, WIP, XuanCheng, Modern AU, Getting Together,BDSM, Impact Play, Under-negotiated Kink, Kink Negotiation, JZX and JC are both disaster bisexuals, and gym bros, and switches, and vers, Pining, but when you don’t know it’s pining, Past JZX/JYL where it ended on good terms, Miscommunication, food as a love language, Aftercare, Platonic BDSM, Decidedly non-platonic BDSM, Subdrop, Topdrop)

Gentle Exile by rynleaf (E, 9k, LXC/SL, Post-Canon, Canonical Character Death, Grief/Mourning, References to Depression, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Character Study, Epistolary, Post-Canon Exploration, [PODFIC] Gentle Exile by flamingwell, semperfiona_podfic (semperfiona))

To Love What Is Mortal by treemaidengeek (T, 22k, LXC/SL, Post-Canon, Grief/Mourning, Fluff and Angst, Healing, Hurt/Comfort, [Podfic] To Love What Is Mortal by flamingwell)

i told you when i came i was a stranger by Caramelized (M, 70k, LXC / OFC, minor wangxian, canon divergence, Isekai, transmigration, fix-it, Butterfly effect, sunshot campaign, not everyone dies au, no golden core transfer, dimension travel, self-insert, angst w happy ending)

~*~

17. For the next itmf, I’m looking for really soft wangxian fics, preferably sfw, just something that’ll melt my heart, thank you in advance, y’all are great

Yiling Patriarch Gone Missing, or: a series of missing person cases by oyan (T, 16k, wangxian, post-canon, case fics, fluff, humor, hurt/comfort, body dysphoria, mystery, slow burn, petty LWJ, protective LWJ, JC & WWX reconciliation, protective JC, rabbit & paperman shenanigans, eventual relationship, protective JL, WIP) this is a wip, but chapter 1 definitely fulfills the sfw heart-melting requirement

box your errors by mellowflicker (T, 42k, WangXian, Modern AU, single dad lwj, Domestic Fluff, Family Issues, Slow Burn, Kid Fic, let lwj have friends agenda, Hurt/Comfort, Pining)

some things go forward by everythingispoetry (T, 73k, WangXian, Modern AU, Hospitals, Teenage Drama, Slow Burn, Hurt/Comfort, Fluff, Happy Ending)

my little love by mellowflicker (T, 54k, WangXian, Modern AU, Single Parent WWX, kindergarten teacher!lwj, Kid Fic, Hurt/Comfort, Domestic Fluff, Pining)

Year Of Night Call by ailuridae (abigailnicole) (T, 22k, WangXian, XuanLi, Modern AU, What If Cultivators Were All Surgeons AU, surgery AU, Our Boys Are Trauma Fellows Now, The Lan Babies Are Surgery Interns, trauma fellows share a call room, and there was only one bed, hospital au, Medicine AU)

💖 hello my old heart, how have you been? by ravenditefairylights (M, 10k, wangxian, post-canon, temporary amnesia, hurt/comfort, fluff, trauma, pining, hair washing & brushing) It has a healthy dose of angst, but is basically 100% LWJ being cared for by WWX.

Step right up! By failedcharismacheck (T, 7k, wangxian, modern, highschool au, teenage romance, fluff, first kiss, getting together, awkward flirting)

They are Practically Married Your Honour by Asmayi (G, 1k, wangxian, modern, 5+1, oblivious wangxian, pining, fluff, best friends to lovers, getting together, public displays of affection)

Lan Zhan doesn't want a kitten...so they compromised and got a kitten by Liebing (M, 8k, wangxian, modern, roommates au, fluff, getting together, lawyer LWJ, pining, happy ending, sleeping together, family feels)

Words from the heart by MusicMe_tc (G, 6k, wangxian, modern, college/university au, secret identity, love letters, fluff, first love, first kiss, asexual WWX, demisexual LWJ, Love confessions, getting together, happy ending)

Tell Sincerely, Half So Clearly by Sweet_William (T, 3k, wangxian, modern, roommates au, light angst, pining, getting together)

how, or when, or from where by sarahyyy (G, 10k, wangxian, modern, amnesia, friends to lovers, getting together)

Love Cats Series by so_shhy (T/G, 14k, WangXian, Modern AU, Meet-Cute, Fluff, First Dates, Falling In Love, Office Party, POV Outsider) soft wangxian

rain. you are here. by thelastdboy (G, <1k, wangxian, WWX pov, fluff, rain, insomnia, post-canon) WWX devotes a stormy and sleepless night in the Jingshi to rejoicing in the presence of his husband.

First Errand by Zacksy (G, 7k, wangxian, modern, accidental baby acquisition, volitional husband acquisition)

~*~

If you didn’t get an answer to your ask here, don’t forget to make use of @mdzs-kinkmeme and MDZS KINK MEME on Dreamwidth. Authors actually do use them for ideas. You may get what you order!***Your prompt doesn’t have to be kink! Fluff, crack, whatever - it’s all good!***

#wangxian #mdzs #wangxian fic recs #i'm in the mood for a fic #the untamed #wangxian fic search #wangxianficfinder #long post

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melodramamatic · 2 months

Text

This started as a multiple rambling drafts exploring my likes and dislikes about MDZS/Untamed characters as they are most often characterized in fandom, and I think I cracked the code here. I like the grumpy responsible ones and pretty much nobody else. In this essay, I will explain why. (For clarity, the vast majority of what I'm discussing here relates to how the characters are portrayed in the fandom. There's a lot of context and complexity and variation in canon that I really don't want to try and get into. I'll stick to the tip of the iceberg thanks.)

My favorite tired grumpy ones: Jiang Cheng, Lan Qiren, Nie Mingjue; you could get a coffee with any of them, bitch about work, and they'd get it. They have responsibilities they didn't ask for, but do their absolute best anyway. Because its not just them who goes down if they don't. They are tired, but they can't stop, they have people depending on them. They aren't nice about it, they don't have time for nice, nice doesn't run your sect. They don't like the petty politics and socializing involved with being in charge, they don't seem to like the power or the perks. They consistently give up or don't get things that would make them happy, because they're more committed to their responsibilities. (I could maybe add Wen Qing to this list, but she's more complicated given her complicity in Bad Things - while her family was being threatened, to be fair - and the fact that we see very little of what she wants as an individual. Though it's implied she would have married JC if he could have protected more than just her, but the Jiang weren't strong enough for that and both of them knew it. See later rant about the treatment of women in canon.)

Jiang Yanli and Lan Xichen are supposed to be the nice, likeable ones and I don't think I could handle more than small talk with them. They spend too much time keeping the peace and wanting everyone to get along and trying to pacify everyone as if that's the same as getting people to cooperate with each other. (Wen Ning could maybe be thrown in here, but it's implied the dude was bottling it up so intensely it was literally the reason Wei Wuxian was able to turn him into the most powerful (and conscious) resentful-energy zombie. Full Respect.) I don't like fighting either, but I'm allowed to not like things. I am allowed to have any opinion I want so long as I'm not hurting anyone else with it (I hate that I have to specify here, the difference between having an opinion and being a prejudiced asshole. You know the difference, and I know you know the difference. If someone is claiming homophobia, transphobia, racisim, etc is 'having a different opinion' they're in denial about being a dick and trying to hide it behind polite language). Which means I don't have to get along with every person I meet. It's easier to try and get along with the people I deal with regularly, that's just being professional, but I'm not turning step-ford smiler. I refuse. I can work with someone I personally disagree with and dislike, but anyone who tries to make me like them or spend time with them recreationally is being controlling. Also, I don't remember Jiang Yanli expressing goals or opinions that didn't relate to her being a sister or future-wife, and that's definitely a failure of the narrative and it's tendency to not really value women except in relation to the men around them.

(I get it, none of the women are the main characters and everything mostly revolves around the POV of the main characters. But. If they're there at all, they're there for the benefit of one of the men in the room. Even Mianmian is there to prove Jin Zixuan is not as much of an asshole as he comes off as, because she's willing to spend time with him and we see her later show she wouldn't put up with the rest of the Jin. Wen Qing is there to prove some of the Wen aren't bad and to be guilted by a charismatic young genius into performing experimental surgery to 'fix' his nonconsenting, traumatized, unconscious foster brother. My opinions on that surgery are only partially relevant to this conversation, but I will happily scream about that later.)

Feel free to yell at me for the next bit, but remember everyone can have any opinion they like. Disagreeing makes more interesting conversation than agreeing on everything.

Wei Wuxian and Lan Wanji drive me up the wall. I could not deal with them as a couple or as individuals. Neither of them are bad people and I want to say that now, on the record, before I make very general statements about them to avoid being here all night nitpicking. So. On the record. I like the narrative of the villainized man who did what he had to, finally getting his happily ever after with someone who never stopped believing in him, and that belief fully paying off with a reveal of the actual villain. That said, onto why I don't vibe with them.

As a couple, it's like the rest of the world doesn't matter so long as they're happy with each other. Life doesn't work that way. We live in communities, and we have responsibilities to those communities, even if those responsibilities are as simple as putting the cart back at the grocery store. (I am 110% judging you if you don't. Just walk it back to the cart return, and don't be an asshole.) But once these two get together, it's like everyone else can fuck off. It's fine to be a happy couple. It's great. But if someone you claim as family has just had something traumatic happen to them, you should check on them. Not just on your partner, for whom the experience was arguably less traumatic. (Not trying to measure trauma here, but Lan Wanji and Wei Wuxian were not emotionally invested in Jin Guangyao as a person and his entire betrayal reveal wasn't going to be nearly as upsetting for them as it was to his nephew, the person he co-parented said nephew with, and the person arguably responsible for supporting him through his rise to power.) Also, it isn't healthy to have your only close personal relationship be your partner. Friends are good and important. Canon and immediate post canon has them isolated for plot reasons, and then in a honeymoon phase, but I see them as having an uphill battle for any sort of social ties. The Juniors don't count. Cross-generational friendships are great, but the context of this (and I'm missing a lot of the historical/cultural stuff) puts Wei Wuxian and Lan Wanji as too much above them in a social hierarchy to be proper equals. Even if Wei Wuxian tends to disregard social norms, the Juniors are expected to defer to and honor him as their elder and as someone who can teach them.

As an individual, Wei Wuxian is inconsiderate and self-absorbed. To me, as a modern western audience member missing a fuck ton of the historical context and linguistic subtext of the story, he still comes off as someone who casually disregards rules, boundaries, and other people's opinions, and gets away with it all the time. If someone I wasn't very close friends with was that touchy-feely with me without permission, I would avoid them like the plague, and that's in a modern American context. He's got MCU Tony Stark characterization problems. He's a charismatic genius with wealth(y connections) who continually gets away with behavior other people wouldn't even consider (except for Madame Yu, who gives him his Complicated Childhood badge) and creates horrifying weapons of warfare that everyone wants on their side until they want him dead because he won't do what they want. Also he's a poor little meow meow who sacrifices himself for people and is misunderstood by the public.

He gets treated like he never had any agency, and none of it was his fault or choice, which would remove the significance of his sacrifices and all the genius work he put in to create the most terrifying and cultural-taboo-breaking method of fighting anyone ever used. I know I didn't get the cultural taboo of using the dead to fight at first, but I've seen explanations that compared it to the horror of finding out a modern person was mutilating babies. We're talking beyond the horror of cannibalism, which is understandable in a survival situation. This is a guy who was pushed to the edge and chose to do awful things instead of die. Understandable, but horrifying. The rest of the cultivation community had good reasons to be afraid of him after the fact, especially since he was rather publicly downward spiraling with PTSD and alcoholism.

But I could tolerate all that, if he ever once made progress toward considering how he affects anyone except Lan Wanji. Yeah, he and the Wen Remnants die very horribly and unjustifiably because of outside manipulation. But Wei Wuxian gets to swan off into the sunset with his man, an anonymous face, and a restored reputation. He tells Jiang Cheng, who just found out Wei Wuxian orchestrated an extremely violating nonconsensual surgery that affects him more than physically and spiritually and had his co-parent nearly murder his nephew, that it's all water under the bridge and they should start over. Jin Ling just lived through finding out one of his uncles was a murderous powerhungry villain responsible for the death of his parents, murdered his baby cousin (the man's own son!!) as an toddler, and nearly slit his throat like ten minutes ago. Lan Xichen (his lover's brother!) just found out his closest confidant killed his other closest confidant/childhood friend and was a murderous powerhungry villain, and that said murdered confidant's helpless baby brother had actually turned himself into a master manipulator for revenge, and was manipulated into killing said confidant/murderous powerhungry villian. Doesn't even seem to check on Wen Ning, the poor guy who's been used a puppet on both sides and just had his zombified corpse mutilated protecting Wei Wuxian's interests. But no, total focus on his happily ever after with his husband.

Onto Lan Wanji, he's a petty asshole and I could almost respect him for it, if he wasn't also completely incapable of communicating and a hypocrite. If the man had just had an actual conversation with his crush, or even expressed concern for Wei Wuxian in words, the whole downward spiral after the war culminating in a faked defection from Yunmeng and the Wen Remnants situation would have gone very differently. (I know you need conflict for a story, but I hate when the conflict is miscommunication based. Any story that could be completely derailed by two people having a five minute conversation that could have easily happened in canon makes me want to scream.) This man also spends years projecting his anger at himself for not sticking up for Wei Wuxian onto Jiang Cheng (who had a lot of intense political reasons that he couldn't do more), without a hint that he has the self-awareness to recognize why. He also spends years believing all the worst rumors about Jiang Cheng and Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian's relationship despite his whole thing being he loves Wei Wuxian and knows in his heart the man was never as terrible as he was portrayed. Is there not a hint of irony here?? How much faith and value he places on a person directly correlates to his personal relationship with them. And the narrative puts this man in charge of the cultivation community at the end??? As if he's not going to immediately show favoritism to anyone who hasn't been hostile to Wei Wuxian and be intensely petty to everyone he doesn't personally like?

He hides behind being an upstanding person as if he's entirely altruistic. His whole 'being where the chaos is' rep is because he's spent the timeskip trying to atone for not saving Wei Wuxian and desperately hoping to find Wei Wuxian. (As if Jiang Cheng hunting demonic cultivators wasn't the same thing with opposite PR.) He'll follow the Lan rules and enforce them for everyone but Wei Wuxian. As someone who has to work to understand social situations, the Lan rules provide a nice structure when you're with the Lan. A 'when in Rome' with an actual list. That said, their insistence that stripping away any passion, individuality, or general enjoyment from life will bring some sort of moral superiority is incredibly conceited. Especially when they basically admit its only enforceable in Gusu, unless you piss off one of the powerful Lan. Also guaranteed to create a culture where people learn to hide anything not the norm and/or experience internalized guilt for not conforming. What are they, catholic?

I can appreciate Lan Wanji's internal struggle to actually go after what he loves, especially in that social context. But he seems to have decided he's the only one wise enough to understand when the rules should and should not be followed. He still judges everyone (not named Wei Ying) for not living up to his standards without seeming to realize those standards are fundementally impossible (for everyone not name Wei Ying, who can be forgiven all things). He puts Wei Wuxian on a sort of impossible pedestal that does not bode well for a relationship with an actual person, instead of the idea of that person.

Anyway, the fanfic in this fandom that I like, either doesn't involve this couple more than superficially, or has them working and overcoming these issues and rebuilding relationships with other characters.

I'm so tired.

#opinion #characterization #fanfic discussion #mdzs #the untamed #lan wangji #wei wuxian #yes jiang cheng is my favorite #my aroace heart loves the angry purple boy #shouting into the void to make my brain shut up #I actually wrote the essay forgive me #dont forgive me actually i am here to incite rage #this is the short version

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