wangxian au where wei wuxian keeps getting kidnapped cause people think he's powerless and depends on lwj for everything. kidnappers always think "well if he's so strong, why is he always trying to hide behind hgj??"
and like, wwx COULD easily free himself. but why would he? they aren't a real threat and above all, he LOVES to see his beloved hanguang-jun annihilate any threat that steps towards him
and lan wangji is never really worried. everyone always doubts wwx, writes off his abilities because he can't possible be "that strong." he knows wwx could handle, really, any situation.
but why should he have to?
wwx has been "handling" situations non stop his whole life. as far as lwj is concerned he shouldn't have to lift a finger anymore
Been having thoughts about modern au 15(?) yr old lonely teen Mo Xuanyu who lives alone (and getting by via hush money from local asshole billionare Jin Guangshan) semi-accidentally summoning yllz wei wuxian via demotic ritual
(He didnt really think it would actually work, he was mostly just trying to cope)
one (1) yiling laozu wakes up in Mo Xuanyu’s shitty apartment and decides that if No-One Else Is Going To Parent This Child He Will (He is coping. Will he look at the Horror of waking up in a completely different world from your own with nothing left of your family but old fairytales? No. There Is A Child That Needs Planting!)
Cue the adventures or Wei Wuxian and the wonders of cutting Coupons, learning about facebook and attending Parent-Teacher confrences as Mo Xuanyu’s guardian
Found Family, all that jazz. Give Mo Xuanyu more hugs and Wei Wuxian more children. Throw him in a sea of toddles. (He is one of them. XianXian is three)
Over time mxy gets some actual friends (the juniors) and when they finally go over to mxy’s house wwx is there, casually talking with a ghost (The ghost is teaching wwx about late-stage capitalism. Wei wuxian agrees that a revolution is totally important but that he probably can’t create a talisman that incites systemic change, as that might veer into mind-control territory but that He Can Kill A Billionare)
Headcanon: Mo Xuanyu’s spice tolerance is actually about the same as Wei Wuxian’s (why else would he be able to eat his own food so easily in canon? Spice tolerance builds over time right???) So Wei Wuxian’s cooking doesn’t kill him actually. (They bond about it)
It does murder just about everyone else, though. Jingyi is offended on behalf of his tastebuds.
Eventually wwx meets lwj and the others (wen ning!!!! Baby wen ning!!!! I want to believe that he was able to move on someday because i would cry if he had to be alone as a corpse forever) (mayhaps??? Idk i havent thought that far) but anyway wangxian happens and so Mo Xuanyu gets two insufferable parents who care about him very much <3
Fic idea that I'm going to write later: canon divergence AU where a superstitious group in Xianle try to sacrifice Hong-er to the gods and to BWX, believing that Hong-er falling during the parade is the reason for Xianle's decline.
Anyways, I already wrote a little something for it:
"Hong-er hit the floor harshly. All the air was pushed out of his lungs as a heavy body pounced on top of him, pinning him to the floor. He viciously yelled, punching the man on top of him in the liver. The man grunted before delivering a powerful blow to Hong-er’s face.
Hong-er’s head was thrown back from the force of it, the back of his skull colliding with the stone floor. His vision went white and his ears were left ringing.
Suddenly, hands were grabbing at him. He weakly tried to push them away but they held him in a bruising grip.
“We got him!” “Hold him down!”
“Where’s the rope?! Who has the rope?!”
“Peng Xi has it!”
“Hurry, tie his arms and legs before he can escape!”
The sound of scuffling feet surrounded Hong-er as men filled the small shine. Hong-er was manhandled onto his chest and his arms were forced behind him. He struggled against the men, but their hands remained firm, pushing him into the ground and tying the rope tightly around him.
Blood leaked from split lip and into his mouth, painting Hong-er’s teeth red as he yelled at the men."
I'll come back to this latter, I just wanted to put this somewhere.
Continuing on with my Yunmeng Trio Role Swap Au idea, I'll just write down the major changes to each character. This post will be about our beloved hero-complex Shixiong!
Wei Wuxian in this AU takes over Jiang Yanli's role as the family mediator, often serving as the middle ground for every family argument while also trying to make sure the family stays together. He remains quiet and reserved, only showing in extremely private moments to his trusted few his true burning personality.
In Canon MDZS! Wei Wuxian after being rescued from the streets is at first timid and shy, before graining confidence in himself due to Jiang Yanli's influence.
However, in this Swap AU! due to Jiang Yanli's stronger core, Madam Yu pours more attention and pressure onto her, causing Jiang Yanli to not have as much time to care for him, and also being more tired herself.
Wei Wuxian seeing Jiang Yanli's state , realises that Madam Yu increases the Jiang Sibling's training whenever he misbehaves or worsens her anger, so in order to taken some burden off of Jiang Yanli Wei Wuxian becomes quiet and more reserved, hiding away his true personality as he slowly resigns himself himself acting as a "Calm and respectful servant's son that obeys the noble family that took him in" despite protests from Jiang Cheng and Jiang Yanli who try to stop him.
Of course, he shows his true personality when he's alone with the Jiang Siblings, which leads to many who are not disciples at YunmengJiang to wrongly assume that Wei Wuxian is a mature and calm head disciple.
After Jiang Yanli gets an engagement with Jin Zixuan (That Jiang Cheng loudly detests with Wei Wuxian silently agreeing with him), Jiang Fengmian decides to try and broker a closer relationship with the GusuLan.
Since the Lan don't do Arranged Marriages in respect to their Sect's origin, they decide to try and get Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian to become friends (after Jiang Cheng loudly protested he would never be friends with someone so boring, at least Wei Wuxian is secretly funny behind his quiet facade!)
Even if this arrangement caused Madam Yu and Jiang Fengmian to argue yet again for nights ("What? Is my son so much of an embarrassment you have to use that brat as a replacement!?" "San-niang, that's not what's happening–" "THEN WHAT IS HAPPENING!?"), eventually a meet up between the two was set up.
When the two meet, it's immediately clear that the two's (outward) personalities were near identical, which is the only reason Lan Qiren even allows the two boys to hang out alone while he and Jiang Fengmian discuss other import details.
After the two were left alone to hang out, Wei Wuxian felt only awkwardness as while he usually is quiet, usually Jiang Cheng or the other disciples were the ones talking and bantering, with Wei Wuxian being able to add in his perspective here and there (and be allowed to be himself because he was in the safety of people he trusted)
Lan Wangji was not like that.
Unlike Wei Wuxian who forced himself to stop fiddling with his sleeves and resist the urge to kick the stones that litter the paths of the paths, Lan Wangji merely looked off in the distance, every once in a while stopping to glare at nearby misbehaving disciples who immediately apologised and ran in fear of him.
Wei Wuxian wonders if this is some sort of secret test from the Lans. Perhaps he has to survive the battle of acting like a statue and not to saying a single word.
After an eternity (only 5 minutes) Wei Wuxian sighed loudly, indicating his acceptance of his loss to the quiet Jade boy beside him whose only indication he noticed Wei Wuxian's existence was the short nod when they introduced to each other by their respective elders.
"So Uh... Nice weather?"
"Mhm."
"My name's Wei Ying, courtesy name Wei Wuxian." Wei Wuxian curses at himself thinking that Jiang Fengmian already introduced him earlier.
"Mhm."
"So... do you have a favourite colour?"
"No."
Despite attempts at various topics, but Lan Wangji just seemed to get more and more silent.
Wei Wuxian internally is screaming.
'What the– DID I ACCIDENTALLY OFFEND HIM? I JUST BREATHED!? DAMN IT DID I JUST RUIN UNCLE JIANG'S ATTEMPTS AT A FRIENDSHIP WITH THE LANS!?'
Wei Wuxian eventually gives up as Jiang Fengmian and Lan Qiren finally return, the two engrossed in what appears to be a deep conversation about tea of all things.
As Wei Wuxian bows and he and Jiang Fengmian prepare to make their leave, Wei Wuxian can't help but take another glance at the other boy.
As he stares back, he is only met with a bitter, ice cold gaze.
...
When Wei Wuxian returns back to Lotus Pier, he immediately rants about his entire visit to Jiang Yanli, who is more overprotective of Wei Wuxian and thus only tells him to tell her if he ever feels uncommon with Lan Wangji, and Jiang Cheng, who seemingly only grew more and more annoyed at this 'ungrateful' Lan Brat.
Jiang Cheng was annoyed because Jiang Fengmian said that Wei Wuxian wouldn't be able to attend as many classes with Jiang Cheng as before, now instead having to regularly visit the Lan Clan in order to further better relations. Jiang Cheng very much doesn't enjoy this.
"Why does that Lan Statue get to keep Wei Wuxian all to himself!?" Jiang Cheng complained loudly.
Wei Wuxian sighed, "Jiang Cheng, you can't say that about Lan—"
"I DON'T CARE! AREN'T YOU MY SHIXIONG!? WHY DO YOU HAVE TO SPEND TIME WITH THAT PIECE OF STONE—"
"Jiang Cheng, please stop yelling," Jiang Yanli groans, rubbing her head from the pain of hearing his screeching.
Wei Wuxian sighs in relief, "Thank you Shijie. Now can you tell him that he can't say those things about Lan–"
"Oh no. I agree with him."
Wei Wuxian felt his hope for this family die.
Jiang Cheng puffed his chest, seemingly proud seeing even Jiang Yanli agreed with him.
"SEE! EVEN A-JIE AGREES THAT STUPID UGLY STONE FACE–"
"I did not say that."
"–SHOULDN'T GET TO HOG ALL YOUR TIME! HE NOT EVEN FROM HERE AND YET HE INSISTS ON STEALING OUR HEAD DISCIPLE!?"
The door slammed open.
"JIANG CHENG! WHY ARE YOU YELLING!?"
"A-Niang!"
"Madam Yu!"
As Jiang Cheng was promptly pulled by the ear to be scolded by Madam Yu, Wei Wuxian couldn't help but smile happily at being called Shixiong with Jiang Yanli laughing at him too before also being dragged off by Madam Yu.
...
Eventually, Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng were sent to the GusuLan for the lectures.
While Jiang Cheng was busy preparing himself to present himself as a dignified heir, Wei Wuxian was silently excited to try and improve his friendship with Lan Wangji.
Yes, he had visited the boy a few times over the years, but many of their conversations would just end with Wei Wuxian talking to himself for an uncomfortable amount of time while Lan Wangji would just nod and 'Mhm' occasionally.
It was okay, Wei Wuxian would gladly continue this routine if it meant that the Jiangs and the Lans would maintain good relations, but he would prefer to actually be friends with the second Jade.
Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes.
"I don't know why you keep trying to talk to him... He clearly isn't worth yours, or anyone’s efforts."
Wei Wuxian just sighed.
"Jiang Cheng, please remember you can't say that when we're so close to the Gusu. What if an elder hears you and reports you to Madam Yu?"
Jiang Cheng flinched.
"Yeah yeah, but still," Jiang Cheng said. "Every time you try to talk to him, it makes me feel like punching him. He doesn't even greet you! The audacity!"
Wei Wuxian tried to stop him, but Jiang Cheng continued.
"First he steals you from helping me train! Then he forces you to come ALL the way to the Gusu every week to talk to him!? Who does he think he is!?"
Wei Wuxian shook his head, "Jiang Cheng, it doesn't matter that muc–"
"But it does!" Jiang Cheng yelled back. "You keep letting people walk all over you! Why don't you at least try to defend yourself!?"
"Jiang Cheng, please..." Wei Wuxian placed his hand on Jiang Cheng's shoulder. "It's not that bad. I can take whatever they say. I don't care about what they say about me."
Wei Wuxian tightened his grip on Jiang Cheng's shoulder.
"So please... Let me try and talk to Lan Wangji. I'm sure he doesn't mean anything bad! Maybe he's just shy?"
"Shy? Of you?"
"Jiang Cheng."
"Alright! Alright!" Jiang Cheng relented. "I wont insult him to his face! But that doesn't mean I have to like him!"
Wei Wuxian let out a sigh of relief, taking this as a rare win for himself.
"Good. Oh, and would you look at that? We're at our destination!"
Jiang Cheng turned and saw he was correct. Their ship was drawing near the ports of the Gusu, a quiet, yet large crowd of merchants and villagers doing their business on the docks.
Inappropriate use of curse technique
AU where Meng Shi was just a bit more cynical and spent her hard-earned on buying Meng Yao study materials for the Imperial Examination instead of dodgy cultivation manuals. Cultivation is for his father to teach him, after all.
Meng Yao fucking blitzes the exam, because of course he does, and the first time he arrives at Koi Tower it's with an imperial mandate to audit the shit out of them for tax purposes.
This made me realise that I tend to pick apart people in real life the same way. Like, why did they do this? Why not that? Why? Why? Why? And of course that's my own method of coping, but also it is a result of being able to see potentiality, and how things could have been just a little different and how that would have made so much difference. Which is also, now that I think about it, a coping mechanism. If things could have been different then there is still hope that they might be different someday. But if not, then it hurts so much, it's so senseless that I got hurt just because someone else was having A Day. I love Aus for that reason too. Everything can be made better. And I can conjure gratitude by assuring myself that atleast it's not as bad as it could be.
as much as I enjoy reading discourse on why this person and that person did that in mdzs, sometimes I feel like we think too much on them and it really is just… the characters are just… human… (referencing people in the main cast) They do things whatever they think is right and wrong, because of their own histories, upbringing and personalities. It’s inevitable that they clash with others, which escalates emotions and events. Their very superficial society doesn’t help at all. With everything coming together in a shitshow, this makes all their stories so damn painful and tragic.
This doesn’t mean that I excuse characters who inflict more harm on others. I acknowledge and don't want to take away whatever any character experienced. Being human doesn't excuse shitty behaviour. But still, I feel for them that they had to resort to/end up in their respective ways to make it through their loveless world. I want to focus on the greyness of humanity behind everything that happens in the story. One of the many thematic concerns that resonate with me is how much of us as humans are black and white (as such, we debate on the characters’ place on this spectrum, because of their actions). 不说黑白, Never black or white. Even if it nears the blackened end, it still never goes pitch black.
I say 人就是人,人就是这样 — People are people, people are simply like this. We all can be kind, we all curse out. We are all insecure about something. We laugh, we cry. We write love songs as much as easily as we write hateful messages. One day our loved ones and friends are around, and the next day, they aren’t anymore. There are times in our past that we can never return to and we can do nothing but move on with our own ways of coping, for what we think will be a better life for us. For better or worse.
Amidst all the viciousness and pettiness of the jianghu, mdzs touches on our tragedies and fallacies as people just trying to make sense of an unfeeling world, with unjust consequences and impartiality. Many of the mdzs characters try, and they fail. Isn’t this how our own reality is? How many of us have the privilege of a denouement to our own stories?
We can all have our personal opinions on the characters and their actions, but do not deny them their humanity or whatever shred of it is left.
Need to see more people talk about Hua Cheng’s intelligence.
He literally learnt a language just by looking and studying it despite having no context for it. He has a near perfect memory and can recall multiple facts in any given area. He runs a gambling house and city and manages all the money. He’s picked up multiple art forms and can recreate Xie Lian perfectly down to his exact robes just from memories he had of him when he was a child. He learnt how to use a saber just through watching Xie Lian once and got so good at it in such a short span of time Xie Lian assumed he was a general and then he won Mt Tonglu. Have I mentioned his memory it’s genuinely scary the other immortals in the series don’t have a memory like his. He reads multiple academic essays and books from multiple kingdoms and time periods implying he’s a polyglot on an insane level. He’s amazing at investigating.
HE BEAT MULTIPLE CIVIL GODS AT DEBATING.
Like just incase you don’t get that, these guys got to heaven for being so smart. They were considered good enough to become a god because of their intelligence and he outsmarted them. He’s so so intelligent like yeah he’s great with a sword but that is Xie Lians thing, he’s only as good as he is because he wants to be Xie Lians equal.
This guy spent his immortality learning literally everything (except calligraphy) and he mastered all of it and sure he is immortal but it’s clear he mastered it in short spans of time. He was carving statues like Michelangelo in under 10 years. Again he learnt to be amazing with a sabre while he was still alive so like 3 years max and mostly from memory. He established a full city with labour, homes, jobs and runs it despite dying as a starving orphan at 17.
HE BEAT MULTIPLE CIVIL GODS AT DEBATING.
It's very important to my understanding of all three characters that Jiang Cheng and Jiang Yanli see Wei Wuxian as their sibling, and he sees them as his. But I think it's also important that he is not their sibling, legally or socially.
When Jin Zixuan snaps "If you like Jiang Yanli so much, why don't you ask her father if you can marry her", I think the implication is pretty clear that this is in fact a thing Wei Wuxian could have done if they'd felt that way about each other. (And Madam Yu would no doubt have flipped a table at the "son of a servant" daring to suggest such a thing, but Jiang Fengmian would probably have been delighted.) No one reacts to this comment like JZX just said something insane or implied WWX is into incest.
I think part of the reason I’m so obsessed with MXTX’s works is the way that each story seems to hold you gently as say “Your kindness mattered. It didn’t alleviate the suffering, it did not undo the pain. But your kindness mattered.”
Kindness could not erase Luo Binghe’s abuse, but it changed the story into a kinder one.
Kindness did not stop Wei Wuxian’s death, but it did save a-Yuan.
Kindness did not undo Xie Lian’s suffering, but it renewed his sincerity to help others.
Kindness did not change the entire world, but it helped create a softer future.
Its such a nice message, that maybe kindness will not protect you, maybe you don’t see the outcome of it, but you should still try to be kind, and I love that honestly.
College teacher Lan Qiren who is always complaining about this loud, annoying and disruptive student in his class who is always half asleep on his desk and submits his assignments four seconds before the deadline.
His nephew Lan Wanji, who is in the same class, who can't believe how attracted he is to this hot mess of a man that seems to be physically incapable of not questioning every single subject they learn and makes such good points about them every time. How is it possible for a person seemingly can't dress, feed OR control himself in public be so smart? It would be less annoying if this dude at least took notes or had books, but no, he seems to be doodling on actual craft paper every time he peeks at him. Lan Wanji wants him carnally. And maybe romantically as well. He looks like a good cuddler, you know? Not that LWJ knows much about hugs and all that.
Meanwhile, there is college student, part time worker and full time single parent Wei Wuxian that is constantly running on two hours of sleep, who is working himself to the bone on his engineering degree along with Wen Qing (med student) to provide for Wen Yuan, chronically ill Wen Ning, ancient Granny and half a dozen old aunties and uncles that would (and should) have retired decades ago if they could afford it.
Now imagine the Lans' car breaking down in some speedy neighborhood after dining out, and who comes to the rescue? Just-got-out-of-work WWX, who would try his hand at the engine if they weren't shaking like crazy but assures them that his uncle four will get it going in a sec, want to follow him home so they are not in the street alone?
And so the Lans get to see this twenty years old exhausted young man get home, get immediately jumped by his toddler, and going to help with dinner while simultaneously checking over A-Yuan's homework, answering Grannie's questions about his day and helping WN with mobility exercises.
Lan Qiren becomes more forgiving. Lan Wanji falls in love and has to reconsider his own prejudices before approaching Wwx and asking him out on a study date that quickly becomes an engagement. Lan Xichen becomes besties with Granny and is there every Sunday. He and Wen Qing may fall in love. A-Yuan gets a whole new set of family members.
The car? It was actually fine. It just ran out of battery.