Summary: After Wei WuXian is proven innocent, Lan Zhan moves. Kay's comments: Based on the corporate espionage au over on @angstymdzsthoughts Wei Wuxian is sentenced for a crime he didn't commit and Lan Wangji watches and does nothing. Later, when Wei Wuxian is proven innocent, Lan Wangji finally manages to break free from the shackles of duty and obligation that have been holding him down all his life. He moves out and builds a house, for himself and he hopes, for Wei Wuxian and their son. This story works through the trauma the characters went through beautifully and for once, Wei Wuxian doesn't easily forgive and forget and rush back into Lan Wangji's arms. No, instead Lan Wangji has to work on it and himself and that makes the happy ending all worth it. Excerpt: Lan WangJi may or may not have opened an account with the same unaffiliated credit union the week after Wei WuXian’s trial and the guilty verdict. He may or may not have been siphoning off excess income into the account; just as much as he could risk without garnering any attention from Lan family members or employees who might take notice of large sums of money disappearing from the account he held at the Lan affiliated bank. He may or may not have opened an account for Lan Yuan, and been making regular deposits under the guise of “allowance.” He may or may not have managed to accumulate quite a sum of money that was completely out of the control or knowledge of his family, because he learned that anything could happen, and it was vital that he have access to funds that no one could take away from him. He may or may not be planning the defection of the decade. He wavers on it regularly, fighting down nausea and panic attacks, gasping for air, his heart pounding in his chest, until he can wrestle calm from the chaos that often consumes his thoughts. He is having one now, sitting in the sparse, impersonal studio apartment, ignoring the tea that neither of them have bothered to drink. He quells it with the reminder that he is doing this for his son. He is doing this for Sizhui.

Summary: "Wei Ying-" Lan Zhan says, stutters, "I'm sorry." And now Wei Wuxian sees it, the red rimming Lan Zhan's eyes, the rumpled edges of his blazer. There is an old, familiar urge for him to reach over, to hold Lan Zhan's hand and smooth his hair, to tell him that everything will be fine. "We're all a bit sorry about this, I think," he says instead, and finds that he means it. For Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji and everyone else in that Guanyin temple, the pain must be unbearably fresh, like skin just flayed open. But Wei Wuxian's chest had been cracked open a long time ago, his wounds licked and cauterized and sewn shut over five long years - Ever hurting, but a dull, constant ache, "It's really alright, Lan Zhan." Five years after being accused of corporate espionage and losing everything, the Guanyin Scandal breaks open and Wei Wuxian finds a familiar face at his door. Kay's comments: An @angstymdzsthoughts inspired Corporate Espionage AU and one I enjoy very much and find myself re-reading every few months because it's just that good. In which Wangxian were married in the past and had A-Yuan, but then Wei Wuxian was tried for corporate espionage against the Lans. They were forced to get divorced, Wei Wuxian went to prison and lost custody and evertyhing went horrible, but at least he had the Wens by his side and now, five years later, his innocence is finally proven and everyone has to learn how to live with that and has to decide how to go forwards. The hurt/comfort and angst is strong with this one and just perfection. Bonus shout-out for He Su and his role, really enjoyed how this character was integrated in the story! Excerpt: The moment Lan Wangji opens the door - mindful of the throngs of people and press still milling about at the end of the trials - A-Yuan runs towards Wei Ying, a blur of white and blue that hits Wei Ying's chest with a loud off and a bright laugh from his baba. For a moment, Lan Wangji is struck with the thought that the last time Wei Ying sees A-Yuan, the boy had only came up to his stomach, and not the willowy pre-teen that he is now. "Baba," A-Yuan's voice is wet and garbled, hands fisted on the stiff black of Wei Ying's blazer. His A-Yuan, who never cried when he has a fever, or when he fell down, or when Shufu's words are particularly demanding and biting. His A-Yuan buries himself on the safe cradle of Wei Ying's arms and crumbles. "Baba-" A-Yuan hiccups, then sobs back into Wei Ying's chest "I missed you so much." "Oh, my little radish," Wei Ying is crying too, unabashed and unashamed, fingers gentle on A-Yuan's hair, smoothing the unseen creases of their son's white shirt, "Baba has missed you so much too. If your A-Die's family is alright with it, then we'll work out something so we can meet regularly, alright? Would you like that, A-Yuan?" Lan Wangji barely manages to snap out of his own head, something caving in painfully inside him at Wei Ying's words. For Wei Ying to think that he won't be allowed, even now, to meet his son - But hadn't Lan Wangji sat by, all those five years when Wei Ying and A-Yuan was denied each other? Hadn't he agreed with Uncle and Brother that it would be safer, simpler, kinder for A-Yuan and the Lan family to keep Wei Ying away from their lives?

Summary: If you’ve ever believed me in anything, believe I want what’s best for Jin Ling, the first line of the letter reads.

Jiang Cheng has to stop and take a moment before he continues on to the next line:

You must come to Carp Tower as soon as you can and lavish praise on the ugliest dog I’ve ever seen.

My comments: Ahaha, it all starts with Jin Ling, and somehow, Jiang Cheng becomes the repository for every dog someone stumbles across.... It might, might, amplify the love and joy in his life.

Summary:  He can’t get Jin Guangyao’s words out of his head.

If he’d only believed in Wei Wuxian, if he’d only been willing to stand up for him, could it all have been avoided?

My comments:  This was so lovely, and utterly engaging, I finally had to put it down well after midnight last night and had gotten all the way to the epilogue.

In which Jiang Cheng (with Nie Huaisang's help, because he knows what a mastermind he is) designs a time travel array. He's using wwx's golden core to power it, so he can only pick a time *after* wwx gave him the core (which means the Jiang parents are still dead, but it's not much of a loss... one of the arcs in the story is the Jiang sibs recognizing how toxic and abusive their mother was, and how much she damaged them).

Author just... jumps on in there and fixes it all. But don't think this work is just light self-indulgence. Jiang Cheng comes from a place of great regrets, and he's *alone in the past, trying to fix what he can, but he still has to make painful choices about what he can and cannot change. Besides winning the war, his primary concern is protecting his brother and preventing his epic descent into self-destruction and madness. It's wonderful, his foreknowledge, because he can do so many small things, like, for example, support wwx's choice whenever someone comments on his lack of sword.

Main focus of the work is Jiang Cheng and his family relationships, including both wwx and jyl, both of whom he's able to steer in a much healthier and more rewarding/fulfilling direction. The outsider perspective on the wangxian relationship is pretty funny (and jc just immediately corrects any misunderstandings between them), and his growing relationship with lxc and nmj, which surprises him, since it'd never happened in the first timeline.

Too many details to go over, but I'm impressed with the author's weaving of a complex plot (they put thought into world-building behind the sects as well as politics).

Summary:  “So all you have to do is ask Jiang Cheng to ask Zewu-Jun to ask Lan Zhan to let me be his secretary at Cloud Recesses for three months!”

This way, when Wei Wuxian has to play the part of a lawyer for his new drama, he’ll know exactly what to do!

Disgraced actor Wei Wuxian has a plan to rebuild his career. Esteemed lawyer Lan Wangji wants someone else to handle his office calls. It’s a match made in office heaven!

My comments:  This was sweet. Wwx is disgraced for Reasons and in an effort to land a role as a lawyer (offers are nonexistent these days) he decides to polish his credentials by actually working for a bit in a law firm... as lan wangji's secretary. He's such a bright soul, it's really charming how he throws himself into it, and of course, lwj is head over heels (and has been since high school, but wwx is oblivious). The story of his disgrace is revealed (that's where the roofie/sexual assault warnings come in, although neither has to do directly with him) and we come to see that he was innocent of all of it, poor baby. Lan wangji only wants to help... preferably by jumping his bones.

Summary Part 1:  As the two groups parted again and Jin Ling led his disciples back to pick up their packs, Jin Chan said, "So we're not going to murder him but did you consider that he might murder all of us?"

Word has it that the Yiling Patriarch is back up to his old tricks somewhere in the woods of Tingshan. But the truth is, it was Jin Ling's idea.

My comments:  

Part 1: Wherein Jin Ling looks for a way to make things better between him and his weird Uncle after the whole 'stabbing' thing, and settles on giving him an old outpost in a ruined city so he'll have somewhere to live (because he won't stay for long in Cloud Recesses) after an enlightening conversation with Lan Jingyi. But it all falls apart when the outpost is already claimed by a pair of demons, and Jin Ling learns a lot by watching the Lans battle them, and learns even more about his uncle.

*** This excerpt from Part 1 is such a beautiful concept, I loved it: ***

"It helps to know what you're looking for. Here." He bit his thumb and sketched a talisman on Jin Ling's forehead, then turned him to face the courtyard.

And Jin Ling saw it: a writhing map of painful death, of unfinished lives, of resentful wronged spirits burned into the earth and the wood and the stone. Living spirits, too, glowing out of the disciples. Hanguang-jun was too bright to look at. Wen Ning had a glow too, but his was off-color, not quite centered in his body, and hazed around with ward talismans. The breath caught in Jin Ling's throat. "Do you see this all the time?"

"I used to. Now I see it when I look for it. Wen Ning sees it." Wei Wuxian raised his voice. "Wen Ning! How many ghosts in the well?"

Wen Ning, dragging a larger dead spider demon across the court, said, "Eight, Senior Wei!"

_______

Part 2 shows how much ostracism and hostility wei wuxian has regularly been exposed to since his return. There's a scene in the middle where lan wangji delivers a DELICIOUSLY SATISFYING smackdown to sect leader yao during a banquet that will live on in my head rent free for years. Mostly POV wwx and lsz.

_______

Part 3 is mostly POV wwx with flashes of lwj and lsz. In which they discover a sliver of Yin iron and in trying to destroy it, wwx is snatched through a portal straight into great danger and mystery. (Of course those that remain behind - lwj, lwz, wn - are not about to let him face that alone.

Summary:  Post-cannon, Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng forced to cooperate to rescue their disaster!nephew, with guest appearances from Lan Wangji, Sizhui, and a very startled troll.

My comments:  In which wwx and jc have to team up to find out what happened to jin ling.

Excerpt:  If they hadn’t been going after Jin Ling, Wei Wuxian thought it was very likely Jiang Cheng would have thrown him off [his sword] right then. Without even meaning to, he clutched Jiang Cheng tighter, just in case. The last time he’d been thrown from a sword in flight, the Burial Mounds had reached up and grabbed him out of the air, and things had gone sideways afterwards.

“Hey, hey, I’m kidding!” Wei Wuxian said, but Jiang Cheng still dropped him the last six feet when they came to the village. Wei Wuxian thought it was only polite to stumble and run headlong into a fence post, since Jiang Cheng had gone through the effort and all.

Looking pleased with himself, Jiang Cheng descended with something like grace.

Summary:  It was either a kidnapping or an invitation to a sleepover; Wei Wuxian honestly couldn't tell which.

My comments:  When wwx is injured, Nie Huaisang sees an opportunity to mend fences after puppeteering so many people for so many years.

Excerpt:  When they reached the Unclean Realm, they flew over the walls of the fortress and landed in a court that Wei Wexian didn't remember, a terrace above a garden space with ponds and potted trees and lush plants. The rooms facing it had wide open doors, revealing interiors rich with embroidery, tassels, and bright paint. If this was the way to the dungeons now, Nie Huaisang really had done extensive remodeling. As they landed, people in Nie colors appeared in the doorways, staring with startled curiosity.

Summary Part 1:  Jiang Cheng may not be talking to Wei WuXian, but that's no reason for him to allow Wei WuXian and Lan WangJi to wander around unwed, reflecting badly on their Sects. (Or: Jiang Cheng spite-throws Wei WuXian a wedding.)

My comments:  Oh, my feelings are sore: I think they got a workout. Over the course of 4 stories:  jc and wwx (and lwj) get to the point where they can communicate; jc finds lxc and realizes that they have a lot of similarities and maybe jc can keep him from making similar mistakes; lan sizhui learns that sacrificing yourself for a friend can actually do more damage than good; and jin ling looks at all his elders and realizes that forgiveness and growth is gonna have to start with him, and it should include nhs, who is lonely and very, very brittle.

Basically, everyone needs therapy and they kinda get it.

Summary:  "The curse is meant to physically manifest the emotions of its victim."

Jiang Cheng submits to the mortifying ordeal of being known.

My comments:  Oh, goodness, I'm totally crying. Ah, Jiang Cheng, you feel soooo much. But it all comes down to how little you think you deserve to be loved.

In which Jiang Cheng's strong emotions are represented in either small cuts and lacerations (negative feelings -- thankfully hidden by his clothes) or outpouring of petals from his mouth (love -- and dammit, he can't even say a WORD to Jin Ling for choking on petals).

Excerpt:  "It'll heal. It always does." He feels too open, like this. Bleeding out his sorrows under his brother's gentle hands, the possibility of flower petals a palpable sensation that he can't escape.

"It always does?" Wei Wuxian repeats, and Jiang Cheng stiffens, realizing his mistake. "How often does this happen?"

There is no reply, and Wei Wuxian presses, "Jiang Cheng. How often does the curse hurt you?" He steps closer still, forcing Jiang Cheng to meet his gaze. "Mingzhu-qianbei said that you asked for extra salve. Why didn't you tell me there was more to it than the flowers?"

Jiang Cheng wants to pull back, to put space between himself and the searching eyes looking up at him, but he is rooted to the ground, he is chained by the warmth of Wei Wuxian's hand cradling his. He does not want to give his brother the answer welling up inside of him. There is too much honesty in it.

He thinks, You have borne too much of my pain. You have seen too much of my soul. Am I not allowed to hide even the weakest corners of myself from your sight?

Summary:  “Lan Zhan, have you considered?…Bunnies like to burrow in the ground often, and they have lots of babies. Maybe we’re doing it wrong.”

Lan Wangji considered that, lips pursed and eyes slightly narrowed. “No, that cannot be. You told me you gave birth to A-Yuan. Was I not right to trust you?”

--

WangXian dual cultivation baby featuring family conversations, light drama, and so much fluff. This story is complete: "Part 2" of the series is a set of drabbles I wrote to thank the readers of Duet. <3

My comments:  Lovely and engaging story in which wwx finds out he's pregnant, fears it won't last and so keeps it a secret, and then has an angst-filled misunderstanding with lwj that sends him off to Lotus Pier. Both our boys learn some important things about themselves and each other meanwhile, and wwx comes back to share his news.

Excerpt 1:  “Please.” Wei Ying grabbed one of his hands in both of his own. “Please tell me you were the one who sat down with our son and explained sex.”

“I had to, eventually,” Lan Wangji granted. “I needed to correct some misconceptions.”

Wei Wuxian clapped his hands in front of his face, nearly overwhelmed with delight at the prospect of hearing about Sizhui’s embarrassing childhood ideas. Lan Wangji looked at him coolly.

When Wei Wuxian could no longer stand the suspense, he prompted “Yes? Misconceptions about what?”

“Radish farming…”

Wei Wuxian lowered his hands in confusion.

“…and the similarities to child-rearing.”

Excerpt 2:  A passing Lan disciple stared at him with the blank face of Lan disapproval. Wei Wuxian gestured his chin at the baby in a way that could mean either ‘I apologize; I am a very stressed new father,’ or ‘I can do what I want, I just gave birth to Hanguang-Jun’s baby!’ The Lan disciple stared at the baby instead. Good. Lan Yu needed to get inured to Lan disapproval, fast.

Summary:  In the wake of intracity warfare, Jiang Cheng finds himself engaged by proxy to Nie Huaisang in an effort to build ties between their sects. The fragile peace is short-lived, however, and with the strands of magic and the alliances that hold the city together fraying apart, Jiang Cheng must decide where he stands in order to save what he loves.

My comments:  Oh, I love the world-building here. The Families (which correlate to Sects) more or less have the power to 'hear' The City. (There's no cultivation or golden cores in this.) But they've just slaughtered the Wens, and alliances are shaky, so Jiang Cheng is married off to Nie Huaisang to help solidify things. (Wwx is off with the Wen Remnants in another part of town, and feelings against him are running high.)

So there's plot, but focus is on relationship, as Jiang Cheng learns what's easy and what's not about his new husband, and tries to adapt to his new life. (Sex is easy. So that's good!) Things start to go wrong, though. Nie Mingjue loses his qi, his ability to hear, and Nie Huaisang flips out because he can't FEEL him anymore. And then other city-powered people start to lose their abilities. And Jin Guangshan dies. There are power outages and traffic lights stop working. THINGS ARE HAPPENING. Nie Huaisang seems to have some ideas about it, but he isn't sharing, and he wanders off without telling Jiang Cheng where he's going....

Summary:  Notes from a reconciliation.

Wei Wuxian sits up a little further. Then instantly regrets it. “Go to bed, Jiang Cheng,” he groans. “I’ll live.”

“Will you?” Jiang Cheng says. “Because if you die in my guest room, Gusu Lan will have my head.”

He and Jin Ling really are the same person, sometimes. Wei Wuxian considers pointing out, again, that he is nowhere near dying, but he lets it go. He’s tired. And it’s apparently not helping. “Not all of Gusu Lan,” he says mildly. “I think the elders would send gifts.”

(Or: an unexpected stay in Lotus Pier.)

My comments:  In the first second story, reconciliation seems like it might be on the horizon. But in the second third, it's pretty aptly demonstrated that lwj and jc have been at each other's throats for thirteen solid years for a reason, and although wwx, lsz and ljy try to mitigate it, it doesn't really work until things truly blow up. (And then, finally, some conversations happen.)  ***Prequel story was just posted today, so I haven’t read it yet.***

Excerpt from story 2:

Awareness trickles back slowly. Wei Wuxian’s skin feels tacky with sweat, his hair plastered to the sides of his face. The brazier in the corner is lit. There are several more blankets than he remembers. But he’s so cold, his teeth are chattering with it. He reaches up to his forehead. There’s a compress there, rapidly warming.

Jiang Cheng would look unimpressed, if he didn’t also look a bit scared. “You couldn’t have stolen a stronger body?”

“Not stolen. Was forcibly given.” Wei Wuxian narrows his eyes, which does nothing to clear his fever-blurred vision. “And be nice to my body. It didn’t do anything to you.”

Jiang Cheng scoffs. “It’s not as if I’ll hurt its feelings.”

“Shh.” Wei Wuxian pats absently at his own arm. “He doesn’t mean it.”

Excerpt from story 3:

"Yeah!" Jingyi says. "You don't need to be nervous!"

"Good thing no one's nervous," Wei Wuxian says. It's a bold statement for someone who's already sweated through three out of four layers. But it's not nerves so much as a vague, indescribable sort of nausea that steadily grows every time he thinks too hard about Lan Wangji and Jiang Cheng at each other's throats for thirteen years. Over him.

That's probably different from nerves, he thinks.

"Anyway," Jingyi says, "I thought your relationship was getting better."

"It is, I think," Wei Wuxian says. The last time they met, Jiang Cheng implied that he wanted to figure things out sometime before Wei Wuxian died again. He didn't really specify a time frame, but the sentiment was promising.