LINKDING

summary: He recalls in one awful moment his young Huan-zhizi’s face then, contorted with pain as he fought through the night, slowly expelling the dread shadow whose claws had sunk deep and, even now, snagged in the great net of his fears. It occurs to him that a-Huan’s healing has never truly ended, that what he had learnt from the multiple mortal dangers of his youth had been caution, and a deep fear of sudden and terrible loss. No wonder the blows of his adult years had brought him so low. / A little after their return from Yunping’s Guanyin Temple, it is Lan Qiren who now needs to heal, and his nephew who must help him. ➜ post-canon mdzs fic about Lan Xichen and Lan Qiren ➜ on their relationship with each other, the ways they've tried to support each other and the ways they feel like they've failed or are failing ➜ ahhhh the vibes are so lovely, a tender fragile hope and care with a well of complexity beneath it! ➜ 2k words long

summary: Feng Xin is not a bow. He is brittle. He can't bend, and that means one day he’ll break. / Feng Xin during the fall of Xianle. ➜ tgcf fic about feng xin ➜ set during the time of xianle's royal family in exile, focusing on feng xin's relationship with himself, and with xianle, and with jian lan ➜ ahhhh it's so good and heartbreaking, feng xin's desperate core of instability and of want, beneath his firm loyalty and dedication 😭 ➜ I LOVE this ➜ 2k words long

Shi Qingxuan had thought it would be easy, walking up the mountain path to bring her brother his dinner and fetch him home. She hadn't realised that the way would be so confusing, or guessed she'd meet somebody along the way. ➜ inspired by roland bloodletter's opus pantingbed, this is a tgcf fic that shows a possible different first meeting between hx and sqx ➜ both are children, sqx in her era of living as a girl while her brother cultivates, hx a child in an ordinary village who doesn't quite fit in ➜ I love the way it shows what kind of people they both are as children, both recognisable as the people they'll become, but hx still able to hope, and trust, and reach out for potential good things ➜ and then the ENDING!! ahhhh!!! ➜ peak ouchy beefleaf <3 ➜ 2k words long

“That’s weird,” Feng Xin said. “It’s not weird, he’s me,” Mu Qing replied, slipping into the robe and waiting as Fu Yao did the ties at his waist. “Well, I can dress myself,” Feng Xin said, snatching up the other robe. Fu Yao rolled his eyes and spoke up for the first time. “No one said I was going to do this for you.” ➜ tgcf post-canon fengqing from fq's pov ➜ mq spontaneously generates a clone of himself; weird selfcest power dynamic games ensue, which fq finds both baffling and hot, leading to a threesome ➜ so much fun! the matter of fact intro to the hilarious premise, and how much fx is just like, "nobody could possibly understand mu qing, shrug, oh well", while mq and his clone are busy being deeply weird at each other! ➜ and then how much all of them contribute in their own ways to their mutual enjoyment of the sexual dynamics they engage in ➜ it's great ➜ 3.5k words long

Summary: It was easy to want what you couldn't have. Ever since her father had told her that she was destined for the royal harem, Jian Lan had been confident she'd make it to the rank of consort. But she'd also known that, in the meantime, she'd be having a passionate love affair with some unsuitable man around the palace. ➤ TGCF fic about the era after xianle falls to yong'an, when Jian Lan finds work in a brothel ➤ Jian Lan's perspective on her developing relationship with Feng Xin ➤ I love the sharpness, the awkwardness, the quiet ground-down miseries - and yet the grasping onto what hope and beauty and love that can be found in the midst of it all ➤ Jian Lan and Feng Xin are doing their best! I'm emotions ➤ and I love the gentle femdom that Jian Lan leans into when Feng Xin's women issues make it challenging for them to have sex <3 ➤ 5k words in length

Summary: "After all, this gracious daozhang has been spoiling me so much lately, and it’s high time I returned the favor.” Xie Lian trailed to a stop behind Hua Cheng, looking a little lost as Hua Cheng leaped briskly up the steps. Once there, he stopped to flash an impish grin in Xie Lian’s direction. “If dianxia has no objections– allow /me/ to make dinner tonight.” 🍲 In which 'home' isn't a place, but the people in it. (Or, "Good Soup: the fic") ➤ a sweet hualian fic from before they get together ➤ about hua cheng and xie lian cooking together at puqi shrine, and about what makes the feeling of home ➤ lots of great food details! ➤ 8k words in length

Summary: Ling Wen wakes up in Hua Cheng's bed. ➤ omg I am LIVING, someone wrote me so many words of ling wen fic wherein post-canon ling wen bodyswaps with xie lian ➤ the ling wen pov in this fic is sooooo good, her pragmatic approach to dealing with whatever happens in her life, her disinterest in attending to her emotions, her independence and unwillingness to rely on anyone who isn't her ➤ and seeing xie lian and hua cheng through ling wen's eyes is so good too!! ➤ there are so many fun character relationship dynamics, connected with a really fun premise, and I loved it all ➤ 8k words in length

Summary: Feng Xin caught a whiff of soap from the bedsheets, just barely there beneath the aroma of the candle glowing on the bedside table. The fine fabric was fresh and soft against his skin as he joined Xie Lian under the blankets. For some reason, that set him on edge. ➤ yessss ➤ omggg this is exactly the kind of dynamics I love to see between Feng Xin and Mu Qing during the Xianle era ➤ fx and xl are so SWEET together and fx and mq are so....united in their mutual disdain for each other and how they're connected with each other ➤ and how sex with each other doesn't actually change any part of that for fengqing; they have a good time having hatesex, they still hate each other, they're connected forever via their hatred for each other and their mutual love of xl, and their mutual inability to understand /how/ the other approaches their love for xl ➤ it's just so good!!!! ➤ 3k words in length

summary: <blockquote>It was a gusty night in the hills as young lady Shi approached the scholar Ming’s estate. </blockquote> ➤ hello impeccable gothic vibes beefleaf ➤ also, doing great things with gender. also, contains MUFFING. (thank u Fucking Trans Women for teaching me about muffing) ➤ this is so beefleaf. I love them both so much <3 ➤ 2k words in length ➤ blood-drinking but not vampires

summary: <blockquote>“Tell you what,” said Yushi Huang. “I’ll make you a deal, Ling Wen Zhen Jun.” Almost no one used her title at all, even fewer with respect. She couldn’t quite read Yushi Huang’s tone. “If you can tell me exactly what this is,” she nodded to the creature curled in the corner, "and what it does, I will turn it in the moment we get back for tagging and proper categorization." Ling Wen raised an eyebrow. So the enigmatic Rain Master already knew the creature's properties. "And if I don't?" Yushi Huang smiled, infuriatingly gentle. "Admitting defeat so soon? How unlike you." Ling Wen drew herself up and inclined her head, knowing herself to be rising to bait but seeing no real reason to resist. "I accept your terms."</blockquote> ➤ tgcf space au featuring ling wen/yushi huang, HELLO ➤ yushi huang's deliberate mysteriousness, and the way she uses it to flirt and get the upper hand with ling wen! ➤ ling wen enjoying having something to research that's for FUN instead of for work! ➤ the interesting development of the setting, and ways the characters and backstories have been tweaked to fit! ➤ LOVED IT. ➤ 4k words in length

Summary: <blockquote>A facet of reality where Quan Yizhen has something Hua Cheng wants, for a change.</blockquote> ➤ tgcf canon divergence au where quan yizhen finds the coffin containing the guoshi fangxin ➤ a fun look at a different way for xie lian and hua cheng to meet again, and for quan yizhen and yin yu to meet again! ➤ 9k words in length

Summary: <blockquote>He watches her that night, like he hasn’t done in months, a specter outside her bedroom window, a breeze in the dark night. Her things are, as always, scattered around her bed where she dropped them upon falling asleep. He can’t help but take notice that the fan is in a place of pride, tacked up on the wall next to polaroid pictures of — he realizes with a start — the two of them. He remembers her taking the pictures, shoving that too-big retro camera in his face and squishing the two of them together tight enough that He Xuan’s cheek brushed against hers. He shakes the memory off and watches her sleep, her chest slowly rising and falling with each inhale and exhale.</blockquote> ➤ beefleaf modern reincarnation! reincarnation isn't usually my thing but I liked how it was handled here ➤ he xuan has not developed any more chill over the years between when sqx dies and when sqx is finally reincarnated ➤ he xuan's pov is very fun. the drama! the pathos! meanwhile sqx is clearly just having a nice time bonding with he-jie. beefleaf always about contrasts :) ➤ I believe in u, he xuan! you can do it! have an actual relationship with sqx!! ➤ also the gender stuff is great. ➤ 6k words in length ➤ thanks to roland for the rec!

Summary: <blockquote>“This is…” Mei Nianqing’s gaze flickers between Jun Wu—tired, shackled, familiar—and the recently unmasked figure beside him. Two pairs of deep black eyes regard him from nearly identical faces. “...unexpected.” / Jun Wu experiences qi deviation and has to deal with the consequences.</blockquote> ➤ wow?!?! jun wu is such a disaster and this is amazing ➤ post-canon, jun wu has a qi deviation that splits off a younger version of himself as bai wuxiang ➤ mei nianqing suggests that jun wu can fix it by dual cultivating with himself. jun wu is NOT into it but makes it work with mei nianqing's help. ➤ 3k words in length ➤ thanks to @xieliansbignaturals@blorbo.social for the rec!!!

Summary: <blockquote>He almost feels like he should write a book; “How to Break into Heaven, a Guide for Ghosts”. Step one: Ask your fellow ghost king for undercover advice, seeing as he did it for decades. Step one-point-five: Ghosts aren’t supposed to be in the Heavenly Court, so no one thinks to look for them anyway. Step two: Ironically, pray. End of book. / Xie Lian tests a theory, Hua Cheng goes on a date, and Heaven suffers.</blockquote> ➤ xie lian gets an idea for a fun adventure and hua cheng loves to indulge his husband's mischievous side (I LOVE THIS) ➤ the idea: if hua cheng went to heaven wearing clothes that aren't red, would anyone recognize him? ➤ a charming and cute fic! ➤ 3k words in length ➤ thanks to by-xieliansbignaturalsby-blorbo.social for the rec!

Summary: <blockquote>The most shocking thing about Ghost City was how modern it was. Billboards! Traffic lights! KFC! Xie Lian could never get over the demons taking pictures of street food. The first time she saw it happen, she pulled on Hua Cheng’s sleeve and whispered, “San Lang… why is that man photographing his dumplings?” Hua Cheng glanced at Xie Lian. “People post photos online. On Weibo, usually.” Xie Lian had the vague sense that Weibo was sort of like a public communication array. She wasn’t sure why anyone would share photos of their food there, but she didn’t know anyone who would be interested besides Hua Cheng. “Ah, I see.” “I’ll show you, jiejie.” Hua Cheng fished her phone out of her pocket. Her suit was so low-cut that Xie Lian could barely look at her; the fake fur trim ran down to the navel, exposing the soft curves of Hua Cheng’s breasts and the garish necklace suspended between them. “Here, look through this.”</blockquote> ➤ rule 63 modern au hualian ➤ it is so SOFT and suffused with care that I am all emotions!!!! ➤ also. the outfits. I die. ➤ 3k words in length

Summary: <blockquote>When Mu Qing glanced over at Xie Lian beside him, he was startled to find him already watching him. A small smile played on his lips. “You know, Mu Qing,” he started—and if Mu Qing didn’t know any better he would say he sounded almost shy— “no one else that I fight with feels like a challenge. You’re the best of them all.” Mu Qing’s throat was tight and his face was hot, like he was going to cry. His eyes were quite dry, though. “You’re the best. You always will be.” / Mu Qing can't seem to reconcile the simple facts of his relationship to the crown prince with his more complicated feelings for Xie Lian.</blockquote> ➤ mu qing pov from the xianle trio era ➤ ft. class issues and teen relationship drama ➤ xie lian is an enormous martial arts nerd and a naive but shining prince; mu qing is pining but hyper-aware of class boundaries and how everyone sees him; feng xin is ready to judge ➤ it's so great and succeeds so well at what it's doing, I love it ➤ I love the last scene, which it ends on, about xie lian's appearance after he ascends. perfect ending to the fic ➤ 7k words in length

Summary: <blockquote>Hua Cheng wakes up in a long-robbed tomb older than Xianle, cursed shackles on his neck and ankle and hope hammering in his stolen heart. Xie Lian awakens in a bed. This is somehow more disconcerting. / In which a body-swapping curse brings two people together.</blockquote> ➤ canon divergence story where ghost king hua cheng manages to catch up with his god in a different way ➤ that way: xie lian accidentally triggered a curse and now he's swapped bodies with a mysterious ghost....? ➤ (INCREDIBLE premise) ➤ I love xl and hc's very different reactions to finding themselves in each other's bodies ➤ I think my favourite part though might be poor yin yu doing his best to handle the situation, between hc's firm instructions on how to treat xl, and xl's equally firm opinions on what to do ➤ a very fun read overall! ➤ 6k words in length

Summary: <blockquote>He was close enough now to reach out and touch. So he did. Ignoring Qi Rong’s shrieks of fury, he caught him by the throat and bent him back over the altar. Jun Wu studied his features, comparing them to Xie Lian’s. “Your eyes are all wrong, of course,” Jun Wu said. Even at his lowest, Xie Lian’s were never so deranged. “But around the mouth, yes… and if you were better dressed…” / Unable to get his hands on Xie Lian, Jun Wu makes do.</blockquote> ➤ oof ➤ the jun wu/xie lian is by proxy

Summary: <blockquote>Over the course of his life, Xie Lian learned that there were some fates worse than death, that death could be a mercy—far too benevolent for those of Yong'an. They stripped him of his entire life: his friends, his family, his crown, his kingdom, his godhood. Xie Lian lost everything and he was being forced to live with it, so no, he would not be so kind as to gift his enemies with that which he craved most. They deserved one of those fates far worse than death, and he knew exactly how to give it to them. / Or: Darkness hangs heavy over Xie Lian. Wu Ming looks after him.</blockquote>

Summary: <blockquote>Shi Qingxuan rarely felt tempted to drink much when she was hanging out with Ming Yi. It was easy enough in her presence, even while sober, for Shi Qingxuan to reassure herself, Everyone loves you and you're the most beautiful person around and Ge is proud of you and you are wished well in every room you leave.</blockquote> ➤ also on dw at https://appendix.dreamwidth.org/9769.html ➤ and dvd commentary at https://headstone.dreamwidth.org/12520.html ➤ the destabilizing sense of uncertainty sqx has despite at the same time having a deep well of trust for and delight in Ming Yi's place in sqx's life! and that same sense of uncertainty/certainty in her own self too, and the ways in which the backstory segments intertwine with the now

Summary: <blockquote>Hua Cheng huffs out a laugh. “You do have terrible luck,” he agrees. “And mine is quite good. But you don’t know that you wouldn’t win it back. Play with me?” “San Lang,” chides Xie Lian, voice crinkling gently as it’s swept along to the midpoint between amusement and fondness. “Are you going to let me win again?” “Depends,” says Hua Cheng, “on what you’re betting, Gege.” / A search, a gambling table, and the events thereof.</blockquote> ➤ a great look at the two of them in a mid-canon stage in their relationship, and the careful dance the two of them are engaged in, getting closer and closer to each other, has a delicious frisson here

<blockquote>“Do you want me?” Hua Cheng asked, one shoulder bare. Eyes wide, Xie Lian nodded. Hua Cheng let his spiritual power swell behind the words. “I promise you. You can have every part.” / Hua Cheng returns to Taicang Peak.</blockquote>

<blockquote>Almost 3k words of Hua Cheng being a disaster in love. :D / Around the campfire, Xie Lian tells stories that are meant to be scary, but Hua Cheng just stares at his face, lovestruck. His heart is pounding, but not from fear. He can’t believe Xie Lian is here. Warm, and safe, and holding him. "Oh, San Lang, was that one too much?" Xie Lian whispers to him, sounding concerned. He presses a hand to Hua Cheng’s chest, and Hua Cheng leans into it, delirious from how much he’s being allowed. "Your heartbeat’s like a little rabbit." "M-hm, I’m so scared," Hua Cheng agrees, not bothering to try to be convincing. "Won’t gege protect me?" Xie Lian smiles at him fondly. "Of course," he whispers back. He hugs Hua Cheng a little tighter. "I won’t let anything get you."</blockquote>

<blockquote>"Gege, look at you, begging so shamelessly for more. What would you have said if you could have seen yourself like this eight hundred years ago?" Hua Cheng, who was three fingers deep in Xie Lian, thought he knew what to expect from his darling, beloved, deeply out of his league long term lover and hysterical obsession. And yet, somehow, Xie Lian always managed to surprise him. The crown prince burst into laughter. </blockquote>

<blockquote>“Have you ever… you know…” Shi Qingxuan fanned himself. He was lying on the bed while He Xuan worked, his scrolls spread out over the floor. “Been with a woman?” “What do you mean?” “You know. Intimately.” He Xuan hesitated. “…why?” “I’m just curious. We’re best friends, shouldn’t we know this kind of thing about each other?” “What possible use could you have for that information?” “What if you’re kidnapped by lustful ghosts? What if someone falls in love with you and asks me to mediate? What if your life is in danger and only the Martial Emperor’s virgin-detecting sword can save you?” “His what?” Shi Qingxuan laughed. “You know how the Emperor is about swords,” he said, which didn’t answer He Xuan’s question at all. “You won’t tell me? I’ll keep it a secret, I swear on my brother’s life.”</blockquote> ➤ beefleaf in feelings but it doesn't actually happen

<blockquote>Okay. Shi Qingxuan liked to have fun. Everyone knew that she liked to have fun—she was the Young Lord Who Poured Wine, after all. It was her thing. But she was, genuinely, fairly restrained and dignified! She was classy! She did not get up in her lady form and beg for random male officials to take her clothes off!</blockquote> ➤ early days beefleaf!