[open post] NEW USER: Shang Qinghua

[greatmasterairplane]

Look, this clearly isn't Proud Immortal Demon Way. Shang Qinghua might not remember all the details of what he wrote—that's what his most devoted fans are for, to point out inconsistencies in the comments section so Shang Qinghua can bullshit some mystical explanation, hahaha—but he's sure he didn't write this Western-style mansion. The System, when he tries to question it, is silent. So maybe it's some kind of test?

If so, not fair! Arranging the invasion of the Immortal Alliance Conference was supposed to be his last thing. The original Shang Qinghua died shortly after that, so how much plot relevance could he have?? He was meant to be retired, living life in the lap of luxury (or drudgery in the employ of his king, but whatever). Why doesn't the System just reward him for all his many years of loyal service? Can they have a "being hand-fed melon seeds by a group of big scantily-clad men" event, please???

He skims through the welcome table materials. Okay, so a world between dimensions, people pulled in from disparate worlds and trapped for eternity, sure. Classic stuff. His king is bound to show up at some point and drag Shang Qinghua away by his collar like a tiger scruffing a kitten. Until then, he'll just try to stay out of trouble.

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[lightbearinglord]

Talking behind others' backs is prohibited, Lan Wangji thinks to himself, with only, generously, half as much guilt as he ought to. This is surely not the worst of his violations. So he gives Shang Qinghua a blankly curious look, inviting him to elaborate further if he would like.

[greatmasterairplane]

Okay, now Shang Qinghua is getting a little excited. He never gets to tell this story! He wanted to put it in PIDW, but he cut it because the fandom discourse would have been unbearable. It was painful rising through the ranks of Cang Qiong Mountain Sect and hearing everyone speculate on the nature of Shen Qingqiu's relationship with Yue Qingyuan, knowing he had the juiciest piece of gossip in the whole sect, yet unable to share it.

He draws himself up to look more dignified, as befits the serious nature of this backstory. "It is a tragic tale. Shen Qingqiu and our sect leader, Yue Qingyuan, were childhood friends. As close as two children can be. Yet both were born into bad circumstances. Yue Qingyuan had the opportunity to escape, and promised to return for Shen Qingqiu, but circumstances delayed him. Before he could do so, Shen Qingqiu found his own path to better things." He's not going to mention all the murdering Shen Jiu did on the way out. He is implying all this happened to Cucumber-bro, after all. "He always believed Yue Qingyuan betrayed him. And Yue Qingyuan, afflicted with guilt, is too shamed to enforce the sect's rules upon him."

[lightbearinglord]

Lan Wangji listens to this thoughtfully, and thinks of Wei Ying and Jiang Wanyin. Jiang Wanyin still believes he was betrayed; no other paths were open to Wei Ying. This is not the same, but many stories share that basic makeup: betrayal, love, guilt, and the changes wrought by the passage of time.

Something occurs to him, then. "Shen Qingqiu? Or Shen Yuan?"

[greatmasterairplane]

"Same difference," Shang Qinghua says, and then pauses. "Wait. No. Shen Qingqiu. I didn't know the name 'Shen Yuan' until today, but his past is different. It's complicated."

[lightbearinglord]

"Mn. I know some of the details." Lan Wangji doesn't look particularly impressed by them, but he does know them. What he actually wants to know is this: "Shen Yuan spoke of a grossly inaccurate dramatic adaptation of my past and that of my husband. Is that how you knew my title as well?"

[greatmasterairplane]

"Oh, you mean Chen Qing Ling? No." Of course Shen Yuan is the kind of guy who only watched CQL and didn't read the actual book. What a loser. Also, he's ruining Shang Qinghua's attempts to come across like a normal, non-transmigrating cultivator! "I read the book it was based on. They did make a lot of changes for the drama."

[lightbearinglord]

Almost immediately, Lan Wangji's eyes narrow. Whatever small amount of frigidity had melted away during their conversation returns in full force. "The book?"

[greatmasterairplane]

Shit. Did he not know about MDZS? Shang Qinghua tries to psychically reach out to Shen Yuan. Cucumber-bro! Why didn't you tell me exactly what I should and shouldn't say to Lan Wangji!

But that's not actually a power that exists in PIDW, so he's still stuck here answering the question. "Yeah, it's. It's called the Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation?"

[lightbearinglord]

The Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation? Lan Wangji's mouth thins. He stares at Shang Qinghua, utterly cold. He isn't even certain whether to believe this, but if it is true, then he does not care for this title. What was it that Wei Ying suggested, once, as the title for Lan Wangji's song? Love Song of Lan Zhan and Wei Ying? Something along those lines would have been vastly preferable. "I see," he says, almost acidic with it.

[greatmasterairplane]

Well, that's Shang Qinghua's cue. "Great talking to you," he says, and speed-walks away. Very scary stuff, but very hot! Lan Wangji, what a guy!