Work Text:
Lan Wangji is a romantic man, although he doesn’t show it too much (his husband of course is the exception - he knows his romance very well). He appreciates the arts in all forms. When Wei Ying was studying at the Cloud Recess, 20 years ago, he gave Wangji an ink-drawing of himself. It touched his heart so dearly, to have someone look at and draw him. Especially because that someone was his love interest!
Wangji is neat, and does not throw things away without care. He kept Wei Ying’s 20 year old drawings, his son’s old drawings and homework, and his very own past homework! He sentimentally looks over the papers, reliving the happy moments, and also practicing thanks for the present.
Now, his husband was an artist (in his own right), doodling all over his work since childhood. He drew on any piece of paper that was important, whether it was his, or someone else’s. Wangji wasn’t carefree enough to ruin a document, but he had his own artistic outlet. Since childhood, he would write in his free time, mostly poems. His poetry began basic and observant - personifying leaves and metaphorizing the rain cycle. It was juvenile poetry: acrostics and haikus. He became more creative as he grew older, but never really had a subject of interest.
That was until Wei Wuxian came to study at Gusu Lan. The moment he met Wei Ying, he felt feelings. He felt inspired! The obnoxious and petulant boy became his muse. Writing was an outlet for the quiet Lan boy. He usually spoke through “Mns” and one-word replies, but his poetry was the opposite. He wrote lengthy symbolic descriptions of his feelings and surroundings. As he got older - and he had more responsibilities - his time to write dwindled away.
He compiled all his poems in a diary, and then stuffed them away next to his other books in the Jingshi. The book was only ever pulled out when he felt sentimental - or he felt a sudden urge to write. Other than that, it was a forgotten memo.
-
One boring day in the Jingshi (when Lan Zhan was busy with work) Wei Wuxian flipped through the books on the shelves. He picked up a relatively old book without a title and opened it. Inside he saw poems, and with a closer look, he realized that the work was his husband's handwriting! His first thought was that he was copying famous maxims and whatnot, but Wei Wuxian did not recognize any of them. Instead, he saw an anthology of Lan Wangji’s feelings throughout his life. The first handful of pages were obviously written by a child, and as they progressed the writing got better. Some of the poems had words struck through, where Lan Zhan changed it to be more melodious.
This was utterly fascinating to Wei Ying. His husband's diary! (basically) The couple had known every surface and thought of the other, so he didn’t feel that bad reading his husband’s poetry. However, when he reached the middle, the poems seemed to take a turn. They became passionate, full of intense romance. Some made him blush, some made him tear up.
The last poem written was in reference to his resurrection - So Wangji hadn’t completely abandoned this book of his. Wei Wuxian felt so touched by his dear Wangji’s love, that he wanted to write his own poem.
It wouldn’t be too long, but just a short response to what he just read. - Whenever Lan Zhan opened the book next, he would see a note from his husband. So touching!
To write this, Wei Wuxian went to the Library Pavillion. This provided him with a thesaurus and an inspiring academic atmosphere. He jotted down his thoughts, and then fell asleep. The library was such a quiet and boring place, he couldn’t stop his eyes from shutting.
-
He was awoken by his husband’s, “Wei Ying.” It was a tender greeting, just to make his presence known. But, this worried the reciprocate because he hadn’t wanted his husband to see what he was doing. Wei Wuxian wanted Lan Wangji to see the poem, but not just yet. It was a little embarrassing to admit he was snooping. So, he shot up and put the book on the shelf.
-
“Husband! Hanguang-jun! Hello dear~! Are you here to take me home?”
“Yes.”
“Well let us go!” He grabbed Wangji’s arm and paced out of the room.
It would not be till later that Wei Ying would remember that he forgot to take the journal back to the Jingshi. He was too tired from his time with his Lan-er-gege…
-
A guest cultivator had gone inside the Library Pavillion to take a look at the books stashed away. He was an avid reader, and a secret scout for a publishing company. He saw a nameless book stuffed between two sword-technique volumes. He opened it and saw kiddy poetry on browning paper. He furrowed his brow at the ridiculous work. But, his curiosity overtook and he read through the rest of stanzas. His money-making senses started ticking from these poems. There was no name or author on any page; nor had he ever read anything like this before. It must be an unpublished book! He ran out of the pavilion, stealing the material.
The poems were not explicit in the slightest, but were filled with romance. The author grew up with the work, and a story could be found within. The only thing that confused the publishing cultivator was that the very last poem was of a different style and handwriting. He decided to keep it, as an epilogue of the anthology. He also didn’t print the work exactly as is. He took out the worst poems, of course. To gather interest, he manipulated a plot behind the poems. It wasn’t too hard, for the mysterious author was rather neat in their chronology. The book was a collection of poems annotating a blossoming romance of a cultivator. He named it “The Sun, Peonies, and Poems.” A direct nod to the themes inside.
It was well advertised, and a wide variety of clientele caved in to buy it. Meager house-wives and uppity clan heads alike felt an urge to see what it was about. There were dozens of poems inside, but 6 in particular caused a cultural buzz.
#1 When The Sun Comes Out:
The sun shines on our mountain
And, the clouds reserve overhead.
You, the sol, rid the rain;
And brightened the land with red.
You burnt my skin pink, must
I glare back at your rays?
I rejoice for the moon’s lust,
But, you already made your stay.
Blinding my eyes with your teeth.
The sun’s heat, it only hurts!
I am not warm! I reach for my sheath.
And, despite the clouds, he flirts!
When The Sun Comes Out marked a clear shift in tone within the book. All the poems before it were kind-of… bland? They discussed average things like the environment and the political climate. But this one! This one was intense. The poet addressed it to a, “You, the sol”. Everyone thought, what a charming metaphor! To compare one’s crush to the almighty sun.
“A bittersweet crush! Oh young love~!” Some readers were discussing the contents inside an inn.
“I don’t find it bittersweet, it is dangerous! Whoever the author is speaking to must be radical. ‘Brightened the land with red’ ‘burnt’ ‘it only hurts!’ The love-interest sounds despicable!”
“Oh come on! You really think that? It just sounds like they are in denial of their affections. They compare themselves to the cloudy night - obviously denial! Now they can’t take their eyes off the shining sun!”
“Never mind that, do you think the poet is a cultivator? Why else would they reach for their ‘sheath’?”
“Oh I just think it’s a dirty innuendo!”
-
The second viral poem gained popularity due to its controversial connotations!
#2 Ravished Beauty:
I picked a tainted peony, and it did not wither!
It still stands strong, meager from my manlihood.
How cruel am I! I have gone against the grain.
Defying the natural world of yin and yang.
How it laughs at me, and how I question hither
Am I to go? I grabbed it from where it stood.
There was no struggle - Used to being reigned.
How the drums in my heart and ears rang!
“What is this poem even talking about??” A man asked his friends.
“Can’t you use your head a little? It’s obviously about how we can’t mess with what’s natural because it will backfire!”
“Husband.. I think you are wrong.” A pretty wife tugged on the angry man’s sleeve. “It seems a little darker than that.. As if the author is regretting taking advantage of a girl!”
“A girl? What nonsense!”
“No, I think I get what she’s saying!” The first man chimed in. “He abused his manhood! I mean it’s literally titled “Ravished Beauty”!
The husband replied, “Ok sure, but I still don’t get it! How is the flower weak but also strong?”
“The flower isn’t weak! It is just as bad as the speaker! The flower taunts the man with its promiscuity!”
The two men stared at the wife because her conclusion sounded rather morally questionable..
-
It can be said that this third poem is most definitely a “The Sun, Peonies, and Poems” fan favorite. It is one of the most passionate and heartbreaking of all the pieces.
#3 Sunshot:
My sun has been shot! My love, my warmth.
The sol thinks I hate his heart’s heat.
His son, the bright star, was left!
His sky, the vast blue of clouds, rejected.
As the moon, I adopt the sun’s son.
A star in my eyes, and all to come.
Oh, how the fire flamed the centre of all!
Life now is dark, and solemnly han.
He left the land burnt, as a final vow.
But, our nuptials were never sung!
The sunshot. - I saw the star by a tree,
Just how I first kissed the morning ray!
Oh, how I mourn the day, but stay alert,
For the night may ever bring glee.
Around a restaurant’s balcony table, sat a group of leading ladies for their bookclub.
“Do you think the author is a woman? The work is rather sentimental.. It says “his son”, maybe a love affair took place!”
“Madamn, what if! Whoever the lover is, he must have died tragically…”
“Lover hm? Seems to me that the poet’s affection was one-sided. The man caused havoc and died! Leaving the writer all alone!”
“Did you miss the line that states that he, “thinks I hate his heart’s heat.”? This poem is so passionate, but I don’t think the poet is mad at the supposed ‘sun’ at all!”
-
This fourth poem is extremely looked over, as it is rather brief.. But out there are some pretty devoted fans!
#4 Regret:
My love, I miss you.
Love, forever I regret.
I regret it all.
A young girl is fighting with her brother over the poems.
“Regret is the best of all!!”
“Jiejie please be serious!! How can you say that? It’s a stupid haiku to waste space!”
“I know it’s not as original as the others.. But it’s so raw! The author obviously was in their feels!!! It’s so relatable!
“..”
-
“Love Returned” is realized to be the author’s final poem, and because of that it is revered.
#5 Love Returned:
Years of pain went with the song you played that day.
A song I only sang to one man, in dismay.
How do you know it? You unfamiliar bewitched body.
I can not believe my ears, and my eyes betray me!
Just like the peony, you are the same gaudy,
Beauty! His soul, his mind, they are finally free!
My love! How I longed for you, alive and gay!
Basked in the sun, I am excited to play.
With me, forever you will stay - shining bright.
I will aid in all your endeavours, and please agree
For everything you say is and will be right!
Ying, it is you, and only you, that brings my ice glee.
In Caiyi Town, vendors chatter between each other.
“Ying, it is you, and only you~!”
“Huh… who is Ying?”
“Haven’t you read “The Sun, Peonies, and Poems”? It’s sooo good! The author’s lover is named Ying - I think - and she thought he was dead but he actually came back! And they get together for a happy ever after!!”
-
And, finally was Wei Ying’s addition. An epilogue-esque poem to the novel. Many readers just denounced it as a rushed reply to enhance the drama of the end.
+1 My Husband:
My husband calls me both a flower and the sun shining down!
Only in his eyes can I be both the world and more!
He takes me on the roof and on the ground!
When he initiates, my heart always rings, “For sure!”
But, I know our past was not so steady,
I must make it up to him, my oblivious self!
For him to know that I am always ready,
And that I put this poembook back to the shelf!
“What a silly and dirty ending!”
But, Wei Ying’s poem caused a dispute between fans, for it raised the question: What was the author’s gender?
“Shouldn’t the author be a female? All the poems are about a “he!”
“Ok, but isn’t the last poem written by the lover? It is clearly titled, “My Husband.”
“The poems are rather masculine! I mean hell, it mentions ‘my manlihood!’
“Well.. y’know it does mention ‘gay’, maybe it’s a cutsleeve poembook?”
-
Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji did not know of the poems being popularized - for Wangji did not know they were missing from the Jingshi, and Wuxian forgot he left them in the Library… But, it was when their son asked them to help him memorize a poem for Declamation that they realized something was off…
“Hanguang-Jun! Senior Wei! Can I practice my memorization with you?” asked their little star, Lan Sizhui.
“Yes! I wanna hear it!”
“Ok - here I go, ‘When the sun shines on the mountain and the clouds reserve overhead. You, the sol, rid the rain-” He was doing rather well, but stopped by the confusing faces his dads were making.
Lan Zhan’s brows furrowed, and Wei Ying had his mouth drooping.
“W-what is wrong?”
“Sizhui, where did you read that poem?” Asked Lan Zhan.
“Um.. in the book “The Sun, Peonies, and Poems”! It’s really popular right now.. Have you heard of it?”
“I haven’t, but could I borrow it?”
“Uh, yes!” Sizhui then hurried off to grab the artifact.
“Wei Ying, have you heard of this book?” He gave his love a stern look.
“Lan Zhan! I haven’t! I really haven’t! I don’t know why-” Suddenly it dawned on him that he had left the book in the Library. “I just.. kinda read your poetry journal.. And then forgot it in the Library Pavillion. But I’m not sure why it is titled and all!! Believe me!’
At this time, Sizhui came back with a fanciful novel with pictures on the hardback cover.
“Thank you, Sizhui.” The boy left, leaving the couple alone once again.
“I am going to contact the publisher.”
-
Lan Zhan poetically punished his husband for his trouble, but he wasn’t too mad. The book was anonymous, and no one had made a connection that he may be the writer. He was embarrassed, but to share his love for Wei Wuxian was romantic. He eventually got his original copy back from the weasel cultivator. Then, he saw Wei Wuxian’s addition. That night, his husband was handled softer.