For the ask game: Sangcheng or Mingcheng!
Link to the ask game
Both are good! Both i ship! So I'll do both lol
Sangcheng
What made you ship it? The Cloud Recesses arc. They are a great candidate for friends to lovers, especially since (in CQL at least) they're constantly hanging out and getting into shenanigans. Pre-NMJ's death, they are also a somewhat viable marriage possibility (ignoring homophobia, etc) since Huaisang is a second son and could feasibly marry out if Mingjue got another heir, and getting a stronger alliance to the Nie would be good for the Jiang.
What are your favorite things about the ship? Huaisang is a playful balance to Wanyin's seriousness. Huaisang is also incredibly intelligent and politically savvy, but could whine and bully Wanyin into doing things for him. People would see Wanyin saddled with a useless spouse and not see the crocodile among the lotus leaves until they were dragged under. Just as the two of them would prefer 😊 I like that Jiang Cheng could relax around Nie Huaisang, and that they share some interests and memories.
Is there an unpopular opinion you have on your ship? I don't know what's popular or unpopular lol. I think there's a chance they could work post-canon, but it would take a lot of work. Mostly on Huaisang's part as he was the oriole hunting and thus did the most breaking of trust.
Mingcheng
What made you ship it? A gif from CQL of Nie Mingjue saying he was proud of Jiang Wanyin and Wei Wuxian, and how Wanyin was so happy about that lol. I definitely had the thought of "oh this man's daddy issues and praise kink could get blown way the hell up by an authority figure he respected."
What are your favorite things about the ship? Mingjue is very straightforward in his opinions and the expressing of them. I think that would make Wanyin able to relax in the relationship more easily, since he wouldn't have to try to pry meaning from obfuscated phrases. Also, again, praise kink and genuine praise and appreciation. I think Wanyin would also be able to flex some of Mingjue's black-and-white thinking. They're also very hot together, a big point in their favor lol
Is there an unpopular opinion you have on your ship? Again, no idea what is popular lol. Though I think Jiang Cheng could easily top or dom if they wanted that, it's not always the bigger man that tops. I would love to see more explorations of them being kinky with Zidian, since Mingjue is one of the few characters without overt whip trauma lol
Truly, the answer to #1 is always the fics. I can be convinced of any ship in the right context, as long as the worldbuilding and relationship are well supported. Even if I only ship them in that context, I can see it. I have always been a multishipper and I always will be.
