Note: This wasn't really requested, but I've already summarized the Replanted AU, Abandoned Yue AU, and the Fae AU, so why not this one? This particular AU has a place in my heart - mostly because it's silly. Also because there was a plot twist in there that I never managed to address so I'm writing it out now.
Summary: When Wukong wakes up in a trashy imperial harem novel he'd been reading, he's horrified. Why? Because he's in the body of a character who shares his name - a tyrant king who causes a lot of pain and suffering to everyone including the female lead. Wukong decides that, since he's here for the time being, he was going to fix the other him's mistakes and leave the world better than he found it by the time he finds a way back home.
(Sounds easy enough as a concept, but Wukong can't act for his life and he has serious imposter syndrome. Oh well, time to spam the amnesia button and fake it 'til he makes it.)
Everyone Else's POV:
The Monkey King was a tyrant who either spilt blood or added to his large harem. He selfishly ignored the matters of the crown and contributed to the suffering of his people.
Queen RinRin is left to manage the throne's affairs on her own, frustrated by her husband's selfishness and destructive tendencies.
Consort Macaque is tormented by the endless string of lovers his husband takes. He grows resentful after so many heartbreaks and lets it out on the harem. Violently.
Concubine Shanzha heard the rumors about the king. She tries to keep her head low but she's somehow gained his attention. And she's scared of all the trouble that is going to come with it.
Unexpectedly, the Monkey King suffered a head wound and was bedridden for days. Perhaps it was an assassination attempt? No one knows.
It didn't matter because the Monkey King woke up without his memories. It caused a bit of chaos all around. Everyone expected even more trouble.
To everyone surprise, he didn't.
The king started to participate in state affiars. He was clumsy and inexpierienced, but he was still trying his best. RinRin finds herself charmed by this new version of her husband.
While he doesn't remember Macaque, the king has become far more considerate and had dissolved the harem. The consort's resentment and bitterness was all but forgotten.
While the majority of the harem disbanded, Shanzha had to stay because of her political hostage position. But...it wasn't that bad? The king was respectful and gave her a lot of agency. She could pray and shoot at the archery range when she pleased.
Everyone doesn't say it out loud, but they liked this new king better. They hoped he never got his memories back.
Wukong's POV:
He's freaking out y'all.
I mean, it's pretty obvious, but it still needed to be said. He was freaking out.
Wukong didn't finish reading the novel before he was yeeted into it. He got so frustrated that he tossed it away. He regrets it so much now.
Wukong is the sheer definition of faking it til you make it. He spammed the HELL out of his amnesia while he tried to get into the groove of his role as Emperor.
Wukong's initial goal was to survive and not have any one find out he was an imposter. Then, after seeing just how much the OG!Wukong fucked everything up, he took it upon himself to unfuck as much as he can.
Good news: Wukong is making more progress than he expected. He's taking some of the load off of RinRin's shoulders by participating in meetings; he's taking away the major stressor in Macaque's life by dissolving the harem; and he's trying to make Shanzha's time in the kingdom as bearable as possible.
Bad news: All three of them somehow took his actions as an invitation to start trying to seduce him. Don't get him wrong. They're all gorgeous and amazing - Wukong isn't blind - but he's not really their husband. He's just some loser who hijacked their real husband's body. So he puts on the "I don't know I'm dumb" vizor on and hopes to high hell that no one sees through it.
They eventually do, so Wukong elects to scream and run.
When Shanzha opened up to Wukong and told him about her life and of her niece, he cried. He was always a sucker for tragic backstories. Why didn't the novel talk about this?
Not long after, he requested demanded Shanzha's homeland to send over her niece. Shanzha was overwhelmed when he gave her the exciting news.
Since Wukong taking a ward was huge, the entire court were there to recieve Yue. It was actually the first time RinRin and Shanzha crossed paths. It was butterflies at first "hi" for the queen who was regretting not being more involved with the harem.
Shanzha and Yue's reunion was so tearjerking that Wukong had to take a minute. Then, it was revealed that Yue was actually Macaque's family too. The six ears kinda made it obvious. Plot twist after plot twist, why didn't the author of the trash novel focus on THIS?!
Wukong never saw a baby monkey before so he's practically exploding because of Yue's cuteness. He was super duper doting.
Wukong also saw a way out of the entire "making an heir" business, so he names Yue his heir and hopes that this stops his spouses from trying to jump him.
It doesn't. Wukong's "Baba" energy just made him even more irresistable. Sorry Wukong.
The three have also joined forces. Oh no.
The Plot Twist:
One day, little Yue blinks up at Wukong and asks him if he can pretty please take her to see the nearby waterfall together. When he does, Yue takes advantage of the waterfall being a natural white noise machine to talk to him.
Yue: "You're a transmigrator too, aren't you?"
Wukong: 😮"Whaaaaaaa-?!"
Yup, Yue's a transmigrator. She also read the trashy novel - all of it. So she has all the deets, which Wukong begs off of her by helping her reach high places and giving her treats.
Everyone: Aww, he's so good with her
Wukong: Oh wise senior, please share your wisdom
Yue: Tell the cooks to make the Dan Dan Noodles extra spicy hot and I'll think about it
Yue also helps her fellow homie out by being a deterrent for romantic advances. Can't talk or do anything beyond PG around the baby.
Wukong tells Yue about his plan to run away after setting everything and leaving the kingdom to her and she bluntly tells him that it was a dumb plan.
Yue: "At least wait until I'm not a baby to abdicate."
Yue also (gently) breaks it to Wukong that he's stuck here. The him in his original reality is most likely dead.
So, after a bit of spiraling, Wukong approaches his spouses and tells them the truth.
It was a bit shocking and they (Macaque and RinRin) needed some time to come to terms with the revelation, but this doesn't deter the three of them in the slightest. They're all in love with this Wukong and want to spend the rest of their lives with him.
(By the time Yue comes of age, Wukong does accept their advances enough to give her cute little brothers lol.)
Out of curiosity in the imperial harem au, how did Macaque and Rinrin stop their cold war towards each other?
Funny story, actually.
Pre-Transmigration, Macaque would often go into jealous rages whenever he heard Wukong getting...busy with his lover of the month. But he was used to it. He'd just cry and find a way to kill them off later to feel better.
Post-Transmigration? Macaque quickly got used to this new Wukong who was more considerate and sweet. A Wukong who dissolved the harem and refused to touch his queen or his consort. So, when he heard the sounds of Shanzha making out with someone she was calling "your majesty," Macaque was enraged. He felt betrayed. He stormed over and kicked down the doors and...found Shanzha tangled up with the other royal.
It was a complete icebreaker and it gave Macaque the chance to see RinRin without her courtly perfect mask. It was also super awkward so, after a little bit of staring, he excused himself and closed the door.
RinRin invited him for tea. He had to go to at least apologize for breaking in. They have a heart-to-heart. It wasn't perfect, but was the first step of what would eventually become a wonderful alliance and partnership.
So in imperial harem Au, was it when Wukong was taking care of Yue that the three decided to team up? Ironically some species male monkeys taking care of babies is a means of flirting.
Yes, definitely. Wukong was already extremely attractive to all of them at this point with his earnest bumbling, but when he showed how fatherly he could be to little Yue? Wow, he needs to be in their beds, like, yesterday. Except, it's almost like he's using Yue as a shield against their advances and it's driving them crazy.
So, logically, since their individual overtures aren't working, they should just team up (and maybe hook up too since they're being driven insane at this point).
What are some of their attempts to convince Wukong? What Modern dating methods do they try (and occasionally butcher)? Old ones that don't quite translate (or Wukong pulls Amnesia)?
I sense shenanigans.
(And also have been struck by the image of Wukong opening a door to find one of the trio laying in bed with a "F*ck me" sign above them.)
(I was then subsequently struck by the image of Wukong responding, "Uhhhhh, I can't read? *closes door*"
When RinRin, Macaque, and Shanzha started their attempts in luring their husband to bed, they were completely blatant…in traditional standards.
Romantic gestures in that era were subtle. A simple exchanging of gifts would be a proclamation of eternal love. And there are so many secret languages: the language of flowers, the language of fans, etc.
(Warning: Slightly suggestive)
RinRin preferred slipping in sly, subtle innuendos in conversations and teasing Wukong like she used to do when they were young. She also likes using food as a tool to be touchy and suggestive. (Those poor bananas.)
Macaque would drag Wukong out to walks in the garden and anywhere else pretty. He would cling onto his arm during walks while wearing all the pretty hairpins and jade pendants that OG!Wukong had gifted him throughout the years of their marriage.
Unlike the other two, Shanzha doesn’t have any history with Wukong and is in an unstable position, so she’d be less blatant. She’d show off her skills in archery and would spar with him to encourage contact. She’d also wear clothing that would turn slightly sheer with enough sweat during these sessions.
When all of this didn’t work, the three of them would outright ask Wukong to come visit their rooms.
All of this, of course, flew over Wukong’s modern head. The first time he accepted, he thought it was a sleepover. Shanzha and RinRin were too shocked to correct him when he visited them for the night (he tried to recreate scrabble lol) but Macaque doubled down and scared Wukong off when he made it clear what he invited him into his room for.
It was a little heartbreaking for Macaque but that sting was quickly eased when Wukong came to him with flowers the next morning and babbled about his amnesia. He played dumb and would continue to play dumb.
Unfortunately, upon every “failure,” the three became more and more bold. (Thus, the hilarious scenario you painted in your ask. They had to spell it out for him at that point.)
When it was revealed that Wukong came from another world and time, everything clicked. They shifted gears. Instead of approaching all of this like spouses, they would then approach this as suitors. This would be a courtship.
After wiggling as much info about modern day courtship out of Yue, they took a try at this “dating” thing. It was…fun. There was a bit of flower giving and hand holding. They would watch plays together with snacks (a try at a movie date). They would try to make homemade food with varying results (RinRin and Macaque burnt their offerings). They snuck out of the palace in disguises once to have a casual date without the pressures of court.
(Though they did bungle up the “Netflix and Chill” idea and flustered the hell out of Wukong lmao. Yue only added that one as a joke.)
Wukong would see all this effort and be so, so flustered and yet so, so happy. He’s a bit of a romantic so he’s a bit of a sap about these things. Even if the results aren’t perfect, he appreciates the effort and he tries to reciprocate traditionally (though the three are beyond subtleties at this point and prefer the modern straightforwardness.)
I have to try very hard to remember that the parent squad aren’t quite on that poly route yet in QOTM lmao
they just give off the vibes, especially after Yue’s older and the twins are there- after a few centuries of co-parenting, they’re basically already at that point
I'm telling you right now that celestial primate poly would be very family and parent-focused instead of a poly romance in QOTM, mostly because that's the most important dynamic I want to focus on.
It's the same reason why I didn't make Yue x Traffic Light Trio a thing. I don't have the time or word count to do a complicated relationship dynamic the justice it deserves. Especially not with what I have in store for QOTM.
I mean, I'll slip in some teasers, but they won't be official - at least, not in Yue's POV. Who knows what they're doing when she's looking away.
In the ask where the king, queen and warrior live happily ever after how would Yue and Shanzha fit into it/ meet and get snatched away from the evil clan?
I get that eventually they gotta get grabbed but I can't imagine Shanzha willing ditching the temple and her beliefs to go on a journey and meeting them unless it was something like Tang Sangzangs holy journey with the scrolls.
Maybe she put Yue in her bag so she can ensure her niece stays safe and alive while she's on her journey? Then boom she gets turned around in a storm and stumbled upon ffm where she immediately gets a wife! (RinRin claiming her as a constort lmao) and Yue gets doted on like crazy.
Both are obviously freaked out and wary, Shanzha being super protective of her niece which maybe leads to most assuming she's Yue's mother and it isn't until she finds herself opening up and beginning to trust the super amazingly pretty RinRin that things start making sense.
Shanzha: And that about sums up what led me to leave, too bad I have to finish delivering these scriptures or I'd probably stay.*Laughs bitterly*
RinRin mildly horrified and really wanting to keep this poor woman and her niece: but what if you stayed and just- didn't?
Macaque appearing looking incredibly excited: The baby made a friend! C'mon!
He leads them both to some bushes so they can watch where Liu is babysitting the baby monkeys without being caught. Yue is playing along, slightly confused but clearly having the time of her life.
Wukong appears on the other side of RinRin: Please can we keep them 🥺
Also without RinRin with them would there ever be a cure for love potions?
Sorry for the weird questions and rambling I'm excited :>
Offering cuddly monkeys as apology
Don’t apologize! The questions aren’t weird at all! (Though the cuddly monkeys are very nice so thank you!)
In this AU, Shanzha and Yue do cross paths with FFM but not because of some holy journey or some arranged marriage (though the latter makes a fun AU of AU).
Circumstances leave Shanzha without a temple to stay for and a niece to prioritize. So they flee from the LoES and are chased the entire way. It’s very much involved with a spoiler revealed in the next chapter of the fic.
In a desperate act, Shanzha goes for FFM - a territory with a king no one would easily mess with. Her plan was to at least get Yue to a place of sanctuary since she heard the monkey yaoguai troops from warmer climates were kinder to children. Her own fate didn’t matter.
She gets her sanctuary for Yue. She gets herself sanctuary too. While FFM are wary of the newcomers, they are also very sympathetic about the young mother and her cub.
And then, when they take in Yue’s appearance, they kinda side-eye Macaque. Doesn’t help that Shanzha appears stunned by his appearance.
FFM: Um, Macaque?
Macaque: You all know as much as I do that I didn’t leave this island recently. Besides, I have a king AND queen AND kingdom to tend to. I don’t have time for a secret lover! Don’t you know how exhausted I am???
Meanwhile, RinRin pats him on the back for bringing back such a beauty (Macaque: I said I didn’t!) and aims doe-eyes at the newcomer. FFM starts to place bets on how long this courtship would take.
Yue is understandably shy but she makes friends (super popular because of her unique fur) and settles into FFM life. Super confused why the king, queen, and consort seem to be interested in her growth and health though. Maybe they’re just super thoughtful rulers?
so for the abo au, Macaque’s Yue’s bio father, right? Or is he still her uncle?
He technically is both father and uncle is the main fic, but it’s interesting to see how different the dynamic will be as him as her father from the very start
Iwould also *love* to hear more details, if you’re okay sharing! Are they still from Yue’s original clan? How’d the two of them end up meeting and being together in this au? Please, spoil me with all the details, I’m captivated!
I also love that the fic originated from this au! It adds that extra bit of fondness for me, knowing that such a beloved fic came from this idea ❤️
I'm bouncing off the walls knowing that people want to hear more about this AU! Of course, I'd love to share more!
Warning(s): mentions of miscarriage (not involving our characters, just the concept for worldbuilding purposes)
In the A/B/O AU, Macaque is Yue's bio dad. Yue was a surprise for him and Shanzha since children born from A/A and O/O couples are rare - and especially for the O/O couples, the risk of miscarrying is high. This is usually why same second gender couples are not as common. They exist, but they're not accepted by society (typical society). Male Omegas and Female Alphas are also not common, so they are also "othered" - either being extremely desired or aggresively rejected by their clan/troop/family.
There are also a lot of harmful stereotypes connected secondary genders and pressures to have lots of children as A/B/O AUs tend to do.
In this AU, there are a lot of changes to the world:
The Demon King of Confusion does not die from his fight with Wukong
Wukong finds RinRin in Diyu and manages to bring her back to life with the help of a Red-Buttocked Baboon
With RinRin at his side to temper him, Wukong doesn't cause as much trouble or drama with Heaven, focusing more on maintaining his kingdom
Is currently being pursued by the Brotherhood to join their cause
The Demon King of Confusion returns to the LoES to lick his wounds and decides to rebuild his army. He strikes at the Zodiac Monkey Can and manages to overtake it and nearly wipe them out
Shanzha had been in the clan temple and training under Long-Arms so she was left unscathed from the incident but decided to leave and avenge her clan (they might've been jerks but they didn't deserve to go out the way they did - especially the children)
The Spirit Macaque Clan never fell and Macaque grew up loved though maybe a little coddled as an omega
The Demon King of Confusion attacked the Spirit Macaque Clan and tried to take Macaque as a new concubine (like he had with RinRin); Shanzha had caught up by then and cut through most of his forces and head shotted the Demon King of Confusion with her arrows before he could do irreversible harm
Macaque is admiring and smitten with Shanzha for her heroics and even more so when he discovers that she's an omega like him
At some point, Macaque's older sister ascends as Macaque Spirit Queen and Macaque and Shanzha get married; they decide to travel the world together and not let their designations limit them from finding adventure
About Each Character and their Designations:
Wukong (Male/Alpha): He's the traditional alpha archetype at first glance, but he loves pink, cute animals, and child-rearing (a omegan trait). He hates how RinRin feels that she should hide her designation and repress herself, but he supports her all the same. He often concedes to RinRin in affairs within the kingdom. He's often pressured to live up to the perceptions around him.
RinRin (Female/Alpha): She's extremely closeted about her designation and attempts to pass as an omega or, at least, a beta because of her father's toxic beliefs. Her extremely sweet, feminine, and people-pleasing mask is also influenced by this. She's actually the more "alpha" between herself and her husband.
Macaque: (Male/Omega): He hides his designation out of necessity during his travels but he's comfortable about his second gender. His personality doesn't fit the Omega archetype so he's been criticized a lot for it by others. He's nervous about being a father since he's been told that he "wasn't the nurturing type."
Shanzha: (Female/Omega): She knows enough about herbs to "pass" as an alpha or a beta. While she initially acts harsh and aggressive (alpha traits) - a result of her life in LoES - she's actually very soft-hearted and kind, which her mate and a few others she trusts are privy to seeing. She had to repress her omegan instincts and put up an alpha front to survive. Currently carrying a pup.
Facts about Bun!Yue:
By the time Macaque and Shanzha head to FFM for sanctuary and medical help, Shanzha is three months pregnant with Yue and facing some difficulties
Yue's a kicker
Wukong and RinRin offer some of their magic to reinforce Yue's growth and increase her chances of survival
Macaque already has her heartbeat memorized
Gives Shanzha cravings for spicy food and lychee berries
I love how you switch between consort and concubine to show peoples opinions on the matter of Macaque and Shanzha being Wukong’s (and Rinrin’s) new partners.
Seeing as a consort is as much a spouse as the Queen, with the first consort in particular taking the place of the Queen should anything happen to them, from something as temporary as illness to something as permanent as death.
A concubine on the other hand is merely the King’s side piece, with no real value to them other then entertainment in and out of the bedroom and bearing children (only if the King wants them to).
A bonus to this is that it gives Wukong and Rinrin an instant answer to if they can trust a person or not.
With the only exception being Azure, as much like Icarus he’s trying to fly towards the Sun 😒😩😤
The difference between “consort” and “concubine” is like heaven and earth. It’s clear that Shanzha was initially an unwanted gift from the get-go. Thankfully, she seems just as reluctant about the matter and keeps to herself. Or not thankfully in RinRin’s case since she wants to get to know Shanzha.
When Yue is returned and Shanzha works through her issues and eventually reciprocates the other thee’s advances, she’s promoted to RinRin’s consort. Still keeps the concubine title when it comes to Wukong though to show that Macaque is technically above her succession and power wise. (Not that she minds. She’s more concerned about raising Yue and living her peaceful life.)
Azure is bitter and stays bitter from the outside looking in.
