#fallinlangya

[fallinlangya]

Fall in Langya Ask Meme

3rd day - A favourite location of yours, either from the novel or the drama? How about a favourite location for a character? (Or a few so that we get other replies but Langya hall.)

[indoorcloudrecesses]

Hello, it's fall in langya again, with my fourth ask: If you could give Jingyan one thing, what would it be?

My poor sweet water buffalo needs a vacation. Truly if I could give him anything in the whole world, it would be his Xiao Shu back, but on the other hand, Jingyan is so beautiful when he suffers. Actually, you know what he needs? A dog. (Not a wolf, LIN SHU) A big, friendly, fluffy dog that he can just bury his face in when it all gets to be Too Much. Yes. Give Jingyan a dog.

[circumference-pie]

Hello again! (Asking a second question at once to make up for the delay, sorry.) Do you have a favorite character? Or anyone you're partial to, since all the characters are so lovely. What are some things you love about them?

Xiao Jinghuan, Prince Yu!!!

He’s such a well-written and well-acted character!! I just love his inherent contradictions. He’s cunning but so easily manipulated. He’s persistent but impatient. He seems to judge everyone by how useful they can be to him, but his nerdboy obsession with Sir Su transcends something there. (Part of me wonders if Lin Shu was familiar with this tendency of Jinghuan’s, and crafted his persona and reputation accordingly.) He’s ridiculously capable but never seems to use his powers for good.

My favorite, favorite scene of his, though, is when he accepts the Crown Prince’s illicit crackers during Tainainai’s mourning period. That look he gives his brother. Then an acknowledgement of his own hunger. It’s very human of him, and it makes me laugh.

While I'm here, though: Mu Qing is also the best! So enthusiastic! So loose with propriety! So protective of Nihuang, who absolutely does not need it. Also #1 shipper bro 😭.

[flyingkoalaandsloths]

I see you have started to read the novel, what do you think of it? (Fall in Langya)

I skimmed past Xie Yu's banishment and started to read normally from there. I have only 3 chapters left which I am refusing to read. Because I know I will cry and I am not ready for that.

I liked it a lot. Some random thoughts:

First of all, I only read/attempted to read three fan-translated Chinese web novels and the translations for this one were far better than the other two. So kudos to the translators and kudos to the editor ❤.

I enjoyed the little differences between books and the show. Most of the time I found both versions good.

I was expecting to see more Mu Nihuang in the books but the existence of Nie Duo was refreshing. I like that Mu Nihuang was not stuck on a childhood arranged marriage. And her friendship with MCS was still very important, it was less heartbreaking than the show version. I give my blessings to Nihuang/Duo couple :D

The drama around Jingyan finding out was not lesser than the show version as I previously believed. Horse riding to the Su Manor and breakdown in the middle of the street? *chef's kiss*. But I think the poison non-drinking was a better choice since it also paralleled Jingyu's execution (fathers and sons and all) and showed how much Jingyan matured (and we got the breakdown on his mama's knees scene so no loss there heh).

Foya was a delight! But I didn't quite get the choice of Jingyan not witnessing the adorable bond between his wolf and his presumed dead-best friend. It was like a Chekhov's gun not firing. Also, introduction of Foya was very late. Thus, I approve the show's choice of cutting it (although their reason apparently is different).

The small changes in the show might have caused the "Show!Jingyan is not smart" misconception but I think the characterization of the book!Jingyan and the show!Jingyan was very similar. (ignoring the physical descriptions such as being a tank who can carry MCS like a princess in the books)

e.g. During their fight in the show: if there was no Consort Jing problem or if MCS had told him that they had already attempted rescue or if MCS allowed himself to be as sick as he actually was in front of Jingyan, he would not "cut the bell". Or in reverse, if there was a Consort Jing problem etc etc, book!Jingyan would be as furious as the show!Jingyan.

On the other hand, MCS is a little different in both versions. He seemed more fragile in the books. Or maybe that's the effect of being carried by Jingyan to his bed and taken care of 😍 (yeah I loved that scene).

While I think MCS's introduction in the show was awesome, him playing a string instrument (in the books) instead of a wind instrument (in the show) fits better because of his illness.

I approve of the increased screen time the show gave to Consort Jing. And they made her more subtle (e.g. she is not the one who proposes preparing a memorial for Consort Chen in the show). Well done.

On the other hand, I enjoyed a lot reading Cai Quan and Shen Zhui's book-only scenes.

Fei Liu with blades is scary..

Finally Xiao Jinghuan... I understand why the show made him Hua and I don't think it was a bad idea but it came with all bags of plotholes. The book version where this does not exist is neater.

[lightpollution]

Hello! Hope you are well. Can I ask, how did you end up getting involved with Nirvana in Fire? Have you watched the whole show or read the book?

-Mao Yin Court Maiden

I'm doing great, it's so nice to meet you! I've only read the book fully, and I loved it to pieces so I've read it multiple times. I get distracted watching shows (even shows as pretty as NiF!) so I started but never finished. I've watched certain select scenes too, based on what was recommended to me. As for how I got into NiF... honestly I can't remember! I know I came by way of MXTX to C-novels, around late 2018, then I think it was Golden Stage and a few others... and probably some blessed person suggested the the Langya List? I tried snooping on my internet history, but couldn't glean much. I do know that I read it for the first time through novelupdates.... oh! I remember that when I caught up to the TLs, the last chapter hadn't been put up yet? But I needed it so badly that I had to do a terrible google translate on it and try to figure out what happened there. XD Thank you so much for meeting me this way, I'd love to know how you ended up in the NiF fandom, too!

[fallinlangya]

Fall in Langya

Our fandom is steadily growing. We want to help us get to know each other better and create different ways to participate. Inspired by similar events in other fandoms, we present to you our Fall in Langya event.

This event will be run on Tumblr and Dreamwidth simultaneously.

How to participate?

Reblog this post to spread the word.

Send us an ask on tumblr or answer this post on Dreamwidth to confirm your participation in the event. We need the name of your account (blog, side-blog or Dreamwidth journal), and eventually if you have DNW (only shared with the person paired with you). Mods will contact you to tell you your participation is registered.

To participate on Tumblr, you must allow anonymous asks. To participate on Dreamwidth, you  must set up a post designated for the event where your partner can leave their anonymous comments. Your blog/journal must be visible even without an account.

We may pair you with someone from the other platform, unless you specifically request we do not do so in your registration.

The event will take place from September 15th to October 15th, make sure you have the time to participate.

Rules

Send at least three anonymous asks/comments in a week to your partner. You are free to talk about anything in your ask as long as it abides by our rules, though we do encourage you to talk about Nirvana in Fire.

Sign off all your asks with a signature of your choice that makes it clear you’re participating in Fall in Langya.

It is forbidden to send anyone any NSFW asks, or to violate their stated DNWs. If this happens, please tell the mods.

Be kind to one another. This event is here to bring people together and celebrate friendships.

Reveal your true identity on the Langya Reveal Day of October 15th!

(Optional) Tag your answered asks with #fallinlangya so we can see all your lovely interactions with each other! We’ll be tracking that tag.

You can of course send anonymous asks to people other than your intended partner, but we ask that you sign them (if you sign) as something making it clear you are not their partner

Schedule

September 10th: Last day of signing up for the event.

September 14th: Usernames of partners will be sent out through direct messaging, please have your DMs open.

September 15th: Start of the event, first asks to be sent to partners.

October 15th: End of the event, reveal to be sent to partners.

[fallinlangya]

Yu Xuanji - An Early Fall transl. He Fengcong

Gentle chrysanthemums are cherishing new colours. Mountains are distant in an idle evening's mist. Comes a cool breeze to startle the green trees And a clear tune comes to my lute's strings. A thoughtful woman embroiders at a table. Soldier-husband marches beyond the Wall. Geese are flying and the river teems with fish And a letter, she hopes, has been passed on.

[indoorcloudrecesses]

Hi, it's your #fallinlangya partner with my first question! A little late, but hey. Who is your favorite character, and why? (Bonus: who is the character you love to hate, and why?)

I am a simple man, and I love a simple water buffalo. Actually no, I'm going to cheat and give you my top three. Xiao Jingyan and Mei Changsu are tied for first. Jingyan and his dignified misery. When the story opens, he's burning himself out. Another man might've drowned himself in drink; Jingyan is drowning in his duty. He's getting posted far away, doing dangerous things, knowing it'll get him killed sooner or later and not caring. And then we get to see him unfold, we get to see him realize that being a forgotten son and dying in some border skirmish isn't what he was meant for. It doesn't make him happy -- this new duty is a hard, cold thing. But it's the right thing for once. Something he can do with pride.

And Mei Changsu. Oh. Let me tell you. The idea of returning home to people who don't recognize your face -- being wept over when they find out who you are and what you've done -- well. As a trans man, I can only gibber and gesture wildly at the screen to convey how much this narrative resonates with me. Besides, I love a smart character who wins not just by being smart, but by being kind -- for all that our Changsu thinks he's a heartless bastard, his little family will die for him because he has protected them, lifted them up, and taken care of them.

And finally, our dark horse, the reason I'm doing a top three so I can include him: Yan Yujin. My sweet, devious, perceptive, kindhearted, lonely boy. Who runs wild with his friends because his father doesn't care where he goes, and who carries the hurt of those first words -- his father doesn't care -- deep in his heart. Who loses his best friend but not his heart. Who has a chance to avoid the mistakes of the previous generation. Who knows way, way more than he's letting on.