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trace_by_echoI'm backdating this to be just before the Recommendations post, as I like the idea of my first 50(!) large fandoms sticking together.
This is a Chinese donghua, a soon-to-be-released-in-English novel, and a blockbuster live action TV show, so you know MDZS has serious fandom behind it. Some of the plot twists differ among the adaptations (ex. the Yin Iron is strictly from The Untamed), but the core story is the same: a mixture of epic tragedy, coming of age during a war, fantasy horror, martial arts that lean heavily on use of magical talismans and musical instruments, homoeroticism, found families, betrayal, murder mystery, a romance that lasts beyond death... honestly, it would be difficult to pin MDZS into just one genre.
I have a few favorite characters (why hello, Nie Huaisang, I do see your machinations that lay undetected for years and raise a glass to you), but MDZS is appealing as an ensemble work, so I tend to look for a variety of Gen fic and pairings. Unless marked otherwise, expect canon Wei Wuxian/Lan Wangji to exist in the background. Fics will be marked Gen unless/until the pairing(s) become part of the plot. Note: when he's being a good/reformed character, I call him Meng Yao below; when he's evil, he's Jin Guangyao.
EDIT: Updated 9/24 to add a few fics and tidy up those which are completed.
GEN FIC:
~A Long Road, by Vathara. Crossover with Mercedes Lackey's Valdemar books. Cultivators go to Valdemar for diplomatic reasons and wind up with Lan Wangji getting a Companion. Naturally Nie Huaisang and Wei Wuxian - working opposite ends of the problem - are there to help.
~A Sick Thought, by nirejseki. Divergence: Mo Xuanyu decides to experiment first before sacrificing himself. WIP.
~Aftermath, by KouriArashi. Divergence: Jin Guangshan gets handsy with his future daughter-in-law, and she does as women of the Yu do.
~All Hail the King, by 1PB2PB3PB4. Nie Huaisang is out here ready to show why the Chief Cultivator position needs to be ditched.
~Alliance of the Traveling Pants, by JustaWanderingBabbit. AU: What if Madame Jin actually tracked down her husband's children, and made use of the ones with brains? WIP.
~Along the Way to Home, by Meyari. Wen Ruohan activates a time-travel array when he is killed in the Sunset Campaign, and doesn't account for the fact that his younger healthier body is not insane. This works out better for everyone.
~The Art of War, by Tavina. AU, role reversal with Nie Huaisang as the older brother. WIP.
~Be Happy, by nirejseki. AU, the Wen are dispersed among the four remaining great sects. Wen Ning rather likes the Nie way of life.
~By Name, by nirejseki. After the end, Wen Ning goes to chat with Nie Huaisang on the steps of Guanyin Temple.
~Crybabies, by nirejseki. Divergence: Mo Xuanyu irritates Xue Yang so much, the latter gives the former some pet corpses - who turn out to be Wen Ning and Nie Mingjue.
~Everyone lives because I said so series, by Mayarene Rose. For some reason, Nie Huaisang having a troll-friendship with Sect Leader Yao forestalls a lot of canon problems. Canon pairings in background, with 3zun thrown in.
~Fire and Light, by nirejseki. AU: Wen Ruohan kills Lao Nie early, and his sons are taken to the Nightless City. Wherein Nie Mingjue becomes everyone's Dage.
~Five Dogs, One Cat, by ryfkah. Post-canon, people keep gifting Jiang Cheng dogs.
~The Fragile, Scarlet Tree, by JaimeBlue. AU: Nie Huaisang is the product of an affair, making him a Jiang - this is revealed after the war but before anything else happens. WIP.
~The Game of Past and Future, by A Certain Writer. A post-canon Nie Huaisang goes back in time to fix as much as he can. He ends up mentoring himself.
~The Good, The Bad, and The Dirty, by JaimeBlue. One day, 3zun and Nie Huiasang all randomly switch places. This thoroughly derails canon.
~Joy in the Midst of These Things series, by Glitterbombshell. Future fic... It's clear enough that Wei Wuxian needs to be busy to be happy. What can he do in the Cloud Recesses? The series is WIP, but the first four fic are done.
~Labyrinth, by nirejseki. Crossover with the titular movie, and a well-done melding at that. Nie Huaisang has to rescue his brother from the Goblin King Jin Guangyao.
~Mo Xuanyu's Bewildering Re-Start, by MarbleGlove. What if the sacrificial ritual works a bit differently? After canon and after Wei Wuxian's happy old age, both he and Mo Xuanyu wake up in the past, spiritually tethered.
~Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained, by nirejseki. Since Xue Yang is reluctant to kill children, he leaves Jin Rusong alive for Nie Huaisang to find.
~The One-Body Problem, by metisket. AU: Demonic cultivators try to sacrifice Lan Jingyi, but he ends up sharing his body with Wei Wuxian.
~The Path, by SeaStar98. A typical "watching the show" story... naturally brought about by Nie Huaisang conveniently finding an artifact and bringing it to a cultivation conference. WIP.
~Plus One, by nirejseki. Divergence: Turns out "sneaky" runs on the Nie side of the family. Bringing Wei Wuxian to Jiang Yanli's wedding as Nie Huaisang's fiance-for-a-day solves a lot of problems. WIP, but works as is.
~Pocketful of Soul, by Jenrose. Mo Xuanyu sends himself back in time to fix things. This requires multiple attempts.
~Refrain; a musical phrase repeating in a song or instrumental piece series, by Cerusee & Mikkeneko. Accidental time travel via Wei Wuxian's inventions means he's the only one who didn't come back. Cue sad trombone for Lan Wangji.
~Rest is Revolution series, by MarbleGlove. What starts with Wei Wuxian rules-lawyering the meaning of Elder leads to a lot of sect leader retirements.
~The Return of Cangse Sanren, by milesofheart. Turns out Cangse Sanren and Wei Changse were not dead, but in suspended animation in a cursed cave. They break out and look for their young son, about twenty years later. WIP.
~Revenge Served Warm, by Huanglaoshu. Nie Huaisang is convinced to make his plot less convoluted.
~Rotten Work, by Shanastoryteller. Future fic. Jin Ling is dodging assassins and trying to get his sect reorganized, and decides to enlist his erstwhile uncle Wei.
~Sacrifice Gambit, by Nirejseki. Lan Qiren has regular weiqi sessions with Nie Huaisang.
~The Same River Twice, by Nirejseki. Time travel - both Nie brothers do it, but they don't realize the other has also returned. WIP.
~Something Like, by silversshadow. Divergence, Wen Qing realizes where her brother is being taken.
~The storm comes and goes (and I keep walking), by Naamah_Berehit. Divergence: Wei Wuxian doesn't actually die, he and the Wens just hide.
~Tactician Nie Huisang series, by Hypatia3. Nie Huaisang keeps leaving anonymous advice for his brother, who takes it seriously while distaining his brother's efforts in the flesh. WIP.
~Telling Dreams from One Another (It's Harder than You Think), by vibishan. Future fic: Nie Mingjue and Meng Yao reincarnate as brothers in the Unclean Realm's demesnes. WIP.
~They're all dead hearts to you, by merthurlin. Future fic. Nie Huaisang is a reluctant role model/chaperone for the Junior Quartet on a night hunt.
~This Time Around, by KouriArashi. Post-canon Nie Huaisang goes back in time to avert as much as he can; he's in his adult body while his younger self continues his life in the Unclean Realm. He fails in his first objective (killing Meng Yao) and ends up adopting a passel of orphans.
~Under the Smile, by nirejseki. Divergence: Through unsettling conversations with the Nie brothers, Meng Yao realizes that he's better off not making an enemy of Nie Huaisang.
~With Surgical Precision, by metisket. Wen Qing goes back in time but initially thinks it's the afterlife, so she quickly dispatches most of her enemies before realizing the situation.
PAIRINGS:
Wei Wuxian/Lan Wangji (as focus)
~And Time is But a Paper Moon, by sami. AU/Future fic. Wei Wuxian goes back in time to his own childhood, and tries to prevent everything.
~Become Tomorrow, by Shanastoryteller. AU, Baoshan Sanren picked Wei Wuxian up when his parents died. Now he's wandering around as her letter-service to the cave her Lan wife is stuck in, and he gets caught - he passes himself off as a Jiang cultivator.
~By Any Other Name, by Shanastoryteller. AU, Mo Xuanyu was impatient and called Wei Wuxian back early, so he's not fully connected to his new body. He goes and reveals everything to Jiang Cheng, who hides him as a new female Jiang disciple. Lan Wangji is disturbed to find himself attracted to her.
~Everyone has a braincell of their very own series, by MarbleGlove. AU, Wei Wuxian and Wen Qing go to the Nie Sect for aid in a medical procedure (draining resentful energy) that aligns with the Nie's self-interests. The current fics are done, but there's room for continuation.
~Standing Engagement, by x_los. Lan Wangji believes that they are engaged after all their tribulations together, and blabs to Jiang Cheng. Wei Wuxian of course has no idea.
~Tether, by WithBroomBefore. Divergence: not wanting to tell the entire truth, Wei Wuxian implies to his siblings that he was caught by Wen Zhuliu and that's why he no longer has a core. (Why don't more fics do this? It's an obvious option!)
~The Twin Blades of Yunmeng, by GhostySword and ofmindelans. Wei Wuxian is resurrected, in a future where Jiang Cheng definitely figured out that something weird went on with the golden cores. This changes some things. WIP.
~wing bones touching by Shanastoryteller. AU, Mo Xuanyu is female and called in Wei Wuxian rather than accept an arranged marriage to Lan Wangji. WIP.
Wei Wuxian/Lan Wangji with additions!
~An Elegant Solution, by giraffeter. AU, Nie Mingjue offers to marry Wei Wuxian to rehabilitate his reputation. When Lan Wangji is obviously upset by this, he extends the marriage offer to make a OT3. Wei Wuxian/Lan Wangji/Nie Mingjue.
~As You Like It, by sugar_shoal. Future fic, Jiang Cheng is pretty sure he knows all the reasons why Wei Wuxian & his husband visit Lotus Pier so often. Jiang Cheng/Wei Wuxian/Lan Wangji.
~Come From My Inkstone, by Magicgenetek. Divergence: Nie Huaisang decides to visit his old friend Wei Wuxian at the Burial Mounds, as one sect heir to another sect leader. He finds opportunities to help his friends out. Past Nie Huiasang/Wen Ning, imminent Nie Huaisang/Wen Ning/Wei Wuxian/Lan Wangji. WIP.
~Delight in Misery, by Nirejseki. Divergence: During the period between Wei Wuxian's death and resurrection, Jiang Cheng accepts Lan Wangji and his ward at Lotus Pier. Heading towards Jiang Cheng/Wei Wuxian/Lan Wangji. WIP.
~Lost and Subsidiaries series, by NotActuallyASpider. What if our OTP royally messed up not just with getting together, as is canon, but with treating Jiang Cheng decently... given that all three want each other but have hurt each other over it, this may not have a happy ending. WIP.
~Serrated, by InkSplatterM & MrMissMrsRandom. Instead of destroying his own soul to allow Wei Wuxian in, Mo Xuanyu finds himself sharing the body with his new friend. Wei Wuxian/Lan Wangji/Mo Xuanyu.
~Turning Back the Sun, by Shadaras. Nie Huaisang is accidentally sent back in time to the Sunshot Campaign. He does his best to support the lovers, even inserting himself into the equation. Lan Wangji/Wei Wuxian/Nie Huaisang.
Nie Huaisang/Jiang Cheng
~And I will stay with you / and you will keep me close, by gekidasa. They study and sleep together in the Cloud Recesses, and apparently are accidentally dual cultivating well enough to buff up Nie Huaisang's golden core. WIP.
~Demonic Cultivator's Blessing, or: Curse of the Bunny Gods, by FayJay. Crossover with Heaven's Official Blessing. Wei Wuxian & Lan Wangji ascend, about a year after canon. Those left behind try to move on; in particular, Jin Ling thinks his one remaining uncle needs to get married and prays to his ascended uncle for it.
~Four Days in Lanling, by halotolerant. After the Guanyin Temple affair dies down, Jiang Cheng sorts through his memories and reaches the correct conclusions regarding his own feelings and the relative intelligences of both Nie Huaisang and himself.
~A Glimmer of Something I Could Try To Believe, by 108_stars. After the temple, Jiang Cheng tries to get honesty out of the new Chief Cultivator.
~Lights, Camera, Kiss, by MissMagus. Modern AU where everyone works in the porn industry. Nie Huaisang gets assigned Jiang Cheng for a series of scenes, and they have great chemistry.
~Mama Tried, by JaimeBlue. Madam Yu suspects her son is gay and interested in the younger Nie brother. Since she was forced into an orientation-incompatible marriage, she'd like to spare her son the same fate. WIP.
~Our Hearts Are Ready For War series, by MissMagus. An ABO AU: the Wen conference includes an attempt to subjugate the other clans through forced matings. Nie Huaisang can't bear to let Jiang Cheng get taken (and his feelings are returned). In another part, Meng Yao grapples with his new spouse and the Jin family demands at odds with his marriage to Lan Xichen.
~Prove that I can do this, by fensandmarshes. AU, of the age-swap variety. Nie Huaisang wants to win this war so that his younger brother can be something more than just a child soldier.
~Two Cherries, One Bowl, by JaimeBlue. The premise of 30-year-old virgins gaining telepathy holds in this universe, and Jiang Cheng and Nie Huaisang both gain this valuable skill when Jin Guangyao's treachery is otherwise undetectable. WIP.
~Yunmeng Spice (Fenugreek), by a_is_for. One day in the Cloud Recesses, typical shenanigans turn into sexual exploration and possibly serious attachment.
Nie Huaisang/Lan Xichen
~Futures Past, by ibijau. AU: two varieties of time travel! Canon Nie Huaisang (or it appears to be, but in the meanest iteration possible) visits his younger self to bully him into changing the past; young Lan Xichen is granted nigh-complete visions of the canon future that persuade him to change the present. Sometimes they're in sync, and sometimes at cross-purposes.
~I'll Trace Your Shadows on the Wall, by MarsDiogenes. Future fic, they swap bodies and only one of them is found out. The cure is simple, but is it a good opportunity to get over the past?
~Intriguing, by nirejseki. Subtle time-travel. Nie Huaisang at his most frivolous thinks it's a great idea to get his brother and Meng Yao together.
~Love of My Life, I Hate You, by ibijau. AU, the Nie and Lan sects decide to formalize their speculative alliance against the Wen with a marriage. The two are young and dumb about it, which makes it hard to convince each other when their feelings change.
~>Madam Nie, by thirteen_oak. Future fic. Inevitably Nie Huaisang will need to marry and have an heir; he finds a woman who understands his cutsleeve preferences, being a mirror grinder herself. Lan Xichen doesn't quite know why this upsets him.
~Petrichor, by ibijau. An ABO AU: a young alpha Nie Huaisang accidentally has sex with omega Lan Xichen in a rut. Since it was dark, he runs away and continues taking suppressants until the fall of Jin Guangyao, so the majority of the story is mutual ignorant pining.
~You're a Marked Man, Brother, by ibijau. Crossover with Heaven's Official Blessing. Lan Xichen ascended a long time ago, around the same time as his friends Jin Guangyao and Nie Mingjue, the former of who is marked with the red string of fate as his soulmate. Their marriage is fine if dull, but Lan Xichen keeps trying to remember his hazy youth as a mortal and the loved one he knows he left behind. Meanwhile, a Ghost King is making trouble in what used to be the Unclean Realm...
Nie Mingjue/Meng Yao/Lan Xichen (a.k.a. 3zun)
~Chosen Otherwise, by Nirejseki. Meng Yao chooses the path that preserves Nie Mingjue's respect for him.
~The Echoes of That News Ring Loud, by Scarlet_Gryphon. Time travel: the Nie brothers resolve to fix everything they can.
~Lingering History, by Blue_Sparkle & HattedHedgehog. Extremely future fic. Millennia pass, and the ruined Guanyin Temple is excavated, its treasure sent to an art museum. The ghosts of Jin Guangyao and Nie Mingjue now have a little variety in their perpetual afterlife together. Is it enough for a reconciliation? Bonus illustrations!
~The Nature of Us, by MissMagus. An ABO AU: Nie Mingjue and Lan Xichen are alphas who have a relationship (which would be roughly equivalent to being gay in modern China), but they are both attracted to the new omega deputy Meng Yao. A slip-up during a heat means that Nie Mingjue and Meng Yao are married and expecting a child, with both convinced the other is not really interested in them. Lan Xichen comes to visit at an inopportune time...
~Only honest when it rains, by rosehoney. An ABO AU: one of Meng Yao's enemies uses a drug that sparks a heat.
~Troika, by nirejseki. Divergence: one of Jin Guangshan's dumber assassination attempts links the sworn brothers' minds together. It's mostly gen, but I like the implications.
Nie Huaisang/Meng Yao
~Rewind, Rewind, Rewind, by Cosmic_Biscuit. When he dies, Jin Guangyao goes back in time (but in his adult body), crash-landing in the forests around Qinghe Nie and getting picked up by a child Nie Huaisang. Meng Yao once again, he decides to do everything differently. WIP.
~Role Reversal series, by Cosmic_Biscuit. Ageswap AU: if Nie Huaisang was the sect leader who hired Meng Yao, that changes quite a few things. WIP, but the first five stories are complete.
~The Serpent and the Songbird, by Folderol. During that hectic time between the end of the Sunshot Campaign and Jiang Yanli's marriage to Jin Zixuan, Nie Huaisang tries his best to get Meng Yao for himself. WIP.
~Sweet Words Whispered in My Ear, by JaimeBlue. Meng Yao thinks seducing Nie Huaisang is a good career move. He's surprised to find the tables turned.
~To Fly With Broken Wings series, by Lost_Stories. Nie Huaisang traveled back in time and tried to prevent things, although he wasn't able to stay out of feelings with Meng Yao. WIP.
~Unexpected Salvation series, by clipper782. Time travel: they both go back due to a third party's decision, and have to team up to get anything accomplished. Meng Yao was already halfway in love with Nie Huaisang, now he has to prove he's no longer a threat. WIP.
The Junior Ensemble
~Best friends forever, by varnes. Jin Ling and Lan Jingyi figure, since the former has to get a spouse as soon as possible, why not get married? At least they're already friends. Jin Ling/Lan Jingyi.
~Gold fills the air with music, by Opalsong. A tentacle plant monster with good intentions ambushes the quartet and brings them together via an orgy. Jin Ling/Lan Jingyi/Lan Sizhui/Ouyang Zizhen.
~How to Woo a Lan, by ibijau. Jin Ling wants to date Lan Sizhui, but knows he's hapless with his words. He also knows there's at least two people who have seduced Lans, and he picks the one who isn't his uncle to ask for advice. Significant background Nie Huaisang/Lan Xichen (sadly in the past).
~Just the Sight of You (is Getting the Best Out of Me), by ibijau. An ABO AU: they get caught in bed, and Jin Ling is sent home in disgrace while Lan Sizhui is sentenced to lifelong seclusion - no loopholes, except for marriage to someone who loves him. Jin Ling will do whatever it takes to prove he qualifies.
~Sing Me a Happy Song series, by agloeian. A dark AU in which the temple collapsing kills basically everyone inside except for Lan Sizhui, who is sent by a dying Wei Wuxian to an alternate past. In the follow-up Lan Jingyi can't bear to live in a world without his queerplatonic boyfriend, and Lan Qiren sends him to join Sizhui. Lan Jingyi/Lan Sizhui.
Song Lan/Xiao Xingchen/Xue Yang
~Departure: 11:55PM from Moscow, by Veilchenjager. Since Song Lan is an immortal undead, he can just wait for his companions to be reincarnated. Extra points for not forgetting about A-Qing.
~Heaven Has a Road But No One Walks It, by Silvestris. A desperate Xue Yang, due to mercy from Wei Wuxian, manages to resurrect Xiao Xingchen barely in time to avoid his own canonical death (he still loses his arm). The three men have to navigate both the literal countryside and their feelings. WIP.
~If Living Can Be This series, by Leosbunny & Lise. Xue Yang convinces Song Lan to maintain the masquerade for Xiao Xingchen. They play at happy family, essentially, while canon closes in. WIP.
~Raw silk and uncut wood, by hisevilforest. In a Yin Iron timeline, when Song Lan and Xiao Xingchen capture Xue Yang, they realize he's addicted to and corrupted by his family's bit of Yin Iron, and they painstakingly wean him off it.
~Red Azalea, by CeNedraRiva. After barely saving Xiao Xingchen's life, Xue Yang struggles to reform himself. WIP.
Wei Wuxian/Jiang Cheng
~A River Diverted, by NotActuallyASpider. AU, in that aspects of the war clearly went differently. Jiang Cheng is Jin Guangyao's closest confidant, having abdicated Lotus Pier to his sister and her husband (who likewise abdicated Koi Tower to his half-brother). Everyone assumes they're lovers, when they're both pining for people they can't have. Meanwhile, someone other than Mo Xuanyu resurrects Wei Wuxian... Includes background 3zun. WIP, possibly discontinued.
~Impossible Things, by Artemis1000. AU, the better way to regain a golden core is through carrying a child to term. Wei Wuxian has to convince Jiang Cheng that he's not offering out of obligation. Mpreg.
~Sacrifice, by NotActuallyASpider. A complicated AU involving sentient and nasty Yin Iron. WIP, possibly discontinued.
Lan Qiren/Wen Ruohan
~The Other Mountain, by Nirejseki. Divergence, Qingheng-jun decides to come out of seclusion when his wife dies, and punishes his hated brother by marrying him off to Wen Ruohan. WIP.
~Relentless, by Nirejseki. Divergence, Lao Nie doesn't come to the discussion conference that Wen Ruohan would've damaged his saber in. Instead, Wen Ruohan's attention is caught by Lan Qiren, who nopes out of the party to tutor Wen Chao and Wen Xu. Naturally Wen Ruohan now needs to keep this teacher, by any means possible.
~Spilled Pearls, by Nirejseki. Divergence, or AU, it's unclear. A very young Lan Qiren catches Wen Ruohan's interest. It ends up changing them both for the better. Semiromantic semiplatonic Lan Qiren/Wen Ruohan.
Other
~Brightest Star in the Sky, by sarahyyy. Jiang Cheng has the persistent attentions of one of his nephew's friends, which is awkward, but at least he's of age, and not one of the boring Lans. Jiang Cheng/Lan Jingyi.
~Cup Runneth Over, by Nirejseki. The resentful ghost of Su She goes back in time to save Meng Yao. Meng Yao/Su She.
~Dark Promises Amid Rising Screams, by meyari. Su She goes back in time and takes Wei Wuxian's place as the creepy cultivator of Yiling. This is an actual improvement over canon. Meng Yao/Su She.
~Family Pack, by Basingstoke. AU, when Mo Xuanyu gets kicked out of Koi Tower, he starts accidentally collecting half-siblings and shacking up in Qinghe Nie. Mo Xuanyu/Nie Huaisang.
~The Fate We Make, by Santaslittleslut. AU, the Jin are somewhat monstrous (they are a bit more like carp than they admit publicly) and only one in every generation is able to carry fertilized eggs. Mandatory gangbangs are traditional. Meng Yao and Jin Zixuan somehow manage to have a healthy relationship despite the odds (the possibility of them being actual siblings is quite low, as the bearers take eggs and sperm from everyone of age in the sect at the same time). In the second chapter, Qin Su joins in, which does make this a bit more incestuous. Jin Zixuan/Meng Yao/Qin Su.
~Good morning, sunlight series, by Stratisphyre. Cangse Sanren and Wei Changse manage to convince Lan Qiren to leave the Cloud Recesses with them. Between the three of them, they acquire quite a few children. Cangse Sanren/Lan Qiren/Wei Changse.
~It Seems the Hills and Rivers Have Been Waiting, by ScarlettStorm. It turns out that the perfect spouse for Jiang Cheng doesn't fit most of the list he made as a teen, although her cultivation *is* quite low. She's a trans woman, buff beyond belief, and snarky as all get out. This is great character writing. Jiang Cheng/Fan Zhu'er.
~Made For Each Other, by KouriArashi. Divergence: once Jin Zixuan breaks up with Jiang Yanli, her brothers and Nie Huaisang scheme to nabe her for Nie Mingjue. Jiang Yanli/Nie Mingjue.
~Meet in the Middle, by Sevidri. The Junior Ensemble tasks one of their number with going to Lotus Pier and finding a match for Jiang Cheng. Jiang Cheng/Ouyang Zizhen.
~Not Too Strong, by fluffysocks. Jiang Cheng's in an arranged marriage with Lan Qiren. Jiang Cheng/Lan Qiren.
~On a Festival Night Among the Red Lanterns, by meyari. Divergence, Lan Qiren is getting medical aid for his juniors at a brothel Lao Nie recommended for medical emergencies (yes, really) and bumps into Meng Shi & Sisi mothering his fellow sect leader's bastard child. Lan Qiren/Meng Shi/Sisi.
~Peony to Lotus series, by Deriliarch. Divergence: while Madam Jin is on a trip, Jin Guangshan substitutes Meng Yao in for their son in the marriage to Jiang Yanli, tidily getting rid of two problems. They make an unexpectedly good match. Jiang Yanli/Meng Yao.
~Tricks of the Trade, by Nirejseki. Meng Yao accidentally fixates on Lan Qiren rather than his nephew. This improves canon immensely. Meng Yao/Lan Qiren.
And for additional indulgence... Youtube is full of MDZS vids, but my favorites are the Nie Huaisang Mastermind ones.
VIDS:
~Everybody Wants to Rule the World
~The One Who Laughs Last
~Two Evils
~You're Gonna Go Far, Kid
This is a Chinese donghua, a soon-to-be-released-in-English novel, and a blockbuster live action TV show, so you know MDZS has serious fandom behind it. Some of the plot twists differ among the adaptations (ex. the Yin Iron is strictly from The Untamed), but the core story is the same: a mixture of epic tragedy, coming of age during a war, fantasy horror, martial arts that lean heavily on use of magical talismans and musical instruments, homoeroticism, found families, betrayal, murder mystery, a romance that lasts beyond death... honestly, it would be difficult to pin MDZS into just one genre.
I have a few favorite characters (why hello, Nie Huaisang, I do see your machinations that lay undetected for years and raise a glass to you), but MDZS is appealing as an ensemble work, so I tend to look for a variety of Gen fic and pairings. Unless marked otherwise, expect canon Wei Wuxian/Lan Wangji to exist in the background. Fics will be marked Gen unless/until the pairing(s) become part of the plot. Note: when he's being a good/reformed character, I call him Meng Yao below; when he's evil, he's Jin Guangyao.
EDIT: Updated 9/24 to add a few fics and tidy up those which are completed.
GEN FIC:
~A Long Road, by Vathara. Crossover with Mercedes Lackey's Valdemar books. Cultivators go to Valdemar for diplomatic reasons and wind up with Lan Wangji getting a Companion. Naturally Nie Huaisang and Wei Wuxian - working opposite ends of the problem - are there to help.
~A Sick Thought, by nirejseki. Divergence: Mo Xuanyu decides to experiment first before sacrificing himself. WIP.
~Aftermath, by KouriArashi. Divergence: Jin Guangshan gets handsy with his future daughter-in-law, and she does as women of the Yu do.
~All Hail the King, by 1PB2PB3PB4. Nie Huaisang is out here ready to show why the Chief Cultivator position needs to be ditched.
~Alliance of the Traveling Pants, by JustaWanderingBabbit. AU: What if Madame Jin actually tracked down her husband's children, and made use of the ones with brains? WIP.
~Along the Way to Home, by Meyari. Wen Ruohan activates a time-travel array when he is killed in the Sunset Campaign, and doesn't account for the fact that his younger healthier body is not insane. This works out better for everyone.
~The Art of War, by Tavina. AU, role reversal with Nie Huaisang as the older brother. WIP.
~Be Happy, by nirejseki. AU, the Wen are dispersed among the four remaining great sects. Wen Ning rather likes the Nie way of life.
~By Name, by nirejseki. After the end, Wen Ning goes to chat with Nie Huaisang on the steps of Guanyin Temple.
~Crybabies, by nirejseki. Divergence: Mo Xuanyu irritates Xue Yang so much, the latter gives the former some pet corpses - who turn out to be Wen Ning and Nie Mingjue.
~Everyone lives because I said so series, by Mayarene Rose. For some reason, Nie Huaisang having a troll-friendship with Sect Leader Yao forestalls a lot of canon problems. Canon pairings in background, with 3zun thrown in.
~Fire and Light, by nirejseki. AU: Wen Ruohan kills Lao Nie early, and his sons are taken to the Nightless City. Wherein Nie Mingjue becomes everyone's Dage.
~Five Dogs, One Cat, by ryfkah. Post-canon, people keep gifting Jiang Cheng dogs.
~The Fragile, Scarlet Tree, by JaimeBlue. AU: Nie Huaisang is the product of an affair, making him a Jiang - this is revealed after the war but before anything else happens. WIP.
~The Game of Past and Future, by A Certain Writer. A post-canon Nie Huaisang goes back in time to fix as much as he can. He ends up mentoring himself.
~The Good, The Bad, and The Dirty, by JaimeBlue. One day, 3zun and Nie Huiasang all randomly switch places. This thoroughly derails canon.
~Joy in the Midst of These Things series, by Glitterbombshell. Future fic... It's clear enough that Wei Wuxian needs to be busy to be happy. What can he do in the Cloud Recesses? The series is WIP, but the first four fic are done.
~Labyrinth, by nirejseki. Crossover with the titular movie, and a well-done melding at that. Nie Huaisang has to rescue his brother from the Goblin King Jin Guangyao.
~Mo Xuanyu's Bewildering Re-Start, by MarbleGlove. What if the sacrificial ritual works a bit differently? After canon and after Wei Wuxian's happy old age, both he and Mo Xuanyu wake up in the past, spiritually tethered.
~Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained, by nirejseki. Since Xue Yang is reluctant to kill children, he leaves Jin Rusong alive for Nie Huaisang to find.
~The One-Body Problem, by metisket. AU: Demonic cultivators try to sacrifice Lan Jingyi, but he ends up sharing his body with Wei Wuxian.
~The Path, by SeaStar98. A typical "watching the show" story... naturally brought about by Nie Huaisang conveniently finding an artifact and bringing it to a cultivation conference. WIP.
~Plus One, by nirejseki. Divergence: Turns out "sneaky" runs on the Nie side of the family. Bringing Wei Wuxian to Jiang Yanli's wedding as Nie Huaisang's fiance-for-a-day solves a lot of problems. WIP, but works as is.
~Pocketful of Soul, by Jenrose. Mo Xuanyu sends himself back in time to fix things. This requires multiple attempts.
~Refrain; a musical phrase repeating in a song or instrumental piece series, by Cerusee & Mikkeneko. Accidental time travel via Wei Wuxian's inventions means he's the only one who didn't come back. Cue sad trombone for Lan Wangji.
~Rest is Revolution series, by MarbleGlove. What starts with Wei Wuxian rules-lawyering the meaning of Elder leads to a lot of sect leader retirements.
~The Return of Cangse Sanren, by milesofheart. Turns out Cangse Sanren and Wei Changse were not dead, but in suspended animation in a cursed cave. They break out and look for their young son, about twenty years later. WIP.
~Revenge Served Warm, by Huanglaoshu. Nie Huaisang is convinced to make his plot less convoluted.
~Rotten Work, by Shanastoryteller. Future fic. Jin Ling is dodging assassins and trying to get his sect reorganized, and decides to enlist his erstwhile uncle Wei.
~Sacrifice Gambit, by Nirejseki. Lan Qiren has regular weiqi sessions with Nie Huaisang.
~The Same River Twice, by Nirejseki. Time travel - both Nie brothers do it, but they don't realize the other has also returned. WIP.
~Something Like, by silversshadow. Divergence, Wen Qing realizes where her brother is being taken.
~The storm comes and goes (and I keep walking), by Naamah_Berehit. Divergence: Wei Wuxian doesn't actually die, he and the Wens just hide.
~Tactician Nie Huisang series, by Hypatia3. Nie Huaisang keeps leaving anonymous advice for his brother, who takes it seriously while distaining his brother's efforts in the flesh. WIP.
~Telling Dreams from One Another (It's Harder than You Think), by vibishan. Future fic: Nie Mingjue and Meng Yao reincarnate as brothers in the Unclean Realm's demesnes. WIP.
~They're all dead hearts to you, by merthurlin. Future fic. Nie Huaisang is a reluctant role model/chaperone for the Junior Quartet on a night hunt.
~This Time Around, by KouriArashi. Post-canon Nie Huaisang goes back in time to avert as much as he can; he's in his adult body while his younger self continues his life in the Unclean Realm. He fails in his first objective (killing Meng Yao) and ends up adopting a passel of orphans.
~Under the Smile, by nirejseki. Divergence: Through unsettling conversations with the Nie brothers, Meng Yao realizes that he's better off not making an enemy of Nie Huaisang.
~With Surgical Precision, by metisket. Wen Qing goes back in time but initially thinks it's the afterlife, so she quickly dispatches most of her enemies before realizing the situation.
PAIRINGS:
Wei Wuxian/Lan Wangji (as focus)
~And Time is But a Paper Moon, by sami. AU/Future fic. Wei Wuxian goes back in time to his own childhood, and tries to prevent everything.
~Become Tomorrow, by Shanastoryteller. AU, Baoshan Sanren picked Wei Wuxian up when his parents died. Now he's wandering around as her letter-service to the cave her Lan wife is stuck in, and he gets caught - he passes himself off as a Jiang cultivator.
~By Any Other Name, by Shanastoryteller. AU, Mo Xuanyu was impatient and called Wei Wuxian back early, so he's not fully connected to his new body. He goes and reveals everything to Jiang Cheng, who hides him as a new female Jiang disciple. Lan Wangji is disturbed to find himself attracted to her.
~Everyone has a braincell of their very own series, by MarbleGlove. AU, Wei Wuxian and Wen Qing go to the Nie Sect for aid in a medical procedure (draining resentful energy) that aligns with the Nie's self-interests. The current fics are done, but there's room for continuation.
~Standing Engagement, by x_los. Lan Wangji believes that they are engaged after all their tribulations together, and blabs to Jiang Cheng. Wei Wuxian of course has no idea.
~Tether, by WithBroomBefore. Divergence: not wanting to tell the entire truth, Wei Wuxian implies to his siblings that he was caught by Wen Zhuliu and that's why he no longer has a core. (Why don't more fics do this? It's an obvious option!)
~The Twin Blades of Yunmeng, by GhostySword and ofmindelans. Wei Wuxian is resurrected, in a future where Jiang Cheng definitely figured out that something weird went on with the golden cores. This changes some things. WIP.
~wing bones touching by Shanastoryteller. AU, Mo Xuanyu is female and called in Wei Wuxian rather than accept an arranged marriage to Lan Wangji. WIP.
Wei Wuxian/Lan Wangji with additions!
~An Elegant Solution, by giraffeter. AU, Nie Mingjue offers to marry Wei Wuxian to rehabilitate his reputation. When Lan Wangji is obviously upset by this, he extends the marriage offer to make a OT3. Wei Wuxian/Lan Wangji/Nie Mingjue.
~As You Like It, by sugar_shoal. Future fic, Jiang Cheng is pretty sure he knows all the reasons why Wei Wuxian & his husband visit Lotus Pier so often. Jiang Cheng/Wei Wuxian/Lan Wangji.
~Come From My Inkstone, by Magicgenetek. Divergence: Nie Huaisang decides to visit his old friend Wei Wuxian at the Burial Mounds, as one sect heir to another sect leader. He finds opportunities to help his friends out. Past Nie Huiasang/Wen Ning, imminent Nie Huaisang/Wen Ning/Wei Wuxian/Lan Wangji. WIP.
~Delight in Misery, by Nirejseki. Divergence: During the period between Wei Wuxian's death and resurrection, Jiang Cheng accepts Lan Wangji and his ward at Lotus Pier. Heading towards Jiang Cheng/Wei Wuxian/Lan Wangji. WIP.
~Lost and Subsidiaries series, by NotActuallyASpider. What if our OTP royally messed up not just with getting together, as is canon, but with treating Jiang Cheng decently... given that all three want each other but have hurt each other over it, this may not have a happy ending. WIP.
~Serrated, by InkSplatterM & MrMissMrsRandom. Instead of destroying his own soul to allow Wei Wuxian in, Mo Xuanyu finds himself sharing the body with his new friend. Wei Wuxian/Lan Wangji/Mo Xuanyu.
~Turning Back the Sun, by Shadaras. Nie Huaisang is accidentally sent back in time to the Sunshot Campaign. He does his best to support the lovers, even inserting himself into the equation. Lan Wangji/Wei Wuxian/Nie Huaisang.
Nie Huaisang/Jiang Cheng
~And I will stay with you / and you will keep me close, by gekidasa. They study and sleep together in the Cloud Recesses, and apparently are accidentally dual cultivating well enough to buff up Nie Huaisang's golden core. WIP.
~Demonic Cultivator's Blessing, or: Curse of the Bunny Gods, by FayJay. Crossover with Heaven's Official Blessing. Wei Wuxian & Lan Wangji ascend, about a year after canon. Those left behind try to move on; in particular, Jin Ling thinks his one remaining uncle needs to get married and prays to his ascended uncle for it.
~Four Days in Lanling, by halotolerant. After the Guanyin Temple affair dies down, Jiang Cheng sorts through his memories and reaches the correct conclusions regarding his own feelings and the relative intelligences of both Nie Huaisang and himself.
~A Glimmer of Something I Could Try To Believe, by 108_stars. After the temple, Jiang Cheng tries to get honesty out of the new Chief Cultivator.
~Lights, Camera, Kiss, by MissMagus. Modern AU where everyone works in the porn industry. Nie Huaisang gets assigned Jiang Cheng for a series of scenes, and they have great chemistry.
~Mama Tried, by JaimeBlue. Madam Yu suspects her son is gay and interested in the younger Nie brother. Since she was forced into an orientation-incompatible marriage, she'd like to spare her son the same fate. WIP.
~Our Hearts Are Ready For War series, by MissMagus. An ABO AU: the Wen conference includes an attempt to subjugate the other clans through forced matings. Nie Huaisang can't bear to let Jiang Cheng get taken (and his feelings are returned). In another part, Meng Yao grapples with his new spouse and the Jin family demands at odds with his marriage to Lan Xichen.
~Prove that I can do this, by fensandmarshes. AU, of the age-swap variety. Nie Huaisang wants to win this war so that his younger brother can be something more than just a child soldier.
~Two Cherries, One Bowl, by JaimeBlue. The premise of 30-year-old virgins gaining telepathy holds in this universe, and Jiang Cheng and Nie Huaisang both gain this valuable skill when Jin Guangyao's treachery is otherwise undetectable. WIP.
~Yunmeng Spice (Fenugreek), by a_is_for. One day in the Cloud Recesses, typical shenanigans turn into sexual exploration and possibly serious attachment.
Nie Huaisang/Lan Xichen
~Futures Past, by ibijau. AU: two varieties of time travel! Canon Nie Huaisang (or it appears to be, but in the meanest iteration possible) visits his younger self to bully him into changing the past; young Lan Xichen is granted nigh-complete visions of the canon future that persuade him to change the present. Sometimes they're in sync, and sometimes at cross-purposes.
~I'll Trace Your Shadows on the Wall, by MarsDiogenes. Future fic, they swap bodies and only one of them is found out. The cure is simple, but is it a good opportunity to get over the past?
~Intriguing, by nirejseki. Subtle time-travel. Nie Huaisang at his most frivolous thinks it's a great idea to get his brother and Meng Yao together.
~Love of My Life, I Hate You, by ibijau. AU, the Nie and Lan sects decide to formalize their speculative alliance against the Wen with a marriage. The two are young and dumb about it, which makes it hard to convince each other when their feelings change.
~>Madam Nie, by thirteen_oak. Future fic. Inevitably Nie Huaisang will need to marry and have an heir; he finds a woman who understands his cutsleeve preferences, being a mirror grinder herself. Lan Xichen doesn't quite know why this upsets him.
~Petrichor, by ibijau. An ABO AU: a young alpha Nie Huaisang accidentally has sex with omega Lan Xichen in a rut. Since it was dark, he runs away and continues taking suppressants until the fall of Jin Guangyao, so the majority of the story is mutual ignorant pining.
~You're a Marked Man, Brother, by ibijau. Crossover with Heaven's Official Blessing. Lan Xichen ascended a long time ago, around the same time as his friends Jin Guangyao and Nie Mingjue, the former of who is marked with the red string of fate as his soulmate. Their marriage is fine if dull, but Lan Xichen keeps trying to remember his hazy youth as a mortal and the loved one he knows he left behind. Meanwhile, a Ghost King is making trouble in what used to be the Unclean Realm...
Nie Mingjue/Meng Yao/Lan Xichen (a.k.a. 3zun)
~Chosen Otherwise, by Nirejseki. Meng Yao chooses the path that preserves Nie Mingjue's respect for him.
~The Echoes of That News Ring Loud, by Scarlet_Gryphon. Time travel: the Nie brothers resolve to fix everything they can.
~Lingering History, by Blue_Sparkle & HattedHedgehog. Extremely future fic. Millennia pass, and the ruined Guanyin Temple is excavated, its treasure sent to an art museum. The ghosts of Jin Guangyao and Nie Mingjue now have a little variety in their perpetual afterlife together. Is it enough for a reconciliation? Bonus illustrations!
~The Nature of Us, by MissMagus. An ABO AU: Nie Mingjue and Lan Xichen are alphas who have a relationship (which would be roughly equivalent to being gay in modern China), but they are both attracted to the new omega deputy Meng Yao. A slip-up during a heat means that Nie Mingjue and Meng Yao are married and expecting a child, with both convinced the other is not really interested in them. Lan Xichen comes to visit at an inopportune time...
~Only honest when it rains, by rosehoney. An ABO AU: one of Meng Yao's enemies uses a drug that sparks a heat.
~Troika, by nirejseki. Divergence: one of Jin Guangshan's dumber assassination attempts links the sworn brothers' minds together. It's mostly gen, but I like the implications.
Nie Huaisang/Meng Yao
~Rewind, Rewind, Rewind, by Cosmic_Biscuit. When he dies, Jin Guangyao goes back in time (but in his adult body), crash-landing in the forests around Qinghe Nie and getting picked up by a child Nie Huaisang. Meng Yao once again, he decides to do everything differently. WIP.
~Role Reversal series, by Cosmic_Biscuit. Ageswap AU: if Nie Huaisang was the sect leader who hired Meng Yao, that changes quite a few things. WIP, but the first five stories are complete.
~The Serpent and the Songbird, by Folderol. During that hectic time between the end of the Sunshot Campaign and Jiang Yanli's marriage to Jin Zixuan, Nie Huaisang tries his best to get Meng Yao for himself. WIP.
~Sweet Words Whispered in My Ear, by JaimeBlue. Meng Yao thinks seducing Nie Huaisang is a good career move. He's surprised to find the tables turned.
~To Fly With Broken Wings series, by Lost_Stories. Nie Huaisang traveled back in time and tried to prevent things, although he wasn't able to stay out of feelings with Meng Yao. WIP.
~Unexpected Salvation series, by clipper782. Time travel: they both go back due to a third party's decision, and have to team up to get anything accomplished. Meng Yao was already halfway in love with Nie Huaisang, now he has to prove he's no longer a threat. WIP.
The Junior Ensemble
~Best friends forever, by varnes. Jin Ling and Lan Jingyi figure, since the former has to get a spouse as soon as possible, why not get married? At least they're already friends. Jin Ling/Lan Jingyi.
~Gold fills the air with music, by Opalsong. A tentacle plant monster with good intentions ambushes the quartet and brings them together via an orgy. Jin Ling/Lan Jingyi/Lan Sizhui/Ouyang Zizhen.
~How to Woo a Lan, by ibijau. Jin Ling wants to date Lan Sizhui, but knows he's hapless with his words. He also knows there's at least two people who have seduced Lans, and he picks the one who isn't his uncle to ask for advice. Significant background Nie Huaisang/Lan Xichen (sadly in the past).
~Just the Sight of You (is Getting the Best Out of Me), by ibijau. An ABO AU: they get caught in bed, and Jin Ling is sent home in disgrace while Lan Sizhui is sentenced to lifelong seclusion - no loopholes, except for marriage to someone who loves him. Jin Ling will do whatever it takes to prove he qualifies.
~Sing Me a Happy Song series, by agloeian. A dark AU in which the temple collapsing kills basically everyone inside except for Lan Sizhui, who is sent by a dying Wei Wuxian to an alternate past. In the follow-up Lan Jingyi can't bear to live in a world without his queerplatonic boyfriend, and Lan Qiren sends him to join Sizhui. Lan Jingyi/Lan Sizhui.
Song Lan/Xiao Xingchen/Xue Yang
~Departure: 11:55PM from Moscow, by Veilchenjager. Since Song Lan is an immortal undead, he can just wait for his companions to be reincarnated. Extra points for not forgetting about A-Qing.
~Heaven Has a Road But No One Walks It, by Silvestris. A desperate Xue Yang, due to mercy from Wei Wuxian, manages to resurrect Xiao Xingchen barely in time to avoid his own canonical death (he still loses his arm). The three men have to navigate both the literal countryside and their feelings. WIP.
~If Living Can Be This series, by Leosbunny & Lise. Xue Yang convinces Song Lan to maintain the masquerade for Xiao Xingchen. They play at happy family, essentially, while canon closes in. WIP.
~Raw silk and uncut wood, by hisevilforest. In a Yin Iron timeline, when Song Lan and Xiao Xingchen capture Xue Yang, they realize he's addicted to and corrupted by his family's bit of Yin Iron, and they painstakingly wean him off it.
~Red Azalea, by CeNedraRiva. After barely saving Xiao Xingchen's life, Xue Yang struggles to reform himself. WIP.
Wei Wuxian/Jiang Cheng
~A River Diverted, by NotActuallyASpider. AU, in that aspects of the war clearly went differently. Jiang Cheng is Jin Guangyao's closest confidant, having abdicated Lotus Pier to his sister and her husband (who likewise abdicated Koi Tower to his half-brother). Everyone assumes they're lovers, when they're both pining for people they can't have. Meanwhile, someone other than Mo Xuanyu resurrects Wei Wuxian... Includes background 3zun. WIP, possibly discontinued.
~Impossible Things, by Artemis1000. AU, the better way to regain a golden core is through carrying a child to term. Wei Wuxian has to convince Jiang Cheng that he's not offering out of obligation. Mpreg.
~Sacrifice, by NotActuallyASpider. A complicated AU involving sentient and nasty Yin Iron. WIP, possibly discontinued.
Lan Qiren/Wen Ruohan
~The Other Mountain, by Nirejseki. Divergence, Qingheng-jun decides to come out of seclusion when his wife dies, and punishes his hated brother by marrying him off to Wen Ruohan. WIP.
~Relentless, by Nirejseki. Divergence, Lao Nie doesn't come to the discussion conference that Wen Ruohan would've damaged his saber in. Instead, Wen Ruohan's attention is caught by Lan Qiren, who nopes out of the party to tutor Wen Chao and Wen Xu. Naturally Wen Ruohan now needs to keep this teacher, by any means possible.
~Spilled Pearls, by Nirejseki. Divergence, or AU, it's unclear. A very young Lan Qiren catches Wen Ruohan's interest. It ends up changing them both for the better. Semiromantic semiplatonic Lan Qiren/Wen Ruohan.
Other
~Brightest Star in the Sky, by sarahyyy. Jiang Cheng has the persistent attentions of one of his nephew's friends, which is awkward, but at least he's of age, and not one of the boring Lans. Jiang Cheng/Lan Jingyi.
~Cup Runneth Over, by Nirejseki. The resentful ghost of Su She goes back in time to save Meng Yao. Meng Yao/Su She.
~Dark Promises Amid Rising Screams, by meyari. Su She goes back in time and takes Wei Wuxian's place as the creepy cultivator of Yiling. This is an actual improvement over canon. Meng Yao/Su She.
~Family Pack, by Basingstoke. AU, when Mo Xuanyu gets kicked out of Koi Tower, he starts accidentally collecting half-siblings and shacking up in Qinghe Nie. Mo Xuanyu/Nie Huaisang.
~The Fate We Make, by Santaslittleslut. AU, the Jin are somewhat monstrous (they are a bit more like carp than they admit publicly) and only one in every generation is able to carry fertilized eggs. Mandatory gangbangs are traditional. Meng Yao and Jin Zixuan somehow manage to have a healthy relationship despite the odds (the possibility of them being actual siblings is quite low, as the bearers take eggs and sperm from everyone of age in the sect at the same time). In the second chapter, Qin Su joins in, which does make this a bit more incestuous. Jin Zixuan/Meng Yao/Qin Su.
~Good morning, sunlight series, by Stratisphyre. Cangse Sanren and Wei Changse manage to convince Lan Qiren to leave the Cloud Recesses with them. Between the three of them, they acquire quite a few children. Cangse Sanren/Lan Qiren/Wei Changse.
~It Seems the Hills and Rivers Have Been Waiting, by ScarlettStorm. It turns out that the perfect spouse for Jiang Cheng doesn't fit most of the list he made as a teen, although her cultivation *is* quite low. She's a trans woman, buff beyond belief, and snarky as all get out. This is great character writing. Jiang Cheng/Fan Zhu'er.
~Made For Each Other, by KouriArashi. Divergence: once Jin Zixuan breaks up with Jiang Yanli, her brothers and Nie Huaisang scheme to nabe her for Nie Mingjue. Jiang Yanli/Nie Mingjue.
~Meet in the Middle, by Sevidri. The Junior Ensemble tasks one of their number with going to Lotus Pier and finding a match for Jiang Cheng. Jiang Cheng/Ouyang Zizhen.
~Not Too Strong, by fluffysocks. Jiang Cheng's in an arranged marriage with Lan Qiren. Jiang Cheng/Lan Qiren.
~On a Festival Night Among the Red Lanterns, by meyari. Divergence, Lan Qiren is getting medical aid for his juniors at a brothel Lao Nie recommended for medical emergencies (yes, really) and bumps into Meng Shi & Sisi mothering his fellow sect leader's bastard child. Lan Qiren/Meng Shi/Sisi.
~Peony to Lotus series, by Deriliarch. Divergence: while Madam Jin is on a trip, Jin Guangshan substitutes Meng Yao in for their son in the marriage to Jiang Yanli, tidily getting rid of two problems. They make an unexpectedly good match. Jiang Yanli/Meng Yao.
~Tricks of the Trade, by Nirejseki. Meng Yao accidentally fixates on Lan Qiren rather than his nephew. This improves canon immensely. Meng Yao/Lan Qiren.
And for additional indulgence... Youtube is full of MDZS vids, but my favorites are the Nie Huaisang Mastermind ones.
VIDS:
~Everybody Wants to Rule the World
~The One Who Laughs Last
~Two Evils
~You're Gonna Go Far, Kid