Pinned
Au where some random ass servant accidentally saw Fangxin guoshi's face once, didn't recognize him, and moved on with their life (they wouldn't wanna anger the scary guoshi, after all). Decades down the line, after the whole banquet massacre matter, they stumble upon a picture of the last crown prince of Xianle. (Don't ask me how.) Firstly, well, that sure explained the grudge! Secondly, fuck. Xie Lian, that Xie Lian (as if anyone else would be named ''Xie Lian'', lest their parents were trying to curse them), had not only been living in the royal palace and serving as the guoshi, he was also the maniac who killed the entire royal clan?! (uhh except the then-crown prince, but the details aren't important right now, alright!)
Now, from here on I have three routes. The first one: though they made this world-changing discovery, the servant is no more than a poor peasant citizen trying to make ends meet. All this political drama is much too far removed from the common folk. Moreover, the guoshi-matter has long since been resolved, so what point is there in dwelling on it? Even the young king who had to take care of it, has long since ascended and left the mortal world and it's affairs behind. Just as they did before, they say nothing and go on with their life.
The second one: for this one, you'll have to imagine that they're a bit noisier. Becaue isn't this a great scandal?! The Demon Fangxin was a man of Xianle, the prince, no less! And yet, the previous king (lqq) had not only claimed the opposite, he had even ended the segregation between the Yong'an and the Xianle people, as if they were truly one! Doesn't this mean that the king had either lied, or spoken without actually knowing the truth? Surely he would've looked under that mask after killing the guoshi? Is he even actually dead? What-
Their mind spirals, coming up with theories each crazier than the last, and of course they can't keep this to themselves. First telling their coworkers, then their friends, family, and any stranger that will listen, soon this absurd rumour has spread everywhere: the guoshi who massacred the royal family, was no other than the Laughingstock of the Three Realms! The court isn't too happy about this, and does their best to supress the rumours. Seeing it might have spread a bit too much, the servant stops speaking of it, before they trace it back to them. Who knows what troubles will arise from that... Yes, sometimes silence is a virtue! (I believe it may be a bit too late for that...)
Number two actually also has an alternate route, where it's discovered who's been telling the entire fucking country something so nonsensical, and the servant is declared mad. (rip)
The third one: well, in this one they sure weren't tempted to keep quiet! Seeing how generously the previous king had treated the Xianle people, surely the guoshi must've found a way to hide his identity even after his defeat! Bringing a most generous offering, they rush to the nearest Temple of Tai Hua. Here, instead of any usual prayer, they inform His Highness Tai Hua of their findings. (Well, they tell in their prayer, who know's whether he actually heard) Relieved, they head home. The rest is up to His Highness. (What will Lang Qianqiu do after hearing this prayer? idk this ain't about him)
