JC and MQ would despise each other. MQ started out as a servant, and then he ended up being able to ascend on his own, not just as XL's general, surpassing his disgraced superior in the eyes of the world. JC would never be able to handle a SERVANT doing that. If he resented WWX for surpassing him, the sect heir/leader, he would resent the hell out of MQ for being able to do something similar. And MQ would have no patience with JC's childishness.
STRONGLY AGREE. I expected not to like Mu Qing because I'd seen him compared to jc so often in the fandom so it came as a surprise that as I was reading the novel I felt really indignant on his behalf for that comparison. It sparked an instant sense of solidarity lol. Mu Qing is no jiang cheng. Not only would he not find jc's tantrums cute, he'd probably be appalled to be compared to someone like jiang cheng. Unlike jc, Mu Qing wasn't born with a silver spoon and he is honorable and loyal & self aware in the end. jc stans think jc withholding his aid from WWX & the innocent Wens in the Burial Mounds is pragmatism but it's just envy, resentment and vengefulness; it's striking out against WWX because he refused to be an obedient little subordinate. In contrast the scene where Mu Qing doesn't stand by Xie Lian over the auspicious land is heartbreaking and harrowing but he goes after him right away and then tries to aid him and his family in tangible ways in spite of the fact that he's not allowed to as a heavenly official.
“Mu Qing raised his hand lightly, pointing to the side. What he was pointing at were several clean sacks, probably with rice or grain in them.
Seeing Xie Lian so quiet, Mu Qing said softly, “I heard you are needing medicine. I’ll think of a way to get some later.”
“Alright,” Feng Xin said. “I’ll say my thanks then. We do need all this stuff right now. Heavenly officials can’t gift mortals things privately, so you be careful too.”
By the by taking YanLi to try on her wedding dress is NOT tangible aid lol. I don't see any evidence that it was even something jc suggested, but most likely YanLi wanting to include WWX. To be honest I don't think jc would have spoken to WWX again following the duel.
Mu Qing on the other hand doesn't allow Jun Wu to play on his darkest thoughts & beliefs Re: Xie Lian and their relationship.
“Even though I didn’t agree to help him, but everything he’s said, I’ve thought of it too. I’ve always thought deep down, you hated me, you despised me, so I, I’ve always...anyway, you don’t actually think that. I’m glad.”
He helps Xie Lian after he ascends again and he readily risks his life on the Heavenly Crossing Bridge- where incidentally he also shows a huge amount of self awareness- jc: self awareness? we don't know her. I love the fact that Xie Lian describes him as someone who'd spit in someone's cup but wouldn't poison it petty king!. It's also mad that almost every time he tries to do something good it backfires on him. In some ways he reminds of (a much much better) Shen Jiu... but that's a whole other thing.
