Jian Lan

* Manhua
* Donghua

**Jian Lan** (剑兰, *Jiàn Lán*) is a prostitute ghost that works in Ghost City under the name **Lan Chang** (兰菖, *Lán Chāng*).

## Appearance

As a young woman, Jian Lan was described to be beautiful with snow-white skin and raven black hair.

As a ghost, she wears a very revealing dress and heavy make-up that would crumble every time she speaks. When the make-up is cleaner, however, she looks like a charming woman who aged quite gracefully.

## Personality

Jian Lan is a brash, straightforward woman with a crass attitude and even crasser mouth. She is not afraid to strip naked in the middle of a bustling road to attract customers nor is she shy to cuss out the people she dislikes to their face.

Beneath all the vulgar exterior lays a very practical, proud and incredibly courageous person. She refused to become a pity case and would rather struggle on her own rather than accept charity.

She greatly cares for her son Cuo Cuo and would go to incredible lengths to make sure he's safe despite herself being a normal ghost without any combat skill.

## History

Jian Lan was a Xianle citizen of noble birth. Her father was a high-ranking official, while her mother was from a family of wealthy merchants.

During the drought of Yong'an and the ensuring flow of refugees, one man knew he wouldn't live a good life in the capital where his people were discriminated against, and concocted a scheme to become a citizen of the royal capital. He kidnapped Jian Lan and raped her with the expectation that her family would cover up this shame by making them husband and wife.

Jian Lan and her family didn't take this humiliation like the man thought she would. Instead, the family beat the man to death and Jian Lan began leading protests to have the people of Yong'an exiled. This caused the merchants of Xianle to go up in arms and quickened the exile by signing a petition listing the crimes committed by Yong'an citizens in the capital.

Thus, Jian Lan was one of the catalysts that caused the tension between the citizen of Yong'an and the citizen of the Capital City of Xianle.

After Xianle fell, Jian Lan started to work in a brothel. According to Qi Rong, she was actually sold to that place. It was there that she met Feng Xin, who would sometimes visit her and spend the night while just talking to her. The two fell in love, and soon she became pregnant with his son, although Feng Xin didn't find out since she broke up with him shortly after.

At one point during her late pregnancy, she met Mu Qing. Although it is unknown what explicitly happened, he recognized her as a former citizen of Xianle and decided to help her during delivery. He tried to save the child, but the fetus died anyway and turned into a Fierce.

Since her death she has lived in Ghost City and worked as a prostitute.

## Trivia

* Another name for Jian Lan is Chang Lang (菖兰, *Chāng Lán*), which is Lan Chang (兰菖, *Lán Chāng*) reversed.

## References

1. ↑ Gladiolus gandavensis is a flower in the Gladiolus genus of the iris family. It commonly represents strength of character, sincerity and integrity.
2. ↑ Acorus calamus are a tall, wetland monocot of the Acorus family. Although used in traditional medicine, it's known to be potentially toxic. Its leaves resemble those of the iris family.
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Novel, Book 1, Chapter 35: Enter the Ghost City! Rendezvous With the Ghost King
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Novel, Book 2, Chapter 77: Xianle in Chaos; Crown Prince Returns to the Mortal Realm
5. ↑ Novel, Book 3, Chapter 140: Sharp Tongues and Pointed Teeth; Winds Swallowed and Arrows Shredded
6. ↑ Novel, Book 4, Chapter 191: No Grief No Joy; White Cloth Brings Calamity to this World
7. ↑ Novel, Book 3, Chapter 141: I Choose The Path I Walk II