Yu Ziyuan rec list
I find YZY a very fascinating character. I think she is unambiguously a terrible mother, and definitely caused some serious issues in her children. I think it's rare for a character to be a bad mother while still being portrayed as loving her children and wanting what's best for them, and I wish that was explored more! I can see arguments for her being more and less levels of abusive, especially considering how normal physical discipline is in their society and how much tougher having a developed golden core makes you.
After reading through all the fics on AO3 tagged with YZY in a day long frenzy, I come with five recs, all quite short:
Numbing by nekokoban [3k, G]
Food as a divider and a connector between YZY and the family she married into. I love this perspective on YZY's motivations: she feels like a real person, pushing against the constraints of the society she lives in. This fic was what caused me to become so interested in YZY.
MDZS short fics, Chapter 33 by nirejseki [1k, NR]
This is a much more forgiving view of YZY. Starting from the idea that YZY's actions are ultimately protective of her family and takes it to the logical conclusion.
纸鸢 • paper kite by ewagan [3k, T]
Second person YZY. I'm always fascinated by how YZY views JFM and how bad at communication they are; their "love languages" are so clearly incompatible.
unblemished by mud, Chapter 4 by chomrafy [1k, NR]
Short snippet of the women of the YZY generation as teenagers. Cute, and some fun lines.
Drowning Depths Blazing Blue by ExtraPenguin [1k, T]
A short nighthunt while WWX and JC are children. I loved the kid!logic here.