Tushan Jing and Xiao Yao, here's to a Happily Ever After

 peng-peng:

TH said the romance is  about Jing XY , jing is XY's lover .  She said it all.

 peng-peng:

Such a beautiful couple.  I love their love story.

 TinaL:

Wasn't there an interview where she said xiao yao's lover is jing. I mean as the author if she thought at any point that any of the other male characters were her lover, she would have mentioned that right? 

Yes...I mean if love story with another male a much crucial and important as her intended couple , she would have make it more obvious and talk more on it too.

Chapter 4: Gathering is hard Parting is easy

My Analysis Part 3

Xiao Liu & Shi Qi Touching Moments

 The sun hadn’t even rose when Shi Qi tracked him down and found Xiao Liu curled up within a tangle of broken branches. He looked totally beaten up but was sleeping with a slight smile on his lips. Shi Qi knelt down and slowly picked off the leaves on his head and saw that there were two fresh bite marks on Xiao Liu’s neck. It was slightly hidden underneath his collar with the red teeth impression vaguely showing the imprint of a pair of lips.

Xiao Liu’s eyelid fluttered open “Shi Qi?” He opened his eyes and smiled “I can’t walk again.”

Shi Qi piggybacked the docile Xiao Liu on his back. Xiao Liu rested for three days and when he was able to move around on crutches had Lao Mu make a few dishes and invited Xuan over to drink.

After Xiao Liu was thrown off from the high tree, Shi Qi again came to find her. Xiao Liu was clingy towards Shi Qi again. The way her eyelid fluttered open indicating show her clingy nature. She was just so happy to see him. And the drama made this scene very sweet.

Xiao Liu Take On Chaung Zi & San Tier Er

 Xiao Liu started nattering “This is actually an interesting gamble. Tian Er doesn’t believe Chuan Zi will want to be with her forever so right now she’s giving him all fake affection. But the more Tian Er is nice to him, the more Chuan Zi is nicer to her. The fake affection will gradually be mixed with real feeling, and as a lifetime passes even the false becomes true. But during this process it’s not without risk. Tian Er is gambling with her heart and if Chuan Zi dared to discard her then one of them is going to end up dead.”

Xiao Liu laughed “My life is very long, I can wait to see the outcome.”

Shi Qi looked at the two people “Xuan, why?”

Xiao Liu answered “Last time I snuck into his place to eat chicken and he started being wary of me. He used Tian Er to find out who was behind me. If I asked Xiang Liu to help then that’ll create an even bigger problem down the road. Even though he doesn’t think I’m completely trustworthy, but time will show him that I really am not involved in anything. Let’s not catch a cold with them so head back.”

Xiao Liu handed his crutches to Shi Qi and playfully hopped back to the house. When he hopped on the stoop there was a thin layer of ice that Xiao Liu wasn’t looking out for so he fell backwards into Shi Qi’s arms. Xiao Liu tried to grab the crutches in Shi Qi’s hands but came up empty and fell back into his arms again.
The two of them stared at each other in silence. “That…..thank you.” Xiao Liu turned and hopped back into the house.

Again the drama make the scene more touching. However, Xiao Liu falling into Shi Qi's arms and their stare scenes are still romantic enough for me. But in drama he carried and their shyness, which is such an awesome adding. 

Xiao Liu seemed quite taken by Tian Er taking chance with Chaung Zi. I have this feeling that she was scared to get attach to anybody yet she longed for others company. She was curious if Tian Er made the right choice . This encounterment with Tian Er again had some influence over Xiao Liu/Xiao Yao in the future too. 

Was Xiao Liu fear of Shi Qi disappearing up into cloud?

In the middle of the banquet, Ah Nian arrived. When Xiao Liu turned around, Shi Qi was already gone. Lao Mu warmly welcomed her and she nodded to Lao Mu while telling Xuan “Xuan gege, Hai Tang said you were at a wedding banquet here.”
Xuan stood up to leave but Ah Nian put down a handkerchief and sat down “Xuan gege, I’ve never seen such a banquet before, let them continue.” Xiao Liu was about to spit up blood and even Chuan Zi was about to flip tables but Xan Tian Er stopped him with a smile “Let’s toast the lady.”

Ah Nian stuck her nose up “I’m not going to drink since your cups aren’t clean.” Xiao Liu kept repeating over and over “I need to endure her, I need to endure her……”

In this scene, we can see clearly Shi Qi avoiding A Nian. And again A Nian was making everyone feel she was above them all. I somehow have a feeling Xiao Liu was provoked Shi Qi could disappear at any time. 

Shi Qi turned to look at him with a smile “Six years.” Xiao Liu squatted next to Shi Qi and said with a smile “Even Chuan Zi and Ma Zi can tell you don’t belong at Hui Chun Clinic. Xuan clearly can see it. Since he’s already wary of me, he’s likely already sent someone to investigate your background.”

“Um.” Shi Qi’s eyes were clear with a hint of a smile, remaining calm and peaceful as if he was above the fray. Like he was one with the mountains and streams and wind and flowers.

Xiao Liu sighed. Actually Shi Qi was another type of lofty personage. Ah Nian’s type made Xiao Liu want to jerk her down and whip her. Shi Qi’s type made Xiao Liu want to rub his dirt all over Shi Qi so that he got some dirt on himself, so that he wouldn’t disappear into the wind and become like the cloud.

Xuao Liu picked up a rock and tossed it into the water and it splashed droplets on Shi Qi’s face. That made Xiao Liu happy and when Shi Qi took out a cloth to wipe Xiao Liu forbade him to. Shi Qi didn’t understand but stopped wiping and instead used it to wipe the water from Xiao Liu’s face.

The condor Furball swooped towards them close to the river’s surface and Xiang Liu stared at them with an amused expression. Xiao Liu immediately stood up and walked forward, not even turning his head around while telling Shi Qi “You go back first!” Shi Qi was worried and didn’t want to go at first, but then he remembered the imprint of a kiss on the inside of the collar and he lowered his head and silently left.

Defintely Xiao Liu seemed to have fear Shi Qi might disappear  that she wanted to dirt him. But then Xiang Liu arrived and she just went straightly with him. I have taking on this scene. I think at that very moment, Xiao Liu just wanted to face her fear and release and which were all in Xiang Liu. 

 Winny Aye:

Shi Qi’s eyes were clear with a hint of a smile, remaining calm and peaceful as if he was above the fray. Like he was one with the mountains and streams and wind and flowers.

This sound so much as a painting of Shen ZHou!

Poet on a Mountaintop 

Shi Qi’s eyes were clear with a hint of a smile, remaining calm and peaceful as if he was above the fray. Like he was one with the mountains and streams and wind and flowers. 

Tong Hua description  of Yeshiqi  that matches with paintings from Shen Zhou (1427–1509 :).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shen_Zhou#Bibliography

 Symbolika1:

This sound so much as a painting of Shen ZHou!

Poet on a Mountaintop 

Shi Qi’s eyes were clear with a hint of a smile, remaining calm and peaceful as if he was above the fray. Like he was one with the mountains and streams and wind and flowers. 

Tong Hua description  of Yeshiqi  that matches with paintings from Shen Zhou (1427–1509 :).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shen_Zhou#Bibliography

its so peaceful and beautiful ....yesss...but I was thinking whether Xiao Liu thought Shi Qi was in another world than hers at that time.

Chapter 4: Gathering is hard, Parting is easy

My Analysis Part 4

Xiang Liu and the Moon

Xiao Liu scooted closer to Xiang Liu “But a person’s heart is strange. Happiness or sorrow, it’s all relative. If a person had only one biscuit a day but then saw beggars frozen on the street, he would feel happy because he wasn’t as bad off. But if he saw all his friends get rich then he would feel sorry that his life was terrible. Do you really need me to get into more detail about my horrific past? I can consider embellishing so that you’ll think it’s not just horrible, it’s the worst ever!”

Xiang Liu raised his hand to smack Xiao Liu who immediately closed his eyes and curled up like a beaten animal’s automatic reaction to anticipating more pain. Xiang Liu’s hand lowered and he put it on Xiao Liu’s neck. Xiao Liu saw that he didn’t hit or bite and felt a bit bolder “You’re really different tonight. Did you grow up in the ocean?”

Xiang Liu didn’t answer and Furball descended until he was right up against the ocean surface. Xiang Liu got off the back of the condor and instead of falling in the water he was standing on the surface like it was land. He reached out his hand to Xiao Liu and he immediately grabbed it and slid off the condor. Furball was actually scared of water and immediately rose back into the air.

Xiang Liu strolled along the waves with Xiao Liu. There wasn’t a sliver of light, the ocean was pitch black, there was nothing ahead of them, there was nothing behind them. The world was so vast and Xiao Liu felt so miniscule as if a wave could swallow him at any time. He grabbed Xiang Liu’s hand tightly.

Xiang Liu suddenly stopped and Xiao Liu didn’t know why but he didn’t ask any questions. He inched closer to Xiang Liu and kept him company staring out towards the East. After some time, a moon rose from the edge of the ocean and the quiet beauty was so powerful that Xiao Liu felt the hard shell around his heart soften. In the sound of the ocean waves, Xiang Liu’s voice spoke “As long as there are such sights in this world, then life is very precious.”

Xiao Liu nattered “The most precious of sights will get old after seeing it too much. Only if someone views it with me. (In thai ver, the word is friend instead of someone. I guess its not much difference) Views are dead, only if a person can appreciate it then the view has meaning.”

It wasn’t clear whether Xiang Liu heard what Xiao Liu said, but he didn’t respond. The most beautiful view had passed and Xiang Liu summoned Furball to take them back. Xiang Liu closed his eyes and there was exhaustion in his brows. Xiao Liu asked “Why are you in a bad mood?”

Xiang Liu ignored him so Xiao Liu just spoke out loud “Since Little Zhu Rong took over running the Middle Plains, I hear the Middle Plains are starting to be well managed. The Yellow Emperor will eventually deal with General Gong Gong. The power structure in this world can’t be reversed, and definitely not by the will of one person. I suggest you take off sooner rather than later. Actually, you’re just a demon, and a loathsome nine-headed one at that. With those snobbish Gods of the Sheng Nong tribe, in their eyes you are……you are less than nothing. Why do you have to worry about the Sheng Nong rebel army. What can you get by following General Gong Gong? Do you like power? Then why don’t you betray Gong Gong and cast your lot with the Yellow Emperor……….”

Xiang Liu opened his eyes and it was blood red with a demon glare. Xiao Liu was shaken by his glance like his entire body was paralyzed and blood began to drop from his nostrils and his fingertips. “I…..wrong…..wrong…..” Xiang Liu closed his eyes and Xiao Liu’s body toppled forward onto the condor’s back like a used rag. When they were almost back at Qing Shui Town, Xiao Liu sat up and wiped the blood away before wordlessly falling off the side into the river.

This is the scene where I consider Xiao Liu and Xiang Liu had bonded. However, even if they were under the moon, it is definetly not romantic as male female attraction type. But we can definetly see the bond and he was actually in good mood until she ruined it. I have a feeling that Xiao Liu was telling him about her terrible past , not only to release her own trauma but also his. Because she talked about people happiness and sorrow  depending on what they see in their surrounding. She was talking about being rich and poor, so she may just directly mean that though. I have highlighted the part. He was enjoying the ocean view when the moon rose. Was it like it is a time light shown into Xiang Liu dark(night) life? And he was enjoying the time. Xiao Liu could feel he was in a good mood too. Yet fear was still in her as when he raised his hand she curled up like beaten animal . Yet she still manage to anger him by telling him to betray Shengnong and Gong Gong. He threw her off with blood dropping from nostril and fingertips. Yep.. but the reason she told him that was because she just want him to enjoy normal life than to die in war because of this loyalty, because she herself not at all into politics and war, but lead normal. They are just different under the same moon. 

Ye Shi Qi 's True Identity&His Bond With Wen Xiao Liu

Xiao Liu walked onto his room and took off his clothes, drying himself before putting on clean clothes and burrowing under the clean warm blanket. Shi Qi entered with a hot bowl of soup and Xiao Liu sat up an slowing drank it and his body warmed up. Shi Qi took a towel to dry his hair and Xiao Liu leaned his head back and closed his eyes.

Shi Qi looked and didn’t see any lip marks on Xiao Liu’s neck and his lips curved upward. Shi Qi finished drying his hair but didn’t want to stop so grabbed a brush from the table and combed through it.

Xiao Liu said softly “You shouldn’t spoil me. If I get used to it, what’ll I do when you leave.” “I won’t leave.” Xiao Liu smiled, millions made promises, it was hard to find one who kept them. If he was Shi Qi, it might’ve been easier, but he wasn’t just Shi Qi.

Again it was Shi Qi who welcomed her home warmly and looking after her. And Xiao Liu had this feeling that he might leave, just like in previous scene. She did not want to get attached to him although she already did. And the way Shi Qi combed her hair. I feel he liked touching her (intimacy). He sound delighted that there was no lip marks on her neck.  It was  very different in the drama. Because he waited her at the river side all along and picked her when she fell down from furball(she fell into his arms). It showed he wanted go find her too but remembering  lip marks on her neck, he did not want to interfere although jealous. 

More abstracts.

A richly decked out carriage rumbled past and the wind blew the curtains up to show a gorgeous lady inside. Xiao Liu gasped at the beauty and his eyes followed the carriage. The carriage stopped outside the jewelry store run by owner Yu Shin who got out and greeted the lady. Yu Shin was a well known personage in Qing Shui Town not because his jewelry store was all that profitable, but because he owned all the shops on this street. Once a year Lao Mu needed to go to the jewelry shop to pay the rent on the clinic.

Qing Shui Town may be like a pan of loose sand but it wasn’t completely a mess thanks to Yu Shin. He wasn’t a government official but worked hard to maintain rules and order here. As one would see it, Yu Shin was like half the authority in Qing Shui Town. So when he was bowing to someone else it caused the entire street to be stunned. Everyone wanted to discuss it but was too scared to discuss it. Wanted to look but didn’t dare look. In a second the entire mood changed on the street.

.....

The next day, the news broke that Yu Shin wanted to take back some of the shops. Lao Mu sighed and even Chuan Zi and Ma Zi were in a daze. Butcher Gao heard the scoop and came to share that Yu Shin wanted to take back Hui Chun Clinic because it was close to the river and there was another patch of fertile land. Lao Mu cursed since when he rented the place it was just an empty lot that he worked hard to make fertile. But in front of the authority of Qing Shui Town there was nothing he could do other than endure a sleepless night.

Xiao Liu liked water and didn’t want to leave here so decided to go see the authority Yu Shin. Shi Qi could see Xiao Liu cleaning up to head out so he followed behind. Xiao Liu was welcomed back to the lavishly decorated courtyard to see Yu Shin. Xiao Liu and Shi Qi bowed respectfully and asked if it was true he was taking back some shops? Yu Shin admitted it and Xiao Liu asked to keep renting if he was looking for a higher rent.

Yu Shin added “You’ve lived here for twenty years so I’ll be candid with you. I’m just a servant and my master’s family is beyond wealthy. Forget one shop, they can afford to let the entire Qing Shui Town sit useless and empty just because they feel like it.” Yu Shin finished and sent them away.

Xiao Liu lowered his head to leave. If this was a plot then he couldn’t find a way to solve it. An owner wanting to take back a shop was perfectly legal and there was nothing he could do about it.

“Stop!” A woman’s voice came from above. Xiao Liu halted and raised his head to see the beautiful lady from the carriage. Shi Qi didn’t stop and kept walking while the the girl was so anxious she jump down from the second floor and ran to embrace Shi Qi with tears streaming down her face “My lord, my lord………..”

Shi Qi was standing ramrod straight and didn’t turn around. The woman collapsed at his feet in tears “They all said my lord was dead…..but none of us believed it! Nine years! Nine years!……The Heavens heard us, to let your servant I find you.”

Hearing the woman crying, Yu Shin rushed out and when he saw the woman kneeling by Shi Qi’s feet, he immediately knelt down, too. The woman tearfully asked “My lord, why are you not talking. It’s your servant Jing Ye. Did you forget? And Lan Xiang, too. You use to tease us about our names…..Yu Shin, hurry up and send message to the Grand Madam that we found our second lord. My lord, have you forgotten the Grand Madam as well?”

Shi Qi turned around and looked at Xiao Liu, the few short steps between them became an expanse so wide it couldn’t be bridged. There was such sorrow in his eyes. Xiao Liu smiled at him and walked over to say something but his usually glib tongue actually failed him. He could only try harder to keep smiling and smiling. He gestured for him to handle his family affairs and he was off.

.....

That night, Xiao Liu walked along the stone path through the medicine patch to the river. He strolled along the river and someone followed behind him, speeding up and slowing down along with him. The Summer breeze brought the scent of hops and it calmed Xiao Liu down. He stopped and turned around. Shi Qi stood behind him wearing the same old sack cloth robe which had been laundered and now smelled like fragrant incense.

Xiao Liu said “I don’t like this scent on you.”

Shi Qi lowered his head and Xiao Liu smiled “I liked the smell of medicinal herbs. Next time when you come see me, I’ll give you a satchel of medicinal herbs.” Shi Qi raised his head and it was like stars had fallen into his eyes as it sparkled with hope. Xiao Liu smiled and kept on walking so Shi Qi hurried up to walk alongside.

From then on, Shi Qi would always wear the same sack cloth robe and come walk with Xiao Liu every night by the river. The two of them would walk until Xiao Liu got tired and went back to sleep, and then Shi Qi would leave. The days seem to pass not very different then before, except the topic of their conversations had changed.

Xiao Liu would ask “How many servants do you have?”

“Two.”

“How much money do you have?”

“………….”

“Years ago….was that because of an inheritance battle?”

“Yes.”

“Is Jing Ye prettier? Or Lan Xiang?”

“…………..”

“Do you remember all the herbs I taught you.”

“Yes.

“Remember them well because it looks ordinary but if you add little things to it, it can take down even a god or a demon.”

“Yes.”

“You’re not that nine-headed monster Xiang Liu, with nine-lives and can eat whatever he wants.”

“Yes.”

“Is Jing Ye prettier? Or Lan Xiang?”

“…………..”

“The serving people are usually the least trustworthy. You be careful.”

“Yes.”

“Also…..don’t resort to violence. Pretend to be stupid and endure. If it resorts to violence then you have to be thorough and end it right then and there.”

Shi Qi said nothing.

Xiao Liu sighed “If you really can’t beat them, then come back. You can keep brewing medicine for me, at least you won’t starve to death.”

Shi Qi stared at Xiao Liu and there were rolling waves in his eyes seemingly pulling Xiao Liu in.

So finally we learnt who had the power and authority in Qing Shui town. It is Yushin, who worked at jewellery shop, and his master was beyond wealthy Tu Shan family. We can see that Xiao Liu liked to live near water/river. But she finally learnt about Ye Shi Qi's true identity, Tu Shan second young master. There was sorrow. But what makes me a little startle is how she remembered his two maids' names correctly at one time hearing. (That reminds me of the when she teased him at qing shui ally..she mention as he looked like a high deity,  he might have maids serve him ...) . And again here she asked him who 's prettier with maids exact names. She asked him twice. That is something. Was she  really thinking of Shi Qi having affairs with them?? At near end how she said that if things are not well off he could come back to her. So there is still hope. And Shi Qi seemed to be moved by that. 

Overall 

There were so many important events happen. Ye Shi Qi identity is finally revealed. Moreover the attachment between Shi Qi and Xiao Liu is just strong. Intimacy was shown although not directly at times. I mean the way she teased him with background of Chaung Zi and San Tian Er were making out under shadow . Also he combed her hair. And yep their basking under the sun. In this chapter, Wen Xiao Liu bond with Ye Shi Qi and Xiang Liu is shown with the sun and the moon. Her bond with Xiang Liu started with fear, sympathy and loneliness. It was like the moon that rose in dark night time. But he was still capable to punish her physically. Shi Qi to Xiao Liu was like a sun that makes healing, giving hopes to see the path,  light and enjoyment. And one thing very obvious is their attaction.   But she knew that she did not want him to disappear. And then she even remembered the names of women around him. And the last sentence about Shi Qi's stare, waves in his eyes that pulling Xiao Liu inside. Does the waves refer to his passion ?

The title of chapter is Gathering is hard, Parting is easy. (The word gathering in thai ver is translated as living altogether). It actually talks about Xiao Liu emotion. She had this feeling that one all her Hui Chun family will be gone and she might be left alone. She wanted to cling onto Shi Qi, into his warmth by her own natural desire. At the same time she is scared of him leaving her . And she told him that she did not want to gamble like Tian Er. And this persimissitic feeling become true as his identity is finally revealed. So for Wen Xiao Liu gathering is hard and parting is easy.   

And in this chapter particularly, we could see more of Shi Qi attraction towards her. By his wolf looks at her, his seeming jealous at seeing red marks on her neck, his liking to the touch of Xiao Liu hair and finally the waves in his eyes. 

Umm as for Wen Xiao Liu. Well she want to smell medical herbs on him and want to make sachet for him which made him sparkled with hope. And I feel sensual here. 

 Winny Aye:

its so peaceful and beautiful ....yesss...but I was thinking whether Xiao Liu thought Shi Qi was in another world than hers at that time.

Xiao Liu said softly “You shouldn’t spoil me. If I get used to it, what’ll I do when you leave.” “I won’t leave.” Xiao Liu smiled, millions made promises, it was hard to find one who kept them. If he was Shi Qi, it might’ve been easier, but he wasn’t just Shi Qi.

Yes she thought deeply about it :).

end chapter:     - Shi Qi stared at Xiao Liu and there were rolling waves in his eyes seemingly pulling Xiao Liu in.

They are going to try to bring together their world, still there is a path to walk through, for her too...

    "Mirror of Triumph: Xiao Liu's Symbolic Coping and Resilience in the Face of Past Torment" 

Exploration =>Xiao Liu's actions with the mirror and his irreverent depiction of Xiang Liu seems to be connected to his past experiences with the Nine-tailed fox and the snake torturer.

Symbolic Continuation of Coping Mechanism:

Xiao Liu's irreverent depiction of Xiang Liu can be seen as a continuation of coping mechanisms developed during his captivity with the Nine-tailed fox and the snake. Humor might have been a survival tactic in his past, and by employing it again with Xiang Liu, Xiao Liu is maintaining a consistent approach to deal with challenging situations.

Transformation of Traumatic Symbols:

The irreverent image in the mirror could be a symbolic transformation of traumatic symbols from Xiao Liu's past. Just as he had to endure captivity and torment by the Nine-tailed fox and the snake, he is now turning a potentially menacing figure, Xiang Liu, into a source of amusement and defiance.

Empowerment Through Mockery:


Creating a disrespectful image of Xiang Liu may serve as a way for Xiao Liu to feel empowered in the face of past tormentors. It transforms the narrative from one of victimhood to one where Xiao Liu actively engages in mocking and resisting those who have caused him harm.

Defying Patterns of Abuse:

Xiao Liu's actions might also represent a conscious effort to defy the established patterns of abuse in his past. By turning Xiang Liu into a figure of mockery, he is subverting the traditional power dynamic between victim and abuser, demonstrating that he refuses to be defined solely by the role of a victim.

Building Resilience Through Humor:

Humor becomes a consistent thread in Xiao Liu's response to trauma. Just as he may have used humor to endure the captivity with the Nine-tailed fox and the snake, he is now using it to build resilience in the face of a potentially abusive relationship with Xiang Liu.

Shifting Perceptions of Authority:

By mocking Xiang Liu, Xiao Liu might be intentionally altering the perception of authority associated with his past tormentors. It's a way of dismantling the fear and intimidation that these figures might evoke by reducing them to objects of amusement.

Creating a Narrative of Triumph:

The irreverent image can be viewed as a narrative of triumph over past traumas. Xiao Liu is not only surviving but actively reshaping the stories of his abusers, turning them into comical figures in his ongoing journey of healing and self-discovery.
In conclusion, Xiao Liu's actions with the mirror and his irreverent depiction of Xiang Liu appear intricately connected to his past experiences with the Nine-tailed fox and the snake. 

Through humor and defiance, he continues to navigate and transform the traumatic symbols of his past, asserting agency and resilience in the process. This adds depth to Xiao Liu's character and emphasizes the complexities of his relationship dynamics in the novel.

Excellent  I agree with all those points as you know.