Xiang Liu and Xiao Yao’s Story and Romance

Liddi, that's such great analysis of Jing. 

 HeadInTheClouds:

Xiang Liu didn't choose Jing for Xiao Yao; Xiao Yao chose 17 at the start because he was willing to meet her requirements - placing her first and never leaving her. All Xiang Liu did was to make sure that Jing/17 was available as an option for Xiao Yao.

I don't consider Xiang Liu as having chosen Jing for Xiao Yao either. I agree that he made him available for her to choose. However, would he have really made Jing available if he believed that the man was not someone he could entrust Xiao Yao to? If Xiao Yao had extremely poor judgment and chose a man who would give the rest of her life a whole lot of grief, would Xiang Liu really have made him available, he who wanted her to have a lifetime of carefree happiness? I don't believe so. In other words, Jing must have some redeeming qualities that made Xiang Liu hope, if not believe, that Xiao Yao would have a chance at carefree happiness with him.

In Feng Long's case, the way I see it, he believed Xiao Yao should not marry him because from the appeal she sent via the crystal globe, he knew that deep down, she did not want the marriage, and as such, is unlikely to have the kind of lifetime happiness he wished for her. Thus, he stopped her from making that mistake through Jing's hand, deliberately manipulating the situation such that Jing saw him and thought of hiring him to stop the wedding.  

That brings me back to that same question. What did he see in Jing that made him believe Xiao Yao would have a chance in having the kind of life he wished for her?

"That brings me back to that same question. What did he see in Jing that made him believe Xiao Yao would have a chance in having the kind of life he wished for her?" 

IMO what really made a difference for XL is that he knew that Jing does love XY. 

 liddi:

Something that has been in my mind for quite some time now.

This for me is actually one of the most important questions anyone has ever asked in this thread.

 HeadInTheClouds:

Essentially, it's not about Jing, it's about Xiao Yao.

I tend to have this same opinion. However, for him to go through all these lengths just to make sure she has Jing by her side at the end is so strange. Jing can't even take care of himself, much less of others, so no idea why XL would think he is suitable other than because XY needs someone to be with and not feel lonely. If Jing dies soon after (who's to say he won't? heh), XY will be alone again.

 HeadInTheClouds:

XL will do his best to have that option available to her.

Yes, the logical explanation would be the availability. If only she could have been able to work out her issues for good, being alone would be a far better fate.

 liddi:

If Xiao Yao had extremely poor judgment and chose a man who would give the rest of her life a whole lot of grief

Oddly enough, Jing was the one who gave her the most grief. Knowing Tong Hua's penchant for dramatics, I'd say that having XY end up with Jing is the ultimate punishment.

 liddi:

So my question is this. Would Xiang Liu have entrusted the most precious person in his life, to someone who he deemed as less than worthy?

It all comes back to the availability. He's the only one left. Because worthy he certainly is not. He himself knows this and has said this more than once.

 HeadInTheClouds:

Finally, Xiang Liu doesn't have another choice. There was no one else who was willing to offer what Jing did.

This.

The leaked script covers Jing's assassination at the hands of Hou, and Xiao Yao's suicide when she realised Cang Xuan was the mastermind. Unlike the novel, this was changed to a hallucination perpetrated by the old Xuan Yuan king, and the real mastermind was Xin Yue whose real target was Xiao Yao. In doing this, the drama merges Xiao Yao's first assassination attempt by the albatross demon with Jing's, removes the entire Vol 3 Ch10 (Chapter 43) and every YaoLiu interaction that was covered there, including her seeing him in his true form and clinging on to him when he tried to leave. 

Leaked script Ep17 scenes 12-20F

Fangfeng Yi Ying sent word to Tushan Jing that her son was very ill and crying for him. Seeing even Hu Zhen could not diagnose the child's illness, Xiao Yao offered to go with him to Qingshui town to see if she could heal the child.

At Qingshui town, Xiao Yao was diagnosing Zhen's illness when Fangfeng Yi Ying suddenly knocked her out, to Tushan Jing's shock. She explained that the boy was poisoned and the person who did so promised that she would be given the antidote as long as she killed Xiao Yao. Hou revealed that he was the one who poisoned his own son to lure Jing here and demanded a fair fight to the death to prove who was better. Giving the antidote to Fangfeng Yi Ying, Hou promised that they would never be separated again once everything is over.

As they battled, Tushan Hou clearly had the upper hand but Tushan Jing refused to admit defeat. Just as he was about to deal the killing blow, an arrow suddenly flew out and embedded itself in his shoulder. Violently, he yanked out the arrow only to realise that it was Fangfeng Yi Ying's. With cold eyes, she shot him once more in the chest with the arrow he designed for her. She demanded that he let Tushan Jing go. From the start, the person she wanted to kill was her lover who betrayed her, from whom she wanted to exact payment many times over. She told Tushan Jing that she had killed all Hou's men, Xiao Yao would awaken in 6 hours' time, and she had left a letter to her son explaining the wrongs his parents did, in hopes he would repay all that she owed Tushan Jing when he grew up. Following this, she pierced herself with the same arrow that protruded from his chest. With his dying breath, Tushan Hou threw the arrow in his hand at Tushan Jing, As the arrow embedded in his chest, Tushan Jing fell into the water and disappeared.

Cang Xuan rushed to Qingshui town upon hearing that Xiao Yao and Tushan Jing were in danger. Using his spiritual powers as a descendant of the two-headed heavenly dog, Lirong Chang was able to piece together what had happened. An extensive search for Tushan Jing was launched to no avail. In desperation and desolation, Xiao Yao shouted out to the sea, saying that since he always wanted to marry her, she promised that she would immediately marry him as long as he returned in seven days' time on the day when the moon was full.

When he did not return on the day of the full moon, she went through the wedding ceremony on her own despite Cang Xuan's objections.

After the marriage ceremony, some of Xiao Yao's hair had turned white. At the peak of Shen Nong mountain, Xiao Yao promised that she would wait there for Tushan Jing's return no matter how long it took, even though she once swore she would never wait for anyone anymore after waiting in vain for first her mother, then Cang Xuan.

Leaked script Ep18 scenes 1-14

At the old Xuan Yuan king's quarters in the bamboo residence of Medicine valley, Xiao Yue peak, Cang Xuan shared a cup of tea that the old king had prepared. As they discussed the investigations surrounding Tushan Jing's assassination, the old king suddenly confronted Cang Xuan, demanding to know whether he was the mastermind.

*******************

Cang Xuan visited Xiao Yao at the bamboo residence. Xiao Yao asked him to drink with her. She analysed that by right Tushan Hou could no longer command support to harm anyone, so where did his faceless, powerful death squad come from. There were very few powerful people in the Great Wilderness who would dare assassinate the Tushan clan leader. She then confronted Cang Xuan, asking if he was the mastermind. At last he admitted it, saying he did not want her to marry Tushan Jing whom he deemed unworthy, and confessed his love for her, much to her devastation. In the struggle that followed with Xiao Yao trying to kill Cang Xuan, the old Xuan Yuan king had Cang Xuan forcibly removed from the scene.

Days later, she met Cang Xuan once more at the poinciana forest, a white jade lotus lamp in her hand, which she filled with poinciana flowers. She handed him the flowers, telling him they were poisoned, and he sucked the nectar without hesitation, which she followed suit. As Xiao Yao collapsed from the poison, Cang Xuan realised that the flowers Xiao Yao fed him were not poisoned after all. When asked why, she told him that she promised their grandmother and her mother to protect Cang Xuan. As she died, Cang Xuan howled in sorrow.

************************

Cang Xuan shot up, gasping in shock and grief, only to find that he was still seated opposite his grandfather, and everything he thought happened, had not taken place. He was informed that the tea he drank was called "Consequences", and had the power to create a dreamscape that showed the consequences of what laid in a person's heart. Cang Xuan denied that he instigated Tushan Hou to kill Tushan Jing, and the old Xuan Yuan king concurred, because he would never have allowed Xiao Yao to follow Jing to Qingshui town if he was the mastermind. However, he still experienced the hallucination because he had the desire to do so. The old Xuan Yuan king told him that he should be grateful that the real mastermind was more impatient than him, and acted before he did. If that had not happened, everything Cang Xuan saw in the dreamscape would have become a reality. Cang Xuan palpitated in horror at the realisation.

*******************************

Cang Xuan confronted Xin Yue, who mockingly admitted that Tushan Hou's men were sent by her, and her real target had always been Xiao Yao. In fury, Cang Xuan said that while he dared not depose her nor kill her, he would ensure that she was a queen with no authority, despised by all, condemned to a life of torment until her death. 

 liddi:

Unlike the novel, this was changed to a hallucination perpetrated by the old Xuan Yuan king, and the real mastermind was Xin Yue whose real target was Xiao Yao. In doing this, the drama merges Xiao Yao's first assassination attempt by the albatross demon with Jing's, removes the entire Vol 3 Ch10 (Chapter 43) and every YaoLiu interaction that was covered there, including her seeing him in his true form and clinging on to him when he tried to leave.

Thanks for translating this, liddi ❤️

This script is an abomination.

 HeadInTheClouds:

Xiang Liu didn't choose Jing for Xiao Yao; Xiao Yao chose 17 at the start because he was willing to meet her requirements - placing her first and never leaving her. All Xiang Liu did was to make sure that Jing/17 was available as an option for Xiao Yao.

I agree with you on this point. XY chose YSQ because YSQ met all her requirement for companionship: he promised to put her on top of his choices, always be by her side (never abandon her), he was weak and rescued by her, thus he depended on her. In XY's view, YSQ was the ideal candidate as her partner. XL just wanted to help XY fulfill her wish. In fact, XY didn't have choice. Only Jing/YSQ was willing to prioritize her over his own's wish or ambitions. XY didn't choose CX or FL because as she said FL was similar to CX, they had things that were more important than her. 

Actually the first time XL 'recued' Jing by drastically waking up XY because of WXL-YSQ relationship. I don't count the wedding robery as helping Jing because he knew that XY was not happy on the marriage with FL (that's why she sent the ice-crystal ball). What would have happened if XY hadn't sent that message? He might have done nothing. If Jing didn't come to ask him, I think XL would have done the same when he received the ball. XL could give XY a hand but it was her to make the decision after all. 

The 2nd time, XL rescued Jing was before Jing-XY marriage. Since they were about to marry after long engagement, XL knew that XY this time was certain on her decision. He just wanted to helped XY rescue her fiancee'

 nathsketch:

It all comes back to the availability. He's the only one left.

 HeadInTheClouds:

Finally, Xiang Liu doesn't have another choice.

I also agree with this. He could really see that CX was not suitable for XY at all and staying with him was not good either for the life that she wanted. CX didn't care for XY's happiness. XL could partially see it when CX spread the information of XY's biological father to prepare his attack to Gaoxi (fulfill his own ambition) which made XY almost nowhere to go since being target for people who held hatred at Chi You. 

 HeadInTheClouds:

The other thing I will say is that Jing isn't an evil person and he's "forgiving" which like Xiao Yao said makes her feel secure because he will always forgive her. For someone like Xiao Yao who is insecure, this would be very reassuring

 liddi:

still did not allow hatred to twist his heart and chose to forgive while taking necessary precautions to ensure they did not have a chance to retaliate.

Jing's kindness and forgivingness are the characteristics that XY appreciated most at Jing while other people like CX thought it was his weakness. XY was surrounded by strong, ruthless and ambitious men in her family (such as Yellow emperor, Shao Hao, CX and directly Chi You). She could see that all those men's women were unhappy, had tragic ending. She herself was cold and ruthless. She felt safe and secure with soft-heart person since he would forgive her mistake.

Xiao Yao walked over and put her head on his shoulder “I complain that you’re too soft-hearted, but actually….I would rather you be soft-hearted.” She was surrounded by too many cold-hearted people – her grandfather, her dad, Zhuan Xu, two maternal side uncles, all those cousins, even herself. They were all ruthless, which is why Jing’s soft-hearted nature made her feel safe and she liked it. (Chapter 18)

But Jing did it! He showed me, proved to me, that no matter how others have treated us, we can choose to still be kind and good and forgiving. Gege, you might see him as weak and indecisive but you tell me, if one day I betrayed you in the worst way, can you just kill me afterwards?” (Chapter 47). 

YSQ's obedience is a factor that XY liked. Maybe it was Jing's manupulative tactics. But in front of XY, he always obeyed her without any hesitation.

XY also pleased with his detail care for her need and people around her. Jing helped CX. He took care of people in Hui Chun clinics. He also arranged suitable job for San Hu. He took care of XY during their travel which made her feel like being cared like a kid. 

In XL's view, he respected XY's choice. He also knew Jing loved and cared for XY. He envisoned a free life for XY in the mortal world (instead of living in Shennong mountain or Qing Qiu). Her life then would be similar to WXL's life in QS town. XY thought Jing could prioritize XY and left his clan to be YSQ. WXL-YSQ life would be happy enough for XY. Besides, Jing's intelligence and business skill would be useful for their future.

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Last, I find TH let XLbe  capable of rescueing Jing and waking him up just on time to stop XY being Royal Mother a kind of manufactory story which just to make the ending not tragic (as the prequel - Once Promised). There are so many accidents that XL ordered merfolk waiting for Jing's in the river or the sea. How could he keep, treat Jing alive for 6 years (before making the blood jade from XY's blood)? How could Jing wake up on time? XL said the truth "there aren't that many maybes!" 

Xiao Yao said in a low voice “Jing……disappeared.” She suddenly remembered and anxiously asked “The East Sea is like your home. You….you….have you seen Jing?”

Xiang Liu mockingly said “Do you think I spend my time hanging in the ocean just waiting to rescue people?”

“No….I just thought….Qing Shui Town is also your territory of sorts, perhaps you noticed Tu Shan Hou’s activities. The East Sea may be big but you’re a sea demon….so maybe…..”

Xiang Liu coldly replied “There aren’t that many maybes!” (Chapter 43)

 liddi:

And he still won't take himself out of the equation despite it.

So selfless...barf. Hahahaha

And Xiang Liu is the one Jingers like to call selfish >:(

 liddi:

She was all prepared to being the Royal Mother, until Xiang Liu and his impeccable timing made sure that Jing was revived and interrupted the ceremony in time.

His only flaw. Reviving that waste of oxygen.

 H19279:

YSQ's obedience is a factor that XY liked. Maybe it was Jing's manupulative tactics. But in front of XY, he always obeyed her without any hesitation.

He played her like a violin. Always with the sad puppy, miserable attitude in front of her. Yikes. 

Where's that cunning, smart businessman everyone keeps saying he is (including Xian Liu)? There he is. So much for a green flag. Dude is a fox, after all.  

And to think of all the years she spent being caged by another fox when she was little. But sure, "not a tragedy" lol. Just history repeating itself heheh

 H19279:

XY was surrounded by strong, ruthless and ambitious men in her family (such as Yellow emperor, Shao Hao, CX and directly Chi You).

As they should, considering the high stakes and the times they were living in.

 H19279:

Jing's kindness and forgivingness are the characteristics that XY appreciated most

And those were the characteristics responsible for bringing them both so much misery. Let's see how far his kindness and forgiveness will take him once Xiang Liu is no longer around to do everything.

Good for Jing that others did the heavy lifting and that the world is now peaceful, but if another war were to break out, it would be so fun to see. Pity that we won't have a continuation to this story :)

 liddi:

I believe that was the main reason, and I think the turning point is seeing that Jing loves Xiao Yao to the point of being willing to die with her after the Plum Forest assassination.

They better never have any children or the trauma will begin all over again :D

It's so romantic, a dude who will never abandon his beloved, not even in death. But never mind the children, amirite? They can carry on just fine.

Xiang Liu didn't think this through at all.

Ok, enough roasting for today heheh

 liddi:

Unlike the novel, this was changed to a hallucination perpetrated by the old Xuan Yuan king, and the real mastermind was Xin Yue whose real target was Xiao Yao. In doing this, the drama merges Xiao Yao's first assassination attempt by the albatross demon with Jing's, removes the entire Vol 3 Ch10 (Chapter 43) and every YaoLiu interaction that was covered there, including her seeing him in his true form and clinging on to him when he tried to leave.

Let me bring my marshmallows back.

This is all awful and I hope the ratings reflect that. What a bunch of nonsense. Book readers will need to speak up.

May this script lie forever in the trash bin where it belongs. 

If it indeed makes it to the screen as is, well, 1-star reviews won't ever be enough :)