AtsukoM

An interesting detail from ep16.

Fan Changyu put the back of the knife to Sui Yuan Qing's neck the entire time she held him hostage, even through multiple scene changes.

I would like to think that it was intentional, because in the source material as well, she dislikes killing people especially during this stage of the story.

ML is related to Wei family. But, ML got blood feud with Prime Minister Wei, so his stance is pretty much clear especially.Li Huaian is not ignorant. He pretty much know everything there is to know. He talks about betterment of the realm, but just can't go against his family.

Absolutely! The entire scene including the kiss is 🔥

He's telling him not to be a fence sitter, and to choose a side. Only after that ML can consider what to do with him.

Right now, Li Huaian's heart seems righteous, but he still follows everything Grand Tutor Li orders (which is strictly for the glory of the Li family).

This was already revealed in the drama at the conversation where Qi Min's lackey visited ML in episode 13.

Lord Changxin is alive and well. The one who died together with ML's father 16 years ago was Crown Prince Chengde.

You mean Changning right?

If so, the kidnapping doesn't take that long.

It was already burnt by Prime Minister Wei in ep10. He Jing Yuan sent it to Wei Yan in exchange for Changyu and Changning's life.

16 Years ago

ML's dad and then Crown Prince died due to conspiracies. FL's dad involvement isn't revealed yet, but he got some letters the current Prime Minister Wei wants (which is related to events from 16 years ago). Treasure map is a cover up. The actual content is the letters.

Present Day

Prince Changxin and Qi Min's ploy led ML to investigate the events from 16 years ago, which almost get him killed and eventually led him to be rescued by FL. Which in turn alerted Prime Minister Wei, so he sent assassins to clean up every related ppl from the past, including FL and her sister due to those letters.

War is looming now, so various forces are preparing grains. Qi Min initially collected those massive amount of grains for his own reasons, but now trying to buy off ML with those grains.

The following are the major political factions revealed so far -
- Prime Minister Wei
- Grand Tutor Li
- Prince Changxin
- Qi Min
- ML

This can be a good starter for you imo. It's good all around, leads, script, production, etc.

Classic ones tend to have longer lengths and different formats from the more modern dramas. You might be able to enjoy them more after you have some understandings of cdramas. (Though, of course it's totally fine to start from older classic dramas as well)

After tmr, peaceful days are gone gone gone. So I'm thoroughly enjoying this arc. lol

I would like to preface that I'm not a native, and this is purely my observations from dramas and novels. So, if there's any error, please feel free to chime in.

The term 'Shizi' (世子) often makes such a confusing state in some translations because it was often translated as 'Crown Prince'. When you put its Chinese word into a translator, it still translates into 'Crown Prince'. (brave souls who MTL raw novels often encounter this I believe)

In this drama, it's the title of Sui Yuan Qing (Prince Changxin's son). To my understanding, 'Shizi' means 'Heir Apparent of a Prince'. On the other hand, the word for Crown Prince (Heir Apparent of an Emperor) is 'Taizi' (太子).

So, I kinda get where some confusions come from. I learnt it the hard way when I read Blossom novel back then because Song Mo was translated as Crown Prince the entire story which confused the hell out of me at the beginning.

Changning is safe and sound at the end of the story.

Qi Min is bad bad.

Qi Min dies, Qian Qian lives.

There are no eternal friends or enemies, only eternal interests.

They are not enemy 'now' because their interests doesn't clash with each other. When it does, they'll become enemy overnight.

I also wonder how they'll portray Qi Min in the drama though, since they are making some changes to the novel. Most likely they'll follow the novel, but for the off chance it doesn't. xD

You are correct. The political landscape in this drama is complicated like that with multiple parties with their respective interests.

Qi Min is the son of the late Crown Prince Chengde who died 16 years ago.

Prince Changxing is a vassal lord from the same country, and surname is Sui.

Qi Min is currently fostered under Prince Changxing with the identity of his eldest son.

Sui Yuan Qing is the real son of Prince Changxing, and his public identity is that of a second son (coz Qi Min is the eldest). His title is 'Shizi' which means 'Heir Apparent' of Prince Changxing.

I noticed that the term 'Shizi' was often translated as 'Crown Prince'. But, 'Heir Apparent' is the correct translation imo. I'm not a native so someone with proper knowledge can fill in if it's incorrect.

It'll become much clearer after a couple more episodes. The drama was intentionally vague about those characters at the early parts of the story, most likely to focus solely on ML and FL.

For today's episodes, start around chapter 40 I guess.

There are some differences between the novel and drama so far as well. Some characters were introduced much earlier in the drama. So, keep that in mind while reading the novel as some events will be different due to that.

And don't get me started on how FCY went down the mountain for provisions. I'll be ecstatic if that scene makes it into the drama as it was described in the novel. 🤣🤣

I was re-reading that part just yesterday. I chuckled hard again lmao.