May I ask what episode you are in? If you still think that way after ep 26 then I don't know what to say. If you're…
Thanks for the heads up. I am really struggling with the 2 Song sisters now. The Emperor and CGH are already bad enough...so many unlikable characters. Sheesh...
Hey Tian! Lovely to see you here. The Song sister may seem annoying but its for the greater good of the script.…
Hey Ash, you are here too! How are your exams? All done? All good?
Argh...the FL is annoying me to the point of being fast forwarded at times. She better pay the 7th prince back big time to appease my dislike and annoyance of her. LOL Younger sister is like a Miss know it all and I am going to start fast forwarding her too. 😅
Someone slap CGH for me please. He's sounding more and more like a a cheap villain.
Argh...CGH is another annoying character for me. Poor 7th prince, he is being surrounded by idiotic characters. 🤦🏻♀️ Heard EP 26 is the turning point. I am EP 22 and will be struggling through the next few episodes to reach EP 26. HELP.....
Please watch the whole episode, it's a proper turning point for FL :) its only going to get better! Nan Heng will…
I am at EP 22.
I was quite annoyed with the younger sister as well. Like girl, the dude is being abused enough by everyone around him, his dad and the silly goose Song Yimeng are more than enough and now younger sister "traumatizes" him with attempted sexual assault? Come on. 😂🤣
Sighs...Things better get well for 7th prince soon, I am also annoyed like heck for him. Poor baby. Based on what is being discussed, EP 26 is the turning point. Dang...it's gonna be a painful 4 more episodes to EP 26
Poor 7th Prince, why are the Song sisters the ones finding ways to strip him? 😂😝🤪 But I remember LYN has a nice toned chest when he did that shirtless scene in POB. Sooo...can't complain.😏🤣
Is it just me? Or are the Song sisters getting annoying for you guys too. One is too obsessed with the script despite signs that the script is not being followed and the other is a smart alec. Sighsss....
just because xiao yao and xiang liu were doomed from the start doesn't mean i’ll stop wishing they were endgame.…
You raise fair concerns. Jing's decision was not perfect — it was bittersweet and complex. But I don’t think it’s as clear-cut as him choosing personal desire over responsibility. Jing didn’t walk away from a helpless child — he stepped back from a teenager who had already led the clan for years in his absence, with the elders’ support, and who had begun to grow into the role. Reclaiming that position could’ve reignited succession tensions, especially if Jing and Xiao Yao later had a son. By stepping aside, he avoided that risk entirely.
As for Zhen being “trapped” — you're right that being groomed from birth doesn't equal true choice. But that’s the reality of nobility and legacy in this world. Jing understood that burden all too well, which is likely why he chose to break the cycle rather than impose it again. By quietly removing himself, he gave Zhen space to lead without the looming question of whether Jing would one day reclaim the title.
And while the absence of parental figures can leave deep wounds, Zhen wasn’t abandoned or left alone. He had years of care from Jing and FFYY, and likely continued to receive guidance from loyal aides after Jing’s departure. The story ends before we see how this plays out — so speculation cuts both ways — but there's no solid indication that he was left defenseless or unloved.
You're also right that the Tushan clan isn't immune to internal politics. But the clan continued to function during Jing’s long absence. His withdrawal may have actually strengthened Zhen’s position by removing any future power struggle, including from Jing himself or any future sons he might have had with Xiao Yao.
In a world like this, there are rarely perfect solutions — only trade-offs. Jing made a difficult call to preserve peace and honor his promise to Xiao Yao: to return to her not as Tushan Jing, but as Ye Shiqi. Whether that choice is seen as selfish or selfless likely depends on which values one weighs most — duty, love, or legacy. It's not black and white — it’s open to interpretation.
Regarding lineage: Hou and Jing share the same father — both are Tushan. Hou was scorned because his mother was a maid and his birth the result of an affair, but biologically, his children are still Tushan. Zhen’s bloodline isn’t impure — it’s politically complicated.
Ultimately, Jing couldn’t guarantee Zhen’s safety — no one can. But with Jing gone and no other legitimate male heir in the Tushan line, the clan has no choice but to stand behind Zhen, rumors or not. In the volatile world they live in, that quiet act of stepping back may have been the greatest protection Jing could give his nephew.
just because xiao yao and xiang liu were doomed from the start doesn't mean i’ll stop wishing they were endgame.…
On the “not even Jing’s real son” remark — I believe Winny likely meant "not his biological son". The boy Jing believed was his son turned out to be his nephew. But that doesn’t mean Jing loved him any less. Despite the painful truth, Jing never took it out on the child. He continued raising him with care, brought him up as heir, and even risked his life to save him.
Let’s not forget — in Episode 56 (S2EP17), it was the boy’s biological parents, Hou and FFYY, who poisoned him, just to lure Jing into a deadly trap. When Jing heard that the nephew was sick, he immediately rushed to his side with Xiao Yao to check on the boy's "illness", and in doing so, was grievously wounded by Hou and presumed dead for years. That’s not the action of a man whose love for a child is weak.
Jing’s bond with the boy was also not built on biology, it was built on years of care, protection, and responsibility. That also makes him a real father in every way that counts.
just because xiao yao and xiang liu were doomed from the start doesn't mean i’ll stop wishing they were endgame.…
The key difference between Jing and his nephew lies in their circumstances. Jing had an elder brother, Hou, who was deliberately passed over due to his parentage — the unacknowledged son of a maid, constantly demeaned by Jing's mother. In contrast, Jing’s nephew was the sole heir, with no rival siblings. His grooming as future clan leader was expected — it was a matter of when, not if.
Yes, Jing was seen as the golden child, but that was based on family decisions, not his own ambition. From his conversations with Xiao Yao, it’s clear Jing never wanted to be the Tushan leader, He thought his brother’s strength and charisma made him more suitable. Jing took on the title out of duty, not desire.
Jing’s final choice was not abandonment, but a difficult and considered decision. I agree that the boy likely loved him as a father and losing that presence would hurt. But after being presumed dead for years, Jing returned to find his nephew already established as Chief. Taking back the title would have only risked reopening old wounds, especially with rumors about the boy’s parentage and the possibility of a YaoJing son later. Jing chose to break the cycle instead.
As for the CX and XY comparisons — yes, losing parental figures is traumatic. But the contexts differ. Cang Xuan faced assassination plots from his own family. Xiao Yao endured abduction, torture, and identity loss.
Jing’s nephew, while touched by loss, had a stable upbringing, clan backing (even if imperfect), and most likely continued guidance from Jing’s trusted aides. That foundation matters. The story doesn’t show us what happens next, but the environment left behind was one of continuity, not collapse.
Jing left to protect the boy’s position and to honor his promise to Xiao Yao. In a world where no one gets a perfect ending, that was his version of doing right by both.
Nooooooo.....7th prince has been bearing too much for that silly girl Song YiMeng. Poor guy, that has got to hurt a lot. 🥲 The Emperor is such an ass. 😠
just because xiao yao and xiang liu were doomed from the start doesn't mean i’ll stop wishing they were endgame.…
As we only have the novel for reference, many scenarios will naturally be hypothetical. But what we can reasonably infer from the narrative and character arcs is this: Jing never actively sought the role of Tushan Chief. He took on the responsibility out of duty to his family and clan — not personal ambition. In fact, he had shared with XY that he thought that his brother might have made a better leader for the Tushan clan.
Jing’s nephew was not “trapped” in the role of clan leader. He was raised from the start as the future Tushan Chief — supported by the elders, groomed for the position, and never treated as a second choice. His ascension was a matter of when, not if. That’s a far cry from Hou’s situation — an unacknowledged son of a maid, demeaned by Jing's mother who sees him as a living reminder of her husband’s infidelity.
Jing’s nephew never even knew his grandmother, who died shortly after his birth — so her absence likely carried little emotional weight. He was probably raised by Jing and FFYY, with Hou as a doting “uncle.” And since he never knew Hou as his biological father, that absence likely meant little to him. His mother, FFYY, was an unfortunate casualty in Hou’s power struggle for clan leadership. Of all the adults in his early life, she may have been the one Jing’s nephew missed most.
As for comparisons to Cang Xuan and Xiao Yao:
Cang Xuan was raised amid political strife and assassination plots. His uncles had been trying to kill him since childhood, forcing him into survival mode — shaping the ruthless, pragmatic man we know.
Xiao Yao, after years of trauma, abandonment, and identity loss, eventually became Wen Xiao Liu — emotionally detached, self-reliant, and slow to trust.
Jing’s nephew, by contrast, grew up in a stable environment, with a clear role as the clan’s future leader, and support from both family and elders.
The story ends before we learn what happens next, but it’s entirely reasonable to assume Jing stayed in contact, likely through letters, and he left behind trusted aides to guide and protect his nephew.
Jing’s decision ultimately served two purposes: it safeguarded his nephew’s future and preserved the clan’s stability. And whether or not that was his original intent, it allowed him to keep his most important promise — to return to Xiao Yao as Ye Shiqi.
just because xiao yao and xiang liu were doomed from the start doesn't mean i’ll stop wishing they were endgame.…
Regarding “To be with Xiao Yao, Jing had to abandon his role as Tushan clan leader, passing the responsibility onto his young nephew.”
I think it wasn’t clearly explained in the drama, but novel readers have clarified that after Jing’s near-fatal fight with Hou in Season 2 — where he fell into the ocean — he went missing for years and was presumed dead. To maintain stability, the Tushan elders went ahead and named his nephew as the new clan leader.
When Jing eventually returned, he chose not to reclaim the title. He knew his nephew would likely step down and return it to him — but doing so would stir up succession drama, especially after the affair between Jing’s brother and FFYY became public, raising doubts about the nephew’s parentage.
Jing was planning to marry Xiao Yao, and if they had a son, it’s likely some elders would have pushed for the YaoJing child to replace the nephew as heir. Jing didn’t want history to repeat itself. He had already seen how painful it was to grow up feeling like a second choice due to bloodline — as Hou had. He didn’t want his nephew — whom he raised well — to go through the same thing.
By stepping aside and allowing his nephew to remain Chief under the guidance of the elders, Jing avoided disrupting the clan and ensured his nephew a clear, uncontested future.
In Episode 34, when Jing wakes from his coma, he tells Xiao Yao that he no longer wants to be “Tushan Jing” just to marry her. At first, he believed he needed a title worthy of her princess status. But he comes to realize that what matters most is simply being with her. No titles. No politics. No power plays. Just a man and a woman in love. In that sense, I believe he was staying true to his word when he chose to leave with Xiao Yao instead of returning to reclaim leadership of the Tushan clan.
It wasn’t an act of abandonment, but a considered decision — made to avoid destabilizing the clan, protect his nephew, and build a quiet life with Xiao Yao.
3 
I cannot bear any more abuse on 7th prince. *Gulps nervously*
Put that guy on the throne and the country will collapse. 😬🤦🏻♀️
The Song sisters are grating on my nerves. URGH!😬
Argh...the FL is annoying me to the point of being fast forwarded at times. She better pay the 7th prince back big time to appease my dislike and annoyance of her. LOL Younger sister is like a Miss know it all and I am going to start fast forwarding her too. 😅
I need to brace for it...which EP? EP 26 too?
OMG...he is getting flogged again? Poor guy.
Poor 7th prince, he is being surrounded by idiotic characters. 🤦🏻♀️
Heard EP 26 is the turning point. I am EP 22 and will be struggling through the next few episodes to reach EP 26. HELP.....
I was quite annoyed with the younger sister as well. Like girl, the dude is being abused enough by everyone around him, his dad and the silly goose Song Yimeng are more than enough and now younger sister "traumatizes" him with attempted sexual assault? Come on. 😂🤣
Sighs...Things better get well for 7th prince soon, I am also annoyed like heck for him. Poor baby. Based on what is being discussed, EP 26 is the turning point. Dang...it's gonna be a painful 4 more episodes to EP 26
Poor 7th Prince, why are the Song sisters the ones finding ways to strip him? 😂😝🤪
But I remember LYN has a nice toned chest when he did that shirtless scene in POB. Sooo...can't complain.😏🤣
Is it just me? Or are the Song sisters getting annoying for you guys too.
One is too obsessed with the script despite signs that the script is not being followed and the other is a smart alec. Sighsss....
As for Zhen being “trapped” — you're right that being groomed from birth doesn't equal true choice. But that’s the reality of nobility and legacy in this world. Jing understood that burden all too well, which is likely why he chose to break the cycle rather than impose it again. By quietly removing himself, he gave Zhen space to lead without the looming question of whether Jing would one day reclaim the title.
And while the absence of parental figures can leave deep wounds, Zhen wasn’t abandoned or left alone. He had years of care from Jing and FFYY, and likely continued to receive guidance from loyal aides after Jing’s departure. The story ends before we see how this plays out — so speculation cuts both ways — but there's no solid indication that he was left defenseless or unloved.
You're also right that the Tushan clan isn't immune to internal politics. But the clan continued to function during Jing’s long absence. His withdrawal may have actually strengthened Zhen’s position by removing any future power struggle, including from Jing himself or any future sons he might have had with Xiao Yao.
In a world like this, there are rarely perfect solutions — only trade-offs. Jing made a difficult call to preserve peace and honor his promise to Xiao Yao: to return to her not as Tushan Jing, but as Ye Shiqi. Whether that choice is seen as selfish or selfless likely depends on which values one weighs most — duty, love, or legacy. It's not black and white — it’s open to interpretation.
Regarding lineage: Hou and Jing share the same father — both are Tushan. Hou was scorned because his mother was a maid and his birth the result of an affair, but biologically, his children are still Tushan. Zhen’s bloodline isn’t impure — it’s politically complicated.
Ultimately, Jing couldn’t guarantee Zhen’s safety — no one can. But with Jing gone and no other legitimate male heir in the Tushan line, the clan has no choice but to stand behind Zhen, rumors or not. In the volatile world they live in, that quiet act of stepping back may have been the greatest protection Jing could give his nephew.
Let’s not forget — in Episode 56 (S2EP17), it was the boy’s biological parents, Hou and FFYY, who poisoned him, just to lure Jing into a deadly trap. When Jing heard that the nephew was sick, he immediately rushed to his side with Xiao Yao to check on the boy's "illness", and in doing so, was grievously wounded by Hou and presumed dead for years. That’s not the action of a man whose love for a child is weak.
Jing’s bond with the boy was also not built on biology, it was built on years of care, protection, and responsibility. That also makes him a real father in every way that counts.
Yes, Jing was seen as the golden child, but that was based on family decisions, not his own ambition. From his conversations with Xiao Yao, it’s clear Jing never wanted to be the Tushan leader, He thought his brother’s strength and charisma made him more suitable. Jing took on the title out of duty, not desire.
Jing’s final choice was not abandonment, but a difficult and considered decision. I agree that the boy likely loved him as a father and losing that presence would hurt. But after being presumed dead for years, Jing returned to find his nephew already established as Chief. Taking back the title would have only risked reopening old wounds, especially with rumors about the boy’s parentage and the possibility of a YaoJing son later. Jing chose to break the cycle instead.
As for the CX and XY comparisons — yes, losing parental figures is traumatic. But the contexts differ. Cang Xuan faced assassination plots from his own family. Xiao Yao endured abduction, torture, and identity loss.
Jing’s nephew, while touched by loss, had a stable upbringing, clan backing (even if imperfect), and most likely continued guidance from Jing’s trusted aides. That foundation matters. The story doesn’t show us what happens next, but the environment left behind was one of continuity, not collapse.
Jing left to protect the boy’s position and to honor his promise to Xiao Yao. In a world where no one gets a perfect ending, that was his version of doing right by both.
Feed my eyes, Weiwei! 🤪😏😍😍😍
Thanks for the heads up Sunbath!
That magical glow coming out of YiTing's schedule shared out to the 18th prince. 😂🤣
Nooooooo.....7th prince has been bearing too much for that silly girl Song YiMeng.
Poor guy, that has got to hurt a lot. 🥲 The Emperor is such an ass. 😠
Jing’s nephew was not “trapped” in the role of clan leader. He was raised from the start as the future Tushan Chief — supported by the elders, groomed for the position, and never treated as a second choice. His ascension was a matter of when, not if. That’s a far cry from Hou’s situation — an unacknowledged son of a maid, demeaned by Jing's mother who sees him as a living reminder of her husband’s infidelity.
Jing’s nephew never even knew his grandmother, who died shortly after his birth — so her absence likely carried little emotional weight. He was probably raised by Jing and FFYY, with Hou as a doting “uncle.” And since he never knew Hou as his biological father, that absence likely meant little to him. His mother, FFYY, was an unfortunate casualty in Hou’s power struggle for clan leadership. Of all the adults in his early life, she may have been the one Jing’s nephew missed most.
As for comparisons to Cang Xuan and Xiao Yao:
Cang Xuan was raised amid political strife and assassination plots. His uncles had been trying to kill him since childhood, forcing him into survival mode — shaping the ruthless, pragmatic man we know.
Xiao Yao, after years of trauma, abandonment, and identity loss, eventually became Wen Xiao Liu — emotionally detached, self-reliant, and slow to trust.
Jing’s nephew, by contrast, grew up in a stable environment, with a clear role as the clan’s future leader, and support from both family and elders.
The story ends before we learn what happens next, but it’s entirely reasonable to assume Jing stayed in contact, likely through letters, and he left behind trusted aides to guide and protect his nephew.
Jing’s decision ultimately served two purposes: it safeguarded his nephew’s future and preserved the clan’s stability. And whether or not that was his original intent, it allowed him to keep his most important promise — to return to Xiao Yao as Ye Shiqi.
I think it wasn’t clearly explained in the drama, but novel readers have clarified that after Jing’s near-fatal fight with Hou in Season 2 — where he fell into the ocean — he went missing for years and was presumed dead. To maintain stability, the Tushan elders went ahead and named his nephew as the new clan leader.
When Jing eventually returned, he chose not to reclaim the title. He knew his nephew would likely step down and return it to him — but doing so would stir up succession drama, especially after the affair between Jing’s brother and FFYY became public, raising doubts about the nephew’s parentage.
Jing was planning to marry Xiao Yao, and if they had a son, it’s likely some elders would have pushed for the YaoJing child to replace the nephew as heir. Jing didn’t want history to repeat itself. He had already seen how painful it was to grow up feeling like a second choice due to bloodline — as Hou had. He didn’t want his nephew — whom he raised well — to go through the same thing.
By stepping aside and allowing his nephew to remain Chief under the guidance of the elders, Jing avoided disrupting the clan and ensured his nephew a clear, uncontested future.
In Episode 34, when Jing wakes from his coma, he tells Xiao Yao that he no longer wants to be “Tushan Jing” just to marry her. At first, he believed he needed a title worthy of her princess status. But he comes to realize that what matters most is simply being with her. No titles. No politics. No power plays. Just a man and a woman in love. In that sense, I believe he was staying true to his word when he chose to leave with Xiao Yao instead of returning to reclaim leadership of the Tushan clan.
It wasn’t an act of abandonment, but a considered decision — made to avoid destabilizing the clan, protect his nephew, and build a quiet life with Xiao Yao.