JackieNg

I just see them as smart, brave and decent people. Can you define "character flaws"? Are they: eating disorder? cheating? alcoholic? lazy? substance abused? mentally weak? medium level of intelligence? Remember that they both grow up in environments that favor restrained, well-mannered personalities. Compared to FLs from other well-made costume dramas: Ruyi's Royal Love, Empress in the Palace, Rise of Phoenixes, I don't see any differences between Awu's personal qualities and theirs. Or you also consider those FLs Mary-Sue?

I wouldn't consider this story a Mary-Sue type. Both characters have major downsides in their lives. Xiao Qi grew up in a barn, without parents, has no siblings. He's achieved everything with his own hard-earned effort. Until Awu shows up in his life, he's a lonely man. Although Awu grows up in luxuries, surrounded by loved ones, but many of them exploit her and put her in harm ways without a blink. Xiao Qi's a pillar of Awu's life, her lover, soul mate, and closed friend. They only have each other!

Hug back to you! I don't think they would manage to pass censorship with the novel ending. When I saw some scenes in both MVs that don't exit in the novel, I know they have different ending. The novel author confirmed it couple of days ago.

The novel author has confirmed with fans on weibo that the drama ending is different from the novel ending. She said Awu wouldn’t die.

Calm down everyone! Based on the OST and some scenes in the MV, it would be HE. In the lyrics of the three songs we’ve heard so far (opening, ending and Xiao-Qi’s sword dance song in ep 13), they all say “In the end, I/we relinquish all responsibilities to travel the world with you/each other. “ The final scene of the MV showing Xiao Qi hugging Awu and two children (boy and girl) in the grassland. The ending in the novel is different, while logical but probably won’t go well with the censorship office. I also have an impression that they will deviate quite a bit from the novel in the end (based on some scenes in the MV).

In the novel, Xiao Qi even tells Awu that one of the reasons why he runs away in the wedding night is because “he has no idea how to make love to a 15-year-old girl” :) When they are united after the kidnapping debacle, Awu is 18.

In the novel, Xiao Qi is roughly 10-11 years older than Awu. His age comes up when Awu wants him to know her desire to have children. She says “you’re almost 30 and still don’t have children”. At that point, Awu is about 19.

Bunch of traitors try to kill her, but she’ll be OK. Her husband will come in time to rescue everyone. It’s the first test of trust between the two of them: she knows he’ll come and he knows she’ll stay to protect the fort.

In my opinion, these are the reasons: 1) She knows she can't go back to Ma Zi Dan. She was disappointed he didn't show up in the rainy night. Their relationship has ended. 2) She was devastated that she was her father's pawn. She made the decision to trust Xiao Qi from then onward. 3) She always admires Xiao Qi and his victories on the battlefield. She is the only one (except the Emperor, Ma Zi Dan and maybe her brother) among the elite class who never looks down on him because of his humble/low-class background. 4) When she's in danger, it's always Xiao Qi who saves her. She was touch Xiao Qi didn't mind danger to get her back from He Lan Zhen 5) Perhaps the most important point: she is always attracted to him physically whenever they meet: when he spoons or puts the medicine on her body, the way he looks at her, his tall and strong body. This sexual tension is very clear in the novel, and I must say that ZYY and ZYW pulled off this point spectacularly. It's well done, and not cheesy. It's a luxury to have 2 first-rated actors playing these roles in a TV drama.

Because she found out that she was her father’s and her Empress aunt’s chess pawn all along. He said “since you’ve known the truth, you need to be stronger”. From now on, she only trusts the ML. It’s a pivotal point in her character development and will guide her future decisions when she has to choose between her husband and blood related/ family members.

Modernized versions of Chang An and Gong Zi. Which one of the following two you would fall in love with in real life:
1) An assistant who teaches you basic skills and knowledge when you're a new employee in the company. He helps you complete the first two assignments you get. He cooks and cleans very well. He's sweet, quiet, reserved, and dotes on you every hour of the day. When you arrive at a new place, his presence is such an assuring comfort. He doesn't have any ambition, just wants to be with you and protect you, except at the crucial moments, he fails to show up! If you're trapped in a house on fire, he won't hesitate to jump in the fire, without thinking whether his action would save you or not. OR
1) a CEO of the company you work for. He hopelessly falls in love with you at first sight, not because of your look, but because of the vitality and energy displayed in your eyes. Despite the difference in family background, wealth and class, he treats you with respect, understands you more than yourself, and sees potentials and talents in you that you don't even know you have. He lifts you up when you're down. He teaches you the best of the trade, helps you complete difficult assignments so you can surpass your peers in a very short time. You don't see him every hour of the day, but when you have to make difficult decision, you'd go to him for advice. If you're trapped in a house on fire, he would think of the best way to save you. He wants to make sure that both you and him are alive after whatever action he decides to take.