Like did he fake his death? Did they take his body out when he supposedly died?! He came back, but he cannot assume…
No problem. Me too, wish they could add that to the show. After all, we are watching the drama. They are not run out episode, why not maximize to smooth things
Minimal. The merging soul case as intro if you count it as fantasy. People do martial arts with qing gong (lightness skill). Apart from that, nothing. This is not heavy fantasy like xianxia, but historical
Like did he fake his death? Did they take his body out when he supposedly died?! He came back, but he cannot assume…
Did he fake his death? Yes
Did they take his body out when he supposedly died? Yes. It is Di Fang & Xie Yunhuai who moved him secretly from palace using secret passage that XHY use to bring SXH meet her brother & father after their marriage. They rush him in carriage to western region, to Ale's place for treatment.
How is treatment? The treatment uses some kind of worms suck his blood gradually & continuously. In short, harsh and painful. He is very weak and west is very remote. He asks Xie Yunhuai soon back to palace to help SXH (there is no case XYH friend him through treatment until look old in novel). So, no way for XHY to send letter or news
Who is in coffin? Someone else, far distant relatives from one generation above who XHY promise him to bury his body inside imperial mausoleum. They use bone manipulation art (the same method to make Bu Shulin's male body double) to make that person look like XHY
Is everyone sure, any doubt of XHY’s death? There are people who doubt XHY death and want to open the coffin. But with SXH, Tian Yuan and also help from Prince Xin, no one could come near the coffin until funeral day. Even after funeral day when there are people who want open the coffin, inside is XHY's body double who look the same with him. After that no one doubt it. (Prince Xin in novel really not an obsessive third wheel but a cool headed supporter and he is alive until the end)
Does FL know he want to fake his death? At first, XHY didn't tell SXH that there might be a method could save his life because the chance is very small, the method is very harsh and the time is uncertain. XHY pov is by what right he makes his wife wait for uncertain him. As the day XHY prepare to stage his death approaching. SXH pov is she had always thought she could remain calm in life-or-death games; she knew from beginning XHY life gonna be short. But now, she simply couldn’t control her emotions with that SXH feel sharp pain in her abdomen. Luckily with acupuncture everything is alright. Pain by seeing SXH, XHY finally told SXH that he will leave for treatment with the slimmer hope and uncertainty. He keeps it because he worried about giving her false hope, making SXH wait in vain and wasting her life. SXH said she and their child will wait for him
Does the FL always know that he is alive? She knew he alive when he leaves palace at staged death day and knew he alive arrived in west after XYH back to capital, but she never knew whether he still alive by the day pass, she never knew how is the treatment and whether it succeed. So, her pain and tears are true
How is he coming back? He comeback by himself after he is healthy enough - finally treatment success. After 4 years in drama but 8 years in novel
He cannot assume the throne? Everyone know he is died. Only his nearest know the secret about he leaves for treatment. XHY said to his son “The Emperor cannot have any blemishes. Even the misconceptions in unofficial histories cannot start with your mother and me.” With those words his son (and us) knows XHY had no intention of claiming his rightful status. XHY didn’t want to change history and planned to let others continue their speculations while remaining nameless and untitled beside SXH.
How is everyone else perspective? In these 4/8 years many thought SXH is too young to be widow. So, they present her men. Some are similar with XHY to attract SXH. If succeed their clan may get Empress Dowager favors. But, all kicked out of Eastern Palace. This time, people on court know Prince Xin bring handsome man to Eastern Palace. They wonder will this person also kicked out as soon as SXH know. But day passed and this man stay! They gossiping who is this man could finally captivate SXH. In their brain, they are very sure XHY is dead, so they just gossip & speculate about Empress Dowager’s new man.
Royal Betrothal... I think it's more like a Royal Betrayal for the novel readers. 🤣
How much it differ from novel? Just curious, it's only about the ending or start from beginning? I only watch until episode 15 for this one and still found this is good, don't know what next and still not decide whether to finish it. The comment here about the ending kind of scary 😂
It’s funny—I found the last three dramas from novels I’ve read, all have different level of adaptation - Pursuit of Jade : 90% same with novel. A quite good adaptation. Minor change, they change what necessary for drama - The First Jasmine (the one JoBurch said) :1% from the novel. It's even not an adaptation. They only use character name, even some name from novel play different character in drama. The story, the purpose, the core is completely different - Blossoms of Power : 70% same with novel. At least the core story is the same. But drama lacks of explanation. Jumping here and there, make drama watcher confused but luckily for novel reader like me I could understand better
Eheheh i started rewatching it again lol. Anyone has idea of the age ranges of the characters? Huayoung, xihe…
Just imagine that FL & ML has 4-5 years age gap In drama there are coming of age ceremony for both FL and ML
Coming of age ceremony in ancient China : for young woman is at 15 years old and for young man is at 20 years old. Add some years, or you might feel uncomfortable with how young she is
feel the same like you..its tiring with all her rejection..I’m still in eps 17..when she finally accept his…
Actually want to prepare so you could be more patient 😂 This is a sloowww burn type. But, it paid off very well in their mutual love era Keep watching!!
feel the same like you..its tiring with all her rejection..I’m still in eps 17..when she finally accept his…
Marriage happened in Episode 20 However, her confession that she love him (mutual love era) Episode 28 Before that, she gradually will warm up a bit.. But don't expect too much
she had both memories of her previous lives so she was both Xihe/Gu Qingshi I guess the author wanted to portray…
You are very welcome 😊 Drama indeed lack of explanation. I don't know why. They can have 40 episodes, but they only use 36. Why not use another 4 to explain more the important one and smooth things.
The real Shen Xihe soul actually was part of new Shen Xihe, at least the will to protect northwest is come from her soul. But, as per character, yes SXH's scared and timid character covered by GQZ's strong and decisive.
Old GQZ's soul already finish with whatever her past life, she didn't have anymore desire or wishes or aim. On the other hand Shen Xihe still has many things, especially protect her family. Together, both leading life as new Shen Xihe.
she had both memories of her previous lives so she was both Xihe/Gu Qingshi I guess the author wanted to portray…
Drama never addressed well the back story so it feels forced. Old Shen Xihe born prematurely weak - weak in body (you could read how weak she is in some of my post below). Without GQZ decisive and strong character plus GQZ life experience facing noble and palace intrigue, there is no way for Shen Xihe could survive in capital. There is a will from Shen Xihe to come to capital for arrange marriage while also secure her family safety but her body and how she grow up with many restriction in northwest won't allow her. Actually in drama her maids, father and brother know she change but they think of it because she is mature over her maid betrayal pushing her to river. Her father's initial reaction when first met SXH in capital is, 'Youyou mature already'
IF, I said IF drama want to make it without so called merging soul or reborn or reincarnation, drama should boldly delete full. No Lady Xiao & Shen Yingruo because Lady Xiao is the reason Shen Xihe born prematurely weak. Make SXH healthy, strong in character, master in many kind of ability. Next, just make SXH friendship with GQZ over the letter real so SXH could know one two things about capital intrigue. Or even just delete GQZ and make SXH prepare already with capital intrigue from her father intelligent in capital instead.
BUT then MAYBE, they would think it is too simple for narrative foundation and less wow factor for FL. Because it would only the story of a strong Northwest Princess and a 'weak' Crown Prince who turns out not weak at all
Wait, isn't the Crown Prince the 7th Prince? I thought the first prince always becomes the Crown Prince, why is…
Actually an Emperor could designate any of his sons as the Crown Prince. But the favored one is the eldest son from Empress which is Xiao Huayong (a concept of legitimate heir). Emperor could have other sons first from Noble Consorts, Consorts, even Concubines. The first one born call 1st Prince and next, next.
We have it actually in novel 1st, 3rd, 8th. Even we have until 14th or 16th I forget 😂 If I remember correctly 1st Prince die young, but 3rd and 8th Prince alive well, at beginning of story. Drama combine 3rd & 8th together into 4th. Maybe because all are in villain side and they don't have much time
1. It's a merging soul case between Gu Qingzhi and Shen Xihe. So, now she has 2 sets of memories and life experience.…
Yup, young Shen Xihe has another different history. Another reason who make her cold too, different type of cold.
SXH born prematurely very weak. This happened because some political intrigue make SXH's father when he attend banquet at palace, given aphrodisiac and made him sleep with Lady Xiao, leading to he had to marry Lady Xiao. Her mother in northwest receive this news while pregnant then shock, gave birth to SXH prematurely then die. Young SXH often sick, she cannot often go out because she would catch cold, simple cold could turn worse. SXH heart also not good, she doesn’t make friend and socialize because a bit argues or betrayal from friend could make her heart hurt and simple emotional turmoil could cost her life. Her father and brother love her very much and shelter her very much. But despite all of that, she used to be alone, detach from emotional up and down. She grow up as cold and melancholy person. The only close with her are her father and brother. That's why SXH want to secure their safety very much. She didn't want any capital political move who see northwest military too strong could lead to their downfall.
About fast network intelligence everywhere, I don't know what specific scene on drama make you think about it. You could let me know. From my understanding is SXH's father strong & powerful figure. I remember somewhere in drama show that Mo Yuan (SXH guard head) ask SXH is it okay to open some of their people to Crown Prince side because that could show their whole spy in capital, which SXH reply it is okay. This part is the same between drama and novel. They (SXH's father) have a kind of spy network intelligent system in capital and this system already build good long before SXH enter capital. Both XHY and SXH are a very cautious person who couldn’t trust anyone so completely. But SXH understand that XHY gradually show her his people, he even plan for SXH. So, SXH also finally could trust him. Novel also not tell us the detail of this system (how many and how they work) but it is Mo Yuan and Mo Yu who usually arrange and in communication with this people. Novel tell about they have special system in sending massage, a good and fast carrier pigeon and a coding only known between SXH, her father and her brother.
Other is novel tell us that all her maids are talented person specially chosen by SXH's father to accompany his beloved daughter. There are five of them in novel Zhenzhu (the head, skilled in medicine and the most clever), Ziyu (very good at cooking), Hongyu (skilled at embroidery), Biyu (good with numbers), Moyu (skilled in martial arts) and Mo Yuan (head of guard, high ability in martial arts)
1 
Me too, wish they could add that to the show. After all, we are watching the drama. They are not run out episode, why not maximize to smooth things
Yes
Did they take his body out when he supposedly died?
Yes. It is Di Fang & Xie Yunhuai who moved him secretly from palace using secret passage that XHY use to bring SXH meet her brother & father after their marriage. They rush him in carriage to western region, to Ale's place for treatment.
How is treatment?
The treatment uses some kind of worms suck his blood gradually & continuously. In short, harsh and painful. He is very weak and west is very remote. He asks Xie Yunhuai soon back to palace to help SXH (there is no case XYH friend him through treatment until look old in novel). So, no way for XHY to send letter or news
Who is in coffin?
Someone else, far distant relatives from one generation above who XHY promise him to bury his body inside imperial mausoleum. They use bone manipulation art (the same method to make Bu Shulin's male body double) to make that person look like XHY
Is everyone sure, any doubt of XHY’s death?
There are people who doubt XHY death and want to open the coffin. But with SXH, Tian Yuan and also help from Prince Xin, no one could come near the coffin until funeral day. Even after funeral day when there are people who want open the coffin, inside is XHY's body double who look the same with him. After that no one doubt it. (Prince Xin in novel really not an obsessive third wheel but a cool headed supporter and he is alive until the end)
Does FL know he want to fake his death?
At first, XHY didn't tell SXH that there might be a method could save his life because the chance is very small, the method is very harsh and the time is uncertain. XHY pov is by what right he makes his wife wait for uncertain him. As the day XHY prepare to stage his death approaching. SXH pov is she had always thought she could remain calm in life-or-death games; she knew from beginning XHY life gonna be short. But now, she simply couldn’t control her emotions with that SXH feel sharp pain in her abdomen. Luckily with acupuncture everything is alright. Pain by seeing SXH, XHY finally told SXH that he will leave for treatment with the slimmer hope and uncertainty. He keeps it because he worried about giving her false hope, making SXH wait in vain and wasting her life. SXH said she and their child will wait for him
Does the FL always know that he is alive?
She knew he alive when he leaves palace at staged death day and knew he alive arrived in west after XYH back to capital, but she never knew whether he still alive by the day pass, she never knew how is the treatment and whether it succeed. So, her pain and tears are true
How is he coming back?
He comeback by himself after he is healthy enough - finally treatment success. After 4 years in drama but 8 years in novel
He cannot assume the throne?
Everyone know he is died. Only his nearest know the secret about he leaves for treatment. XHY said to his son “The Emperor cannot have any blemishes. Even the misconceptions in unofficial histories cannot start with your mother and me.” With those words his son (and us) knows XHY had no intention of claiming his rightful status. XHY didn’t want to change history and planned to let others continue their speculations while remaining nameless and untitled beside SXH.
How is everyone else perspective?
In these 4/8 years many thought SXH is too young to be widow. So, they present her men. Some are similar with XHY to attract SXH. If succeed their clan may get Empress Dowager favors. But, all kicked out of Eastern Palace. This time, people on court know Prince Xin bring handsome man to Eastern Palace. They wonder will this person also kicked out as soon as SXH know. But day passed and this man stay! They gossiping who is this man could finally captivate SXH. In their brain, they are very sure XHY is dead, so they just gossip & speculate about Empress Dowager’s new man.
I can answer all of it from novel if you want
Thank you for explaining
It’s funny—I found the last three dramas from novels I’ve read, all have different level of adaptation
- Pursuit of Jade : 90% same with novel. A quite good adaptation. Minor change, they change what necessary for drama
- The First Jasmine (the one JoBurch said) :1% from the novel. It's even not an adaptation. They only use character name, even some name from novel play different character in drama. The story, the purpose, the core is completely different
- Blossoms of Power : 70% same with novel. At least the core story is the same. But drama lacks of explanation. Jumping here and there, make drama watcher confused but luckily for novel reader like me I could understand better
In drama there are coming of age ceremony for both FL and ML
Coming of age ceremony in ancient China : for young woman is at 15 years old and for young man is at 20 years old. Add some years, or you might feel uncomfortable with how young she is
This is a sloowww burn type. But, it paid off very well in their mutual love era
Keep watching!!
However, her confession that she love him (mutual love era) Episode 28
Before that, she gradually will warm up a bit.. But don't expect too much
The real Shen Xihe soul actually was part of new Shen Xihe, at least the will to protect northwest is come from her soul. But, as per character, yes SXH's scared and timid character covered by GQZ's strong and decisive.
Old GQZ's soul already finish with whatever her past life, she didn't have anymore desire or wishes or aim. On the other hand Shen Xihe still has many things, especially protect her family. Together, both leading life as new Shen Xihe.
Then maybe you should peak and eavesdropping your neighbor house aka novel 😂
IF, I said IF drama want to make it without so called merging soul or reborn or reincarnation, drama should boldly delete full. No Lady Xiao & Shen Yingruo because Lady Xiao is the reason Shen Xihe born prematurely weak. Make SXH healthy, strong in character, master in many kind of ability. Next, just make SXH friendship with GQZ over the letter real so SXH could know one two things about capital intrigue. Or even just delete GQZ and make SXH prepare already with capital intrigue from her father intelligent in capital instead.
BUT then MAYBE, they would think it is too simple for narrative foundation and less wow factor for FL. Because it would only the story of a strong Northwest Princess and a 'weak' Crown Prince who turns out not weak at all
We have it actually in novel 1st, 3rd, 8th. Even we have until 14th or 16th I forget 😂
If I remember correctly 1st Prince die young, but 3rd and 8th Prince alive well, at beginning of story. Drama combine 3rd & 8th together into 4th. Maybe because all are in villain side and they don't have much time
SXH born prematurely very weak. This happened because some political intrigue make SXH's father when he attend banquet at palace, given aphrodisiac and made him sleep with Lady Xiao, leading to he had to marry Lady Xiao. Her mother in northwest receive this news while pregnant then shock, gave birth to SXH prematurely then die. Young SXH often sick, she cannot often go out because she would catch cold, simple cold could turn worse. SXH heart also not good, she doesn’t make friend and socialize because a bit argues or betrayal from friend could make her heart hurt and simple emotional turmoil could cost her life. Her father and brother love her very much and shelter her very much. But despite all of that, she used to be alone, detach from emotional up and down. She grow up as cold and melancholy person. The only close with her are her father and brother. That's why SXH want to secure their safety very much. She didn't want any capital political move who see northwest military too strong could lead to their downfall.
About fast network intelligence everywhere, I don't know what specific scene on drama make you think about it. You could let me know. From my understanding is SXH's father strong & powerful figure. I remember somewhere in drama show that Mo Yuan (SXH guard head) ask SXH is it okay to open some of their people to Crown Prince side because that could show their whole spy in capital, which SXH reply it is okay. This part is the same between drama and novel. They (SXH's father) have a kind of spy network intelligent system in capital and this system already build good long before SXH enter capital. Both XHY and SXH are a very cautious person who couldn’t trust anyone so completely. But SXH understand that XHY gradually show her his people, he even plan for SXH. So, SXH also finally could trust him. Novel also not tell us the detail of this system (how many and how they work) but it is Mo Yuan and Mo Yu who usually arrange and in communication with this people. Novel tell about they have special system in sending massage, a good and fast carrier pigeon and a coding only known between SXH, her father and her brother.
Other is novel tell us that all her maids are talented person specially chosen by SXH's father to accompany his beloved daughter. There are five of them in novel Zhenzhu (the head, skilled in medicine and the most clever), Ziyu (very good at cooking), Hongyu (skilled at embroidery), Biyu (good with numbers), Moyu (skilled in martial arts) and Mo Yuan (head of guard, high ability in martial arts)