JoJe

I see, this drama indeed a slow burn one. For me, I still could take it when their marriage happened without FL consent, but consummate things really cannot. 2 years okay as long as at that time both consent, happy and ready

Maybe I watch too many historical drama with big family DRAMA inside that I found as much as Lin family was not a good family but they are not bad too. Definitely not a moral corrupt family. It is very nice to get siblings from first branch, second branch, legitimate, illegitimate support each other harmoniously. How everyone gather after their big brother got beaten and how brothers happily pick up their big brother's bride even though she previously was a maid is very heartwarming. Even with the elders' unaccepting attitude toward Lan Xiang is still somehow could be accepted, Lan Xiang also still on quiet mode on. At least Lin family are not scheming and punish Lan Xiang like many other drama used to. They need time to digest everything

Yeah.. I wish I could tell Lan Xiang.. You have the right to be angry, he is the one at fault, but you married a good man, let time prove it, take it slow, your future will be all right, spring will come

Yup, knowing this at least I can make some preparation. I will read spoilers first whether I want to stop at some happy ending moment or continue and finish it 😂

I think this drama will have bittersweet ending. Don't know what will exactly happened, but from some interview Tan Song Yun said the most heartbreaking moment for her are : when Madam Xue (LX's adoptive mother) passed away, when Lin Da Ye (LX's future husband, our ML) passed away and when LX herself passed away (at 80's)

However, who doesn't die at old age? My prediction, this drama will show full life cycle of FL. We got to see happy family of four (in some trailer we know middle age FL & ML with daughter and son). Then maybe this drama will end at old age FL passed away with no regrets

Yup, he doesn't at all in drama

In novel he like FL but knew enough early on he stand no chance, either because ML love FL or because FL will choose ML as her best choice. So, he decide not to speak up and become friends with FL. FL acknowledge him as kinder spirit friend (by how cool FL is, known as her kinder spirit is really something). They don't have much time of meeting, but he will stand as FL's supporter until the end. Unfortunately also doesn't have another love interest at novel's end

Legitimate son of noble family but he choose to left family because his father mistreat his mother. He become skillful doctor among commoner. In drama he also become ML's private doctor.

Drama is exactly like what you watch, leaving you with question, need to imagine by yourself to fill the gap. Novel like this (I have post this before, you might want to read it)

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. In drama it should be XYH experimenting the technique by himself for XHY

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.

Do SXH & XHY leave by the end to live freely?
No, their son said to them just flee far away to live freely among rivers and mountains. But, as much they wish, to them their son is more important. XHY said to his son "I neither doubt your ability nor worry that without your mother and me, your throne would be unstable. Rather, no one else can give you the protection of a father and mother. " That is how parents love their children

Ending note
SXH & son leave for Imperial Tour. The procession is formal and grand but soon XHY take them slip away. They traversed wild grasslands, crossed flowing streams, climbed towering mountains, saw the true lives of impoverished commoners. The three of them arriving at the same day with Imperial procession at grassland. Soon, heard eagles circling overhead, led by XHY’s gyrfalcon. XHY was teaching son to train eagles, and the boy clearly showed great interest.

“Life’s three fulfillments – holding power, finding love, and family joy – even one was a luxury, yet SXH had achieved them all. On the vast grasslands, father and son chased each other joyfully. In this magnificent land, their golden age would continue, writing new chapters belonging to their family of three.”

You're very welcome 😊

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, painful & long. 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 Emperor 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.

They only give vague hint in drama, like
- When Xie Yunhuai come with Ale, he said there is untried method from Ale's place maybe could help Xiao Huayong's poison. Means he could try that method
- XHY said to SXH, he will make Emperor agree to name their son Xiao Junsu. Means he make a plan. A plan to fake his death
- XYH ask SXH he want step out capital, wander the world. Means he could take XHY for treatment in Ale's place

I think nothing more in drama. But if you want to know from novel, I write this to others in some post below. You may open spoiler

Not villain, but

A husband from FL's previous life who love his wife so much but in a wrong way
Annoying third wheel leading to obsession in this life who didn't know what NO mean
He couldn't let FL go until very end though somewhat get his redemption arc

To pave the way for their unborn
He is very sick, he need to step out for treatment. He didn't know whether treatment success, didn't know how long or he may be die in process. If other know this Eastern Palace 'weakness', everyone would targeting SXH while their unborn has no title

He need to make all believe he died - all the way to funeral. More to it, this so called fake death need to be meaningful. So, he stage this by saving Emperor's life, then he ask Emperor to give his son name Xiao Junshu (mean the one who govern the realms). By granting this special name, the Emperor symbolically acknowledges the child's royal destiny to inherit the throne. Had he suggested it under normal circumstances, the Censorate would likely have accused him of harboring treasonous thoughts. But at this moment, no one could find fault – he is a kind hero who die save Emperor's life and he was merely trying to protect a widow and orphan

With this, Eastern Palace stand tall. Their unborn status is strong and solid. Anyone want targeting SXH mean they are have treasonous thoughts want usurp the throne while any SXH move is rightful. Without this, politics & scheming in palace could said otherwise for example accuse Northwest (SXH family) want rebel.

As Gu Qingzhi, she grew up see her mother love her father deeply but her father only respects her mother and couldn’t give the same single-minded devotion. When GQZ 9 years old, at her mother deathbed, she told her that one can do anything except let their heart fall for a man, only by utterly detached can women live freely and happily. And just like that her mother die from melancholy because of emotional attachment. Then, GQZ was betrothed to Xie Yunhuai but XYH sever ties with Xie family because his mother also died from hatred (his father choose concubines), so the engagement broke. What happened to her family and Xie family make her heart grow even colder

5th Prince Xin knew engagement broke then ask Emperor to bestow marriage between him and GQZ. Prince Xin tried so much in their newlywed days. He present her with all the best things in the world and pampered her to the heavens. Yet GQZ always remained cold and composed. This making Prince Xin feel that his offerings and even his very existence were worthless to her. The more GQZ indifferent the more Prince Xin obsessed. Later Prince Xin displayed intimacy with other women before her, or even allowed concubines to disrespect her. In short, he love her but in a very wrong way. Three years marriage, and finally when Gu family fall, Prince Xin agreed to supervised execution of Gu family. He thought with that, at least GQZ could hate him. But no, she still very calm

GQZ said from the day the Emperor’s marriage decree come, she knew this day would come. Gu family would fall (Gu family had been too strong). So, she not blame Prince Xin. Then she choose commit suicide to bring down Fan family and also because her pride won’t allow her to live on at others’ mercy.

At her last moment, GQZ could still give Prince Xin a brilliantly serene smile and wishing him to ascend the throne, that frozen smile deeply pierced Prince Xin. She didn’t want to live, no one could stop her and no one could save her.

In drama, I think she just didn't care, no hate and no love. Then her pride made her didn't want to live on only because of her title as his wife plus to bring down Fan family who make her family being framed. This cold and indifferent nature of her carried over into her next life (after merging soul with Shen Xihe).

If you want to know more Gu Qingzhi background from novel, you can take a look at spoiler below

You didn't miss anything in drama (it is lack of solid explanation)

Grand Empress Dowager should be in crazy state. In drama it is because of misunderstanding that she poisoned her own blood grandson. However, in novel it is a different story. In novel, Grand Empress Dowager is main villain, main mastermind. She is the one who caused Emperor kill Prince Qian, she know XHY is Prince Qian son and still poisoned him. She also the one who make all Prince plus Emperor scheming each other. Reason is for power, let all die and she will make young Prince sit on throne to be her puppet. At the end, SXH expose all her crimes and deliberately use kind of incense to make her lock in crazy state. SXH said death is too easy for Grand Empress Dowager

For XHY, he didn't want it. Everyone know he is died. In novel, XHY said to his Emperor son after he is back “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. Other (people on court) perspective is they only gossiping about Empress Dowager's new man. After all, SXH is too young to be widow. In this while they also present her man, though all kicked out from Eastern Palace. Finally, this time there is a 'man' stay!

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, painful & long. 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.

Based on drama @pechapaiemily had answer it good
Bu Shulin - Fan Shuai Qi indeed the best female crossdressing
Yes, in drama Xiao Changyu still alive, guarding mausoleum

If you take interest to get explanation from novel, you might read spoiler below

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

I assume that before as Lady Gu she doesn't care. She not socialize much and it happened 3 years ago