JoJe

Crown Prince give him a hint on Episode 13 around 09.45 min
A quite clear hint, so then Cui Jinbai must be realize it

Then, Episode 14 around 25.50 min. Cui Jinbai know it already

This is GQZ past life from novel

Gu Qingzhi - daughter of noble family. When she was 9 years old, at her mother deathbed, she told her one can do anything except let their heart fall for a man, only by being utterly detached can women live freely. Her mother love her father deeply but her father only respect her, never could give her single minded devotion. That's why GQZ grew up as a cold, indifferent woman. GQZ was betrothed to Xie Yunhuai since childhood but later XYH sever ties with Xie family because his mother died from hatred (his father choose concubines), then 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. After all, GQZ is first among the capital’s nine perfections, excelled in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, women’s work, and cooking—considered the model of noble ladies.

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, decisive and rational about everything. 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, but GQZ maintained this same ethereal detachment. In short, he love her but in very wrong way. Three years, 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 with the incense she made. She died along with their unborn child. The reason is to bring down Fan family and her pride won't let her live on other mercy. She also couldn't let her child born in such gloomy imperial family, better die with her.

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.

When she wake on Shen Xihe body, as Gu Qingzhi she actually didn't want this because for her it's already finished. No regrets, no attachment. She is not that close with Gu family and everything she owe to Gu family for raise her, she paid it with her life to clear Gu family name. So, her resolution is though she has GQZ memory and life experience but from now on, there will be no GQZ, only Shen Xihe will remain

Yeah, drama won't show it until the end. I could tell you from novel if you want

Drama indeed didn't explain any. We didn't know how he came back, even we didn't know how he slipped away from supposed to be his death as early as episode 32 from 36

This is from novel, and I think it could be use as reference.. Just use a bit of imagination 😂

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 to western region, to Ale's place for treatment. The treatment use some kind of worms suck his blood gradually & continuously. In short, harsh and painful. He is very weak and west is very remote. He ask 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. He is there only with SXH's cat. SXH let her cat go with him to give him alive friend.

There is 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. The method is Bone manipulation art, the same method to make Bu Shulin's male body double. (Prince Xin in novel really not an obsessive third wheel but a cool headed supporter and he is alive until the end)

Did the FL always know that he is alive? She knew he alive when he leave 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. In novel, XYH back to claim his rightful noble status as Xie legitimate descendants and be SXH supporter on court. Later, he become one of SXH's son tutor

It's only after 8 years in novel XHY comeback to reunite with his beloved family. He comeback by himself with SXH's cat after he is healthy enough - finally treatment success. The one who bring him inside the palace is Prince Xin.

1. It's a merging soul case between Gu Qingzhi and Shen Xihe. So, now she has 2 sets of memories and life experience.
2. She is actually smart from beginning. As Gu Qingzhi, she is known as first among the capital’s nine perfections, excelled in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, women’s work, and cooking—considered the model of noble ladies
3. As old Shen Xihe. She is melancholy because she is very weak since prematurely born, being shelter too much and used to be alone. But this not mean she is not smart, she grew up in a good family teaching. Her father and brother are powerful figure, especially in military. All her maids, Zhen Zhu, Mo Yu, Mo Yuan are specially talented person chosen by her father to accompany his beloved daughter. So, fast network is already build long a go from her father

The merging souls make her more superior. New Shen Xihe has Gu Qingzhi decisive & strong character and also Gu Qingzhi life experience in capital (through all noble and palace intrigue). Besides, she also has old Shen Xihe powerful family background, all the people and network, she knew them perfectly.

No problem, you're welcome 😊

For drama maybe a loose end or since episode 37 is extra and the main story already ended so they cannot complicated things. As a viewer I want to see it but inside 36 episodes. Keep episode 37 as it is with happy family moment

For novel, XHY know already his real identity years ago, even before he met SXH. This also one of the reason XHY suspect Emperor is behind his poisoning, but he cannot find evidence at all. As his relationship with SXH closer, he tell SXH this secret before their marriage. SXH thought whether XHY want to reclaiming his true identity in future or want revenge. But XHY thinks maybe he was cold-hearted, but he had never seen his birth parents and felt no attachment or longing for them. In his childhood, he had experienced too much despair and helplessness, countless times hovering at death’s door. So, even towards his birth parents, he felt no blood ties. It didn’t matter whose child he was. To him, he was simply himself, and everything about him belonged only to him. Of course, things were different now and he could belong to SXH. For XHY, SXH is heaven mercy upon him.

I write this before, let me write it again

It's merging soul case. Gu Qingzhi and old Shen Xihe merge into new Shen Xihe. It's like blue and red make new color purple. Without either blue or red, there will be no purple. Just like new Shen Xihe consist of two memories blend together. It seems Gu Qingzhi character dominant but I believe it also what old Shen Xihe want to protect her Northwest family or in other words Gu Qingzhi life experience help Shen Xihe could navigate the dangerous life in capital better.

Sounds illogical, but at least that is what novel writer means (the reborn protagonist is neither Gu Qingzhi nor Shen Xihe, but someone entirely new). In my opinion, drama intended the same.

This is in novel, a slightly different with drama though

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 make his wife wait for uncertain him. IF one day he could no longer stay by her side, he would rather she gradually forget him, let him go and break free.

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 keep 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

The day of staged death it is the same that in Emperor's arm XHY said he wish to name his son Xiao Junsu. Also the same with his last word : “Youyou… I only hope… marrying me… brings no regrets.” Which SXH reply “Marrying you this life, no regrets for eternity!”

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 to western region, to Ale's place for treatment. The treatment use some kind of worms suck his blood gradually & continuously. In short, harsh and painful. He is very weak and west is very remote. He ask 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. He is there only with SXH's cat. SXH let her cat go with him to give him alive friend.

There is 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. The method is Bone manipulation art, the same method to make Bu Shulin's male body double. (Prince Xin in novel really not an obsessive third wheel but a cool headed supporter)

Did the FL always know that he is alive? She knew he alive when he leave 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. In novel, XYH back to claim his rightful noble status as Xie legitimate descendants and be SXH supporter on court. Later, he become one of SXH's son tutor

It's only after 8 years in novel XHY comeback to reunite with his beloved family. He comeback by himself with SXH's cat after he is healthy - finally treatment success. The one who bring him inside the palace is Prince Xin.

Yup, another 20 more episode
FL will warm a bit before 28 but still the confession, the mutual love and consummations is after

You're welcome. I could sense it only because I read the novel. Drama indeed doesn't spelled it 😂

True... This is indeed a very slow burn type that test our patience
Novel is like that and drama the same
However, it will pay off very well

If I'm not mistaken. It's episode 28

It's actually merging soul case. Gu Qingzhi and old Shen Xihe merge into new Shen Xihe. It's like blue and red make new color purple. Without either blue or red, there will be no purple. Just like new Shen Xihe consist of two memories blend together. It seems Gu Qingzhi character dominant but I believe it also what old Shen Xihe want to protect her Northwest family or in other words Gu Qingzhi life experience help Shen Xihe could navigate the dangerous life in capital better.

Sounds illogical, but at least that is what novel writer means (the reborn protagonist is neither Gu Qingzhi nor Shen Xihe, but someone entirely new). In my opinion, drama intended the same.

I don't know if this could motivate you and there is a bit background from novel because drama not explain it in detail, but since overall plot between drama and novel is the same I think it's still okay I combine it

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 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

Then we have old Shen Xihe. SXH born prematurely very weak. This because some political intrigue make his father when he attend banquet at palace, given aphrodisiac and made him sleep with Lady Xiao. Her mother in northwest shock, give birth premature then die. In short old SXH often sick, she cannot often go out because she would catch cold, simple cold could turn worse. 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. So, despite her father and brother shelter and love her dearly, she used to be alone, detach from emotional up and down

Next is come the soul merging things. Yes, it's feels like magic. She with 2 sets memories make her new Shen Xihe. In my opinion, her life as GQZ is actually already finish, no regrets. She not that close with whole Gu family, she always think rational, she even predict Gu family will fall one day because her father wrong move at court. All what she get from Gu family she pay it with her commit suicide to bring down Fan family. Nothing more she want to do even with her husband who from beginning she never wish to marry.

On the other hand, as Shen Xihe, she still has many things to do. She want to protect her family in Northwest. Northwest, very strong in military but make Emperor worry. The marriage alliance also because of this. She want more power to secure Northwest safety. She is smart but weak because old SXH grew up in that condition. That's why GQZ experience in life, GQZ decisiveness is very useful for her to be able to face intrigue in capital. So, this merge things seems reasonable in my opinion. And she become new Shen Xihe, not GQZ and not old SXH

This is spoilers from drama episodes near the end
Prince Xin - GQZ husband indeed become increasingly obsessed. He ask to her why not him. This is SXH answer : "Your so called love is in the name of protection, but in reality, it's just possession. But Crown Prince (ML), he risked his life to help me become the master of my own fate."

The way Crown Prince love her, what he do for her, his shameless is worth to see
How she finally love him back is also worth to see
However you should be prepare and be patient, because this will be a very very slow burn type until we get mutual love between ML & FL. After all, she is very cold, very detached, aloof to begin with

Actually he can. In drama when he come to capital to meet Shen Xihe, in one of their conversation he told SXH that he sad for this marriage alliance SXH already in danger since on the way to capital (pushes by her maid to river). Arrived in capital danger still lurking. He told her sister if you don't want to marry just go back to Northwest and he will marry Princess instead and stay in capital.

It's either he or Shen Xihe had to marry Princess or Prince case, because Northwest with military power is too strong. Marriage alliance with one of them stay in capital (kind of be hostage) is to ensure Emperor they won't rebel. More to it, drama state that whoever get to marry Princess Zhaoning means get half of the world. This show Duke Wei military power is really powerful. This make Emperor/ Imperial family - like it or not, act or real- have to respect them leading to they could choose Prince & Princess. Besides, drama make Emperor kind enough to regard mutual love more than forced marriage. So, he want Shen Xihe and whoever Prince together agreed for their marriage

Back to brother & sister conversation. Shen Xihe reject his brother suggestion because if brother marry Princess, it means he had to surrender his military command. He born to be great general and Northwest citizens still depends on him. SXH didn't want her brother waste his talent to stay in capital (kind of hostage)

In drama, he step aside to guard imperial mausoleum

Yes, one of the best extra
You're welcome 😊

You didn't miss anything. Drama indeed lack in explaining. Me myself only could do guessing game. Maybe she knew he fake his death, because she supposed to be smart and that's why she let Xie Yunhuai go

What happened in novel is she knew he fake his death. He told her himself that he will leave to western region (to Ale place) for treatment. However the treatment has a very low chance of success, it is an untried harsh method. He didn't want her to wait in vain so he didn't let her know at first, but finally he told her. She said she will wait for him

At the day, she knew it. However his regrets over he brag to her life only to leave her is true and she said marrying you no regrets for eternity is true. She knew Xie Yunhuai rush him to west and he arrived there alive. But she didn't knew how the treatment process and whether it success. It might be he never return. So, her tears is very true. After all, he is indeed very sick. West is very remote, XHY ask XYH return to capital to help SXH. No way for him to sent letter.

SXH also knew the one inside the coffin is XHY body double (who they already prepare it with some methods to look very similar with him). Besides, in novel XYH not accompany XHY treatment until look that old. He soon back to capital after send XHY to west. XYH claim his rightful noble status as Xie legitimate descendant and be SXH supporter at court and later be one of SXH son's tutor.

😄 yeah often some Chinese actors looks similar to the other