JoJe

I take a look at cast list from drama wiki
Dong Zi Fan as Cui Jinbai : Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review
Lu Mi Le as Zhao Zhenghao : Embroidered Envoy
Ran Xu as Hua Fuhai : son of Jiangnan's richest man

I don't think Yan Yu Chen is in BoP cast list, but I might be wrong

In novel, XHY only came back after 8 years. It is longer than drama 4 years. But this also mean that Xiao Junshu is 8 years old. He is older so he already could reason with many things and be a more steady Emperor himself. Drama is the same with novel about XJS angry their parents not pay attention to him and deliberately hurt his hand. The one who give idea is Cui Zhu (one of Cui Jinbai & Bu Shulin’s twins) who grow up together with XJS and be XJS’s close peer. It is the same with XHY think very good indeed his son. However, he still punishes Cui Zhu.

At night XJS angry that XHY punish Cui Zhu
XJS : “By what right do you assign my officials? I am the Emperor!”
XHY : “I am your father.”
XJS : “Hmph!”
XHY : “I punished them for your sake. Your body and skin were given by your parents – how could you harm yourself? Know that when children are hurt, parents feel the pain.”
XJS : “Do you even feel pain?”
XHY : “I do. You are the only child of your mother and me, the continuation of our bloodline, proof of our mutual love. Your joys and sorrows, your every move, can stir both your mother’s heart and mine.”
XJS : “I am your only child?”
XHY : “You’re right, you are the Emperor. The Emperor cannot have any blemishes. Even the misconceptions in unofficial histories cannot start with your mother and me.”

With those words XJS (and us) know XHY had no intention of claiming his rightful status – be Emperor. XHY planned to let others continue their speculations while remaining nameless and untitled beside his mother. Previously novel also explain, in these 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

Then their conversation continues
XJS : “I… I don’t care about others’ baseless talk either!”
XHY : “But your mother and I care.”
XJS : “You and Mother… you could flee far away.”
XJS thought to let his parents live freely in the world
XHY : “Do you want to be Emperor?”
XJS : “Of course I want to be Emperor!”
XHY : “Your mother and I may leave you one day, but not now.”
XJS : “I can, I can be a good ruler. I have Uncle, Duke Xie, Fifth Uncle, Minister Cui, Twelfth Uncle, Fourteenth Uncle…”
XHY : “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. And you, right now, need our companionship.”
XJS : “Father!”
“The young emperor finally threw himself into his father’s warm, broad embrace, clutching his robes tightly as held-back tears fell silently one by one. XHY’s face bloomed with a gentle smile like spring rain as he held his son, letting him cry to his heart’s content.”

This is what XHY point of view, to travel the world hand in hand with one’s beloved and see all the world’s wonders – wasn’t this what SXH and XHY yearned for? Indeed, they did, but compared to those things, XJS was more important in their hearts and that is how parents love their children. That night, XHY accompanied XJS to rest. Receiving the news, SXH couldn’t help but smile. Next day, they have breakfast together and XHY ask their maids to prepare luggage.

Years ago, XHY promised to take SXH to the Black Water tribe to see the eagles he raised. In the novel XHY’s gyrfalcon is one of important and interesting animal. His gyrfalcon could fly & send letter very fast and also could help XHY fighting with wilds or help him when he takes snow Lingzhi for SXH. One time before they married, XHY ever give SXH a bone whistle. A whistle could call his gyrfalcon to provide her a thousand miles protection. Beside his gyrfalcon, XHY actually raise some more eagles in grassland (Black Water Tribe) and SXH want to see it. But before he could fulfil his promise his poison already attacks and he need to fake his death. So, now is the time to fulfil it

With that, despite opposition on court but no one could prevent Empress Dowager taking Emperor to Imperial Tour. These years had brought peace and prosperity. As the imperial procession headed north, citizens lined the roads to welcome them, with colored silks, flowers, and ribbons flying everywhere. Local officials along the route mobilized entirely, leaving their offices empty just to control the crowds. However, neither the Emperor nor the Empress Dowager was actually in the imperial procession. After leaving the capital, XHY took his wife and child slip away from the main group. They traversed wild grasslands, crossed flowing streams, climbed towering mountains, saw the true lives of impoverished commoners, and ate the coarsest wild vegetables.

The three of them arriving at the same day with Imperial procession at Black Water Tribe. Soon, heard eagles circling overhead, led by XHY’s gyrfalcon. XHY was teaching XJS to train eagles, and the boy clearly showed great interest.

The ending statement is this, I found it lovely
“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.”

For anyone who want to know novel’s extra. It’s almost the same with drama extra after episode 36. This including some quotes indicate whether XHY will choose to be Emperor or not. Of course quotes credit to novel’s writer : Jin Huang. A bit long post below

No, Hua Fu Hai has real body and real identity as rich merchant. Crown Prince use his identity to disguise himself. Same case with Cui Jin Bai and Zhao Zheng Hao. However, Tian Yuan is Crown Prince's assistant, always by his side and Crown Prince never disguise himself as Tian Yuan

The two techniques not specifically mention in drama are ‘Bone Manipulation Art’ and ‘Soul Controlling Sorcery’. Maybe it’s too unrealistic for drama

First : Bone Manipulation Art. It is a technique to change someone bone structure, so that person could be very identical with the other. Of course, it would be easier if that person has the same build (height) with the other. The one who mastering this art is A Xi – previously 6th Prince Xiao Changyu subordinate who later be Shen Xihe loyal subordinate after SXH let 6th Prince run to live secluded with Bian Xianyi. This art is the reason why Bu Shulin can have a very identical body double and also later (not explain in drama) Xiao Huayong could have very identical dead body inside coffin when he fakes his death

Second : Soul Controlling Sorcery. With this technique, someone could cast a spell and make the other one like a puppet, do whatever he wants that person do. After finish, that person wouldn’t remember what he did. The one who mastering this is 8th Prince subordinate (8th Prince not in drama and his villainous character might be combined with drama 4th Prince). With this 8th Prince cast the sorcery to A le and make XHY poison got worse – from 3 years to below 1 years. This anger SXH very much. As counter attack XHY and SXH capture that subordinate and make him cast sorcery to 8th Prince so 8th Prince confess all his treasonous act including palace coup, leading to his downfall.

Unexpected one is Empress Dowager could do this sorcery too. This is what I mean, somehow drama better without this sorcery things. What happened in novel is Empress Dowager cast spell to Prince Xin, make him do Palace coup and successful hold SXH force (BSL’s troops & others) stuck & delayed enter Palace. Empress Dowager do have ambition not merely revenge over Prince Qian death. She wants a puppet Emperor under her control. Another earth-shattering truth is Empress Dowager cast spell to Emperor years ago make him kill his brother Prince Qian (in novel Emperor kill Prince Qian to ascend throne, not Prince Qian let him stay and not send help). I kindly prefer drama plot with Empress Dowager do that out of mother love, misunderstanding Prince Qian meaning, secretly hate Emperor leading to poison XHY without knowing he is actually the real heir.

Then, what happen to Prince Xin is he almost kill SXH under spell. Prince Lie who notice his brother unusual action choose to beheading himself and let his wife bring it to Prince Xin. Only after seeing his brother lifeless head, Prince Xin consciousness returned. So, in novel, Prince Xin alive and Prince Lie dead. After everything finish, Prince Xin gather himself back and ask SXH to be one of her son’s tutors. Note : in novel, Prince Xin really not a crazy obsessive third wheel. He knows his place already after SXH present her exchange letter with Gu Qingzhi and burn it. After that he only act as XHY & SXH ally.

What happen to Empress Dowager is, soon after Prince Xin regain his consciousness, BSL’s troops and others could enter palace and be SXH supporter. Empress Dowager lost and SXH not kill her easily. After all, Empress Dowager with her own ambition is the real mastermind behind all including poison XHY though she know XHY real identity. She do it for one day Emperor and XHY could fight against each other. SXH use ‘dream’ incense. This makes Empress Dowager lock in crazy state day after day.

For anyone who want to know novel’s tidbits. There are two techniques not specifically mention in drama, especially the second one not mentions at all. With this, more or less changes the plot. However as novel reader, despite drama lacks explanation here and there but without that second technique is somehow better

Zhao Zheng Hao - the Embroidery guard

No, drama barely explain any. And my understanding is drama choose to make GQZ commit suicide alone when she is not pregnant

Gu Qingzhi and 5th Prince Xin life : cold, tragic

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. That's why she grew as a cold, indifferent woman. GQZ was betrothed to Xie Yunhuai since childhood but since XYH sever ties with Xie family because his mother died from hatred (his father choose concubines), 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. 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 she 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.

You might want to read this. A slightly different from drama though
https://mydramalist.com/769787-dong-feng-xin/discussions/139978-spoilers-characters-intro-based-on-novel?page=2#:~:text=Based%20on%20novel%2C%20simply,of%20Bu%20Shulin%20twins)

Then in extra, one of the twins who grew up with them become SXH & XHY son's (Emperor) confidant & close friend. They grow up together in capital

She knew they rush him to west for treatment
She knew at least he alive arrived at west
She knew treatment has low chance success, indefinite time

But as time pass, she didn't know whether XHY still alive

1. In drama, it might be Xie Yunhuai tried some methods to save him using his own body. In novel, though he is tried in his own body but he is still alright. He sent XHY to west for treatment and soon back to capital, claim his title (as legitimate Xie descendant) in order for SXH has more back up in court.

All this time XHY is in Ale's place in the west to get treatment. West is remote, he is very sick. Treatment is harsh, painful and long time. He couldn't send news. He back by his own after treatment success

2. Xihe know he leave to the west for treatment. She knew the chance of treatment succeed is very small. So, she never knew whether he still alive

3. Just label less. As he said to his son The Emperor cannot have any blemishes. Even the misconceptions in unofficial histories cannot start with the fact that he still alive

4. Old Emperor died. Queen Dowager no. SXH not let her easily die. She use dream incense so Queen Dowager lock in crazy state

5. Yes. Extra story is about the 3 of them. XHY back spend time with SXH, 3 days not looking for son. Son angry, XHY came to his bed chamber. Heart-to-heart talk. Son know his father didn't want claim his rightful status. Son said just flee with mother, live freely, he has strong back up in court. But XHY said he neither doubt son ability nor worry his throne would be unstable. Rather, no one else can give son the protection of a father and mother. Then, son rush to his father embrace and cry

After that three of them travel to grassland alone (Imperial procession travel slowly, no one know they slip away). Ending statement :

“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.”

Just think this way based on novel

Xie Yunhuai and Di Fang secretly rush him to the west (to Ale's place)
He get treatment there using some kind of worms suck his blood, etc (in short : harsh, painful and long-time)

West is remote, he is very sick. He couldn't send news
While XYH & DF back to capital soon to help SXH

After 8 years, treatment success, he is back

I haven't finish the drama, works delay me. But here what happened in novel. It might be completely different case

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 is SXH sister (Shen Yingruo) wedding day. After ceremony finish, assassins attack. Assassins target is Emperor, the mastermind behind was Emperor himself. And the premise was to frame Shen father and son. When the situation in peak danger, XHY block sword to save Emperor. In Emperor's arm he said he wish to name his son Xiao Junsu (the name “Junsu” has special meaning, had XHY suggested it under normal circumstances, the Censorate would accused him of harboring treasonous thoughts. But at this moment, no one could find fault – he was merely trying to protect a widow and orphan)

With that, XHY succeed thwart Emperor's plan to frame Shen family, succeed staged his death and succeed pave the way for SXH & his unborn child. His last word : “Youyou… I only hope… marrying me… brings no regrets.” Which SXH reply “Marrying you this life, no regrets for eternity!”

The one who moved him in secret from palace is Di Fang & Xie Yunhuai. They rush him to west, to Ale's place for treatment.

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. (Prince Xin in novel really not an obsessive third wheel but a cool headed supporter)

Then, battle in palace with Emperor and plot twist that Empress Dowager was the mastermind behind all (I won't tell detail in this part). In short, Emperor personally passed the throne to Crown Prince Xiao Junsu before His death and SXH be Empress Dowager

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 but she never knew whether he still alive by the day pass

What happened in west? West is a very remote place. Not long after they arrive, XHY let Xie Yunhuai & Di Fang back capital to help SXH. So, XHY completely alone in west with only SXH cat friend him. With the harsh treatment method (he basically very sick) and by how remote the place is, XHY couldn't send letter

Only after 8 years, he finally back. Standing there in Eastern Palace to reunite with his beloved family

So soon, I thought drama will push it bit later. I don't know how I will feel when ml disappears in 2-3 last episodes
Though i read novel and he is mia that long and though i know it will HE, but

Just saw new stills
https://x.com/KOLLYLOVEGULF/status/2080502820906934465/photo/2
Why need big bed when they could fit perfectly in half side after that thread bel

True. And he even didn't care about his short life before meeting FL, let alone think about a child. 3 years, 1 years or tomorrow didn't mean much to him. Only after meet FL he fear death.

The child as an heir only matter to solidify FL position on court, especially if he die. So, if there is someone who need it, it's FL. But I'm VERY glad that our couple not think that way, want an heir only to strengthen their position. They want a child come naturally from their mutual love, although they know ML running out of time

Maybe author or scriptwriter waiting for consent from mutual love?
Actually this could be another debate, which one you choose between novel and drama

In novel. They done the deed after their marriage, next day or not long after he take her to meet her family on their first night. But in her mind, she do it not out of love, more to as a wife duty. Though at least at this point she view ML as someone she care and someone important, so it is not a force since she agree. It is only love is not there yet from her side.

While in drama, scriptwriter choose to push it much later, make many viewers frustrated. In my opinion is for waiting consent from mutual love. As much as he want it and as much as they need it (an heir) because he running out of time, but he won't cross the line. He respect her slow in love nature. So, while he still pushing here and there but he will wait that consent from mutual love before do the deed.

I wish part below not spoiler because we see it already in teaser & intro
However the goal (an heir), in novel that would happened much later with some efforts. I think ML and FL not as fast & effective as second couple 😂. While in drama since we already near the end an heir should come not long after they do it

Agree. This is what I've been waiting for. Because of FL walls very solid and very high so a tiny change on FL could feels sweet. Even when FL only let him cross a tiny boundary like you said or she already not bothered by ML shameless move and let him have his way, this already have some satisfying impact. Our & ML frustration will paid off very very well

I found it quite funny
And he call his daughter here Youyou, while there Yaoyao
One word slip then...