Limecello

AHHHHHHHH WHYYYYYY DID I WATCH THAT 😩😭

Gut reaction is ... it'd be better for ZXW to know because for all he knows HQ he really gets it wrong when he's jealous - e.g. how he handled the HRZ situation. Had he figured out she didn't like HRZ romantically, just that she was protective of him as being part of "her crew" I think the whole thing wouldn't have been such a disaster. Or their last (so far) meeting. Especially if his affections remain steadfast. Understanding things/seeing the whole picture helps. It'd also be less sad/pathetic - to know at least your [love] is returned. Even if the relationship isn't possible.
But then again, who knows.

SO MUCH THIS!!! I'm like ... this drama is a study on how much communication matters and why it's important in relationships!

LOL for a number of episodes I've been hashtag: Team Single Life for HQ. I just want her happy, wealthy, and well.
I think she did actually have feelings for ZXW - e.g. carrying the medicine bottle with her at all times - but what she wants MORE is to protect her family, her freedom, and to not have to worry about scheming and power struggles.

I agree - she clearly did like ZXW (although it's subtly told in the drama - her having the medicine bottle with her at all times) - but what she wanted even MORE was her freedom and to be away from the scheming etc. She says so many times the manor is too big.

I think Zhou Ye is doing a fantastic job.

What is kinda annoying me about everything is ... just the lack of communication has caused SO many problems. I know it's what keeps dramas going but ... eesh for some of them at least there's enough drama already! Just talk to each other!

Oh I agree with you that ZYL would've been fine with them both being around, but it would've been a TERRIBLE life for HQ; I mean just look at how everyone treated her as soon as they thought she didn't have ZYL's favor. He was and would've continued to be a trash husband.
... and with MY's personality she would NOT have been okay with "just" being a concubine - in fact she only accepted in order to get revenge for her maidservant. Once that was done she would've continued to do more - and already did with that stupid kidnapping thing.

I agree with you re ZYL and MY. Throw them both away 😜
At this point NONE of the guys deserve HQ. (I think she thought she was going to be able to sacrifice herself in an attempt to save her family.)

I think they were both trying to save the other.

Exactly! HRZ was 16 when he first entered the Zhong manor/became HQ's guard but hasn't it been a year or so already since the story started? The series doesn't really detail the passage of time but I think at one point someone indicated Mu Yao becomes a concubine a year after HQ married ZYL? And then all the time since. I don't blame HRZ for killing the old guy, and definitely not for his "shifu." But he definitely isn't thinking about what's best for HQ or what she wants.

I agree it was disappointing to see ZXW be so rash - although the horrid scene on the street was done by his stupid guard without his knowledge or permission. He still bears responsibility. And for all he generally understands HQ his jealousy here makes it so he can't see HQ doesn't see her guard in a romantic light. I can't think of the exact phrase but I think the actor described his role/scenes as being "悲惨" - something like that and I really see why now.

I saw her in Word of Honor as well. Fair warning (IMO) you have to power through the first few episodes. The first episode a ton going on and for some reason everyone is overacting - this lasts until ML gets rid of his ridiculous "disguise" in like E6?

Seconded!!! Their chemistry is so fire but it's we're not getting a relationship in the actual story/in the drama at all 😭

I don't know when it *started* but when he confessed his feelings I think she was willing to considering giving "them" a try - she was about to reach out to take his hand but they were interrupted by her maid.

I agree with you - it doesn't seem HQ ever thought of HRZ in any sort of romantic capacity. She kept the medicine bottle from ZXW until E24 ... The romance in this series has been SUBTLE. (Like when she was about to reach out for his hand before her maid interrupted them...)
I think HRZ may love HQ, or at least as much as he's capable - isn't he only like 17 or 18 still? But like you said - they aren't a good romantic pair. I'm really worried he's going to act rashly and create even more problems for HQ after hearing her pouring out her woes at her brother's grave.

I think Zhou Ye is doing a fantastic job! I've only watched three of her dramas so far but I think she's getting better in each role.

I think ZXW acted out of both jealousy and concern - but I agree with you I think any chance of their relationship was burned to the ground in E24. For all he generally understands HQ he definitely didn't see she was protecting HRZ because he was "part of her crew" not because she has romantic feelings for him. The maid/spy really broke her trust too.
I was pulling for ZXW until this episode and now I think none of the men are a good fit. I'm worried HRZ is going to act rashly after hearing HQ speak at her brother's grave and create even more mess for HQ. (Staying by her side after everyone knows he's a murderer will also only cause her more difficulty.)

LOL same! I literally told a friend today I'm watching a drama where I'm practically for the first time "hashtag: team singlelife" for the FL. I just want her to be happy, wealthy, and well. Sadly though I'm already bracing myself for the worst.

Yeah - I could see what you meant yesterday and now especially with E24 ... IMO the show burnt that barely budding relationship to the ground.

LOL I know what you mean, and I don't know if we're entirely on the same wavelength but I agree HRZ is FL's guard and expecting her to be romantically attached to him for him doing his job "ain't it." (The extra part is he's doing this/going above and beyond because he fell in love with her at first sight ... and we won't get into how I personally feel about that.)

Zhou Ye is definitely the high point of this drama and thank goodness considering how little romance there has been. And I also agree there has been a disappointing dearth of scenes for ML. They haven't really even had a real conversation yet...

Agreed! It's wild the drama is only 30 episodes (IMO too short!) and we're already through E23! There's been pretty much 0 romance so far!

I saw a comment where someone said "two versions means they're going to air the BE and make people pay for the HE." ☠️ I hope not.

HXW is the official ML but TBH I have no idea - Zhou Ye who plays HQ said she has no idea how the series ends since she shot two different scenes for it. I think she likes him, but more than liking him she wants to get away and be free from any sort of scheming.
I've seen some spoiler clips that "resolve" the issues but I don't like what they say 😹

I think ZXW acted out of jealousy but also concern for HQ; he doesn't want a murderer near her all the time. The mess on the street was orchestrated by his secret guard who hates HQ though, and was the guard's own initiative. (I'm rather annoyed about this/wish we'd see more from ZXW and what he does about his guard who mucks stuff up. I think the guy's name is Chen Yuan? Something like that - when he offers his secret guard(s) to HQ like ... my dude do you *really* think CY would protect her?)

LOL poor guy! At what point is he being typecast? 😜

Although I've seen some videos that indicate Wu Shuo Mo takes Mu Yao off for them to live happily ever after? in the end? ... Grrr if so. I want MY and trash ZYL to have to live and suffer together. (I was SO MAD at ZYL E21 - him being all "I will help you and support you, people make mistakes it's ok." Where was that energy for HQ? Jerk.