PeachBlossomGoddess

Happy to help - I wish they show FJM better in the drama but to be fair its pretty vague in the book also. The Yanling story is mentioned in passing only in the novel without the marriage stuff at all.

FJM is a manipulator for sure but the emperor is a despot. He is also the one who ordered FJM to murder the six generals loyal to him as their “reward” for putting down an 8 year rebellion…

He and the emperor are both definitely anti heroes, even villains…

Yeah it doesn’t really come across in the drama possibly bc they made both him and the emperor less dark.

He doesn’t in the drama but in the book he did it after he discovered his family’s baixi legacy. He did it kong before he met Haishi. He is also 20 years older in the book

That is why put it in quotes. They didn’t officially but he lit candles. He was manipulative kind of hinting that she was special.

He thinks even if she would be better off dead, he still prefers she is alive and safe. Yes selfish.

In the novel, Jianming is in the middle of the triangle with the emperor and Haishi on both sides. In the drama Haishi is in the middle. That is why this has been called a closet BL.

Its Jianming's fatal flaw - he forces everyone who loves him to his will - the emperor to live when he would rather die; Haishi to be safe, reclaim her female self and together with Zhouying safeguard his vision of the country no matter whether they want the same thing.

To him yes, bc he is not only a eunuch but his life belongs to the emperor. He means to set her free.

It is open to interpretation. He was often enthralled by her beauty and there were hints of regret that he castrated himself. They also got "married" - eunuchs can "marry". So I believe it was definitely romantic but he also had a complex love like relationship with the emperor.

At the thought of Haishi, another splitting pain tore his chest asunder.. That gallant girl will return to the dusty earth, marry and have children. In the interval of ordinary days, she will occasionally think of him or perhaps forget him altogether. For the rest of her life, she will not know how he treasured her. As the archer treasures his own eyes; as the oyster cherishes the only pearl in its double shell; he never needed her to know. Let him be the flat road that paves her path to a safe and peaceful place.

Jianming's final thoughts in the novel (rough translation)

Don't forget how this director ended Journey of Flower.

I deliciously enjoyed the cold front that shifu sent down the bridal corridors that built into a massive ice blast at the phony peony. That woman has a hide thicker than the best shearling.

Its ok... we love you anyway...🤣🤣🤣

I don't mind sad good endings which is how I would describe the novel ending. I hate sad bad endings and bad happy endings equally.

I am enjoying this but... I think the current rating is very fair.

Filler

Yeah but it’s not serious competition…