PeachBlossomGoddess

Zidan disappointed him repeatedly. He had several telling conversation with his father during which he basically said all he ever wanted was to live happily ever after with Awu; that power is not important to him. In the final conversation, the emperor pointed out that he can't protect Awu without power and if Zidan ever asked Awu if that is what she also wants. Zidan is too idealistic and he lacks ambition. The emperor was someone who snatched the throne from his more favoured brother. Of course he cannot relate to this kind of son. I think he spoke the truth when he observed second prince in character is much more like him. The crown prince seems the least bad choice. At least he actually wants the throne.

The PM explained himself to his sister the Dowager Empress at his "farewell dinner" when she asked him why. He helped Emperor Ma ascend the throne and the bargain was that the universe would belong to the Wang-Ma alliance. He is very derisive of his nephew - he thinks he is unworthy and not capable of holding on to the empire. He also was always able to remind the emperor that he owes his throne to him. His nephew may not feel the same way. His sister told him off - she said its not like your son is any more capable - you think he can hold on to the empire? Ultimately he is just power hungry - he is highly intelligent and hard working. He does not respect the lazy and stupid (to him) emperors he has to answer to.

Yes of course... I think even TROPs politics are better but this one drowns both TROP and NIF in terms of the romance. And tbh, they are all at a very high level of excellence so while there are differences at the margin we are being spoiled for anything else not in that league. Geez I am in trouble cause I have dropped everything else I tried to watch recently after 1-2 episodes...

Yeah the (over) acting was definitely not good. Also his motive is too simplistic - just to attain someone else's wife that he is already sleeping with? Hmmm..... He was not a well developed villain but thankfully his arc was short.

Oh no! Really? I must have missed it... that is a pity - he was so comical I laughed just looking at him. Tbh, I didn't really enjoy the second prince arc, esp that silly wedding. I just kept rolled my eyes at all the histrionics...

Well maybe not pseudo but there is that chubby roly-poly dude with a really comical face that was helping the (now) dowager empress poison the late emperor...

cherchez la femme...

Yups - I would also add that we should mentally brace ourselves for at least a few episodes of battle of the harem biatches...

Since it is technically a fictional story it is possible that the characters were inspired by more than one historical figure. But I did see articles and (complaining) threads on douban and other sites specifically referencing Hou Jing and how specific historical battles were distorted.

Yes of course and Tang Dynasty for sure was known to have much more open necklines although probably not open boatneck style. Not complaining about it, just observing the costumes have a strong European flavour.
Also note that Empress of China was the one that got everyone in trouble.
https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/1680474/cleavage-cropping-mainland-censors-trying-redress-tang#

Indeed I am no expert either but it really feels out of place, especially Wang Xuan's open boatneck dresses.... I am enjoying it regardless its such feast for the eyes.

LOL - they are mopping the floor with those outfits.

Yeah luckily they got away with it because I think some other pending blockbuster production got held up indefinitely for too low necklines and European like costumes. I wondered when I saw the outfits here whether that was another reason this was stalled for so long although since it is supposedly a "fictional" story it is not held to the same standard of historical accuracy.

Without spoiling you, he was poisoned and is ill he is just pretending to not have the full mental acuity that he does.

Yeah me too... I can tolerate a small amount of cat-fighting but not 37 episodes... fingers crossed that's not the case...

The costumes are remarkably European looking, including the battle armour of Xiao Qi's army.

Wang Xuan and Xiao Qi were loosely based on a real people:
https://www.tellerreport.com/life/2021-01-22-%0A---there-is-a-cruel-historical-fission-behind-%22shangyang-fu%22%0A--.B1lay4l_Jd.html
The English/translation is iffy and they are described in the bottom paragraphs.
Xiao Qi's character was inspired by:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hou_Jing
It appears in history he did have 3 heads and 6 arms. Wang Xuan is supposedly the Liyang princess that he married.

Divide and conquer. He is definitely smarter than Wang Lin.

Indeed but ultimately he was disappointed in Zidan. He asked him if he wanted her because marrying Wang clan means obtaining the universe. And he said she is his universe; ie he she is his end in of itself and he is not ambitious. So in the end he had no son worth rooting for. He just satisfied himself with revenge against Wang clan and he even used Wang Xuan to take them down. Checkmate. Maestro.

He is the true mastermind in this show so far, he is much smarter than Wang Lin. He is never quite helpless and is able to pull the strings even from a position of weakness. His scheming is diabolical - he even deals a crushing blow to his queen on his way out by playing on her insecurities and exposing her. And the way he created doubt in the second prince's mind - "Are you sure you are not my son? Because someone told you? You are just like me...(ie ruthless and ambitious)." I am gonna miss the crafty old goat. I hope a better antagonist steps up going forward because if this just devolves into an inter palace harem kind of show of Wan Ru vs the dowager empress vs Wang Xuan it would be a real pity. Neither woman are interesting villains or worthy opponents of Wang Xun. Even if Xian Qi saves Wang Lin surely he cannot come back from trying to seize the throne.....