PeachBlossomGoddess

I may understand Chinese but the titles are very hierarchical and they can be a bit different according to dynasty - this is a fictional one so its a bit of guesswork on my part.

If Li Mao's origins become known, he definitely cannot inherit. In fact I am quite sure the Grand Tutor could be executed if he is exposed.

Yes I missed that part. I think that the previous emperor was Wenxi. His legitimate crown prince (Wuyi) is assumed dead. I am guessing the throne passed to the current emperor bc he is the son of a higher ranked consort than Prince Qi's mother. That would make them all half brothers. The only thing is that Lejun's title is only that of a third rank princess so her father can't be an emperor. So maybe you are right, he was adopted by another prince (although that would be kind of unusual). As for Prince Changsha, he is the emperor's cousin - his father is an older brother of the previous emperor. ED He is his 叔母 or father's younger brother's wife. That is my best guess for now.

Ah ok, I missed that part. Tyvm.

I don't remember seeing any reference to Mao's parents so I don't know where that comes from. If he is a son of the previous emperor, he would be Wuyi's brother and he would also take precedence to Prince Changsha in line to the throne. But when the drama starts we are told Prince Changsha precedes Prince Qi. So that makes no sense.

They should be distant cousins of the emperor, but still bearing the Li surname. She is only a 3rd rank princess (Xianzhu) which means her father is at best a second rank prince, e.g., he is the son of another prince but not the son of an emperor.

Unlike other platforms iqiyi has a clear international strategy. So they almost never license their exclusive dramas to Netflix, Viki or Disney. They will work with local in country TV stations like Astro in Malaysia for some dramas. Youku on the other hand works a lot with Netflix and Viki and Tencent will occasionally do so. Iqiyi should have English subs and they should be of acceptable quality.

Those are not incompatible goals. Reform means institutional continuity bc no one monarch can live forever.

Ai Mi took this script knowing it is a romantic drama and HMH is ML at 28. At 17, she is above the age of consent practically anywhere in the world. That means she/a woman her age can legally choose to date and have sex with anyone regardless of whether he is 18, 28 or 58. This is just a drama role, make believe, with practically no intimate scenes. All these kinds of judgey comments disrespects her agency and free will. It also implies her guardians who sanctioned her decision are somehow negligent. Women have come a long way in making their own decisions and the law protects their right to do so. Have basic respect for her intelligence and agency to know what is comfortable for her. If you don’t like it, don’t watch and don’t date or marry much older or younger men. That’s your right but don’t impose your values or p references on others. I have lots of friends who are happy in relationships with much bigger age gaps. There is nothing wrong with it as long as both people are of legal age and know what they are doing.

I am not sure about the subtitles but the old dude did imply he was joking or had made wrong predictions in the past.

Well Wuyi mentioned there must be spies in his household. I don’t think Li Mao is that evil yet - he may have naively mentioned to the Grand Tutor what happened thinking he is trustworthy and seeking his advice.

Not convinced about that - by the time the finale airs the drama is either a commercial success or it isn’t. I believe from the views so far it has already broken even. I don’t think there is a credible cure for life shortening medication. But they can just end it and ignore or leave open what happens 5 years later and call it a HE.

I think that kind of ambition either exists or it doesn’t. I think Ah Mao was always secretly eyeing the throne but he is not capable and had no real path. But once his father opened the way for him he has time and again chose to stay when he can leave with the girl anytime. I don’t think he really cares for her that deeply. Or rather he clearly wants the throne more.

He is most likely the Eagle King’s father. The Eagle King’s name is Mulian Yu. So they are related somehow.

I think he is definitely planning to reclaim the throne, he has since he was a small boy. That is also why he doesn’t exactly go for the girl - he has said he has no free will. He is the true legitimate heir he is not afraid of the ED or the emperor for that matter. Prince Jing’-an and the shadow troops have for 20 years given their lives to restore him to the throne, costing them a son. He can’t just walk away from that. The irony is that it is not Ah Mao’s ambition that will imprison the FL in a palace but Wuyi’s destiny. Being crown prince is no blessing it is a duty and none of the other potential heirs are worthy.

And that would be the Princess Weiyiung ending.

…or let nature take its course…😅

I just think he is weak and kind of impractical. Imagine spending years looking for a miracle doctor to cure the ailing emperor in hope of finding favor….

Not necessarily. The word pun just means he is a fake prince, an imposter. He is not a legitimate successor to the throne. But I do think he has more ambition than he wants to admit.

Mao's sister is a Xianzhu (3rd rank princess) - her father should be a second rank prince - i.e., descended from one of the emperor's brothers or cousins with the same surname.

Seems to me he is more likely actually Mulian Yu's biological father.