PeachBlossomGoddess

Yeah I think the drama is supposed to be about how he is mistrustful and aloof, which is what he was taught to be - that heartless Qianmen mantra. But that also makes him vulnerable in other ways and his growth is supposed to be about learning to balance the both. This part didn't get adapted well as there were many changes. In the novels I am told there are severe consequences for his trying to be a one man show - like someone very critical to him dies but so far that character is still alive and it looks like they won't go in that direction.

Well he doesn’t fully trust anyone - that is both a strength and a weakness. The exaggerated heartbreak is just to make everyone let their guard down and think he is vulnerable to lure his enemies out. It also makes it safe for Yanan to return to Lingyuan as everyone including his own people think she ditched him.

Probably once Su Mingyu starts calling him that it just became who he was known as. They are all commoners so probably a bit looser with forms of address.

I think he is just pretending and he probably isn’t even drunk at all. Liu Gongchan pouring too much wine in the cup that it spills over is most likely telling him he is overdoing it! The man is very smart, it is lucky he is an ally for now. YX is too not subtle in his moping and wearing his heart on his sleeve it has to be fake.

Chinese form of address is very complicated and hierarchical. But to put it simplistically Yun Gongzi would be a very formal and unfamiliar form of address. Gongzi Xiang implies and greater degree of familiarity (use of given name) while still being respectful (Gongzi). Use of Laoban of course is to convey a professional relationship and/or acknowledge his role as the boss.

I think YX miscalculated bc he knew there was someone behind Tang Xiao and stayed away from Liansheng too
long time for no good reason bc he was pretending to be in his room. He didn’t communicate with anyone else leaving them vulnerable to Kou. The stakes are high and he went dark for no good reason other than to allow bad things to happen. It seemed complacent and not what someone who plans two steps ahead would do.

I gathered that from their conversation. The intro simply said something along the lines of the Qian sect becoming a threat to the court and Lingyuan deciding to be rebels while Yuntai went into business.

Her father Prince Fu has been summoned to the capital and Lord Liu has been investigating him in some official capacity. He is concerned she will eventually figure out what he is up to.

I have not figured out how it fits into the overall story but I suspect that Lingyuan are rebels because they are fighting to restore the previous dynasty which was Yuan. The remnants were never wiped out they retreated back to Momgolia and become Northern Yuan. That would explain their dress style which looks more tribal/Mongol.

I haven't watched the trailer so I don't know but I think NGF most likely planned the Luo Village Massacre. I also think YX and SYN are working together. SYN is just YX's mole in Lingyuan. He is helping her and her brother destroy NGF as he is their mutual enemy.

Maybe he is exaggerating his broken heart so that Yanan can return to Lingyuan without her loyalty questioned.

It seems Prince Fu may have gone rogue. Detective Liu will probably ask YX to save the Princess.

It is increasingly clear that he is probably a Yuntai mole who is sent to destroy Lingyuan from within.

I didn't read it so I don't know - my friend who did just says there were many changes and used the romance as an example.

He is someone that Liu Gongchan already suspects of being a traitor and he is investigating him.

In the novel, his first love was someone else who betrayed him.

Yes indeed a possibility as speculated earlier on by @RaymondArdin a little bit below in more detail.

That would be a spoiler but it is Kou Lanyi on Tencent’s character intros.

This is a spot on observation. YX doesn’t care about the bun fight between Lingyuan and Yuntai. He is after the one behind the Luo village massacre. I suspect all roads lead back to Yuntai.

Wait!!! Don’t tell me she falls for YX!!!! 🙄🤔🤣

It’s actually been very popular lately to have grey main characters. I think most of the dramas I watched this year actually.