lossswierllos

I think she killed herself when her son didn't acknowledge her.

I agree. He could react so many times before but prefered to turn blind eye.
Even if he's not a villain, he's similar to FL's father. Both their stories show that you can't be a really good person if you are passive. The bad things that happen because you didn't react makes you into a bad man.

Not yet. I still believe FL will make ML see reason again in the next episode.

FL hugs ML but he disentangles from her arms. I don't remember the words but it's sth like "I've promised to protect you, now I'm useless, you're better off without me".
I keep my fingers crossed it's only teasing us and they continue to communicate.

I think it would be more control than manipulation. Or he's totally kept in the dark. But that would mean he's another weak character. To allow himself to be swayed so often, so much.

I hope the preview was misleading and MC will quicly solve this between them.
But ep26 preview was the first one that didn't make me want to see the next episode.

I just wonder: why the emperor allows all of these things to happen? His best friend, ML's uncle, was murdered and he wrapped it under the rug. Wu Shan was sentenced to death just to get his uncle to resign. It seems the emperor can't do all he wants but I always thought that emperor's word was the law.
What could force the emperor to quietly end the investigation?

I agree. It stopped being cute long ago. But in some dramas there's a lot of kissing scenes in BTS but little in the drama. Maybe that way is better suited for censorship.

That's why I'm choosing to see it as a friend being dissapointed in loosing his close position as long as he doesn't openly declare 😂 Which I hope never happens.

I know on which scenes your theory is based. It's just that I don't want him to develop romantic feelings toward FL when she's already married and in love. Also, he's rather ruthless. If he was to fight for love he wouldn't care for other and could turn against ML.
The thing that puzzles me is how his previous life fits with his current feelings? He said the leads are fated together. And it's hinted his aware of reliving all these situations.

Yeah, first I thought that the poison triggered by hatred is ridiculous and unrealistic (a surprise in this otherwise realistic drama). But it alignes with the rest of the story when FL rescues from going on hate/revenge rampage.
And gives hope for the happy ending.

He pited himself to death.
Maybe it was the translation but it was really too much when he was crying "I miss you so much" instead of "I'm sorry, I failed you". Self-centered to the end.

Actually, he got an easy out in the end. I thought he was going to have to compromise about all the things he didn't want to do before (artwork, official work etc). But in the end...

I think it isn't love arc. He's still her friend. Maybe he gets a little jealous that he's no longer her closest male confidant. But it's not romantic jealousy.
Also, it was showed from the beginning, he and FL represent different views. FL tries to change the ML's fate, thus changing the history (stopping rebellion etc.) and live a good life. According to him, she should stay away from all these things and doesn't get involved (he often says about fate and predestination).
We could see how different was their approach when both of them had their own plans to break off FL's engagement. He didn't care if his plan hurts other while she was angry he was ready to hurt her sister. So now, he's again trying to do things he's style and make her follow him.

Also, I like this choice because I was getting worried that DM, faced with all these difficulties, will change according to her mother's suggestion. I didn't wanted her character to go bad.

I like it too. Although I was sad for DM, I think it was the best decision story wise.
As you said it highlighted the lead's strong relationship. Also it concluded that side story without anyone feeling dissapointed they got a happy love story.
And it's very consistent with the rest of the story: how you should focus on self-development. The guy was weak so he failed his wife in both lifetimes (even the one he loved).
The real villain is the weakness of character.

Thanks for your replies. It was puzzling to me how they could have a romance resulting with pregnancy.

Thanks

There's no real SML.

How old was FL in the book?