Lovely

This was so toxic, but it was also so good. Every episode was purposeful and suspenseful.

I just watched My stand-in and even if it was incredibly toxic, the plot was so good, nothing was dragging, everything was pretty logical for what it was and most importantly I didn't think Up was a bad actor. Can't say the same about this though.

okk

In the last episode they remembered to develop Joke's character a bit more, though I still don't know anything about him but his undying love for Zo, his fear of heights and his distant relationship to his family. Oh, and I guess his hobby is singing.

This is a strong case of fell first, fell harder, loved more.

Well yeah, I repeatedly said that he's not just feeling hurt for her lack of communication, but that he's just jealous.

And he is a manipulator, even if it is well-meant, it's basically his job. Its small inconsequential things now, but if he values honesty that much, he'd just talk to her about it. The clothing thing he wanted to do because she would be feeling uncomfortable knowing he helped her, but why do it then anyway? If he assumes it's a boundary for her, why cross is secretly? It doesn't seem like much, but it's also not honest. Rather it would've been manipulative, letting her think that she solved it and gained a favour on her own, when it's not true, and it would have built up a false sense of independence in that case. Of course, her feeling safe in that false independence despite her initial worries for marriage would be his personal gain.
If you don't think that's manipulation, then we just have different views on it.

I don't think him feeling hurt, no matter how valid those feelings are, were an excuse for the way he was treating her before reconciling.

She is immature because she is still a teen. Just because the used to put more responsibility onto young female children and women, doesn't mean she is automatically maturer. Especially not compared to someone whose 10+ years her senior.

Most importantly he wasn't solely hurt, he was mainly jealous. He said himself that he was angry that she had pursuit another man that wasn't him. So while he might have also been hurt that she didn't tell him, it's his jealousy over some flirt 3 years ago that had him ignore her for days, even when she was sick.

A secret is a secret, manipulation is manipulation, no matter how big the implications are,

He secretly planned for her to solve the issue with the mouldy military clothing in episode 32. He told his aide to not say that the information came from him. Lucky that she has her own resources.
If he wants to be so upfront and honest, why not tell her directly and give her his insights of the situation? Because he wants to preserve her feelings of independence, even if it would be fake.
If his feelings of hurt are valid, so are her reservations about telling him, knowing what consequences they could mean for the whole household. But while she thought about that, he was being impatient and avoidant.
Also, I still think he was more upset about her having had feelings for someone before without him noticing, then her not telling him.

There was no misunderstanding. Not once did he doubt her. He was just in his had because he wasn't her first love, like I guess she is his. His main conflict was that it happened at all, and that he didn't realize his feelings sooner, meaning that he didn't court her earlier, when she hadn't yet developed a crush. The way he was acting, I don't think he had reacted much better even if she had told him beforehand.
There were quite a few things that he kept from her, actually. And when he promised they'd work anything out together, he vanished. Also, I cannot count how often he pulled the strings in the background without telling her (he is just fortunate that she is written way too smart for her age, that's why it doesn't feel like grooming, even if it is).
And whether he was hurt by her keeping it a secret or not, but avoiding her for days, even when she has fallen sick? Not even meeting her to hear her out and talk about it? If the lack of communication was hurting him, why won't he even try to communicate himself?
You can excuse his behaviour with romance, or hurt feelings, but it still disgusts me that a 18y/o has to navigate the feelings of a 30+ y/o man.

A low excuse if you ask me.

Their conflict in Ep 33 and 34 kinda disgust me because Sir, you are old AF and were even married before. Why are you mad that your child bride had a crush 3 years ago?

Why would she want to be with Ye Xian, someone who already got physical with her when she argued with him? I can see his wife's future from a mile a way. This man cannot for the life of him control his temper, I don't care if he loves her. He acts like a spoiled child whose favourite toy was taken from him. Nothing romantic about it. If it's not him dying from heart disease, his wife will die by his hand or due to high blood pressure.

THIS. Also, his brother didn't want to be king (I assumed it was suicide because the entrance was blocked from inside) and his nephew rather be a normal child as well and can't handle the pressure.
And given the fact that FML only approached him for a status she could never attain on her own, I think abolishing the crown is very much in line with the narrative. From the very beginning there was no perfect crown.

It really bothers me that it's called FOURever You when there are 5 couples

Yes, The Rise of Ning is very good. Not on the level of Story of Ming Lan, but still very enjoyable. It's actually quite similar to A Splendid Match. FL is however more demure, but just as smart. And it has a good ending.

Love this so much, it makes me want to watch The Rise of Ning again or Story of Ming Lan

yes, I love Grandma Ji so much. You could also really see how she was venting out Jinzhao's grievances, and you could really see how her personality is shaped after her grandmother.

All I want is that song that's playing when the boys dance in their red outfits in ep3. Makes me mad that I can't find it anywhere.

it's only flaw is that it's too short.