ohlalalalaomg

I saw a very interesting take about ep 19 in Threads. This made me rethink about how I saw episode 19. And it focuses on the Emperor, ZL and FTY.

So ZL gets an edict from E to investigate Li. It was in secret and ZL knew what it meant - if he succeeds he gets credit, if he fails he will be impeached and punished without the E being implicated because it would appear that ZL acted beyond his rank. And the reason why he said that he did not have a fiancee was because he was mostly afraid of this abandonment by the E and wants to keep FTY safe.

when Li died, ZL saw an opportunity that could keep him somehow protected. Accused by other ministers, he goes to court and admits that it was his excessive interrogation that killed Li, saving the E the trouble of ordering an investigation had it been poisoning. When ZL gave the E that blank report, it could have gone in 2 ways. One was the emperor give it back to ZL to fill up the names or second, the E fills it up himself and admit that ZL acted according to his orders. E chose the second and thus bringing ZL from a dispensable sword in the shadow into the open, a sword that the E would have some degree of protection as the E claims ZL as his sword.

However, the E also doesn't fully trust ZL. E needed a scabbard to sheath this sword, to control it. And so during the banquet, he casually asks when ZL would marry FTY and ZL understood what it meant. The E is using FTY, his weakness, to control him. FTY is the E's scabbard. By answering that FTY is at a banquet at the Yu residence, ZL was telling E that yes, ZL keeps an eye on FTY and cares for her. This was to somewhat pacify the E doubts.Meanwhile, FTY knew that ZL was in the capital for a mission and knew that he was staying away to keep her safe. But when Mrs Yu mentions that the E gave ZL a name and asked about their wedding, she understood ZL's position with the E.

And then they step out and ZL is there waiting. ZL had to be there. He needed to show the E and everyone that he and TY are still engaged. But FTY also knew that ZL declaring to be unbethroed and then suddenly bethroed again would not fly with the nobility. And so she acted cold as if she was mad. This way it would seem that it wasn't ZL who was purposely staying away, it was FTY who was giving him the cold shoulder.

Oh? Is this based on changes on the script?

I love the new posters they released for Qixi festival ~

I am crossing my fingers and toes for this.

I am screaming with you!!!!

The way DYX and DEX laughed when they saw it!

😳😳😳😳😳

where is it hunny????

Oooo. I read somewhere that in the novel, FTY's confession was actually brought about by her being jealous of a girl ZL helped. They didn't use that for FTY's confession in the drama. So maybe they're using that for this scenario instead.

Me, too! I really like ZL as a character.

Yes! I always felt that the writer/s for this are not afraid of the uncomfortable. I personally feel that even if I understand his motivations, I don't necessarily have to like this side of ZL.

Episode 19

Yes! FTY already voiced it out, them being new to the capital and no connections. I hope they get at least a few allies on their side~ New characters are welcome! Lol!

Maybe, but ZL was important enough to ruffle Lord Yu's feathers since he was investigating Li Mo, with the hint that the Yu's are involved. And after all the trouble Mrs. Yu went through to permanently silence Li Mo and sabotage ZL's investigation, ZL still gets promoted. But that's just my guess.

Surely the Yu family had enough people in their payroll to act as messengers to send word back and forth between the husband and wife. I believe it was common enough back then.

I think they both understand this and I suppose that is also part of emperor-subject dynamics. The emperor has made ZL his sword to eradicate his obstacles. ZL is also his shield who will take the damages should the plan fall through. ZL understood that but is ambitious enough to take the risk. *Internally screams in stress*

The fact that this salt law ammendment (????) thing is a scheme put up by the Yu family to trap ZL is scaring me. They must have predicted that ZL would be ambitious enough to take it on. And they must know that this would make new enemies for ZL or that ZL would be reckless in his desire to move up the ranks and make mistakes. It's stressing me out to know that they may be right. Or they could be completely wrong and ZL and FTY may turn this against them. 😫😫😫😓😓😖😖😖

Episode 20 has me nervous and stressed the entire time. It felt like everything was being strung tightly and it could break at any point. And it feels like it wiil be like this for the capital arc. I feel like FTY's worry of ZL getting "consumed" by his goals might come true.

LMAO ZL threatening him with an extended term and old guy just wants to retire. Usually we see characters getting threatened with being removed from the position. Here, the old man doesn't want to stay!

Yes, that one