river11

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I guess we can dream! I like all your ideas below. I think killing Shu Qian was the biggest mistake, there was not going back after that. He not only kills him but gloats that is his most satisfying kill, disregarding SH's feelings. I think the only way to win back a love when you wrong them so bad is by begging, and close proximity. He should have stayed, begged and sincerely apologized, somehow, I don't think he was capable of doing that. He only apologized once when he was rejected and saw SH's determination to escape. Instead of self introspection he went on a rampage, he is very scary guy, non of his actions were done because he loved SH but to satisfy his own goals. They had such an amazing love but he blew it.

The more I think about his character development, the more I agree with you Y that his ultimate decision is more about freedom and taking back agency. He took control of his life for once and made sure Zi Ang will be with him in the afterlife. initially, I really bought into the revenge idea but looking into his character it makes no sense. He never avenged his mother and he was kind even to his own detriment. Everyone betrayed him, including Shen song at one point when he kept Huo Ying's secret. He was definitely a schemer out of survival and not to harm others.

I long suspected that he was a trained assassin like his brother, he does not comes across as a monk. He was more blood thirsty than his brother. Although, we know that some religious figures can be very cruel. It makes no sense that he knew all aspects of the kingdom and how to protect it. He was his brother's right hand and supported him in everything, even going against his own whishes to annihilate Shu He and his people. The only time he defied his brother was killing the prisoners of war but he knew that his brother was dying and he was his regent at that point. He was not interested in anything or anybody but his brother and the kingdom. The official poster has him paired with Shen Song, I thought, that he and Shen Song were going to be a couple. Perhaps, if we have had more episodes.

I agree that Zi Ang was a good emperor by all accounts but the people of South Hui would differ. Shu He said there was looting, burning and death, these things are unavoidable on a takeover of a country. I think the fact that these characters were so multi-layered is what made them so interesting and lovable. I mean Zi Ang was ruthless, he was able to humiliate his love in front of everyone, put him on a dudgeon, shackle him after being confronted by Shu He. Shu He was a king and he was made to kneel in front of him. He ordered the death of the architect that changed his lay-out of the mansion. The guards that tortured Sh were probably killed (no tears shed here for them) I think he was both, ruthless and good and he wanted to gaslight the situation but Shu He would not buy into it.

It was touching and beautiful!!!

Jajajja actors can make us believe anything. Billy and Seng were declaring their undying love on stage...your comment made me laugh, Seng is straight as a broom. Which makes our point support this couple with respect and proper boundaries. We want to see their future works.

From your comments I can tell that we are not in the same wavelength on how to support Zhe Hu and Mi Jin. I don't support toxic, intrusive fandoms. I don't disagree that s*x is normal between couples but this is a fictional couple. This week I injured my toe working out, my partner had nothing to do with it( lol). I want to support them because they are phenomenal actors and this series deserves more hype and higher rating. Where they live their careers can be over overnight, shadow banned etc. We must keep their safety in mind and not be selfish. In general I don't like ship work, I like to keep fantasy and reality in their perspective spheres.

As always really well said!!!

I saw some of the postings and is really upsetting. The inappropriate comments, suggestions are going to hurt the artists.

Such triggering topic. Duan Zi Ang is not the best reliable narrator of his reasons to colonize, destroy and to strip its people of their land. In ep 9 Zi Ang has a mini breakdown when confronted by Shu He of the destruction and death he caused to his people. He was in denial of the reality, I mean has there ever been a country takeover peacefully? never, colonization brings death and destruction. Zi Ang represents what most colonizers believe, that for your own good, I will save you etc. This imperialistic ideals have been used over and over again to invade others, when, in fact, they enrich themselves, like the North did with the salt mines as an example. Admittedly, Shu He was not a good ruler but is poverty and poor ruling an excuse to invade another country?. That is the excuse that Zi Ang uses to get him and to fulfill a long standing goal of the North. Zi Ang was a trained assassin and a politician he could have done many things to get to Shu He and help him in other ways. The fact that he started to built the mansion and trained the maids to make South Hui tea, re-affirms my belief that he just wanted complete possession of Shu He and his plan to attack started the minute they parted. There was no resistance because they were overpowered by a great army, lack of resources not because they didn't want to fight. who gives up their land willingly? however, the people go into survival mode and would welcome the enemy! I think Zi Ang died not understanding his touch of madness, he stripped Shu He of his freedom and personal agency and the last thing he says is that Shu He lied to him his whole life'. I think Shu He knew his kingdom was in trouble but was powerless to change it.

An interesting take on the brothers. Zi Ang and Shu He have so many parallels and symmetry in their lives. Having rotten brothers being one of them. Shu Qian probably did love his brother when they were younger then his narcissism took over and groomed Shu He to adore him. He wanted complete control and loyalty from him and when Shu He wanted a different life his true nature came out. I think Shu He being younger and a complete different version of his brother, really wanted to believe that his brother loved him and that he could change. Even when Huo Ying confesses to be a spy for SQ Shu He's reaction is very tamed and understanding. It does not reflect the severity of what Shu Qian and his guard have done to him. I think Shu He was conditioned by his brother from an earlier age. I f you think about narcissistic people they are experts in exploiting people for their own gains. Shu Qian is the definition of a narcissistic personality. I didn't get any incestuous feelings but an obsessive need for power and control over She He's life.(but is an interesting idea).
Zi Ang and Hua Yi
I do believe that Jibei people knew where he was all alone and used it to control ZA. You can make the case that they also said very questionable things to each other like Zi Ang tells Hua Yi "I don't want to loose you too"
Hua Yi tells ZA he would do anything for him'.
Hua Yi was a terrible person but not a complete psychopath?, I think he loved Zi Ang and he didn't kill Shu He, Shen Song or Huo Ying while Zi Ang was alive. His jealousy ran deep, he truly wanted to hurt Shu he. I think he was an assassin and the temple was a cover up. Ok, time to stop, my imagination is running wild.

I don't disagree at all but he would have been better at defending their country because he was ruthless.

I think even Shu He understood that his brother was the better person to lead their country. I think his biggest regret was to shield Zi Ang that eventually lead to Shu Qian's death and the destruction of the South Hui. Shu Qian is definitely and adorable evil psychopath.

The funny thing is that Shu He was the poet but Zi Ang delivered the most poetic lines throughout the 12 episodes. I love them!!!

Such a difficult question to answer. I think they fell for each other the moment they laid eyes on each other but didn't know it was love till later. Initially, they had this nostalgic feelings from their childhood memories, both were set on using each other, however, they started to protect each other almost right away. I re-watched ep 1-2 and the romantic love is there, I feel that they fell in love as we were falling in love with them...

For me ep 9 The separation. I think Shu He is probably the most misunderstood character because he was an artist and was not interested in politics. However, he was smart and a schemer who truly loved his brother and his country. This scene, when he is heartbroken and kisses Zi Ang then stabs him was very poignant and decisive. I truly got that he chose his people over love. I think he truly meant to never see each other again.
Ep 10- OMG I love Shu He in white, exposing his neck and shoulder, so sensual, atmospheric and full of desire, at no point we were worried about any stabbing, it was pure desire. Zi Ang became jealous of a ghost partner because who wouldn't fall in love with Shu He.
Ep 12- revenge... the poison, I love from the time they are getting ready and they are walking towards the court and both their gowns are flowing. I think for me the best ending ever in history for any series was Shu He's revenge and I do believe that was his intention. He loved Zi Ang, I have no doubt, their love is palpable and real but he said 'how can love outweigh the burden of the kingdom" Both, Mi Jin and Xe Xu truly show such emotional range, It was so sad and perfect. I love that the series did not shy away from personal responsibility, Zi Ang destroyed his country, killed his evil brother kidnapped and imprisoned him, there was no redeeming his actions. And that is why this series has hit such a cord, criminal behavior gets excused in a lot of dramas in the name of love.

I am fascinated by all the points being made about Hua Yi, I was left wondering why Hua Yi was so cruel to the person responsible for finding his brother. I think, Hua Yi understood the deep connection Zi Ang and Shu He share from the first moment he saw them through the door. I really felt that he truly loved his brother (going on the premise that they are not blood related) as a brother and had the same intensity of obsessive behavior towards Zi Ang as Zi Ang had towards Shu He. I just felt his love towards Zi Ang came through as genuine, however, just like his brother he was ruthless and getting ready to rule the kingdom. The show made several remarks from most of the emperors that you have to be ruthless to rule a kingdom. Also, as an outsider, Hua Yi could see Zi Ang being blind by his love/obsession for Shu He and was making decisions based on his feeling and upsetting his people. I think he understood Shu He will never forgive Zi Ang for killing his brother and destroying his kingdom. The night festival proves that Hua Yi did not buy the reconciliation act from Shu He, therefore, protecting Zi Ang and foiling the escape plan. There is so much I want to say but I leave it here!!!

Thank you for sharing, I live for these moments. What a treat to see them together. I just want them to be safe and happy!!!

The more I learn about the series the more respect I have for the whole team. I am in awe as to how MiJin and Zhe Xu embody their characters. It gets better on re-watch!!!!