vlees

Yes, finally she got some nice character development. I was so happy to hear her admit that.

But he’s a father to her anyway, the fact that he isn’t the „real one” doesn’t change the love between them. That’s so tragic 😢

Becuase of his responsibilities.

He chose his path when he made a promise years ago to fight on the side of Chenrong and is responsible for his soldiers.

Unfortunately, that also makes them enemies since XY is the daughter of Princess General of Xiyan. Choosing XY would mean the end of Chenrong army and death of those soldiers.

In his case there is very thin (or non-existent?) line between being protective and being controlling.

She has an enormous attachment issues and she even admitted it in one of last episodes. She prefers to push people away or forget about them before they can even do it to her.

It’s a self preservation thing caused by traumatic experiences because everyone in life was leaving her. So she always expects people to have a change of heart and leaving her again.

Oh that’s so beautiful. Thank you for sharing ❤️

I’m rewatching season 1 and there is the exact moment when we can hear CX’s thoughts when he’s looking at XY and A’Nian being happy and playful.

Episode 36, 43:40
„If one day, the rumor becomes true that Xiaoyao is Chi Chen’s daughter, then besides me, I’m afraid no one else in the world can protect her.”

Putting aside great ambitions, current scenario sounds like his dreams coming true 🥲 He wants to make XY fully dependent on him.

TGCF [*]
ZLH would absolutely nail the role of Hua Cheng :(

I said it was my bad allergies, haha

Yes! I have also mentioned here before another categories of love, but more on XY’s perspective:

Cang Xuan - family love. They grew up together, they share traumas and happy childhood moments. She will stay on his side unconditionally, never expecting anything in return. She’s not afraid of loving him because she doesn’t see him romantically.

Tushan Jing/Ye Shiqi - complementary love based on feelings of safety and trust. They’re very different but they also share similar experiences and want the same type of life. What she loves about him the most are the traits she doesn’t have well developed herself (he doesn’t fear to love and trust). Unconditional by choice. With him they can live a happy and simple life, cherishing simple moments, yet it’s not boring for someone like her who was longing for it her whole life.

Xiang Liu - passionate, soulmate kind of love. They’re like a mirrors for each other, very similar in many ways. This kind of love gives you a lot of character development as you’re learning about yourself. It’s the most passionate, full of fireworks and beautiful moments but it lacks stability. The similarities which brought them together may be the reason why that kind of love may not stand the test of time. I feel like XL is kind of love which is crucial and never forgotten, giving you the biggest life lesson and most beautiful memories.

Feng Long - just a bestie material, at most. They were getting along quite well but only business wise.

I think that since he was imprisoned by his brother making people don’t recognize him anymore back then and XY being the only one really caring about him, he stopped caring about the society and what those people think about him. The only opinion really important for him is the from the only person who made him feel respected and cared for him when he was „nobody” as Shiqi.

That’s the best summary of TSJ’s character I’ve read in this comment section. And I’m here constantly in the last days 😅

You get his character very well, loved to read your analysis ❤️

In those discussions about male leads there is so little about XY who also has her flaws and such a complex and layered personality. I love to see her having character development when it comes to her relationship with TSJ. On the other hand, her relationship with CX is going all over the place, she started acting like a teenage girl when with him and I guess it only fuels his obsession.

I absolutely love their bickering. He’s one of the very few people who can would not let her push him around 😂They would make such a nice couple, bickering and complaining but at the same time you can feel they respect each other and would make such a great duo. Ah well, unfortunately she’s fixed at her gege.

Well said!

I kinda envy people who will watch DY first, they have no spoilers about the main characters and their fate.

I am also rooting for He Yu as YDZ. I loved him in The Legend of ShenLi, hoping to see his other side in Dashing Youth!

They were the happiest when they were helping a mortals, common people. The fact XY's passion is drug & poison making. Those are the ways she can save and protect people who are important for her, with her own skills and hands.
That was a life without money, power, plotting. Without maids, fancy parties and formalities.

And that's the beautiful part about them and their relationship.

Making medicines all day, sharing an ordinary days filled with simple tasks, that's where they both found peace and comfort. They didn't find it boring at all. They were celebrating life as it was. Their lives were turbulent enough before to find beauty in this simplicity.

Biggest shipper next to Jing's maid

I love all of the main characters of this drama as all of them are complex, layered and it gives me a lot of mental stimulation.
I must say XL is my #1 favorite because his character development is the most interesting. I would lie if I would say that it's not also TJC's fault ;)

If I would have to choose, I would just ship them as a trio ;)

I love CX's character but I think I don't see him as a good partner material. He's too obsessed and too bound by his responsibilities as a ruler.

FL is okay, I guess? Pretty much marginalized as character, so not that much screen time to analyze or see more depth in him.

I found a soft spot for a two-headed-dog friend of Jing's. He brings some light in these dark times ;)