I'm utterly conflicted. I wish there were a few more episodes to flesh out some of the plots but I'm also happy with how the drama is moving along so far. But the conflicting feelings I have are all about CSS and LBY. Because it's all grey to me, with no discernible black or white ... wrong or right, who is more to blame or less, who hurts more, who hasn't been hurt as much ... and that is what makes the drama more realistic and so very good.
Realistically, could LBY have done it any other way, without hurting or implicating SS and the Cheng family? Could he have lived on, truly happy and sharing a healthy life together with SS, without having released all his inner demons? Could he have opened up at this particular time and confided everything to SS, this secret that he has held close which was the only reason he could remain alive to the present day? I don't believe he could at all. Not without putting her life on the line.
And up till the deed is done, my thought is that SS is still holding onto a piece of herself as well. He wasn't fully honest with her, and that is unfortunate and sad. Her growing suspicions of what he's holding back plays into her own fears of being abandoned and also threatens her dreams for a safe and happy wedded life. So much so that she also doesn't stay with him in his time of need; when he's unwell. Just as A Fei noted. On looking back, even when there was knowledge or suspicion that SS was holding back on the truth, LBY still went all in to save her, see to her emotional and physical needs, ahead of his own well-being and self.
I'm not trying to compare who has loved more or who has wronged more. Looking at their trajectory of love and growth, they both needed this to happen in a way. Not in the exact way that it plays out. But that they need a big enough catalyst in order to be able to fully let go of that part of themselves that they still hold tight, that will allow them to love the other person completely, without holding anything back.
I like LBY for SS. But YS entering the palace and taking on an official's position is a great benefit to SS in…
Indeed! I like that although the men may not like each other or are competitive for her love, they are willing to work together, in their different ways, to help, care for and protect her.
Edit with YS 😭 (I didn't notice his hands)Not watch if you hate YS🤣https://t.co/YgbkryvbiS
I like LBY for SS. But YS entering the palace and taking on an official's position is a great benefit to SS in that he actively tries to protect and look out for her, with or without LBY present. And much as LBY would rather not have him that close by SS's side, i believe he sees the value of YS's presence and protection for SS as a necessary evil, so to speak. Cos as long as SS is safe, that is all that matters to LBY, especially if he can't be physically present by her side.
I've rewatched the official MV again, plus bts, trailers etc. It appears that the clips related to after the revenge/banishment…
Also isn't there another scene where she jumps and hugs LBY in his general outfit too? I think she's wearing white. 🤔 I've to go look again. Would this be after as well? Or maybe it's before.
I've rewatched the official MV again, plus bts, trailers etc. It appears that the clips related to after the revenge/banishment…
Ah thanks! I thought where SS was carrying the child and when she ran out the house to hug LBY (both scenes where she is dressed in dark blue) would be after he returns too. But someone posted that this was when she looks for her father. Or are they two separate scenes?
I've rewatched the official MV again, plus bts, trailers etc. It appears that the clips related to after the revenge/banishment is where LBY is dishevelled in the northern borders, LBY's return and f2f with SS and YS, SS walking away from tearing YS, and another tower scene overlooking the military encampment, where CSS is touching the string on his wrist. Did I miss any others?
That means most of what happens in the drama after the time leap is unknown/unshown? Anyone else have any clues to share? I know we have novel spoilers for that period. But do we have any more drama snapshots of that time?
Don't know if it's my imagination. LBY has been looking less sickly these few episodes, compared to the beginning. Must be all the food and health soups SS has been feeding him 😄 Plus doses of love and happiness.
Le sigh, our favorite Emperor finally went ahead and did it. He disappointed me, with his soft handed decision…
My heart grieved for LBY at that point. There is no other way but to seek his own justice, after all.
This drama depicts so clearly the failures of parenting in so many forms and levels 😭The Emperor, as LBY's foster father and the Father of the Nation, has truly failed in not upholding justice as he should.
My view is that LBY meted out punishment on the 8 families purely for what they did to CSS, that might have cost her her life. That the families so happened to include the Censor Zuo, was a very fortuitous OPPORTUNITY that LBY could use in his own favour. That doesn't make him conniving, and having made use of SS as a cover. He was being shrewd and tactical, in this instance.
He was going to give them a lesson they wouldn't forget, judging by his reaction when he heard what 5th Princess and the ladies had done to SS. This was before he even knew which ladies, and what families they came from. His behaviour is very in keeping with what we know of him so far. He would've given them a harsh beating, regardless of whether he gained any benefit for his own cause. The added bits to what he originally intended to do where he could gain any benefit for his own revenge, I believe, was to wreck the ministerial office and expose and seize their ill gotten gains.
Just like he told 5th Princess that he would be giving her a 'gift' once she leaves the palace. As she pointed out, she's a princess so he couldn't cause her harm directly. That didn't mean he couldn't strike her where it would hurt, even if he can't strike her directly. His promise of said 'gift' is meant to be ominous and one she definitely wouldn't forget in a hurry.
Realistically, could LBY have done it any other way, without hurting or implicating SS and the Cheng family? Could he have lived on, truly happy and sharing a healthy life together with SS, without having released all his inner demons? Could he have opened up at this particular time and confided everything to SS, this secret that he has held close which was the only reason he could remain alive to the present day? I don't believe he could at all. Not without putting her life on the line.
And up till the deed is done, my thought is that SS is still holding onto a piece of herself as well. He wasn't fully honest with her, and that is unfortunate and sad. Her growing suspicions of what he's holding back plays into her own fears of being abandoned and also threatens her dreams for a safe and happy wedded life. So much so that she also doesn't stay with him in his time of need; when he's unwell. Just as A Fei noted. On looking back, even when there was knowledge or suspicion that SS was holding back on the truth, LBY still went all in to save her, see to her emotional and physical needs, ahead of his own well-being and self.
I'm not trying to compare who has loved more or who has wronged more. Looking at their trajectory of love and growth, they both needed this to happen in a way. Not in the exact way that it plays out. But that they need a big enough catalyst in order to be able to fully let go of that part of themselves that they still hold tight, that will allow them to love the other person completely, without holding anything back.
That means most of what happens in the drama after the time leap is unknown/unshown? Anyone else have any clues to share? I know we have novel spoilers for that period. But do we have any more drama snapshots of that time?
This drama depicts so clearly the failures of parenting in so many forms and levels 😭The Emperor, as LBY's foster father and the Father of the Nation, has truly failed in not upholding justice as he should.
He was going to give them a lesson they wouldn't forget, judging by his reaction when he heard what 5th Princess and the ladies had done to SS. This was before he even knew which ladies, and what families they came from. His behaviour is very in keeping with what we know of him so far. He would've given them a harsh beating, regardless of whether he gained any benefit for his own cause. The added bits to what he originally intended to do where he could gain any benefit for his own revenge, I believe, was to wreck the ministerial office and expose and seize their ill gotten gains.
Just like he told 5th Princess that he would be giving her a 'gift' once she leaves the palace. As she pointed out, she's a princess so he couldn't cause her harm directly. That didn't mean he couldn't strike her where it would hurt, even if he can't strike her directly. His promise of said 'gift' is meant to be ominous and one she definitely wouldn't forget in a hurry.