AleksandraSucur

MJL said she was a brilliant student, capable to learn everything.
We actually don't know for how many years she lived ALONE (bc we have no clue what happened and when exactly happened), we just know she lived on Li mountain for 8 years (since she was 12, MJL was 14 at the time) but we've seen she studied there from her childhood. I'm practising martial arts daily and explored different arts and styles, but I've started as an adult. I can pass all the levels and be a teacher, but I can't compare with eg. my son's skills (who is not as diligent as I am) in real combat, for a simple reason he started as a kid, has a better constitution, talent and a brain which was trained at the right age to "intercept" the moves (=the intention) of the opponent. When you learn martial arts as a kid, it's a game in which the kid's brain explores so many variables the adult learners don't even contemplate discarding them as "impossible". In my life, I've also met a few national or world champions of several martial arts: they've became the top very young, in their early 20s, practising for hours daily since they were children. The drama may have exaggerated FL's skills, but being trained since she was a kid and having such a good teacher, I don't find unbelievable she developed extraordinary skills.
And as I've said before, I'll personally be very disappointed if the drama turns to supernatural or ghostly explanations, undermining the highly logical explanations it offered till now. They've put such a care and effort to make this story flow, just to downgrade it with supernatural explanations?

it's ok, I'm glad if this helped to clarify. There are infinite comments here, you've probably missed mine or those of another commentator who is treating PTSD daily for work and confirmed that the disassociaton mechanism could be even stronger in real cases, bc the traumas were so hard people hit by them wouldn't survive if their (perfectly normal) brain didn't activate these - substantially defensive - mechanisms.

I've seen women with PTSD. With a beahviour very much alike FL's (and who suffered maybe even more terrible traumas than FL, but I can't be sure about that bc we don't know precisely what trauma her brane erased and rescripted).

They mainly live normally their lives, maybe focusing a little be too much on every day activities one can may find cute or not... but there's one thing I found irrestibly charming - in real persons and in the fictional Ye Li character performed by this actress - is the vulnerability and innocence they manifest when smth recalls the trauma which triggered the disorder. In such situations, real persons trembles like a leaf, even if they've took the calming medication, they are weak and drop in your embrace just like the FL fell in ML's embrace after her grandma tried to kill her.

And believe me, they are completely capable to fall in love, to have friends, husbands and to take care of the loved ones, maybe even with greater zeal than normal persons. Besides, the symptoms of PTSD greatly regress in motherhood on their own, the thing which is also greatly studied and documented.

This will be... like the 20th times I'll repeat she doesn't have a split personality.

When FL "sees" master Zhu, she shows a symptom called identity alteration. It manifests or could manifest in several mental conditions. It shows up both in DID (Dissociative identity disorder, which is a scientific term for "split personality") and in PTSD.

The difference between these two conditions is difficult to distinguish from the symptoms, that's why other features must be contemplated, such as:
1. Time when it develops. While PTSD can hit any of us at any age, both in childhood or in adulthood, DID must develop in an early childhood (6-9 years)
2. Identity structure: while person with PTSD always feels like the same "self," even when distressed (just like Ye Li), person with DID experiences (=is aware of) two or more distinct personality states that control his/her behavior
3. Type of memory loss: PTSD person blocks out (erasing and/or rescripting) parts of the specific traumatic event, the DID person amnesia is pervasive, she or he has gaps in memory involving everyday events, personal details and skills that are habitually used when other "identity" takes control of the brain. Although one can argue that when she is Ye Li, she forgets she possesses martial skills, she doesn't live her everyday life under the idenitity of master Zhu, he appears in her vision, triggered only when she is in a mortal danger and as a separate person from her. Her brain rescripts that entire experience as "master Zhu came to save me", not bc she assumes the identity of master Zhu, but bc her brain had already erased (for the reason we don't know) from her memory the fact she knows martial arts and can save herself on her own.

She doesn't have a split personality, she just suffers from a heavy PTSD.

It isn't mentioned anywhere in the drama. I've offered you the arguments which were shown or mentioned in the drama on which I've reconstructed the dynamics and the timeline, the only logical sequence of the events.

Yes, I've said it would be logical Qin consort used the edict given her by the Yes to save the person she cared for so much. That's my opinion based on her apparently smart personality and aforementioned reconstruction. You stubbornly repeat yourself, so I suppose you don't get what I'm saying. Have a nice day/evening

Indeed, ED was not in power when Ding was captured, but she fought for the power with the CP. She said herself (to Qin): we fought with our lives. This "fighting for their lives" was mentioned by Muyang and convalidated by the words of consort Qin. In their contraddictorial versions of the events subsequent the emperor's death, only this sentence seems to appear in all three interpretations of events, so that must be true. But the fact there was a great power struggle, doesn't necessarily imply these (or some of them) didn't conspire beforehand, anticipating what to do after the emperor's death. The fact the fatty general Lu Chengfu, subordinate of Muyang, intercepted young MJL, son of the CP, who was escorted by Lishan guards from the academy to the Duke Hua (probably his maternal grandfather) "for protection" immediately after the emperor's death is another indicator there was a precise plan on Muyang-ED's side to take control over all possible rivals.
It isn't necessary to be in a material power to make certain things done. Especially if you have a plan hoe to take the power.

well, I am fine with your argument, but find it a little be off to be used in this specific drama. Suspence techniques used (puzzle box, inverted narrative, now this rashomon...), a great emphasis on psychological aspects of the characters, on pain and trauma, a mystery surrounding Li-mountain + conspiracy that led to the death of ML's brother at the core of the story, its glue which keeps the entire plotline together, with its various subplots, investigations, characters and aspects, make this drama a sort of psychological thriller. Although what you've said is basically true, the introduction of this element to justify actions or inaction of a character would downgrade the high quality and high logic carefully crafted and maintained till this point, imo.

I've thought you've read my first answer to you: the emperor died before Ding was captured and the fire in which CP died was set after. Between the death of an emperor and the ascension of a new one passes a certain period of time (for the funeral, for public and ceremonial court mourning, for the preparation of the succession).

Prince Ding didn't have with him an edict justifying the absence from his post - and that's the reason why he was arrested and accused.

You can make point as much as you want, but untill you don't read or refuse to accept the arguments, we can hardly call our conversation a constructive exchange of thoughts

I've disliked how they've shown Qin consort first capable of manipulating the other two and then how she was unable to save her friend, as well as all the divination story told to the FL by her uncle. A smart person (as she was firstly presented) doesn't believe in crap.
More than "their alliance is teetering on the edge", my impression is she now looks a bit frightened by both Muyang and the ED and that she doesn't know the full dynamics of the events.
I also feel the script gives us a few red herrings on these fundamental cases: prince Ding's death and the fire in the Eastern palace...

I am referring to consort Qin's and ED's conversation in ep. 20. When ED asked Qin what was she worried about (regarding Muyang), she replied: "the edict and the fire in the EP back then he mentioned were all his doing".

But that was not what she heard from Muyang. Muyang said to Qin the fire was ED's doing and when he captured Ding or later persecuted Lishan people, he was just realising ED's wishes. Why did she distort his words? Was she testing the ED, wanting to hear how she would reply?
These three persons are certainly hard to crack.

Now we even have the Rashomon factor in this drama. The villain trio versions of truth contraddict each other.

1. I never wrote ML's bro "returned to the capital". I've wrote he "was in the capital, in prison" when the Eastern palace burnt. How do I know? I've explained: we were shown that FL's mom visited him in prison, got from him the location of the summoning edict, called her father to the capital... If he was in imprisoned anywhere else, how the Yes (who are living in the capital) could have taken the edict from her? How could FL approach him on the execution ground? Is it easy for a young girl to go somewhere else all alone and after the disaster that happened at her home?

FL's mom was awaiting her father's arrival when Ye brothers have forcefully taken the edict from her and the reason why they've taken it from her was implied by the fatty uncle Ye: the Eastern palace was burnt, keeping the edict which would exonerate prince Ding from conviction, put the family in danger of retaliation from the side which evidently won the power struggle - Muyang and ED. So, the fire necessarily occurred in the short period of time between prince Ding was put in prison and the young emperor was installed (otherwise CP would have accended). And after the fire, consort Qin's friend was captured, at least, we agree on that.

2. I don't take it at face value. I've just said: whatever other info the edict contained, it was summoning him to the capital. And that's sufficient to exonerate him from the accusation of abandoning his post. And you can't argue this is an assumption. I didn't speculate on the contents of the edict, like you did: that would be an assumption. If I had to make assumptions... the edict could have easily contained: my wife and Muyang are planning a rebellion, come back quickly to save me. From consort Qin's perspective, if the edict contained smth like that would be great: it would not only exonerate prince Ding, but also her friend, the suspicion for the fire would immediately turn onto Muyang and ED.
When I've made assumptions, I've assumed that edict could have been completely fake, a falsification meant to lure prince Ding and his army out of his post, so that Cangbei can take three cities from Da Chu. And then eliminate Ding, the army, the emperor, the CP... Smuggling weapons to an enemy in war is already a treason (we know Muyang committed from that military inspector killed by MJL), and organising a conspiracy to supress the truth from coming out would justify any other treason, from Muyang's pov.

Besides, Idk if you've seen consort Qin and ED's conversation in ep. 20. When ED asked Qin what was she worried about, she replied: "the edict and the fire in the EP back then he mentioned were all his doing". But that was not what she heard from Muyang. Muyang said to Qin the fire was ED's doing and when he captured Ding or later persecuted Lishan people, he was just realising ED's wishes. Each of these three persons have their own rashomon version of the truth and these versions contraddict each other.

Oh, you're right, it was a split of a second, thank you 👍

It looked like he had medical skills, besides martial arts. He certainly suspects she is sufferring from "a heartbreak" (ie. PTSD) connected with a heavy trauma which has smth to do with persons at Lishan. That's why I think he went there, to find out what exactly happened there and what's the real condition of the people she told everyone are fine.

No, no, that her senior is a real person. It was him who found out the senior she employed as a shop manager. She also introduced him to her husband, as a doctor who helped during the operation of his legs.
In which preview have you seen he is back to the capital?

I think Capt. Li went to Lishan. Hope nothing happens to him

the symptom she shows when "sees" master Zhu is called identity alteration. It manifests or could manifest in several mental conditions. It shows up both in DID (Dissociative identity disorder, which is a scientific term for "split personality") and in PTSD.

The difference between these two conditions is difficult to distinguish from the symptoms, that's why other features must be contemplated, such as:
1. Time when it develops. While PTSD can hit any of us at any age, both in childhood or in adulthood, DID must develop in an early childhood (6-9 years)
2. Identity structure: while person with PTSD always feels like the same "self," even when distressed (just like Ye Li), person with DID experiences (=is aware of) two or more distinct personality states that control his/her behavior
3. Type of memory loss: PTSD person blocks out (erasing and/or rescripting) parts of the specific traumatic event, the DID person amnesia is pervasive, she or he has gaps in memory involving everyday events, personal details and skills that are habitually used when other "identity" takes control of the brain. Although one can argue that when she is Ye Li, she forgets she possesses martial skills, she doesn't live her everyday life under the idenitity of master Zhu, he appears in her vision, triggered only when she is in a mortal danger and as a separate person from her. Her brain rescripts that entire experience as "master Zhu came to save me", not bc she assumes the identity of master Zhu, but bc her brain had already erased (for the reason we don't know) from her memory the fact she knows martial arts and can save herself on her own.

She just suffers from a heavy PTSD.

You're right. The maid was the exact reason why he expressed it in that clumsy way: "it's time to consummate". That precise wording was also confusing her. What does it mean "it's time", why it's time now? If he could have told the truth, his answer would be:
"I cannot stand you share bed with your friend, even if she is an imaginery friend." But he couldn't tell her the truth for obvious reasons, she is not aware she is imagining persons.

He should first ask himself: why I don't like her to share bed with her imaginery friend? Is it because I want her to heal from this delusion or is it because I want to be close to her, I want to be her confidant and I'm jealous of that relationship she has with a non existing person. And once he figures out the right answer, he'll also know the way.

For the time being, he kicked out the imaginery friend and placed himself in her bed, which can be viewed as a half-victory, but there's still another half of the road to achieve what he truly wants but isn't completely aware of it either.

I can't take that compliment! 😂
If it looked like a "lesson", it wasn't my intention. We are mainly women here, which helps us to create "a connection" with Ye Li (which doesn't mean men are unable to "connect" with her: they can). We can imagine: we are dating a person we get along well, we have certain common interest etc. For us - that is sufficient to feel good and to think that this relationship is of mutual benefit. But if that person suddenly proposes us to have sex, we would also like to know the reason. If the person doesn't express himself on how he really FEELS about us, ie. why it is important for him to be even closer to us, sharing and showing his desires and testing ours, most of us won't be able to "accept" such an unromantic, dumb and out of blue proposal

No, it isn't she wants to take a lead. Just put yourself in her shoes. You've married a man you get along well, who let you do your things and be calmly focused on your "to do list". Suddenly, the man you've married comes out with: it's time to consummate our marriage. You'll also wonder why, everything is going well, is there smth I am doing wrong I am not aware of?
For how smart he normally is, that was such a dumb, unromantic and wrong sentence. You don't propose to have sex, you create the right mood and atmosphere for it: you touch, you hold hands, you make her laugh, say how she changed your world and makes you happy and after kisses and petting and whispers... you just consummate.
So, her question "why?" was correct. How did he answer that question? "Before, I was ill and crippled... but now I am ok...." WRONG AGAIN! You say you desire her, you love her and you've been supressing your feelings fearing she didn't feel the same and you'll be rejected bc of your invalidity (stirring up her empathy & compassion and pushing her to prove she has feelings for you too) - that's the RIGHT thing to do.