Bella Anne

Exactly! I expected her intelligent character in the newest eps but hey, she let me down so far.. He came back ASAP to help her, did investigation thing, warned her of the danger, putting himself on government thing which he still reluctant. But she didn't even say thanks and just hold her hand with another man in front of him who stayed stand up quietly...

OMG pls just give us more scenes of her managing government & politics.

I started to feel disappointed with Yan Yan's character after watching eps 26.
This time, 2 episodes succeeded in changing my expectations for her character development. I mean yes, she is still a responsible woman, but why as episodes go on, the scene of a creative Yan Yan doesn't exist anymore? I think there is nothing special or impressive about her scene in recent eps.

For me, there are some roles that deserve to be called 'Legend', namely very strong characters such as The Legend of Ying Luo or the Legend of Mei Chang Su seems suited well. I think the first half of this drama would be more suitable to be titled "Story of Liao Dynasty" if Yan Yan's character is still not prominent...

I really hope in the second half part of this show, Yan Yan's character can act more stunning and deserve the title "Legend of Xiao Chuo" probably when she started to manage all the political issues on eps 27..

After watch ep 26, I think I need to revise my comment. Yes, Yan Yan still a responsible woman (and wife) but hey, you're right! As if she had lost her character, her scene with the king became even more dull. I mean, nothing special or impressive happened after she became empress. I really hope that episode 27 tonight will showcase her intelligence in managing the country...

Ok, I understand 2 things you are concerned about. This time I'm going to explain why I think I'm conflating two very related things.

1. As you said just now, What the original post asked is about whether Derang knew about the revolt in Black Mountain beforehand and helped them or not. And my answer is Derang knows half the truth. Yes, he knows the plan to assassinate Emperor Muzong by the guards and also plans for the coronation of a new emperor if the assassination mission succeeded. I think this is the first half-truth which Derang knew. The other half-truth that he didn't know was that the trigger of the revolt by the traumatized servants itself was the result of the successful implementation of Mingyi's rotten plan. I suspect that Mingyi has prepared the right place, time, atmosphere, and even the victims (Baihai, Chubu's brother) to anger the emperor and commit murder. We all know that Mingyi really understands the nature and mindset of the emperor, so it's not difficult for him to create this kind of trigger.

2. The second thing that I think is related to point 1 is about one of the crucial scenes in this drama, which is when Derang asked if Mingyi had anything to do with the murder of Baihai, Chubu's brother, which has a correlation to Black Mountain plan since it was the trigger. But, because Mingyi denied it (albeit a little stammered), so Derang dispelled his suspicions and believed 100% this was a lucky coincidence. Even when Yan Yan asked the same thing as Derang asked (suspecting Mingyi), Derang answered Yan Yan with certainty that Mingyi was not someone who could kill innocent people, he was even someone who could not bear to kill ants.

The thing that I highlight is if Derang finds out that Baihai's assassination is the result of Mingyi's rotten plan which is so neatly arranged that it looks like a coincidence, I'm sure Derang will reject this plan and won't help the arrangement to take Mingyi's throne. Because killing innocent people to make it as the trigger to take the throne is against Derang's principles and morals.

Yes, maybe because he was grieving so much, he lost his focus. He didn't suspect that Ms. Si, who was far and painstakingly catching up to Derang's current location, had something to do with the Emperor's plans.

Agree, yeah, can those two still be called as bros after all this...

Yes, I hope that in the next episode there will be more scenes of Yan Yan as a smart and strong empress. Well, if possible, I also hope that Yan Yan will carry out an unexpectedly epic impressing plans like Ying Luo did. xD

Yes, OFC That really doesn’t make sense if Derang didn't know about the emperor's assassination plan. I have also emphasized this fact by stated before, "he then knelt down and said, "I saluted to Emperor". Derang's reaction indicated that Derang knew that the 'Black Mountain plan' was successful and they were immediately ready to head there."

What I mean by "according to the principles of goodness and morals” is based on Derang's idealistic thinking, Derang's moral standards and principles, that is, not killing innocent people.

This is mentioned in episode 14, when both in the horse carriage, Derang asked Mingyi if he has convinced Chubu. Then Mingyi answered not yet, I'm testing him. Then, it was Derang's question that raised my suspicions, that he only knew half the truth. He asking questions like this meant that he did not trust Mingyi 100% at that time.

Derang: "The death of Chubu's brother, Baihai, was indeed strange. Mingyi, the death of Baihai get nothing to do with you, right?"
Then Mingyi held his breath, and answered, "What are you talking about? His Majesty kills at will. How can I control that?"

Then Derang replied, "That's good. Mingyi, you're a man of great ambition. I believe you will never be like those brutes, trample on innocent lives.".

"Brother Han, don't worry. I...
I will never do such things. "
Mingyi answered somewhat stammered.

And then the scene of Mingyi coming out in the middle of the night on purpose, without being noticed by Derang, adds to my strong suspicion that Derang knows half the truth...

And fortunately we are presented with a scene when Yan Yan disciplines a new concubine who is disrespectful and arrogant, from which we know that Yan Yan is still the former Yan Yan, a discerning woman with strong character :)

I think Yan Yan is not getting weak now, she is still a smart, stubborn and responsible woman. And she took understandable actions to serve and support the emperor, whose position was not only emperor, but also husband. The moment when Derang finally reluctantly let go of Yan Yan and gave up their relationship to fate in this life, he must have deeply understood Yan Yan's responsibilities as someone else's wife in the future, and her obligations as an empress.

Hm I don't think so.. I believe that Derang only knows the 'righteous plans' that Mingyi wants Derang to know, not the crafty ones. When the dove sent a paper to Mingyi with the words "Mission Complete" which was shown to Derang immediately, he then knelt down and said, "I saluted to Emperor". Derang's reaction indicated that Derang knew that the 'Black Mountain plan' was successful and they were immediately ready to head there. However, Derang did not know the details of the plot against the emperor's assassination. Derang believed that Mingyi must have carried out a plan according to the principles of goodness and morals.

I concluded this after seeing several scenes, one of which was at night at the door of Ming Yi's residence, Derang and Mingyi got off the horse-drawn carriage after the two of them had been traveling all day to increase support for power. Derang said, “You're tired of traveling all day long. Have a good rest." However, after that, without Derang's knowledge, Ming Yi continued his journey to negotiate. This indicates that Derang does not know all Mingyi's tactics and movements to seize the throne. This is very suspicious because Derang is a trusted person and Mingyi's right hand man, he will not cover it from Derang except for reasons that will disadvantage him.

IMO Derang only knows 'half the truth' about Mingyi's plan.

All he knows is a plan to seize the throne on the straight path, which doesn't kill innocent people. Derang recognized Mingyi as a non-cunning principled person who deserved to be emperor, which was why Derang helped Mingyi. He did not know the details of Mingyi's plan to gather additional connections (without Derang's knowledge) and the scheming assassination of the emperor whose situation and conditions Mingyi had carefully prepared. We know this is possible because only Mingyi knows the ins and outs and weaknesses of the hierarchy of his royal family, and even though the two of them are as close as siblings, still their status is king and bodyguard, which is very natural for subordinates not to know all of his superior's plans.

I mean, why would Mingyi go quietly to add more connections in the middle of the night when Derang told him to rest and he agreed beforehand. He doesn't tell Derang who is the number one person he trusts, because Mingyi knows that some of his plans (evil ones that violate principles and morals) will definitely be rejected outright if Derang finds out.

In essence, Mingyi arranged Derang to know only his righteous plans, not the evil ones.

Yes, it's a shame. Even now, many people say that that actors fandom is as ferocious as idol fandom. Moreover, The Untamed's ML is an actor and idol. So, it's like a double kill for her...

Yes, she also looks very beautiful here because she radiates good vibes

Wew... Episode 23 really made me suffer from FLS...

I think she didn't fall for him because of that feeble scene. She was just trying to solidify her heart again to take responsibility for her decision after being made a highest concubine. After all, it was Derang first who advised Yan Yan to give up on destiny at least in this life.

and for Ms Si, yes it would be nice sunset scene. That's why I cannot hate her because she is not an annoying spoiled girl. She is a woman with strong will (to get her love) but not hypocritical and not bad-mouthing Yan Yan in front of Derang. I even like the way she acts, looks like a kind woman that somehow deserves at least Derang's attention..

If I were him I wouldn't have told her those letters. How could he become so confident and still underestimate how those two people understand each other even though they are apart.

Is he being overconfident, half kind, stupid enough, or what???

So far until Eps 23, Li Si is kind. She loves the ML & fight for her love but I cannot hate her because she is not an annoying spoiled girl. She is a woman with strong will (to get ML) but not hypocritical and not bad-mouthing Yan Yan in front of ML. At least so far...

Exactly. He asked a straightforward but also desperate question. Now everyone knows that Yan Yan only thinks of him as a superior whose orders are very obligator, not as a husband at all. ~~

IKR... Even now after he was married, it became more clear that he was attracting Yan Yan's attention and sympathy by pretending to be coughing and in pain. And when he was asked by Yan Yan blatantly, he cleared that he was not pretending, but he was always like that--''

Huft.. I thought he would only last 1-2 years, his cough and pain really looked as bad as MCS. I wonder how long the episodes will it take for them to shorten the 12 years...