SCPY

yes, it's like an easter egg, didn't expect to see it.

lol, I would have missed it if some of u didn't point it out... how many of us watch right till the end???

yes, thanks to AniMangaSensei for pointing out that scene - I hardly watch past the credits.

thanks for the heads up! I didn't know there was a special scene where he catches the feather, I think not many of us will watch till the end of the credits.

nope. There are clues that the Grand Mentor who is teaching the Crown Prince/Emperor is FJM. First, he tells the little boy the same things as HS. Second, everyday the court physician checks his pulse. Third, his health has been improving as compared with the earlier years. Fourth, HS loves to listen to lectures from him. Fifth, the Grand Mentor will be delighted to see HS, at the little boy's insistence, she agrees to go along.

lol, HS as CEO as the hubby rests at home. I love your analogy. Well, it's true, they can still see each other, just not sure about moments of intimacy... I dunno if FJM is still such a prude!

I felt that when she said she didn't want to go as it might tire FJM out, I dunno if she's been keeping her distance from him for the sake of appearances. If she did, tis would be a pity. And how easy or difficult would it be for an Empress to waltz in and out of the Grand Mentor's abode? Of course, the eunuch, some people in Ji Feng Pavillion already know about their relationship...

lol, typical C-drama ploy.

yup, he's alive. And I hope they have their me-time together. Hopefully FJM isn't as stuffy before, and worried about reputation and all that.

I guessed as much when the little boy said that his teacher said the same thing as HS, and the lesson in the boy was on the merfolk.
Yes, some consolation that they aren't quite apart, and yet not quite together. Well, as someone optimistically put it, someday, there may be time for them. who knows?

yes, I hope FJM isn't as stuffy as he used to be and be all worried about propriety. Come on, a hug or a touch of the hand, an occasional her lying on his shoulder is fine. For heaven's sakes. LOL

nope. There are clues that the Grand Mentor who is teaching the Crown Prince/Emperor is FJM. First, he tells the little boy the same things as HS. Second, everyday the court physician checks his pulse. Third, his health has been improving as compared with the earlier years. Fourth, HS loves to listen to lectures from him. Fifth, the Grand Mentor will be delighted to see HS, at the little boy's insistence, she agrees to go along.

if this isn't FJM, I don't know who it is!

Both directors are women! LOL

No wonder YM said she couldn't stop crying, must be this scene.

You know the ending with the crane flying above head and it sheds a feather? It's when the Crown Prince aka Emperor is telling HS that FJM's health has improved as compared with the earlier years,

From https://fengshuibeginner.com/crane-symbolism/, here's what the crane means:
"In China, the crane, also known as the heron has always been one of the most auspicious symbols since the olden times. It is a symbol of nobility and long life. In addition, it also represents everlasting love and loyalty in romance. "

And from artfixdaily.com:
"In Chinese culture, the crane is venerated as the prince of all feathered creatures and thus has a legendary status. Embodying longevity and peace, it is the second most favored bird symbol after the phoenix"

So, I take it to mean that the country is ushering a period of peace and that FJM will live a long life. I was a little puzzled as to why the feather flew in the wind and we got to see young HS with FJM.... and I think the first explanation informs us that it also represents "everlasting love and loyalty".... So that's the parting message - though a rather cryptic one. Geez, it's not like all audiences know what the crane means!

Consider it the director's motivation to make a memorably sad ending. Giving FJM death would have been too conventional? Mayhaps this ending is more painful and memorable to the director? Who knows what was going thru their minds in coming up with such a direction.

indeed, we don't know how long he can live for. well, it's our own imagination I guess at play here.

No wonder, YM said she couldn't stop crying so much from that scene that even the camera crew were crying.

I second that.

yes, the only HE is ZL and DL. But someone said that happiness for the Emperor who is tired of all this is death, and he dies with TL, so you know the Chinese saying - though we can't be born the same time, we die at the same time. It's a romanticised notion, typicall in WuXia dramas (at least when I was watching it in the 80s) of being able to die together.

as for HS-FJM, as you put it, they can see each other if they want to, after all both are in the Palace. Just that I think FJM is not in the public eye, he can't appear publicly after his supposed death and it's prolly a guarded secret.

And yes, the thought did occur to me that one day they could be together. Though I hate the photo that Tencent put up, it had a phrase that said something like "twice, wanted to travel the world together, a fond dream, whatever the heart wishes comes true".

So, I honestly thought that they would show her finally leaving the palace with FJM when the CP came of age. But they didn't show anything like that, unless they are going to release a short epilogue? Anyway, that's up to us to fantasize then...

yes, read my post below, entitled, OK, so the HEBE is correct.

I LIKE your optimism! Well, it's an open ending of sorts, isn't it? It's up to us to imagine what happens after this. That's actually my only consolation as well.

Kudos to you for not doing so!
With the way it's been filmed, prolly XKC and WC won't know what happens after the scenes they were acting in. Because both weren't required anymore. Only YM continues with the drama.