marnie

I'm real confused about all these princes and princesses. Are the third prince and third princess children of Consort Yue? The crown prince is obviously the empress's son but is the fifth princess also her daughter? Then there is this fifth prince who is Lady Cheng's son but who is she? I haven't come across second and fourth princes/princesses, also first princess, if they exist who are their mothers?

After reading up to chapter 140 even if the emperor is dying I don't see the rush for the ML to get himself a crown princess that is not the FL. So disappointing! How can there be a happy ending? Being the crown prince it's not like the ML can go against rigid imperial protocol later on and discard the crown princess for the FL. Also there's no way FL will enter into a threesome and be a concubine. If this is what happens to her that's not a good ending as well as if they end up with separate partners. So far there has not been that much interaction between the two leads and it's almost to the end of the novel. The novel's main focus is the plot and the romance/relationship seems to be of much lesser importance like just an add-on. Has anyone read the whole novel and can give me some spoilers? I'm almost ready to drop the novel and hope that the drama is better in the romance department.

I just love your expression 'I have a level of unbothered that can rival a dead man.' I spent most of yesterday sparring with some people who took offense at my 'jealous' opinion by telling them it's alright to disagree respectfully but not alright to criticize. Today so far it has been quiet. This drama has really provoked people and one can actually learn life lessons from it. Come to think of it I once took a psychology course which can't even compare with this drama. Well it has been fun chatting with you and maybe some more as the drama progresses.

I posted my jealous theory 2 days ago and I am still getting negative comments like 'the word "jealous" put everyone else off', that I should have used a 'better expression than jealous', etc. I'm surprised that there are all these mother defenders/protectors who will minimize CSS's mother's abuse as just tough-love. I feel sorry for victims in general as they have no voice in such situations but I think CSS is starting to make a distinction that her mother is no good for her and to get away. You go, girl!

No, you need to chill. I have no problem with people having different opinions from mine because this is what this forum is for and I welcome them as long as they are done in a respectful manner. I am only responding to your criticism of my opinion, for instance your second comment saying that my use of 'the word "jealous" put everyone else off' and that there 'is a better expression than jealous'. And that is why I replied with 'What is this beating around the bush? I call it like I see it and "jealous" it is'. Actually you are the one that is biting me because you don't agree and I am put off by your criticism. If you find my response extremely harsh then don't criticize in the first place, you get back what you dish out. I don't disagree that the mother is a control-freak but for me she's jealous as well later on and I am entitled to my opinion without censure and I won't dis you for yours which I never once did.

Right-on! What else could be her reason.

What is this beating around the bush? I call it like I see it and 'jealous' it is. How would you like it if I say the same of your word 'horrid' that a better expression might be high-handed? The reaction here showcases how powerful the word 'mother' is and people are willing to make excuses for CSS's mother's abusive behavior at the expense of CSS's suffering. They cannot allow themselves to think that a mother can be bad. If the mother cannot honor the attributes of love, care, support, protect that come with the mother title then she should be stripped of the title and be regarded as just a birthing vehicle. CSS seems on the verge of making that distinction in episode 24 and walking away. This drama is very good in portraying psychology and you can learn from it especially as you say you have mother issues.

Junhua, I made the comment so ofcourse I actually think that. It's fine if you have a different viewpoint but don't impose it on me and tell me what I can and cannot think. Your sarcastic remark reminds me of a horse wearing blinders that can only look in one direction except you put them on yourself.

I know most won't agree but I came to my conclusion after episode 24 because of the mother's vitriol in front of the royal family and ofcourse news would quickly spread to the rest of society. There's absolutely no reason for her outrageously nasty and cruel outburst. In fact she should be beaming with pride that her daughter has brought so much attention from the emperor as to be commended twice (including once officially) for her actions in Hua County, getting a personal invitation to meet the emperor/empress at the palace and being pursued by eligible suitors at such a young age especially of LBY's caliber who is the emperor's beloved adopted son. It's all such a great honor for the family and elevates their status in society. The intensity of the mother's ugly reaction in public far exceeds CSS's somewhat unconventional behavior and it smacks of jealousy. The mother literally knowingly (she doesn't strike me as an emotional person that can't control her behavior) destroyed CSS chance of ever getting a decent marriage in that very conservative period. What mother would do that publicly to a daughter just to curb some unruly tendencies and that's why I feel there are deeper undercurrents at work. The mother is not a stay at home mum and obviously takes great pride in having a career outside the home (your statement 'that horrid mother doesn't think CSS is good enough to be her rival' is true) and yet the daughter gets far more recognition than her which creates jealousy. The jealousy came later not at the beginning where the mother was more into the power of controlling CSS.

Thank-you for sharing the same 'jealous' sentiments. I made this claim a day ago and I received a lot of flak for it and the following is an excerpt of my response to the naysayers. It's fine to have differing viewpoints but people need to be respectful.

I know most won't agree but I came to my conclusion after episode 24 because of the mother's vitriol in front of the royal family and ofcourse news would quickly spread to the rest of society. There's absolutely no reason for her outrageously nasty and cruel outburst. In fact she should be beaming with pride that her daughter has brought so much attention from the emperor as to be commended twice (including once officially) for her actions in Hua County, getting a personal invitation to meet the emperor/empress at the palace and being pursued by eligible suitors at such a young age especially of LBY's caliber who is the emperor's beloved adopted son. It's all such a great honor for the family and elevates their status in society. The intensity of the mother's ugly reaction in public far exceeds CSS's somewhat unconventional behavior and it smacks of jealousy. The mother literally knowingly (she doesn't strike me as an emotional person that can't control her behavior) destroyed CSS chance of ever getting a decent marriage in that very conservative period. What mother would do that publicly to a daughter just to curb some unruly tendencies and that's why I feel there are deeper undercurrents at work. The mother is not a stay at home mum and obviously takes great pride in having a career outside the home (your statement 'that horrid mother doesn't think CSS is good enough to be her rival' is true) and yet the daughter gets far more recognition than her which creates jealousy. The jealousy came later not at the beginning where the mother was more into the power of controlling CSS. However most mothers are good but if you get the other kind it can ruin your whole life as you spend so much time with your mother.

OMG! CSS's mother is jealous of her own daughter and competes with her. She obviously wants to be the only female in the Cheng family to shine in her achievement.

In episode 22, after LBY and CSS got away from the bad guys why did CSS not return to the camp on her own as she still had her horse? Why did she stay with LBY only to be found by the emperor and did LBY hold her hand on purpose for the emperor to see? Did LBY intentionally implicate CSS about re-injuring his old wound ie. was he pretending so as to use it as an excuse to spend more time with CSS?

She is Huang Chao's female general Qiu Jiushuang.

Because Bai Fenxi has known Hei Fenxi for 10 years in the martial arts world and finds him overly ambitious,cunning and calculating. She comes from a very loving supportive family and early on she is not aware of Hei Fenxi's treacherous murderous family dynamics that molded his character in order for him to survive.

Actually 7. You listed 3, the other 4 are Yan Yingzhou who touches BFX's heart first but their passion is not shown in the drama which is a pity, Xuekong (Huangchao's general) who changes his name from Xiaojian because BFX says Xuekong suits him better, Xiu Jiurong one of her generals who would do whatever to protect her but in the drama his role is changed to her sect member which is another pity and Jiuwei who just wants to serve her.

They are not related.

She will become king of her state not queen that implies standing behind a king.

How do you keep the English subtitles on? It disappears even when it is checked off in the captions.

The whole martial arts world think very highly of the FL because she is considered one of the 4 top masters of martial arts. When a man does the same but for money he is never criticized as thinking very highly of himself. In fact for three quarters of the book she does the planning /strategizing and leads (meaning at the forefront) her army of soldiers into battles. She has every right to be confident of her judgment and abilities because she is a very strong and courageous leader. To be a leader one has to have self-confidence. She certainly does not need the ML's protection. The ML stays mainly behind the scenes watching and engages more in warfare in the last quarter of the book. Now let's see how this drama handles her - will she be turned into a weak woman needing the ML's protection? Please let her brilliance shine!