SpicyLime

Fingers Crossed***

If it follows the novel, CSS never stopped loving LBY and vice versa. CSS was most upset over the fact that he didn't drag CSS along with him. She was willing to die with/for him. LBY's biggest regret was abandoning her. CSS is pretty stubborn for awhile but finally gives in to LBY after he tearfully begs her to not be so cruel to him. She is the one who breaks off the engagement with Yuan Shen. Yuan Shen finally gives up after seeing how much LBY has done for CSS. The dude can't compare. The proud, arrogant Yuan Shen admitted defeat after chasing CSS for like 5 years.

There is another mega spoiler thread here if you want to read.

https://kisskh.at/687167-xing-han-can-lan#comment-10500111

I realize I need to seperate the two sometimes. Because the drama may be telling a similar but different story than the novel. They are both interesting. With Lou Yao though, the vibe I got from both mediums is that she is doing her best to be happy and excited to get married. But due to circumstances it wasn't meant to be and she gets hurt but grows. Just like in real life. The romantic in me is that she only ever truly fell in love with LBY. The other 2nd leads are just a journey for discovery.

LBY gets his butt slaps and CSS finally confirms her feels for him.

I have some contrast to the novel if you are interested.

The problem is, we can't really read into CSS's mind in the drama. There isn't that much monologue in the drama as opposed to the novel. In the drama she only has this confused look and music that happens whenever it involves LBY.

In the novel everytime she meets LBY she is confused with her feelings. She doesn't have this feeling with Lou Yao or Yuan Shen. She knows how she feels about them. It's different when it's LBY. There are moments where she is clearly smitten by him and can't help but admire him. Early on she doesn't think she would have a chance with this god of a man that is LBY. It first goes from fearing him, to being agreeable, understanding and respecting, denying feeling for him into finally realizing she likes him. It's a really long process.

It's the same with LBY. He likes her but doesn't have a clue when it comes to showing affection. His moves are very calculating and practical. He doesn't know how to do the puppy love that Lou Yao does, or the flirting Yuan Shen has. It's just what can I do to make things easier for her and she is safe. I.e. push up her position, escort her to safety, etc. For LBY as long as she is happy and safe than he is okay with that. In fact, he was okay with CSS marrying Lou Yao or Yuan Shen as long as she was happy. He was going to secretly protect her for the rest of his life. It's a very selfless love.

It's different than with Lou Yao and Yuan Shen. She wasn't confused about her feelings. She knew what type of personality they have and she wasn't that interested. What moved her for Lou Yao was that he chased her and flat out told her he wanted to marry her. She was taken aback by his sincerity. She didn't think she could do any better, and part of it was to spite her mom and her mind at the time was she is lucky to have such a guy propose to her. She had a honey moon stage, but it wore out quick. Her relatives kept telling her Lou Yao is not a good match, but she refuses to listen like in the drama. In Yuan Shen's case he was just right place right time. She needed to get married ASAP.

I think I read somewhere that in the story, they end up having a loving relationship and they have a child. Going through trauma can change your character quite quickly I'd imagine.

Before his engagement with CSS ends, I think he promises that he would take good care of his new wife.

Because he's the first person that has shown her any type of affection/kindness her whole life. Since she got a taste of it, she doesn't want to let it go. She is starved for it.

Agreed. She only finds out later through LBY's coaxing what love is between man and woman. Her feelings with LBY is complicated, since she has never felt them before and no one has taught her. The thing with LBY is he doesn't know how to show love either. His love is practical. Okay, he's going to marry someone else, I'll keep protecting her and wish her well. It's a selfless type love, where if she's happy he's content.

LY is giving CSS the attention and affection that she has craved her whole life and never got. As someone depraved of that her whole life, she is going to cling to the first thing that gives it to her.

It's the only thing that she was mad at him for. But like he never planned to have CSS in his life. Before meeting her, his whole life was resolved to get revenge on his own and not drag anyone down. When she had time to think about it, she realizes she made it about herself. Nothing was going to stop him from getting his revenge, even any conserations for her. I think she knew that, but just couldn't help herself from being upset. How you think you will react and how you actually react are different. It's a normal human reaction.

I hope they marry in the drama. Even if it's at the end.

Shucks. Actually I interpreted the ending as they got married but they might not have. There is talks about what CSS and LBY will do when they get married and it's implied they will but I don't think it actually happens in the epilogue.

Tldr; imo they got married.

Is the epilogue chapter 179? In the version I read there is only 179 chapters and the last scene is CSS giving LBY a kiss. Or is there a seperate epilogue chapter I'm missing. So it actually says they married? Could you graciously recap the epilogue? Or point me to to it so I can read it myself?

Did you read the novel? How close were the spoilers to the novel? I'm curious.

Did they marry? Some people are saying they didn't. I feel that they did and are reminiscing about the past. Thoughts and opinions?

Question for those who read the final chapter of the novel.

I think I read somewhere that he resolved to treat her well before he broke the engagement with CSS. I think he has a kid and they are really loving to each other. So he got an HEA.

The Emperor is the match maker for LBY and CSS :)

I know there is a lot of hate for the mom, but I get her. Especially with asian cultures there is this thing with filial piety. Her mom never got any love too. It's the same with my parents. They would beat the shit out of me too if I acted up. They do want the best for you, but they just don't understand and often didn't have the opportunity to be better. CSS mom was protecting her country, in extention protecting CSS indirectly. Like my parents never had time for me since they were always busy working, but they wanted to provide me with a home/food/clothes etc. But I didn't want all of that. I wanted their attention and affection. I wanted them to say they were proud of me and cuddle me ever so often. They just want you to listen to them since they are your elders and think you don't know any better. Her mom loves CSS, it's just not the type of love that CSS is yearning for. I felt the same with my parents. It leads to a lot of resentment.

Since I couldn't find the love I was looking for with them, I sought for it elsewhere. In some of my relationships I clung on even if it was toxic because I yearned for love so much. It's the same with CSS. It takes time and experience to grow up. I found a few good father and mother figures that are in my life now. My biological parents missed that chance long ago.

I wished they would get married too before the show ends. However, it's really well done how they reconcile. LBY did a lot for CSS while he was exiled and just slowly starts breaking down CSS's walls that she put up again after he returns. It slowly gets revealed what he has done for her when he returns. I got the same vibes from The Story of Ming Lan on how Gu Ting Ye continued to block Ming Lan's prospects and eventually made her his wife. I was laughing while thinking about how the characters are similar.

There is still a small arc after they reconcile before they marry. After their reconciliation they are pretty lovey dovey. The only reason why CSS took so long to accept LBY was because she had changed during the 5 years and pretended to be someone she was not. CSS could only be herself when LBY was around. When LBY was exiled she put on a face to hide her pain (she basically pretends to hate the things she loves when she has to i.e. hating LBY, even though she still loves him). When he returns, she drops her face again and is extremely happy to have LBY back in her life.

They get married in the last chapter.

We will see how the drama goes.

The engagements (per the novel).

1st engagement - Lou Yao: Lou Yan had an an ex-fiance. Her family gets murdered and Lou Yao is all she has left. CSS breaks off the engagement to help Lou Yao's ex. She didn't love him anyways. Just kind of settled since she was still immature at the time.

2nd engagement - LBY: The Emperor helps to match make them. The Emperor knows LBY likes CSS and later confirms that CSS likes LBY. CSS eventually opens her heart to LBY and they fall in love. However due to circumstances (LBY needs to get revenge for the death of his clan) the engagement is broken off and LBY is exiled for 5 years.

3rd engagement - Yuan Shen: Since the beginning of the story he has been trying to win over CSS. CSS does not like him. However, the Empress's dying wish is to see CSS get married before passing. (The Empress is CSS's mother figure) CSS figures he is a good enough choice and finally agrees to the engagement to fulfill the Empress's last wish. However, it's broken off since LBY returns. CSS still loves LBY. CSS tells Yuan Shen to break off the engagement. Yuan Shen loses all resolve to keep the engagement going when he figures out everything LBY has done for CSS.

4th engagement - LBY: CSS finally admits to her true feelings. He is the only one she wants. Ends in Marraige.