SpicyLime

1)it there love triangle
No real love triangle. All the male leads like the FL. However, they are not directly competing with one another. They don't scheme and are respectful of FL's decision. The FL gets engaged to the 2ML first. When the engagement falls through, She then gets engaged to the ML. She breaks up with ML after his "betrayal" and she almost gets engaged to the other 2ML, but she doesn't love him.

2)when do the two main leads get together
ML proposes in episode 24 and FL "accepts." There is friction and FL only resolves to marry ML at the end of part 1 episode 27.

3)are there any misunderstandings b/w leads
i would like spoiler plz

Yes and no. FL does not trust ML and does not open her heart to him until later in the story. It's because she is head strong and tries to be independant. She doesn't want to rely on others. She was initially worried that he would oppress her. Their love is a natural progession throughout the story, where FL learns to trust ML and let him in. The ML always trusted the FL, despite the scheming of the antagonists. ML only loves FL and FL only loves ML. ML is hiding his true identity which does not get revealed until he carries out his revenge around episode 48. Once the ML gets his revenge their engagement is broken off. The ML is exiled for his crimes and there is a time skip of 5 years in episode 52 before they eventually reconcile in episode 55.

I remember going back and was like what the hell did I just watch. We might get to see a more fleshed out directors cut in the future. Maybe next year. We can all hope.

Ah it's so hard to pick a side. I think both are very flawed characters and they both wronged each other. I think LBY actually accepted all of CSS's flaws from the beginning. CSS didn't/couldn't. That doesn't make LBY better, but the weight on LBY's shoulders was the entire Huo family and the well being of a nation. Yeah maybe he shouldn't have dragged CSS along with his schemes, but in his own selfish way, he was trying to protect CSS and her family. CSS knew that but couldn't forgive him at first for the betrayal. It wasn't because he didn't really love her. Mmeeh... I'm always conflicted.

I don't want to spoil anything for you, but atleast we got that much. A lot of people were unhappy with the result. That said someone mentioned there was actually a wedding but it just didn't make the final cut. We can all hope that we get to see it in the future. With Cdramas you never know.

On a side note. In the original novel they do not get married. The ending in the drama is close to what happens in the novel. In the extra chapters written a few years later after the original novel, we find out the leads got married and we get a very HEA explaining what happens.

Because one of the goals was to get the crown prince deposed. The crown prince is not fit to rule since he is too soft hearted and incompetent. LBY and many others want the third prince to be the next emperor.

He gave it away in an earlier episode to protect CSS who created a fake one to help the Crown Princess. He replaced CSS's fake tally with the Huo tally. CSS didn't know that the tally was magnetic so she would've been caught and punished.

They don't get married by the end of the series. Just a promise to get married.

If you don't want to wait.

I think all the episodes are subbed now.

https://kisskh.me/Drama/Love-Like-the-Galaxy?id=5176&q=true

So correction to the previous post. It was several years that the aunt went into hiding with Huo Wushang.

No. I think Ling Yi presumed Huo Junhua was dead or at least missing. When Huo Junhua returns to the Capital several years later after the incident she is crazy. She left for that long, so that HWS would age and people couldn't tell the difference that he is not LBY. I don't think Ling Yi knew that Huo Junhua knew the truth of the massacre, or was not worried since he believed she was crazy and therefore not a threat. If he suspected she knew, he would have killed her too. Ling Yi got remarried pretty quickly. I think he had a favored concubine that seduced him fairly quickly, which he made his legal wife. Huo Junhua was a politcal marraige.

With the terrible SFX as HBY rode on horseback, I think this was a reshoot. They probably made changes to the original plan and just threw this in. That's why it's just never talked about ever again. LOL. Like, correct me if I'm wrong, but we don't even get to see LJT's last moments in the carraige. We just see the carraige. I also don't remember LBY jumping in the carraige. Shrug.......

The facts based on the drama and my speculation for why it might feel a little disjointed.

The fact is there was only talks, but the formal ceremony did not happen, so CSS never officially become engaged to Yuan Shen. In episode 52, when CSS was going to meet the parents, HBY arrived back to the Capital where OTP meet and CSS decided to run away and thus the engagement never happened. In episode 53, the Empress confirms that CSS is not engaged, so we are to assume the reason is because she still loves HBY, or at least does not love Yuan Shen and had second thoughts. Maybe, the Empress convinced her to back down. Who knows.

Alright, so some of the speculation. A lot of times scenes are shot out of order in the show. A commentor mentioned that the actress Lusi said that the team excluded an infamous reconciliation scene from the novel that may or may not have been shot. The reason this scene was chopped was because the narrative for the scene is that HBY did not regret getting his revenge. This is opposed to what was shown in the final version of the drama, where HBY is remorseful. In the novel, it's not the revenge that upsets CSS the most, it's the abandonment. (Getting revenge did not equate to abandonment. HBY trying to break off the engagement and leaving her behind was). When OTP reconcile in the novel, CSS is fully empathethic with HBY's need to get revenge. She knew he had to do it. I guess the cast did not feel that type of personality fit the characters and the story had to be rewritten and reshot midway.

It's obvious that a lot of scenes were chopped on the editing floor and scenes were probably reshot, which probably included changing the narrative of the original story they had in mind. Instead of getting the mature reconciliation in the drama, in an alternative version, Yuan Shen and CSS get engaged and an immature reconciliation between OTP occurs, which includes begging, screaming, biting, tears and CSS breaking off her engagement with Yuan Shen. Maybe more of what happens in line with the novel. We would also probably get a much more flushed out arc regarding Luo Jitong too. In the drama once again, HBY had to save CSS from LJT. In the novel, freaking CSS almost kills LJT with some fire bombs she had made.

In the novel, I believe LBY swapped clothes with Huo Wushang (HWS) in order to go out to play. They always swapped clothes. LBY bribed HWS to do it with some fruit. When Ling Yi betrays the Huo family he massacres everyone, including the real LBY, who was believed to be HWS.

Huo Junhua finds HWS in the aftermath and then claims him as his own, knowing the truth that her son has just died. She wanted to protect HWS, who is now the only suviving member of the Huo clan. They go into hiding for several months. During that time Ling Yi has remarried. When they return to the Capital, the Emperor then takes HWS (now LBY) in as his adoptive son.

So, the aunt did nothing wrong except fall in love with the wrong man.

Correction: aunt went into hiding for several years.

100 percent facts. Never have I tried to understand the characters in a drama as much as I did for OTP in LLTG. The viewers also get rewarded for paying attention to all the episodes. You can really feel their emotions and conflicts. You want them to do one thing, but can totally understand why they choose not to.

Correct. The episode I'm referring to is episode 54. I don't think they are lying to each other. CSS still has not forgiven HBY yet. She still consciously thinks that they need to move on with their lives seperately. Unconsciously, she still wants to be with him and I think she was testing his sincerity to see how far he will go to earn her trust again. HBY has no choice but to try to live his life without her, since she still hasn't forgiven him. It's her choice if she wants to be with him. After he shares his plan of protecting the galaxy and will live a good life, I think that CSS starts to remember what he said when they both stargazed for the first time. He wanted to protect the galaxy and that she was the brightest star. She finally really takes a good look at HBY and she uncontiously broke into a genuine smile, but catches herself and stops with the look of sadness as the emotions and memories are probably flooding in. She really misses him so much and really wants to be with him. They should be doing everything together, as a couple, not seperately, but she still can't forgive him for the betrayal. She walks away so she doesn't continue to waver in front of HBY who is smiling, but with tears in his eyes. When she walks away she stops with tears flowing and there is regret on her face, but she tries to stay true to her convictions and didn't look back. HBY walks away too, since he will respect her decision, but his heart is torn over the thought that CSS will probably never forgive him and he just lost the love of his life. They are both so close but yet so far. This is a really nuanced show don't tell scene and it was done beautifully.

The first few episodes are all setup episodes, so there is a lot of information to digest. Below is Episode 1. Let me know if you want more.

Episode 1
We start off with word of victory. Our ML, General Ling Buyi (LBY) arrives outside the Capital City of Ruyang with his army. He is promoted for his contributions to the war and asked to enter the city to celebrate their victory. Instead of going into the city to celebrate, he leaves for an investigation. (In the first scene we find out that LBY is all about business and doesn't care about formalities).

In the next scene we are introduced to our FL, Cheng Shaoshang (CSS), the fourth lady of the Cheng family. We find out that servants of the Cheng household arrive to try to take her back home to the Cheng Manor. They have no respect for CSS, even though she is the daughter of Father Cheng, who should be the male head of the household. Old Madam Cheng left CSS in a farmstead with barely anything to survive since she is unfavored and hard to control. She barely has any food or medicine. The living conditions are horrible. CSS’s parents, Mrs. Xiao and Father Cheng left CSS in the care of Old Madam Cheng to fight in the war. The two are returning now since the war is over. CSS’s servant believes her life will get better now with the protection of her parents. CSS is not as optimistic, since her parents abandoned her to fend for herself and barely wrote to her in the long years they have been gone.

LBY arrives overlooking the small farmstead. He is looking for a thief named Dong. CSS is about to leave, but notices footprints from the carriage that lead into a haystack. She suspects that her family’s servant brought someone with them and he is currently hiding in the haystack. (So, we know that CSS is observant, smart and cunning). Back at the Cheng Manor, CSS’s parents have returned. It’s clear that Mrs. Xiao and Father Cheng have a loving relationship. LBY stops CSS’s carriage to look for the suspected thief. CSS hints to LBY that someone may be hiding in the haystack and suggests him to set it on fire to flush the thief out. LBY does not get to see CSS's face, but only her hand which points in the direction of the haystack. LBY obliges and has his men set the fire, which flushes out thief Dong. Finding his suspect, he allows CSS's group to leave. LBY finds out the suspect is the armorer of the Cheng family. CSS has just ratted out her own father’s brother (or her paternal uncle). CSS is warned that she will be punished by Old Madam Cheng for being unfilial. CSS doesn't care about family, since family never cared about her. She is righteous. LBY finds out the girl’s name is Cheng Shaoshang and is intrigued by her.

Old Madam Cheng is complaining on how bad CSS’s temperament is to Father Cheng. Mrs. Xiao is also listening intently, but doesn’t say anything. CSS returns home. Her grievances are told and Father Cheng punishes some of those who have bullied CSS. Old Madam Cheng pretends to pass out, so CSS does the same in order to garner pity. (She fights fire with fire and uses tricks). Mrs. Xiao notices CSS’s act and is upset. Old Madam Cheng continues to complain about how difficult CSS is, while CSS “wakes up” from her bed and plays up her illness. Mrs. Xiao again notices. Mrs. Xiao tries to dote on CSS, but she is not having it, since she is holding on to resentment from being abandoned. (The act that CSS puts up, is all for survival, since she has been surviving alone with no backers).

LBY arrives at the Cheng Manor. We find out that LBY is investigating the embezzlement and theft of firearms. He brings in thief Dong to the surprise of Father Cheng. Thief Dong tries to shift the blame to CSS and asks his brother, Father Cheng to save him. (I always thought it was despicable how criminals try to blame others for their own terrible actions and you have family members that still try to defend them even though they are clearly wrong. This is the case with thief Dong, and a lot of this happens in real life). Father Cheng agrees that he should be punished. LBY notices someone hiding and listening in. Assuming it is CSS, he “compliments” her to Father Cheng and Mrs. Xiao before leaving. He aptly describes CSS’s real character without saying it. CSS overhears everything and is upset, since everything LBY said is the opposite of how a filial, young lady is suppose to act. LBY genuinely appreciates all her traits, but CSS misunderstands and took it as an insult. She vows to get back at him.

End of Episode 1

LOL dude. I finally got the chance to finish reading your review. Good stuff. Just to speak on your points regarding the WTF moments. I'm on board with the whole Cheng family rushing in to save CSS. I can understand the the parents, but literally everyone is a badass. Still it was touching. I also wondered how the hell they got there in time and found out CSS needed help. I don't know if you actually wanted to know what happens from the novel, but here we go.

To fight the final boss, CSS and HBY actually seperate. The villain's original plan was to go the the village and wait for the Crown Prince to arrive and then burn the village down to trap and then kill the Crown Prince. HBY was to ambush the final villain before they get to the village, but they knew that once the final boss was attacked, they would ignite the village out of spite. HBY wants to leave part of his force with CSS, but she tells him he needs all the men to fight the final boss. She has her own troops and although not as powerful as the black armored guards, they will be good enough to protect her and the villagers. She also tells him that she is very experienced with putting out fires. When she was making bombs in the palace and experimenting, she nearly burned down the place several times. HBY finally relents, believing that she is more than capable of handling it. After he leaves, CSS monologues that she knew 5 years ago HBY was willing to sacrifice his life for her and at that time, she never though of doing the same. For the first time in her life, there is someone's life more important than her own - HBY. So yes, she fully trusts him. It's not clearly shown in the drama, since they only had like 3 episodes to reconcile. In the novel, it was a long arduous process. But, once they reconcile, CSS trusts HBY fully and vice versa.

HBY ambushes the final boss and later smoke from fire appears in the distance. HBY grinds through and continues to defeat the final boss. After it's over he heads over to the village to find that the fires have been put out and CSS is alive and well.

The little scene that we get in the drama where they say they are going to get married in Hua County is already more than what the novel offers. There is no confirmation in the novel. CSS states the marraige is something that is far away. They have to continue to fight the rebels that cropped up after the death of the Empress Xuan.

Anways, Overall Agree With You Points. See you in the next one. Definately, one of the must watch costume period drama of 2022.

Traditionally they were used to ward off evil spirts and were discarded since they are bad juju. The implication as a gift is that LJT is an evil spirit and he is warding her off. That's how I interpreted it.

My opinion? When he jumped down the cliff he forsaked her. The breaking of the engagement, was the final straw. CSS was giving him one more chance after the horse scene. In the drama, revenge is a big factor. In the novel, it was the forsaking. CSS was ready to go down with HBY, life or death.

So to answer your question. If HBY still wanted to marry CSS, I think she probably would have still stuck with him for the exile. But, HBY didn't leave her with any room to believe in him anymore after he tries to break off the engagement.

That's my reality at least.

This is my favorite scene after the time skip. HBY with tears in his eyes smiling but hurting inside. CSS face going through indifference to a glimmer of happiness to sadness. And the bgm hits. Ugh.

Was there something specific you didn't get? Or you wanted a breakdown of what happens?