SpicyLime

I posted recap for episodes 52-56 (finale)

https://kisskh.at/729363-love-like-the-galaxy-part-2#comment-10999281

Episode 52
5 years later, the Empress Xuan's health continues to deteriorate. She wants CSS to marry someone she loves, before collapsing. Yuan Shen tries to convince CSS to marry him. The guy has been friend-zoned hard and says that CSS is short-sighted, that's why she hasn't married yet. (Whatever dirty shirt.). She tells him she still has HBY in her heart and if he is still willing to marry her knowing that. Yuan Shen says yes. CSS considers the Empress's word thinking she should move-on, however the Empress Xuan is trying to hint her to let go of her grievances (and forgive HBY). CSS decides to accept Yuan Shen's offer and asks for permission to leave the Palace in order to finalize the proposal.

HBY returns from his exile. Along with Third Prince (the current Crown Prince) he visits the Emperor and Empress Yue. Third Prince insinuates that Luo Jitong (LJT), who has been taking care of HBY during his exile is betrothed to HBY. LJT has been telling everyone that she is going to get married to HBY soon. HBY quickly denies there is anything between them. He tells A'Fei to send LJT gifts for her dowry (as payment for her services) and to help find her a new suitable husband. A’Fei asks his master if he really plans to avoid seeing CSS. Just then, HBY runs into CSS and Yuan Shen who are outside the Palace gates. CSS runs away and gets on her horse as HBY helps to adjust her stirrups. CSS has a flood of emotions and memories but acts colds towards HBY. CSS ditches Yuan Shen. That’s it for Yuan Shen’s chances. He still tries to say that CSS may not choose him (HBY) in the end. (Another delusional person).

LJT visits the Empress who has CSS by her side. LJT says he was in such a rush to return to the Capital to see the sick Empress that he forgot to take her with him. (The delusions. This is kind of sad). LJT is trying to earn the pity of the Empress and shut down CSS. HBY is pissed. He tells off LJT that there is nothing between them and he knows that she murdered her own husband.

Episode 53
HBY has a reunion with Empress Xuan. Empress Xuan confirms to HBY that CSS and Yuan Shen did not get engaged and that CSS still cares about him. She gives HBY advice on how to treat CSS and he promises to always be truthful with CSS and will share each other's burdens. The Empress’s servant worriedly tells HBY that CSS went out with LJT and they have not returned. Suspecting something is wrong HBY rushes out to search for them.

LJT tries to stab CSS in the carriage. If she can’t have him, neither can she. If CSS wasn’t here, then HBY would have married her. (yep, definitely…poor thing) HBY catches up on a horse and grabs the knife by the blade with his bare hand before it can strike CSS. The carriage with the horse and LJT falls off a cliff (there is a post scene that basically says no horses were harmed.) HBY is holding CSS with his bloody hand, while holding on to the cliff’s edge with his other. CSS tells him she won’t forgive him and to let her go. HBY declares he won’t live without her and pulls the both of them up. CSS remains stubborn and still does not accept HBY (I lost count of how many times it has been that he saved her. In this scene alone, add 2 more times). They get word that the Empress is about to pass away and rush back.

The Empress gives her final words to everyone and wishes that CSS can live for herself as well as for her to continue where she left off with HBY. She tells her to follow her heart and cherish the present. The Empress passes away. CSS walks out into the rain lifeless and passes out. HBY carries CSS back home. CSS’s parents admonish HBY on how he has treated CSS. They end with saying they are also guilty of the same and will let CSS decide what she wants to do.

Episode 54
CSS updates HBY on what has happened over the 5 years and that she is no longer the same person (she said this for the nth time. The more she says it, the more I think she is trying to fool herself into believing it. I think that’s the purpose.) CSS tells HBY it’s impossible to ever trust him again. (I’m going to call bullshit now.) HBY says he will support whatever decision she makes and asks for another chance to prove his sincerity to her. HBY is going to leave the Capital to defend the borders saying that he will protect the galaxy and will live a good life. CSS breaks a smile, but immediately has a sorrowful face. (I think she remembers what he said when they first met and really thought about forgiving him on the spot, but hesitates again. The betrayal is still too much.) The two walk away without turning around to look back.

CSS’s mom makes some food for CSS and tries to dote on her. She knows she wronged CSS and is trying her best to make up. CSS appreciates the gesture. CSS overhears Old Madam crying over what HBY did to hurt CSS over the past years and is touched. CSS reminisces about the past and realizes that her mother was right about being stubborn. CSS decides to leave her past behind and move forward. She will return the favor to those who have treated her well and will not worry about what other people are saying. (I think she is implying that she was affected by what the naysayers said to her during the five years, but now doesn't care anymore. Those who have treated her well will be rewarded. This probably includes HBY and her parents. That's just what I'm guessing. She is letting go of any resentments.) CSS meets with Yuan Shen to bid him farewell. She is going to the Empress’s home town to deliver the Empress’s crown. Yuan Shen divulges that two years ago HBY risked his life to help save Yuan Shen’s father and nearly died. He finally confirms that he has lost, but he didn’t say HBY won. (If you’ve followed my posts, I’ve been consistent about Yuan Shen. I feel nothing for Yuan Shen, so I didn’t feel sad even a little. CSS never led him on and was upfront about her feelings from the beginning. He foolishly followed his master). CSS apologizes for not being able to give him what he wanted in the end and walks away.

Yuan Shen meets HBY to bid him farewell. HBY has always supported Yuan Shen, not just because of CSS, but because he believes he will be a good official and will protect the country. Yuan Shen says that HBY is more foolish than him, but deserves CSS the most since he will treat her the best and that’s all he has wanted. CSS is on her way to the Empress’s hometown but gets invited by Lou Yi on behalf of Lou Yao to visit Hua County. CSS decides to go and stay for dinner before returning to her mission. CSS finds out that Lou Yi invited CSS herself and it was not Lou Yao's plan. (Sus). It looks like Lou Yi is still bitter over CSS’s involvement regarding Lou Ben’s death. (literally everyone blames CSS for everything) CSS suspects that her food may be poisoned, but luckily He Zhaojun (for those who forgot she is Lou Yao’s wife) goes into labor so she has an excuse to stop eating. HBY successfully staves off an ambush. His men finds out that Yuan Shen’s guards have all been killed and Yuan Shen is missing. He immediately breaks for Hua County. Lou Yi lures CSS and He Zhaojun into what looks like the ancestral hall of the Lou family. Lou Yi loudly exclaims: "Cheng Shaoshang!" Lou Yi takes out a knife and tries to stab CSS.

Episode 55
He Zhaojun opens up a secret chamber and asks CSS to rush in. They escape for now. A hooded person walks in and thanks Lou Yi for luring CSS there. CSS finds Yuan Shen who is chained in the secret chamber. Yuan Shen was investigating a suspiciously large amount of kerosene that was purchased and he was captured. The hooded person kills Lou Yi and says she hates her and her family more than CSS and HBY.

HBY arrives to Hua County and a fight breaks out with warriors disguised as villagers. CSS is able to undo the lock holding Yuan Shen and attempts to flee, but the three all fall through a trap door. As the trap door is closing a figure jumps down. The figure is none other than HBY. He figures out that CSS would be used as a lure, since she is the most important person to him. CSS tells HBY he is foolish for jumping down knowing it’s a trap for him. (Love. The thing that makes fools out of all of us). CSS believes she is going to die and starts to admonish HBY, telling him to avenge her in a different way. (Kind of messed up since He Zhaojun is still right there and is in labor and hurt, not really the time and place, but okay, when in love only the two of you exist). HBY: “If you are not here with me, then what is the point of revenge? You staying alive is the most important thing.”

The hooded person from before walks in and it’s revealed to be Wang Yanji (Lou Ben’s widow). She is still alive and plans to kill everyone as revenge for her late husband. In typical villainess fashion, she divulges all her plans, which involve killing the Crown Prince and destroying a village. HBY and CSS try convincing Wang Yanji that her late husband wouldn’t have wanted her to become this way. Wang Yanji calls out HBY on how he treated CSS. HBY admits he has regretted his decisions. CSS starts to waver upon hearing HBY's confession. Wang Yanji doesn’t care about being hated by her late husband and will go to his side in the afterlife regardless. Her anger and hate is irreconcilable. She starts a fire that starts to engulf the chamber. LBY’s guards arrive to open the trap door and starts pulling everyone out. HBY, the last one to go, is held back by Wang Yanji as the trap door begins to close again. With smoke everywhere and an explosion imminent, he tells his guards to take CSS away. CSS starts to scream for HBY as she is pulled away and the trap door closes. They escape through to the ancestral hall as an explosion rings out and knocks everyone to the floor.

CSS gets up, held back by A’Qi, she calls out for HBY and is completely in tears believing he has died in the explosion. Everyone breaks down on their knees mourning the loss. CSS internally monologues while crying in agony: “Didn’t you say you regretted it? Didn’t you say you are not giving up on me? Didn’t you say you hurt me and made me suffer and you will treat me well in the years to come? I promise you. I forgive you. Answer me. Please, answer me...”

A’Fei’s eyes slowly pan to the entrance doorway, as someone walks in. A’Fei: “Young Master!” Everyone turns to face HBY who is alive. CSS in full disbelief, rushes over to HBY and embraces him. LBY who is in more disbelief, has only one thing on his mind (and heart): “Shaoshang, are you forgiving me?” (LOL, he almost just died, but he’s still worried about what CSS thinks. That’s HBY. Aww. He’s worried it’s not real.) CSS questions how he escaped. LBY managed to escape since he figured that if Wang Yanji had a way to come in, there should be a way out. Luckily, he found the passage at the last second and escaped. (So CSS is like his lucky star) CSS finally forgives him and the two reconcile.

Lou Yao returns and doesn’t realize that He Zhaojun made it out as well. He starts confessing that she promised to grow old with him and all the things they were going to do together. She is there on the floor, still very much in labor, but hears all of it. Despite their rough start and circumstances, they are really a loving couple. He Zhaojun calls out for Lou Yao who finally notices her and the two embrace. The only person not paired is Yuan Shen, who asks them if they are done being lovey-dovey? (Ouch, I felt that.) Yuan Shen reminds them that they need to save the Crown Prince. HBY does not want to leave CSS alone, but she convinces him to save the Crown Prince, while she will go to protect Guo Village. Now our CP will do things together and share each other's burden. They take off for their respective battles. The Crown Prince is ambushed, but HBY arrives with his black armored guards to even the odds.

Episode 56 (finale)
At Guo Village, CSS makes preparations for the upcoming battle. CSS figures out that Tian Shou (the final villain) plans to destroy the entire country’s food production to starve the citizens. They are worried since there is a shortage of water to put out fires. Just then, the village is attacked by fire arrows. The whole town is rigged with kerosene and explosions start everywhere. The Crown Prince asks HBY to save the village, food and CSS. But HBY stays firm. He believes in CSS’s abilities to survive and win.

HBY defeats Tian Shou but does not kill him when provoked about the Huo massacre. (I guess he has moved on from his vengeance) He immediately heads over to Guo Village to support CSS. The village is being overrun by Tian Shou’s rebel force. CSS and the villagers are cornered. Suddenly, through the smoke, the entire Cheng family rides in to save CSS. (I have no idea how they found out and got there in time, but it’s a touching scene).

CSS leads the villagers to put out the fire using dirt and sand while the Cheng family and remaining guards protect CSS and the villagers. HBY arrives to the aftermath. Everyone has survived and the fires are extinguished. Our CP run to each other and embrace, much to the delight of all the onlookers. The entire crew return to a military camp to rest up.

Our CP are stargazing and talk about how each star represents a person. CSS calls out for the late Empress Xuan and the star she is looking at sparkles. CSS believes that her call was heard. LBY tells her mom in the stars that he has finally found the one. CSS is overcome with emotion and begins to cry. She mentions that the Empress Xuan had always hoped they could reconcile and they finally have. She fulfilled the Empress's wish. CSS pulls up HBY’s wrist and touches the wire. She tells him something she should've told him a long time ago, that he is the best man in the world. (This is a mirror of what he said when he proposed marriage). HBY returns the same words, that she is the best woman in the world. They both admit they are lucky to have met each other. They kiss for one last final time for the audience. CSS’s parents come out to give their approval of their marriage. The rest of the family members all come out as well to welcome their new member. HBY now has a new family. Back at home, Old Madam Sheng finds out that HBY is going to be his new grandson-in-law and is delighted. With him, nobody dares to bully his granddaughter. The Emperor gets news that CSS and HBY will get married in Hua County without him. He is upset and throws a fit, as the Empress Yue rolls her eyes and walks away. The entire family looks up to the beauty of the stars as the screen pans out with a wide shot of our new family.

The End.

Episodes 52-56 recap spoilers. I'll probably update this later to show the difference between the novels and episodes. Just a little lazy.

I admit it was cute. I'm almost done writing up the recap for that episode. I'll post it later in the spoiler.

They give the Cheng family a redemption arc that just doesn't happen in the novel. CSS family comes to rescue CSS in the final episode when she is in trouble.

NP. I'm trying to finish typing up a spoiler post from ep 52 to the end... but kind of dragging my feet. I'll probably show the novel differences between the two.

I just woke up. I'm going to do a full spoiler review and comparison to the novel. I'll post the link later for you.

It's not an open ending in the sense that we know what will happen and the leads are together. It's a "HEA." The leads are together and plan to get married in Hua County. All the good guys survive.

A Dream of Splendor

For sure. How you feel about the pacing? Rushed right? And the fact that all the sudden everyone is so amicable. Like... It was like they were just trying to tie off all the loose ends and make it one big happy family and friends. That just shouldn't/doesn't happen. Like Yuan Shen is a sleaze ball and does everything he can until he can't to try and get CSS in the novel. In the drama he is like this mature scholar. Vomit* I might be nitpicking, but yeah I'm disappointed. Like everyone is just good now and mature since 5 years passed. Right...... And why? You didn't show me why. Ugh. Arg.

It is, but it's suppose to be romantic. In the novel it's a little bit different than what they said/showed in the drama. In the novel, LBY is pretty concerned that they are going to be seperated. CSS still does not know LBY's true identity and what he plans to do. The conversation comes up about seperation and how the heart can be waver.

There is a conversation about an immortal/deity/god whatever that consumes/devours arms. I'm not that familiar with the story. Anyways, LBY wants to do a blood oath with CSS promising that they will not forsake each other and would be bound together. CSS didn't want to be bitten since she was afraid of the pain, but relents since she loves LBY. They swear and bite each other. A few days later LBY massacres the Ling family and is eventually exiled. CSS tries to remove the scar and move on from LBY. When LBY returns he bites her again, since the scar on her has started to disappear. They have a huge fight. LBY tells CSS everything, including his plan to never marry (anyone but her) and just die alone since that's what he deserves. He eventually begs CSS to not be so cruel to him. CSS can't keep up her indifference and begins to break down crying. Right after she wants to start back at the beginning and think about her future (with LBY). The first thing she does? Break off the engagement with Yuan Shen. She ultimately forgives LBY and they reconcile.

The drama doesn't give the same impact as the novel.

That's what I said. The first scene that I was looking forward to when I was watching was when LBY defends CSS after she goes to the palace for the first time against Wang Ling. The novel made it very touching and CSS actually tears up due to his words. Yeah, that didn't happen. I gave it a pass. I also enjoyed episode 27 when CSS has a flashback scene and realizes how well LBY has treated her, but I felt it didn't belong. That scene should've happened in episode 33 if it followed the novel, once CSS realizes how well LBY treats her. So it was kind of redundant, since CSS already agrees to marry LBY and then she has to think about it again. And the finger counting as if she is dumb and doesn't know the difference between waking up early and someone saving a life? It doesn't sit right. In the novel CSS doesn't want to marry LBY and keeps trying to break off the engagement until the flash back realization. I started to squint my eyes a little here.

Then they swapped out QiQi family with the Cheng family for the framing. Then I was like, okay this is off the rails now. I mean the drama for most people will still be fine I think, but the novel was just better in explaning the thoughts and emotions of the characters and definately had better pacing.

So like the bite mark scene in episode 47 didn't carry the impact I was hoping for. They changed the narrative. There is no rebite. Instead, LBY just brings up the scar and says we swore to each other... It just hits different.

And a bunch of other stuff.

All the good guys survive. Only the Empress passes away, but that's canon.

Yes. The last few episodes are very different fron the novel. The reconciliation was kind of done dirty IMO. The only thing I agree with is CSS does not get engaged to Yuan Shen. I am a YS hater, so I love that he never had a chance. Yuan Shen and CSS were about to go make the engagement by meeting the families, but they run into LBY. CSS is aware of her feelings, unlike in the novel, so she straight up just ditches Yuan Shen when LBY returns. She takes off on her own leaving Yuan Shen behind. That's the end of YS chances. There is no rebite or LBY don't be so cruel begging scene (sadly). Instead we get another scene where Luo Jitong straight up tries to stab CSS in a carraige and LBY has to come save her before she falls off a cliff. They reconcile when LBY comes to rescue CSS when she is trapped by Wang Yanji, unlike in the novel, where they already reconciled before meeting her. After thinking LBY might be dead, she begs for him to wake up and to fulfill all his promises that he made between them and finally says she forgives him. They reconcile.

The pair is seperated, but they flash back between the lives of the two for the time skip. They are both equally depressed.

I misread your question. They don't get engaged. It was about to happen in episode 52, but it falls through since LBY returns.

Yes

No. Viewing on app only and can't download. I'm not aware of anyone that has successfully casted the express episodes. Either ipad users, or squinters like me on my phone :(

Yes. I speculated 2-3 since I was going by the novel. I didn't think they would nose dive the reconciliation. They changed it completely. Scenes were changed and/or removed. By the time episode 55 happens in the novel, the two have already reconciled. But in episode 55, CSS finally forgives LBY after he risks his life to save her. Yeah, that didn't happen. In the novel, they were both together already and are fighting the final bosses as a CP.

Also they gave the whole Cheng family a redemption as well as Yuan Shen to a lesser extent. The one welcome change was, Yuan Shen does not get engaged to CSS. Before they can, LBY has already returned and CSS is totally aware of her feelings that she still loves LBY. Yuan Shen realizes she is never going to come to him no matter how long he waits. For the sake of the drama, it just makes sense that CSS doesn't get engaged with Yuan Shen, since she is aware and still loves LBY.

NP. We all just enjoying a show together.

Did you see the fight with LJT trying to stab CSS? It was a little cringe for me. LOL. How LBY is riding up with his horse, with that CGI.... I think they just ran out of time to do better.