Between The Lines

I think your probably right!

Thank you for sharing this, your thoughts echo much of my own in regards to Lin and Ying. I think its an important point that Li Ni was sent away/banished by the previous Emperor. He didn't run away, he was ordered to leave.

In almost every C/Drama with an Emperor involved, they almost always seem to develop a cough. The cough is followed by a more coughing, then followed with a healthy dose of blood splatter. This usually ends badly for the Emperor.

Does it make me a bad person, if I want this Emperor to suddenly develop a cough????

Her thought process makes a lot of sense, the emperor is at best incompetent and worst criminal. It had never had entered my mind that her motives would be questioned.

The Laolan Pass references have indeed become a little repetitive! I don't think he is unaware of what this would mean to the others if he did leave, Ying has laid out the ramifications to him as well. But just like how Ying envisions the future, he has done the same. He believes that by becoming the Crown Prince this would likely cause conflict between him and the Cui Family. In his mind he is stuck between a rock and a hard place, this isn't even factoring in his personal preference to avoid politics. I'm still hoping he can miraculously resole everything so maybe the next episodes will tell us if he can.

I can't say that I'm particularly enjoying the direction that Li Ni and Ying storyline has taken, its become a battle that they both must win, however for one to win, this will require the other to make a considerable change in attitudes towards the future. Sadly for me, even with the occasional sweeter moment thrown in, some of the dialogue and and actions didn't sit that well with me as they try to navigate this situation.
After watching these latest episodes, I do feel a little sad, as I will remember them for mainly for the wrong reasons. Watching some of the worst traits on display from so many characters, ambition, greed, corruption, lack of remorse and stupidity was uncomfortable. Sadly these negative characteristics are mainly pointed towards Li Ni.
He is the lever to move the world, and whilst he may not want this role it seems that as each scene goes by, as each episode leaves us, he is on path that may make this unavoidable. My only hope is that he can find a clever scheme to allow him to escape this fate.

Side Note - There were several references to Ying's "ambition/desire to become the Crown Princess, I've never felt this was the case and even now I believe her only desire is for a peaceful future. I hope this is cleared up quickly.

It feels a stretch to blame Ying for what happened, because if you go down this path it would surely be the emperor and 2nd brother who set things in motion. Ying simply refused to be manipulated by them. The eldest brother made an extreme choice that I don't think any reasonable person would have predicted.
Your point on accountability is interesting to me in respect of the eldest brothers punishment. This is what I felt the Emperor was saying - "Go to your room and think about what you did and don't come out until your sorry" That was the callous part, at least to me.

Both Li Ni and Ying have tragedy in their pasts, but on face value Li Ni has been influenced more by his history than Ying. At the very least, his decision's now reflect his past.

Li Ni kept his expression blank as he exposed those responsible for the murder. It felt that whilst he was the centre of attention in this moment he remained apart from everyone, because that is what he is. He is an outsider, he has been this since birth.

This is why fighting for power, has never been something he wanted, he wants his freedom, he wants his children free of political schemes and rivalry. Is this possible? Is it practical? Time will tell.
Having witnessed his father's and brothers manipulations and evil deeds from an early age can you really blame him for wanting no part in this future?

In the end he may have little choice, but he has my sympathy because his only crime is that he is more talented than most.

The grandson is indeed the rightful heir and it's Li Ni end game for the grandson to take the thrown. Whether this can be achieved is yet to be seen.
He also more or less gave his word to the former crown princess that he would restore the grandson to his rightful place. I don't think this should be ignored.

When our "hero" gives his word it means something. This is where all those who are pushing Li Ni to become the Crown Prince even for the greater good, should ask themselves if Li Ni would be the person he is, if he breaks his word?

Li Ni maybe be naïve to think he can walk away but that for me, it sets him apart from most. Its his desire for a simpler life, free of the politics and infighting. I don't like how some would dismiss this as unimportant.

I think any scenario that the Cui family fight for the thrown would bring about civil war, which is something Ying wants to avoid. Ying desire for a peaceful future is much clearer than Li Ni and to her credit she is prepared to make difficult choices to accomplish this.

Everything Ying has said about the greater good remains correct, but she is on a dangerous path. She is trying to walk a tightrope and its starting to shake.
Manipulation to force Li Ni hand is a dangerous direction to take, and whilst admittedly its clear this is for everyone's sake, it still remains a manipulation.

In the past when these techniques were used by both sides it was often to win an engagement during a battle. During their previous engagements it was perhaps easier to accomplish as their history was not as profound. Ironically, this time the battle is to win an engagement.

The Greater Good opposed to Personal Choices. It should be a simple choice shouldn't it?

Yes, this might be all about the greater good, and its a price that Li Ni will likely pay, but right now he doesn't have to like it.

In the last 100 years or so the human race has accomplished many wonderous things, we have visited space, found cures to disease's that would have been fatal previously and created the ability for people from all corners of the word to communicate from the comfort of their own home.

And yet seeing, this kind of "article" just makes me think we have such a long way to go still. Body shaming or attacking anyone who doesn't satisfy a ridiculous standard on how someone apparently should look is just shameful.

It must be nice for the nameless wonder who wrote this "article" to live in their glasshouse with their so called perfect appearance, because newsflash, no ones perfect, attacking someone for not meeting an impossible standard is just intolerant.

I agree he is the best candidate and everything she said makes perfect sense, and that maybe how this all plays out. Li Ni desire to avoid this life and his agreement with the former Crown Princess which would involve her son becoming Crown Prince, this would go against everything Li Ni has said and done so far. I question if Ying has understood this.

For as many times as she might have said this to Li Ni, he has told her clearly what he wants. Surely this matters as much as her opinion???

Personally, i think he should become at least regent until he can hand the thrown back to the rightful heir, but point was never about the rights or wrongs of Ying's opinions on Li Ni future or the future of the kingdom.

It was simply they haven't really listened to what each other on what they see for the future. As i have previously said Ying is not wrong in her thinking, but she is wrong to want to make the choice for Li Ni. It would be the same if Li Ni wanted her to become a princess.

I think your missing my point, this isn't really about should he be, the crown prince/emperor or any other title. Ying, admittedly for what are good reasons wants to decide Li Ni future which has created this issue between them. And for as many times as she might have said this to Li Ni, he has told her clearly what he wants. Surely this matters as much as her opinion??? This is my point that at the very least they don't understand each other as well as it first appeared.

I just found this conflict an unnecessary way to create tension and angst. Generally, I've enjoyed the growth in communication between them. This issue was just a sudden switch or backward step that wasn't really needed in my opinion

I think these are 2 separate issues.

Li Ni has never said, implied or hinted that he wanted to become emperor. There conversations about the future were about Li Ni wanting a a simpler life. I think this was the first time Ying and Li Ni spoke about the emperor, previously she has spoken to others about his merits for this role (i think)

His brothers?? Even his father?? I honestly don't think he see's them as a credible threat, I think he believes if he had too he could find a solution to any threat they posed. This maybe a mistake on his part but i don't think he fears any of them.

Logically, everything Ying said is correct, but I don't think she understands that Li Ni isn't motivated by becoming Emperor and worse case he will deal with those that stand in his way of returning Laolan Pass.

This was not a discussion about what to have to diner tonight , but more like "do you want children" conversation. A major life choice which, might be right for everyone else, but for Li Ni maybe? Maybe not?

I expected Ying to know this by now.

I'm not entirely sure what to make of these 2 latest episodes.
Was there drama? Certainly,.
Was there sadness and angst? Definitely
Was there political and power moves? Absolutely
Did everything make sense? Not really

I remember hearing or reading a quote along the lines of - "Great villains
are ones who believe they are doing the right thing" - Ep 23 - The actions of The Grand Governor, Liu Cheng Feng and The Emperor - sadly they all seem to think they are justified in their actions

My issues with these episodes though, come down to two problems.

The rescue plan/capture of Tong Pass, was at best flawed, perhaps for the first time Li Ni and Ying's plans were actually can of bad. This would be a relatively minor issue, except they used this to create the conflict between Li Ni and Ying.
Both are right and both are wrong all at the same time in regards to what happened and their thoughts for the future. Objectively most would agree that Li Ni is the obvious choice as Emperor, at least in terms of ability and talent, but this ignores 1 key point.

He doesn't want this, he never has.

And this is the biggest issue I have, Ying should know this. In the 20 plus episodes before I've watched them grow and understand each other in such a tremendous way and yet, it suddenly feels they don't really understand each other.
I'm sorry this was not a necessary direction to take.

Overall these episodes had drama, they had angst but they were definitely not favourite

Gao Han didn't feature in many scenes across the last couple of episodes but his portrayal of Liu Cheng Feng was brilliant. Just with his expression alone you could see the madness lurking. This was a great performance, that was subtle at times but yet sinister all the time.

In pains me to admit that Liu Cheng Feng really was the star of these last couple of episodes, my rage towards him was palpable in each passing moment.

The one small piece of comfort I take is that seemingly his betrayal storyline isn't going to be dragged out.

Credit also to the scriptwriter/director, you stayed the course, you allowed Li Ni and Ying to remain consistent to whom we expect them to be now. In the last 20 odd episodes we have witnessed their growth as a couple and they stayed true to that growth. How often have I watched other drama's undo characters growth to create needless angst.

So for me, its a well done to the scriptwriter, director and admitted through gritted teeth Gao Han, ......arrgh it hurts just to type it! Gao Han your Liu Cheng Feng is still an ass hat!

I can't help but think that because Li Ni has witnessed the very worst of people as they thirst for power he will reject an idea of becoming part of that process. I'm wondering if he will clear the political path for the former crown princes son and then appoint a trusted friend as regent/guardian? Maybe Pei Yuan?? or even have the Prime Minister to "rule" temporally? This would allow him and Ying to go to their Wonderland??? Just a thought...