Britney British

It’s nice exchanging views with you as well I hope your having a good start to your week.

I understand your perspective, and I agree with some of your points. I don't think Prince Qi is beyond redemption, and I agree that no one is born knowing how to be a good emperor. A ruler can learn, grow, and become better through experience and the guidance of others.

However, I think the main difference in our views is what we consider enough potential to justify putting someone on the throne. My argument isn't that Prince Qi cannot change or that he doesn't deserve the chance to improve. My issue is that, at the point where the story places him on the path toward becoming emperor, I don't think he has demonstrated enough growth or independent judgment to carry that responsibility yet.

I also agree that listening to advisors is not a weakness. In fact, a wise ruler should be able to accept counsel. But there is a difference between seeking advice and relying on others to provide your sense of right and wrong. My concern is that Prince Qi often feels like he is being directed rather than making thoughtful decisions based on his own principles. An emperor needs advisors, but ultimately the responsibility and the consequences of those choices belong to him.

Regarding his emotions toward Jiayu, Wuyi, and Lejun, I understand that emperors are human and that personal feelings will always influence decisions. However, being human does not remove accountability. The reason I struggle with Prince Qi is not because he has emotions, but because those emotions repeatedly overpowered his judgment. Jealousy, insecurity, and his desire to prove himself caused him to make choices that harmed others.

As for the consequences of his actions, my issue is that many of the conflicts surrounding the Xiao family and the people around him came from his choices, his obsession with power, and his inability to see the bigger picture. Even if he did not personally intend every tragedy, a ruler is judged not only by his intentions but also by the results of his actions. The consequences of poor decisions are still consequences.

I understand why Wuyi sees potential in him. Wuyi has always been someone who looks at what a person can become rather than only who they are at their worst. That is one of his strengths. But personally, I separate potential from readiness. Someone can have the potential to become a great ruler while still not being prepared to rule at that moment.

Ultimately, I think we are looking at two different things. You are focusing on what Prince Qi could become with time, guidance, and growth. I am focusing on whether the version of him we saw throughout most of the story had already proven himself worthy of the throne. I can accept that he may become a good emperor someday, but I still don't think the story fully convinced me that he was ready. and as i said they didnt have much option when handing out the throne .....

I don't disagree that Wuyi doesn't have enough time, and I'm not arguing that he should have become emperor. Wuyi himself never wanted the throne; his priority was always protecting the country and making sure there was peace after he was gone. I completely understand why he chose to spend his remaining time reforming the land and trying to leave behind a stable future.

My point is different. I'm questioning whether Prince Qi was actually ready to become emperor by the end of the story.

You mentioned that he did well as regent, but I don't think being a decent regent automatically makes someone a good emperor. Throughout the story, he repeatedly showed poor judgment, was easily manipulated, and often let his emotions cloud his decisions. His jealousy of Wuyi wasn't a small flaw either it influenced many of his actions and contributed to a lot of unnecessary suffering.

Yes, Wuyi believed he could guide him, but that's exactly my concern. If Prince Qi still needs Wuyi's guidance to make the right choices at this point in the show, then is he really ready to rule on his own? An emperor won't always have someone like Wuyi beside him to point him in the right direction.

I also don't think the story did enough to show that Prince Qi had truly changed. It tells us he has become a better person, but I don't feel like it showed enough growth for me to believe he had overcome the flaws that caused so much damage earlier in the story.

That said, I do agree with one thing: by the end, there weren't many realistic options left for the throne. My argument isn't that Wuyi should have been emperor. It's that Prince Qi still didn't feel like the best choice, even if he ended up being the only practical one. Not to mention, because of those so-called "flaws," he nearly wiped out the entire Xiao family. That's not something I can just overlook or dismiss as jealousy. His actions had devastating consequences, and a lot of innocent people paid the price for them.

So when people say he saw Wuyi as a friend deep down, I find that hard to accept. If that's what friendship looks like, then I think we have very different definitions of the word. To me, his obsession, resentment, and ambition consistently outweighed whatever friendship he may have felt, and that's exactly why I don't think his redemption; or his rise to the throne; felt fully earned. But ultimately, that is simply my interpretation of the story. Everyone approaches a character and their actions through their own perspective, experiences, and understanding of morality. What one person views as a necessary sacrifice or a redeemable flaw, another person may see as an unforgivable failure.

The concepts of right and wrong are often shaped by individual values and the standards we use to judge a person's choices. That difference in perspective is what makes discussions about characters and their decisions so interesting; because there is rarely only one way to interpret them.

I get what you're saying, and I agree that being emperor isn't a glamorous or carefree job. It's an enormous responsibility, and no one is going to be a perfect ruler. But I don't think that automatically makes Prince Qi the right person for the throne.

My issue has never been that he isn't perfect—it's that he consistently shows poor judgment. He struggles to tell right from wrong, is easily manipulated, and rarely thinks for himself. Throughout the story, it feels like Xiao Wuyi constantly has to guide him toward the right decision, and when it isn't Xiao Wuyi, it's someone else influencing him. That doesn't inspire confidence that he can rule independently.

I also don't agree that simply because Xiao Wuyi and Jiayu can help shape him into a better ruler, he therefore deserves to be emperor. If someone needs constant guidance just to make the right choices, what happens when those people aren't around anymore? An emperor has to be able to make difficult decisions on his own, especially when the people advising him have their own agendas.

To me, the story never convincingly shows that Prince Qi truly grows into that role. Instead, it feels like the characters keep telling us he'll become a good emperor without giving enough evidence that he has actually earned it.

I also think people overlook the damage he caused. His obsession with Jiayu, his desire for power, and his poor decisions led to deaths and countless tragedies. Those weren't small mistakes—they had real consequences. As Xiao Wuyi himself pointed out, no one forced Prince Qi to pursue the throne—he made that choice himself. In doing so, he also sacrificed Jiayu's happiness, yet he still acted as though he was entitled to her love and loyalty. That's one of the biggest reasons I have a hard time accepting his redemption.

I understand that an emperor doesn't have to be a saint. Many great rulers have made morally questionable decisions for the sake of their country. But there's a difference between making difficult choices for the greater good and making reckless decisions because you're easily manipulated, narrow-minded, or unable to judge people's intentions. For me, Prince Qi never truly outgrew those flaws, which is why I don't think he was the right choice to become emperor.

i agree with you. I also wanted to see the romance between the Hu family girl and Xiao Wuyi's brother. I think that would have been really good, and it also would have shifted some of the attention away from the main couple's lack of intimacy—or at least made up for the limited romantic moments between them.

Even exploring the relationship between the dancer and the Regent would have been interesting. Overall, I feel like the story was lacking in a lot of areas, especially when it came to developing its relationships and side characters.

Honestly, I don't think he's worthy of being emperor. He literally can't tell right from wrong, and if you ask me, he has inherited far too many of the Grand Tutor's worst traits. In his case, the apple didn't fall far from the tree.

I don't think Prince Qi is worthy of becoming emperor in Key to the Phoenix Heart, and it's not because he's a fake royal. It's because he can't tell right from wrong, he's incredibly narrow-minded, and he doesn't seem to have a mind of his own. Half the time, it feels like Xiao Wuyi has to tell him what the right decision is or knock some sense into him.

I honestly don't see what makes him worthy of the throne besides the fact that his incompetent father believes he should be the one sitting on it. If Prince Qi ends up as the final emperor, then that's basically a win for the Grand Tutor because it feels like everyone else has been making Prince Qi's decisions for him. If it's not the Grand Tutor manipulating him, it's Xiao Wuyi guiding him every step of the way.

And don't even get me started on the storyline. It's becoming so cliché with the whole, "I'm the rightful heir, but I don't want the throne, so I'll sacrifice myself and give it to someone else," trope—even though that person would probably make a far better emperor than everyone we've seen so far combined. Meanwhile, someone like Prince Qi, who has no ambition, no judgment, and no ability to think for himself, is supposed to rule an empire?

At this point, I'd rather see a complete stranger become emperor because most of the characters can't even tell the difference between right and wrong. They might as well just keep Prince Qi as the villain instead of trying to redeem him at the end. So many people died because of his obsession, his greed for power, and his foolishness. Trying to paint him as a good person after everything that's happened just doesn't feel convincing.

i think its due to the fact that the female actor was still young so i kinda knew there wont be any intimacy not even kissing scene

Omg Byeon Woo-seok is looking way too hot 😊🙈 I really like this new role—he’s definitely doing his character justice. I honestly don’t understand how people in the comments are saying his acting is lacking. Like, come on, it’s only the first few episodes. He’s portraying a prince who has had to suppress his emotions and ambitions just to survive in the royal family since childhood, so obviously he’s not going to be overly expressive. It feels like people are asking for too much with baseless comments—makes you wonder if some of them are even really watching and analyzing.

That said, I’m not the biggest fan of IU’s character. She’s a little off-putting to me, though I do think that might be intentional to reflect her character’s insecurities.

LOL 😭🤣 rewinding it 5 times is so real. That ending was way too funny. I feel you on the crying part too — with cdramas it’s never that simple, something always happens 😭 but I’m with you, no major deaths please, it’s way too cute for that. I saw that poster too and immediately started overthinking 🫠 but honestly it’s just been pure fun so far. Waiting over a year just to not want it to end is so relatable ♥️ I’m really hoping for a happy ending too. And to be real sometime cdrama don't have to be all that messy i really do kind of miss those old cdrama like eternal love of dreams ........

omg same i keep smiling throughout the episodes as well i just hope it has a good story telling throughout and keep that cozy and emotionally comforting vibe going forward because its so nostalgic

agree just hope the story telling is good

omg this drama is so cute it keeps giving me butterfly 🦋

Exactly! I totally agree — not every drama needs romance just for the sake of it. It usually ruins the flow and depth of the story. TLC catching feelings out of nowhere would be so out of character, so I’m glad others see it too. Let the story breathe without the forced love angle.

Let’s be real — I didn’t put words in your mouth, I just pointed out what your comment implied. If that wasn’t your intention, that’s fine, but don’t act like I pulled it out of thin air. You said “dislike,” I simply expanded on how that tone came across — that’s literally how discussions work.

And please, no one said you hated anyone. If you actually read what I said instead of reacting to what you think I said, you’d see that. Maybe take a breath and re-read before accusing someone of “sprouting lies.”

Furthermore, you’re the one who made assumptions about me, so how does that suddenly turn into me saying “ridiculous things” about myself? and not to mention your the one that proceed to call me 'too sensitive' I genuinely think you either lack basic interpretation skills or you just don’t bother to read my comments properly.

Honestly, talking to you feels like debating a brick wall — no matter how clear I am, you’re determined not to get it. If you don’t like something, that obviously means you dislike it — which, let’s be honest, is just another shade of hate.

All you had to do was offer a constructive response if you disagreed. That’s literally how discussions work — you could have added your perspective and we could have had a proper exchange of ideas. Instead, you decided to go over the top for no reason, making assumptions instead of the points being discussed.

So, I’m done. Have a good morning, move on to another comment thread, and let the rest of us who actually understand what we’re discussing have a proper conversation.

Honestly, I feel like they could’ve wrapped up her storyline with the case, because I don’t see why she’s still lingering around him. It just makes her come off as clingy for no reason — unless Tang Li Ci’s suspicions are right, because she definitely gives off “hidden agenda” energy. I genuinely don’t see her angle as a character. She should’ve exited gracefully once the case ended instead of suddenly deciding to stick around like she’s his emotional bodyguard. That whole “protective feelings” thing came out of nowhere — it feels forced and fake.

And don’t even get me started on the so-called “chemistry” between them, because… what chemistry? It’s giving “colleagues at best.” Honestly, the romance subplot feels so unnecessary — completely out of place in this drama. I’m still hoping my suspicions are right and she turns out to be a villain, because that would actually make sense. Otherwise, this love angle is just pie without the filling — bland and pointless.

Exactly all she had to do was respond constructively if she disagreed. I actually enjoy seeing different perspectives; maybe someone noticed something I missed. Instead, she went completely over the top for no reason, which makes it feel less like a discussion and more like drama for drama’s sake.

Exactly! I feel the same way — A Shui just doesn’t convey any real emotion. It’s like she’s reading lines off a script without actually living the character, which makes her come off flat and, honestly, kind of useless on screen. Meanwhile, Tang Li Ci and the other villainess are bringing real depth, emotion, and quirks that make their scenes captivating.

Most viewers seem distracted by appearances, but I’m here for the acting and the story. At this point, the only thing that could redeem A Shui is if she turns out to have a real hidden agenda, like being a spy — and even then, she’ll need to show some range to make it believable. Otherwise, she’s just filler.

Haha yes! I totally get what you mean everything she does screams ‘hidden agenda.’ Her acting does feel a bit off sometimes, but I’m curious to see her full story and character development; maybe it will add that element we feel is missing. I’m definitely here for her chaos when it finally hits let’s see which villain or character really takes the crown for craziest. I love the little quirks and craziness each character brings; it really adds charm to their personalities.

Lol, do you even read your own comments? You’re the one acting like this is personal when you said, ‘The only difference here is that the two of you don’t like her in general,’ and then went on to call other female characters ‘dead weight.’ Make it make sense. Nobody said we hate her we’re just pointing out flaws in her character. Yet here you are projecting assumptions onto me and calling me ‘too sensitive’? That’s rich. For the record, you’re the one putting emphasis where it wasn’t needed. If you truly didn’t care about what I think, you wouldn’t have felt the need to respond like this. All you had to do was make a reasonable argument or add your perspective, instead of writing a baseless comment that shows you didn’t understand my point at all. I’m here for discussion and constructive criticism — not criticism for the sake of it. And yes, it’s a public forum, but that doesn’t mean anyone has to tolerate baseless assumptions and unsolicited lectures