Eleison

Yes, I have noticed the hints, but he seems to think he's still doing the "right thing" but doesn't realized he's been baited--hook, line and sinker--by Pu Yang Ying. He keeps "helping" Changlin but it seems deep down he knows he's actually helping Yang Ying, right?

He doesn't seem smart enough to really be as sinister as Pu Yang Ying, though.

Also, I read one commenter who said it bothered her that she couldn't identify a reason Yang Ying had such a fixation on taking out Ping Zhang. I was wondering, is it possible Yang Ying has such a vendetta against Ping Zhang specifically because he's the antithesis of himself, especially after considering how Yang Ying murdering his own brother? He probably hates seeing what Pingjing and PinZhang have because he wasn't that person for his brother. Ping Zhang is all the things Yang Ying can never be, and maybe even feels haunted by. I don't know if that can be extrapolated, but he treated his brother so differently than Pingjing and PingZhang treat each other. I haven't quite got to PinhZhang dying or Pingjing waking up, but I know Pingjing will NOT be pleased PingZhang sacrificed himself for him.

I like that in NIV Lin Chen pointed out to Chang Su's devotees that Chang Su would never allow himself to live on if they sacrificed themselves for him. He couldn't face them dying so he could live. I wonder if Ping Zhang ever considered how Pingjing would feel if PingZhang took the hit for him? Pingjing could be inspired by his sacrifice OR, just as likely, live in bitterness and guilt...

Personally, I would rather die than wake up and find out my sister sacrificed herself for me.

😂😂😂

Did he end up winning you over in spite of his hair? 😅

The contrast of Puyang Ying and Chang Su in Episode 24 is stark. Eeek, he's so gross it hurts.

And of course Pingzhang accepts death to save Pingjing.💔 Duuuude, don't be THAT perfect. 😭

Season 1 and 2 REALLY love that ambient boiling liquid sound. 😅

It's amazing how much I take convincing "realistic" sounds replicated in the studio for granted in most entertainment. I realize just how much when I watch Cdramas and the visuals/sounds don't always align/match-up. 😅 (I think I notice it more, because the sounds are clearly recycled for every "similar" sound or scenario.) I understand why this is the case, but it is crazy how most entertainment actyally eliminates these distractions so we don't even realize them!

Huh! Definitely haven't gotten to his backstory other than I know he's connected to the old plague and a bunch of people from Yeqin dying because of it. Is there another villain behind him, or is he it?

I didn't notice his name! Do you mean it feels reminiscent of Yin-yang? Though all I see is gross vengefulness. He obviously has his reasons but he's determined to be bitter and hateful. And he's cultivating the same perspective in Yuanqi. 😭

But yes, he does look androgynous. He seems to have contact lenses, too, and they obviously gave him a sickly, unnatural skin tone. He certainly feels like the dark side version of Mei Chang Su who, for instance, would never have dreamt of poisoning a bunch of innocents with a disease as a stepping stone for getting revenge. 😱

But there are also differences of opinion about suicide. One view might be seen as "progressive" while another might be seen as "out-dated" and I don't think either is true. So yeah, how to wrestle with suicide responsibly depends quite a lot on how you view suicide. I suppose that's why this was so polarizing. 🤷‍♀️

I kinda thought you might read based on how you write. 😋

Yes, there are plenty of Pingjings representated in stories/dramas, but not many XPZs. Though I feel like the XPZs always die. 😭

I love the way XPZ handles Pingjing. Always pushing him but also not treating him like a child who can't do things, either, and loving him when he messes up. Precious. Do you like reading? There's a great little middle grade novel (when middle grade was good enough for adults to enjoy; it was written in the 40's) by an author called "Enemy Brothers" set during World War II and it has a similar character to XPZ. The cutest big brother I'd ever seen till this drama. He's one of my literature crushes. If you like reading and characters like XPZ, then I'd highly recommend it.

Also, I want storytellers to believe that good people can actually live and flourish alongside all the people who find life a struggle. 😂

I'm REALLY enjoying the Changlin family and especially the brothers, but so far what makes this less enjoyable (despite still being well-written), is the screen time spent on the guru. He gives me the creeps and I hate that I have to watch so much of him, and to see him get everyone caught in his mouse trap. It's painful.

I want to skip his scenes but since the plot is so intricate I'm afraid to miss important details. 😭 A rewatch will make this way more enjoyable to watch in that sense!

One huge plus for this season over season 1 so far is how much easier it is to track with who's who. The beginning of season 1 is very steep with keeping track of people. This season eases you much more gently into scenarios and characters.

Plot holes?! Where?

Do you mean lose threads? Cause that I might kind of give you, but plot holes... I'm skeptical. 🤔

While watching this I wondered if this drama made people in China hardcore jealous for Pingzhang and Pingjing, TingSheng and the Emperor since they had no siblings and can only dream of how special this kind of relationship could be. Kind of heartbreaking to imagine. It's similar to close friendship, but still a bit different.

On another note, I wish there was more sibling representation like this in media. Home Alone and so many other similar 80's/90's movies/TV shows made it seem normal for siblings to pick on each other (and/or see younger siblings as annoying and a nuisance) and hate each other. I love anything that gives a more optimistic spin.

Siblings are built-in best friends, confidants, advocates, protectors and kindred spirits!

Have you seen Cheer Up! (2015) aka Sassy Go Go? She's a bad girl that turns nice in that and it's a cute drama in general.

I haven't seen that, but she's great in everything I've seen her in. :)

Also, the Queen reminds me of Marion Cotillard.

And which drama(s) nerfed his looks? He was still pretty beautiful in Strong Woman Nam Soon and Record of Youth, though, wouldn't you say? 💁‍♀️

Whoa, that's much better; why'd they change it then? 😅

I thought the ML was Ahn Hyo Seop from the poster! 😅 But it's actually our ML from Knight Flower. Fun to see him getting more main roles. :)

But then why weren't his other dramas popular and/or why didn't they do well? 🤔 Genuine question, though, I'm not being snarky!