Groovykid

I assumed most of the cases were unrelated. And their only common theme was that they all occurred in or around the palace, so the Palace Investigation Bureau, hence LPY, had to be in charge.
I think it is okay for the main plot to be separate, at least from most of the plots. This way, we can see FL as a character whose parents raised to be strong and kind, and she maintained that despite the tragedy that occurred which then became her drive. Thats the way I see her anyways.

I’m sorry but this Emperor always came off ‘evil’ to me. The way he picked up and discarded women nilly willy just felt wrong to me - didn’t portray a ‘loving’ man. And his ‘benevolence’ in committing his daughter - FL’s best friend (whom he had only seen 3 times in her life) to the same fate twice in quite blatant disregard and driving her to her death made it even more obvious.
These were his ‘closest’ relatives. I remained sceptical of his ‘love’ for FL when these portrayals kept repeating itself, and I still do. He is definitely not a family man. Everyone can agree to that. So why ‘favour’ FL so much?
Best case scenario is that he is one of those cowardly Emperors who just like to turn a blind eye when something horrible that may implicate them happens.

I thought FL’s father is older brother to the current emperor

I started to have the same thought - FL being too self-reliant and not utilising the partner she’d found. But quickly reprimanded myself.
I am certain it is very uncommon to have a FL this independent and self-reliant and it appears we, as viewers, have been conditioned to expect some dependence or interdependence with the ML, even for the strong and independent FL roles.

ML did stay muddle-headed for most of the story arc in the capital. Too emotional about the family drama especially his brother’s attitude and violence. But if we cast our mind back to FL’s initial approach to her sisters. She was also kinda muddled with her approach to them - just let them be until they did something very wrong. In both situations, they both subtly pointed out what the other was failing or refusing to see.

I think I liked their interdependence. They also, in their own way, always reassured each other even when they didn't fully carry each other along.

For all the theories about Steward Cheng, he was just a jealous bystander that cowardly bullied ML with the random bits of info his position allowed him access to.
How frustrating his life will get (if it were real life, I can imagine LJL continually poking fun at him 😄)!

RSB’s punishment for the Xue sister princess was satisfying. I knew from the start that the water was for her but I didn’t expect that delivery. 😁😁😄

I’m watching Ep 32 and the way RSB is using her sly smile to make the Duke’s family members uncomfortable feels me with pride. (Couldn’t stop anticipating and laughing out loud when it happened)
Why bring her there to boast of how great you all are and how she should ‘beg to worship you’?

I didn’t expect the ML’s background story in the final 6 episodes. Quite a rollercoaster.

P.S.: I hope I am not just being pessimistic and too suspicious. But isn't it odd that the lady Xu came back with a random dying beggar that seems like an important person!! He seemed to not want her to touch him.

New mystery that is starting to unravel - The conversation between Minister Xu and his daughter when they were leaving was odd. They both knew he would be kind and want to repay his kindness to the minister, but they never broached the topic of them marrying each other. The father and daughter only said he'd have no one to back him after the minister dies. Another odd statement was from Minister Xu to LJL about not going too far when he had the first breakthrough in the Wei case and the minister wanted him to stop digging. I just hope the capital faction involved in the case does not include the Xu family.

I think there was mention before of his 'grand-uncle' being married into the Rong family but he died young and childless. But it is probably all fabricated lies.
I mean just like someone mentioned in a YouTube short comments - "where are all the mothers and fathers?" Surely that is not normal and it shows how horrible the grandma really is, in a way.
Also, grandma did ask her chief-maid when his character was introduced if he resembles someone. So, definitely yes, there is more to his sub plot.

Can I be cheeky and add that I do not believe that blind sister is really blind? She surely is faking it!!!

Buddhist guy & Blind sister! These two!!!
I have a visceral fear for what's going on in their hearts.
They both came off as too good to be true
They both have unusual upbringings
One chose to be a monk but fell in love at first sight
The other was raised as a blind daughter of a servant
They both appear to be good hearted
They both swear they are observers
One always gets reprimanded
The other plays all sides without notice
They both overpraise or fuel others' anger
They both subtly manipulates
What drives them? Neither familiar nor passion.
It is deep hatred and vengeance.

P.S: I do also hate grandmother's character, and I cannot believe this but 2nd & 4th sisters appear to be the 'saints' in the Rong family.

These are wild, indeed. I am up for it though

You will but not for much longer. Persevere a while more and you will be rewarded. 😆

At least he was working on a promise that TM king will leave his brother alive. I do like how they have left him timid though. And not made him become ‘strong’ overnight. (That kind of plot always rings hollow)
I think, at this point, even he knows that his brother and Huai’an are better off with him dead. They’d even be helping themselves if they killed him off but they are such good hearted people that they’d never consider that. Rather they’d protect him.

I have a weird theory. Apart from the promise of keeping XWJ alive, the TM king may have also used Ye Zheng and his sister’s life to threaten him. I may be clawing at straws, but even for him, I’d have thought he’d rather kill himself at this stage than become someone else’s puppet emperor.

Btw the quick and easy death of Su Changlin was very satisfying. His pompous attitude became very annoying. He was bloody seven when all this started and the guy very nearly enthroned himself, just because he sneakily and cowardly killed or injured people.

The people I really hope survive till the end:
- Xue Huai’an
- Ye Zheng and his sister
- The Xiao Emperor brothers (Wasn’t sure about the younger before)
- Real Zhang Mo’s father
I am fervently praying to the gods of writing. Please do not kill them all.

I like the screenwriter keeping the emotions raw about the crime of fake Zhang Mo murdering the real one. Although his character development towards redemption was well played, the repeated reflection, guilt and regret is very nice to see. Used to hate plots where the past just gets forgotten.

The emotional rollercoaster in this series just never lets up. The production team and actors really outdid themselves. I may not be able to re-watch it (very raw emotions) but I have enjoyed every single minute of it. Well done again.