JoJe

Actually want to prepare so you could be more patient 😂
This is a sloowww burn type. But, it paid off very well in their mutual love era
Keep watching!!

Marriage happened in Episode 20
However, her confession that she love him (mutual love era) Episode 28
Before that, she gradually will warm up a bit.. But don't expect too much

Yeah, that's a better thing to do. I'm watching it too, but I haven't reached the latest one yet 😊

You are very welcome 😊 Drama indeed lack of explanation. I don't know why. They can have 40 episodes, but they only use 36. Why not use another 4 to explain more the important one and smooth things.

The real Shen Xihe soul actually was part of new Shen Xihe, at least the will to protect northwest is come from her soul. But, as per character, yes SXH's scared and timid character covered by GQZ's strong and decisive.

Old GQZ's soul already finish with whatever her past life, she didn't have anymore desire or wishes or aim. On the other hand Shen Xihe still has many things, especially protect her family. Together, both leading life as new Shen Xihe.

Me too, I even thinking wow, behind his serious appearance, this Emperor is a playboy too 😂

I could relate this 😂
Then maybe you should peak and eavesdropping your neighbor house aka novel 😂

Drama never addressed well the back story so it feels forced. Old Shen Xihe born prematurely weak - weak in body (you could read how weak she is in some of my post below). Without GQZ decisive and strong character plus GQZ life experience facing noble and palace intrigue, there is no way for Shen Xihe could survive in capital. There is a will from Shen Xihe to come to capital for arrange marriage while also secure her family safety but her body and how she grow up with many restriction in northwest won't allow her. Actually in drama her maids, father and brother know she change but they think of it because she is mature over her maid betrayal pushing her to river. Her father's initial reaction when first met SXH in capital is, 'Youyou mature already'

IF, I said IF drama want to make it without so called merging soul or reborn or reincarnation, drama should boldly delete full. No Lady Xiao & Shen Yingruo because Lady Xiao is the reason Shen Xihe born prematurely weak. Make SXH healthy, strong in character, master in many kind of ability. Next, just make SXH friendship with GQZ over the letter real so SXH could know one two things about capital intrigue. Or even just delete GQZ and make SXH prepare already with capital intrigue from her father intelligent in capital instead.

BUT then MAYBE, they would think it is too simple for narrative foundation and less wow factor for FL. Because it would only the story of a strong Northwest Princess and a 'weak' Crown Prince who turns out not weak at all

Actually an Emperor could designate any of his sons as the Crown Prince. But the favored one is the eldest son from Empress which is Xiao Huayong (a concept of legitimate heir). Emperor could have other sons first from Noble Consorts, Consorts, even Concubines. The first one born call 1st Prince and next, next.

We have it actually in novel 1st, 3rd, 8th. Even we have until 14th or 16th I forget 😂
If I remember correctly 1st Prince die young, but 3rd and 8th Prince alive well, at beginning of story. Drama combine 3rd & 8th together into 4th. Maybe because all are in villain side and they don't have much time

You are correct 七 (qī) mean seven and 郎 (láng) historically used in family to address a son, so it is seventh son

Yup, young Shen Xihe has another different history. Another reason who make her cold too, different type of cold.

SXH born prematurely very weak. This happened because some political intrigue make SXH's father when he attend banquet at palace, given aphrodisiac and made him sleep with Lady Xiao, leading to he had to marry Lady Xiao. Her mother in northwest receive this news while pregnant then shock, gave birth to SXH prematurely then die. Young SXH often sick, she cannot often go out because she would catch cold, simple cold could turn worse. SXH heart also not good, she doesn’t make friend and socialize because a bit argues or betrayal from friend could make her heart hurt and simple emotional turmoil could cost her life. Her father and brother love her very much and shelter her very much. But despite all of that, she used to be alone, detach from emotional up and down. She grow up as cold and melancholy person. The only close with her are her father and brother. That's why SXH want to secure their safety very much. She didn't want any capital political move who see northwest military too strong could lead to their downfall.

About fast network intelligence everywhere, I don't know what specific scene on drama make you think about it. You could let me know. From my understanding is SXH's father strong & powerful figure. I remember somewhere in drama show that Mo Yuan (SXH guard head) ask SXH is it okay to open some of their people to Crown Prince side because that could show their whole spy in capital, which SXH reply it is okay. This part is the same between drama and novel. They (SXH's father) have a kind of spy network intelligent system in capital and this system already build good long before SXH enter capital. Both XHY and SXH are a very cautious person who couldn’t trust anyone so completely. But SXH understand that XHY gradually show her his people, he even plan for SXH. So, SXH also finally could trust him. Novel also not tell us the detail of this system (how many and how they work) but it is Mo Yuan and Mo Yu who usually arrange and in communication with this people. Novel tell about they have special system in sending massage, a good and fast carrier pigeon and a coding only known between SXH, her father and her brother.

Other is novel tell us that all her maids are talented person specially chosen by SXH's father to accompany his beloved daughter. There are five of them in novel Zhenzhu (the head, skilled in medicine and the most clever), Ziyu (very good at cooking), Hongyu (skilled at embroidery), Biyu (good with numbers), Moyu (skilled in martial arts) and Mo Yuan (head of guard, high ability in martial arts)

Crown Prince give him a hint on Episode 13 around 09.45 min
A quite clear hint, so then Cui Jinbai must be realize it

Then, Episode 14 around 25.50 min. Cui Jinbai know it already

This is GQZ past life from novel

Gu Qingzhi - daughter of noble family. When she was 9 years old, at her mother deathbed, she told her one can do anything except let their heart fall for a man, only by being utterly detached can women live freely. Her mother love her father deeply but her father only respect her, never could give her single minded devotion. That's why GQZ grew up as a cold, indifferent woman. GQZ was betrothed to Xie Yunhuai since childhood but later XYH sever ties with Xie family because his mother died from hatred (his father choose concubines), then the engagement broke. What happened to her family and Xie family make her heart grow even colder

5th Prince Xin knew engagement broke then ask Emperor to bestow marriage between him and GQZ. After all, GQZ is first among the capital’s nine perfections, excelled in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, women’s work, and cooking—considered the model of noble ladies.

Prince Xin tried so much in their newlywed days. He present her with all the best things in the world and pampered her to the heavens. Yet GQZ always remained cold and composed, decisive and rational about everything. This making Prince Xin feel that his offerings and even his very existence were worthless to her.

The more GQZ indifferent the more Prince Xin obsessed. Later Prince Xin displayed intimacy with other women before her, or even allowed concubines to disrespect her, but GQZ maintained this same ethereal detachment. In short, he love her but in very wrong way. Three years, and finally when Gu family fall, Prince Xin agreed to supervised execution of Gu family. He thought with that, at least GQZ could hate him. But no, she still very calm

GQZ said from the day the Emperor’s marriage decree come, she knew this day would come. Gu family would fall (Gu family had been too strong). So, she not blame Prince Xin. Then she choose commit suicide with the incense she made. She died along with their unborn child. The reason is to bring down Fan family and her pride won't let her live on other mercy. She also couldn't let her child born in such gloomy imperial family, better die with her.

At her last moment, GQZ could still give Prince Xin a brilliantly serene smile and wishing him to ascend the throne, that frozen smile deeply pierced Prince Xin. She didn’t want to live, no one could stop her and no one could save her.

When she wake on Shen Xihe body, as Gu Qingzhi she actually didn't want this because for her it's already finished. No regrets, no attachment. She is not that close with Gu family and everything she owe to Gu family for raise her, she paid it with her life to clear Gu family name. So, her resolution is though she has GQZ memory and life experience but from now on, there will be no GQZ, only Shen Xihe will remain

Yeah, drama won't show it until the end. I could tell you from novel if you want

Drama indeed didn't explain any. We didn't know how he came back, even we didn't know how he slipped away from supposed to be his death as early as episode 32 from 36

This is from novel, and I think it could be use as reference.. Just use a bit of imagination 😂

It is Di Fang & Xie Yunhuai who moved him secretly from palace using secret passage that XHY use to bring SXH meet her brother & father after their marriage. They rush him to western region, to Ale's place for treatment. The treatment use some kind of worms suck his blood gradually & continuously. In short, harsh and painful. He is very weak and west is very remote. He ask Xie Yunhuai soon back to palace to help SXH (there is no case XYH friend him through treatment until look old in novel). So, no way for XHY to send letter. He is there only with SXH's cat. SXH let her cat go with him to give him alive friend.

There is people who doubt XHY death and want to open the coffin. But with SXH, Tian Yuan and also help from Prince Xin, no one could come near the coffin until funeral day. Even after funeral day when there are people who want open the coffin, inside is XHY's body double who look the same with him. The method is Bone manipulation art, the same method to make Bu Shulin's male body double. (Prince Xin in novel really not an obsessive third wheel but a cool headed supporter and he is alive until the end)

Did the FL always know that he is alive? She knew he alive when he leave palace at staged death day and knew he alive arrived in west after XYH back to capital, but she never knew whether he still alive by the day pass, she never knew how is the treatment and whether it succeed. In novel, XYH back to claim his rightful noble status as Xie legitimate descendants and be SXH supporter on court. Later, he become one of SXH's son tutor

It's only after 8 years in novel XHY comeback to reunite with his beloved family. He comeback by himself with SXH's cat after he is healthy enough - finally treatment success. The one who bring him inside the palace is Prince Xin.

1. It's a merging soul case between Gu Qingzhi and Shen Xihe. So, now she has 2 sets of memories and life experience.
2. She is actually smart from beginning. As Gu Qingzhi, she is known as first among the capital’s nine perfections, excelled in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, women’s work, and cooking—considered the model of noble ladies
3. As old Shen Xihe. She is melancholy because she is very weak since prematurely born, being shelter too much and used to be alone. But this not mean she is not smart, she grew up in a good family teaching. Her father and brother are powerful figure, especially in military. All her maids, Zhen Zhu, Mo Yu, Mo Yuan are specially talented person chosen by her father to accompany his beloved daughter. So, fast network is already build long a go from her father

The merging souls make her more superior. New Shen Xihe has Gu Qingzhi decisive & strong character and also Gu Qingzhi life experience in capital (through all noble and palace intrigue). Besides, she also has old Shen Xihe powerful family background, all the people and network, she knew them perfectly.

No problem, you're welcome 😊

For drama maybe a loose end or since episode 37 is extra and the main story already ended so they cannot complicated things. As a viewer I want to see it but inside 36 episodes. Keep episode 37 as it is with happy family moment

For novel, XHY know already his real identity years ago, even before he met SXH. This also one of the reason XHY suspect Emperor is behind his poisoning, but he cannot find evidence at all. As his relationship with SXH closer, he tell SXH this secret before their marriage. SXH thought whether XHY want to reclaiming his true identity in future or want revenge. But XHY thinks maybe he was cold-hearted, but he had never seen his birth parents and felt no attachment or longing for them. In his childhood, he had experienced too much despair and helplessness, countless times hovering at death’s door. So, even towards his birth parents, he felt no blood ties. It didn’t matter whose child he was. To him, he was simply himself, and everything about him belonged only to him. Of course, things were different now and he could belong to SXH. For XHY, SXH is heaven mercy upon him.

I write this before, let me write it again

It's merging soul case. Gu Qingzhi and old Shen Xihe merge into new Shen Xihe. It's like blue and red make new color purple. Without either blue or red, there will be no purple. Just like new Shen Xihe consist of two memories blend together. It seems Gu Qingzhi character dominant but I believe it also what old Shen Xihe want to protect her Northwest family or in other words Gu Qingzhi life experience help Shen Xihe could navigate the dangerous life in capital better.

Sounds illogical, but at least that is what novel writer means (the reborn protagonist is neither Gu Qingzhi nor Shen Xihe, but someone entirely new). In my opinion, drama intended the same.

This is in novel, a slightly different with drama though

At first, XHY didn't tell SXH that there might be a method could save his life because the chance is very small, the method is very harsh and the time is uncertain. XHY pov is by what right he make his wife wait for uncertain him. IF one day he could no longer stay by her side, he would rather she gradually forget him, let him go and break free.

As the day XHY prepare to stage his death approaching. SXH pov is she had always thought she could remain calm in life-or-death games, she knew from beginning XHY life gonna be short. But now, she simply couldn’t control her emotions with that SXH feel sharp pain in her abdomen. Luckily with acupuncture everything is alright.

Pain by seeing SXH, XHY finally told SXH that he will leave for treatment with the slimmer hope and uncertainty. He keep it because he worried about giving her false hope, making SXH wait in vain and wasting her life. SXH said she and their child will wait for him

The day of staged death it is the same that in Emperor's arm XHY said he wish to name his son Xiao Junsu. Also the same with his last word : “Youyou… I only hope… marrying me… brings no regrets.” Which SXH reply “Marrying you this life, no regrets for eternity!”

It is Di Fang & Xie Yunhuai who moved him secretly from palace using secret passage that XHY use to bring SXH meet her brother & father after their marriage. They rush him to western region, to Ale's place for treatment. The treatment use some kind of worms suck his blood gradually & continuously. In short, harsh and painful. He is very weak and west is very remote. He ask Xie Yunhuai soon back to palace to help SXH (there is no case XYH friend him through treatment until look old in novel). So, no way for XHY to send letter. He is there only with SXH's cat. SXH let her cat go with him to give him alive friend.

There is people who doubt XHY death and want to open the coffin. But with SXH, Tian Yuan and also help from Prince Xin, no one could come near the coffin until funeral day. Even after funeral day when there are people who want open the coffin, inside is XHY's body double who look the same with him. The method is Bone manipulation art, the same method to make Bu Shulin's male body double. (Prince Xin in novel really not an obsessive third wheel but a cool headed supporter)

Did the FL always know that he is alive? She knew he alive when he leave palace at staged death day and knew he alive arrived in west after XYH back to capital, but she never knew whether he still alive by the day pass, she never knew how is the treatment and whether it succeed. In novel, XYH back to claim his rightful noble status as Xie legitimate descendants and be SXH supporter on court. Later, he become one of SXH's son tutor

It's only after 8 years in novel XHY comeback to reunite with his beloved family. He comeback by himself with SXH's cat after he is healthy - finally treatment success. The one who bring him inside the palace is Prince Xin.

Yup, another 20 more episode
FL will warm a bit before 28 but still the confession, the mutual love and consummations is after