Lela2004

In the novel she gets all the income from her fiancée. Are you sure she runs the family’s shops? And if so, how can she even offer them to her SIL, considering they wouldn’t be hers? From her conversation with ML she says they (FL&ML) built influence and wealth in the capital. Why do you think, it is her maternal family’s money?

I’m not sure FL and the maternal family would have had so much space to manoeuvre had she not gotten her three accomplishments that were entered in government records, and having an influential fiancée helps too, I guess. Also, I think she would have had a hard time to convince even maternal family to get an ex-smuggler into the business and marry him. She wanted him to clear his name and for herself to build a life based on her own achievements and her own choices. I doubt going to the maternal family would have offered her that. I actually suspect they would have tried to marry her off sooner or later. In my book she chose freedom.

I see. I haven’t caught up to ep 23 yet.

I think she somewhat resents her son now, for having put her in that difficult position of sealing FL’s fate by rejecting her as a bride for her son after the scandal. Even though she knew the scandal was made up and she thought highly of FL. And not only has she now learned it was all her son’s doing, no, now it turns out he’s pining for the woman he could have married but decided to ruin instead. Madam Yu must be exasperated, and who wouldn’t be.

Are we sure she won’t end up in the Yu family?

Is this Ep 23?

At this point (Ep22) they have a genuine policy disagreement though, and each side pushes for their respective solution. It is not really a miscommunication or misunderstanding. I respect that.

I actually really enjoyed ep 21, it was funny and low key laid the groundwork for further developments. (Madame Yu has caught on to her son’s feelings, FL has positioned herself very clearly regarding her father, the fight for that new salt- inspector position is now on, and this might be the beginning of the story how the Yu guy gets to a concubine, which I feel will weaken the Yu family…) Also, having the mail couple reunite after 5 years and just carry on without adjustment would not have been realistic. I very much hope going forward their struggle to find a new balance in the relationship
will not be glossed over.

That goat was really lavishly decorated, and ML riding in front, like a groom. So, if he didn’t even think at that point “you know, I’d rather ride in front of my bride”, he is beyond help. I even thought for a second:”Maybe emperor made this “marriage-looking” decorated gift and had ML parade it home to send ML a message… 😂

For me it started to pull me in at the end of ep 6.

My prediction for the concubine arc: Miss Wu will try to gain some achievements by herself, inspired by FL, and that will catch the eye of SML, who will be reminded of FL, so that he’ll invite Miss Wu into the household…

I just think the couple (particularly ML) didn’t want to bring children into a very uncertain situation, where he could lose his head anytime. He wanted to have secure footing first. This dynamic played out in many generations around the globe. I don’t think it is contrived. Now ML is hesitant as he realises that his high rank does not secure their lives….

I still think they should have remained in the salt trade business and married there and then, but FL only considered and proposed marriage with him entering the military. So there’s that.

At first, once the plan to stay together was established FL was in the drivers seat. She was the one who pushed him into the career, decided what needed to be done to secure their standing…. In all that it got lost to her to actually tell him she loved him and didn’t suggest marriage just for practical reasons. And he got annoyed - annoyed enough to ignore her “let’s marry now”. After the 5 year gap he’s in the driver’s seat and plans their steps. And now his head is so full with practical considerations that he doesn’t think of telling her that he’s here because he loves her. ..

I actually find the change in the relationship dynamic fascinating and quite realistic…

That is what I thought.

Considering how during the military arc ML got so worked up over FL talking about marriage as if it were a business proposal, it is extraordinary, how obtuse he is in EP 21. Unbelievable.

Or maybe he made her “voluntarily sacrifice herself” for him, as Grandma expected from FL in that nunnery. Now that would be deeply ironic.

That was sooooo funny!

No, not yet. Though I am not even sure it is still important to her.

It was really a haunting performance. Excellent acting, indeed.