PReid

And I love him for it!

Episode 25 did not disappoint!!! The confusion on everyone's faces when they read the decree was SO DELICIOUS!! I LOVED IT SO MUCH! And grandpa Lin looking like he wasn't sure whether or not this was a dream. I legit cackled.

Episode 25: Who else thinks Master Lu put two-and-two together and realized that Xu Lan Xiang is Grand Secretary Shen's granddaughter during the paper burning scene? I think he did and that's why he told her "Every parent wants their child to live well, don't be like me..."
I think he figured it out. :-)

I'm not sure it's hate so much as annoyance...? Like, he's okay and all. But his okayness is interrupting the fire chemistry between the FL and ML / their screentime. Nothing wrong with him except he exists. LOL

"There’s nothing wrong with writing a flawed character. Flaws are what make characters interesting." Yes, this.

Ohhhh. That makes sense.

As an introvert who brings a book to every party I'm forced to attend, I would've loved this. LOL!

"I would like to see the Shen family get some justice." That would be SO GREAT!! I'm still not over episode 1 and someone needs to pay for that injustice.

He's one of those characters who means well, is probably a good guy, but doesn't know how to truly protect his family from the evils of the world. Like, he does his best, but he'll never measure up to someone like Lin Jin Qi (in my opinion) who would burn the world down and move mountains for the person he loves.
Of course, first Lin Jin Qi has to convince her to love him in return. LOL!

100%
This is what I'm saying ^^^

Anything he's done "for her" (like setting her free--which she earned by saving his whole family-- or giving her that orchid or trying to arrange a house for her) is really for himself because he's in love with her and wants to (slowly) get closer to her so he can ask her to marry him. At this point in the drama, he's been a sorta decent human towards her, but he's also threatened her (with her family's well being, when he required she become his spy on his first wife) and then *almost* caused her death (when his first wife was caught cheating). If he's broken any "taboos" it's because he wants her in his life, not because he selflessly is sacrificing for her.

Again, don't get me wrong. I'm on his side! I love his character and find him delightful, but he's not done anything (so far) for her that either he didn't cause (i.e. rescuing her from danger) or isn't self-serving (freeing her family, bring her money and gifts). I do think they're perfect for each other and have hope that he'll burn the world down for her in the future. :-)

Me threeeeeeeee

AGREE.

"I think, with how he was showing up at Lanxiang's house whenever he could, Jinqi probably wanted them to slowly get closer but destiny wouldn't allow it, lol." AGREE. I think he was trying to play the long game but Scholar Han kept showing up and ruining everything.

I don't think she's in love. Also, at the point when she was kidnapped, I doubt she would've said yes to a marriage with Scholar Han (or anyone). I got the sense she truly just wanted to live a free life taking care of her parents and earning her own way in the world (not getting married). She never showed anything but admiration for Scholar Han and friendship, but no attraction whatsoever (is my opinion)

1. Why wouldn't she be happy-go-lucky? Why would she think she's in danger? She has NO IDEA that the ML is low key obsessed with her. She's just out there living her life and his feelings for her are putting her in danger.
2. Agree. That was pure luck. But she was walking around the room looking for a weapon before her friend walked in; she was planning her escape; she wasn't just sitting around waiting to be rescued.
3. I disagree; how is she supposed to go back and rescue her friend at this point? She thinks she needs to buy her friend's freedom; she has no idea that Lin Jinqu arrived after the FL left in order to rescue her; she thinks she needs to save money and then go back. She can't rush back to the place where she was kidnapped and held against her will, that would be silly. She has no back up.
4. AGREE!! That was pure silliness and so incredibly convenient for real, and obviously a plot point to create tension for the ML
5. Agree.
6. Revenge, maybe? I'm still trying to figure this out. It did seem out of character for her...

He's complicated, but ultimately a good person. He's put in multiple impossible situations (some out of his control, some due to his own mistakes) and he tries to do the right thing each time. He's also EXTREMELY monogamist and loyal to the woman he loves, even to the disadvantage of his own family. He'd rather never marry (not even a concubine) than be with anyone but her.

I can see the comparison, but don't think they're at all similar when you take a step back and look at motivations.

When he asks for the imperial edict it's because he's realized it's the only way he can keep her truly safe (as his wife) now that's he's been reckless and visited her so many times. I think this is his way of trying to make up for the mistake of being careless in the past in his attempts to woo her over time. Now that everyone knows what she means to him, marrying her is the best way to keep her from being in danger. Also, it looks like he takes her as his wife, not concubine, because he's truly in love with her. Du Cuique didn't give a shit about Lin Jinqu and was using him to further her own agenda. Lin Jinqu deeply cares about Lanxiang and marrying her (as his first wife in particular) actually puts him at a political disadvantage. I don't think the two situations are comparable (as intentions do matter regardless of outcome).

To be fair, she's only in danger because of him. She would be out there living her best free life on her own merits if he hadn't kept visiting her and tipping folks off that he's low key obsessed with his former slave.

On that note, what has he actually done? She saved his whole family from ruin and risked her life to help him multiple times.

He's trying to rescue her now, sure. But again, she wouldn't be in this mess if he'd kept his distance. He freed her, but it wasn't his idea and she earned that freedom. Before that, he used her intelligence for his own benefit and risked her life for his own benefit several times.

Don't get me wrong, I'm firmly on his side. But he hasn't actually done much for her in the scheme of things.

In the show's trailers (before it aired) it looks like he has to go back into fighting mode/battle and she (at one point) takes care of him while he's injured. I'm guessing she softens towards him at this point.

I have to think JQ's two trusted servants will enlighten LX once they get married. I feel confidant they'll tell her all the ways JQ has been looking after her and pining for her since she left the Lins.