The character so far IMHO is not that well written. I am also quite disappointed. She refuses to grow up she just…
I believe Bo Wang's Night Fury warriors did kill her family under direct orders from the emperor. The emperor however concealed that part of the plan from Bo Wang - his orders were just to keep an eye on the Ma Ying. The emperor kept him in the dark because he was afraid he Bo Wang was still attached to them. Bo Wang did however help cover up her family's murder by the emperor and frame the Jin kingdom for it.
She marries HD in the end and he was the love of her life but she got along quite well with the emperor as well.…
Actually both YY and HD are stony faced throughout the second part of the drama. I don't think both roles were well acted. The only time she shows her heart is when she goes into war while pregnant to save HD. That was when the emperor may have realised the truth. And in 40 she basically tells him she is not unhappy he takes a concubine. Very subtle and not satisfying if you want to see YY make it obvious her feelings, she doesn't really.
...have a motive or endgame or is he just a sadistic and paranoid sociopath?
Yeah, the first thing I did when I moved back to HK is do the silk route cities. Many parts of this drama was shot around Zhongdian or Shangrila - I was there a few years ago it is still very rural and very beautiful but very high up. I got such bad altitude sickness on a horse tour there I feel bad for the cast every time I see them on horses.
Who else hates it when the FL apparently with so much to offer starts centering her life around the man/love interest…
The character so far IMHO is not that well written. I am also quite disappointed. She refuses to grow up she just want to be Xing'er and Lang Zai forever. As you said, Bo wang has been largely truthful to her about not just being Lang Zai and that he owes his loyalty to other people not just her. The only big lie so far is that he personally killed her father and of course about his feelings for her.
Love all your descriptions, in particular point #3. Contrary to you, I love that neckless Bo Wang look because…
LOL - Wang Dalu has a short neck and barrel chest to begin with there is very little they can do to make it look long! Even that cheesy shiny silver 1980s disco outfit with the round black t-shirt neck does not help!
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http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20111026-tracing-chinas-ancient-tea-horse-road