Shreya

I definitely think there's more going on here because of the way everything was laid out in this episode (if not it'd just come across as bad writing) and I doubt the writer would want to turn Li Mao into a truly evil person at this point but I agree with the comments saying he feels kinda bipolar like man please make up your mind 😭😭

No but seriously He Yu absolutely owned this role. He portrays every bit of Xiao Huayong to a perfection and seems so convincingly frail yet formidable. His scheming mind, his sincere heart, his yearning, his joy, everything is expressed so beautifully in his eyes and body language, not to mention he looks simply ethereal in this styling.

Kudos to the voice actor too, his voice really suits both He Yu and Huayong really well.

The way his eyes light up with every little bit of affection 😭 And the way he feels the need to brag about it every time🤣🤣

I see your point and I do agree with you. As of episode 23, I don't think Li Mao has proven himself to be worthy of the throne yet either. Every time I think he's getting there, he takes a step back so it's a little frustrating but you're right, like Wuyi I'm also banking on what he can become rather than what he is right now and mightily hoping that the remaining episodes give us enough reason to think he's deserving when and if he actually becomes the emperor.

Also, it was nice having this discussion with you. I really enjoyed reading your thoughts and point of view.

I agree Prince Qi is hardly the right person for the throne and I've been of this opinion since the start, but the truth is, he is the best option they have and literally everyone knows this, that's why they have been pushing him regardless of his illegitimacy.

While his lack of opinions and wrong actions is a real issue, we also have to remember he didn't grow up in the palace and never expected to be the emperor so he is highly inexperienced and listening to other people's counsel is not exactly a bad thing, he just needs to be sure of what he wants himself and we can see him getting there slowly in my opinion.

As for his personal emotions regarding Jiayu, Wuyi and Lejun impacting his decisions negatively, emperors are humans too and does make selfish decisions. In case of Li Mao, I personally think he never had to deal with so many conflicting emotions before, that's why he's going back and forth but making mistakes and sorting his emotions out will be his process of becoming a better person and ruler.

Wuyi sees potential in Li Mao, he has seen hardship from the lowest point and at least had his heart at the right place at one point and genuinely wanted to do good which is more than what can be said about many. You said just because he can be shaped into a better ruler, doesn't mean he deserves it, I disagree. If someone can be shaped into a good ruler, they do deserve it because no one is born a good ruler and not everyone can't be shaped into one.

Also, what deaths and countless tragedies did he cause? I'm sorry I genuinely don't remember. Again, at this point Li Mao is not fit to be the emperor yet and needs to work on a lot of issues but if he can successfully work everything out by the end, I think he can be a good ruler.

Here's how I see this. Being the emperor is not exactly a very attractive job and I don't think it should be seen as a 'reward'. It generally sucks; you're practically stuck in the palace alone, juggling all the external powers while everyone either wants to kill you or to curry favours. And most emperors are hardly good people, the throne does not need 'good' people without blemishes, nor does it breed good people. It takes trials and errors to become a good ruler.

What Xiao Wuyi wants is someone decent who shares his ambitions and can bear the responsibilities of the throne. Prince Qi is not fit for the throne yet but if the combined efforts of Wuyi, Jiayu and Li Mao himself can turn him into someone capable enough to bear the responsibilities, I don't see why he shouldn't be the emperor.

No, Gu Qingzhi and Princess Zhaoning do not have the same appearance. So, what happened was that after she fell into the water, GQZ and her soul merged to create a third entity, that's why she has both sets of memories.

I think you mean Prince Xin/Xiao Changqing and yeah, he and Gu Qingzhi were married for 5 years before she poisoned herself and died. He does know that it's her to some capacity since he knew his wife very well and can see the similarities but of course, he can never prove it.

That's a lot of assumptions about someone you don't even know. You are free to not like the FL and be annoyed with her but that doesn't give you the right to make assumptions about the author.

And technically speaking the Crown Prince does not need a child as an heir, everyone knows he has a short life span and the emperor has a backup crown prince ready for when he eventually dies, so why would he want to leave behind a child who'd be left fatherless and tie Xihe to the palace unable to leave even if she wanted?

*Something remotely disadvantageous occurs*

Huayong's instant solution: *starts coughing aggressively*

And turn the people of Ye into slaves? I get not liking Li Mao but hoping Qin will take over Ye is insane to me.

I don't know about ya'll but I'm genuinely enjoying the fillers so much. The plot is kind of meh but I actually like the characters and can't get enough of Huayong's antics and their bickering.

Ooh I like Prince Lie and Shen Yingruo as a pair. They are both good and compassionate people and deserves someone who will genuinely love them.

Fainting himself is literally the best way I've ever seen that trope being dealt with 🤣 Like woman who are giving the frail act, he has already mastered the art of frailness to godhood 🤣🤣

It took me a solid minute to realise Huayong was showing off his 'hickey' in the court 🤣🤣🤣 Man is so random, I love him so much😭🤣

Directing and scriptwriting/screenwriting are distinct professions but are not mutually exclusive. Scriptwriters write the scripts, directors direct the films, someone who can both write and direct may do both in their work like many characters in this drama. But from what I understand, it is neither a requirement nor the norm in the Korean drama industry for directors to write their own scripts and vice versa.

I love how the characters and their dynamics are written so far. Everyone feels so layered and their actions and motivations make sense from their perspectives.

The point was that Lejun was prepared to die herself along with the princess to protect her brother instead of dragging Jiayu into this. She didn't say that to make Jiayu feel better but to let her know that killing her mother was nothing personal but just her way of protecting Li Mao.

It doesn't make Lejun innocent, nor does it mean Jiayu has to forgive her, but it does make Lejun a very interesting character to me.

Oh I agree with you so much. I really love Huayong but he is the biggest manipulator in the entire drama and could be arguably worse than Prince Xin but he gets a free pass because he's cute and pretty and hopelessly in love.

Xihe being cold to Huayong's affection is actually very much in character for her. Prince Xin loved her for the entirety of their marriage and she didn't bat an eye, so why should Huayong be any different? But he is. She is the type of person who'd pour a jug of water on someone if they intentionally spilled water on her, but she never held Huayong accountable for the things he did. The fact that she lets him get away with everything is the biggest proof that she's already in love.

She as Gu Qingzhi always kept everyone at arm's length, she is bound to her family by birth and duty, not love. Her rise and fall are tied to her family and it's not something she can leave behind.

If the crown prince was weak and had no personal motives, he would indeed just become a part of her family like she initially planned but he isn't weak and has his own agendas. When two people have distinct agendas, it's impossible to say that they'll always align together. And most importantly, she can't predict Huayong, I'm assuming that's a bet she's unwilling to take.

Falling in love is always a risk since you have to lower your guard, so it was never an option for her. Until she realises her own feelings for Huayong and is willing to take that risk, I'm afraid we'll be stuck in this stalemate.

Huayong's influence has clearly rubbed onto Cui Jinbai 🤣🤣 He's becoming more and more shameless and proactive day by day like what do you mean he moved into Shulin's residence 😭🤣