Sunbath12

I think on rewatch I'm going to stall at ep 35 again...

As one of those yaojing fans, I suppose on the one hand I am glad there is still a happy ending for XY and Jing in the leaked script. On the other, however, I am not pleased with how it handles CX's character.

Yes, it is that scene in the brothel I was thinking of.

Get ready for an emotional rollercoaster! I think all our 4 male leads will go through the wringer in S2.

Thank you, it was disheartening to read/see that stuff here.

No it was much before, can’t remember how far back, maybe even before the whole Plum blossom assassination arc

I forget which episode this is: there is a scene when FFB/XL meets TSJ to discuss a business deal (he needs more provisions). I'm pretty sure based on how TSJ acts that he already knows then that FFB is XL. I can't remember if he knows before this scene though.

Wow, this comment thread is becoming super long haha. Yeah, XY's story with Jing is one long and painful (but also sweet in my opinion) journey. She slowly learns to love and show love.

With this story, it's clear many have very strong views on each character. I guess it's a testament to Tong Hua's rich storytelling and crafting multidimensional characters. What one person sees in a character can be quite different with that of someone else. And that goes for me too. I think that's why many of us have just gone to our respective discussion threads above to avoid any unpleasant drama lol.

I'll venture a bit and post some more: I don't see Xiangliu as a perfect saint, and I don't think the author intended him to be so. He's lived a life of violence when we meet him in the story, and unfortunately, he can and is quite mean to Wen Xiaoliu at first. He does soften as the story goes as he falls for XY and also experiences the warmth and understanding she displays to him as someone who has also experienced pain and abuse when younger. There's a lot to appreciate and admire in him as he saves her life later on and continues his support for the Chenrong soldiers. But he's still not "perfect" - no one is. As far as romantic relationships goes, to me, he is unable to communicate openly and thoroughly with XY (he has his reasons, I suppose), and that can be a nonstarter for some, including myself.

And while it's probably very clear that I like the character of Jing, I can see others being exasperated with him. He's damaged and traumatized when we meet him in the story as well (I guess that's a major similarity with a lot of the characters). Tong Hua also writes him as kind to a fault - and maybe I've never met someone in real life HAHA quite like this - but his character is key to her overall story. It's not just because XY ends up with him; his genuine kindness in a world of violence and in contrast to characters like Hou/FFYY and even CX is unmistakable and one of the enduring themes of her novel (at least in my opinion).

As far as what you noted regarding Xiaoyao, I can see her flaws especially in her dealing with her heart - she keeps it close to her and that I feel does make it hard for her to walk the road with Jing (or anyone) until she eventually learns to how to give her heart to someone (and I believe she does by the story's end, she's willing to help Jing with his family troubles). But I don't see her as completely aimless. In the novel she continues to practice her medicine and learn; hopefully we get to see that in the drama as well and not merely her romantic woes.

Anyway, I've gone too long. Hope to see you in some of the discussion threads above! Hoping also for a great S2!

LOL so true

This is the LYF segment of that on YT. No subs, sorry.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_PVNDNp7_k

I think I meant more that she has to give herself wholly to this relationship and not necessarily she has to give up something (although in setting up a trap for FFYY and Hou in the novel she does show she is willing to risk to help Jing eventually). That may be why a lot of her back and forth with Jing is frustrating. To me, it's not that she does not love Jing, it's that she is woefully inept at showing her love - she hasn't exactly had good examples and guidance from those around her for a period of her most formative years. And of course, she guards her heart because she doesn't want to get hurt. She gradually shows more affection and does more for Jing as the story progresses - it's slow and painful LOL. To me, a major turning point was after her assassination and learning of what Jing did for her. I can see that she truly cherishes him.

As far as Jing, I know you and I will probably always disagree on him, so I will try not to pick a fight haha. To me, his story is one of learning to love himself again and to regain his confidence. When we meet him in LYF, he's a damaged version of himself. We'll never know him in his might and prime as the "Qingqiu Master." His family turmoil is frustrating to watch, but I get it. Maybe because it's because I'm a physician myself and see this sort of thing happen sometimes or maybe because I'm just getting older, but making a clean break from even a toxic family is easier said than done, especially from one as powerful and influential as Tushan. This doesn't negate the fact that Jing causes pain to XY because of his family issues, and I'm not disregarding that. This is what he needs to pass through and learn from. However, going back to XY, it's only when she and Jing team up later that his whole family stuff gets dealt with finally. It's a great way for all those storylines to come together in that moment. We'll have to wait and see how S2 deals with these storylines.

Yeeep.

Yeah, I know you and spoilers. :) As you're watching S1, you've probably caught on that Cang Xuan has romantic feelings for XY. Going by the novel, at some point XY and Jing are about to get married. However, CX colludes with Tushan Hou to kill Jing. Well, almost kill because Xiang Liu saves him, but to everyone else for a while, Jing is dead. And then XY finds out that CX was responsible, cue more angst. I'm not sure how faithful the drama will be. That leaked script reads like a hot mess, so I don't know, hoping it's fake.

Based on the novel, she tries to get over him but can't. Eventually she does work together with Jing and expose the truth about Fangfeng Yiying and Hou. There's a lot more angst though for them to come, however, from another source...if you wanna know :D

Yeah I can’t stand his family. XY, in her defense, has been deeply hurt and fears abandonment so won’t easily give her heart out. But she’ll learn that if you truly love someone, you’d gladly give everything for them. It’s just a bit painful to get there lol

Welcome aboard! Xiaoyao's romantic turmoils do feature heavily in this story, but there are a lot of other themes I like: recovering from past trauma, learning how to love someone and love yourself again, and (referring back to Jing) whether kindness has any place in the world, especially such a dark, dangerous world as Dahuang. As far XY, yes, I agree up until end of S1, she has mostly sat back and watch her lover flail around while others abuse him. She has to learn how to love and fight for him - which she does in S2 (hopefully). If they change that part of the story, I'm done with S2.

It's a big painful to get through that part, but don't worry, if they follow the novel, that all gets sorted out. But if you can't stand the angst/pain, yeah maybe wait until it's all aired first.

I think Tencent compiled all their scenes, here is part 1:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=snErDABCkGo

I've been rewatching S1 and rereading volume 3 of the novel. Pain and pleasure together I guess, LOL.