WindBlows

We are a very vibrant community!

I believe YS was already widely recognized as a gifted individual, but he refused to become an official. Coincidence or not, after SS enters the palace, he too accepts a position there.

You've made so many great points! When I was reading your thoughts about YS being controlling, I remembered that after SS declared their interaction over, he whispered something like "I will say when it's over between us"...

I really like how you've unpacked YS's motivations and behaviour! To me, SS challenges YS on so many levels and then leaves him in the dust with little time for him to accept his feelings and readjust his views. It's like she is always one step ahead and he is running after her without ever being able to catch her.

Even with a very well phrased translation, so much subtext can be lost in the process. So learning that language is the only way to go! 🤣

This sheds a completely different light on their conversation!

Couldn't agree more!

I love how you've explained the trio's dynamic! Yes, to me as well the Empress feels sad and lonely because she is not a true priority for anyone in her close family - whether husband or children.

Yes, this one definitely looks better!

I know. For a few episodes, I think he was the only "stranger" (non-family member) mean to SS. But it was mild compared to what she had already experienced. I guess now in the palace we get real villains and bullies, who do not hesitate to kill someone.

She sees how dedicated LBY is to SS and it's a good opportunity for her to gain more allies. By being friendly with SS, she can potentially have some indirect influence on LBY and thus reinforce the crown prince's position and power.

I know what you mean. For me, as I was rewatching the episode with lantern festival, I paid more attention to YS's expressions when he first met SS. He looked so hopeful when he threw her that ball and his face fell when she returned it to him without hesitation. But how could she know what it meant? And even if she did know, her reaction would have probably been the same...

As for YS, rejection is always painful and he took it very hard, since this was the first time he was interested in a girl and was immediately shot down. And I don't think he is emotionally mature enough yet to understand his feelings and reactions towards SS. And again, his own relationship with his mother is complicated as she shows no interest in his life, while his teacher is a proven disaster in love... So there is no one to guide him.

I do not find his behaviour acceptable, but I understand it to some extent. And if the drama follows the novel, he will grow up very quickly when SS and LBY separate, so as not to miss his opportunity a third time.

Glad to help! I like them as well.

Yes, many thanks for your hard work and dedication to LLTG and this forum! You're the best at keeping it alive between episodes! 🥰

I read the google translated novel and from what I remember, both of them were with LBY till the end.

I also find it very difficult to empathise even a little bit with the mother and her methods of educating SS. We do get bits of background information that she is a divorcee and her family was ruined. She is very proud and with extensive education, which makes me believe she was from a wealthy family. Her first marriage is a source of shame for her, even though I feel she suffered a lot then, hence her obssession with SS's future marriage and the husband's extensive family.

In a way, the mother married "down" in the Cheng family. SS's father was illiterate, did not have any society accomplishments and was working hard in agriculture for the family's survival. His wife was probably the one who steered them towards the military, as a way to earn money and possibly recognition.

In my opinion, the father has low self-esteem due to his background. So apart from their military work, he does not have confidence and always relies on his wife's decisions, although he disagrees with her treatment of SS. And as a mother, she is too focused on reputation and what others will say to actually show care towards SS and help her with the lacking education.

There was a lot of emphasis on the mother-daughter relationship in part 1. Honestly, I am glad we are moving away from it in part 2. SS needs to find healing and support somewhere else and the Empress steps in wonderfully as a mother figure. Perhaps SS and her mother can only get along with plenty of emotional and physical distance.

No, LBY has no blood relationship with the emperor or his eldest sister. LBY's mother and father were part of the Huo clan, very good friends of the emperor.

They are all so cute together! Love these bts! 😍

Very true, unfortunately.

You've articulated this beautifully. For me too, it is about the journey of individual characters (main and supporting), understanding their background stories and hopefully seeing them heal and grow into a better version of their selves.