WindBlows

You’ve made many interesting points and I would like to share my opinion.

I have no idea how extensive censorship can be for a drama, but I have a feeling they wanted to portray HBY as more noble and tone down his darkness regardless, simply to make him more likeable to a larger audience.

As you mentioned, the drama creators made HBY look very indecisive in the post-massacre scenes. And only rendered the reconciliation harder to credibly achieve later on, especially when compared to the novel. They could have found a middle ground, drawing from the book but with a believable twist. Honestly, HBY never seemed noble to me in his attitude, only desperate and suicidal.

About HBY’s actions post-massacre in the novel, I have recently re-read those chapters. It’s the google translated version, so I am a bit unsure about the source material.

At first I also thought he only wanted to die with SS, kidnapping her since he is too possessive to ever let her go. SS certainly did not want to die with him, which made the situation very twisted.

After re-reading, I think HBY tied her up and forcibly took her with him, then shoved her aside before jumping off the cliff, to show the imperial soldiers who were chasing them that SS was not involved in the massacre and unwilling to side with him. She was already present at the scene of the crime and could have been accused as well.

The lack of proper healing pains me the most. I hope the re-editing will improve things, but I don't want to have high expectations so as not to be too disappointed later on.

I wholeheartedly agree! HBY wasn't silent when he could have avoided hurting SS repeatedly. But he is stoic and passive when she needs to hear and see his honest words and actions in order to forgive him.

Yes! That would be the most plausible explanation for me.

Yes, HBY lost a lot - people he loved and his prestigeous position. Hopelessness is to be expected. But the exile surely made him more appreciative of whom and what he had in his life. That is why I think, once back in the capital, HBY would fight even harder to regain them, considering his character.

It is certainly a possibility. But I can't imagine the reason for suddenly cutting so many episodes, especially since they were already filmed.

Yes, it was a very complicated situation. I think previously in the drama there was someone who deployed troops without authorization and was sentenced to death... I don't remember the details.

Consequently, the best the Emperor could do was save HBY's life by sending him into exile. HBY was forced to accept the punishment. Had he been given a choice, I think he would have stayed in the capital - to be close to SS and continue his political agenda.

I wonder if someone else started working on the script from the revenge arc until the end. Rhetorical question, but it would explain why the story started to have so many plot holes and inconsistencies.

Now that I stop to count the ways he lied and manipulated her, there are just so many. HBY's actions were justified to some extent, but SS is always a collateral victim of his schemes. At one point in the drama, I believe she said she did not know when HBY was actually honest with her. Fair question.

So we have dishonesty, lack of trust, abandonment... HBY had a long list of faults for which to atone.

Happy to share my thoughts with you, as always! I love that we can puzzle together some tough questions and issues. Brainwashing is a good description of what the aunt did to HBY. She could not set herself free and condemned him to share her tragic fate.

It always amazes me how deep one can go with interpreting the novel and drama. But a part of me continues to be disappointed by the drama. I feel that if you uncover wounds and show painful situations, you also have the responsibility to show credible healing. And that is where the drama falls short for me.

I resonate and agree with everything you have said. And I want to explain what I believe to be the main root of Zisheng's suicidal behaviour.

HBY may remember his birth mother, but the one who shaped his psyche was his aunt. I feel compassion for Huo Junhua's (HJ) traumatic past and resulting illness, but I never liked her as a character. What we glimpse from others' accounts, she was someone very selfish and even cruel, not hesitating to potentially kill an innocent woman (Consort Yue) just to gain a man's favour.

Although HJ is mentally unstable, this selfishness and cruelty comes up in her moments of lucidity as she talks to HBY. When they are alone, she constantly reminds him of revenge throughout the drama.

Even while dying, she did not have a kind word for HBY and only compounded his responsibility towards the dead. As if his whole existence should only be about survivor's guilt and serving as an instrument for revenge. My heart broke for him at that moment.

Imagine growing up hearing this from your aunt/mother figure - the only one who knows your true identity. HBY witnessed so many tragedies and was already traumatized, yet HJ always made sure to fan the flames of his despair and hatred.

Therefore, when the aunt died and HBY assumed he lost all evidence to bring his family's murderer to justice, killing them all and then killing himself was the only solution he saw to end the torment.

Why did HBY hurt SS over and over again through his words, from the massacre scene to the cliff side? Secretly he had already said goodbye when the Empress sent SS home before the wedding.

In my opinion, HBY never thought SS would see his darkest side and actually stand by him despite everything. And when she did, he simply couldn't accept it and lashed out pushing her away. Because at that time, the most wounded part of HBY was in control, who believed love and a happy life were not meant for him and that he did not even deserve them to begin with...

Lovely snippets, all of them! Thank you!

Very cute! I love LBY's pitiful face asking to be cared for by SS 😊

Oh my lord! Can you imagine LBY in real life? 😂 I would be running full speed in the opposite direction 🤣

Welcome! Indeed, the massacre had a dual purpose: revenge and deposing CP. LBY would have been the ultimate schemer even beyond the grave.

LBY intentionally used the tiger seal to cause major problems for the CP and thus help 3rd Prince rise to power.

I think it was a way to honour the Empress, who loved sweet food. SS built that press for her.

I'm on the other side of the spectrum. I would like to see her lead a good life, but still accept HBY because she loves and wants him in her life, not necessarily because she needs him or can't live without him.

It's a wonderful edit, like all of yours! I am sure I'll watch it again and again 🥰

This is a google translated version, there isn't a proper English translation yet https://www-tianyashuku-com.translate.goog/yq/10696/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en