I do think Gong Shangjue pretends to have discord with GZY in order to deceive enemies. So far he is the smartest…
Actually if he didn't play along with the plot (going secretly to investigate Zheng family as per order) he was bound to be the prime suspect of the homicide . The enemy would make him a villain, who usurped the throne. The 'Mei' girl from Wushang whose her mission to tame Gong Shangjue, she possibly intended to make GSJ fight for Sword Wielder title, thus eradicate Gong family lineage.
People are quickly to judge Gong Ziyu. I still see Gong Ziyu as an oasis. He is the purest. It seems it have connections…
I do think Gong Shangjue pretends to have discord with GZY in order to deceive enemies. So far he is the smartest of all the siblings. I don't think he covet the position as Sword Wielder too. Because being an SW means you are bound to Gong family and The Valley forever and after.
Where did you find the full movie though? I looked for Raws online, but I can't find it. I only found the cut-into-parts…
3. As far I remember, Matsudaira, Asahi and Tadako are considered 'outsiders' for Osaka people. 2. Matsudaira insisted to investigate the HRH even though his job already finished in Osaka. I think they share their secret with Matsudaira because he seems like a trustworthy countryman. 1. Come on, it's about samurai's kinds of stuff. Also, women in a patriarchal society are not supposed to be involved with governmental issues heavily. It's sooo Japan.
The HRH is like a secret modern organisation of the remnant of Toyotomi's retainers. They ought to protect Osaka Castle and Toyotomi's descendants. In reality, his retainers and direct descendants are no longer alive. They ceased to exist when he lost to Tokugawa in Sekigahara battle. The battle in ancient Asia from west to the east was really harsh. The remnant of the defeated usually fight to death and the rest choose to commit suicide (usually -but not always- for women and kids who are left behind).
K-Drama 
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. The enemy would make him a villain, who usurped the throne. The 'Mei' girl from Wushang whose her mission to tame Gong Shangjue, she possibly intended to make GSJ fight for Sword Wielder title, thus eradicate Gong family lineage.
2. Matsudaira insisted to investigate the HRH even though his job already finished in Osaka. I think they share their secret with Matsudaira because he seems like a trustworthy countryman.
1. Come on, it's about samurai's kinds of stuff. Also, women in a patriarchal society are not supposed to be involved with governmental issues heavily. It's sooo Japan.
The HRH is like a secret modern organisation of the remnant of Toyotomi's retainers. They ought to protect Osaka Castle and Toyotomi's descendants. In reality, his retainers and direct descendants are no longer alive. They ceased to exist when he lost to Tokugawa in Sekigahara battle.
The battle in ancient Asia from west to the east was really harsh. The remnant of the defeated usually fight to death and the rest choose to commit suicide (usually -but not always- for women and kids who are left behind).