BikiLee

It's not that Manniang is still in the picture, but that they tried to keep Chang'er (her & GTY's son) and keep Gu Stepmother from further destroying his reputation. The emperor stuff isn't as big in the books, I think. And while GTY is unorthdox, I don't think he's as brash in the novel as he is in the books. The first wife was actually part of how he discovered Manniang's treachery (I feel like she had something to do with the first wife's death). The first wife was the mean sister of ML's friend in the drama that wanted her mother's hairpin in the polo games. This first wife was awful and cheated on him. I think that family wasn't up to any good either. They were involved in trying to force ML into doing something while GTY was out of town. I forget what. I feel like it also induced her labor?

Anyways, GTY in the novels went through some pretty intense trials.

ML and QH also never had that budding romance. She never entertained the thought of him.

Imperial family craziness - I don't think this existed in the novels after GTY helps the new Emperor onto the throne. If so, I think this was a great way to make this more interesting and new, even if I did get frustrated with all the screen-time it got.

Manniang - The first son doesn't die 'off-screen' in the same way. She actually does manage to get forced into Cheng Garden (GTY & ML's separated home from the Gu Manor) and is there during ML's labor but isn't involved in the fire or anything. She does see it and doesn't do anything to help. She managed to warp her (GTY's second child) son's mind against GTY in the years apart and the son hated ML & GTY and was an entitled brat (I think). She tried to frame ML as an abusive stepmother but Rong'er wouldn't, even though she loved Manniang. Ending - Manniang & son are banished to a remote village; son dies due to sickness(?), don't remember if Manniang died too

Aunt Kang - I think she does go to prison. Wang Matriarch isn't as muddle-headed, I think; the Wang family is very against Chengbai resigning his post and the mother is only willing to send Aunt Kang away because Chengbai was sending his mother to 'exile'.

Gu Stepmother - She's the big bad; I don't think there were Empress Dowager issues in the novel. But I don't remember her ending. She does help GTY drive the other uncles' families out because it aligns with her interests. She does arrange the fire at Cheng Garden. I think it's over for her after that. Everyone knows it was her (I don't remember how; maybe trial?). GTY uses the fire arc as a way to deal with Gu Stepmother.

Heart-to-heart conversation - I'm not sure if the fire arc or grandma arc happened first in the novel. But GTY & ML have a heart-to-heart conversation at some point after the fire arc (possibly also the grandma arc?) because ML confesses she does hold back and cites the fire arc. GTY did rush back and save her but immediately after just calculatedly dealt with Gu Stepmother. She said she understood the rationality of it all (how could she not?) but he never lost his composure, always kept his head. So she felt he wasn't 100% all in either because when you love someone else truly~madly~deeply~, you will be irrational at moments (think of drama GTY and how he's always encouraging to be jealous and irrational) and she's navigated life cautiously and rationally (so she recognizes it). GTY realizes the truth of what she said due to the Grandma incident where ML goes on a rampage to get justice for Grandma, which wasn't rational in the conventional sense. It's after this realization and other such things that GTY sneaks back into the city (after subduing bandits?) before relinquishing the seal and reporting to the Emperor to check in on ML, ML flips out and starts yelling at him out of worry (and love!), that the two of them see how much each other cares: she dropped all pretense to be 'like a shrill fishwife' and he dropped all caution to check in on her.

These are the main points I remember from the novel threads! And some might not be accurate so feel free to correct me.

Has anyone read the books completely? I've only read the discussion threads because it isn't translated fully in English. But I'll share some differences below but don't take it as 100%.

Both excited and sad that it'll wrap up this week. Funny thing is my drama group is going to watch this together and I'm 100% down for it. We watched the first episode and it was almost crazy how much more you get out of it on the rewatch. Reminds me of Nirvana in Fire that way.

I'll be hitting up The Legends (2019) to get my sweet and devoted male lead fix. Hopefully it gets picked up by VIKI soon~

Just an FYI, don't watch the tv previews (#77 & #78) unless you really want to spoil everything, including this last arc's resolution (possibly even the show's resolution). I don't mind but I already have ~book~ knowledge (which doesn't deal with this exactly but still).

#72 preview for Director's Cut is safe though, although cliffhangery. I talk about it in my post below.

I'm not 100% positive but it'll resolve the last major conflict for the show. If there's anything else after this, I can't imagine it'll be nearly as climatic as this arc.

It wraps up the last arc.

lots of crying on my end. We see that fucking maidservant/momo of Gu Stepmother (I forget her clan name) and ML's dad & Grandma rallying around her. !! The sad scene of GTY being a foot soldier and heading off who-knows-where (if they said, my Mandarin is way too poor for that, haha) and ML and Shurong/Rong'er (GTY's first daughter) sending him off and trailing after him... the poor daughter is bawling... next is Sheng Manor boarding up, looks like there's an uprising/fighting/danger outside and Grandma is worried about ML, Chengbai (oldest and legitimate Sheng son, ML's oldest brother) says... someone/he sent people to help her... And here's where I lose it: Shurong/Rong'er (GTY's daughter) sobbing and trying to prevent ML from leaving, wanting ML to stay with her, and calling her m o t h e r, not just Madame or formal addresses... but a very heartfelt 'mother.' Rong'er cries that a family should stay together. You can see how surprised ML is but also how much it means to her. MY HEARTU.

Also, check out Ana's post below mine if you want to see a clip of the ending. It's... VERY spoilery.

So I don't have much .to say about the latest previews besides...

Thanks for posting that! No regrets watching it!! <333

Yeah, I'm not sure how that will affect us because the VIKI version is different from the TV version? I don't know if this is right, but I think VIKI watchers get a Director's Cut/DVD version, vs the TV version. This drama finished filming last year and I don't think there have been pick-up shots since then, which means if they added episodes, it'll be padded by repeating scenes from the previous episode or extended/filler bits.

If you look at Youtube, there are two versions on the official channel, You can differentiate them by the thumbnail artwork or the number sequencing.

I forgot another intense moment where ML begs the Empress for help/grace against all decorum and propriety, which makes it twist your heart even more.

Oh, and we see the official Sheng wife again... I'm going to guess ML will manage to score evidence and testimony to clear her hubby's name and her 'official' mom will play a part in that, which would tie well into a redemptive arc for that character and show growth.

Don't forget! In one of the show trailers we see ML beating on the drums of justice and you know she's not doing that willy nilly. I'm hoping that's episode 70, so 71-73 can just be happiness and sunshine and we see their four son (book info) and even that adorable epilogue with QH's grandson possibly matching with ML/GTY's grand-daughter

I couldn't watch one preview all the way through (the one with Manniang in it) because it is S T R E S S I N G me out. But I did watch some others.

QH, huzzah! I'm sensing that QH will probably argue for GTY or somehow demonstrate QH believes in GTY. Mommy Dearest will not be pleased, methinks.

Super heartwrenching moment when ML cries and blames herself but also sweet because feelings! More displayed feelings! And you know hubby Gu will follow through. Seems like he says, it wasn't you, it was my family/stepmom... possibly also references that she is worth everything? Something like that?

Also... GTY's aide crying to Awesome Granny and ML about what happened to GTY (in court?)... oh god. my heartu.

Welp, I'm a liar. I watched more previews.

You're welcome, haha

Thanks!

Thanks, haha. But I've definitely been off the mark sometimes!

It looks like the Wang matriarch (Aunt Kang’s mother), Gu Stepmother (ML’s mother-in-law), and fucking Manniang (Gu’s first love, that lying b!) are going to frame him for some fucking shit and spin a terrible tale of his tyranny (blame him for his son’s death, treatment of Manniang, ‘wrongful’ death of Aunt Kang, etc…) and I’m guessing this is why we seem him as a ‘foot’ soldier or something in an MV, and ML trailing him in a goodbye through the trees.

Guys, I ain’t ready.

This is a happy ending though so that keeps me sane unless they flip it from the books (I'm looking at you, Rise of the Phoenixes). T_T Also, there’s another moment we have to see (from an MV) of her and him meeting in some… military encampment? And they look healthy and happy seeing one another. I dunno when that will be after all this mess...

Alright, guys, we're getting close to the end. And the preview for 69 had me too stressed out to watch it. So... I might lay off until the series finishes up before checking back in because this is going to be a rough ride before it gets better.

Check below for my guesses.

So 65 should be safe to watch but do not watch 66 until 67 is finished subbing. That won't finish the next arc but 66 ends pretty cliffhangery