hvnlyangel

I might have read it wrong, because I used google translate, I thought that as part of the 5th princesses punishment the emperor orders that all of her male favorites/aides/advisors killed. So after the personal went home to her palace she came upon all of those dead bodies.
SS’s revenge was swift and stinky in the book.

Maybe from the emperor’s personality he just doesn’t like doling out severe punishment and his nature is to be more forgiving. So this and the dynamics between the emperor,
empress and Consort
Yur makes
the palace
a more
nicer place
than in
other dramas.

However, my point is even if this is historical fiction this world is has rules and laws. There are consequences for breaking the law. I can’t predict how severely or lightly characters
can be punished but there would be some punishment otherwise the emperor will be
ineffectual as a ruler.

So the worst case that can happen to CSS for forging a fake tiger seal, which is a worse crime than the one her great uncle committed
is death for her and her family. Banishment or being put in jail is
another possibility.

LBY gets punishment and sent to fight in the border wars isn’t a light punishment. The borders are a harsh and banishment was seen as pretty bad. He could also die at any time. True he didn’t get beheaded but his banishment at least fullfilled the punishment for using the CP’s troops without permission.

You're right that the emperor is more benevolent than other emperor’s in other dramas. It is true that only one person was shown to be executed but he was executed after hu zhujen begged the emperor to allow it.

I can see the other ministers not letting this issue go because lost/ theft of the seal implicates the CP. I do not know how severe CSS would be punished.

In regards to her great uncle, I believe that he was banished, which in itself was pretty serious punishment back then.
Also the reason why the rest of the Cheng family wasn’t punished is because CSS turned him in.

Again I don’t know how severely, CSS or her family would be punished if this how situation was known, but I believe that she would be punished somehow.
There are rules in the palace too. CSS unfortunately had run ins with two bad tempered, mean princesses, and luckily she got away each time because she was saved.

This dramas depicts the palace as a more serene place because both the emperor and empress are kind. But there are still rules that need to be followed and people can still be punished if those rules are broken.

I agree with you. Physically a 15 can be a married and have children. But just because someone is physically mature doesn’t mean that they are mentally mature enough. Even during those time periods.

So CSS is still a kid who has no responsibilities yet. She is also human and will be prone to making mistakes.

I believe that the book is set during the Han dynasty and based on historical figures. The book and dramas depicts a fictional version of the Emperor, Empress and Consort Yue based on history.
So this drama could be considered historical fiction and not an entirely made up world that is set in fictional Han dynasty setting.

In regards to the emperor, sure he is benevolent but he needs to follow the rules of the land. Lying to the emperor is a capital offense. Even if the emperor wants to be more lenient he can’t. He has to uphold the law and his officials would do what they can to make sure that he upholds.

If the emperor wants to hold onto his authority than he must uphold the law and punish those who break them.

Even CSS’s grandma is afraid of someone over hearing her if she talks badly about the emperor in her own home. So even if this drama's setting is completely fictional, it is still pretty grounded, CSS would be punished and most likely her family too.

It’s the girl from the preview in chapter 39. She had to marry someone else while the CP married the CPrincess. That lady in episode gets excused of murdering her husband and the CP is implemented by rumors of his involvement.

I just have to say that CSS is very able in handling the family issues that the emperor has with his unruly relatives really well. These matters are all domestic issues, and not matters that affect national security, such as the tiger seal incident.
CSS was masterful in putting those women in their place and saying just the right things. It was all very satisfying.

I think what Pearl Harbor was trying to say that the emperor gave the tiger seal because the tiger seal is a symbol of importance and is used to deploy the army. So in giving the tiger seal to the CP, the emperor greatly trust the him.

The stealer of the CP is in the wrong. And Marquis Yue stole it and most likely colluded with the Crown Princess’ cousin in stealing it.

CSS’ plan though not foul proof only helped the theft not be found out in the meantime. CSS though she had good intentions still committed a great crime in the eyes for the law. If the forgery was found out there will be grave consequences. So here actions though from good intentions are reckless. Luckily she had LBY help her out. But if this issues was ever exposed than there will be consequences for all involved even LBY.

The stealer of the tiger seal if he was found out will be severely punished too.

So in the matter of principle than the CPrincess should have like LBY said admitted guilt for it was her cousin who caused the tiger seal to be stolen. The CPrincess was the one who gave the CP the idea in the first place. The admission of guilt from the CPrincess could’ve absolved the CP of wrongdoing in losing the tiger seal. But the CPrincess did not want to take responsibility for this. The CP was shortsighted in trusting the cousin of his wife and making him his personal guard just because he is a relative of his wife.

Actions made from good intentions can be wrong. CSS committed a wrong , by breaking the law, even though her intentions were good and luckily she didn’t get caught.

You’re right, CSS is very stubborn and has too much pride.

The CP is a good person but not a good ruler. He cannot like the third prince place the law of the land, the good of the country above family. The CP would have been off at a lord who enjoys his own pursuits and leaves the governing of the country to others.

As I said above both the forging of false coins and forging the false tiger seal is bad and wrong.

The third person forged fake coins for personal gain is wrong. Plus she was trying to frame Wang Li’s uncle for it.

Creating a fake tiger seal is much worse than making fake coins and circulating it into the economy. Even though CSS had good intentions and she could have fooled everyone initially, but the fake tiger seal cannot be used by General Wan. It’s not a foolproof plan. Sure it could have absolved the CP and CPrincess’ cousin of losing it initially, but General Wan could later be accused of losing it because what he had is a fake. And it would delay the mission because the army would not march out for a fake tiger seal so the truth would eventually be found out.

CSS had good intentions but she was still wrong. She did not think long term of the consequences. LBY could’ve been in trouble too if the emperor looked closely at the tiger seals he swapped out, the tiger seal that the CP has and the Hou family has have different patterns on them. So LBY saved the day but CSS was again reckless. The forging of the tiger seal can lead to unintentional consequences for everyone involved if it is found out. Again CSS has been really lucky to have people or someone ( LBY) help her behind the scenes.

LBY and CSS need to communicate better. But I think with her personality CSS most likely wouldn’t listen. She is the type that has to burn and hurt her hand before she realizes that the fire is hot. That is why her mother tried to discipline her and teach her but her mom’s methods were too harsh and CSS wouldn’t follow her mom’s teachings.

I have learned that doing things that are wrong even though the intentions are good can still makes it wrong.

Making fake coins is bad because it causes inflation and the economy of the country can be ruined.

Losing the tiger seal hurts the country because the tiger seal is what the soldiers follow not the general himself. The army follows whoever bears the seal, this is evident in a lot of ancient Chinese dramas.

If the emperor finds out about the tiger seal that the CP has is a fake not only the CP gets implicated, the empress, and CSS and all of her family.
In ancient China it is against the law to lie to the emperor. And forging a fake tiger seal is huge lie. It is possible that CSS’ whole clan can be implemented. Worse case is death for all of CSS’s family to the ninth degree and best case is to be sent out of the country.

Both scenarios are bad. But the tiger seal forgery and the loss of the tiger seal is worse because it involves the safety of the whole country.

yes after watching that part, CSS is really audacious. If LBY didn’t give up his family’s tiger seal than CSS would have been implemented along with the empress, CP etc. She is just trying to get away with stuff for the moment and not thinking long term. Armies follow the lead of whoever has the tiger seal, if it was found out that the seal was a fake than General Wan would not be able to use the army. There are too many implications and it’s all too risky. Politics especially back than was very lethal.

The third prince probably didn’t know that his uncle was going to steal the tiger to make the CP look bad. It all worked out okay but LBY really needs to talk to CSS about this because yes she is saving the people she cares about but what she did was reckless and could have implications in the long run. CSS has been very lucky so far.

Yes despite her parenting fails, she still loves her daughter and will not let anyone hurt her daughter.

I read the book on google translate, so the empress begs the emperor to demote her as empress. By demoting her of the empress position her kids are no longer legitimate. Therefore, when the emperor make makes Consort Yue the empress than one of her sons, the third prince can be made CP.

By asking to be demoted this saves the face of the CP from being stripped of his title the other way.

Not only would she have lost her head, her family could’ve been implicated.
If you commit a big enough crime in ancient China during some dynasties, your family to the 9th degree can all be killed.

I have only heard that phrase and seen it happen in some dramas. I am not entirely certain what the 9th degree or 9 level of kinships will be that are punished by death.
So CSS is lucky that the emperor, empress and Consort Yu are all pretty benevolent and that the third princess wasn’t seriously hurt.

CSS doesn’t even think about the third princess retaliating against her. And as others have pointed out it was disrespectful to get back at someone when you are supposed to be honoring your fiancé’s dead uncle.
Although I like the FL she doesn’t always make the best choices and think things through.

CSS doesn’t understand what a vipers nest the palace is. People who are seemingly nice to you to your face can stab you in the back. The emperor, empress and Consort Yu are kind and upstanding people. But where is power people gravitate towards it and will do anything to get it or keep it. I would say there are unscrupulous people in the palace and some of them even pretend to be friends with CSS. I have read the novel through google translate so I now how the storyline goes if the dramas follows it.

But even if I didn’t know from other dramas I have watched the palace and its intrigues can be deadly.

So far CSS has gotten away with all the payback she has given others. Grandma Wan was right in saying that she needed to be punished for the collapsing bridge incident as to not let these calculations affect her character. CSS has been lucky and so far nothing she has done caused anyone any lasting harm. But how long would her luckiness last?

LBY hasn’t shared much with her because he probably doesn’t want to implement her by getting her in trouble if she knows too much. In the Qing the back court, the emperor’s harem could not influence the front court.
CSS isn’t involved or is she aware of all of the politics, shes doesn’t understand what is going on. She only knows what she sees that the CP is a good person, whose mother is worried about him. In the book there were discussions about the previous emperors and CPs and how dynasties had fallen because of a weak i effectual CP who inherited the throne.
LBY has warned her but CSS is someone who has to see it and experience it for her herself to heed those warnings.

Not every mother can parent or teach their own child well.
The empress can teach/guide NN well but she isn’t able to guide her own daughter.
NN’s mom loves her but her methods are too militaristic. And like others have said they are too alike.
NN is too strongwilled and needs a gentle hand in shaping her. But unfortunately her mother came back too late to try to change a girl who is all ready grown who has her own mind.
It’s hard enough parenting my 10 and 7 year old sometimes. I can’t imagine having to parent a 15 yr old who’s life I haven’t been a part of.

From the later episodes it seems like the two of them will have a heart to heart.

I found this info online:


Marriage during the Han Dynasty (202 BCE – 220 CE)
Edit
Marriages during this time included a number of mandatory steps, of which the most important of them was the presentation of betrothal gifts from the groom and his family to the bride and her family. The bride's family then countered with a dowry. Sometimes the bride's family would buy goods with the betrothal money. Using a betrothal gift for family financial needs rather than saving it for the bride was viewed as dishonorable because it appeared as though the bride has been sold. A marriage without a dowry or a betrothal gifts was also seen as
dishonorable. The bride was seen as a concubine instead of a wife. Once all the goods were exchanged the bride was taken to the ancestral home of the groom. There she was expected to obey her husband and his living relatives. Women continued to belong to their husband's families even if they
had passed. If the widow's birth
family wanted her to marry
again, they would often have to
ransom her back from her
deceased husband's family. If
they had any children they
stayed with his family.[10]

CSS’s grandma was being shameless in claiming and wanting to keep the betrothal
gifts. Those gifts are for CSS and not for her father to use or have. The betrothal gifts from the groom show the groom’s sincerity in marrying the bride.
Women in ancient China had the right to her dowry, and she can use it how she sees fit.
I wouldn’t say women in ancient China had no rights. Depending on the dynasty women’s rights varies.

Great analysis!