hvnlyangel

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!

XXY is not going to get mother of the year. Sekichu made a great analysis of how CSS feels, and her mother just does not know how to emphasize with her daughter. XXY’s whole approach is wrong. She is using a very militaristic approach to teach/discipline a child who only needs some affection, kindness and love. CSS needs someone like her third aunt to nurture her. Someone who can show her some maternal warmth. Instead she got a mom who does not understand her, and wants mold her into someone more docile.
I do not believe that XXY hates her daughter nor is she truly abusive. XXY’s intentions are well meaning but her approach is too extreme.
I believe that XXY truly worries about her daughter’s future. She did not like CSS’s engagement to LY because of LY’s home situation. Though LY and CSS had planned to leave his oppressive family to be a mayor/magistrate of another city or town, LY’s brother even said that LY’s dream was a little naive. ( Either their uncle will block it or from the book LBY worried that since these lived in a very turbulent time he worried for CSS’s safety. She is such a pretty girl who knows what can happen to her from bandits etc. ). In regards to LBY though many girls are enamored with him it’s not like he is truly the best catch. He is seen as ruthless , LY’s fiancée describes him as such, he seems cold. ( We are drama watches know that he loves CSS, and he has a soft spot for her). Other hand the emperor’s backing the other officials do not really like him nor his methods, he is estranged from his father . Most of all to CSS’s mom LBY and CSS’s personality classes. For all of these reasons CSS’s mother decides to deter the emperor’s decree by insulting her daughter. CSS’s mom is trying to get the emperor or LBY to take it back. I really wished that XXY came up with something less insulting and demeaning but there it is. It does make LBY’s declaration more dramatic, sincere and wonderful.

I do not condone XXY’s actions, her methods are way too harsh. However, being a mother myself I can see her intentions. But even if XXY’s intentions are well meaning, her approach is wrong, therefore she is wrong for treating CSS this way. But I do not believe that XXY hates her daughter. I believe that she loves her daughter but she shows it in the wrong way.

I am sorry that your family situation is like that.

I agree.

Sorry that you had to experience that. I am Chinese myself but my parents though strict were not that strict. And my grandparents and parents don’t value boys more than girls, fortunately.
I don’t condone XXY’s methods either, but I do get where she is coming from. I don’t agree with her methods myself nor would I would ever treat my own children that way. I tell my daughters that we are fortunate to live in modern times.

However, I just understand XXY’s intentions though I do not support her methods. She is not the worst mother I have seen in dramaland nor the worst parent. You can read my post below. I just think the CSS and her mother just need a real heart to heart talk.

CSS is sad because she feels again she is unlucky because she has to give up something, someone, and a life that she wants for the greater good.

She’s only 15 a child, who never felt loved, so LY was the first person outside of her family who appreciates her. She doesn’t know about the LBY’s affection for her, she is actually a little bit scared of him at this point.

She’s a child losing her first love and she has to be give it up for duty.

You’re right XXY is proud, and stubborn. I think from the book, her backstory is that her whole family died too?

My parent’s left me in the care of the grandparents until I was two and half years old. My mother was a little bit frustrated with me because there were things that she expected of me such as talking that I didn’t do yet. So from a personal experience I can get where the mom is coming from. XXY also feels guilt that she let her daughter and wants to be make up for all those years of neglect. But you can’t just make up for lost years so quickly.
Also both CSS and XXY are a lot alike. They both need to sit down and talk it out , have a good cry, and just talk with each other without all of the baggage. Every time CSS brings up her cousin and her mother gets mad, because she does wish that CSS can be like her cousin somewhat, at least being obedient. But she doesn’t understand that our experiences shapes us, and if CSS was always obedient she would have been trampled on.

So CSS’s mom loves and worries for her daughter but the way she expresses it is the extreme rigid mom way. And when she tries to talk to her daughter they clash, because they both have preconceived opinions of one another’s motives.

I agree XYY loves her children, her method is just wrong. Also you to take it from the times. In ancient China, children are supposed to be obedient to their elders. There is no talking back. We from a modern perspective find CSS to be cute, and feisty, but during that time, CSS’s cousin’s demeanor is the ideal.

XYY fears that CSS will suffer greatly at the hands of her MIL and in-laws house with her current demeanor.

Getting along nowadays with one’s in laws is sometimes difficult can you imagine being subject to them back in those times. You can’t break family law. The elders have every right to punish you if you are seen as disobedient. Actually with LBY, I find that CSS might have an okay time because he doesn’t live with his parents. But he is seen as cold, rigid, rule abiding to outsiders, so XYY worries that her lively daughter will suffer.

I am not justifying the mom, I found what she said to be harsh, nor am I condoning her method. But we sometimes we can’t take our modern sensibilities and judge because we didn’t live during those times. All I am saying is that I get where the mom is coming from, her methods are just a little too severe.

Also another reason why CSS acts like she does in the novel is because in the novel she is a modern person who traveled into the body of a girl from ancient times. The drama didn’t go down that route because they can’t. Even without that time traveling element , I do get how CSS is how she is from her upbringing.

I agree I am not fond of filler episodes if it’s just to pad the drama. I do appreciate that the dramas are getting around the new rule by having two parts, as for some dramas having too much cut out lessens the story. On the other hand, some dramas can benefit from removing filler. So writers and editors, etc need to work smarter and better to make a better product.

I agree it’s not racism per say. Lot of Chinese tourists love going to Japan.

I do like the idea of trying to make the Chinese costumes in dramas more accurate. I would love to learn about historical costumes though dramas. However, so much is lost and it is hard to be completely accurate. Smaller budgeted dramas might not have the funds and means to be so historically accurate, so it might be somewhat of a hindrance too. Therefore, I think that cdramas can follow what British historical dramas, where a bonnet, or dress, jacket can be seen on various actresses in various Regency productions. I know that cdramas don’t necessarily do that, every production has it’s own look. But it’s something to consider too especially for the smaller productions.

Isn’t Queen Lau, set in a non historical time in history. The timeline from that timeline is made up so why is there such a big controversy from borrowing Japanese elements in the dress? I wonder what the specific rules are. I did watch a Chinese youtube video were she bemoaned with China’s rich history stemming multiple dynasties why is there a need to incorporate Japanese styling into the Queen Lau drama? Only the floppy hat the prime minister, the FL’s dad, wore truly bothered me in the drama. It was very distracting.

And even if a production is trying to be super accurate in their historical costumes, such as Royal Feast, there are some people who still complain. For example, some people complained that the hanfus worn by the women who worked and lived in the imperial palace in Royal Feast looked Korean. I think that a YouTuber AvenueX said that if they wanted to go really accurate the color palate of the outfits should be really bright.

If China wants to make this new rule for historical dramas depicting actual historical figures than that’s fine. I am just eager to watch this particular drama so it’s hard to wait.

But I saw some bows on the front of Wan QiQi’s character in the earlier episodes. Was that okay? Maybe I want things to be consistent?

I dislike the censorship too as it stunts creativity. Also the whole lessening of the drama episodes to be 40 episodes I feel that affects the story at times as some things are not explained well and just rushed because scenes are cut out.

Yes I agree Korean, Chinese and Japanese historical outfits do they similarities, because they are all influenced historically from each other. It’s too complicated too even break down the influence.

I admire all the different historical costumes from the above mentioned countries, I especially love the silk and brocade. I love Japanese chiyogami paper and the patterns on those papers are so beautiful.

However, personally I would not put on a Japanese kimono because of reasons. I would buy a robe that is a kimono influenced robe but not a full Japanese kimono, through I find it to be nice aesthetically . I am Chinese American and I find my family would have a fit if tried to dress as a Japanese woman. But the reasons stems from what happened in WWII.

That being said I am not against someone who is not of a certain ethnicity wearing say a Qipao, a hanfu, a kimono etc. If someone is interested in wearing a Qipao who is not Chinese, I am actually happy that they appreciate the dress enough to wear to prom or something..

From my understanding, thought I did not grow up in China is that the Japanese committed a lot of atrocities to the Chinese people and other Asian countries during WWII. However, unlike the Germans, the Japanese government never apologized for the atrocities they did they don’t even have it in their history books. I believe the lack of responsibility and apology is what makes the Chinese so anti Japanese.

But I agree with you that in terms in dress alot of cultures influence each other. When we were watching Mulan with my kids, the cartoon, my husband mentioned that the hanfu that Mulan wore was Japanese or looked Japanese. From my understanding China greatly influenced other Asian nations, and those countries emulated Chinese dress. However, those particular countries did not change their dress, such as the Japanese and Korean, instead maintained the aesthetics to this day. China, on the other hand, went through many changes in terms of dress due to the different dynasties. Every Chinese dynasty had a different look in terms of dress, some elements were passed down but overall there are changes. There has been a hanfu, Chinese traditional dress, in China over the years, where people dress in hanfu.

So that being said I don’t really find the use of a bow that big of a deal.

Straight out appropriation and copying such as Dior copying a Ming dynasty skirt is not okay. Because in the Dior situation that is a whole skirt and they didn’t even site the influence, Dior just gave credit to their designer.

Ah ic. Thanks for the explanation. I heard that the production was airbrushing and tweeting some of the costumes for the bows, but I saw some bows in the front of some of the outfits, and when a knot was mentioned I got confused.

I am aware of the anti Japanese sentiment in China, being Chinese, though I was born in US, myself.

I don’t know how I feel about the whole costumes and the need to airbrush them etc. I was a Apparel/Fashion design major and appreciate fashion and fashion history. There are beautiful elements from all cultures. Also, China has such a rich history and many other Asian countries were influenced by China in terms of dress, etc. Therefore, I don’t know how a bow in the back of a Han dynasty influenced hanfu looks too Japanese, when the overall look of the characters’ dress in LLTG does not look Japanese.

I did find the floppy hat that the FL’s dad in Queen Lau wore to be distracting. It wasn’t even a good look. I wonder why the stylists choose that look. I know that for Queen Lau the setting wasn’t supposed to be any dynasty or period rooted in Chinese history so the production maybe just incorporated elements of Japanese historical that they liked?
Maybe I find it a little bit silly to possibly delay airing part 2 of this drama and spending all this time and money airbrushing bows out, when the overall look doesn’t look Japanese to me.

So Chinese people in all of our history didn’t come up with bows? Is a bow too engrained in the Japanese kimino look that no other cultures can use them in their historical dress?