I think it's actually a good thing the 8th branch got cut off, because in the imperial edict, it said the Li family can never participate in the ink competition thing (I forgot the name), since they are not part of the family anymore, they can still participate in it, and maybe revive the Li family ink business.
I watched 3/4 of the show after they go together it just didn't feel the same. I might drop it I'm having a hard time finishing it. it was a really cute drama though
The screenwriter wrote: Love and Crown, Sword and Beloved, and Love in Pavilion. They were going to be amazing dramas, then it down hill it starts good, then he/she just starts killing people off, and sometimes it just doesn't make sense, it's a whole mess, and the drama is really messy.