I semi-understand why Prince Bo is trying to distance himself from MaZhaXing but I honestly feel like he is doing…
Like you, I normally hate it when a protagonist being mean to a beloved in the name of "for-your-own-good". But in this case, I feel Bo Wang (Prince of Bo) has very valid reasons. Most of all, he's remorseful. He knows once she finds out he's involved in the killings, she would be devastated and would want revenge. He doesn't allow himself to fall in love with her, and doesn't want her to love him either. He's preparing for a eventual split-up that he knows will come sooner or later. He's hoping by then, she is strong enough and has the courage to take revenge (if she hasn't fallen too deep in love with him). So he figures, his hurting is his way of training her to be strong. Though hurting inside himself, he has to push her away, expectedly, into the arms of another man. I love this pull-and-push romance here which I normally not so fond of. But their chemistry is so great that such romance is so beautiful and hurting in my heart.
I don't blame Zhai Xing for believing him when literally everyone involved confirmed that Bo Wang was guilty.…
Try to understand the Bo Wang character better before you decide to hate him. Do not listen to his words and watch his actions superficially. There's a reason for everything he does and it's not for himself.
...have a motive or endgame or is he just a sadistic and paranoid sociopath?
I've always assumed that wolf boy is just like one of those Tarzan characters. Never had I imagined the Emperor and princes are based on real life historical figures. This is such an riveting discovery for me and gives me a totally different feeling for the Bo Wang character because he was real (though not as depicted in the drama).
This is one of those dramas that re-watching is better than watching the first time because one would pick up more of the nuances that one has missed in the first viewing. I love the Bo Wang character in my first viewing. Now it is more than just love: I think of him while I sleep, while I eat, while I work, while I watch other dramas. Wang Dalu makes it even more irresistible; he's one of the few actors that looks so manly with his tan skin, strong muscles and those sexy lips.
She knows that he is lying - watch their eyes. The acting by the OTP is very good because they both say one thing…
All I can say is, hating Prince Bo makes one miss out so many of the subtleties in his expressions, and nuances between him and Zhaixing because our eyes become clouded with hatred; we can't bear to see him every time he comes on screen, we fast forward. We may not even know what we're missing out. What a pity!