TY supporting a different candidate for the Imperial Censor was a not a form of defiance or going against ZL. ZL was acting according to the wishes of the Emperor. TY was acting to protect ZL's future. ZL was acting for the current needs of the Emperor. TY was acting to forge support for ZL. When ZL refused to include Shen in the list of candidates, she didn't push ZL knowing how precarious his position is at court. Instead, she found a way for someone else to endorse him as a candidate. She was betting on that small chance to even put Shen into consideration. What ZL didn't count on was the people who would ens up backing TY's candidate. But I suppose it turned out better than expected. Monk Zhao somehow tempered the aggressiveness in the Emperor's approach and reminded him to be patient. And at the same time gave ZL an out by cautioning him to allow the emperor to choose - no matter that Shen was TY's SIL'a older brother, ZL had no hand in his appointment.
While ZL is focused on climbing up the ranks, TY's only priority is to protect him as he stands isolated in the imperial court. And while it seemed like Grand Secretary Tian "helped" ZL, I don't know what his motivations are? Is it from the influence of his daughter, Lady Tian? Is it because he has somehow taken a liking to ZL? Or is it according to the Emperor's wishes as he cannot openly protect ZL in court?
If you want frequent hugs and kissing and holding hands and things like that - 2/5. If you want slow burn tension and yearning and intimate conversations - 9/5
I'm on episode 22 and we'll impressed with DY character growth from this humble and cheeky daredevil salt trader…
I love ZL as a character and I also miss the carefree ZL. But that ZL would not fare well in the capital and could not have protected TY and the people around them. I think this arc is really emphasizing on the development in ZL's character, how he has changed. And I also think that this is not going to be the end of his character transformation. I feel like the writers are setting up for ZL to finally break and see for himself what it is that he truly wants.
That (dead) sheep had been under the sun and then under the rain and then left out under the elements for god knows how long before it was finally eaten to exact revenge on the human who dared eat it.
We were supposed to feel frustrated with ZL’s behavior - it wasn’t just bad writing or characterization -…
I will die within 30 mins if I transmigrate into this period. Wym I have to walk tens of miles if I have no carriage? Wym there's no indoor plumbing? Wym I have to talk in tangents in social setting?
The way Lady Wu described how she has been practically STARVED!!! the past 5 years is horendous! Her Aunt deserves to suffer the same way she has been torturing this poor girl!
Question. Is there any deeper meaning with the lamp oil? Or is it just their thing?
I think they have a thing. They mention it in Ep. 21 (??) that ZL always brings oil for the lamp at a certain day. And then when he and TY had a misunderstanding, he "forgot???" to bring it and the scheduled day. And then in Ep. 22 when they cleared things up, he pours the oil in their lamp. So I suppose also a symbol of a routine they have and companionship.
2 
While ZL is focused on climbing up the ranks, TY's only priority is to protect him as he stands isolated in the imperial court. And while it seemed like Grand Secretary Tian "helped" ZL, I don't know what his motivations are? Is it from the influence of his daughter, Lady Tian? Is it because he has somehow taken a liking to ZL? Or is it according to the Emperor's wishes as he cannot openly protect ZL in court?
If you want slow burn tension and yearning and intimate conversations - 9/5