rena

i thought it translated based on some of the previous comments below but maybe not?

it's so funny how we're researching history when we could read the novel and know everything lol. but it's more fun this way

omg i’ve been trying to find the historic details but gave up yesterday because my search ability in chinese is really bad lol. so did duke chang not have a son in the history books? i’m only saying because i think it’s still possible that while he and princess xiping may not have had a kid together, he might have had a son with someone else and gave it to xiping to raise. mr. xue is clearly hiding his identity (like his last name should be li (not xue) and how everyone thinks he’s a commoner that got to his position through imperial examination), but at least we know now he won’t succeed in taking over the crown lol. [edit: and then i don’t think the show would have chuchu saying how the brothers don’t seem like they come from different parents without it meaning something.]

this drama is getting really complicated. my biggest worry now is how they’ll wrap it up in only 36 episodes (is that why they keep cutting the title sequence lol)

yeah it’s really so confusing. the two brothers and lengyue seem to believe they’re fraternal twins born from the same mother/father and the princess is loyal. the only way i see chuchu’s theory making sense is if one of the brothers is not related at all. then you have teacher/war minister xue who seems to have indicated he is prince chang. so is he one of the brothers' real father? if so, is it jinyu and he masked himself as his tutor to stay close to him? (fyi i realized i missed a generation in my logic steps earlier - i misread op’s post to mean fl’s dad is duke chang’s kid lol)

my bad! it was in 15, where chuchu is talking to lengyue - she thinks jingyu and jingli don’t seem like they’re from the same mother and father, which means at least one of them might some other person’s kid. there is also that part where xue

yes! the princess carry is so cute haha. i really like their relationship too - so many cp’s in this show.

here! you’ll have to click on each upcoming episode (up to 20) and they’ll give you a short preview of it!

https://m.v.qq.com/play.html?cid=mzc002004zylyzl&vid=f0036ry3gv7&ptag=v_qq_com%23v.play.adaptor%233

really good points.

adding to your first point, i really like the juxtaposition of a very complicated external storyline (with the palace intrigue and all) and case studies with the simplicity/honesty of the main leads’ emotional expressions - they’re so good to each other and, while they’re still figuring out their feelings, they don’t back away from saying what is on their mind (fl’s monologue in episode 13 for example). it’s also why i don’t think jingyi would make a good ml here bc of his more self-aware/roundabout way of dealing with people.

other shows with super smart people tend to also portray their relationships as super calculated so the plot becomes about gaming each other, the tone consistently dark/bleak. here, the simplicity of their relationship (as well as certain others) gives the audience breathing room, elevates its importance (like a pure light in darkness) and provides a palette that’s more complex and feels more real? i think, even in difficult times, people try to find ways to endure and make joy.

think there’s another contender based on the preview for episode 17 (don’t know if u want to see it so i don’t want to spoil it!)

only from a storytelling perspective (and not based on any clues in the show) i have a feeling he isn’t alive...

enjoying the story so far (8 episodes in). looks like the romance will be more of a slow burn (what with ml's affliction and fl's obliviousness) which is much more my pacing. second pair is adorable. also like the world-building which brings a bit more depth to the story.