He didn't love QinGe he saw her as a tool to access power. And deluded himself ..
Yes , maybe also because if the influence of Feng ( his assiatant ) he indeed corupted him to grow his obssesion for power. I don't know exactly where in the story you are so idon't want to spoil you more. ^^"
I'm curious why the male lead’s mother dislikes him. Did I miss something here?
She nearly lost her position back then when he was born labeled as a jinx kid... He was sent to the border so she doesn't really know him or cared to know about him. Maybe to avoid the emperor anger. She still think he is a jinx and she is afraid that he may be an obstacle to her first son. Well in the end she just see him as pawn she can manipulate to pave the success road to her first son.