shiawasenohikari

I thought his anticlimactic death was sort of befitting his character. All it took was a healer who had never ever fought in her life to take him down. He died a loser's death.

Chhotto matte kudasai, @Mizuhira-san?! Why are you being apologetic? I think there is a bit of a miscommunication. Blame it on my limited understanding of emoticons. I thought 😬 implies a wide toothy grin. 🤔
P. S.: It takes a way lot more to offend me! 😂 From how sweet you are being to a random someone on the internet, I am pretty sure you can't ever be intentionally offensive to someone. 😁 Don't worry, I didn't misunderstand. I totally agree with what you had said. 🤣
P. S. S.: Oh, damn. I googled. 😬 doesn't mean what I thought it meant. Darn, I have been using it everywhere. 🤦🏻‍♀️

Not Kawahara forcefully giving Ogawa's new home address to Takamori. Their interaction preceding that was hilarious. 😅

😬

Yeah, I felt the same as you when I started the drama. You will have to make your peace with it.

Absolutely agree! Not her clutching her stomach and crying out loud, "My belly!" even with no one around. 🤣

That's exactly what I was thinking, LMAO. Can't hardly wait for all hell breaking loose!

He isn't doing a complete 180 degrees. The preceding episodes let us know that his memories are slowly fading away. Just imagine, you are Prince Annan, who on one fine day suddenly finds himself in the thick of things in enemy territory. He is probably under the impression that Li Shuang had something to do with making him her shadow puppet since he talks about a blood debt in the pilot episode. Duan Ao Deng has been shown to be intelligent, cunning, fearless and ruthless. So, I am assuming he has totally forgotten his memories as Jin'an, yet, is playing along so that he doesn't get imprisoned and killed. For a man like him, it wouldn't be too difficult to think on his feet. Also, his lack of memories wouldn't alert those closest to him, since they know that taking out the artifact would cause him to lose his memories of the time he spent with them. What they necessarily wouldn't expect or realise that the memories of his previous life would return. Moreover, his personality has actually remained the same regardless of whether he is Ao Deng, Prince Annan of Yao state or Jin'an. He was shown to be extremely loyal and fiercely protective of his elder brother so much so he inadvertently ended up as a shadow puppet. His core nature is the same.

OMG! That's her?! I kept thinking how familiar she seems and how breathtakingly beautiful she looks in all her regalia.

I'd say this drama is a pretty faithful adaptation of the novel. I cursorily went through its chapters, especially the last few chapters, because I wanted to know how Jin'an goes back to being Duan Ao Deng (or Prince Annan). Basically, he retains his memories as Jin'an, however, he pegs his love and loyalty towards Shuang'er due to the blood pact. In the novel, they did not remove the artifact that led to all that transpired. Jin'an, after newly recovering his memories, isn't exactly trusting and seems even a bit resentful. He even thought of killing her while she slept, yet, couldn't bring himself to hurt her. The pact entailed that he had to be in proximity with his master, yet, at the end of the novel he was easily making his way to the border as she remained behind in the capital. He went berserk during this journey when the news spread that she'd died in prison. It's also then that he realises that he loved her irrespective of the artifact. Also, some member of the sect to which that artifact belonged had mentioned that while the pact compels the shadow puppet to protect and be loyal to its master, yet, there is never a change in its personality or a compulsion to be in love with its master. Thus, Jin'an's love for Li Shuang were his own feelings.

Ahh, I totally get you. I was like, you are so dumb, dude!

She's a fiesty one. Ride or die kinda friend. Absolutely in love with her characterisation and the actress portrays her so damn well.

I don't think he's a bad person. I'd say he lacks basic street smarts and doesn't have much self awareness. He's a hella lot of growing up to do. With enough time, Lu Xin may be able to whip him into shape.

Yeah, exactly! Her story became even funnier once she confronted him. 🤣 If only she could write a tell all
book for the benefit of his disciples while she's his guest, LMAO.

Not child, children, LMAO!!! 🤣

True.

I have loved Rain Lu's performance in everything I have ever seen her in. 😬
I can't hardly wait for the angst to kick in. Some of the episodes felt a little slow in the middle, so I am looking forward to all hell breaking loose. 😅

No worries! 😊 Maybe they are all feigning ignorance since some things are best left unsaid. One of the things that I like about this show is that the supporting characters are utilised well enough and are not just means to prop up the story.

P. S. : Rain Lu was phenomenal in episode 22. Didn't expect anything less.

I made my comment with regards to your observation about Qiao'er being aware about Jin'an's identity as the man in black.

Absolutely agree! 😬