sosonai

You are partially right, the actor did an amazing job but I also love complex characters. And I hink reducing him to only a villain wouldn't do him justice.

I completely agree, but I pitied him too since he couldn't see that he was wrong and where. I think that after all is said and done he might be sociopathic and thus not able to understand human relationships and affection.
He knew how to mimic it but didn't seem to really understand. I think he groomed GYX and felt he was his tool, his own creation, and that was the closest to real attachment he could get. But he understood that there should be some privileges for his blood and children so he didn't kill his brother when he rebelled and he was not willing to leave the position of crown prince to GYX. He also was really sad when the 4th died and shocked by his betrayal. He seemed glad to learn of Jian's survival and respected his wish to leave the Palace.
He seemed to want to rule only by reason and not with heart, but instead he was lead by his Ego which could not suffer the slightest poke, but it is very understandable for the time. I mean at the time, any emperor could have had the Hua's quartered for all the insults he received from them.

oh I don't believe I watched this drama. Is it worth it?

Sorry for the late reply, I completely agree he was despicable, the actor did an amazing job in portraying him.
What I actually meant is that I loved hating him. I feel that he was a key character because without him the'd be no SHJ. Everything revolved around him, from what happened to GYX's parents to the Hua family. I mean the story could only end after he died.
Also, I think he also had his good traits too: he's very smart and ruthless (but he controls the country) and I sometimes felt he was human too, especially when dealing with GYX but also after his son's death and in willingly setting free Jian from his role. I mean he could have forced him to go back or even killed him for defying him, but he actually respected the decision of a 7 year old child. His first instinct was violence sure, but with a purpose.
I just feel that he was swallowed by his role as an emperor and I wish we could have seen more of him, and understood more about him. However, it might have been done on purpose as this way he remains a mysterious two dimensional character limited to his kingly duties.
Anyways his death just after thanking his killer for caring, although anticlamatic was strong poetic justice. He had to swallow his own bitter medicine so to say.
Well I seem to have made an essay about this character while I 'd actually loved most of them but for Baoxia who annoyed me till the end :)

So sad it is finished, HE but it felt a little rushed although I'll be sure to rewatch from the beginning. The emperor was great. but I am a little disappointed as there was no character growth for him. I loved the part where YX finally rebelled it was the best scene for me. As to Hua Zhi she seemed a little out of character in the last part, but it might actually be due to her young age.