I try so hard to see what people like so much about Xianglu but end up skipping his scenes because he annoys me.…
"I try so hard to see what people like so much about Xianglu but end up skipping his scenes because he annoys me. I don't know what he is so sad about when everytime he appears before Xiaoyao he finds someway to hurt her."
I'm assuming you really want to try to understand why some fans like XL, so I'll include some thoughts on three of the points you raised below. Please ignore if your comment was intended like a rhetorical question, not actually wanting a response.
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"Aside from how he treated Xiaoyao in the past, in the present he went out of his way to ruin Xiaoyao's wedding and reputation to hurt her, at least that's the only reason I can think of, because as Jing had told him to do it earlier, he had enough time and enough excuse to do it."
(1) By ruining XY's reputation, XL ensured that XY would never again be put in a position where she would be asked to enter into a political marriage / a marriage with someone who did not truly love her. If she ever married, it would only be a marriage with someone who loved her so much that they wanted to marry her regardless of her ruined reputation (i.e., someone like TSJ/YSQ).
(2) XL frequently behaves coldly and harshly towards XY (especially at this point in the story, when he takes XY away from her wedding with Feng Long and "kills" FFB) to push XY away, to make her believe that he does not have feelings for her, and to prevent her from having any feelings for him / any hope that he will remain by her side as FFB. This is for XY's benefit.
XL knows that he will not be by XY's side for the rest of her life and plans/expects that he will eventually die on the battlefield with the Chenrong remnant army. He doesn't want XY to know about his feelings and all the things he has done for her and does not want her to have hopes / feelings related to him so that she (a person who already suffers from serious abandonment-related trauma) will be less hurt when he dies.
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"Xiaoyao asked him to give her a reason not to marry Feng long but he doesn't. Only to torture Xiaoyao with his mind power just to know who she wants to marry."
Before pushing her to go to TSJ (which he does the next day, in part by telling XY that TSJ was the one who "hired" him to interrupt the wedding and that, if she doesn't believe it, she should go ask TSJ herself in order to verify it), XL needed to confirm that XY actually still wanted to marry some version of TSJ (e.g., YSQ). He got his answer and proceeded accordingly.
The pain XY felt was due to her own mind's refusal to answer (or even think about the answer to) XL's last question. This inner conflict is much clearer in the novel.
Also, as an aside, in the novel XL immediately pulled back his probing as soon as it became clear that XY was in pain. He didn't continue to push. I didn't like how they changed that in the drama.
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"Then he continued his torture and threat by making Xiaoyao suffer the pain from the poisonous bugs for no apparent reason worth mentioning."
This is XL's final hard push at the end of a whole month in QS Town that he spent intentionally being cold and harsh towards XY. He is pushing her away from himself and towards TSJ, so she will begin to reconcile with TSJ and work with TSJ to resolve his marriage problem. Again, XL gains nothing from this. It is for XY's benefit. And it works.
Also, the pain XY feels through the bug connection in this scene is the pain that XL is experiencing in his own heart. Fans have speculated that it was pain caused by the Lovers Bugs, which were backfiring/retaliating due to XL's intense heartbreak due to letting XY go / pushing her away. XL normally used his power to control the bugs and bug connection in order to protect XY from experiencing this pain along with him (e.g., in S1 Ep19). But he chose to make her feel it briefly in this scene in order to push XY away / towards TSJ.
----
I'll add that a lot of fans' views of XL are influenced by the novel, which has some significant differences compared to the drama.
I'd say that most fans agree that she only had platonic (albeit very strong) love for CX in her heart. But there…
Good memory regarding those drama scenes!
Yes, I felt similarly about that part of the leaked script. We'll see if it ends up being exactly like that in the final version of the drama, or if it gets adjusted.
please help me: one thing I want to remember: Why XuanXuan is hated by his uncles and grandfather? I have an abstract…
CX isn't hated by his grandfather. But his grandfather will not coddle him (he must make his own achievements in order to be worthy of them) and sometimes his grandfather suspects that CX might harm him in pursuit of his ambition to take the throne (e.g., plan a coup or assassination in order to take the throne by force). Because he regretted setting up his eldest son (CX and XY's eldest uncle) to die due to similar suspicions, the King of Xiyan chose not to take forceful measures against CX. And he was even willing to allow CX to take the throne by force if CX had chosen to pursue that route.
CX's surviving uncles hate CX for two reasons.
The first is due to a terrible blood feud and cycle of revenge that goes back two generations. CX is the grandson of the King of Xiyan and his Queen. CX's survivng uncles were the sons of another woman: the King of Xiyan's third consort, who had a terrible blood feud with the Queen and her children that resulted in several deaths. In the drama, that included Chang Pu (CX's mother) killing their brother, Yi Peng. In the novel, Chang Pu tries to kill Yi Peng but ends up killing the Third Consort, and XY's mother then kills Yi Peng to prevent him from killing CX in retaliation.
The second is that Deyan (CX's 5th uncle) wants to be the crown prince / the King of Xiyan's heir. CX is his #1 rival for that position. So it would be in Deyan's interest to see CX killed or his reputation ruined beyond repair.
I'd say that most fans agree that she only had platonic (albeit very strong) love for CX in her heart. But there…
I'm glad you're enjoying (sort of) the excerpts!
Yes, it's not too hard to picture them having a happy, normal life together. They both spent more than a century wandering and living regular lives, but unfortunately separately (one in Gao Xing and the other everywhere except Gao Xing).
The doctor / wine maker vision wasn't CX's (at least, I can't recall him ever having that vision in the novel). I don't know if he could imagine living his entire life without power. But I feel like if he were given the choice of a happy, normal life without power but with XY vs. a life where he was Emperor of the whole world but without XY, there's a good chance he would pick the first option?
See, I would also want that, like SO much.But on the other side, it's kinda better that XY won't find out everything…
If only there were a fic that was written with the primary goal of providing closure by having XY find out (at the right time / many, many years later) about all the things that XL did for her. ^^
Some others have covered the main points already, but I'll add a few details.
As Winny24 noted, there is a scene near the beginning of S1 Ep29 in the drama where XL/FFB asks TSJ for help moving provisions out of Xiyan to the remnant army in QS town. The dialogue for that scene is copied below.
Regarding whose idea it was for XL/FFB to teach XY archery, it was XL/FFB's idea. I don't think anyone has challenged that.
Regarding the commissioning of XY's custom bow, in both the novel and the drama that was also XL's idea and he made the payment for it. In the drama they changed the timeline so that he commissions the bow much earlier (back when XY was still WXL, instead of commissioning it during the 37 years of healing as he does in the novel), long before episode 29.
The novel and the drama both include a scene where, before XY gets the bow that XL commissioned for her, she buys a mid-level bow to match her improving archery skills. FFYY suggests that TSJ should pay for the bow, but XY doesn't want TSJ to pay for it (she has mixed feelings about TSJ in that scene after seeing him out with FFYY, which she addresses with him later on). So XY manipulates XL/FFB into paying for the bow instead of TSJ. XL/FFB does so to save XY's face, but afterwards he immediately makes her pay him back and then gives the money to two beggars. And XY understood why he did so.
In the novel, there is never a situation like the one in S1 Ep29 where XL asks TSJ for help moving provisions for his army out of QS town that involves TSJ agreeing to do so as a thank you / repayment to XL for teaching XY archery. However, in chapter 46, XL does make a point of telling XY that he had done business with TSJ for hundreds of years before meeting her, and throughout all those transactions he never once took advantage of TSJ. If I were to give the drama writers the benefit of the doubt, my guess is that they were trying to convey that idea (by showing TSJ not allowing XL to take advantage of him in negotiating this deal), among other ideas. They may also have been trying to convey the idea that the Chenrong remnant army is XL's #1 priority, so he will even accept TSJ's help when it is framed as repayment on behalf of XY for his archery lessons if it means that he will be able to ensure that his comrades have the food and provisions that they need to survive. And it seems that they might have taken a line that TSJ said to CX in chapter 22 ("How could I use Xiao Yao to bargain?") and adapted it for TSJ to say to XL in the drama.
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S1 Ep29
[In a dance hall in Xiyan]
XL/FFB: Master Qingqiu, it's been so long. Please be seated.
TSJ: Why are we meeting here?
XL/FFB gestures for the dancer to leave.
XL/FFB: You must have figured out that I am -
TSJ: Lord Fang Feng (防风君). Just get to the point. I'm a businessman. I'll do whatever I'm allowed to do. Naturally I won't do anything forbidden.*
XL/FFB: I'd like you to deliver some goods to Qingshui Town.
Soldier (offscreen): Have you seen anyone suspicious? Report to the authority if you do.
Dance hall attendant (offscreen): Yes, yes. The whole city has been in chaos for days. The thief is still at large?
Soldier (offscreen): They can't hide something as obvious as provisions. There are roadblocks everywhere. The theif can't get away.
TSJ: Why would I deliver goods for you?
XL/FFB: You're a businessman. Naturally I will do business with you.
TSJ: What can you possibly offer me?
XL/FFB (looking past TSJ): Xiao Yao? Why are you here?
TSJ turns to look, but no one is there. XL/FFB chuckles.
XL/FFB: I heard Tushan people are good at tracking people. What, can't you tell if you've been followed? Can we talk business now?
TSJ: You're threatening me with Xiao Yao?
XL/FFB: I'm just telling you what I can offer. Tushan Jing, will you take this deal? Or not?**
TSJ: I will never let anyone use Xiao Yao to get a deal.*** But I will do what you said. You taught Xiao Yao archery as her mentor. I truly appreciate it. This time I will repay you on her behalf.
XL/FFB: Repay me on her behalf? Have you asked her opinion?
TSJ: It's between Xiao Yao and me. Don't worry about it. Of course, accepting it or not is up to you. You can turn me down.
XL/FFB chuckles darkly and hesitantly grasps a message that contains the necessary details, clearly not wanting to agree to the deal in the way that TSJ has framed it, but seeming to feel that he has no choice. He tosses the message to TSJ without looking at him.
XL/FFB: Here's the time and address. Send someone there.
TSJ: I'll deliver the goods to Qingshui town. I take my leave.
TSJ departs, leaving XL/FFB alone in the dance hall, drinking alone and unhappily.
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* This seems like an odd line to include. TSJ ultimately agrees to help XL secretly transport the provisions out of Xiyan for the remanant army... which would definitely be forbidden / illegal in Xiyan. And the novel made it clear that the Tushan clan did lots of illegal business with the remanant army.
** To be honest, I'm totally unclear on what we are supposed to infer that XL is offering here. To put in a good word for TSJ with XY? To give TSJ more opportunities to meet XY? The vagueness makes me wonder if even the script writers know the answer.
*** Like I said above, I think the script writers decided to take a line that TSJ said to CX in chapter 22 ("How could I use Xiao Yao to bargain?") and combine it with the idea that XL conveys in chapter 46 (when doing business with TSJ, XL has never taken advantage of TSJ) to come up with this new scenario / exchange that doesn't exist in the novel.
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Chapter 22:
Feng Long started to tell Jing what was going on with him and Zhuan Xu. He concealed the part about Zhuan Xu secretly building an army, but told him about his involvement. “A lot of people are following me and money is needed. The Chi Sui clan has extra money but I can’t touch it. Zhuan Xu had some money gleaned from the palace renovation but these past few years the accounts books are suddenly being scrutinized. Thankfully your people told us early so nothing was discovered. But there is no room anymore to cook the books. We need a lot of money now so both of us are waiting for you to pitch in.”
Jing smiled. “I understand.”
Feng Long said, “Understand what? Are you helping or not?”
Jing replied, “Am I even allowed to say I won’t help?”
“Of course not!”
Jing said, “Then why are you asking a pointless question?”
Feng Long retorted, “I know we don’t need to beat around the bush, but you need to assure Zhuan Xu!”
Jing smiled at Zhuan Xu, “I can’t help on much, but I know how to manage businesses so anything involving money there is no need to worry.”
Feng Long smiled and said to Zhuan Xu, “See, I said that once Jing woke up then we’ll quench that fire on our ass. We spend money like water and we need a sly fox like him who can make money to help us. Too bad he’s not on the same ambitions as us and is doing this simply out of friendship.”
Zhuan Xu was relieved and asked, “No matter who you are doing this for, I still thank you.” After that matter was discussed, Zhuan Xu had someone summon Xiao Yao.
Jing said to Zhuan Xu and Feng Long, “I have something to say to you both.”
Xing Yue got up silently and left.
Jing said to Zhuan Xu, “To solve your matter I need to hurry back to Qing Qiu. Once I get back, I plan to tell my grandmother that no matter what happens, I will return to Xiao Yao’s side and protect her forever.”
Zhuan Xu’s face changed and he coldly asked, “Are you talking terms with me?”
Jing said, “How could I use Xiao Yao to bargain? I am just asking for your permission.”
Feng Long cluelessly asked, “You want to protect Xiao Yao? Is she in danger again?”
Jing looked at Feng Long and his expression was filled with apology and regret.
Feng Long was a brilliant guy except when it came to romance, so it took him a few seconds to react and connect the dots. He jumped up. “You! You were despondent and wanted to die because of Xiao Yao?” Feng Long still couldn’t believe it, in his mind a man could die for grand ambitions and lofty goals, but for a woman? That was too spineless! That was too ridiculous!
Jing bowed to Feng Long. “I’m sorry, I know you wanted to marry Xiao Yao, but I cannot lose her.”
I know this is not a serious suggestion, but for real if XY was willing to be Queen Regnant of a restored Chenrong...…
You're welcome! ^^
Did you ever watch the little comedy chibi shorts that they made as a spin off for the Untamed animated series? Just comedy and cuteness with almost none of the intense angst of the original series. https://youtu.be/t7oD70yygFM?si=Nm3dG7K9MWT3EAJq&t=113
I could totally picture a very light, un-serious LYF chibi series with this scenario. Chibi XY, Queen of Chenrong, and her harem of handsome, chibi men! (>▽<)
At this point, can we just make XY the emperor? Jing will support her with his money and connections, XL with…
I know this is not a serious suggestion, but for real if XY was willing to be Queen Regnant of a restored Chenrong... that, under the right circumstances, might be the one way to peacefully resolve the Chenrong remnant army's fight.
Hong Jiang insists on fighting for Chenrong until death and never surrendering. But what if, somehow, someway, XY was able to convince CX to hand the throne over to her? Acutally, not just to hand it over but to "surrender" Xiyan (plus Haoling) to her as the Queen of Chenrong, which she declared she was restoring?
XY spent decades finishing the second to last King of Chenrong's life work: completing and disseminating his medical texts for the good of the world.
XY's grandmother (or her relative and "recognized" grandmother in the drama), Xiling Xie, was the second to last King of Chenrong's sworn sibling.
XY was also a disciple of the Royal Mother of Jade Mountain, who was also sworn siblings with XY's grandmother and the second to last King of Chenrong.
The second to last King of Chenrong entrusted his medical texts (his life's work) to XY's mother's care.
Princess Yun Sang (the daughter of the second to last King of Chenrong and the sister of the last King of Chenrong) married XY's uncle and was best friends with XY's mother.
XY's father was the second to last King of Chenrong's only disciple and was appointed by him to become Chenrong's top general. He was the last King of Chenrong's right hand man and he fought loyally to protect Chenrong until his death.
Since Hong Jiang vowed to never pursue the throne, Chenrong Yi (Feng Long and Xing Yue's father) had to foresake Chenrong when he surrendered to Xiyan in order to protect the interests of the people of the Middle Plains (by governing them from within Xiyan), and Feng Long and Xing Yue both officially pledged themselves to Xiyan Cang Xuan (as his general and Empress respectively)... there weren't really any candidates that Hong Jiang would consider worthy of becoming the next king or queen of a restored Chenrong.
So why not XY? Especially in the drama where she doesn't have any Xiyan blood. Her mother was from the Xiling family (one of the Great Four Clans of the Middle Plains / formerly Chenrong people) and her father was also basically a Chenrong person. They both had numerous ties to the Chenrong royal family. So if XY declared that she was restoring Chenrong and if she had the support to do it (and, in particular, the ability to overcome any objections from CX, her grandfather, the Xiyan nobles, and the Middle Plains families that hated Chi Chen)... a big if, to be fair... how could Hong Jiang object? Would he fight XY's army if they marched under the banner of Chenrong? This would be his chance to declare victory and live. His whole army could live.
Tbh he probably still wouldn't go for it since she was the former King of Xiyan's "recognized" granddaughter, the current King of Xiyan's "sister", and the daughter of the woman who led Xiyan's army to conquer Chenrong... and XY would probably be miserable if she had to rule. But forget that for a second and just enjoy the idea of it. ^^
Am I correct in believing that this would have been a marriage in XY's father's eyes? Due to rearing the love…
Thanks @plor20! Good point about the walnut being an imporant part of the planting process, and nice to have that extra insight about the cultural significance / implications of it too! ^^
Edit: I'm thinking more about this... in the novel WXL gets XL to put his blood on the walnut (along with her blood) before calling the bug from CX into his heart, which results in the bug being successfully planted in XL and turning into a Lovers Bug... and of course then the walnut melts / half of it disappears into WXL's palm and half of it disappears into XL's palm (the palms that XL later cuts to perform a blood ritual when he breaks the bug connection).
But WXL wouldn't have been able to add CX's blood to the walnut before she tried to plant the bug in CX (she was stuck in CX's torture chamber and deployed the bug against him as an emergency measure). Perhaps that was one additional reason why the bug wasn't "successfully" planted in CX and didn't turn into a Lovers Bug in him?
I feel this. I really would have liked to see a faithful adaptation of the novel to screen that felt like it was successfully capturing the original characters and their story and bringing them all to life.
But my mantra for a while has been that no matter how many disappointing changes the drama makes, it will never erase or replace the characters and story that we got in the novel. They've just created a somewhat different story with somewhat different characters. I'll keep watching the drama. I'll try to enjoy as much as I can, but after it's done I'll be going back to read the novel again. And maybe some comfort fic. ^^
Am I correct in believing that this would have been a marriage in XY's father's eyes? Due to rearing the love…
Hmm. I don't think the novel ever gives us an indication that Chi You (Chi Chen) or anyone else from Baili would necessarily view the successfull planting of Lovers Bugs to be the same as entering into a de facto marriage. But there are definitely commonalities between accepting a Lovers Bugs connection and accepting marriage.
Unless you are someone like XL (who has extra lives to spare that he is willing to sacrifice in order to kill the bugs and break the connection so that it won't cause XY's death), the Lovers Bugs are a life-long commitment (since they can never be removed after they are successfully planted) that means the hosts will live and die together. If one host dies, the other will also die.
The connection also means that the hosts should feel all of each other's heartache and sensations - meaning that they fully and literally share weal and woe. However, XL is powerful enough to control the bugs in order to prevent XY from feeling his pain and sensations through the connection (except when he intentionally lets her feel it once, at the end of their time in QS town after XL/FFB takes XY away from her wedding with Feng Long / when he pushes her to leave and go to TSJ).
Since only lovers can produce Lovers Bugs, they also seem (in the novel) to be irrefutable proof of mutual love between the hosts, at least at the time they are successfully planted.
If the bugs backfire/retaliate due to the hosts' heartbreak and turn into Heartbreak Bugs, they are supposed to cause the deaths of both hosts. However, the drama (and particularly the script) seems to suggest that XL is powerful enough to prevent the bugs from turning into Heartbreak Bugs when they backfire/retaliate due to his heartbreak (and presumably also if they were to backfire/retaliate due to XY's heartbreak).
I hesitated to post about the things I found disappointing because I don't want to be a Debbie Downer, but I figure with the spoiler cover people can easily skip reading this comment if they aren't interested. And I tried to end on a slightly positive note. ^^"
It's been a long time since I've read the translations of the leaked scripts for some of these scenes. From what I remember, it's tracking pretty closely except maybe the part where XY spoke with her mother?
3 
1 
1 
Leaked Script Ep20 (S02 E28) scenes 3-9 - Scroll to the bottom of the post to see how TSJ survives (like CX's hallucination, it is very different from how he survives in the novel): https://kisskh.at/discussions/lost-you-forever/110123-xl-and-xy-story-and-romance-warning-spoilers?pid=2899213&page=410#p2899213
You can find links to liddi's translations of other parts of the leaked script in the relevant discussion thread.
I'm assuming you really want to try to understand why some fans like XL, so I'll include some thoughts on three of the points you raised below. Please ignore if your comment was intended like a rhetorical question, not actually wanting a response.
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"Aside from how he treated Xiaoyao in the past, in the present he went out of his way to ruin Xiaoyao's wedding and reputation to hurt her, at least that's the only reason I can think of, because as Jing had told him to do it earlier, he had enough time and enough excuse to do it."
(1) By ruining XY's reputation, XL ensured that XY would never again be put in a position where she would be asked to enter into a political marriage / a marriage with someone who did not truly love her. If she ever married, it would only be a marriage with someone who loved her so much that they wanted to marry her regardless of her ruined reputation (i.e., someone like TSJ/YSQ).
(2) XL frequently behaves coldly and harshly towards XY (especially at this point in the story, when he takes XY away from her wedding with Feng Long and "kills" FFB) to push XY away, to make her believe that he does not have feelings for her, and to prevent her from having any feelings for him / any hope that he will remain by her side as FFB. This is for XY's benefit.
XL knows that he will not be by XY's side for the rest of her life and plans/expects that he will eventually die on the battlefield with the Chenrong remnant army. He doesn't want XY to know about his feelings and all the things he has done for her and does not want her to have hopes / feelings related to him so that she (a person who already suffers from serious abandonment-related trauma) will be less hurt when he dies.
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"Xiaoyao asked him to give her a reason not to marry Feng long but he doesn't. Only to torture Xiaoyao with his mind power just to know who she wants to marry."
Before pushing her to go to TSJ (which he does the next day, in part by telling XY that TSJ was the one who "hired" him to interrupt the wedding and that, if she doesn't believe it, she should go ask TSJ herself in order to verify it), XL needed to confirm that XY actually still wanted to marry some version of TSJ (e.g., YSQ). He got his answer and proceeded accordingly.
The pain XY felt was due to her own mind's refusal to answer (or even think about the answer to) XL's last question. This inner conflict is much clearer in the novel.
Also, as an aside, in the novel XL immediately pulled back his probing as soon as it became clear that XY was in pain. He didn't continue to push. I didn't like how they changed that in the drama.
----
"Then he continued his torture and threat by making Xiaoyao suffer the pain from the poisonous bugs for no apparent reason worth mentioning."
This is XL's final hard push at the end of a whole month in QS Town that he spent intentionally being cold and harsh towards XY. He is pushing her away from himself and towards TSJ, so she will begin to reconcile with TSJ and work with TSJ to resolve his marriage problem. Again, XL gains nothing from this. It is for XY's benefit. And it works.
Also, the pain XY feels through the bug connection in this scene is the pain that XL is experiencing in his own heart. Fans have speculated that it was pain caused by the Lovers Bugs, which were backfiring/retaliating due to XL's intense heartbreak due to letting XY go / pushing her away. XL normally used his power to control the bugs and bug connection in order to protect XY from experiencing this pain along with him (e.g., in S1 Ep19). But he chose to make her feel it briefly in this scene in order to push XY away / towards TSJ.
----
I'll add that a lot of fans' views of XL are influenced by the novel, which has some significant differences compared to the drama.
Yes, I felt similarly about that part of the leaked script. We'll see if it ends up being exactly like that in the final version of the drama, or if it gets adjusted.
CX's surviving uncles hate CX for two reasons.
The first is due to a terrible blood feud and cycle of revenge that goes back two generations. CX is the grandson of the King of Xiyan and his Queen. CX's survivng uncles were the sons of another woman: the King of Xiyan's third consort, who had a terrible blood feud with the Queen and her children that resulted in several deaths. In the drama, that included Chang Pu (CX's mother) killing their brother, Yi Peng. In the novel, Chang Pu tries to kill Yi Peng but ends up killing the Third Consort, and XY's mother then kills Yi Peng to prevent him from killing CX in retaliation.
The second is that Deyan (CX's 5th uncle) wants to be the crown prince / the King of Xiyan's heir. CX is his #1 rival for that position. So it would be in Deyan's interest to see CX killed or his reputation ruined beyond repair.
Yes, it's not too hard to picture them having a happy, normal life together. They both spent more than a century wandering and living regular lives, but unfortunately separately (one in Gao Xing and the other everywhere except Gao Xing).
The doctor / wine maker vision wasn't CX's (at least, I can't recall him ever having that vision in the novel). I don't know if he could imagine living his entire life without power. But I feel like if he were given the choice of a happy, normal life without power but with XY vs. a life where he was Emperor of the whole world but without XY, there's a good chance he would pick the first option?
As Winny24 noted, there is a scene near the beginning of S1 Ep29 in the drama where XL/FFB asks TSJ for help moving provisions out of Xiyan to the remnant army in QS town. The dialogue for that scene is copied below.
Regarding whose idea it was for XL/FFB to teach XY archery, it was XL/FFB's idea. I don't think anyone has challenged that.
Regarding the commissioning of XY's custom bow, in both the novel and the drama that was also XL's idea and he made the payment for it. In the drama they changed the timeline so that he commissions the bow much earlier (back when XY was still WXL, instead of commissioning it during the 37 years of healing as he does in the novel), long before episode 29.
The novel and the drama both include a scene where, before XY gets the bow that XL commissioned for her, she buys a mid-level bow to match her improving archery skills. FFYY suggests that TSJ should pay for the bow, but XY doesn't want TSJ to pay for it (she has mixed feelings about TSJ in that scene after seeing him out with FFYY, which she addresses with him later on). So XY manipulates XL/FFB into paying for the bow instead of TSJ. XL/FFB does so to save XY's face, but afterwards he immediately makes her pay him back and then gives the money to two beggars. And XY understood why he did so.
In the novel, there is never a situation like the one in S1 Ep29 where XL asks TSJ for help moving provisions for his army out of QS town that involves TSJ agreeing to do so as a thank you / repayment to XL for teaching XY archery. However, in chapter 46, XL does make a point of telling XY that he had done business with TSJ for hundreds of years before meeting her, and throughout all those transactions he never once took advantage of TSJ. If I were to give the drama writers the benefit of the doubt, my guess is that they were trying to convey that idea (by showing TSJ not allowing XL to take advantage of him in negotiating this deal), among other ideas. They may also have been trying to convey the idea that the Chenrong remnant army is XL's #1 priority, so he will even accept TSJ's help when it is framed as repayment on behalf of XY for his archery lessons if it means that he will be able to ensure that his comrades have the food and provisions that they need to survive. And it seems that they might have taken a line that TSJ said to CX in chapter 22 ("How could I use Xiao Yao to bargain?") and adapted it for TSJ to say to XL in the drama.
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S1 Ep29
[In a dance hall in Xiyan]
XL/FFB: Master Qingqiu, it's been so long. Please be seated.
TSJ: Why are we meeting here?
XL/FFB gestures for the dancer to leave.
XL/FFB: You must have figured out that I am -
TSJ: Lord Fang Feng (防风君). Just get to the point. I'm a businessman. I'll do whatever I'm allowed to do. Naturally I won't do anything forbidden.*
XL/FFB: I'd like you to deliver some goods to Qingshui Town.
Soldier (offscreen): Have you seen anyone suspicious? Report to the authority if you do.
Dance hall attendant (offscreen): Yes, yes. The whole city has been in chaos for days. The thief is still at large?
Soldier (offscreen): They can't hide something as obvious as provisions. There are roadblocks everywhere. The theif can't get away.
TSJ: Why would I deliver goods for you?
XL/FFB: You're a businessman. Naturally I will do business with you.
TSJ: What can you possibly offer me?
XL/FFB (looking past TSJ): Xiao Yao? Why are you here?
TSJ turns to look, but no one is there. XL/FFB chuckles.
XL/FFB: I heard Tushan people are good at tracking people. What, can't you tell if you've been followed? Can we talk business now?
TSJ: You're threatening me with Xiao Yao?
XL/FFB: I'm just telling you what I can offer. Tushan Jing, will you take this deal? Or not?**
TSJ: I will never let anyone use Xiao Yao to get a deal.*** But I will do what you said. You taught Xiao Yao archery as her mentor. I truly appreciate it. This time I will repay you on her behalf.
XL/FFB: Repay me on her behalf? Have you asked her opinion?
TSJ: It's between Xiao Yao and me. Don't worry about it. Of course, accepting it or not is up to you. You can turn me down.
XL/FFB chuckles darkly and hesitantly grasps a message that contains the necessary details, clearly not wanting to agree to the deal in the way that TSJ has framed it, but seeming to feel that he has no choice. He tosses the message to TSJ without looking at him.
XL/FFB: Here's the time and address. Send someone there.
TSJ: I'll deliver the goods to Qingshui town. I take my leave.
TSJ departs, leaving XL/FFB alone in the dance hall, drinking alone and unhappily.
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* This seems like an odd line to include. TSJ ultimately agrees to help XL secretly transport the provisions out of Xiyan for the remanant army... which would definitely be forbidden / illegal in Xiyan. And the novel made it clear that the Tushan clan did lots of illegal business with the remanant army.
** To be honest, I'm totally unclear on what we are supposed to infer that XL is offering here. To put in a good word for TSJ with XY? To give TSJ more opportunities to meet XY? The vagueness makes me wonder if even the script writers know the answer.
*** Like I said above, I think the script writers decided to take a line that TSJ said to CX in chapter 22 ("How could I use Xiao Yao to bargain?") and combine it with the idea that XL conveys in chapter 46 (when doing business with TSJ, XL has never taken advantage of TSJ) to come up with this new scenario / exchange that doesn't exist in the novel.
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Chapter 22:
Feng Long started to tell Jing what was going on with him and Zhuan Xu. He concealed the part about Zhuan Xu secretly building an army, but told him about his involvement. “A lot of people are following me and money is needed. The Chi Sui clan has extra money but I can’t touch it. Zhuan Xu had some money gleaned from the palace renovation but these past few years the accounts books are suddenly being scrutinized. Thankfully your people told us early so nothing was discovered. But there is no room anymore to cook the books. We need a lot of money now so both of us are waiting for you to pitch in.”
Jing smiled. “I understand.”
Feng Long said, “Understand what? Are you helping or not?”
Jing replied, “Am I even allowed to say I won’t help?”
“Of course not!”
Jing said, “Then why are you asking a pointless question?”
Feng Long retorted, “I know we don’t need to beat around the bush, but you need to assure Zhuan Xu!”
Jing smiled at Zhuan Xu, “I can’t help on much, but I know how to manage businesses so anything involving money there is no need to worry.”
Feng Long smiled and said to Zhuan Xu, “See, I said that once Jing woke up then we’ll quench that fire on our ass. We spend money like water and we need a sly fox like him who can make money to help us. Too bad he’s not on the same ambitions as us and is doing this simply out of friendship.”
Zhuan Xu was relieved and asked, “No matter who you are doing this for, I still thank you.”
After that matter was discussed, Zhuan Xu had someone summon Xiao Yao.
Jing said to Zhuan Xu and Feng Long, “I have something to say to you both.”
Xing Yue got up silently and left.
Jing said to Zhuan Xu, “To solve your matter I need to hurry back to Qing Qiu. Once I get back, I plan to tell my grandmother that no matter what happens, I will return to Xiao Yao’s side and protect her forever.”
Zhuan Xu’s face changed and he coldly asked, “Are you talking terms with me?”
Jing said, “How could I use Xiao Yao to bargain? I am just asking for your permission.”
Feng Long cluelessly asked, “You want to protect Xiao Yao? Is she in danger again?”
Jing looked at Feng Long and his expression was filled with apology and regret.
Feng Long was a brilliant guy except when it came to romance, so it took him a few seconds to react and connect the dots. He jumped up. “You! You were despondent and wanted to die because of Xiao Yao?” Feng Long still couldn’t believe it, in his mind a man could die for grand ambitions and lofty goals, but for a woman? That was too spineless! That was too ridiculous!
Jing bowed to Feng Long. “I’m sorry, I know you wanted to marry Xiao Yao, but I cannot lose her.”
Did you ever watch the little comedy chibi shorts that they made as a spin off for the Untamed animated series? Just comedy and cuteness with almost none of the intense angst of the original series. https://youtu.be/t7oD70yygFM?si=Nm3dG7K9MWT3EAJq&t=113
I could totally picture a very light, un-serious LYF chibi series with this scenario. Chibi XY, Queen of Chenrong, and her harem of handsome, chibi men! (>▽<)
Hong Jiang insists on fighting for Chenrong until death and never surrendering. But what if, somehow, someway, XY was able to convince CX to hand the throne over to her? Acutally, not just to hand it over but to "surrender" Xiyan (plus Haoling) to her as the Queen of Chenrong, which she declared she was restoring?
XY spent decades finishing the second to last King of Chenrong's life work: completing and disseminating his medical texts for the good of the world.
XY's grandmother (or her relative and "recognized" grandmother in the drama), Xiling Xie, was the second to last King of Chenrong's sworn sibling.
XY was also a disciple of the Royal Mother of Jade Mountain, who was also sworn siblings with XY's grandmother and the second to last King of Chenrong.
The second to last King of Chenrong entrusted his medical texts (his life's work) to XY's mother's care.
Princess Yun Sang (the daughter of the second to last King of Chenrong and the sister of the last King of Chenrong) married XY's uncle and was best friends with XY's mother.
XY's father was the second to last King of Chenrong's only disciple and was appointed by him to become Chenrong's top general. He was the last King of Chenrong's right hand man and he fought loyally to protect Chenrong until his death.
Since Hong Jiang vowed to never pursue the throne, Chenrong Yi (Feng Long and Xing Yue's father) had to foresake Chenrong when he surrendered to Xiyan in order to protect the interests of the people of the Middle Plains (by governing them from within Xiyan), and Feng Long and Xing Yue both officially pledged themselves to Xiyan Cang Xuan (as his general and Empress respectively)... there weren't really any candidates that Hong Jiang would consider worthy of becoming the next king or queen of a restored Chenrong.
So why not XY? Especially in the drama where she doesn't have any Xiyan blood. Her mother was from the Xiling family (one of the Great Four Clans of the Middle Plains / formerly Chenrong people) and her father was also basically a Chenrong person. They both had numerous ties to the Chenrong royal family. So if XY declared that she was restoring Chenrong and if she had the support to do it (and, in particular, the ability to overcome any objections from CX, her grandfather, the Xiyan nobles, and the Middle Plains families that hated Chi Chen)... a big if, to be fair... how could Hong Jiang object? Would he fight XY's army if they marched under the banner of Chenrong? This would be his chance to declare victory and live. His whole army could live.
Tbh he probably still wouldn't go for it since she was the former King of Xiyan's "recognized" granddaughter, the current King of Xiyan's "sister", and the daughter of the woman who led Xiyan's army to conquer Chenrong... and XY would probably be miserable if she had to rule. But forget that for a second and just enjoy the idea of it. ^^
Edit: I'm thinking more about this... in the novel WXL gets XL to put his blood on the walnut (along with her blood) before calling the bug from CX into his heart, which results in the bug being successfully planted in XL and turning into a Lovers Bug... and of course then the walnut melts / half of it disappears into WXL's palm and half of it disappears into XL's palm (the palms that XL later cuts to perform a blood ritual when he breaks the bug connection).
But WXL wouldn't have been able to add CX's blood to the walnut before she tried to plant the bug in CX (she was stuck in CX's torture chamber and deployed the bug against him as an emergency measure). Perhaps that was one additional reason why the bug wasn't "successfully" planted in CX and didn't turn into a Lovers Bug in him?
But my mantra for a while has been that no matter how many disappointing changes the drama makes, it will never erase or replace the characters and story that we got in the novel. They've just created a somewhat different story with somewhat different characters. I'll keep watching the drama. I'll try to enjoy as much as I can, but after it's done I'll be going back to read the novel again. And maybe some comfort fic. ^^
Unless you are someone like XL (who has extra lives to spare that he is willing to sacrifice in order to kill the bugs and break the connection so that it won't cause XY's death), the Lovers Bugs are a life-long commitment (since they can never be removed after they are successfully planted) that means the hosts will live and die together. If one host dies, the other will also die.
The connection also means that the hosts should feel all of each other's heartache and sensations - meaning that they fully and literally share weal and woe. However, XL is powerful enough to control the bugs in order to prevent XY from feeling his pain and sensations through the connection (except when he intentionally lets her feel it once, at the end of their time in QS town after XL/FFB takes XY away from her wedding with Feng Long / when he pushes her to leave and go to TSJ).
Since only lovers can produce Lovers Bugs, they also seem (in the novel) to be irrefutable proof of mutual love between the hosts, at least at the time they are successfully planted.
If the bugs backfire/retaliate due to the hosts' heartbreak and turn into Heartbreak Bugs, they are supposed to cause the deaths of both hosts. However, the drama (and particularly the script) seems to suggest that XL is powerful enough to prevent the bugs from turning into Heartbreak Bugs when they backfire/retaliate due to his heartbreak (and presumably also if they were to backfire/retaliate due to XY's heartbreak).
Thanks for reading!