Is it true than în the novel there is a scene with XL asking XY who do you want to marry and she says Jing, but…
That scene is from chapter 32 after FFB takes XY from her wedding ceremony with Feng Long. It has not been covered in the drama yet and will likely be shown in some form in S2.
Fans have different interpretations of this scene. So rather than giving my interpretation I will post the whole scene.
A bit of context from the chapter before this scene begins: XY is angry with XL. She informed him about her wedding two months before it happened (by sending him the ice crystal ball she made with the mermaid extending her hand - a not-so-subtle message) and seemed to be waiting for him to do something about it, but he didn't do anything. Until he interrupts the actual wedding as FFB in the most public and reputation-ruining way possible for her and Feng Long. She doesn't seem upset with him about stopping her wedding, but rather about *when* and *how* he stopped her wedding.
When they arrive in QS town and XL returns his hair to silver, XY senses something and asks XL about FFB. XL says FFB is "dead", meaning that XL will never use that identity again. She's upset about that too.
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Chapter 32:
When the first snowflakes fell, it was the first snow of the Winter. Xiao Yao reached out her hand but the snowflakes were too wispy and melted the moment it touched her palm.
Xiang Liu walked into the room and closed the window for her.
Xiao Yao opened it. Xiang Liu closed it again.
Xiao Yao opened it again. Xiang Liu closed it again.
Xiao Yao went to open it again but Xiang Liu used his power and Xiao Yao couldn’t open it at all.
Ever since she left Chi Sui Castle, Xiao Yao had been calm but now she couldn’t endure it any longer and punched the window violently before glaring at Xiang Liu.
Xiang Liu coolly said “What kind of person I am, you’ve known all along. Since you dared to make a deal with the devil, you ought to have the courage to accept the consequences.” Xiao Yao was taken aback because Xiang Liu was absolutely correct. Their deal was completely fair. Even if she could do it over and knowing the consequences of today, to protect Zhuan Xu she would still choose to move the voodoo bug into Xiang Liu. It had simply been too long since Xiang Liu asked her to fulfill her end of the bargain. She had also seen Fang Feng Bei as real, so their relationship was covered by this tender sweet layer like a gauzy veil. Xiao Yao simply forgot that their relationship was always just a transaction, so no matter what he chose to ask of her, she had no right to be angry.
Xiang Liu sat down and started drinking wine and stared at Xiao Yao. There was a conflicted look in his eyes, unclear what he was thinking about.
Xiao Yao finally spoke. “When can I leave? What is your plan?”
Xiang Liu didn’t answer her question and just tossed a jug of wine to Xiao Yao “This wine is specially made strong liquor, one sip and it’ll knock a person out.”
There was no brazier lit in the room so Xiao Yao was chilled. “No matter how strong the wine, it won’t let me drink my woes away!”
She picked up the jug and took a big large gulp. The strong wine hit her throat and burned its way down to her belly, instantly warming her body and relaxing her mood.
Xiao Yao continued to drink and Xiang Liu kept her company and also silently drank.
Xiang Liu suddenly asked “Do you want to marry Feng Long?”
Xiao Yao’s expression changed, she appeared to try and snap herself alert. Xiang Liu’s eyes were piercing bright and his voice tender and soft as he asked “Do you want to marry Ye Shi Qi?”
Xiao Yao murmured “I do.”
Another question was right at the tip of Xiang Liu’s lips but he was actually torn until a moment later he asked, “Who do you most want to spend your entire life with?”
Xiao Yao opened her mouth to answer but her expression showed her internal struggle as her mind refused to let her say what her heart felt.
After multiple struggles she became more and more pained and her body began to shake as she clutched her head “Hurt…..hurt…..” Xiang Liu had used his power to try and see into Xiao Yao’s heart but Xiao Yao’s mind was too strong willed. If she encountered something that even she refused to think about, then she would unexpectedly oppose answering it and the headache was the result of her refusal to answer the question.
Xiang Liu was afraid that she would injure her soul essence so he didn’t dare push her and quickly pulled back his probe and said “If your head hurts, rest.”
Xiao Yao wearily rested on the pillow with her forehead furrowed in pain.
Xiang Liu covered her with a blanket and Xiao Yao suddenly opened her eyes “Why?”
Xiang Liu stared at Xiao Yao and didn’t know exactly what she was asking why about. Was it why he forced her to become a runaway bride? Or was it why he used his powers to probe the true feelings inside her heart?
Xiao Yao gave up asking and closed her eyes to murmur “I’m so hurting……Xiang Liu, I hurt………”
Xiang Liu’s hand pressed on Xiao Yao’s forehead and he said in a low voice “You’ll forget what just happened and after a good night’s sleep it’ll all be fine.”
Xiao Yao fell asleep but there was a sardonic smile on her lips as if mocking “Even after a good sleep it won’t all be fine!”
When Xiao Yao woke up, her head felt like splitting and she sensed something strange happened last night but no matter how much she tried to remember she couldn’t figure it out so she gave up.
Perhaps it was due to waking up early today Xiang Liu had already left.
Good, so where do I claim him? I have a gift voucher and I'd like to redeem it, please. The limited edition, with…
Picking him up personally would be unprecedented, but I hear your concerns. Plus, if you were to use a broker for delivery of the dark-haired option, that would result in that model being discontinued.
If you've signed up for bug connection support, you could always go to Hu Lu lake and use the connection as a summons. That should get you a same-evening delivery of the silver-haired option by air, and he should arrive undamaged. Although depending on your treatment, he might not leave in the same condition.
Good, so where do I claim him? I have a gift voucher and I'd like to redeem it, please. The limited edition, with…
I have it on good authority that if you visit the Tu Shan clan messenger shop in Zhi Yi and pay five times the usual price they will deliver your voucher and accompanying poisons to QS Town as soon as possible, but confirmation of delivery is not included and timely fulfillment of the voucher is not guaranteed. You might be better off giving the voucher to a Tu Shan clan leader and having him broker delivery of the dark haired option for guaranteed delivery in two months. ^^
I was talking about LYF with someone who watched True Beauty with me. We both had SLS for Seojun. She told me about a comment on a Jugyeong x Seojun video that was something like "the male lead is for the female lead, the second male lead is for the viewers, and the actors are for themselves because they're real people". And that made me think of XL being Tong Hua's favourite character. By that logic, I think maybe TSJ is for XY so we know she is happy, ZX is for the people of Dahuang so we know they are ruled well, and XL is for the readers and the writer ^^
I don't recall it being specifically mentioned in the drama, but based on the novel：The three royal families…
The war with Gao Xing has to happen and the elimination of the Sheng Nong remnant army has to happen, but idk how much of the actual battles they'll show us on screen.
I don't recall it being specifically mentioned in the drama, but based on the novel：The three royal families…
I don't really remember details from that scene in the drama (it's part of the story that I'm not particularly invested in), but they were at ZX's coronation.
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Chapter 28:
Cang Lin and Zhuan Xu accompanied the Yellow Emperor to the prayer dais where the two sides were already filled with Xuan Yuan officials, the leaders of the clans and families, with the leaders of the Four Great Clans standing at the forefront.
I don't recall it being specifically mentioned in the drama, but based on the novel：The three royal families…
About summoning fireballs, that seems to be something that most powerful gods and demons can do regardless of the elements that they normally specialize in with their powers. Qi Yo specializes in earth power, but he playfully conjures a fireball for Lie Yang to "battle" with in chapter 10 of Once Promised.
But why Sauvignon Blanc, though? Do we need to get drunk to be able to handle all this pain?
Seems like you and TSJ agree on something ^^
Someone else mentioned that's basically a mistranslation. The Mandarin title of the novel and drama is "Eternally Missing You". Apparently the plant (grape variety?) that is called "sauvignon blanc" in French/English is called "eternally missing you" in Mandarin.
The more I find out about Once Promised, the more obvious it becomes that LYF isn't a tragedy. It's the answer…
"And that is what makes LYF so searingly beautiful and unforgettable." Yes, exactly.
Sound of the Desert had a similar theme of self-sacrifice for Mo Xun in the end, but as much as I felt for Mo Xun it's nothing compared to what I'm feeling for XL. I'm so much more invested in and moved by his story. Completely unforgettable.
书生说 The Scholar Speaks conducted an interesting interview with Lost You Forever author, Tong Hua back in…
The more I find out about Once Promised, the more obvious it becomes that LYF isn't a tragedy. It's the answer to Once Promised (which absolutely is a tragedy) where XY lives as her parents hoped and successfully avoids their tragic fate - getting the happy ending that they wanted for her, that XL wanted for her, and that she wanted for herself.
XY - XY and TSJ both come from families with generations of burdensome obligations, trauma, tragedy and unhappiness, and they manage to escape it. XY found someone who loved her who was willing to give up all wealth, all status, all other obligations and connections and run away with her to live a free and peaceful life and raise a family. She marries him and runs away with him to explore the ocean and the islands that she told XL she wanted to explore. She takes loyal Miao Pu and Left Ear with her. She sees Left Ear as a young version of XL that she enjoys teaching. He will also make sure XY stays safe, and XY has the flower ZX gave her to command his tribe's army if she really needs it. She will be free, safe, in good company, and well loved.
Ah Heng and Qi Yo - Ah Heng and Qi Yo's spirit get to meet their grown up daughter who has found a person she can have a peaceful happy ending with, just as they always hoped. Ah Heng gets to apologize to XY and explain what happened, giving both of them closure. Living in agony for hundreds of years was not in vain. And they (Ah Heng and Qi Yo) were finally together in spirit for those hundreds of years. After meeting XY, they can both finally pass on in peace.
The Grand Emperor - After fighting for thousands of years, bearing the mantle of an Emperor, and living with many regrets, the Grand Emperor also willingly gives up power and hands the throne over to a worthy successor that he personally trained, along with worthy subordinates that he also trained. In doing so, he ensures his second daughter's future safety and position and the closest thing she can get to the happy ending she wants. He also gets to see Ah Heng again and give XY closure. He returns to the simple life of being a blacksmith like when he first met Qing Yang and their brotherhood was pure and strong. He gets to see XY marry the man who will allow her to escape tragedy, be free, and have a happy ending. He gets to be there to say goodbye to her when she leaves.
The Yellow Emperor - After also fighting for thousands of years and bearing the mantle of an Emperor and all the worries that come with it, the Yellow Emperor willingly gives up power and hands the throne over to a worthy successor who will continue his vision. He takes up farming, his health improves, he spends most of his time with his grandchildren, and he helps XY compile legendary medical texts that will greatly benefit the people. He attends XY's wedding and will continue to accompany ZX.
ZX - ZX's ending is very bittersweet. He achieved the power to protect that he set out to achieve, united the world, and will rule in a way that will benefit the whole world. He has the Yellow Emperor by his side to support and (occasionally) advise him. He sees Ah Nian one month a year back in Gao Xing where she is safe and looked after as one of his two Empresses. He manages to mostly mend his relationship with XY and she accepts his mother's flower. He realizes he misunderstood TSJ and accepts their marriage.
But! He had XY by his side the longest and had her complete loyalty, and then he loses her. XY leaves him behind and does not say goodbye. Feng Long dies protecting him. He does not love any of the women he's married to and one of his Empresses is unhinged and tried to kill XY twice, but he has to forgive her for it. ZX's ending is the harshest I think, but one of the themes of Once Promised and LYF is that power and the responsibility of ruling comes with a very high price. Perhaps one day he will follow in the Yellow Emperor's and Grand Emperor's footsteps and relinquish power to a worthy successor - and get to return to being a simple wine-maker with fewer worries.
TSJ - The people who hurt TSJ the most (his grandmother, Hou and FFYY) are dead. Jing Ye is married to Doctor Hu Zhen, a good man. TSJ personally raised his nephew, Tu Shan Zhen, to be a good man who will lead the Tu Shan Clan well. He can leave the clan behind without worries and without any further obligations. He finally gets to be with XY the way he wanted: as YSQ, without any constraints keeping them apart, tying XY down, or preventing them from being happy. They marry and run away together. By holding no grudges against his grandmother, Hou, FFYY or ZX, he is free and unburdened when they leave.
XL - I've said it many times before, but XL gets almost everything he wanted. Thanks to him, XY has a place to go (the ocean), a man she can rely on for life who is alive and by her side (TSJ), and a means of protecting herself (her archery). He takes more steps to protect her. Thanks to his prompting, XY takes Left Ear on as her bodyguard, and XL uses up a life to kill their bugs so that XY's heart and life will not be endangered by his death or by the bugs themselves.
XL secretly commissions a legendary bow for XY, gives her a sea-map-jewel and reminds her that she can always return to the sea. He also returns her ice crystal ball (with adjustments and an inscription of his wishes for her), but hides it where she will never see them inside a doll with such an impish expression that it makes XY laugh with joy for the first time after XL's death. XY really likes the doll without understanding why, and takes it with her when she runs away to the ocean. His gifts and sentiments will always be with her, and his blood and abilities will always be part of her.
The fate he most wanted to avoid was not death but rather the opposite: being a last survivor like the donkey-meat-selling old man who was haunted by the memory of his thousands of fallen comrades. That is the reason XL gives for why death on the battlefield is the best ending for a general. Sir Bi confirmed that XL has no desire for glory. And we know that XL does everything he can to make sure that XY is not haunted by his memory (e.g., pushing her away, pushing her towards TSJ, hiding his feelings and most of the sacrifices he made for her, and erasing the memories she saved of him in her mirror).
Then he dies the way he wanted: making a last stand on the battlefield with his comrades after staying true and loyal to them and to Gong Gong until the very end. His enemies (Ru So and ZX) respect him. His body dissolves and cannot be desecrated. He avoids the fate he most wanted to avoid and got the "best" ending he chose and carefully orchestrated for himself.
I don't recall it being specifically mentioned in the drama, but based on the novel：The three royal families…
Hi liddi. No problem. I read Koala's fan translation, which was posted in 2014. There is probably more than one way that the original text (even from the same version) could be translated into English. Definitely appreciate all the effort that goes into the translation process.
I don't recall it being specifically mentioned in the drama, but based on the novel：The three royal families…
I'm not sure if Little Zhu Rong actually went to battle with his parents (who both died for Sheng Nong in battle), but the novel specifies that he surrendered. I'm also not sure about him being the "only" surviving descendant. At the very least, he has his children as well. But he is definitely a surviving descendant of the Sheng Nong royal family. However, he is not the son of either of the last two Flame Emperors who ruled Sheng Nong before it was conquered. The Flame Emperor and Zhu Rong are different people.
The second-to-last Flame Emperor's name was Sheng Nong Shi Nian. He wrote the Sheng Nong Herb Manual. His only son was Prince Yu Wang and his daughters were Princess Yun Sang (friend of Qi Yo and Ah Heng), Princess Nu Wa, and Second Princess Yao Ji who died of illness despite all her father's efforts. She is mentioned briefly in chapter 35 of LYF. The Flame Emperor also has a god-daughter named Mu Jin. She is the fourth princess of Sheng Nong. Yu Wang succeeded his father after his death to become the last Flame Emperor. Qi Yo was Shi Nian's only disciple and promised to help Yu Wang, and became his most trusted and powerful general.
In terms of Zhu Rong and Yu Wang's relationship: "...he was the top warrior of the Shen Nong tribe, Zhu Rong. Although Yu Wang is the Prince of Shen Nong, Zhu Rong’s exceedingly strong spiritual power, coupled with the military power he wielded, resulted in Zhu Rong belittling of the Prince."
I assume Little Zhu Rong's royal lineage is through his father, at least in part because the name suggests to me that the "Flame Emperor" had fire-based powers, and in Once Promised Zhu Rong's powers are fire-based / he is referred to as a fire god. But as far as I am aware (and I haven't read all of Once Promised), neither novel specifies whether Zhu Rong was part of the Sheng Nong royal family or if he married another member of the Sheng Nong tribe who was part of the royal family.
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Chapter 11:
Little Zhu Rong was a direct descendant of the Sheng Nong imperial family, born into royalty and his father was the world-renowned big hero Zhu Rong. When Little Zhu Rong surrendered to the Yellow Emperor, he married the only daughter of the Chi Sui clan Chi Sui Xiao Ye. He was greatly utilized by the Yellow Emperor and became one of his top officials. He was given the entire Middle Plains to govern, an area that used to be under the control of the Sheng Nong Kingdom.
Initially people didn’t dare publicly critique the appointment since Little Zhu Rong was royalty, but behind his back people derided him for surrendering since both his parents died for Sheng Nong in the battle with Xuan Yuan. But in the hundred or so years since, his management of the Middle Plains transformed it from a formerly lawless decrepit region into one filled with bustling activity and thriving with life. His rule was just and fair so the people slowly returned to the region and settled there.
Word was Little Zhu Rong never tried to hide his Sheng Nong background and would openly ask the Yellow Emperor for things that would benefit the people of the Middle Plains. He never hid his thoughts before the Yellow Emperor of his intention that the people of the Middle Plains who have suffered through a war could return to a life of prosperous peace. Gradually the people of the Middle Plains no longer were suspicious of Little Zhu Rong and were instead very respectful. Zhu Rong’s death was an imperial courage to his homeland, Little Zhu Rong’s living was a different type of imperial responsibility to his people.
Can someone tell me about chi chen's relationship with XY's mom? And the chapter about it in the book
Their story is mostly told in Once Promised, the prequel to Lost You Forever. The Emperor of Xiyan (Xuan Yuan in the novel) and the King of Haoling (Gao Xing in the novel) are also major characters in Once Promised. Koala included parts of the last three chapters of Once Promised that focus on Qi Yo and Ah Heng in her translation.
Chi Chen is called Qi Yo in the novel, and XY's mother goes by Xuan Yuan Ba (her proper name), Xi Ling Heng (taking her maiden name to hide her royal status so she can wander freely), and Ah Heng (a nickname used by those who are close to her).
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@trunkenta18 I'll add that YMMV depending on your reasons for watching / the parts of the story that interest you most.
Fans have different interpretations of this scene. So rather than giving my interpretation I will post the whole scene.
A bit of context from the chapter before this scene begins: XY is angry with XL. She informed him about her wedding two months before it happened (by sending him the ice crystal ball she made with the mermaid extending her hand - a not-so-subtle message) and seemed to be waiting for him to do something about it, but he didn't do anything. Until he interrupts the actual wedding as FFB in the most public and reputation-ruining way possible for her and Feng Long. She doesn't seem upset with him about stopping her wedding, but rather about *when* and *how* he stopped her wedding.
When they arrive in QS town and XL returns his hair to silver, XY senses something and asks XL about FFB. XL says FFB is "dead", meaning that XL will never use that identity again. She's upset about that too.
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Chapter 32:
When the first snowflakes fell, it was the first snow of the Winter. Xiao Yao reached out her hand but the snowflakes were too wispy and melted the moment it touched her palm.
Xiang Liu walked into the room and closed the window for her.
Xiao Yao opened it. Xiang Liu closed it again.
Xiao Yao opened it again. Xiang Liu closed it again.
Xiao Yao went to open it again but Xiang Liu used his power and Xiao Yao couldn’t open it at all.
Ever since she left Chi Sui Castle, Xiao Yao had been calm but now she couldn’t endure it any longer and punched the window violently before glaring at Xiang Liu.
Xiang Liu coolly said “What kind of person I am, you’ve known all along. Since you dared to make a deal with the devil, you ought to have the courage to accept the consequences.”
Xiao Yao was taken aback because Xiang Liu was absolutely correct. Their deal was completely fair. Even if she could do it over and knowing the consequences of today, to protect Zhuan Xu she would still choose to move the voodoo bug into Xiang Liu. It had simply been too long since Xiang Liu asked her to fulfill her end of the bargain. She had also seen Fang Feng Bei as real, so their relationship was covered by this tender sweet layer like a gauzy veil. Xiao Yao simply forgot that their relationship was always just a transaction, so no matter what he chose to ask of her, she had no right to be angry.
Xiang Liu sat down and started drinking wine and stared at Xiao Yao. There was a conflicted look in his eyes, unclear what he was thinking about.
Xiao Yao finally spoke. “When can I leave? What is your plan?”
Xiang Liu didn’t answer her question and just tossed a jug of wine to Xiao Yao “This wine is specially made strong liquor, one sip and it’ll knock a person out.”
There was no brazier lit in the room so Xiao Yao was chilled. “No matter how strong the wine, it won’t let me drink my woes away!”
She picked up the jug and took a big large gulp. The strong wine hit her throat and burned its way down to her belly, instantly warming her body and relaxing her mood.
Xiao Yao continued to drink and Xiang Liu kept her company and also silently drank.
Xiang Liu suddenly asked “Do you want to marry Feng Long?”
Xiao Yao’s expression changed, she appeared to try and snap herself alert. Xiang Liu’s eyes were piercing bright and his voice tender and soft as he asked “Do you want to marry Ye Shi Qi?”
Xiao Yao murmured “I do.”
Another question was right at the tip of Xiang Liu’s lips but he was actually torn until a moment later he asked, “Who do you most want to spend your entire life with?”
Xiao Yao opened her mouth to answer but her expression showed her internal struggle as her mind refused to let her say what her heart felt.
After multiple struggles she became more and more pained and her body began to shake as she clutched her head “Hurt…..hurt…..” Xiang Liu had used his power to try and see into Xiao Yao’s heart but Xiao Yao’s mind was too strong willed. If she encountered something that even she refused to think about, then she would unexpectedly oppose answering it and the headache was the result of her refusal to answer the question.
Xiang Liu was afraid that she would injure her soul essence so he didn’t dare push her and quickly pulled back his probe and said “If your head hurts, rest.”
Xiao Yao wearily rested on the pillow with her forehead furrowed in pain.
Xiang Liu covered her with a blanket and Xiao Yao suddenly opened her eyes “Why?”
Xiang Liu stared at Xiao Yao and didn’t know exactly what she was asking why about. Was it why he forced her to become a runaway bride? Or was it why he used his powers to probe the true feelings inside her heart?
Xiao Yao gave up asking and closed her eyes to murmur “I’m so hurting……Xiang Liu, I hurt………”
Xiang Liu’s hand pressed on Xiao Yao’s forehead and he said in a low voice “You’ll forget what just happened and after a good night’s sleep it’ll all be fine.”
Xiao Yao fell asleep but there was a sardonic smile on her lips as if mocking “Even after a good sleep it won’t all be fine!”
When Xiao Yao woke up, her head felt like splitting and she sensed something strange happened last night but no matter how much she tried to remember she couldn’t figure it out so she gave up.
Perhaps it was due to waking up early today Xiang Liu had already left.
If you've signed up for bug connection support, you could always go to Hu Lu lake and use the connection as a summons. That should get you a same-evening delivery of the silver-haired option by air, and he should arrive undamaged. Although depending on your treatment, he might not leave in the same condition.
---
Chapter 28:
Cang Lin and Zhuan Xu accompanied the Yellow Emperor to the prayer dais where the two sides were already filled with Xuan Yuan officials, the leaders of the clans and families, with the leaders of the Four Great Clans standing at the forefront.
That happens at the end of the novel. S1 of the drama maps to chapters 1 - 28 of the novel, which has 51 chapters and an epilogue.
Someone else mentioned that's basically a mistranslation. The Mandarin title of the novel and drama is "Eternally Missing You". Apparently the plant (grape variety?) that is called "sauvignon blanc" in French/English is called "eternally missing you" in Mandarin.
Sound of the Desert had a similar theme of self-sacrifice for Mo Xun in the end, but as much as I felt for Mo Xun it's nothing compared to what I'm feeling for XL. I'm so much more invested in and moved by his story. Completely unforgettable.
XY - XY and TSJ both come from families with generations of burdensome obligations, trauma, tragedy and unhappiness, and they manage to escape it. XY found someone who loved her who was willing to give up all wealth, all status, all other obligations and connections and run away with her to live a free and peaceful life and raise a family. She marries him and runs away with him to explore the ocean and the islands that she told XL she wanted to explore. She takes loyal Miao Pu and Left Ear with her. She sees Left Ear as a young version of XL that she enjoys teaching. He will also make sure XY stays safe, and XY has the flower ZX gave her to command his tribe's army if she really needs it. She will be free, safe, in good company, and well loved.
Ah Heng and Qi Yo - Ah Heng and Qi Yo's spirit get to meet their grown up daughter who has found a person she can have a peaceful happy ending with, just as they always hoped. Ah Heng gets to apologize to XY and explain what happened, giving both of them closure. Living in agony for hundreds of years was not in vain. And they (Ah Heng and Qi Yo) were finally together in spirit for those hundreds of years. After meeting XY, they can both finally pass on in peace.
The Grand Emperor - After fighting for thousands of years, bearing the mantle of an Emperor, and living with many regrets, the Grand Emperor also willingly gives up power and hands the throne over to a worthy successor that he personally trained, along with worthy subordinates that he also trained. In doing so, he ensures his second daughter's future safety and position and the closest thing she can get to the happy ending she wants. He also gets to see Ah Heng again and give XY closure. He returns to the simple life of being a blacksmith like when he first met Qing Yang and their brotherhood was pure and strong. He gets to see XY marry the man who will allow her to escape tragedy, be free, and have a happy ending. He gets to be there to say goodbye to her when she leaves.
The Yellow Emperor - After also fighting for thousands of years and bearing the mantle of an Emperor and all the worries that come with it, the Yellow Emperor willingly gives up power and hands the throne over to a worthy successor who will continue his vision. He takes up farming, his health improves, he spends most of his time with his grandchildren, and he helps XY compile legendary medical texts that will greatly benefit the people. He attends XY's wedding and will continue to accompany ZX.
ZX - ZX's ending is very bittersweet. He achieved the power to protect that he set out to achieve, united the world, and will rule in a way that will benefit the whole world. He has the Yellow Emperor by his side to support and (occasionally) advise him. He sees Ah Nian one month a year back in Gao Xing where she is safe and looked after as one of his two Empresses. He manages to mostly mend his relationship with XY and she accepts his mother's flower. He realizes he misunderstood TSJ and accepts their marriage.
But! He had XY by his side the longest and had her complete loyalty, and then he loses her. XY leaves him behind and does not say goodbye. Feng Long dies protecting him. He does not love any of the women he's married to and one of his Empresses is unhinged and tried to kill XY twice, but he has to forgive her for it. ZX's ending is the harshest I think, but one of the themes of Once Promised and LYF is that power and the responsibility of ruling comes with a very high price. Perhaps one day he will follow in the Yellow Emperor's and Grand Emperor's footsteps and relinquish power to a worthy successor - and get to return to being a simple wine-maker with fewer worries.
TSJ - The people who hurt TSJ the most (his grandmother, Hou and FFYY) are dead. Jing Ye is married to Doctor Hu Zhen, a good man. TSJ personally raised his nephew, Tu Shan Zhen, to be a good man who will lead the Tu Shan Clan well. He can leave the clan behind without worries and without any further obligations. He finally gets to be with XY the way he wanted: as YSQ, without any constraints keeping them apart, tying XY down, or preventing them from being happy. They marry and run away together. By holding no grudges against his grandmother, Hou, FFYY or ZX, he is free and unburdened when they leave.
XL - I've said it many times before, but XL gets almost everything he wanted. Thanks to him, XY has a place to go (the ocean), a man she can rely on for life who is alive and by her side (TSJ), and a means of protecting herself (her archery). He takes more steps to protect her. Thanks to his prompting, XY takes Left Ear on as her bodyguard, and XL uses up a life to kill their bugs so that XY's heart and life will not be endangered by his death or by the bugs themselves.
XL secretly commissions a legendary bow for XY, gives her a sea-map-jewel and reminds her that she can always return to the sea. He also returns her ice crystal ball (with adjustments and an inscription of his wishes for her), but hides it where she will never see them inside a doll with such an impish expression that it makes XY laugh with joy for the first time after XL's death. XY really likes the doll without understanding why, and takes it with her when she runs away to the ocean. His gifts and sentiments will always be with her, and his blood and abilities will always be part of her.
The fate he most wanted to avoid was not death but rather the opposite: being a last survivor like the donkey-meat-selling old man who was haunted by the memory of his thousands of fallen comrades. That is the reason XL gives for why death on the battlefield is the best ending for a general. Sir Bi confirmed that XL has no desire for glory. And we know that XL does everything he can to make sure that XY is not haunted by his memory (e.g., pushing her away, pushing her towards TSJ, hiding his feelings and most of the sacrifices he made for her, and erasing the memories she saved of him in her mirror).
Then he dies the way he wanted: making a last stand on the battlefield with his comrades after staying true and loyal to them and to Gong Gong until the very end. His enemies (Ru So and ZX) respect him. His body dissolves and cannot be desecrated. He avoids the fate he most wanted to avoid and got the "best" ending he chose and carefully orchestrated for himself.
The second-to-last Flame Emperor's name was Sheng Nong Shi Nian. He wrote the Sheng Nong Herb Manual. His only son was Prince Yu Wang and his daughters were Princess Yun Sang (friend of Qi Yo and Ah Heng), Princess Nu Wa, and Second Princess Yao Ji who died of illness despite all her father's efforts. She is mentioned briefly in chapter 35 of LYF. The Flame Emperor also has a god-daughter named Mu Jin. She is the fourth princess of Sheng Nong. Yu Wang succeeded his father after his death to become the last Flame Emperor. Qi Yo was Shi Nian's only disciple and promised to help Yu Wang, and became his most trusted and powerful general.
In terms of Zhu Rong and Yu Wang's relationship: "...he was the top warrior of the Shen Nong tribe, Zhu Rong. Although Yu Wang is the Prince of Shen Nong, Zhu Rong’s exceedingly strong spiritual power, coupled with the military power he wielded, resulted in Zhu Rong belittling of the Prince."
I assume Little Zhu Rong's royal lineage is through his father, at least in part because the name suggests to me that the "Flame Emperor" had fire-based powers, and in Once Promised Zhu Rong's powers are fire-based / he is referred to as a fire god. But as far as I am aware (and I haven't read all of Once Promised), neither novel specifies whether Zhu Rong was part of the Sheng Nong royal family or if he married another member of the Sheng Nong tribe who was part of the royal family.
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Chapter 11:
Little Zhu Rong was a direct descendant of the Sheng Nong imperial family, born into royalty and his father was the world-renowned big hero Zhu Rong. When Little Zhu Rong surrendered to the Yellow Emperor, he married the only daughter of the Chi Sui clan Chi Sui Xiao Ye. He was greatly utilized by the Yellow Emperor and became one of his top officials. He was given the entire Middle Plains to govern, an area that used to be under the control of the Sheng Nong Kingdom.
Initially people didn’t dare publicly critique the appointment since Little Zhu Rong was royalty, but behind his back people derided him for surrendering since both his parents died for Sheng Nong in the battle with Xuan Yuan. But in the hundred or so years since, his management of the Middle Plains transformed it from a formerly lawless decrepit region into one filled with bustling activity and thriving with life. His rule was just and fair so the people slowly returned to the region and settled there.
Word was Little Zhu Rong never tried to hide his Sheng Nong background and would openly ask the Yellow Emperor for things that would benefit the people of the Middle Plains. He never hid his thoughts before the Yellow Emperor of his intention that the people of the Middle Plains who have suffered through a war could return to a life of prosperous peace. Gradually the people of the Middle Plains no longer were suspicious of Little Zhu Rong and were instead very respectful. Zhu Rong’s death was an imperial courage to his homeland, Little Zhu Rong’s living was a different type of imperial responsibility to his people.
Chi Chen is called Qi Yo in the novel, and XY's mother goes by Xuan Yuan Ba (her proper name), Xi Ling Heng (taking her maiden name to hide her royal status so she can wander freely), and Ah Heng (a nickname used by those who are close to her).
Chapter 17 of OP is included after chapter 15 of LYF: https://koalasplayground.com/2014/03/15/lost-you-forever-chapter-15-thinking-of-the-past-is-easily-sorrowful/
Parts of chapter 18 and chapter 19 of OP are included after chapter 36 of LYF: https://koalasplayground.com/2014/09/26/lost-you-forever-chapter-36-flowers-bloom-flowers-wilt-farewell-to-a-loved-one/