From a writing point of view, Huo Buyi as he becomes known as, is perhaps the most complex character of the story. While there’s a rugged masculine warrior persona that he carries around for public consumption, trapped in that strapping body is also a grieving lad of six who saw terrible things happen to people that he loved done by someone who was trusted by the family. A relative. A brother-in-law that his birth father trusted to his detriment and that of an entire city. That little boy consistently serves as a reminder to Huo Buyi of the helplessness he once felt but now as a man with resources at his disposal, he is obligated to set the record straight. The rational side of adult Huo Buyi always believed that he would eventually put all the pieces together and present a case before the emperor and his court to convict all the perpetrators as well as finger Ling Yi as the chief inside man who literally let the enemy in with open arms which is to say that the slaughter of thousands was ultimately on him. The calculating Huo Buyi thought that if he were dogged enough and played his cards right, he would get his man in the end. When his arch enemy as it were slips through his fingers, something visceral within snaps. The terrified helpless little boy who had no one he could trust rears his head (so to speak).
Lily, you’re here. Thank goodness. I spent the week trying to figure out how from a storytelling perspective with HBY’s revenge arc and Shaosheng’s abandonment could have been better written without needing to go down the same path of “noble idiot” but struggled. I’ve given up for now because of headaches from this. LOL. I felt that there was no other way because Zisheng was hunted by that other general. But I felt such whiplash when he told CSS to go, and then she came charging in with the horse to save him. He took her hand, but they were surrounded, so perhaps he was thinking they truly could have escaped together had they not been cornered to the cliff, leaving him with no other choice of not wanting her to die with him. CSS was more than willing to, but not Zisheng.
Ah, thank you for breaking down the scenes of HBY’s desperation because I kept thinking and wondering if I had missed something in what might have suddenly triggered his rash action compared to the calculative and painstaking measure he’s taken, given how much he’s held in for so long to bid his time. I actually wasn’t sure had Peng Kun been alive, if it could have still proven Zisheng’s real identity as Huo Wushang, aside from the birthmark. Perhaps I missed something along the way, but I don’t know if I can bear to go back yet…or ever.
Junhua is such a complicated character for me because I feel empathetic for her but also want to hate her. True that she saved Zisheng and they survived together, but she is cruel and never the mother-figure he needed. Granted she suffered from mental illness and PTSD following the murder of her only son, but it appears that even in her youth, Junhua was willing (no different from 5th princess) to harm Consort Yue to the point of Consort Yue almost losing her life in the process. Junhua in her lucid moments continues to drill into Zisheng who is barely 6, survivor’s guilt and the need to avenge their maternal clan. What a heavy burden for someone so young to bear.
Anyway, YES to this later segment of what you wrote in terms of what Zisheng did not being unforgiveable. I think if CSS, given the years apart, had taken the time to think about it, or have some sort of enlightenment, this might have allowed her character growth. “Forgiveness is born out of mercy and grace”. AMEN. This incident is the first time their relationship has truly been tested, and to abandon each other is heartbreaking, making me question the very foundation of their love for each other too. “There are lessons to be learnt and opportunities for growth that are lost when people give up on each other without much of a fight.” Me, getting emotional again and nodding.
Aug 27, 2022·edited Aug 27, 2022Liked by 40somethingahjumma
Hello! Kathleen introduced me to your page and now you have a new fan! :) It's been such a pleasure reading your analysis and thoughts. Your posts are always so insightful and stimulating! I finally watched Ep. 51 and wanted to chime in about our main couple's separation. I might be in the minority here, but I fully supported Niaoniao's decision (although, if they were in modern times, taking a "break" would've been more apropos). I think it would've been completely OOC if she hadn't.
For Niaoniao, abandonment is the ONE issue she can't tolerate or forgive. It's her deal-breaker. She even flat out tells Zisheng this (btw, I loved that she could communicate her needs and assert her boundaries), so it comes as no surprise when she follows through with the separation. I love that she remained steadfast on such a core issue for her. When the Empress visits Niaoniao's bedside for their heart to heart, their conversation encapsulates her stance perfectly. It's even more heartbreaking because Niaoniao completely understands Zisheng's need for revenge and doesn't resent him (and admits she likely would've done the same in his shoes).
Abandonment is such a deep, raw wound that's always lurking below the surface. It's intertwined with her identity and even haunts her (subconsciously). It's why Zisheng has to go to such extreme lengths to chip away at the walls around her heart. For lack of a better example, it's like trying to build a brick house on a straw foundation. As time progresses. Niaoniao matures and her relationship with her family improves, enabling her to patch that foundation. All the while Zisheng has been diligently building a sturdy house on top of it ... but ultimately, her foundation is still straw--likely reinforced with better materials now--but still shaky and susceptible.
All that said, I'm totally with you when you pointed out the adults are all MIA and that the author quite possibly wanted the separation to happen. I've noticed in many romance C-dramas, excessive/unnecessary self-sacrifice and sabotage are common tropes that I find quite frustrating because it happens without rhyme or reason but like you've highlighted, simply for the sake of separation. LLTG has been the only one I've taken exception to because I thought it was totally in line with Niaoniao's character, personality, and history.
Hope it's okay that I shared these thoughts! Looking forward to reading your next posts down the line :)
Lily, you’re here. Thank goodness. I spent the week trying to figure out how from a storytelling perspective with HBY’s revenge arc and Shaosheng’s abandonment could have been better written without needing to go down the same path of “noble idiot” but struggled. I’ve given up for now because of headaches from this. LOL. I felt that there was no other way because Zisheng was hunted by that other general. But I felt such whiplash when he told CSS to go, and then she came charging in with the horse to save him. He took her hand, but they were surrounded, so perhaps he was thinking they truly could have escaped together had they not been cornered to the cliff, leaving him with no other choice of not wanting her to die with him. CSS was more than willing to, but not Zisheng.
Ah, thank you for breaking down the scenes of HBY’s desperation because I kept thinking and wondering if I had missed something in what might have suddenly triggered his rash action compared to the calculative and painstaking measure he’s taken, given how much he’s held in for so long to bid his time. I actually wasn’t sure had Peng Kun been alive, if it could have still proven Zisheng’s real identity as Huo Wushang, aside from the birthmark. Perhaps I missed something along the way, but I don’t know if I can bear to go back yet…or ever.
Junhua is such a complicated character for me because I feel empathetic for her but also want to hate her. True that she saved Zisheng and they survived together, but she is cruel and never the mother-figure he needed. Granted she suffered from mental illness and PTSD following the murder of her only son, but it appears that even in her youth, Junhua was willing (no different from 5th princess) to harm Consort Yue to the point of Consort Yue almost losing her life in the process. Junhua in her lucid moments continues to drill into Zisheng who is barely 6, survivor’s guilt and the need to avenge their maternal clan. What a heavy burden for someone so young to bear.
Anyway, YES to this later segment of what you wrote in terms of what Zisheng did not being unforgiveable. I think if CSS, given the years apart, had taken the time to think about it, or have some sort of enlightenment, this might have allowed her character growth. “Forgiveness is born out of mercy and grace”. AMEN. This incident is the first time their relationship has truly been tested, and to abandon each other is heartbreaking, making me question the very foundation of their love for each other too. “There are lessons to be learnt and opportunities for growth that are lost when people give up on each other without much of a fight.” Me, getting emotional again and nodding.
Hello! Kathleen introduced me to your page and now you have a new fan! :) It's been such a pleasure reading your analysis and thoughts. Your posts are always so insightful and stimulating! I finally watched Ep. 51 and wanted to chime in about our main couple's separation. I might be in the minority here, but I fully supported Niaoniao's decision (although, if they were in modern times, taking a "break" would've been more apropos). I think it would've been completely OOC if she hadn't.
For Niaoniao, abandonment is the ONE issue she can't tolerate or forgive. It's her deal-breaker. She even flat out tells Zisheng this (btw, I loved that she could communicate her needs and assert her boundaries), so it comes as no surprise when she follows through with the separation. I love that she remained steadfast on such a core issue for her. When the Empress visits Niaoniao's bedside for their heart to heart, their conversation encapsulates her stance perfectly. It's even more heartbreaking because Niaoniao completely understands Zisheng's need for revenge and doesn't resent him (and admits she likely would've done the same in his shoes).
Abandonment is such a deep, raw wound that's always lurking below the surface. It's intertwined with her identity and even haunts her (subconsciously). It's why Zisheng has to go to such extreme lengths to chip away at the walls around her heart. For lack of a better example, it's like trying to build a brick house on a straw foundation. As time progresses. Niaoniao matures and her relationship with her family improves, enabling her to patch that foundation. All the while Zisheng has been diligently building a sturdy house on top of it ... but ultimately, her foundation is still straw--likely reinforced with better materials now--but still shaky and susceptible.
All that said, I'm totally with you when you pointed out the adults are all MIA and that the author quite possibly wanted the separation to happen. I've noticed in many romance C-dramas, excessive/unnecessary self-sacrifice and sabotage are common tropes that I find quite frustrating because it happens without rhyme or reason but like you've highlighted, simply for the sake of separation. LLTG has been the only one I've taken exception to because I thought it was totally in line with Niaoniao's character, personality, and history.
Hope it's okay that I shared these thoughts! Looking forward to reading your next posts down the line :)