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Hello!!! I absolutely always love getting to read your wonderful ramblings, and this has been just as lovely as every posts you've written for LLTG. I feel you're truly such a great wordsmith-ess! There are always new words and references I learn from your posts. Thank you for taking the time to write out your thoughts. What you analyzed with Niaoniao's behaviour in finding it hard to accept Zisheng's protection makes sense to me why she's so stubborn and adamant about her independence and not wanting to be controlled. On the surface, we tend to root for a character who is not a damsel in distress, but in this case, sometimes she head-dives into a situation because of her pride. Which is understandable, but it makes perfect sense why she does need the protection at times from Zisheng until Niaoniao can gain some sort of footing, especially in an arena where Zisheng has been a player far longer than she has. I also really love what you've written about the formidable Consort Yue! She really stole the spotlight at the end with how she went from savage roasting to compassion towards Zisheng's grief in the loss of his uncle. Thank you again for your thoughts and words. It is always a delight to read.

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It's always lovely to hear from you and you're so generous with your compliments.

I'm really enjoying the show so all of this comes a little bit easier. (Of course it still takes time to write it all) I certainly wouldn't be doing this if the show became a chore to watch. It only seems to get better with each new episode.

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Consort Yue - I always eagerly wait for her words of wisdom, no matter how brutal it can be. But she is stating the hard, raw facts. She can see the parallels with how ZiSheng was treated with how the Emperor was treated (pre-Emperor days).

I also chafe at the 'etiquette' which comes so easily to the mouths of these sycophants but they don't walk the walk. Shao Shang remained silent as her moral standing was impugned during the AYao and ZhaoJun event. Snide remarks and smearing the reputation of others is not a sign of someone with dignity.

I see this drama as a drama of growth. We see Shao Shang growing up - and learning to think about another person (Zi Sheng) and learning to consider another person's needs. Zi Sheng is not the perfect hero - he has his secrets, his schemes and he is also learning that he cannot control Shao Shang because he loves her for who she is - she is not your typical spoiled princess. I still think back to what he said about her when he proposed. These words are a sign of a person who knows his loved one well and accepts that he loves her - with all her capacity to love and hate - she is still be best lady in the capital and the world who is capable of walking next to (not behind) him.

Looking forward to your next post!

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