Updated 10/5/2022.
@agdr03, I found these gifs for you.
gifs from silverton’s tumblr
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Updated 8/4/2022:
We need a relationship chart to make sense of this drama. @agdr03 found one from wiki.d-addicts.com.
source: wiki.d-addicts.com
Here’s another one from mydramalist.
source: mydramalist
Please credit the source. Thanks!
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Updated 8/1/2022:
Here’s the @agdr03’s list of recommended episodes if you’re skimming this drama for couple moments. As you all know, I rely on @agdr03 for kissing scenes and heart-fluttering moments. She hasn’t been wrong.
Episode 1, 6 and 7 (just watch for Ling Buyi and Cheng Shaoshang’s scenes), 8, 9, 10 (a crack up), 12/15/19 (watch for their scenes) and 22 to 30.
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Here you go @agdr03 and Kate.
How many times has Ling BuYi said, “Don’t be afraid. I am here” to Shao Sheng?
gifs from storge’s tumblr
I’ll move your previous comments here sometime this week. I’m still on vacation mode. 🙂
Let’s enjoy the show.
You’re the best! 😍
Thank you very much!!!! 😘
Kalimera!
Thanks for the post @Packmule3! I am way behind by the most of you and I don’t think I will start watching this very soon.
I have only watched Episode 1 and a friend of mine is watching it and gives me information regarding the show.
Let us enjoy this one!
Thank you so much @Packmule3 – super to have this dedicated thread!
@Kate, I hope your feeling much better. I had my comment all ready yesterday afternoon but I lost it while walking around IKEA. LOL!
You will love episode 27 to 30. But episode 27 is my favorite yet. You’ll understand why. I don’t want to spoil it for you. 🙂
Yes, the series is continuing because supposed to be, episode 27 is the part one. I am so glad we don’t have to wait later in the year for the second part.
I’ve been waiting for the list of necessary episodes before I started to watching but from what I’ve read it comments it ALL sounds enjoyable. Should I just go ahead and dive in or wait until it’s further along?
I was able to find wifi today and download the first few episodes of Dream of Splendor so I’ll be starting those shortly.
@birdie007, I think you’ll enjoy ADoS as recommended by @Fern and @Kate. It’s a completed series already whereas LLTG is still ongoing.
I’m the one that owes you this list so I’ll give it to you tonight. ☺️
@agdr03 – am much better thank you and caught up to Ep 30 last night.
Agreed Ep 27 …fabulous – at a number of levels. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.
I’ll try and post over the next couple of days – playing catch up at work.
Glad to hear that your much better @Kate! ☺️
I’ll definitely comment more. It needs to be put here. There was a lot of firsts for LB in these episodes but I love his total honesty.
So do I @agdr03 – very touching. He’s all in!
Hi @birdie007, here’s my list.
Love Like The Galaxy
Episode 1, 6 and 7 (just watch for Ling Buyi and Cheng Shaoshang’s scenes), 8, 9, 10 (a crack up), 12/15/19 (watch for their scenes) and 22 to 30.
See how you go. ☺️
Thanks, @agdr03.
I’ll put this on top so people will know the important episodes.
@agdr03— thank you!!!!
I think I’ll have wifi access later today so I’ll download those and the latest Alchemy. I’ve made my way through the first quarter of A Dream of Splendor, thanks @kate and others for the recommendation.
I’ll reposting @agdr03 and @Kate’s comments from the other thread here.
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@agdr03 says,
@Kate says,
Kate adds,
@agdr03 replies,
@agdr03 says,
@Kate gushes, lol.
@Packmule3
– thank you for these. And you had to see it – haha – never has a war wound created such romance!
@Birdie007,
– glad you are enjoying ADoS!
The scene when she was removing the arrowhead was mesmerizing. 😂
Episode 25
@agdr03 – I don’t know if you are planning to comment on Episodes 25 and 26. I thought I’d get the ball rolling tonight with one or two thoughts about them before we get into Ep 27.
I’d love to know what you think about LB and NN in this budding relationship!
Episode 25
We were really brought down to earth with a bang weren’t we? There was also all the wonderful comedy with LB trying too hard to fit in at the meal!!
That said another affirmation from LB of NN to his military colleague when he asks about the lady who has captured LB’s heart and LB says (VIKI subtitles)
‘She must be an extraordinary woman.
Someone like me who is trapped in the past
I should’ve been left alone in the world
but if she can be by my side…
through all the hardships…
Perhaps it is worth a try.’
Underneath all of his brave and grand gestures is a lonely boy looking hoping for love in the potential he sees in NN.
Then – for much of that episode my heart sank so many lies and discouraging conversations with people putting the boot in!
The irony for instance of NN being given a bad account of LB as a cruel and merciless person by He Zhaojun. HZ is fresh, of course, from decapitating her murderous first husband and even takes NN with her to witness that bloody execution!
LB rescues NN and shields her from what is going on – sending her away to recover.
Then Master Yuan talks down NN to LB! He describes her as ‘calculative’ and ‘full of bad intentions’.
‘Shaoshang and I adore each other’ responds LB (with his usual visionary capacity to see what will be rather than the hesitating NN of the present moment).
‘When you say that do you even believe it yourself?’… LB pauses.
LB, in many ways, is making moves towards NN as something of an act of faith. He’s not blindly certain is he?
So much of this episode is about truth and lies about our ML and FL.
It’s almost as if their romance is a struggle to get to the truth about who they really are as people and will other people allow them to make this journey together?
Then the comedy of LB ‘saving the day’ with the scene with the unpleasant court ladies!
He is all in! Love it when he shows up with his team of guards!
@Packmule3- mesmerising is the word!
Episode 26
Their first ‘couples conversation’!!
NN feeling trapped and not knowing how to express it resorts to nervous millet biscuit nibbling. I feel for them both because they are just at the start of learning what makes each other tick.
She’s in full-on withdrawn mode – and he is trying so hard to connect and do the right thing! Awww.
But – hoorah – there are people who perceive and present the truth in this story who become allies to NN and LB.
Prince R not only gets a lesson in wisdom from NN but he absolutely sees NN’s worth and I was very happy with the Prince R meeting with her and the way he reported back to his unpleasant wife and Princess Y.
Great comedy dinner with LB trying too hard to fit in! haha. That joke!
Thank you Queen! 🙇🏻♀️
If anything this drama have shocked me with the gory stuff like showing body organs 😱 and pulling of arrow heads (this one I watched with my eyes open for the first time ever, usually I’d close it but our leads made it believable for me and yes, it was mesmerising to say the least). ☺️
Howdy @Kate 🙂
Episode 25 – It was a sign of hope for LB when he said that it might be worth a try if he can have NN by his side as his wife. He’s always believed in love at first sight, I think. Or should we say when he first saw her hand pointing at her guilty granduncle? LOL.
I guess it’s people’s honest opinion of LB and NN that’s been said in this episode. He is in the military and she has been cheeky (bridge collapse but hey, I thought those girls deserved it). I’m just glad that LB doesn’t care at all.
I’m actually glad that NN talked with HZ. NN needed a closure on Yao.
I am irritated with Scholar Yuan because for all of his remarks, we know he likes NN too. I thought it was a good comment of LB when he said if I didn’t know better, I’d think you have impure thoughts on my future wife. Good on you!
The family meal was hilarious. LOL! That dreadful joke! But oh he is trying hard! I have to give it to him. heheheh
Don’t you love the way he asked that question to Lady Wang? You’re sister in law or your mother? I had a good laugh. hehehe
The black guards are very intimidating indeed. Look at the way their stationed at her house. hahahah
His two sidekicks are good too. 🙂
Episode 26 – yes! It’s their first couple conversation. You can relate to NN being withdrawn because it’s true, she doesn’t have any power and whatever power it will be in the future, it’s because of LB. She’s realized the life that she will have and she’s not liking it one bit.
I liked that LB gave her a reason for not eating the millet bread and he is trying. I was laughing when one of the sidekick said he looked like he was going to NN’s house to interrogate her. LOL!
I thought Old Prince R is a softy too when it comes to his granddaughter but I’m glad he wasn’t. That whole family scene was Princess Ruyang’s reality check. It hurt!
Episode 27 – my favorite one. 🙂
Firstly, let’s pick on that big rock bolder, it would have been more realistic if it was not that big. Seriously, can someone carry all three of those for training like LB did? hahahah
Besides that then the whole episode was so funny, sweet and NN’s realizations are finally achieved. I thought drunk NN was bulgar. LOL! Look at her rocking LB like a horse. OMG! bwahahhaha
LB stayed with her the whole night because she was crying, laughing, kicking and doing who knows what! He’s patience is something else. Then for her to tell him straight in his face that she doesn’t need his kind of love. That look on him. 🙁
I was happy for NN to think of all the times that LB was there for her and to see those scenes again. Made me giddy. 🙂
Episode 28 – LB made us swoon again. He’s very good at it isn’t he? 🙂
Opening up to the Fifth Princess about NN being the only one for him even after just meeting her a few months made NN look up at him. She’s probably thinking ‘this guy is really something.’ hehehe
Then having our 2nd couple conversation. 🙂 LB is putting his foot down about him not cancelling the marriage and his face when NN tells him who said I was going to cancel it? Sigh! 🙂
The dialogue was swoon too even if it’s been re-used in dramas. He said ‘I know you always question our equality and worry that I would constrict you. Today I want to tell you that I only see you as my wife. Everything that I have, belongs to you.’ He puts in his first compromise and that she can eat whenever she likes. I was happy seeing both of them smile. 🙂
Episode 29 – we get our first kiss, it’s a pity it wasn’t shown but it was good enough. 🙂 and both our couple couldn’t sleep a wink. hehehe I like that camera pause after LB kissed NN on her forehead. 🙂
I liked how his two sidekicks were talking about it while taking NN to the palace. That’s some effort there to bring her early in the morning then take her back home.
Oh and we see how NN defended LB from Princess Wang’s mother. He was touched. 🙂
Howdy @agdr03!
Re Ep 25
I’m glad you were more positive about the conversation with HZ. I couldn’t believe that HZ was so critical of NN’s marriage to be when NN had sacrificed marriage with A’Yao for her and her family.
Yes, I was also irritated with Scholar Y – what is his game? What an underhand way to try to get the girl if that is his goal. We do see more of his background later – so compassion may be required.
Perhaps the opinions are honest but they don’t see to the heart and characters of LB and NN. Perhaps that’s the distinction.
Yes, the public put down of Lady Wang was priceless and not a moment too soon!
LB’s sidekicks are great. [The funny sidekick played a similar role in an E-sports Romance alongside Xu Kai (‘Falling into your Smile’). He was really good in that as Xu Kai’s team mate. When LB is in full on general mode they make him more human.
Episode 26
Yes – agreed! NN has gone from the easily manageable A’Yao to what must feel like jumping into a powerless, unknown future. She must feel very small.
Yes – the PR family – that is one unhappy family and the reality check was a surprise to me too!
Episode 27
Top episode for me too! I plan to re-watch this week.
The fantastic comedy timing of as the camera panned around the courtyard with the family members doing their military training – and especially when it revealed the women doing their military training! Was laughing the whole time.
…And LB’s happy earnestness as everyone struggled to lift weights and point swords!!
Beyond beyond!
The romantic stuff:
I really felt for them both in the showdown (it needed to happen) between NN and LB. I felt more for LB because he was so taken aback and was being so honest about his failings to understand family and relationships. Had she not felt so claustrophobic she would have melted to hear what he said.
As soon as he left – she seemed to realise that this was not the result she wanted. Do you agree?
He had to move away for her to get in touch with her feelings.
That lovely swoon-fest of her looking back at everything that had happened between them – violin music the lot! I loved it.
Episode 28
Love the things you highlighted here.
The expression on NN’s face too when LB tells the Emperor, in front of her, that he likes her the way she is. Too happy and so cute. (reminds me of a scene in Bridget Jones now I think of it!)
He’s on the ball now and understanding her needs when it is suggested she move into the Empresses quarters.
Episode 29
Another favourite sequence here.
Their time on the battlements looking up at the stars!
Running along the battlements of the palace – childlike freedom running together.
LB and NN looking out at the starry night…. mmmm…. they are growing closer by leaps and bounds….
Exchanging sweet nothings about starlight in her eyes etc…
Yes, first kiss on forehead feels really good after this long wait.
This felt like another central scene in our understanding of LB and what he was hoping for in life. Of course, it made sense of the show title too.
@Kate, I liked Falling Into Your Smile. I like Zu Kai (with Bai Lu) as well but no time for him yet. LOL! Yes, that’s where I know of one of LB’s sidekick. He always makes the point whereas the other guy is more serious but he has his moments too. 🙂
The family training was hilarious! NN juggling the pots with shaking hands even righth after it was finished. hahahahah
I agree that NN must have regretted what she said as soon as LB left. She had the lingering look as if to say that was not what I wanted to say. She even looked sad. So to see her happy face and that conviction to say she will marry him to her parents was awesome to see.
I re-watched episode 29 and I realized it was NN who said to LB she wanted to look at the stars in his eyes. Technically she started this whole closeness thingy. heheheh But I loved that LB knew where to go from there.
Episode 30 – do we have 2 princess’ that don’t like NN? Fifth and Third? Sigh. I wonder how long she’ll last and how long can LB protect her.
But I liked their conversation again where she said she would like to get to know her future husband’s background and family more so LB said ok.
From the previews though he warned her not to get involved in the Eastern Palace. But she is stubborn so we’re expecting it. I saw a preview where 5 years will pass and Scholar Yuan will be engaged to her too. I want to know whether she got divorced from LB first or their marriage didn’t materialised because he had to go to war or something.
I haven’t read the book. I might search it up actually and find out. 🙂
@ agdr03
Ep 30
Agreed – scary royal family! Talk about being thrown to the sharks!
That conversation re his family background was great because she said she was doing it for herself when he asked if she was doing it for him. But she turned away awkwardly when she said that and he smiled because he knew there was more to it than she was admitting.
If you check out the book – that would be great. I’ll be able to look at the weekend.
@agdr03 –
glad you liked FitYS – so did I! I love e-sports romances! Did you feel sorry for the second lead (so handsome)? I kept wanting the FL to give him a chance.
Go Go Squid is my favourite though. Have seen that at least twice!
@Kate, is there an email where I can send you something?
Please let me know ok. Thank you. 🙂
Oohhh we have watched GGS here too. Queen and I liked it as well.
Actually I saw a post where Zhao Lusi and Li Xian might star in a drama and it’s base on a book by the author of LoveO2O! We’re excited for it. I hope it will happen. 🙂
I’m not really into e-sports drama but I didn’t mind King’s Avatar, GGS and FiyS. 🙂
Hi @agdr03 – yes please – **EDITED BY PACKMULE3**
Oh I hope the new ZL show comes off!
I also liked King’s Avatar – something very poignant about that show! Glad you and Packmule3 liked GGS – I thought it was adorable.
Thanks @Kate! I’ll email it to you.
Yes, we enjoyed GGS a lot. But Queen was slightly more attracted by Li Xian though. That’s just me. 😂 ✌🏼
@agdr03,
Did you get her email address already?
I’ll delete it then. Don’t want personal emails out here since we’re getting lots of clicks from unknown people.
Yes, please delete.
Thank you!!!
Done!
@Kate, I removed your email. We never know who’s trolling this site. 🙂
@Packmule3 – you are a star.
[Btw – have been thinking of you and the sense of overwhelm. Are there ways your task or the scope of discussion could be scaled back for a while? Could there be BoD holidays? I know only too well what it is like to enjoy something and for it then to take over.]
ps re GGS – I thought Li Xian was gorgeous in that role!
What I found so funny and I’m sure you were the same – was the comedy of errors way he found himself in a relationship with Ling Xi … he didn’t stand a chance!
Which one was Ling Xi again @Kate? Sorry 😁
@agdr03.
Hi. I meant the cute FL.
I think she had a nickname in the show but can’t remember it!
I like Yang Zi in a lot of what she does.
Ah I get it. ☺️Ling Xian was arrogant there but he came around. 😁
I don’t mind Yang Zi but GGS is her only drama that I’ve watched.
I’m watching this too!! 😀 2-3 episodes a day to catch up to ep.30. Still at ep16 and loving it. It feels like such a slow burn to see ML & FL together but there is a lot of build up of the story before that.
I read that they are following the original novel quite closely. Someone on MyDramaList translated some parts of it and mentioned that the language in the novel is really beautiful. I tried to read it but 179 chapters in Chinese will take me ages to finish. So I will enjoy the show and read everyone’s comments instead 😛
When I can catch up I will join you all to discuss more.
@grace – that’s great!
If the language is beautiful – it will be super – from time to time- to have you highlighting bits we would otherwise miss.
Go go squid—I may need to revisit, possibly add to summer binge rewatch list. I remember being very second hand embarrassed for the awkward situations she ended up in in the beginning and extremely frustrated with him for the whole bracelet debacle but somehow still enjoying it??? I dropped GGS2 promptly. Falling into your smile was also a drop for me. @kate, have you seen You are my Glory? I think it would be right up your alley. A Dream of Splendor is just the palate cleanser I needed. Will begin my list of LLTG today thanks to @agdr. Thanks ladies!
@birdie007 –
Yes – re the awkwardness of Tong Nian! I found it funnier and funnier just how inept she was and the ripples this created… but it was also awkward!
Thank you for the recommendation of ‘You are my Glory’. I watched some episodes when it came out but that got overtaken by something going on with my elderly Dad’s health. I’ve been meaning to watch it all the way through when in the right frame of mind! I really like Dilraba and, of course, YY.
It’s nice to have you on board here @grace 🙂
So true about the slow burn for our couple but I’m really liking it because relationships needs to grow and mature. 🙂
Done, @agdr03. Thanks.
Kumawo! 🙇🏻♀️☺️
@Kate!!! Are you updated with the episodes?
Looooooooove episode 34! LB and NN’s kiss was so sweet! Sigh! I can watch it over and over again. 🙂 The whole convo was amazing. LB said swoony things again and I’m happy that NN asked him whether she should focus on her majesty and palace matters or focus on him. What a swift reply from LB. 🙂
I just love their convesations now, they’re really opening up to each other and I’m hoping we get a lot more sweet scenes before we get the angst later.
I’m so glad NN finally realized that she really likes LB. Did you see how his eyes lit up after NN said that she will be good to him from now on and when they are old with gray hairs, she will always think of how good he treated her. 🙂
It’s funny with the carriage stool missing. LOL! Zisheng lifts her up to the carriage. He’s really ready to become a husband. hahahah
I had a bit of Avengers feels when the Emperor entered NN’s house together with Consort Yue and LB. The sound was like when all Avengers came back again in Avengers Endgame. LOL!
Funny too how they were supposed to be in a quiet room but they can be heard by everyone. hahahaha
It was cool how the Empress and Consort Yue was backing up NN. Mind you, I did feel that she was a bit rude to Marchioness Yunchu when she visited her at home. But then again we know she prefers Old Consort’s grandaughter for LB.
The palace are getting more intriguing. Thank you for suggesting the character chart, we need it. 🙂
Oh, I had a tear at the end of episode 32 though when LB talked to her about what she suggested to the crown prince. I felt for her. She was hurt and the way she said, I’ll bring myself home to LB. 🙁
I wonder if the episode tomorrow will be the honeymoon? LOL!!!
😂😂 I can feel your excitement all the way here where I am, @agdr03. I’ve time right now. I can skip and watch this Ep 34 of yours.
Hi @agdr03
I’m not updated. Will watch tonight!
Ooh… I’m deliberately not reading your full post.
The excitement for later is building…
My comment does feel happy doesn’t it? 😂
But oh I was very happy with episode 34. ☺️
Watch the last few minutes of episode 33 before you go to 34. That’s where NN said something about their gray hair.
@Kate! I’m sure you’ll love it too. 🥰
Yes, you can read my post after you’ve watched it.
Will do, @agdr03.
So enjoyed this @agdr03.
Wasn’t it great when she was trying to work out whether she loved him…the penny dropped about the number of times LB had risked his life for her. I liked the help her fun friend (Qiki?) gave her when weighing up whether LB deserved her love…
Then as you said that after the dawning realization – off she went to reconcile with him and that lovely conversations between them. They are progressing in leaps and bounds as they bridge the divide between their life experiences and temperaments.
And he is going to kiss her now when she says discouraging things … That was a very tender scene.
…As was the scene when she realised what his home life was like! What an introduction to your mother-in-law!
Excellent banquet scene and behind the scenes summit!
Yes, if I see any more charts – I’ll send them your way because it’s so difficult to keep track of all the family names. Some names look very like others.
The arrival of the Avengers … yes haha!
It was so funny watching the expressions on the faces of the crowd outside as the most unlikely pair were firmly dragged out of the room where the big showdown happened.
Talk about upturning the social tables and Prince R capitalizing on it all!
@agdr03… I also didn’t like the way NN, backed up by her Mum, tackled the new Mum. Didn’t like that at all. It was too reminiscent of some of the bullying sent her way in the earlier episodes. NN of course was being loyal to LB but all the same.
In earlier episodes I was getting frustrated with NN for not taking LB’s advice in the palace. I do get though that she is very young and kind hearted. She doesn’t have a long term strategic mind yet. The Crown Prince – that is a tricky one because he is so unsuited to power and some kindnesses may lead to his downfall.
Thanks to this post, I’m back on the Love Like Galaxy binge fest. I started watching it but the many families and way too many characters really confused me. This time, I’m back only watching the CP scenes because they are worthwhile. I keep forgetting Wu Lei is just a kid.
I’m at episode 25 only, considering how i move by 2 episodes a day. It will probably take me another 4-5 days to get to 34!
Even at episode 25. It is always 英雄救美 which means the hero saves a damsel in distress. He always manages to come to NN’s rescue at the right time, obviously it is a drama thing but also a kind of fate that they have together. I also find NN isn’t always a damsel in distress but a damsel who always end up bullied and looked down by people around her.
It is those who really know who she is, like LBY and Qiqi who really knows her for who she is and can be.
I do not like how NN’s mother puts her down in public, and the favourtism she shows. I get that she has best intentions but it is expressed so poorly. This is also a reflection of the parent-child r/s in Chinese culture where the parents will say, “It’s for your own good.” But the way the mother does it to NN is just too much.
Lastly, I always love how LBY has always been consistent, all protective, and fending off all the people who are mean to NN. He always has a reasonable argument even though everyone seems so upset by the ruckus.
I’m reading ahead on the translations of the novel so I have vague idea of what happens, so I want to see the actual drama play out eventually.
Also the title of the original novel 星汉灿烂, 幸甚至哉, when directly translated means “Glorious galaxy, fortunately!” Sounds so weird.
It comes from poetry written by CaoCao, a very famous Chinese statesman warlord and poet during 160AD of the Han dynasty. He is famous in the story of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms…not in a good way though.
Anyway he wrote this poem called 观沧海 which means “gazing at the deep blue sea”. And this poem is where the words of the drama/novel title came from. It is a descriptive poem about how majestic and grand the sea, and it describes the lush greenery, grand mountains, vastness of the sky etc. BUT it also reflected Caocao’s grand ambitions of taking the world into his hands.
The particular phrase in the poetry that describes how glorious the galaxy is, is like saying, the beauty of it is a result of the very great sea. I think of how deep and great LBY and NN’s love will be, is the result of all they went through.
The last phrase of the novel means “So lucky” (not in the title in the drama). It reminds me how NN always says she is unlucky. And this story will eventually close with how lucky she is that she got a love that was a result of the hardships she encountered, this is because the love she and LBY shared will be a Love like The Galaxy.
@Grace, thanks for this!
This is such a lovely interpretation. The poem connection gives us an extra layer of depth and understanding.
@Grace … this is lovely – want to say more but off to a work conference today – so will add thoughts on Sunday.
There are two segments in the drama so far where the conversation turns to the galaxy and seeking meaning and worth. I’d be interested in your take on them.
One is on the battlements when NN and LB have their conversation looking out at the stars – Episod 29.
I watched Episodes 35 and 36 last night and, in Ep 35, NN had this really good conversation with the Empress about how you get a sense of recognition and worth when your husband appears to be given the credit for what you do.
Empress tells NN about LB asking for an edict of praise for her and nothing for himself. Then the Empress compares her situation with the life of great generals who do everything in the name of the Emperor and whose successes are his and for whose failures he must be accountable.
She adds, nevertheless: ‘ since ancient times under the starry sky, those famous generals who rule the world also have their names shine brightly in the brilliant galaxy’. This whole segment runs from 34.00 to 37.47 in Episode 35.
ps @Grace, of course, this is for when you get there! No rush.
Ages:
Cheng Shaoshang is 15 at the start of the story. In Episode 6, we got introduced to the other two male love interests, and all three got to see CSS in person at the Lantern Festival. Luo Yao (I don’t know his age, but he is older than CSS because in later episodes they refer to each other as big brother and little sister. It’s a respectful address of each other since they are not meant to be in a romantic relationship). LY is younger than the other two love interests.
Yuan Shen, the scholar, is 21. In Ep 6, there was an “introduction” to his character that “three years ago, when he was 18, he attended a debate on behalf of his teacher.” Ling Buyi is 25. I have seen that he is 21 in the web novel, and he is 22 in the drama. But it doesn’t make sense to me that he is 22. In Episode 4, when CSS mother, Xiao Yuanyi, is having the fight with her sister-in-law, Aunt Ge, cousin Cheng Yang’s mom, there is a flashback to the birth day of CSS and her twin brother. It was in that scene, where XYY had to give CSS to Grandma Cheng, she said that “Huo is in critical condition, and we have to depart now”. Both she and General Cheng had to depart immediately to provide back up to the Huo clan (LBY’s maternal family). In present time, LBY and other characters references that the Huo massacre happened 15 years ago. Then, in the present time, LBY is 25, and CSS is 15.
I’ve read somewhere that the setting of this story is 2000 years ago, so this the marriage age of females, so don’t be grossed out by the age differences. After the Hua County arc, episode 12, arrow removal et. al, and up to episode 25, a year or so have passed since the Lantern Festival. When LBY proposed, my guess is CSS is 16/17 now and LBY should be 26/27. This goes back to what the Emperor said about males concentrating on their careers, and can get married later in life, whereas females have to get married when they are “of age”.
Adding more context to this drama, is CSS’s limited literacy. In the novel, she is a modern day person who is “teleported or time traveled” back to 2000 years ago, in the body of CSS. So with modern simplified Chinese characters and the way words were written back then, CSS had a difficult time comprehending. CSS is proficient in the math and sciences because of modern day education. Again, in Ep 6, she uses the two sticks, radius and diameter, to get the depth of the well.
The bitterness of Yuan Shen. Ugh, this character has made me laugh so many times, but now that CSS and LBY are engaged, his character is just a foil to LBY’s good character, and it’s sad to see his deterioration. All three love interests fell in love with CSS in their “first meetings”, which happened in Ep 6. LBY was intrigued with CSS’s disclosure of her grand uncle hiding in the haystack, and her left hand (in Ep1), but he fell in love with CSS after seeing her at the Lantern Festival. He was standing up in a tower, overlooking the main street. LY was mesmerized by CSS’s free spirit and her intelligence. Ha! After CSS won the contest and was waiting for her “QianLiZui, thousand miles drunk” jar of alcohol, he was so mesmerized that he didn’t know the entire crowd had already disappeared and he was the only one standing there, staring at CSS. YS fell for her intelligence. Remember, when he threw that embroidered ball over the balcony to CSS? She didn’t know what it meant, and threw it back up to him. He was so disappointed. I had to Google “male throwing embroidered ball” and it’s a love token. Males give embroidered balls to females to let her know he is interested.
YS is academically smart, but he is devoid of emotional intelligence. He is in love with CSS. He knows he’s in love but he can’t accept it. His actions seem to be involuntary. He doesn’t know how to act civil with her. He doesn’t know what love is, and how to give love. He has a mentor/teacher for most of his life, and this teacher has been guilt ridden and obsessed with the girl (CSS’s third aunt) for decades. What kind of role model is this? His parents have a dead marriage. He told his governess what his outlook is on marriage in Ep. 7. He only wants to be in a marriage if he “benefits him.” Being with CSS is not beneficial to him, and I think it irritates him greatly, and subconsciously he can’t control his attraction to her.
He wants attention from his mother, but gets none. His mother has been in a marriage that she never wanted to be in, and gives him the opportunity to choose someone he loves to marry, and he takes the gesture as neglect. Grant it, it seems as if the mom just wants to be by herself all the time, so he has been neglected. The norm is the parents arrange the marriage, and the offspring don’t have much of a say about it. We see this in the Third Princess, Fifth Princess, and Wang Ling storylines.
Whenever CSS has a person to be happy with, LY or LBY, YS uses all his energy to bring her down, talk badly OF her, talk badly TO her. It’s weird to me that he gets away with talking badly of CSS in public. Ep 25, he directly speaks poorly of CSS right in front of LBY. It takes a lot of emotional strength for LBY to keep his fist to himself. (CSS almost punched YS at the end of Ep 22). I was impressed with the LBY’s words striking back to YS!
I’ve enjoyed this show, and I agree that the dialogue is quite good. I don’t know the novel, and how well it’s written, but comparing this show with some other costume C-dramas, some of the dialogue is poetry to me. Very succinct, case in point, LBY’s proposal monologue.
@kate, I will go check it out soon! I think I have seen clips on that part where they were looking out at the stars but haven’t gotten to read the dialogue yet.’
Also want to highlight the importance of NN’s name ShaoShang which we know to be the 7th string of the Guqing instrument. Her twin brother is named as the 6th string, ShaoGong. I quote from http://www.silkqin.com/
“The 7th string has a military sound; rules shao shang (“lesser re”); in the sky fits with the “military star”; amongst people is called “military proficiency”; its hardness reflects softness.”
It showed up at Ep11 where YS was playing the Guqin and broke the 7th string, a foreshadowing that he has no fate with NN. Ep12 NN pulled out the arrow from LBY with the Shaoshang string she carried with her. The string is white isn’t it, but when she used it to pull out the arrow it was stained red. Doesn’t it remind you of the red string of fate? :O
I read that in the later episodes (or has it happened yet?) that LBY will bring this Shaoshang string that NN dropped with him when he goes on his exile.
Oh another one…sorry, I’m in my flow delving into the names. You know these authors do not skimp on the meaning of names. Surnames help you connect which family they belong to (as the family name thing is a really big thing in Chinese culture, you don’t want your family line to end, which is why boys are so important to these people to continue the family line.
Niaoniao 嫋嫋. This name. Do you remember the scene where she dropped her jade pendent while evesdropping at the pagoda and it broke into half? LBY picked it up and read the name as 弱弱 RuoRuo which means weak. The other half of the jade has the 女 word which refers to female. When put together this word 嫋 means delicate and graceful. I think that is the hope her mother had for her when she name NN so. Obviously NN is anything but delicate and graceful which probably explains her mum’s great disappointment.
If I go on with all the names they will all mean who they are as the characters are
I added a long comment last night. It hasn’t posted, so it’s caught in junk folder? There have been a few times I’ve commented but it didn’t get logged. Thanks for help. Sorry for extra work this may cause.
Found it, @Fan of TKEM!
Yes, it was in my SPAM folder this time, not the Junk folder. I didn’t check to see if there was a banned word in it. I just approved it.
@agdr03
Your list of episodes to watch was *chefs kiss*
I thoroughly enjoyed flying through and getting to see the romance without being bogged down in the politics. Now I’m glad I’m watching most and not skipping because the palace politics are a whole other nightmare.
@grace thanks for the time you took on the poem and name meanings. I got a giggle out of the “delicate flower”.
I never flinched once at all the blood and gore but goodness that snake scene with the bullies really got me.
I had JOMO and now feel a tad regretful for jumping in too soon as now I feel like the real angst will start. Whoops note to self: do NOT start a long drama until it’s reached it’s completion!!!!
@packmule3 – thank you!
How may I get password to your Alchemy of Souls posts? Muchos Gracias!
@Grace – I love what you have shared here about the poem and it’s scope.
The Chinese certainly have a rich hinterland to their dramas.
That is one of the things that is so attractive to a non-Chinese person.
We are welcomed into this outlook about life and suffering and love.
I am interested that the poem is also about power. There is a lot about power in this drama and what makes a human life of worth and status etc
Will LB have to make some big decisions about love versus the exercise of power?
Much to chew on anyway.
Also, the play on words in NN’s name is so intricate.
Together with the dashed aspirations of Military Mum!
@Fan of TKEM,
Fascinating.
Interesting that the writers may have bowed to modern day sensibilities about relative age for marriage. We are used, after all to the world of Jane Austen and women being ‘on the shelf’ by 21!
I found what you said about Scholar Y very helpful. His behaviour at times seems random – despite his great intelligence – and this back story helps locate what is going on for him. Of course, he has this cold mother to deal with and is, in many ways, a lost lonely boy.
I am especially interested that we lost a time travel story and, in its place, NN is ‘displaced’ because of her unusual upbringing (or lack of it!), single minded military parents, and an innate survivor intelligence + the mind of an engineer.
Where the time travel story would make more sense is in her struggle for equality with LB and her conversation with the Empress in Ep 36. I had wondered where she got her desire to be acknowledged equally.
ps Am utterly flaked out after a work conference … wanted to say, as someone relatively new to the blog, that I appreciate what a wonderful resource of people BoD is. It is so enriching to our appreciation of these dramas.
@Grace – found this translation of ‘The Sea’ – is this it?
東臨碣石，以觀滄海。
As I conquered the east and climbed the Jieshi mountain, I watched the boundless ocean.
水何澹澹，山島竦峙。
Waters were so vast, with islands standing amids the waves.
樹木藂生，百草豐茂。
Trees were abundant, and grass was luxuriant.
秋風蕭瑟，洪波湧起。
Autumn winds blew cold and bleak against the trees, making gigantic billows on the ocean.
日月之行，若出其中;
Even all the bright and brilliant stars in the sky seemed to be given life and birth by this endless ocean.
幸甚至哉！歌以詠志。
I felt so ecstatic to see this sight! So I wrote this poem to express my mind (aspiration).
(translated by KS Vincent Poon, Oct . 2015; revised April. 2017)
and… here is the title!
“The Sea”, a poet by Cao Cao (曹操步出夏門行之觀滄海)
110 X 70 cm
Click to Enlarge. In Reserve, not available in Shop.
“The Sea”, a poet by Cao Cao
(曹操 步出夏門行 之 觀滄海)
Quoted from Vincent’s Calligraphy
– preserving authentic traditional Chinese culture in the West
http://www.vincentpoon.com/the-sea——.html
ps @Packmule3 any acknowledgment or copyright issues here?
Should you need to delete or add anything – please do.
Just occured to me. Need to engage brain fully!
@Kate, hope you got a good rest after your work conference!
yes it is this poem! You managed to find the translations! I have always found these ancient poetry beautiful in language in terms of the choice of words and also deep in meaning.
Listening to the conversations about the galaxy b/w NN & LBY, b/w the Empress and NN about the galaxy. I think the author/script writer has expanded the meaning to something more which is a lot more meaningful I feel. I’ll quote their dialogue here:
Empress: He was going on a war expedition at the time. Yet, he never asked for any grace. He was worried others would treat you coldly at Lou’s Residence. So especially requested His Majesty to grant you the commendation letter. At that time, he already had a deep affection for you.
NiaoNiao: I didn’t expect he would do so much for me.
I just feel everyone sees me as Zisheng’s fiancee. But what about me? No one acknowledges me for being myself.
Em: If it is as you say, then the soldiers and counselors under His majesty would have no place for themselves anymore. If the plan was good and they won the battle, it was to help His Majesty to expand the country’s territory. Do you think the rest has nothing to do with them? If the plan fails, and the army was defeated; would that be entirely His Majesty’s mistake?
But since ancient times, under the starry skies, the names of the famous generals and counselors who directed politics of the world can still be seen shining brightly in the galaxy.
NN: Really? Is this how it is, after getting married, what is his is mine, and what’s mine is his? Both of us are one body?
Em: You were so used to being alone. So you always think of yourself and growing up alone. You must behave this way after you’re married. You must learn how to mediate. If it doesn’t work this way, you can try another way. After marrying Zisheng, you may not be able to travel far as you expected with Mr.Lou. But does that mean you can’t be yourself here?
NN: You’re right. If the husband is the scorching sun that brightens the road for thousands of li away, then the wife would be the stars, the brillant galaxy.
The sun, the moon, the galaxy. Neither is superior or inferior. Not a single one can be cast aside. Only by coexisting can we create this world.
——————–
To me what I understand is that the galaxy is not made of one prominent star, but many that is put together to create a beautiful galaxy. At the same time, it is not one person’s efforts but many. So NN should not focus on what LBY gets but that because she is part of what they do together. She has not lost who she is but his and her strengths will create the world they desire.
What’s your take on it @kate?
@Fan of TKEM, thanks for sharing more on the ages of ML & FL, I vaguely remembered someone saying that their ages in the novel is almost a decade apart. Now you mentioned LBY’s proposal dialogue, I’m gonna go check it out.
Bte, someone is slowly translating the novel, I’m not sure how she will do all 179 chapters of the novel. It is strange how the author starts with the FL time travelling to ancient times. It feels so out of place.
https://lovelikegalaxy.wordpress.com/2022/07/27/chapter-one/
@Grace – this is so good to have!
The sub-titles don’t – of course – do these conversations justice.
Yes I agree with your take on this.
There is this sense of surrender to the relationship or role (if you are a general) in order to be more than you ever would be as an individual seeking significance in your own right.
She will shine brightly with him and doesn’t need to be afraid of some of the limitations this will create in her life. She was looking forward to complete autonomy with Lou Yao… but now needs to be able to shape herself to a strong man who will really elevate her.
ps this is all in the context of LB’s care for her and ability to give to her without thinking of himself.
@kate, yes! so true so true! LBY’s love for her, his giving her full autonomy in what she wants to do, his protection over her, even the situations she needs to endure like adjusting into the palace, will actually make her shine even brighter.
I also realize at the same time when she understood and appreciates what he does for her, and she reciprocates that towards him, they become such a powerful duo. Loved that part when Yangyang and Qiqi reminds her of all LBY has done and she realised that it was a lot of sacrifice on LBY’s part, that realization made her love him more and want to do the same for him.
@birdie007, you could also watch all the videos in
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMX26aiIvX5pmvJHvwZpTsaQvOrTE0m5T
WeTv playlist and relive the scene.
I also realized some of the scenes they put in is for later episodes and watching some of the teasers for this week, some of the story seem to deviate from the original novel too. NN had 3 betrothals in the novel but and I hope they don’t make her go through the 3rd one and the 5yr wait till exiled LBY comes back. The author did say that the story is a really long long one and warned readers that it is really a slow burn story of the FL in the ancient history context that is full of passion, faith, loyalty and friendship.
@Fan of TKEM, you should check out Who Rules The World too. The dialogue is just as poetic though it is more of a fantasy wuxia drama. ZhaoLusi stars in it too. 😀
Meanwhile I’ll continue to hang around this thread till it’s over. It’s the only drama I can invest in though AOS is my favourite too, I can only cope with reading @pm3’s awesome notes. Thank you @pm3 for opening this thread!! 🙂
@Grace – yes – loved the session with her friend who helped her see that a few minor annoyances did not outweigh LB risking his life for her on numerous occasions!
So funny when the penny dropped and she got it!
I started reading the chapter you linked us to… our heroine scores top marks in logical thinking in her modern day context.
She is applying that logical thinking but just needs to know how to value sacrificial love over avoiding annoying her! Her first fiance of course avoided annoying her all the time!
ps not so much *funny* as delightful when she realised the extent of LB’s devotion. But the process of counting plus and minus points on her hands was funny.
@grace – yes, I did read the English translated chapter 1 last week. The translation is good.
Who Rules the World:
There is an English translation of Who Rules the World on Wattpad, and I skim-read 40 chapters and then gave up. It is hard work to translate and I thank you Sher Mei, the translator. However, if there was some refinement to identifying the two main characters (and the side characters e.g. Fengqi) it would be less confusing. For example, referencing Fengxi did then and then Fengxi did that. It just got confusing, and it would be less confusing if their names were identified as BFX and HFX. Then there was the constant pronoun issue of misidentifying the male ta and the female ta. I didn’t find the story that intricate and interesting.
I watched 20 episodes on Netflix and gave up as well. I did end up skim-watching the final episode, two months later. I didn’t like the constant exposition of the story. There were so many ex machina situations. I especially disliked HFX’s family dynamics. That queen charcter is hateful and the off-springs are too forgiving. The king character is even worse!
I don’t have access to the Chinese novel of Love like the Galaxy, but reading the subtitles to LBY’s proposal in Ep 24, and some other scenes between he and CSS, LBY’s lines are very succinct.
I haven’t gotten to CSS and the Empress’s conversation on LBY’s love for CSS, and how CSS can contribute herself into their union. I like how the show’s dialogue brings up the galaxy, stars, the out of the world connection we have with each other, tying back to the title of the show/book.
I think it will be Sept 10 when I see the final episode free on YT. Sigh.
Have anyone watched the latest episodes? I was so tickled and sad in the episode 37 or 38 at the scene where LBY was caned for acting on his own to punish those who bullied NN.
ZhaoLusi’s crying always makes me cry, and she was so upset LBY was caned, indirectly because of her. And then I was also laughing at how the king was using this opportunity for NN to realize how much LBY loved her and how much he matters to her as well.
I don’t know how to describe this scene and because there is so much the build up to this scene that just watching the caning scene isn’t enough to appreciate how it succeeded in bringing out the love between LBY & NN and the need for them to work as husband and wife team, not “I do my own thing and you do your own thing without telling you”.
Looking forward to next week’s episodes…a lot more about LBY’s background will be revealed, I think.
Is this going to be 56 episodes long…gosh…2-3 more weeks of this!
@Grace- I am caught up to Episode 40 just now.
That was quite some scene and of course he was killing a number of birds with one stone and using it is as cover for his ongoing investigation.
I did think that being prepared to take being flogged 100 times was a rather excessive way to meet LB’s goals! My practical side took over I am afraid when I was watching it. But I did love the fact that NN was finally able to blurt out her feelings to LB!
And yes – we are all gasping now for them to work together as a team.
I don’t know about you but I was disappointed in that conversation where he asked her to share more of her troubles – including the being thrown into the lake with snakes etc – with him.
She came up with all this stuff about not needing his help and sisters can do it for themselves and being vindictive and that was who she was.
I felt that we had gone backwards and that her behaviour too was beginning to weaken the bond between them almost to the point it might break. It was beginning to kill the romance for me too.
So we did need the big moment where she finally let out her feelings to him and told him that she was already in love with him. I wished it didn’t have to be in the being flogged 100 times context!
I also feel that you have to be in the right mood for Love like the Galaxy…
I was watching when I was extremely tired. I may go back and follow through that whole sequence again and then see what I think!!
On reflection… I think the mood thing is simply being too tired to absorb some of the intensity which makes this such a gripping drama. There hasn’t been a lot of comic relief in the past few episodes.
I liked the sequence when LB’s (comedy) guard risked castration to visit him in the harem and … noone was bothered!
But mostly it has been heavier matters in the last four episodes. With some lovely romantic encounters too of course! I loved that NN also crept into LB’s chamber to bring comfort after the flogging. That was a very nice romantic sequence.
@Kate, that sneaking in to the military camp was my favourite part. Loved the part when LBY talked about the future they would build together, I felt like my heart swelled with joy and love, like NN.
It really is getting intense as the revenge LBY wants to achieve is going to be done. Have you watched the teasers for next week’s episodes? It’s on WeTV app, maybe on YT. I don’t think it is going to be light hearted and it is nearing the climax. If they follow the novel, something big is going to happen to make LBY be exiled and the couple separated on their wedding day.
I was aghast at NN’s mother slapping her on the day they were arrested. Even if NN had to survive, this is no way to treat and threaten her daughter. I really hope to see the mother apologizing to NN for how she treated her one day.
Do you find this king strangely uncle-ly in the way he is so doting on LBY and the way he talks to his wives.
Consort Yue is the smartest person in the room and I love it when she was able to convince the king to stop his tantrums, or even when she handled the annoying family members and relatives with harsh and truthful tact. That scene at the betrothal of LBY and NN was the most satisfying one. I can’t remember the details but that was really my favourite scene of this show.
@Grace – ahhh it was the military camp! Yes it was a lovely sequence.
Ooph – the revenge aspect is a dark cloud hanging over this story! I am prepared in that case! LB combines deep tenderness with this brooding determination to avenge his family that drives him.
The King is very uncle-ly! ….Of course, that means that he doesn’t take the action sometimes that he needs to to end years of brooding injustice – thinking of his response to Young Marquis Yue.
Consort Yue – so true! How did she arrive at this level of sharp discernment? In many ways, she would have been the better chief wife and Empress, even though the current Empress has her own strengths.
Yes she was so powerful in that fraught scene. She is like this whip smart bringer of truth into situations where people fudge the issues.
Howdy! 👋🏻 I hope everyone’s doing well.
So happy to finally have some time to reply while on the way to the wineries. 😄
@Kate, I thought it was a sweet scene too with how both of their concern for each other was at the forefront and I liked that kiss to stop her to say things he didn’t want to hear. ☺️
Yes, the treatment of the other MIL wasn’t nice. But maybe they wanted to show how she gets protective of the people she cares about and seeing how LB’s mom was like that, she couldn’t help but be nasty. 😬
@grace, I’ve a weakness for a man who always saves a woman. I mean NN is not as helpless but she is very cheeky and naughty. 😁
I agree about the way Mom puts her down in public. It’s so wrong.
Oh thanks so much for this information @grace. It’s great to have that background on the novel. Please let us know if there’s any differences from the drama.
I know there will be separation but I’m feeling anxious because our couple are so inlove now.
I liked this scene too @Kate. It was a good lesson that NN needs to learn that even if she didn’t get credit and was given to LB, it’s a shared credit. She’s really still learning how it is to be with someone.
Oh yeah! The red string of fate! 🥰
LB kept that string that she used. NN saw it in his carriage. ☺️
Hahaha I was laughing when LB said Ruoruo 😁 It was so far from Niaoniao. He held on to that half jade alright.
Thank you for the information regarding their ages @Fan of TKEM. I’ll just think of NN at 16 and LB at 21. ☺️
I thought the introduction of the three male love interest was good. Yes about throwing the love token. YS was taken aback. 😁
He’s gone petty in the last episodes 😁 but he’s concern for NN is at the front now. He’s helping her a lot especially with the case of her missing Father.
@agdr03 – great to hear from you and get your responses as you are en route (I presume) for a holiday? Or perhaps it is a professional thing.
Either way I hope you have a lovely trip.
We can have post-summer review discussions too!
Glad you liked the NN – Empress conversation.
Yes, interesting re YS and his developmental arc. Also interesting was the conversation with his Mum about marriage and love and the impact of unhappy family relationships. That was quite some conversation after the last one they had where she was so shut down. He is softening and being more honest about what is going on with him.
Episode 41
This episode was so satisfying and beautifully filmed too.
Ep 41
Naughty NN versus wise- psychologically attuned- NN – see talk with Crown Princess who is mired in self-pity- seems to come and go. I find the oscillation a little inconsistent sometimes…
Aside from this nit-picking .. great episode.
NN to LB: ‘I used to think I was unlucky…I must have saved up all the luck in the past in order to meet you now.’
(making me think of that song in Sound of Music with Maria and Captain Von Trapp – somewhere in my youth or childhood…)
The spontaneous purchase of the candied fruits! haha LB’s grand gestures and NN’s explanation to the worried stall holder!
Emperor being adorably paternal and angry with LB who keeps volunteering to go to fight – ‘stinky rascal’ – of course his vengeance task is driving the poor guy! LB is caught in the past although the mission looks to us to be legitimate and even as he looks ahead with his bride to be.
Emperor re LB: ‘I’m just doting on him!’ …awww
Oh dear, though, is a third betrothal presaged with Emperor’s semi-joking threat to LB? @Grace has warned of this possibility…
What a beautifully composed scene is revealed as the camera pulls back from an LB NN close up at around 22′.50” and the painting like picture they find themselves in at around 22′.54”! This show is visually stunning.
So cute how LB’s army comrades support the LB NN courtship when she sneaks into the military camp. Adorable. BTW, She really suits her disguise outfit. Her hair looks so much nicer in a sleak and simple high bun, btw… the hairstyles of the day are not super flattering on ZL even though she carries them off well.
Future house planning together – fulfilling another of her dreams. Also adorable.
Cute needlework related conversation with NN’s uncrecognizable mandarin duck wings and rabbit!
Sad Empress silently expresses her regret at not truly being the Emperor’s lover when comparing her situation with that of LB and NN. Oh dear.
Then the grand military procession sets off… what will our hero find and what next for our central couple?
Episode 41 further reflection
I felt that the crime detection episode with the murder of the wife beating husband and the secret room etc was a bit ‘off track’… felt a little like we had moved into a series like ‘Maiden Holmes’.
Episode 41 felt to be on firmer ground in the story narrative.
Did anyone else feel that or I am just being a stick in the mud in another London heat wave? LOL
Episode 42
YS’s obsession with Miss Cheng! Nicely explored – he is clearly in over his head –comedically -and in denial! And of course his feelings are of far greater significance in this episode.
His plan to make nn jealous goes awry! Their conversations have something of the bite of an Oscar Wilde play.
More contrasting dynamic between the two consorts of the Emperor and the roles they play in his life + the interplay between them.
I was taken aback – unprepared -when suddenly we were plunged into the Cheng family in crisis and being accused of surrender to the enemy etc etc
YS comes to defend NN’s father and advocate for him as an honourable military man – he is, of course, stepping in to defend NN too
Very poignant moment at the 31’’ minute mark as NN’s Mum slaps her to shock her into standing alone rather than going with all the Cheng’s to be interrogated. I think it was actually a brilliant move. I am not sure but wondering if this moment is what one or two of you referenced earlier in your comments. This time, I got what Military Ma was doing and why! She is a feisty woman and clearly loves her daughter- albeit counter-intuitively at times!
*This time, I got a feeling for what I THINK Military Ma was doing…*
..such a powerful moment. I think she was rescuing her daughter by not letting her daughter self-sacrifice. The look in her face contained so many emotions. She had to shock NN out of lemming like behaviour.
@Kate, someone said something about her being intelligent, I can’t remember which scene. She is someone who is also very objective. The tussle between all these people, especially the Crown Prince, is about favouring relations over the character and ability of the person. But she doesn’t let her familial relationship get in the way of being decisive about the right thing to do (which I think the King may not be really good at as well). Look at the way she ‘betrayed’ her brother and speaks the truth about the ‘dumbness’ of her own daughter!
Someone here did a recap with comments and if you all have time, I’m sure you will enjoy her comments too
https://cyn-lynn.blogspot.com/2022/07/love-like-galaxy-recap-and-review.html
Ahhh…that send off. This is really the epitome of NN’s efforts to show love for LBY. It was funny when her dad hoped it was for him, and then glad it was not for him also because it was embarrassing to have those feathers sewn on 😛 but LBY saw her love and was not embarrassed. It’s the thought that counts and obviously he is only too happy to be loved sincerely by her.
Most of us will know the significance of mandarins ducks: symbols of love, devotion, affection and fidelity. It is indirectly saying you are the only one for me for life.
On episode 41 and crime detection episode probably was to add on to finally saving Crown Prince and also how the Yue family is involved in this conspiracy. Though it is so cool how LBY threw that knife and injured the kidnapper.
@agdr03, hope you are having a rested time at the wineries! (imagining beautiful landscapes and great wine) Not sure if the episodes coming up will be relaxing….let me try to read ahead though I know “*spoiler*….
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that LBY may not be the real son of the mother and father. There is something about the kid swap and I vaguely read somewhere that his real parents is the General Huo.
Remember the scene at the memorial where NN looked at General Huo’s portrait and found a resemblance to LBY.
@Grace – LB said to NN that his parents WERE happy and not disfcnctional… another clue!
I finally have time to read up and watch stuff and this might be useful because reading the novel with google translate is a pain. I say so because I was trying to speed read the epilogue of the novel, thankfully someone explained it in non-goggle-translate language that was easier to understand. I can read chinese but I’m so slow with it plus there are many words I don’t recognize and have to look up so that slows me down.
Check this one out for the epilogue of the novel which is quite a happy ending for everyone in a way.
https://youtu.be/YJR6lX5RKNc
I also discovered that the author intended to write the novel about Emperor Guangwu of the Han Dynasty aka LiuXiu the uncle-ly king, but indirectly.
NN was used as a heroine of the story because she was ordinary and from an ordinary family, except that she met an exceptional guy who is full of complicated background and leads an extraordinary life. From their story, the ancient novel is written in a way to express the depth of faith, love, loyalty and friendship.
This video shows who is who in reference to the real history that this story is set in. I don’t think NN and LBY refers to any real person in history and are totally fictional.
https://youtu.be/7ahZC1fiOqA
@Kate, i must have missed it! where did he say that his parents were happy?
Hi @Grace,
It’s at Episode 41, 33′ 33′ to 33′ 47”. He drops a big hint that she doesn’t quite pick up on!
ps in case there are any problems finding it… it is that lovely night time conversation when they look over the military camp and plan their future life together.
Hi! 👋🏻
The wineries visit was just for a day to take the Aunties visiting from overseas. I can’t be a professional at it @Kate, I’m a cheap drunk. 😂
YS just doesn’t know how to process what he feels so yeah he comes off as snarky.
I’ll come back for more later. ☺️
@Kate and @grace, I loved our couple scenes in episodes 41 and 42. You can see how much committed they are to each other now. For NN to realised that she must be lucky enough to meet LB was a nice acknowlegdement after all her unlucky cries before. I thought it was nice that LB bought for everyone at the sweet dried fruits stall, otherwise they might accuse him of using his power. LOL!
I liked the blunt but so honest reply of NN to the Emperor when she said she will not marry anyone else and will wait for LB. 🙂 Their convo after that was sweet too. NN understands what LB wants to do but yeah I feel that his revenge will not be an easy one and will make our couple separate for awhile. I am not looking forward to that. 🙁
I was emotional too when LB told NN of his plans for the future. Who wouldn’t be teary from hearing those? I saw their happiness perfectly.
I was laughing at the chicken/duck wings and rabbit/rat sewing work. LOL! I felt she knew there was only 2 duck wings but she just said it’s duck. hahaha But for LB to actually wear it? He is inlove with everything NN. 🙂 He even entrusted his family’s private seal. Oh, let’s not forget that he will do all the sewing in the future. Sigh. 🙂
I’m pretty sure that soft armour that she made will save him later looking at that preview where he falls off a cliff.
I knew that Military Mom was protecting NN when she slapped her. She heard what NN said to YS and knowing her daughter she will be loyal to them. But as it is, it’s better that she’s not in prison.
I can’t believe where almost at the end of this cdrama.
@agdr03- yes the scene where the other soldiers on look in wonderment as proud General LB sports NN’s hand sewn work undeterred! ‘If you say it’s a rabbit, it’s a rabbit.’ Adorable.
I’m glad there is some further purpose to the soft armour. I was watching hoping the quality would be ok (!) but, of course, she is far more practical than skilled at embroidery, and from a military family!
NN rather lost her sense of strategy didn’t she – Mum is cool-headed at that point. Poor NN was sensitive too to the fact that Military Mum was having a hard time with the Empress making all the wedding arrangements… NN was desperate to show her loyality.
What a situation!
Yes, NN’s Mom was calm after YS showed up and made the other palace officer leave. NN must have felt scared especially with all of her family’s life at stake. I guess NN got her thinking mode on hence she pleaded with the Emperor. What support she had too from CP and the Empress.
Yes, that scene – when they all gathered in the rain together – at cost to each one of them in different ways – to support NN – was a very good one.
Her investment in them – out of kindness – has paid off in their loyalty to her.
I knew it. Now LBY’s uncle has mentioned about the almond allergy that the son of General Huo has. We are all sure now that LBY is General Huo’s son. I just am not sure if LBY himself knows about it.
There are a lot of serious stuff to untangle from here. I feel these few episodes are like kinda of slow.
Loving Qiqi’s proposal to and NN’s brother and how NN’S mum is now in a good r/s with the grandma.
Also, subsequent episodes will be available for VIP viewers which means all the episodes will be available from tomorrow. 😱
@grace, I watched episodes 43-46 and there were a few highlights for me. Spoilers ahead…..
Our couple conversations like I said before is really touching and the genuine care for each other is always there. I love it when they talk and take care of each other. I liked how LB softly scolded NN after almost dying from the prison fire. I like how he can read her like a book. I loved it when NN said back to LB all those things about not being alone, not fighting alone anymore and that she will always be beside him. All of which will be put to the test in the coming episodes. I’m anticipating that preview where NN says to cancel the engagement and for LB to let her go. Where is the cry emoji? huhuhuhu
I haven’t read the novel but from the preview, a young Buyi or Wushang witnessed General Huo being stabbed by Marquis Cheng. Maybe that’s why LB will kill him later because he’ll find out that General Huo is his real dad. Unless LB is really Huo Wushang and pretended to be Ling Buyi all this time? I had to watch the scene with Uncle a few times to get my head around the kids swap. LOL.
I feel NN will get engaged with YS while LB was in exile or did they think he was dead? The episodes are getting heavy too. I hope the ending will be funny and happy, I don’t want any more angst by the last episode. Here’s hoping anyway.
I felt sad for Young Madam Lou, I wished they didn’t make Lou Ben take his own life 🙁 I wished they’d done what LB said instead, to ask for a lesser punishment.
I thought it was a nice proposal by Qiqi too. 🙂 NN’s face was funny when Grandma said to save all the Cheng men first. hahaha Oh and the mandarin ducks are alive even at war and at LB’s home. LOL.
Wow! All episodes will be seen by the VIPs. I can’t wait for it too but at the same time I’m not ready yet to say goodbye to this cdrama. 🙂
I wanted to share this because WL and Rosy looked cute and childish while rehearsing for their scene. 😍
Credit to owner!
https://wetv.vip/play/5ns3tlffhfhwzto/x0043gc7ung?ptag=5_5.2.0.5566_copy
@agdr03, heheee..I loved the part when they said it in accent I can’t remember which. It was such a sweet scene 😍
Yes I feel like their belief and love for each other have grown and that they understand each other like a real couple. There is better coordination now, they better anticipate each other too. The part when they were talking to LouBen, LBY knew NN was going to retort and he held her back by holding her hand gently down. These little things are 😍 😍 .
The later episodes I think there was a part when the Empress was asking LBY to choose between something (I’m not sure what) and NN he chose the former and that broke NN’s heart. I think that was the point she let him go. In the novel there is a 5 year gap when he was exiled and I wonder how they will protray that. Even in those 5 years, LBY kept tabs on NN and made sure she was safe. Also, I read that the way LBY got NN back after those 5 years was really snatching her from YS.
Ahh…I am still loving this story just as Who Rules The World though I’m also getting caught up by Love between Fairy and Devil. Can’t believe I 陷进去 (“Xian4 Jin4 Qu4” trapped but also meaning falling in love with) Cdramas this season. [This famous phrase came from a famous time travel film from last year called “Hello, Li Huanying” or “Hello, Mum”)
@agdr03 and @grace and others watching this show,
A quick note, I’m staying on top of Love like the Galaxy and will watch the finale at the weekend. I will look forward to your comments and make some myself a little later on! It’s not been light relief has it ?! Although even in dark moments, the mandarin duck wing-chicken wing joke continued to lift spirits! I also enjoyed seeing Military Mum in action!
More comments from me later though – we are a bit submerged at the moment with arrangements.
Sending you lots of hugs @Kate. 🤗🙏🏼
I’ve shed tears already but I’ll put it all here too. I’ll have to rewatch for sure. I’m at episode 50 and my heart is so heavy for LB and Niaoniao. 😞
Thank you so much @agdr03!
And and yes, re LLTG …looking forward reading what you think and feel about all that has been unfolding!
Just double checked and I won’t see the final 2 episodes until early next week on Viki.
Episode 47.
It was a hard episode for Zisheng. You can really feel how much pain his in since Guo County’s massacre. I know he tried to tell Niaoniao about his real identity but we know why he couldn’t do it in the end.
How much trust, support and love did Niaoniao give him though? She made an oath and promised to always be there beside him. All she wanted was the truth. I just liked that she was upfront to him about what he’s not telling her. She is smart.
I thought the scene of Zisheng’s breakdown was good. I liked the way Niaoniao held him. You can never say she didn’t give all her trust and faith in him.
Thanks for the update, @agdr03. Can I expect a happy ending for our couple?
Episode 48.
The long line of dowries from the Empress was impressive right? It’s a pity we had the bad luck of the groom meeting his bride. LB intentionally went to see Niaonaio though and she knew what he’s going to do. Her tears was enough after her confirmation. 🙁
I love her family for supporting her and trusting that she knows what she’s doing. Rosy looked so good in her red wedding gown when she was on the horse with her tears falling down. LW was good too, I wonder what preparations did he do before filming his final revenge.
I thought it was a sweet scene from NN’s parents to acknowledge the Mom for giving birth to 3 sons and NN.
Hi Queen! 🙂
Yes, we have a happy ending. They just both needed time to heal but their love was always there. I really love Rosy on this drama. She’s grown a lot as an actress on this one. So proud to be her fan. 🙂
That’s good to know, @Agdr03! 👍
I’m glad that Rosy is working hard and is dedicated to her craft. She isn’t just relying on her beauty to get roles.
I’m going to take a bit of time to catch up with the episodes but will add my comments here when I do!
I really love Rosy’s acting, her bitter sorrow is well expressed. every time she cries, I cry with her.
Episode 49.
Da-n you Ling Buyi! 🙁
I looooove NN rescuing him and the whole conversation at the cliff. Love the dialogue too, ‘LB if you abandon me today, I swear to the heavens that I will not forgive you.’ I had tears. She was ready to die with him but of course she’s not allowed to die. So much pain for NN. 🙁
I like the contrast of LB’s turning around look when they secretly met and after he killed his uncle.
The conversation with the third prince was good. How much more proof does NN need to show to prove she loves LB? I like how she’s saying the nice and bad things about him. She will save him no matter what. She’s staying true to her heart. I love her determination.
I’m amaze how they had to discuss and make a decision at the palace with the officials first whether to save LB down the cliff. It’s so harsh during those times.
@grace, no worries. Take your time. I’m rewatching because I went through the episodes quickly so I want to go back and cherish it more even with all the angst. 🙂
I think this is my first time crying a lot in a cdrama. I don’t mind the crying though because I’m a cry baby but I guess it means that the actors/actresses did their job right? 🙂
I agree with what you said about Rosy. She cries, you cry with her.
Mu-ah! 💋
Thank you @agdr03 for your notes and highlights of the episodes. They’re short but sweet.
Oh thank you. 🥰 It’s my pleasure. 🙇🏻♀️ I’m enjoying posting my comments. ☺️ I’ll continue tomorrow.
I love this drama because every character has a role to play, even with the slow burn love story and all the dramas in it, they made it real for me.
Episode 50.
This episode was heartbreaking for both NN and LB. It took a lot of courage from NN to not rush over and make sure LB doesn’t die while being treated by the physicians. Sure enough she got sick afterwards. 🙁 How sad when she played the flute for him one last time.
To hear her say it’s over between her and LB to the Empress was so sad. She was so heartbroken and yet she’s still helping him to get evidence.
I liked the flashback while LB was holding tightly on NN’s string. It was as if she was there asking him if it hurts. 🙁 In his mind, he’d hold on to NN and not let go.
I liked the scene where the young LB was asked what’s his name and forward to the adult LB but his name now is Huo Wushang. It really was a bloody massacre. 🙁
What do you mean “one last time”? Or did she think at that time that they were
breaking up for good?
They’re still ending up together, right?
I remember the scene in an earlier episode when she took the arrowhead out of his chest without anesthesia. 🤢
Hi Queen. You’re right, she’s already decided to break up with him.
LB intentionally fell off the cliff, when he’s allowed to be saved, he was holding on tightly to that string on his wrist that it’s embedded already (it hooked on a branch so it was cutting his skin). It was the string that NN used on his chest to take out that arrowhead. It was as @grace said, it’s their red string of fate. It was those scene where I usually close my eyes but I thought they pulled it off nicely even without the anesthesia. hehehe
She didn’t want to see him anymore after their conversation at the cliff. LB didn’t want to implicate her in all his wrongdoings but she told him many times she’ll be with him no matter what. She’s a headstrong girl.
NN knew he might not want to be saved anymore so she played the flute and sure enough it calmed him and they were able to treat his wounds.
I watched episode 51 and it was a cryfest so I’ll do my comments tomorrow.
I’ll rest my puffy eyes now. 🙁
oh no….but I can anticipate it. I believe all the sufferings they go through together will make their eventual reconciliation even better. In the novel, there is an epilogue when YuanShen was talking with NN’s twin brother. By then they are old, and YuanShen is married with kids who have grown up and they were talking about LBY and NN who has gone to travel the world after a short stint back in the capital to help the 3rd prince with palace stuff. It is a good ending in the end like how all fictional stories better end after all those suffering.
Yes @grace, we anticipated it and it’s funny but even with that I still felt so emotional and invested lots of tears. Crazy me. 🙂
Thank you for the ending information. In my dreams I imagined our couple with 4 kids and for them to travel the world together then that just meant that LB really loves NN with all his heart. That was her dream. 🙂
Episode 51. Part 1.
Please excuse the long conversation.
LB- your majesty, I was with CP for only a few months. But I’m already the chief of the Eastern Palace for all operations, staff, tax return, whistleblower, letter of command. Until CP ascends the throne, as I will, I could immediately rule the country and monopolize power. Is this really what you’d like to see?
Emperor- if you said so, why did you give up the opportunity to rule the country and monopolize power?
LB- my heart is loyal. I never thought of being the replacement. However, I am willing to take the blame as an ungrateful person for the sake of the country’s stability. I believe the CP can’t take this responsibility.
Empress- well said. Everything LB said makes sense. Your majesty did an improper establishment of the CP. CP is ridiculously incompetent. Third Prince has high ambition. You have vengeance. And I am a loving mother with many spoiled children. But let me ask you LB, what does NN have to do with this? Why did you drag her into this? Could it also be for the sake of the country’s stability? Just now you were clear and logical. Give up personal love only contribute favor to the general public. So let me ask you once more, that day when you went to Marquis Chengyang’s residence alone, did you already decided to abandon NN?
LB- Yes.
Empress- Are you speaking the truth? Are you truly not regretful?
LB- I am not regretful. (Bulls-it!)
NN comes in.
LB- NN, I have confessed to you about everything in my mind. I don’t expect your forgiveness. But I believe you that you would understand me.
NN- I do. I understand that you don’t wish to drag down the Cheng family and me. I also understand that you couldn’t let go of the opportunity for vengeance. I understand them all. However, did you ever understand me? Your majesty, her majesty, I came from humble beginnings, my knowledge is shallow, my temperament is reckless. I truly don’t deserve to be married to General Huo. Please, make the decision for me. Cancel our marriage.
LB- NN, listen to me,
NN- you listen to me now. I have been unfortunate all along. I never believed that someone would treat me sincerely. Until I met you. You made me fall for you. I fell for you. You made me rely on you. I did rely on you. You made me believe in you. I did believe in you. What about you? I told you before, if you ever dared to leave me, I will never ever forgive you. You are ruthless. So I’d do what I’d said. Please General Huo, for old time’s sake, let me go.
Sigh. It took a lot of guts from LB to say what he said but you can tell he’s regretting it already. But more guts to NN because she did not shed any tears that whole time and her walking away was the end.
Let me just pick up my broken heart ok. I’ll come back. huhuhuhuhu
💔💔💔
@agdr03,
Thanks for transcribing. Now I get why you were sad.
It hurt. 😢
But I’m a sucker for dramas. Kdramas, cdramas, doramas. 🤦🏻♀️😂
@agdr03 Girlfriend, gatecrashing this thread (threadcrashing?) to tell you I’m with you on how addictive this drama is. I liked your summaries so much I sneaked peaks at a few episodes on YT and had to hold myself back because I want to finish LBFD first before I get sucked into this one. Lusi is so good and I like the ML already.
Sending you hugs, please don’t cry, whatever the angst quotient 😛 I’m sure they will have a happy ending 🙂
Episode 51.Part 2.
I felt this episode highlighted four people with broken hearts. LB, NN, Empress and NN’s Mom.
LB’s overflowing tears after saying that he never regretted leaving NN was priceless. He was shattered. 🙁 How do you expect NN to say goodbye to you when you were leaving? You knew her better than anyone else.
The Empress’ plea to the Emperor to depose her was sad too. She gave him reasons just so he can do it. I liked their conversation too, she was honest in saying that she was jealous of Consort Yue every since. You can tell she’s exhausted from it all.
NN finally walking and talking like a real lady but deep inside she died. 🙁 I can’t blame her for wanting to imprison herself with the Empress at the palace. When Mom realised what she’s planning, she’s beside herself. She said I’m sorry but the palace door closed with NN looking at her from a distance.
I like that parallel of LB and NN saying goodbye, him going to the North West and NN locking herself in the palace.
It was such a sad episode but the way that chapter of their lives closed was good. Everyone was hurting and only time can heal it.
Oh man, I can imagine the tears coming, especially evoked by ZhaoLusi. Bracing myself for the tears, it has to get really bad before things turn out better. It is these stories of extreme loyalty and love are heart-breaking and yet so beautiful. I am amazed how they create such haunting scenes that shatter your heart for them.
Thank you @agdr03 for the succinct summaries, I’m enjoying even though I have yet to watch the episodes. (Saving it up for mid-week)
@Phoenix, to parallel this drama and LBFD, both drama ending always goes to the extreme pain and separation before the good days that we hope will come.
I find the trajectory so predictable but the way they can vary the details is vastly different. I find my emotions led along in a generally similar way, the biggest pain of the leads separating, and then followed by the biggest relief of reconciliation after the pain is so satisfying.
@Grace I know exactly what you mean about the feelings these kind of dramas evoke in viewers. It’s like a sweet addictive drug, we know it will be painful but we can’t let go either. We endure it till it gets better.
I know already from @agdr03’s recaps that this will make me cry (I even cried in LBFD when Fairy was proposing), so my heart can’t handle both the drama angst together. I’ll finish one, recover, and then return to feel the pain again😛 The other issue is LLTG has 50+ episodes, so I will need to start it on another vacation 😅
Girlfriend @Phoenix! You’re here! Hugs to you too!!! Muwah!
Hey, I like that, threadcrashing. LOL!
You and me with our drama’s drama hahaha but seriously, I didn’t know that I can be patient with a slow burn love story. Kudos to Lusi and LW for making it work for me. Since the beginning to the end, it was addictive like you said. 🙂
I will start on LBFD as soon as I’ve finished with my notes for this one.
Too late with the crying, hahahah you’ll understand what I mean when you watch it. You just go all out with their love journey and for them to separate hurts like hell.
You’ll be amaze at Lusi on this one and this time LW got me with Zisheng. 🙂 I think you’ll get through the 56 episodes just fine. 😉
@grace, my tears were unbelievably gut wrenching. It was deep for me. I agree so much about extreme loyalty and love that can be the most heartbreaking and yet so beautiful especially when they have that happy ever after. You said it the best. 🙂
Oh I had a reply for @grace but it said it was awaiting moderation?
Did I say something bad? 😬😱
@agdr03,
Sorry, dear. I can’t find any of your comments in my “pending box” — posts to require moderation.
Was it this one?
“@grace, my tears were unbelievably gut wrenching. It was deep for me. I agree so much about extreme loyalty and love that can be the most heartbreaking and yet so beautiful especially when they have that happy ever after. You said it the best. 🙂”
It went through just fine.
Oh that’s the one. ☺️ I’m on my phone now but I was in the computer when I posted that and that’s when I saw the it needs moderation.
Thanks Queen! 🙇🏻♀️
Oooh I live Zhao Lusi @agdr03, I am a true fan of her acting. She has amazing equation with all her co-actors and just lights up the screen and makes you feel both her joy and pain.
I’m going to watch LLTG just because of her. I thought I wouldn’t like her with any other lead after YY but
I think it’s Lusi who makes every pairing she does on screen special- remember our obsession DITK?😍
I’m a sucker for slow burn romance too😛
I wholeheartedly agree 100%, girlfriend! Lusi makes it work/shine with whoever her partner is. We just have our faves from among her partners, which YY is first. 🥰
Ooohh DITK will remain as our obsession. 😉
Episode 52.
The shutting of the palace doors by NN pretty much explains her life for the next 5 years. She closed her heart to everyone even her family. LB on the other hand just kept on fighting and fighting until his exhausted.
I’m so glad that NN have that close relationship with the Empress. She really did treat NN like her own daughter.
So YS asked NN to take him as her husband. I’m glad NN told him straightaway that she can’t give him what he wants. How quick was his yes to NN’s question though. I’m just glad that he’s there for her all this time.
LB really looks like his father with the moustache. 🙂 While he was away he helped YS’s father and NN’s Uncle, if I’m not mistaken. A-fei doesn’t know why but it was later said that all this time he didn’t want NN to worry about anyone. LB helped YS’s father because he’s grateful that he’s there for NN. I’m glad he sorted Lady Luo.
Oooh that first meeting after everything that’s happened. A whole minute, wait over a minute went by just them looking at each other. Then when he was walking towards her she turned away and went to ride the horse. Too much for NN. Memories came rushing back and it was when LB helped her fix her stirrup. It was just like yesterday, her asking him what’s wrong with your hand? and him saying be careful. 🙁
I should have known that Lady Luo will come back. How nasty of her to kill her husband just because she’s able to take care of LB. Then those things that she said to the Empress and NN. Eyebrows up!!!
Oh I was wondering why did LB sent Lady Luo a bronze mirror to her home and it turns out it’s to keep the home safe from evil, criminals and misfortune. Nice touch! LOL!
Thanks, @agdr03.
You made me a take a look at this episode. If you hadn’t explained the scene with the stirrups, I would’ve thought it confusing because I was seeing LB from different sides of the horse and with different uniforms.
A bit of complaint about the editing of this scene:
I wish the director made more distinction with the TRANSITION between the present and past scenes. For instance, the director could have inserted a close-up of NN’s confused (or frowning?) face looking down at LB as he gripped her right shoe.
Her reaction shot could have bridged the present and the past.
It would show the viewers that she was remembering the younger LB helping her too.
Then after this quick reaction shot, the director could proceed as he did. The next frame should show the younger LB fixing her stirrup for her left foot with NN observing him.
Without her reaction shot, the switch between the present and the past scenes was too abrupt, and it looked awkward.
Awkward because the gazes didn’t match, and there was no parallelism or mirroring.
If I were the editor, I would have sequenced the frames like this:
Older LB grabs her right foot.
He fixes her stirrup.
Reaction shot of confused NN bec she’s remembering the past
Younger LB grabs her left foot.
Fixes her stirrup.
He looks up at her.
She returns his gaze: this is her reaction shot from the past.
Then transition back to present time.
Older LB continues to fiddle with her stirrup.
She gazes down at him.
He avoids looking at her.
Camera zooms in on his wound.
She talks about it.
With this kind of editing — where the actions are clearly paralleled — the comparison will become clearer.
1. Before, he wasn’t guarded about showing his adoration for her. He gazed at her with this expectant look that she’d find his gesture thoughtful and sweet.
Now, he was hiding it. He didn’t want to look at her face because he feared what he would read in her eyes, and he feared that he’d reveal himself more.
2. By juxtaposing her reaction to the same action done different time, the viewers can contrast NN’s young and old self, and her feelings for LB.
3. Visually, it flows better. Our eyes move from LB’s hand on her right shoe ➡️ to NN’s eyes ➡️ to LB’s hand on her left foot ➡️ back to NN’s eyes ➡️ then back down to LB’s hand on her right foot again.
The arc swings from old and young LB’s hands but the central point is NN’s eyes.
😂😂🤪 The cinematography of this drama bugs me. I know many viewers praise it but I can tell you exactly why it doesn’t work for me.
Howdy!
Ah, I get what you mean and yes that would work better for the past and present to be shown more properly and clearly with the connection of it working too. 🙂
You are welcome to put your issues here. I won’t complain. LOL. Also, I don’t think everyone is praising LLTG though. 😉
I’m hoping to continue here tonight.
I finally finished LLTG!!! And many sobbing scenes in the last few. Especially when NN thought LBY was dead. It was the turning point for her.
Haven’t paid attention to that stirrups scene, but @pm3, you description flow would have worked much better, especially since I’m forgetting what happened.
I did this and it’s pretty easy. ☺️
Credit to owner!
https://www.instagram.com/p/Ch022ocpq4q/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY=
I finished all 56 episodes and even though I think the second season was a tad too long, I really enjoyed watching the romance in this drama. A great pair of actors, great slow-burn romance wwll done, with swoonworthy dialogues. I have always been a fan of Rosy long before this, I now have another new favorite, Leo Wu❤️❤️
@agdr03 Thank you for recommending this drama, girlfriend🤗🤗🤗 I would have missed something really romantic otherwise.
@Phoenix girlfriend, you really are my twin drama sister for life. 🥰 👯♀️
It’s great to have someone that can relate with you, gush with you, feel with you, swoon with you and last but not the least, to have a crush on the same actor in a drama. 😉
I’m glad you liked it and yes, we just love Rosy. ❤️ I promise to watch LBFAD. I’m seeing a lot of Dylan Wang on Instagram and he is mesmerising me. 😂
Episode 53.
It’s a sad episode with the Empress dying. I shed lots of tears. 🙁 I thought it was nice that she was able to say goodbye to everyone. She lived her life for her kids and did her duty but in the end she knew that the Emperor didn’t give his whole heart to her. She said to him, in this lifetime, I am very fortunate to meet you, but in my next life, I hope we never meet again.
I liked the conversation with Consort Yue too. Actually for once, I liked that there was only 2 of them beside the Emperor and they’re both good women. One is quiet and dignified, the other is outspoken but always have the best intentions.
Pause: I wish one woman would be quiet and dignified and not keep yapping about her ex royal life. Grrr.
Moving on, we had LB saving NN from Lady Luo. He always saves her. This was their conversation while hanging at the cliff.
LB – hold on NN.
NN – let go. You can get up. If you don’t let go, we’ll both die here.
They fall a little bit.
NN – Let go!!! (she’s crying).
LB – I’ll only let go when I die.
NN – Huo Buyi, even if you die for me. I won’t forgive you. Let go now.
LB – I won’t live without you. I know I did many wrong things. I don’t deserve your forgiveness. But since you bit my arm as a bond, I’ve regarded you as my wife. Therefore, you live, I live. You die, I die.
NN has tears falling down her face. When they were safely on the ground, she asked about the cut on his hand. She always asks him if he’s hurt or if his wounds are hurting.
I liked that NN’s parents had a talk with LB after he brought NN home because she fainted.
Mom Cheng – what happened?
LB – Empress Yuan passed away. Don’t worry, I’m just here to send NN back. I’ll leave soon. I won’t disturb you.
Dad Cheng – LB, stand right there. General Huo, what kind of place do you think Marquis Quling’s Residence is? And who do you think NN is? You come and go as you will. Just like that year, you were about to marry her, yet you abandoned her. Five years ago, she was sick and dying.
LB goes down on full knees and does the hand thingy.
LB – I know I’ve done NN wrong. I also know that you care about NN. Therefore, I’ve decided never to disturb you again.
Mom Cheng – do you know how NN lived for the part five years? She was a person who loved crowds and fun. Yet, she locked herself up in Changqui Palace for five years. When I was horribly sick, when her brother got married, when her cousins got married, we hoped to see her. But she didn’t come home. She lost five years. Our family also lost our daughter for five years. Do you know who she did that for? For you.
LB fully goes down and puts his head on the floor.
LB – it’s my fault. I’ve failed NN’s love for me. I’ve failed the Cheng family’s trust in me. What I owe you can’t be repaid even with my entire life. Let alone NN’s forgiveness, even I can’t forgive myself. When I was in the Northwest, I fought day and night in hope that my chest would be pierced by a sword so I could die on the battlefield. But I dared not die. How can I? When I haven’t been able to make her let go of her resentment. How could I just die?
Mom Cheng – Huo Buyi, we’re not asking you to plead guilty, what we said just now, wasn’t to make you feel guilty. We’re NN’s parents, yet we didn’t give her enough love when she was young. We also regret it now. No matter what NN chooses, who she wants to marry, right now, we will let her make her own choice. The two of you love each other. However, fate has other plans. Whether you two can be together again, we shall let the future decide.
@agdr03 Ww are always twinning🤗🤗🤗Thank you for the recap🙂 I liked the reference to the bite and that LB considers SS his wife ever since that time. He always does save her, isn’t it? We should count the number of times he saved her in the entire show😝
I’m glad in the end though she managed to save the village without his help.
Hi all,
Enjoyed all your comments.
A truly epic and fabulous series. Got to the end last night and will need to re-watch to offer any coherent reflections.
The director clearly loved the story and the Cheng family (Swiss Family Robinson anyone?) and I really loved the scenes where it was Cheng family to the rescue – even the hyper feminine cousin got roped in in the final spectacular mission – not quite sure what she was doing in that very dangerous situation?!
So much to say – so will wait until having re-watched the final key episodes.
Loved the scene where HB stands with his new family staring happily at the stars together. Also reminded me slightly of the final scene in Oceans 11 but that is not a point I want to push.
Wonderful performances not only by the leads but by supporting actors – Emperor, Empress, Consort, Military Mom, Military Mum’s husband and so on…
Glad no key characters were killed off! Thank you show.
Glad no key ‘goody’ characters were killed off during the course of this story. At least I think that is the case… was waiting for one of HB’s guards to die sacrificially but they were wonderfully robust!
The same cannot be said for the baddies!
@Phoenix girlfriend, I’ll try to count it.
1. from the fire.
2. from the horse.
3. from the bandits.
4. from the tower.
5. from almost tripping on her gown.
6. from the gossip at Ayao’s engagement.
7. from the broken pottery in the palace.
8. from the brother in law of the ex girlfriend of Crown Prince.
9. from Ayao’s brother.
10. from Lady Luo.
11. from another fire in Huo City.
Did I miss any? LOL.
When SS saved the village without HB’s help, I think it was to show again that she can manage without his help and that he can trust her. He’s always worried about her which is understandable. But it’s a great way to show how both of them combined can be of help to anyone. 🙂
@Kate, looking forward to when you get back here. I hope you are well and the same for your family.
Episode 54.
Our last dinner didn’t even happen for our couple. HB pressed the sugar cane from the machine that SS invented but he didn’t even get to taste it. So sad to say their final goodbye to each other. The tears when they parted was heavy. 🙁 I liked that both of them said that they will take care of themselves and have a good life because that’s what they want for each other.
SS’s Mom finally apologised for leaving her behind and it was just nice to hear that if she can turn back time, she would not leave her.
You can tell how hard it was for SS to move forward and to be happy. I liked her self reflection.
I felt bad for SY too when he said his final goodbye to SS. He did wait for years too even though he knew he will never win against HB. I liked his conversation with HB. I think he was surprised when HB said that he cares for all those that SS cares just so she can feel at ease. After that I thought SY must have thought ‘wow, that’s why she chose you because your the bigger man’. 🙂
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Just added gifs of NiaoNiao asking the General to hug her tight.
-pm3
Thank you!!! 🙂 I’ve been very busy with family life with eldest finishing high school and hoping to start university next year. But I know I have to finish my comments for episode 55 and 56.
I love that scene very much! I thought Lu Wei and especially Rosie did great in that scene. She was trying so hard to be strong but she really needed that hug.
@Kate, nice to see you back. I’ll get back here as soon as I’m able.
Thank you @agdr03!
I will also come back with comments either when you do or sooner depending on inspiration. I need to re-watch the key episodes.
Hope all well with you in and with all the busyness!
Waaaaa! It’s been awhile but I can finish this one now so I can have my final goodbye. 🙂
Episode 55.
I would have doubted Lou Li’s intention when she suddenly appeared out of the blue. True enough, she was just a way to lure Shaoshang. But she couldn’t even do her revenge, she was killed quickly.
I admire SS for her brains in solving that lock to free YS. It didn’t look easy. LOL. Then the next scene is HB just gets into the secret room and sees SS. She said what are you doing? But her tears when HB said she’s more important than anything else.
It would have been a great secret room if it didn’t have a secret way out. LOL. I had tears again watching SS cry for HB to be alive. I love their hug when HB turned up. 🙂
Episode 56 – final.
I preferred less of the fighting and saving the village and more of our couple living their life. I would have liked to see their wedding with the Emperor and shown at least one child. 🙂
It’s true that SS and HB have a great combination in fighting and saving the country. But from the initial onslaught of the fire and men attacking Guo village, it didn’t look like they were going to win. I thought it was so cool of her whole family to turn up and help her. 🙂
That hug from 17:35 took a lot of shots from the bts. 🙂 I wished he’d put down his sword though. I thought it was a sweet kiss at the end and SS’s tears falling down on her cheeks just showed her happiness. 🙂
The Emperor winging about him missing out on the wedding was funny. He’s always been their number one fan. 🙂
I love love this series and I hope that the rumor of a modern drama for Leo Wu and Rosie is true. It might take some time because Rosie is about to start on another period drama with Jing Boran but I can wait. 🙂
For now I know that HB and SS are very very happy and so I’m very very happy too. 🙂
Hi @agdr03 and anyone else still following this discussion!
I am going back to episode 48 for a quick re-watch simply because I wasn’t in the right frame of mind to really appreciate the detail of the story when these episodes were airing.
Episode 48
Although there are many episodes of high drama in this show – this is the most epic. Aside from all the romantic developments, it is the most darkly memorable – full of portent and presentiment.
As viewers we are uneasy from the start. This show knows how to build the tension and slow the action right down.
Our FL is excellent here as the one who senses what is happening at a time when she would usually be excited about her impending wedding.
The moment when ML says goodbye to her – even though he shouldn’t see her just before the wedding – and they gaze at one another under the Empress’s questioning look – is poignant indeed.
Our FL, SS, is full of intuition and can deduce exactly what is going on. Our hero doesn’t realize the extent to which she has worked out what comes next and how well she reads both him and the situation. He is wanting to protect her but is hurting her in so doing.
The faintest hint of a tear in her left eye (apparently Zhao Lusi is great at shedding tears ‘on demand’). ZL also gets deeply into character so is responding, I imagine, in the moment too.
Anyway, she decides to partner with him despite his secrecy and she and her family will play a vital role in this episode and in the outcomes of the episode.
Excellent dialogue at the banquet between our ML and the father who isn’t his father. Irony abounds as we move to the culmination of our ML’s plans and the father who thinks he is in control discovers he is not.
The writer and director convey the act of vengeance very vividly with the viewers looking in from outside as the thin paper screens are splattered vivid red…
I keep thinking of other famous ‘blood weddings’ as I watch this episode….
Then the FL’s family gathers to go to support the ML. It still gives me the tingles as they decide to support him. Just loved that fight scene too – our FL’s mum really comes into her own in battle eh?
The final act of vengeance before our ML kills his uncle … Our ML tells his uncle that he mistakenly killed his own son all those years back in the slaughter of the Huo family. Our ML, a young member of the Huo family, and his cousin, a Ling, had swapped clothes at a fateful moment.
Our ML is looking both determined and scarily crazed at this point… but this is probably normal after a massacre and before you kill your uncle in the act of vengeance you planned from your earliest years!
ML is laughing-crying and grimacing after the final act of vengeance and his face is a mess of blood and tears… this is not a glorification of the act of killing for vengeance I think…Does he in that moment recollect and feel all the hurt he has carried over the years? Does he realize the futility of killing to stem the pain?..
SS shows up and swings open the doors to reveal the massacre and the ML standing at the front with his back to her. He begins to turn round to see who it is…
Episode 49
Another epic scene …
There is nothing like a cliffhanger to bring the discussion into sharp focus! FL and ML have a highly charged and revelatory exchange, astride a horse with their backs to the cliff edge. The archers and military general face them.
ML doesn’t want her – of all his companions – to suffer his fate. She questions whether he has ever treated her as a companion or realized what it means to be part of the Cheng family. Why has he jeopardized all that? He talks about how the blood feud has affected him and his experience of the massacre of his family.
FL: ‘You said you were never truly loved since you were young. I’m here to give you my love.’… She is clearly preparing to jump off with him (and the horse?) ‘Ling Bui if you dare abandon me today…’
But he manages to leap off the cliff on his own in order not to implicate her in his crimes. She screams outs out his name in desperation after seeing him free falling backwards into the depths.
It is the ML’s decision to jump on his own that is so devastating to our FL. For her, love means being together in all things, life and death. For him, love means he must protect the one he cares for and not allow her to suffer needlessly.
Our FL continues to unravel elements of the mystery surrounding our ML and his collaboration with the 3rd Prince who is now the Crown Prince. We realise again how acutely she has observed what has been going on.
A powerful speech by SS as she talks about herself as a competent and strong woman when the 3rd Prince questions her ability to advocate for LB. She loves him most in the world but adds ‘I am still me’.
This conversation is one she would have wanted to have with LB our ML. It is the response to all of his protective behaviour that has pushed her away and broken her trust.
ZL gives a very compelling performance here doesn’t she?
Episode 49
Correction 3rd Prince is not yet the Crown Prince. I am remembering developments in the plot that come later.
@Kate, hi ☺️
I thought the meeting before the wedding and the killing of the Uncle was done great too. You can really feel Lusi’s pain in her eyes. Same with Leo’s painful accounting of his life to his Uncle.
Agree, the family already accepted LB and that acceptance was shown with them fighting the soldiers.
@agdr03 – hello back!
Glad you thought episode 48 was a good one too. On the re-watch, of course, even more great stuff struck me. It was almost like a stage play at many points.
Yes to the way both our leads convey and express their pain!
I’ll leave a few comments on the remaining episodes and then be able then to respond to your final comments too.
All good @Kate. I’m actually waiting for LLTG to be in Netflix but nothing yet. ☺️
I’ll see you around here ok. 🤗