Thanks for this, @agdr03. I’m separating your post into different episodes so I can focus on the issues one at a time.

You wrote:

– Episode 11. I thought the confession scene in the rain from PWX was nice. He just wanted to be honest once and for all and especially to clear the misunderstanding with Qin Zhenzhen. Here’s what he said. It’s a very long one.

PWX – Li Rong, I’m telling you now. From now on, before you tell me to do something, you have to ask for my consent. What kind of person do you think I am? What do you think I want? What do you think I should do? You must at least meet my consent.

Two things, @agdr03.

1. I agree. At times, Li Rong rides roughshod over him. She does what she wants with him without regard to his opinions because a) she thinks she alone knows what’s best and right for him, and b) she’s accustomed to the royal treatment. She commands, and she expects it to be done without any questions. But PWX is her husband, not her subject nor her attendant.

I remember in Episode 1 when PWX, as Chancellor, wanted to speak to her in private about the heir succession. She dismissed her maids, but he had to ask her to dismiss Su as well. For a moment there, she looked like she was going to refuse his demand. But he stood his ground. He clearly wouldn’t start their discussion with Su around. So she pretended (?) to cough and then asked Su to bring her a cup of tea. The difference in her treatment of the two fellows is plain to see. She’s careful to avoid slighting Su’s feelings but she doesn’t care about hurting PWX’s feelings.

So, it’s understandable here that PWX bristles when she outlined her plan for his life after their divorce. To begin with, he doesn’t like the idea of them divorcing – and he has NEVER liked the idea, even in the Other Lifetime. Also, she’s reorganizing his life as if she can’t wait to see the back of him. What is he? Chopped liver?

2. The good part however is that he just doesn’t walk away. Sure, he got out of their carriage after his outburst. But he only took a few steps before he decided that he must tell her why he got mad at her. And that’s something he didn’t do before in the Other Lifetime. This is a change for the good. I like that he’s learned to express his dissatisfaction instead of just keeping it in. Communication is good.

Let’s continue.

LR – so you’re confronting me now. Sure. Tell me. What is the misunderstanding that upsets you the most?

PWX – I don’t like Qin Zhenzhen.

LR – I know. You haven’t gotten over her cancellation of your marriage. It has been many years, so perhaps you don’t love her as that much now. But

PWX – There’s no but. Whether in the past or the present, I never fancied Qin Zhenzhen. I don’t miss her. I don’t care about her. Everyone tells me that she’s meant to be my wife and that I need to treat her well. Therefore I thought I liked her. Until I met someone, when she was sad, I became nervous. When she smiled, it felt like every day was a good day. If she fancied a hairpin, I’d make sure I remembered what it was like. If the weather changed, I’d be worried if she was soaked in the rain. If she left home for a few days, I’d pine for her. I wanted to write her a letter daily to tell her how much I missed her. I’d wonder how many kids we would have. I’d also wonder if we would grow old together. Li Rong, I don’t have any regrets about Qin Zhenzhen. If I do have regrets, they’ll only be of you. The one I loved and lost was only you Li Rong.

source: dramashii’s tumblr

LR – I know you used to love me but you don’t like Qin Zhenzhen?

Here, she’s in disbelief. She always thought that he liked his childhood friend in a romantic way.

PWX – Because you never tried to understand what I want. Once you make up your mind, no one can persuade you otherwise. Shangguan Ya always behaved herself, yet you never discerned her duplicity. Su Rongqing’s family was murdered, yet you never discerned his thirst for revenge. Li Chuan lost his father and wife, yet you never discerned his heartbreak.

I’ll pause here for a second, @agdr03.

What he’s saying here is that she has tunnel vision. She stubbornly holds on to one and only one opinion, causing her to overlook and dismiss opposing, but equally valid, opinions. Because of this failure to consider and listen to others (especially to him), she doesn’t get a full understanding of the situation.

Let’s continue.

PWX — What about me? Li Rong, I loved you. And I lost you. Do you really understand what I want and what I desire?

They exchange looks here.

He’s silently begging her to understand him. But she looks away.

This is a giveaway. Her averted eyes indicate that she refuses to commit herself to him. She gives her answer.

LR – I will think about it.

Then, she changes topic and tells him to get inside.

His reaction is priceless.

PWX – You could have scolded me, given me your advice, loved me, hated me, or. It shouldn’t have been this way. You shouldn’t have been indifferent to me.

Here he is, totally baring his heart and soul to her, and all she says in reply is “I will think about it.”

Her answer drives him nuts. And I get it.

It’s as if he had asked her if she would like to have soup or salad on the menu for tomorrow’s dinner. There’s no empathy, no energy, no passion, no urgency, no feelings from her. Her cold response tells him that she’s determined to stick with her logic and pragmatism. She’s decided to remain emotionally distant, emotionally guarded, even when he’s pleading for her understanding. She’s a lost cause.

He. Can’t. Get. Through. To. Her.

@agdr03, also don’t forget the rain.

It’s pouring rain the whole time they were having this conversation. I like the visual contrast: Li Rong is warm and dry inside the carriage. PWX is cold and wet outside the carriage. Li Rong looks puzzled and bewildered. PWX however looks pitiful.

She asks him to get back inside the carriage with her because he’s getting drenched. But he refuses. He says he’ll go back to his office; he’ll sleep there.

In other words, he’s declining the warmth and comfort of Li Rong’s carriage. He prefers to be alone, cold, sopping wet, out in the elements than to be with her in that carriage, and be treated like a nonentity.

PWX: You should go back. I’ll return to the bureau.
LR: Why are you doing this?

See that? She doesn’t get it. She thinks he’s only having a temper tantrum.

PWX: (incensed) Why am I doing this? When faced with anything, you keep emotions to yourself. You believe your rationality provides a solution to everything. But remember this, Li Rong. The essence of power is understanding people. Without this insight, all you aspire to achieve will come to nothing. I’m tired. Let’s live separately.

To me, @agdr03, the reason this whole scene is memorable isn’t because of his confession. That’s nothing. I knew from Episode 1 that he loves her but that she’s —

a. too hurt and burdened by the past,
b. too suspicious (no thanks to her upbringing, and the dynamics in the court),
c. and too unappreciative, really,

to see the underlying motive of all his actions.

This scene is memorable to me because he declares his love for her and she isn’t moved.

It’s when she’s threatened with separation that she loses her composure and rationality.