Welcome to the Open Thread, everyone! Thanks for joining in on this group watch of this very special show! ❤️

As I mentioned in my announcement post, these are my notes, exactly as they appear on Patreon.

ZERO SPOILER POLICY

We will be adopting a ZERO SPOILER POLICY for this Open Thread, except for events that have happened in the show, up to this point.

This includes, but is not limited to, how characters &/or relationships develop, later in the show.

The spoiler tags don’t work in email notifications, therefore, please take note that WE WILL NOT BE USING SPOILER TAGS FOR THIS OPEN THREAD. 

We need to protect the innocent! 😉

Without further ado, here are my reactions to this set of episodes; have fun in the Open Thread, everyone! ❤️

My thoughts

Episodes 33-34

E33-34. Aw. Last set of episodes, I’d finished by hoping that our OTP would be more lovey-snuggly going forward, and soon – and Show totally delivers! 🤩 It’s like Show read my mind or something, heh. 😁

At the start of episode 33, I’d been concerned that the whole thing with the tiger seals and the Crown Prince and Consort Chu, would end up driving a wedge between Buyi and Shaoshang, especially since Buyi’s made it clear to Shaoshang that he would prefer her to stay out away from matters concerning the Eastern Palace.

And, that’s the opposite of what Shaoshang does.

In fact, Shaoshang gets right in there and defends Consort Chu, when she doesn’t even know the full picture of what they’re discussing.

I feel like anyone else in Buyi’s shoes would have lost their patience and their temper with Shaoshang, but Buyi – our lovely Buyi – does not.

I mean, he does tell Shaoshang not to get involved, and asks her to leave, but I really wouldn’t classify that as him losing his patience or his temper. I still see it as him trying to keep Shaoshang out of trouble, more than anything else.

On that note, I have to confess that with each passing episode, my unease with Consort Chu and her potential hidden agendas, is growing.

Even without concrete evidence, I’m beginning to instinctively be with Buyi on this one – that Consort Chu isn’t someone with whom Shaoshang should be spending a lot of time.

I mean, it honestly doesn’t appear to be an oversight, like Consort Chu claims, when she summons Shaoshang to the palace on her day off, because she thinks that Shaoshang would be able to help her.

In fact, I’m already very suspicious of the fact that Consort Chu had even suggested to the Crown Prince, that they allow her cousin Sun Sheng to transport the tiger seals for them. Might that have been her plan all along, to help the Crown Prince “lose” the tiger seals..? Hrmmm. 🤔

I can’t help feeling like Shaoshang’s trust in Consort Chu might be misplaced.

More importantly, though, I am digging the way Buyi’s speaking with Shaoshang in more tender, persuasive, consultative tones now, because he now understands how important personal agency is to her.

I do love that scene when Shaoshang comes out of the palace, and refuses the offer that his men make, to take her home in the carriage.

It admittedly give me mixed feelings to see the way Buyi grabs Shaoshang by the waist and carry her against her will. Like, wait, she doesn’t want to be carried, and this is manhandling! – but ooh, how strong is he, to be able to lift her with just one arm.. 🤩😅

But, what feels more important, is the gentle and tender manner in which Buyi talks to Shaoshang, after he’s put her down.

Even though he grabs her by the wrist to stop her from going back into the palace in a huff, the action, which starts out forceful, manages to end with gentleness and care. How does he DO that? 🤩

(Also, how cute is it, that Buyi’s men all instinctively know to turn around to give the couple some privacy! 😁)

And then there’s the way he talks to her, so full of gentle earnestness.

“Shaoshang, I shouldn’t have raised my voice at you. I’m sorry. The matter of the tiger seals is very serious. I really don’t want you to get involved. That’s why I was harsh with my words.

How about this? Go and rest in Changqiu Palace. As for the rest, let me take care of it.

Is that all right?”

I just love the fact that our general, who’s so used to only giving and receiving orders, is now talking to Shaoshang in a way that invites her opinion and consent. This feels like a big step for him, no? 🤩

Even though Shaoshang turns and walks back into the palace without saying a word, I do think that her manner has softened, because of how Buyi speaks to her.

At least she’s not going back into the palace in a huff, which I think is something.

For a while, Show had me going with the idea that perhaps Buyi had colluded with the Crown Prince, and swapped the real tiger seals with fake ones, so that the ones lost would be fake.

But that’s not the case at all. The Crown Prince DID lose the real ones – and it’s Buyi who comes to the rescue, with the tiger seals from his own family, that look almost like the real ones, because they were crafted by the same master.

And he does that, not for the Crown Prince’s sake, but for Shaoshang’s sake.

It’s true that if she’d been found out for faking the tiger seals, she would easily have faced a death penalty, for deceiving the Emperor, right?

And of course Buyi couldn’t let that happen to Shaoshang.

What impresses me the most about this, is not the fact that he would give up his family heirloom in order to save her, but that he does it so willingly, and without grudge or reproach.

That is so swoony to me, honestly.

I feel like many men might be willing to give up a family heirloom in order to save their wives, but they would have most likely made a big deal out of it, to ensure that the wife knew what a big sacrifice they’d made, on her behalf.

But, not our Buyi.

He gives up those seals on principle, because he’s promised to protect Shaoshang, whatever the cost, and this is just one of the times when he needs to protect her. I love. I faint. I melt. 🫠🫠

I’m so glad for Qiqi, who gives Shaoshang some really important perspective, so that Shaoshang begins to properly appreciate just how much Buyi cares about her.

And, credit to our Shaoshang, the moment it registers in her head, she wastes no time in going to seek Buyi out – only to find him already waiting, outside the gate of her family home.

Awww. It looks like Buyi’s been guarding her home on days and nights when she hasn’t been at the palace. How devoted he is! 🫠

And I love, love, LOVE the conversation they have; it feels so needful.

She thanks him for his help with the tiger seals; he tells her that she needn’t say more about the tiger seals; he tells her that he doesn’t want her to ever feel forced to make up with him against her will.

She tells him that she doesn’t know how to be someone’s wife; she also tells him that she’s finally realized that even though she’d thought that she’d always been the one compromising and lowering herself, that he’s been doing that since the beginning.

He tells her that he shouldn’t have tried to restrict her, when he’s always loved her for being daring and brave; that he likes her just the way she is.

I can practically see Shaoshang blossoming in the light of his words. I love. 🫠

I also love that she then tells him that she’d wanted to tell him that she plans to treat him really, really well going forward, and that she will never forget his goodness to her this day, even when they’re old and gray. Aww!

I feel like I can see Buyi’s heart melt into a puddle, at hearing her talk about them growing old together.

I can barely think straight, with the way Buyi steps in close to Shaoshang, and looking into her eyes, murmurs, “Shaoshang, let’s marry sooner. Would that be good?”

Ahhh! It’s so precious, the way she looks right back at him, and smiles happily and nods, at his suggestion.

I’m giddy from this, you guys. 🫠🫠🫠

It feels really important that Buyi then wastes no time in bringing Shaoshang to see his mother, despite his mother’s delicate and unstable condition.

Part of me can’t help thinking that he should have told Shaoshang something about his mother’s situation before actually springing the reality on her, but Shaoshang handles it well, and validates Buyi’s trust in her.

Even though I’m bummed that Buyi gets bitten by his mom, I do love that Shaoshang is quick to bandage his hand for him, and that she is extremely understanding and supportive of this thing with his mom.

This is truly such a delicate topic for Buyi to talk about, and I love that he lays his cards out openly to Shaoshang, and I love that Shaoshang is unwavering on his side, and supports his position, of standing on his mom’s side, and not his dad’s.

Also, I can’t not mention the way Buyi tells Shaoshang that his love for her, is as steadfast as Uncle Cui’s devotion to Buyi’s mother. That’s very melty to me. 🫠

And then there’s the way Shaoshang responds, when Buyi protests that if she meets him at the palace, it would interfere with her studies.

“I can’t do two things at once. I can either focus on Her Majesty and palace matters or focus on you. Pick one.”

I love how Buyi doesn’t miss a beat, and immediately answers, “I want you to focus on me.”

Tee hee hee! Good choice, Buyi!! 😁😁

AND THEN. When they decide to bring forward their engagement banquet to three days from then (Eee! 🤩) and Shaoshang starts talking about her previousi engagement, I love how Buyi stops her in her tracks by kissing her on the lips. Double Eee!!! 😍😍

I do love his serious answer to her question, about why he’s sudenly kissing her, “In the future, if you still say something that I don’t like to hear, I will also use this method to block your mouth.”

Ahahaha!! Judging from the smile that plays at Shaoshang’s lips in response, I don’t think Shaoshang’s too upset about this plan either. 😁😁

Following this, I’m not surprised that Lady Chengyang presents herself at Shaoshang’s home for an audience, since she’s Buyi’s stepmother. What I am surprised about, is how overtly unwelcoming Shaoshang is, towards her.

I’d imagined that Shaoshang would still manage to be rather polite, even if she remains unwelcoming of her, but she’s just outright disrespecting Lady Chengyang.

What surprises me even more, is that Yuanyi backs up Shaoshang so completely, even though we hear later, that Yuanyi does have her concerns about Shaoshang being so obviously offensive towards Lady Chengyang.

Aw. I do love that Yuanyi’s now in a place where she would back Shaoshang up so completely, even when she might have reservations about Shaoshang’s chosen position. The solidarity! How far this mother-daughter pair has come, yes? 🤩

The way Lady Chengyang then gets Lady Ruyang to crash the engagement party with her, is so dramatic, seriously.

I’m just glad that Buyi thinks to send word to Shaoshang, that she can be as sharp as she likes, in dealing with whomever she thinks needs dealing with, and that he will be there soon, and will cover for her, no matter what.

That’s an important reassurance, I feel, which gives Shaoshang a sense of his support, even though she doesn’t know the details of his plan.

I must say, though, Buyi’s grand entrance with the Emperor is something else – it should be illegal for a groom to look even more beautiful than his bride, I think? Coz Buyi looks absolutely glor-i-ous in that red outer robe. 🤩🤩🤩

I’m also really glad for Consort Yue, who is as calmly sardonic in her straight-shooting ways as ever. I need this woman to have her own show, seriously. She’s just so awesome! 🤩

It’s kind of out there, how the entire thing ends with Lady Ruyang basically being banished, and Lady Chengyang being put under house arrest. 😅

I don’t know if we needed to go that far, honestly. All I want is for Buyi and Shaoshang to successfully complete their engagement. 😅

Episodes 35-36

E35-36. Well. The rest of the engagement apparently goes without a hitch, because, before we know it, it’s all over, and life goes on to its new normal, with Buyi now officially engaged to Shaoshang and receiving lunchboxes on a regular basis.

Aw. That’s cute. 😁 And sweet.

I’m not suuper interested in the politics side of this story, but I do note that the matter of the tiger seals does get Buyi the outcome that he’d wanted before, which was to get Wang Chun and Wang Long out of the court system and therefore court affairs.

I’m admittedly rather surprised that Shaoshang goes to the trouble of helping Wang Ling, by putting in a word for her mother in front of the Emperor, so that he changes his mind about her death sentence.

(On that note, I’m rather surprised by this, because I’d been under the impression that an Emperor’s word is law, and even the Emperor himself can’t undo his own words?)

It is rather nice to see Shaoshang preparing for the Empress’s birthday banquet with such diligence, but the two things that really stand out to me, in that realm of things, are:

1, Shaoshang finding out from the Empress that it had been Buyi who had requested that letter of commendation for Shaoshang, from the Emperor, so that she wouldn’t be bullied in the Lou household.

Aw. I’m glad that Shaoshang realizes all over again, just how much Buyi cares about her.

2, Shaoshang waxing lyrical about the sun and the moon co-existing as equals, gives us the explanation of our drama’s title.

Ahhh. So THIS is what love like the galaxy means! That she and Buyi would be able to co-exist as equals, both different from each other, but neither of less importance than the other.

That’s a lovely sentiment, and now that I understand it, I appreciate Show’s title all the more.

It was really horrible to see Fifth Princess bully and threaten Shaoshang like that, by not only pushing her into the water, but even throwing stones at her – and then snakes too!

Ugh. UGHHHH. I hate that she’s so gleefully cruel about it, too. 😡

I’m so glad that Buyi goes to seek Shaoshang out that evening, at the palace, even though he doesn’t know that something’s up, and I’m so glad that Shaoshang ends up crying in his arms.

Awww. I’m sad that Shaoshang’s suffered, but I’m comforted by the idea that she feels safe in Buyi’s arms. 🥹

Honestly, watching her sob so hard into his arms, legit made me tear up too.

This really is the first time we’ve seen Shaoshang crying so hard over anything, so it really hits home, that she’s been very traumatized and hurt by the whole thing.

I’m so glad that Buyi holds her tight and soothes her, because that’s exactly what our girl needs right now.

I’m rather disappointed that Shaoshang doesn’t tell Buyi what happened with Fifth Princess, despite his gentle coaxing, but I conclude that it’s not because she doesn’t trust him; I think it’s because she wants to solve this thing with Fifth Princess on her own.

I’m glad that Buyi does pick up on the fact that something’s wrong, and that it’s not just about Shaoshang missing home, like she says. But I’m also glad that he doesn’t push her, and lets her decide what to tell him and when.

He’s respecting her boundaries and her judgment, and that is very melty in itself. ❤️

I also love how gentle and intent he is, as he tell her that he’ll teach her about pressure points, starting with Mingmen (命门, literally, the door of life).

I am all up in a tizzy over how every step of this lesson just creates opportunity after opportunity for Buyi and Shaoshang to get extremely up close and personal.

The first twirl, after she pushes him (in demonstrating a form of attack), has her dipped in his arms.

And then, when she tries to show a retaliating move, the next twirl has her flat on her back on the bed, with his arm in the small of her back, for support.

And thennn, as she asks him if he can maintain his edge using just one hand, then no hands, he gets closer and closer to her, until he’s basically laying on top of her, and, well, rawrrr. 🔥🔥

There’s something very sexy about that vein popping on Buyi’s temple, as he lies there on top of her, like it’s taking all of his self-control, to not lean in and kiss her, right then and there.

And then I’m completely floored, as he takes her hand and puts her hand around his waist, into the small of his back, right at the Mingmen (door of life) pressure point, and tells her that henceforth, his life is hers.

Fainnnnt. Puddle. Swoooonn. 🫠🫠🫠

I’m surprised that the request that Shaoshang makes of Buyi, is that he play the zither for the Empress’s birthday banquet, but I can also see how this would make for a priceless gift for the Empress – just like that poem, handwritten by the Empress’s own father.

How can all the other gifts compare to that, right?

I love-love-LOVE seeing how lovey-dovey Buyi and Shaoshang are, during the banquet, from her wiping the droplets of win from his lips, to them sharing the same wine cup, to her planting a kiss on his cheek, right there in front of everyone.

It’s A-DOR-ABLE, and I could watch them just be in a love-dovey world of their own like this, all day. 😍😍

I’m slightly miffed that the cuteness is interrupted by Fifth Princess deciding to sic a drunk Fifth Prince on Shaoshang, but I’m glad that Shaoshang holds her own, and not only pulls Fifth Prince into the water in one smooth move not unlike the one Buyi used on her, she even makes a friend out of him.

I’m dismayed that Jitong’s maid takes the opportunity to proclaim that Shaoshang and Fifth Prince are meeting in private (which is highly inappropriate and therefore scandalous), but I’m pretty sure that Buyi will find a way to clear her name, while not doubting her for a moment.

Because of course he wouldn’t doubt her, right? 🤩

Next Open Thread will be up on: Saturday, 25 May 2024!