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terapsina · 2 years

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Thinking about how Lbfad is all about love- and not just romantic love, but all kinds. Romantic, Platonic, Familial, Brotherhood, sisterhood, love towards the people, even self-love.

Oh, absolutely. This show portraying the variety of love in all its forms is one of my favorite things.

Plus I also love how there's such different ways that this love is shown in both healthy and decidedly less so ways. Seriously every relationship in this show has its darker reflection.

Like the love between Xiao Lanhua and Dongfang Qingcang in stark mirror against the very obsessive and selfish love that Ronghao has for Chidi Nvzi.

The brotherhood of Dongfang Qingcang and Xunfeng that was so deeply broken but then starts healing once the truth comes out, held against Changheng's blind loyalty for his brother which is clearly utterly without reciprocation.

Xiao Lanhua's love for her shifu and the way Siming's lies were told in order to protect her, against Dongfang Qingcang's relationship with his father and how his father put his country before his son and did utterly terrible things to someone who only wanted his father's love.

Shangque's earned loyalty to the Moon Supreme, against Dieyi's loyalty to Ronghao and how he constantly betrays it.

The friendship between Changheng and Ronghao. Against the more true friendship between Xiao Run and Cricket. Or the eventual one between Changheng and Danyin.

Though it's not just darker reflections either. There's also just... reflections too.

Like the initially reluctant and one sided friendship based on lies between Xiao Lanhua and Jieli. In mirror to the initially reluctant and one sided friendship based on lies between Dongfang Qingcang and Xiao Run.

Or the unrequited romantic love that Changheng felt for Xiao Lanhua which would eventually be a requited friendship. In mirror to the unrequited romantic love that Danyin felt for Changheng which would eventually be a requited friendship.

Seriously, this show is so FULL of various relationships which show both the best and the worst of all the various colors that love can come in and I think that if anything makes this show special, it might truly be THAT.

#love between fairy and devil #dongfang qingcang #xiao lanhua #ronghao #changheng #danyin #jieli #shangque #dieyi #siming #chidi nvzi #anonymous #answers #terapsina rambles #terapsina’s lbfad rambles #lbfad spoilers

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wjforever · 1 year

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An interesting matter. I've thought about this for a long time, but at some moment I suddenly continued the logical chain and the puzzle pieces falling together in a new way.

I've wonder what role Siming played in Xiao Lanhua's fate. Although there is very little of her in the series, in the end we understand that she, as a goddess responsible for the fate of people (she is the literal Director of Destinies), plays a much more important, if not a key role. And, perhaps, that's why she appears only at the end and for a very short time.

And now my logical chain and some facts that, in my understanding, made Siming from a shipper of the Chang Heng and XLH pair (which seemed ridiculous to me), to the person who conducted this orchestra.

We know that Siming always told Xiao Lanhua that fate can't be changed. And yet, she helped Chidi change Ron Hao's fate. So she violated the rule. This is one call that says more about her personality.

She broke the rules and saved the dragon (and all this plot, you know this yourself), for which she was punished. This is another call. She's more like Dongfang Qingcang, who always goes against everything, than Chang Heng, who still always ends up following the rules (or destiny). And this with her position!

When DFCQ and Chang Heng go to Siming, they realize that they were both expected. Because both the firefly and the cakes are all part of the Orchid's destiny. And considering that Siming had access to her book, she could watch her just like we watch the series.

At this moment we can already understand that Siming is not as simple as it could seems.

What really confused me at first was that Siming was nice to Chang Heng, but rude to Dongfang. To die and become a goddess was the fate of Xiao Lanhua, wasn't it? Both Dan Yin and DFCQ saw these scenes in the mirror. And she could become this great goddess who visited the three worlds only because of Dongfang Qingcang. All of this was predetermined. So why is Siming so rude to DFCQ?

Yes, it feels a little like… relationship between the mother, the girl's friend and her fiance. When the mother behaves nicely with a friend, but expects something more from the bf. There is some bias. But still, it seemed that Siming preferred Chang Heng, but she was ready to cooperate with Dongfang Qingcang if it meant that XLH would remain alive.

And yet it seems that she's in the Chang Heng's team. See for yourself.

In the past, the master had behaved almost the same way our team behaved in the mortal world. She literally brought Xiao Lanhua to Chang Heng. Facts:

she knew that Orchid is not just a grass, which means that she probably didn't accidentally spoil her immortal root. The root was definitely damaged because Dongfang saw it. But the reason is unknown. Perhaps to prevent the true power of the goddess from developing and not to reveal her. And even if it was an accident, she wouldn't throw Orchid away.

• Siming told Xiao Lanhua that Chang Heng had saved her, otherwise XLH wouldn't have had such a strong attachment to Chang Heng. Because the whole first part of the series we hear that she has to thank him and later she says that she confused gratitude with love.

But all this is a lie. When Xiao Lanhua sees Chang Heng, he says he doesn't remember saving her. We think he's lying because he erased her memory and just wants her to keep her distance for her safety. But no. This is actually not the true.

When Dongfang Qingcang and Chang Heng came to Siming, they were surprised that she was a woman. At the beginning, they mistook the dragon for the god of the fates. This assumption was said by Dongfang, but Changheng didn't argue and looked like he was in shock, that Siming is a lady. It means he didn't know Siming. And there were no memories from the past, any signs that they knew each other.

In fact, this scene was unnecessary at all. It had no effect on the plot. For the viewer from the first episode it was no secret who is the master (we saw her early than our Devil). And Dongfang never got jealous of Orchid for the master. I was surprised why such an emphasis was placed on this (given that the translation killed all the intrigue, because Xiao Lanhua called the master "she"). So it only mattered for Chang heng's story.

Chang Heng became attached to Xiao Lanhua 500 years ago, after their meeting, and not because he saved her and kept watch over her fate. So he could really not have been interested in Siming Palace before and didn't know the master.

When Xiao Lanhua sees Chang Heng for the first time, she doesn't know him, but later she already knows her savior very well. Perhaps Siming told her about Chang Heng after they met. I haven't reached this point in the Chinese translation yet, but in English there is confusion with the dates when the master disappeared. However in the first episode Xiao Lanhua talks about 500 years. So Siming could told her about Chang Heng back then.

What is the conclusion? Siming actively pushed them towards each other. Initially, I thought about the words of the Turtle. It said that Orchid, unlike the others, has only one destiny. And I decided that was the point. Siming was just helping this destiny come true.

But I was haunted by one thought. It was a separate thought, unrelated to all this, but apparently in vain.

What was Chang Heng's original fate and what went wrong? This is the key question. Xiao Lanhua was supposed to marry Chang Heng, meaning he wasn't supposed to die. Well, maybe it was the fate, she saves him, all the events from the series happen and she marries him. Logically. But we remember that Chang Heng's fate changed for some reason. And it was because of this that XLH had to go to the pagoda, breaking all the laws, but for the sake of saving her beloved.

Again, Siming told her that love is not a destiny, but a choice. We don't yet know these words of the master at the beginning, only the instructions not to interfere. But then we will know them, which means Orchid knows it already.

DFCQ would have gotten out without XLH, because they failed in sealing his spirit, so Xiao Lanhua had to save Chang Heng.

But, the main question is what caused the changes in Chang Heng's fate. This happens in the first episode, and the most important thing that happened to him was a meeting with Xiao Lanhua, something out of the ordinary.

And here it is important to note the words of the song that plays when we are shown Chang Heng 's memories of Xiao Lanhua. There is a phrase there "I was afraid to meet you again, but you gave me the courage missing you once again".

So he hadn't seen her for many years and didn't know how she would react to him, given that he had erased her memory. But she, BECAUSE OF SIMING, feels grateful and shows with all her appearance how important he is to her. Chang Heng later recalled her promise to enter the palace many times. Songs often reflect the meaning of events so well. And in fact, for Chang Heng, her behavior was the impetus to act. Maybe in this moment he did something he shouldn't have. He took her flower and gave her the firefly stone. Xiao Lanhua decided that he liked her and they should be together and, of course, after that she couldn't help but break the rules and interfere in his fate. Because love is above fate.

This is the breach that started it all. I can't say exactly why it affected his fate so much, because they were already supposed to get married sooner or later. But we were told everything at the very beginning. It's just amazing in the series, really. The whole plot is clear from the first episodes, but you understand you have already been told everything after the end of the viewing, or even not a single repeat.

Xiao Lanhua quotes Siming's words that any small mistake leads to a big one and everything is very complicated and tangled in fate. Everything can change drastically because of a small thing. Maybe Chang Heng was distracted during the strengthening of the seal, for example, because he was thinking about the wrong thing.

In fact, there is a possibility that Chang Heng would have ended up finding the goddess because of Ron Hao. Sooner or later he would have found her. And there is a possibility that Ron Hao would have made a mistake somewhere, Chang Heng would have found out about the goddess, married her, she would have killed Tai Sui. And Dongfang Qingcang at some point would still have escaped from the tower after another 30 thousand years. Not a long time for them.

But if everything was like that, it turns out that Siming, the master of fate (who knows about this more than she?), did all this on purpose. By her actions, she violated the fate of Xiao Lanhua and freed out the only person who can't be defeated. One of the two immortal bodies in their time, suitable for Tai Sui. Perhaps that's why he's the only one who could change the fate of the one whose fate can't be changed. I even wonder if he has the book of fate at all, if Siming saw it and if it was in Xiao Lanhua's house all this time. It's curious that he or she never thought about it. Especially he.

At the same time, Siming could feel no worry of the consequences, because no matter how dangerous Dongfang Qingcang was, according to legend, only the goddess could stop him. Which, in fact, happened. But she did it not with force, but with love.

And with this I don't know what shows her rudeness towards Dongfang. When he begins to express regrets about hurting Orchid, Siming doesn't look at him and interrupts him just like Xiao Lanhua when she didn't want to hear about the reasons for his betrayal (allegedly, of course).

Does Siming feel the same as XLH? necessity of sacrifice for the sake of salvation. Maybe she's just ashamed, because in fact he's her victim and she feels sorry for him. Or she knows that she just needs to treat him so cruel, just the way his father did with him, and later he himself did with Xiao Lanhua. Or he's not subject to fate, unpredictable and she's angry because she can't read his fate. Maybe it's just a test. After all, Dongfang Qingcang couldn't give up his debt to the tribe, didn't try to make peace. Maybe Siming is not sure that he will overcome his ego and his jealousy, because he asks her about Orchid's wedding with Changheng and if he is not there, Xiao Lanhua may end up staying with Chang Heng. Is she trying to make sure that he will do everything right and her so complicated and long-term plan won't fail?

In any case, when looking for answers to Siming's actions, you need to think not about the latest episodes, but globally, from the very beginning. She is a figure who has been present throughout the series without actually being around. And it was she who played a main role in many of Xiao Lanhua's decisions and reactions, as the only mentor she ever had.

What the finale definitely lacked was this meeting of Siming and our couple. And maybe Chang Heng with the promised wine. That's what would be really interesting to see.

Buy me a coffee

#love between fairy and devil #lbfad #lbfd #cang lan jue #dongfang qingcang #xiao lanhua #苍兰诀 #cdrama #clj #dfcq #xlh #love this little details #Chang Heng #siming #si ming #fate #thought flow #have you noticed

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well-dressedwords · 2 years

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Lingering questions: LBFaD

Siming:

While she has some very important lines and roles in the show, the thing I’m left thinking about is how Chengheng thought it would go if he ever did get together with Xiao Lanhua. I mean, was he just going to continue letting her think her master was more interested in roaming the mortal realm than visiting Xiao Lanhua? Was he going to reveal that she’d been locked up with her (awesome) dragon husband?

How was he thinking that would go? There’s no way Xiao Lanhua would be content with her master being exiled. Though I’m sure she’d forgive him as her character has forgiven worse.

And what were the shitty emperor’s thoughts here? I’m curious if he just exiled her as quickly and thoughtlessly as he does everyone else, but Siming has an important role?!? And even if Xiao Lanhua is doing a great job as her disciple, if you lose her (which he certainly didn’t spare a thought for when he was about to spear her), who is going to do the job?

Is this lack of forethought or lack of care? I almost wish there was a more nefarious reason behind leaving Xiao Lanhua to do the job by herself - she can be intimidated by the higher immortals to do what they want (at least in their minds).

Consequences of defying fate:

If we go with the straightforward, defying fate = death, which I’ve seen posited somewhere, then Xiao Lan Hua’s death was both the ultimate love sacrifice and also the result of changing Changheng’s fate book (which was only possible also because of love.). That would also account for Chidi Nuzi’s death sacrifice (for bringing Rong Hao back to life), Dongfang’s death for meddling with Xiao Lanhua/Xiyun’s fate book, Rong Hao’s death for screwing with Chidi’s, and potentially even Danyin’s death in the mortal realm for trying to prevent Changheng destiny from happening. I am curious if Siming allowing all these fates to be changed (specifically Rong Hao’s and Xiao Lanhua’s) resulted in her facing any consequences as well? Or does it take direct action for the punishment to kick in? She reminds me a bit of Yuuko in xxxHOLiC, not allowed to truly intervene but giving just enough help to people so they can change fate.

There’s the flip side - that of the prophecy. “That those who are able to see it are the ones who can make it happen” - Danyin is the major player for making it possible for Changheng to go to the mortal realm and get married to Xiao Lanhua, and even for exposing Xiao Lanhua’s true identity to the Fairy court so that Changheng’s life is spared so they can later have the wedding procession.

Obviously, Dongfang has his contribution in that, too.

Unresolved or unused plot lines:

What happened to Danyin and Jieli’s father? Did he manage to turn himself in? Was he later released?

How many other cross couples have there been, if even a high immortal fairy managed to secretly have kids with a Moon tribe woman? How did he explain where Danyin came from in the first place?? At least his wife could make up a story (if she’d needed to) of being abandoned by her lover. I don’t think the reverse would hold water?

Are Siming and Changyuan released from exile/ finally exit themselves after all this goes down? I know in the novel at least they get to reunite with Xiao Lanhua when Dongfang Qingcang is reviving her, but that’s not how the drama plotline went. I just want her foster mom to dote on her again and let Xiao Lanhua have one other person she can be herself with!

Also, Siming and Changyuan’s two kids. Personal headcannon is they already have the kids, but Siming was putting them safely behind a ward when Dongfang Qingcang and Changheng visited. If they had 1,000 years of exile together, at some point they probably decided kids might be a fun way to relieve the boredom.

The fact that we don’t get any Danyin and Xunfeng interaction (in terms of romance) is so sad. Xunfeng needs to be flipped on his head by love just like his brother was, and Danyin deserves to finally have a requited love.

Shangque and Jieli’s resolution - would’ve liked to see more about that.

When does Lord Dong come out of seclusion and punish/strip his oldest son of his powers and position? And if that doesn’t happen, can the rest of the rational high immortals take him down?

If Xiao Lanhua spends her 500 years of waiting in Cangyan Hai, surely she and Xunfeng get to talk and reconcile/forgive. It would be hilarious to see Xunfeng bumbling through trying to befriend his sister-in-law while handling the chaos of 100,000 men returning to their domain.

Also, with 100,000 men back home, can you imagine the population boom in the following years? Those are real political problems of supply and demand to figure out! Would love to see someone explore that in fic, honestly. Xunfeng is probably longing for the day his brother returns!

#love between fairy and devil #meta thoughts #cang lan jue #siming #changyuan #xiao lan hua #dongfang qingcang #changheng #jieli #shangque #danyin #xunfeng #love that the whole cast deserves consideration #even the shitty emperor

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