#destined

The last thing he wanted was to see his best friend and just be Fan Xuan again 😭 I hate that his son was the last to see him.

Mirror images now that general Zhou is emperor.

Probably one of the best endings I've seen recently. They kept the end goal of setting up the next generation of leaders. That Zhou is content to stay the path that him and Fan Xuan started down is so wholesome and what I needed to have happen.

His chess pieces. Definitely one of my favorite scenes in the show. It just does this fantastic job of showing Fan Xuans long game. Seeing how hes been keeping track of everyone and the care and gental way he touches the spots the map as he lays down pieces. He -from the heart- cares for these people even as hes been using his power to move them into position. Putting them where they will do the most good and get the experience they'll need in the future. Knowing hes setting up his heir/successor with genuine and good officials is probaby his only consolation.

This man is putting all his hopes into this group of people.

For Fan Xuan being told his son should never be allowed to take the throne is something he knows. Its been obvious with the changes in THAT kid over the show. But to also be said by his best friend who refused to be named a successor to the throne? Not only refused but gave every indication that he was being tested for any hint of future rebellion? The damage to the trust between them mentally regarding each other as equals and brothers is immense.

Throughout the show we've seen Fan Xuan steadily decline in every way. Seeing him getting sick and weak. His actions have a slight histeria to them that just screams he's hitting a breaking point. Hes become so secluded. And now his only true ally is taking the only good option he has in naming successor away while also denying him the opportunity of back and forth conversing of finding a solution.

This man is so alone and I cant stand it. He went to see his best friend trying to bridge this personal and social gap thats been widening between them and his only confidant is not only physically maintaining this distance, he wont even come out from behind a tangible barrier to see him. General Zhou is his only true friend but hes also that last fray of hope he has of being anybody other than this position. The absolute despair he shows when he just gives up hope and walked away like this frail man killed me.

All this man wants is the closeness of friendship. Its written on his face along with the hope and longing of being free from this high position even if just for a little bit with someone he trusts. That his best friend keeps his distance literally stole any hope this man had. It kills me to see strong men cry.

The story of these two and the distance that grew between them throughout the last half is the main reason I will remember this show. Not to take anything away from other storylines and characters but *these two* made me want to curl up and cry.

Dejection. Defeat. Heartbreak.