Li Cong's fate is such a strong Clue to the bad turn the regime has taken Yes, I thought that too. And I like your point of how a lack of Confucian scholars at court is a rebuke. I hadn't thought of it, but yes.
"paying respects to Buddha today" what exactly this is and why it would necessitate her resting at the Manor afterwards confuse me. I'm not sure what it is but I think it's meant as a character reference. She pays proper respect to the gods. It tells us she's a good person. But that's a guess. And I'd say that the temple was far away but why wouldn't there be a temple in a big city?
I think it's the same Confucian scholar in both the book and the drama. When prince Mu Qing goes to fetch the scholar, isn't he asked, in the drama, if his surname is Li?
Re: Chapter 1
"paying respects to Buddha today" what exactly this is and why it would necessitate her resting at the Manor afterwards confuse me. I'm not sure what it is but I think it's meant as a character reference. She pays proper respect to the gods. It tells us she's a good person. But that's a guess. And I'd say that the temple was far away but why wouldn't there be a temple in a big city?
I think it's the same Confucian scholar in both the book and the drama. When prince Mu Qing goes to fetch the scholar, isn't he asked, in the drama, if his surname is Li?