#ln12

[xiaonme]

hey guys. LN12 was a doozy

[arabellasharddaynight]

i dont think there's ever happened anything remotely as funny as this scene in the entirety of 12 light novel volumes I've read this far. i literally cannot look at this panel without bursting out laughing. Lahans Brother please know that i LOVE YOU

[augustinamiaumiau]

LN12 Spoilers

If we consider how the second Western Capital arc and the Shi Clan arc mirror each other, this scene becomes very meaningful.

In the first arc, Maomao has just been rescued from being kidnapped, has lost her friend, and is falling asleep surrounded by what she believes are dead children and here comes Jinshi trying to kiss her.

In the second arc, Jinshi gives Maomao what she actually needs: safety and comfort. He still experiences the same carnal urges, but now he understands that it is not the time or place to act on them even though Maomao has made it clear that she accepts his feelings.

He went from being impulsive, selfish, and immature to a mature, empathetic, and selfless young man, capable of restraining himself.

This is why I think it’s important to acknowledge Jinshi’s wrongs instead of finding excuses for his earlier behavior. Doing so reduces his complexity and undermines his development as a character.

It’s also really silly when he gets criticized for his earlier actions and someone “defends” him by pointing out that he’s respectful ten volumes later, that change is the result of character development, not proof that his earlier actions were acceptable.

I’m aware that many people don’t criticize him in good faith, but two wrongs don’t make a right.

[bella-ollie]

I know this brings back memories, Maomao. We all know that. 😏 🐸

[xiaonme]

LN12 Clarifications

(I put some LN12 Chunks into Google Translate because I can't take more of Kevins butchering): Maomao is coming to understand her feelings. Chue's words...

...are an appeal for Maomao to follow her heart, even if she does not wish to be swept up by emotions.

The Reunion:

He tells her to shake him off then but she can't do it despite his hand not pinning her down. Miss Maomao when i getchu........

She does not know what to do with this degree of sacrifice and ambition - to marry her of all people? Why? (He should choose someone else, LN5. Why did that man choose a haggard husk of a woman with not much longer to live, and not one of the current reigning three princesses who deserves it?, LN2) She feels like, compared to him, beautiful cunning prince of a nation, she has little to give. She has nothing of this grandeur to sacrifice. There can be no tit for tat. She is nothing and no one. But in truth she knows what she wants, even if she cannot say it out loud just yet.

Also he kisses her forehead not her cheek. I'm getting my gun

Next up, on the Lookout:

She's a little nervous. She is not quite sure for how long she should hold his hand. She starts blurting things out <333

Don't worry Jinshi. She won't beat you at the game she's superior in this time. UNLESS YOU'D LIKE HER TO? (This reads as much more nervous to me than before. God.) It reads very: I'll do anything you order me to. anything. HAHA!

Otherwise, she would not have done it herself. This confused me so i checked a translation with furigana -

If she didn't like kissing she wouldn't do it, she would not have done it, and she would not keep doing it. But she cant voice that at the moment!!!! That she does not mind it !!!! She has heard Chue's words, keeps recalling them anytime she is in front of JInshi - for whom she has not allowed herself to have emotions for, and she is working towards realizing what Chue said. Of course she has not internalized Chue's words yet, but. All in due time.

[xiaonme]

NECK SCAR MAOMAO!!!!!! idc if it's surface level only. I want her to have a tiny sliver of a scar on her neck for jinshi to look at and feel like a failure for

[bella-ollie]

Maomao really has a calling for friends who will casually kidnap her...

[bella-ollie]

Chue grabbing that book of registers from the Yi clan makes me wonder if she is working for someone else other than Jinshi. But as Maomao usually says: let's think about this later.

Right now, I'm just really happy about HOW MUCH GOSSIP MISS CHUE IS SERVING! She doesn't think twice before snitching on Maomao AND I LOVE HER FOR THAT!