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I think the most entertaining thing about my mom reading tgcf is that throughout the book she's been giving me her thoughts, and, especially during the plague and fall of Xianle, she sounds so much like the nameless people who judge Xie Lian for his actions. Granted, she's nicer about it, but it's still interesting.
more under the cut cause this is LONGGGG
In looking at Xie Lians actions during that time, I think she forgot that Xie Lian was a child when he was forced to pick between watching them suffer or attempting to help and save his people. Then I saw her comparing it to Hua Chengs maturity when he was little, and it so goddamn interesting. She compared Xie Lian immaturity at a young age to Hua Chengs maturity at a young age, and judged Xie Lian for it, because as a crown prince she had the expectation that he would and should be mature too. I feel like she forgot that he was 17, he was supposed to be immature and young and stupid, he was a well loved child with a good upbringing. He was a child and was allowed to act like one. In short, I find it very interesting that I saw everything MXTX put in there about a society that disapproves of children being children and really act their age, and am watching my mom fall into that very pattern. It's so interesting and I can't wait till she gets to read about the last bit of Xie Lians past cause I might dump this all on her when we do our little deepdive discussion about it lmao I'll update yall on the aftermath.