Ji Wangyu knowing about Chengcheng and specifically mentioning that he looks like Zhou Songyan is a huge red flag for me. Did he do his research on Li Mai? Is he using her to get close to the Zhou family? Or does he have some personal connection to Zhou Songyan? The way he said "Is the child's father dead or alive?" with such pointed curiosity makes me think he's fishing for information. And then Li Mai's answer – "Dead" – must have told him everything he needed to know. I'm suspicious of everyone in this story, and Ji Wangyu especially seems like he's playing a longer game than we know about.
A Shou's suicide is the lynchpin of the whole mystery. Did she kill herself out of guilt if her mistress ordered the murder? Or was she killed and staged to look like a suicide to frame Wen Mingqian? A concubine who could pull off that kind of scheme would have to be exceptionally cold and intelligent. Exactly the kind of ice queen Concubine Song portrays herself to be.
The familiar's silent but present role is great. She's always in the corner of the room, watching, ready to do his bidding. When she nods or shakes her head, you can feel her personality. And the running gag of the saint calling her "Kenzoku-chan" is adorable.
Li Zhaoting’s “I don't care” attitude towards Murong Fu's speech is a great character moment. He’s direct and doesn't suffer fools. “Too much nonsense, make your move!” is a perfect line. It shows he’s confident and doesn't need to banter. He’s here to win, and he’s not going to play social games. It’s a very effective way to show his personality.
The descriptions are vivid enough to paint a picture in my head. The summer heat, the glass building, the luxury car interior, the hospital room. But sometimes the author over-explains, like telling us the makeup was reapplied. It’s a bit too much telling. Still, I could visualize Huo Tingyan’s cold expression and Su Luo’s teary eyes clearly. The scene where she sleeps on his chest with her mouth open is cute and sticky in a good way. The contrast between the sterile hospital and the chaotic family drama works.
I like that the village has a Mazu Temple. Small detail but shows their culture. And the grandmother's prayer mentioning the Lin family ancestors specifically from Min Land - it grounds the supernatural in a specific place and lineage.