Ruoxi is finally having doubts about that Horrid 8th Prince! "Scarlet Heart" C-Drama Ep.12-13

And I am thrilled because he can't even properly handle the two wives he already has! His primary wife is jealous and bullies Roulan, the secondary wife.  Ruolan hates the 8th Prince, and retreats to religion to avoid sexual contact with him.  Those are huge red flags to anyone (then and now) who would feel so inclined to enter a polygamous relationship.  And no, I have no judgements about it, love is complicated, and everyone handles it just a little bit differently.  Personally, I would not be able to handle it if my husband took an additional wife, but I can see the logic in it, and therefore I have no judgements.  However, it's one of those situations that can be potentially the best or potentially the worst depending on how well it is all handled.

Plus, I think the 8th Prince is transferring his desire for Ruolan onto Ruoxi simply because they are sisters.  And to add to this chain of opinions of mine, I think he's only desiring Ruolan because he saw her as a bright and shiny possession, not as a person.  Again, I think one can have a polygamous relationship where the partners are regarded as people, not possessions, but it will take a hell of a lot of work.  I don't visualize it as a situation for the faint of heart.  However, I'm American from a very Christian background (though I don't practice the religion), and so I'm going to see it much differently.

The Prince's inability to run his household harmoniously isn't the only reason Ruoxi is having doubts.  Because she's from the future, she knows that his ambitions for the throne will get him executed, which wouldn't bode well for her. Not only the grief issue, but chances are, if he dies, so does everyone else associated with him.  Exceptions are highly unlikely to be made for her.  She tries to tell him to stay away from the throne, but he is highly offended by the suggestion.  I can't help but suspect that he also has interest in Ruoxi not just because of her association with her sister, but because she is a trusted servant to the Emperor.  As a trusted servant, she has a lot of intimate information that he can use in his quest for the throne.

Personally, I'm not a fan of the 8th prince.  While he isn't as sleazy as 왕욱 in "Scarlet Heart: 려," his actions are a bit shady and insidious.  I'm just having a really hard time trusting in anything he has to say, and I hope Ruoxi leaves him soon.  I am aware that the 4th Prince lacks the charm of the 8th Prince, but I like him because of that.  I know what I'm getting from him, and I don't have to worry about him being the type of person who flatters you up front, but then stabs you in the back.