I honestly don't think it was love. It's probably genuine care and affection you'd have for ur friend. It's pretty normal that she reacted that way cuz the imperial family was rumoured to be cruel and she wouldn't want her flower of a friend to be involved in the world of politics (doesn't change the fact I hate her)
I guess so, but i still think that it was sth more. Even a genuine friend wouldn't have a big ass portrait made and hanged in their study room. It's sus, but we won't get a chance for a deeper explanation about their friendship so it is what it is.
Well i guess the mother was in love with her friend and was shocked that she was pregnant, but something happened there. Either she was murdered or just passed away while giving birth. But that doesn't change the fact or giving her the right to be a bad mother and using her children against each other.