The problem with the ex is that he's all talk. Those people who constantly hunted down FL revered him as akin to a celebrity but he isnt shown protecting her at all. The ML doesnt need to shout ab his love bc its obvious to literally anyone. He's an Emperor but completely sidesteps any attempt to hide that he favours FL to an extreme degree. Anything she wants and needs, he immediately provides. Anytime shes even close to trouble, he intervenes. Anyone who asks him ab her, he shows his affection for her very plainly. I can't imagine ML ever allowing people to chase FL and attack her. Ex is okay, like hes nice I guess but hes so many leagues below our ML in terms of love.
I respect your opinion and you make some very good observations, I just said what I said because the ML can show his love for her yes but he still has to use his double and accept other concubines which makes everyone think although our FL is favored he stills loves and spends the night with other concubines. And although he doesn’t actually everyone thinks so because that’s what’s intended. I’m not saying I don’t like the ML because I do it’s obvious he loves her, the situation that’ll most likely happen is the FL’s ex will be to far invested in her past self and not for who she is now. Her ex actually is shown protecting her when the FL is reminiscing about her past but I get what you mean
Ya like I wasn't trying to say your opinion is invalid at all, the ex does seem to be a good person but I'd argue that its even more impressive that ML is as vocal and obvious as he is when hes got so many constraints on him. Unfortunately circumstances as they are, he cant just flat out say it but his actions atleast to me speak of a much more selfless love than what the ex has for her.
I’m starting to really like her ex he’s a little stupid obviously since he somehow hasn’t figured out everyone thinks he killed her but the way he talks abt her is really sweet and he’s open about his love for only her which the ml will probably never be able to do ╮(￣▽￣)╭