LayarHijau – Sometimes, a promise made years earlier finds its way back. When Jeremy Xu and Meng Ziyi were promoting Royal Rumours (花琉璃轶闻), the two actors shared the same wish—to reunite in another historical drama, but this time with a relationship built on love, hatred, heartbreak, and fate instead of lighthearted romance.
That wish has now become reality with Blossoms of Power (百花杀). In an exclusive interview with Sohu Entertainment News, Jeremy Xu reflected on reuniting with Meng Ziyi, describing the opportunity as something he never expected would actually happen. For him, the project is more than a second collaboration; it is the fulfillment of a promise they made years ago.
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“Life is truly amazing. It feels like destiny. Our dream finally came true,” Jeremy Xu said.
Jeremy Xu and Meng Ziyi first won over audiences in Royal Rumours, where their effortless chemistry and playful interactions became one of the drama’s biggest highlights. Naturally, many viewers hoped they would reunite on screen. While Blossoms of Power grants that wish, it presents the pair in a completely different light. Instead of a charming romance, their characters are bound together by obsession, sacrifice, regret, and a love destined to end in tragedy.
Xiao Changqing, a Prince Torn Apart by Love
During the interview, Jeremy Xu spoke extensively about his character, Xiao Changqing, and what lies beneath the tragic prince’s actions. Asked which fan description fit the character best, he immediately chose two.
“A mad villain who loves the deepest, and a tragic prince who’s both broken and insane. I think those descriptions fit him the best. That sense of brokenness is what defines Fifth Prince Xiao Changqing and what audiences feel most directly.”
According to Jeremy Xu, Xiao Changqing is far more than a conventional antagonist. Beneath his ruthless decisions is a man consumed by regret, longing, and a love he can never let go. That emotional complexity is what makes the character stand out.
His interpretation became even clearer when he was asked how much of Xiao Changqing’s feelings for Gu Qingzhi were driven by love.
“One hundred percent obsession, and one hundred percent love.”
When the interviewer followed up by asking whether his feelings for Shen Xihe were different, Jeremy Xu gave a simple but revealing answer.
“To me, they’re the same person. There’s no difference at all.”
The response highlights Jeremy Xu’s understanding of Xiao Changqing. In his eyes, the prince never stopped loving the same woman. It was fate—not his feelings—that changed everything.
How the Iconic “Why Not Me?” Scene Was Born
One of the most unforgettable moments in Blossoms of Power is Xiao Changqing’s heartbreaking line, “Why Xiao Huayong… why not me?” Jeremy Xu revealed that the emotional scene almost played out very differently.
Originally, the script relied on a sequence in which Xiao Changqing’s paintings were set on fire, using the burning artwork to trigger his emotional collapse. However, production limitations made the original version impossible to film.
Jeremy Xu then discussed the scene with Meng Ziyi and suggested changing the dialogue.
“Originally, the line ‘Why not me?’ belonged to Qingqing. We felt the emotional impact wasn’t strong enough, so I suggested switching it to ‘Why Xiao Huayong… why not me?'”
That last-minute adjustment ultimately created what many viewers now consider one of the drama’s most devastating scenes.
The Most Emotionally Draining Scenes
Jeremy Xu admitted that nearly every scene involving Xiao Changqing carried an overwhelming sense of heartbreak. Still, a few moments stood out above the rest.
The first was the moment Xiao Changqing realized Gu Qingzhi’s true identity. Another was the rain scene, where he knelt before the emperor, desperately pleading for the Gu family to be spared.
Yet for Jeremy Xu, the character’s most unforgettable moment came at the very end.
“There’s one scene that I believe will remain extraordinary throughout my acting career—that’s Xiao Changqing’s final scene in the finale.”
Although he chose not to reveal details, he described it as the emotional climax of everything the character had endured.
Meng Ziyi Brought Xiao Changqing to Life
For Jeremy Xu, reuniting with Meng Ziyi meant far more than revisiting an old partnership.
He even credited his co-star for helping shape Xiao Changqing into the character audiences see today.
“I truly never expected we’d get another chance to work together. I want to thank Ziyi. Without her Shen Xihe, there wouldn’t be Jeremy Xu’s Xiao Changqing.”
Jeremy Xu explained that he and Meng Ziyi had not seen each other for nearly two or three years after finishing promotions for Royal Rumours. Yet once they reunited on set, they immediately found their rhythm again.
Their previous collaboration allowed them to slip naturally back into their characters.
“Maybe it’s because we worked together before and shared so many wonderful memories. The moment I saw her again, I immediately entered the character’s emotional state.”
He also made a surprising confession, revealing that many of their scenes together left him in tears.
“Every time I saw her, every time we shared a scene, I found myself crying for no clear reason. Maybe it was because of the characters, or maybe it reminded me of our journey filming together years ago.”
The confession offers a glimpse into why their on-screen chemistry feels so convincing. It isn’t built solely on the script, but also on the trust and familiarity they developed during their first collaboration.
Imagining a Different Fate
Although Blossoms of Power tells a heartbreaking love story, Jeremy Xu still imagines a happier future for Xiao Changqing and Gu Qingzhi.
He said he would love to see the pair reunited in a story that transcends time and space.
“I’ve always loved romances that span galaxies and cross time itself. Two people separated by different timelines or light-years, yet destined to meet because of the purest kind of love. If I could, I’d want Xiao Changqing and Gu Qingzhi to have a story like that.”
Jeremy Xu jokingly added that Xiao Changqing spent three years praying for the woman he loved, only for fate to seemingly deliver her into someone else’s arms.
Hoping for a Third Collaboration
Even before audiences have fully enjoyed their second collaboration, Jeremy Xu is already thinking about a third.
This time, however, he wants to leave historical dramas behind.
He said he would like to star in a modern series as a soldier or police officer, while Meng Ziyi could play a lawyer or a doctor.
After earning praise once again for their chemistry in Blossoms of Power, that possibility no longer feels far-fetched. If Royal Rumours marked the beginning of Jeremy Xu and Meng Ziyi’s on-screen partnership, Blossoms of Power has taken it to a deeper, darker, and more emotionally intense level—leaving fans eager to see where their journey together might lead next.
