Thanks in advance to anyone who will reply to the following:
1. Is there any significance to the repeated close-ups of second prince’s walking on the backs of his shoes? These close-ups occur often in both seasons. I know Chinese dramas often have close-ups of irrelevant items, (wagon wheels splashing in the mud, horses’s hooves galloping), so I am wondering if these foot/shoes  close-ups are relevant to the story or not?

2. Is it just me, or have many members cast become startlingly THIN — to the point where it looks almost unhealthy?

3. Does anyone know when/if an English translation of the book(s) will be published?

Again, many thanks for any replies. Also, please add other questions to this thread if you want to. IMO there are lots of puzzling aspects to this wonderful drama.

I think you're overthinking in point 1 of your query.

Your 2nd query is kind of controversial, I'd rather skip commenting on this one.

3rd I can answer: Yes, it is titled as  "Joy of Life by Mao Ni", it has 746 chapters (completely translated). You can search for its epub. I think posting the file link will result in ban, so, good luck searching.

Edit: Check your DM for file link.