Contrary to most people here, I do like it that the General lost his feelings for Qiao Er and didn't hesitate to leave with his princess. The princess sacrificed the most for him and I think Qiao Er would not feel good if she caused any tension between them. You do feel that the General and the princess have become one in heart and soul. Any suggestion of a dilemma would have ruined that.
I'm annoyed about the over-deletion of romantic scenes between General and princess as well, but I do think they did have enough scenes to suggest their growing love and attachment. E.g. the General had the golden opportunity to kill the Mongolian general, but chose to save his princess first, which meant that he started putting her above political concerns. He also did choose to live a peaceful couple's life with his princess in a little thatched cottage although his mind was still on the country's situation especially when he bumped into one of his former soldiers. When the princess saw him practising martial arts, she started practising with him too and said she will help him in battle. He doesn't have to say out his thoughts - she knew. As for him, he was also hesitating to go into battle again because he was thinking about her feelings. That's how much they understood each other.
Near the end when they were with the performing troupe, one of the troupe leaders told the princess that there might be some feelings between the General and Qiao Er, thus the General won't drag Qiao Er into their political plans. The princess looked insecure. The General overheard and said he will ask Qiao Er directly, then challenged the troupe leader to follow him. I think he also did so because he was annoyed at the suggestion that he still had feelings for Qiao Er. By this time, notice that he stopped looking at Qiao Er forlornly nor did he even think about the old days anymore. Even when he let Qiao Er lie on his shoulder to comfort her, he withdrew when he saw his princess and stood closer to her. You do get the feeling he has firmly moved on and treasures his princess, although this was way too understated due to the deleted scenes.
From this point of view, this is an extremely good story about love, relationships and marriage. I know why LSS chose the princess role. It's a more meaty role in terms of character development from spoilt, pampered xiao jie to brave, patriotic heroine. The woman she becomes at the end deserves a single-minded focused love from the General, not the tension or insecurity that arises from any sort of dilemma. She is his soulmate and there should not be any conflict about that.
Sure, Qiao Er is the female lead and has the most screentime, but you must admit that Qiao Er's character and personality stays the same from start to finish. You don't get the feeling that she "grew up" as much as the princess. The only thing I had wished for her is that Fang Ning had lived.
Oops, sorry I wrote an essay here. That's how much this series had moved me, from the little I had seen from YouTube.