Not sure if this is intentional, but there is a difference between ref counts between MD embeds and DB embeds.
In DB version, the node reference itself is counted, so you always see a counter with at least 1 when embedding a node.
In the MD version, a block reference on the same page didn't create a counter.
I think the old MD behaviour is cleaner, when I'm referencing a node, I don't need to see that very reference in the counter, I'm rather interested in other references.
Might go against a principle that an embedded node should appear the same in every context though.