The Princess Royal

SPOILERS!!! THOUGHTS!!!

Overall, this drama was good. It was interesting at times, but also a little hard to follow. I loved the characters and the growth in them, but it just didn’t captivate me. I wanted more action scenes and emotional scenes. I don’t think there was enough. But, it was really good at the end. I loved the ending the most.

Zhao Jinmai is really really naturally pretty. When she was wearing the Persian outfits, GORGEOUS. Her acting is always very stable and she can convey emotions so well. Zhang Linghe’s acting was also really really good in this drama. But, this wasn’t my favorite characters for either of them. I think their characters in other dramas fit them more.

I like the plot of this cdrama. It’s unique to everything else that I’ve watched before. The enemies to lovers start and then the rediscovering was really well done. Especially since both of them have the chance to rewrite their fate and story.

From episode 2, u can tell that Li Rong and Pei Wenxuan have love and care in their hearts for each other. It may be buried very deep down but they are constantly and instinctively protecting each other. They are able to tell from the style of gameplay that they both lived 20 extra years. I think Li Rong was just hurt because of Pei Wenxuan’s childhood best friend and she assumed that meant he loved her so she shut down her emotions. Once that happened, Pei Wenxuan was hurt as well, so they both built emotional walls. But, still, they both always care about each other, so I don’t know what was going on in end of their future lives. My prediction is that it is a big misunderstanding though. (I was right)

I love their bickering with each other very early on. It shows their familiarity but also that like married couple type of fighting that occurs. They’re both so sarcastic with each other and try to hide their love, so it’s very interesting to watch.

Why am I distressed in the beginning and confused? I know that Su Rongqing is probably a bad guy in the end, but their chemistry with each other in the beginning was strong too. Especially in that closet scene. But I also love Li Rong and Pei Wenxuan, their chemistry just comes naturally. It flows like a married couple.

Nevermind, I’m on team Pei Wenxuan and Li Rong. His confession in the rain was so emotionally moving. “When she was sad, I became nervous. When she smiled, it felt like every day was a good day. If she fancied a hairpin, I’d make sure to remember what it was like. If the weather changed, I’d be worried if she was soaked in the rain. If she left home for a few days, I would pine for her. I wanted to write her a letter daily to tell her how much I missed her. I’d wonder how many kids we would have. I’d also wonder if we would grow old together. If I do have regrets, they’ll only be about you. The one I loved and lost was only you, Li Rong.”😢😢

I love Li Chuan and Li Rong’s relationship at the beginning especially. They have so much care for each other and are always trying to get the other out of trouble. Li Rong is such a strong FL, who isn’t afraid to go against their own mother for Li Chuan’s good and wishes. It’s sad to see the flashbacks of how their relationship deteriorates, but I hope it changes this time around.

“Let’s live in the present and not give up important things for fear of future uncertainties.” That is one of the best quotes I’ve ever heard from any drama ever. This is what one should live by to live their life to its fullest. Courage, honesty, and passion is what stems from this piece of advice.

“As your husband, no one can do anything to you unless they step over my dead body. As your ally, I’ll stand in front of you even if everyone wants to kill you. So whether we are a couple or allies, our fates have been long tied together. Just choose a path you like.” The words of affirmation from Pei Wenxuan is actually super sweet. Especially for Li Rong, when she’s contemplating a big decision. “I would always die for you without hesitation.” Whether they admit it or not, Pei Wenxuan and Li Rong would give up their own lives for the other. No questions asked.

Episode 20 and Li Rong still needs to figure out how to be vulnerable with her emotions. Pei Wenxuan’s attempt at romance with the buttercup flowers, Li Rong’s favorite outfit, and his favorite guqin. Everything was thought out so carefully for Li Rong but at the end, she didn’t catch on to the hint. Ugh the misunderstanding happening between them. Pei Wenxuan openly expresses his love while Li Rong has to figure out how to openly express her love for him. She does it through protecting and defending him against enemies, but still needs to work on admitting it.

Pei Wenxuan willing to wait for Li Rong to figure out her feelings really struck me at the heart. He said “10 years, 20 years or even longer if you need I will always be here. Because I like you and I will always wait for you.” He’s so understanding even when emotionally hurt and dejected. He still tries to put in his best effort emotionally to help Li Rong and give her space and freedom to figure out her own feelings.

Pei Wenxuan is able to read Li Rong so well and her actions/emotions. He always knows when she needs help or what help she needs. He’s always there for her and knows how to make Li Rong the most comfortable and live her best life. Their deep bond is just different in an unexplainable way.

Who would’ve thought that Su Rongqing also came back from 20 years in the future? My question is how, because he didn’t die right? Only Pei Wenxuan and Li Rong did. I can lowk feel for Su Rongqing though. After his family met their horrible demise in every way, he’s filled with revenge and a want to protect his family in this 2nd chance at life.

Episode 25 with Pei Wenxuan brought me through so many emotions. When he forcefully pushed himself onto her, I was conflicted. I didn’t know whether to be mad at Pei Wenxuan or feel for him because I understand his feelings at the time. He cares so much for her and just wants a little bit of reciprocity back from Li Rong. But, I also get Li Rong as she was trying to make Pei Wenxuan’s life the best it could be, even if it means leaving her. She’s had to hide her vulnerable side and everybody misunderstands her “cold” temper.

Awww they’re so cute when they have to hide their relationship to convince everyone else they divorced. Their secret yearning and meet ups were so cute. Pei Wenxuan really becomes the baby in the relationship and Li Rong is like his guardian, keeping him in check.

I feel so bad for Su Ronghua. Him and Shangguan should be able to be together. I hope they figure it out. Politics are one thing, but the gentle love they have is another. Su Ronghua doesn’t care about power or the throne, he just wants to live comfortably. And I think it’s the same for Shangguan, she just has it harder cus she’s their only daughter.

Omg the plot twist in episode 33. So literally everyone Li Rong trusted besides Pei Wenxuan decided to tag team her and kill her. Who would’ve thought? Everything was just a big misunderstanding though. I really hope their fate can change in this life because that is such a depressing way to die, at the hands of a misunderstanding. Everyone was plotting against Li Rong, the betrayal runs deep let me tell you.

Ok episode 36 really confused me. The time jumping and recollection of events was a little hard to follow, so at the end, I didn’t even know what was happening at one time. But, when Su Ronghua and Shangguan Ya said goodbye, I was so maddd. The only reason they can’t be together is politics. The politics screwed them over bro.

Li Chuan I think truly loves Li Rong. When he gave her the sword to kill him before the future becomes like how it was in the past, his eyes held that little brother look in them. He looked so pitiful, you can’t help but feel bad. I truly truly don’t think he has any ill intentions. I really want Li Chuan to have a happy ending. Everyone should just have a happy ending….please.

Episode 40 with Su Rongqing’s end was so sadd. I know he’s supposed to be the enemy, but his motivation for everything came down to his love, either for Li Rong or his family. And when he gave the dragonfly and said congratulations for her being pregnant and having a child, I felt so sorry for him. The only he wanted was for Li Rong to be happy, and at the end, u can really see that.

But of course, I’m glad Pei Wenxuan and Li Rong ended up together. Now, their love is just undeniable from both sides. They are willing to die for each other time and time again.

I’m so glad everyone got a redo at life. Chuan ended up as a good person with time spent together with Qin Zhenzhen. Shangguan Ya and Su Ronghua were able to be happy. And ofc our main couple. Only Su Rongqing had a sad ending😔. “A happy farewell” is the last song he ever played for Li Rong and then ended up burning himself to death cus he has nothing to live for anymore. But he was still smiling at the end of it😭😭 This is like the first time I’ve wanted the villain to have a better ending.

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A political turn of events

I had mid to low expectation over this c-drama.
The plot did seem interesting but not something new at first glance.
The cast did stand as the compelling factor.

Along the way I saw how many scenes had be hooked up. Having emotional intelligence dialogue with suppressed emotions, wounds unhealed and a lot of traumas, Ive seen how talking can finally resolve stuff, given time and effort, or in this drama's case, another life's chance.
I loved the fights between Pei Wenxuan and Li Rong, from old couple having to restart as young adults. A sense a familiarity between them yet knowing each other for so long time, made their chemistry on screen so sweet and warm at times.
I admired this drama's romance, without so many complicated mixed feelings on some points yet you can resonate with the swift of power:
---->Strong female lead with over loving husband, being ignored or mistreated
---->Forming new bonds, learning from mistakes, often selfish narcissistic behavior on the female lead.
----> communication becoming the best remedy for past life mistakes, new perspectives

Loved Li Rong as a character. I find her refreshing on some level for c-dramas, even though i know some find her annoying. I find her relatable and humane
As for Pei Wuxian, he feels like a very supportive male/husband, but hungry for attention and desperate for approval and Li Rong's love. Understandable for the male side yet on some points sad to see how much he suffered.
As for Su Rongquing, I feel like his entire life was full of good and bad episodes but on one point, he found his happiness along side Li Rong. Happy to see he got such of experience

With politics being the main center of this drama, i wasnt bored. You get some episodes more low key but I enjoyed to see the struggles of a royal family and knowing that some decissions cant be based on the right morale feelings or having to decide with the heart rather than the head. I felt how hard some things are to do, wishing life would have been easier.

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i have a love-hate relationship with this drama

Zhang Linghe and Zhang Jin Mai's chemistry is what keeps me watching this drama LOL. I love moments of them bickering to each other. I just love how good ZHL portrayed his character so good (I want to have a husband like him who is so down with their wife HEHE). ZJM's acting is also a masterpiece, but hated the part when she was with SRQ. She slayed being LR fr!

It's such a waste that they didn't let us see their child in last ep. It was PWX's dream tho, they could've just done it for us since SRQ has more screentime than him LOL. Overall, I love the drama, the story, the characters, and ZLH.

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CHEMISTRY, a fresh start, and betrayal…

!!!!! LET ME START WITH CHEMISTRY. holy cow… the angst went CRAZYYY the slow burn was to die for. the JEALOUSY. wenxuan’s “ill support u always” treatment to li rong. WTF. this was crazy. wenxuan was SO secure attachment (slightly anxious) meets anxious avoidant :,) i loved the character development & how wenxuan helped li rong feel so secure within romantic relationships after being betrayed… HOW CUTE. ugh and their couple scenes had me drooling bro like the banter was there and the teasing . so good and i was floored. ofc wenxuan was hot too and the FL hella good acting - very surpised about that after seeing her other dramas!!

i loved the concept of a refresh and trying to fix everything. i loved how everyone had their soulmate they were meant to be with and persist!!! and how loose ends were tied(ish). ugh and LI RONG as an ACTUAL badass FL (not a “omg i’m so girlboss but i rely on my ML for everything” type). she literally commanded wenxuan and her army and the court. what a woman!!!! also court scenes and political scenes i usually can’t follow and don’t understand but this one was good!!! i understood the schemes

but oh my god. su rongqing GOT ON MY NERVEEES. AND WHY WAS LI RONG SO NICE TO HIM??? AFTER HE RUINED EBERYTHING?? HIS DEATH WAS SO SWEET??? LIKE BRO… HE WAS DELUSIONAL AND STUPID. and you COULDNT set his head right??? that was the worst part of this drama bro. i can’t.

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either I die with you, or take you home

ok first thing that i like ab this show is that i love love loooove the development LR & PWX had. love how PWX AAALWAYS reassures LR that he is for her & would literally die than live without her. my girl just has a lot of trust issues bc of all the things she's been through and i'm glad for PWX's character for not creating more headaches for her and always being there for her. and i couldn't imagine anyone else but ZLH playing that role ! i feel like the main leads did a really great job potraying the characters. i could literally go on about them bc they were so!! memorable!!

plot was interesting until SRQ/SML became the main part of the plot LOL i feel like it shouldn't have been dragged for that long. during the final episode he had more lines than PWX did ? which was funny bc tbh i couldn't care less about him. his obsession w the princess was weird, can't stop reminding her that he's in love with her like ok.........noted. the politics are just the usual tbh.. wish there were more scenes w the ML without it cutting to SRQ on to the next scene, but i'm satisfied enough with what's given (and i also have our generation to look forward to ZJM & ZLH together heheh). the second lead's couple(s) story urmmmz it was interesting at the start but then it was just bland (at least to me). feel like i skipped through a lot of scenes once it was ep20-25 because there were a few draggy scenes @_@ would've been perfect without the dragging or if it was a 26-30 ep show i tink

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The ultimate married couple

GURLL Im not lying when I say zhang linghe was MADE to yearn. I saw SKP and the best thing before watching this(can u tell im obsessed with linghe), and I can confidently say pei wenxuan was the biggest simp. No cuz wdym she had you assassinated in your last life and the first thing you wanna do when you wake up is see her again😍

I watched this show with no background info just knew my favorite actors jinmai and linhge were in it so I HAD to watch. Also this would mark my second historical cdrama and boy am i impressed. I usually stick with modern dramas because I'm not a huge fan of palace politics or being reminded women have little to no rights. However, I quite enjoyed our powerful, intelligent, gorgeous Grand Princess Li Rong. I loved how she stood on business and got shxt done while still being compassionate and forgiving. Watching her learn to accept wenxuan's love despite all the backstabbing and betrayals she's witnessed by the people around her was so beautiful. And rarely ever do I get to see a richer more powerful woman in historical romance dramas heck in the romance genre period.

That's only one reason out of a trillion that makes me LOVE this drama. The other being zhang linghe as pei wenxuan cuz YES SIR!! omg when the scene in the rain happened I was very genuinely screaming. Best scene in the entire show, cinematic truly. Storming out in the rain, running back just to yell at her "I love and I lost li rong"😭 i freaking love them so much

Their relationship is so refreshing to see play out on screen. You can tell their a married couple when their constantly bickering, but also looking out for each other(as allies, enemies, or lovers). They know each other and accept each other even when they believe they other to be in love with someone else. I really enjoyed watching their story unravel. They truly just complimented each other so well in this drama. Jinmai delivers an amazing performance as always, and linghe is proving to be the hottest man in cdramaland who can act the boots house DOWN(that rhymed didn't it)

But it wasn't only them making this show so good. The side characters and their actors really held it down. From the crown prince and his girl finding each other in a new life, to my favorite shangrong couple or HuaYa if you will(making ts up on the spot) the supporting cast really did their thing. We have yet to bring up Mr. Rongqing, heyu step on to the podium...

Ngl did not rly pay much attention to rongqing's character in the first half of the show despite him being a prominent character cuz I rly just saw him as the second male lead stopping my ship from sailing. But once SRQ dialed up the evil, something snapped with heyu. For some reason he just become hotter to me even though his character was being such a nuisance in the story. Anyway much of the girlies where saying that his character was getting to much screentime and was overshadowing linghe as if that is even possible), uhm idk...to each their own ig cuz for me I barely noticed him until he became so much more aggressive in wanting things to go his way.

The only thing that gets me with this show and with many a cdramas is were there's a lot of episodes, there's just a lot of plot that complicates things, confuses me, and lowkey makes me lose interest a bit, but ig that's something I'm gonna have to get used to. A lot of episodes means a lot of stuff will go down before the story reaches its happy ever after. Anyway, highly recommend, the storyline is so entertaining, the actors ate, and the plot didn't make me want to throw my device into a brick wall(just slam it shut with a bit of force).

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Lots of mistrust and politics, but interesting nevertheless!

Okay so….I can safely say now that Zhang Ling He is a master of complicated romances! If one has watched The Kuning Palace or My Journey to you, one would understand from where I am coming. I was waiting for the show to complete airing, but once it did, I read some negative reviews and avoided watching it, even though I like Zhang Ling He. Then I watched Love’s Rebellion, loved Zhang Ling He and Sally Jing there, and decided to take a gamble and watch this one. I’d say I was surprised that I found the show interesting from start to finish. A lot of politics for power, strife between the throne and noble houses for power grabbing, political marriages, and mercenaries who wanted to bring about a change! The concept doesn’t sound new, but what was new here was the submissive role the ML needed to play. He was clearly a very intelligent, and highly capable official, stuck at the lower rungs because of being a commoner, and was made the prince consort for the princess who was not only weary of him, but also had feelings for another man, our second ML, with memories from a past life where she thought she was killed by the ML and regretted not ending up with the second ML. While this all might sound confusing to someone who is reading the review before watching the series, the plot of the story can be summed up as having a tragic ending in life and getting a second chance by travelling back in time when things were still alright. What’s new here is that it was not one but three people who got to time travel to change their fate, and when similar situations kept cropping up, the self doubt, doubt on others, and the helplessness of not being able to change things made the series interesting. In the second chance, however, we see everyone getting what they wanted, people ending up with right partners without political considerations. Our leads married thrice in the entire series, the FL got pregnant in episode 37, and even though the story jumped three years forward, we never got to see the outcome of the pregnancy. As for the acting, I liked everyone’s role, I could criticise Zhao Jin Mai for her not-so-emotive acting if I become over-critical, but other than that, I liked everyone. Zhang Ling He was amazing as usual, and looked his best in episode 38 when he takes back his family seal from his evil uncle. I can keep going, but if I had to summarise this drama, I’d say it is an interesting story well performed, could have been better with better acting by Zhao Jin Mai, but still very watchable.

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Legend of 2nd Lead SRQ and misplaced direction

This had the potential to be an epic hit because the comedy, drama and politics was the right amount but the production team and writing team just decided to say wth let's fuck it all up coz we can.

It started of well then in the middle the story archs are not well developed. A lot of characters were not given airtime to develop their stories all because of SRQ screen time to make him into something he was not and palatable. I wanted to see more of the other clans, the crown prince, SRQ brother and his love interest. And the conflict between the concubines and empress which spilled to the children. But no the writers were like SRQ is the one you need to see like 😡

SRQ is not anti hero or someone who was a good person who happened to make bad decisions. He is a downright evil selfish person who seeks his own benefit not even his family's shame . He lacks self reflection, accountability and thinks he is the smartest person on earth when he is not. In the 1st life his bad decisions affected his family in the 2nd life he made the same dumb decisions affecting his family and putting them again at the risks of being rebels, but the producers were like nope this is the person you should focus on and love.

Its not lost on me that the whole lighting on him and LR is cinematography meant to highlight that these are the main characters that are meant to be for each other. And there was nothing for PWX the so called real love interest for LR. The shared screentime with longing gazes, slow motion shots and the soft romantic music and the stupid twirl to the bottom of the lake all meant to say this is the real cp that you should look at and ship. Now let's look into the characteristics of the person person I am supposed to support

SRQ

1st life time he manipulated everyone to kill the king and the so called woman he loved LR . Reason: he wanted to put on the throne a bastard child not belonging to the king and the Li clan. Qualification of the child he is the nephew to SRQ and has Su bloodline. And this is precisely why the noble clans were dangerous and needed to be dealt with. This type of bs they are capable of pulling. Mind you let's forget that the child was conceived out of adultery and making the king a cuckold. That does not matter coz the child is a Su everyone else be damned 😂😂. Mind you it was these actions from these people that made Li Chuan make the extreme decisions he made. Also he happily came in between LR and PWX. Exacerbated their issues and essentially killed PWX and LR to get ultimate power. But yes he is a good guy 😭.

In the 2nd life time again he wants to kill the future king who is really just a sweetheart, pure and kind and genuinely loves his family and sister. He is caught in the power struggle and he is powerless but of course let's forget about all this but I SRQ I want again to put on the throne a substitute who knows where this fake prince comes from. The fact that he is commiting treason that leads to a clans death is treated like eating ice cream. He supports the consort who hates his so called love of his life and wants to put a fake prince on the throne. How is this even acceptable morally. Let's say this had worked out did he stop to think the implications of his actions on LR. Every change of dynasty means the losing side gets killed LR and her whole clan would potentially have been murdered of that concubine fake son sat on the throne and the writers are selling me this as a long enduring love.

This is f'd up big time. They must be mad and on shrooms. I want what they are smoking. There is nothing good and reedamable about SRQ and the fact that the producers and writers liked his characters is a cause for concern. He is not a morally grey character he is an outright evil person who manages to convince himself that he is good therefore continually makes wrong decisions placing everyone around him in danger. He even says it that he can't be wrong like with his own mouth. His path is the only right one. He is beyond mad. He is a downright psychopath and they tried to romanticize him with all those shots and wanted the public to feel for him and root for him. I'm sorry I don't root for evil people who show no remorse or repentance. Goodbye my princess is how you write a good antihero.


For Pei Wen xuan I have no words except I hope in your next life you make smarter choices in your love life and fall in love with a better person with better morals, virtue who is willing to give the same amount you give out and not a person just wants to receive.

I will never understand LR justification for her treatment of PWX and demanding of PWX love, trust and affection. She was not the only one betrayed by her family so was PWX, they murdered his father and tried to kill him too. Yet he remained a beautiful soul, who kept giving his best unconditionally. PWX deserves the same from the person he chooses to love it's a shame LR did not deserve PWX at all. I found LR character very selfish, unwilling to take accountability for her actions and extremely entitled especially towards his brother.

In the 1st life she played a major part, shaping the environment that turned Li Chuan into the person he was. She never listened to him yet made decisions saying they were the best for him. How can they be the best when you don't listen to your brother or understand him. I am very salty about this part becauseLi Chuan was a good person but had an overbearing father, mother and sister. Worse I t he 1st life she never accepted his love and LR hated her brother's child who came from the love of his life. Please spare me I would never ever want a sister like LR.

LR and SRQ deserved each other if we are going to be honest. Both were extremely delusional they made extremely terrible decisions that affected heavily people around them but they think they are smart and are doing making the best decisions. The only thing that saved LR was PWX decisions that gave LR a safe environment to have character development and girl was not even grateful I'm looking at your stupid decisions in the last episodes.

The only good thing about this drama is I discovered Zhao Jin Mai and girl can she act. She deserves everything the other characters I know them from other dramas. The crazy concubine from the Xiao clan is sublime in joy of life. The way she was directed in this drama you would never think she is that amazing of a veteran actor. Zhang Linghe showed a different side of himself and he has such great comedic timing. It's something that cannot be taught it's either you have it or you don't. And he has it in spades. I was pleasantly surprised. He should try a full on comedic drama. The character I desperately wanted to see more of was the crown prince but damn that production crew. SRQ was a downright terrible person and character and I probably would have loved him more if he was played by a person with better acting chops like the bad guy in the double.

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