Pursuit of Jade

Great Story, Production, Acting. Thank you to 2ML/2FL for Bringing the Sizzle

I'll be honest: I watch these things primarily for the romance, but good production values do go a long way toward my enjoyment. The military armor in this was stunning and got a workout in the exciting fight scenes. The story was excellent, lots of political intrigue, military battles and encampments, and only a tiny bit of humiliation, but none of the torture that you can find in these shows. That said, I was looking for the romance between the ML and FL to get "spicy" and I waited a very, very, very long time for not much payoff. I guess this was in keeping with the book, but to have so much palpable love with little follow through, with the FL pushing the ML away all the time, well, it made me feel bad for the ML. When we finally had the consummation scene, it was over in about two camera angles. I just feel like the ML was waiting for the FL to mature, but physically, she never really grew out of the Tom Girl stage. This is unfortunate since the story is primarily about her growth. Matching the FL's vibe, I think, kept Zhang Ling He's performance a bit immature as well, since he did not seem as weary and "grizzled" a warrior as someone with 10 years on the battle field would be. He had the harder time, because his role was to figure out the mystery, rather than to have any significant character development. (Therefore, it wasn't a performance on the level of "My Journey to You.") The saving grace was the performance of the 2nd leads, smoking hot Deng Kai and Snow Kong, who really brought the sizzle to the screen. Yet, I experienced mixed feelings here, since the 2FL's character was being forced into the relationship and the 2ML (Deng Kai) was undeniably crazy. Deng Kai often plays this role, but here he committed 1000% and was superb. He even did something good at the end for those who were rooting for him. Lin Mu Ra, who played his equally villainous brother was stellar as well. There were other romances, but nothing to write home about. So, even though Zhang Ling He, who is my most favorite ML (thinking "Story of Kunning Palace" and "The Princess Royal") was the lead, I was feeling as frustrated as his character probably was. Therefore, there are a number of other military/romance shows that I have liked a lot better, such as "Wonderland of Love" with Xu Kai and Jing Tian.

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I Didn’t Expect a Butcher to Carry This Drama… But She Did

This is undeniably one of the most anticipated dramas of 2026. I’ll admit, I was hesitant at first—I wasn’t sure if it would live up to the hype. But the moment I started watching, it quickly pulled me in. It became addictive almost immediately, with a story that feels both compelling and refreshingly different.

What initially caught my attention was the premise itself—how often do we see a female lead who is a butcher? That alone already sets it apart. The story centers on Fan Chang Yu, a free-spirited, independent young woman from Lin’an Village. After the death of her parent, she is forced to grow up quickly, becoming the head of the household at just 19. She takes on the responsibility of raising her younger sister, Chang Ning, while surviving through the physically demanding and socially looked-down-upon work of butchering pigs. Her life is undeniably harsh, but what makes her stand out is her resilience—she doesn’t just endure her circumstances, she confronts them head-on.

Her life takes a turn when she rescues a wounded man, Yan Zheng (also known as Xie Zheng), from the snow and nurses him back to health. What begins as a simple act of kindness evolves into a partnership where both of them rely on each other. However, Yan Zheng is not who he appears to be—he is actually Marquis Wu’an, hiding his true identity while secretly investigating a deeper conspiracy. Their marriage is born out of necessity rather than love: he enters it to conceal his identity and continue his mission, while Chang Yu agrees to protect her home from being taken away. Despite the transactional beginning, their relationship gradually develops into one built on trust, mutual respect, and eventually, genuine love.

At first glance, it seems like the primary conflict will revolve around their vast difference in social status. However, the story goes far beyond that expectation. The real turning point lies in Chang Yu’s hidden past—one that is far more complex and tragic than anyone initially realizes. She is, in fact, the granddaughter of General Meng and the daughter of General Wei Qilin, a once-revered general who was falsely accused and framed to cover up a massive conspiracy that led to countless deaths. Branded as a traitor, he became an enemy of the nation.

This revelation transforms Chang Yu’s journey into something much heavier and more meaningful. She doesn’t just fight for survival anymore—she fights for justice, for truth, and for her family’s honor. Her path is filled with hardship, sacrifice, and relentless determination as she works to clear her father’s name. In the end, she rises to become a general herself, not merely by circumstance, but by merit and conviction. Her story reinforces the idea that regardless of status, she was always noble—both by blood and by character.

When it comes to the acting, the cast delivers strongly overall. Having watched several of Zhang Ling He’s previous works, I already knew he was a capable actor, but this role allowed him to showcase more subtlety. His use of micro-expressions is particularly effective, adding depth to a character who constantly hides his true self.

That said, the true standout of the drama is Tian Xi Wei. This is purely based on observation, but her performance genuinely surpasses many of her co-stars. Her emotional transitions are incredibly natural and fluid—she shifts expressions effortlessly, and more importantly, you can feel the emotion through her voice and delivery. She doesn’t just act out scenes; she makes them believable. One of the most surprising aspects of her performance is her execution of the fight scenes. She carries them convincingly, with both strength and precision. It’s rare to see her in roles that involve this level of physicality, but it suits her exceptionally well. She should definitely take on more roles like this in the future.

In terms of characterization, Xie Zheng is a bit of a mixed case. His decision to conceal his identity is understandable given his position and mission. However, the way this deception is prolonged becomes frustrating. He had multiple opportunities to reveal the truth to Chang Yu but chose not to, continuing to present himself as weak in order to remain close to her. While this adds tension to the story, it also makes certain parts feel unnecessarily dragged.

On the other hand, Chang Yu’s character has sparked some criticism, particularly regarding her tendency to bend or break rules. Personally, I see this as one of her greatest strengths. Her decisions may be unconventional, but they are often necessary. She is decisive, courageous, and willing to take risks when no one else will. She doesn’t wait for permission to do what she believes is right. In many ways, she embodies the idea that leadership is not about blind obedience, but about making difficult choices for the greater good—even if it means facing consequences later.

The production elements also deserve recognition. The music complements the emotional tone of the drama well, enhancing key scenes without overpowering them. The chemistry between the leads is undeniable—truly chef’s kiss. Their interactions feel natural, and their emotional connection develops in a way that is both believable and engaging. Even their more intimate scenes are handled tastefully, and their strong on-screen compatibility makes those moments more impactful.

Overall, this is a highly engaging drama with a unique premise, strong character development, and standout performances—particularly from Tian Xi Wei. It successfully blends personal struggles, romance, and political intrigue into a story that keeps you invested from beginning to end. The only unfortunate aspect is that its impact was somewhat affected by the early leak of episodes before its official conclusion, which disrupted the viewing experience for many.

Despite that, it remains a memorable and worthwhile watch.

Highly recommended despite minor flaws. I’m very strict with ratings, and it’s rare for me to go above 9—this might be one of my highest ever.

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A Story of Consequences, Cruelty, and Chemistry

😏🔥

Whew… okay. Let me just say this: Pursuit of Jade had NO business being that good.

At this point, Zhang Ling He could star in anything and I’d watch it immediately. I really don’t think he can make a bad drama.

This isn’t your typical court-intrigue-heavy show. It’s there, but more spread out. The real focus is on something that happened 17 years ago finally coming back around—very much a “you reap what you sow” situation and the innocent suffer the consequences.

Also, this is NOT for the faint of heart. Some of these characters are straight-up evil. Like… “who hurt you??” levels of cruel. And fair warning: almost everyone dies. Yes… almost everyone. Prepare yourself. However, don't worry not any of the one we like.

Now let’s talk about Tian Xi Wei and Zhang Ling He—because WOW. The chemistry? Insane. They understood the assignment and then some.

And listen… I don’t know how his real-life wife does it, but those kissing scenes?? Whew. Somebody check on her, because they were HOT.

The cast overall was stacked too—full of well-known, talented actors and actresses, and it really shows. Every role felt strong.

I also appreciated how this drama felt more adult than most C-dramas. It wasn’t childish or overly cutesy—it leaned into darker, more mature themes, which was refreshing.

While I was waiting for more episodes of Pursuit of Jade to drop, I started watching Love of the Divine Tree and noticed Deng Kai in both—he is seriously underrated. Seeing him play completely different roles was wild. He is a great actor.

Now the ONLY thing I didn’t like… they made her way too dumb at times. Not just uneducated, but “I’m sitting here slapping my forehead” kind of dumb. It definitely got frustrating.

Other than that, everything came together beautifully—the acting, the settings, the wardrobe… all of it.

I would definitely rewatch this, and I usually do NOT rewatch C-dramas.

So far, this is my number one drama of 2026—and I’m a harsh critic. I cannot stand immature or overly arrogant female leads.

At this point, I’m pretty sure I have an unrealistic crush on Tian Xi Wei and Zhang Ling He. Don’t judge me—you know you have one too. 😊

And if any producers are reading this… I need more Lin Mu Ran. He played his role beautifully. Yes, he was a VERY bad character, but I couldn’t help liking him at times.

Oh, and the music 10/10 so much so that I actually search for one of them just to hear it again. English title "Rising Storm" by Youngblood. If that song doesn't make you want to go to war, I don't know what would. LMAO!!

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Captivating Drama

I started watching this drama because I was bored and decided to watch Ep 1 but it pulled me to watch complete all released episodes.
I really loved episodes in Lin An - They looked like the sweet of beginnings - with the simple life and people of the village although there was some mean people there,
My problems start when the royal court had a bigger space in the drama, because it was very complicated with complicated characters than any historical drama I watched, espcially what happened 17 years ago it's very complicated and I couldn't understand anything, when there was new things in this to say, I beacame more lost.
also the characters I can't understand what evil things that everyone did and what the people think of them in the end (espcially Prime Minister and that old cunning man from Li family).
Also I couldn't understand what ML did, when he cut the ear of the royal servant and the massacre that they talked about it in the beginning of the drama.
I think that ZLH was different in this drama (It's the first drama I watched for him), I tried watching first ep of Story of Kunning Palace before, but I felt him a hateful person there.
The ending was really beautiful, but I wanted to see a scene for Qi Shu with Gongsun Yin in the ending.
For the plot I can't say anything, when I start watching a drama I throw logic things and leave the wind make me go as it like, and don't think of events that occur, just enjoy.
I think that I lost some political events because I watched the drama without focusing carefully.
The Rewatch Value is 1.0 because I never rewatch a drama, only if I missed the drama and characters hardly I can watch some scenes or episodes again.

After dismissing what I said while watching and only enjoyed this drama, It is one of my favorite historical Cdramas for this year.

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Must watch Visual Feast

Storyline can divide into three arc
First arc-
Xigu Lane (Ep 1- Ep 20-Rating 12/10)

Second arc -
Wartime (Ep 21 to Ep 30- Rating 8.5/10)

Third arc-
Palace intrigued (Ep 31- Ep 40- Rating 9.5/10)

What's good
*ML and FL visual and eyes acting
*Very beautiful Cinematography
*Very nice bgm and OSTs
*can connect with every characters
*Decent fight sequence
*Overall plot motive and sum-up ending

What makes unsatisfied
*Fail to show war tactics and tension in second arc
*Lack of epic battle sequence for ML and lack of clean cut epic battle sequence of FL
*Reduce intensity of ML and FL scenes after half of the show
*Cut and shortened one and only ML and FL bed scene
*Glorify predator and victim relationship of second leads with explicit sex scenes, child abuse and two Epic Death Scenes

Highlights of the show

*ML ethereal beauty, feather-crown entry
*FL butcher to Honorable General journey with well executed Epic fight scenes
*Lin 'an town massacre

Overall

A Feeling good drama with very pleasing visual, plot pivotal of balance between love, duty, family and country.
Encourage to cherish peaceful time and showcase the glory of warriors and hell of war.

Have a nice day , Everyone.
Having very good collective viewing experience in this page.
Love you 🤟😘

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Top-tier must-see drama!

The acting, the story, the freaking cinematography! Everyting is just amazing! No boring episode, you're just begging for more once one is over. The chemistry between the leads is off the roof, the other characters around them, especially around the female lead are so attaching. All that gets you into the drama even more. The plot is well set, the pace is just perfect, neither too fast nor too slow. We get to see how they fall for each other and create their strong bound, it's not just "a love at first sight so I ride or die for you". We see how down bad they are for the other, how they care and respect one another. All that well-balanced with the political & war issues they have to face.
This drama was long awaited and it's living up to its expectation. Definitely a must watch.

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A Sizzling Romance (w/ a political plot line that falls a bit short)

NOTE: Unlike kisskh I also have a category for Romance (because I exclusively watch romances lol) so while some categories get less than a 10, I did give the romance an 11/10 (YES 11). So the show ends up a 10/10 for me.

Pursuit of Jade has all the classic aspects of a historical romance but still feels new and creative. For me, the best things about the show were:

- Xie Zheng & Fan Chang Yu’s romance. This is a core element that makes this show so good. You have a perfect burn romance with leads whose chemistry rivals that of oil and fire. Everything about their romance felt perfect for the plot. My main care is always the romance and this was easily an 11/10 for me
- The depth of most of the antagonists. While some had more screen time and better arcs than others, 99% of the antagonists had a depth to them many shows skip for the sake of having an “evil antagonist”. I loved that each character, good or bad, had a logistical reason for their choices and actions.
- Tian Xi Wei as Fan Chang Yu. Tian Xi Wei played her role to perfection. I liked Zhang Ling He before this show and he is a handsome actor, but between the two, she was amazing. I had more of a crush on her character. Fan Chang Yu was the dream balance of boss lady who takes no sh*t and sweetie pie that cares about the wellbeing of everyone.
- Gongsun Yin and Qi Shu’s romance. It was an excellent secondary romance with such a lovely softness to it that contrasted the “hardness” between the main couple who were navigating war and their fathers' deaths.
- Jin Yuan Bao and his crew. They go from hooligans to Fan Chang Yu’s entourage (aka the Butcher Crew). Jin Yuan Bao was super cute and loyal to her and I love that we see him have a tiny crush but he packs it up and recognizes she loves Xie Zheng rather than causing a “dramatic love triangle” drama. The crew was so cute, I was genuinely sad when one of them died.

The main issues I had with the show were:
- Some of the side main characters were handled a bit odd. Specifically Yu Qian Qian and Song Yan. (*This is a large reason why story is 9.2*)
- I know there was real life drama for the actor of Song Yan, but his role at the end and his AI face really made it hard to watch him at all. *(This is specifically why acting is a 9.8)*
- For Yu Qian Qian I don’t understand why they made her of a *mysterious background,* it literally adds/subtracts nothing from her story expect making you feel like you are missing something. The show is very much “realistic fiction” so why allude to her being an immortal or from the future or whatever ambiguous origins.
- Plus Qi Sheng as a push over Emperor, his character is so passive and to have him go crazy was disappointing to say the least.
- There are a lot of “antagonists” whether passive or active, this is both a plus and negative in that some “endings” for the antagonists fell a bit flatter than if there were fewer antagonists. For example, Sui Yuan Qing’s death felt so abrupt when there was so much pent up hatred both towards and from him.
- Kind of linking to the point above, I loved and hated that the "main, real antagonist" was the Late Emperor. It is a great way of giving all the antagonists on screen more depth, but it feels so unsatisfying that there’s nothing to be done that the “main evil” is already dead even though he has caused so much pain 17 years ago and now. (*This is the other main reason why story is 9.2*)
- Someone also made a good point that Fan Changyu easily defeated two seasoned generals without much effort while Xie Zheng is said to be the most powerful general but there was not a single proper battle for him. I think Fan Changyu makes sense because her father did raise her to be a fighter (and she was born extremely strong) but I do think it would have been nice to see a bit more fighting and dominance from Xie Zheng in war (but I don’t personally care toooo much about this so it’s more a nit for me than an actual flaw.)
- While I liked the “in another life” epilogue it was also unfulfilling for me. I would have preferred more about their current life to be honest.
- It sets it up as “another reality” but then everyone seems to have a deja vu of each other. Qi Min is alive but feels sick near Yu Qian Qian which again makes no sense if this is a world where the tragedy never happened. They should be able to have their HEA in this life (assuming he is decent and she falls in love back)
- Xie Zheng and Fan Chang Yu are “betrothed” at childhood which was cute but we don’t get any insight on how their relationship growing up is different which I feel should have been the focal of this flashback considering their romance is the focal point of the show

### Original Thoughts & Ideas
- Evil is a loop of cause and effect. Someone will always feel wronged for one reason or another. Ending the cycle starts with one’s self if we are to look at Qi Min and Wei Yan. Accountability and even just a bit more sympathy could have changed their fates drastically. Wei Yan was a great example of a gray character with all he did for the State of Yin, his lover, and his wife who he took in to protect as a pregnant widow contrasted with how he treated his nephew (Xie Zheng), how he manipulated the emperor, and scapegoated others.

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A Historical Drama That Finally Gets Strong Female Leads Right

First of all, let’s talk about the concept. I’ve actually stopped watching a lot of Chinese historical dramas because of how female leads are often portrayed — sometimes they’re too weak, annoying, or just unnecessarily frustrating to watch. So I lost interest for a while.

But then I came across Pursuit of Jade… and it completely changed that for me.
From the very first episode, the female lead, played by Tian Xiwei, came in with such strong, dominant energy. That alone hooked me. She’s not weak, she’s not irritating — she’s capable, bold, and stands her ground.

And the male lead, played by Zhang Linghe, matches her energy perfectly. Both leads are strong in their own ways, and that balance made the story even more enjoyable. It’s not one carrying the other — they grow and stand together.

What I really love is how the drama shows that sometimes the choices we make may not seem right at first, but they turn out to be the best decisions in the end. It also highlights trust, understanding, and not dragging misunderstandings unnecessarily.
Overall, this drama felt refreshing compared to the usual pattern, and that’s what made it stand out for me.”

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10/10 for me. Must watch drama.

All the male (excluding Lord Li) & female leads were excellent. Lord Li character wasn't interesting for me.

I rewatched the alter ending. After rewatching it I was little confused.

In post credit the alternate ending was - " If the jinzhou massacre wouldn't have happened 17 years ago , how the characters life would have been. " . In post credit the ending is the alternate ending of the current original life of the characters. So in "IF" condition -
[ #1 ] When Fan Changyu & Yu Qian Qian meet for the first time , they felt like they may know each other & they were maybe close friends in past life , &
[ #2 ] When Qi Min & Yu Qian Qian meet for the first time , Qi Min felt connection with her , but after seeing her he started vomiting , because Qi Min things maybe they are never fated to be together.
Both the "IF" conditions are alternate ending of the current life. So how they can feel connections with each other when they meet each other for the first time since it's their alternate current life only.

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A must watch.

Been waiting for this show since ages 😂😭.
It was a wonderful and entertaining watch.
Would have given it 10/10, but genuinely this drama lacked on a few parts:
1) too many fillers and unnecessary scenes from start
2) ending plot could have been better
3) 2nd lead hot scenes. I know people loving such torturous scenes, but then only production and direction should be blamed. They shot and gave such scenes completely ignoring the gravity of such scenes. They themselves relied of the hotness quotient. So can't blame users, when zhuyu team themselves romantise such SA scenes.
4) Xie zheng, the great marquis of Wuan deserved better battle fight scenes. We couldn't see the true power and rawness of Xie zheng at all.

Nevertheless, it was an entertaining watch, but definitely could have been better.

I will also be angry at the leaks, show could have achieved higher numbers if not for these leaks. Iqiyi should take full responsibility of the mess they made.

Acting wise, everyone slayed and would definitely watch their upcoming shows. Wishing the whole cast all the best.

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