I've only just finished ep 6 and I have thoughts. So many thoughts! But when I scroll down to comments everyone is way ahead of me. I'm watching on Viki and since they've only been giving us 2 eps a day and starting with ep 10 it looks like it's going to be 1/per day I'm taking it slowly so I can enjoy it.

I normally wait until all episodes are out before I watch dramas because if it's a sad ending I want to be prepared if I decide to watch it. But my subscription to Viki is running out so I wanted to watch this before it does. But since I'm behind I have no one to discuss with and the comments under the drama move too fast.

Is there anyone who wants to talk about it that is going slowly, too? I've posted some comments in the comment section, but this is the first drama where I want to say something every two minutes, either because Cheng Lei looks so good, I don't get the polities, Cheng Lei facial expressions are so good, I'm confused about who everyone is or Cheng Lei is an amazing actor.

But really, everyone is great. Ye Ping Jun has an amazing way of being sweet and totally deflating Yu Chang Xuan at the same time. Chang Long is hilarious. I've come to appreciate him so much as an actor. And all the side characters are great, too.

If no one comes to chat with me I'll just post my thoughts here because I can't seem to keep quiet about them.

P.S. I think I've watched everything Cheng Lei has been in including a drama on Iqiyi that doesn't have a page on MDL and My Husky Boyfriend, which was better than it sounds and Ryan was great. He's just such a good actor and I don't think he gets as much recognition as he deserves.

OlzDive:

Until now, I just watched up to ep.3. The drama setting made me worry so, naughty me, I read the novel, and i hope the drama will make changes as the ending is not made for a hopeless romantic like me.

I think it's great that you read the novel. So far have you noticed any changes? I usually don't like sad/bad endings and Republican dramas have a high chance of that happening, but I love the time period and this one is so good.

There are others in our boat so don’t worry too much (unless you don’t like spoilers). I just ref the ep before I post sometimes.

additionally, a lot of folks to appreciate CL’s acting . So many of us are melting with his acting even though he’s such a naughty boy in this role. I first watched him in the short drama, “a familiar face” or whatever it was and his acting caught my attention. He’s obviously noticed otherwise, he wouldn’t be such a hot ML in full length dramas now.

I’m here to chat with you! 🥰 I’d love to hear your thoughts as you go along, so please share them! It’s always fun to discuss a drama with someone and see their reactions as the story unfolds. And of course, there are lots of things to say about ChengLei! 🔥

Episdoe 7

So I had to do a search on some of the characters. I'm ridiculously bad at keeping everyone straight, especially if I don't know the actors playing the characters. I always wish they would assign everyone a number that they've have to wear and have an accompanying code sheet/biography so I can keep them straight.

Kuang Bing Wen, married to Yu Jin Xuan. Up to this point it looked like he was having an affair with 3rd concubine Chen Wan Qiao. But that would be too easy and CDramas are never easy. Kuang Bing Wen and Chen Wan Qiao are actually siblings, not blood related, of course, because she was adopted. So many adoptions in CDramas. Apparently they are after revenge against Yu Zhong Quan and the entire Yu family (at least according to google, which sometimes knows what's going on and sometimes tells me the exact opposite of what's going on). But for now let's believe Mr. G.

The reason they want revenge is because Mr. Patriarch has their parents killed. I don't know why they want revenge against the entire family but I'm sure we'll find out. Could just be that thing where if somebody does something bad to you then you have to do something bad back only double, triple to the 5th generation, I guess.

Meanwhile our poor Yu Chang Xuan got beaten yet again by the meek and mild Ye Ping Jun in a way that he never sees coming. Triumphant smirk to sad face every time. And I go from infuriated by his arrogance to wanting to hug the poor baby.

Feng Sanli pushed a little too hard. He really thought Yu Changxuan was just playing around. At first I thought YCX shot FSL in the head. Powerful scene. And shockingly when FSL tattles to YCX's dad, dad backs him up. I didn't see that one coming. And mom, too, so skillfully. Loved it.

Why does YCX keep playing bad guy with YPJ? Does he want her to think he's cruel? I don't get his motivation, but I'm intrigued. And now here comes the love rival. Things are heating up.

I've watched all 13 episodes so far 🫣 I've been waiting for this drama to air ever since I read the novel, and now I'm trying to keep up with all the comments too 😂.. but they are so fast, I can barely keep up lol!🫣

That scene with Feng Sanli was so good! He really thought Changxuan was bluffing 😂 And I loved how his father actually backed the reforms, even if they don’t agree on how to carry them out. As for Pingjun, I think Changxuan’s pride and jealousy get the better of him. He wants to stay in control, but she’s the one person who keeps getting under his skin. And now Liang Wenbo is in the picture… our man is going to lose his mind 🤣

AmelieLucan:

MiMo:

And now Liang Wenbo is in the picture… our man is going to lose his mind 🤣

At the rate he's going Chang Xuan isn't going to have enough mind left to lose!

He's as toxic as any Republican ML, but he's also hiding a lot of darkness. The question is can the show give him a redemption and, if so, will it be believable?