In the Name of Blossom

I had expected this to be a successful second season to a beautifully written drama.. Even if not better than the first but at least close to it.. But honestly, it wasn’t.. And I totally understand the low ratings.. I really do.. I am not going to blame the story itself.. If this had been a standalone drama or not a continuation, it would have actually been an excellent one.. But it wasn’t.. After watching 34 eps and waiting 5–6 months, you shouldn’t have to sit through another 12 eps of push and pull between the main leads.. Especially letting someone like Liu Lang who is a complete nobody affect their relationship.. The court politics, the mutiny and everything else were solid, but most of what happened in the first 12 eps felt totally unnecessary.. The foundation for the characters was already built.. What they needed to do was move the story forward.. Instead they were still stuck in the same loop.. Repeating what had already happened in the first season.. Honestly I respect the commitment the writing shows, it knows what it wants.. But I didn’t quite get the fulfillment I was hoping for.. I am only whining because I expected more..

If it were possible to erase someone from the story.. It would be Liu Lang.. Enemies?? Yeah I hate them.. But what about people who stay close to you and backstab you?? He literally got his life back and is living well because of the FL and yet he tried to destroy her relationship out of jealousy?? He was supposed to be like a younger brother to her.. His sister did the same thing and now he followed right in her footsteps.. And the fact that this guy hit the ML and still got let off?? I was honestly disappointed at how easily he was forgiven and also how his stupidity and jealousy were sugarcoated as concern for the FL.. Sure he got his redemption arc but he didnt pay for his mistakes..

Liu Chang was pathetic in the first season but here he completely turned into a character unworthy of any pity.. He did some truly nasty things.. It was actually satisfying when the FL hurt him repeatedly, the stabbing scene especially felt good.. But honestly, he still didn’t suffer enough.. That’s why I wasn’t satisfied with how things ended for him.. He should have suffered more pain..

I actually felt sorry for Princess You Zhen.. The cycle of her life was truly sad.. Hurt by the men around her, including her own father.. I am glad she didn’t die in the end.. It meant she had another chance at life, another opportunity to start over..

Ep 19.. I think they were too hasty in confronting Prince Ning.. I mean he literally crushed their decade old plan in just a few days, it felt way too easy.. And the final confrontation, the war could have been handled much better.. It just goes to show how little attention was given to the parts of the story that didn’t have the FL on screen..

While I wasn’t completely satisfied, this was still a watchable conclusion to an amazing story.. In the first season even though Mu Dan was the anchor, the others mattered too.. But in the second season, it became all about her.. No one else had a satisfying storyline.. Even the ML felt underused and sidelined, just to elevate Mu Dan’s character to glory.. I really wished everyone had a meaningful presence..

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A beautiful tale of resilience, sisterhood & patient love, but S2 suffers from inconsistencies.

I just want to start off by saying that I absolutely loved season one of Flourished Peony. While the story itself wasn't anything new, the delivery was refreshing and it really resonated with me. I was captivated by the complexity of the characters, the pacing, the cultural richness of the Tang dynasty, the mature relationship and healthy communication between Mudan and Jiang Chang Yang, and the nuances of the female friendships. Flourished Peony was incredibly well-written with beautiful cinematography and fantastic acting, and if the story had ended with just the first season, I would've been perfectly content with that.

Maybe that was why I was disappointed when I started watching In the Name of Blossom and realized that it was lacking many of the elements that I previously praised. For more than half of season two, the healthy communication between Mudan and Jiang Chang Yang was replaced with cliches and overused tropes, such as angsty misunderstandings and the foolish idea that you must push someone you love away in order to "protect" them. This extended the slowburn romance for even longer than it was necessary and dragged down the plot's already slow pace. On top of that, there was a decline in the quality of storytelling / writing as well. For instance, there was a plot twist that occurred at the midway point, and although it was supposed to be a pivotal moment for Mudan, it was so poorly executed and underdeveloped that it became a jarring experience instead of a meaningful one. So much of season two was wasted on the miscommunication and unspoken feelings between our main characters, and I felt the writers could've used this time to establish the important plotlines in this story more effectively instead. Had I not known that season one and two were filmed together, I would've assumed they were produced by two completely different groups of creatives.

Despite my frustrations with season two though, I did appreciate that the story at least stayed true to its values and themes until the very end. The strong performances of the actors, the stunning cinematography, the message of fighting for a better tomorrow even when it felt like all hope was lost, the main couple's fate despite its rocky journey, and the inspiring female friendships — all of this made a weak narrative more tolerable for me and I found myself enjoying the second half of the season even with all of my criticisms.

At its core, Flourished Peony (and In the Name of Blossom) was a story about women empowerment and the beauty of sisterhood. It taught us the significance of women having their own identities, dreams and purpose — regardless of their relationships with men. It shed light on the brutality of domestic abuse and it encouraged us to offer hope and support to those struggling in toxic cycles. It reminded us that strong women came in many forms: some are physically strong like Zhu Fu, some are resilient like Shengyi, some are compassionate like Lv Geng Chun, some are graceful like Consort Shu, some are generous like Xiao Xuexi, some are independent like Aunt Feng, and some are intelligent like Mudan. We should celebrate our differences and strengths as women instead of seeing them as reasons for competition and division.

One singular message was constant throughout both seasons: Life is filled with hardships, and there will be times when it feels like there is no way out of the darkness. But you don't have to suffer in the silence alone. It is okay to seek help; it is okay to accept it. The strength of others can be a beacon of hope that reduce your worries, aid you in overcoming your challenges, and help you find your way back to the light.

In the end, In the Name of Blossom paled in comparison to Flourished Peony, but I do think it is still worthy of watching for those who are invested in the main characters' journeys and want to see how their stories conclude. However, I only recommend it for those who have the patience and tolerance for the criticisms I mentioned above.

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With the passion and the will, you can strive to achieve a life for yourself

This drama is a continuation from #FlourishedPeony which aired early this year. Overall the drama felt very realistic with good pacing and no over the top plots. The progression of the story was done very well with the main focus being on the topic that it is possible for women to survive without relying on their husbands.

I'm glad the writers and the directors did not stray away from this idea and constantly reminded us that MuDan our FL is not someone who is weak but she is smart and independent and can protect herself. There weren't random damsel in distress moments but instead it was Mudan who always fought for herself.

Similarly our ML Jiang Chang Yang also never forced it on Mudan to take his assistance but instead walked along side her and her plans only helping out when required. I loved the respectful relationship they had! Altho the romance is slow burn but you can clearly see how they start out as partners and then become friends and then finally ppl who want to protect each other.
It was great to see the chemistry between #Yangzi and #Lixian again~~ there were so many cute scenes towards the end hehe

This time i was also amazed by #Mileswei because i was seeing him as a villain for the first time and his acting was really good to the point he annoyed me so much while watching.

Although there is politics involved but its not explored in great details so there is no extensive betrayal plots or wars. It's mostly about how women are seen very differently in the past and how some of them choose to live their lives.
Overall a very well paced drama with a really good closure for all actors. Our leads with them happy ending and also all her shop "employees" with their own stories. It's been long since i watched a drama without a rushed ending so this was good!

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Unfortunately, the second season was a far cry from the first. I couldn't find what I was looking for. So, I didn't like it. I think because it's so conclusion-oriented, it's a matter of how to end it, the chemistry between this person and that person, marriages, dating, comparisons, wars, jealousies, escapes, chases, deaths and resurrections, and so on. It felt like the screenwriter was at a loss for words, unsure how to tie it all together, and couldn't quite reach a conclusion. I didn't like it. Just as the first season played the game of two lovers, distant yet protective of each other but unable to open up to each other, the second season saw the end of that game, and they kissed more than they'd ever kissed before. In fact, there were enough kissing scenes in one season to even say, "My husband hasn't kissed me this much." The chemistry between the leads is excellent. They could even be considered the best man of the year. But this level of chemistry was achieved only in the second season. In fact, this chemistry was perfect until Chang Yang's death, and afterward, for some reason, it continued to thrive on other things. I died and was resurrected, more attention, I was so sorry to lose you. Instead of being able to leave your side, she turned to other things. There was no unification. War broke out, and so on. There was an imperial rebellion. Eventually, there was a happy ending. Everyone was rewarded. They also had a path to travel. Do you know what the worst part was? The evildoers weren't punished. They were demoted. They were thrown out into the streets. That was it. But they were crushed under the weight of it all. The man died. Instead of dying there, the woman went to the forest to find a tree. A nun appeared in that isolated forest and prevented her suicide. That's how the princess escaped death. I think she became a nun. She settled in a convent. I'm at a loss for words. What caught my attention here is that this treacherous and evil princess was initially with five or six men, slicing people like watermelons, killing them, and burning them. She was ruthless. Now, she's got a lot of water to kill him. I wondered if I should shoot or not, or if I should dig a hole. While I was doing this, the man woke up, and they talked about her husband and love and regret. It was ridiculous. I could understand the man, but he was a normal person because they, the prince and princess, did this badly. But the princess was already bad. The worst of the worst. How did her character change so much in season 2, especially in the final episodes. She became a mentor to her husband. She saved Mudan. She couldn't kill her husband. In fact, she was crushed by her husband. How can you play a character this much? The character is completely lost. It didn't happen. In episode 19, the army arrives. Its commander goes to search the prince's residence. The others are waiting in front of the city. Explosions occur. Everyone, including the prince, hears the explosions. However, the army waiting in front of the city doesn't hear anything, doesn't intervene, as if they were asleep. Their commander dies. What could the deaf sultan possibly say to me if he heard it? They supposedly came for this purpose. Then they learn what happened and are sent back. It was completely unconvincing. Chang Yang's murder and the Prince's men raiding the mansion were completely contrived, unserious scenes. They were unconvincing. And then, supposedly, Chang Yang doesn't die. He's tortured to death, but he still doesn't die, he escapes, and so on, in other words, he's resurrected. It was hilarious. That's how it happened. It didn't happen. The screenwriter should watch this. Is this even appropriate for this series? How can you destroy or provoke a series? That's exactly what happened.

Then, Chang Yang's "I'm not dead, I'm alive" outburst didn't happen either. So, whoever came up with this incident, it completely ruined the series. It ruined the series. I wish they had planned something else. I didn't like it. These are examples of what I didn't like. I could list many more, but I don't mind. The audience sees it. They don't miss a thing. Don't fool them.
I can say I was looking forward to the first season. However, I'm happy with the actors. I'm not happy with the characterizations. I especially don't understand the pairing of the doctor woman and the jealous boy, but it didn't work. It didn't work at all. I don't understand the relationship between these two, who don't even say hello. It's like they suddenly appeared. Let's say the bodyguard and Fu have their squabbles, that's where their interest in each other begins. They had some really sweet fights. This happened. What about the other one? He's already playing a repulsive character. How did you find a decent, idealistic doctor who respects his profession and then find a character who separates and rats out people who are worthless? What do you think? He's doing it against his will? This kid was warned a few times. Extreme jealousy. I mean, he loves Mudan. What does the doctor have to do with it? I hope I misunderstood. It didn't happen. It never did. Apart from the lead actors, I think the hero of this series, the best, actually the worst, was Miles Wei. I really liked it. He gave an award-winning performance. Well done. He was the star of the series with his acting. A very good portrayal. He's one of the few actors who can play both good and bad so well and suit them. Congratulations. I also really liked Tu Song Yan, who played Prince Ning. For portraying a character so well. It really brought the character to the forefront. The father-in-law and son-in-law duo could also be candidates for a good match. They've really nailed it. Zhang Ya Qin was more passive in the second season. She suited the role, I liked her, but I didn't see that in the second episode. Guan Yue, Guo Zhe, Tong Meng Shi, and Jeremy Qu were the ones that caught my eye.

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A Drama Adrift in Beauty and Hesitation

I thoroughly enjoyed the first installment of this saga, Flourished Peony. It was a richly woven drama where visual splendour met emotional depth, anchored by two leads whose chemistry is both undeniable and deeply refined. In my view, they rank among the finest actors working in Chinese television today. That said, I haven't always connected with all their previous performances, but here, at least in terms of craf, they were outstanding.

With such a solid foundation, I approached In the Name of Blossom with genuine anticipation. It promised a continuation both narratively and emotionally. And yet, despite flashes of brilliance, this second part ultimately falters. While the production values remain high and the acting commendable, the story’s rhythm slackens. The romantic thread, for one, takes far too long to gain momentum. What begins as a slow burn teeters dangerously close to narrative inertia. At times, the focus on the heroine’s professional journey and the broader commercial landscape overwhelms the emotional core. A viewer can endure extended tension, but only if met with meaningful emotional rewards. Unfortunately, here, those are few and far between.

A particular source of narrative frustration lies in the portrayal of the Emperor. For a man endowed with absolute authority, he comes across as curiously impotent, lurking in the shadows, plotting with unnecessary subtlety while his brother openly schemes against him. One can appreciate the need for tension and intrigue, but realism, and dramatic satisfaction, suffers when power is wielded so passively.

Equally, I found myself longing for a narrative decision that never came: for Mu Dan to be elevated from concubine to principal wife. I'm aware that such transitions may be culturally complex or historically rare, but in the realm of drama, where symbolic gestures can resonate powerfully, it would have given their relationship the weight and worth it deserved. I was reminded of a moment in the recent drama "Are You the One", where the FL, with calm certainty, tells the ML that if he truly loved her, he would never ask her to accept the role of a mere concubine. That line stayed with me, not because it was emphatic , but because it was resolute.

Moreover, the ending lacked the emotional climax one might expect. When the lovers reunite after believing each other lost, the moment feels strangely muted. One anticipates a release of long-suppressed emotion, a reckoning with grief and hope, but instead, the scene lands flat, as if afraid of its own emotional potential. The final episodes suffer from the same affliction: an overabundance of symbolic gestures, ships, markets, carts laden with goods, gestures of goodwill to the less fortunate, that, while aesthetically beautiful, begin to feel didactic rather than dramatic.

Still, there are elements worth cherishing. The secondary cast, particularly Mu Dan’s circle of female companions, bring texture, warmth, and humour. The music, delicate and atmospheric, lingers in the background like a thread of mist, subtle, but ever-present. And the costumes and makeup are nothing short of exquisite: richly detailed, elegant, and evocative of another time.

In the end, In the Name of Blossom is a beautifully produced continuation that, while ambitious, never quite lives up to the emotional strength of its predecessor. It’s clear that the creators poured their hearts into it, but the script, for all its lyricism and political intrigue, failed to move me.

That said, I would love nothing more than to see these two lead actors reunited in a future project. Their chemistry is cinematic gold, only this time, may the writing rise to meet them.

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Pretty forgettable story

Season 1 was just okay to me, this was mostly the same.

Positive point :
1) Good Chemistry between the leads. For the very minimum romance we got too, it was good
2) The friendship
3) They spend a lot (like an entire episode) for the ending an conclusion, which is a very good point
4) Acting : very good acting from everyone. I want to personally praise our second leads who did very good in my opinion. I've seen many times Miles (in some romantic modern mostly) and it was surprising seeing him in this role, I think he nailed it. The actress playing the princess too.
5) Strong FL till the end, it was good how she was going against her ex husband. I have never seen a character suffer more than Mu Dan
6) Costume were still fine. Well except maybe the armours towards the end, honestly don’t think it looked good
7) The ost is pretty good

Now some rant :
1) Too much cliché and misunderstandings, feel like they just wanted to drag them getting together...
2) Not enough romance to me (well I should say dating era, we have had some romance still the beginning), but that's just my personal taste.
3) The end of the villains was a let down to me
4) I know it's a female centric drama, but I wanted to see our ML shine in the last battle... but that didn't happen. Actually, the whole last battle was somehow disappointing. Mu Dan had to come help and in the end, they mostly won because SML turned on the Prince, so that was a let down to me... I was expecting better
5) we could have got pregnant Mu Dan or kids

It had some good moments, good cast, costume, cinematography, but considering S1 et S2, that was a pretty average drama, I wasn't much into it. I couldn't have binge watch this


This drama could have been 40 eps max, there was no need for 2 parts and more than 50 eps.

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Love blossoms like a flower; you must wait patiently to be able to appreciate its beauty.

First and foremost its a happy ending..
This is the second project of Li Xian and Yang Zi, so a lot of fans (like me) anticipated this project, having waited for years for them to have a project again, and it really did happen. The acting, costumes, cinematography, and depth of each character were definitely good and top-notch for me, especially the cinematography—I love it.
Most of the viewers on the comment section are complaining about the romance side of this drama they are eager to see LX and YZ to have kissing scene and skinship, what I observed on dramas these days was that if it has a lot of kissing scenes and skinship it was the one they rated so high, like some dramas that I have watched that don’t have this skinships and kisses are also good and the leads chemistry were strong still, but then on the other side this still depend on the viewers preferences I respect that, but viewers should also consider that sometimes because it’s on the ancient times the characters will be portrayed are like more of being modest and conservative as it was like that during those era, like the guy should respect the lady and won’t just immediately kiss it like those ones. Another issue was that viewers are getting tired because of too many villains. I think the reason that made it feel tiring and annoying was that we watched this drama while it was airing, so we needed to wait for each episode every day. Not to mention the 1st part was aired in January, and for the 2nd part, we waited for months again, so I think for those that will watch it now that the episodes are complete, it would have a different vibe to it.

I was caught off guard by the slow-burn romance as well hahaha. Well, maybe because of the leaked behind-the-scenes and clips that I have seen even before this drama started airing, hayyy! But even though this is a slow-burn romance, I still feel the great chemistry of Li Xian and Yang Zi, especially Xian Ge’s eyes when looking at Yang Zi; they have a different sparkle on them. And don’t worry, LX and YZ will still HAVE KISSING SCENES, I guarantee you; you just need to wait patiently.

In conclusion, I think if you are a huge fan of Li Xian and Yang Zi like me, you’ll see this through to the end; you will keep going on watching this even if your blood is boiling from the villains and you are getting tired of the misunderstanding, hahaha. If compared to other dramas, this is not the best drama, but it is not bad either; it's still a good and enjoyable drama. I think it has some of the best cinematography. Li Xian and Yang Zi's CHEMISTRY IS STILL THE BEST, and as a fan I will say it again: How Xian’ge looks at Yang Zi is more different than ever hahaha, the eyes are sparkling haha. Sorry, delulu fan here.

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The Kingdom or Her Heart - can it be both?

The sequel to Flourished Peony comes with sky-high expectations—and for good reason. The original had us hooked with He Wei Fang (aka Peony)’s harrowing journey: deceived into a toxic marriage, robbed of her dowry, and nearly killed by her in-laws. Her escape marked the start of her transformation, but her ex-husband’s sudden desire to win her back sets the stage for this next chapter.

Jealousy enters in the form of the County Princess, who sees Peony as a threat and tries to eliminate her. Enter Jiang Chang Yang—charismatic, corrupt, and complicated—who helps Peony reclaim her mother’s estate and turn it into a thriving business. To shield her from danger, he takes her in as his concubine.

If you have seen the first drama, you will want to watch this sequel. However, while the sequel remains highly entertaining, it does not quite match the gripping originality of its predecessor (which I rated a solid 10). Spoilers on sites like kisskh take some tension out of the ending, and there are a few plot weaknesses and clichés that slightly drag the drama down—but only slightly. I still give it a 9.

The slow-burn romance between Peony and Jiang is a major highlight. Both hide their feelings: Peony, convinced he is just a charming flirt; Jiang, fearful that drawing her closer could make her a target in his impending clash with Prince Ning. But someone has to crack first—can you guess who?

The plot to bring down Prince Ning raises the stakes. Jiang, knowing the dangers, tries to send Peony away. History has shown that anyone who opposes the Prince risks not just their lives but their families’.

A Few Quibbles:
A supposedly fatal stabbing by Prince Ning is reversed later with the flimsy excuse that he deliberately missed the heart. Realistically, a twisted dagger anywhere into the lungs should have been fatal. The writer should think of something better.

When the lead hero 'dies' with several episodes to go, it is obvious he will return—so the drama loses suspense.

His refusal to reveal he is alive because “it is hard to explain” feels weak. As someone who roots for justice, I felt cheated that he never received proper recognition for his heroism.

Highlights:
The chemistry between Li Xian (Jiang) and Yang Zi (Peony) is magnetic—intense gazes, passionate kisses, and believable emotional pull. Their real-life connection as former schoolmates only fuels the speculation that there is a real-life connection. The secondary couple, too, shines—Wei Zhe Ming is a standout with expressive acting and undeniable good-looks. The production quality, acting, and character arcs are top-notch.

Also, the show delivers emotionally. One antagonist’s breakdown—confessing he resents Prince Ning for crippling him and destroying his dreams—adds depth to his character. Sadly too, he starts with lofty ideas and righteousness but is destroyed by people close to him and his own obsession. His final fate, just as life was looking up for his romantic life, is tragic but dramatically effective.

Verdict: Despite a few narrative stumbles, this is a richly satisfying follow-up. If you loved Flourished Peony, the sequel is a must-watch. Together, they form a beautifully crafted, emotionally resonant drama. Highly recommended.

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A love so inspiring it stirs the soul, leaving you yearning to experience it in life

A meeting of minds, souls, and hearts in a drama enriched with life lessons.

I’ve known passion, lust, and affection in my life, but I’ve yet to meet a true soulmate—someone deeply compatible on every level. Watching this drama stirred a quiet melancholy in me, reminding me of the kind of love I’ve always longed for. But as this drama so also gently portrays, there’s always something to live for, firstly, for yourself; there’s meaning in self-worth and growth.

In the Name of Blossom is not just a continuation of Flourished Peony—it is its emotional flowering. Where the first part planted the seeds of strength, resilience, and quiet hope, this second part allows those themes to bloom fully into a story that is both graceful and powerful.

What sets this drama apart is its rare and refreshing portrayal of a deeply mature and healthy love. Their relationship is built on trust, mutual respect, emotional maturity, and the kind of unspoken strength that comes from knowing your partner sees your worth and stands by your side—without question, without condition. They face adversity only not by shielding each other but by lifting each other. Their love is not just romantic; it is rooted in friendship, patience, empathy, shared values and growth, and the beauty of being truly seen. Mudan’s longing for a partner who "knows what she likes and dislikes without her having to say a thing" captures the heart of this story: love that understands without explanation. It’s not just about romance, but about finding someone who speaks your soul’s language in silence.
This is the kind of relationship that inspires rather than idealizes, one that makes you believe in what true companionship can look like.

The versatility of the main actors and their outstanding chemistry, combined with the director’s vision, made this drama a true treat for the eyes and ears. The slow-burning romance that grows naturally from friendship to love is portrayed with such respect, communication, and mutual support that it becomes a joy to witness. The buildup of emotional tension, from the smallest touches to the long-awaited first kiss, moved me to tears of joy and fulfillment. Both the male and female leads embody the finest qualities of their characters complementing each other perfectly.

Visually, musically, and emotionally, the series is stunning. The costumes whisper history, the cinematography paints each scene like a classical scroll, and the very touching, very beautiful music wraps itself around every emotional beat with precision.

The O.C.T. musical is absolutely beautiful.
As a musician, I’m genuinely impressed by the orchestral arrangement, the melodies, the editing, every track flows perfectly. Huge credit to the music team, this is truly top-tier work.

Themes of female empowerment, resilience, integrity, and the courage to live with dignity, with quiet perseverance and inner grace, shine through every episode. Alongside her, the male lead embodies duty, loyalty, and emotional strength, growing through vulnerability and guided by honor, respect, and love that values the soul and character over appearances. Together, their journeys reflect a powerful balance of strength, devotion, and mutual growth.

P.S. This is Flourished Peony—though filmed as one, the series was strategically divided due to regulatory restrictions. Part 1 (Flourished Peony) and Part 2 (In the Name of Blossom) must be watched in sequence to fully experience the story’s arc and emotional depth.

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A Bloom Less Bright, Yet Beautiful Still

As the continuation of Flourished Peony, In the Name of Blossom had a lot to live up to—and while it didn't recapture every bit of the original's magic, it still bloomed in its own quiet, powerful way. With stunning visuals, strong performances, and a story centered on female resilience, this drama left a lasting impression.

What stood out most for me was Yang Zi’s performance. Mudan is one of the most inspiring female characters I’ve encountered—dignified, ambitious, and deeply human. Her journey from hardship to success was portrayed with grace, and it gave the show a strong emotional core. Li Xian matched her well, bringing growth and quiet strength to Jiang Chanyang. Their chemistry felt even more grounded and emotionally rich in this second part—helped, no doubt, by their real-life friendship, which added warmth and sincerity to every scene they shared.

The production remained top-tier throughout: exquisite costumes, immersive sets, and a memorable soundtrack that supported the tone without overwhelming it. The domestic and personal moments between characters—especially within the core relationships—were where the drama truly shined. I also appreciated how it continued to portray the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated world, without falling into clichés.

That said, I do wish the villains had been more layered. Their transformation from intriguing to exaggerated felt like a missed opportunity, and the final conflicts lost some of their punch as a result. Some side characters—especially the shop employees and other couples—deserved more attention too, as they added richness in earlier episodes but faded in the background this time.

Despite those flaws, this was still a drama I truly enjoyed. It offered closure, beauty, and a celebration of strength in all its forms. A graceful finale to a story I won’t forget.

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Yang Zi as a proud Peony, role model of the strong independent women in ancient times

I finally caught up with the drama till end. It was very colorful and beautiful, twists and turns, morally fulfilling, Yang Zi flawlessly portraying the strong and proud Mudan, who even saved the army to win the battle, Li Xian also admirable, and Miles Wei as despicable and hateable as his villain character demanded, many support actors who came to life...

So why did I feel a bit tired and even frustrated by this long drama? Perhaps because of the overuse of the two main musical themes at every turn, and the design of the emperor as weakling to almost idiocy, supported god only knows why by the leads despite we never saw him take one good action, just rolling with the flow and nodding in acceptance when he schemed in secret meetings with the Flower envoy and the Flower merchant. The villainous elder brother(why not emperor then?) of the emperor, King Ning was too often seen seated, stroking his beard, looking cruel. His unreasonably jealous daughter appeared on and off like a puppet on strings to look harsh, try and fail to hurt Mudan, getting hurt herself and... well her fate was almost clear from beginning (and no, she did not get offed or off herself).

The story still had its merits, so I award it an 8.5 but I only learned a few interesting things about the historical period and the plants in the first part, Flourished Peony, which was cut artificially from end because of regulatory reasons. The remaining part was.... okay, not extraordinary, despite the twist of Jiang Changyang's almost Christ-like returning from the dead. Well, since we had not seen him buried, it was not that big a surprise or a heartbreak to see him stabbed by Liu Chang... King Ning had publicly said that Jiang was "hard to kill". Nor was it a surprise to see Mudan rescued as she was since Jiang had sent his best swordsman to protect her (even if he missed the necessary abduction by the arch villain). So, there were many quite predictable twists, nice words, sweetness somehow watered down since the couple really was "too busy", got into "misunderstanding" (sighs), had little time to spend together after the evenings guzzling wine by the swing under the moon, which also got too repeatedly used, perhaps.

The last episode features a shadow theater moment as an anthology of the milestones of the story, how Mudan bruised and battered was rescued to become the employee and next, concubine of Jiang ; how the main secondary characters grew noticed, etc. But to me, it felt like a very artificial filler moment, alas.

For newbies, it may still be a thrilling and nice watch (although they should start from beginning in Flourished Peony as this part here is wacky as a stand alone, so be prepared for 32+24 episodes watching, although, exceptionally in second part, some skipping may be forgiven), and for the leads, it certainly was a task adequately performed, and an enjoyment to wear those costumes, bring ancient makeup back to life, and finish with the hopeful message that flowers will eventually be more important than medicine once wars and sickness have been contained. Overall, the drama was nicely painted in bright colors (I particularly liked the draped red shawl, cute hairdo and hat of Mudan before "the tragic episode"), but too airbrushed, despite some arresting episodes. Sometimes I felt Mudan was too much cast as a Mary Sue. I leave feeling "mission accomplished": another historical watched till end.

And don't let my lukewarm feelings deter you from appreciating this FP1+2 drama. Everyone may have different feelings. It is late on my end, and I am eager to go dream about another one, which perhaps appeals more to me because of its humor and quite a lot of thrills, even in the explicitly ridiculous parts. It does not have ambitious lessons to proffer, is more pure entertainment, also a nice watch, which I got sidetracked from to watch the Flourished Peony story till end first, as I had decided I would do (although, that other one, frustratingly, released last episodes just a tad earlier than FP2), so I'll have to digest it a little more before adding a review there. Watching two dramas simultaneously can be frustrating.

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Poorly written / dragging so much the romance element.

So, she's still allowing that manipulating and disrespectful guy to hang around, and her ex is still insane and thoughtless. So weak, she sends another woman to tell her husband that she loves him? Yes, I am disappointed in her. not one strong good male character in this drama. The LMC even bagged the empr to sacrifice him, what? he's plea tell us the empr is weak and doesn't trust him to protect him..it is standard for empro to kill off their brothers when they take the throne, but this guy is so weak he allows his brother to plot against himweak he allows his brother to plot against him for years and he even calls him king, weak, weak, weak. this storyline is so poorly written the viewers can't put their hope for a good ending in anyone. people manipulate because they are weak, the strong come in the night and destroy, they don't play with their food. I'm confident that the drama will end with some feel good moments, but my rating is for the journey to the end. honey attract bees, but bees sting (if you only use kindness, you will always get harmed). ifweak, the strong come in the night and destroy, they don't play with their food. I'm confident that the drama will end with some feel good moments, but my rating is for the journey to the end. honey attract bees, but bees sting (if you only use kindness, you will always get harmed). if you want to get rid of someone you give them vinegar not honey.

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