AleksandraSucur

I agree

yes, it looks the antagonists are not a cohesive group of people at all.

correct.
That's why I don't understand this level of antagonism among the killers back then.

I took those words as a metaphore intending to say misterious diviner is a really dangerous and unpredictable person to be feared of. Bc., why would YFS wish the world in peace? His Huben soldiers are attempting to overthrough the current emperor and are attacking powers close to him, such as Gu Yu.

I don't get why LZY (and YFS wanted that strange diviner dead. He is already in a sort of prison in which people from Huben army can enter and exit as they wish

The actress plays well this totally diff. character but she can't change her face, and that face is... Ms Su 😂

This is my first time seeing (an interesting, btw) story set in a "peaceful" Macau during WWII. The pace and acting seem great, too

thank you, Meg. I didn't like any of those dramas. Besides, I don't like this director either, he makes unnecessary long scenes, I must speed them to avoid to get bored. I don't know how much I'll endure with this story. I am watching ep 4 and all we've got after 3h of watch are basic infos about his vendetta and court situation while being showered with an artificial misterious atmoshere and bunch of names.
How do you feel about this drama?

thank you

Is this drama based on a novel?

The first 6 eps and the last 6 eps are 10/10.
I need to think about the story we've seen in between. The overall can't be 10 bc not every character was depeened enough, things that can happen in reconstruction of real historical events (and that kind of task is truly difficult). I'll have to resee certain subplots to decide between 9 or 9,5

Indeed

that was the thing I wanted to point out, they didn't seem to match each other in any way.
Now, with all eps out, we've got some sort of explanation which wouldn't be convincing if not played by that incredible actor Huang Zhi Zhong. He is so good, so convincing in any role he plays that I instantly believe the story, I don't think I'd buy the explanation if any other actor was playing this weird role.
I also greatly agree (actually, I thank you for the comments above) with what you've pointed out on female characters but... many male characters aren't written or deepened well either, including certain ML's traits. Things that happen when the eps are limited and screen adaptors must change the plot to make the long story short. Then, everything depends on the actors performance. Like Ms. Su who is - like a parsley - present in every pot, even overbearing, her goals misty, no romantic interest but the actress put some sense in this ungrateful character.

lol

I retract what I've said above.
I still haven't seen the next scene and why she needed the jewellery. 😂😂😂

For anyone who ever practiced any sort of martial arts is so eye-piercing seeing all those rings, earrings... it's the first lesson any shifu, sensei, master etc teaches you, bc. you'll hurt yourself during training. I mean, she is fastening her sleeves before a combat, fine, may and may not be useful (this only avoids someone grabs your sleeve, many martial arts are practiced wearing large sleeve kimonos...) but doesn't put off the jewellery. Simply irritating.

yes, maybe, but she was so romantic talking about that wedding dress, as if they were romantically connected

my question above (erroneously addressing PBG) was directed to you.

I think the reason for "lost in the plot" current state is in a heavy deviation from her character in the novel. In the novel, she appeared later and wanted that revenge over Cixi because she was a daughter of one of the 8 executed regents. In the drama, her character is used to provide background explanations functional for the story or other characters, that's why she's everywhere and the character is less believable and incoherent.
We should ask people who read the novel to update us about her situation at this point in the novel.

you're right about the numbness she rolled herself in, as a way to forget the man who loved her so much to sell his most valuable things to buy her the prettiest wedding dress and father of her sons, was still alive. I can relate with how this hardening experience made her gloomy and depressed, thank you very much for pointing this aspect out.
But still can't connect her character with LWT, how do you explain the connection?