Omega17

Thanks for sharing. I didn’t realize you needed to rate each episode. I will do that now.

I actually have no problem with this characterization. ZL and FTY have been away from each other for five years. To expect them to communicate with each other properly is unrealistic. I like that ZL is flawed. I hate the Mary Sue leads in most Cdramas who seem to do everything right and have all the answers. I think right now he has a blind spot, which is the emperor. He’s gaining all this power with the objective to protect and make change but he’s also losing the plot. What’s the point of gaining all that power if it separates you from the one you love. And he’s also gaining more enemies the higher he rises. He’s so laser focused on doing this job for the emperor that he’s missing the queues she’s sending about her needs. In the most recent episode we see them take opposite views on who should be the censor. ZL and the emperor want a radical while FTY believes a moderate would be better to secure ZL’s base. I don’t think the show has the time, but you could take this story to a very dark place where the ML and FL become antagonists. He even asks her if she would stand against him. I’m very interested in where this story goes after they get married in episode 25. Does that help resolve their conflict. Or does ZL’s rise to power continue to create conflict. An interesting line from Mr Yu which could be just a throw away but could also be foreshadowing was when he said men like Zhao who have been crushed all their lives only know how to advance but don’t know when to retreat. I’m paraphrasing his comments from ep. 20. I do wonder if ZL will push too far or will he know when it’s time to let all this go, take his family and leave.

Episodes 22 and 23 leaned heavily into political and family drama. I will have to do a rewatch because there was alot to digest. We see Zhao and Tingyun take opposing sides on who becomes the new censor. Tingyun knows her way around that crowd and easily out maneuvered Zhao Ling. She did it for his benefit in the end though. ZL needs to be careful about trusting the emperor completely. But the two episodes highlighted the one issue I’ve been having with the series. The two not being married is causing more problems than not. I know the marriage is coming but it made no sense earlier and still makes no sense now why they aren’t already married. Them not being married has created a vulnerability that their enemies are exploiting.

No one cares about your crocodile tears Yake. You chose to screw over your best friend for that man. Ha ha!

Tingyun’s father is a wretch and her brother is a coward. No wonder granny was ruling over them.

Yep. That’s the one ding I’ll give to an otherwise amazing drama. It’s a Cdrama trope used to keep the audience holding on. I heard in the book they were married with kids. Yhat would have been an interesting spin to see them trying to protect a family. At least we know they will be married before the drama ends. Some dramas will wait till the last episode.

Was thinking about that meat going to waste in rain the whole time.

That stuff she was saying this episode was to get his attention. She doesn’t want to leave him. But she wants him to show that he misses her and wants to be with her. It has been five years. She wants some attention and rightly so.

Oh she gets worse.

He’s really trying to figure out what Mr Fu is about after getting the letter from his future sister-in-law, sent at the behest of Mr Fu.

You have to be careful. Just like the concubine issue was resolved quickly, you have to be careful not to read too much into spoilers without context.

She was not trying to mess up their relationship, she was trying to make the salt negotiations difficult. If he had turned her down right at that moment it would offend that particular faction. I doubt Yu cares that much about their personal relationship.

The dad is a top tier dirt bag. Prepared to be angry.

Still some shade involved. She was basically telling her she looked shabby and to go get a makeover.

ZL was pissing me off though. How are you not getting the hints that this girl is ready to get married. It has been five years. Step it up bro.

I think Tingyun nipped that in the bud when she spoke to the aunt about Madam Yu using her and not telling her the full story. The whole point of pushing the concubine on Zhao was to gain leverage in the salt trade deals. Now knowing she will not gain any leverage, I think it’s done.

She didn’t need to waste any energy on him. I’m glad she showed up. He has the nerve to try and have any say. He doesn’t care about his daughter. He’s just trying to gain a post.

Ep 25 teaser 🎉🥰

She’s a really good actress. Her role as the mother in Glory was well acted as well.

You should. He has placed everything on ZL’s shoulders. If it all goes to hell, only ZL’s head will be on the block.