This review may contain spoilers
LOTS OF SPOILERS I created an account just to write this review because I’ve never been this angry at a drama before.
First, the summary is outright misleading. It claims the female lead leaves a marriage of convenience “with the help of Jiang Chang Yang.” That “help” is dragged across five episodes, even then, she doesn’t truly leave. It’s handled through repeated plot devices. The marriage issue isn’t fully resolved until episode 21. And the concluded marriage is resolved ridiculously.
The summary also says they “establish a flower shop together.” This is false. The female lead does all the work: managing the shop, hiring workers, handling conflicts. The male lead contributes only money, yet takes 90% of the profits while also being her landlord. He’s an investor, not a partner.
The drama heavily markets itself as feminist, yet completely undermines that message. Despite portraying a capable, intelligent female lead (often compared to Ming Lan), the story ultimately forces her into becoming concubine at the end. If you were recommended this show because of you enjoyed the story of Ming lan. Don’t waste your time. Unlike Ming Lan—who refused concubinage despite being born to one in a officials family—the female lead here is a merchant’s daughter (nobles looked down on business owners because they are seen as dishonest in historical times), previously a legitimate wife, and still ends up accepting concubine status. This decision contradicts everything the story claims to stand for.
The male lead repeatedly fails to appear when needed. I understand establishing the female leads independence from male lead but this is too much. When he pressures her in-laws to divorce her, he leaves before the process is finalized—something the female lead herself points out. That delay directly leads to further abuse. When her in-laws later force her into slavery, he is again nowhere to be found. This happens repeatedly: whenever she’s in danger, he conveniently disappears, all to push the plot forward. To show her independence, capability, and intelligence.
The final insult comes near the end. After becoming a slave, the female lead offends the county princess again with her existence and faces possible death. The solution? Make her a concubine—because officials can’t marry slaves. This could have been easily avoided if the male lead had removed her indenture and given her a household registration, which the female lead even suggests. He dismisses it—so the plot can force concubinage.
The drama also contradicts itself morally. The female lead rejects two men who offer to make her a concubine stating it’s the only way to save her after becoming a slave. She stands firm on independence stating they think becoming a concubine is the only way to sustain herself but accepts it when the male lead does the same. After repeatedly surviving on her own and refusing to rely on men, this choice feels forced and hollow.
What makes this worse is that their relationship has almost no romance: no kiss, no real emotional development, just banter. She accepts concubinage thinking it’s temporary because they aren’t even in love. This happens in episode 29 of 32. I researched and from what I gathered Season 2 doesn’t improve either. Her status remains the same, and the romance development is dragged.
This show promised a story about a woman escaping abuse, building success, and redefining independence. Instead, it dismantles its own message through lazy plot devices and a deeply disappointing ending.
I wasted 29 episodes and two days off work on this. Show is overall a 5/10 only because it kept me watching it for so long. If you value your time or expect real feminist storytelling who stays true to her principals, don’t watch this drama. It’s my fault for not researching this drama before watching it. I read a fan post comparing Ming Lan to Mu Dan and I blindly invested time into this show.
Maybe I’m biased because I hate the concubine trope. In my favorite drama, Are You The One, the female lead tells the male lead if he truly loves her he would never ask her to accept the role of a mere concubine. If you’re someone looking for a smart female lead, businesswoman, independence, smart male lead, and feminism. That’s the drama for you. The male lead had to grovel for 10 episodes before she accepts to be his principled wife.
I would even recommend Nothing Gold Can Stay. And that’s pushing it. If you’re truly looking for a smart businesswoman. That drama is 74 episodes of trauma. Secondary name by fans, “No Man Can Stay”. Based on a real woman by the way. ZHOU YING.
Edit: I went back to watch it the last few episodes. Why did this man set her free but still keep her as a concubine????
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