Editorials 
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The Road to Splendor Episode 25
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IrenaK I think I have never cried so much at anyone's wedding as I did at Zhao Ling and Tingyun's. That was so beautiful and touching! Him ensuring that her mother could attend and that Tingzhou came as well. All those tears of joy in Tingyun's eyes... I can't even explain. 🥹💖And then Commander Wang and General Mo also arrived, and before that, Zhao Ling and Sen reconciled... This episode was pure joy — not even Fifth Master Fu or Madam Yu could ruin it! 🤗But one thing actually got me thinking a little. And that is what Lord Wei was saying — about Master Zhao not being present, and no one from the palace coming either... The music just added to that feeling that something might not be right there. The reason why Master Zhao wasn't there was plausible, but the Emperor not sending anyone... I don't know. Maybe that wedding gift he gave at the Empress Dowager's banquet covered for the fact that no one came. 🤔Also — is Miss Wu in Jingxiu's room with her consent, or is she forced to be there again? I noticed how Jingxiu's eyes stopped at her for a very brief moment while she was watching the wedding delegation from the balcony, and I know her looks are supposed to be somewhat similar to Tingyun's. So, could she be to Jingxiu's liking as Tingyun's replacement? 😳
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How is Huayong alive? I am super confused. Where has he been all this time? He was mourned and I suspect even buried... so... huh? I had made my peace with him being dead and leaving all that legacy for his son, so I am not sure if his miraculous return was really necessary... 😳 I can only hope they explain that in the special extra episode. 🤨BUT, if we don't count that, the rest of the episode was really decent. Cui Jinbin and Bu Shulin got married and she became a staff officer, the little emperor was such a wonderful child and had so many of his father's traits... 😅 And Prince Lei was the only prince who ended up alive, which is great because he was the most decent one after the Crown Prince.I can't really say much else, actually, because the confusion over the Crown Prince being alive a bit overshadows my thoughts on anything that happened in this episode. They could have easily left him only in Xihe's and other people's memories. 😞As for the special episode, it was lovely to watch their little family dynamics and sweet moments. Their son has inherited all the most noticeable traits of his parents — Huayong's mischievous personality and Xihe's great mind. 🤗🥰😂But I would have loved to get a better explanation of what really happened with Huayong. As far as I understand, it was all planned, but damn... I really had made my peace, and this plot twist set me off the rails a bit. 😞 And of course, looking back at how the drama went, there were some solutions where they only revealed how they did it after they had solved the problem, but I have mixed feelings about whether that was the right way to handle something that happens in the last minute of the last episode. 🫤Other than that, I love happy endings — yet this one didn't quite land for me.
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The opening of the episode was awesome — Bu Shulin taking over the Marquis of Shunan's army, Cui Jinbin at her side, and then the arrival of Xihe's brother... pure epicness! 🤩Not sure what Prince Lei was trying to achieve by impaling himself on his own spear, but considering what happened afterwards, I wonder if Prince Xie injuring him and sending him to prison was his way of getting his little brother out of the way and into safety. He was locked in his room after all, but somehow got out... 🫣But about Prince Xie himself... I didn't expect that it would all be an act on his part to help Xihe secure her position even more... BUT his ending relieved me a little that my giving him the benefit of the doubt wasn't a complete waste. Throughout the story, there were moments when I felt some sympathy for him, like during those episodes when he bonded with Huayong or when they showed us his tragic love story with Qingzhi. 😳😌However, he did his pretending a little too convincingly — so, was it really true? Maybe he would have been satisfied with any outcome — either he got Xihe by force and manipulation, or if the plan failed, he could just say he was trying to secure her a more stable position...? 🤔🤷♀️As for the reveal about Huayong being Prince Qian's son, I have no idea what dots I connected, but I jumped to that conclusion after the Emperor and Xihe's conversation in the previous episode. Maybe I was just a little hasty with it, lol! 😅 BUT, I never ever suspected the Empress Dowager... That was a huge plot twist for me! 😳
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This episode tested my patience once again. Prince Xie has gone beyond any redemption and is just allowing his obsessions and delusions to consume him even more. And Noble Consort Rong acts like she owns the place. To be fair, I wouldn't be surprised if she was the one behind the poisoning of Huayong. 😠😤I wonder what was the plan of Xihe's that needed her to create a distraction by going to that temple. Could that be a secret way of sending someone a message from right under the nose of Prince Xie? 🤔 There are still allies outside the Imperial Palace — Bu Shulin and Cui Jinbin, Xihe's father and brother, Tian Yuan and the doctor... Maybe Prince Lei gets out and can do something, because how hard could it be for a warrior to smash walls/doors that are made of wood and paper? 🤨🫣Very intense episode. I am just grateful the ladies could change the minds of those guards... 👀P.S. Happy for Lin and Jin having twins. And the theory proved to be true — Huayong wasn't the Emperor's son.
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Not them showing the Crown Prince in all these little memories... My heart can barely survive that! 😭💔Qingshu gone, and by the poison she brought herself, was a great death. That lady won't be missed, not even for a millisecond... 👏🥳Prince Xie is letting his obsession over Qingzhi/Xihe consume him. At one point I really hoped I could give him the benefit of the doubt, but I guess we are running short in the villain department... And then there's Noble Consort Rong, who's on my suspect list again for many past schemes that haven't been revealed yet. 😒
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This was terrible, to say the least... 😭💔 Four episodes left and he's gone? I still hoped my suspicions of his looming death were wrong... And if the Emperor wasn't the one who poisoned him, then who was? Who's still on the list? 😫😭I hated this episode, even if it was amazing in many other aspects.
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The Road to Splendor Episode 24
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They are finally preparing for the wedding! FINALLY! 🥳The most valuable person in this episode was definitely Madam Xie. Not only did she find a way to get to court in time to protect her daughter, but she also acted against her husband's wishes — a man who didn't even know Tingyun's birthday to start with (no surprise there) — and gave Zhao Ling the parents' blessing to marry. 😌👏"What does "a parent's command" truly mean? It means I bless my children and wish them happiness, not that their happiness requires my permission." 🥹I already liked Tingzhou when they were still in Huaying, but now he showed that he had stood up against the Fu family in his own quiet way — by intentionally failing his exams because he didn't want to follow in his father's footsteps into officialdom or use the Fu family arches as his stepping stone. But he's still so bound by filial piety that he can't openly stand up against his father, because that would negatively affect the reputation of his wife and children. 😢 I am glad his wife heard his drunken mumbling and assured him she would rather choose a good man with strong principles than one with a successful career but low morals. 😌Madam Xie has raised two wonderful children who can tell right from wrong and see the real values of life... 🥹👏I am relieved Madam Wu didn't agree to go along with Yake's scheme, but what are she and Madam Yu planning now? Why do they want to involve the Empress Dowager in the whole Fu family drama? 🤨
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The Road to Splendor Episode 23
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That was super satisfying to watch Madam Wei and Yake's clash! Coordinated or not, Tingyun, Miss Wu, and Madam Wei did well to save Miss Wu from that unwanted marriage. Well done! 👏And I just love Grand Secretary Tian. He's so funny, always bringing up his health issues and old age at the most convenient times. The Emperor used that very well to stall the decision on Zhao Ling and his post. 😅 "Wasn't I asleep just now? How did I help you? You were all making such a commotion. What were you arguing about?" 😂 (I don't care if he pretended or not, but this was definitely funny!)But I don't like what Fifth Master Fu is doing to his daughter and Zhao Ling, and actually to his whole family. Like locking his wife in her room so she wouldn't tell the truth in court? He's been mostly absent from family affairs for the last seven years "mourning" his mother and not even acknowledging his daughter, like ever, and yet he makes himself out to be such an authority figure. 😒😤And Yake, as a bitter woman who has finally learned she lost her husband's affection to Tingyun, of course revels in those rumours caused by the Fu family's old maid. 🙄
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The Road to Splendor Episode 22
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And the competition for the post of Imperial Salt Censor has begun. So there's Yu Jingxiu, who was nominated by the Wei/Tian family, Shen Congsi, who was nominated by Master Zhao (and the Wang family/Tingyun), and someone whom Zhao Ling has put on the list. I just hope it's not Tingyun's father, but if it is him, I hope Ling tells the Emperor beforehand that it's just for appearances for smoother marriage talks and that he shouldn't actually give the post to that delusional man. 😬🤔But overall, I miss how wholesome Ling and Tingyun were in Ganlin Town. I would love to see them return to that happy place and not worry about court politics at all... 😔Sen having eyes for Second Miss Wang and her also having feelings for him was so cute! 🤗 I giggled at her reaction to the bow he gave her. 🤭And Yake is trying to implant Miss Wu into the Wei family because there's more than one person on the list for the Imperial Salt Censor's post? Well, I'm not sure if Madam Wei will be very pleased with her. Also, Yake's "great" plan might backfire because Miss Wu has had a change of heart about what she wants from her life, and that might become a huge obstacle in her scheme. 🫣😏
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The Road to Splendor Episode 21
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Omg, they really got me worried for a good bit, but phew, the "Miss Wu becoming Zhao Ling's concubine" plot ended quickly. 😮💨 But oh boy, Zhao Ling, what a clueless man you can be when it comes to love! Don't take it all for granted and just show her how much you love her! Love is like a plant — it needs tending to blossom... 🫣😒But I did love that Tingyun has become an inspiration for Miss Wu to make her life better for herself, not through some marriage. I get that is quite a hard concept in those times, but I do like when women can stand on their own without the necessity of a man at their side. I really hope she'll be able to get out of the shackles Madam Wu is keeping her in. 🤞I also know I should sympathise with a woman who isn't loved by her husband like Madam Yu does for Yake, but sorry, I can't... Her own choices have put her in that place, and in this case, she's the one to blame for Jingxiu growing apart from her. I know a big part of that is what happened in Ganlin Town 5 years ago, but he had already noticed before that how different she was from what he expected her to be. 🙄As for Fifth Master Fu... well, I don't like that man at all. He hasn't cared for his daughter at all, really, and now wants to reap the fruits of her being Commander Zhao's fiancée. I really hope Tingyun and Ling will marry even without his blessing, but we'll see how his attempt to spite them turns out. 😒😤P.S. Was that sheep supposed to be alive? It really didn't look very lively. 😅
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The Road to Splendor Episode 20
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Yeah, I thought Tingyun might give Ling a hard time for making her worry about him for that long, without seeking her out. Yet, I expected it to last longer. But I am not complaining, really. I love them as the wholesome couple they always have been. 🥹🥰But in this episode, politics was what mostly took the stage. Ling has become the Emperor's blade in reforms for the salt administration, and already shows a way more ruthless side of him. I wonder if him kicking Mr Jin was an act to seed fear and respect in those other merchants, or did he really mean it? 😟🤔Madam and Lord Yu's conversation confused me a little. Previously, I suspected they already had some plans for or against Tingyun and Ling, but now I have doubts. However, despite that, they have declared them to be their enemies. 🫤And why was Lord Yu playing weiqi alone and talking? Was he alone or was there someone in the room we didn't see? He wouldn't have an imaginary/ghost friend, right? I have had way too many of those in C-dramas this summer. 🤨😒
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Huayong's illness is making me anxious. And now he's in a condition that's irreversible? I shouldn't even dare to hope for him getting through this drama anymore... 😭 So, I guess all his legacy goes to their child. And he's really preparing for his/her future — all the books, the teachers... Everything. 🤧A relief in all that is Xihe's support no matter how bitter that future sounds. She won't marry anyone else and will have only one husband in her life...🥹Her ensuring Mo Yu and Zhen Zhu get a status to live their lives however they please was a very beautiful gesture. They are more like dear friends and companions rather than just servants to her. 🫂I kind of can see Prince Lei and Shen Yingruo happening as a possible match... Not sure if the drama will go that way, though. 🫣As for our villains, I still hope Prince Xie stays the way he was these last few episodes, but it's very hard to tell with him. Atm it seems like he hasn't given up on Xihe/Qingzhi, and I might understand why, because he knows the Crown Prince won't be his rival for long. 😞Qingshi is completely crazy and I can't understand how she's still allowed in Prince Xie's mansion. If only he had choked her to the end.... 😒And Prince Ding is preparing to attack the capital? 🫣
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The Road to Splendor Episode 19
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THEY MET! Ah, wonderful! I hope they'll be able to be like they were before — supporting, loving and trusting each other. 🥹🫂But each of the Yus has some agenda against one of them.Mr Yu didn't look too pleased about Ling having some secret edict and unique power that allows him to deal with those above him. AND considering he too wears a red robe, I suspect he might be the one who's behind it all and asked for Ling's death in the previous episode. 🤔👆Jingxiu still might want to see Ling dead because he hasn't given up on Tingyun. 😒 Which also leads to Yake, who wants to humiliate Tingyun all she can because of her envy of her. 🙄 (I am not sure if she knows Jingxiu likes Tingyun now, but considering how she reacted to sesame seafood being served, I guess she might at least suspect it)Madam Yu's game is the most mysterious, but I think she might be spinning webs and aiding her husband from behind the scenes. However, I don't like her interest in Tingyun — she might want to get her on her side and use her to help her husband take down Ling... 🤔😟 Luckily Tingyun is smart and knows better than to trust anyone from the Yu family. 😌BUT, that scene with the white sheet between them — MASTERPIECE! Them reaching their hands towards the other one's shadow, then snow falling... the yearning... so close, yet so far. Visually so, so beautiful and also very emotional.🥹🤧❤️But what's with the new ladies? I can't guess their game yet, but I am assuming the older one might try to marry the younger one either into the Yu family as a concubine or make her seduce Ling. Considering she's young (was it 16 or 17 Yake said?), she might as well fall in love with Sen who might be of a similar age now. 🤨🤔
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The Road to Splendor Episode 18
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Tingyun escaping from Jingxiu was a great relief, and even more — she made it in time to wave farewell to Ling marching off to war. 🥹That scene was visually breathtaking and so atmospheric... The emotions were high and it made me feel like I was the one parting from someone very dear. 🤧😢The letters they sent to each other were profoundly beautiful, filled with love, care and yearning. 🥹 And that's how five years went by while they both earned a lot of merit for themselves — he had become a senior fourth-rank assistant commander and earned quite a fearsome reputation, and she, with her own merits in educating people, restoring history and boosting military morale, had made herself known even among the noble ladies of the capital. 😌Yet, they didn't meet in this episode. My guess is that Ling keeps saying he's not betrothed so none of his secret investigation would implicitly harm Tingyun. He has enemies and ill-wishers all around the capital, so it's better if they don't even know about her. 😒Though, him not coming home worries her a lot... If only she had understood that the fireworks were Ling's doing and he's nearby, thinking of her and protecting her. 😟P.S. The scene with Sen asking where Yucheng is and why he's not with his brothers really broke my heart... 😭 But, Yucheng, even if your body is not with your brothers anymore, you remain in their thoughts and hearts! 🫂❤️
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The Road to Splendor Episode 17
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Oh, this episode... We lost so much. It's even hard to put thoughts together. 😭💔But now what I feared the most has happened — Ling and Tingyun will be separated. 🥺And it will possibly be for those five years Ling agreed to serve General Wang, because he has to climb the ranks, otherwise he would stay a nobody and wouldn't be able to save Tingyun, who is being taken to the capital by Yu Jingxiu... My heart is breaking. 😭💔And we lost Yucheng... I know he felt guilty for dragging his brothers into all that Lu Dahu merit case, but still... In my mind, they all were supposed to stay together until they reached that splendor. Ding Yuxi delivered an amazing performance showing all that pain and suffering. 😔🤧Tingyun burned those confessions expecting to have a reasonable bargain with Yu Jingxiu? It's impossible to reason with him — he takes what he wants, no matter if by force or willingly! So, in the end, that might be the least reasonable thing she has ever done, yet it still served as her statement... in a way. And a statement Jingxiu could neither accept nor tolerate, so instead, he just chose to take her to the capital by force... 😤😡 I really hope she gives him a very, very hard time there. 🤞😠But what will happen with clearing her name without those confessions, I have no idea... 🤔
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