There are plot holes but Seven and Wallace are pulling it through.
A lot of these things are still uncustomary for the era (eg MIL directly giving the power; besides, she didn't decline-- rather, she was forced into a situation where if she disagrees, it's disrespectful, if she agrees, she sacrifices her power). There's a lot of historical inaccuracies, which I picked up on but won't get into. So long as you enjoy the drama (I am), it doesn't really matter, but sometimes it bothers me the plot is riddled with holes; things that aren't discussed.
There are plot holes but Seven and Wallace are pulling it through.
How did Xu Lingyi know what was happening with the rice/porridge? How did he know to go there specifically at that time, especially considering he was out of the city the whole time?
There are also breaches in etiquette with the Marquis's mother that normally she would never do-- even if it's her niece (I think that's how you translate their relation, I'm not too sure as I watch without subs). For example, even if Qiao Lianfang is the daughter of the wife of another major family, she married in as a concubine. When there was no wife, it's understandable for her to hold the economic power within the family-- but now Luo Shiyi has married in, the Marquis should automatically give it to her. The Marquis's mother withholding it actually LOSES the family more face... It doesn't make sense especially considering the era and its etiquette. Further, her continuous protection for Qiao Lianfang loses their family more face (doing away with customary rules when convenient, for example).
Why did Nanny Zhang buy spoiled rice? She knows her own mistress, Qiao Lianfang is in charge. By buying spoiled rice, she messes it up for her own lady.
How did the Ou family kill the former Marquis and Xu Lingyi's brother? If it's such a big deal, why wasn't something done? (This question should be answered, but if it isn't, it's yet another plot hole).
Why did Madame Lu, Shiyi's mother, go looking for the sachet by herself? She soundly has a maid to help her-- she ought to send the maid. Why did she go by herself (and then end up dead)?
There were more but I can't remember them off the top of my head. I hope that answers some of your questions :)
The speed was good for me UNTIL the bandit arc; it gets REALLY stretched out. Considering the plotline calls for him to go to the capital and become an official for Minister Qin, Qin Si Yuan, it looks like we're going to have to wait for a second season or a horribly rushed 8 episodes...
I posted this separately so that people who are curious could get their answer, but my opinion isn't generally…
Oh, thank you so much! I was so confused who/how he was related to the emperor. I figured he was the emperor's teacher but any other connections I was super confused. Thanks for clarifying!
I posted this separately so that people who are curious could get their answer, but my opinion isn't generally…
Yeah, I agree. I think the Emperor looks super highly up to Minister He because He is a eunuch, I believe, that took care of the Emperor when he was little. When he got older, he was eventually "upgraded" to his current position.
I posted this separately so that people who are curious could get their answer, but my opinion isn't generally…
It appears that they're led by someone named Sheng Gong, and yeah, I think he has backing in the court. Otherwise, why would old evil dude purposely deter news from reaching the emperor/stop the emperor from sending troops until it's too late? IDK, the whole court intrigue thing they're trying to pull similar to Joy of Life isn't really working for me.
I posted this separately so that people who are curious could get their answer, but my opinion isn't generally blocked by a spoiler warning:
the plotline is rather stupid. the emperor is weak, and while that is traditionally a good opportunity for a good court drama, it doesn't work well here bc even if he's a weak emperor, he pays *just enough attention* to block any useful progression to the storyline... also, the story is rather questionable. linan city is supposed to be paramount to wu-- it's a storehouse for a lot of firepower and military resources, as well as the economic capital of the nation. however, it has so few resources and soldiers that they can't even protect the city-- a city built for defense.
but pls, sponsors, spend some money and give me a jingting kiss scene pls pls pls---
There are also breaches in etiquette with the Marquis's mother that normally she would never do-- even if it's her niece (I think that's how you translate their relation, I'm not too sure as I watch without subs). For example, even if Qiao Lianfang is the daughter of the wife of another major family, she married in as a concubine. When there was no wife, it's understandable for her to hold the economic power within the family-- but now Luo Shiyi has married in, the Marquis should automatically give it to her. The Marquis's mother withholding it actually LOSES the family more face... It doesn't make sense especially considering the era and its etiquette. Further, her continuous protection for Qiao Lianfang loses their family more face (doing away with customary rules when convenient, for example).
Why did Nanny Zhang buy spoiled rice? She knows her own mistress, Qiao Lianfang is in charge. By buying spoiled rice, she messes it up for her own lady.
How did the Ou family kill the former Marquis and Xu Lingyi's brother? If it's such a big deal, why wasn't something done? (This question should be answered, but if it isn't, it's yet another plot hole).
Why did Madame Lu, Shiyi's mother, go looking for the sachet by herself? She soundly has a maid to help her-- she ought to send the maid. Why did she go by herself (and then end up dead)?
There were more but I can't remember them off the top of my head. I hope that answers some of your questions :)
the plotline is rather stupid. the emperor is weak, and while that is traditionally a good opportunity for a good court drama, it doesn't work well here bc even if he's a weak emperor, he pays *just enough attention* to block any useful progression to the storyline...
also, the story is rather questionable. linan city is supposed to be paramount to wu-- it's a storehouse for a lot of firepower and military resources, as well as the economic capital of the nation. however, it has so few resources and soldiers that they can't even protect the city-- a city built for defense.