JulesL

You're right - it ended up being a safe plot to ensure most will like it. Maybe once Xiao Zhan becomes really big, he can look for more controversial stories. That said, he did really well in his role here!

That’s where I guess I was most disappointed because ZH became love-brained dealing with that Eunuch Cao. He got lucky there with the Queen being the one who actually did all the work and dying because of it. After that he fumbled even more. He may not know a lot about the third guy but he was supposed to be smart and somehow his intelligence instead of improving from experience, just went down. Luckily, he’s pulled through but it was more because other characters conveniently decided to have a conscience.

Yeah - totally agree with you! To be honest, I really wanted a true revenge show where the ML methodically took down all his enemies and managed to outwit the villains despite being hit with surprises. In the end it was just another story of a man who started with a plan but got derailed by love and in the end managed to reach his goal through luck and other people conveniently deciding to be decent.
Overall I enjoyed the story and the acting but I wish it was more different.

I guess that's one way the show keeps the viewers on the edge - we can guess who ZH is really up against but we have to watch him get to the truth. So stressful lol

I think you will enjoy the rest of the episodes and in the end, the romance serves as a comforting closure for ZH.

Almost done—and I’m so glad the final arc picked up and brought the show back on track. I had hoped to see ZH grow into an even sharper strategist, rather than stumbling through based on emotion and chance. In the end, I suppose it’s more realistic to show that sometimes success does come down to luck—and fortunately, ZH's luck held out. At least he managed to pull himself together and finish strong.

It’s amusing, though—despite all the twists and layers of intrigue, many viewers had already figured out who the masked man and the ultimate villain were!

Overall, it was a good show—not perfect. The characters weren’t always consistent, and the plot went all over the place. Still, the series wrapped things up neatly with a nice romantic bow, which I don’t mind. Antu turned out to be a cool FL once she reclaimed her agency.

Going to be binging the last 6 episodes tonight. I have not read any spoilers so hopefully I won't be disappointed by the ending arc. This show started off strong, and then sort of lost its way in the middle. Current rating 8.5.

Please don't let everyone just die or lose their purpose. It's bad enough that we got some love-brained silliness from both leads in the later part of the show. Hopefully they come back strong against the ultimate villain.

Short series - only 10 episodes and so far so good. Ep 2 drew me in.

Such an underrated drama! This couple is truly inspiring—committed through thick and thin. The male lead had a brief moment of noble idiocy, but it was short-lived and understandable. What really stood out was the female lead—absolutely awesome. Her actions and reactions consistently defy the usual tropes, making her a standout character.

Exactly! That trope of pairing off every major character by the finale can sometimes feel like a checklist rather than meaningful storytelling.

It’s just as satisfying to see someone find purpose or a sense of belonging outside of a relationship. Not every story needs to be tied with a romantic bow to feel complete.

Don't know - we were all just joking about how if they had a baby, their child would look nothing like current ZH lol

lol...that's funny...yeah, if only!

Yeah there has always been someone suspicious (to the viewers at least) right inside....

He's so out of it and easily distracted. I guess it is good for the real Mi Rae to take him on as a project...lol

Surprise! Lol

You're probably right - I was trying to remember him from the previous episodes and he looks like a newbie. It's nice that Mi Rae (Mi Ji) gets a little support.

I think he feels sorry for her, and I hope he will continue to show support.

He was very well hidden. Who would have thought that the Lu siblings have an older brother who has patiently waited for 10 years?!!

Let’s hope it’s a daughter and will take after Antu more 😀

Yes, not much he could do now. This was a hard lesson for ZH, but one he needed. If someone on his side could fabricate an entire backstory for him then what’s stopping a real enemy from doing the same—or worse? His trust, while admirable, has to come harder earned from now on.

You’re right—everyone makes mistakes, but if ZH doesn’t grow from this, then all his intelligence would be a waste. It’s time he tightened up his circle and started questioning things more deeply. He can’t afford to be fooled again.