Kami

LOL

I agree. As for where she continues to go, we'll have to wait and see, but she's extremely interesting to me, especially since we barely see deep writing for most supporting roles for C-Dramas.

These episodes were really sweet and a strong start to the sisterhood/woman-centred struggles of the new arc we're entering. It reminded me of A Dream of splendour and Nothing Gold Can Stay with a hint of The Story of Minglan.

Heavy Dream of splendour vibes this episode, and I mean that as a good thing.

Since Cui Shi is getting it in, my couple better get it in as well, with and a child at the end😌. On a more introspective note, Cui Shi going to the fifth master after fighting against it so hard, is quite tragic, but realistic. The patriarchy wins again. One of the messed up things about it is that she could have been a woman of the prince, and with her wits and grit, she would have ended up in splendour, but she dared to fight against what was expected of a woman in those days.

Watching episode 21 right now.

And there are actual consequences to this

He grows on you. He pisses you off, but he grows. He's very morally grey and you slowly see how he and Duan Wu fit each other. Give it time

People also forget that characters don't always have all the information on top of dealing with their emotions

In the trailer, she said she never hated him so that says plenty

Right. It wouldn't be a story of growth if they did everything perfect from the start and had no flaws

People are missing this

He rarely ever told her anything until he had no choice because she would figure it out (e.g. the story about their clan/parents !) On top of that, he would try to harden her with his "tough love", cold lesson act. Episode 18 is exactly who they are as people; just now they're in love, and Yan Zi Jing's problematic traits are finally rearing their heads with their faults. Duan Wu, being true to her nature, asked because obviously everything is a mess and suspicious, but he lied, which isn't out of character for him either; just this time we see him doing it for "sefless" reasons and at both of their expense. Please remember she was drugged by him, woke up in shock to her friends being killed by their own people, her brother running to warn her of their people killing them only to be killed in her arms, and then an arrow through her chest/shoulder area from the man she grew to love, one right after the other! And she still wanted an explanation from him, and when he didn't even bother and left her behind, she didn't say she wanted revenge, like some cliche. "I saw Yan Zi Jing. He asked me to leave.". That's what hurt her. For whatever reason in her eyes, he "threw her away," and her resolve was, "We can't leave. I have to let him know I can live well." Keep in mind her brother JUST DIED! Kang ju also pointed this out: Yan Zi Jing lives for vengeance; Duan Wu doesn't... They were a flawed couple from the start; now they get to start over on equal footing as she finds herself. This isn't out of character. You may not like it but it isn't out of character. That honeymoon phase is making people forgetful.

Are people forgetting the shakey foundation on which Yan Zi Jing and Duan Wu's relationship started on?

Sorry, where did they show he was on his deathbed? He was injured, yes, but the only time they talk about his being close to death was him not having that much time left due to the poison. Time did pass. They don't say, but we saw Zhang Jin Ran grow facial hair, and he was clean once he got to the in, etc... then they all went to Yangzhou, which would have taken some time from the desert. He got the shops because Master Cui put it up due to Yan Zi Jing Schemes previously. All he had to do was buy them once he got to Yangzhou. He's rich.

It's nothing like that show. I promise other than a desert setting for two episodes due to very important plot-related reasons. The story and acting are not even in the same playing field; fear not

Yes. I waited to watch episode 18 to pair with 19 and 20, and I'm glad I did. I don't know how people survived watching 18 on their own

Yui Chi is definitly part of the scheme if not the leader. I wouldn't be suprised if he had a thing for lady yan (Duan Wu's mom).

I waited so I could watch 18, 19, and 20 together, and I love how they do Xiao Xia Mi
death. Duan Wu being in total shock as he runs to her, warning her of whats happening, only to 🤧🤧. Kang Ju and Yan Zi Jing bromance is so strong and rightfully so. They went through so much together it was hard seeing Kang ju break down at the fact his best friend's chance for happiness just creashed and burnt du to the death of the doctor. I also understand why he didn't even check for the others and just took Yan Zi Jing out. That's his family. One of the best back stories. Lusi's acting at the beginning is amazing. Back to episode 19, I go.

I heard that their is little to no story/plot, weak characters writing wise, I heard plagiarism , style over substance, and weak acting.