SpicyLime

It looks like all episodes are available now. I'm from the US and watched it on WeTV. The subs are all out. Not sure why this has such a low rating. It's a quick, low budget, fluff. The leads are pretty cute together.

They have a movie version that covers key points from S1. It's free on YT. S2 pretty much continues where S1 left off, so you will miss a lot of elements between the leads.

Book Story Spoiler.

ML and FL are pretty toxic to each other. ML is a Prince all along and was using FL to gain power. 2ML is also vying for power and eventually tricks FL into going against ML.
Anyone that has watched C-Dramas know what I mean. Starts funny, build chemistry....trust issues...misunderstandings and angst in the middle/towards end. Typical love triangle blah blah blah.

Kind of reminds me of A Girl Like Me (drama). Starts off strong/cute/funny/smart characters and then just WTF, braindead choices.

FL finds out she was tricked by 2ML all along and goes to support ML. ML knew FL was going to betray him but goes along with it since she treated the FL like shit. He's trying to repent.

Ending (happy?):

ML/FL get together in the end. ML was willing to give everything up to be with FL.

2ML has all power, but lost the FL. He could not give up power for the FL. He misses FL.

Some Thoughts. I really hope they change some of the story around in the drama. I tend to like monogamy in my dramas. A lot of C-Dramas will usually change the story to fit the monogamy narrative (e.g. Joy of Life). In the novel she is forced to marry both the male leads and gets pregnant. They are unsure who the baby belongs to. I hate these type of arcs.

P.S. Take with a grain of salt. I'm just paraphrasing what I read on forums.

Being teased about this on Tencent. On my plan to watch list just because of the cast. Found the novel spoiler below if anyone is interested.

Can someone point me to the full opening song somewhere? It's so catchy.

Def hard to stop. There is a mini arc that happens from 23-25. One of my favorite Arc starts from 29 and ends at 33. Things really start to pick up here. FL is amazing.

A bulk of it is. There is a lot of inner conflicts between immediate, extended and in-laws. There is also some palace politics. The story revolves around two titular characters, the FL and ML and how due to all of the events in their early lives lead up to them being the ultimate power couple that is Ming Lan and Gu Ting Ye by the end.

It's really a story about redemption and growth and how hard life was during the Song Dynasty. For much of the series the FL puts on a mask in order to survive. The FL hides her abilities and wit, but by the end of the series, due to certain events as well as some coaxing from the ML, she finally drops her mask.

There will be frustrations, laughter and tears. Probably my all time favorite strong FL period drama.

IKR. All of the episodes build up to this point. We see what Ming Lan is capable of and willing to do for those she loves. From here on Ming Lan no longer hides herself. It's the little subtle things that makes the show sooo good. When Ming Lan was faltering GTY was there to support her back figueratively and literally. And the fact that Ming Lan at the end of the episodes initiates skinship with GTY. Those kisses. Payoff for our patience is sooo good.

Funny enough the Wetv version is not available where I'm from. You should try YouTube. The subs are alright there. Viki is better since they include t/n for some things.

All the episodes are avaliable on iqiyi if you are willing to pay for VIP. The quality is better (i.e. No hard-coded Chinese subs) and the subs are good.

Also I think YouTube has all the episodes as well. The subs are alright.

No. She gave a premature birth though. Spoiler note: She names her child Tuan'er. The name means to reunite in Chinese. There are a lot of things in Chinese thst are not really explained in the subs. . So I noted it here for you. It's cute for later.

It's a slow burn romance. A lot of the subtext in the earlier episodes will tie in later. Much of the story is subtle. You have to pay attention and tie it in later. If you are patient the payoff is really great. Enjoy.

In the drama she gives birth to a son. In the novel I believe she has 4 sons. No daughters.

Okay it might be a little confusing with how they did this.

[NORMAL ENDING - CLIFFHANGER]

In episode 15 the FL is summoned by the Empress, and has to make a decision between him (The Crown Prince) or chasing her dream of becoming the top chef. In the original, she decides to pursue her dream and leaves the palace. The story continues as normal to episode 16 where it is an open ending. The episode ends with the FL leaving the ML to join a cooking competition (she leaves a letter telling him she will be back and not to look for her, but he's the possesive type and not really doing anything, so he's going to desperately chase after her). IMO episode 16 was good just to see the scene where the leads reunited after a year. It's very clear that they miss each other dearly. The cliffhanger ending is pretty typical for C-dramas. I think their priority is more in getting in the amount of episodes needed to air. Yes it drives me nuts, but it is what it is.

[ALTERNATIVE ENDING - HAPPY/BITTERSWEET]

If you find episode 17 (i.e the alternative ending, it is basically episode 15 with changes. When responding to the Empress, the FL chooses to be with him (The Crown Prince), and it is assumed she gives up her dream of becoming the world's top chef and becomes the Crown Princess and eventually the Empress. I won't spoil the details, but basically they grow old together.

I hope this helped, cause the endings confused me. Pray for season 2 soon.

Please correct me if I got the info wrong :)

Regarding the ending. It really does look like there will be a season two (I really hope so). I love the chesmisty between the leads and the supporting casts are all awesome. The ending it pretty normal for C-Dramas. If there is a second season, it will just pick up from where it left off. Spoilers for the alternative ending below.

WeTV. The subs are pretty decent and they are releasing the episodes regularly. Need to have VIP though.

ML dies in battle with Final Boss. FL trades her life to revive ML. ML for 3 years prays and keeps FL in his heart promising he will live his life for the both of them. This power of "love" along with other prayers collected over the span of 3 years is used to revive FL. FL spends the rest of her life with ML as a mortal. They have children. It's really sweet. I balled when they reunite, since the ML thinks it's just a dream. He dreams about her everyday, but before he could hug her, she'd disappear ;(

It's happy for the 2nd leads as well. After waiting several years as well the 2nd FL returns.

Very Happy. Spoiler Post Below if you are interested.

It's sudden, but I'd consider it Happy. There are 3 special episodes to follow episode 24. Hopefully will get more happy moments in those 3 speicials.