JJJ

The novel writer/scriptwriter is just so good at developing these characters and relationships. There is just a lot of depth and these characters feel alive. They exist not just to fall in love. Cui Liang in episode 12 alone in his scenes here and there allowed us to see the kind of person he is (romantic, free-spirited, kind, trustworthy, etc.). I really adore the character writing in this drama.

And of course, I really love Jiang Ci. She feels like a fully fleshed-out female character whose only purpose is not just to date the dudes. Because at the end of the day, this is a more ML-centric revenge-type plot and a lot of these plots tend to neglect the female characters. I have more to say about Jiang Ci as a whole but I will wait until all the episodes air so I can go more in-depth about her.

Yes, there are some analyses on C-side too that their relationship is more like soulmates than just romantic partners. They have similar ideologies and goals in life (world peace/justice for those who can't defend themselves/the greater good). It is not just simply love (because even love can sometimes be superficial and "love" like Pei Yan's) but more that they recognized each other eventually as being similar and formed a connection based on that. It is the kind of connection that once you have it, it is hard to ever fall in love with someone else.

In the novel, they had some conversation about cat/mouse. Jiang Ci said something about being a mouse but then it was brought up (I forgot by who, I think Wei Zhao) that she is also a cat so they have each other).

And then some convo about having more kittens (aka children).

It is just that Jiang Ci thinks Wei Zhao looks like a cat. It was supposed to be an insult but it just sounds cute which later became a term of endearment. Shippers on the C-side are calling them "Cat Dad" and "Cat Mom".

The cat aspect comes up later too as they develop into romance. I will put it under spoiler.

Free sites like dramacool are fully updated with these SVIP episodes (I do have a subscription too for WeTV but if I can't hold back, then I go watch it on those sites for the SVIP updated episodes).

LMAO, some C-netz are taking it as horny thoughts. But koi fishes would mean everlasting love.

RJL in modern drama doesn't do it for me but I will always have a soft spot for him in historical drama. He just looks good with his hair up in that bun. 🤭

Honestly, they have nothing else to really nitpick with this cast besides looks (which whatever it is subjective). They are all acting well enough and at the end of the day, acting is the most important for actors.

LMAO, remember that scene when Jiang Ci mentioned Wei Zhao having a nice face and Pei Yan was like how do I compare? Jiang Ci's answer just sounds like "You are a good guy". She is a visual stan fr. Wei Zhao is from Yue Luo after all and they are all known beauties. 😂

They kind of do that on purpose I think. They release clips earlier on to get people to buy SVIP (which releases an additional episode earlier). Plus the romance is pretty slow burn right now so they are trying to get people to hold on by releasing these clips earlier on so people know it is coming LOL.

Okay, I will change the format for episode discussions then (though I will probably do these less now since I don't want to step on people's toes with how they react to what should be considered spoilers or not).

Do we do spoiler tags for episodes that air already? I know we are doing spoilers for novels/endings but I didn't know we were doing spoiler tags to reactions to episodes that aired already too. Just want to make sure going forward.

Episode 13: More differences shown between Pei Yan and Wei Zhao as Pei Yan didn't allow Jiang Ci to join the famine investigation while Wei Zhao trusted her enough to let her stay with the woman to take care of her. Wei Zhao also clocking that Jiang Ci was upset about Pei Yan pushing these decisions on her. 😔

Ayan saying Jiang Ci must had never experienced such strong entanglement in life that it can make one suffer when separated (love) probably is foreshowing what Jiang Ci will go through. 🥲

Jiang Ci making note that once again, Pei Yan will always put Pei family first, potentially even hide his family's wrongdoings despite them hurting normal commoners.

Not RJL and LLD both looking good in their beggar outfits LOL.

And of course, Jiang Ci being the smart cookie she is made sure to leave behind a way for the others to find her.

Also reminder that Jiang Ci is still hanging around Pei Yan because the location they are currently at now is actually really close to the meet up location she is supposed to have with the 3rd party person in order to meet up with her master (and because she still needs the clay cat from Wei Zhao to accomplish this).

Steadily rising for sure.

Not old man. 😂

Yes, Jiang Ci is probably around 20 years old, Wei Zhao looked to be about 8+ years old when the war between Liang and Yue Luo broke out so he is probably in his late 20s. Pei Yan probably older than them both.

I /think/ they are relatives, but I am not too entirely sure either (his full name is Xie Chun). Based on the current episodes, it doesn't fully explain his and the emperor's relationship yet.

Jiang Ci is a regular mountain girl in the novel. But the novel writer changed her background for the drama. I avoided script spoiler I saw on C-side but let's just say she has some connection to Prince Qi.

Yes. The novel writer changed that part for the drama script.

Yup! They definitely on a more neutral/positive zone now.

Funny thing is Wei Zhao loves sweets (which Jiang Ci knows) and just used the hungry excuse to eat some heh.