Cos

It’s not comedic like the funny trailer and it’s not quite serious like the bloody trailer. It definitely falls between, some episodes are definitely funny and some are violent and tragic, most are in between. Both the trailers are confusing

LBY finally successfully courted the woman he loves. That pancake was better than any other behavior of his in the past.

I don’t think he knows what love is either. What he’s given her is not love, it’s protection at best, control at worst. I’m not saying he’s a a bad guy, but he’s not some love guru who’s going to teach CSS. He’s a love blockhead who needs to learn how to communicate.

I like them both differently. They are very different shows. Rise of Phoenixes is definitely heavy politics. This is really not. This is focused on a girl and what’s going on around her, family, relationships, etc. There’s revenge, war, and politics, too, but it’s mostly focused around our FML. I think they’re both excellent, but can’t be compared.

I have hopes for Yuan Shen’s development. I may not get what I want, but I can hope. The best mom can do is regret and apologize. I dislike her more.

It was definitely scheming with an intent to force acceptance, no doubt. He knew what he was doing when he forced her to sit with the men. He may not have planned it before he rescued her from falling, but it was a calculated move. I’ve seen some with the sentiment that he did it to protect her from the mean princesses, but anyone who’s ever watched a historical Chinese drama knows that this move just put her in the direct line of fire. It was a sweet declaration and he will obviously grow on her, but she didn’t want to marry him

I guess I haven’t seen the same insensitive comments, or none that I would call particularly insensitive. Cultural sensitivity is definitely important when you’re looking at it from a non-Chinese perspective, but I haven’t seen anything on here that raised any red flags. I haven’t read every comment, though…

Yes, but, this is a drama with a modern sensibility, not historically accurate Han Era China. There is some truth to what you’re saying, but you can’t look at this as a historical piece. If single women are going to be alone with men all willy nilly with no consequences, I can be irritated with the authoritarian treatment by her mom. The creators of this show are clearly trying to create a modern drama under a historic veneer and I bet they love all the discussions and arguments it creates. It’s in like Game of Thrones, a fantasy universe with similar sensibilities to a historic time period, but they work outside the lines and we’re allowed to do it too.

She made the decision, but there was no choice. She was forced into it. Obviously, she will love him down the road, but not yet. It’s wild that her parents thought they could stop the imperial order without terrible results. Like him or not, appropriate or not, saying yes to LBY was the only safe option

And even funnier, the older (I’m not sure what exact age) general she marries is played by a younger actor. It’s actually a good drama, but you have to entirely forget the age and get past the scenes where she plays around and pretends to be childish. Later, although not that much time passes, she’s hardened by life, so it’s easier to ignore 😂

This is at least mildly believable. And they are going to have a jump in time later, so it will be more age appropriate. If you want to see a wild version of this, The Rebel Princess has a 40 year old woman, who looks her age, play a 15 year old. It is hard to ignore, especially when she supposed to be playful and childish in the beginning and the actress looks like she could slip on a business suit and head to the office to meet her client

He probably had reasons, but it’s his attentions and interests that have drawn her into the palace, basically against her will, towards his inevitable proposal that she would be unable to turn down. He’s calculating and scheming. He loves her, but this is a trap and a manipulation. If he outright asked her in any previous private encounter, her answer would have been “no”. It’s funny, because I like him, but his character, with very little change in the story, could be the villain at this point, like the general in Princess Silver or the emperor (not technically a villain) in Xiao Chuo.

I don’t have a problem with her mom loving CY and I don’t think CSS really does either. CSS likes CY. It’s the inequity. Nobody wants mom to treat CY worse, just treat CSS better. I can’t compare it to the princes, because this is the first I’ve seen them

First, her mom is the worst. I don’t care how much of this is for her own good. She humiliated that poor girl. Second, as often as CSS gets referred to as cunning and scheming, LBY pulled the ultimate stunt here. He forced her to say yes by declaring it publicly. I know some people think CSS is immature and whiny, but, damn, that poor kid just can’t catch a break.

I agree I’m idealizing the relationship in a fashion. His family, the rules of the time all make getting away difficult. I see no problem with him being a little weak, though. He’s growing. Obviously, in a drama situation he is never the hero and I know it’s LBY, but I think people are idealizing what LBY has done for her. He saved her from death, absolutely. He contributed money. She also helped him a ton to solve this crime that haunts him. She “stole” the map. She treated his wounds. There’s mutual benefit. But, what happens when they are eventually engaged and in seeking revenge he crosses the line and angers the emperor. It’s destined to happen and then where would she be? I’m looking forward to the adventure. LBY is hot and sad and I want him to be happy, but he’s not a safe choice.

The people who read the book have spoiled that in previous posts. Something happens that causes the engagement to break up, but he comes back. LBY is her second and 4th fiancée

What you say about YS makes sense, especially since he will be her 3rd fiancée and she’ll probably be pretty desperate and screwed up (just my guess). I do not think her desire to get away and fulfill her dreams is childish, though. Impractical for the time and circumstances, because of society’s rigid expectations. Sounds amazing to me if it could come true. Lifetime with a loving husband away from overbearing family seeing the world and trying to improve society. Overly optimistic, rose colored glasses. Lovely, but unattainable

Yep, she’s a practical girl trying to make a practical choice. The universe just doesn’t want her to succeed

I would never disagree that his revenge is justified. I think that’s true. And this is a drama, so of course she’s going to end up in the grand romance with the dangerous man. That’s what makes dramas fun. That’s also why so many Chinese dramas end in tragedy. I’m just looking at it through a practical lens. She wants to explore, improve farm implements, collect medical knowledge, live a fulfilling life. Life with LBY is passion and extreme uncertainty, danger, probably loss and death. You’re right, he loves her passionately and she will love him eventually (she does not yet love him). It also makes good drama, but people who see YS and LY as nuisances that we have to endure to get to LBY as end game are underestimating their worth

I know many are excited to see this engagement end, but, of the three suitors, if CSS could have married LY and gone off to another town with him acting as a minister, her life would have been ideal, so this is devastating for the character. She doesn’t need a grand romance to be happy, just security, freedom and love. The suggestion that LBY is actually good for CSS because he cares for her is not realistic. He’s a broken man who seeks vengeance without regards to consequences. She might be good for him, calm him, but there’s no way he’s good for her. I think he knew that, too. That’s why he said goodbye with finality. It’s also why things aren’t going to go well for the couple. His love is going to cost her a lot in the end. Maybe, thinking about it now, YS might actually be the best choice. No baggage. If only he weren’t such an ass…