DramaAjumma

This is one of those dramas where the so-called secondary romances are better than the primary one. The push and pull for the first went on far too long. Their issues should have been resolved much earlier. I don't think their romance was very well written or incorporated. It made Xiao Su much more unlikeable and the ending doesn't really make a whole lot of sense.

I have similar sorts of problems that you have about the approach taken by the show. I don't really find the conflict convincing particularly because they're trying to make Hye-jin the de facto "villain" here. I understand that she has to accommodate herself to local tastes but some of these prejudices make little sense in the age of tv and smart phones.
Basically what the show has done which I'm uncomfortable with is turn the townsfolk especially the elderly women into caricatures. That I find off-putting and cringeworthy.

Okay. Yes, I was referring to the comment that Yan Zhi wants QY dead. I've already seen all the available episodes. The benefits of being forced to learn Mandarin as a child.

I don't get that feeling from Episode 41 onwards.

In these early days my feeling is that I'm primarily watching this for the leads, both of whom I like. While I'm onboard with the premise of the fish out of water looking for a seachange I'm not overly impressed by the heavy-handed execution in the attempt to drive home some fairly obvious points. The comparisons with Camellia are inevitable but it's really counter-Camellia in how it frames perspective. So far I think Racket Boys (a more recent example) does a much better job with the city slicker vs small town folk dynamic because it subverts expectations which results in laugh out loud humour and charming unpredictability. Here, it's fairly obvious what's coming so the humour lands awkwardly or not at all.
Anyway, just my 2 cents. I intend to persevere in the hope that things take a turn for the better.

As I've said before down the comment section. She is a really key conduit for all the characters who really don't trust each other a whole lot even though they have similar goals. Because of this mistrust, they work against each other and their own interests. What she does is bring people together in ways that she doesn't even realise. When Yanzhi see her so devoted to Qi Yan, she wonders what Yu'er sees in him because she likes Yu'er. It makes her consider that there must be something more to Qi Yan. Because of Yu'er Qi Yan is able to learn to trust and work with others. It's taken a long time but it's finally happened.

Before this drama, I was not familiar with this actress. I saw a lot of negative comments about her when I started watching but I didn't feel the same way. As far as I can tell, she's holding her own against more experienced actors in this. As someone who has come from modelling and not from acting school, she's doing well. Her chemistry with Cheng Yi pretty good.

Not everybody hates her but I'd agree that she doesn't get enough credit for what she brings to the table because on some level she is a fairly typical optimistic, cheerful FL. However, in light of who the male lead is and what he's like, she is exactly what the doctor ordered as an antidote to his lonely dreary existence.

I love the FL too. I always have. In every way possible she's the right kind of companion for Qi Yan. She certainly in large part why this show really works for me. She might not have the same level of political savvy as the "chess players" but she does catch on quick.

But here on MDL compared with other C dramas, it's not got the same sort of traction. Personally I think it's better than the Long Ballad and that's a show I liked as well.

Thanks for saying that. One can only do their best. :D

No, he doesn't thankfully. Her name's Li Zening.

It's been a while since I've watched such a lengthy C drama and it doesn't leave me feeling that it's being drawn out unnecessarily. A lot of C dramas suffer the middle drag but that's really not the case here. It continues to be suspenseful and leaves me on the edge of my seat. The psychology of the characters are right on the money and the FL's development has been steady and consistent. The romance is very well incorporated into the larger story in terms of how it impacts the outcomes of different events and other players in this crowded chess game.
I have to give the leads their due for making their devotion to each other so believable that I'm sucked in hook, line and sinker despite the fact that rationally speaking they should be far more cautious than they are. There's a lovely moment in Episode 41 where Qi Yan cups the left side of Yu'er's cheek. It's an intensely intimate gesture and she responses by revelling in the moment. Her eyes closed as she feels the touch and warmth of his hand. It feels as if a deep longing is satisfied.

I think it's very underrated because it's not being seen by as many people as it should. The storyline actually has depth and complexity even if there are the usual editing issues. Furthermore, the characters are superbly drawn and acted. This is one of the better stories that I've seen this year.

But that is her super power so to speak, to make people like her and trust her. That's the whole point of her character. Anyway, sending her out was Qi Yan's idea.

I am once again struck by how little people outside his inner circle understand Qi Yan. Because they begin with the assumption that he illegitimately usurped the throne and aided Qiu Ziliang in his efforts to clean up after the Morning Dew fiasco, it colours their perception of who he is. This is where the romance becomes really helpful. Even though it might be on some level wiser for Qi Yan to be less demonstrative of his affection for Yu'er, his unreserved devotion to her wellbeing does make him a rather more sympathetic figure. In turn she is the one who understands him best because she can see through his heart with crystal clarity because she's gained his trust. She's even beginning to be able to read his mind.

I do like the cat and mouse game. I appreciate the fact that Qiu Ziliang is wily and commands a seemingly infinite number of resources. But it is heartbreaking to watch everyone's efforts go to dust because he has seemingly numerous people at his disposal who can't wait to gain his favour. It's about time that those who want to oust him work together. They don't have to like each other and they really have no choice as Han Yue's failed attempt to shake things up has proven to be futile. Changing the emperor solves nothing.

I don't rely on titles when I watch C dramas. They tell me almost nothing about the drama. Some of the titles don't even make sense. At least this one does.
That said, I wonder why they didn't translate directly from the Chinese.

Re: Episodes 27 and 28. Terrific gambit that puts adversaries in an awkward position and on the back foot. A great showing by the sisters -- both the strategist and the foot soldier. Qi Yan doesn't think he needs to rely on women and yet repeatedly women have come to his aid. Whether or not he likes it, they will feature strongly in the overall scheme to break the power of the eunuchs. I don't think it's his call to make.

A lot of praise has been heaped on Yanzhi for her intelligence and her maneuvering skills and deservedly so but let's not forget who was instrumental in its execution -- Cheng Ruoyu who was courageous all throughout. She might not have political savvy but she has plenty of guts. I appreciate the division of labour here.

The last few episodes have confirmed to me more than ever how important the romance is here especially as to why Cheng Ruoyu was chosen as the sword bearer.

I really enjoyed 25 and 26. 26 especially because it is so densely packed. The complexity in the storytelling with all the competing agendas allows the show to have plenty of mileage. The deployment of shifting alliances in the narrative works very well with characterization.
If this keeps up, this could end up being one of the better C dramas this year.

Good o'l C drama editing. Some episodes seem to be worse than others.

Even while saying all that I have, I still think that Qi Yan is a pitiful, tragic character. But some... not all... of his misery is self-inflicted. While he's constantly saying that he doesn't need to rely on a woman to win, he is in effect relying on a woman to meet his unstated emotional needs. The irony is rich in that regard. There's no doubt he will be needing the help of more than one woman before the fight is finally over. The set-up has prefigured all of that.

Oooh... I like this writer... he/she has a very wicked wicked sense of humour.