DramaAjumma

A bit. On the side.

He's very good here and plays the character's duality very well.

Dang it! This is a multi-season show?

Incorporating a romance between the leads just to increase Wen Bai's role in this seems to me highly unnecessary. It's practically redundant. Besides the chemistry between the supposedly romantic parties comes off rather more like something else.

Haven't they opened it up for fans to sub it on YT?

I like almost everything about this show except the romance. Doesn't work for me.

They are useful in so far as they provide Fu Rong motivation to act to change her fate. And from all accounts, they have.

She's your run-of-the-mill airhead.
And that's being kind.

It's the price they pay for having gained power and snatching. Poetic justice.

I keep hearing Mingyi but I notice everyone here calling him Mingli. Heh.

Yes. 100%

Appreciate your response too. But it bugs me to see all these men called "dukes". :D

The reason why I asked is that traditionally in all the history books the word "duke" has been used to translate "gong" 公. It's normally a conferred title.
My own view is that since they are all sons of emperors (even Xu Ping) "wang" should be translated "prince" in this context. It annoys me somewhat. I can accept "jun zhu" as "princess" because it has been used in different dynasties in that fashion but in the case of Screechy and Zhu'er, my preference is "duchess".

Thank you for responding so quickly. :D Appreciate you taking the time.

It's weird. But thanks for saying that. Because in some places I see 60 episodes and in other places I see 48. But I'm happy to take 48 anytime.

I'm keen to know your thoughts about this trend to translate "wang" here as "duke".

If you like a good serious historical drama with a high level of realism... go for it. It's pretty good. So far.

But he pays for it for the rest of his life with insecurity and jealousy... undoubtedly.

Wow. This is an especially good drama. Even if I'm not too excited about the prospects of 60 episodes, what I've seen so far suggests that it could be worth the investment. It's been a while that there's a historical drama that I can sink my teeth into.

I absolutely love the insight into Khitan culture and political history in this transitory period.

No.

The more recent episodes were downright laugh-out-loud funny with all the plotting and scheming going on. I do enjoy how the show balances the humour with the more melodramatic elements.