Some viewers really hate the ML because of the forced marriage, but remember—this isn’t an idol drama, and Jing Qi isn’t meant to be portrayed as a perfect romantic hero.
Not that I’m making excuses for him, but that’s simply the reality of the era being portrayed. Women had very little control over whom they married and were often treated like chess pieces in alliances between families. What Jing Qi does isn’t entirely different from an arranged marriage, where parents decide who is suitable for their daughter. The main difference here is that Jing Qi arranges the marriage himself because he wants to marry the woman he loves.
In some ways, a family-arranged marriage could be even more impersonal, because love was rarely the priority. Status, power, and what benefited the two families mattered more. At least Jing Qi’s motivation is personal—he genuinely wants Lanxiang as his wife.
That doesn’t make taking away her choice right, but it does put his actions into the context of the world the story is portraying.
I rarely leave comments, but this series made me do it. I’m only on episode 13, but finally a drama that actually…
Agreed! I saw an interview with the (badass) director who said that she wanted to portray things as realistically as possible. I really appreciate that about this drama too. In later episodes, there were some more scenes/lines that I've never heard spoken in other dramas, which really shed a light on the reality for unfortunate women and they hit me hard. The drama doesn't shy away from it.
For the FL, the way I see it: She loves her (adoptive) parents. Everything she's done and continues to do is for them. So, at ep 13, it's mostly about survival and doing good deeds for the Lin family so that she and her family can eventually ask to be free. She does know who ML is and, whether she holds a grudge, I think it's complicated. She doesn't hold a grudge in wanting revenge but the hurt/pain/trauma/bitterness is definitely still there. Irregardless, she's focused on freeing herself and her family at this stage.
I rarely leave comments, but this series made me do it. I’m only on episode 13, but finally a drama that actually understands and shows the people at the bottom of ancient society. The way it portrays the maids’ daily lives feels realistic — they’re not just pure evil or blindly loyal. They have real personalities with different shades. Chinese dramas usually have some exaggeration, but this one is the most down-to-earth I’ve watched so far. Nothing feels like it’s insulting the viewer’s intelligence. I’m starting to think that 8.8 rating is underselling it. Everything is really well done so far — the cast, the cinematography, and especially the writing. All the characters feel interesting. The only thing that bothers me a bit is that the FL doesn’t have a clear goal yet. Does she just want to survive and get some freedom, or is there more to it? And does she recognize ML, and doesn't hold any grudge against the Lin family? But now that I think about it properly, it seems intentional for her growth, maybe she's focused on surviving that she's ignoring it...
I thought it was good for them to show how much a initial Lin betrothal rejection traumatized her. She had to deal with a lot in a small amount of time that the rejected betrothal was minuscule in comparison to everything else. And rather than the romantic ties, the Lin family represents a horrible past for her. In the same night, she lost her entire family and witnessed the suicides of all the women she held dearest to her while also suffering from survivor's guilt. LJQ forcing her to be at his side is essentially forcing her to relieve the most painful moments in her life over and over again. Even if she had developed feelings for him at this point, she never would have willingly chose him. I wonder if she'll eventually figure out the reason for the rejection..at this point, it doesn't seem like she has yet. I also wonder how he'll react once he finds out her identity and realizes her resistance to giving him a chance is literally due to being part of the Shen family.
How is every single actress and actor in this show so good? even some of my favorite dramas have at least a couple that are clearly not on the same level haha
If he was a ugly man people would be outraged. forced marriage is NEVER ok, never! Idn how they are gonna redeem him in my eyes. I hope FL makes him taste his own medicine. He literally crushed all of her dreams and brought immense pain to her family. I can’t with people brushing it off just because ML is hot. Honestly, a shame.
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Not that I’m making excuses for him, but that’s simply the reality of the era being portrayed. Women had very little control over whom they married and were often treated like chess pieces in alliances between families. What Jing Qi does isn’t entirely different from an arranged marriage, where parents decide who is suitable for their daughter. The main difference here is that Jing Qi arranges the marriage himself because he wants to marry the woman he loves.
In some ways, a family-arranged marriage could be even more impersonal, because love was rarely the priority. Status, power, and what benefited the two families mattered more. At least Jing Qi’s motivation is personal—he genuinely wants Lanxiang as his wife.
That doesn’t make taking away her choice right, but it does put his actions into the context of the world the story is portraying.
For the FL, the way I see it: She loves her (adoptive) parents. Everything she's done and continues to do is for them. So, at ep 13, it's mostly about survival and doing good deeds for the Lin family so that she and her family can eventually ask to be free. She does know who ML is and, whether she holds a grudge, I think it's complicated. She doesn't hold a grudge in wanting revenge but the hurt/pain/trauma/bitterness is definitely still there. Irregardless, she's focused on freeing herself and her family at this stage.
Chinese dramas usually have some exaggeration, but this one is the most down-to-earth I’ve watched so far. Nothing feels like it’s insulting the viewer’s intelligence.
I’m starting to think that 8.8 rating is underselling it. Everything is really well done so far — the cast, the cinematography, and especially the writing. All the characters feel interesting.
The only thing that bothers me a bit is that the FL doesn’t have a clear goal yet. Does she just want to survive and get some freedom, or is there more to it? And does she recognize ML, and doesn't hold any grudge against the Lin family? But now that I think about it properly, it seems intentional for her growth, maybe she's focused on surviving that she's ignoring it...
LJQ forcing her to be at his side is essentially forcing her to relieve the most painful moments in her life over and over again. Even if she had developed feelings for him at this point, she never would have willingly chose him. I wonder if she'll eventually figure out the reason for the rejection..at this point, it doesn't seem like she has yet. I also wonder how he'll react once he finds out her identity and realizes her resistance to giving him a chance is literally due to being part of the Shen family.
He spoked in two days more than his all life 😂