Humbledaisy

The best parts of this drama are pretty much the sections from the novel it was based on. Poor Ju Mu Er's blindness, the stinginess of her ML but - alas, the new portions create a big mess. Add in the non-historic clothing and behaviors and it brings a really interesting mystery about society's expectations down into a meh-kind-of-boring romance. Not bad, just not good.

So, so excited for this film! https://youtu.be/pB2Et6mjddw

He seduces her by dating her. He does not sleep with her but he is pretty handsy! He stops the outright flirting when Rasa finds out. There is a HE but everyone is pretty broken by then.

As an older viewer, I grew up watching historical American and British mini series and you are spot on about marriageable ages determining life expectancy in most cultures. Yet, western cinema also uses twenty some actors to represent that. It’s just how society changes. I think this is reflected in modern Asian dramas when many characters are portrayed as young “genius “ business or science characters. Quite frankly, I like my real estate developer to be a little more mature but its usually because a screenwriter is drawing on the much older tropes of young “genius” scholars or generals. Because you needed to make your mark early on because you might die early on!

He is a fine actor there in a good show - I wonder if he lets his management company pick his shows now . . Sigh.

After spending so much time following the novel’s plot quite closely - they condensed quite a lot and removed a number of pertinent characters. However, the novel is a very bleak look at court life and intrigue so I’m good with removing them.

They toned him down quite a bit from the novel. He was pitiable there but also a genuine psycho.

I read a review of the novel where they said she had the worst maid ever. No - that would be the maid in the drama!

I've been watching some episodes (unsubbed) again while waiting for the newest subtitles and I assure you - the best finale would be at the end of episode 28 with Mind's friends and Satra's former employees bundling him in the trunk of a car and driving it into the surf. All done. I don't know why I still care about what this narcissistic loon does after this episode.

No, she's not jealous, she's just aware that Lu Yun Qi is the only thing standing between her and another "accident" so she's working hard to stay in his good graces. But she is a princess and she's annoyed he has all those outside mistresses - not very respectful.

Princess Jiu Li loved her sister very much. It's just that she knew her sister did a lot to save their father and was unable to. Then, she had to marry the creepy Lu Yun Qi and was very unhappy and died "suddenly." No one wants their sister to come back to that. She's quiet but not dumb.

Well, in the novel, she meets each guy at different points in her life. The main ones overlap when she reaches the capitol. I don't think she ever wanted to be Empress but she does get her revenge. HE - yes and no depending on your ship!

Yes - and no. Sorry!

Im watching it on the YouKu channel on YouTube. I have a VIP membership.

Agreed!

Quite frankly, in the novel, he is a broken psychopath who loves the original heroine obsessively. However, they've already tamed him down quite a bit in the first four episodes. The drama claims that he becomes engaged to her sister in order to protect her. In the novel, h becomes engaged to her and remakes her in the image of her "dead" sister. The novel has a soul transmigration plot so they had to turn it around by making her take on a facial disguise. Quite frankly, I like a broken anti-hero and I love/hated him 80% of the book. There is broken and there is just gross bad guy. I think the director is doing a pretty good job taming the original plot into a tv worthy story. I'm looking forward to the rest of the story!

This is based on one of my favorite novels - can’t wait.

Bleh. Yes, bad storyline, bad editing down to 16 episodes and general bleh. This production company needs to do better or they are going to lose the actors under contract.

The link I watched is listed below but it’s been removed from YouTube.

This is a fantastic story - strong and weak characters all working together. Also, a ton of regret! I love characters who experience regret.