Lela2004

Ah, I don’t know that one. I was pretty shocked when I read it. FL later regrets that somewhat, but that regret feels a bit shallow. So I don’t mind if it is changes - it is really hard to like FL after that, at least for me.

The mum of 2nd young lady tries to lure FL into a shed in a monastery to get her raped by a couple of fake monks. FL sees through it and lures 2nd young lady there, who consequently falls victim to the men. ( I believe another Xie concubine who sees what is happening could intervene chooses not to.) 2nd young Lady becomes quite unhinged after that. I must say, I found that part rather misogynistic. Sure, it is depicted that she is traumatized, but ultimately, the fact that she has no more prospects of becoming a first wife turns her ‘indecent’, pursuing men and particularly 2ML almost without restraint.

For me FL works very well, and I “get” the character, so I don’t get the criticism. Obviously, everyone is entitled to their opinion, but some of it feels contrived.

Comment sections to Cdramas can be remarkably toxic. You might think this is all one big harem and we’re in the middle of some concubine wars, with their maids chiming in.

In the novel there is a really cruel move with which FL counters an equally cruel move of one of the Xie wives. I wonder whether they cut it out or soften it. (Don’t think they could have kept it as is, even if they wanted to).

I take it you haven’t watched 800. Oh well…

Sure. But even in those societies families may put love over custom and hush things up somehow instead of murdering their own child.

She does not want him to interfere in her revenge plans, which he does by meddling with the Xies and on top of that threatening her presence at the Xies, where she needs to be to carry out her revenge. Not only has he directly threatened to take her as a concubine, the Xies have even tried to put her in his bed on their own accord to curry favor. And his behaviour does everything to make something like that ever more likely. That’s pretty annoying even without having any revenge plans that would be crossed by that.

I look forward to ML’s change when he drops the act (it already simmers through, sometimes) and how that will change ML&FL’s dynamic…

As for Shen Run and Yan Rui…

Hm. I like both dramas but favor RTS a bit more (so far). I very much enjoyed the arc where ML turns ‘dark’ and the relationship almost breaks. I’m not sure ATC can offer that much character development and realistic, relatable conflict between the couple. But we will see.

Thank you, great insight!

I’ve been convinced Xu Kai is a great actor even before 800, and he is great, again, but I really like FL, too, here (I didn’t know her before, so I can only comment on her acting in this drama). I also think they work/act really well together.

I was so traumatized by ep7&8’s machine translations today that I vowed to ALWAYS wait for the clean translation. (How can an investigation of some Xie dude turn into a bacterial probe, I ask you. Did ML join CSI ancient China or what 😂)

The difference being that in SotB the pacing is on point and lands, and doesn’t feel rushed.

I’ve binge watched all six episodes that are out and I’m smitten. Witty, beautiful scenery - it really feels like a Jane Austen novel transposed into some historic Chinese setting. I had high hopes and they weren’t disappointed. ML has indeed a thousand faces and FL fierceness and vulnerability - great actors, and great roles to display theist skills. Lovin’ it.

I don’t care. Sometimes ignorance is bliss, I guess…

Thank you!

I’m not well versed in Chinese culture,I’m afraid (but learning). I sometimes see “white lotus” or “black lotus” when referring to some character. Could someone in the know explain what that means?

Ohhh, I love that type of stuff - Elisabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy’s banter in Jane Austen’s P&P is so my thing!