MadelineMaureen

That is traditional what the Floral Envoy would do...go around the country recuirting women for the Emperor's harem. (JCY isn't going through these women if thait's what you're asking) also this isn't necessarily what JCY is doing in the show as that is a "role" not who he actually is. He is working in the shadows to clear out corruption throughout the country, being the Floral Envoy gives him a reason to be in places a normal investigation wouldn't allow/would be found out.

thank you for this, I hadn't even noticed that & quickly went & added the other one to my plan to watch list so I wouldn't miss when it does air.

Does it still have to be a year between seasons or have the rules changed?

(I'm sure you most likely already understand the context of this, but in case you didn't or others are curious...)
It's a subtle way to show status. Miles' character Liu Chany is a scholar and then an official then a lower official. He doesn't care about wealth or monetary status and thus has a more simple wardrobe in general. He is also wearing a literal uniform because he is working or just getting off work most of the times we see him.
In contrast Jiang Chang Yang, the male lead, is playing a role of a money hungry official who takes bribes and brings the Emperor the most beautiful items and women back to the palace for his use. Though JCY is also in a pseudo uniform because of his position, his clothing shows not only his rank but his spending habits. The color is bold and vibrant with detailed embroidery using gold thread. These materials are for nobles to use only...this is also showing how close he is to royalty.

I would think that everyone smells slightly different as they carry scents on their belts, but that's just my guess. Or the way he walks, as Fu wouldn't have been so quiet.

also Mudan means Peony

It literally translates to Jiang's little flower.

you were not joking when you said long...girl I'm still reading it🤣

not between the two leads it's more of a mentor-mentee or mother-son relationship. there is a love line between FL's son & his classmate/friend of ML. this is more focused on future dreams & making that happen.

This is the best made currently airing drama. There are some writing issues, but not as egregious as some other shows. Always trust Douban as they have a better algorithm to get false ratings removed. Mydramalist each person has their own measuring stick that they rate on so if you know someone who has similar taste that would be the best way to judge. But I've noticed there are certain accounts that will down rate shows that are airing at the same time as an actor/actress they likes show just because...it's weird, but it is what it is.

First time in my life seeing a drama depict fireflies properly on screen. As in realistic to what they actually look like in the dark.

We're currently on episode 17 and still just a little bit of possible flirting...definitely still feeling each other out and more focused on their personal goals over love atm.
Love Mile's to death, but want to slap the shit out of him and tell him to smell the damn roses. The man has a shovel in his hands and doesn't realize he just keeps digging his own grave every time he opens his mouth...around EVERYONE. The man has the EQ of Elon Musk.

Yes, very good. Well produced too, so visually excellent. The writing is really good, nice pace for the subject matter too. Would be considered slow-burn, but has a mature writing style that keeps me engaged.

Spoiler tag cause long comment and mentioning other shows. Also, self-report...I'm a bit of a production snob and so that will really sway my enjoyment of an overall production.
Currently airing
Cdramas:
Guardians of the Dafeng(unsure if i'm going to drop this one or keep going),
Moonlight Mystique(Also not really vibing with this one, I just don't think wuxia is my jimjam. Also although I liked this directors work previously....I'm starting to notice a repetitiveness that feels more lazy rather than artistic styling.)
Flourished Peony...duh
Kdramas:
Namib (a bit of a rough watch because of the subject matter. Idol industry...self harm..etc.)
Motel California (Literally just started, can't even get a feel for the show just yet. And after the last MBC drama pulled the rug on the genre I was expecting halfway through I'm cautious to even attempt to explain it. Looking at you When the Phone Rings...looking at you.)
Love Scout (Somehow the lightest of the shows I'm watching...I think it's because it's your basic classic Kdrama but with a bit of a gender role reversal so feels a bit fresh and yet familiar at the same time.)
Others:
Finally finished Love Song In Winter(wouldn't personally recommend as the editing was just not very good from a production standpoint. Loved the actors, but the production was disjointed & I have serious questions for the producers/directors/editing team.)
Moonlight (I'm sipping this like a fine wine...I will not be ripping this Band-Aid off quickly...After Love Game in Eastern Fantasy I just wanted a little more time with Esther and Ryan as a CP)

Rewatching Exclusive Fairytale, The Double, & Blossom as a pallet cleansers between things or while i'm working. Aka when I don't want to have to pay attention to what's being said. There are a few shows that I can just listen to and "see" what is happening without actually looking...my flavour of nerospicy has pretty good image recall.

Flourished Peony is the best of the Cdramas that I'm currently watching. I'm not far enough into the Kdramas to really give a verdict just yet. Each one is extremely different from the other.

Most of the Western shows I'm watching are currently still on hiatus for winter or getting pushed back because of the wildfires in L.A.. So I wont include them.

That's just the currently airing ones in Asia not all the shows I'm watching...😳

Production quality is top notch. Seriously of the 7 dramas I'm currently watching this one is the best in all categories. If you like a binge watch I would save this for another week or so. Each episode ends on little cliffhangers. Highly recommend the watch. No complaints from me so far.

I was today years old when I realized her nickname Mudan is literally Peony. 🤦‍♀️I know the name Jiang Chang Yang gave her means little flower or "Jiang's little flower" but I wasn't even clocking the Mudan thing until his calligraphy gift.

How does he not realize the only reason his head is still attached to his neck is because the Prince doesn't want to make his daughter upset. Man is quickly using up all of his future father-in-laws patients & he is so close to just buying the girl a pony to make up for murdering her lover.

Similar so far. I need to see more to really judge how the director is going about things. This one isn't as...poignant, as What Comes After Love. I think we need to wait for the second time jump to get an accurate feel of what the overall vibe is.
MBC pulled the rug 7 episodes into another show that started off with a completely different vibe to the last 6 episodes, so I hesitate to remark definitively.

it's honestly my biggest pet peeve. The one that really gets me in when people talk about another show or actor using abbreviations & I'm left so freaking confused as many Chinese actors & characters go by many variations of their name. Like in dramas they have their formal title, their nickname(for close family), and then their courtesy name. So there are bound to be similar initials or ones that are exactly the same. My dyslexia doesn't help me. I always use ML = Male Lead, FL = Female Lead, 2ML = Second Male etc, but some people use different abbreviations for those same meanings. I do my best to have context within the comment. Unless I'm actively being vague as to prevent spoilers, but even then I usually have my spoiler tag activated.