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This review may contain spoilers
A love that withered, like the Green Plum Blossom | Greatest betrayal of all.
"I am the Empress. Here I am, sitting on the throne of the phoenix that you so desire. Therefore, any gift is your punishment, and any punishment is your gift." Empress Ruyi to Consort Jia
Wanna know how good this drama is? All I can say is, despite all the brutality and cruelty in this show, I only have good memories of it. Not because I disregard those atrocities, but because I was utterly captivated by Ula Nara Qingying (Ruyi)—the woman who kept her feet grounded and her conscience pure, no matter how hard the situation was or how high her position became. Her never-changing magnanimity lasted from the very start until the end.
I fully expected her to exact revenge, especially after her aunt, the late Empress Ula Nara, used her own death as a catalyst for her to vie for power. However, she never did. She truly believed that distancing herself from conflict would keep her safe. I even thought she had finally learned her lesson after being imprisoned in the Cold Palace for several years. I was excited to see her seek vengeance, but again, it never happened. Her values and integrity remained so unfazed that I was actually quite pissed off by how forgiving she was, constantly disregarding the schemes against her. Yet, as I continued watching, I realized it was because she never desired power or fame. She wasn't hungry for revenge; the only time she would make a move was if someone touched her loved ones. Her patience and tolerance are as vast as the universe. She is definitely the purest FL I have ever seen in a drama.
There are plenty of imperial consorts vying for the Emperor's favor, but she is the only one who never fights for his attention. Some may think it is because she knows he loves her, but for me, it is more than that. It is not because she is confident in his love, but rather because she fully trusts him—despite the many times he has disappointed her. This is proven by Ruyi's favorite phrase of his: "Do not worry."
That single sentence had been her assurance of his trust and affection; it is why, despite the multiple instances where he disappointed her, she kept holding on. She trusted him and his love, just as she expected him to trust hers. Consequently, the moment he stopped trusting her and began doubting her—probing her continuously—was the moment she finally lost her trust in him as well. The man she loved in her youth is no longer the person she is with now. This became the breaking point of her unconditional trust for the person she once loved and wished to spend her entire life with.
In retrospect, the most heartbreaking element of this story is knowing that the young man she once dearly loved, and sacrificed so much for, had changed. Despite her faithfulness and utter commitment, he still chose to doubt her and trust others more than her. It was truly agonizing and enraging to watch a once lovely, cheerful woman get depleted to the very brim by a single man. It is a stark reminder of how fickle men can be and a portrait of what the ultimate betrayal looks like.
Another sad realization while watching this show was how much pent-up emotion, resentment, and how many grudges Ruyi must have accumulated over the years of being married to Hongli. She stripped herself of jealousy and greed, striving instead to be considerate, compassionate, and tolerant. Despite constantly being on the receiving end of attacks from the harem, she remained completely devoted to him—only for him to doubt her. She must have been in so much pain that, eventually, all she wanted was to break free.
Initially, I assumed it was a coincidence that the scenes I found most compelling involved Ruyi’s growing disillusionment with Hongli. However, by the end of the drama, I realized I loved those moments because they were the only times she genuinely expressed her emotions. It was her moment of truth: realizing that nothing is permanent and accepting that some things are bound to change...sadly, even his trust and love for her.
NOTE: Nothing compares to the satisfaction of seeing Ruyi looking so done with Hongli. Every time she vindicates herself, I can almost taste the disgust and dissatisfaction she wants to slap him with.
This review would be much longer if I were to write out my personal thoughts on each of the scenes I loved about this show. So, let me just list them instead.
×× My absolute favorite scene was in Episode 81, when Hongli threatened to depose Ruyi and she shot back: "I don't need you to depose me. I am sick and tired of being this Empress of yours. I don't want to endure it anymore." Then she proceeded to cut her hair. Dang! Peak drama! The most satisfying scene of the entire series.
×× I find it fascinating how imperial consorts facing an untimely death—whether by poison or suicide—are almost always depicted in their full ceremonial dress. It serves as a final display of dignity and power, even at the very end.
×× Another scene I liked the most was the consorts' daily greetings to the Empress. I find so much enjoyment in seeing them constantly dissing each other. it feels like being in a cockfight arena, waiting to see who lands the heaviest blow and who ultimately emerges victorious. Hahaha!
×× The most unexpected, yet most precious, aspect of this story is the unbreakable bond between Hailan and Ruyi. I deeply admire their mutual devotion and loyalty. It is truly one of the most beautiful friendships depicted in an imperial harem drama.
There are plenty more, but this is getting so long. To cut it short, let me just mention one of my most hated and most aggravating scenes in this show.
In Episode 72, when Emperor Qianlong (Hongli) said that while Ruyi was his childhood sweetheart, Consort Rong was his 'love at first sight.' He argued that because he met her as an adult, his emotions were harder to control. Man! I wanted to slap him then and there. Left and right, multiple times. He truly was the worst!
Lastly, the ending. I totally admire and look up to Ruyi for ending her relationship with Hongli so thoroughly and without reservation. I love how she blatantly declined his offer to be Empress again and kept her terminal illness a secret from everyone. Also, while I appreciate that Hongli eventually understood Ruyi’s wish to no longer be Empress, I hated that he allowed her to be buried without the posthumous titles she deserved, even going so far as to destroy all records of her existence. I understand why he did it, but I still hate it.
Anyway, kudos to him for finally giving her a rest and lowkey letting her go by not being buried with him. She cut ties, and I am glad he understood.
"When people's minds turn to evil, even dogs are greater in character." Consort Jia (coming from her? lol)
P.S. I feel so heartbroken for Ling Yunche. Wouldn't it have been wonderful if he’d stayed by Ruyi's side until the end? Huhu! Here I go again, letting my imagination run wild with "what if" scenarios!
Story - 10, Absolute perfection! It was well-paced, compact, and a lengthy yet extremely worthy drama. This is one of those series that made me realize the length or number of episodes doesn't equate to quality. I was never bored, and I even felt heartbroken when there were only a couple of episodes left. I wish C-dramaland would allow creators to go "all out" again without restricting episode counts, which often ruins stories by forcing scenes to be shortened into incoherent pieces.
Acting/Cast - 10, An ensemble of excellence. The execution from every single actor is flawless. The lines are delivered eloquently and articulately, emphasizing the weight and deep meaning of the script. It is a cast you could not improve upon—a total powerhouse. Kudos to Zhou Xun above everyone else. I was amazed by her absolute, unbreakable composure. Everything from her movements to her facial expressions shouted "calm and collected." It was very fitting for her character.
Music - 10, I love them all! The entire soundtrack radiates heartbreak caused by betrayal, disappointment, and deception, which perfectly complements and elevates the drama’s emotions.
Rewatch Value - 10, This is one of the few shows I wouldn't mind rewatching if someone asked me to—even though I just finished it and have a mountain of other C-dramas waiting for me.
Overall - 10, This is a peak masterpiece! It’s the ultimate drama—one I’ve sincerely loved and enjoyed more than anything else in years. Each episode was masterfully directed and crafted to perfection. I highly recommend this show to everyone and would advise people not to be intimidated or daunted by the number of episodes.
IF you find my review helpful please let me know.
Wanna know how good this drama is? All I can say is, despite all the brutality and cruelty in this show, I only have good memories of it. Not because I disregard those atrocities, but because I was utterly captivated by Ula Nara Qingying (Ruyi)—the woman who kept her feet grounded and her conscience pure, no matter how hard the situation was or how high her position became. Her never-changing magnanimity lasted from the very start until the end.
I fully expected her to exact revenge, especially after her aunt, the late Empress Ula Nara, used her own death as a catalyst for her to vie for power. However, she never did. She truly believed that distancing herself from conflict would keep her safe. I even thought she had finally learned her lesson after being imprisoned in the Cold Palace for several years. I was excited to see her seek vengeance, but again, it never happened. Her values and integrity remained so unfazed that I was actually quite pissed off by how forgiving she was, constantly disregarding the schemes against her. Yet, as I continued watching, I realized it was because she never desired power or fame. She wasn't hungry for revenge; the only time she would make a move was if someone touched her loved ones. Her patience and tolerance are as vast as the universe. She is definitely the purest FL I have ever seen in a drama.
There are plenty of imperial consorts vying for the Emperor's favor, but she is the only one who never fights for his attention. Some may think it is because she knows he loves her, but for me, it is more than that. It is not because she is confident in his love, but rather because she fully trusts him—despite the many times he has disappointed her. This is proven by Ruyi's favorite phrase of his: "Do not worry."
That single sentence had been her assurance of his trust and affection; it is why, despite the multiple instances where he disappointed her, she kept holding on. She trusted him and his love, just as she expected him to trust hers. Consequently, the moment he stopped trusting her and began doubting her—probing her continuously—was the moment she finally lost her trust in him as well. The man she loved in her youth is no longer the person she is with now. This became the breaking point of her unconditional trust for the person she once loved and wished to spend her entire life with.
In retrospect, the most heartbreaking element of this story is knowing that the young man she once dearly loved, and sacrificed so much for, had changed. Despite her faithfulness and utter commitment, he still chose to doubt her and trust others more than her. It was truly agonizing and enraging to watch a once lovely, cheerful woman get depleted to the very brim by a single man. It is a stark reminder of how fickle men can be and a portrait of what the ultimate betrayal looks like.
Another sad realization while watching this show was how much pent-up emotion, resentment, and how many grudges Ruyi must have accumulated over the years of being married to Hongli. She stripped herself of jealousy and greed, striving instead to be considerate, compassionate, and tolerant. Despite constantly being on the receiving end of attacks from the harem, she remained completely devoted to him—only for him to doubt her. She must have been in so much pain that, eventually, all she wanted was to break free.
Initially, I assumed it was a coincidence that the scenes I found most compelling involved Ruyi’s growing disillusionment with Hongli. However, by the end of the drama, I realized I loved those moments because they were the only times she genuinely expressed her emotions. It was her moment of truth: realizing that nothing is permanent and accepting that some things are bound to change...sadly, even his trust and love for her.
NOTE: Nothing compares to the satisfaction of seeing Ruyi looking so done with Hongli. Every time she vindicates herself, I can almost taste the disgust and dissatisfaction she wants to slap him with.
This review would be much longer if I were to write out my personal thoughts on each of the scenes I loved about this show. So, let me just list them instead.
×× My absolute favorite scene was in Episode 81, when Hongli threatened to depose Ruyi and she shot back: "I don't need you to depose me. I am sick and tired of being this Empress of yours. I don't want to endure it anymore." Then she proceeded to cut her hair. Dang! Peak drama! The most satisfying scene of the entire series.
×× I find it fascinating how imperial consorts facing an untimely death—whether by poison or suicide—are almost always depicted in their full ceremonial dress. It serves as a final display of dignity and power, even at the very end.
×× Another scene I liked the most was the consorts' daily greetings to the Empress. I find so much enjoyment in seeing them constantly dissing each other. it feels like being in a cockfight arena, waiting to see who lands the heaviest blow and who ultimately emerges victorious. Hahaha!
×× The most unexpected, yet most precious, aspect of this story is the unbreakable bond between Hailan and Ruyi. I deeply admire their mutual devotion and loyalty. It is truly one of the most beautiful friendships depicted in an imperial harem drama.
There are plenty more, but this is getting so long. To cut it short, let me just mention one of my most hated and most aggravating scenes in this show.
In Episode 72, when Emperor Qianlong (Hongli) said that while Ruyi was his childhood sweetheart, Consort Rong was his 'love at first sight.' He argued that because he met her as an adult, his emotions were harder to control. Man! I wanted to slap him then and there. Left and right, multiple times. He truly was the worst!
Lastly, the ending. I totally admire and look up to Ruyi for ending her relationship with Hongli so thoroughly and without reservation. I love how she blatantly declined his offer to be Empress again and kept her terminal illness a secret from everyone. Also, while I appreciate that Hongli eventually understood Ruyi’s wish to no longer be Empress, I hated that he allowed her to be buried without the posthumous titles she deserved, even going so far as to destroy all records of her existence. I understand why he did it, but I still hate it.
Anyway, kudos to him for finally giving her a rest and lowkey letting her go by not being buried with him. She cut ties, and I am glad he understood.
"When people's minds turn to evil, even dogs are greater in character." Consort Jia (coming from her? lol)
P.S. I feel so heartbroken for Ling Yunche. Wouldn't it have been wonderful if he’d stayed by Ruyi's side until the end? Huhu! Here I go again, letting my imagination run wild with "what if" scenarios!
Story - 10, Absolute perfection! It was well-paced, compact, and a lengthy yet extremely worthy drama. This is one of those series that made me realize the length or number of episodes doesn't equate to quality. I was never bored, and I even felt heartbroken when there were only a couple of episodes left. I wish C-dramaland would allow creators to go "all out" again without restricting episode counts, which often ruins stories by forcing scenes to be shortened into incoherent pieces.
Acting/Cast - 10, An ensemble of excellence. The execution from every single actor is flawless. The lines are delivered eloquently and articulately, emphasizing the weight and deep meaning of the script. It is a cast you could not improve upon—a total powerhouse. Kudos to Zhou Xun above everyone else. I was amazed by her absolute, unbreakable composure. Everything from her movements to her facial expressions shouted "calm and collected." It was very fitting for her character.
Music - 10, I love them all! The entire soundtrack radiates heartbreak caused by betrayal, disappointment, and deception, which perfectly complements and elevates the drama’s emotions.
Rewatch Value - 10, This is one of the few shows I wouldn't mind rewatching if someone asked me to—even though I just finished it and have a mountain of other C-dramas waiting for me.
Overall - 10, This is a peak masterpiece! It’s the ultimate drama—one I’ve sincerely loved and enjoyed more than anything else in years. Each episode was masterfully directed and crafted to perfection. I highly recommend this show to everyone and would advise people not to be intimidated or daunted by the number of episodes.
IF you find my review helpful please let me know.
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