Rachel

Yes ikr! There are quite a few storylines that revolve around other characters but are also central to the plot as well! Was pleasantly surprised with Gu Yu's and Xiao Wenjing's storylines. The writer did well to weave together the different storylines with the main plot.

Oh yes this too!

Yan Fengshan is prideful. The first words that he said to the shadow of Xie Huai An was "White head, do you yield?" It seems like more than killing Xie Huai An, he wants Xie Huai An (the only remaining Liu Clan member) to yield to him. He wants to prove that Liu Ziwen was wrong while he, Yan Fengshan, is correct. Also, Xie Huai An is a rare, exceptional talent just like his father. Yan Fengshan finds it a waste to kill him immediately. I'm not sure if Yan Fengshan feels like he could use Xie Huai An because there is definitely a bigger enemy/villain.

I think it was mentioned very briefly that Huai An has a lot of secrets that Yan Fengshan is interested in. I think the secrets could be referring to Liu Ziwen's/ former Huben Army's secrets because it seems like Yan Fengshan does not know everything. He is not aware of Cangshui River.

At least these were what I understood 😅 May need someone else to help explain further if I'm wrong hahaha

Which of his previous dramas did you watch and complete may I ask? I want to know which previous characters of his that you are referring to for comparison. Because a lot of his expressions and acting in this drama are completely foreign. He has never shown these expressions in his other dramas before.

Even in chess, I believe a perfect game where you don't lose any pieces is not quite possible, especially if your opponent is also very intelligent and with more experience.

Chang An is now fully under Yan Fengshan's control. And actually before Xiao Wuyang's short reign, Chang An was in Yan Fengshan's control for years. For Xie Huai An's side to eventually win, sacrifices have to be made. I don't know what other plan could Huai An devise when the situation is so dire. Few allies, limited information network, no military power, Chang An under YFS's control with many shadow guards etc. 😓 Gu Yu hiding in the canal in the palace was already a last ditch effort. Getting out is even more difficult with all the guards watching + he paralysed.

No problem! Glad to have clarified!

Respect to Chancellor Gao. His final scene really left an emotional impact on me. And the way Xiao Wenjing and Gu Yu acknowledged his sacrifice. From the very beginning, Chancellor Gao's priority is the Xiao imperial line and the country. For the country, he was ready to abandon Gu Yu (because he doesn't trust Gu Yu at that time) and he was also willing to sacrifice himself when the time comes from it.

Commander Wang, too. I will also remember your sacrifice. I love the way the drama portrayed Commander Wang. In his first appearance, I disliked him, and then there were quite a few plot twists. He didn't appear much but his scenes were all important to the plot.

It's 二十四计 not 二十四小时. The title means Chang An 24 Strategies and not 24 hours.

Wow beautifully written! Thanks for sharing!

It was implied in the conversation between Huai An and Xiao Wuyang when Xiao Wuyang woke up for a brief moment. Xiao Wuyang recalled Gu Yu and Baiwenhu army sacrificing themselves for his safety, making sure he got out. However, after saving Xiao Wuyang, Gu Yu has no time to escape himself. But he couldn't let himself be captured or killed, and so he hid in the canal.

Most likely Chancellor Gao got crippled and demoted to lighting up lamps in the palace by Yan Fengshan as a punishment for going against him.

At this point she just hates Cheng Yi. Because I am a massive fan of NiF, like it's my fav drama of all time too (rewatched the drama more than 10 times, read the original novel a few times, own the physical books), but I don't see how it is a copy of NiF??? Like from the start, Mei Chang Su's goal is different from Xie Huai An. NiF has more palace politics but VoA right now doesn't have that much palace politics yet. A significant part of NiF is also the relatioship and dynamic between Mei Chang Su and an old childhood friend but VoA has no such dynamic? VoA even has its own interesting relationships.

And I can list like over 10 more differences but I won't because it's spoilers. I can understand if some people find both dramas similiar on the surface but anybody who says this drama is a copy of NiF has lost their credibility.

Cheng Yi's acting and line delivery is so good. It matches the character and the script so well. I'm Chinese myself and I love the way he deliver his lines according to the character. His own voice/lines always give me more emotional impact.

Xie Huai An is so petty and vengeful and I support it 100%. At a temple, Yan Fengshan sat down and spoke to Bai Wan before killing her (indirectly). Xie Huai An did the exact same thing to Wang Pu, telling him an old story in a temple (lol) and causing him to die in front of Yan Fengshan.

Oh yes I agree that Wu ZhongHeng might be the ultimate villain. I was surprised to find out that he was Huai An's and Xiao Wenjing's teacher back at the Grand Academy. Yan Fengshan also spoke very highly of his intelligence. But I wonder how did a Tie mo person like him become a teacher at the Grand Academy and then ended up being imprisoned by YFS? What is his role in everything? I'm really curious too.

I thought the new character is called Yang Chuhao aka Uncle Yang? Who is Cai Wenzong?

The dedication!! Omg...Gu Yu, Chancellor Gao, and everyone else. Although Yan Fengshan may have won big this time, Huai An and all his allies have not given up 😭😭😭I actually really respect Chancellor Gao. Although he was ready to abandon Gu Yu before, he's goal and priority is the country. He's a grey character and also a really smart character.

Wang Pu poisoned himself.

Didn't expect that I'll actually feel kind of bad for Wang Pu but this drama did it again. Also didn't expect him to go out like this but I'll take it.

We got a glimpse at what happened at Chen Valley 25 years ago, quite brutal indeed. I wonder how does it tie to Yan Fengshan's eventual betrayal?

Lmaoo I cackled at Justice Bao 🤣🤣

It wasn't explicitly shown or mentioned but now that Yan Fengshan controls Chang An, Chancellor Gao probably got crippled and demoted on Yan Fengshan's orders.

I think Xiao Wuyang himself doesn't want to stay on the throne if possible 🤣. He is a general, the best ending for him (if he were to die) is to die on the battlefield.