After watching ep 18 I kept thinking was Chancellor Gao and Commander Wang's sacrifice deaths really necessary?…
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.
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.
I was stunned when I saw their current status. I must have skipped the scenes when Gao was taken down, and Gu…
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.
I just wanna say that AvenueX slaughtered Vendetta of An so badly in her 5 drama recaps. She said that this drama…
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.
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.
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?
Gao isn’t dead. He’s the crippled guy who was struggling to get into the throne room
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.
Why do I feel like Xiao Wu Yang will be killed? I do not see him stay on that throne at all.
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.
Wow I can't believe I really like Episode 14 even though it's a "slower" episode. Despite lacking action, I was eating up all the dialogues. I wasn't expecting some (minor) plot twists. People were not kidding when they said it was like the calm before the storm!
Not telling his sister the truth left her vulnerable. She couldn’t protect herself and be cautious about someone…
Tbh, I think Huai An did well by letting her live a normal life. It's just that Yan Fengshan has too many shadow guards and his information network is so wide. I actually think if Huai An never wrote letters to his sister, she may be able to live. There's no use to tell her, it's not like she can protect herself well enough even if she knows. Yan Fengshan is just too strong!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?