Here's what I've heard from others who've read the novel: - Mains had a happy ending If you're also interested in the second couple, I'll include that below in a spoiler tag.
The drama is kinda weak or just haters doing it?? (I'm gonna start watching around ep 20)
I think it's really good so far, and I believe it's mostly haters who are giving the drama bad ratings. Looking at the comments, it's clear that a lot of people are criticizing the actress and getting upset with her. There are also some who think the pacing is too slow. While I agree that the pacing is slower than some newer dramas, I think it's just right the way it is. I didn't skip a single scene yet.
I don't understand why people dislike this drama just because Meng Zi Yi is a princess/calculating character again. Who genuinely cares? Let her play the roles she enjoys. Sure, I get that you might want her in a different role, but disliking a drama or hating an actress for this is so unnecessary and unfair. Just let her do her job the way she enjoys it. It's also not like she doesn't have any other roles.
The chemistry between the main couple and the secondary couple is already fantastic. I love them all. Enjoyed the threee episodes a lot. I'm looking forward to this one!!
So far, I'm enjoying it a lot. FL and ML's performances are great, and I really like both characters so far. A lot of people don't seem to like ML very much. Personally, I really like his sassy demeanor. There's plenty of room for the characters to develop further. I can already feel the chemistry between ML and FL. I hope this drama stays this good and doesn't let me down.
Okay, the costumes and scenery are truly beautiful. The characters are entertaining, too. The acting, especially FL’s, is simply incredible. ML could improve, but it’s fine.
My biggest complaint is the editing. Some scenes feel like they were strung together without much thought, and that confuses me.
For example: We see part of Scene 1, then there’s a cut, and suddenly we’re in Scene 2. The transition isn’t smooth - we don’t know if Scene 2 takes place after Scene 1 or if it’s some kind of additional information added to Scene 1 itself. Sometimes Scene 2 is shown halfway through Scene 1, and the story just continues with Scene 2. It isn't until minutes or even an episode later that we find out what actually happened in Scene 1 in its entirety.
Sometimes, a scene is cut off without showing what happens next (e.g., when FL mentioned giving gifts to the family. What happened there? Did they receive the gifts? Did I understand correctly that the gifts came from the dowry, or was it something else? I’m not sure if I’m just being dense or if it really wasn’t very well put together.).
A few other scenes also have a strange editing style that I can’t quite wrap my head around. Aside from that, it’s a solid drama. Right now, I’d give it an 8 - 8.5 out of 10. I hope it keeps getting better! I want to give it a better rating. I truly do.
- Wow, I'm SO glad he's grown as a character. SO HAPPY. He finally meant it. - An episode full of supporting characters connecting with their love interests. It looks like Scholar Han and Nanke are going to find their significant others. So cute… We might be getting a lot of couples (based purely on implications – but this series isn’t a "typical" drama, so those implications may not mean much) - I have a feeling that one of the two bodyguards is going to die, but I hope I’m wrong. Please, not another The Double ending. Don’t ruin a good show in that way. - I love that Lan Xiang sticks to her convictions. She doesn’t let herself be swayed so easily. That makes it much more interesting for me and her character much more authentic.
I beg to differ. His family was the one that break off their engagement. He feels for the Shen. He wanted to inform…
I don't know if MDL is showing the reply to the wrong comment or if you replied to the wrong one, but I think I know which comment you wanted to reply to haha.
I don't think the ML is at fault at all; I want to make this clear. However, from the FL's perspective, she might blame his family for what happened, or at least see them as having a part in that day's misery.
The ML isn't at fault. He was young and just following his elders orders. He cared enough to bring this up to his grandpa. I totally agree with you on this one!
News 
More detailed in another spoiler tag below.
- Mains had a happy ending
If you're also interested in the second couple, I'll include that below in a spoiler tag.
Looking at the comments, it's clear that a lot of people are criticizing the actress and getting upset with her.
There are also some who think the pacing is too slow. While I agree that the pacing is slower than some newer dramas, I think it's just right the way it is. I didn't skip a single scene yet.
Enjoyed the threee episodes a lot. I'm looking forward to this one!!
I can already feel the chemistry between ML and FL. I hope this drama stays this good and doesn't let me down.
My biggest complaint is the editing. Some scenes feel like they were strung together without much thought, and that confuses me.
For example: We see part of Scene 1, then there’s a cut, and suddenly we’re in Scene 2. The transition isn’t smooth - we don’t know if Scene 2 takes place after Scene 1 or if it’s some kind of additional information added to Scene 1 itself.
Sometimes Scene 2 is shown halfway through Scene 1, and the story just continues with Scene 2. It isn't until minutes or even an episode later that we find out what actually happened in Scene 1 in its entirety.
Sometimes, a scene is cut off without showing what happens next (e.g., when FL mentioned giving gifts to the family. What happened there? Did they receive the gifts? Did I understand correctly that the gifts came from the dowry, or was it something else? I’m not sure if I’m just being dense or if it really wasn’t very well put together.).
A few other scenes also have a strange editing style that I can’t quite wrap my head around. Aside from that, it’s a solid drama. Right now, I’d give it an 8 - 8.5 out of 10. I hope it keeps getting better! I want to give it a better rating. I truly do.
The Double ending was so horrible. It literally ruined the last episode. 😭
- Wow, I'm SO glad he's grown as a character. SO HAPPY. He finally meant it.
- An episode full of supporting characters connecting with their love interests. It looks like Scholar Han and Nanke are going to find their significant others. So cute…
We might be getting a lot of couples (based purely on implications – but this series isn’t a "typical" drama, so those implications may not mean much)
- I have a feeling that one of the two bodyguards is going to die, but I hope I’m wrong. Please, not another The Double ending. Don’t ruin a good show in that way.
- I love that Lan Xiang sticks to her convictions. She doesn’t let herself be swayed so easily. That makes it much more interesting for me and her character much more authentic.
I don't think the ML is at fault at all; I want to make this clear. However, from the FL's perspective, she might blame his family for what happened, or at least see them as having a part in that day's misery.
The ML isn't at fault. He was young and just following his elders orders. He cared enough to bring this up to his grandpa. I totally agree with you on this one!