This review may contain spoilers
A drama that draws its strength from tea, female empowerment, and unforgettable characters.
It is a drama that pleasantly surprised me. Beyond a story of romance and intrigue, I found a fascinating tale anchored in the creation and importance of tea in China, an element that is not only at the heart of the plot but also becomes another character, permeating each scene with exquisite aesthetics and cinematography.
One of its greatest successes is undoubtedly the Rong family, built on a pillar of strong women and leaders. In a historical context where the role of women is often minimized, seeing a matriarchy fighting, making decisions, and running a commercial empire was tremendously refreshing and powerful. In this setting, Guli Nazha, whom I discovered through this work, shines with her own light. Not only is she a woman of striking beauty, but I also liked her character, Rong Shanbao, for her strategic intelligence, her firm character, and that touch of wickedness necessary to cope with the enormous burden of being the next head of the family, which make her complex, fascinating, and tremendously human. Her priority is always the family legacy, which adds a layer of realism to her arc.
At her side, Neo Hou Minghao as Lu Jiang Lai perfectly complements this universe. His transformation from being the highest authority to becoming a servant with amnesia gives the story a unique twist. He is gorgeous, but what really makes you fall in love with him is the sweetness, simplicity, and affection his character displays, creating a perfect contrast and delicious chemistry with the pragmatic and calculating Shanbao.
Another aspect I really enjoyed was the evolution of the relationship between the Rong sisters. Seeing how they go from hatred and rivalry to slowly building genuine family ties was a very rewarding subplot.
However, the drama is not without its flaws. The final episodes felt noticeably rushed. While the ending leaves them together, I would have liked a clearer and more concrete conclusion. Do they get married? What is their life like managing family affairs together? I feel that closure was missing, that final stitch that would secure their future. This connects to a feeling I had throughout the series: even though Shan Bao did love Jinag Lai, he was never her absolute priority (nor would he ever be), which is consistent with his character, but in the outcome, that dynamic deserved deeper exploration.
One of its greatest successes is undoubtedly the Rong family, built on a pillar of strong women and leaders. In a historical context where the role of women is often minimized, seeing a matriarchy fighting, making decisions, and running a commercial empire was tremendously refreshing and powerful. In this setting, Guli Nazha, whom I discovered through this work, shines with her own light. Not only is she a woman of striking beauty, but I also liked her character, Rong Shanbao, for her strategic intelligence, her firm character, and that touch of wickedness necessary to cope with the enormous burden of being the next head of the family, which make her complex, fascinating, and tremendously human. Her priority is always the family legacy, which adds a layer of realism to her arc.
At her side, Neo Hou Minghao as Lu Jiang Lai perfectly complements this universe. His transformation from being the highest authority to becoming a servant with amnesia gives the story a unique twist. He is gorgeous, but what really makes you fall in love with him is the sweetness, simplicity, and affection his character displays, creating a perfect contrast and delicious chemistry with the pragmatic and calculating Shanbao.
Another aspect I really enjoyed was the evolution of the relationship between the Rong sisters. Seeing how they go from hatred and rivalry to slowly building genuine family ties was a very rewarding subplot.
However, the drama is not without its flaws. The final episodes felt noticeably rushed. While the ending leaves them together, I would have liked a clearer and more concrete conclusion. Do they get married? What is their life like managing family affairs together? I feel that closure was missing, that final stitch that would secure their future. This connects to a feeling I had throughout the series: even though Shan Bao did love Jinag Lai, he was never her absolute priority (nor would he ever be), which is consistent with his character, but in the outcome, that dynamic deserved deeper exploration.
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