asiandramaexplorer

The cinnabar caligraphy scene where JXN in the previous life propositions XW was beautifully if not cruelly done. I saw a small flashback of the scene in a preview clip before this was released and I wondered what that was about. XW pulls her close and looks like he's about to kiss her but then tells her to get the f*ck out 滚, XW wasn't going to fall for it despite JXN looking pretty hot. 😲 I think it makes XW's love, infatuation? more compelling in JXN's current life despite XW being kinda scary lol.

Is JXN really giving up and leaving the capital? She seems resigned that she is powerless? She promised the princess she would help bring her back alive to her homeland one day.

it's like they were property of the man and not really human beings.

Yes women in those roles seemed to have little freedom and all these strict rules. Its kind of sad when the concubine has to sit in the room without the groom and she isn't suppose to eat that night or something. Not too familiar with how the concubinage system worked in imperial palace but emperors could have tons of them and some just in waiting.

I agree she strategically saved her skin at the last moment when she was pushed against the wall. Not sure if she took the best path in the past with spreading the rumors on JXN and the rebels and with other stuff she did to sabotage things. She is brighter than her brother and she waited till she amassed her power as a concubine to unleash the slaps and whippings on JXN. The emperor seems to be giving her more power quickly and you would think he would observe her more before doing so. Yes, she will turn on him in a dime, the emperor may come to regret bedding her and making her his concubine. They are doing a good job with this drama and drawing viewers in.

Great point! Yes he gave in and changed fairly quickly. Was he desperate to have someone from the Duke Xue family stand on his side? IMHO, he seemed to give her more power and took her advice pretty quickly. I was laughing at some of the jokes with the discussions here, it seems he is reacting below the belt rather than above. I also understand he thought it was his strategic opportunity to have her on his side or what he thinks of her being on his side.

Well said!!

I hope so too! She needs more b*tch slaps. I'm a little further in ep 29, of course it has to get worse with XS slapping JXN since she is emboldened with being the emperor's concubine. She thinks she has power over JXN. Instead of spending time to help the emperor improve the lives of the subjects and build up the kingdom in productive ways, she participates in petty dirty little revenge schemes.

It's annoying when the emperor gets advice from her and seems to have her be involved when she doesn't need to, he thinks he's using her as a sharp sword when really its a blunt instrument.

Spoiler is a rant against the Xue family again.

The Xue family is continuing to really grate on the nerves, the sister of JXN is forced to the concubine because the empress didn't like how her son was rebelling and the mother has to be in control. It's dirty palace politics which is life but they are incredibly twisted and messed up narcissists. Evil smirking XS needs to be b*tch slapped again, she thinks she won in the end.

Now its the son of Duke Xue's turn to get b*tch slapped by his father. This is getting sooooo good.

I haven't made it to ep 28 but ep 27 has a lot of steam and agree it is good. You make some good points with XS, she compared her father to XN's father. She felt that her father would not step up to protect her like XN's father would with the gamble in court despite the risks. As you said XS's father sees her as a pawn and a piece on the chessboard. OMG, I didn't expect so many slaps, XS got b*tch slapped left and right!!

Yes she is annoying with that smirk on her face.

I really hope they can deliver a knock out punch to Duke Xue and the Xue's grip on power although I'm not optimistic, ep 27 picking up some steam on court palace politics. I did not expect XN's father to risk it all and flip the balance of power on Duke Xue but he's gotta protect his daughters.

I'm the minority on this and as much as I love Park Eun Bin as an actress, this drama is okay but not as good as I expected. The relationship and story arc of the FL and ML is really sweet along with the SML. I feel as a whole for this drama and the FL's character is a bit off.

Finished ep 26 and feel stuck now waiting for what will happen with XW and XN with the little morsels thrown our way with him comforting her when she cut things off with ZZ and his longing looks for her. Even ZZ and XN's slow burn was compelling, it was a bit sad when she let ZZ go after she realized she would do more harm to him by furthering her relationship with him. Eagerly waiting for more eps.

Thanks for these teasers. I can't wait to see how this falls out between them. I'd like to see how it plays out with JXN eventually coming to love or whatever we want to call it with XW because that clip with him telling her off that he would take her life if she ruins his plans or gets in his way, empty threat or not it was like whoa.

Ep 22 ended with XW's death glare at ZZ after XN protected ZZ with what she thought was an arrow directed at ZZ. uh oh. big trouble coming for ZZ?

It was a heartbreaking story and I also recommend it, the short modern version was nice because we got to see them lead a life where they were a normal couple in love as opposed to the Romeo/Juliet tragedy that put a wall between them.