he washed the fortune through giving out loans, they explained it on episode 26. its one of the plot twists
Hanyan’s father didn’t destroy the money, he laundered it. Pei had embezzled a huge fortune from the king over the years, and to make that money usable without raising suspicion, he (employing Hanyan’s father) gave out loans to regular people across the country, like farmers and merchants. Those loans had interest, and that interest is what he lived off of. That’s what “washing” the money means, making stolen money look like legitimate income. Over the years while Hanyan was in Danzhou he gave out loans in her name, which is why he treated her nicely when she came back, so he could use her as a scapegoat when the time comes.
As for what happened to the fortune after he was exposed, I’m not totally sure. I don’t think Hanyan’s father was still collecting the interest, because I remember him saying the money was all gone. I’d have to rewatch to be certain, but that’s how I understood it.
I’ve been noticing more and more that MDL, especially the c-drama community, has been gaining a lot of male…
“You’re one of the reasons we have gender divide.” What does that even mean? Seriously, what are you talking about?
Because I acknowledged that the show is feminist? That makes me the reason people suffer globally? I point out feminism when I see it, and suddenly I’m the problem?
Where in my comment did I say her mental issues are okay? Where did I say feminism means “it’s good to stab people”? I didn’t. I have said multiple times, many, many times, that she’s a flawed character. That is literally the point. So why are you bringing this up like it’s some kind of gotcha? It’s not even related to what I said.
And the irony of saying “the ML helped her so she’s not strong”? Yes. YES. She’s not strong enough alone. She lives in Ming Dynasty. She doesn’t even have a job. She doesn’t hold power. She can’t do what the ML does. That is the whole point of her character. Of course he’s going to help her. She’s working from the inside, using what little she has, scheming to survive. That is strength. Using the only tools available to her in a system built to crush her. And you think that disqualifies her? Use your brain.
Also, suggesting those other dramas like they’re somehow more “valid” feminist stories misses the mark entirely. Feminism isn’t about a perfect, self-sufficient woman who never needs help. It’s about showing how hard it is to survive in a system that wasn’t built for you. I don’t even like her. I wouldn’t go near her. But I’m not blind to the fact that this story is feminist from start to finish.
And lastly, I’ll allow myself a bit of disrespect, since you opened with that first ridiculous sentence. You disrespected me, so I’ll return the favor. You’re out here arguing about things you don’t understand, twisting words I never said, and dragging feminism into a rant that doesn’t even make sense. This is clearly above your level of comprehension. Stay mad, stay confused.
I cannot take people who criticize the series by hurling insults like "feminist shit," as if we should feel ashamed…
Thank you. What’s becoming painfully clear from lurking on this page today is that a lot of people are not engaging with the historical context, the commentary, the originality, the experimental form. They just want romance. They want a comfort watch. And if it doesn’t fit, it’s bad.
They say it’s bad because they hate the characters, when hating the characters is the point. They say it’s bad because there’s feminism, when feminism is the point. They say it’s bad because the ages confuse them, when historical context is the point. It’s bad, it’s bad, it’s bad; because it doesn’t make them feel good. And that discomfort is the entire point.
Okay, my last point before I log out. But some of these comments about the latest episode being too feminist are…
I’ve been noticing more and more that MDL, especially the c-drama community, has been gaining a lot of male viewers. And honestly, I’m not against that. I’m actually glad more people are discovering and enjoying these dramas.
But with that has come some truly disgusting and uneducated takes that we just didn’t use to see. I’m used to the internalized misogyny on this site, it’s been here, but for people, whether men or women, to come in and say this kind of shit while watching a drama that is clearly feminist at its core? That’s insane to me.
A lot of historical c-dramas are feminist. They’ve always been feminist. So either get with the program or leave. The rage in this drama is contagious because I’m definitely raging.
Okay, my last point before I log out. But some of these comments about the latest episode being too feminist are making me so fucking heated.
What do you mean it came out of left field? Have we been watching the same drama? From episode one, the female lead has been speaking on the female experience and the weight of it all. This entire drama has been feminist from the very beginning. There is nothing not feminist about it. So I don’t get the confusion now. What do you think the rest of it was?
Let’s go back. The entire second half of the drama is built on her father killing her mother. That’s femicide. That’s a feminist issue. Before that, her mother and Miao talking about being birds in cages? Feminist issue. Even earlier, when Hanyan and her mother tried to show the second wife that the real problem wasn’t them, it was the husband. That the problem is the system thar gave her no other choice but to be a monster. That’s a feminist issue. And before that, her brother calling her worthless, reminding her she’s just a girl while throwing his weight around as the son. That too is a feminist issue.
The setting, the characters, the plot, it’s all feminist. If you’re only just noticing now, it’s because you didn’t want to see it.
I agree with you wholeheartedly. People who complain about the FL are also ignoring historical and cultural nuances…
couldn't agree more! And I was really impressed by WZT acting as well, she tends to play villains but I was very happy to see her show some duality here. The anger and hate on her face when she was dying??? oof chills
How do you get past the 17 year old FL acting and having the smarts of at least a 30 year old. I get the revenge…
If you were to ask me this question, I’d say I’m not dense enough to judge an entire 30 episode full production series. Millions poured into set design, costume, cinematography. An entire cast and crew, layered arcs and deliberate choices, all reduced because one detail didn’t sit neatly in a realism box. That’s like tossing out a whole meal because you didn’t like the plate.
This isn’t a slice of life drama. It’s not aiming for documentary realism. She’s a symbol, an anti heroine, a vessel for rage in a world that wronged her.Her intelligence, her strength, her fury; it’s exaggerated because it has to be. And honestly? That’s what makes it hit. Not everything powerful has to be plausible. Not everything good has to be comfortable. Did I wish that she was older yes, but its unfair to judge it on a detail like that.
4 
As for what happened to the fortune after he was exposed, I’m not totally sure. I don’t think Hanyan’s father was still collecting the interest, because I remember him saying the money was all gone. I’d have to rewatch to be certain, but that’s how I understood it.
Because I acknowledged that the show is feminist? That makes me the reason people suffer globally? I point out feminism when I see it, and suddenly I’m the problem?
Where in my comment did I say her mental issues are okay? Where did I say feminism means “it’s good to stab people”? I didn’t. I have said multiple times, many, many times, that she’s a flawed character. That is literally the point. So why are you bringing this up like it’s some kind of gotcha? It’s not even related to what I said.
And the irony of saying “the ML helped her so she’s not strong”? Yes. YES. She’s not strong enough alone. She lives in Ming Dynasty. She doesn’t even have a job. She doesn’t hold power. She can’t do what the ML does. That is the whole point of her character. Of course he’s going to help her. She’s working from the inside, using what little she has, scheming to survive. That is strength. Using the only tools available to her in a system built to crush her. And you think that disqualifies her? Use your brain.
Also, suggesting those other dramas like they’re somehow more “valid” feminist stories misses the mark entirely. Feminism isn’t about a perfect, self-sufficient woman who never needs help. It’s about showing how hard it is to survive in a system that wasn’t built for you. I don’t even like her. I wouldn’t go near her. But I’m not blind to the fact that this story is feminist from start to finish.
And lastly, I’ll allow myself a bit of disrespect, since you opened with that first ridiculous sentence. You disrespected me, so I’ll return the favor. You’re out here arguing about things you don’t understand, twisting words I never said, and dragging feminism into a rant that doesn’t even make sense. This is clearly above your level of comprehension. Stay mad, stay confused.
They say it’s bad because they hate the characters, when hating the characters is the point. They say it’s bad because there’s feminism, when feminism is the point. They say it’s bad because the ages confuse them, when historical context is the point. It’s bad, it’s bad, it’s bad; because it doesn’t make them feel good. And that discomfort is the entire point.
‘The fact that some people are only picking it up now says more about their lens than the narrative.’ 👌👌👌
But with that has come some truly disgusting and uneducated takes that we just didn’t use to see. I’m used to the internalized misogyny on this site, it’s been here, but for people, whether men or women, to come in and say this kind of shit while watching a drama that is clearly feminist at its core? That’s insane to me.
A lot of historical c-dramas are feminist. They’ve always been feminist. So either get with the program or leave. The rage in this drama is contagious because I’m definitely raging.
What do you mean it came out of left field? Have we been watching the same drama? From episode one, the female lead has been speaking on the female experience and the weight of it all. This entire drama has been feminist from the very beginning. There is nothing not feminist about it. So I don’t get the confusion now. What do you think the rest of it was?
Let’s go back. The entire second half of the drama is built on her father killing her mother. That’s femicide. That’s a feminist issue. Before that, her mother and Miao talking about being birds in cages? Feminist issue. Even earlier, when Hanyan and her mother tried to show the second wife that the real problem wasn’t them, it was the husband. That the problem is the system thar gave her no other choice but to be a monster. That’s a feminist issue. And before that, her brother calling her worthless, reminding her she’s just a girl while throwing his weight around as the son. That too is a feminist issue.
The setting, the characters, the plot, it’s all feminist. If you’re only just noticing now, it’s because you didn’t want to see it.
This isn’t a slice of life drama. It’s not aiming for documentary realism. She’s a symbol, an anti heroine, a vessel for rage in a world that wronged her.Her intelligence, her strength, her fury; it’s exaggerated because it has to be. And honestly? That’s what makes it hit. Not everything powerful has to be plausible. Not everything good has to be comfortable. Did I wish that she was older yes, but its unfair to judge it on a detail like that.