biri_biri

It’s slow burn. Especially from FL's side.
Get together.. as a couple at around ep 30+ I think.

Really! So I wonder if this will make you feel the same way.

In series, especially when introducing ML, there are usually descriptions of how powerful, invincible, intelligent (etc.) he is.
Throughout the story, even though there are many moments that support this, or if they win in the end; often along the way, they will stumble, be manipulated, become stupid, feel despair, be humiliated, or fall into the opponent's trap. In plans, if they are one step ahead five times, they will be one step behind at least two times.
And this makes me, as a viewer, feel a sense of unease when the intrigues deepens, the antagonist becomes vile, and events become chaotic, thinking ‘Yes, I see u are very clever and strong, but I can’t be sure you won’t fall down in this time.’ I feel relieved if they could get away with it, but we’re back in the same cycle next time. There can always moments where they disappoint you.
But here, it's different.
ML is as described along the way. He's an invincible strategist, a mastermind. Everything said about how intelligent and manipulative he is, how everyone is a pawn on his chessboard, how he's always one step ahead... it's all completely true. And while watching this, you don't know when it starts, but not so long into the story, you feel completely trusting him in this respect. FL's trust in him to solve things, to find a way out, isn't unfounded; the script somehow instills that same trust in you.
'He won't fall for this game.'
'Now that he knows what's going on, he'll figure this out.'
'This matter seems very complicated, but he'll find a way.'
The feeling you get at every point he's involved in along the way is this, and he never let that down.
In this, there's a line about ML, and perfectly describes this situation: "He may not always win, but he will never lose." This isn't a wishful thinking that's been broken at one point or another, it remains a proven truth from beginning to end.
Even in difficult situation, you watch him not with unese but a curiosity and anticipation about what he will do next. Don't want to miss a sentence.
Even in a simple scene, the way he delivers a message to the emperor, can draw attention cause the curiosity about how he will convey it in a way that will benefit our side is there somewhere.
Honestly, after so many series where I was never sure at what point MC would hit rock bottom, this is like a breath of fresh air.

There is something in this I've almost never found before, and I wanted to share it. I'm not sure I can convey this the way I feel, but I'll try:

Final's first half. One of the best showdown. Everyone I didn't want to be a traitor or on the opposing side was actually on our side (Ji Young, Emperor, Chen Jia...) 🥳 Felt really good.

I think I've watched it about four times.
Btw now there might be many more candidate, but back then he would have won the best ML award, plus the most gorgeous hair award :)

Miss the good old days and our crew here. Does anyone still drop by from time to time?
Also wanted to comment on something in the discussion section, but it's no longer allowed due to inactivity. That's... sad 😭

In the finale, would it be lovely to have a sweet family scene where the boy from twins steals his father's feathered marquis crown and daughter her mother's floral commander's crown, trying to put them on their heads in front of the mirror, only to be caught by their parents. 🫠

When u said these, definitely one of the top moments on the list. I hadn't thought about the lighting in the scene where he's lying on the ground from that angle you mentioned; it's really nice.
Honestly, there are so many scenes here could use for a Chubina MV :)
I looked at some edits and MVs for this, and actually doesn't even need extra filters to make them more visually appealing. The scenes are cinematic enough as they are.

Said very appropriate. What done here with cinematography and the lighting is alluring. Long since I don't recall seeing anything quite like the way used shading and lighting as a powerful tool to highlight the strengths of the visuals, faces, and expressions in scenes, enhancing MC's aura and the atmosphere intensity here.

With this, even small moments triggered powerful waves that send shivers down the spine.
When ML is holding his sword to the neck of an assassin in FL's house at night, and the man says "Who are you?"...
ML pokes his head out from the shadow, and the way the moonlight reflecting off from the window reveals the face of the Marquis of Wuan. Just... Woah.
Or when ML looks at Song Yan from the side and above as if looking at an insect. With light reflected from the lower profile his gaze and aura felt so powerful that you're not surprised when SY faints. Haha..
Little moments became impactful. There are many more there.

This made me feel like it was a live action version of the lighting and shading styles used in high-quality manhwas to depict and enhance the emotions, atmosphere. I'm always impressed when they do that in them. Naturally, here too.

Really? They had the material for this and they didn't use it? From the moment the "if" part started and I understood the theme, I expected a few scenes like the one you described. And I was disappointed when XZ/ CY walked into QQ's restaurant arm in arm cause at that point it was certain they skipped those parts. 😭

😭😭

Agree. She was lucky he was there for her especially after the town massacre. In there I was resent ML for left her alone during one of the hardest period of her life.

Yeah agree... It all happened because they were trying to cram a story that should have been at least 50 episodes into 40, and in doing so, they also wanted to highlight certain names. I felt the town arc was a bit drawn out, but actually, it had a balanced and enjoyable pace in terms of establishing a solid foundation for relationships and the story, and if the same pace had been maintained in the rest of the drama, this imbalance wouldn't have occurred, but as I said, that would require 50, maybe even 60 eps.

Haha, then in that scene we both looked exactly alike. 😵🤣
It just wasn't a natural flow at all. The whole thing in that ep was bizarre and rushed. QM's so called 17 years of preparation, WY's entire army and experience, XZ's years of goals, plans, and revenge... it all vanished in the blink of an eye.

Count me too. I feel like that he has potential as a character, but he's been left in limbo, caught in the middle.
SML, but not exactly.
There's an arranged marriage theme with the princess, but that path doesn't work for him cause she has another match.
From the perspective you mentioned, and from different angles, he's going through ups and downs in his life, trying to fulfill the different responsibilities assigned to him, making difficult choices, but there isn't a single character who sees these struggles, is there for him, feels sorry for him, or applauds him when he makes the right choice.
In short, he really has no one. Felt sorry for him again :_) He doesn't go beyond being a point that serves the story.

Which one do you think I should choose to watch next:
Story of Kunning Palace
Blossom
Fated Hearts
-or any other suggestion-

In the finale, would it be lovely to have a sweet family scene where the boy from twins around six-year-old steals his father's feathered marquis crown and daughter her mother's floral commander's crown, trying to put them on their heads in front of the mirror, only to be caught by their parents. 🤭

IKR! After seeing how well and impressively handled the fight scenes here and there in town arc, his combat scenes were honestly one of the things I was most looking forward to from the moment he returned to duty with full power and authority, but no.

Even his confrontation with his uncle was so awkwardly timed; Although I'm a fan of well-choreographed 1v1 duels, it took me a while to process the moment they suddenly drew swords against each other, after having stood against QM like allies. You would have laughed if you had seen my confused face at that moment. I was like 'Wait.. What? Really? Right now?' 😂 When I came to my senses, I had to rewind the duel to see the moves I couldn't focus on.

Ohh really.. So cute 🥰