Brennnndda

Same, it felt like a relaxed pace that was needed to build the relationship between the couple. Their romance was a slow-burn but the payoff was worth it. With that said, because the romance building took so long, the drama should have ~45-50 episodes instead of the 40 if that was the story-telling intent. Unfortunately, because the Lin'An arc was so long, that means the next 13 episodes will be rushed because there's still a lot of plot to get through.

With only 13 episodes left, she doesn't have time to hold a grudge 🤣

Everything about 27 was beautiful! The earnest proposal, the heartbreaking rejection, the waterfall, the sparing, the heart to heart talk in front of the fire..everything was just beautiful!!

With Xie Zheng, it upsets me that he still underestimates her, even after everything that's happened. This is the same woman who ran to his rescue with her butcher knife tied to a wooden stick. She travelled all the way there to find him, yet he really believed she'd stay behind and see him off to war, especially with his injuries (that he got from saving HER sister)? What a silly man.

He's so soft with her that it makes me forget he's a powerful person. I honestly can't wait to see the differences from when he's with her to when he's within the imperial court.

Just the beginning of ep 26 made me feel so bad for his generals yet laugh so hard at the flurry of activity. These poor guys stuck between their Marquis and the Grand Princess. 🤣

I love love love Chang Yu so so much. I was really thinking Xie Zheng was going to come save her but I was so in awe of her doing everything herself. I never doubted her but my fear was that I knew she was in the big leagues now. I'm so proud of her character and how far she's come. She can literally do no wrong in my eyes. Honestly, the whole situation could've been avoided if she knew his identity. He's really deserves that slap that's coming.

Having a particular director is a blessing, especially in this case. This director does a great job of capturing those minute intimate/romantic moments that can generally be disregarded. It really brings out eh authenticity of the relationship they are trying to show the viewers.

Chang Yu is probably one of the only characters I've ever watched where I can say she can do no wrongs in my eyes. She's so incredibly simple but her sincerity and conviction is so pure and wins hearts.
That's why I'm also all for her kicking his ass once she finds out the truth. Like the princess and Gongun Yin pointed out: she's too good a woman to be deceived. She doesn't deserve it, even if it was unintentional.

This director does such a great job. Every time we're with Xie Zheng and Chang Yu, it literally feels like we're intruding on their private moments. The way the princess looked at them before she left the tent in ep 25 is how I imagine all of us viewers seeing them.

I love their squads. I love the Pig Slaughtering Band and also love Xie Zheng's group of generals. They are all just so splendid. Poor Xie general having to pretend to be Marquis Wu'An. Xie Zheng did him dirty 😆
I even love the banter between the grand princess and Xie Zheng.

I teared up so much during the sisters' reunion. I also love how the director handled it in a realistic way ie: Chang Ning has been silent and somber but as soon as she sees her sister, all the events she's endured tumble out in a rush and she's finally smiling again since she's now with her safe person. It's well done.

No! Don't wait! Watch it then rewatch it again when the next one gets released 🤣

I don't think it'd matter if she played along. He's so distrustful and suspicious of everyone around him. Even if she were sincere, he's paranoid enough that he wouldn't believe it.

Every episode makes me love Chang Yu all the more. She is just so precious and to deduce now that she only exchanged Sui Yuan Qing for food because Xie Zheng needs it to recover just endears her all the more to me.

Hmm, maybe that scene between Yuan Qing and Xie Zheng hasn't occurred yet. I also don't see why Xie Zheng would think about Qian Qian at all. They interacted like one time and even though Qian Qian and Chang Yu are friends, it wouldn't put her on Xie Zheng's radar at all. Even the Zhao couple weren't on his mind until after he got the care package.

Chang Ning is like 6-7 years old. Bao'er and Qian Qian are not going to be the first thing on her mind after she was almost skewered alive. If anything, she's probably barely processing what's happening around her. Because she's so young, I doubt she understands what the title Marquis means.

I just could not get into Da Feng

I've really only liked New Life Begins with Bai Jing Ting. Her other dramas just didn't do it for me, sadly.

I too, love her individual growth, and story and character-wise, she'll need it to stand by his side as an equal. That being said, they've been apart 7-ish episodes now. I need them back together 😊

Now that I'm caught up, I've been rewatching episodes and I can't get over how lovely Fan Chang Yu is. Characters like her are definitely Tian Xi Wei's forte. She's is just so endearing and easy to like. I love how she's isn't well read and that's usually the shock factor that surprises the men around her (in a comical way).
She's sweet but not weak, can be brash and ruthless but only when those she loves are threatened. This kind of female character can be quite common and depending on the actress and the drama can come off as annoying, but the way she's portrayed in this drama just works in every way.