jcg

Aarghhh what a brutal tactic though.

Thanks for pointing it out! I missed that nuance. You are right. She was losing herself, with no one to even remember who she is/was. And I think LJQ remembering her and honoring her family on her birthday is really the first time she gets to be acknowledged as SJL. It is indeed heartbreaking what she is enduring alone. And the commenters who complain about the FL not being focused on romance are totally missing the whole point of the drama.

It is like stumbling into an oasis in the middle of the desert that is C-drama-land. Its been pretty bleak in C-drama land lately so very happy to have this wonderful drama to enjoy this year.

Thanks!

Glad to know some people here appreciate a fine drama.

Agreed. The most memorable scene in the drama for me. In a drama full of great scenes. Now I have not seen the rest of the drama but this one will stay in my mind and be rewatched many times. So well done. So poignant.

Me too. We, as well as LJQ are overdue for some sweetness LOL.

Yes this has gotta be the most memorable and touching scene for me in the drama. So poignant and romantic at the same time for us the audience and so interesting that the ML is clueless as to the FL's real reason for asking him to bow. Bravo to director and script-writer - so well done.

Where can we find the BTS?

Well said. Also I think she is very intelligent and frankly if she wanted to seek revenge, she would have to depose the current emperor because he is the one who chose to exterminate her entire bloodline. It's not the Lin family TBH she could blame. Their sin was to save themselves. They did not do anything to harm the Shen family and it was an act of self perseverance to sever the ties or face extermination as well. Granted she would want no part of the household for sure. But I also appreciate she doesn't spend her time railing against the hand fate dealt her and focused on making the most of her situation and that is surviving, living well and protecting her adoptive parents. And also helping the women in her life live their best lives (as much as they can within their circumstances).

The release dates for the Episodes tab are going backwards at the end from Oct 5 then it goes to Oct 2 and 3. Anyone noticed that too? Whoever updates these dates, can you please check? Thanks!

Saw a lot of commenters losing patience with the romance progress (or lack thereof) Well besides the fact that this drama is not a romance-first drama but slice of life - a lot has been happening to leads besides them sitting around thinking about romance. We are talking kidnapping, attempt to overthrow the emperor, battles and ML getting critically injured. I will admit I am getting a bit impatient for some turn around on the FL's part. But I remind myself a year isn't that long when your whole family was massacred - think of the soldiers returning from active war fronts who have PTSD for years and are screwed up from the trauma. Last thing on my mind would be falling in love. I also don't agree with some commenters saying she is a feminist. She is a survivor of her times. Personally I am fine with less focus on romance (there are lots of other drama where romance is all there is - so folks can go watch those) because the side stories of the supporting characters are super interesting. It is so unusual where every character is given their due rather than just being 2-dimensional side kicks to support the main leads. So folks, just sit back and enjoy this drama. It's meant to be a smell-the-roses kind of drama where the journey is to be appreciated as much as the destination. Also isn't it cool to see how talented these supporting actors are? I am sure they appreciated being given a small chance "on-stage" to showcase their acting abilities and not just be an NPC.

The teasers hint this is coming

Doesn't that remind you of the scene from Love Like the Galaxy where ZLS gallops to save Leo Wu in slow-mo with out-reached hand, grabs him and they gallop off together? Its the exact replica of that scene and I think Director is having a little fun (inside joke with audience who knows) to lighten the very heavy scene a bit. I thought it was so clever. I think the Director might be a fan of Love Like the Galaxy and delivering a mini homage to it. Its also one of my all time favorite dramas. The first C-drama to really portray a female lead seeking freedom and helping herself in a more realistic way. Made me a long-time fan of Zhao Lusi and to this day i still ship the CP between her and Leo Wu in this drama. That was an epic romance. Excited to see how this one plays out between LX and YQ.

I agree. The role of a supporting actor is exactly that - to support. She is indeed a charismatic actress and her role is dramatic so she delivers. FL's role is stealth and survival so she portrays that. ML also is fantastic in his role. Being able to play a more subdued character who might be repressing emotions but still have to convey them silently is not easy to do. Neither are overshadowed by anyone. Li Meng is a promising actress and I hope she gets different roles and even a lead role. Any more playing the same character (here and in The Double) and she will be type-casted.

Remember, we are seeing the ML through the lens of the audience, not her. She sees what her character is exposed to. And given her backstory - if your whole family were massacred and your fiancee's family that could have helped perhaps, turned a blind eye. How would you feel? Also you are a fugitive in a land where you would be beheaded in an instant if anyone found out your true nature. Survival beats romance any time. So for the first time in like forever, a script writer is keeping true to how her characters would behave. Not just to fall lovey dovey in love just to advance the plot. There are TONS of C-dramas out there that will deliver just that so go watch those.

The attention to detail and making sure characters acted according to character rather than just do things to advance the plot, the realism, the undercurrent commentary about women's lives, respect for the audience (as in not making stupid plot logic that insults audience intelligence) made me suspect the director has had western film schooling influence. Because this C-drama is so unique compared to the other tropey ones. So I checked her background and indeed she went to both Beijing University and also Florida State (degree in directing) film school and did some short films in the US. No wonder! This cross-pollination is what we need to infuse some new ideas and fresh takes on C-drama. I am so happy this film got green-lighted. And the casting is stellar! I hope she and the script writer get to do more films in China because I will definitely be watching. Maybe a modern drama next.

She never misses a moment to put him in his place LOL. I think the banter will continue through their married life.

LOL every episode is an emotional ride.

Same here. I was like...huh? What child? As I recalled ML was helping Hou to save the ex-Crown Prince together. So there is another coup in the making? Dang this dynasty is kinda unstable. I can't stop checking out the teasers either coz 2 episodes a day is too short. I wanna know more. Amazing drama though that it keeps us on our toes even in the middle where dramas usually sag.