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It's important to fight for your right!
I really enjoyed watching this drama. I was curious because it was about three ladies that ran a teahouse and then upgraded to a restaurant in ancient times. This drama was about the three women's friendships, trust and determination to live their lives to the fullest by doing what they love. Ofc the emphasis was on FL and ML. How they were fated to fall in love with each other although it was their backgrounds that lead them to each other.ML, Gu Qianfan, was a skillful commander that devoted to his duty, smart, never lose his composure and ofc ruthless. We never saw his smiles unless it was to ridicule or when he looked at the woman he loved. He started to has feelings for FL bcs of her selflessness even though earlier he was being quite unpleasant to her. He loved teasing her bcs he knew she cld take it. Qianfan fell in love with FL after spending few times together, she was understanding of his pains and encouraged him when needed. He was so nice and affectionate with FL like taking her out to go on dates together. He was so supportive of her being a businesswoman and ready to help with anything.
FL, Zhao Pan'er was a clever, calm, generous and bold lady. She was also shrewd and resourceful for a businesswoman and skillful in Tea Art. Toward those who were closed to her, she had strong sense of loyalty, caring and very forgiving. Pan'er had a hard time growing up bcs of the circumstances that lead to her being reduced to lower class but luckily she was a bright kid that took advice by her friend's kind elder sister. At first, she was quite wary of ML hvg feelings for her bcs of their different social standings so she was straightforward with him about this to put him off but ML didn't care about all of that bcs he sincerely love her, to him, she was his light after all those dark years. Then, she decided to hv faith in him and love him with all her heart. After her journey of up and down being a teahouse owner and then a restaurant manager, she decided to fight for the right of ppl that had same circumstances as her to be given opportunity to be a normal civilian that is free.
I love that we got to see the life of other two best friends of Pan'er: Sun Sanniang and Song Yinzhang. Their character developments just amazing. Also the not so expected 2ndML :Head of important guilds but very childish-like Chi Pan. The other supporting characters such as ML's loyal amazing subordinate Chen Lian, the unexpected Changfeng and the determined Zhaodi.
I didn't expect to see palace struggles in this drama but I'm not surprised. Also shout out to helpful He Si, the loyal customers Mr Yuan and Mr Zhuoshi, they were so entertaining to watch.
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Sincerity plus efforts will bore fruits
At last, I've finished this drama that I planned to watch since a while ago when I saw how high the rating is. I hv to say I was not being let down by this long drama. The conflicts, the plot twists! I think i might need to rewatch this again with this new awareness of knowing the ending so I can watch it in new perspective. This drama was about: 1) patience the FL had to survive in her household while hiding her trueself, 2)the way ML never waver and keep fighting since he was a teenager against those who coveted his title and inheritance and 3) about the stories of different households during that era.ML, Gu Ting Ye, a clever man that's good at both literary and martial arts. He looks like a playful and unserious man but he was actually dangerous and hotheaded. He was definitely caring toward ppl that was dear to him like his nanny and his best friends. When it comes to love, he was all in and expected the same from FL but... It didn't happen that way coz it took some time for FL to open her heart bcs of her own issues. But he didn't give up even tho there were times where he was being sulky(?). Still, he can't stay mad at her for long 😁 He always prioritised her, protective of her and he understood the person she was which was a very thoughtful person that did something for him that moved his heart to fall for her. Although like he said to his best friend, FL was like a three years old when it comes to love.
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Communication and trust in your partner are important.
Before I start, I hv to say... I didn't expect the instrumental playing throughout the drama was actually from the OST too. I thought it was just the sound effect because when it played, it was giving the anxiety vibes but I love it. This drama was telling story about how the FL overcame the difficulties she had growing up, how to reconcile with not doing it all by yourself and put your trust in your partner/spouse so they wouldn't be hurt by your decision alone without telling them. Also, about parents need to believe in their children, showers them with love and don't punish them over the line.ML, Ling Buyi, actually this was not his real name so I'm not going to spoil abt that but he was called Zisheng too. Until now I don't know why they called him by that name. I think I missed something. Anyway, our ML was a cold-blooded, ruthless general but a righteous man. He lived for avenging those who participated in Gu City tragedy that massacred that killed his mom's clan and his beloved uncle who was a general protecting that city. I like that Zisheng decided early on he wld know the one he was going to spend his life with and that wld be the only one. So he hold on tight to that principle and would harshly made it clear to the other ladies who clamour for his attention. He was very considerate, like sooo sooo supportive toward the one he fell in love with. Zisheng wld anything for FL even if it cost his life. Even to the point, helping his love rivals' situations so that his beloved would hv a peace of mind. He encouraged and gave freedom for the FL to shows her skills and capabilities. Although, he had his own umm flaw or weakness but he reflected on himself so he was man enough to admit he was in the wrong.
I actually don't believe the fall in love at first sight thing the ML said but I'm humouring this drama bcs well, it was not a reality.
FL, Cheng Shaoshang or affectionately called Niaoniao. At first, she was very stubborn young lady but there was a reason for that. She was abandoned from when she was born by her parents when they had to got to war, she was mistreated by her aunt and her grandmother growing up. Her aunt wanted to raise her as dumb, good for nothing young lady so she didn't learn anything about writing, reading the classics and etiquettes. Shaoshang had to relied on herself, her intelligent and wit to survive. She was good at numbers, interested in building things and machines. Although she tended to land herself in trouble when she decided to pay back the villainesses whom bullied her. When she thought she finally gonna get the love she craved when her parents was finally home from war, she didn't expect her mother wld not fulfil that and that drove the wedge between them. But bit by bit she changed for the better with the help of her gentle and understanding Third Aunt Shunhua, when she got engaged to Ling Buyi and receiving tutelage by the graceful Empress that believed in her. She was actually pursued by Ling Buyi, so she didn't believe in him at first but slowly with Buyi trust in her, she fell in love with his earnest self. They always communicated their differents which was very good thing for a couple to do to avoid unnecessary misunderstanding. It just Buyi also had his own challenges and that'll affect their relationship.
This drama had two love rivals of ML so the 2ndML would be Yuan Shanjian, the arrogant and intelligent scholar who love to push Niaoniao's button and Lou Yao, a young man who fell in love with Niaoniao's fearless personality and earnestly pursued her. I love in that in this drama the dynamic of relationship between the Emperor, his Empress and his one concubine was harmonious i would say?. I also love that they included other couple love stories.
The costumes in this drama were also different in a good way. I really like how the Emperor was dressed but idk why his style reminds me of Japanese ancient style too.
Tbh I don't quite understand how certain scenes suddenly appeared. Maybe that was why I was hesitating to give this 9.5 stars rating. Myb a rewatch in the future might change the rating so who knows.
The ending was fine for although I wish I cld see them get married but I'm okay when it ended like that.
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-1104
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Not bad at all. Let me explain
Enjoyable, humorous and thank goodness for the ending the way that I wanted.You know when I watched this drama, I do think there were some problems with the directing and the acting of Main Leads.... It was giving B-list director that directed the drama. But I persevered and I think they did good job until the end. Myb decent job in the middle of the drama.
Male Lead, General Ji Heng, a strict, smart and meticulous man. He also very loyal to his family and his one true love. He would do anything for Zhao'er and ofc protective of her. He loved her so much.
(Hah! I know you fking lied when you said you could never like a man coz I know she made you wavered!!)
Female Lead, Tian Qi or Shen Zhao'er, a doctor that disguised as a man to search for the man who killed her parent. She was very skilled in her field but I do find her to be very silly at certain times. Such a smooth talker (in a bad way to me) that I just like, "can u rlly believe what was she saying?)". She was not that bright in other things and that was fine I guess. Magnet for trouble. Hmm I never criticised FL this much. She didn't rlly trust him, and luckily the ML just accepted it and didn't mind that she kept secrets from him. As for her love to ML, she cared about his health I guess, at least she cared enough that she didn't want him to die. Idk but yeah she did love him.
Shoutout to my man, 2ndML, Ji Zheng (I adore you sm). He was my kind of 2ndML, the one who loved FL, protected her and knew to wave a white flag coz he knew her heart belong to other.
I really love the OSTs for this drama especially the one that was sang by a woman and after this I will try and search for it. It just sounds very delicate to me.
I really want to give it 8.5 stars bcs the ending was really what I wanted but umm.. yeah I can't look past some of the problems. But good job to the writers for this ending.
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Well executed
A very good detective story with romance and comedy. I love drama that brought new thing to the table because beside the usual detectives story, this drama told us about the coroners work which something new and we didn't knew that much at all.Male Lead, Commandery Prince Xiao Jinyu was a calm, wise, righteous and meticulous man. People's impression of him as a weak scholar and sickly which I think work in his favor coz he would take them by surprise. He would make sure no stone left unturned if he get a case handed to him bcs he wanted to do justice to people who were wronged by the villains. He definitely protective of Chu chu coz when he lost his temper..... He was also a bit silly when he got jealous *eyes rolls*
Female Lead, Chu Chu, a female coroner that smart in her field, passionate and definitely unusual but her job kind of explained it. I was a bit taken aback by her demeanors bcs she really showed that she was from the village and not refined like the noble ladies we usually seen which really different bcs it stayed to true to the character of a girl that was from a town that was far away from the capital and her family was generations of coroners which people usually don't mix with them . She knew what she liked and she really pursued it. I'm talking about her with ML. Some of her moves to get him to like her were a bit silly. I think she managed to make him took notice of her coz it worked.
I like that they gave us another love story of 2ndML Jing Yi with 2ndFL Leng Yue. I really admired Leng Yue for being straightforward with ML telling him, that she just want to be his good friend and how the ML was relieved to hear that. This drama also showed about strong friendships and brotherly bond of Jing Yi, Leng Yue and Jinli with Jinyu.
It just... I was ready to give this drama a nine star rating but the ending was so abrupt??? Why?? Sure it was HEA. Why can't you give me just a little bit more for closure? I want to see all of the couples happy in their daily lives T-T I want to see Senior Jing passive aggressive banters with General Leng
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Amazing cinematography and intriguing plots
This is my first time watching wuxia historical drama and it set my bar high. Even though one or two episodes at the end, probably their cut didn't blend seamlessly coz it left me feeling there was something that I didn't watch yet. Thank goodness for the top reviewer bcs at least they give me heads up.The Male Lead, Gong Ziyu started as careless unpolished young man that disappointed his father but suddenly got thrust into Sword Wielder position and always got criticised by his cousins that he didn't deserve that spot which was true. Thankfully, he decided to prove them wrong. At the same time, quoting from his personal guard, "he was a foolishly good man". His heart was big and ofc he fell hard for the bride to be, Yun Wei Shan.
So our Female Lead, Yun Wei Shan was a Wufeng assassin that was sent to infiltrate Gong Family to get their families secret. Being in Wufeng just a job to her bcs what she craved the most was the freedom and not under their control anymore. She was smart and very skillful in martial arts. Although a bit impulsive at certain times, she witnessed how honest and kind Ziyu toward her, fell in love with him and decided to help him through the journey of getting the Sword Wielder position.
I really enjoy this drama bcs aside from romance, we got to see how strong brotherly bond between the other cousins in other lineages which was Shangjue and Yuanzhi, how wise, kind and gentle some of the Young Master in the back hill (Xiaohei, I love you and Xue Young Master, I adore you) and the funny antics of Eldest Young Miss Zishang pursuing Jin Fan.
I'm glad I watched this drama even though I am the type that want happy ending but I really understand why it ended like that. Their missions are not done yet and if Wufeng is not destroyed, Gong Family and people in martial arts world would not live in peace. Looking forward to season 2 if it exist, huwaaaaaa
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The ending was not what I wanted it to be but it was fine. I wish they could put more screen time to other supporting role like Prince Lianzuo and Madam Ruo as a prop to them for being helpful. The Main Leads should know their contributions. The production of this drama.... There was weird sound in the background for first few episodes which thankfully disappeared as the shows went on. There was other review that this drama was filmed in 2019 but only get to be released this year bcs some parts had to be cut. Well it showed.
The romance kind of awkward at the start because FL loved 2ndML but later had to accept she was the only one who fought for the relationship (although 2ndML fools actions to save her didn't really help lmao) whereas ML didn't care about FL and didn't trust her at the start but soon developed feelings for her as she support and help him that showed her to be a kind and smart woman. But he was annoying too when he spent time(not sleep) with other woman after they fought. Their love story wasn't all that to me bcs he still slept with other women (which I get it) when they separated for a while. FL was smart but at the end I think she was more toned down?
The OST part in the intro of the song.... I am not fond of it.
Now for the second couple, which was 2ndML and the ML's younger sister, yunxue. I want them to hv happy ending so bad 😭 they had been together through tough times as friends and yunxue's unwavering support toward 2ndML made him opened his heart to her but it just so sad for 2ndML that their HEA was soooo close but tragedy happened.
Maybe it's just me but it kinda bugged me that FL resting face look so sullen, I would say. Myb bcs of the hairstyle (before she changed it to one like the coin on the forehead) contributed to it.
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Yearning
I agree with top comment about how some of the plot in this were quite ridiculous. Getting heartburn when the villains keep attacking. I think the FL was kind of silly woman even though she was smart. Good for her that she admitted she was dumb like what the ML said to her face aksksjkfjs. I thought I'm the only one who think like that. Apparently they butchered the character coz it was not like in the novel.The ML's kind, patience and ofc the same too went for FL's devotion not to bow down to Crown Prince's demand and keep being loyal to the ML. At first, the FL's behaviour might be brash but at last(and I means last few ep) she matured a lot.
I just want to say the hat or headwear pei xinjiang always wore emphasised his nose in unflattering way. Sorry
Lastly, this drama makes me want to watch another drama to be created about emperor loving eunuch that actually a woman. Lmao it didn't work for this drama bcs Pei Xinjiang was fated to Liuli and met her first.
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It's Refreshing. Very Recommended
The characters' growths *chef kiss* It's very refreshing to me, that when I watched this drama the role reversal of how the woman becomes the provider and head of the family. I mean, sure, the ML was amazing too with his principles and his actions prove that. Again so refreshing when her in-laws were good and kind people.Their love story was slow burn and I enjoyed that. Their mutual respect for each other gradually turned into love. Still, I love that moment when I screamed at the screen, now give me the first kiss scene and then it happened few sec later.
I love how this drama showed their up and down and every phase/stage of their lives. I cannot stop watching from one episode to next. I also love that we got to watch their friends stories. Feel sad for Zhou Ye though.
I wonder why they decided to keep both ML and FL looking so young when it had been like 10 years probably since they both married and they went through a lot of things.
Good casting because I can't help but think Zhou Ye really looks like his father the great Commander. The way I was shocked when I saw the ML former fiancée to be, that princess face, lmao her face looks so modern iykwim. The lips filler lmao.
Can't believe they made me cried over the villain. Well
-301123
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Entertaining but not perfect imo
The ending.... Was quite something. Oh, I don't even watch the alternate ending yet as I write this. What i noticed is that I like the inclusivity of this drama you know, coz it didn't try to be realistic as possible for a historical drama. I like that it gave something new like how man got to be treated like the way woman always got in a real world or usually it would be like that for them. Also, the beauty standard, like I said b4, the inclusivity of plus size and rounded face girls. Another thing, I love that the dramas in the imperial harem were not cruel and vicious. The devotion and patience of the Hero and the strong and courageous stand of the heroine. I'm glad my tears are worth it in the end. Kind of.Was this review helpful to you?
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So Comforting and Exciting.
I actually had thought of a headline for my review in myb the 33th or 34th episode but ofc I forgot it when I continued watching this drama until the end. But truly this drama was so comforting to me. I've never been so engrossed in each episode of a drama that every time when each episode ended, I would exclaimed... "wait, ended already?". Like it just suck me in. This drama was about Rouxin's overcoming her difficulties navigating her career and her life with her loyal assistant, Qi Xiao alongside her.Male Lead, Qi Xiao, a young man that only joined a big company to get a job and got mesmerised by his capable lady boss. He was smart, creative, loyal, hard working and quite a smooth talker. Ended up swearing loyalty to his boss, the FL bcs she tried her best to protect him, her newbie assistant when she was kicked out of her position and slowly he got to know her and fell in love with her as a person. You should see how he described her bcs you can truly see how in love he was with her. (I'm very bad at putting all this into words I'm sorry, but he was so amazing to her). Qi Xiao as a man in love, always be there with Ruoxin together solving problems, willing to do anything she wanted, protective of her, worried so much about her and very affectionate. He was so sweet. The length he went through to make her happy my god.
Female Lead, Shen Ruoxin, a woman in her early thirties that was very goal oriented but got derailed bcs of jealous men in power threatened by her performance in the legal department. At first, it seems like Ruoxin was cold and unapproachable to others but actually, Ruoxin was an independent, straightforward, wise, rational, graceful, righteous and courageous woman that strived to do her best in her field. She didn't back down when she literally was kicked to the curb by the company's vice president but she moved forward, learned her lessons and a bit by bit she succeeded advancing her career to the top accompanied by her loyal assistant later her boyfriend, ML Qi Xiao. She was impressed by the persistent of Qi Xiao to be her assistant and she won his loyalty when she willing to put her career on the line to help him keep his job bcs she knew it was unfair that he got dragged down as her assistant. She didn't desire a relationship and marriage bcs she prioritised her career and partially coz of her parents. Gradually, she saw how sincere Qi Xiao was to her, fell head over heels because of his actions repeatedly showed how much thoughtful he was to her, that he accepted and understands all of her as a person. Ruoxin also protective of ML and wanted to do everything that she could to help him.
I definitely love that this drama also showed other couples struggles and how they got back together , Ziyan (FL's bff) with her husband and Su Yang (Qi Xiao's bff) with Sijia.
Special shoutout to Qi Xiao's mom for being so supportive of QX relationship with Rx, trusting and loving her son so much. Well... Unlike the other mom *eyes rolls* but thankfully she came to her sense bcs she got to witness how they love each other.
Love most of Rouxin's office attires and ofc Qi Xiao, fashionable as always.
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Don't have high expectations
This was what I've told myself several times when I watched this drama. Now, I know my limit, that is don't watch forbidden love type of story because I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop the entire time. I actually stopped watching after 29th ep and proceeded to read the remainders episodes' spoilers so I kind of finish it but not really. I definitely will try to watch this drama till the end.ML, Xiao Duo was intimidating, ruthless and clever head chief of eunuch in Zhaoding Bureau/Sect. He was definitely good at finding solution for difficult situations.
FL, Bu Yinluo, the Consort Duan, was playful, smart and ruthless when the time needed her to be. I definitely admired her brazen behaviour when she slapped the Empress(the villainess) back and hold her as a hostage. Like I need to see more of that move from Female Lead.
I definitely agree when PeachBlossom's review mentioned how they flaunted their affair with recklessness.
Now let me gush about the ML's outfits. Definitely love love how he looks so royally and the person with authority better than the emperor. I love this one outfit of him, there were gold patterns on his shoulders and on the skirts beneath the see-through first layer of the skirt. Idk why but most of the time, his eyes looks like it was so natural for him to have his eyes lined with black eyeliners. Looks more edgy and dangerous.
I am really rooting for Princess Hede and Prince Liangxu's love. Cao Chung'an and Tongyun too.
I cannot believe that I hv to put this drama on hold bcs I'm afraid to watch it till the end. This review is not finished yet, will come back, conclude it once and for all.
- 29122023
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