Luv Peony

the novel was a very good read of twist and turns...it's a pity the drama couldn't bring all that to the screen.

well, the title pretty much gives you an idea of FL being the apple of every men's eyes lol.
The men in her life...all loves/attracted her in a different way.
Shen ZaiYe
Qian BaiMei (her mentor)
Xu YinGui (ML's colleague and secret helper)
Le Dian (ex fiance who married her sister)
Mu Wuyin (3rd prince)
Mu Wuxia (4th prince)

in the novel, ML pretty much find ways to disposed, divorce, killed or get rid of all the women in his manor. they all represent political power in the government and ties to the princes. after ML and FL got to know each other better, FL help carry out his scheme to get rid of the women once they are no longer needed in the struggle/game.

novel readers should never ever ever have any anticipation when it gets adapted into a drama version.

not at all accurate haha...the drama seems to loosely adapt their characters and personalities, but changed a lot of details and dropped a lot of plot/story arc.

the characters revolves around 3 kingdom: wei, zhao and wu...but the drama changed all of it.
wei zhao and wu kingdoms were once one kingdom until the royal family split ways and form their own kingdoms. overtime, each kingdom have their own culture, etc. zhao weaken over time due to internal corruption and lack of wise rulers. this is one of the reason why zhao marry off the princess (FL) to secure a friendly relationship with wei. wu is strong in military combat and resources, wei is more of in the middle, but with internal royal conflicts. wei sent one of the consort to wu as a royal hostage. when the consort arrived at wu, she was 1-2 months pregnant already. due to the timing, the wei king never acknowledge the 4th prince (prince nan; mu wuxia) and suspects the consort was having an affair while she was a hostage in wu.

ML schemed to have FL in the very first chapter of the novel. Through error, she became his concubine. ML is super smart, cunning and a scheme master and does everything for a reason/goal. FL is a female version of him, which is why they are the battles of wits when it comes to goals/surviving.
ML's main wife and all his concubines are a political exchange of power and advantages.
in the novel, he doesn't sleep with anyone at his manor. xu yingui is his colleague (never really explain much of his background but rather they both shared the same goal and that they grew up together). xu yingui is basically the one who secretly sleeps with all his women and the women all this time thought it was the ML. ML has no interest in any of the women and believe that not being emotionally attached will keep him have a clear mind and more focus to do things. Xu yingui needs to consume yin (women/sex) to master his kungfu/wugong. so they have this set up where they both could get what they want.

FL's pregnancy is a key point to her survival...and if they follow the story line from the novel, this will happen in the drama.

from the novel, the 4th prince background is not who he is. but his story arc seem to be dropped by the drama version... alot of changes, although minor but it seem like they dropped one of important story arc from the novel.

hahah, i have yet to finish the novel...so here's hoping there's a happy ending for this drama.

AH, i just usually check the first post...hardly scroll down to others

he has to play the part of lustful person haha.

well, per novel, he's supposed to have 2 faces: cruel/vindictive prime minister and the other, his real self...

she was given seductress training from the 'master' before she was married off. since she's a political bride between 2 countries, she has to be train to be likeable/desired by her husband.

yes, a wife and 3 other concubines - all political per novel...

Sub/title: Lament of the River Immortal"
Title: Feud

Lament - a passionate expression of grief or sorrow
Feud - prolonged and bitter quarrel or dispute

LOL, i mean the title pretty much sets the theme for this drama. The romance is a subtheme. I think your expectation of cheesy gooey eye romance is what makes this a disappointment for you.

Story of Kunning Palace is a masterpiece! The actors, plot/storyline and costumes were spot on. SOKP is not even in the same category (xianxia) as Feud so your opinion is super off. Maybe costume dramas are not your genre of entertainment?

there is...but i find the romance angle super weak for this story. i guess that's the point so it doesn't take away the focus of the drama theme. still a good drama to watch.

their side story is pretty light, but i personally do not find the queen's love story necessary for this drama plot. this drama is pretty clean and cut compare to most dramas in this caliber.

any recommendations for dramas similar to this?

for elite/royal families, they don't care if the other person is married. they take b/c they felt entitled.

KD is a gentleman. he treated her as needed and respect boundaries. it seem like he was aware of her identity under his care, so of course he would be more attentive. i see his character as being empathetic rather than romantic. KD is also a man of virtue and for the people. the book he gave benefit the people, hoping to improve/better their lives, not meant for a keepsake for his sake. that's the most he could do esp when he's at fault for taking what is not his.

can't blame the queen for having an unrequitted love for a guy like him.

LOL...right!? it's more convincing if they have like guards patrolling or servants on watch inside.

i wish there was more romance/sweetness scenes for the ML and FL. the villain is somewhat predictable even though it remain a mystery throughout the drama. other than that, the drama is pretty good to watch in terms of plot, story and overall flow throughout the episodes. i guess dramas are much more entertaining and less frustrating when you do not have the book the compare to. definitely worth watching!

in the novel, the dowager empress su is the main villain. jiang xu's life change b/c of her. she's more of a dignified villain and opponent than the drama's nanlu prince, chancellor su and liu mo! the drama should focus the villain arc around her and the connections she hold in the political court.

lol, yeah, that scene with the dad at the city gates was the lamest take over ever. i rather they make liu mo an ambituous villian who bite the hand that feed him (the mentor/left chancellor) and then due plot and scheme, break the couple apart and go from there. now that's a story! the nanlu prince and liu mo are super lame. i honestly don't get the episode from 29-30...with a big portion of ep 30 about the second lead couple taht went back and forth!