maryxiah

I'm still at episode 17, proceeding very slowly. Maybe I'll have better chance to catch up on weekends.

I'm not sure if it's his acting or his characters because he tends to play characters who are emotionally defeated and in despair (this, ATWIL, AOL). However, compared to his two previous roles, this character appears more flamboyant (despite an act), which is a nice depart from his usual serious characters. I have to agree with you on his lethargic energy, I'm hoping to see a little fire in him as he avenge his Yundang brothers in later episodes (if it happens).

Also, why is Emperor Ai titled as such when he hasn't formally ascended the throne?

I knew it! I knew my Wen Si Yuan had to be connected to the 7 Yundang Warriors. Omg, why is Ting Wei's character so tragic in this too? *Cries

Oh my, which episode is this? Lol

Ok, I got to episode 16 and realized I missed the part where Qing Ci was wearing royal robes so I didn't make the connection that he was pretending to be the young emperor. The marquis chose to sacrifice his son because he knew Qing Ci would have listened to him and pretend to be Emperor Ai to the end, gah, my bleeding heart. It was so heartbreaking to hear Qing Ci said, "he did the right thing". It's always the father son relationship that kills me in these dramas.

I agree it has to be one of the boys, but I don't think it's Mu Ying because he looks older and he's way too hot-headed to stay hidden if he's indeed Emperor Ai. With the way Yan Yu protects him, it has to be someone hidden from the world, didn't Zhu Yan come from a secluded tribe that the Jianghu claims to be evil/cult?

Chang Ge mentioned in one episode that he came to Zheng Yang Palace at the age of 4, so he can't be Emperor Ai who disappeared when he was a teen. It could be Zhu Yan since Zhu Yan seems to be an important role, however, he's not gay in this, the one who was giving me the gay vibe is Chang Ge.

I can't resist and read the spoiler, now I'm sad.

"Yeah I thought no one would top Mark Chao's Ye Hua with the long hair and then along comes Chen Kun's Ning Yi and I am like huh... Ye who?"

Say no more, I'm squeezing in The Rise of Phoenix to my watch list for Chen Kun.

I understand your points. It's just frustrating to watch dramas after dramas (especially with the speed of their airing) with young, inexperienced actors (mostly idols) in leading roles, with awkward acting, mediocre scripts and subpar production. It feels like a waste of everyone's time, theirs and ours. Meanwhile, good actors who are awkwardly stuck between 30s and 40s lose out opportunity because they either don't have a selling point or getting old, I know it's the reality of film industry but it is just so damn sad.

Lucky you, no such luck here. Hope I can get off work early at least and maybe binge watch this.

Great, can't wait to watch. I'm still stuck at episode 14, too tired to watch it last night and I want to watch this when my brain is awake so I don't miss any details.

I figured he did because his wife begged him to save their son, so Qing Ci must have came back home at some point. I don't like how skimpy they are with details for the same reason.

Hmm, I thought he came back too late for his son and Qing Ci was already poisoned by the time he came back. I wasn't sure why he seemingly gave up on him afterward but I'm assuming it had to do with Emperor Ai's disappearance. All the memories are in pieces so I guess there's more to the story. I feel bad for Qing Ci though, his mother died trying to save him and his father just abandoned him, kind of reminds me of Tou lol.

Omg, he did?! Which episode is this?

Sadly yeah, I wonder why WeTV English isn't subbing this. Even as Chinese speaker, I'd still appreciate English subs.

Between seasoned actors and baby-faced idols, I'd pick the former any day. I wouldn't mind eye candy on my screen for sure but it'd be nice to see some substance than just good looks.

But these so-called "fans" aren't even watching. This is why C-dramas are being mass-produced and aired/replaced at the speed of light without regards of quality control. Ugh.

Lol I feel you, the last one burns me. The plot here is engaging and moving fluidly, just the court/palace part bores me so I sometimes had to rewind to double take what they were saying, the romance is not taking off but I do enjoy the secondary couple, I guess good enough to keep me interested.