maryxiah

WHAT?! WHERE?!!!!

I hope it's not just for the Chinese sites but for international iQIYI as well because that's where I'm watching and today's the 14th for me!!!!

I am not sure if they're just shy or they're avoiding getting banned or censorship.

That makes sense. Clearing the enemies in the name of protecting the emperor/empire and upholding the law are really good cover and could even be seen as a righteous move. I suspect he married Shang Guan Zheng for that very reason. He might have wanted the Imperial Advisor on his side through his daugher, but now that it's clear he and Tou don't share his vision, he might as well clear them out.

I agree that the role is well acted, I haven't seen this actor before but I'm definitely looking forward to more of his work.

LOL. Your comment never fails to crack me up. That's true, a child is always a proof of a done deed. Sometimes they're like, "I'm pregnant" and I'm left stunned wondering when the hell did I miss such an important detail.

"I hope there will be a scene where they wake up together and Tou give Xue Zhi a forehead kiss saying 'Good Morning Zhi'er'"
That'd be a sweet version, I'm hoping for something like, "I hope I didn't hurt you too much last night." *nosebleed HAHA

I get that, I just want to understand the motivation and driving force behind his zeal than just "restoring order", I mean what does this order mean to him anyway? It's also interesting to see despite his clear intention, his ambition/motivation is unclear to everyone else, even his current advisor couldn't read him. He's truly in control of every chess piece on his board and he sees ahead every possible move, this makes for an effective and chilling villain, which I really appreciate in a show like this.

I initially believed he was vying for the throne and staging everything behind the scene to suppress the martial arts world and raise an army. However, I don't think his desire/intention is to control the martial arts world anymore, rather to destroy it from the chain of order completely. He's clearly been stirring the major sects to kill each other. Also, if he had wanted to take control of the Hall of Flames' ability to manufacture weapons, he shouldn't have taken it down and closed it the way he did. It'd make more sense to switch the leader and get someone he can control.

Anyway, I'm interested in this plot, and to see how everything unravels, I just hope it is well executed and makes sense. Very often these shows have great ideas and potential but ruined in the execution.

I wouldn't normally check out anything with fresh faces, especially casts that I'm not familiar with, but this one looks good. I see Mu Yuan ge! Although his face is considerably puffy here lol. Definitely will check this out.

Thank you for this! This looks really good too! I'll put this on my to watch list.

I'm with you on checking out new genres. I'm all for romance, but if a story is gripping enough, I can get by without romance. I'm not sure if you're interested in Korean drama, but there's one that I'd like to recommend and it's one of my favorite crime thriller show, this coming from a girl who doesn't normally watch crime thriller. This one had me on the edge of my seat till the end, the title is "Secret Forest/Stranger."

And I read your recommendation on "Love in Between" so I checked out the trailer, quite intriguing and the special effects on some look cool, I will definitely check that out after I finish this. My brain can't handle too much show at one time.

I hate politics but I'm enjoying this a lot, probably because the court's politics are rather light here than most, and it's basically romance centric, my favorite. I honestly want more of this kind of plot. Any suggestion?

I think it's fair for everyone to express their likes and dislikes over the drama as long as the discussions are healthy and constructive. Everyone who has taken their time to watch and comment has obviously invested a certain amount of time and committment to the show, and are entitled to express their opinion the way they see fit. Let's just give each other a respectful and civil place to voice an opinion without feeling wary of what others may think. Please don't take any comment personally as we're all just trying to enjoy dramas.

On another note, I'm always up for squealing and discussing the drama with you because I'm still enjoying it despite the OTP's current time off. However, I'm about to flip the table if they don't start clearing up misunderstanding soon. :)

I know. I've seen the trailers as well. I'm worried about what's going to happen tomorrow considering Lord Lu has set his plan into motion and we see Tou's father is in prison for hiding Tou's whereabouts. Ugh, I can't bear to see Tou's father sacrificing himself for Tou. He clearly knew this was gonna happened, hence his ominous talk about not being around so he should take care of his sister for him. *cries

Also, the misunderstanding is finally being cleared up after 12 episodes! Ugh, idk if this revelation can make up for the 12 torturous episodes of my OTP being apart.

Today's episodes felt rather poignant given what's coming tomorrow, I thoroughly enjoyed watching Tou and his father's moments. I have been enjoying the many inter-relationships in this drama, although admittedly some characters are killed off way too early to establish connections, and this father-son relationship is one of my favorite ones. They went from not speaking, to strained but mutually rediscovering each other, to forgiveness and starting anew, and now supporting each another. I was literally in tears when Tou's father asked him what Xue Zhi meant to him and he readily admitted he'd go hell and back for her, it showed how much Tou has come to trust and rely on his father. And when his father said he's Tou's greatest piece, he clenched his fist, clearly touched and worried at the same time for the grand gesture. Oof, father and son are breaking my heart today! I can't watch tomorrow's episodes and find Tou's father dies protecting his son. My heart can't take it.

I have no words for the things Tou did today, especially concerning Xue Zhi, I get his intention but not his confidence. All these "I can't see her yet." "She's safe with Mu Yuan." "I'll protect her from Lord Lu first and then explain everything later." I just want to smack his head senseless. Boy, this isn't how you deal with your girl!

On another note, it's very interesting to see Lord Lu intimidating everyone, including Tou's father with mere words. This guy clearly has a presence compared to his brother. I appreciate that he's not fighting for the throne or is against his brother, but I can't quite understand his obsession with restoring order for the emperor/empire. What's this guy's deal?

I agree that Mu Yuan did really well with his confession, it felt natural and reassuring, something Xue Zhi really needed right now. Although she didn't promise him anything, her behavior seemed to suggest she was willing to consider him. I am not at all swayed because Tou and Xue Zhi are clearly very much in love, they miss each other in their respective alone time, and Xue Zhi's message for Tou to leave for Moon Valley and stay away from Lord Lu is showing her protectiveness over him.

I was frustrated to see Tou blatantly ignoring the advice of two most wise women in his life. Hong Xiu and Shang Guan Zheng clearly gave him insightful hints about Xue Zhi and how time is waiting for no one, but he insisted on pushing Xue Zhi away for her sake and sacrificed himself like an idiot. Ugh, even Wu Ming was frustrated goddamnit!

I'm still holding out hope for tomorrow's episodes.

Yeah, I get what you're saying, but plenty of actors and actresses get away with bad acting and still make it in the industry. I have nothing against bad acting because I always feel people have room to improve and it's up to them whether they want to break through or not, and it's entirely up to me whether I want to watch them or not. On that note, I do find her enjoyable in Ashes of Love and in this. Again, lead or no lead, I'd still watch Yukee if I like her work.

I just saw your edit and cracked up laughing! Of course this is how it's done in C-dramas! I wasn't expecting anything steamy tbh, just a confirmation that our OTP is attracted on physical level as well as emotional level because they barely kiss, barely hold hands, barely ANYTHING! At least give me SOMETHING! Lol

I don't think this drama spells female empowerment, however, I do think Xue Zhi is shaping up to be a strong female lead. I think it's how her character is written and the direction's vision that's shaping her as a soft spoken and demure girl. Yukee was strong and badass in Ashes of Love, I loved her spunk and her character. She doesn't have very nuanced acting but she's ok in my book, lead or no lead. I do think setting your expectation lower when a drama isn't living up to a certain potential helps with the viewing experience, unless of course you don't find yourself able to continue watching, then better not waste your time.

His excuse was to let Mu Yuan rest after watching him like an eagle for the whole night. I'm like, "He's your love rival, damnit, you're not supposed to help him." Lol

Nope, they're going to clear the misunderstanding first before the cliff scene because Xue Zhi is wearing red dress when she goes to look for him at the cliff, she wears red every time she tries to impress him. Also, Yu Chu Zhi is wearing dark clothing in later episodes, there are still some sweet scenes in light clothing that has yet to appear so it must be before the cliff scene.

I played that almost dying for Xue Zhi scene on repeat last night. It's tormenting but it hurts so good, haha. Leo is so good in this type of emotional scene.

I know, which is why love triangle or square is always a torment for the second leads. I don't care what reason Mu Yuan turns dark as long as it makes sense and executed neatly.

I may have misunderstood your initial comment as I'm commenting on her character and character's growth, rather than the actress. I do agree her acting leaves a lot to be desired but I've no problem with her portrayal so far.

Xue Zhi fought the battle with Huashan and Emei on Hall of Flames ground with only 2 guardians with her, she didn't really need backup and was shown to be able to fight her own battle. Even Tou needs a backup once in awhile, I don't see why her character doesn't? After all, we all live in this world inter-dependent of each other.

I think she looks very much Chinese though, I wasn't aware if she's mixed blood, nor do I care tbh. I even loved Dilraba in historical dramas so I don't see why not.

I've seen way too many dead fish kisses in both historical and modern dramas, the angles don't help much too. This really shouldn't be an issue anymore. I mean, how can you convince viewers of the OTP's sexual attraction if you can't even pull something as easy as a kiss?

Nvm kiss scene, now I want consummation scene, or at least a half-decent bed scene for Tou and Xue Zhi.