susuworld

That's actually a common villainous husband in cdramaland. Nothing unique or special. But in line with this drama on going beyond the tropes, SYR isn't like that. You said he used his wife. First, she had no power or wealth. Her father at the time was just a local magistrate (who we know by now that he was a very humbled one, didn't take bribes and was actually using his salary to help the poor). XFF therefore was actually living modestly as well. She didn't have money to give to SYR but she was very supportive of him- on an intellectual level, they complimented each other. And with her, he got a position in politics but not just because of her.

If he wanted XFF dead because she came back for her revenge, he had many opportunities to do so (again, in line with his villainous two timing husband nature) but instead he saved her (which is more in line with his guilt over his actions). Some will say he saved her for his own benefit but really, most of his issues would be resolved if XFF remained dead. To say we don't really know he ever loved her, then we have missed all those scenes of him being in immense guilt. We missed those flashbacks of him actually being happy with XFF. Because I do believe he had loved her and still does but he destroyed that happiness.

What I also like about this drama is that the villains (women) have been victims of their circumstances, in those circumstances they made decisions that put them where they end up. It's not an excuse nor justification for the harm and reckless disregard for other people's lives but it does make you at the very least, pity them as victims. This was particular shown in the stepmother's past. In contrast, XFF is also a victim but she made different choices- she doesn't want anyone hurt that isn't part of her revenge scheme.

While we all know people aren't born bad - it's the choices they make that do. However, the choices available to them is also defined by their circumstances.

In the side note, I can see how painful it was for SYR to see XFF smile when she ran to XH. Once upon a time, that smile was reserved for him. He had a great and supportive wife and he was happily married to her. By his own hand, he destroyed that happiness and there is no reconcile with XFF. Those flashbacks show that it was not even easy for them to get married. They had to overcome their parents initial disapproval.

She knew very little of Wanning and perhaps she thought she was dealing with someone who was very calculated (like her stepmother) and therefore, she can manipulate her by exploiting her weakness. Except, Wanning's weakness is not really SYR - she is nothing more than a pet. Wanning is very much unhinged and going up against her without knowing exactly who she is, what makes her tick, what makes her powerful is rash and is going to lead Jiang Li with limited choices.

Her version of love is domination and obsession.

He did very well. Liu Shi Shi was Mu Nian Ci

Did you like Yuan Hong's version of Yang Kang? It's the Hu Ge version of Condor Heroes. The writers there wanted to show for once the complicated character conflicted between knowing his birth heritage and yet, grew up as a privileged adopted son of a powerful Jin official.

I like how he immediately noticed that it could be taken wrongly and he goes to explain himself to her very fast. It's obvious he cares about how she sees him without even saying it. Brilliant.

She goes missing from the storyline for a bit, resurfaces and then her arc is done by ep 29

I didn't mind Ariel Lin's Huang Rong and she did the BEST version of the scene that is suppose to be really difficult for her character (pulling the dagger out of Guo Jin). The internal struggle was very apparent. Other versions doesn't give it enough heart for you to really feel her pain.

For me, because I am very familiar with the Guo Jing/Huang Rong's arc (having watched the numerous adaptations) that I feel this version is super condense to the point I can't feel anything other than just being fed the story. I get this is 30 episodes from the original storyline that spans like 60 just to do it proper justice but the other arcs appear too short (8 episodes). It's not hitting me in the right spot yet and I do struggle with whether to continue. I feel I might like the other arcs as there are less adaptations and so the story can feel 'newer' to me.

OMG their level of flirting, the tease with their eyes is just enough to get the audience hooked and dragged to the ends of the world..the same way they decided to release an unusual 1 episode on selected days of the week and double on some. They are milking our thirst for them just enough.

There was a maid hiding behind the gardener (aka bodyguard) and she was the one who voiced Yue Er. I think that maid is the one who served the late Yue Er because she asked the gardener in the previous episode to find this maid for her.

It implies that FL is using a higher social standing identity than who she is.

It's a full time job just to survive in historical c-dramaland.

It wouldn't look good for him if he divorced her to be with the princess. Everyone would say he abandoned a dutiful wife who was with him through thick and thin but abandoned her when he has a chance for better prospects. As a widower, he can be expected to marry again and not be seen as a heartless husband.

I think it was more of a threat to his life and his family if he didn't do what she wanted. It was implied when he was burying his wife alive that the princess can simply have his life anytime she wanted. We see it's not an empty threat- the princess has authority and power that which almost surpasses the king

Where are you finding the teasers?

Is the Eldest Princess and WJY's husband not the 2nd couple?

I honestly had no expectations for this drama. The initial trailer made it seem very dark (like Journey to You) and while I am not a huge fan of Wu Jin Yan (didn't like Royal Feast), I was interested largely for Wang Xing Yue. He captured my attention in Only For You as SML but was morally grey. I started 1st episode, 10 mins in and I am hooked by WJY. The cinematography, lighting, music and the various slo modes really built the atmosphere.

I can't help that this has a similar story from the last few period dramas featuring revenge plot, 'body or identity swap', a powerful government official with a cold heart and the numerous power struggles in a government official's household (between wives and children). Yet, I can't name one that is remarkably similar. I am enjoying the plot. I love how ML and FL use each other (without really knowing they are being used or they knew but willing to be the pawns of each other's schemes - similar to Love Like the Galaxy between the leads pre-romance time.

Chen Chiao En surprised me. I haven't seen her since Dugu days and she seemed different (ageing gracefully) but this is right up her alley of a conniving wife. Her expressions are so micro that the cameras do it justice. Particularly the scene where she first sees FL as an adult Li Er - both trying to not be impressed yet completely blown by FL's beauty. Her fear that Li Er can overtake her own daughter is internalized. Yet in mere seconds, she has to control her emotions and play the whole "I missed you daughter even though you caused me to miscarry".

Not his aunt, it's his stepmother and yes it was very sweet. She earned her place of respect with Fan Xian which I like about her