Li Kuang wasn’t nearly as terrible in the novel, why did they have to do this in the drama? If he was that horrible,…
His character and that subplot was very haunting for me in the novel. It was horrible and Li Kuang makes the wrong choice, but his character flaws felt very real and it was all foreshadowed. And the way it tied back into how He Yan sees the world, how misogyny is ingrained in the culture, and why Xiao Jue first noticed and secretly appreciated her teenage self... The fate of his concubine was SO TRAGIC and the novel makes us care about her, using only a few interactions and brief backstory. You do believe Li Kuang will carry this guilt and her memory forever.
And if they realized that Rufei isn’t dying young, then why didn’t they just switch them back? It’s not…
She'd ran off to the army! 🤣 In novel and drama this was consistent - joining the military and working her way up was the 1 choice that was HERS. No one in the He family expected that. (she mentions this in the drama amid the bridge divorce scene with Xiao Jue, it's elaborated more in the novel). She was supposed to go to the academy and walk around the capital impersonating the oldest noble son. NOT risk her life Rufei was actually terrified she would die on the battlefield and destroy his real identity. Only after she achieved status and fame was he greedy for it and felt this too was his rightful place that she supplanted.
LMAO you really should. They don't kiss much on-page in the novel. Maybe a quick one 1 time prior to the wedding? Xiao Jue is not one of the more amorous MLs I've encountered in cnovels. He's quite proper and restrained in all aspects, as a character.
It's ridiculous. Do these companies want their shows to be popular/make a lot of money or not? If yes, then they…
Oddly enough to you and I, thus far China hasn't seemed super interested in dramas as a soft power vehicle like Thailand, Turkey, and South Korea. Still primarily focused on entertainment's influence on their national audience. They COULD became the next international drama powerhouse and probably supplant SK if they wanted to. But doesn't seem to be on the agenda. Honestly, it might be for the best. Trying to cater to international audiences might change the unique flavor of cdramas and water it down.
Yeah that was something I couldn't understand as well, but I saw the novel version and her feeling was quite explained…
the novel definitely doesn't show her dropping her sword in the midst of battle. in fact, the novel makes a big deal about how she will and must press on fighting even in the face of a friend's death.
so the female lead here is into Chu Zhao? poor Xao Jue!
you gotta be kidding. she friendzoned that man 6 feet underground. he doesn't even register to her in that way. she sees him as one of the weak she's compelled to protect.
Well can anyone please tell me chapter the number of their interaction they had while they were in the academy,…
The novel sprinkles the academy days flashbacks in little by little over time. It's a bit similar to MDZS that way (both are set in present day after the main character has died once and now is in disguise. Main character's love interest is someone they knew from back in school around 14-15 years old, the cold and stern top student. Flashbacks intersperse the narrative, as their full past is slowly revealed.)
Glad ep 26 included Chu Zhao standing up for those women. I have mixed feelings as a novel fan about how his character was adapted but this moment was important to me because it is the ONE TIME in canon that he has pure motives. It's striking BECAUSE he is selfish and grey character. Passage from the novel: [[ “After a moment of silence, Ying Xiang spoke again, “Fourth Young Master shouldn’t have done that.”
“Oh?” Chu Zhao responded.
“There might be people from the Xu Xiang’s residence in the city. If the Xu Xiang sees Fourth Young Master like this, he may not be pleased…”
Xu Jingfu is someone who dislikes others acting on their own. Since the incident in Rundu has nothing to do with him, Chu Zhao not only spoke out but also brought up Xu Jingfu. Once Xu Jingfu knows about it, he will inevitably harbor displeasure towards Chu Zhao.
“I did it; there’s no need to worry,” Chu Zhao smiled slightly. “As for the Lord Xiang, I will explain it myself.”
“Why did the young master do that?” Ying Xiang asked softly.
Chu Zhao didn’t answer, just looked at the vast sky outside the window.
Why indeed?
Most likely, it was the image of her standing in front of those women that reminded him of the time when someone bullied him in the brothel house, and Ye Runmei stood in front of him. There were few moments in his life when he was protected, and besides Ye Runmei, there was only He Yan.
She protected those women, just like she protected him in Jiyang. One person protecting another, without selfishness, blood ties, or even any intimate relationship, just because she thought it should be done, so she did it.
Her boldness was enviable, her openness making others jealous, like a beam of light that even those who approached couldn’t help but be illuminated. So when he stood up that moment, he thought he was also an upright and brave hero.
Does anyone know when the FL and the 2nd ML discover that they are siblings? (I assume that they are anyway, unless…
No, Chu Zhao's mom was done wrong by his dad. She's not his legal wife. Chu Zhao in the drama I think wants to get her included in the family registry. (which would give her more honor and included to be worshipped as part of family ancestors). In the novel, he doesn't even aim that high. In the drama he literally sees his dad's servant end his mom's life in front of him because they consider her worthless because she works in a brothel. 🥲
Does anyone know when the FL and the 2nd ML discover that they are siblings? (I assume that they are anyway, unless…
Ok, I can help! :) :) This is a harem situation. Any time you are watching a historical drama like this, you should expect that the normal situation for noble families is multiple brothers living in the same mansion. Each brother typically has multiple wives. (1 main wife plus concubines). So it is very expected that He Yan has siblings and cousins who live in the same mansion as her. And they will often be only blood related through the FATHER. Chu Zhao our 2ML is of an entirely different family and they don't have any direct relationship with He family.
“Oh?” Chu Zhao responded.
“There might be people from the Xu Xiang’s residence in the city. If the Xu Xiang sees Fourth Young Master like this, he may not be pleased…”
Xu Jingfu is someone who dislikes others acting on their own. Since the incident in Rundu has nothing to do with him, Chu Zhao not only spoke out but also brought up Xu Jingfu. Once Xu Jingfu knows about it, he will inevitably harbor displeasure towards Chu Zhao.
“I did it; there’s no need to worry,” Chu Zhao smiled slightly. “As for the Lord Xiang, I will explain it myself.”
“Why did the young master do that?” Ying Xiang asked softly.
Chu Zhao didn’t answer, just looked at the vast sky outside the window.
Why indeed?
Most likely, it was the image of her standing in front of those women that reminded him of the time when someone bullied him in the brothel house, and Ye Runmei stood in front of him. There were few moments in his life when he was protected, and besides Ye Runmei, there was only He Yan.
She protected those women, just like she protected him in Jiyang. One person protecting another, without selfishness, blood ties, or even any intimate relationship, just because she thought it should be done, so she did it.
Her boldness was enviable, her openness making others jealous, like a beam of light that even those who approached couldn’t help but be illuminated. So when he stood up that moment, he thought he was also an upright and brave hero.
But…
He was ultimately not light, just a shadow. ]]