yllers

Her eyes are so pretty!!!

I just watched episode 14 as well and you might be right. It was such a cruel thing that has been done to him, doesnt justify eveyrything he has done ever since.
Was he really Mister, the OG manipulator? It seems so but somehow it felt like he had turned a new life. Just when I think he is a changed man and that he really loves FL, he goes on to teach that Basketball psycho, how to make women feel inferior..because its their job to be subservient to men. What an a-hole... I am not sure what is true and what is a lie with him.
But kudos to the actor to actually humanize and make a character like that somewhat less murky and maybe even sympathetic. I cant believe we are more than halfway through with this drama.

I have watched the first 8 episodes and I have to say that I am enjoying this so much.
Arthur Chen's Voice and demeanor align so well with someone with a keen strategic mind and martial arts skill. So totally convincing, He really shines in this. And Dilarba is so good too. I love her mannerisms and she is so seductive and magical.
So far I like iut very much it is quite original and it has no boring parts! Hope it keeps it up!

I am at episode 19 and I am dreading the end, because I have read spoilers, still I cant let go.
Fan Zhi Xin is such a fantastic actor. The depth of emotions he depicts is amazing and I love the way he portrays everything. I also loved him in The Game Of Love and I think he had better chemistry with that FL. No hate for this FL. I think she did well with the script she was given. She was too weak for my liking, even though she kinds started as a seemingly brave and righteous person.
Although the ML is hopelessly devoted to FL and he has his reasons, she was his light in the dar, the one seemingly untainted thing that was all his, her love which he thought was pure and unaffected by the life he was leading. He did too many bad things and killed too many people, to really be completely redeemed, but I have to say I enjoyed his character and sympathized with him...
His love for her is somewhat redeeming him as a person, because it showed he could love even if his life hadnt taught him that and didnt let him really pursue that.
He did such a good job showing all that...his inner struggle, the guilt, the hope, the depseration.. everything.
I am disappointed its going to be a SE but ok, for me it was worth it, just to savour that sensational performance by the ML.

:)
In retrospect I might start to agree with you on the production/editing.
When he was trying to prevent her from jumping from the cliff we started to hear his labored breathing, but there was loud obnoxious music playing in the background which I found distracting.
usually what I enjoy in similar scenes in other c-dramas, is that once the ML/FL try to save their love, or are in danger or whatever and their breathing starts to get fast and loud or their heart starts beating wildly, thats the only thing we can hear, in order to shif the focus on this singular moment and feel what they are feeling, their pain or their excitement. Theres a pause like time has frozen which I like.
In this drama that loud music I believe robbed that moment of the emotional impact it could have.
But thats just my opinion.
I suppose editing might better in future episodes

I know you didnt ask me, but maybe I can offer my perspective as well. Respectfully! :)
To be honest, I havent decided yet on the rating, because I think it is too soon, but I dont find it that bad.
I am not fond of the startιng credits, they are bland and boring, but I it hasnt given me the impression that its cheaply made.
I know that for a lot of short C-Dramas the costumes, staging etc are recycled so I have seen the same stuff in a lot of dramas, so it doesnt irk me.
I like the photography, nice vivid colors and so far the scenery and everything shown, though not original, at least its decent.
As for acting. I like the FL, I have seen her in many dramas and she usually does a good job, she is pretty and has a youthful vibe about her.
I also enjoyed how she changed her mannerisms when she was pretending to be a young boy. The way she walked and talked. I liked that she was different than when she was as Lu Xinnian. There was a distinction which I appreciated.
And I am only saying this because in several dramas we see women disguised as men and the opposite and they rarely change the mannerisms enough to be convincing.
They just put on a moustache or put their hair up in a bun and they call it a day.
Dont get me wrong, I dont think I have been convinced in any drama, but the effort in this one was appreciated.
As for the ML he looks vaguely familiar so I may have seen him in another drama as well but Icant recall.
I like his voice, it's commanding and manly and he looks convincing as a general.
He is pretty thin but at least he looks strong and has nice fight scenes.
He hasnt shown much emotion, but I dont know he has that sorrowful look about him, he seems stern but sad. I think it is a good way for nowm to show that although he feels quite a lot, circumstances or whatever are forcing him to hold back and hide his true self, for the greater good or possibly only for his love's benefit (and her family)
Coincidentally, when he was taunting her to become stronger and more efficent so that she could kill him and the he was teaching her archery etc, it vaguely reminded me of the similar scenes in the Korean show, Moon In The Day, which I also enjoyed (especially in the "flash back scenes of the past, not so much the modern time ones)

So, am I really impressed by this show? No, or maybe I should say Not YET, since its too soon imho, but I am definitely not sorely disappointed YET. haha
Maybe its just me, since I have watched many c dramas in this trope and enjoyed them because I happen to enjoy dark twisted stories.
I just like morally grey characters, they are fun, but definitely not an example to live by.

Yes, it's a high quality drama imho, it should have a page

And its such a good drama, I am enjoying it so much. Too bad it doesnt have its own page here to discuss it!!

ML is such a fantastic actor. And I so agree with you. He seems so in love with her, that he is kinda ignoring all those red flags about her. But FZX is so good at these kind of roles. When he looks at you (the FL) it seems that he doesnt have eyes for anyone else. Like his whole world is you.... I mean a lot of actors are handsome, but he is just so believable when he looks at FL.

ML is always a joy to watch, he is such a charismatic actor

Yep he looks suspicious AF

I am pretty sure that cop is the one who killed her godfather, I just havent figured out why yet....
Her nails are a bit tacky but at least they are not painted in an obnoxious color or something,

She also reminds me of IU sometimes

I loved it too. Both ML and FL did an excellent job portraying all these emotions and he was redeemed because at first I thought he was bad. He loved her soo much and he had to burden the shame and blame from the late Emperor's actions...
Although it was so sad it felt so bittersweet, their love for each other was enormous. I really loved this drama.

I Totally agree. Having lived what she has gone through of course she will seem more reserved and calculating and hiding her true thoughts. I think Bai Lu does a very good job of portraying this character. It is exactly how I would expect a FL bent on revenge would be.

Thats amazing, she is such a true artist of her craft!!

so true. Its not just the moves, its the whole attitude and demeanor. She is calm, collected and effective. No flourishing, no moves just to look good. Pure gold those scenes!!

You make some interesting and valid points.
Although I agree that a lot of CDramas nowadays are more about the faces than the actual story, I have to disagree on some of the points you mention.

I dont think the makeup is horrible, although I dont see it as super flattering, especially for the FL, but I think it goes to show that she was more of an investigator, a detective first and a noble woman second. Since she was set on this path of revenge, her looks and her outfits were not as important to her, so she did not pay as much attention to it.
Most Chinese actresses do not want to, lets say "ruin" their pretty persona, so most of the Female leads in most dramas I have watched, have their makeup intact after being in danger, thrown in a pit, in a lake or survived a fire. Apart from a few splashes of blood, or minor nicks and cuts or smudges, everything else is intact on their faces.
Consequently, it doesn't irk me in this drama, it would be prejudiced and unfair in my opinion.

Then as for Pei Yi being able to see that Emperor or the Consort easily.
For the Consort I guess it must be right, since the Consort had no other children of her own or close to her? It would be totally understandable that PY would be free to see her.

As for the emperor not so much, but I guess its more about the timeline and how it is depicted on the show. For example in the last episodes, from one moment to the next we are told that it's been one month, three months, half a month already, but for us it was just one moment.
So could PY see the emperor after a month and again i.e after three months? Yes quite probably, especially since they are shown to have a good relationship.

Then about the Royal Children, it should come as no surprise that since they represent the royal family they should adhere to the strictest rules and their life would be more regulated and controlled than that of PY who is just a noble lady that - out of guilt or pity- the emperor took under his wings.
She is not a Royal per se, so of course she is not confined by the same rules, or as harshly.
And maybe after her tragedy- that mind you everyone knew - people pitied her and gave her more breathing room than normally or made more excuses for her.


As for strength and martial arts, men naturally are stronger than women, because they usually are taller, physically bigger and trained from a young age.
Back then (assuming an ancient setting) women were mostly expected to bear children and do household chores.
But we have to keep in mind, that PY probably never intended to get married and have children, her whole existence revolved around getting revenge and her teacher was a martial artist, presumably one of the best, so as his pupil, she must have learned a lot and spared no effort in learning everything that would aid her in her path to revenge.
She was more likely to pick up a sword, than a brush.

Of course she would put her life in danger, if she is determined to find the culprit that massacred her family. She has been preparing for 15 years.
She didn't just wake up and said " Oh well time to get revenge!".
I am sure that while she was investigating she was noticing everything about the officials, how they reacted, who was corrupt, who had power and connections etc.
She was keeping notes on everything.

Plus, back then especially in Asia, people were generally smaller in stature, men close to women, so probably men didnt always tower over women in height etc.
So, it is more believable that since sword fighting is mostly about technique, not only strength, a woman can top or win a man. Especially if she is fighting for a purpose.

The warriors that she has been shown to fight against were mostly mercenaries, they did it for money, not a single purpose. Although I guess money is a purpose as well, but you get what I mean.
(Sword fighting is not like- i dont know weight lifting which is more about strength. Trained men should always be able to lift heavier weights than women - thats just physiology)

Honestly, I haven't noticed what you said with liquor so I cant comment on that. I dont even know if their alcoholic drinks were even that strong etc. They might have had more primitive brewing methods so I have no idea. It doesn't irk me though.

Personally, I dont think its over characterization of the FL.
On the contrary, one might argue that most of the drama she is shown as single-focused on revenge without any other interests, hobbies, other than justice.

People with that kind of dedication and devotion to their goal, might act over the top, since this goal is everything for them.
Of course she is going to bend the law a little and be reckless if she wants to get results. And although she is pro-justice, she firstly wants to get justice for herself.

I also believe, that no man should or would choose to follow martial arts, just because he was a man.
A lot of the officials didn't know how to fight, they were buried under decrees and writings all day, everyday.
So, if the ML is shown to be a scholar and not a soldier, is that bad?
Not in my opinion, not every drama has to have a ML that can protect his woman with his bare hands.
I bet a lot of women were married to scholars who couldn't fight, so I dont see it as a reversal of roles.
Its just a different dynamic. There are a lot of shows out there where the ML is a flawless martial artist and accompanies the FL to protect her.
This show isn't about that and thats ok, I am not mad at it.
Sometimes a woman has to save herself.

My thougghtrs exactly, even if she had asked to raise PeiYi because she was afraid that she would remember what happened to her parents, having raised her for so many years and indulging her as she did would be nuts. I really hope its not Consort Shu. She is like a mother figure for LPY

I think Consort Shu herself asked to be sent to the Cold Palace to repent and reflect or something. But I guess even if she didnt on her own, the emperor would have done something to that effect?