no 1 dou zhao defender

if you liked the FL, maybe watch Blossom (Meng Ziyi, Li Yunrui) as they're a bit similar in some ways and for the dramatic vibes and the twists maybe The Glory (Chen Duling, Xin Yunlai), but I can't seem to think of any perfectly matching recommendations

Yes, I agree! The tea plantation scenes were wonderful and also the little tea facts at the end of every episode!
But tbh, I was confused the entire time about how the Rong family business even survived. With that level of constant fighting, jealousy, and sabotage among the sisters, it felt unrealistic that such a large enterprise could continue functioning - let alone thrive :(
Also, I'm sorry for your loss! May her memories always bring you comfort 🐈❤️

Now that you mention it, Hou Minghao indeed looks like a kitten. I kept thinking what he reminds me off and that's literally his whole vibe. I feel like his facial features also resemble a cat-like face! So cute haha
Abt the drama, I also think it did have way too many flaws, especially with some villains getting away and especially some of the Rong sisters' character development was off putting, but I was so invested in the story! Especially the cinematography, was my favorite part

https://www.readthedrama.com/novels/the-eternal-fragrance

they look great, I'm so excited!! Idc how repetitive this kind of trope is, but I always eat it up! on to reading the novel now... loved all the other drmas adapted by her work 🤭

I do like the ML actor, but smh I'm rooting for the 2nd ML cuz why he kinda... 🤭
(guys, he reminds me of Hanbin from ZB1 😭)

oh, that could be! well, I haven't read the novel, so I was just making my conclusion on based what I saw in the drama. thanks for correcting me! :)

I guess she thought that Xiahou Bo, who is actually just a 2D character, gained consciousness". usually in transmigration novels/shows all "2D/paper characters" can't act on their own because their character design and everything they're gonna do is already written by the novel writers. that means FL would 100% know what Prince Duan would do since she already read the novel.
but he didn't follow the storyline and indeed acted on his own which made the FL think that he could predict the "future" and that he isn't a 2D character anymore.
so maybe the reason why FL was devastated about that is that she, with her knowledge about the actual plot wouldn't be able to "defeat" the prince anymore, since he wouldn't follow the storyline if he gained "consciousness"

no, Xie Yong'er is a 2D character. so, the novel ("Transmigration: The Demon Consort’s Tale") in which the main leads transmigrated into is actually a story about a girl from the modern world (Ma Chunchun) who transmigrates as Xie Yong'er into a novel called "East Wind Releases a Thousand Flowers"

the 2026 one (this one) is a full length drama, while the 2025 one is a vertical drama. they're both adapted from the same novel

ohhh, yeah hope so too oml

OMG he dies?? and relives a 2nd lifetime irl? I guess I'm gonna cry in the upcoming episodes then 😭 but this does kinda make sense considering the censorship... thanks for telling me!!

lmaoo, and not even using a messenger bird, poor Bei Zhou haha

oh, also, replying to another question: that little boy you mentioned is ML's biological son which is why they look alike (same actor)

1. I'm glad I read the synopsis after watching up to 10 episodes cuz why's there's such a big spoiler??
2. can somebody tell me, if Wang Cuihua and Zhang San knew each other as children in the real world? I'm just curious whether it's that childhood connection trope again lol (also, sorry for constantly asking for spoilers; I just wanna have my guesses confirmed - or not)

yeah, so he transmigrated as a middle school student (a child!!) and I haven't read the novel, but my guess is, he doesn't want Yu Wanyin to lose hope about returning to the real world as he can't give her a definite answer (considering the fact that he's been stuck in this world for over 15 years). in the beginnig of ep. 10 he also said, that he was afraid from her distancing herself from him after telling the truth cuz he thinks she won't trust him anymore or sth

asking for spoilers, again ;))

spoilers:

apparently ML's been stuck in this "paper world" for over 15 years. having to survive while experiencing traumatic events (most likely coming in the later episodes), propably made him immune to all that. that's why it makes sense even if he's a "modern guy".

yeah, I really thought this was gonna be some light comedy, but now I'm feeling anxious for what's coming 😭 he's suffered alone for so long and he's never had anyone to rely on in a completely different world where he doesn't know about anything as a child. this is so heartbreaking...

makes sense, why he would try to give her hope then.. but apparently he also doesn't want her to distance herself from him after telling the truth, judging by the new eps. I'm loving how layered the plot is

was thinking the same 😭 it sounds weird tbh