Reviews

Starting off strong

I really wonder what the wife (Zhao Xingtang) is aiming for?She didn't want this marriage, she already said that this was a prison for her. Her mother urges her to have a child with Lin Jin Qi (ML) because in the background (it's really her father pressuring her). And her grandfather believes that their family can use the Lin family to propel higher. But the ML is not that easily controlled. It's too bad that her brother (we haven't met him yet) can't act as the support of the family either. From the maid's perspective, the wife is powerful but she is also powerless against her husband, her mother-in-law and her own family. A contrast to the FL family's (in the first episode, her mother said that after marriage, they would be her support). Even though her original family is gone, she still has her adoptive parents (despite being low status).The wife wants to escape, thinking that if she makes enough money, she can leave. But we don't know this cousin of hers, is he trustworthy? He mentions how once they have enough money, things will be better. Does she think that after she gets divorced, she will be fine??? In ancient China, there are two forms of divorce, (xiu qi and he li), the latter being known as "separating amicably." It's slightly better in terms of reputation, but will Zhao Xingtang get the freedom that she wants?Have to keep watching to find out what happens to her.... But I have a feeling that her end result won't be good....

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"what makes someone a slave?"

leadtheprotection 5 hours agoWow only 11 mins into ep 1 and the noble woman fl genuinely asking her parents "what makes someone a slave?" with the curiosity of someone who sincerely wanted to know because she couldn't understand or accept this fact was one of the most profound things I've seen in a cdrama so far...I’ve always wondered about this myself every time I watch a historical drama (being from the 21st century lol), and despite all the reminders i give myself about how historical dramas merely reflect how things were in the past in many societies it would still leave a lingering discomfort seeing young girls being sold off to rich homes and then have to suck up to their "masters"...so to see a show acknowledge this truth from the pov of a privileged character was truly refreshing to see. Ofc, it's also foreshadowing for what happens to the fl in the future so conceptually and story-wise it was a really clever scene that was very well done and impactful.Ofc i've seen nothing at all of this show to give it a proper judgement yet but I feel like both the drama and the fl already deserves all the respect even if she does turn out to be a typical mary sue just for that bit of self awareness at her young age considering her life circumstances and privilege.xerene 14 hours agoThis has one of the best yet heartbreaking intro I've seen in my whole life. I bawled my eyes. Shen women have my respect, dying def have been better than being violated over and over again in that state-run brothel. Shame on the emperor and that eras governing system. The cinematography and ost are so good as well. It was simply so good. The acting is top-notch and ofc I love the leads. I love Jialan's newly found family with her didi and mama.mochachen 15 hours agoI'm only halfway through Ep. 1 and I already love the cinematography. The way it opens with that bird's-eye view panning across the capital is so beautiful. Even the floral arrangements in the Shen Manor are so bougie. 😂I also understand why the Shen ladies would rather take their own lives than become state-run prostitutes. I read somewhere that during the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Zhu Di massacred an entire family spanning 9–10 generations, and one of the noble women who survived was reportedly forced to service 20 men a day as a quota.So, similarly, for the Shen ladies, it's basically a choice between two kinds of despair: being violated every day or dying. If I were in their position, I'd probably choose to end my misery too and keep my dignity. Imagine a family friend coming to visit you in the brothel afterward—how humiliating and shameful that would be.

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I’m still really enjoying this drama.

violetceltic 37 minutes agoThe plot is advancing slowly but inexorably. If I recall correctly, this is the first time the two protagonists—master and maid—have been in such close proximity; they are in the same room, and she looks terrified. The wife is literally risking her neck—not with just one lover, but two; honestly, it seems like she *wants* to get caught. The first wife’s courtyard is a hotbed of envy and underhanded schemes among the maids—some quite innocent, others more calculating. The husband—the protagonist—is hunting for evidence against his wife; it is clear he wants to get rid of her, and he will almost certainly succeed. We’ll see what happens tomorrow. I’m still really enjoying this drama.Susuwatari789 31 minutes agoThis should be tag as a thriller 😭. Every steps, every movement , every single word, Lan Xiang has to be ten steps ahead of her master. I felt her fear and it was captured on screen. That ink stamp scene had a high degree of suspense and her revealing the arm was so compelling. Hope the two of her partners will come out alive.Now waiting and watching how she will navigate through these dangerous situations…every moment seems like a trap🥲. Can’t wait to see her and her family end their servitude and start a better brand new journey. JiaYou!Next preview…his proposal

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the irony in that kiss - guess the glazed…

the irony in that kiss - guess the glazed look is Ken basically starving himself & the reason he sucked James's thumb, let alone his lip was cause of the blood on the. & anyone not knowing what Ken is would get the wrong idea & kiss him back. cause even though we have heard of the Nour having blue eyes & fangs - none of those signs popped-up when Ken tasted blood. ***********there r a lot of questions left open from the previous ep & i really hope we start getting answers before more question pop-up... as in this ep it seemed like the guy the mains ere after at the end was newly turned Nour... if so who turned him?!?? ********but fun ep all in all - like The Odd Couple vibe between the mains - butting heads & yet cause they so different they kinda fit - cute all in all. but i don't get the 2nd couple at all - Jirat arrange a job that i don't think Chita (as much as i like & feel for) has the qualification for... but i guess what Jirat wants he gets?!? or this just to force the two together so something can come of it?? meeh... more curios about what Ken meant when he told Jirat there things he can't tell Chita... as in Jirat is in on something only the two know - what?!?

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