Reviews

Threats and promises

It was a sly way to force ZangHai to accept gifts. They thought they painted him into damned if do or don’t scenario. What they did not anticipate was for him to use it to feed the people. Now the Marquis is highly regarded as a savior for the people and the gift givers know where the money is going. That should have been a win/win for Zang Hai, but a cunning tower owner had other plans. She wanted Zang Hai to leave imperial service and be on her side. He politely but without room for negotiation refused. Now here is where I think she would have played response differently. He should have inquired about the burnt girl. That would have her considering her next move from different perspective. She went with the Mr 8 scenario. She managed to get her top aide to spread rumors. One was too close to the truth. That he snuck into their house under false pretenses to tear it down and destroy it. Zang Hai was horrified with what he found in locked secret treasure room. Xiao Zhan did an excellent portrayal of complete horror and disgust. Thanks to ms trouble he now had more gifts arriving. One had a fan and poison bottle with the threat to kill the Marquis in three days. As he is pondering what to do with this request he is kidnapped. The person wanted to literally wear his face and have his revenge on Marquis. When Zang Hai’s shirt was removed he saw the scar on his back. They now knew who each other was. It was a very interesting way to find a lost brother but at least they are on same page and all the doctor tools are being left in the case. They spend a lot of time talking about how their lives changed after the massacre. Then the older brother has news of what direction father was taking entering the city. It was not his typical path so Zang Hai thinks he has figured out the location of the hidden item. It is a tomb in the southwest. Now to see what the fish keys are for. I am so disgusted at the trophies the Marquis kept from that night. It is beyond words. I am also a bit miffed at the ego of tower owner. Zang Hai had enough problems and she wasn’t too distressed at the thoughts of him getting killed. I know she figured he would be able to beat the odds, but she was very comfortable putting him in the position to have to beat them yet again.😝 I want these two to get along because I think their mutual efforts will be needed to take the Marquis and his cronies down. But I do not care if they only have business relationship. I don’t really think I want a romance with these two. Partners in vengeance seems a much better and more realistic option. And if the second prince is playing dumb, does he have the other fish key? There were two forming circle that Marquis stole from father’s pocket.

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Chess killer games!

!Spoiler Alert!Episode 10 is a tense, layered turning point that blends tomb-raiding intrigue, political traps, and deepening vendettas. Zang Hai reunites with his senior brother Guan Feng to search Liu Xian’s tomb for Kuai Duo’s hidden treasure, only to find it looted. The tomb’s eerie atmosphere, with its reversed coffin engravings and Shan Yizi’s stele, adds layers to the lore, revealing Kuai Duo’s moral dilemma over the deadly bronze case he concealed. When Zang Hai finally unlocks it using the missing character “Heng,” it feels like a moral victory, but a dead end for his revenge. Xiao Zhan’s quiet intensity here is magnetic, especially when he pieces together his father’s final puzzleAt the Marquis’s residence, Zang Hai’s plan to kill Zhuang Luyin during the ancestral ceremony collapses when the trap weapon vanishes. Its return, in the hands of the masked man who rebukes him for recklessness, is a shocking twist. Zhuang Luyin had staged the whole event as a loyalty test. Forced to improvise, Zang Hai fakes the story of the poisoning plot. Xiao Zhan’s transition from panic to controlled vulnerability is flawless. Zhuang Luyin’s cold reassurance “Many want me dead” drips with menace.The masked man then reveals a larger game: three enemies are after the mysterious treasure: Zhuang Luyin, Eunuch Cao Jingxian, and an unnamed third power. The copper fish tokens are the key. My guess? The third player is someone close, possibly mentor Gao Ming, whose well-timed interventions seem too convenient. As for the masked man, Shi Huai Shan, the ambitious Grand Secretary, fits the role too well to ignore. But many others can fit the shoe, so I'm not really sure. The script writer is brilliant!Guan Feng’s return adds emotional weight, especially when he tearfully recalls failing to protect their master’s family, but his eagerness to kill Zhuang Luyin raise suspicions. Their bond feels genuine, but this drama thrives on betrayal. The episode’s final moments, Zang Hai hiding the weapon behind a plaque, vowing to take down all three enemies, set up a long game. With every alliance under question and enemies hiding in plain sight, Episode 10 reminds us this isn’t just a revenge tale, it’s a survival game in a world of shifting loyalties. The storm is coming, and trust is a luxury no one can afford.

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Fabulous performance!

!Spoiler Alert!This episode raises both the emotional stakes and the political tension as Zang Hai moves closer to revenge while navigating risky new alliances. Xiang Antu finally makes her move, sending her manager to test Zang Hai’s loyalty. He sees through it instantly, leaving her both impressed and irritated.If episode 7 for me was a masterpiece, this one is not less of a piece of art! The most powerful moment comes when Zang Hai sneaks into the Marquis' treasury and unlocks a hidden chamber. Inside he finds his father’s copper fish bracelet, bloodstained family clothes and skins, and treasures looted after their massacre. Xiao Zhan’s performance here is heart-wrenching, his silent tears, trembling hands, and choked vow to “bury his parents properly” hit like a sledgehammer. The way he pukes from suppressed grief adds visceral weight to his trauma. Ambushed by Hui Jian and Shi Lei (Yang Zhen’s vengeful lackeys), Zang Hai narrowly escapes death when Hui Jian recognizes the whip scars on his back, the proof he’s his long-lost junior brother, Zhinu. Their tearful embrace and shared backstory adds layers to Zang Hai’s quest. This episode thrives on micro-expressions. Whether Zang Hai’s icy calm during Xiang Antu’s tests or the flicker of rage when handling his father’s token, Xiao Zhan proves he doesn’t need dialogue to scream intensity. This drama is a masterpiece!

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Slow progressing love story

Amidst a Snowstorm is a slow burn of a drama that stands out with its unique and captivating theme centered around professional billiards. It is a series that blends both sports and romance, and this was one of the highlights that initially drew me in.The romance between the two leads, while tender and super sweet, progresses at an excruciatingly slow pace. There were moments I found myself fast-forward(ing) through scenes. That said, the gentle build-up does allow for a deeper emotional connection between the two leads, What stood out for me was the male lead’s unwavering devotion. His quiet sacrifices, thoughtful actions, and the way he consistently prioritised the female lead were touching. His character brought warmth and emotional depth to the story.In the end, after pausing the drama thrice...I finally gave up watching the series midway despite the hype and popularity surrounding this drama.

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Husband hunting

It was a nice scene with the refugees. I wish Lord Wei would have paid a bit more attention to the married couples😝 The sour fruit to ma in law kinda funny😂 This time he was astute enough to see the prank. I am glad older sis got a visit from mom and brother. You could tell the mom started off lamenting the poorer trappings.But once she saw the instrument BiZhi had made and realized he was the leader of the soldiers she understood the quality of the man far outweighed the possessions. Her daughter had a lovelier home than she did because their love as a couple shined through. I would challenge her to find a ray of love shining anywhere in her home other than from son😝Let them both bask in family love for awhile and maybe just stay in Boya. Yan acknowledged and challenged Lord Wei. While he said one thing his painting reflected something else. He wants to find true love. I do not think he covets Lady Wei but rather the idea Lady Wei inspires. I am disappointed that Lord Wei is running away. He has no excuse after her candid pledge to him. I did like his slip that Lady Wei would be handling things. His friends are getting tired of babysitting him. They need to get braver and call him out on it. 😝He is still very conflicted as the bath scene showed, but he needs to reconcile his pull from the past to his push for the future. His legacy needs to be more. He is headed the right direction with her by his side he just needs to stop acting childishly stubborn. Can’t wait to see his reaction to Lady Wei’s involvement with hunt. She will be hunting the two legged dear. 😂 I was wondering why Yan looked familiar. LiuDuanDuan is a very good singer. He has quite a range but I really enjoy his low raspy rocker tone. Does he sing any of the OST songs?

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Cousin who tries to ruin love: Wei Yan's shady game

Wei Shao, what have you suffered from these cousins? Wei Yan is trying to cause trouble between the beautiful couple in every way. I feel so bad for Wei Shao, he looks for his enemies in the Qiao clan, whereas the enemies of the Wei clan are from his own clan... I hope this unpleasant Wei Yan's role ends soon. I got angry because of the unpleasant Wei Yan in this episode. But the Wei Liang and Xiao Tao scenes were so cute and funny 😻 I hope Wei Shao puts a line on Wei Yan not to get close to his wife, just like the scene where Wei Shao introduced Xiao Qiao to Wei Yan. It was a beautiful scene, Wei Shao getting 1 step ahead of Xiao Qiao 😻 I wish these two to be happy in the other episodes now 😭😭😭😭

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