The Road to Splendor Episode 36

The Road to Splendor

It is a formidable pathway. It is not easy to attain, but once you have it, its a lonely destination. Zhao Ling wishing to retire was the only happy ending possible, but was it worth it? I would say YES. Without these twists and turns, life would not be lived. You have to do karma to get reward, if you don't do anything, what is the point of living? The character I truly felt bad for was His Highness, he grew up in the cold palace and somehow was made King, I'm sure the things he has done were not easy decisions and now he lost his confidant. At least he was not bitter and saw that Zhao Ling is not fit for the role. Yake is finally happy, Mrs. Yu is crazy and her son is humble. I didn't understand the need of the concubine, but at least she is happy too. I was cringed out by the child scene, they deserved a scene by themselves.

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I absolutely loved the ending!

Oh, what an ending! Some might object, but I think it was very satisfying and very well wrapped up without leaving any loose ends. 🤗👏The Yu family's end was well deserved, I think. Lord Yu, ironically in a struggle to make his son take the blame for his own sins, got accidentally killed by him. Madam Yu, with her son and grandson, was exiled and their wealth was confiscated, and she even "lost" a bit of her sense of reality and kept living in a limbo where she tried to match her son with Tingyun. Her mind was her sharpest tool, which she will never be able to use properly ever again, meaning she was crippled in her own way. 😌I didn't expect to see Yake any more, and I thought what we saw before was her ending, but I think it's even better knowing she became an instructor in Ganlin Town, because it actually suits her quite well. 🙂‍↕️ All the other side characters also got well-earned endings. Sen married Miss Wang, Miss Wu got her freedom, the Mo family got their first scholar, Tingzhou excelled with his teachings, and then there's the Wei couple's shenanigans in the bedroom... 🤭However, I didn't expect to see Mr Jin, as I thought he had died from that beating. But crippling his leg, just as he had cut his ear for betraying his brothers and Zhao Ling, was a good enough ending for me. He wasn't a bad person after all, he just sometimes had misplaced trust and motives. 😌But as for Zhao Ling and Tingyun... I couldn't be happier with how the story ended for them! 🥹❤️ I was so proud when Ling did not accept the Emperor's generous reward and chose to stay as regional commander to live his days happily in peace with Tingyun and their daughter (and maybe more children if they eventually come) in Ganlin Town. 🤗This drama was such an emotional journey, touching on so many topics that are still relevant nowadays, and not only in China, but in other countries too. It showed very well how people can lose themselves in the climb for power, wealth, and status — how much they have to sacrifice if they aim too high... So, in the end, choosing peace, love, and values that matter to one's heart can be way more rewarding than all of that. 🥹I liked one line that one of the Yus said a couple of episodes ago — that the top is very cold. And I couldn't agree more, as it did feel that way very often. 😔The cinematography was stunning and the OST was a treat for my ears. The directing and actors did their job marvellously, making me hate the villains, love the heroes, and sometimes question their choices and motives, especially Zhao Ling's, but it all showed how human they are — with their faults, their strengths, their emotions, their desires, and ambitions.All I can say is, I really loved this drama, and I highly recommend it to anyone. 🤗A pure masterpiece in its own way. 💖

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