Tao Yao (2025)

No goody-two-shoes in this drama, every main character schemed to get what they wanted

This drama was mentioned in reddit and I got curious because there are 3 main characters. Since it was available on iQIYI, I decided to watch it there. I enjoyed it a lot!

What I liked:

1. The scheming - Wow, every main character schemed to get what they wanted. This caused me to be wary of their actions.
2. Acting - Great performances by Yue Yu Ting, Zhu Zhe Ren, Wei Ruo Chen, the actor who played the Emperor, the actresses who played the Empress and FL's half-sister.
3. Styling - Beautiful. I loved every gown worn by FL. The peach-pink dress was attention grabbing no wonder the emperor noticed her. I also liked ML's red uniform.
4. Dynamic - I loved how FL-eunuch ML relationship evolved from helpless damsel & her advisor / mentor to romantic love.
5. ML characterisation - He was morally grey therefore intriguing!
6. FL characterisation - Her build was a surprise to me. She was betrayed but wasn't aggressive in seeking revenge. She was open to being mentored by ML.
7. Ending - Phew!

What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - I despised SML - he was manipulative right from the start. The main concubine & FL’s sister were nasty but they were open about it. The empress was cunning & two-faced.
2. Abuse - There was infanticide. I also disliked also when FL were abused & bullied.

Favourite scene
When FL defeated SML

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