Aramintai

Lots, the leads are getting closer to the main bad.

Yea, they're plotting something there for sure, as always. No way she's just gonna sit there like a damsel in distress.

I don't think all those cases are gonna be related to the main plot. Sure, they follow a theme, but the main point in them I think is for FL to hone her investigative skills, to find clues about the main bad, and to get close with ML by spending time together solving them. They can't change much in the customs and laws of the palace, it's been clear. Though that pharmacist's death during epidemic did improve things for female medics. If FL finds justice for her family at least, that would be a win.
And ML and FL are gonna leave that shithole palace, it's been in the BTS already.

Lots of speculation unless you've read the novel. I'm more interested to know what was cut. For example, in the outro there 's a stone dragon statue in the mines somewhere - will we get that case, or was it cut? Not many episodes are left.

FL came to him seeking answers and he clearly knew something. But he threatened her and grounded her to her family's abandoned mansion for indefinite term. ML and co are gonna try to get her out of there.

No, he was cleverly framed.

Uh-oh, the emperor is kinda low key terrifying when he's serious. Better go back to your concubines, gramps, I'm getting scared for FL. And looks like he knows he was fooled and was coddling FL out of guilt.

Where? Or are you talking about ML?

What is there to grow? They're already cool and not red flags. But if you mean intercharacter development, it gets gradually revealed.

Alright, this may not be an Asian drama, but have you watched Castle TV series? There are some similarities there - cool FL with tragic family past trying to find the killer, sidekick ML with a different set of skills and two helpful colleagues. And together they solve a sh*t ton of cases.

As for Asian dramas, I'd recommend May It Please the Court.

Btw, did they really have to off Pei Yu and then replace her with samey character of Yu Di? I'm feeling overlap here. Though Yu Di is more charismatic, I give her that.

This drama's based on a novel. The plot is already known.

Yea, it's quite an intriguing story, with various mysterious criminal cases that the leads investigate at the palace grounds and beyond. Most of them have one underlying theme, with some being connected to the main plot - FL seeking the truth about her family's massacre. Can't wait for the resolution.
Parallel to that, the story explores the leads' background stories and childhood connection, as well as the development of their relationship. There are also some funny and cool side characters.

It's was the right chancellor.

Depends on what you mean by that.

It has romance, but it's not the main focus of the drama. Mods have to update the tags at some point.
This drama has high production value as well.

It's not her maid, but a junior colleague in the Bureau.

34 episodes total.

I like how in one of the episodes ML said that celestial events are just celestial bodies' movements, they don't bring calamities. It's the evil people who use them to exploit people's fears and prejudices for their own gain. I wonder though whether that is a general consensus among the astronomers, or just his opinion, as it kinda undermines the usefulness of the Astronomers' Office.

No, it's the right chancellor who's behind it. The whole plot is already in the novel.