The Road to Splendor Episode 21
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Omg, they really got me worried for a good bit, but phew, the "Miss Wu becoming Zhao Ling's concubine" plot ended quickly. 😮💨 But oh boy, Zhao Ling, what a clueless man you can be when it comes to love! Don't take it all for granted and just show her how much you love her! Love is like a plant — it needs tending to blossom... 🫣😒But I did love that Tingyun has become an inspiration for Miss Wu to make her life better for herself, not through some marriage. I get that is quite a hard concept in those times, but I do like when women can stand on their own without the necessity of a man at their side. I really hope she'll be able to get out of the shackles Madam Wu is keeping her in. 🤞I also know I should sympathise with a woman who isn't loved by her husband like Madam Yu does for Yake, but sorry, I can't... Her own choices have put her in that place, and in this case, she's the one to blame for Jingxiu growing apart from her. I know a big part of that is what happened in Ganlin Town 5 years ago, but he had already noticed before that how different she was from what he expected her to be. 🙄As for Fifth Master Fu... well, I don't like that man at all. He hasn't cared for his daughter at all, really, and now wants to reap the fruits of her being Commander Zhao's fiancée. I really hope Tingyun and Ling will marry even without his blessing, but we'll see how his attempt to spite them turns out. 😒😤P.S. Was that sheep supposed to be alive? It really didn't look very lively. 😅
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The Road to Splendor Episode 20
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Yeah, I thought Tingyun might give Ling a hard time for making her worry about him for that long, without seeking her out. Yet, I expected it to last longer. But I am not complaining, really. I love them as the wholesome couple they always have been. 🥹🥰But in this episode, politics was what mostly took the stage. Ling has become the Emperor's blade in reforms for the salt administration, and already shows a way more ruthless side of him. I wonder if him kicking Mr Jin was an act to seed fear and respect in those other merchants, or did he really mean it? 😟🤔Madam and Lord Yu's conversation confused me a little. Previously, I suspected they already had some plans for or against Tingyun and Ling, but now I have doubts. However, despite that, they have declared them to be their enemies. 🫤And why was Lord Yu playing weiqi alone and talking? Was he alone or was there someone in the room we didn't see? He wouldn't have an imaginary/ghost friend, right? I have had way too many of those in C-dramas this summer. 🤨😒
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Huayong's illness is making me anxious. And now he's in a condition that's irreversible? I shouldn't even dare to hope for him getting through this drama anymore... 😭 So, I guess all his legacy goes to their child. And he's really preparing for his/her future — all the books, the teachers... Everything. 🤧A relief in all that is Xihe's support no matter how bitter that future sounds. She won't marry anyone else and will have only one husband in her life...🥹Her ensuring Mo Yu and Zhen Zhu get a status to live their lives however they please was a very beautiful gesture. They are more like dear friends and companions rather than just servants to her. 🫂I kind of can see Prince Lei and Shen Yingruo happening as a possible match... Not sure if the drama will go that way, though. 🫣As for our villains, I still hope Prince Xie stays the way he was these last few episodes, but it's very hard to tell with him. Atm it seems like he hasn't given up on Xihe/Qingzhi, and I might understand why, because he knows the Crown Prince won't be his rival for long. 😞Qingshi is completely crazy and I can't understand how she's still allowed in Prince Xie's mansion. If only he had choked her to the end.... 😒And Prince Ding is preparing to attack the capital? 🫣
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The Road to Splendor Episode 19
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THEY MET! Ah, wonderful! I hope they'll be able to be like they were before — supporting, loving and trusting each other. 🥹🫂But each of the Yus has some agenda against one of them.Mr Yu didn't look too pleased about Ling having some secret edict and unique power that allows him to deal with those above him. AND considering he too wears a red robe, I suspect he might be the one who's behind it all and asked for Ling's death in the previous episode. 🤔👆Jingxiu still might want to see Ling dead because he hasn't given up on Tingyun. 😒 Which also leads to Yake, who wants to humiliate Tingyun all she can because of her envy of her. 🙄 (I am not sure if she knows Jingxiu likes Tingyun now, but considering how she reacted to sesame seafood being served, I guess she might at least suspect it)Madam Yu's game is the most mysterious, but I think she might be spinning webs and aiding her husband from behind the scenes. However, I don't like her interest in Tingyun — she might want to get her on her side and use her to help her husband take down Ling... 🤔😟 Luckily Tingyun is smart and knows better than to trust anyone from the Yu family. 😌BUT, that scene with the white sheet between them — MASTERPIECE! Them reaching their hands towards the other one's shadow, then snow falling... the yearning... so close, yet so far. Visually so, so beautiful and also very emotional.🥹🤧❤️But what's with the new ladies? I can't guess their game yet, but I am assuming the older one might try to marry the younger one either into the Yu family as a concubine or make her seduce Ling. Considering she's young (was it 16 or 17 Yake said?), she might as well fall in love with Sen who might be of a similar age now. 🤨🤔
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The Road to Splendor Episode 18
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Tingyun escaping from Jingxiu was a great relief, and even more — she made it in time to wave farewell to Ling marching off to war. 🥹That scene was visually breathtaking and so atmospheric... The emotions were high and it made me feel like I was the one parting from someone very dear. 🤧😢The letters they sent to each other were profoundly beautiful, filled with love, care and yearning. 🥹 And that's how five years went by while they both earned a lot of merit for themselves — he had become a senior fourth-rank assistant commander and earned quite a fearsome reputation, and she, with her own merits in educating people, restoring history and boosting military morale, had made herself known even among the noble ladies of the capital. 😌Yet, they didn't meet in this episode. My guess is that Ling keeps saying he's not betrothed so none of his secret investigation would implicitly harm Tingyun. He has enemies and ill-wishers all around the capital, so it's better if they don't even know about her. 😒Though, him not coming home worries her a lot... If only she had understood that the fireworks were Ling's doing and he's nearby, thinking of her and protecting her. 😟P.S. The scene with Sen asking where Yucheng is and why he's not with his brothers really broke my heart... 😭 But, Yucheng, even if your body is not with your brothers anymore, you remain in their thoughts and hearts! 🫂❤️
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The Road to Splendor Episode 17
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Oh, this episode... We lost so much. It's even hard to put thoughts together. 😭💔But now what I feared the most has happened — Ling and Tingyun will be separated. 🥺And it will possibly be for those five years Ling agreed to serve General Wang, because he has to climb the ranks, otherwise he would stay a nobody and wouldn't be able to save Tingyun, who is being taken to the capital by Yu Jingxiu... My heart is breaking. 😭💔And we lost Yucheng... I know he felt guilty for dragging his brothers into all that Lu Dahu merit case, but still... In my mind, they all were supposed to stay together until they reached that splendor. Ding Yuxi delivered an amazing performance showing all that pain and suffering. 😔🤧Tingyun burned those confessions expecting to have a reasonable bargain with Yu Jingxiu? It's impossible to reason with him — he takes what he wants, no matter if by force or willingly! So, in the end, that might be the least reasonable thing she has ever done, yet it still served as her statement... in a way. And a statement Jingxiu could neither accept nor tolerate, so instead, he just chose to take her to the capital by force... 😤😡 I really hope she gives him a very, very hard time there. 🤞😠But what will happen with clearing her name without those confessions, I have no idea... 🤔
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The Road to Splendor Episode 16
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My anxiety levels are rising at an insane speed after that ending. Why, Yucheng? Why? You resisted it so well for a moment. You knew what that would cost... it's no merit, it's a crime! 😟I really, really want Yu Jingxiu gone — now he wants Zhao Ling dead, and talks to Tingyun as if she were waiting for him to want her to become his wife... I hate him, really, truly hate him (my anxiety caused by him is talking). 😒😤But I must reminisce about the beautiful moments our leads gave us this episode. The confession, the hug, the kiss — yes, that's my happy place now. 😌
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The Road to Splendor Episode 15
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Of course, this plot is not letting our leads breathe... (alright, they actually did have some air for about six months since they captured the warhorses, but they didn't show us that peace) 🥺Yu Jingxiu coming to their town to inspect the military officers is one thing, but what is his motivation for specifically targeting Zhao Ling? He never wanted Tingyun in the first place, and with his scheming with the Zuos, he successfully escaped that marriage arrangement, so it's not jealousy over love. So, is it envy over Ling being more capable of climbing the ladder? If that's it, then it's a silly one. They are climbing different branches — one is military, the other is scholar. Or maybe they compete for the same posts in court? 🤔What a satisfaction that Ling is not letting him mess with their lives and is even using nature to his advantage to get rid of the guy! He knows what Jingxiu has done to Tingyun and how much she has suffered for it, and he will not let him off easy. 😏However, now I fear one thing, and that is Jingxiu suddenly falling for Tingyun because she saved him and tended to his leg while he supposedly was someone she hated... 😒 Please, don't! But considering we are not even halfway through the drama, that might as well happen to make him and Yake more relevant to the plot. 😔🫤 And him reproaching Ling for letting that "jewel" be buried in dust while he was the one who put her in that situation in the first place is insane! How does he even dare to say something like that to Ling when she survived only because of him? 😯😤 That kick on his injured leg was so well deserved! 👏But as for the positive — at least, I am happy that Ling and San are brothers again. Their little argument a few episodes ago made me really upset. 🫂 And I just adore all the daydreaming and longing Ling and Tingyun are doing! 🤗🥰And I wonder what will happen with the Fu family now, now that grandmother is dead. 🤨P.S. I didn't get what happened with the salt smuggling — so was it smuggling or wasn't it? I thought General Wang was involved in that with Lu Dahu and it was something illegal. 🤔
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The Road to Splendor Episode 14
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Wow! I didn't expect we'd get rid of three antagonists and have such a satisfying episode overall! So many wins! 😯First, and the most satisfying of course, was Lu Dahu's death. Ling came to that room like a force of nature — quietly and suddenly — with his presence alone terrifying everyone who had wronged Tingyun, yet she smiled with relief at seeing him safe and sound. His eyes were on fire, and his hand didn't even shake while he held the crossbow at Dahu's forehead, nor did he hesitate to release the arrow. 🫣👏That's what you get for pestering his beloved! 🫵😠 No forgiveness for such scoundrels, and may that serve as a warning to everyone else who even dares to think anything improper or ill about her! 🙂↕️👏And then the way he covered Tingyun's face so she wouldn't have to see the bloody view behind him, his gaze completely different, full of kindness and love... Peace after the storm. 🥰🫂Second, the deaths of the Zuo siblings. I kind of pitied Madam Zuo for what she had to go through in the Fu family, and returning there might be the worst possible punishment she could get for what she did, yet I can't feel sorry for her, really. My bet is she chose death for her and her brother over returning to that nunnery where she had already suffered so much. 🫤Third, General Mo Yi finally seeing Concubine Lu's true colours, although it's a shame her actions cost him his rank and he got demoted to Battalion Commander. And I feel sorry for his wife... I kind of like Madam Mo, and seeing her so upset about her husband feeling down because of another woman really made me feel so sad for her. 🥺 I really hope they can find their way to each other's hearts and live a happy life together without a third person between them. 🤞Fourth, Tingyun getting another written confession and learning Yu Jingxiu was the one behind the whole scheme to frame her... just so he wouldn't have to marry her. And she intends to get that confession from him too, but for that, they will have to go to the capital and most likely enter the palace and endure all the court's schemes. 😌👆And finally, Ling getting a promotion to Battalion Commander and infiltrating General Wang's salt smuggling business. I wonder if he will involve Mo Yi, as they were working together for the Crown Prince before... But this will be interesting to see how they solve it. 😌😏
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The Road to Splendor Episode 13
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It's a pity they couldn't catch Madam Zuo with Advisor Li, but at least she's removed from the post of teaching the young ladies. Tingyun getting that post was probably one of the best things that could happen to the town — she will teach them skills that can be more useful in their lives than just embroidering and being a virtuous wife. 😌👍Ling spending his first promotional salary to buy fireworks for Tingyun's birthday was the sweetest gift. And not only that — he chose that specific day to move to a better house that they had finally earned due to his new rank. The way they look at each other — love, love, and once again it's love. 🥰 I hope Sanniang will soon succeed with her hints to make Tingyun realise what it is that she truly feels for Ling and bring those two closer to tying the knot. 🤞But that scene with San and Ling broke my heart a little... Why did he have to react that way and tell Ling he's neither his brother nor father to tell him what to do and what not... why? Ling has always cared for him as if he's his little brother... 🥺😢 I really hope San will listen to Yucheng's advice. 🤞But the Lu siblings... uff. My anger towards them is even greater than towards Madam Zuo, to be fair. Concubine Lu is so envious of Tingyun that she's becoming big-time petty. When General Mo learns what she has done behind the scenes, I don't think he'll keep her around anymore. 🤨😒And Lu Dahu? He's the most vile of them all. He is so envious of Ling and annoyed by him even being in the army that he makes his life as hard as he possibly can. And now he even covets Tingyun? 😤 Hands, eyes, and even nose off that lady, you creep! 😠🫵I really hope Ling will succeed with his warhorse mission and will be able to turn the tables before Lu Dahu reports to General Wang that Ling is a deserter who offended his superior officer and even disobeyed his orders. 😬🤞P.S. A fun fact I stumbled upon — Deng Enxi's birthday is April 18th, and Tingyun's birthday is the 18th day of the 4th month (Zuo Junjie said that in one of the first episodes). 🤗
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Wow, the way they were ready to sacrifice their lives for each other... And both almost died. 😟 But thankfully, they pulled through and defeated the Crown Prince's spirit. 😮💨And the ending? I really liked that they stayed together, left the palace, and the little Ggeomeoksali followed. 🤗But it did look a lot like an open ending, which means the creators could easily decide to make a second season. Not sure if that's needed, though, but there are things they haven't answered yet... 🤨For example, what the creepy thing in the woods said — about someone who's neither spirit nor human having to die (it actually could be either of them, because they both have dead mothers and both can sense the spirit world, even if differently, but most likely it was about Gu Cheon). So, the unanswered question is: why did that child have to die then? And why was it meant to die now? And maybe their near-deaths count towards that? 🤔Also, Gu-cheon becoming an ak-gwi with a chain bound to Supreme Gwi-mae. How does that affect his future interactions with the spirit world? Will he always be an ak-gwi when he enters there? Is he in servitude to Supreme Gwi-mae? And I could ask so many more questions about this bit. 🫣But long story short — amazing drama, worth every second. The plot twists were unexpected, the atmosphere remained eerie, creepy, and even horrifying at times, the music was spot on, and the cinematography too. Loved the main trio (yes, I count the little plushie too) and I hope they will have amazing adventures in the future! ❤️
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It's good that gwi-mae's eyes work also in the living world. I wonder if there will be any consequences of having those or if they are just fancy eyes. The effects with the two pupils are pretty amazing, for sure. 😏Saeng's grief over her mother's soul being devoured was really heartbreaking. Knowing there's not even that tiny possibility for her to be reborn in her daughter or anything else, really... Gone forever and with no way to meet again. Not even a peaceful afterlife... 😟💔Him promising her not to let her father be taken away too, and then her giving him her yang energy by putting her hand on his... Beautiful bond between those two. 🥹And of course we got even bigger plot twists than before! Turns out the Crown Prince could hear spirits too, learned of those 30-year-old secrets and tried to make himself the sole heir to the throne in the exact same way... 🤯 I just wonder if what the King said was the reason for killing the Crown Prince was true — was it for him killing his own brothers for the throne, or was it because of his abilities and knowing that secret? 🤔But now the Crown Prince's spirit has gotten even stronger and I have no idea how they can defeat that guy! 🫣😨
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The Road to Splendor Episode 12
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What an intense and emotional rollercoaster this episode was! 😟🫢Neither Ling nor Tingyun could get any peace. In the army, there's Lu Dahu holding all possible grudges and envy against Ling; however, in town, it's Madam Zuo holding all the old grudges and looking for ways to torment Tingyun... 😔AND they all almost succeeded! The net of who is working for whom in Ganlin Town is insane, but they had better learn that they are messing with the wrong people, because interfering with Ling and Tingyun's lives will be their undoing. 🫣Luckily, nothing bad comes without some good — we got to see the army men's wives having Tingyun's back, and Ling's brothers being practically his ride-or-die team, and I think that extends to Tingyun too. The four of them trying to cheer her up with all the gifts after all the stress she went through because of Madam Zuo and her fear of losing Ling... 🫂Her saying: "It's not being a widow that I fear. What I fear is a world without you in it." And him cutting his own hair to add to hers... If those words and actions are not the equivalent of deep love, then please tell me what is? 🥹 In my opinion, that scene was one of the most beautiful ways of showing how deep love can be without actually saying it. ❤️
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OMG, the twists blew my mind! Grandma was the main one behind it all? 🫣🤯After all the struggle of losing his sight, Gu Cheon got an upgrade for his eyes! 🤩And Saeng Gang allowing the Crown Prince's spirit to take over her body pretty much might have saved her life. My bet is that the liquid she spat out was the poisoned tea. 🤨The Queen Dowager has come to the conclusion that there's more to the spirits than she thought... What will it change in the upcoming episodes? 🤔And the cliffhanger? Really, this drama doesn't ease up on tension. P.S. I missed our little guy Ggeomeoksali... 😔
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The Road to Splendor Episode 11
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I knew there would be a lot of hardship for both of them, but I just love watching how they get through it all with each other's support and grow closer with every hurdle they encounter. 🤗He loves her and hopes to hear those words from her, and she definitely loves him too, but she never really thinks of her feelings that way. 🥹They both want to marry each other, yet she offers only benefit and convenience while all he wants is a relationship built on love. If only they both knew they already love each other... I guess we'll have to wait for the marriage until she realises what's in her heart and says it out loud, otherwise Ling won't even dare to assume it. He said it himself — he thinks he reads too much into things. 🥺But what surprised me the most was Madam Zuo. Whipping half-naked men... Is she a dominatrix or something? 🫣😳
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