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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The Road to Splendor Episode 10
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I am happy they found a way to keep Tingyun and Ling together, but I didn't expect it to be a marriage proposal from her! 😅 Ling's reaction was perfect. He was caught off guard by such an offer, almost falling off the footbridge, but I did notice he would want it to be more about feelings rather than just mutual benefits. However, he agreed anyway, because in his heart he wanted to stay by her side and this was a perfect excuse. 🥹The most I probably loved is the fact that all his "brothers" are coming with him. Ling's kindness has touched so many people, and I am so happy all those people value his personality and want to give him back their best. Ling really deserves to be loved and surrounded by people who hold him in high regard. Especially now, when I know he was cast away by his own father when he was 8 years old. 🤗🤧However, his kindness is also what makes me worry about how he will do in the army. He agreed to go there because of Tingyun, even if that's not something he would choose for himself, and before General Mo arrived, the men around that table reminded me a lot of jocks laughing at a new guy who might look like an easy target. And I didn't like the way Commander Wang looked at Ling at the end of the episode... I sense some future trouble there. And my bet is, the reason for that might be because Ling is the Crown Prince's chosen. Envy of sorts, maybe? Or maybe he thinks he has curried favour to get in? 🫣🤔Well, Madam Yu showing us her true intentions changed my opinion of her. I thought she would feel down about the troubles Yake's actions have caused, but no... she's turning it all to her favour and has been scheming all along. What a woman! Looks like she's going to be one of our villains! 😬Still, I am grateful to her for buying back all the books Yake sold, and on top of that she even managed to turn that into an advantage to sow doubts in Jingxiu's mind about Yake. But I am not sorry for her — Yake really did bring all of this upon herself. 🫤🙏
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Oh, Yake... Just as I expected, she almost ruined the operation. 🤦♀️ Thankfully, Tingyun and Ling saved the day once again by persuading Madam Yan to cooperate in exchange for the safety of her daughters. 😮💨I don't believe Madam Yu will let Yake live in peace after learning they lost the prince's reward because of her foolishness — and with it, any potential favour for her son. Also, she now knows Yake was one of the contributors to Tingyun's framing back then, which means that because of her, she lost Tingyun as her daughter-in-law as well... 🤨I am struggling with the idea of Tingyun and Ling going their separate ways, so fingers crossed Master Zhao comes up with something to make Ling stay with them... He wouldn't let the Crown Prince down, right? 😉🤞 Also, I kind of didn't expect Ling's career as Jiuweijiao to end so soon... 😒Clapping hard for how Tingyun got her payback on Yake, unmoved by her grovelling and begging. 👏 Yes, Yake, that's what you get for betraying your childhood friend! And Yake is the one who looks down on herself the most, making herself her own worst enemy. 🙄😐And now selling even more of her father's books to get some fancy wood? Her husband-to-be won't approve of that, nor do I, to be fair. 😒
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Now I am thinking that the theory of Huayong being Prince Qian's son might actually be possible here. That would perhaps explain not only why the Emperor poisoned him, but it could also be another reason why his name doesn't have Chang, but Hua in it. And then the "beloved son" story might just be to cover up why that name is different... 🤔But I do love that Changqing has kind of come around. I was worried for a moment that he would use the situation to his benefit and lie about what had happened with Huayong. I have really enjoyed his character and all this brotherly bonding these past few episodes. 🤗 I hope Changqing stays like this for now. We have enough villains to cover that department — Prince Ding, possibly the Emperor, and also Qingshi is still somewhere around. 😅🙏 AND I can't forget about the biggest villain there is — Huayong's illness. 🫣🥺P.S. Bath scene was very good, but felt a bit too short.
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There's not much to tell — I just loved the game of deception and infiltration they played... 🤗And I do think our chaste and virtuous Ninth Young Lady has started to like that shady salt dealer... 😏 The way she looked at him when she touched his arm to teach him how to pour tea, the shyness when he offered to carry her on his back and to use his hands as a step into the carriage in front of all those ladies... 🤭Oh, and the envious looks on their faces, Yake and Madam Yan included... Yes, Mr. Zhao is a very unique man. 😉
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The honeymoon phase has finally started, with the bedbell ringing all night long... 🥰🤭However, the scenes with Huayong having brotherly moments with Changqing were the ones that really stole my heart. I loved every second of it — the banter, the teasing, even the bitter phrases. All of it was worth it! I already had some sympathy for Prince Xie, but after this... what am I supposed to do with me rooting for a villain-ish character to have a happy ending? 🥺🫣🤦♀️And who were the kidnappers? My guess at the moment is Prince Ding or that enemy gang — Le something. 🤨🤔
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I understand why Tingyun would want to reach the Imperial Envoy at all costs, but, boy, this was risky... Not only for her to be wrapped back up in Madam Yu's schemes, but also very, very risky for Ling. 😬😟Thankfully, it ended well-ish, and I really appreciate that Ling heard Tingyun's speech in front of the Imperial Envoy's door. I saw that shift in Ling's face when he heard she cares for the people starving on the road and their well-being, and that she also defended him as a person and didn't look down on him, making him realise she might not be like other nobles after all. 🥹That's what changed his heart and made him consider maybe even helping her, but hearing that the Imperial Envoy is actually the Crown Prince himself, he thought the trouble was too much. 😳But, I am certain she will be able to persuade him to work for the Crown Prince... And I can finally see the road the plot is preparing for them to reach that splendor the title might be about! 😉
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She finally confessed! This took some time, but it was worth it! And the kiss after? Wonderful! 🥰 Now I need see if she has removed the bell. 🫣Prince Xie was somewhat useful in this episode by helping with the battle near Tingzhou City and later escorting Huayong and Xihe... Him feeding Huayong was so funny! 😅But them letting Prince Ding flee the battlefield really surprised me. He's a traitor to the country and was surrounded by the northern army, yet he could still escape? 🤷♀️🤨 But his ambition cost him very high price — Princess Ding cut her own throat because she was too tired of being used as a shield in her husband's chase for power. 😔
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This episode brought Jihyuk and Jiwon so much closer. They shared their knowledge of the future and joined forces to change her fate! 😌🤗 However, it's quite sad that he didn't reveal the truth of how he ended up in 2013. But I get it — after learning that fate is inevitable, he's very hesitant to give them a chance as a couple, because they would have an end date... 😟But it seems like by the end of the episode he came around to that idea, and the trigger for that change of heart might have been his fear for Jiwon's life. 🥹"I want to be solid land." Something Jiwon has wanted for years and he's finally ready to give. 🥰🫂And Minhwan getting closer to Sumin means Jiwon's plan is working well... 😌P.S. For a few episodes now, there's been a little thought circling in my head that Eunho and Huiyeon would be a perfect couple — she loves food and he loves to cook! 😅
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