Kaihua

RSB has always been convinced the relationship won't work because they're both the type of people to put their career first (especially in the beginning of the show), and also because she's never had a good example of a functional relationship between parents in her life. she's seen what her grandma became over time, and basically she doesn't believe that relationships can last forever and that LJL won't turn into a different person warped by his amibitions (or lost ambitions, by feeling that he had to give them up for her and one day growing to resent her and blame her for it). However, the last arc is basically a kind of weirdly paced final example of how a family can corrupt over time due to power, wealth, love crumbling away, etc. but LJL still insists on being with her. She quietly gives him a way to pursue her by leaving a fast horse behind, but she never asks him to leave with her and only tries to break things amicably but will love him for the rest of her life. It's because the major life decision to leave behind power, wealth and ambition has to be a choice he makes for himself completely on his own. before he met RSB, he was a cold and ruthless person in his own words, and he was very ambitious and on the fast track to power. over the course of the show he's realized where his priorities are if he wants to be true to himself and his principles. He takes the fast horse she left behind for him to catch up to her, and specifically makes the choice to be with her and commit himself to living by his principles even if it means giving up the opportuntiy for power and wealth - he doesn't want it, he doesn't want to turn into someone like his father, or her grandma, etc. They happily go back to Linji together.

sorry I'm not the most articulate person so it wasn't clear; the spoilers part was in reference to people judging things RSB says or does after an episode or even saying she doesn't make sense, even tho those are all signs that there's smth else going on/she has a plan that will naturally be explained in an upcoming episode (if it wasnt obvious by watching her behaviour already). but such comments dont actually speculate on her reasons or give her benefit of the doubt, they just jump to her having a hot & cold personality, taking LJL for granted, etc. and then a few episodes later when everything is revealed, she clearly has reasons and doesn't treat LJL arbitrarily

Story of Ming Lan is one of my absolute favourite dramas ever, good taste good taste 😉
I just don't have a hard time reading RSB's emotions or why she does what she does. her upbringing was harsh and strict and required perfection from her and it already explains a lot about her. the last few episodes gave plenty, enough that i could guess what was really going on and what would happen especially based on everything else we've seen up to that point. But I do think the directing is totally a part of it, bc this show is not trying to be anything else but its own vision. the presentation keeping such a central character like RSB limited to outer presentation rather than spelling out her inner thoughts and such, i guess people get it or they dont, they like it or they don't

what im learning from the RSB hate is people can't read emotions or subtext without hearing a character's inner thoughts every second or spoiled on what will be revealed episodes later, and that people have a double standard for mls vs fls

RSB is always planning 10 steps ahead... From this, we can only conclude that she prefers sweaty men

"lu jianglai, i'll reluctantly pave the way for you..." [hits fast forward]

Oohh I did! Then stick around hehehe as long as you're still having a good time overall
In some way, it's entertaining to watch the rest of the cast without many emotional worries because you can just sit back and judge them and eat melon seeds to their chaos LOL
In that way it's kind of like watching side characters in Jane Austen stories

this comment had me wheezing

Mad respect that you stuck through 20 episodes but this feels like it is just not your taste and hopefully you're not giving yourself too much anxiety from watching. If something makes you uncomfortable, that's okay! You don't have to force yourself to be comfortable with stuff or like something other people like, it just is what it is

No shade on the other person's reply but have we been watching the same show LMAO RSB is obviously into LJL, just because she's been strictly brought up to be the picture of a composed noble lady doesn't mean she isn't making microexpressions or feeling anything on the inside. Especially for someone who's gotten as far as to be caught up to episode 28, it should be obvious by now that when you see RSB do something you don't understand it's because there's always something else going on. For how much shit gets thrown onto her doorstep she has to always be playing 5 steps ahead without showing weakness (and yet, she will show it around LJL, she will only rely on LJL for help, she will only smile genuinely at him, IDK IT'S PRETTY OBVIOUS

the way LJL looked at her during the reveal was so funny bc obviously he was like wtf why didnt you tell me, but also he is like 'okay this is happening i guess' and then i swear to god he looks at her like he cant help but admire her diabolical success HAHAH

eventually there will be an explanation for everyones actions

FINALLYYY oh my god i cant wait for episode 29

I did, but that was pretty wild at the end LOL. I also understand now why someone commented that they wished the leads stuck thru their principles to the end - they never go into detail how much everyone in the palace knows what really happened vs the public, but it kinda sucks to go so far to preserve the royal family's dignity. Would've liked to see Shen Wan's father have his honour restored definitively
Funny you mention MLCB though bc I started that recently LOL

I admit I am way more easily invested the better the leads look it's true.... Period costume also isn't for everyone's face yype or they give some actors the least suitable styles.
Girl I'm 2 eps in and they've both already whipped each other 😭

Aayy I just finished today! Hope you enjoyed (But yeah he was HAha)

I'm on the final episode as we speak (￣▽￣)b, truly a fun show!! now I probably have to watch Fated Hearts to keep me sated between Glory episodes HAHA

But being near the end of the show myself, it turns out the first times were to make it normal to the viewers for it to happen, so that we were less like to suspect the sketch artist of being the murderer unless we were paying attention. Later, when Prince Cheng gets nauseous and has to leave, it means that Li Muyun doesn't have an excuse to stay and spy on Shen Wan's autopsy results, as it's only appropriate for him to leave with Prince Cheng. The later nausea is basically all for plot reasons

I don't know how far in you are....

It might take viki longer to get the english subtitles done is my guess, because I was originally watching in the beginning episodes only to realize there were more episodes out on iQiyi who was caught up with the latest episodes