JulesL

Ah ok. I am less enthralled with her, and there were quite a few times when I thought to myself how it would have been better if she was smarter in other ways in addition to her sleuthing ability. I mean, given her observation powers, how can she not have any clue that her penpal friend Chichi, who solved cases was the same as Pan Chi, the grest investigator.

Don't get me wrong, I like her character and in fact, I much rather see her together with the ML working together. The plot is messy now with them butting heads and the show inroducing yet another 3rd party to create drama.

Hopefully, it won't be long when we are not plagued with this annoying female character. (you'll understand if you watched ep 13). I am pissed off that the FL is just allowing her to run amok in the household. Even if it is a fake marriage, I feel so indignant on behalf of the FL...LOL

LOL - if I had listed everything th FL could do better, my comment would be too long. It's too bad that the show made the FL intelligent in solving cases but so low in EQ and not street-smart at all. I totally agree that the SFL is completely unnecessary and equally clueless. Her love triangle is uninteresting as well.
I love Qiao Jing Jing - YAMG is probably my most rewatched drama. I don't think she dominated the ML though - I felt both lead characters were well-balanced. They both carried on with their lives when separated from each other and they were on fire when together.
Not sure if you have watched A Girl Like Me (https://mydramalist.com/51973-wo-jiu-shi-zhe-ban-nu-zi) but that was a good FL as well.

True, I was disappointed that she cannot swim.

Now that you mentioned it, I agree—the plot is messy. I think they introduced too many characters fighting for power. I also don't like the 2nd FL that much—she seems too simple for me, and the love triangle around her does not interest me for now.

The FL is prejudiced against him because he acts all tough and mean, but I don't think she still dislikes him that much because she is slowly finding out that even though he can be cruel, he is also fair and helps the weak.

LOL, I was not even thinking about Consort Rou until I was like, "Wait...this woman's crazy expressions are so familiar" ;D

Ah that’s true. I can accept that :)

I am but I wish that there was more balance in terms of the leads developing feelings for each other. I would enjoy it more if the ML was not already showing signs of being a simp. I like his morally gray, cold steely character.

For me, it doesn't fit the character or maybe because her facial expressions are so odd that it throws off the entire character for me.

Once again, the actress playing the FL's Ah Niang is distracting me like she did as Consort Rou in The Princess Royal. She just has the craziest expressions and now even her dubbed voice does not fit.

Interestingly, I am more invested in the cases than the romance. Maybe because they are weaving in the romance nicely and I like slow burn. It's refreshing to see the FL completely not in love with the ML at this point and focused on her investigation.

I justified his actions by thinking he wanted to heighten his hearing more but yes, I think it is more to show off :D

Ah ok, I just looked at her bio and yeah she is new for sure. Not bad for a newbie though :D

Started last night and binged up to ep 8. So many characters involvedin the power struggle and palace shenenigans! I am really enjoying the leads - both smart, quick and confident. The investigstive scenes are interesting and so fat the main couple shows great chemistr. Not surprising for Ding Yu Xi - he just gets better with his acting. I have not seen the FL before but she's carrying her own.

Right? She bothered me everytime I saw her ;D

Ahahaha, the revelation in ep 6. Totally unexpected!

Im enjoying this show especially the dynamics between the father and daughter. It’s ultimately about them with the romances between the two couples adding lots of flavor. I just finished ep 5 and the current development is making me curious. I don’t believe the father’s past is how the show wants us to believe

So glad that Sun Yun Er did not become Empress. Shi Xueji will make a good partner for Ziyu but I really hate that her father becomes even more powerful because of that ;(

Spoiler for ep 25:

CXZ carried himself well in ep 24. So gracious, but I am glad that LMT still hardens her heart towards him. He needs to win her back, this time honestly and equally.

Ah, I get that. The silent treatment that most of us often use :)
I just hope that they will start working together soon to fight against their common enemy.