You are so right about the comparatively better chemistry between ML and second FL however based on episode 13…
I think someone wrote that historically he first married the older and then married the second sister for political reasons after the eldest died. So I don't think they're following the history, but the show will have 40 episodes so towards the end anything can happen.
I was hopeful for this drama... however the couples' chemistry is off. I don't think the first nor the second couple has chemistry. The first is boring and the second is too cheesy. The first ML and the second FL have more chemistry than they have with their main partners. Opposites are always more interesting. I'm lowkey rooting for them lol its so messy....
This is the best costume/period chinese drama out there. It's a masterpiece and a crime not to watch it. So good! I keep coming back and rewatching it and will read the english translation of the novel the drama was based off.
(SPOILER): you can get second-lead-syndrome because of Xu Kai's character whom the female lead doesn't end up with.