Ahjummai

Yes. They filmed Part 1 and Part 2 together, but had to split the drama to comply to the maximum-40-episode per drama rule.

If you mean with the other concubine, it was unavoidable. JCY needed to remain in good terms with Prince Ning because of his and the emperor's plans. It's not like he didn't try to dissuade Prince Ning who was a bulldozer that could not be stopped.
JCY explained this to Mudan and she understood the situation. Him taking her as a concubine became a precedent, so JCY could no longer refuse Prince Ning. This was not the first time Prince Ning tried to tie JCY down to his side with a marriage, but he was able to refuse before. Be glad that he only push another concubine and not a legal wife. Prince Ning definitely have enough power among nobles to get him a noble daughter to marry if he wanted. So Mudan is still the higher ranking concubine being the first and being the favored one (the one JCY visits).

In the novel, there is no concubine and Mudan is the legal wife. But in the novel, there are many other families with concubines and their dramas.
With the drama's message of women helping other women and Mudan's kindness and understanding, maybe she won't become a big headache but an ally giving misinformation to Prince Ning instead of being Prince Ning's spy.
But we'll only know when Part 2 comes out.

I'm eating up their chemistry and this fake marriage era. I will definitely rewatch the last few episodes over and over until they release Part 2.

I know she only got her karma, but as a woman, I can't wish that kind of damage on any woman (esp during that period where continuing the family line was considered very important). I pity her for the specific injury, but I do not pity her misfortune.

JCY definitely has fallen in love and knows how he feels but he's not willing to totally act on it. He still has reservations. It seems there's still some back story aside from his mother's failed marriage that's holding him back.
Mudan accepts JCY as a confidante and someone she's totally at ease with. But still not willing to consider romance at this point.
JCY being both patient and also waiting to get some confirmation of affection from Mudan.
Part 1 ends with the main couple in mutual understanding but can be coupley even among friends and outside.
Can't wait for Part 2 to get more of this fake-but-real couple. I'm greedy after getting a taste of this sweetness. Also... the clip I saw where Mudan gave JCY a peck on the cheek won't happen until Part 2

I love scene where DaFu and XiaoChun interrogated the couple on how they are suddenly getting married out of the blue. HWFand JCY started with lies to half-truths to indirectly confessing their feelings.

The subs may be bad, but I'm still squealing at every interaction of our CP. HWF and JCY are too cute.

We'll have to rewatch it when better subs are out hahaha not that I'm complaining. I'm ready to re-binge this

i don't work for free

The clips for Hello Saturday are so cute. It'll a a good farewell to Part 1 when it comes out.

Let's also commend the writer for creating this character and fleshing her out allowing Shao Yun to shine.

Her words when she talked about how she hated herself and for being a woman had a tinge of suicidal thoughts. I had hoped I was overthinking it, but she felt trapped with no other escape but death.

I praise the writer for adding Shengyi's story as social commentary on the plight of women that exists up to this day and age. It was done so well that it became a huge discussion point not only here in mdl. While there were still a few who could not empathize, it's nice to know that many were able to and gave a voice for those forgotten and shamed women.
Let's focus on that silver lining. The fight for society to not produce Shengyis anymore is long and far from over, but it's not a lost cause. To know that there are people who can empathize and be vocal about it is a good sign.

mdl is so weird that even if the last episode shows at night, it removes ongoing on the midnight of that date hahahaha they need to hire programmers to improve this site on this and more importantly the rating system

spend time with her plus "reward" her. so that she wouldn't feel indebted to him but feel like she earned them herself. owing someone a favor back then was a big deal. she might be conflicted over her feelings if it's reciprocating love or payment of a debt of gratitude.

based on some spoiler clips, they'll start to open up soon. maybe after liu chang and pricess marries so that fangfang will no longer be a huge threat to the bratty princess.
also, their status as noble and slave wouldn't be proper to make her the principal wife. they'll have to go over that hurdle before the marriage happens. i think his highness mr. third would come into the picture for this. i have some idea how the writer might would play it out but i'll keep it to myself.

they have so much time in their hands hahaha a celebrity i like once said "if you don't like watermelons, you don't go to the grocery and exclaim at the watermelon that you don't like it" but when it comes to dramas/movies/books/celebrities people go out of their way to do so.

It's because both are telling each other that they are not thinking of marriage. So they use business as their language of affection. You'll have to read between the lines and watch their expressions. That's why everyone around them looks at them knowingly. They don't behave like business partners at all.

other dramas can claim viewership especially the lead cast fandoms, but flourished peony not only shows viewership but high douban ranking, character trend ranking, advertising sales ranking, app ranking, influencing tourism and peony sales, getting recos from news including state-owned media. the popularity of flourished peony goes beyond yangzi and li xian fandoms.

they are like the county princess being envious and doing all sorts of things to pull mudan down. petty petty people.