Alexasopretty

Peace is part of it but not all. You may have missed it and didn't understand the other real reason the grandfather proposed marriage between the states. When Manman had Ah Fan elope with Bizhi, Manman told Ah Fan that she'll marry Wei Shao instead and that she doesn't need her husband's sweet love, but she needs his status and power.

The grandfather knew it was only a matter of time before Wei Shao, who had already taken back Xindu, reach Kangjun and once he does, he'll take revenge and kill the entire Qiao clan SO he proposed a marriage alliance not just to make peace, alone, but to save their lives. Once the Qiaos are related to the Weis as one family, the Weis can't kill them. It was a multilayered plan. To make peace, prevent Wei Shao from taking revenge on their family, and mind as well make up for what the grandfather caused the Weis. That's why when Manman was in the wedding sedan chair, her grandfather reminded her that as long as she could get Wei Shao to fall for her, don't forget to do what she could for the Qiaos when of course, he told her to treat them well, too.

The Qiaos wouldn't have cared to make peace if they had a stronger and smarter leader leading their state and army. They're only "making peace" to save themselves. If they truly wanted to make peace, they would've done so earlier, not 14 years later right when Wei Shao is at their doorstep ready to kill them.

Um, let's not view this drama based on our 2026 perspective where women have more rights now than men. Being a women then, in that era, WAS very very difficult.

Ditto.

Yes, they have to. It was a very difficult warring time back then, if you're not cunning enough, kiss your entire family, bloodline, and state goodbye. FL married ML not for love, it was for power and to prevent the Qiaos from getting killed, so of course, she has to be cunning. THAT's the whole point of the marriage.

Another lowkey production that doesn't release any materials. Why are all SZE projects so lowkey?

Yep, I wanted to see her receive a heavier punishment but in real life, good people often suffer and the bad guys? They get away with their crimes all the time especially wealthy and powerful people.

I really liked the mind games the leads play in here, sooo good yet mature.

For reals, no overreacting, just natural chemistry and acting that brings everything together.

Exactly. It takes strength to remain as calm as water in matters ManMan had to go through. For the past few years, we've had a lot of vocal, fearless, combative female leads that have brainwashed the younger audience to believe that the silent, poised, yet masters in the art of war are weak.

This is called a public forum, so when you express your personal opinions, people are going to have their personal opinions of yours too. It's just not here, it's all over. Even bloggers or social media influencers who share their personal opinions of things on their own platforms receive the personal opinions of others. It's a public space. And to be honest, when people comment on my comments, I learn new things that I may not have knew or understood and appreciate it and move on. Like you said, it's a personal opinion. When I commented on your post, I didn't even take it seriously...I was genuinely confused as to why you'd even compare dramas when they're vastly different.

And let's not kid ourselves. If someone had commented in your favor, you'd like it and move on but because some of us disagree, you're pulling the "I'm entitled to my own opinions" card. Sure, do your thang, it's all right with me.

Cheng Yi had to play two roles, the father and son, cuz they couldn't find someone suitable for the dad and last minute. Stuff happens on the set, we don't know, so I wouldn't assume so much. It is what it is. The older bro has such a small role, I know it's important to you, but I wouldn't sweat the small stuff. Filming in China is really hard. There are a ton of things that don't make sense. Hahaha.

This is a historical drama where there are going to be less skinship.

Um okay, you should watch further for clarification but up to you.

Nah, I've seen more serious betrayals in other dramas but you do you bro. People justifying her because it's justified, as simple as that even if you disagree.

It's a new year, we'll see if there's a drama that could beat out this one for me, since there are sooo many good dramas lined up this year.

Nahhh, she could've been a lot more cunning but too bad, she was too genuine. That move to build a tunnel was to protect her people and kingdom, it wasn't really to hurt anyone.

I think it would've been a bit better if the director of LLTG directed this one. Deng Ke isn't exactly too good with romantic scenes or build up but then again, LLTG had a lot more episodes to build the story.

I don't find SZE or ZLS alike at all besides both ladies being cute, pretty, and can act.

No, it's not the same director.

I think in Wei Shao's mind, saving Yujun will only save Yujun but if he saves the canals, he'll be able to save many cities and much more lives as the canals would drown everyone in its proximity. It's a tough decision but he chose the lesser of the two evils and casualties.

Yes, the sweet, love, or close scenes seem to have been intentionally cut short or edited. With so much going on, they didn't want to make this drama too love sick or else it may not pass censorship.