Same, also heartily agreed with your sister sentiments for XL. In shortest moment, XL beautifully captures our…
I noticed how the wedding was delayed further despite no issue and I thought it was funny. I knew her heart was for Xiang Liu but someone already spoiled for me in S1 that she ends up with Tushan Jing so I was viewing the show through the lens that she will end up with Tushan Jing no matter what. I knew she was in love with Xiang Liu! I was like, she had to like him with all these scenes but in the end, she just wanted stability and control and Tushan Jing was that person for her. I was wondering if the show forgot about the lover's bugs because they were not utilising it well outside of heart break but this is the confirmation that they loved each other.
So in the book she screamed in anguish for Xiang Liu but CX killed TJ? So like is this before or after he killed TJ? I'm assuming before if he wasn't revived or anything of that sort.
Man, what an awful ending in the novel too. This is so ass too. Disappointing in the drama and novel? Enough.
Whoa. You are zipping through the episodes! WARNING. LilianKmei's post below this one has SPOILERSYep. Lots of…
Thank you for giving me the spoiler heads up. That was very kind of you.
He seemed like an interesting character and everyone in my family loved him.
Loooool I'm like a nobody editor on Tiktok with flopped edits and I believe if people liked it, they will come across it one day.
Xiang Liu: My man is sooooo wise. Saving her for life.
Omg don't break my heart like that. What you mean the last answer to deviate him from that path.... Now I hate the ending!
Jing: his fans had been on my Cang Xuan edits, talking about he deserved her more... The narrative that he sacrificed more just because Xiang Liu and Cang Xuan had higher stakes and people lives were involved OUTSIDE of themselves. If anything, they sacrifice more for her. Cang Xuan took care of him for 37 years for HER and even sacrifiiced his life and body for her while Xiang Liu spent 37 years saving her life and even killed three his heads for her... Like I was annoyed his fans comment under my Cang Xuan edit for a character idgaf about.
I don't know what Wei Junzi means but I was amused. I believe I agree.
Fenglong: omg I saw his ending and wow, I can't believe I actually felt sad. Not over his death but over how hard her wanted to save his sister and the length he went throughplus mistakes he did to ensure her safety. It's actually made me teary up a little bit. Especially when his sister cried and realised how much of a dumbass she was.
I didn't mind the approach with Haoling. It felt refreshing but I didn't like the lack of big consequences.
To the person who said this show ended disappointingly... they did not lie. I already made a million post last season so I'm going to just express my overall disappointment in this writing. One of my biggest grips have to be the censorship and lack of focus on the characters background and actions. There is so much telling and less showing. The show continuously summarizes big events and focus on the very useless love triangle-quadrangle and they are not even doing a great job at that. There were 62 episodes, there is no way this is all they can think off to fill in the time? To help people understand my point, this show needed to take the approach of the Korean drama, My Dearest but if My Dearest had three leads with their own storyline and 62 episodes to fill. (I'm currently watching a cdrama called The Prisoner of Beauty and that can also be a good candidate) That show is a great example of well-placed censorship that they don't sacrifice big events. There was not enough bloodshed and this strange World building writing of wanting to make things seem positive. Like it had depressing events and emotions but also seemed out of touch with reality. A weird mix of the two. Again, I'll give examples to help.
Depressing events: War, death, Out of touch with reality: The whole world is saved because Cang Xuan's sacrifice and every decision he makes, in fact, had positive impact almost 90% of the time.
Or the one where the uncles, who spent 300 years trying to kill him, chose to gave up almost immediately after he was crowned. It's like the writer is in touch with reality while simultaneously being out of touch. I don't mind this delusional type of writing because that's what I'm here for, let's worship my man together, but give me the negative consequences too and show me it.
Let's talk about the leads that I LIKE.
80% Xiaoyao: Amazing character. Very consistent and her trauma connects to her behavior. She would have been one of the best characters in cdrama IF the writer knew what to do with her outside of her trauma. I feel like the writers had no idea what to do with her so they kept playing back into her trauma response. It's not a bad decision. Her character is very compelling to watch but again, with the world building suffering and revolving around her, it feels lacking. Like she is missing something essential because of the 62 episodes long gap. I'll say though that, as a character, it didn't affect my viewing experience.
90% Xiangliu: Glorious ending for my king. He looked so good and majestic, but he didn't deserve it. I felt nothing. Granted I was spoiled but it felt like they slapped together his conclusion. This is crazy to me because the show had many strong writing points and plot progression but then... we get this? They did good in foreshadowing he cared about having a mother figure back in season 1 so by default, these hints help you understand his character and thought process but it keeps telling us and summarizing. I'm actually annoyed because his character could be way better than this if the writer gave a shit? We could have had more from him because XiangLiu isn't a want.... he is a NEED at this stage. Jian C is now my husband. I've started Filter and I might start Go East too.
90% Cang Xuan: No. No. Give me that fking pencil. Who asked you to write? How should I explain his section. Because I liked him the most, I had higher expectation for him. He is not ruined enough for me. He needed to be destroyed. He deserved the brutal ending the most. There were so many great opportunity that this show keep missing. One of them was during the war arc, Nian should have attempted to take his life at ANY cost. Nian character development would have been elevated, she would be so much better as a character and this ALSO would enhance his "rise to the throne" storyline as a bad consequence to a decision that was made for the betterment of the world. What a missed opportunity because the consequence of this plot point is endless and all of them would have been entertaining to watch regardless. (Think about it, if the person he pampered so much attempted to kill him and actually hurt him, what do you think he will feel? How will he solve it? How is she handling it? Etc, endless possibilities.)
I want the dark, the nitty and gritty part of the throne. Censorship played the biggest role in his story because part of that had to be sleeping with multiple women he didn't want. I want to see the disgust and emotional suffocation, not just yearning for Xiaoyao because he was a prositiute for this throne and Xiaoyao. Bring me that dark consequence. What it took to make the world a "better place" while sacrificing his mind and body! To keep that peace for everyone. I heard in the book he regresses. He is a great character candidate for a well done character regression so give me all the book spoilers. He is that character that have a wound ,and it started to swell, spread and grow bigger after he took the throne. He was still able to retain some of his positive qualities before the throne but time and CONSTANTLY being put in the worst decision, definitely started to affect him mentally and I want to see it. He was not manipulative and ruthless enough in the drama version.
I can go more on but I rather just end my review here.
90% Xiang Liu: I'm glad to see XL's percentage closer to where it should be. :)You're triggered by him being secretive?…
All it takes is mentiom Jing or use him to make Jing jealous and he switch up so fast on her. She suddenly sees Xiang Liu. They are the same person, I'm not buying season 2 trying convince me they two different people. They are one person who just deceived her well enough.
Lmaaaao what's your percentage for Tushan Jing? In the negatives? I was wondering if he will go there.
Actually, I see it, I think I mentioned he is selfish in season 2 comment but I don't want to bring it up because none of the male leads are innocent enough for me to target him like that ๐ they all kind of have this quality.
That fraction is right. He gives off the female lead type of writing from 2000s but it makes not sense to have that in 2025.
Me either actually. Fenglong was the best one for her lol
I'm definitely curious about Cang Xuan because it does feel like he loves the Crown more but also, he does mention he did it all for her. Need a deep dive into his character analysis to actually understand him better but I believe he is selfish. He wants both and he wants things his way.
Show saw the word Yearn and it's definitition and ran with it. I can't do with this show anymore. Wrap it up.
Man, I need to say that I LOVE her dad. The Haoling king??? Love him. He chose to get her out of his family registery to keep her safe. Such a dad ๐ญ๐ญ
Before I talk about the leads: I need to share my sister commentary. I made an edit of Xiang Liu on Tiktok on the scene in which Xiaoyao says she rather die than kiss Xiang Liu and my sister commented saying this:
"And she dare to speak while falling in love with someone who broke his promises a millions. Bro made her wait generation after generations. Passed all Gen A to Gen Z and She dare to speak like that to THE ONLY MAN who actually can save her and did saved her, went through hell for hell and pain."
She really hates Tushan Jing after that last season IJBOL
Back to the ratings of the male leads.
90% Xiang Liu:
I think I need to kill Xiang Liu actually. The scene.... Where he wore RED clothing to symbolism that he loves her and wishes/imagines that he married her while she wore her wedding dress TOO waiting for HIM to come get her.... So close yet so far apart., across two different worlds.
Why are we doing this????????? I hate miscommunication trope. It was like the most romantic scenes while also being the most horrendous scene. She was right, he have the most insulting way of doing things. Waited last minute to save her but....
I can never hate my man LMAO I mean he wanted her to do something and he realized she NEVER will so he DID it for her. He used his OATH to save her. He could have ASKED for anything, he could have used it and forcibly asked her to marry him... But he chose to save her from her OWN CHOICES using the one ADVANTAGE he had over her.
Like how are people doubting his love for her??? I wanted him to speak out before but I get it now. Even if he communicated he liked her, he knows deep down that she loves Tushan Jing. That's why he wanted that one last confirmation by hypnotizing her to hear her real thoughts and she wanted to marry Tushan Jing before but when he wanted to know how she felt currently, she couldn't answer. (This is just a writing tactic btw to keep y'all assuming that he may have a chance and if the writer wanted to make her with him, this hesitation is supposed to be a "proof" that she actually liked him all along but if she didn't, it's also just "proof" that she didn't know what she wanted.)
In the end, he just wanted her happy. Her happiness mattered more than him.
0% Tushan Jing:
No, he is not getting out of the zero. There is a much improvement since last season but he is not getting out of this rating because his writing is ruined for me. I'm sure people won't like what I say but he lets people walk all OVER HIM which means they are also indirectly walking all over Xiaoyao. I was giving him so much grace but the reality is, he prioritized Fangfeng Yin Ying reputation OVER Xiaoyao, he prioritised his grandma OVER Xiaoyao. The show just did a great job in deceiving the audience that he is such a "nice, perfect gentleman" even though he was pushing her aside over and over again while also selfishly holding into her as if his actions weren't the reason why his marriage with her didn't happen sooner. You don't see how insulting it is because the show spinned it so positively that you don't realize how much he was insulting Xiaoyao. That's why when Xiaoyao took charge, she solved it immediately. It didn't take much thought because she knew EXACTLY what needs to be done while he had no backbone for multiple episodes because he is too busy being a people pleaser, sacrifiicing Xiaoyao for it.
I don't mind red flags, I clearly like Xiang Liu and Cang Xuan who are big red flags but at least be entertaining. Don't make me bored and unfortunately, he is the most boring character in here.
60% Fenglong: What a useless man. He was busy playing chase than getting his girl loool He is funny in a way. Clearly he have the best qualities out of all of them because he is such a simpleton. I feel like if there was deep feelings from both, he would have been perfect for her. He wanted to get married to her fast because he wanted to keep her safe from the attack on Haoling as his wife. Of course, it didn't happen but I like his attitude. Even with his sister, he tells her not to do it, he can't help it when she doesn't follow him so he follow his sister, he watch her insult other, gets a taste of her medicine and remind her WHY he told her not too. His wise in a way but mischievous because he won't object for long.
100% Cang Xuan: "Who do you want to be your queen." "You..."
He ate that but then it followed up with the horrible realization that nobody cares about what he thinks.... so by default, he doesn't care anymore. He doesn't have the option to choose like everyone else, while he kept everyone happy, he will be the only one miserable.
The more pain he is in, the more I enjoy it LMAOOOOOO although he waging war on Haoling... And the dad was like, "I'm so proud of him." Made me laugh because what??? I guess dad like the fact the skills he taught him was put to good use even though he is coming from his neck. Haoling king is the best.
omfg this part "I love his banter with Xiaoyao because it's always so fucked up but the real meaning is sweet.…
Once you understand why he does things the way he does, it's so easy to predict how he thinks.
I'm so glad you see it! He is literally just meant to be a love interest and that's it. He have no other purpose which why he have no passion, dreams, outside of being just her obedient lover who will do "anything" to her. So even though he is abused he doesn't do anything about it. His wife? He won't even curse her out because he is the "PERFECT" lover so he have ZERO negative emotions about anyone even the ones who want to kill him and his lover!!!! And that's why he sucks because he is not real. He is just a plot device.
Cang Xuan useless? Ironic considering his plotline connects to everyone in the show from Xiaoyao being lost because of him, to getting back to Haoling, to bring a princess because of him, to get stronger because of him, etc and Xiang Liu is sort of an enemy because of Cang Xuan too, he wants to kill him, etc. Cang Xuan risk his life for Xiaoyao but also for the people, he have ambition and dreams and is stuck. Even Tushan Jing, in order to get to Xiaoyao, he tries to appeal to Cang Xuan because he connects him to her. But I don't expect much from users in here. They usually prioritise romance overall and as long as the romance is good, nothing else matters.
I've officially finished season 1! Hurray for me!!!! On to my thoughts for this season.Xiaoyao was such a baddie…
My aunt was like "All of them have their moments." For so long until Tushan Jing literally ruined it in the last few episodes and now she picked Xiang Liu as the man she is rooting for. I cheered. A clear winner!
I've officially finished season 1! Hurray for me!!!! On to my thoughts for this season.
Xiaoyao was such a baddie during these last few episodes. So glad she learned archery and I completely understand her thoughts process. She just wants a man who will never abandon her, never break his promise and never leaves her side and expresses it loudly. That's all she wants. Ironically, all three of them are like that but these losers are dumbasses. If she knew the sacrifices, the other two made, CAME from their LOVE, how they tried so HARD to save her, came out of genuine care AND LOVE, it might have triggered something in her.
Let's talk about male leads:
90% Xiang Liu:
WHY IS MY MAN TAKING SO MUCH BACK SEAT TREATMENT!!!!!! LET HIM OUT! Season 2 better give us more Xiang Liu cuz what is this? Maybe I'm crazy but I don't see my man anymore. It feels like he getting charity screentime. Anyway, I'm triggered by the fact this man is so secretive. Some of her first tears were for you. She doesn't cry for men but she cried for you. I need him to learn to use his mouth for what's its intended for. I'm actually confused that he went to Tushan Jing and gave him some insights on Xiaoyao. Like bro take your own damn advice. Use those lips to flap up and down how much you love Xiaoyao instead of doing all this.
You know what's funny? He pulls up so many scary faces when she triggers him out of jealous or when she wants him to abandon the mission. Babe calm down, I know you harmless marshmallow can only use that face card to appear threatening but you ain't shit. Always helping from behind the scenes.. I'm SICK OF YOU!!!
I love him. Please save my mannn from his shitty fate! I love his banter with Xiaoyao because it's always so fucked up but the real meaning is sweet. Like he said she needs to stop having her heart broken otherwise, he will kill her.... Awwwww so romantic and fucked up. I'm swooning but I'm also like... Oh... He was going to kill his sister and her baby to give her revenge... Awwwww so thoughtful! Baby, your heart in the right place and I trust it fully.
0% Tushan:
Civilization have risen and fallen and Tushan Jing still haven't broken off that engagement. I don't smoke but someone hand me a pack of cigarettes. OMG STRESS!!! Cang Xuan built an entire village and an entire forest and Tushan Jing STILL COULDN'T BREAK THIS ENGAGEMENT. As a matter a fact, he married her off????? Are you fking kidding me? They were calling him a genius early on, excuse me, WHERE???? It's crazy to me that he came up with central plains plan and covered up for Cang Xuan embezzlement yet can't see through the cheating between his brother and "wife".
What's pissing me off is the "he is so kind and sweet..." Like I know he is but they are using the "he is so kind and sweet and that's WHY he CAN'T break off the engagement BECAUSE he is KIND AND SWEET." Take this garbage writing away from my face right now. I don't know how he have fans but I send my sympathy to them because it's not easy liking such a boring ass character.
One of the biggest testimony that a character is a flop is if I take away Xiang Liu and Cang Xuan, and this story was purely ONLY Tushan Jing and Xiaoyao, this story is not a 10/10. Nobody will watch 30 - 40 episodes of man trying to break off an engagement (and this includes whatever BS we will get from season 2). Xiang Liu and Cang Xuan are working overtime to cover up his flaws so he appears good for the fans. If they weren't there, you would actually be more angry that you are watching a man can't cancel his marriage. It's downright pathetic because his enemies aren't even working overtime trying to win it. A green flag character like him will look RED among other green flags. The story relies on Xiang Liu, Cang Xuan and Xiaoyao to entertain us enough to over look his shitty writing. I would have dropped this drama long time ago if was just purely Tushan Jing plotline.
I'll even go a step further and tell you to take away Tushan Jing and Cang Xuan, and just look at Xiang Liu and Xiaoyao and their plotline is supported without help from others. Same can be said about Cang Xuan, I take away the other characters and you will still be entertained because their character writing is leagues above everyone else. Prayers and sorrows to whoever actually like him.
60% Fenglong: I love him. He is not a love interest but I accept him for Xiaoyao. He is very manly in a way of brotherhood and friendship. He is a loyal and naive man. He have a pure heart and I love that. Like he gets entertained when someone says something bold and finds them amusing. If his feelings for Xiaoyao was more than just buddies and delved deeper, he might actually be a shy and innocent character who doesn't know how to make his wife happy and will have many awkward encounters of trying to find tips and tricks on how to win her love. Omg, I don't think the show will go deep with him but I know if they did, he would be a cutie patootie.
100% Cang Xuan: Lethal face card when he got that crown on his head. I haven't cried once after Xiaoyao cried for her mom but I did when she got her heart broken and he comforted her by saying it's okay when his mom suicided because it happens to others. It was okay when his uncles tried to kill him because people have malicious family members, etc. Like ouch yet I felt comforted by his brave font. Eventually, this strong faรงade will be hard to keep up and he will break. Like how he married someone to keep Xiaoyao protected because he was worried she will be hunted by everyone and he needs as many allies by her side as he could. I thought he would marry her off but instead, him married himself off for her protection and getting enough power.
He is not a good fit for Xiaoyao but the amount of sacrifices he done for her really breaks my heart and make me wonder if he was honest with her, if he told her the truth, would it have changed anything? Would she have seen him differently? Him and Xiang Liu don't communicate because they don't want to ruin anything. I'm going to slap these two men. But I get them. She already told Xuan she doesn't like men like him in different ways.It would be hard to let your real feelings out and ruin what you already have but watching him cry silently to himself always is painful. He is miserable but he can't even show it.
They have such complex dynamic because they always have moments where they talk about everything, love, feelings, and pain and will sacrifice themselves for each other. He is just good at keeping that one secret hidden.
Probably Q1 26. No rush, it hasn't been 1 month since wrap up ... laughing nervously ๐
My sister isn't into Cdrama but I've been trying to get her to watch some. Unfortunately for her (LOL) she was like, "omg, Veil of Shadows seems good. We should watch this one next." I told her, "This show ain't coming out anytime SOON. I've been waiting for it since forever." She was shocked because she seen so many video and she feels like it was out because of the the amount of videos she seen so I came here to confirm if they have revealed the date yet or not but it seems like they STILL haven't ๐คฃ
I've started the show because of your comment and I shouldn't have. It's addicting, nice visuals, storyline ..…
Omg, I'm so sorry. Was it this comment? Apologies. I haven't gotten around to finish it but I finally time today and I might finish season 1 tomorrow and find out why many people didn't like the ending fully. I probably wouldn't like it either but surviving out of my pure love for Cang Xuan and Xiang Liu.
Fun fact... originally they were going to end Season 1 at Episode 30. Can you imagine the screaming and rioting?…
I checked when season 2 came and omg, almost an entire year later. Oh helllllll no. This would have pissed me off.
I thought the waiter would be dead but he actually had some grace to care more about his reputation than killing that guy.
Him scooting away is my favourite scene of his so far. Can't believe book fans didn't swoon over that.
AYO WHAT??? I'm trying to like Tushan Jing here ๐ญ literally looking for multiple positives angles and telling myself to think about his good qualities and you telling me I'll like him less...
I'm amused at the thought that he wants Xiaoyao to be like his buddy too. It makes him cute.
All of them could have been my men if Tushan Jing was more interesting than this ๐
Things were getting lukewarm and suddenly, they hitting us with a whiplash in ep 30. I was getting a little bit bored with the stale romance. I'm so glad Xiaoyao learned archery and there seems to be more to her story than just this. Let me guess though, they are not going to hit us with the amnesia plot point out of nowhere right??? Lol righhhttt???
Anyway, let's talk about the male leads.
80% Xiang Liu: I was starting to get a little bit pissed because it felt like the show was about to steal Xiang Liu scene of rescuing her (BECAUSE THAT IS HIS SCENE?!!) but fortunately, he is the one to save her. My man without any hesitation just infiltrated enemies headquarters to save her!! Aura. AURA! I love his liners. He knows how to hit.
Aside from that, the previous scenes that I liked was when he hid on her room as an assassin, kekeke.
"who do you want me to be."- Xiang Liu as Bai
Girl, he is starving! He is starving girl, feed him!
"Whoever you are." -Xiaoyao
DING! Wrong answer. He is waiting for you to say, "I want you to be Xiang Liu." That's what he wants to hear! Xiaoyao, you going to have to take exclusive lessons from me. We can't go on like this sis..
"Why not the neck." - Xiang Liu/Bai
I'm deceased. I guess the build up paid off because I'm screaming in the inside when he said that. His voice... I legitimate increased the volume and blasted it on my ears. He sounded so disappointed that he couldn't bite her neck. He looked pathetic, sad. Don't we love them sad boys? He pushed my deceased body into that grave. Worse, he literally NAILED my coffin so I don't get out when he refused to take more blood because she was hurt, laid his head on her pillow, remembered what she said and SCOOTED AWAY FROM HER. I can't do this. Let me out!
There is no way she doesn't like him, come on now? He literally had that chance with the way she looks at him she likes him for sure yet yet...
Another scene I liked was when they were like eating and waitress literally called him a broke man. Bro was tweaking so hard, I was convinced he would kill him but noooo, adorable marshmallow just wanted to sell his jade pendant to restore his honour ๐ญ "A man should pay the bills." End those podcast men, Xiang Liu. Our real, alpha male, provider.
30% Tushan: His rating was hitting 10% but he brought it up this last episode. I'm a little bit confused how he found out she was in danger but I'm assuming maybe her blood had properties that hinted to him the danger. I'll give him credit that even though I thought self suiciding was a little bit, not helpful, at least he chose to protect her body instead of his (even though he did it to die with her and protect her body) BUT it saved her life. I'll give him the bonus points for that. I felt sad for him there.
Scenes I liked from him was when the fireworks happened and she gave him a kiss. That's was fking adorable. The only other scene when he played the zither for the first time but that's about it. Maybe he will gain more redemption. He literally have the smart mind, I need him to use it moreeeee.
30% Fenglong: Adorable. He is a adorable but he is like, taking the backseat. I liked the scene when was gifting her unconventional gifts while his sister was having a breakdown about his naivety. It was cute but again, he is feeling more like a side character #6394
100% Cang Xuan: AND MY MAN, THANK YOU TO MY MAN! AND MY MAN, THANK YOU TO MY MAN! My man saved Xiaoyao and all our hubbies. I was ready to talk shit about him because Tushan was smart asf, Xiang Liu is strong asf, so what does he bring to the table except being useless??? Looooool but he stepped up.
Saved Tushan and got rid of his burns, "He deserves her favour, keep him alive." AHHH, my man. He recognised how good of a person Tushan was even though he was pissing us both with his bullshit engagement and CHOSE to save him for what he did, for Xiaoyao. My guy needs to be everyone big bro now LMAO he literally taking care of everyone.
What's crazy for me is Cang Xuan continues to play against himself. He been giving everyone a chance with Xiaoyao even before this scene and it's kinda funny.
Also, saved my hubby, Xiang Liu. Him being wise enough to let his enemies in and hear them out, Xiang Liu and Cang Xuan team up when??? I'm glad he is makes good decision and actually let him take her. Bro even gave him a dangerous promise to do anything for him even though Xiang Liu never asked for a favour. This man really plays against himself, omg.
Cang Xuan was getting backseat treatment but jumped right back up. My favourite scene is all his sad scenes.
"At least one of us should be happy, right?" - Cang Xuan
Broke my heart because it's like a defeat. He will agree to any man she wants as long as she is happy and never miserable. Damn... He cares about her more than himself.
Also the two scenes when he asked her to move away but SHE REFUSED and clutched into him. Again, the sad scenesss. When he took drugs and started to go mad... Saddddd.
He is very multiple dimensions. I felt like he was transitioning a little bit but now I see how the second half will go. She will be gone for multiple years and he won't be the same anymore.... Very curious to how his story will end because he have the SAD ENDING stamped into his forehead. I know I won't survive his ending nor Xiang Liu because I know he too, have that DEATH ENDING on his forehead too.
Please keep my men safe from this show ending pleasssseeee๐
Anyway, my sister absolutely LOVES Xiang Liu. She likes Cang Xuan as a big brother for everyone and kinda felt sad that he will be miserable. Lastly, Tushan Jing... Her least favourite but he been gaining some favours with his kindness.
As for my aunt, she thinks everyone have their moments lmaaaaao she should start picking a side to make this spicy. I'll check on her again.
Tushan Jing is the one who gets the girl in the end.
Have you read the book? I actually don't want spoilers right now but I'm curious to know how the book ended but first, I would like to see how the drama ended before the book so I can compare. I don't like to compare early because it makes me pissed off when they take a much worse decisions than the book.
So in the book she screamed in anguish for Xiang Liu but CX killed TJ? So like is this before or after he killed TJ? I'm assuming before if he wasn't revived or anything of that sort.
Man, what an awful ending in the novel too. This is so ass too. Disappointing in the drama and novel? Enough.
He seemed like an interesting character and everyone in my family loved him.
Loooool I'm like a nobody editor on Tiktok with flopped edits and I believe if people liked it, they will come across it one day.
Xiang Liu: My man is sooooo wise. Saving her for life.
Omg don't break my heart like that. What you mean the last answer to deviate him from that path.... Now I hate the ending!
Jing: his fans had been on my Cang Xuan edits, talking about he deserved her more... The narrative that he sacrificed more just because Xiang Liu and Cang Xuan had higher stakes and people lives were involved OUTSIDE of themselves. If anything, they sacrifice more for her. Cang Xuan took care of him for 37 years for HER and even sacrifiiced his life and body for her while Xiang Liu spent 37 years saving her life and even killed three his heads for her... Like I was annoyed his fans comment under my Cang Xuan edit for a character idgaf about.
I don't know what Wei Junzi means but I was amused. I believe I agree.
Fenglong: omg I saw his ending and wow, I can't believe I actually felt sad. Not over his death but over how hard her wanted to save his sister and the length he went throughplus mistakes he did to ensure her safety. It's actually made me teary up a little bit. Especially when his sister cried and realised how much of a dumbass she was.
I didn't mind the approach with Haoling. It felt refreshing but I didn't like the lack of big consequences.
Depressing events: War, death,
Out of touch with reality: The whole world is saved because Cang Xuan's sacrifice and every decision he makes, in fact, had positive impact almost 90% of the time.
Or the one where the uncles, who spent 300 years trying to kill him, chose to gave up almost immediately after he was crowned. It's like the writer is in touch with reality while simultaneously being out of touch. I don't mind this delusional type of writing because that's what I'm here for, let's worship my man together, but give me the negative consequences too and show me it.
Let's talk about the leads that I LIKE.
80% Xiaoyao: Amazing character. Very consistent and her trauma connects to her behavior. She would have been one of the best characters in cdrama IF the writer knew what to do with her outside of her trauma. I feel like the writers had no idea what to do with her so they kept playing back into her trauma response. It's not a bad decision. Her character is very compelling to watch but again, with the world building suffering and revolving around her, it feels lacking. Like she is missing something essential because of the 62 episodes long gap. I'll say though that, as a character, it didn't affect my viewing experience.
90% Xiangliu: Glorious ending for my king. He looked so good and majestic, but he didn't deserve it. I felt nothing. Granted I was spoiled but it felt like they slapped together his conclusion. This is crazy to me because the show had many strong writing points and plot progression but then... we get this? They did good in foreshadowing he cared about having a mother figure back in season 1 so by default, these hints help you understand his character and thought process but it keeps telling us and summarizing. I'm actually annoyed because his character could be way better than this if the writer gave a shit? We could have had more from him because XiangLiu isn't a want.... he is a NEED at this stage. Jian C is now my husband. I've started Filter and I might start Go East too.
90% Cang Xuan: No. No. Give me that fking pencil. Who asked you to write? How should I explain his section. Because I liked him the most, I had higher expectation for him. He is not ruined enough for me. He needed to be destroyed. He deserved the brutal ending the most. There were so many great opportunity that this show keep missing. One of them was during the war arc, Nian should have attempted to take his life at ANY cost. Nian character development would have been elevated, she would be so much better as a character and this ALSO would enhance his "rise to the throne" storyline as a bad consequence to a decision that was made for the betterment of the world. What a missed opportunity because the consequence of this plot point is endless and all of them would have been entertaining to watch regardless. (Think about it, if the person he pampered so much attempted to kill him and actually hurt him, what do you think he will feel? How will he solve it? How is she handling it? Etc, endless possibilities.)
I want the dark, the nitty and gritty part of the throne. Censorship played the biggest role in his story because part of that had to be sleeping with multiple women he didn't want. I want to see the disgust and emotional suffocation, not just yearning for Xiaoyao because he was a prositiute for this throne and Xiaoyao. Bring me that dark consequence. What it took to make the world a "better place" while sacrificing his mind and body! To keep that peace for everyone. I heard in the book he regresses. He is a great character candidate for a well done character regression so give me all the book spoilers. He is that character that have a wound ,and it started to swell, spread and grow bigger after he took the throne. He was still able to retain some of his positive qualities before the throne but time and CONSTANTLY being put in the worst decision, definitely started to affect him mentally and I want to see it. He was not manipulative and ruthless enough in the drama version.
I can go more on but I rather just end my review here.
Lmaaaao what's your percentage for Tushan Jing? In the negatives? I was wondering if he will go there.
Actually, I see it, I think I mentioned he is selfish in season 2 comment but I don't want to bring it up because none of the male leads are innocent enough for me to target him like that ๐ they all kind of have this quality.
That fraction is right. He gives off the female lead type of writing from 2000s but it makes not sense to have that in 2025.
Me either actually. Fenglong was the best one for her lol
I'm definitely curious about Cang Xuan because it does feel like he loves the Crown more but also, he does mention he did it all for her. Need a deep dive into his character analysis to actually understand him better but I believe he is selfish. He wants both and he wants things his way.
Show saw the word Yearn and it's definitition and ran with it. I can't do with this show anymore. Wrap it up.
Man, I need to say that I LOVE her dad. The Haoling king??? Love him. He chose to get her out of his family registery to keep her safe. Such a dad ๐ญ๐ญ
Before I talk about the leads: I need to share my sister commentary. I made an edit of Xiang Liu on Tiktok on the scene in which Xiaoyao says she rather die than kiss Xiang Liu and my sister commented saying this:
"And she dare to speak while falling in love with someone who broke his promises a millions. Bro made her wait generation after generations. Passed all Gen A to Gen Z and She dare to speak like that to THE ONLY MAN who actually can save her and did saved her, went through hell for hell and pain."
She really hates Tushan Jing after that last season IJBOL
Back to the ratings of the male leads.
90% Xiang Liu:
I think I need to kill Xiang Liu actually. The scene.... Where he wore RED clothing to symbolism that he loves her and wishes/imagines that he married her while she wore her wedding dress TOO waiting for HIM to come get her.... So close yet so far apart., across two different worlds.
Why are we doing this????????? I hate miscommunication trope. It was like the most romantic scenes while also being the most horrendous scene. She was right, he have the most insulting way of doing things. Waited last minute to save her but....
I can never hate my man LMAO I mean he wanted her to do something and he realized she NEVER will so he DID it for her. He used his OATH to save her. He could have ASKED for anything, he could have used it and forcibly asked her to marry him... But he chose to save her from her OWN CHOICES using the one ADVANTAGE he had over her.
Like how are people doubting his love for her??? I wanted him to speak out before but I get it now. Even if he communicated he liked her, he knows deep down that she loves Tushan Jing. That's why he wanted that one last confirmation by hypnotizing her to hear her real thoughts and she wanted to marry Tushan Jing before but when he wanted to know how she felt currently, she couldn't answer. (This is just a writing tactic btw to keep y'all assuming that he may have a chance and if the writer wanted to make her with him, this hesitation is supposed to be a "proof" that she actually liked him all along but if she didn't, it's also just "proof" that she didn't know what she wanted.)
In the end, he just wanted her happy. Her happiness mattered more than him.
0% Tushan Jing:
No, he is not getting out of the zero. There is a much improvement since last season but he is not getting out of this rating because his writing is ruined for me. I'm sure people won't like what I say but he lets people walk all OVER HIM which means they are also indirectly walking all over Xiaoyao. I was giving him so much grace but the reality is, he prioritized Fangfeng Yin Ying reputation OVER Xiaoyao, he prioritised his grandma OVER Xiaoyao. The show just did a great job in deceiving the audience that he is such a "nice, perfect gentleman" even though he was pushing her aside over and over again while also selfishly holding into her as if his actions weren't the reason why his marriage with her didn't happen sooner. You don't see how insulting it is because the show spinned it so positively that you don't realize how much he was insulting Xiaoyao. That's why when Xiaoyao took charge, she solved it immediately. It didn't take much thought because she knew EXACTLY what needs to be done while he had no backbone for multiple episodes because he is too busy being a people pleaser, sacrifiicing Xiaoyao for it.
I don't mind red flags, I clearly like Xiang Liu and Cang Xuan who are big red flags but at least be entertaining. Don't make me bored and unfortunately, he is the most boring character in here.
60% Fenglong: What a useless man. He was busy playing chase than getting his girl loool He is funny in a way. Clearly he have the best qualities out of all of them because he is such a simpleton. I feel like if there was deep feelings from both, he would have been perfect for her. He wanted to get married to her fast because he wanted to keep her safe from the attack on Haoling as his wife. Of course, it didn't happen but I like his attitude. Even with his sister, he tells her not to do it, he can't help it when she doesn't follow him so he follow his sister, he watch her insult other, gets a taste of her medicine and remind her WHY he told her not too. His wise in a way but mischievous because he won't object for long.
100% Cang Xuan: "Who do you want to be your queen." "You..."
He ate that but then it followed up with the horrible realization that nobody cares about what he thinks.... so by default, he doesn't care anymore. He doesn't have the option to choose like everyone else, while he kept everyone happy, he will be the only one miserable.
The more pain he is in, the more I enjoy it LMAOOOOOO although he waging war on Haoling... And the dad was like, "I'm so proud of him." Made me laugh because what??? I guess dad like the fact the skills he taught him was put to good use even though he is coming from his neck. Haoling king is the best.
I'm so glad you see it! He is literally just meant to be a love interest and that's it. He have no other purpose which why he have no passion, dreams, outside of being just her obedient lover who will do "anything" to her. So even though he is abused he doesn't do anything about it. His wife? He won't even curse her out because he is the "PERFECT" lover so he have ZERO negative emotions about anyone even the ones who want to kill him and his lover!!!! And that's why he sucks because he is not real. He is just a plot device.
Cang Xuan useless? Ironic considering his plotline connects to everyone in the show from Xiaoyao being lost because of him, to getting back to Haoling, to bring a princess because of him, to get stronger because of him, etc and Xiang Liu is sort of an enemy because of Cang Xuan too, he wants to kill him, etc. Cang Xuan risk his life for Xiaoyao but also for the people, he have ambition and dreams and is stuck. Even Tushan Jing, in order to get to Xiaoyao, he tries to appeal to Cang Xuan because he connects him to her. But I don't expect much from users in here. They usually prioritise romance overall and as long as the romance is good, nothing else matters.
Xiaoyao was such a baddie during these last few episodes. So glad she learned archery and I completely understand her thoughts process. She just wants a man who will never abandon her, never break his promise and never leaves her side and expresses it loudly. That's all she wants. Ironically, all three of them are like that but these losers are dumbasses. If she knew the sacrifices, the other two made, CAME from their LOVE, how they tried so HARD to save her, came out of genuine care AND LOVE, it might have triggered something in her.
Let's talk about male leads:
90% Xiang Liu:
WHY IS MY MAN TAKING SO MUCH BACK SEAT TREATMENT!!!!!! LET HIM OUT! Season 2 better give us more Xiang Liu cuz what is this? Maybe I'm crazy but I don't see my man anymore. It feels like he getting charity screentime. Anyway, I'm triggered by the fact this man is so secretive. Some of her first tears were for you. She doesn't cry for men but she cried for you. I need him to learn to use his mouth for what's its intended for. I'm actually confused that he went to Tushan Jing and gave him some insights on Xiaoyao. Like bro take your own damn advice. Use those lips to flap up and down how much you love Xiaoyao instead of doing all this.
You know what's funny? He pulls up so many scary faces when she triggers him out of jealous or when she wants him to abandon the mission. Babe calm down, I know you harmless marshmallow can only use that face card to appear threatening but you ain't shit. Always helping from behind the scenes.. I'm SICK OF YOU!!!
I love him. Please save my mannn from his shitty fate! I love his banter with Xiaoyao because it's always so fucked up but the real meaning is sweet. Like he said she needs to stop having her heart broken otherwise, he will kill her.... Awwwww so romantic and fucked up. I'm swooning but I'm also like... Oh... He was going to kill his sister and her baby to give her revenge... Awwwww so thoughtful! Baby, your heart in the right place and I trust it fully.
0% Tushan:
Civilization have risen and fallen and Tushan Jing still haven't broken off that engagement. I don't smoke but someone hand me a pack of cigarettes. OMG STRESS!!! Cang Xuan built an entire village and an entire forest and Tushan Jing STILL COULDN'T BREAK THIS ENGAGEMENT. As a matter a fact, he married her off????? Are you fking kidding me? They were calling him a genius early on, excuse me, WHERE???? It's crazy to me that he came up with central plains plan and covered up for Cang Xuan embezzlement yet can't see through the cheating between his brother and "wife".
What's pissing me off is the "he is so kind and sweet..." Like I know he is but they are using the "he is so kind and sweet and that's WHY he CAN'T break off the engagement BECAUSE he is KIND AND SWEET." Take this garbage writing away from my face right now. I don't know how he have fans but I send my sympathy to them because it's not easy liking such a boring ass character.
One of the biggest testimony that a character is a flop is if I take away Xiang Liu and Cang Xuan, and this story was purely ONLY Tushan Jing and Xiaoyao, this story is not a 10/10. Nobody will watch 30 - 40 episodes of man trying to break off an engagement (and this includes whatever BS we will get from season 2). Xiang Liu and Cang Xuan are working overtime to cover up his flaws so he appears good for the fans. If they weren't there, you would actually be more angry that you are watching a man can't cancel his marriage. It's downright pathetic because his enemies aren't even working overtime trying to win it. A green flag character like him will look RED among other green flags. The story relies on Xiang Liu, Cang Xuan and Xiaoyao to entertain us enough to over look his shitty writing. I would have dropped this drama long time ago if was just purely Tushan Jing plotline.
I'll even go a step further and tell you to take away Tushan Jing and Cang Xuan, and just look at Xiang Liu and Xiaoyao and their plotline is supported without help from others. Same can be said about Cang Xuan, I take away the other characters and you will still be entertained because their character writing is leagues above everyone else. Prayers and sorrows to whoever actually like him.
60% Fenglong: I love him. He is not a love interest but I accept him for Xiaoyao. He is very manly in a way of brotherhood and friendship. He is a loyal and naive man. He have a pure heart and I love that. Like he gets entertained when someone says something bold and finds them amusing. If his feelings for Xiaoyao was more than just buddies and delved deeper, he might actually be a shy and innocent character who doesn't know how to make his wife happy and will have many awkward encounters of trying to find tips and tricks on how to win her love. Omg, I don't think the show will go deep with him but I know if they did, he would be a cutie patootie.
100% Cang Xuan: Lethal face card when he got that crown on his head. I haven't cried once after Xiaoyao cried for her mom but I did when she got her heart broken and he comforted her by saying it's okay when his mom suicided because it happens to others. It was okay when his uncles tried to kill him because people have malicious family members, etc. Like ouch yet I felt comforted by his brave font. Eventually, this strong faรงade will be hard to keep up and he will break. Like how he married someone to keep Xiaoyao protected because he was worried she will be hunted by everyone and he needs as many allies by her side as he could. I thought he would marry her off but instead, him married himself off for her protection and getting enough power.
He is not a good fit for Xiaoyao but the amount of sacrifices he done for her really breaks my heart and make me wonder if he was honest with her, if he told her the truth, would it have changed anything? Would she have seen him differently? Him and Xiang Liu don't communicate because they don't want to ruin anything. I'm going to slap these two men. But I get them. She already told Xuan she doesn't like men like him in different ways.It would be hard to let your real feelings out and ruin what you already have but watching him cry silently to himself always is painful. He is miserable but he can't even show it.
They have such complex dynamic because they always have moments where they talk about everything, love, feelings, and pain and will sacrifice themselves for each other. He is just good at keeping that one secret hidden.
I thought the waiter would be dead but he actually had some grace to care more about his reputation than killing that guy.
Him scooting away is my favourite scene of his so far. Can't believe book fans didn't swoon over that.
AYO WHAT??? I'm trying to like Tushan Jing here ๐ญ literally looking for multiple positives angles and telling myself to think about his good qualities and you telling me I'll like him less...
I'm amused at the thought that he wants Xiaoyao to be like his buddy too. It makes him cute.
All of them could have been my men if Tushan Jing was more interesting than this ๐
Things were getting lukewarm and suddenly, they hitting us with a whiplash in ep 30. I was getting a little bit bored with the stale romance. I'm so glad Xiaoyao learned archery and there seems to be more to her story than just this. Let me guess though, they are not going to hit us with the amnesia plot point out of nowhere right??? Lol righhhttt???
Anyway, let's talk about the male leads.
80% Xiang Liu: I was starting to get a little bit pissed because it felt like the show was about to steal Xiang Liu scene of rescuing her (BECAUSE THAT IS HIS SCENE?!!) but fortunately, he is the one to save her. My man without any hesitation just infiltrated enemies headquarters to save her!! Aura. AURA! I love his liners. He knows how to hit.
Aside from that, the previous scenes that I liked was when he hid on her room as an assassin, kekeke.
"who do you want me to be."- Xiang Liu as Bai
Girl, he is starving! He is starving girl, feed him!
"Whoever you are." -Xiaoyao
DING! Wrong answer. He is waiting for you to say, "I want you to be Xiang Liu." That's what he wants to hear! Xiaoyao, you going to have to take exclusive lessons from me. We can't go on like this sis..
"Why not the neck." - Xiang Liu/Bai
I'm deceased. I guess the build up paid off because I'm screaming in the inside when he said that. His voice... I legitimate increased the volume and blasted it on my ears. He sounded so disappointed that he couldn't bite her neck. He looked pathetic, sad. Don't we love them sad boys? He pushed my deceased body into that grave. Worse, he literally NAILED my coffin so I don't get out when he refused to take more blood because she was hurt, laid his head on her pillow, remembered what she said and SCOOTED AWAY FROM HER. I can't do this. Let me out!
There is no way she doesn't like him, come on now? He literally had that chance with the way she looks at him she likes him for sure yet yet...
Another scene I liked was when they were like eating and waitress literally called him a broke man. Bro was tweaking so hard, I was convinced he would kill him but noooo, adorable marshmallow just wanted to sell his jade pendant to restore his honour ๐ญ "A man should pay the bills." End those podcast men, Xiang Liu. Our real, alpha male, provider.
30% Tushan: His rating was hitting 10% but he brought it up this last episode. I'm a little bit confused how he found out she was in danger but I'm assuming maybe her blood had properties that hinted to him the danger. I'll give him credit that even though I thought self suiciding was a little bit, not helpful, at least he chose to protect her body instead of his (even though he did it to die with her and protect her body) BUT it saved her life. I'll give him the bonus points for that. I felt sad for him there.
Scenes I liked from him was when the fireworks happened and she gave him a kiss. That's was fking adorable. The only other scene when he played the zither for the first time but that's about it. Maybe he will gain more redemption. He literally have the smart mind, I need him to use it moreeeee.
30% Fenglong: Adorable. He is a adorable but he is like, taking the backseat. I liked the scene when was gifting her unconventional gifts while his sister was having a breakdown about his naivety. It was cute but again, he is feeling more like a side character #6394
100% Cang Xuan: AND MY MAN, THANK YOU TO MY MAN! AND MY MAN, THANK YOU TO MY MAN! My man saved Xiaoyao and all our hubbies. I was ready to talk shit about him because Tushan was smart asf, Xiang Liu is strong asf, so what does he bring to the table except being useless??? Looooool but he stepped up.
Saved Tushan and got rid of his burns, "He deserves her favour, keep him alive." AHHH, my man. He recognised how good of a person Tushan was even though he was pissing us both with his bullshit engagement and CHOSE to save him for what he did, for Xiaoyao. My guy needs to be everyone big bro now LMAO he literally taking care of everyone.
What's crazy for me is Cang Xuan continues to play against himself. He been giving everyone a chance with Xiaoyao even before this scene and it's kinda funny.
Also, saved my hubby, Xiang Liu. Him being wise enough to let his enemies in and hear them out, Xiang Liu and Cang Xuan team up when??? I'm glad he is makes good decision and actually let him take her. Bro even gave him a dangerous promise to do anything for him even though Xiang Liu never asked for a favour. This man really plays against himself, omg.
Cang Xuan was getting backseat treatment but jumped right back up. My favourite scene is all his sad scenes.
"At least one of us should be happy, right?" - Cang Xuan
Broke my heart because it's like a defeat. He will agree to any man she wants as long as she is happy and never miserable. Damn... He cares about her more than himself.
Also the two scenes when he asked her to move away but SHE REFUSED and clutched into him. Again, the sad scenesss. When he took drugs and started to go mad... Saddddd.
He is very multiple dimensions. I felt like he was transitioning a little bit but now I see how the second half will go. She will be gone for multiple years and he won't be the same anymore.... Very curious to how his story will end because he have the SAD ENDING stamped into his forehead. I know I won't survive his ending nor Xiang Liu because I know he too, have that DEATH ENDING on his forehead too.
Please keep my men safe from this show ending pleasssseeee๐
Anyway, my sister absolutely LOVES Xiang Liu. She likes Cang Xuan as a big brother for everyone and kinda felt sad that he will be miserable. Lastly, Tushan Jing... Her least favourite but he been gaining some favours with his kindness.
As for my aunt, she thinks everyone have their moments lmaaaaao she should start picking a side to make this spicy. I'll check on her again.