SimplyHysterical

Very well explained. It answered all the queries I had about the time travel and how it didn't impact the ending (with BJS dead) before being resurrected.

It's quite symbolic because visiting that parallel universe also consoled her past self and brought resolution and some solace. It didn't change what happened in the end, as it's not the same timeline but serves as a reminder how important communication is. By uttering a few words, past HRY found comfort in BJS and left BJS shocked as he was about to lie and take the punishment for her.

I have some confusion about the ending. If she told the past HRY about BJS taking the punishment for her and their baby, why did present BJS not come back to life? Are they in parallel universe and HRY is in the current one waiting for BJS to be resurrected? Does BJS know she changed the past or does he remember what happened between them? Did their child survive because she went back and warned her past self and never lost her spiritual energy?

I am satisfied with the ending which is a lot better than we get for most Xianxias, just have some questions about the timelines/what got resolved etc.

That makes sense. Thanks for clarifying!

So despite the ending, and the option to stop watching at episode 34 and delude myself into a happy ending, I still watched until the end. I really couldn't fool myself because the characters were so compelling, I had to see it through to the end.

Yes, it is indeed a journey to love. Key word being journey here. This drama pulled me in and didn't let go. The main leads of course did great, and had amazing understanding, chemistry and trust betwen them. But all the characters had a story to tell and boy did they do it brilliantly. From the Prince's arc, Yu Shisen falling in love eventually, Yuan Lu's unrequited love, Qian's deep pain of losing a family member, and the brotherhood, friendship and love between all the characters compelled me to keep watching despite knowing the heartbreak that awaited me. After watching TPOB, I'm glad I watched this for the main leads, the storyline and the characters.

Which country's Netflix is this drama on?

Thanks for the link! Does your post mean she likely lied about another ulterior motive she had to come to the Capital? But we don't know what the ulterior motive was and it doesn't matter as the ML trusts her implicitly

Thanks so much, you're a gem!

Out of curiosity, are there any guesses for the last episode when the FL tells the ML she lied about something from the beginning. The ML tells her the past is the past, but truly curious what that was.

At which point should I stop watching this so I can delude myself into a happy ending? I loved LYN in TPOB so absolutely need something to watch and this is highly rated.

Happy ending?

Yes, and have a decent ending which is more than the shadow of the leads reuniting in the last 2 mins of the final episode.

Oh nice, have watched both and they were great. Not as strong on enemies to lovers as TPOB was but good in their own right.

Which Zhao Lusi series are you talking about? I love enemies to lovers so would love to check it out

Literally, felt like we were intruding. Too 🔥 to withstand the heat

Have you watched Love of the Divine Tree? Otherwise, there's Youthful Glory which recently ended and was a decent watch.

Yes, for the main leads

Rarely comment on dramas but after some serious ongoing withdrawal symptoms, I had to express how much I enjoyed this drama.

Definitely not a 'light rom com watch'. This was an intense, emotional roller-coaster with enemies to lovers done right. The political intrigue fits well into the plot without being overdone and needing to be fast forwarded (like most cdramas). The chemistry and the intensity between the leads and the fun banter between the second leads stole the show. The side characters all had some roles to play with their own quirks and personalities.

I am a sucker for happy endings so for the ML to gradually fall in love with the FL was a delight to watch. He has been through horrible trauma and lost loved ones due to broken promises by the FL's clan. However, after they are married, he never mistreats her due to her family. He's closed off, cold and very suspicious of the FL which is of course, natural but he also appreciates and admires her (secretly and then openly later).

The FL is also no pushover, she fights and stands up for herself diplomatically. Her strength is in the steadfastness of her character, akin to flowing water eroding rocks over time. She has trust issues in the beginning too and tries to protect her clan from a waging war by the ML. This is a very reasonable reaction given how the ML first treated her and makes a promise to destroy her people. She later regrets her decision and reforms her thinking but I think this just humanises her character.

What made this drama different from other enemies to lovers is that you see the trauma, the hatred, the vengeance for revenge and gradually breaking down of walls, trust developing, the endless yearning for something forbidden and the care and attention they both show to each other in little gestures that they do later transforming to love. Drama aside, you want a partner in life, who just gets you without you having to spell everything out. You can share your deepest and darkest past and trauma and they will listen and never use that against you (confidant for life). They will help you heal and move past it. In the end, this is what happened to the ML. He was so helpless in front of the FL's care and love for everyone including him that he had no space for hatred and revenge in his heart. This doesn't mean he easily accepts her and let's her in, but rather he is too helpless to resist her. I loved, in particular, that despite what her grandfather did, he also accepted her family, visited her clan and people and wanted to understand why she was the way she was. To me, that was true selfless love.

If you've read this far, kudos to you. I just needed to get this off my chest so I can move past this drama without comparing all other dramas to this (as that would be unfair). I watched Youthful Glory and while that was an enjoyable watch, I kept thinking of TPOB. This drama will take some time to leave my system and I can't say I hate that.

I enjoyed the drama up until episode 30 after which the plot became a dumpster fire. Really, Xu Yue redemption arc was v jarring last minute and the last 10 episodes were mostly fast forwarded to reach the ending. I did enjoy the Demon Lord's return and their chemisty even though they had different identities. Destroying the creator was truly laughable as an ending though.

I am giving this 7.5/10 for the interesting plot, acting and romance for two thirds of the show.

Fully agree, the last episode seemed full of propaganda with a jarring plot far removed from the rest of the storyline. There was no need for it and the actions of the ML made no sense. People who think entertainment content is non-political need to open their eyes. It's everywhere and sometimes not very subtle.

I had to wait to see this ended happily before I started to watch.

Great story, acting by all and loved an intelligent, independent FL who stayed that way right through to the end. Song Mo was a sight to behold: strong, but vulnerable where he needed to be and oh so loyal to his loved ones.

Has to be one of the best and surprising cdramas of 2024. It makes me go back and watch my other historical cdrama faves.