MadelineMaureen

i can't remember if someone explained it in the comments or if I watched a YouTube video discussing the show & it touched on what a Floral Envoy was. I wish I could remember so I could give proper credit & send you a link.

On average it takes 7 attempts for an abused spouse to leave their abuser. When the one being abused leaves they are at the most risk of death/retaliation from their abuser.
In Shengyi's case the only person who loves her in her family is her younger brother, who is ill. Mu Dan came in after decades of verbal & physical abuse, by not only her husband, but her father & older brother.
I appreciate that they are truthful with their depiction of someone of her status & rank going through these things. I personally have to skip over a lot of her scenes because it's a bit triggering to see someone in that mental state of self loathing/pity. Not everyone succeeds in leaving their abuser like Mu Dan.

Yeah a period epic spanning many years isnt going to be for people who dislike slow burns. In Love Like the Galaxy there were 56 episodes over two seasons the lead characters didn't even have mutual feelings for each other until season 2. Now knowing that this has a part 2 coming it wouldn't surprise me if there is no progress on the lead couple's romance until part 2 comes out.

i love it because it's accurate without being too distracting. & it also helps convey her status as she moves through the story.
hair, make-up, and costumes play a large unspoken role in each period drama. Being able to tell from a glance a person's rank, social standing, & materialism without even needing a character to speak is vital to a drama that spans the amount of time it is covering.

Rewatching this and completely forgot how utterly unintelligent Jiang Juan Juan was when it came to her relationship. Thank God the actor who was recently kidnapped didn't have a girlfriend like this because he would have been lost forever. Instead of being concerned that her boyfriend but be hurt or incapacitated she blocks him & doesn't reach out for like 2 years or something stupid. he seriously deserved so much better than a girl who dumps you because you lost cell serve while on assignment. Literal psycho behavior & the attitude of a toddler 😒

That is traditional what the Floral Envoy would do...go around the country recuirting women for the Emperor's harem. (JCY isn't going through these women if thait's what you're asking) also this isn't necessarily what JCY is doing in the show as that is a "role" not who he actually is. He is working in the shadows to clear out corruption throughout the country, being the Floral Envoy gives him a reason to be in places a normal investigation wouldn't allow/would be found out.

thank you for this, I hadn't even noticed that & quickly went & added the other one to my plan to watch list so I wouldn't miss when it does air.

Does it still have to be a year between seasons or have the rules changed?

(I'm sure you most likely already understand the context of this, but in case you didn't or others are curious...)
It's a subtle way to show status. Miles' character Liu Chany is a scholar and then an official then a lower official. He doesn't care about wealth or monetary status and thus has a more simple wardrobe in general. He is also wearing a literal uniform because he is working or just getting off work most of the times we see him.
In contrast Jiang Chang Yang, the male lead, is playing a role of a money hungry official who takes bribes and brings the Emperor the most beautiful items and women back to the palace for his use. Though JCY is also in a pseudo uniform because of his position, his clothing shows not only his rank but his spending habits. The color is bold and vibrant with detailed embroidery using gold thread. These materials are for nobles to use only...this is also showing how close he is to royalty.

I would think that everyone smells slightly different as they carry scents on their belts, but that's just my guess. Or the way he walks, as Fu wouldn't have been so quiet.

also Mudan means Peony

It literally translates to Jiang's little flower.

you were not joking when you said long...girl I'm still reading it🤣

not between the two leads it's more of a mentor-mentee or mother-son relationship. there is a love line between FL's son & his classmate/friend of ML. this is more focused on future dreams & making that happen.

This is the best made currently airing drama. There are some writing issues, but not as egregious as some other shows. Always trust Douban as they have a better algorithm to get false ratings removed. Mydramalist each person has their own measuring stick that they rate on so if you know someone who has similar taste that would be the best way to judge. But I've noticed there are certain accounts that will down rate shows that are airing at the same time as an actor/actress they likes show just because...it's weird, but it is what it is.

First time in my life seeing a drama depict fireflies properly on screen. As in realistic to what they actually look like in the dark.

We're currently on episode 17 and still just a little bit of possible flirting...definitely still feeling each other out and more focused on their personal goals over love atm.
Love Mile's to death, but want to slap the shit out of him and tell him to smell the damn roses. The man has a shovel in his hands and doesn't realize he just keeps digging his own grave every time he opens his mouth...around EVERYONE. The man has the EQ of Elon Musk.

Yes, very good. Well produced too, so visually excellent. The writing is really good, nice pace for the subject matter too. Would be considered slow-burn, but has a mature writing style that keeps me engaged.

Spoiler tag cause long comment and mentioning other shows. Also, self-report...I'm a bit of a production snob and so that will really sway my enjoyment of an overall production.
Currently airing
Cdramas:
Guardians of the Dafeng(unsure if i'm going to drop this one or keep going),
Moonlight Mystique(Also not really vibing with this one, I just don't think wuxia is my jimjam. Also although I liked this directors work previously....I'm starting to notice a repetitiveness that feels more lazy rather than artistic styling.)
Flourished Peony...duh
Kdramas:
Namib (a bit of a rough watch because of the subject matter. Idol industry...self harm..etc.)
Motel California (Literally just started, can't even get a feel for the show just yet. And after the last MBC drama pulled the rug on the genre I was expecting halfway through I'm cautious to even attempt to explain it. Looking at you When the Phone Rings...looking at you.)
Love Scout (Somehow the lightest of the shows I'm watching...I think it's because it's your basic classic Kdrama but with a bit of a gender role reversal so feels a bit fresh and yet familiar at the same time.)
Others:
Finally finished Love Song In Winter(wouldn't personally recommend as the editing was just not very good from a production standpoint. Loved the actors, but the production was disjointed & I have serious questions for the producers/directors/editing team.)
Moonlight (I'm sipping this like a fine wine...I will not be ripping this Band-Aid off quickly...After Love Game in Eastern Fantasy I just wanted a little more time with Esther and Ryan as a CP)

Rewatching Exclusive Fairytale, The Double, & Blossom as a pallet cleansers between things or while i'm working. Aka when I don't want to have to pay attention to what's being said. There are a few shows that I can just listen to and "see" what is happening without actually looking...my flavour of nerospicy has pretty good image recall.

Flourished Peony is the best of the Cdramas that I'm currently watching. I'm not far enough into the Kdramas to really give a verdict just yet. Each one is extremely different from the other.

Most of the Western shows I'm watching are currently still on hiatus for winter or getting pushed back because of the wildfires in L.A.. So I wont include them.

That's just the currently airing ones in Asia not all the shows I'm watching...😳