Why from ep22, they seem so distant, it seems they're different people, it's hard to watch them like that
1. They've been apart for 5 years 2. They're not on the same page anymore/aren't used to relying on each other like they did before. 3. He's had to turn more brutal and ruthless in order to survive and succeed; therefore, he has fundamentally changed. 4. Separation makes her heart uncertain; when they were first together, she wasn't in love with him so she didn't feel vulnerable with him. Now, she's been in love with him for years but the time and distance between them means she needs assurance that he is still in love with her as much as before.
I guess I'm one of the few people who are glad they haven't married yet. I appreciate this drama so much, and the distance between them now (up to episode 22) makes the whole story/plot feel so much more believable and the stakes (therefore) higher. ML has been off on his own, being brave and brutal, and those are his talents. FL has been left behind to be strategic and smart, and those are her talents. They complement each other, yin and yang, and when they work together they are in balance.
This show seems to ultimately be about a couple working together to use the opportunities available to them given "gender roles" at the time, plus their own innate talents for the greater good but also for peace within their own relationship. They got close to that peace before the war, but the ML acted on his own and out of his depth (and without his eyes on right and wrong) and therefore they suffered. Now they are back together and it will take time for them to come back into sync. He needs to learn to rely on her again, like he used to, instead of acting on his own and discounting her advice. She needs to learn to be more straightforward with him, like she used to be, and realize he's changed due to the brutality of war.
I love this story *because* of the realistic flaws and character growth for both the ML and FL. I wouldn't change a thing so far.
Even with those confession letters, FL disobeyed her elders by not dying, running away with a man instead, and…
I agree with Lela2004 , the letters may have shown that FL was set up, but it was within "the right" of the Fu family to do what they did, thus the FL would've been implicated no matter what.
I think the SML will somehow ruin his own reputation in a desperate bid to save FL (this time). SML is being shown as obsessive for FL, thus I think he'll ruin everyone's plans here.
Episode 20 Did anyone else think that was an odd exchange between Mrs. Wei and ZL (where she said, "Your good looks are not wasted") Why did ZL look so flustered after? That felt intentional / important...
Yu Jing Xiu's comment about Fu Ting Yun being "one of a kind" (and that's why he loves her) is very reminiscent of his attitude toward Fan Ya Ke's father's books. He values the books because they are so rare (one of a kind) but he doesn't learn anything from them or understand their real meaning. Similarly, he values Ting Yun because she seems unusual / rare, but doesn't know her at all / makes no attempt to understand her as a person.
In the back of my mind, I'm still thinking about ZL's friend who has the salt license (earlier arc of the drama, the dude who cut off his own ear) and how he said he would save 1/2 of the money for ZL.
Six or seven years later, ZL has got to be super rich by now. $$$$$
Guys, is this drama’s plotline good? How’s the chemistry between the main leads? it's that FL & ML are…
This is probably the best plot so far this year for a Cdrama. The leads’ chemistry and the plot are the two best things about this drama. Both leads are very smart, but in different ways; he is street smart and definitely makes some questionable choices (rarely). She is book smart/strategic, but then also makes some (rare) questionable choices. But their flaws make them feel more real and human.
1 
2 
2. They're not on the same page anymore/aren't used to relying on each other like they did before.
3. He's had to turn more brutal and ruthless in order to survive and succeed; therefore, he has fundamentally changed.
4. Separation makes her heart uncertain; when they were first together, she wasn't in love with him so she didn't feel vulnerable with him. Now, she's been in love with him for years but the time and distance between them means she needs assurance that he is still in love with her as much as before.
ML has been off on his own, being brave and brutal, and those are his talents. FL has been left behind to be strategic and smart, and those are her talents. They complement each other, yin and yang, and when they work together they are in balance.
This show seems to ultimately be about a couple working together to use the opportunities available to them given "gender roles" at the time, plus their own innate talents for the greater good but also for peace within their own relationship. They got close to that peace before the war, but the ML acted on his own and out of his depth (and without his eyes on right and wrong) and therefore they suffered. Now they are back together and it will take time for them to come back into sync. He needs to learn to rely on her again, like he used to, instead of acting on his own and discounting her advice. She needs to learn to be more straightforward with him, like she used to be, and realize he's changed due to the brutality of war.
I love this story *because* of the realistic flaws and character growth for both the ML and FL. I wouldn't change a thing so far.
I think the SML will somehow ruin his own reputation in a desperate bid to save FL (this time). SML is being shown as obsessive for FL, thus I think he'll ruin everyone's plans here.
Did anyone else think that was an odd exchange between Mrs. Wei and ZL (where she said, "Your good looks are not wasted") Why did ZL look so flustered after? That felt intentional / important...
Similarly, he values Ting Yun because she seems unusual / rare, but doesn't know her at all / makes no attempt to understand her as a person.
This is all to say, HE'S THE WORST!
Have you ever had to wait / bide your time? That sh1t is HARD.
Six or seven years later, ZL has got to be super rich by now. $$$$$
I think this might be the best art direction I’ve ever seen in any tv show PERIOD.
Both leads are very smart, but in different ways; he is street smart and definitely makes some questionable choices (rarely). She is book smart/strategic, but then also makes some (rare) questionable choices. But their flaws make them feel more real and human.
And this drama is SOOOO GOOOOOD. You have excellent taste