PeachBlossomGoddess

Oh that is dismaying. I paused this bc I didn't want to get irritated over the weekend, am gonna resume tonight....

Heheh... I have a soft spot for villains also. And there is a big gap between antagonist and this whitewashed version of a great queen that is being served up to us. I tell you the real Xiao Yanyan must be turning in her grave!

Yeah I wouldn't at all mind even if they made her slightly morally grey kind of like Mingyi. I mean this woman was a total shark, how could she not have been? So why not make it interesting by having her bully Mingyi every now and then (or even poison him for getting her pregnant all the time like that) and execute at least one sister or pretend not to hear when Derang's wife is hanging for dear life off a cliff or something...??? Why does Tang Yan always have to be so goody two shoes and helpless (other than in smacking around lowly concubines)?

I suspect the emperor's first two children were princesses that were married off long ago. The empress had no sons, that's why she adopted (stole) Prince Su from his mother.

Is this really airing? I can't find it anywhere...

Try requesting it on Viki.

Look if its made in China the CCP are always the good guys. If it is made in Taiwan or HK, they are the bad guys. That's all you have to remember. I don't mind I am happy to watch and root for either portrayal as long as it is well acted and written. So far, this one is hilarious and I don't see much propaganda.

Yups, Fu Xuan is definitely the one who got the brains in the Fu family.

LOL - I think he can't die soon enough for the thread. I don't mind him that much I just want to see Tang Yan/Yan Yan grow up and she is kind of gonna have to when he dies!
Thx I will definitely check out I Know Your Secret, even the title sounds great.
I know the K-dramas have some great thrillers but I am just super lazy about reading subs, esp since I do other things when watching...

".... adjustments to tone down the vampire with conjunctivitis look in her future projects."
LMAO!!!

Yeah I agree that Derang didn't know the whole plot. But I think they either didn't tell us what part he didn't know or maybe the only part he didn't know was that Siwen and Mingyi already agreed to make Yanyan empress.

Yeah I am most disappointed with that too. I think this is an awesome, very complex role but Tang Yan so far has not managed to deliver a nuanced performance. She behaves pretty much the same with Derang and Mingyi - they could be interchangeable. And they only tell us but they have not yet shown us that she is necessary to the country. Her politcal observations are pedestrian and she actually so far has no role or contribution other than to deliver an heir. Sorry I don't count dressing down a concubine as particularly astute or impressive I was actually praying at that point this doesn't turn into a harem drama... Charmaine Sheh is by comparison is really killing it - her character is coming across as strong and ruthless. So is Mingyi's character - I may not like either of them that much but definitely they are both well written and well acted. How is it that the titular character is so lackingly written? I mean we are past the halfway mark at this point.

I am watching for the politics I am kind of disappointed its been light so far.

It started well and I can see why it was popular when it aired but the recent Light On Series sets a high bar now by comparison.

I also dropped Hikaru after 2 episodes and couldn't get into Insect Detectives either. I will try to finish Ruyi this weekend and then I am gonna try to watch Danger of Her next week, it was reccomended by @Skibbies. I watched one episode it looks pretty good if you are looking for a crime thriller. Xiao Chuo I am thinking about waiting till all the episodes until Mingyi kicks the bucket are out... I really want to watch Detectives but there are no subtitles yet and I said I would watch with Sony_T so hope that comes soon.

Both Tencent and iQiyi were charging CNY20 (~$2.90) per month for standard VIP; with the price rise its about $3.60. Still much less than international.

That assassination was not just a revolt by his traumatized servants it was planned by Mingyi and Siwen. What I am not clear is whether Han Derang knew about it and helped them accidentally or knowingly.?

Question re the previous emperor's death:

OMG - this thread has turned into a spoiler obstacle course!!! Not everyone wants to be spoiled so thanks for hiding your spoilers. Love to read your comments so if you indicate the episodes those of us behind watchers know what is safe to open.

That's smart - iQiyi just raised prices 25pct for domestic subscribers. Tencent hinted their earnings call they will do the same. I wouldn't be shocked if international viewers will be hit with a price rise soon so best lock it in ASAP.

Yups happens all the time. Its great - you get to decide to watch the one with the actors you like the most. Or watch them all if you have time.