PeachBlossomGoddess

Indeed there could be some shocking twists from what you implying... I am really looking forward to the big reveal in this but the sub-plots along the line are also very intriguing...

Its the best Chinese drama I have seen but it is a politcal heavy bromance, not much romance. Its the Chinese Count of Monte Cristo.

Agree - I guess the production value is not high and its not fully subbed yet.

That is music to her ears.

Yeah I don't really need them except when they are singing opera it helps. It must be a glitch 44 had English subs but not 43.

It ends but leaves the door open for Season 2. And it was well done enough that I would definitely watch Season 2.

She is on the island to find out what happened to him and it is indeed likely he died there. I saw some clips that look like the two girls clash. But hopefully I am wrong, hard to tell with these clips.

I have a bad feeling she killed or did something bad to ming yue's brother so my fear is that the ladies cause a rift in the bromance. Hopefully I am wrong.

A good surprised... they released 43 and 44 tonight! ;)

I know this was set in tumultuous times but the way so many characters are getting killed off is starting to feel gratuitous. I start each episode now wondering who's next.

Everything from 53-65 was never aired so I assume something related to overthrow of the kingdom. Maybe it was just bad luck all costume drama was banned into the 70th anniversary and this one happened to be airing at the time. The good news is they have now released everything.

Yeah she was pissed off he made her wait all night and she very gently taught him a lesson that he shouldn't disrespect her. But if she knew him she would have got it that it was a big tactical mistake. I think this is going to be a frustrating relationship and possibly a frustrating show. The emperor is a pompous ass that hides behind his high morals and righteousness. Despite all his high talk and denials he was really put off at the idea of marrying a plain or ugly woman. The period is interesting but I am not sure I want to continue with a show where I don't really like the main protagonist.

Hopefully yes.

I think/hope he just forgot.

This Du Qi is a total asshole. I wish SXR just beat the crap out of him.

This is the kind of show I can only watch on weekends when I am not stressed so I am gonna lag behind this thread. My observation after the first 5 episodes is this emperor is just never gonna be that into the empress. Not ony would it be somewhat historically inaccurate but consider what he went through - he had to suck it up to the empress dowager, a most competent and itelligent woman who happily usurps his authority in the guise of Confucian duty to the dead emperor. If I were him, I would keep at bay women like Cao and surround myself with airheads to avoid enabling another smart but power hungry empress like the plague. Yes, even if she supposedly loves him because people like her would not be people like her if she didn't love herself more first. And from what I can see, she is intelligent, capable and ambitious. I love that but it just is not going to work for him and I can't fault him for that. This is a doomed relationship from the get go. Truth is this story was changed from the original princess +eunuch love story and staying true to history is a constraint such that there isn't that much material here for a romance. So anyone watching for that is gonna be let down. I haven't quite figured out why I am watching but I am only 5 in so I am gonna watch a few more but I don't ship the emperor and empress so that is not a deal breaker for me.

You are too kind as always - I hope you like it :).

I can't help but wonder whether the use of the more informal 官家 is a deliberate and subtle slight and intended to suggest that the emperor is effectively a puppet to the dowager empress regent. If it bothers you imagine how it must inflame the emperor who is well educated and must pick up on the incorrect and slightly less respectful tone of address used by all and sundry in the court.

Wow that was an amazing kungfu fight scene between Shang Xirui and his brother. This show continues to surprise and delight and Yin Zheng is just fantastic.

Viki is also translating this but it is slow at about 28. It is usually the best translation and has explanations of literary or cultural references. I don’t usually care about subs but for something like this I plan to go back to rewatch some of the opera scenes on Viki just to read the explanations.