PeachBlossomGoddess

It was the genesis of Chinese family soap opera cum social commentary genre. All of these kinds of dramas - Story of Minglan, The Rise of Ning, Road to Splendor etc etc etc pay tribute to it. It is the story Fan Xian allegedly wrote/plagiarized in JOL.

Lol - enjoy - there's an eye opening amount of homosexual content in there too!!!

Yups rules that led to tragedy.

No worries - enjoy. I saved the link bc I always mean to watch it but I had to read the novel for my Chinese classes and I still have PTSD.

Here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmUcy2AAj48

For sure and I have a soft spot for Minford as he has translated some of my favorite Jin Yong novels very well; a whole lot better than that atrocious air-headed English woman. But he over explains and meanders off and his language is wordy and not how the original is written. As you know, Chinese is very economical with words and to the point - it is a language that says a lot by saying very little. In recent years I find I much prefer the new generation of Chinese translators who are able to capture the beauty of the prose in its simplicity. But yes, of course to Western readers who don't know the culture all those old school Wiles Gades dudes are more helpful bc they over explain and over interpret everything.

100pct!!!

Yes he was the villain Hao Chen. It was his most delicious role.

I agree even though I think Cuique is the more interesting character. In many ways, she is more like Lanxiang - military class is by itself is barely a step above - it is indentured servitude in nicer clothes. So her grudge is more understandable. The problem is I don't like ZHHZ's acting in that role, she is not good at villain roles. She overacts and more critically she failed to make Cuique empathetic.
Xingtang is the complete opposite. She has enough money to have free will and agency. She could have made her marriage work and she still can just disappear if she so chooses but it seems she still chooses her status and power every time. The difference is Li Meng's acting is so good that somehow she makes Xingtang empathetic. I think these two roles were miscast. Li Meng should have played Cuique and ZHHZ Xingtang.

Their internet was down, so it went snail mail instead.

And with Du Cuique still alive, I guess we will see how much more...
I must admit I am not looking forward to a comeback - neither Cuique nor Xingtang. I think once a character's arc has peaked they should just exit left stage. I don't like resurrections.

I feel the embezzlement case was too easily resolved. There has to be more to it.

I first saw him as a villain in Love and Redemption. He was so hot hateful I found him so much more interesting than the main leads.

Yeah its hard to notice side characters in a movie. Those are all about the leads.

Yes indeed - it is one of the ancient classics, translated by some of the best translators out there. Its a super long novel and I only sampled parts of the two famous English translations - one is by David Hawkes and John Minford and the other by Yang and Yang. I personally prefer the Yang and Yang version bc I think Hawkes and Minford are too long winded. But I think if you don't understand Chinese culture and history the Minford translation is better. But please be aware its not an easy read - it is thousands of pages long, much longer than The Count of Monte Cristo😅 . Maybe go for an abridged version.

Oh that's a pity. I have only seen parts of it - my folks watched it.

I am gonna say there seems to be a trend!
And tyvm my friend. Idk why I am getting this notification 5 days later - MDL is glitching!🤡

Yes there is a novel that I haven't read either.

Yes he well knew their fate. And I don't think its about loyalty - he just stood by his advice. It was factually true that the regional princes had too much power and could usurp the throne. Which is exactly what happened. But now that the former regional prince is on the throne, it is still in his interest to curb the power of the remaining regional princes.

Hello... idk why I am only now getting notifications from 7 days ago. MDL is glitching.