PeachBlossomGoddess

I still think it’s a pretty good drama. The plot has gone downhill but it hasn’t gone full on makjang yet…

She has no problem with him forming factions as long as they are factions SHE thinks makes sense - i.e, the Northwest.

But it was all about power. She persuaded him to surrender the immense wealth of Jiuweijiao to the CP as a token of his loyalty so they could climb the ranks of power. So many things he could have done with that money - he would have had a life of free will and agency without being the emperor’s pet henchman after working his way up from a Hell hole like Ganlin. Only to be nagged to death by a cold faced and disapproving wife over his ambition.

I hear you but I do think it was a pivotal episode for ZL's character. He suddenly realised how fleeting power and the emperor's friendship is.

Sorry but nope, she was one of the biggest fails for me. I found her Haung Rong completely unwatchable - her LOCH put me off Chinese dramas for years. I liked Ariel Lin a lot better. I like LYT but she is a quiet beauty. She can't pull off vivacious roles. Her acting was super contrived bc at every moment she was trying so hard to be lively and someone she just is not. She was completely miscast. She was great in Royal Nirvana and would totally slay at wasting away tragic beauties like the heroine of Dream of Red Mansions.

I doubt it. But I know what you mean.

They don't look especially alike to me. And Wu is one of the top 10 surnames in China. The drama start is good indeed.

I think they will all be spared, including YJX.

Tencent express includes everything. Youku charges you 2x. iQiyi idk bc I have super VIP I never need to pay to watch the latest.

I think this one isn't done badly. But its definitely not done well either.

Seems you are already on express track - I don't think you need to pay again. So either you are going to continue to watch or not.

I will meet you there!

Totally different genre but I hear you. Tbh these family soap operas for me are ok but not that high on my list. I'd take a good wuxia any day of the week.

Yeah me neither - I think most dramas avoid after marriage arcs bc learning to live together is rarely romantic.

Oh of course attempting Huang Rong is brave and foolish for anyone. But I liked her version better than Li Yitong's insipid one. She was just done in by a terrible director.

The bad guys just got their son shamed and demoted. He didn't lose a head. And YJX was guilty of everything they accused him of. Its just not the same.

Its an adaptation of one of Gu Long's lesser known later works. Can't go that wrong...

Ty I know you mean to console me but that makes it even worse. WTF would you kill off a character that was meant to be just fine so cruelly???

Bc I am quite sure he's gonna be the villain.

Well hopefully not Chen Kun.