YCC

I think a lot of these dramas are geared toward female audience, and sponsored by female-centric products (skin care, etc) or written by female writers :)

To each, their own priorities. For Grandfather Lin, family survival is most important. For Grandfather Shen, honor is most important.

Before the wedding, he probably didn't have the chance, because he was flogged and had to recuperate at home. On the wedding night, he did try. But what he didn't understand was why LanXiang was so upset, how would he know that LanXiang was Shen JiaLan?

It's basically about a group of women going "Against the Current", break out from the patriarchy of that ancient time.

I have a feeling the other way round. Ji'er may turn out to be helpful later. When little Shen JiaLan gave her spare cloths to the sickly Xu LanXiang (original), she never thought Xu LanXiang & her parents will repay her kindness in such an unexpected way.

Grandfather Shen & Grandfather Lin submitted petition to the previous emperor to be cautious with the fief Princes. True enough, one of the fief Princes rebelled and became the new emperor. The new emperor found out about that petition. Both families were supposed to be eliminated. But Grandfather Lin quickly submits his resignation and arranged for a marriage alliance with the Zhao. Within that short time frame, everyone will try to save themselves first. If Grandfather Shen was any wiser, he would do the same thing, but he chose Integrity over Survival. Grandfather Lin chooses Survival for his family.

Ling Xiao's (Song Wei Long) mother... is truly unbearable..

Indeed, that one is a really difficult drama to watch, it gets almost unbearable toward the second half...

Generally, anything aired by CCTV should be good

ML has his reasons to ask for the Emperor's decree to marry her... Actually, there are many reasons (one of which was to protect her), but he didn't have the chance to explain to her... From her point of view, this was the man who abandoned her when her family was facing massacre from the late Emperor (current Emperor's father)... Basically she doesn't like the fact that other people can control her life.... That's why the title is "Against the current"

He has been ML for many dramas after that, and his portrayal are usually quite good... His eyes are very expressive... and those dimples... are so attractive..
The fact that he can portray villainous character well means his acting is quite good....

I thought the father is the real mastermind? She knew that her father killed her mom. This is a bit like Alfred Hitchock/Agatha Christie mystery, where everyone looks guilty, may be everyone is guilty to a point.

Based on the trailer... it should be happy ending

Probably one of the most memorable weddings in Cdrama.
One full episode just for the wedding!

I even suspect that they use AI for editing (sigh) instead of real people. There is no transition scene, the scenes just jump in and out without any connection.

She may be an AI character?

In those era, marriage is not just between husband and wife, but it was one clan alliance with another clan. It was the Duke who wants to have alliance with Lin JinQi, and it was him who arranged for LanXiang to be sold to the brothel.

Yes, Lan = orchid, Xiang = fragrance

I'm wondering whether the garish make-up, lighting, camera and editing took away the micro expressions of the characters...

she was raised in the palace