Brennnndda

That's actually sad because Dilireba was the perfect choice as Chang Ge partially because of her Uyghur background yet it's completely omitted from the drama.
I'm so scared for Sun's men. His 4 main guys have really grown on me and I don't want to see them die. . .especially now since they are vulnerable without him.

A scene back in episode 23 that stuck with me for no particular reason was when Sun challenged Sher to the duel and his father said he could have any reward except for people from Khaotun's tent. At the time, I wondered why the Khan would think Sun wanted anyone from Khaotun's tent. If maybe, the Khan was trying to show respect to Khaotun, which was very unlikely considering how abusive he is.

Then I realized it was because the Khan didn't want Sun claiming his mother as his prize TT

Little details like that just make the heart hurt more after all the events that transpired.

She's right though hahahah
I've wondered too if they were told to stand that way in the drama, but hearing her say they automatically puffed up their chests when told "Action" is hilarious hahha

I'm assuming this is where the drama diverges from the incomplete manhua then?
If that's the case, the drama could have a sad ending ??
But fingers crossed!!

Chang Ge and Le Yan seem to have found a new sense of peace and tranquility as they progress forward. The only one still caught up in the past is Wei Shu Yu. His pining and following Chang Ge everywhere is annoying.

I'm really missing Sun's people. It's been too long since we've seen them.

I feel your frustration. I don't think Changge is completely at fault either. Yes, she made some bad decisions but that's how she'll learn in the future. She's fierce and headstrong, but still very naive about certain matters.

Ep. 23-24 were lessons to both Chang Ge and Sun in futility.
Sun worked so hard to free Chang Ge, only for her to shake off his hand and dive back into the fire. Likewise, Chang Ge risked everything to rescue General Luo Yi, only for him to sacrifice himself so she could escape. I think it's a hard lesson that both had to learn.

Ep 28-29: That ending fight scene between Sun and Gongsen's men was hilarious. Boys will be boys I guess. The entire time Sun was with them I was shouting "just let them fight it out and be done with it" lol

Since Chang Ge has been away from Sun, it's allowed her to reflect on her past choices and where her future path should go. It's also allowed her to look at Sun through a different perspective so that when they reunite, they will be a united front. From the previews for ep 31, I'm glad they don't drag out the separation (not that they really could since there's only 19 episodes left and there now seems to be a new enemy on the horizon).

Sher and Sun's resolution sadly came too late. Sher's priorities were so screwed up that he honestly only competed with Sun for self gratification. In all honestly, it was completely unnecessary because the Khan would've done everything to prevent Sun from inheriting the Ashile Tribe since he's always been the outsider. Had they worked together since the beginning, their brotherhood could've been epic and Sun would've put his life on the line to protect Sher and to make sure Sher inherited the tribe with no problems. Ah, what could've been . . .

If there is going to be a sad ending (which I personally don't think is likely)...it will probably stem from Sun's side. I don't see anyone from Tang plotting against the couple in a way that would end up killing one or the other. Her uncle still loves her very much and she's no longer a threat to his reign. The greatest threat I sense is probably from Sher's mother. There's a sneakiness about her that makes me feel uneasy.

Contemplating watching this while I wait for The Long Ballad to air. Does anyone recommend this?

It was hinted at that after Sun brought Changge to his camp around ep 15-16. Mu Jin had said "Central Plains people can't be trusted" and Sun gave him the side-eye which caused Mu Jin to backtrack a bit.

It was hinted at that after Sun brought Changge to his camp around ep 15-16. Mu Jin had said "Central Plains people can't be trusted" and Sun gave him the side-eye which caused Mu Jin to backtrack a bit.

I wouldn't be surprised if Khatun is plotting to assassinate the Khan and make her son a puppet king with her in charge. She has no connection to the Ashile tribe and no connection to Tang. She literally has nothing to lose.

It doesn't feel like it's going to be sad. There's no foreboding air of darkness encompassing any of the characters (at this point)

I've honestly never thought Changge didn't feel anything or didn't know of his feelings. It's more like, at the time they met and the subsequent events thereafter, she was never in a position where she could focus on romantic emotions.
After her family was killed, she was constantly running and fighting for her life. In between doing those two things, where would she have the time to focus on falling in love?
Her emotions are clearer now because all her grievances have subsided (for the most part) and she's had time to think things through

I think Sun does know. After he brought Changge to their camp the first time (ep 15~16), Mu Jin made a comment like "people from the central plains can't be trusted." Sun looked at him and Mu Jin backtracked saying "I didn't mean it that way..."
I think it hinted that they know there's some secret behind his origins.

I'm really loving the director. First there was the fantastic game scene then all the fight scenes that followed all the way until today's episodes. (I don't care for the animation though, so excluding those lol). I personally think, acting-wise, this is Dilireba and Zhao Lu Si's best drama yet. They are all killing those emotional scenes!!

I want to say I'm annoyed with Changge's character...but I kind of understand where she's coming from as well. It pisses me off that she's constantly taking Sun's help for granted and further digging a hole for herself...but in hindsight, her actions were due to her own convictions.

Hers and Sun's priorities are very different. His is to save her life but hers is to save the lives of her people. If she didn't save her uncle on the bridge, all of Tang could've fallen to the Ashile Tribe (and we've seen how they treat their prisoners). The general was someone loyal to her father and kind to her, it wouldn't make sense if she just left him to die. If Sun were in her position, it's difficult to say he wouldn't have made the same choices. It is without a doubt though that she did overestimate herself, but it was always his choice to come for her.

I don't enjoy episodes where the leads are apart and I'm furious that Changge was such a coward that she literally ran away due to guilt/Sun's harsh words to her. However, I really do think Changge and Sun need time apart. At the grasslands, Sun hovered too much and Changge was too stubborn to listen to his warnings. Time apart will let both re-evaluate their situations.

The scene with Sun's mother was spectacular. All the credit goes to Wu Lei! To me, Sun always has this aura of authority and maturity. However, his heart-wrenching cry over his mother's death made him look like a little lost child. My heart shattered with him!

Sher is a special kind of stupid. He's a child who acts before he thinks. He didn't understand the repercussions of his actions until it was already too late. To him, fighting with Sun was due to his own inferiority complex while to Sun, it was a matter of life and death. Had Sher put his ego aside, he and Sun could've had a closer relationship than the one Sun has with Mu Jin.

As of right now, my favorite character is Leyan. She's come so far and has become so strong. I root for her to find her place. My heart melted when she told Changge that she'll do all she can to protect Changge from now on. Both girls have already lost so much but their losses definitely made them stronger.
(Side note: Wei Shu Yu really does get the short end of the stick. First he loses out on Changge then Leyan and now he's stuck babysitting the crown prince lol poor guy won't catch a break)

After watching 24-30:

Thanks so much for posting this! I've been waiting for the schedule ❤

I honestly wrote off all Chinese dramas until TMOPB lol
TMOPB opened up a dangerous door of drama binge-watching for me.

Now Chinese dramas are essentially my go-to before I even think to glance at dramas from any other country.

To be honest, I don't think Wei Shu Yu is compatible with either of them. He's more like the big brother type when things are good. When things get bad, he hesitates too much which makes him indecisive. . .which eliminates him as a love rival lol