According to me the rating drop is fair enough. Because for many it was the Lishan mountain arc which kept them on edge and was waiting for a strong backstory. But it was meh, no matter how much I think, it all happened because of their stubbornness. It would be good if it was a massacre set by the queen!
Is there a real need or purpose to turn Yao’s hair gray you think?
Exactly my thoughts. I can understand that in the novel it's important because it shows how depressed he is while we Read and imagine things. But I it felt unnecessary in drama. Also they changed a major plot from the novel but kept his white hair 😏