Lush

AS MUCH AS I HATE SUI YUANQING, I tried guys, I tried so hard not to shed tears for his death. I tried so hard by trying to remember how he massacred the whole Lin'an just to get back at Xie Zheng and kidnap Changyu. I tried to remember how he killed Man Di out of pettiness because he could not win in a fight with Changyu. I tried to remember how he tried to kill Ning Niang because he found out she's not Xie Zheng's daughter, but his sister-in-law.

I tried to remember all his bad deeds in the past, but his death was cruel, and he was honestly very pitiful. The way he couldn't bear to kill Sui Yuanhuai / Qi Min (Idk why I keep addressing him as Sui Yuanhuai despite knowing his real name), despite knowing his betrayal. He was the lesser evil out of the two, and maybe, just maybe, if he had met Changyu when they were children he would probably grow to be different (just an AU I thought of). I admire Lin Muran. His death was so pitiful that he made my tears flow freely like waterfall, and I cried for him as much as I cried for Man Di and Lin'an, despite trying so hard not to sympathize with him. Truly a star actor.

Sui Yuanqing, you would always be remembered as one of the most iconic and memorable villain that people love and hate.

P.S. I somehow feel he did feel a bit of love towards Shi San, selfish person as he is, but he still try to leave her a way to survive. And honestly, forget about his grudge towards Changyu for killing his father. Lewserboy just want to support his idol until the very end. He even gave the tiger tally to her despite vowing to kill her in previous two episodes XD

I just want to note how Sui Yuanqing is truly heads over heels for Changyu. At episode 30, before he knew that Changyu was the one who killed his father, he compared his pathetic cousin to Changyu by saying,

"What a lovely, delicate flower you are. But why is it that some flowers, like you, can only cling and depend, unable to live a moment without someone to hold onto, while others grow on their own, covered in thorns, making people both love and hate them?" while staring longingly at the air.

Then, Sui Yuanhai told him that Changyu killed his father, he vowed to exact revenge on her, but then at the next episode, he only targeted revenge on Xie Zheng. I thought he would be focused on killing Changyu, but instead he came for Xie Zheng. So it's a bit funny for me, really, what a pathetic villain.

I keep seeing viewers preferring iQiyi and WeTV because it's said they have better subtitles, but nothing beats Netflix's resolution for this drama so I stick to it, as long as the translations are still understandable, I grasp the concept because I understand a bit of Chinese too..

I watched several clips I found on X and I must have been a bit too judgmental on such a brief low moment of him, because from the clips it seems Li Huai’an and Changyu’s relationship will get better and it was just a momentary thing for them. I really hope Li Huai’an will stand on a more neutral position and won’t side with his family in this political war.

I’m gonna stop the discussion about Li Huai’an because I agree with you, just what he said didn’t sit well with me.

But for my point about XZ, I read the novel up till the part right where CY rescued the Chancellor back in Lin’An, and I have always got the point that the story revolves around both of them, not just Changyu. Yes, it tells the story about how Changyu becomes a general, but also focuses a lot on Xie Zheng’s revenge. In the drama Xie Zheng feels a bit sidelined with his plan in general.

I already edited it to elaborate my point before I saw anyone's reply, I just wanna make sure of this for fair discussion okay..

What? I didn't even read your reply before I edited my initial post..

The way he projected his insecurity to Changyu. The way he accused Changyu of trying to steal the thunder because she successfully killed Changxin is truly petty thing for him to say. Instead of feeling happy that the biggest traitor currently for Dayin has been executed, he instead felt Changyu deliberately knock him out to steal his moment. I know it's probably grief talking, but still, accusing Changyu of that while Changyu in such a horrible state is uncalled for. Before, he kept praising her for her strengths and resilience but the moment it interfere with his interest, he what? Thought that Changyu is trying to take credit. And I also stated that Changyu's actions is uncalled for and I get why Huai'an feel insulted. Even I get second-hand embarrassment from how weak he is.

He should realize that in such a bad state, he would probably brought doom to all his soldiers.

Li Huai'an is truly a bad apple.. But I get why he would feel insulted by Changyu's actions. It was uncalled for. Any man would feel insecure after a woman knock him out because he's too wounded and weak after a bit of killings. Anyway, 'Menkan' should've noticed by now how weak he is and just stops going to frontline smh

And the director is literally pranking all of us with Man Di *skull* My tears won't stop seeing how heartbroken Changyu felt over the deaths of her Di Di and other soldiers..

The fight cinematography between Changyu and Changxin is, once again, Chef's kiss!! Beautifully executed.

But I do feel bad for Xie Zheng. Idk if it is loyal to the novel and Changyu is also the one who kill Changxin wang, but I feel like in order to focus on Changyu's arcs, the director has somehow neglected Xie Zheng's own arc, despite the story heavily revolving around his revenge for Jinzhou Massacre 17 years ago. I'm a fan of Tian Xiwei, and I watch this for her, but even I feel the story lean a bit too much on Changyu, because at the beginning I didn't know the story is female-centered. I just feel I want to watch Xie Zheng in action too. He didn't defeat Changxin, and Sui Yuanqing also got away.. even though he managed to execute the other general rather easily..

I just hope he got the proper portion to tie up his story soon too.

And once again, RIP Man Di (TT TT)

I also really hope Qianqian DOES NOT fall in love with Qi Min. No stockholm syndrome please. Let the villains be villains. They are irredeemable. I would be extremely disappointed with Qianqian if she falls for Qi Min.

I TOTALLY LOVE the relationship that transpires between Grand Tutor Tao and Changyu. The way Changyu becomes his adoptive daughter not due to her status or Xie Zheng's suggestion, but because she genuinely feels grateful and wants to take care of Grand Tutor Tao in his old days.. I'm crying

And the way Grand Tutor Tao's voice breaks and his teary eyes because he gains such a wonderful girl as his adoptive child, he just loves Changyu so much..

I adore how the Pig-slaughtering squad follows Changyu everywhere, including her "side quest" of rescuing Qianqian. They truly love her and respect her and will follow whatever path she chooses to take.

I also love Changyu chooses to take different path from Xie Zheng, especially after knowing that he can take care of himself due to his status as Marquis of Wu'an. Her convo with Grand Tutor Tao about the reality of war is really touching, and is a wake-up call, especially with the current situation of the world. Changyu just despises killing and war. She is not a bloodthirsty person. She cares for all the people in the world, Chongzou or Yanzhou, she cares for them all. Such a person with boundless heart, I just love her so much my Shayla

FIRST OF ALL,
I'm so glad the director is just pranking us and Man Di turns out to be okay, it's only false alarm guys and I think the whole squad might be surviving this and escape the curse of death.

Secondly, the convo between Xie Zheng and Changyu inside the tent was so sad, I feel my heart breaking with Changyu. The sadness and helplessness in her eyes truly make me feel sad too and tears are just flowing from my eyes. I feel like entering the drama and slapping Xie Zheng myself.

Fortunately they talk it out within one episode, and we can see how good Xie Zheng is at coaxing our simple-minded and kind-hearted Changyu. A part of me want her to be a bit angrier longer, but it would be dragging out this already too-short drama, because it seems like the third divorce is inevitable seeing from 31rd episode preview.

The director is probably too busy creating phenomenal fighting scenes that he outright ignores other characters XD Guess a perfect drama needs to have a bit of flaws too..
I actually rewatch it and mentally count the time of Changyu's fighting time just to reassure myself of how odd Xie Wu's "sitting there looking stunned" time..

YES!! Like every scene feels heavenly and you can't fathom how such superb drama can actually be made in this life..

I do feel it's kinda odd that Xie Wu is just there while Changyu singlehandedly trying so hard to defeat Shi Hu, but I'll take it as Xie Wu being busy with other enemies so he can't assist Changyu

The war scene is soooo CHEF'S KISS!
Amazing action from Tian Xiwei, no matter how brief the war is. But it was so amazing and mesmerizing and perfectly capture the horror of a war.
And we are in the front rows of witnessing a legendary general in the making. Pretty sure rumors about her will get heightened to unimaginable dramatic level LOL
and imagine you're one of the troops standing there, watching your marquis casually swoop your comrade who suddenly transform into such beautiful female. Woah, imagine the GOSSIP!!
Can't wait to see more of Tian Xiwei's war arc!!

Fan Changyu's actions give me second-hand embarrassment.. but I guess it is necessary for her to learn more about military discipline and consequences of her action..

according to jflee.com, wuxia tends to lean on the fantastical, supernatural, mystical end of martial arts. The fighters in wuxia movies specialize in weapons, both traditional and strange. Wuxia movies have ancient Chinese settings, and fighters are often warriors of the jianghu. Wuxia heroes are always seeking to improve their martial arts abilities and to test themselves against other opponents. After all, they are MARTIAL heroes. Their martial arts skills are an integral part of their identity. Because of this, there are rivalries between schools and sects and disputes are settled in duels and arranged fights. Which none of those elements are shown in PoJ. They do have exceptional martial arts, but not bordering on fantastical elements. None of the characters are from Jianghu.

On the other hand, Xie Zheng and Changyu’s story revolves around palace intrigue and power play in the palace, where there are multiple political factions who want to take absolute power, but set in a fictional empire called Da Yin.

are you for real? The hate she’s getting is ridiculous.

Chang Yu is even more emotionally intelligent than most of the characters in the drama. She may not be refined or well-educated, as she is only a naive village girl, but she IS strong, can protect herself, and smart enough to actually contribute A LOT for Da Yin, despite growing up sheltered in Lin’An. Her parents didn’t even let her slaughter pigs before their death. Girl was pampered. But she manages to show so much growth, strength, and resilience for someone with ZERO education and military training, and you say she is not a real strong FL?