whoissilmoy

"Don't worry, if they want me dead, they won't spare your life either." - such comforting words

If you watch TD and UJ, you can see how well he brings out the character’s aura through his subtle body language and demeanor.

I suppose a man’s voice can change from 21 to 23 but after puberty the changes are subtle. But I thought that since he has professional training, he can shift his voice intentionally. Professionals can record everything in a day — I read that somewhere. That’s one of the reasons productions like using voice actors: it’s efficient. If a first‑timer can finish in a few days, a professional can do it in one. So it shouldn’t take ML much time to do it. It'd be a waste of his talent to let someone else do it for him, and take credit.

The ML attended a premier four‑year acting academy in Beijing that put him through "a rigorous curriculum that emphasized techniques in voice modulation, physical expression, and character immersion, while participating in multiple student stage productions." You’re probably picking up on his ability to shift his voice for different characters.

Douban viewers are comparing Case 2 to the real Shanghai “Little Red Mansion” case involving Zhao Fuqiang, that was uncovered in 2019, "the reality is even more cruel."

Apparently, there is a blogger in China with 50M followers blogging about the drama with a "long commentary video is almost 20 minutes," that should boost the heat more. I think he must have been moved by the metaphors especially the buried woman in the wall.

UJ theme is non-polarizing as reasonable people would agree that women's historical oppression is wrong and empowerment is good. This should draw more viewers rather than push them away, especially in today's social media environment.

Chinese audiences love historical detective stories, as seen in hits like Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty. That’s likely why similar dramas are increasing, riding the trend—like Mysterious Lotus Casebook, other dramas, and this drama, and more in the works. UJ stands out, though, by featuring the FL as the martial arts hero and focusing mostly on women's plights.

if the story borrows fromTang history, I'd say the emperor at least knows how his brother and family died so he's treating her well, out of guilt, I think

because all the cases are connected inside the palace, so you have to go deeper, the real culprit has to be the ones behind her own family tragedy

there are 7 cases (actually 8 if you include FL family murder) in 34 episodes so that's like 4 to 5 episodes per case

The politics in this drama is consistent with what you’d expect from historical dramas and the political structure reflect real imperial Chinese systems, but dramatized.

In Epstein’s case, protection comes from money, elite networks, and the legal system. It lasts a long time and doesn’t depend on any one person.
In UJ, protection comes only from the emperor’s favor — as long as you’re useful and loyal to him.
But Epstein relied on manipulation, grooming, social pressure, and financial dependency, not physical imprisonment and beatings.

The cases aren't random and all involve people high up in palace politics close to the emperor. They're interconnected and will unravel the truth of her family's tragic deaths allowing her to clear her father's name and confront those who did it and those who covered it up. The ML's role is supportive and romantic as they work close together. The ML is also linked to her family's death through his family connections.

I think it's politics and the emperor knows about it, which is why he treats her so well, but it's politics so he has to hide it.

It's very common to have a name for each case even if its's not called a case, especially in children's detective stories or mysteries.

For me, there is a romance story brewing because they show a little bit of attraction with every episode. But it's the not the main story. The plight of women and female empowerment is the central theme wrapped in a detective style story.

LPY was around 9 when she fell into the water so that makes her 24 in the current timeline and XHJ in his late 20's or closer to 30, since he is few years older than her in the story.

However, some sources say ten yr old murder, but most say 15 yr old murder so depending on 10 or 15, FL is either 19 or 24 and ML is either mid 20's or late 20's.

You can learn meaningful things about someone through their body language.

Xu Kai has to go underwater for a scene. He did underwater scene for WOL too.

actually, he told the fL exactly why he wants to continue on with her after the first case was closed. I just don't recall what he said, somehow whatever he said didn't really struck me. But he may be lying to keep an eye on her. If I come back across the scene, I'll edit my reply here.

Of course you're not going to feel the same way, these are two completely different characters with different personalities, and different dynamics. But there is some romance sprinkled with each episode building up to something later on.

she has royal blood because her father the prince is the emperor's blood brother, so she doesn't have to do full bow to edicts, she just stands and maybe a slight nod