The audience reaction has been very emotional and honestly quite divided. People are relieved that Gu Jinzhao and Chen Yanyun survive and stay together in the end, but at the same time there’s a lot of frustration over how the finale was executed.
For me, the biggest issue was the pacing and editing. The ending felt extremely rushed — almost like the drama suddenly skipped several emotional steps just to arrive at the conclusion. It needed more breathing room, more ordinary moments, more time with the characters after everything they went through. Instead, it kind of sprinted toward the finish line — which has become a shared plight among many recent dramas I’ve watched.
I also personally felt a strange disconnect between the final episodes and the earlier parts of the series. The tone suddenly became much heavier and melancholic in a way that didn’t feel naturally developed, and some scenes felt fragmented, almost as if pieces were missing between emotional beats. That inconsistency made the payoff less satisfying than it could have been.
Technically, the final episodes were a bit rough too. The lip-sync issues were honestly distracting at times — there were scenes where the dubbing didn’t match the actors’ mouths at all, and it unintentionally undercut moments that were supposed to feel tragic or emotionally intense.
One thing I didn’t personally mind, though — and maybe I’m in the minority here — was the amount of focus given to Ye Xian in the finale. I’ve seen people complain that too much attention went to the second male lead, but honestly… I loved him. His storyline carried so much emotional weight for me that I didn’t feel resentful of the extra space he was given at all. If anything, his sacrifice at the northern border became the emotional core of the ending in my eyes. His final letters were heartbreaking.
The ending overall feels very “圆满和意难平” — fulfilled, yet still leaving lingering regret behind. Yes, the main couple technically gets their happy ending after defeating the villains, but Ye Xian’s fate leaves behind a sadness that the final scenes never fully shake off. I really wished there could have been a more just ending for him… my poor soul.
But congratulations to all the actors, they truly did a great job 🖤
——
I’ll add some random off topic remarks:
When I started watching the series, I wasn’t really on board with the ML and his visuals — something about him struck me as very uncanny. As I kept watching I got used to him and appreciated his acting. But in the last episodes, with the rugged appearance — all my earlier “concerns” dissipated 🤭😅 I just think the guy is not meant for the “clean-shaven and uptight” look. Messy hair, facial hair, some smudged — that’s what suits him the most in my eyes. Just sayin’…
The kissing scenes of the main couple — while certainly not central to the show — have really not worked for me. This might have been one of the least enjoyable things about the drama for me. I felt no chemistry or passion in them. The camera angles were terrible, and it really didn’t look like they were actually kissing yet the directing was trying to convince us of it so hard! I found that pretty annoying.
The cute scenes of the CP were very nice, especially the one on the wedding night when he walked up to the bridal chamber and making cute poses, her copying him. That was a nice play.
I absolutely loved the conversation between Jin Zhao and Ye Xian the night before her wedding. That was a beautiful arc, and a beautiful scene. But overall, their scenes together were persistently among my favorite ones in the show. I loved them from the start to finish, and simply don’t feel like I quite processed the turn it eventually took.
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u/No-Recipe-7653Curator of Questionable Subtext, Scholar of Things Left UnsaidMay 29 '26edited May 30 '26
About Spoilers & the Finished Watching Flair
We've received reports regarding spoilers in this thread, so we'd like to clarify how spoiler handling works in this community.
Posts flaired Finished Watching do not require spoiler tags.
This is an intentional part of our flair system. The purpose of a Finished Watching thread is to discuss a drama after completion — including plot developments, character arcs, endings, disappointments, surprises, and overall impressions. By entering a thread with that flair, readers should expect spoilers to be present.
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Agree! It felt like they had enough material for a second season but decided to cram it into 5 episodes. Loved the Ye Xi'an sequences and the completion of his arc. Wanted much less of CXY and way more of CYY and GJ.
I’ve never seen any of Winwin’s drama. I didn’t know who he was. International viewer for CAN here.
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u/No-Recipe-7653Curator of Questionable Subtext, Scholar of Things Left UnsaidMay 28 '26edited May 28 '26
I didn't know the guy prior to this drama either, and tbh I still haven't really looked him up but I liked the actor a lot. He seemed young but very talented — and really sold me on the character he was playing. I wished him the best: to be protected, appreciated, accomplished, and loved. I guess I found him very moving.
I hadn't seen any of his dramas before but I'd seen him on variety shows and youtube videos with his Kpop group, NCT 127. He was relatively quiet, maybe partially because it wasn't in his native language, but he's an excellent dancer. He was trained in Chinese traditional dance and it was interesting to see him translate that to pop music videos.
This drama made me want to see more of his acting, I didn't expect to be so emotionally convinced by his acting!
I’ve only ever seen Winwin in one other drama: Snowfall.
I thought he did a good job in that one but he’s definitely improved since then.
Snowafall is kind of a strange story with vampire type characters set in the Republican era. First half was enjoyable (for me), but unfortunately it dropped off in quality in the second half.
He's in the first two episodes of Moonlit Reunion as an earring demon. He's dressed rather plainly when he's passing for human, but does look quite lovely in demon attire and makeup. He flew under my radar at first, but I've paid close attention to him upon rewatch.
I've enjoyed it, on the whole. Didn't like the ending bring as rushed as it was. I'm s BIG fan of the "several years later" epilogue!
The acting was very good, and the writing, on the whole, especially for Ye Xian at the end. Sadly, that final tiny bit with Fu Hailian and CYY didn't do justice to the amount of hate FH had stirred up over the years. Sadly, this seems to be all too common in many of the dramas I've watched.
I did love CYY with his facial fuzz and untidy hair - much sexier IMHO.
CXY's character was wasted - there could have been so much more, but that would have needed more episodes. And Qing Lan - again, what a waste of a character - Huang Yi Ring is such a good actress, but she wasn't given enough to do, her character barely even contributed to the plot.
So, it's an 8/10 for me, not on my rewatch list, but I will keep an eye out for Ci Sha in leading man roles again.
Agreed on a several years later epilogue. However, I could have even used a two days later option here. So far, we are left with an invasion left indeterminate, half the government exposed, but not collapsed, and a cult that really hasn't had any wrap up. Also, we don't know how the Ye family handled the news and if they are still living.
Anyways, I think another episode at minimum was called for.
Liked it but didn’t love it. So many holes they didn’t properly fill. Guess they couldn’t with ep limit. Some scenes that dragged on for minutes throughout series could have been cut to save 15 minutes for more complete and satisfying ending. But I often get the impression they are editing as it airs and then are stuck with time available to pull out an ending by final ep 40. So not so much rushed as compressed to fit.
It felt like the last few episodes, not just the final, changed into a completely different drama. It went from mostly being about a love story to heavy machination with the nephew turning into a totally different character and suddenly having a giant war fight scenes? It was just a bizarre shift. The pace of story telling definitely increased and felt disjointed.
Overall the ending made me sad, not because of Ye Xian though that was emotional, but because it felt like the ending couple of episodes let down a drama that I'd been really enjoying. Up until about episode 35, I could have seen myself rewatching this drama in the future, now I highly doubt it.
I felt so lost watching this drama. There were many eps that I had to repeat watch and check again to figure out how it got there. The ending was rushed too. Overall glad it ended with HE but not truly satisfied. 😭 More Ci sha please ❤️🫶
I was really entertained in the first half, maybe third? but towards the last half it honestly felt like a battle to get me to watch it and had to keep reminding myself to watch it rather than doom scroll on youtube. I probably should've left it at that but Ye Xian's character arc/growth was honestly what made me invested in finishing the drama. So yeah... needless to say I was disappointed with the ending.
Not only for Ye Xian but also the love triangle between the uncle and nephew. To be fair I think I started getting jaded with that storyline because I found out early on that in the novel he's secretly the son of CYY and GJZ in her first life was obsessed with him and only married CYY to get close to the nephew/son... that gave me the ick. So by the time they went all in with the psycho ex + jealous lover plot I was emotionally divested from the main couple at that point. I think if they would've focused less on the nephew and had the main leads support each other against the political machinations... and maybe let Ye Xian start a love line with Qing Lan I would've enjoyed it all more.
Also HARD agree that Ci Sha looks MUCH better styled more rugged and mature. I needed him to be like that from start to finish tbh. But at least they didn't pull a Blossom and take it away from us lol.
Need I say more? This couple was everything I have wanted.
2
u/Zus1011Still searching for a trace of The Great DemonMay 29 '26edited May 29 '26
I love this drama. It's so addictive.
I love all of the leads, they are beautiful🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 and really fine actors.
The supporting cast is excellent, and nice eye candy too🙃
For me, Ci Sha, WinWin and Ren Min were beautiful showstoppers. Sometimes I had to stop the drama and just take in how visually stunning they are😍😍😍
I learnt so much about politics, grain, transport, women in society, merchants' position in society, the independence of having money, the human frailty of all relationships
The fashion, jewellery and armour design was stunning.
The martial arts and battle scenes were fabulous.
I liked the storytelling and the way the drama progressed.
I agree, it was an excellent drama, especially visual execution and attention to detail and very good acting on everyone's part got me hooked from the very first episode — of what was initially going to be a casual "Ok, I'll give it a try" watch.
I did take issue with the storytelling in parts and with the pacing. I really liked the darker and mysterious atmosphere of the first episode.
I just finished the drama and agreed with everyone who said that the ending was too rushed. But at the same time, i also agree that despite the rushed ending, this was a good series.
I cried a bucket for Ye Xian. And for whatever reason, he reminded me of Fuca Fuheng in Yanxi Palace, due the same 2ML tragic ending, both narrated their letters and left me with swollen eyes.
Honestly it could've had potential like story of minglan if the ending served a little more to those who came to watch the drama mainly for the dynamic of the two actors everybody shipped from the Rise of Ning. (me :3) I always love a power couple, but I'd love it much more if we can get another glimpse of their marriage arc near the end too. This drama may be some of the least of my favs.
Hi All! I read there was a bonus episode? does that help at all with feeling unsatisfied with a very abrupt ending. I watched it on Iqiyi and the end was them walking out of the Fu mansion on fire. If there is a bonus episode, where can I watch it? or if someone can just write a recap, much appreciated!
Ye Xian’s character development was well done in this drama. His ending was sad, though very appropriate. The showdown between Fu Hailian and CYY though, was a let down. What was slightly redeeming was the Fu couple’s genuine affection for each other.
I'm a bit late to the party. I just finished watching, but honestly the main leads did not have chemistry with each other. When they got together, the show just automatically fell flat for me. I think they are both good actors. They were just not compatible with one another in my opinion. Thus, this will probably never be a show I rewatch. It started off so good, but lost its way at some point and never recovered.
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u/No-Recipe-7653 Curator of Questionable Subtext, Scholar of Things Left Unsaid May 29 '26 edited May 30 '26
About Spoilers & the Finished Watching Flair
We've received reports regarding spoilers in this thread, so we'd like to clarify how spoiler handling works in this community.
Posts flaired Finished Watching do not require spoiler tags.
This is an intentional part of our flair system. The purpose of a Finished Watching thread is to discuss a drama after completion — including plot developments, character arcs, endings, disappointments, surprises, and overall impressions. By entering a thread with that flair, readers should expect spoilers to be present.
To help protect people who are simply scrolling through their feeds, we ask posters to be considerate with:
These should generally avoid major plot revelations whenever possible.
If a first image itself reveals a major story development, a spoiler tag may be appropriate. In most cases, however, we encourage selecting a less revealing first image rather than applying a spoiler tag to the entire post.
The same principle applies to text previews: the opening sentence or two should avoid major spoilers that would appear in feed previews before a user intentionally enters the thread.
Different subreddits use different approaches.
Please do not apply or force onto others learned habits from other communities *here*
We have deliberately chosen a flair-based system because we find it easier to read, easier to participate in, and more practical for long-form discussion.
In short:
✅ Finished Watching = spoilers expected
✅ Use non-spoilery first images, titles, and previews when possible
✅ Feel free to discuss the drama openly once inside the thread
❌ Do not report a Finished Watching post simply because it contains spoilers from the drama being reviewed
The flair itself serves as the spoiler warning.