The opening music of this drama sounds like in a settler game tutorial — when they tell you to create buildings and watch for your kingdom’s food level.
EPISODE 1 RECAP
A wedding.
When the bride gets to her in-laws’ family, the custodian rudely orders for the dowry to be checked. The bride’s maid speaks up. I’ve always disliked it when nosy maids loudly interfere in their ladies’ business, but in this case, it’s justified; this in-law family is pretty disrespectful. The groom doesn’t even show up.
The bride (He Weifang) remains calm through it all, even when the groom comes in, berates her family and declares they will never share the same room. Er… thank you? Cause, dude, have you looked at yourself lately?
He’s drunk and extremely embarrassing.
After he leaves, Weifang celebrates on her own and tends to the flower pots. She has a strong affinity for flowers.
The next day (could be several days after), Weifang, the husband and her mother-in-law have tea. We find out a bit more about Weifang’s husband.
He’s still just a student and is still trying to pass the imperial scholar exam.
When the mother suggests that Weifang uses her family’s influence to help him, lashes out saying that he will depend on himself only. Doesn’t look like he’s doing well so far, though. It also sounds like he has failed the exam before, too (?)
The mother-in-law isn’t as bad as I thought, she’s harsh on Weifang but she also kind of acknowledges that her son is a useless brat.
Weifang remains expressionless throughout all the drama. I believe this is not Yang Zi being wooden, it’s on purpose.
The family throws a number of unjust treatments at Weifang, but good thing she’s a kind lady who has support elsewhere, namely the people around town.
One day, she goes to a temple, not to pray, but to trash-talk her in-laws with the gods.
Behind a pillar, a man overhears it all and finds her amusing.
He plays a joke on her but is soon found out and attacked with a flower basket.
This man is actually an official who is on a mission. He teased her on purpose so she would leave the temple because his team is running an operation in the back.
Maybe I’m too used to seeing Li Xian in modern dramas, but I’m not sure this hair and costume suit him well.
One day, however, something breaks Weifang’s chill. The in-laws dig up all of her precious peony flowers for a banquet.
This makes her angry, all right.
Now, we don’t know if these in-laws do it on purpose or if they’re just a**holes, but their handling almost kills all the flowers. Weifang has to personally save them with her gardening skills. Don’t ask me what she does that professional gardeners whom a wealthy family hires can’t do, but she manages to “save” them at last.
Her husband walks by and is obviously fascinated by the sight of her digging the soil with her bare hands and all, but insults her manners instead. Sorry, kid, I don’t think there’s room for you anymore, your behaviours on your wedding night towards her was quite embarrassing.
COMMENTS
A very interesting first episode. I’m pleasantly surprised by this drama’s relaxing tone. I may stick around for a bit simply because Li Xian makes a good impression in Meet Yourself. Although, other aspects are not bad either.
So far, there isn’t anything over the top or ridiculous combat sequences, the characters can be theatrical but still within a believable range. Weifang is a lovable leading lady, and by that I mean there’s nothing about her that can irritate you yet; her characterization remains to be seen. The maid needs to chill, but then, I understand if she doesn’t.