Is this the drama to replace Love Like the Galaxy? That’s the question that crops up after 20 episodes. Some might judge this reviewer to be more than a little hasty in coming to any conclusion at this point. There’s certainly reason to be hopeful. This drama is excellent in every aspect. In fact I would go so far to say that it is unbelievably good. The integration of all the elements is … dare I say it … pitch perfect. It teeters on the edge of soap opera territory but never crosses over. The temptation to leap into propaganda is every present yet the show understands its mission. The restraint is two-fold. Firstly, it seems to suggest that men and women of virtue do not let their passions get the better of them. Secondly, tell a good story and respect the audience that loves it. Character arcs, themes, plotting and the unfolding of events etc etc all come together in a tightly woven tapestry. I am truly awestruck. Moreover, it does a decent job of taking cultural sensibilities of that world and parsing it in a way that’s relatable or more importantly, challenging to the modern audience. Slavery is commonplace. So is servitude when a form of feudalism is the engine that drives the social strata governing relations among people. It’s a world where everyone knows their place, understands the limitations of their world, do the very best to survive and maybe even make incremental improvements to their lot in life.
I love the Lin family. As a Confucian clan, they come across somewhat more ahead of the curve than most. At least through modern lenses. When last we spoke, the misbehaving Lady Zhao is unceremoniously shown the door. Her departure signals a kind of spring clean, a fresh start for the entire household. Her rule in domestic matters was one of fear and tyranny, no different to how she was raised as we’ve come to see. When she exits the Lin household, the servants are made to understand in no uncertain terms that the old regime is gone and a new order will now govern the estate. Reward rather than punishment will be the rule of law. Those who do well will reap benefits — financial or other perks. It’s the single most important shift in emphasis which allows Xu Lanxiang to thrive and achieve her most cherished goal.
While the show clearly depicts the plight and struggle of women in that world, it is equally true that it doesn’t side step the difficulties of living under the aristocratic-manorial system by anyone belonging to any strata. Men have a different set of difficulties and one might appreciate the balanced perspectives offered here. Men, not of the royal family, can take either the scholarly or the military track to gain merits. But not all men will succeed in either. Many more will be farmers, shopkeepers or servants. The life of a soldier is gruelling and potentially fatal. On top of all that are the problems of cronyism, nepotism and bribery to contend with when trying to make headway in officialdom. Even when success comes, it’s a double-edged sword. The family rises and falls on the deeds of a single person. At times it’s even self-defeating to do the right thing (at least according to conventional wisdom) when you can be taken advantage of or stabbed in the back for all your troubles. Virtue means little in the face of desperation or greed. In fact relationships often boils down to self-interest, shared goals and survival.
Jinqi tries his hardest to protect his former spouse from scandal and his own family from any blowback that may come from his former in-laws, which are afterall, a more powerful family. Early on he does his duty to his family by hastily withdrawing from marriage with the Shen family only to be hastily joined to the well-placed Zhao clan Expediency brought about its own reward — the Lin family avoided execution but the marriage yielded very little advantage to him personally. He chose a military career to differentiate himself from his elders and undoubtedly to stay away from his wife-in-name-only who directed her ire at him as an extended teenage rebellion tantrum. Zhao Xingtang didn’t have a say in the marriage but neither did he.
With the divorce, comes the political fallout. Because the Zhaos are the more powerful family ie. closely connected with the emperor, the opportunistic types take their side and do their worst to make life difficult for the lesser Lins. Under the reigning monarch, the Lins tread very carefully but at least they have some leverage over Zhao Xingtang to give them negotiation rights.
With all the happenings in the Lin household, it doesn’t take long before Lanxiang piques Jinqi’s interest. The family dynamics remind me of many a Jane Austen novel. My favourite line from Emma comes from an exasperated Mr Knightley. “Men of sense, whatever you may choose to say, do not want silly wives.” Jinqi, also a man of good sense, quickly notices Lanxiang’s cleverness once their interactions increase. There are afterall many opportunities for observation at close quarters when the normally harmonious household comes under attack from within and without. At one point he whispers in her ear that it’s a pity someone as clever as her is only a maid.
This of course has reverberations in the next two episodes. Earlier an interloper schemes to be Jinqi’s concubine. Thanks to Lanxiang, her schemes come to naught. Later as he sends the resentful interloper on her way he tells her that it fundamentally isn’t about her aming above her station but that she had too low a perspective of herself. What he’s doing of course is comparing and contrasting two equally clever women. Their status is irrelevant as far as he’s concerned. What matters to him is integrity and self-respect.
It’s clear that Jinqi is mapping out a life that is more of his own choosing but never forgetting that he is the de facto head of the household (as the eldest son of the eldest son) with all the expectations that come with that — making different connections, embarking on a different career and looking at marriage differently.
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