This series deals with a very interesting topic of destiny.. The ML, Rong Yu (Wang You Shou) is an astrologer able to predict peoples' future and hence valued by even The Emperor... Most of his predictions come true. Can divination be always accurate?

I personally believe that a person's 'future' is not set in stone. There are multiple probabilities, possibilities and paths available, change in a person's decision at any moment changes the future outcome... So decisions are very important in peoples' lives...... Sometimes being aware of the future is advantageous because it gives a person an opportunity to change their decision to change their destiny.... On the other hand some destinies cannot be changed, all paths lead to the same destination.... It reminds me of the story, "Appointment in Samarra/ Appointment with Death"

This subject of destiny versus decision is quite fascinating, numerous books, fiction and non-fiction have been penned on it. Also it has been the subject of many famous motion pictures.

One of the core themes of this series deals with the same dilemma. Do humans have the power to change their destiny? Making it an intriguing watch for me.

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MY REVIEW

The first few episodes focus on emphasising basic personalities of ML and FL, they highlight how very different they are from each other as far as their temperament is concerned but both unite for the common goal of helping people... It is interesting to watch how both bridge the gap of their clashing disposition.

Rong Yu and Jiu Ling fall in love with each other, their life takes strange twists and turns, they weather storms like death of He family, Rong Yu losing his intellectual faculties and becoming childlike, plots against them and both cheat death again and again to be together......The title of the series is most appropriate as they always cross paths no matter how much they try to distance themselves from each other, their inextricable destiny always throws them together entwining their lives... Viewers laugh, cry, experience extreme heartache along with the characters. In the end their fate takes pity on them and allows them a modicum of happiness that both cherish after going through uncertainties and unpredictability of life. Two characters who loved the other to the extreme and both survived to tell the tale of their inextricable destiny to their daughter.

A minor dissatisfaction that I have is related to the latter part of the story, I would have preferred if Rong Yu would have had the courage to confess his knowledge of Lord Rong's part in Jiu Ling's family's death... Last six episodes would have gone on a much happier note, both Rong Yu and Jiu Ling as a team could have saved their kingdom, it pained my heart to see two people who loved each other to the extreme almost lose the other due to lack of communication. If only both remembered that Love and Forgiveness goes both ways. Rong Yu and Jiu Ling's story is soul stirring and touching.

This is the first time, I am watching any series of the FL- Ireine Song Yiren, the actress seems to be quite popular. The character she plays of He Jiu Ling suits her personality...I have seen some dramas of ML, Wang You Shuo... He is best at playing gentle and considerate protagonist. The character of Rong Yu is right up the actor's alley.

The OST that stood out for me was the duet sung by Wang You Shou and Song Yiren 'Ember Lovesickness'. I found this song to be quite soothing to the ears sung melodiously.


Overall: This was a good watch, in this series decisions triumphed over destiny.

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Below is in depth summary of the whole drama... Read only if you don't mind the full disclosure of the story.


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IN DEPTH SUMMARY OF THE WHOLE DRAMA

The series starts with He Jiu Ling(Ireine Song Yiren) returning to her home Jialin city after spending several years on Wuhua mountain under the medical care and tutelage of her master Xuantian Sanren. Jiu Ling who is almost 17 years old at the beginning of the series seems to be a much loved and pampered member of her family, indulged in all aspects by her father, General He Liang and three brothers(He Qing Yan, He Chen Zhou and He Qiu Ting). She is also quite fearless even though lacks proper combative skills in the beginning of the series. She has a childhood betrothal with Rong Yu of astrology pavilion.

Jiu Ling is not happy with this engagement as she feels her fiance in spite of being a genius astrologer has more brains than brawns. She longs for a companion who would keep up with her in physical combat, an outgoing, fearless person. Someone like her senior brother from Wuhua mountain, Ren Yin Xiao-Lord Yong, prince of Xun nan of Xili. Rong Yu has a very handsome appearance, admired by many but is quite a recluse. He cannot physically defend himself so his uncle Lord Rong has appointed two guards, He Shan and Zhan Ping to protect him.

Jiu Ling tries every trick in the books to break off her engagement but it is not an easy task to break the marriage contract bestowed on He and Rong family by imperial decree. Rong Yu feels that even with their different natures, they would complement each other and have a harmonious married life. He tries to woo Jiu Ling in his own considerate way. Even though physically Jiu Ling is stronger than him due to her combat abilities, he tries to shield and protect her from troubles to the best of his ability. Here the series tries to play at gender roles reversal, strong FL and weak ML.

Rong Yu is good at divination, he has foreseen Jiu Ling's death in the next four years. He had also prophesied 'He' family's decline and demise of the whole family if they accepted the decree to protect the border. Rong Yu in order to change her destiny decides to release Jiu Ling from their engagement, letting go of her so that she may live a long life. Unaware of Rong Yu's intention to break the engagement, in a desperate bid Jiu Ling asks her senior brother, Lord Yong for help. After failing to get a diplomatic marriage with Jiu Ling, Lord Yong who also loves Jiu Ling, gives her medicine for Rong Yu that would make him forget his affections for JiuLing.

Jiu Ling ends up actually dosing Rong Yu, the medicine has an adverse effect, Rong Yu first becomes comatose and later upon waking up from the unconscious state, loses his mental faculties. He becomes child-like forgetting even basic life skills. Guilt stricken Jiu Ling tries to acquire an antidote for the original drug. As the series progresses she matures and become more solemn in her demeanor. She realises the need to be serious in getting combative training, so that she can protect Rong Yu in future. Her relationship with Rong Yu changes as she becomes more caring and protective towards him after the poison affects him mentally.

General He, accepts the border assignment in a bid to delay Jiu Ling's marriage with Rong Yu because, Rong Yu's uncle is behaving in a hostile manner, rightly blaming Jiu ling for Rong Yu's present condition. Jiu Ling along with her family leave the capital and march towards the border, despite the dire forecast of Rong Yu, General He decides to fight fate and if required to surrender his and his family's lives in service of the country. Jiu Ling continuously tries to find an antidote for Rong Yu. Four years pass, Jiu Ling becomes more adept at fighting, she wins many awards and tries to find rare medicinal herbs to cure Rong Yu.

Suddenly, He family receives an imperial decree to return back to the capital. All the family members are happy, however upon reaching the capital, General He realises it is a trap, all his family members are declared traitors and sentenced to be executed. The honest, upright General He along with his three sons and two daughter-in-law end up dead. Jiu Ling's father, two brothers and two sister in laws are beheaded... Her twin brother dies at the hands of soldiers when he is fighting with them to give Rong Yu and Jiuling time to get married, he is pierced with three swords and dies outside Rong Yu's residence. Jiu Ling's twin brother saves Jiu Ling by marrying her to Rong Yu to seperate her from He family so her life would be spared. Jiu Ling is helpless and unable to save her family.

Jiu Ling continues her life as the mistress of Rong family, however her heart is still filled with grief. She mourns her family. Rong Yu tries to cheer her up in his innocent childlike manner. Jiu Ling continues her experiments in a hope for finding a cure for Rong Yu's mental condition.

During a banquet given by the Emperor, Jiu Ling has a secret meeting with the current Emperor, the former crown prince. However, The Emperor is a mere figurehead, true power is in the hands of the Regent, Marquis Zhong Yong. The current Emperor wants Jiu Ling to help cleanse the court. The Emperor informs JiuLing that he has confirmed the letter condemning He family was forged by Marquis Zhong Yong. General He did not betray his country, Jialin. Upon hearing this a huge boulder is lifted from Jiu Ling's heart because the Emperor knows the truth and doesn't condemn her family.

The Emperor promises that one day he will announce to the world the truth. Jiu Ling being a member of the He family urges the Emperor to allow her to serve him and help cleanse the court of the traitors. She wants to overthrow the incompetent Regent and restore The Emperor's power. The Emperor acknowledges her as his female general and Jiu Ling carrying out The Emperor's order starts investigation. She covertly assassinates accomplices of the Regent, Lord Song and other two guilty members of the court.

Jiu Ling is finally able to formulate a medicine that cures Rong Yu of the poisoning. He recovers his senses but pretends to be still mentally affected as he overheard Jiu ling's conversation with her friend, Wu Ritan that she would leave him after he recovers. Jiu Ling is disappointed that her medicines were ineffective in curing him but she decides to get intimate with Rong Yu because he would have someone to look after him in case Rong Yu's uncle and jiu ling die.

Jiu Ling decides to assassinate Marquis Zhong Yong during the hunting trip set by the emperor but is unsuccessful, later to her dismay she discovers that Lord Rong who is also a seer of Rong Family has been aiding Marquis Zhong Yong by divining dangers and Lord Rong is also responsible for her family's downfall and execution as he is taking revenge on Jiu Ling for poisoning Rong Yu. Jiu is heart broken upon knowing the truth but resolves to free her country, Jialin from tyrants and restore peace.

She makes a plan to destroy the star chart that gives Rong family the power to foretell. She takes the aid of her senior brother who is like an extended family to her but Rong Yu misunderstands the situation and decides to divorce her so she can lead a happy life with her senior brother. In order to relieve Jiu Ling of her guilt he discloses his cured state in front of his uncle and Jiu Ling. A rich princess takes interest in Rong Yu and decides to marry him.

Jiu Ling chooses the birthday of the dowager empress to execute her plan. She decides to accompany Rong Yu in that function, he will play zither and she will exhibit sword dance. Just before the banquet Rong Yu hands her the divorce papers. After their performance, she slips out of the banquet and goes back to burn the astrology pavilion, Rong Yu also follows her to Rong residence. Jiu Ling burns down the astrology tower but gets trapped inside. Rong Yu after confirming she is inside rushes in and carries her out in unconscious state, he himself sustains burn injuries and lies unconscious.

Rong Yu's uncle spits blood at double devastation of losing their chart plus severely hurt Rong Yu. While Rong Yu is unconscious, his uncle and the Regent converse in his presence. Lord Rong reveals his part in annihilation of 'He' family. Now conscious Rong Yu overhears this conversation and is very upset, he also overhears his uncle's plan to kill Jiu Ling. After his uncle leaves his room he somehow manages to rescue Jiu Ling from imminent death. He also confronts his uncle and express his displeasure at his actions. However his uncle had raised him so he cannot hurt his uncle, Rong Yu strips his uncle of his 'Lord' title and banishes him to a far off place. He determines to commit suicide himself to atone for his uncle's sins.

Rong Yu distances himself from Jiu Ling. Before leaving Rong residence Jiu Ling discovers she is pregnant. Meantime the Regent makes a move to overtake the kingdom from the current emperor, which fails due to Jiu Ling and Rong Yu's timely intervention. The Regent is captured and put in a jail. On the other side Jiu Ling's senior brother launches a war on Jialin empire. Jiu Ling is appointed official general and she along with the emperor and Rong Yu go to the border to retake the territories captured by her senior brother's armies. Along the way the viewers are introduced to Jiu Ling's master, who reveals the prophecy by Rong Yu's father that separated her from the past emperor as a reason for hating Astrology pavilion. She also reveals that Jiu Ling's childhood sickness that was life threatening has not been cured completely but a precious medicinal insect 'pipa zui' she gave Jiu Ling which is still active inside her body is controlling her aging sickness.

In the battle with Rong Yu's guidance Jiu Ling and The Emperor manage to recapture their lost territory. However Jiu Ling's senior brothers takes Rong Yu as a hostage but knowing beforehand the situation Rong Yu ingests poison. Jiu ling rescues injured and poisoned Rong Yu from her senior brother. She takes Rong Yu back to Rong residence and decides to give the medicinal insect 'pipa zui' that is in her body to Rong Yu. She also calls back Rong Yu's uncle to stay by his side, even though she will never forgive him, Rong Yu requires his care. Rong Yu's uncle has aged a lot in a short time, he constantly coughs out blood, he is suffering to the extreme and ultimately dies one night taking care of Rong Yu.

Jiu Ling hands over the medicinal insect 'pipa zui' to princess chuchu to hand over to Rong Yu. As the insect is no longer in her body, her body starts aging, she becomes an old woman due to her childhood aging sickness which the insect was controlling. After taking the medicine that princess chuchu delivers Rong Yu recovers. Rong Yu continues to search for He Jiu Ling, he also visits He family's tomb and sees fresh offering on their grave realising Jiu ling had been there, however both Rong Yu and Jiu Ling keep missing each other. Rong Yu finally gives up searching for her as he assumes she doesn't want to be found. The Emperor woes the fact that Jiu Ling is not with them to enjoy the peace and prosperity of their empire that she helped establish, he gives his blessings to Rong Yu and Chuchu if they could be together now that Jiu Ling had no intention of returning back. The Emperor suggests that Rong Yu take Chuchu to see the lantern festival as per dowager Empress's order.

Rong Yu and princess chuchu roam around in the market place. People are celebrating and enjoying. Here a very strong similarity between Chuchu and Jiu Ling is shown, chuchu wearing red clothes offers the same pig ? mask that Jiu Ling had offered Rong Yu when they had spent time exploring the town during the lantern festival many years ago.. But even though chuchu and Jiu Ling are similar in appearance but they have opposite natures. Rong Yu rejects the princess reminding her that she had fallen in love with his outer appearance and position, when she came to know Rong Yu had intellectual disability she had insulted him, plus he does not love chuchu. Rong Yu states to chuchu that only Jiu Ling loved him when he was 'useless' and always told him that he was the best Rong Yu no matter what. He continues to reminisce about their past outing and the viewers are shown that when Jiu Ling added the forgetfulness medicine to his wine years ago, Rong Yu had noticed it and still chose to drink it, if that was what Jiu Ling wanted. Aged Jiu Ling also visits the noodles stall that they ate at few years ago, she manages to save the orange yellow cat that Rong Yu had saved few years ago when he was childlike. Rong Yu meets that adorable cat on the streets while returning back and rescues it, he carries it and walks on the way he encounters aged JiuLing selling rabbit lanterns, she hides her face from Rong Yu and offers him a lantern, Rong Yu leaves a gold rabbit shaped ingot for the lady selling rabbit lantern taking the cat and the lantern in other hand he walks on. On the way he encounters the painter who used to paint pictures of Rong Yu previously. They have a heart to heart chat and Rong Yu decides to write a story for the painter, which would keep the characters alive forever in the readers' mind. The story is about himself and Jiu ling and what if Jiu ling had accepted him when they met for the first time...

This is the end of the regular series...




The special episode 26.5/ 27 which the mgtv is calling a sequel is added as a comment to this review, believe it or not I exceeded the word limit for the review.

Leaving the link of the comment for extra episode summary below/alternatively you can just look at the comments for this review to see the summary.


https://mydramalist.com/profile/MsDarkqueen/review/310863#comment-15125615