I'm probably among the first set of people that finished pursuit of jade.

The positives:

It was nicely costumed, the cinematography was cinematographying😅

The comedy and chemistry between the two leads was done well.

And.... well that's it. It has nothing else lol so I never understood where all the HYPE was coming from. Unless ofcourse the people hyping it just started watching cdramas??🤔🤔

Someone that it was literally their first costume drama even claimed it was a "masterpiece". Really? 😭😭

Come back to that rating after you've watched atleast 30 of the top ranked dramas lol

Note: I'm not saying POJ is bad. It's just a cute drama. Kinda like idol dramas. Nothing much going for it except everyone just going around looking cute. With a sprinkle of some nice fight scenes

Our ML barely did anything through out the whole drama. Passenger princess basically lol and every 2 seconds he is injured again😅😅

Supposedly Almighty Marquis Wuyuan, a character that was supposed to be exuding mad aura was reduced to an eye candy🤦🏾‍♂️🤦🏾‍♂️

None of his backstory was explored. We didn't get to see him properly handle much military tactics. He barely fought. He barely spent time in the court. We almost didn't see any actual court politics. No angst, no real schemes, twists etc.

7/10 drama at best. What did you rate it?

This is an automod discussion space for the Mo Li standard episode release schedule.

Link to Mo Li Express Episode Discussion

Link to Mo Li TOC/Episode Discussion Index

Welcome to the Weekly Stylish Sunday Celebrity Spotting thread!

I know we have Thirsty Thursdays, but I have a feeling that you want more!

Here's the space to share and enjoy images of celebrities in old or new magazines, ads, or other promotional materials. Saw an ad that your celebrity appears in? Share the fashion spreads, quirky advertisements, or promotional campaigns they've been in here.

Here's how it works:

1. Share Your Finds: Post any interesting images you’ve come across of celebrities in vintage magazines, ads, or other promotional content.
2. Describe the Find: Include some details like the celebrity's name, the magazine or ad they were featured in, and the year if you know it.
3. Enjoy and Discuss: Check out other members' posts, upvote your favorites, and join in the discussion about these nostalgic gems!

Can't wait to see what you all have to share!

Happy posting! 📸✨

Welcome to the discussions for The Legend of Rosy Clouds!

🌟This post is for episode 27 please use spoiler tags for any eps beyond these🌟

🌟Other media spoilers: Please use spoiler tags when discussing significant plot points from the Saiunkoku Monogatari light novels, anime, or manga.

Links:

Index | Masterpost | Ep 1-3 | Eps 4-6 | Ep 7-8 | Ep 9-10 | Eps 11-12 | Eps 13-14 | Eps 15-16 | Eps 17-18 | Eps 19-20 | Eps 21-22 | Ep 23 | Ep 24 | Ep 25 | Ep 26 | Ep 27 |

Airing Schedule | MDL | Dramawiki | Flashcards

Discussion posts will be a day behind the iQIYI airing schedule, with your hosts posting according to their own timezones and availability. Next up will be u/a_HerculePoirot_fan with ep 28

📺iQIYI has dropped to a 1 ep/day schedule for episode 28 until episode 32, and then resume 1 ep/day from July 12 till July 15. Express episodes will likely be out on July 9th.

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The officials finally retreat after Qi Zheng spits out... tea, I think? Strangely enough, we don't actually see what happens to him afterwards. The scene simply fades out, and suddenly Lord Zheng is being booed and cursed by an angry crowd on his way home. People are even throwing vegetables at him and shouting that he deserves to die.

Huh? Where did that come from? Did I miss something? Why is there suddenly so much public resentment towards Lord Zheng? Are they protesting Fan Yun's arrest? Are they blaming him for Qi Zheng's apparent illness? But surely news couldn't have travelled that quickly, right?

Back at the Zheng residence, Lord Zheng is very shaken by the treatment he received from the people of the Nine Cities. Zheng Yi tries to comfort him and suggests that he return to Jing City. I'm still at a loss as to why the people suddenly turned against him so viciously. The emotional intention of the scene is clear enough, but the narrative bridge to get us there seems to be missing.

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While kneeling in the ancestral hall, Zheng Shi hears the commotion outside the manor and asks Lord Zheng what is happening. Naturally, his next question is whether Fan Yun is all right. Lord Zheng lets out a long, weary sigh and tells his grandson that he has his priorities completely mixed up when the Nine Cities are facing a crisis.

I found Lord Zheng's entire body language in this scene quite telling. He looks utterly exhausted. It's not just the sigh; his posture, the heaviness in his movements, and even the way he speaks make him seem like a man who has been carrying the weight of the Nine Cities for far too long. There's almost a sense of resignation about him, as though he no longer expects anyone to understand why he does what he does.

Zheng Shi questions why his grandfather continues to care so much about the Nine Cities when it is essentially a thankless job. Lord Zheng counters that ordinary people are too easily swayed by their emotions and sometimes need to be ruled with an iron fist. In his eyes, he is sacrificing himself for the greater good of the Nine Cities. Everyone wants to be the saint, the benevolent leader who pleases everyone, but he believes governing that way will ultimately lead only to disaster.

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When Zheng Shi bluntly rejects his grandfather's belief that his sacrifices are necessary, Lord Zheng finally snaps. Visibly agitated, he strikes Zheng Shi on the back until the latter almst collapses on the floor. Ooooooof, Zheng Shi's words clearly hit a nerve. Perhaps what angers him isn't simply that his grandson disagrees, but that Zheng Shi so flatly dismisses the very belief Lord Zheng has used to justify decades of sacrifice and loneliness. If Zheng Shi is right, then what exactly has Lord Zheng spent all these years sacrificing himself for?

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Lord Zheng sadly comes to the realization that he and Zheng Shi are simply not destined to walk the same path. There is no anger left in him by this point, only regret and exhaustion. He tells Zheng Shi that he can no longer keep him confined to the manor because he knows he has lost the ability to control him.

Ooooof, it's obvious that Lord Zheng had pinned so many of his hopes on Zheng Shi and genuinely believed his grandson would eventually understand, perhaps even continue, the path he had chosen. His decision to let Zheng Shi go doesn't feel like acceptance so much as resignation. After being rejected by the people he believes he has sacrificed himself for, he now has to confront the fact that even his own grandson rejects his worldview.

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After leaving the ancestral room, Lord Zheng pauses and looks around the manor. Judging by the sudden determination on his face, he seems to have arrived at a difficult decision, one that feels strangely final, as though he's about to set something in motion from which there will be no turning back.

Elsewhere, Zheng Yi enters and tells Zheng Shi that his grandfather has ordered him to be escorted back to his room. Zheng Shi is so elated at finally regaining his freedom that he barely has time to react before Zheng Yi suddenly strikes him and knocks him unconscious. Wait, what?

Are Zheng Yi and Lord Zheng Yuan planning something? And what exactly is Lord Zheng about to do that requires Zheng Shi to be unconscious and out of the way? Also, how did we go from impeaching Fan Yun over the beacon incident to whatever is happening now? I feel like I have been thrust into an entirely different arc without a proper segue lol

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Lord Zheng invites his two old buddies over for a drink and is unusually indulgent throughout the entire gathering, readily agreeing with almost everything Lord Lyu and Lord Zhao say. Even when Lord Lyu gently suggests that perhaps it's time for the older generation to retire and allow young people like Qi Zheng, Fan Yun, and Tian Xing to take over, Lord Zheng doesn't argue.

Lord Lyu and Lord Zhao then happily start discussing their retirement plans and what they intend to do once they finally leave court and... dang. If that isn't a massive death flag, I don't know what is. The moment characters start cheerfully talking about their peaceful retirement and future plans, you just know something terrible is about to happen.

And sure enough, Lord Zheng doesn't touch any of the alcohol himself. Uh-oh. It becomes pretty obvious that he must have drugged the wine because both Lord Lyu and Lord Zhao eventually pass out. Taking advantage of their unconscious state, Lord Zheng quietly steals Lord Lyu's token.

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Meanwhile, back in her prison cell, Fan Yun is approached by a rather shifty-eyed eunuch who informs her that she is free to leave. Apparently, she has been urgently summoned to the Qi Residence because Qi Zheng's condition has taken a turn for the worse.

Fan Yun, understandably worried about Qi Zheng, leaves the Interrogation Bureau. Just as she steps outside, a carriage carrying an unconscious Zheng Shi passes directly in front of her. Fan Yun watches it go with a curious look, clearly sensing that something is amiss.

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Inside the carriage, Fan Yun takes out the Dark Wolf token, clearly aware by now that something is very wrong. As the carriage passes Huan'e House, a desperate Fan Yun throws the token toward Hu Die's room, hoping that someone will notice it and realise she's in trouble.

I know Fan Yun doesn't exactly have many options here, but throwing the token out like that when there isn't a single person on the balcony feels rather pointless. What if Hu Die doesn't notice it until several hours later? What if someone else picks it up? What if it just lands under a table and stays there for the next three months lol

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t turns out Fan Yun isn't the only one who has been summoned to the Qi Residence. Tian Xing and all other civilians who passed the national selection exam have also been brought there under similarly suspicious circumstances. Once everyone is gathered inside, the shifty-eyed eunuch promptly locks the doors and traps them in the room. Fan Yun finally realises the obvious: they've been lured into a trap.

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Using Lord Lyu's token, Lord Zheng manages to trick his way into Qi Zheng's private chambers and seek an audience with him. He attempts to pressure Qi Zheng into signing a document acknowledging the failure of the national selection examination and promising that, as Governor, he will never go back on his word.

What's particularly telling in this scene is Lord Zheng's mention that the Nine Noble Families will not tolerate their dignity being trampled on, and that line makes me think the families themselves are planning something. Perhaps Lord Zheng is already aware of their intentions and whatever he's doing now is actually his way of countering them. His actions have been so strange and abrupt throughout this episode that I'm beginning to wonder if we're deliberately being led to believe he's making a power grab when, in reality, he's trying to stop something much bigger from happening.

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Eunuch Wei tricks the guards into opening the gates of the Qi Residence using Qi Zheng's token. The moment the doors open, a flood of armed soldiers storms in and immediately starts slaughtering the guards.

I'm officially lost. Who are these people? They certainly don't look like Dark Wolves to me. Are these soldiers connected to the Nine Noble Families? Is this the threat Lord Zheng was warning Qi Zheng about earlier?

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Lord Zheng once again pressures Qi Zheng to sign the letter of self-condemnation. But just before he turns around to face Qi Zheng, we get a lingering shot of his expression. He looks deeply conflicted, yet there's also a steely determination in his eyes, as though he's forcing himself to continue with a plan he has already committed to. Qi Zheng finally demands to know whether Lord Zheng knows his actions amoint to treason.

I still don't fully buy that Lord Zheng is actually rebelling. That conflicted look on his face feels far too deliberate. Convinced that he knows they're planning something and has decided to make himself the apparent mastermind behind this "rebellion" to counter them somehow. Will Qi Zheng to sign that letter? How far Lord Zheng is prepared to go with this plan?

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Lord Zheng counters that he is not rebelling. Instead, he believes Qi Zheng has strayed so far from the right path that he can no longer see that he is being deceived. In Lord Zheng's eyes, Qi Zheng's personal involvement has clouded his judgment and made it impossible for him to remain impartial. He then ominously adds that, since Qi Zheng has already strayed too far, if necessary, he will eliminate the problem at its root.

Hmm, I have a feeling the "root problem" Lord Zheng is referring to may not actually be Qi Zheng himself. Could he be talking about the rigid hierarchy of the Nine Noble Families and the entrenched class system that continues to resist every attempt at reform? His earlier comment that the Nine Noble Families would never tolerate having their dignity trampled on keeps nagging at me. Perhaps Lord Zheng knows their resistance to Qi Zheng's reforms has reached a dangerous point and is planning something far bigger than simply forcing Qi Zheng to back down.

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When Qi Zheng becomes increasingly agitated over Fan Yun's safety and asks whether Lord Zheng truly wants him to suffer an agony worse than death, Lord Zheng insists that Qi Zheng has misunderstood him. He passionately argues that forcing Qi Zheng to sign the letter of self-condemnation is not an act of rebellion, but part of a long-term grand plan for the Nine Cities.

He then reveals that Fan Yun and the other civilian officials have also been presented with letters of resignation that they will be coerced into signing. On the surface, everything Lord Zheng is doing looks very much like a coup, but his words, his conflicted expressions, and his entire body language continue to make me feel that there's another layer to his plan.

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Meanwhile, in the hall, Fan Yun, Tian Xing, and the other civilian officials are pressured into signing their letters of resignation. They're told that only after signing will they be allowed to confirm for themselves that Qi Zheng is safe.

Fan Yun, unsurprisingly, refuses to give in. When she remains defiant, a group of armed men storms into the hall and holds a sword to her neck, attempting to force her to capitulate. Instead of backing down, Fan Yun boldly challenges Zheng Yi to kill her if he dares rather than submit to their demands. I love how unwavering she is here. Even with a blade at her throat and Qi Zheng's safety being used as leverage against her, Fan Yun refuses to be coerced into abandoning the path she fought so hard to walk.

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Back at the Zheng Residence, Lord Lyu and Lord Zhao finally wake up. Lord Lyu immediately realises that Lord Zheng must have gone off to do something crazy while they were unconscious. He hurriedly wakes Lord Zhao, and the two attempt to leave the manor, only to find their way blocked by armed Zheng family guards.

The guards try to prevent them from leaving, but apparently these two old men still have plenty of fight left in them. Together, Lord Lyu and Lord Zhao fight their way past the guards and escape the residence.

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And, as per C-drama logic, the Dark Wolves arrive just in time to save Fan Yun. Leading the pack is none other than Fan Qi himself. The Dark Wolves easily cut down the armed guards and quickly restrain Zheng Yi, bringing the whole hostage situation under control.

Lol, Fan Qi is covered from head to toe in a hood and face mask, but Fan Yun still recognises her father almost immediately. I guess there's no disguising Daddy Fan Qi from his own daughter. Gao Ran soon arrives and joins Fan Yun, escorting her, Tian Xing, and the rest of the civilian officials to safety.

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Outside the hall, the entire Qi Residence has descended into chaos, with armed guards clashing against the Dark Wolves in every corner. Amid the fighting, Yan Jiang and Wei Ying work together to clear a path for Lord Lyu and Lord Zhao, allowing the two elders to make their way towards Qi Zheng's private chambers. Wow, we really went from a court impeachment over Fan Yun lighting a beacon to a full-blown armed conflict in the Governor's home within the span of one episode.

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The next scene immediately cuts to Lord Zheng taking up a sword and attempting to stab Qi Zheng. I think the editing is a little off here. In the previous scene, Lord Lyu and Lord Zhao are still fighting their way through the Qi Residence and rushing towards Qi Zheng's chambers, but in the very next shot, they're already inside the room just as Lord Zheng draws the sword.

The transition is so abrupt that I wondered if I'd accidentally skipped ahead a few seconds. A brief shot of them bursting into the chamber would have made the sequence flow much better. Instead, the drama seems to have teleported both men into the room for maximum dramatic timing.

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When Lord Lyu calls out for Lord Zheng to stop, Lord Zheng suddenly drops his sword and turns towards him. Lord Lyu, already charging forward with his own weapon drawn, is unable to stop in time and accidentally drives his sword into his longtime friend. Everything in the room comes to a complete standstill. Qi Zheng stares at them in stunned disbelief, clearly just as shocked as everyone else by the sudden turn of events.

Thoughts:

I think my biggest takeaway from this episode is that Lord Zheng has reached the end of his rope. Up until now, I've seen him as someone stubbornly guarding the old order, but Episode 27 makes me question whether even he still believes that order can survive. The man looks exhausted from the very beginning, and after being cursed by the people and hearing Zheng Shi flatly reject his entire philosophy of self-sacrifice, something in him seems to break.

Perhaps his sudden rampage isn't about preserving the Nine Noble Families at all. His comment about them refusing to tolerate humiliation sounds almost like a warning rather than a defence of them. Lord Zheng has spent decades among these families; if anyone understands how they think and what they're capable of when their privilege is threatened, it's him. Qi Zheng, on the other hand, is charging ahead with reform while perhaps underestimating just how violently the old establishment might fight back.

And maybe that's what Lord Zheng means when he says Qi Zheng has been deceived and can no longer see the bigger picture. I initially assumed he was referring to Fan Yun because, well, this drama has spent half its runtime with men blaming Fan Yun for everything. But the more I think about it, the less convinced I am. Lord Zheng may believe Qi Zheng is mistaking individual victories, like the national examination, appointing civilian officials, bringing Fan Yun into court, for genuine systemic change. Remove one obstacle and another noble family will simply step in to protect the same hierarchy.

What Lord Zheng does next is so extreme that I wonder whether extremity itself is the point. He doesn't quietly scheme from the shadows. He creates a spectacular political disaster with himself standing right in the centre of it. By the end of the night, there is almost no interpretation of his actions that doesn't make him look like a traitor.

That's why the final stabbing feels especially suspicious Lord Zheng hears Lord Lyu, drops his own sword, and turns directly into his friend's blade. After spending the whole episode looking like a man making one painful decision after another, I find it difficult to read that as simple bad luck.

Lord Zheng likely has decided that the Nine Cities need a political earthquake, and he has volunteered to be its epicentre. I don't know the exact mechanics of his plan yet, but I think he's trying to force a confrontation that Qi Zheng has been avoiding or perhaps doesn't even realise is coming. Grandpa Zheng isn't fighting to keep his seat anymore. If anything, I think he's deliberately burning down his own political legacy, which makes his earlier speech about everyone wanting to be the saint hit differently. Lord Zheng has always believed that someone must accept being hated for the sake of the Nine Cities. Maybe this entire episode is him finally deciding that the villain has to be him.

TL;DR: China's government is actively building state-run systems to replace crowd-sourced platforms like Douban for drama ratings. Fans are finding ways to manipulate both the old and new systems. But there are some surprising positive outcomes emerging. Here's what's actually happening.

For nearly two decades, Douban has been the gold standard for Chinese entertainment reviews. However, it has also become notorious for toxic fandom behavior:

• Mass-reviewing campaigns by organized fan bases
• Malicious downvoting of rival idols' projects
• Paid "water armies" inflating scores for sponsored content
• Dramas artificially boosted without actual viewership
• Nasty, unhealthy discussions and comments in general

So, around 2025-2026, several high-profile dramas were accused of bein "fake hits"— many claimed massive streaming numbers while having little genuine audience engagement.

NRTA's move

In early June 2026, China's National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA) announced a major shift: a new national evaluation system designed to replace subjective crowd-sourcing with data-driven metrics. (Press release from NRTA here: https://www.guancha.cn/culture/2026_06_04_819413.shtml)

The key players now are:

System	What It Measures	Who Controls It
CVB (China Audio-Video Big Data)	Actual viewing hours via cable/IPTV/streaming	Government-run
Golden Orange Scores	User-submitted ratings + CVB hybrid	State-backed platform
Douban	Purely community-driven user reviews	Private company

The government claims this is about "cleaning up the industry" and protecting audiences from misleading marketing. Industry analysts say it's also about reasserting control over what counts as quality entertainment.

🍊 How the scoring works

Component	What It Measures	Source
**大众评价 **(Public Ratings)	User-submitted scores from viewers	General audience
**CVB **(中国视听大数据)	Verified viewing hours/playback data	Government-run big data
有效播放市场占有率	Market share of effective plays	Streaming platforms
全网讨论热度	Social media discussion volume	Weibo, Douyin, Xiaohongshu
搜索指数	Search query frequency	Baidu, search engines

Who runs it?

This is not purely government run; it's a public-private cooperation:

Organization	Role
China Network Audio-Visual Association	Lead organizer/developer
China TV Drama Production Industry Association	Co-founder
Tencent Video	Data integration partner
Youku	Data integration partner
iQiyi	Data integration partner
Mango TV	Data integration partner

⚠️ Problems

Welp, it sounds wonderful except:

1. Fandoms are still manipulating ratings

The Golden Orange Score combines user ratings with viewership data. Unfortunately, anyone can register to vote without verifying they've watched the show. A top male traffic star's dramas jumped to 9+ scores on day one before the platform performed "data cleansing and some shows dropped from 8.1 to 6.4 within hours due to suspected coordinated attacks.

2. It ignores youth audiences

CVB primarily captures cable television viewership, which skews older and more rural. Meanwhile, most of China's active fandoms live online (Weibo, Xiaohongshu, Douyin). So the "official" rankings may favor mainstream CCTV dramas while ignoring youth streaming hits.

3. Lack of transparency

Unlike Douban, which allows users to see review breakdowns and flag suspicious activity, the official system's algorithms are opaque. There's no clear appeal process when suspicious voting patterns are detected.

Some positive outcomes

Despite these problems, real viewership Is now trackable. (Apparently, but with the lack of transparency, I wonder how justified this claim is?)

Before this system, studios could claim any number for "streaming success."

The government explicitly stated the goal is to "change industry value orientation" . Instead of encouraging clickbait-style content, the system rewards "high-quality communication" . Investors may now have reliable ROI measurements instead of vanity metrics. (But do they care? cough)

So, why do fandoms behave this way?

To understand the chaos, you need to understand the ecosystem:

Factor	Explanation
Fan economy	Idol endorsements and brand deals depend heavily on perceived popularity, creating financial incentives to inflate numbers
Competition	Fan groups compete for resources; damaging rivals' shows is a common tactic
Cultural influence	Star power drives entire industries; actors with higher "traffic" get better scripts and bigger budgets
Lack of accountability	For years, there were no consequences for mass-reviewing campaigns

Toxic fandom isn't unique to China; one just has to look at K-Pop and K-celeb circles to see how insane it can get.

I hang around Weibo and xiaohongshu a lot, and watching fan shenanigans can be an exasperatin affair.

There was one time when this top traffic star's drama came out, and I saw massive orchestrated campains by his fans to "cleanse the comments section". Ie, massive bullying of anyone saying that the actor's drama/performance is less than Golden-Rooster worthy. I also noticed a lot of the comments defending the actor's drama sounded eerily similar: Same talking points, same reasons. Like a really polished, plastic PR campaign.. Gotta admire the polished campaigns. Someone hire the fandom sisters for public relations! ;P

Is an 'official' rating system better??

Tension	Question
State control vs. artistic freedom	Can a government agency truly measure "quality"?
Data accuracy vs. accessibility	Is hard viewership data always better than opinion?
Industry integrity vs. fan economy	Who ultimately determines what succeeds??

Both systems have strengths:

Aspect	Douban	Official Platform
Audience	Urban youth, active reviewers	Broader demographic reach
Feedback	Detailed opinions, criticism	Verified consumption data
Genre bias	Favors modern/youth content	Favors diverse/quality content
Transparency	Public review discussions	Government-verified reporting

🤔 So, what do you think? My thoughts

I 100% believe you should watch whatever you want, to hell with ratings. (Cough. I should know, I loved Batman v Superman lol.)

I use Douban ratings as a guide, and often bide by the common saying about Douban ratings: "Anything above 6 can be considered, but anything rated below 6 - the rating is probably justified in some way."

Personally, I just want discussions to stop having fandom dramas all the time. Fortunately in this sub we've cultivated a space where discussions are healthy (but it takes lots of discipline from both mods and members!)

Also, while I know entertainment is a nasty business no matter the country, I'd just like dramas to have a fair shot, you know? It's not at all surprising these days to suddenly hear of a "scandal" when a drama airs. Often, ratings are affected as a result due to public opinion.

Do you think this a net positive for Chinese entertainment?

I personally say yes.

If there's anything I know about the Chinese govt, is that they want their industries to be efficient and competitive. The entertainment industry is no different. In its current state, it's already declining in quality. So, doing something, anything, could help reverse the rot. (Hopefully lol)

Recently, the govt rolled out rules to stomp out the nonsense billing fights that occur before every drama. Now, they just have to ensure that they fill up a form of sorts and it'll appear in the drama credits or something. (And they must declare their real names and nationalities too, which I found funny.) No more order nonsense based on vague perceptions of popularity and awesomeness. woohoo

No more stupid fights! Yays. Gawd I swear if I hear yet another fandom fight breaking out because person A's name was before person B's, I'd throw a couch at something expensive.

And maybe the "official rating" won't 100% reflect everyone in China and may actively ignore idol dramas, I don't know, but at least there's now an authoritative source that is hopefully divorced from market forces. (Ie, not driven by capitalistic $$, that is.)

So, what do you think? Good, bad? Great? Discuss below!

Further reading:

- https://finance.sina.cn/2026-06-22/detail-iniehsct9313300.d.html?vt=4

- https://k.sina.cn/article_5787187353_158f178990200250b4.html?from=ent&subch=oent

- https://www.guancha.cn/culture/2026_06_04_819413.shtml

PS: The research is done with the help of Qwen and Deepseek, which surfaced the articles which I read, consumed. Then, I crafted this post. If there are any mistakes do let me know, I did this quite fast. ;P

What Cdramas have you been watching recently? This post is a space for you to discuss the shows that you've been currently addicted to, or that you'll be looking forward to picking up! From old or new series, to popular or underrated titles, feel free to let us know what's been on your watchlist.

Please make sure to use spoiler tags generously, especially if you are discussing plot points or events that others may not yet have watched.

This is an automod discussion space for the Mo Li standard episode release schedule.

Link to Mo Li Express Episode Discussion

Link to Mo Li TOC/Episode Discussion Index

Note: This is a directory of drama discussions & their airing schedules this month. So, only leave a comment if you are volunteering to host a discussion. Comments from non-Mods or non-hosts will be removed.

If you want to discuss what you're watching this month, we have a "what are you watching" megathread every weekend.

PS: If you want to volunteer to host a drama discussion not mentioned here, leave a comment beneath this post. For newbie hosts, please also tag u/alcibiad in your comment.

To hosts: If you notice anything incorrect (hosts left out, drama links not updated etc let me know)

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This month's drama hosted discussions

Here are Cdrama discussions for this month (which includes older, not currently airing dramas.)

Big, big thanks to the hardworking hosts:

(To go to the drama discussions, click on the drama name.)
Hosts, if I've not listed your drama or your name, DM u/latefair or leave a comment below.

• Legend of Rosy Clouds - u/a_HerculePoirot_fan, u/not_enough_griffons, u/Alarming_Tea_102, u/AquaphobicTurtle
• Never-Ending Summer - u/puddingpuppies

FYI: Airing schedules for the currently airing dramas.

Upcoming dramas - schedules & hosts:

• Liao Zhai - u/latefair (seeking co-hosts)
• Spring of the Blade - u/autuymnrain, u/Lotus_swimmer, u/sequesteredself and u/winterchampagne

FYI: Airing dates for upcoming dramas

If you're new to drama hosting, please DM u/alcibiad . She'll help get you started.

Some ground rules for hosts

• Use the "Drama Host" flair for your posts.
• Have commented and participated in the sub before and not be a brand new account.
• Have watched the drama before writing the particular episodes' discussions.
• Should try to engage in the comments section (don't have to reply to every comment, mind, but participate in the discussion)
• Write their thoughts about what they watched (we are not going to dictate lengths but please don't just write one sentence and call it a day lol)
• Don't add spoilers in the title, and if you are creating a photo post, please spoiler tag it if the picture reveals too much plot.

Some awkward situations

If there's a drama discussion already hosted, and you want to host, please approach the original host to co-host first. Don't try to double post - it'll be awkward for everyone as the mods will defer to the first host.

If you can't finish hosting the drama, try to get a replacement or let the mods know and we'll automate the discussions.

Co-hosting

u/winterchampagne has written a really good guide to co-hosting, so do have a read!

Mods won't interfere or dictate how people should co-host, but here are some tips:

• If you see someone had volunteered already, reply to her comment and ask if you can co-host.
• Create a chat room between your co-hosts to agree on schedules: (eg A can do episodes 1-10 and so on)

How closely should the discussion posts follow airing schedules?

We know how crazy CDrama schedules are, but here's a good guide:

Popular idol dramas (for eg Pursuit of Jade, The Double) should follow the airing dates as closely as possible. For eg, if episodes 5-6 dropped on Feb 2, discussion can happen on Feb 3).

Check the masterpost discussion for the drama. If it has above 50-60 comments, it's usually going to be really popular and people would probably be eager to discuss it.

As for other dramas (ie, one that the sub is not clamoring to discuss, I suppose) you can take a slower approach.

For eg, discussions for Swords into Plowshares and Man's Inhumanity to Man are still taking place even after the drama has stopped airing.

How do I write discussion posts?

Structure the discussions the way you want. Some ideas:

• "Classic method" recap of what happened in selected episodes with thoughts.
• Share favourite moments in the episodes you discussed
• Group episode discussions according to character development

Express episodes / posts about the ending

We don't expect hosts to pay for express episodes!

You can ask the mods to create special express threads for the drama so that you, the host, won't be exposed to spoilers.

For commenters

Please do not discuss future episodes in a thread unless someone specifically ask for information/spoilers. And if you do share, please spoiler tag it.

For example, do not discuss plot points for episode 26 in a post about episode 19.

Those who spoil future episodes will get their comments removed.

Hosts, if you see these spoilery comments, feel free to report them.

Previous months' drama discussions:

• June 2026: Ashes to Crown | The First Jasmine (Mo Li) | Archives: The Nanyang Mystery | Never-Ending Summer | Legend of Rosy Clouds
• May 2026: The Ingenious One S1 (rewatch) | The Heir | Zhan Zhao Adventures | The Lead | Born with Luck | A Splendid Match | Light to the Night | Fate Chooses You | Dazzling
• April 2026: The Eight Hundred | The Epoch of Miyu | Rebirth | Guardians of the Dafeng (rewatch) | Veil of Shadows | Love Beyond the Grave | Hold a court now | You are my fateful love | Love Beyond the Grave | Dream of Golden Years | Vanished Name | The Mirage
• March 2026: Hold a court now. You are my fateful love, Love Beyond the Grave, Dream of Golden Years, Vanished Name, The Mirage, Pursuit of Jade, About Love
• February 2026: Born to be Alive, Generation to Generation, The Devil Between Us, Love Story in the 1970s, Unveil: Jadewind, How Dare You!?, My Page in the 90s, Swords into Plowshares, Loving Strangers, Imperial Coroner s2, Man's Inhumanity to Man
• January 2026: My Page in the 90s, Swords into Ploughshares, Loving Strangers, Imperial Coroner s2, Love Between the Lines, Glory, The Unclouded Soul, Shine on Me eps 1-8 / 9 onwards, The Company, Dashing Youth (rewatch), Mysterious Lotus Casebook (rewatch), Strange Tales S4 aka Strange Chronicles of Tang, Man's Inhumanity to Man, The Vendetta of An, Speed and Love

I know I'm late to the party. I wasn’t initially drawn to the main couple, so it took me a while to finally start this drama. Before watching it, I had heard many praises about this drama, how people couldn't move on from it, the couple, and the male lead. So I was mentally preparing myself for another male lead crush. (Un)fortunately, that didn't happen, and Cheng Yi still has my heart 😂

I think it is a good drama, but it could have been excellent, it could have been one of those classics that people continue talking about long after it finished airing.

The drama started off very promising. It was fast-paced, tense, and immediately engaging. I was hooked from the very first episode, which is saying a lot because I drop dramas very easily if they don't capture my interest within the first few episodes. (I’ve dropped over a hundred dramas and only finished about a third of that.). So the fact that I not only finished this one but also wanted to binge it means it’s pretty good.

However, it wasn’t able to maintain the momentum of its first half. As the story progressed, it gradually lost its serious, high-stakes tone and became just another idol romance. Some of the villains felt underdeveloped. I never fully understood Lady Yu Lou's motivations, and why her last husband/the bad guy treated her well and wanted to protect her. I also felt that several important plot points lacked proper buildup, so the emotional climaxes didn’t land as strongly as they could have, leaving the payoffs feeling rather flat. Another thing is about the leads’ character development. The male lead’s transformation from a cold, ruthless general into someone who was almost comically "afraid of his wife" didn't feel convincing. I understand those moments were meant to add humor, and I don't mind seeing that side of him once or twice. But the way it was portrayed in the drama made his character feel inconsistent and a bit out of character for me. The same can also be said about the female lead.

As for the acting, this was my first drama of Song Zuer and Liu Yu Ning. Song Zuer left a good impression on me about her great acting. Initially, I wasn’t sure she quite fit the role of an extraordinary beauty, as I’ve always found her more cute than breathtakingly beautiful, and she has a rather youthful appearance. But her acting has convinced me. She delivered a wonderful performance and portrayed the character's complex emotions with great nuances. She was able to show the character’s intelligence, composure, emotional restraint, and sharp strategic thinking while still maintaining to be gentle and lovable.

About Liu Yu Ning, on first impression, he suited the role of a cold, intimidating, ruthless general with a softer inner core. However, I wasn’t fully convinced by his portrayal of the internal conflict, the emotional struggle between love and hatred, between the woman he loves and the three people he has lost. For me, a great actor is someone who can convey more than what the story explicitly tells, they make you feel emotions that aren't directly stated. For example, a drama may never confirm that a character still has feelings for an ex, but through the actor’s eyes and subtle expressions, you can sense lingering affection. In that sense, you are not just being “fed” information, you are actively interpreting and feeling the character, which makes the viewing experience more engaging. I didn’t quite get that here. I felt like I understood that he was torn mainly though the flashbacks of the three deceased people, followed by shots of his sorrowful expression. Like I knew because the story told me so, not because I felt that through his acting alone.

I might be the odd one here, but Song Zu Er left a much stronger impression on me, she’s the star of this show for me. While Liu Yu Ning is decent and meets expectations, Song Zuer exceeds expectations.

Welcome to the discussions for The Legend of Rosy Clouds!

🌟This post is for episode 26 please use spoiler tags for any eps beyond these🌟

🌟Other media spoilers: Please use spoiler tags when discussing significant plot points from the Saiunkoku Monogatari light novels, anime, or manga.

Links:

Index | Masterpost | Ep 1-3 | Eps 4-6 | Ep 7-8 | Ep 9-10 | Eps 11-12 | Eps 13-14 | Eps 15-16 | Eps 17-18 | Eps 19-20 | Eps 21-22 | Ep 23 | Ep 24 | Ep 25

Airing Schedule | MDL | Dramawiki | Flashcards

Discussion posts will be a day behind the iQIYI airing schedule, with your hosts posting according to their own timezones and availability. Next up will be u/a_HerculePoirot_fan with ep 27

📺iQIYI has dropped to a 1 ep/day schedule for episode 28 until episode 32, and then resume 1 ep/day from July 12 till July 15. Express episodes will likely be out on July 9th.

I’m not sure if you guys noticed, but Episode 26 has the shortest runtime so far at just a little over 33 minutes. I have no idea what got left on the editing room floor this time. 😂

The main highlight of this episode?

https://preview.redd.it/88ijttk8b5bh1.png?width=1006&format=png&auto=webp&s=c0ce047a676d9ce833711ac954f488b922fd22b7

THE DAMN BEARD IS BACK. 😭😭😭😭😭 WHY???

Okay, okay, I'm kidding. There are some actual developments in this episode, but the entire first half honestly feels like filler and fluff. I feel like the following screenshots alone are more than enough to summarise everything that happened.

https://preview.redd.it/hf1x09dbb5bh1.png?width=1006&format=png&auto=webp&s=dad2dc04c156df5e03c55c974d63f66b07cb20d9

First, the boys are back to arguing over Fan Yun and trash-talking each other like a pair of competitive schoolboys. As usual. At this point, put them in matching uniforms, give them a playground, and let them settle this over a game of rock-paper-scissors.

https://preview.redd.it/hon38eydb5bh1.png?width=1009&format=png&auto=webp&s=5ccaaa1cbe87b8ff4dd73e46d526a36f4e0daf4c

Fan Yun then meets Qi Zheng at their designated spot, where our Governor decides to pull the classic rich CEO wooing an ordinary girl move by putting on an entire fireworks display for her.

https://reddit.com/link/1un0etk/video/8edv3qxhb5bh1/player

Meanwhile, Lou Qiyan watches from afar and finally realises that Qi Zheng has some serious game when it comes to wooing women. I like to imagine him internally reassessing every decision he's made so far and wondering whether he should've ditched that fake beard much sooner.

https://preview.redd.it/hzy8io9lb5bh1.png?width=1011&format=png&auto=webp&s=450304be06c054cdd98263a88306dd44ae280fb6

While Fan Yun and CEO Qi Zheng continue their very much not-a-date date, Qiyan receives a secret report from Wu informing him that Lord Zheng has uncovered his lie about staying at a temple. I especially love how, just in case we somehow fail to understand that this is highly confidential information, the letter literally has "SECRET REPORT" written on it. Thank you, drama. Very subtle.

https://preview.redd.it/yvwowowpb5bh1.png?width=1014&format=png&auto=webp&s=4a3d837153471afb9c3929d72a5766db2b49d0f2

On the day of their departure for Ling'an City, Zhu Luan comes to bid farewell to Qi Zheng and Fan Yun. The entire Spirit Immortal Sect arc may have bored me to tears, but Zhu Luan single-handedly carried it for me BECAUSE SHE'S JUST SOOOOO CUTE. She's also undeniably intelligent and incredibly street-smart for her age. Qi Zheng, please fund this child's education. Consider it an investment in the future of the Nine Cities.

https://preview.redd.it/z7xhe49xb5bh1.png?width=1020&format=png&auto=webp&s=cf5c4b6bc3c3c14e26e7e88cd360c162275be143

However, just before the procession reaches the Yong City gates, they're suddenly stopped by a huge crowd. Jeng jeng jeng... has the Spirit Immortal Sect somehow risen from the ashes? Am I getting another opportunity to watch Gao Ran slay people with his sword?

https://preview.redd.it/w9dfe9uzb5bh1.png?width=1023&format=png&auto=webp&s=7a83e4fd81dfc80a6daf437c660edad7ae6cbe9e

Oh. Boooooo. Nope. It turns out to be the people of Yong City gathering to express their gratitude and send Fan Yun and Qi Zheng off. Chunxiu's husband still has an incredibly punchable face, and even though he soooooooooort of redeems himself by cheering louder than everyone else, I still don't like him. I was about 90% convinced he was secretly working with the sect, so perhaps I'm still holding a grudge.

https://preview.redd.it/vm0evqd3c5bh1.png?width=996&format=png&auto=webp&s=9be035ea9469c4727f35458484d4852fcbac973f

Once they're out of Yong City, Fan Yun becomes curious about Qiyan's whereabouts and asks Qi Zheng about him. Qi Zheng, predictably, looks visibly annoyed that Qiyan's name has even entered the conversation.

He then asks Fan Yun whether she understands the hidden meaning behind the sweet dew tea. Fan Yun confirms that she does and explains that she has already friend-zoned our bro Qiyan. Romance simply isn't her priority right now; she wants to establish herself as a official first.

Qi Zheng, of course, selectively hears "I rejected Qiyan" and completely ignores the equally important "I don't want to be romantically involved with anyone right now" part. Selective hearing strikes again.

https://preview.redd.it/12zh4og9c5bh1.png?width=1023&format=png&auto=webp&s=ac749f23f561d03c1744cc4a8f9e03b15917d0db

Meanwhile, Qiyan rushes back to Juyun Pavilion in his full Lou Qiyan guise, complete with THE UGLY BEARD, only to discover Lord Zheng waiting for him and who casually addresses him as Qiyan. Ooooooops. The cat is officially out of the bag.

https://preview.redd.it/7oeb9dwfc5bh1.png?width=1020&format=png&auto=webp&s=c88518cadb7d02f9fa167b827080bf56c63a0ec9

Back in his Zheng Shi persona, he finally has a confrontation with his grandfather and confirms that, yes, he wants to be Lou Qiyan. He also claims that everything he has done has been for the sake of the Zheng family. According to him, Lord Zheng has been away from the family for far too long and, despite holding such a powerful position, has no real command power. Excuse me? This man's political influence is so immense that he's practically the unofficial Governor of the Nine Cities. I understand what Zheng Shi means about lacking direct command, but let's not pretend Grandpa Zheng is some powerless old man sitting forgotten in a corner.

https://preview.redd.it/ivmwuf1kc5bh1.png?width=1020&format=png&auto=webp&s=eeb3da394e1d7471713e5dce7555a3c26ccf834d

Another reason I'm so glad the Spirit Immortal Sect arc is finally over? We get Dai Luwa back!

I absolutely love how secure Wei Shisan is in her belief that Gao Ran likes her. Literally anything he says or does is immediately interpreted through that lens. And you know what? She's probably right. Gao Ran is still carrying around the straw hat she made for him!

Come on, man. Don't let this absolute gem of a woman slip through your fingers!

Wait... or is this your game? Are you secretly playing the long game? Your little brother could honestly learn a thing or two from you.

https://preview.redd.it/apgll3opc5bh1.png?width=1015&format=png&auto=webp&s=919a586b78f70ba6966823e607f5d3a2a01962f1

During court the following day, Jiang Shu reports that the plague is now under control in the capital. I swear, this man is the most overworked official in the entire Nine Cities. He seems to be running two ministries simultaneously. Someone give this man a holiday.

https://preview.redd.it/zv4gyyuwc5bh1.png?width=1012&format=png&auto=webp&s=4ea47fb29f25bffa01c48585d2ff71425feb3ccb

Fan Yun then reports that recovery is progressing rapidly in Yong City. Naturally, Lord Zheng steps forward and begins by offering Fan Yun some obviously insincere praise before immediately going in for the kill by bringing up the beacon tower incident.

https://preview.redd.it/epeb5ks0d5bh1.png?width=1009&format=png&auto=webp&s=8ed6bb03dec4e9bb5a4956a6f91be9f5c0c1a54a

Qi Zheng absolutely loses it and starts throwing memorials onto the floor and angrily accuses the officials of focusing on entirely the wrong issue. Fan Yun has just helped save countless lives in Yong City, yet instead of acknowledging her contributions, the court is more interested in punishing her for exceeding her authority.

But Fan Yun is a woman, so apparently her achievements are irrelevant in the face of good old-fashioned misogyny.

https://preview.redd.it/3vq6ysy4d5bh1.png?width=1000&format=png&auto=webp&s=9edfe293ad5ec835edead9bd720a07d506459132

Nearly every official in court demands that she be punished. With the pressure mounting and seemingly no way out, Qi Zheng is eventually forced to order that Fan Yun be taken to the Interrogation Bureau to await trial.

Fan Yun calmly accepts the decision and is escorted from the hall by the guards, while Qi Zheng can only watch in barely contained frustration.

https://preview.redd.it/lwa6yy68d5bh1.png?width=1008&format=png&auto=webp&s=21d4a8179787d2b8312f1a7e718cffa80ab02221

And then Qi Zheng gets so agitated that he suddenly spits out.....blood? Oh wait, I think that was tea. Or whatever he happened to be drinking. Okay, that's genuinely a first. I was fully prepared for the standard C-drama emotional distress = coughing up blood reaction. Apparently, Qi Zheng has unlocked a new response: dramatically spitting out your beverage in sheer rage.

Thoughts

What really bothered me about the court scene was how incredibly cold almost the entire court was towards Fan Yun. She had literally just finished reporting that the situation in Yong City was improving and that the plague was finally under control, but barely anyone paused to acknowledge what she had actually accomplished. No recognition, no gratitude, not even a brief moment of hey, this woman just helped save countless lives. The second Zheng Yuan brought up the beacon tower incident, everyone immediately turned on her and demanded punishment.

I actually felt for Qi Zheng here. He knew Fan Yun had technically overstepped her authority, so he couldn't simply pretend the violation never happened, especially with the entire court pressuring him to act. But his anger was completely understandable. The way he threw the memorials on the floor felt less like a childish tantrum and more like sheer frustration at the hypocrisy of his officials. They were so fixated on rules and political precedent that Fan Yun's actual achievements suddenly meant nothing.

And honestly, the whole thing felt particularly cruel because Fan Yun had already sacrificed so much to prove that a woman could serve as an official. She went to Yong City knowing people blamed her very existence in government for the plague, risked her life multiple times, helped find and distribute the cure, and successfully brought the outbreak under control. But the moment she returned, the court practically went, "Great, thanks for saving everyone. Anyway, about that beacon..."

I know rules and authority matter in government, and Fan Yun herself clearly understands that there should be consequences for her actions. But the complete lack of nuance from almost the entire court was so cold. Surely her achievements and the extraordinary circumstances surrounding her decision should count for something. It almost felt like many of these officials had simply been waiting for an excuse to drag her down, and Zheng Yuan handed it to them on a silver platter.