#the matriarch
The TYRANT: the bullying despot, he wants power at any price. He ruthlessly conquers all he surveys, crushing his enemies beneath his feet. People are but pawns to him, and he holds all the power pieces. Hesitate before getting in this man’s way – he’ll think nothing of destroying you.
The BASTARD: the dispossessed son, he burns with resentment. He can’t have what he wants, so he lashes out to hurt those around him. His deeds are often for effect – he wants to provoke action in others. He proudly announces his rebellious dealings. Don’t be fooled by his boyish demeanor – he’s a bundle of hate.
The DEVIL: the charming fiend, he gives people what he thinks they deserve. Charisma allows him to lure his victims to their own destruction. His ability to discover the moral weaknesses in others serves him well. Close your ears to his cajolery – he’ll tempt you to disaster.
The TRAITOR: the double agent, he betrays those who trust him most. No one suspects the evil that lurks in his heart. Despite supportive smiles and sympathetic ears, he plots the destruction of his friends. Never turn your back on him — he means you harm.
The OUTCAST: the lonely outsider, he wants desperately to belong. Tortured and unforgiving, he has been set off from others, and usually for good cause. He craves redemption, but is willing to gain it by sacrificing others. Waste no sympathy on him - he’ll have none for you.
The EVIL GENIUS: the malevolent mastermind, he loves to show off his superior intelligence. Intellectual inferiors are contemptible to him and that includes just about everyone. Elaborate puzzles and experiments are his trademark. Don’t let him pull your strings – the game is always rigged in his favor.
The SADIST: the savage predator, he enjoys cruelty for its own sake. Violence and psychological brutality are games to this man; and he plays those games with daring and skill. Run, don’t walk, away from this man – he’ll tear out your heart, and laugh while doing it.
The TERRORIST: the dark knight, he serves a warped code of honor. Self-righteous, he believes in his own virtue, and judges all around him by a strict set of laws. The end will always justify his nefarious means, and no conventional morality will give him pause. Don’t try to appeal to his sense of justice – his does not resemble yours.
The BITCH: the abusive autocrat, she lies, cheats, and steals her way to the top. Her climb to success has left many a heel mark on the backs of others. She doesn’t care about the peons around her – only the achievement of her dreams matters. Forget expecting a helping hand from her – she doesn’t help anyone but herself.
The BLACK WIDOW: the beguiling siren, she lures victims into her web. She goes after anyone who has something she wants, and she wants a lot. But she does her best to make the victim want to be deceived. An expert at seduction of every variety, she uses her charms to get her way. Don’t be fooled by her claims of love – it’s all a lie.
The BACKSTABBER: the two-faced friend, she delights in duping the unsuspecting. Her sympathetic smiles enable her to learn her victims’ secrets, which she then uses to feather her nest. Her seemingly helpful advice is just the thing to hinder. Put no faith in her – she’ll betray you every time.
The LUNATIC: the unbalanced madwoman, she draws others into her crazy environment. The drum to which she marches misses many a beat, but to her, it is the rest of the world that is out of step. Don’t even try to understand her logic – she is unfathomable.
The PARASITE: the poisonous vine, she collaborates for her own comfort. She goes along with any atrocity, so long as her own security is assured. She sees herself as a victim who had no choice, and blames others for her crimes. Expect no mercy from her – she won’t lift a finger to save anyone but herself.
The SCHEMER: the lethal plotter, she devises the ruin of others. Like a cat with a mouse, she plays with lives. Elaborate plans, intricate schemes; nothing pleases her more than to trap the unwary. Watch out for her complex designs – she means you no good.
The FANATIC: the uncompromising extremist, she does wrong in the name of good. She justifies hers action by her intent, and merely shrugs her shoulders at collateral damage. Anyone not an ally is an enemy, and therefore, fair game. Give up any hope of showing her the error of her ways – she firmly believes you are wrong, wrong, wrong.
The MATRIARCH: the motherly oppressor, she smothers her loved ones. She knows what’s best and will do all in her power to controls the lives of those who surround her – all for their own good. A classic enabler, she sees no fault with her darlings, unless they don’t follow her dictates. Don’t be lured into her family nest – you’ll never get out alive.
Ah, yes. I’ve been hoping to discover something like this.
When you’re outlining a novel in which nearly every major character is a villain who views herself as having been maligned by forces beyond her control, identifying and exploiting points of difference in motivation (and the consequences thereof) become increasingly important.
The ending was all I wanted. My baby went on an adventure to promote and teach her skills to others. I am proud of her. And that TEASE WITH MR WEI. I HONESTLY THOUGHT SHE DIED BUT SHE DIDN’T AND I AM HAPPY BECAUSE THIS DRAMA GAVE ME 2 OF WHAT I WANTED.
Such a wholesome drama. I was at first annoyed that they made CuiXi and BaoQin collaborate, but then I actually liked it! So good they didn’t make them compete, but instead of competing they worked together. I mean, isn’t that one of the theme? Competing is all good, but working together and learning from each other is better.
And I loved that they had close ups of women who became independent. That was a lovely surprise. I’m just happy thay while I got a teeny tiny glimpse of my OTP, they didn’t tie CuiXi’s existence and strength to Mr. Wei, because that would have been awful and defeats the theme.
So Ren Xuetang is back. And literally…nothing happened to him???? He just straight up abandoned his family for seven years and caused all of this drama because ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
This. All of this. I’m not entirely sure if Xue Tang developed any romantic feelings for Cui Xi, but he did admire and cared for her. Personally, I think that he was just afraid. Afraid that he’ll disappoint Cui Xi and Bao Qin again. Afraid that he can never do right by them and that he probably will end up favouring one over the other. So, the easiest way is to stay away… until now.
Xue Tang is supposed to be this big brother, whom people look up to. The guy who seemed to have his future figured out and set in stone, the one who was supposed to be level-headed (when compared to Rue Tang). But, he is just indecisive and more importantly, a coward. He doesn’t want to face the responsibility and bear the weight of the mess that he created. At least that is my take because why would he stay away for 7 (?) years and do not have the guts to come home. Or even like Rue Tang said, SEND A FRICKING LETTER.
I just want Cui Xi to dump him and he gives her the divorce. That way Cui Xi can be free and do as she wishes, just like what she said to Wei (or something along that line). Bao Qin probably still loves him, but I think that love has changed where it wasn’t as all-encompassing as before.
What is frustrating is that it took a near-beheading for the coward to come forth. Had that not happened my guess is he’ll just stay away for the rest of his pathetic life. I just hope this drama does justice to everyone involved, especially to Cui Xi and Bao Qin. Like Rue Tang said, APOLOGIZE TO HIS WIVES.
While I despise Xue Tang, I am actually glad the drama showed him as a spineless fool (if indeed he abandoned his family due to his cowardice). My take on this is that just because someone is older, has a bright future, supposedly more mature doesn’t mean it is a golden ticket to them being a dependable person. Such a person with these values might end up being emotionally immature and deep down are just as much of a mess as someone with the opposite qualities. The difference between Xue Tan and Ren Tang is that Ren Tang grew into a better person. He faced his demons and is emotionally matured while his brother took the easy way out.
So yeah. I’ll never like Xue Tang, but I liked what they made him out to be. And this added a layer of complexity to the whole story. They could have just left him dead DEAD, which makes storytelling a bit easier but it will never address the problematic things caused by Xue Tang. Now that he is alive, they can address that part. We just need a solid ending for our female leads. We need justice for everyone involved. And I have absolutely no idea if they can pull a good one…
