Once the drama moved on from husband selection hunger games process, it got wayyy better. The show actually turned back to the three most interesting components of the show.  1. Matriarchal society 2. Scheming and 3. Tea 

The Rong family social structure is absolutely fascinating. Women lead the family and they have all the power of the sprawling business. That was such an impressive and honestly thought provoking way to think about how society could be like if women had far more importance in society.

I liked how empowering the Rong family was particularly around relationships. Rong Shan Bao has attraction for Lu Jiang Lai and flips prior tropes on its head by being the one willing to have amorous relations with him even prior to getting married, rather the other way around. The sexual tension was there and she listened to her desires without losing herself from what is truly important – leading the Rong family. I personally quite enjoy costume/romance dramas where getting married is not the end all be all or the “wedding night” is the most important plot point because yea, a woman DOES have a lot more to do than only think about that one night. This drama highlighted that, as did Fated Hearts. The ladies in both of those dramas had wonderful nights but none of that was solely tied to being married. 

Why is this powerful? Rong Shan Bao tells Lu Jiang Lai’s step mother in the capital city that she had 3 “grandfathers” in the traditional sense, or at least lovers of her grandmother’s. If one was good enough, her grandmother would not needed to have moved on. But just because one didn’t work out, why not have more? Obviously in the modern world, this is to say breakups are normal if values and compatibility don’t align but I really liked how Grandma Rong, for all her faults, was the one to personify that lesson since it means that you can still be successful without being stuck in one relationship. 

For me though, the takeaway is that while having a partner/husband is good, having one’s own power, knowledge and money are even more important. I absolutely adored that while the Rong sisters could fight each other viciously, but externally? They were a united front because the Rong family’s success is what they all depend on as a collective.

Plus, no one is able to take away your capabilities. Rong Shan Bao wasn’t just given the position of clan/family leader. She had to undergo grueling training where she now knows exactly how to examine tea and how to manage teams. No one can ever take that away from her. That is her “di qi” or her confidence when she walks into shops using the Rong name to sell inferior tea and can swiftly and decisively order that store be closed.  

Ultimately, Rong Shan Bao’s life is enriched by Lu Jiang Lai but she would be absolutely fine without him as well. THAT is what it means to be a strong, independent woman. Your romantic partner should add to your overall abilities, not detract. She is able to take care of almost everything herself. Lu Jiang Lai was able to step in, but in instances where he could not or if he were to be on a separate path, I have no doubt Rong Shan Bao would come out on top. 

Anyways, I liked some of the twists and turns from a scheming perspective as the case Lu Jiang Lai was initially trying to investigate finally converged with Rong Shan Bao’s story line. And I liked that learning about tea also was brought to the forefront. The different sisters in the family also had their own separate individual storylines beyond just simple fodder to  challenge Rong Shan Bao which helped them be more memorable. 

I actually really enjoyed the second 2/3 of this drama and think that if the first 10-12 episodes were tightened up somewhat, this would’ve been an even better drama. 

Karen