Completely inferior to the first half . . . this is a big disappointment. .

Where did all the complexity, themes and fast moving plots go??? In this second half our Xiao Yao still feels lost and betrayed by Tushan Jing, a plot point that was already explored for multiple episodes last season. Just when you hope that you've seen the last of this story, he comes back and tries to revitalize the relationship again and she accepts!! Leading to more tiresome plots.

Meanwhile, Xiyan Cang Xuan and Xiang Liu take turns interfering and pining, interfering and pining as if they are both teenagers with no romance expertise and no power. Xiyan Cang Xuan is the most frustrating of all, he's taken wives and concubines and is apparently not going to have relations with them for their whole lives and make little moves to make Xiao Yao his wife? What's the end game there?

There's barely any mention of the politics of this world, or the wars between kingdoms in the first 11 episodes and so with the romances all stalled out, there really isn't any reason to watch this.

The first half was an excellent exploration of how to live your life after trauma and an exploration of what type of home and romance life you want to create for yourself post terrible experiences. This second half seems to miss all the insight and nuance.

I'm dropping.