Done! After waiting for almost 5 years, S2-36 episodes gone just like that ? but the whole season didn't dissapoint. Do I like S1 better, maybe. I feel S1 is more cohesive, every episode was crafted nicely to tell the whole story. S2, it's a bit more choppy like getting all the puzzle pieces thrown together at the same time and have no clue what to expect ? could be because of the episode limitation?

But! I have to say Zhang Ruo Yun saved it all. His acting skill is more refined, his facial expressions are really impressive (and charming ?). Bonus - love his hair style, don't think I've seen wavy male hair style in any costume dramas ??
I also love some new roles in S2. The Empress is definitely interesting and with the way she hides a bottle of wine in her sleeve - I wonder what else people actually put in there...?

Anyway. I heard some people who loved S1 complaining about S2 ?‍♀️ Yes, more dialogues in S2 but this drama was never intended to be wuxia drama so I didn't care that part. In fact this is a very few dramas where I have to pay attention to all the dialogues otherwise I would get lost. I even had to slow down a few times too.

For me, I love both seasons equally.
I knew from the very beginning this drama has 3 seasons (the book has 800 chapters or so) and S2 ended with another open ending, but at least nobody got stabbed this time.
I just hope we don't have to wait another five years!
What's next...rewatch with a better sub!