A fitting thing since Ruyi loved Hongli unconditionally until he destroyed it with his actions. Now he’s paying the price for his actions with loneliness, bitterness and grief. Most of all, no other woman in the emperor’s harem became empress after Ruyi’s death.
@@amyaurionNo, that’s not true. The empress title was given to Ling after her death by the QianLong emperor, since her son, the fifteen prince, would be the next emperor (as JiaQing).
When the first empress died, she said that whoever took the phoenix throne her ending would be no better. But she died with hatred and bitterness, never forgiving anyone. But Ruyi died with forgiveness to the past people and still thought of them as people. Ruyi died happier than Empress Fuca. And that's what counts, is how you choose to spend your last day.
The first empress was bitter from day one because she knew that while she got the empress seat, the emperor had always intended it for Ruyi. She had the demeanor of one that is good and righteous all the while being a snake underneath. The emperor had some understanding in the end what she was really like but she was dying so he forgave her. Later, he apparently forgot what she had done and to the world, made her a martyr that she never was.
When Ruyi said to Rong Pei it was her honourable pleasure to have her .. so humble & respectful for her maid . She was loyal to the end to Ruyi & even sacrificed her life . Made me cry !! Such lovely pair 💕💕
Zhou Xun was formidable in her role of Ruyi, the Step Empress. She was so beautiful to look at, so composed and dignified in even the worst situations. I was so enchanted by watching her move so gracefully throughout each episode. Her voice so calm, soothing, melodic, cultured. She mesmerized me. Every time she was on the screen, I was like WOW.
I love to see his face when they told him that she died, his world crushes on his heart, she were first,she didn't pleasure in kill her,she die in her terms,not his.
Even in death he doesn’t realize that this is all his doing. What a selfish man. The one person who was loyal to him and all he did was punish her and for what? This ending is good. Ruyi tolerated every deed that was done to her. But she finally had enough. No amount of riches, fame can replace freedom.
I know she has a a better woman then I'll ever be. Because there is no way I could have been able to do or take what she did. I wanna cry for her god knows she went thru hell with those ruthless concubine
Oh no, he realized it alright. What he did by not giving Ruyi empress burial, and putting her tomb in Imperial Noble Consort Chunhui's was his way for atoning and obeying Ruyi's wish. She refused to be Qianlong's empress anymore, so she's now just a free Lady Ulanala, and she gets to not be placed beside his tomb so she won't have to see his mug in the afterlife
Oh he does! He is devastated totally.... he cries in despair... and he cuts his own hair ( remember cutting one’s hair was tantamount to serious misdeed).... and I agree that whatever he did for her funeral was indeed in order to free her.... He learned his lesson the tough way...as is so true in real life....
I must confess, after watching this series the first time I was devasted. I couldn't bring myself to completely understand how Ruyi could bring herself to turn away the Empress' scroll and treasure after finally pulling the veil from Wei Yanwan's horrors, after finally winning her husband's understanding back once again. I thought she was too passive, too subdued against the cruelty of others. I thought, "omg this ending is so sad but whyyyyy Ruyi whyyyyy". Since then I've rewatched the series. Two more times, at least. And I have to say that with each reviewing of this rich, engrossing legend, I've found myself not only understanding the journey to Ruyi's choices, but even empathizing with them. How many among us will tolerate those we love simply because we wish not to be alone? This brilliant adaptation of the Ulanara Step-Empress painted a vivid, endearing, and often harrowing portrayal of what it takes within us to be true to ourselves. Because even those we love the most may lose their way and diverge themselves from our hearts. In the end, we must always be true to ourselves. And Ruyi compromised nothing after having lost so much. For her to consider how things may have been if not for the calculating arrogance of the Emperor was especially heartbreaking. Knowing that all she wanted was to grow gray with Hongli as they watched their children grow alongside Yongqi... le sigh. It took me several times, but I get it now. Best. Series. E v e r.
She may come up ahead this time. But who knows what will happen if another evil Consort marries into the Royal Family. Ruyi could again be abandoned by the emperor. I think she's really tired of all this scheming and watching out for invisible attacks. While she has several truly loyal Consorts, they can only do so much.
it honestly is one of the best shows ive ever seen. all of the actors were impeccable and it was all so masterfully made, the music the lighting the camerawork the backdrop.
This is the best series that I have ever watched. The acting, the plot, the clothing, everything was superb. I laugh with Ruyi, I cried for Ruyi. The roller coaster of emotions that this show put me through. Thank you for the English subtitles.
甄嬛传 or Empresses in the palace has always been my favorite. It's a great show with a solid plot and well written characters. And the main character of the show is the empress dowager in this one, so ruyi's royal love in the palace is kind of a sequel to Empresses in the palace.
@@tagiembs1014 I find that I end up watching Legend Of Li Haolan, followed by The King's Woman, followed by The Story Of Yanxi Palace (because of the whole Haolan/Li buwei being 'reincarnated' as characters that are together, and ironically with power, but together! I then usually end up watching another Dilraba character Cdrama like Eternal Love 3).
I’m recovering from spinal surgery, a couple of times I’ve been caught in tears. They think it’s because the pain….Nope. Ruyi was the perfect wife and empress. It’s a pity her soulmate turned into a complete cockwomble. It was never his fault….
What she said is in a way a metaphor: - this tea is faint = Ruyi herself is dying - get new tea and switch a pot = switch the household and get yourself a new master to serve.
@@bettyjones2929 Yes, she did. Some very loyal servants would kill themselves as their last act of devotion (in some beliefs they would serve them in the afterlife, and in some their fates were connected and they would meet after the reincarnation). But even if Ruyi could guess that Rongpei was about to follow her, it doesn't mean she wanted her to end her life.
When ruyi said ‘the tea is faint, go get some new tea and switch a pot. in Chinese, she actually said ‘find’ some new tea.. which serves as a metaphor to hint rongpei to find a new master to serve
He did his best to destroy her love. He constantly didn’t believe her & constantly believed all the evil accusations against her & when he made a eunuch out of Ling Yunche that finally killed her love for him. He was a egotistical narcissist that suspected everyone including Ruyi the only one that truly loved him & wanted nothing from him but his love and he finally killed it! I have no sympathy for him at all!!
He remembers the good time but it didn't how bad he treat her,humiliating and ask her to help to conquer the other lover ,that reject him and didn't love him,she now in peace and free.
Some people say that Ruyi's character is weak and a "loser". Ruyi is actually smart and I think the people who don't see the strength have only a fixed mindset about what strong is. Ruyi was actually fighting back in a realistic way. Some examples where Ruyi fought back: 1) When she delivered the scriptures that Gao Guifei had punished her to write to the Emperor after the former had declined her first batch of scriptures. 2) How she got to have the First son to be her foster son when he was being neglected. 3) In the cold palace when the Empress had tried to use the Empress Dowager to get rid of her by sending her the paper money when her father passed away. After this the ED started to see Ruyi in a new light after she saved her from being assassinated. 4) Using Arsenic to poison herself after the many attempts on her life in the cold palace which led to Emperor getting her out. Have to give Hailan a shoutout for the cinnabar risk (she's a real one). 5) Using a different style of embroidery (from her normal one) for the shoes she made for Ling Yunche, as a thank you for all the times he had helped her. This was handy later on to clear cheating allegations against her. 6) Informing the Emperor of the bracelet (birth control) through Gao Guifei, this is better than her telling him directly cause Gao Guifei is closer to Empress and Ruyi wasn't in good terms with the Empress. 7) Swapping the buddha bracelet with a fake one when Jia had accused her of infidelity with the monk. How she put the bracelet in the cake thing and her imitating the Emperor's handwriting to make her point of being framed. Have to give a shoutout to Hailan, Li Yu and Ling Yunche in this scheme as well. 8)Ruyi cutting her hair. She knew the graveness of it and consequences but I believe (we don't know what she was fighting historically) it must have been something that was past her bottom line. As a woman in that time, she couldn't physically defy him and this is one of the few extreme things she could do to make her stance. There are many things that I have learnt from this drama, we all don't have to fit to what people deem strong or successful. Having a clear mind and heart, not compromising our beliefs and integrity. I actually find a lot of relatable modern day themes as well. Learning to accept things is also a big lesson, Flowers bloom and flowers fall, there's a timing to them.
She is, if it weren’t for her weakness, so many lives could be save. Even Hailan’s kindness was wasted on her. Ruyi care nothing more than her faith and love.
@@dreambig5098 Hailan risked doing tough love for Ruyi with the Ling Yunche incident. However, when Ruyi was in the cold palace, and locked/restricted in Yikun Palace, Ruyi was trying to get the message across clearly to Hailan that Hailan needed to look after and protect herself. Ruyi could not help her any more, and she couldn't rely on Ruyi because interaction with Ruyi at that point could make Hailan an accessory to anything or simply mistreated because of being connected to Ruyi at the wrong time. This was tough love from Ruyi to Hailan in order to keep Hailan more safe, and for her to grow. Hailan was like a sister but without a blood bond with Ruyi, and vice versa. She wanted Hailan and anyone Hailan cared for such as her son etc to be safe. When she returned the pouch they each had a copy of, if Ruyi didn't care about Hailan would she remember the pouch and think enough of it to give it to Hailan? If Ruyi didn't care about Hailan would that pouch be in such pristine condition despite being worn enough for others in the harem to know they have the same pouch? Towards the end, Ruyi knew that Hailan would be able to see anything different/wrong about her in an instant. Ruyi knew that Hailan would likely be able to see she had a terminal illness, and Hailan was already clued into the fact she was unwell before even Jiang Yubin (doctor) could diagnose her, as well as that the coughing was continuing and had likely gotten worse during Ruyi's confinement. Ruyi's last acts were to get justice for people that everyone felt was important, including Hailan's son. Also, Ruyi put the blame of who killed Ling Yunche where it should be, as well as forgave Hailan for giving the order for what Ruyi could not do. These acts freed Hailan from lots of guilt and self blame over the issue.
@@dreambig5098 I think quite the opposite. IT's very easy to give in to temptation, chose the easy path and just indulge the emperor, throw innocent lives under the bus and set people up with traps to get rid of them, like Jia guifei did for example, but to stick to your beliefs and your convictions like Ruyi did requires enormous amounts of faith and willpower. It's a slippery slope, look at wei yanwan. Being ruthless and cunning isn't strength, true strength is facing the corruption of power. Although i will agree she could've approached the ling yunche situation differently. She could've had him sent out of the palace and remove him out of the picture, that way she cou'dve perserved his life most likely, but hindsight is 20/20.
Yep. Been there done that. He couldn't believe I was so completely done when I was done. He always expected me to give him another chance. Once you cross that line, there's just no going back.
@@MrEmichan Yes. In everything, there are seasons. Time cannot go back!! If leaving, so to stay gone for self-preservation is best!! I always glad when the lover realizes their value before its too late, but also when realizing after no going back. It is vital part of growth to love oneself first!! Good for you Emichan. God bless your new beginnings!
I really wish Hailan got closure with Ruyi. That friendship was the only good thing to happen throughout the entire series. To see her only cry at the funeral and not be able to thank Ruyi for everything really got to me. Thats the real tragedy in all of this. They really took care of and supported each other through it all.
Ruyi spent the end of her life protecting Hailan and all of the other girls. Tuberculosis is and was extremely contagious especially in an age without detection and modern medicine. as soon as ruyi found out what was causing her illness she immediately sent them all away keeping only a close few (rongpei) around for help. She was protecting them from death all the way to the end even if it meant she had to be lonely.
He died old, cold, lonely and full of regrets. Such a fantastic drama. The actors were nothing but fantastic throughout this whole series. All other series pale in comparison. I'm so glad I watched it.
This was the best series I have ever seen! I like that it wasn't too gory, no sexual stuff, and it was so richly well made! Details are stunning, filming excellent, and story heart wrenching! I was way too absorbed in watching this and watched huge ten hours at a time! I thought about why he didn't choose 12th son and it was because Riyu wanted her son to be free. In the end he did honor her wish.
This actually reminded me of old Hollywood, when it used to be good, the writers and the actors/actresses actually Loved what they did and put their best into it. It makes me sad that we will never see that day again in the U.S. with the Hollywood we have now. People mock those old musicals and movies, but I have always been a big fan of them.
@@大米-w6q I don't want to get caught up like I did with this one! I would watch for hours and hours and didn't even have a life! I was so addicted to keep watching to see what happened next. Plus I was so sad so many times. The acting and story line was just incrediable in this series!
I just asked this question about the choice for crown prince...that makes sense. I’m the same as you. As much as I want to I can’t afford to get wrapped up in another series or film right now. Plus I fear it won’t be as good lol. I need to take my own time for grievance 🙏🏾
This story was based on history,therefor the crown prince could not be Yongji. Beautiful that their love story could be told untill the end with the green plums. Watched this many hours into the night.
The final deed of the unworthy emperor is beautiful. To me it means that he knew he wouldn't be buried at Ruyi's side, he yearns for her, so he cuts his hair to be somehow with her. His white hair and Ruyi's black hair, the Yin and Yang (male and female) energies together symbol of equilibrium might be what made the white plum blossoming again. Edit: Every single actor/actress was beyond awesomeness, but Li Chun was simply spectacularly superb, her Wei Yanwan is the best female villain /ever/! 👏👏👏👏👏👏
This is powerful stuff. Makes my heart ache every time I see it. They started so beautifully, full of hope and love. In the end they just did not withstand the test of time. He could not stop the poison of power from ruining their relationship. She could not keep being patient with him. She used to be the only one to manage him well. But she lost that. Deaths of kids, time, circumstances, his despotic behaviour. And evil people around them. Their last scene together is so haunting. He requests her to forget the past. She says they are mere memories now. He thinks she is forgetting bitter incidents but in her mind she is letting go of their sweet days too. She is freeing herself from all the ties, positive as well as negative. And he understands it. But he still cannot bring himself to say, I'm sorry. Because an Emperor does not bow (stupid pride) She is the only one for him for whom he could have made all the concessions. In spite of cutting her hair(which Google says was pretty serious in those times) he wanted her back. He just did not get that she was done. She was tired of everything. He would not have done that for anybody else. And if she had not loved him as much as she did, she would have told him of her tuberculosis. She did not want that pain for him. Oh.. how those two loved each other.. star crossed lovers. I don't think he cried like this for anybody. He understood for the first time what it was to be alone. He kept saying that he felt alone but after she was gone, he came to know the meaning of aloneness.
Agreed but he deserved to truly be alone. They say you don't miss the water until the well runs dry. She was his well that he didn't value enough. He now will have to live with a thirst that he can never quench. He most certainly didn't deserve her!
@@lovefaithandhope8170 Most of us apply today's rules of normal to those times. That is slightly unfair. In today's world we have much different social norms that frown upon any man who treats a woman the way they did in olden times. (Of course it doesn't stop many morons to do it anyway). That was a normal behavior then. Qinglong Emperor (this fictitious one) expected to be put first by everyone. That was the absolute rule. He would not bend for anyone. He horribly punished all whom he thought meant him harm or disobedience or even whom he dislike. He treated all the women he himself did not chose with the same horrifying and careless cruelty. But not Ruyi. She was his love. Time and again he accepted her impudence (again by that time's standards), bent to her advice even if he disagreed with it and generally let her do as she would. I'm in no way justifying his behavior. Id have kicked him where it hurts. But when I think of all his action with that specific perspective I notice how Ruyi was different for him. I believe that he truly loved her. If he had not ascended the throne, they would have indeed grown old together. IMO he deserved her but lost her due to circumstances and his reactions to those circumstances.
@@samme6428 Hmmmm. I totally comprehend what you are saying, and agree with most. However, I still do not believe that any man with the traits exhibited by this character (past or present), deserves a person like Ruyi. She was faithful, lovingly sincere, trustworthy, patient, virtuous, gracious, and compassionate to him, as well as others. Perfect? She was not (nobody is or will be) but she tried her best to be and was supportive up to the point that she realized he had completely changed. His version of love evolved into a perversion of the trust and pure love they shared over the years from childhood. He knew her core characteristics, that's why he chose her. He himself stated he felt alone because those around him all had their own hidden agendas. Yet he still allowed them to manipulate him. They exploited his selfish, jealous, and lewd tendencies, in order to perpetuate a level of anger that festered against the woman he knew was the ONLY genuine one from the day they met. He should have investigated who gains from every accusation that was cast against her. Instead he became obsessed with distrust and in turn denigrated her to levels of sufferation that hurt her to the core until she finally reached the point of no return for their love. He refused to recognise, accept or even attempt to modify his flaws. No ownership of blame what so ever. I'm stating this opinion because unfortunately, there are many like him to this day (and women). This series just provides a visual example of the fact that everyone has the potential to be the best person they can be. They should choose their decisions wisely because their decisions and actions will determine their outcomes in life. With that said, any man (regardless of time, culture and/or circumstances) that behaves as he did, is NOT worth keeping.
It would've been nice to see a final meeting between Ruyi and Consort Yu (Hai Lan) especially after Hai Lan did SO much to vindicate Ruyi... more than once. In the final prayer scene Hai Lan looked so dejected. She ended up being a terrific character once she found her strength.
Yes maybe :) But I think the reason why Ruyi refused to meet Hai Lan and the other concubines was that she has decided to quit the game for good, however seeing her friends would have made her reconsider her will to leave.
I agree I think hailan was the only person that could convince her to take medicine to prolong her life just a little more..when she was done with everyone
@@iinarumi in the previous episode, she actually told hailan that they should move on, it’s not ok but she understands. The reason why she didn’t see the ladies were because of her health, she knew that she doesn’t have much more to live, she doesn’t want to have them worrying her.
It's significant that Ruyi wanted to spend her last moments with Rongpei, a person who was and always had been utterly devoted to her. Hailan was her best friend, sure, but she had let Ruyi down more than once and she never really forgive Hailan for her part in the death of Ling Yunche.
Hai lan was true friend, I know she goin miss Ruyi more than anyone.. Hailan got justice for Ruyi at the end. To see Hailan grieving for Ruyi was heartbreaking Best sister Ruyi and Hailan Always Felt like someone took my heart out When Ruyi die, also Rong Pei continues to faithful with her mistress
Her voice is so calming and soothing, her demeanor so peaceful and kind. She would have been a great asset to an emperor with all the shenanigans of the harem, instead of adding stress. Although a sad ending, I felt relief for Ruyi. So much suffering and hurt caused by the man whom she loved so much, not for the power, wealth or status. Death was a sweet respite, release. It would have been more painful to continue living as empress with a man who has done so much to destroy her, and not appreciating her unconditional and loyal love. Too little too late.
The Idiot of an emperor should have divorced all the other women leaving only the worthy wife and empress and send the other away or at best stop adding other women to the Harem when the evil ones died in numbers, but No, he is extremely promiscuous, angry and selfish.
@@aquariusmedia9307 I think the emperor spent the next 40 years in sorrow because he finally realized how badly he treated the one person who loved him wholeheartedly and it was too late. It's really sad because he didn't start off being a narcissistic, arrogant ass, but he sure ended up being one....as the empress dowager was so fond of saying...."retribution"
Very surprised and glad that English speakers love this Drama. As you guys may know, the words and phrases in this drama are almost in old style, also known as classic Chinese. Nobody talks like that in today’s modern life. Sometimes its very hard to find a proper English word to match the meaning in Chinese. For example, since of hierarchy, people should use different words to claim “I” when speaking to other ppl. Emperor always uses “Zhen”. Concubines with main palace status use “ChenQie” when speaking to the emperor, however, they use “BenGong” while talking to those who are lower than them. Concubines with lower title, such as noble lady must not claim themselves as “BenGong”. Therefore, it could be very easy to tell ppl’s rank by the words that they use to claim themselves. In subs, the words all have to be translated into “I”. There are also many other cases. The good thing is that translators did a very good job to make this drama understandable for non-Chinese speakers. I learned a lot form the sub for my English. Thanks.
At least we understood the main characters and the guion was perfect, at least the put a better face to the emperor in real life wasn't that attractive. Chinese culture is very diferente to the other monarchy around the world.
People focused on how the Emperor cut his hair to put it together with Ruyi's, but I never noticed the handkerchief! All the way back in episode four, when Ruyi was still Qingying, she gave that handkerchief to the Emperor when she was confined to the Prince's Palace. The details of this show never fail to surprise me, even after multiple watches.
The emperor starts the 1st episode with waking up from a dream about Ruyi, now it ends with him going back to "sleep". As if his life with Ruyi was just a dream. Meanwhile the cycle of life continues with the green plum sprouting. I remember Li Yunche gave Ruyi a branch of flower before he dies, so I think the bonsai tree came back to life because the emperor wants to give Ruyi the green plum she loves. Great series! I enjoyed it throughly. Recommended 👍
If the real Ruyi suffered this much at the hands of the Emperor than I'm happy she bowed out peacefully and gracefully leaving the Emperor with so much regret for the rest of his remaining miserable life. Wishing he could take back all he did, apologize and make amend but never getting to do so. Priceless Ruyi well done girl you gave that tyrant Emperor a special final gift no matter what he did he couldn't escape the guilt.
I always have tears in my eyes when Ruyi tells Rongpei to sit with her, and they drink tea together. Ruyi had such a caring heart for everyone, regardless of status. >^.^
I wonder how other people interpreted the ending of this series. Most might interpret it as the Emperor reuniting with Ruyi in the end, by cutting his hair and placing it in the box with Ruyi's. But, I think it was him finally freeing Ruyi of him and him of her. Ruyi cutting her hair was symbolic. In Manchu culture, cutting your hair could only be done when a spouse or family member has passed. Ruyi does it as a way to show that the old Emperor she knew has died in her heart. When the Emperor found out that Ruyi had no heart to be the Empress, he destroyed all records of her. And by cutting his hair, it was like they were both parting ways, both on opposite paths, and both freeing themselves of each other. In a way a "divorce". Maybe that's why in the ending clip it was just Ruyi, walking alone, so naive and pure. She was finally fully free in the end.
I do think that he hoped by putting his hair with hers hoped they would reunite and she'd give him a 1000th chance, however (like someone in the comment section said) the plum blossom bloomed again when he died. Guess while he was living he suffocated it; disallowing it from blooming. Plus....it would be such a disrespect to ling yunche if she took him back(in my opinion) I think she'd forgive him but never forget how he exhausted, abused, trampled, and tormented her love for him.
I want to add onto this. I think her cutting her hair was also saying She is dead. Her love for him is dead and she has decided to free herself. Because after all how can you sustain a marriage with no trust and happy memories perverted by pain and evil deeds? And the last scenes show her separating herself slowly and consciously until her body finally freed her.
I respect your opinion, but I see it differently....he truly loved Ruyi.....and he knew he screwed it up in a big way...he just wasn't man enough to admit it.....otherwise, he never would admit it.....it's my opinion that while she and Ling Yunche were good friends and confidents, she didn't love him...she loved Hongli. And the ending....with the green plum blooming just as he died...that tells me they are together again....Hongli and Qingying........
He did exactly what ruyi wanted she never want to be an empress that why she refused to take back the title when he send it to her and he respected her decision in the end and she never wanted her son to be crown prince. She wanted her son to have a choice. So in the end he show that he really do love her and her respect her decision. And he built a place where he can retire and have her Memories with him and he die holding the things he wanted to be buried with. This series was the best. Every single person that act in this show was so good. The king wanted me to kick his ass throughout this series, Ruyi I felt every pain, happiness that she felt but it also shows how strong she nwas as a woman, mother, wife and empress. Love ❤️ this series. It was worth me binge-watching for the last 3 days
I think Ruyi refuses the Empress' seal & treasure because that time has passed, the wrongs can't be righted so simply. If the Emperor had come and fallen on his knees to ask for forgiveness, he might have been. But there was no going back.
@@elizabethpiccolo5534 I believe it was to punish wei yanwan! bcuz she lied to go meet the emperor in that hot spring....& went behind the empress with the excuse she was unwell so she was punished with 10 slaps
After watching this so many times (well the last 4 episodes over and over again anyhow), I finally saw what was the most painful punishment he gave himself, to not forgive himself for what he did. He let her go after her death even in anger but the guilt lived with him, especially at the end when he said despite all the things that have happened he is still a widowed man. He missed her right until the final moments, his life he felt was defined by her and yet he destroyed it and there was no going back. Very sad for him, but justified as well....
Well said! I also keep watching the last three episodes. Over and over. Also the first episodes where qianlong and qingying were still so in love with each other.
@@cyndysota Before Ruyi was given the name Ruyi, her name was Qingying (meaning green plum blossoms). She told the Emperor before he was the Emperor (and after he was!) that she would always be with him. So, she gave him something living and that was the green plum. She as Qingying kept her promise and NEVER left him in spirit. I think that glance towards the green plum was 'now you take over from me'. I read another comment that said 'it is telling that the only time the green plum blossomed was when he died', ' he was the one preventing it from blooming and thriving, in the same way he did for Ruyi', and 'he was abusive'.
@Phoenix Moon Actually, he gifted two green plum blossom plants to her. Unfortunately, they are from the South and couldn't thrive in the cold of their city. It seems like a metaphor for their love and how it couldn't survive in the palace.😭
Beautiful story. The emperor deserves everything that happened to him. What he put Ruyi through. I have no sympathy for him. He was an immature brat that never grows up. Just go show you when a woman is fed up she is fed up.
I have to share this. I got interested in this series through random clips I found and finally assembled the last few episodes through them, I was watching them all day. My brother comes home from work and sees me engrossed, asks, "What are you watching?" I say, "I have no idea!" So he sits down and watches with me, by the end, we are both crying. This show is so powerful, with a sad ending to love, but still so rich with life.
🤣🤣🤣🤣. I’m bawling and laughing with you because your brother sat down with you to watch this to the end. I had to watch the bloopers to remember this show isn’t real! Lol
Beautiful story ! I simply couldn’t hold my tears 😭😭😭😭 cried my heart out . It’s such a heart ache! The way empress passed away so much dignity and composure. She endured so much pain and all the false accusations against her. Such a pity the way empress was treated at the end by the emperor 😭😭 such a twist of faith in love !
@@judyy_i I’m on my 10th or even more time re watching this... of all the “concubine” series this one I like best. How hard Ruyi worked to keep her love and dignity alive all by herself, while the emperor only ever lived for himself and only ever took from her. Kicked her away discarded her and when he saw the error of his ways took her back no sorry but here have a gift and let bygones be bygones. She got her freedom in the end and was finally beyond his reach, that made me happiest in this whole mess.
One thing I love about the harem at the funeral is that there was genuine pain from them. At so many other funerals there was exaggerated crying, it's expected even if you didn't get along with the one who passed but for Ruyi they were so sad and truly grieving her loss. They all had kind words about her whereas at other funerals it would showcase more schemes that were taking place. Its sad that so much tragedy followed her simply because she truly loved the emperor and was the target of so many schemes.
I love how at the end there is no more Emperor and Ruyi. It’s just Qing Ying coming to get Hongli!! Before all the terrible things happened while they were still happy and carefree!! Ok and yes, I have watched this series multiple times!! Love this!!
I'm crying again just reading thru the comments. So many who got and understand this story. Thank you story writers crew and actors etc for all the love you gave to the world through this show. Many of the other of the oriental movies are just silly fluff. Boooooring but the ones like this one and the "palace" one are forever.
I so happy that this drama finally got recognized and is viewed by so many people. Most people love The story of Yanxi Palace but this one is my favorite. The story of Ming Lan is another good one if anyone wants to continue with the Chinese drama.
I started watching because costumes & sets were so GORGEOUS. Then I got sucked into the story & started getting invested in the characters...so beautifully done.
Pain....so deep at the Passing of Step Emperess Ruyi. Even her dying is serenity supreme. My heart is 💔 . Rongpei's Ruyi's handmaiden's loss, pain and anguish was so indiscerniably palpable like a reed swaying in the wind, but yet as strong. I quivered inside at her loss. Superb Acting.... A flick of a finger, the rise of an eyebrow, the sip from a teacup, the calling of wangchan by different consorts, the curl of a lip evoked feelings that I even did not know I pocessed. I shiver at the mastery of the making and acting of all in this series. Superb! .
With that kind of man, death is a pleasure and relief of the sadness of the treatment from the man that she used to love, he paid his mistake until the end he was thinking that attachment of the hair the hope to get together in after life, he die widowed.
Zhen Huan zhuan is the peak of Chinese palace drama, with a total of 76 episodes. Ruyi and yanxi can't match it, but it's a pity that it doesn't have complete English subtitles, otherwise you can go and watch it
Screw the Emperor, Ruyi's real love were Rongpei, li yu, San bao, Jiang Yubin, Soxin, Ling Yunchi and Hailan. They all loved her and care for her in their own way and she cherished them for that. And the expression on Rompai's face when she realized Ruyi passed away breaks my heart every damn time. That is the expression of someone who lost everything. Not like the pathetic crocodile tears from the Emperor.
This was the best recommendation ever! I started to watch a few smaller clips and that’s when I got hooked. I’m glad I did. Thank you for posting this. I loved it so much!!!!
I accidentally bumped on it in RUclips... it caught me right away because of the superb production, sets, costumes, acting etc etc ... In the beginning I saw one episode with morning coffee but later and especially after the middle I really devoured the episodes. Thanks quarantine! Great talking to you all and sharing info and views! Let’s all get safely out of this pandemic.... all my best from Athens Greece!
Same, I started with Story of Yanxi Palace first though (though I watched small clips from both series and initially thought they were from the same one). Got to say, I liked Story of Yanxi Palace better. The characters were more interesting, it was less depressing, and it was a bit more exciting.
Wow..first of all,thank you for the English subtitles. This series has best drama, best production,best script, screenplay,best acting ,best direction,best cinematography, best details of all characters and their action ,reaction .. specially when Ruyi comes back after cutting her hair to the palace she changed her foot at the door ,instead of right foot she enters with left foot first and that shows she is so done..and Rongpei follows her with left foot too..so many details I can't even put all of them here..over all enjoyed watching it. Super. 🙏🏻..
I think Ruyi's request in the forms of cut painting and the plum blossom was to tell the emperor she never wanted the worldly honors, just his love and trust, which they had early on. I suppose he respected her message in the end, by removing her empress title amidst rumors (which he previously always cherished) and to allow her child yongji to be free as well, without the burden of being crowned prince. He had half his lifetime to atone for his shortcomings for Ruyi! Serves him right!
And he respected the fact that Ruyi truly doesn't want him anymore. Had she been buried with the title of the Empress it would mean that once the emperor died they would have to be buried together. She no longer wants that, which is why she erased herself from his life and his court completely,
He didn't give a Imperial funeeak,becouse he want to give his freedom, he was upset that she reject him,the money ,the title, ignoring him with her illnes,not letter of farewell, that show him to the last minutes she doesn't love him anymore,she die in her terms, not his.
actually, my research shows that in real life, Yonji died in his twenties...I would think before the crown prince was named. I wish they would have addressed Yonji's fate in the last episode.
An exceptional portrayal of Ruyi's story. The most, I felt heartbreaking, was reminiscing about those who had passed. The 'what if's' and 'what could have been' had things taken a different path. The lives lost due to place intrigue and the pain inflicted by a selfish and blind emperor. Amazing portrayal by cast and crew. Absolutely fantastic
My whole life I never watched series, actually I hated them. But now I accidentally discovered Ruyi and I couldn't stop watching, I got completely addicted. I'm absolutely in love with the calm and loving character of Ruyi!
To be honest I was scared to finish this series because people kept saying it had a sad ending. But I don’t think it was a sad ending...emotional yes sad no....she died after clearing her name. This series made me think a lot about how treasuring the people we have around us and truly celebrating them and not keeping silly grudges...beautiful series. If Ruyi really went through all this in real she was a strong woman...respect to the crew and everything...
Even though it has a sad ending when Ruyi & Rongpei died .. Ruyi only left a letter to her son . I love the bit that Ruyi only left the dead plant & half-torn portrait to the Emperor : that itself was enough to make him feel guilty & proven her love for him is now forever gone & her death left him no time to repent his sin & wrongdoings to Ruyi .. a sweet revenge . At least Ruyi died peacefully & made peace with herself . Her refusal to reconcile with the emperor caused great pain to him & made him a bitter man right till the end as Ruyi has not given him a chance to repent .. this truly bothered him till his death .
He doesn’t deserve forgiveness after everything that happened to Ruyi since she married him. Losing her children, her devoted bodyguard, and her mother.
@@tararocksong5085 Absolutely right !! He was such an arsehole to let her slip away . In fact he & concubine Ling deserved each other : as both are selfish & full of jealousy which reminded me of the 2 runaway royal brats . Just ME ME ME ...
The Emperor should have honored Ruyi by going into the mourning hall, bowing down, burned incense & paper money, and praying. Instead, he ran away from behaving well even after her death.
@@kimberlycrichton2932 He felt humiliated by Ruyi when she cut her hair ( sign of cutting her tie with Hong Li the emperor ) . Being an emperor .. too much pride for him to swallow & to admit his wrong-doings . He deserved dying with regrets .. not able to reconcile with Ruyi who refused medical treatment for her illness as she was so heart-broken with the Hong Li she had once deeply fallen in love with .. now turned into a nasty piece of shit . She felt pointless to carry on living with him so she chose not to be treated .
This series was incredible. Even with some issues with the dramatization in the second half, it was still immensely powerful and addictive to watch. It was also very sad and more than once I had asked myself why I keep torturing myself watching this but I couldn't stop. I am very grateful to all the wonderful artists who took part in creating this masterpiece for their dedication and hard work. The attention to detail in this series is unmatched and as someone who has experience in the film production I am fully aware what a gigantic effort it demanded from everyone involved. I will certainly return and rewatch this even though I know it will make me cry... It's more than worth it.
This has to be one of the most riveting dramas I've ever seen. I cried for the injustices that Ruyi suffered. The production, costumes and the acting was absolutely superb. I enjoyed every single second of this drama
The actors were superb. The costumes and sets were out of this world. I binged watched during the past two weeks and couldn't stop watching. Thank you for the English sub titles. What a roller coaster ride! I loved the character of Ruyi. The actress brought her to life and she was so believable. The Emperor was a man I wanted to kick to smarten him. up. Great acting all way around. I downloaded the wonderful soundtrack too. Loved this series. Wow!
Zhou Xun gave one of the MOST awesome performances in this series! I am revisiting this masterpiece while still in awe. This series has all the makings to become a classic. Kudos to the actors, crew, director and writers for bringing us this gem 💖❤💖
I've watched this series over and over. Couple of things here at the end that really get me each time. The plum blossom plant. When the emperor first gave it to Ruyi; while they were deeply in love with each other, the plant blossomed and was healthy. As their love diminished; so did the plant. The plant was dormant for years and years or should I say it was dead; as the couples love was dead. Once both Ruyi and the emperor were dead, the plant came back to life. Also, the scene with the hair. When they were married they 'knotted' their hair to symbolize their union to each other. Once Ruyi could no longer bear being his wife, she cut her hair and he kept the piece that feel to the floor. She made it clear to him that she was done with him. When he died, he cut a piece of his hair and placed in the box with her hair. I'm like dude! Leave her alone! She found piece being free from him and she welcomed death and he wanted to 'tie' her to him again in the next life with his hair. Anyway, those two things really get me each time I watch this.
The box with Ruyi’s hair, wrapped in the handkerchief she had embroidered for him, then his placing his own hair in with Ruyis. Symbolises he wants to be with her, especially when you take into account the green plum tree began to bloom when he died. Their love was reunited in the afterlife.
I like to think this as well, otherwise it's too tragic what happened to their love. In the afterlife, I hope Qingying and Honli were able to reunite. Kleenex indicator 10/10, especially when they both reminisce about their past.
43:36 The emperor cuts his hair and put it together with ruyi’s forever. In Chinese Culture, husband and wife do this which means they are in love with each other, keeping no third people in their hearts.
3rd time watching this captivating series: Good on the Empress Dowager who initially opposed Ruyi being Hongli’s legitimate wife yet in the end being the person supporting Ruyi in exposing the Emperor - how he “royally” and irrevocably f’d things up with his soulmate I loved how Ruyi cherished her lifelong friendships. Although she never truly forgave Hailan for having Guard Li killed. Whilst Hailan was alway’s Ruyi’s closest friend, confidante and protector, she had destroyed something so precious to Ruyi, which was the type of love she had yearned to experience with the Emperor but it was Guard Li who courageously showed Ruyi what unconditional love was about. The symbolisms were so impactful - to express herself in such a way : Cutting of her hair - cutting off all ties with Hongli, demonstrating how unequivocally done Ruyi was with their ill-fated relationship, she would no longer stand to be treated so poorly, to be taken for granted, to be so compromised by his ridiculous suspicions and was expected to suck it up because of her title. As Empress Dowager said to Hongli “ you pushed the Empress too far” Deposing herself as his wife and Empress. The Buddhist flags depicting the unnecessary tragic loss of innocence - to give justice to those who died, clearing her name once again, showing her grief for all the people who were murdered by a jealous vile mistress the Emperor had bragged about nurturing himself. No better way to demonstrate to Hongli how much he had changed and how despicable his participation was A withered green plum tree - she continued to water it for years , still showing her nurturing although it was futile as Ruyi’s love for Hongli was no longer blooming. The bare branches symbolic of how Ruyi was laid bare from his lack of nurturing, respect and love for her. She was not thriving in his so called love A defaced Imperial Marital Portrait - Ruyi never wanted to be Empress, she never sought favour, nor title, nor fame. Demonstrating she wanted no attachment to such a painful life in a viper filled pit, to be free from it all and to be erased from imperial history. A warning to her clan’s women not to enter imperial life A brazier with just ashes of her cutout painted image - how she chose to exist no longer - willingly succumbing to her illness, she no longer wanted to wait for him - when she cleared her name (AGAIN!) Hongli couldn’t/wouldn’t acknowledge what he done to her. Given she could never leave the palace - this was her only way of freeing herself A spoken phrase to Hongli : Flowers Bloom, Flowers Fall… There is timing in all - their beautiful soulmate relationship ended in separation. It is what it is. Ruyi showed Hongli her deep understanding of their relationship. Through so many years no matter what she was faced with, Ruyi kept her integrity- remained ever loving, graceful, calm, virtuous, compassionate and true to herself. She never lost herself, she never changed no matter what she had to put up with in the palace whereas Hongli was immature, belligerent, lacked in integrity, clueless about love, had completely lost himself in power, avarice and lust - inevitably lived out his days regretfully about what he had lost. Profound life lessons provided in this mesmerising production. Outstanding performances by everyone.
After seeing edited versions that would show up weekly on RUclips but out of sequence I had to go find the full full series in story line order. That filled in so many missing details. But I could only watch it thru one time. It is just too emotionally powerful.
Ruyi finally got to escape that crazy place. I loved Rongpei and Hailan. They were her only true friends. I can't believe Noble Consort was still alive 9 years later lol. When he said she wasn't going to go easy, he meant it.
I lived in China for three years and I learned so much and gained so much understanding of early China. It was an incredible series, I loved it. They were all such talented amazing actresses and actors. So great. I cried so many times for Ruyi and for the King. The ending was heartbreaking.Truly this was the best series I have ever watched and will watch it again.
Who, in the end, became the Crown Prince? I could not follow the names. Was is one of Wei Yanwan’s sons? If so, which one? Two of her sons died, I believe. Did she have a daughter (the one who hated her) and two sons left? It became clear that Ruyi’s remaining son was not up to the task. He suffered from a “mental illness,” particularly after he and his mother were almost murdered by the assassin. (He was also portrayed as being whiny (crying in pain instead of grinning and taking it like His half-brother, Hailan’s son). And he lacked intelligence. He could not memorize the poem that his father, the Emperor, had him repeat over and over and over again. It became clear early on that he would not become the Crown Prince.
@@lindacanestraro6893 ACTUALLY linda, YongJi doesn't become Crown Prince solely because the Emperor knew it would be against RuYi's last wish of her son living his life completely free rather than be targeted like his mother was in her lifetime for that Crown Prince spot and also inheriting the Emperor's palace stress and endless responsibility. YongJi had every right to the throne since he was the ONLY legitimate heir plus as he grew older the emperor said his trauma induced "mental illness" subsided and just left him with an emotional personality he could probably grow out of with the help of the Empress Dowager raising him (so it's not like he's some lost cause). Thus, the Crown Prince seat was given to the only other living option a.k.a. Wei Yanwan's eldest living son, YongYan. It was more a choice of availability rather than favoritism/talent. Also, if I recall correctly, Wei Yanwan did infact lose 2 princes back-to-back and was ultimately left with her eldest daughter that hated her, her oldest prince, another princess, and another younger prince.
@@noxplum la "enfermedad mental" se la producía los hongos venenosos que le daba la consorte ling para tratar de matarlo, por eso veía alucinaciones y se sentía mal por haber acusado a la mamá y ocasionarle un problema!!
I never watch chinese dramas specially historic dramas because they never got my attention but after it was recommended I watched the clips then decided to watch the series. I was so glad to find it here for free. Never even thought about finishing the series. The longest Asian drama series I watched was like 16 to 20 episodes and it got to be too repetitive so i wasn't sure about this. But after watching the first couple episodes I got hooked!! This has been an amazing show, with great music, great pictures image, great costumes, great acting, great everything. This show brought to me so many different emotions! I can't even believe o finished it!!! Thank you to the creators and writer of this show and the the writer of the novel! Amazing job! Definitely worth watching and recommending!
Did anyone notice that when Consort Ling was drinking the soup she still wore the ring given to her by Ling Yunche ( Emperor threw it madly when he was interrogating her last episode ). Just a very tiny detail that I noticed which I thought was worthwhile. She did not wear any other jewelry except for the ring that Ling Yunche gave her when she was still the innocent wei yanwan.
Broke my heart what happened to Ling YunChe. I cried. I mean I cried LOL. I cried. I hated Consort Ling soooooo much. I disliked the Emporor quite a lot too ^^
When Hongli started crying, that's probably one of the most powerful scenes in this series. Like everything's finally replaying and catching up to him - hope he realises how big a part he played in her death. update: Hongli can go climb in a hole. IMPERIAL NOBLE CONSORT, MY LEFT FOOT. Update2: It's less bad but I'm still salty
The best Drama I've seen. I've seen so many palace drama and the schemes.. No one beats this one.. Zhou Xun and Wallace Huo are such powerful actors Even the rest... Every single one of the casts are GOOD!! And the custume always blow my mind A powerful ending... I was left with mixed feelings
I dont watch a lot of mainland Chinese dramas due to its long commitment, but I'm so happy to come across this one via YT's recommendation. Watched a few clips and I was hooked. I cried so much throughout the story and especially so in the last couple of episodes. My heart ached that their love didnt stand against time. I ached that the emperor died as a lonely, grieving, and sadden old man but he got himself into that position.
People watched this series more than once?? How?? I'm wrecked. I'll never be the same. I'm dehydrated from crying so much for the last 10 episodes. I need to take time off work to recover. I'll never trust anyone again!
*My interpretation of the ending* is that while many people want it to be happy-ish in a "they reunite in the afterlife/he learned his lesson" kind of way, I don't see it that way. Central to my interpretation is this: *Ruyi wanted out, she never wanted in, in the first place.* She cuts her hair and herself out of a portrait, refuses Empress treasures and medicine. What she's doing is *taking herself back* from Qianlong, the city, from history, all of it. She gets to decide her fate, at last. Even if it means dying to do it. That Qianlong wipes her from history and doesn't bury her properly is doing her a kind of favor. Its him giving her what she wanted in his usual twisted way. At the very end then, I think Qianlong cutting his hair, despite keeping Ruyi's hair and the handerkief is him FINALLY letting her go. Putting their cut hair in a box as if a coffin, burying their past at last. The plant then finally comes to life as if free from all the toxicity and guilt. Final shot is of Ruyi as QingYing - not as if coming to Hongli in the afterlife - but as a reminder of who she really was, who she really is. How SHE would want everyone to remember her.
No wonder the show is called Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace. She was the only one in Love. Some wicked people want Ruyi to spend her afterlife with this man. His favorite words were "I have compromised you" and Some people think he loved her. The man plainly said that he first knew Love when he saw Han clanswoman and for some reason you want to ignore that and believe he loved Ruyi. Madness!
Alas, she is free. Free to be with her youthful lover, to be a woman without many burdens, grudges and regrets and furthermore, she is finally free to be Ruyi, the truest and most graceful Empress I’ve seen. Huge respect for this actress that became one with The Empress. 🙇♀️🙇♀️🙇♀️🙇♀️🙇♀️🙇♀️
This show is a complete masterpiece. From beginning to end. Each character and scene was captivating and meaningful. Thank you to all the cast, staff, directors, writers and more for this beautifully made series.
What a great acting! A reminder to treat well and be loyal to those who are loyal to you ✨. Every time i see Oscars and that, i don't take it too seriously seeing that there are such good actors without having that much recognition.
Going to say the actor who plays the emperor did a fantastic job! Great series over all I am glad to have watched it, even if I cried the last few episodes!
The emperor was a terrible person. He was unable to realize what he had done wrong. But after Ruyi died, he spent the rest of his life honoring her, having her in his mind everyday. Even to the last days, he honored her, even cutting his her, symbolizing his yearning for her. Beauitful story. Well written, an applause to the actors and directors.
@@neemanjeri4761, more like she regrets being the empress. She never asked to be empress and all she wanted was to love the emperor. Yet the emperor never returned the love for Ruyi until it was too late.
There’s a quick moment when Consort Rong was on her hunger strike when Ruyi comes in and says something that ties in here. She said that she heard when a person is dying, they see the face of whom they wish to see most. Implying that Rong wants to die to see her dead lover. For me, it ties together with Qianlong dying and wanting to see the one he loved the most - which was Qingying.
as I watched this series ruyi showed me despite the problems hatred they had for her she kept firm and steady she loved the emperor never cheated him nor lied to him her love for the empire was honest and so for the emperor she died with forgiving those who hated her and loved her showing this generation and back generation how we should really be and take her as a example of life indeed she was a true empress she was amazing
But she stopped loving him,she was honest with herself,thanks to ling show her what the real love for a person should be ,he show her that she never was really loved,sad that he was killed! I think that she was hoping see ling in the afterlife.
@@doriscastillo8020 I tink u got confused with ling and Yuri their affection wosnt love affection she never had that mentality of seeing ling in the after life as lover but as true friends their affection was just understanding the both helped each other as friend comrades she said it her self she only loved one man and that person was the emporer she did love the emporer her love for the emporer was honest she never loved anybody but him despite the bad tings the emporer did u can still see she still had the love for the empire dus pointing that she loved the emporer showing him one last example protecting his empire from that bad woman who killed so many prince and princess until in the end she said she won't miss him during the period of she being empress she loved him unconditional from childhood to empress ruyi times the moment she cut her hair that was the last time she had love for him and care yt she still fought to protect the empire frm that evil woman I now cause I saw the author who spoke these words when one of the reporter asked about these series and it is based on the true life of empress ruyi
I remember the stupid emperor in his empty pride told Ruyi to her face that what they shared in their youth was a passing phase and that his true love was the Han woman who detested him. Foolish emperor!
And yet....after EVERYTHING the emperor made her endure...he still didn't have enough humility to look her in the eye and say I'm sorry....she was just supposed to suck it up.....thank goodness, we've come a lot way because emperors of old wouldn't like modern women....
In the novel, Ruyi was even more pitiful. She did not take down Wei Yanwan herself. After her death, Hai lan found a woman similar to Ruyi to serve the emperor and jointly took down Wei Yanwan through the Mongol concubines
The woman Hailan found is Consort Dun, when I looked her picture and Ruyi's picture, I was stunned, they really look alike. I was impressed the writer could weave that in the plot. Consort Dun was really favoured and had a daughter who was pampered by Qianlong according to wikipedia.
WOW! I just finished watching all 87 episodes for the second time! SO ADDICTING! I got so much more out of it the second time. In some ways, it reminded me of the Thorn Birds miniseries. In the end, love wins. I can’t say enough about the settings, costumes, attention to detail, display of their culture, story line, character development, music, nuances of their facial expressions, incredible acting, all of it was sheer perfection! So intricate & riveting! I will miss Ruyi. What a superb character! I loved her ability to have such a steel trap mind & yet retained her kindness & love to the end! She truly knew her own worth! Her awareness, clarity, wisdom, strength & patience are remarkable! She’s my hero! Her soft, soothing, loving voice to those she trusted & loved, shouted “I LOVE YOU”, without even ever saying the actual words! I don’t know who the director was, but he or she shouldn’t be overlooked! As great as actors can be, they need direction to be this great! As despicable as some of the characters were, they made us hate them marvelously well! In doing so, their contrast to Ruyi, made Ruyi even more grand! What a remarkable cast! A true masterpiece! BRAVO! BRAVO! BRAVO! (my three bows)! But now, I’m ruined. What else will measure up to this story? I miss Ruyi. I wish I had a friend like her! I could sure use a friend like that in my life. This story mirrors my life and betrayal I’ve suffered in so many ways. Especially, the childish, unfaithful, self centered Emperor! Like, Ruyi who finally realized that she outgrew her husband & he wasn’t ever going to “catch up “! He doesn’t even apologize or take any ownership of his actions or make any attempt to repair any of the damage he caused her! Her love was wasted on a shallow little boy! What a sad sack he is.
Ruyi was one and only true Empress, no matter what u took from her.. U could erase her records, her title and erase her from history.. Ruyi was remain devoted and faithful, loved by many that knew her.. Emperor was one that accused her, frame her, and confined her.. It's was Emperor failure to protect Ruyi.. If couldn't cry for his heirs, all those tears meant nothing for Ruyi
Randomly RUclips recommended clips of these series... I don't regret. I've seen a lot of period dramas and this is the best by far. I'm going to be repetitive but the acting is superb in all sides, especially the leading roles. Photography, costumes, music, scenary... It makes the whole a masterpiece! Hooked from episode 1 to 87. Heartbreaking as it is it's just perfect!
RongPei drinking that cup of tea with Ruyi...you can see how much it means to her.....they were friends....no longer servant and mistress.....and when the emperor broke down....my heart broke for him....but it was his own fault....he believed others before his wife.....and he paid dearly for it. And it was so rewarding to see the emperor finally let loose on that Consort Qing....snotty two faced witch.
The joys of love do last but a short time and the pains of love last all your life. Ruyi's love was not for power or prestige. This scene is so emotional!
Kudos to the cast and crew for this series ... so amazing. Zhou Xun made Ruyi such a role model, someone I can look up to in my life. I think I used up a whole box of tissues for this episode. Thank you for posting this
I finally finished watching this a 4th time. I couldn't stop. I would stay up very late. I have never seen a TV series like this one. Too bad it wasn't recognized world wide. It could of gotten an award like the Golden Globes. The Story and characters are so riveting. Incredible feat to have made this tv series. Great casting! I like behind the scenes of this series. It was fun to see the actors playing around and laughing. I wish their was a English subtitle so I know what they were saying about being in this movie.
Wow. This is one of the most heart wrenching and powerful dramas I have ever witnessed. Some may be troubled that she sent Rongpei away before she died. I was a hospice nurse and many of our patients would ask family or friends to leave to get something or whatever. Once they left, the patient would pass away. Human nature for the dying? Sending away so family doesn't see the death? I don't know but saw it happen.
watching someone draw their last breath can be very deeply ingraved upon them. i have had animals crawl into my arms to draw their last breath and i will never forget how it felt. imagine it being a person...
@@Hunlover123601, sometimes the ones we care about want to be in comforting arms before the time comes, but other times the ones we love don’t want us to be sad after witnessing their death and that’s why they send us away.
And now he gets to miss her for 40 years. That's his punishment for turning his back on her so many times.
😭😭😭
A fitting thing since Ruyi loved Hongli unconditionally until he destroyed it with his actions. Now he’s paying the price for his actions with loneliness, bitterness and grief. Most of all, no other woman in the emperor’s harem became empress after Ruyi’s death.
@@tararocksong5085The next Emperor gave the Empress Title to his mother, Wei Yanwan, after her death though. Which is depressing to know
@@amyauriontbh Ruyi never wanted to be an empress she just wanted to be hongli’s wife and status really didn’t bother her
@@amyaurionNo, that’s not true. The empress title was given to Ling after her death by the QianLong emperor, since her son, the fifteen prince, would be the next emperor (as JiaQing).
When Ruyi died there were no fake tears from anyone. Her passing broke all their hearts. Even ours.😢
I cried loudly like a baby!
Yes her funeral was that of true tears & pain…there was no fake wailing for show & favor
Cause Ruyi treated the women in the harem as friends and then later on as sisters. As for the children, Ruyi treated them as hers.
That is true we feel that she was ours.
I cried like a damn baby🥺🥺he did ruyi so wrong and she still kept her grace, rest in power to the mother of the world☯️
When the first empress died, she said that whoever took the phoenix throne her ending would be no better. But she died with hatred and bitterness, never forgiving anyone. But Ruyi died with forgiveness to the past people and still thought of them as people. Ruyi died happier than Empress Fuca. And that's what counts, is how you choose to spend your last day.
Indeed
The first empress was bitter from day one because she knew that while she got the empress seat, the emperor had always intended it for Ruyi. She had the demeanor of one that is good and righteous all the while being a snake underneath. The emperor had some understanding in the end what she was really like but she was dying so he forgave her. Later, he apparently forgot what she had done and to the world, made her a martyr that she never was.
❤️
Beautifully said.
When Ruyi said to Rong Pei it was her honourable pleasure to have her .. so humble & respectful for her maid . She was loyal to the end to Ruyi & even sacrificed her life . Made me cry !! Such lovely pair 💕💕
Zhou Xun was formidable in her role of Ruyi, the Step Empress. She was so beautiful to look at, so composed and dignified in even the worst situations. I was so enchanted by watching her move so gracefully throughout each episode. Her voice so calm, soothing, melodic, cultured. She mesmerized me. Every time she was on the screen, I was like WOW.
Yes yes yes.
Very well said!
With all that happened to Ruyi over the years, she never changes herself for anyone. It’s those around her who changed in the palace, became corrupt.
Same here.
I love to see his face when they told him that she died, his world crushes on his heart, she were first,she didn't pleasure in kill her,she die in her terms,not his.
the only good Buddhist- always upholding morality
Even in death he doesn’t realize that this is all his doing. What a selfish man. The one person who was loyal to him and all he did was punish her and for what? This ending is good. Ruyi tolerated every deed that was done to her. But she finally had enough. No amount of riches, fame can replace freedom.
I know she has a a better woman then I'll ever be. Because there is no way I could have been able to do or take what she did. I wanna cry for her god knows she went thru hell with those ruthless concubine
Remoember that when politicians offer free this and that...it's always at the expense if your freedom to let the government do things for you!
Come to think of it, all death are not same. Ruyu's death is the most composed death. She is the empress.
Oh no, he realized it alright. What he did by not giving Ruyi empress burial, and putting her tomb in Imperial Noble Consort Chunhui's was his way for atoning and obeying Ruyi's wish. She refused to be Qianlong's empress anymore, so she's now just a free Lady Ulanala, and she gets to not be placed beside his tomb so she won't have to see his mug in the afterlife
Oh he does! He is devastated totally.... he cries in despair... and he cuts his own hair ( remember cutting one’s hair was tantamount to serious misdeed).... and I agree that whatever he did for her funeral was indeed in order to free her....
He learned his lesson the tough way...as is so true in real life....
I must confess, after watching this series the first time I was devasted. I couldn't bring myself to completely understand how Ruyi could bring herself to turn away the Empress' scroll and treasure after finally pulling the veil from Wei Yanwan's horrors, after finally winning her husband's understanding back once again. I thought she was too passive, too subdued against the cruelty of others. I thought, "omg this ending is so sad but whyyyyy Ruyi whyyyyy".
Since then I've rewatched the series. Two more times, at least. And I have to say that with each reviewing of this rich, engrossing legend, I've found myself not only understanding the journey to Ruyi's choices, but even empathizing with them. How many among us will tolerate those we love simply because we wish not to be alone? This brilliant adaptation of the Ulanara Step-Empress painted a vivid, endearing, and often harrowing portrayal of what it takes within us to be true to ourselves. Because even those we love the most may lose their way and diverge themselves from our hearts. In the end, we must always be true to ourselves. And Ruyi compromised nothing after having lost so much.
For her to consider how things may have been if not for the calculating arrogance of the Emperor was especially heartbreaking. Knowing that all she wanted was to grow gray with Hongli as they watched their children grow alongside Yongqi... le sigh.
It took me several times, but I get it now. Best. Series. E v e r.
Beautifully put. I share the same sentiment after researching the series like 15 times.
Aboslutely
She knows her husband is a lost cause, that if she forgive him he will do it again and again. So her dying is one middle finger to her husband.
She may come up ahead this time. But who knows what will happen if another evil Consort marries into the Royal Family. Ruyi could again be abandoned by the emperor. I think she's really tired of all this scheming and watching out for invisible attacks. While she has several truly loyal Consorts, they can only do so much.
it honestly is one of the best shows ive ever seen. all of the actors were impeccable and it was all so masterfully made, the music the lighting the camerawork the backdrop.
No fake tears or exaggerated crying at Ruyi’s funeral, only genuine mourning. Shows how loved and respected Ruyi was.
I'm bawling. Binge watched the entire series in less than a week. Incredible.
Same here! I watched it in less the a week too! It was a masterfully done movie and the acting was superb!
same
Same here, beautiful costumes, superb acting, truley a mastetpiece!
Same here+1
Glad I am not the only one, sobbing and bawling my eyes out.
This is the best series that I have ever watched. The acting, the plot, the clothing, everything was superb. I laugh with Ruyi, I cried for Ruyi. The roller coaster of emotions that this show put me through. Thank you for the English subtitles.
Watch on you tube The story of Yanxi’s Palace.It’s a tear jerker.
甄嬛传 or Empresses in the palace has always been my favorite. It's a great show with a solid plot and well written characters.
And the main character of the show is the empress dowager in this one, so ruyi's royal love in the palace is kind of a sequel to Empresses in the palace.
@@semones57 yeah bro don’t forget The Kings Woman too
@@tagiembs1014 I find that I end up watching Legend Of Li Haolan, followed by The King's Woman, followed by The Story Of Yanxi Palace (because of the whole Haolan/Li buwei being 'reincarnated' as characters that are together, and ironically with power, but together! I then usually end up watching another Dilraba character Cdrama like Eternal Love 3).
I’m recovering from spinal surgery, a couple of times I’ve been caught in tears. They think it’s because the pain….Nope. Ruyi was the perfect wife and empress. It’s a pity her soulmate turned into a complete cockwomble. It was never his fault….
The loyalty Rongpei had in Ruyi is real. She devoted her life as she said. Claps for rongpei
It is actually rare to see loyalty like that😊
RongPei ❤️❤️ ❤️
I don’t think there was anything wrong with the tea. I believe she just didn’t want Rongpei to watch her die.😭😭
mhm she used the excuse of saying “Can you change the tea it’s cold” and the time Rongpei was gone she prepared and just died yeah
What she said is in a way a metaphor: - this tea is faint = Ruyi herself is dying
- get new tea and switch a pot = switch the household and get yourself a new master to serve.
@@Black.Spades Rongpei died also. She kills herself.
@@nataliee1257 that just went over your head completely if you can't get that
@@bettyjones2929 Yes, she did. Some very loyal servants would kill themselves as their last act of devotion (in some beliefs they would serve them in the afterlife, and in some their fates were connected and they would meet after the reincarnation). But even if Ruyi could guess that Rongpei was about to follow her, it doesn't mean she wanted her to end her life.
When ruyi said ‘the tea is faint, go get some new tea and switch a pot. in Chinese, she actually said ‘find’ some new tea.. which serves as a metaphor to hint rongpei to find a new master to serve
Rongpei chose to die with Ruyi. I mean, after Ruyi, it is only downhill from there on.
Emperor can cry his eye out but he can never repay Ruyi’s kindness and love. Once the love is lost, it’s gone forever
He did his best to destroy her love. He constantly didn’t believe her & constantly believed all the evil accusations against her & when he made a eunuch out of Ling Yunche that finally killed her love for him. He was a egotistical narcissist that suspected everyone including Ruyi the only one that truly loved him & wanted nothing from him but his love and he finally killed it! I have no sympathy for him at all!!
He remembers the good time but it didn't how bad he treat her,humiliating and ask her to help to conquer the other lover ,that reject him and didn't love him,she now in peace and free.
Some people say that Ruyi's character is weak and a "loser". Ruyi is actually smart and I think the people who don't see the strength have only a fixed mindset about what strong is. Ruyi was actually fighting back in a realistic way.
Some examples where Ruyi fought back:
1) When she delivered the scriptures that Gao Guifei had punished her to write to the Emperor after the former had declined her first batch of scriptures.
2) How she got to have the First son to be her foster son when he was being neglected.
3) In the cold palace when the Empress had tried to use the Empress Dowager to get rid of her by sending her the paper money when her father passed away. After this the ED started to see Ruyi in a new light after she saved her from being assassinated.
4) Using Arsenic to poison herself after the many attempts on her life in the cold palace which led to Emperor getting her out. Have to give Hailan a shoutout for the cinnabar risk (she's a real one).
5) Using a different style of embroidery (from her normal one) for the shoes she made for Ling Yunche, as a thank you for all the times he had helped her. This was handy later on to clear cheating allegations against her.
6) Informing the Emperor of the bracelet (birth control) through Gao Guifei, this is better than her telling him directly cause Gao Guifei is closer to Empress and Ruyi wasn't in good terms with the Empress.
7) Swapping the buddha bracelet with a fake one when Jia had accused her of infidelity with the monk. How she put the bracelet in the cake thing and her imitating the Emperor's handwriting to make her point of being framed. Have to give a shoutout to Hailan, Li Yu and Ling Yunche in this scheme as well.
8)Ruyi cutting her hair. She knew the graveness of it and consequences but I believe (we don't know what she was fighting historically) it must have been something that was past her bottom line. As a woman in that time, she couldn't physically defy him and this is one of the few extreme things she could do to make her stance.
There are many things that I have learnt from this drama, we all don't have to fit to what people deem strong or successful. Having a clear mind and heart, not compromising our beliefs and integrity. I actually find a lot of relatable modern day themes as well. Learning to accept things is also a big lesson, Flowers bloom and flowers fall, there's a timing to them.
She is, if it weren’t for her weakness, so many lives could be save. Even Hailan’s kindness was wasted on her. Ruyi care nothing more than her faith and love.
@@dreambig5098 Hailan risked doing tough love for Ruyi with the Ling Yunche incident. However, when Ruyi was in the cold palace, and locked/restricted in Yikun Palace, Ruyi was trying to get the message across clearly to Hailan that Hailan needed to look after and protect herself. Ruyi could not help her any more, and she couldn't rely on Ruyi because interaction with Ruyi at that point could make Hailan an accessory to anything or simply mistreated because of being connected to Ruyi at the wrong time. This was tough love from Ruyi to Hailan in order to keep Hailan more safe, and for her to grow. Hailan was like a sister but without a blood bond with Ruyi, and vice versa. She wanted Hailan and anyone Hailan cared for such as her son etc to be safe. When she returned the pouch they each had a copy of, if Ruyi didn't care about Hailan would she remember the pouch and think enough of it to give it to Hailan? If Ruyi didn't care about Hailan would that pouch be in such pristine condition despite being worn enough for others in the harem to know they have the same pouch? Towards the end, Ruyi knew that Hailan would be able to see anything different/wrong about her in an instant. Ruyi knew that Hailan would likely be able to see she had a terminal illness, and Hailan was already clued into the fact she was unwell before even Jiang Yubin (doctor) could diagnose her, as well as that the coughing was continuing and had likely gotten worse during Ruyi's confinement. Ruyi's last acts were to get justice for people that everyone felt was important, including Hailan's son. Also, Ruyi put the blame of who killed Ling Yunche where it should be, as well as forgave Hailan for giving the order for what Ruyi could not do. These acts freed Hailan from lots of guilt and self blame over the issue.
well said.
@@dreambig5098 I think quite the opposite. IT's very easy to give in to temptation, chose the easy path and just indulge the emperor, throw innocent lives under the bus and set people up with traps to get rid of them, like Jia guifei did for example, but to stick to your beliefs and your convictions like Ruyi did requires enormous amounts of faith and willpower. It's a slippery slope, look at wei yanwan. Being ruthless and cunning isn't strength, true strength is facing the corruption of power. Although i will agree she could've approached the ling yunche situation differently. She could've had him sent out of the palace and remove him out of the picture, that way she cou'dve perserved his life most likely, but hindsight is 20/20.
A well matured tiger lady. Silently watching. Knowing patience and long-suffering. She played the role so we'll.
When a woman love, she love all the way. But she is fed up, there is no turning back.
Amen to that
Yep. Been there done that. He couldn't believe I was so completely done when I was done. He always expected me to give him another chance. Once you cross that line, there's just no going back.
@@MrEmichan Yes. In everything, there are seasons. Time cannot go back!! If leaving, so to stay gone for self-preservation is best!! I always glad when the lover realizes their value before its too late, but also when realizing after no going back. It is vital part of growth to love oneself first!! Good for you Emichan. God bless your new beginnings!
Unless the woman is named Khloe Kardashian.. then that’s different lol playing boo boo the fool
I really wish Hailan got closure with Ruyi. That friendship was the only good thing to happen throughout the entire series. To see her only cry at the funeral and not be able to thank Ruyi for everything really got to me. Thats the real tragedy in all of this. They really took care of and supported each other through it all.
Deep down, she thanked Ruyi for avenging those who died by Wei Yanwan’s hands, especially her son.
Ruyi spent the end of her life protecting Hailan and all of the other girls. Tuberculosis is and was extremely contagious especially in an age without detection and modern medicine. as soon as ruyi found out what was causing her illness she immediately sent them all away keeping only a close few (rongpei) around for help. She was protecting them from death all the way to the end even if it meant she had to be lonely.
He died old, cold, lonely and full of regrets.
Such a fantastic drama. The actors were nothing but fantastic throughout this whole series. All other series pale in comparison. I'm so glad I watched it.
It's a masterpiece of the Chinese culture.
The actor received a lot of hate mail, during this series.
@@doriscastillo8020I am so sorry to hear that.
Emperors deserves the burden of ruyi left for him, a life that is full of regrets and sadness until he pass away
This was the best series I have ever seen! I like that it wasn't too gory, no sexual stuff, and it was so richly well made! Details are stunning, filming excellent, and story heart wrenching! I was way too absorbed in watching this and watched huge ten hours at a time! I thought about why he didn't choose 12th son and it was because Riyu wanted her son to be free. In the end he did honor her wish.
This actually reminded me of old Hollywood, when it used to be good, the writers and the actors/actresses actually Loved what they did and put their best into it. It makes me sad that we will never see that day again in the U.S. with the Hollywood we have now. People mock those old musicals and movies, but I have always been a big fan of them.
I recommend 'the legend of zhenhuan', better than this series
@@大米-w6q I don't want to get caught up like I did with this one! I would watch for hours and hours and didn't even have a life! I was so addicted to keep watching to see what happened next. Plus I was so sad so many times. The acting and story line was just incrediable in this series!
I just asked this question about the choice for crown prince...that makes sense. I’m the same as you. As much as I want to I can’t afford to get wrapped up in another series or film right now. Plus I fear it won’t be as good lol. I need to take my own time for grievance 🙏🏾
This story was based on history,therefor the crown prince could not be Yongji. Beautiful that their love story could be told untill the end with the green plums. Watched this many hours into the night.
The final deed of the unworthy emperor is beautiful. To me it means that he knew he wouldn't be buried at Ruyi's side, he yearns for her, so he cuts his hair to be somehow with her. His white hair and Ruyi's black hair, the Yin and Yang (male and female) energies together symbol of equilibrium might be what made the white plum blossoming again.
Edit: Every single actor/actress was beyond awesomeness, but Li Chun was simply spectacularly superb, her Wei Yanwan is the best female villain /ever/! 👏👏👏👏👏👏
the entire cast was phenomenal.....kudos to the casting director....he/she nailed it with the cast chosen....brilliant.
This is powerful stuff. Makes my heart ache every time I see it. They started so beautifully, full of hope and love. In the end they just did not withstand the test of time. He could not stop the poison of power from ruining their relationship. She could not keep being patient with him. She used to be the only one to manage him well. But she lost that. Deaths of kids, time, circumstances, his despotic behaviour. And evil people around them.
Their last scene together is so haunting. He requests her to forget the past. She says they are mere memories now. He thinks she is forgetting bitter incidents but in her mind she is letting go of their sweet days too. She is freeing herself from all the ties, positive as well as negative. And he understands it. But he still cannot bring himself to say, I'm sorry. Because an Emperor does not bow (stupid pride) She is the only one for him for whom he could have made all the concessions. In spite of cutting her hair(which Google says was pretty serious in those times) he wanted her back. He just did not get that she was done. She was tired of everything. He would not have done that for anybody else. And if she had not loved him as much as she did, she would have told him of her tuberculosis. She did not want that pain for him. Oh.. how those two loved each other.. star crossed lovers. I don't think he cried like this for anybody. He understood for the first time what it was to be alone. He kept saying that he felt alone but after she was gone, he came to know the meaning of aloneness.
Very well put.
Agreed but he deserved to truly be alone. They say you don't miss the water until the well runs dry. She was his well that he didn't value enough. He now will have to live with a thirst that he can never quench. He most certainly didn't deserve her!
@@lovefaithandhope8170
Most of us apply today's rules of normal to those times. That is slightly unfair. In today's world we have much different social norms that frown upon any man who treats a woman the way they did in olden times. (Of course it doesn't stop many morons to do it anyway). That was a normal behavior then. Qinglong Emperor (this fictitious one) expected to be put first by everyone. That was the absolute rule. He would not bend for anyone. He horribly punished all whom he thought meant him harm or disobedience or even whom he dislike. He treated all the women he himself did not chose with the same horrifying and careless cruelty. But not Ruyi. She was his love. Time and again he accepted her impudence (again by that time's standards), bent to her advice even if he disagreed with it and generally let her do as she would. I'm in no way justifying his behavior. Id have kicked him where it hurts. But when I think of all his action with that specific perspective I notice how Ruyi was different for him. I believe that he truly loved her. If he had not ascended the throne, they would have indeed grown old together. IMO he deserved her but lost her due to circumstances and his reactions to those circumstances.
@@samme6428 Hmmmm. I totally comprehend what you are saying, and agree with most. However, I still do not believe that any man with the traits exhibited by this character (past or present), deserves a person like Ruyi. She was faithful, lovingly sincere, trustworthy, patient, virtuous, gracious, and compassionate to him, as well as others. Perfect? She was not (nobody is or will be) but she tried her best to be and was supportive up to the point that she realized he had completely changed. His version of love evolved into a perversion of the trust and pure love they shared over the years from childhood. He knew her core characteristics, that's why he chose her. He himself stated he felt alone because those around him all had their own hidden agendas. Yet he still allowed them to manipulate him. They exploited his selfish, jealous, and lewd tendencies, in order to perpetuate a level of anger that festered against the woman he knew was the ONLY genuine one from the day they met. He should have investigated who gains from every accusation that was cast against her. Instead he became obsessed with distrust and in turn denigrated her to levels of sufferation that hurt her to the core until she finally reached the point of no return for their love. He refused to recognise, accept or even attempt to modify his flaws. No ownership of blame what so ever. I'm stating this opinion because unfortunately, there are many like him to this day (and women). This series just provides a visual example of the fact that everyone has the potential to be the best person they can be. They should choose their decisions wisely because their decisions and actions will determine their outcomes in life. With that said, any man (regardless of time, culture and/or circumstances) that behaves as he did, is NOT worth keeping.
Well said, dear Sam.
You covered everything.
Bravo.
It would've been nice to see a final meeting between Ruyi and Consort Yu (Hai Lan) especially after Hai Lan did SO much to vindicate Ruyi... more than once. In the final prayer scene Hai Lan looked so dejected. She ended up being a terrific character once she found her strength.
Yes maybe :) But I think the reason why Ruyi refused to meet Hai Lan and the other concubines was that she has decided to quit the game for good, however seeing her friends would have made her reconsider her will to leave.
I agree I think hailan was the only person that could convince her to take medicine to prolong her life just a little more..when she was done with everyone
@@iinarumi in the previous episode, she actually told hailan that they should move on, it’s not ok but she understands. The reason why she didn’t see the ladies were because of her health, she knew that she doesn’t have much more to live, she doesn’t want to have them worrying her.
It's significant that Ruyi wanted to spend her last moments with Rongpei, a person who was and always had been utterly devoted to her. Hailan was her best friend, sure, but she had let Ruyi down more than once and she never really forgive Hailan for her part in the death of Ling Yunche.
Hai lan was true friend, I know she goin miss Ruyi more than anyone.. Hailan got justice for Ruyi at the end. To see Hailan grieving for Ruyi was heartbreaking
Best sister Ruyi and Hailan
Always
Felt like someone took my heart out
When Ruyi die, also Rong Pei continues to faithful with her mistress
Her voice is so calming and soothing, her demeanor so peaceful and kind. She would have been a great asset to an emperor with all the shenanigans of the harem, instead of adding stress.
Although a sad ending, I felt relief for Ruyi. So much suffering and hurt caused by the man whom she loved so much, not for the power, wealth or status. Death was a sweet respite, release. It would have been more painful to continue living as empress with a man who has done so much to destroy her, and not appreciating her unconditional and loyal love. Too little too late.
The Idiot of an emperor should have divorced all the other women leaving only the worthy wife and empress and send the other away or at best stop adding other women to the Harem when the evil ones died in numbers, but No, he is extremely promiscuous, angry and selfish.
Emperor fail Ruyi, she was loyal, faithful, and she still respect Emperor.. He have to live with regrets..
@@aquariusmedia9307 I think the emperor spent the next 40 years in sorrow because he finally realized how badly he treated the one person who loved him wholeheartedly and it was too late. It's really sad because he didn't start off being a narcissistic, arrogant ass, but he sure ended up being one....as the empress dowager was so fond of saying...."retribution"
Very surprised and glad that English speakers love this Drama. As you guys may know, the words and phrases in this drama are almost in old style, also known as classic Chinese. Nobody talks like that in today’s modern life. Sometimes its very hard to find a proper English word to match the meaning in Chinese.
For example, since of hierarchy, people should use different words to claim “I” when speaking to other ppl. Emperor always uses “Zhen”. Concubines with main palace status use “ChenQie” when speaking to the emperor, however, they use “BenGong” while talking to those who are lower than them. Concubines with lower title, such as noble lady must not claim themselves as “BenGong”. Therefore, it could be very easy to tell ppl’s rank by the words that they use to claim themselves. In subs, the words all have to be translated into “I”. There are also many other cases.
The good thing is that translators did a very good job to make this drama understandable for non-Chinese speakers. I learned a lot form the sub for my English. Thanks.
At least we understood the main characters and the guion was perfect, at least the put a better face to the emperor in real life wasn't that attractive. Chinese culture is very diferente to the other monarchy around the world.
People focused on how the Emperor cut his hair to put it together with Ruyi's, but I never noticed the handkerchief! All the way back in episode four, when Ruyi was still Qingying, she gave that handkerchief to the Emperor when she was confined to the Prince's Palace. The details of this show never fail to surprise me, even after multiple watches.
The emperor starts the 1st episode with waking up from a dream about Ruyi, now it ends with him going back to "sleep". As if his life with Ruyi was just a dream.
Meanwhile the cycle of life continues with the green plum sprouting. I remember Li Yunche gave Ruyi a branch of flower before he dies, so I think the bonsai tree came back to life because the emperor wants to give Ruyi the green plum she loves.
Great series! I enjoyed it throughly. Recommended 👍
Am i the only one who cried their eyes out the last 15 episodes . I stand and support Ruyi 100%😭
No I literally cried my eyes out the last 15 episodes too. What an amazing series wow !
If the real Ruyi suffered this much at the hands of the Emperor than I'm happy she bowed out peacefully and gracefully leaving the Emperor with so much regret for the rest of his remaining miserable life. Wishing he could take back all he did, apologize and make amend but never getting to do so. Priceless Ruyi well done girl you gave that tyrant Emperor a special final gift no matter what he did he couldn't escape the guilt.
I always have tears in my eyes when Ruyi tells Rongpei to sit with her, and they drink tea together. Ruyi had such a caring heart for everyone, regardless of status. >^.^
I wonder how other people interpreted the ending of this series. Most might interpret it as the Emperor reuniting with Ruyi in the end, by cutting his hair and placing it in the box with Ruyi's. But, I think it was him finally freeing Ruyi of him and him of her. Ruyi cutting her hair was symbolic. In Manchu culture, cutting your hair could only be done when a spouse or family member has passed. Ruyi does it as a way to show that the old Emperor she knew has died in her heart. When the Emperor found out that Ruyi had no heart to be the Empress, he destroyed all records of her. And by cutting his hair, it was like they were both parting ways, both on opposite paths, and both freeing themselves of each other. In a way a "divorce". Maybe that's why in the ending clip it was just Ruyi, walking alone, so naive and pure. She was finally fully free in the end.
U said it right
Thank you for this. I do not believe they would be reunited in the next life.
I do think that he hoped by putting his hair with hers hoped they would reunite and she'd give him a 1000th chance, however (like someone in the comment section said) the plum blossom bloomed again when he died. Guess while he was living he suffocated it; disallowing it from blooming. Plus....it would be such a disrespect to ling yunche if she took him back(in my opinion) I think she'd forgive him but never forget how he exhausted, abused, trampled, and tormented her love for him.
I want to add onto this. I think her cutting her hair was also saying She is dead. Her love for him is dead and she has decided to free herself. Because after all how can you sustain a marriage with no trust and happy memories perverted by pain and evil deeds? And the last scenes show her separating herself slowly and consciously until her body finally freed her.
I respect your opinion, but I see it differently....he truly loved Ruyi.....and he knew he screwed it up in a big way...he just wasn't man enough to admit it.....otherwise, he never would admit it.....it's my opinion that while she and Ling Yunche were good friends and confidents, she didn't love him...she loved Hongli. And the ending....with the green plum blooming just as he died...that tells me they are together again....Hongli and Qingying........
He did exactly what ruyi wanted she never want to be an empress that why she refused to take back the title when he send it to her and he respected her decision in the end and she never wanted her son to be crown prince. She wanted her son to have a choice. So in the end he show that he really do love her and her respect her decision. And he built a place where he can retire and have her Memories with him and he die holding the things he wanted to be buried with.
This series was the best. Every single person that act in this show was so good. The king wanted me to kick his ass throughout this series, Ruyi I felt every pain, happiness that she felt but it also shows how strong she nwas as a woman, mother, wife and empress. Love ❤️ this series. It was worth me binge-watching for the last 3 days
Nothing to add amen
I think Ruyi refuses the Empress' seal & treasure because that time has passed, the wrongs can't be righted so simply. If the Emperor had come and fallen on his knees to ask for forgiveness, he might have been. But there was no going back.
I cried like I've gone mad...😭😭😭😭😭, never cried so much in my life, I saw this series like 10 times already. Great performance of everyone... 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
Do you know which episode the Empress Dowager made Rongpei give 10 slaps a day? I wish I had made note of it!
@@elizabethpiccolo5534 that was to Jia I think and it must be somewhere in the middle
@@elizabethpiccolo5534 I believe it was to punish wei yanwan! bcuz she lied to go meet the emperor in that hot spring....& went behind the empress with the excuse she was unwell so she was punished with 10 slaps
He was mean to Ruyi even after her death!!
After watching this so many times (well the last 4 episodes over and over again anyhow), I finally saw what was the most painful punishment he gave himself, to not forgive himself for what he did. He let her go after her death even in anger but the guilt lived with him, especially at the end when he said despite all the things that have happened he is still a widowed man. He missed her right until the final moments, his life he felt was defined by her and yet he destroyed it and there was no going back. Very sad for him, but justified as well....
Well said! I also keep watching the last three episodes. Over and over. Also the first episodes where qianlong and qingying were still so in love with each other.
I hope his stupid pride kept him company all the years Ruyi was gone! 😷😡
@@cyndysota Before Ruyi was given the name Ruyi, her name was Qingying (meaning green plum blossoms). She told the Emperor before he was the Emperor (and after he was!) that she would always be with him. So, she gave him something living and that was the green plum. She as Qingying kept her promise and NEVER left him in spirit. I think that glance towards the green plum was 'now you take over from me'. I read another comment that said 'it is telling that the only time the green plum blossomed was when he died', ' he was the one preventing it from blooming and thriving, in the same way he did for Ruyi', and 'he was abusive'.
What a fair ending
@Phoenix Moon Actually, he gifted two green plum blossom plants to her. Unfortunately, they are from the South and couldn't thrive in the cold of their city. It seems like a metaphor for their love and how it couldn't survive in the palace.😭
Beautiful story. The emperor deserves everything that happened to him. What he put Ruyi through. I have no sympathy for him. He was an immature brat that never grows up. Just go show you when a woman is fed up she is fed up.
If anything, he regressed.
I have to share this. I got interested in this series through random clips I found and finally assembled the last few episodes through them, I was watching them all day. My brother comes home from work and sees me engrossed, asks, "What are you watching?" I say, "I have no idea!" So he sits down and watches with me, by the end, we are both crying. This show is so powerful, with a sad ending to love, but still so rich with life.
aw
Same here I watched the clips then started watching the whole series.
🤣🤣🤣🤣. I’m bawling and laughing with you because your brother sat down with you to watch this to the end. I had to watch the bloopers to remember this show isn’t real! Lol
Rong Pei is truly a trustworthy and faithful maid to Ruyi. She didn't want to live anymore without her Empress.
I've watched all 87 episodes. What a beautiful story. The character of Ruyi has taught me the true meaning of a virtuous woman.
Beautiful story ! I simply couldn’t hold my tears 😭😭😭😭 cried my heart out . It’s such a heart ache! The way empress passed away so much dignity and composure. She endured so much pain and all the false accusations against her. Such a pity the way empress was treated at the end by the emperor 😭😭 such a twist of faith in love !
Ikr and I've watched this over for 3 times already and in still crying 😭
@@judyy_i I’m on my 10th or even more time re watching this... of all the “concubine” series this one I like best.
How hard Ruyi worked to keep her love and dignity alive all by herself, while the emperor only ever lived for himself and only ever took from her. Kicked her away discarded her and when he saw the error of his ways took her back no sorry but here have a gift and let bygones be bygones.
She got her freedom in the end and was finally beyond his reach, that made me happiest in this whole mess.
One thing I love about the harem at the funeral is that there was genuine pain from them. At so many other funerals there was exaggerated crying, it's expected even if you didn't get along with the one who passed but for Ruyi they were so sad and truly grieving her loss. They all had kind words about her whereas at other funerals it would showcase more schemes that were taking place. Its sad that so much tragedy followed her simply because she truly loved the emperor and was the target of so many schemes.
I love how at the end there is no more Emperor and Ruyi. It’s just Qing Ying coming to get Hongli!! Before all the terrible things happened while they were still happy and carefree!! Ok and yes, I have watched this series multiple times!! Love this!!
I'm crying again just reading thru the comments. So many who got and understand this story. Thank you story writers crew and actors etc for all the love you gave to the world through this show. Many of the other of the oriental movies are just silly fluff. Boooooring but the ones like this one and the "palace" one are forever.
I so happy that this drama finally got recognized and is viewed by so many people. Most people love The story of Yanxi Palace but this one is my favorite. The story of Ming Lan is another good one if anyone wants to continue with the Chinese drama.
I started watching because costumes & sets were so GORGEOUS. Then I got sucked into the story & started getting invested in the characters...so beautifully done.
Pain....so deep at the Passing of Step Emperess Ruyi. Even her dying is serenity supreme. My heart is 💔 .
Rongpei's Ruyi's handmaiden's loss, pain and anguish was so indiscerniably palpable like a reed swaying in the wind, but yet as strong. I quivered inside at her loss.
Superb Acting.... A flick of a finger, the rise of an eyebrow, the sip from a teacup, the calling of wangchan by different consorts, the curl of a lip evoked feelings that I even did not know I pocessed. I shiver at the mastery of the making and acting of all in this series. Superb!
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With that kind of man, death is a pleasure and relief of the sadness of the treatment from the man that she used to love, he paid his mistake until the end he was thinking that attachment of the hair the hope to get together in after life, he die widowed.
I haven't stopped crying, twists, hurt, betrayal, murder, love compassion, absolutely beautiful, breathtakingly costumes, more please👏👏👏👏👏👏👏❤🙏
If you haven’t already, go check out the Story of Yanxi Palace for a more light-hearted, plot-twisting drama!
Thank you, so kind, yes, will try, sounds great😊
Zhen Huan zhuan is the peak of Chinese palace drama, with a total of 76 episodes. Ruyi and yanxi can't match it, but it's a pity that it doesn't have complete English subtitles, otherwise you can go and watch it
Thank you🙏
Watch YANXI PALACE if you haven't!!!!!!! For me out of every chinese dramas I have watched YANXI PALACE is still the best!
Screw the Emperor, Ruyi's real love were Rongpei, li yu, San bao, Jiang Yubin, Soxin, Ling Yunchi and Hailan. They all loved her and care for her in their own way and she cherished them for that. And the expression on Rompai's face when she realized Ruyi passed away breaks my heart every damn time. That is the expression of someone who lost everything. Not like the pathetic crocodile tears from the Emperor.
This was the best recommendation ever! I started to watch a few smaller clips and that’s when I got hooked. I’m glad I did. Thank you for posting this. I loved it so much!!!!
Same here. It popped up on my laptop and I watched a couple of episodes and I was hooked.
Same 🤧🤧🤧can’t believe I made it this far.
Same thing happened with me. I just hated to find out that it wasn't an ongoing series.
I accidentally bumped on it in RUclips... it caught me right away because of the superb production, sets, costumes, acting etc etc ... In the beginning I saw one episode with morning coffee but later and especially after the middle I really devoured the episodes. Thanks quarantine! Great talking to you all and sharing info and views! Let’s all get safely out of this pandemic.... all my best from Athens Greece!
Same, I started with Story of Yanxi Palace first though (though I watched small clips from both series and initially thought they were from the same one). Got to say, I liked Story of Yanxi Palace better. The characters were more interesting, it was less depressing, and it was a bit more exciting.
Wow..first of all,thank you for the English subtitles. This series has best drama, best production,best script, screenplay,best acting ,best direction,best cinematography, best details of all characters and their action ,reaction .. specially when Ruyi comes back after cutting her hair to the palace she changed her foot at the door ,instead of right foot she enters with left foot first and that shows she is so done..and Rongpei follows her with left foot too..so many details I can't even put all of them here..over all enjoyed watching it. Super. 🙏🏻..
OMG, I can´t stop crying. This was the first time I watched a Chinese series... and I am so moved. Everything was perfect!
I think Ruyi's request in the forms of cut painting and the plum blossom was to tell the emperor she never wanted the worldly honors, just his love and trust, which they had early on.
I suppose he respected her message in the end, by removing her empress title amidst rumors (which he previously always cherished) and to allow her child yongji to be free as well, without the burden of being crowned prince.
He had half his lifetime to atone for his shortcomings for Ruyi! Serves him right!
And he respected the fact that Ruyi truly doesn't want him anymore. Had she been buried with the title of the Empress it would mean that once the emperor died they would have to be buried together. She no longer wants that, which is why she erased herself from his life and his court completely,
Sad that was probably what Ruyi wanted.. not to be remembered as an empress but a childhood sweetheart
He didn't give a Imperial funeeak,becouse he want to give his freedom, he was upset that she reject him,the money ,the title, ignoring him with her illnes,not letter of farewell, that show him to the last minutes she doesn't love him anymore,she die in her terms, not his.
actually, my research shows that in real life, Yonji died in his twenties...I would think before the crown prince was named. I wish they would have addressed Yonji's fate in the last episode.
@@dlesher3101 He was granted the prince of the second rank by yongyan when he became emperor
An exceptional portrayal of Ruyi's story. The most, I felt heartbreaking, was reminiscing about those who had passed. The 'what if's' and 'what could have been' had things taken a different path. The lives lost due to place intrigue and the pain inflicted by a selfish and blind emperor. Amazing portrayal by cast and crew. Absolutely fantastic
Her friendships with Suoxin and Rongpei were so different, but both beautiful.
My whole life I never watched series, actually I hated them. But now I accidentally discovered Ruyi and I couldn't stop watching, I got completely addicted.
I'm absolutely in love with the calm and loving character of Ruyi!
Haha just curious why did you hate them in the start?
Try story of yanxi palace
To be honest I was scared to finish this series because people kept saying it had a sad ending. But I don’t think it was a sad ending...emotional yes sad no....she died after clearing her name. This series made me think a lot about how treasuring the people we have around us and truly celebrating them and not keeping silly grudges...beautiful series. If Ruyi really went through all this in real she was a strong woman...respect to the crew and everything...
Even though it has a sad ending when Ruyi & Rongpei died .. Ruyi only left a letter to her son . I love the bit that Ruyi only left the dead plant & half-torn portrait to the Emperor : that itself was enough to make him feel guilty & proven her love for him is now forever gone & her death left him no time to repent his sin & wrongdoings to Ruyi .. a sweet revenge . At least Ruyi died peacefully & made peace with herself . Her refusal to reconcile with the emperor caused great pain to him & made him a bitter man right till the end as Ruyi has not given him a chance to repent .. this truly bothered him till his death .
He doesn’t deserve forgiveness after everything that happened to Ruyi since she married him. Losing her children, her devoted bodyguard, and her mother.
@@tararocksong5085 Absolutely right !! He was such an arsehole to let her slip away . In fact he & concubine Ling deserved each other : as both are selfish & full of jealousy which reminded me of the 2 runaway royal brats . Just ME ME ME ...
@@jeanettetan9728, yep.
The Emperor should have honored Ruyi by going into the mourning hall, bowing down, burned incense & paper money, and praying. Instead, he ran away from behaving well even after her death.
@@kimberlycrichton2932 He felt humiliated by Ruyi when she cut her hair ( sign of cutting her tie with Hong Li the emperor ) . Being an emperor .. too much pride for him to swallow & to admit his wrong-doings . He deserved dying with regrets .. not able to reconcile with Ruyi who refused medical treatment for her illness as she was so heart-broken with the Hong Li she had once deeply fallen in love with .. now turned into a nasty piece of shit . She felt pointless to carry on living with him so she chose not to be treated .
Love this story. Amazing. Suspension, betrayal, love,loyalty, an eloquent poetry.
This series was incredible. Even with some issues with the dramatization in the second half, it was still immensely powerful and addictive to watch. It was also very sad and more than once I had asked myself why I keep torturing myself watching this but I couldn't stop. I am very grateful to all the wonderful artists who took part in creating this masterpiece for their dedication and hard work. The attention to detail in this series is unmatched and as someone who has experience in the film production I am fully aware what a gigantic effort it demanded from everyone involved. I will certainly return and rewatch this even though I know it will make me cry... It's more than worth it.
This has to be one of the most riveting dramas I've ever seen. I cried for the injustices that Ruyi suffered. The production, costumes and the acting was absolutely superb. I enjoyed every single second of this drama
The actors were superb. The costumes and sets were out of this world. I binged watched during the past two weeks and couldn't stop watching. Thank you for the English sub titles. What a roller coaster ride! I loved the character of Ruyi. The actress brought her to life and she was so believable. The Emperor was a man I wanted to kick to smarten him. up. Great acting all way around. I downloaded the wonderful soundtrack too. Loved this series. Wow!
LOVE THE SOUNDTRACK! Spotify has it.
When Rongpei said "serving you is my good fortune" and Ruyi replies "having you is my good fortune" the floodgates were opened 😪😪😪💔
Zhou Xun gave one of the MOST awesome performances in this series! I am revisiting this masterpiece while still in awe. This series has all the makings to become a classic. Kudos to the actors, crew, director and writers for bringing us this gem 💖❤💖
I've watched this series over and over. Couple of things here at the end that really get me each time. The plum blossom plant. When the emperor first gave it to Ruyi; while they were deeply in love with each other, the plant blossomed and was healthy. As their love diminished; so did the plant. The plant was dormant for years and years or should I say it was dead; as the couples love was dead. Once both Ruyi and the emperor were dead, the plant came back to life. Also, the scene with the hair. When they were married they 'knotted' their hair to symbolize their union to each other. Once Ruyi could no longer bear being his wife, she cut her hair and he kept the piece that feel to the floor. She made it clear to him that she was done with him. When he died, he cut a piece of his hair and placed in the box with her hair. I'm like dude! Leave her alone! She found piece being free from him and she welcomed death and he wanted to 'tie' her to him again in the next life with his hair. Anyway, those two things really get me each time I watch this.
The box with Ruyi’s hair, wrapped in the handkerchief she had embroidered for him, then his placing his own hair in with Ruyis. Symbolises he wants to be with her, especially when you take into account the green plum tree began to bloom when he died. Their love was reunited in the afterlife.
I like to think this as well, otherwise it's too tragic what happened to their love. In the afterlife, I hope Qingying and Honli were able to reunite. Kleenex indicator 10/10, especially when they both reminisce about their past.
And also if you look closely there are 2 sprouts together😊
@@Samsmom50- I didn't notice the two sprouts together. Thank you so much! 🥲
43:36 The emperor cuts his hair and put it together with ruyi’s forever. In Chinese Culture, husband and wife do this which means they are in love with each other, keeping no third people in their hearts.
beautiful
I was wondering what that means. Thank you for the explanation.
that was a beautiful ending to it...however, I wish they'd showed what became of Yongji, Ruyi and the Emperor's son....
Thanks for explaining it ☺
@@dlesher3101 I looked this up awhile back. He died at the age of 21. I couldn’t find a lot of information about him
3rd time watching this captivating series:
Good on the Empress Dowager who initially opposed Ruyi being Hongli’s legitimate wife yet in the end being the person supporting Ruyi in exposing the Emperor - how he “royally” and irrevocably f’d things up with his soulmate
I loved how Ruyi cherished her lifelong friendships. Although she never truly forgave Hailan for having Guard Li killed. Whilst Hailan was alway’s Ruyi’s closest friend, confidante and protector, she had destroyed something so precious to Ruyi, which was the type of love she had yearned to experience with the Emperor but it was Guard Li who courageously showed Ruyi what unconditional love was about.
The symbolisms were so impactful - to express herself in such a way :
Cutting of her hair - cutting off all ties with Hongli, demonstrating how unequivocally done Ruyi was with their ill-fated relationship, she would no longer stand to be treated so poorly, to be taken for granted, to be so compromised by his ridiculous suspicions and was expected to suck it up because of her title. As Empress Dowager said to Hongli “ you pushed the Empress too far” Deposing herself as his wife and Empress.
The Buddhist flags depicting the unnecessary tragic loss of innocence - to give justice to those who died, clearing her name once again, showing her grief for all the people who were murdered by a jealous vile mistress the Emperor had bragged about nurturing himself. No better way to demonstrate to Hongli how much he had changed and how despicable his participation was
A withered green plum tree - she continued to water it for years , still showing her nurturing although it was futile as Ruyi’s love for Hongli was no longer blooming. The bare branches symbolic of how Ruyi was laid bare from his lack of nurturing, respect and love for her. She was not thriving in his so called love
A defaced Imperial Marital Portrait - Ruyi never wanted to be Empress, she never sought favour, nor title, nor fame. Demonstrating she wanted no attachment to such a painful life in a viper filled pit, to be free from it all and to be erased from imperial history. A warning to her clan’s women not to enter imperial life
A brazier with just ashes of her cutout painted image - how she chose to exist no longer - willingly succumbing to her illness, she no longer wanted to wait for him - when she cleared her name (AGAIN!) Hongli couldn’t/wouldn’t acknowledge what he done to her. Given she could never leave the palace - this was her only way of freeing herself
A spoken phrase to Hongli : Flowers Bloom, Flowers Fall… There is timing in all - their beautiful soulmate relationship ended in separation. It is what it is. Ruyi showed Hongli her deep understanding of their relationship.
Through so many years no matter what she was faced with, Ruyi kept her integrity- remained ever loving, graceful, calm, virtuous, compassionate and true to herself. She never lost herself, she never changed no matter what she had to put up with in the palace whereas Hongli was immature, belligerent, lacked in integrity, clueless about love, had completely lost himself in power, avarice and lust - inevitably lived out his days regretfully about what he had lost.
Profound life lessons provided in this mesmerising production. Outstanding performances by everyone.
After seeing edited versions that would show up weekly on RUclips but out of sequence I had to go find the full full series in story line order. That filled in so many missing details. But I could only watch it thru one time. It is just too emotionally powerful.
This was stated Beautifully and well worded! Thank you.
Ruyi finally got to escape that crazy place. I loved Rongpei and Hailan. They were her only true friends. I can't believe Noble Consort was still alive 9 years later lol. When he said she wasn't going to go easy, he meant it.
I lived in China for three years and I learned so much and gained so much understanding of early China. It was an incredible series, I loved it. They were all such talented amazing actresses and actors. So great. I cried so many times for Ruyi and for the King. The ending was heartbreaking.Truly this was the best series I have ever watched and will watch it again.
Who, in the end, became the Crown Prince? I could not follow the names. Was is one of Wei Yanwan’s sons? If so, which one? Two of her sons died, I believe. Did she have a daughter (the one who hated her) and two sons left? It became clear that Ruyi’s remaining son was not up to the task. He suffered from a “mental illness,” particularly after he and his mother were almost murdered by the assassin. (He was also portrayed as being whiny (crying in pain instead of grinning and taking it like His half-brother, Hailan’s son). And he lacked intelligence. He could not memorize the poem that his father, the Emperor, had him repeat over and over and over again. It became clear early on that he would not become the Crown Prince.
@@lindacanestraro6893 ACTUALLY linda, YongJi doesn't become Crown Prince solely because the Emperor knew it would be against RuYi's last wish of her son living his life completely free rather than be targeted like his mother was in her lifetime for that Crown Prince spot and also inheriting the Emperor's palace stress and endless responsibility. YongJi had every right to the throne since he was the ONLY legitimate heir plus as he grew older the emperor said his trauma induced "mental illness" subsided and just left him with an emotional personality he could probably grow out of with the help of the Empress Dowager raising him (so it's not like he's some lost cause). Thus, the Crown Prince seat was given to the only other living option a.k.a. Wei Yanwan's eldest living son, YongYan. It was more a choice of availability rather than favoritism/talent. Also, if I recall correctly, Wei Yanwan did infact lose 2 princes back-to-back and was ultimately left with her eldest daughter that hated her, her oldest prince, another princess, and another younger prince.
@@noxplum la "enfermedad mental" se la producía los hongos venenosos que le daba la consorte ling para tratar de matarlo, por eso veía alucinaciones y se sentía mal por haber acusado a la mamá y ocasionarle un problema!!
I never watch chinese dramas specially historic dramas because they never got my attention but after it was recommended I watched the clips then decided to watch the series. I was so glad to find it here for free. Never even thought about finishing the series. The longest Asian drama series I watched was like 16 to 20 episodes and it got to be too repetitive so i wasn't sure about this. But after watching the first couple episodes I got hooked!! This has been an amazing show, with great music, great pictures image, great costumes, great acting, great everything. This show brought to me so many different emotions! I can't even believe o finished it!!! Thank you to the creators and writer of this show and the the writer of the novel! Amazing job! Definitely worth watching and recommending!
Did anyone notice that when Consort Ling was drinking the soup she still wore the ring given to her by Ling Yunche ( Emperor threw it madly when he was interrogating her last episode ). Just a very tiny detail that I noticed which I thought was worthwhile. She did not wear any other jewelry except for the ring that Ling Yunche gave her when she was still the innocent wei yanwan.
Broke my heart what happened to Ling YunChe. I cried. I mean I cried LOL. I cried. I hated Consort Ling soooooo much. I disliked the Emporor quite a lot too ^^
A fitting punishment and constant reminder of what she lost in her pursuit of upping her station.
The guy who made the portrait explain to him Ruyi feelings without knowing it. 👀👀👀👀👀🏃♂️🏃♂️
Facts are facts XD
When Hongli started crying, that's probably one of the most powerful scenes in this series. Like everything's finally replaying and catching up to him - hope he realises how big a part he played in her death. update: Hongli can go climb in a hole. IMPERIAL NOBLE CONSORT, MY LEFT FOOT. Update2: It's less bad but I'm still salty
The best Drama I've seen. I've seen so many palace drama and the schemes..
No one beats this one..
Zhou Xun and Wallace Huo are such powerful actors
Even the rest... Every single one of the casts are GOOD!!
And the custume always blow my mind
A powerful ending... I was left with mixed feelings
I dont watch a lot of mainland Chinese dramas due to its long commitment, but I'm so happy to come across this one via YT's recommendation. Watched a few clips and I was hooked. I cried so much throughout the story and especially so in the last couple of episodes. My heart ached that their love didnt stand against time. I ached that the emperor died as a lonely, grieving, and sadden old man but he got himself into that position.
People watched this series more than once?? How?? I'm wrecked. I'll never be the same. I'm dehydrated from crying so much for the last 10 episodes. I need to take time off work to recover. I'll never trust anyone again!
*My interpretation of the ending* is that while many people want it to be happy-ish in a "they reunite in the afterlife/he learned his lesson" kind of way, I don't see it that way.
Central to my interpretation is this: *Ruyi wanted out, she never wanted in, in the first place.* She cuts her hair and herself out of a portrait, refuses Empress treasures and medicine. What she's doing is *taking herself back* from Qianlong, the city, from history, all of it. She gets to decide her fate, at last. Even if it means dying to do it. That Qianlong wipes her from history and doesn't bury her properly is doing her a kind of favor. Its him giving her what she wanted in his usual twisted way.
At the very end then, I think Qianlong cutting his hair, despite keeping Ruyi's hair and the handerkief is him FINALLY letting her go. Putting their cut hair in a box as if a coffin, burying their past at last. The plant then finally comes to life as if free from all the toxicity and guilt.
Final shot is of Ruyi as QingYing - not as if coming to Hongli in the afterlife - but as a reminder of who she really was, who she really is. How SHE would want everyone to remember her.
I think the same !
You summed it up in a wonderful way
@@Mymusicchannel-z2m aww thanks :)
No wonder the show is called Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace. She was the only one in Love. Some wicked people want Ruyi to spend her afterlife with this man. His favorite words were "I have compromised you" and Some people think he loved her. The man plainly said that he first knew Love when he saw Han clanswoman and for some reason you want to ignore that and believe he loved Ruyi. Madness!
Alas, she is free.
Free to be with her youthful lover, to be a woman without many burdens, grudges and regrets and furthermore, she is finally free to be Ruyi, the truest and most graceful Empress I’ve seen. Huge respect for this actress that became one with The Empress.
🙇♀️🙇♀️🙇♀️🙇♀️🙇♀️🙇♀️
She died to become Ula Nara Lady again.
Ruyi & Rongpei......the master & servant sharing cups of tea 11:55 as besties. Best friends, best companions.
This show is a complete masterpiece. From beginning to end. Each character and scene was captivating and meaningful. Thank you to all the cast, staff, directors, writers and more for this beautifully made series.
What a great acting! A reminder to treat well and be loyal to those who are loyal to you ✨. Every time i see Oscars and that, i don't take it too seriously seeing that there are such good actors without having that much recognition.
Going to say the actor who plays the emperor did a fantastic job! Great series over all I am glad to have watched it, even if I cried the last few episodes!
The emperor was a terrible person. He was unable to realize what he had done wrong. But after Ruyi died, he spent the rest of his life honoring her, having her in his mind everyday. Even to the last days, he honored her, even cutting his her, symbolizing his yearning for her. Beauitful story. Well written, an applause to the actors and directors.
Do you call demoting her from the empress position after her death "honouring"?
@@EchoMBG ruyi literally cut the painting they did together this shows she regrets the marriage
@@neemanjeri4761, more like she regrets being the empress. She never asked to be empress and all she wanted was to love the emperor. Yet the emperor never returned the love for Ruyi until it was too late.
@EchoMBG He did that to honor her wish. She wanted no part of it anymore, she never did, so he set her free.
She was such a good person I hope in her after life is beautiful and free
There’s a quick moment when Consort Rong was on her hunger strike when Ruyi comes in and says something that ties in here.
She said that she heard when a person is dying, they see the face of whom they wish to see most. Implying that Rong wants to die to see her dead lover.
For me, it ties together with Qianlong dying and wanting to see the one he loved the most - which was Qingying.
Excellent from episode 1 throughout to episode 87!!!
Best story ever! So grateful for the English sub.
as I watched this series ruyi showed me despite the problems hatred they had for her she kept firm and steady she loved the emperor never cheated him nor lied to him her love for the empire was honest and so for the emperor she died with forgiving those who hated her and loved her showing this generation and back generation how we should really be and take her as a example of life indeed she was a true empress she was amazing
But she stopped loving him,she was honest with herself,thanks to ling show her what the real love for a person should be ,he show her that she never was really loved,sad that he was killed! I think that she was hoping see ling in the afterlife.
@@doriscastillo8020 I tink u got confused with ling and Yuri their affection wosnt love affection she never had that mentality of seeing ling in the after life as lover but as true friends their affection was just understanding the both helped each other as friend comrades she said it her self she only loved one man and that person was the emporer she did love the emporer her love for the emporer was honest she never loved anybody but him despite the bad tings the emporer did u can still see she still had the love for the empire dus pointing that she loved the emporer showing him one last example protecting his empire from that bad woman who killed so many prince and princess until in the end she said she won't miss him during the period of she being empress she loved him unconditional from childhood to empress ruyi times the moment she cut her hair that was the last time she had love for him and care yt she still fought to protect the empire frm that evil woman I now cause I saw the author who spoke these words when one of the reporter asked about these series and it is based on the true life of empress ruyi
I was hooked from the first episode. I really enjoyed all 87 episodes.
Observations on life added another depth and element. Superbly done in all ways! Zhou Xun is magnificent! Unforgettable!
He's bitter now because he knows that he didn't love her enough, but still won't let his pride admit it 😪
I remember the stupid emperor in his empty pride told Ruyi to her face that what they shared in their youth was a passing phase and that his true love was the Han woman who detested him. Foolish emperor!
And yet....after EVERYTHING the emperor made her endure...he still didn't have enough humility to look her in the eye and say I'm sorry....she was just supposed to suck it up.....thank goodness, we've come a lot way because emperors of old wouldn't like modern women....
In the novel, Ruyi was even more pitiful. She did not take down Wei Yanwan herself. After her death, Hai lan found a woman similar to Ruyi to serve the emperor and jointly took down Wei Yanwan through the Mongol concubines
That is interesting. Thanks for sharing this.
The woman Hailan found is Consort Dun, when I looked her picture and Ruyi's picture, I was stunned, they really look alike. I was impressed the writer could weave that in the plot. Consort Dun was really favoured and had a daughter who was pampered by Qianlong according to wikipedia.
Artistically the most stunning series I’ve ever seen. Beautiful.
WOW! I just finished watching all 87 episodes for the second time! SO ADDICTING! I got so much more out of it the second time. In some ways, it reminded me of the Thorn Birds miniseries. In the end, love wins. I can’t say enough about the settings, costumes, attention to detail, display of their culture, story line, character development, music, nuances of their facial expressions, incredible acting, all of it was sheer perfection! So intricate & riveting! I will miss Ruyi. What a superb character! I loved her ability to have such a steel trap mind & yet retained her kindness & love to the end! She truly knew her own worth! Her awareness, clarity, wisdom, strength & patience are remarkable! She’s my hero! Her soft, soothing, loving voice to those she trusted & loved, shouted “I LOVE YOU”, without even ever saying the actual words!
I don’t know who the director was, but he or she shouldn’t be overlooked! As great as actors can be, they need direction to be this great! As despicable as some of the characters were, they made us hate them marvelously well! In doing so, their contrast to Ruyi, made Ruyi even more grand! What a remarkable cast! A true masterpiece! BRAVO! BRAVO! BRAVO! (my three bows)!
But now, I’m ruined. What else will measure up to this story? I miss Ruyi. I wish I had a friend like her! I could sure use a friend like that in my life. This story mirrors my life and betrayal I’ve suffered in so many ways. Especially, the childish, unfaithful, self centered Emperor! Like, Ruyi who finally realized that she outgrew her husband & he wasn’t ever going to “catch up “! He doesn’t even apologize or take any ownership of his actions or make any attempt to repair any of the damage he caused her! Her love was wasted on a shallow little boy! What a sad sack he is.
Every character was miserable and unhappy. I think Suoxin wins the prize as the only character that found happiness and escaped that terrible reality
Ruyi was one and only true Empress, no matter what u took from her.. U could erase her records, her title and erase her from history.. Ruyi was remain devoted and faithful, loved by many that knew her.. Emperor was one that accused her, frame her, and confined her.. It's was Emperor failure to protect Ruyi.. If couldn't cry for his heirs, all those tears meant nothing for Ruyi
Randomly RUclips recommended clips of these series... I don't regret. I've seen a lot of period dramas and this is the best by far. I'm going to be repetitive but the acting is superb in all sides, especially the leading roles. Photography, costumes, music, scenary... It makes the whole a masterpiece! Hooked from episode 1 to 87. Heartbreaking as it is it's just perfect!
RongPei drinking that cup of tea with Ruyi...you can see how much it means to her.....they were friends....no longer servant and mistress.....and when the emperor broke down....my heart broke for him....but it was his own fault....he believed others before his wife.....and he paid dearly for it. And it was so rewarding to see the emperor finally let loose on that Consort Qing....snotty two faced witch.
The joys of love do last but a short time and the pains of love last all your life. Ruyi's love was not for power or prestige. This scene is so emotional!
Kudos to the cast and crew for this series ... so amazing. Zhou Xun made Ruyi such a role model, someone I can look up to in my life. I think I used up a whole box of tissues for this episode. Thank you for posting this
I finally finished watching this a 4th time. I couldn't stop. I would stay up very late. I have never seen a TV series like this one. Too bad it wasn't recognized world wide. It could of gotten an award like the Golden Globes. The Story and characters are so riveting. Incredible feat to have made this tv series. Great casting! I like behind the scenes of this series. It was fun to see the actors playing around and laughing. I wish their was a English subtitle so I know what they were saying about being in this movie.
Wow. This is one of the most heart wrenching and powerful dramas I have ever witnessed. Some may be troubled that she sent Rongpei away before she died. I was a hospice nurse and many of our patients would ask family or friends to leave to get something or whatever. Once they left, the patient would pass away. Human nature for the dying? Sending away so family doesn't see the death? I don't know but saw it happen.
watching someone draw their last breath can be very deeply ingraved upon them. i have had animals crawl into my arms to draw their last breath and i will never forget how it felt. imagine it being a person...
@@Hunlover123601, sometimes the ones we care about want to be in comforting arms before the time comes, but other times the ones we love don’t want us to be sad after witnessing their death and that’s why they send us away.
This is one of the most amazing series I've ever had the pleasure to watch. Thank you for the subtitles. Rest in Peace beautiful Ruyi.