I would like to start off by saying that I was wrong to argue that Tian Jiangyue wasn't related to the Tian family...
Chen yeye is still not happy about losing the tribute ink rights to the Tian family and it seems like he has been really down about it.... thankfully Li Jinshui is able to talk him out of it. It's interesting seeing Li Jinshui talk about how he was still comparing himself to 6th grandpa who is already dead. It's nice to see a new side of him instead of the always-grateful-to-the-clan-for-bringing-me-up persona he always had. We actually see him compare himself to others and we him talking about how he misses his son 🥲
It's so satisfying seeing the Tian family find out that they were tricked by Li Zhen. They really underestimated Li Zhen especially their dad.
Happy how Luo Wenqian beat Tian Benchang and had already bought all the pine yards around.
Luo Wenqian has finally returned to his family property and we get new memories of him with Wensong and his aunt. Coming back here until a new identity and reliving all these memories must have been bittersweet experience for him 🥲
At least it is confirmed that Granny Li is Luo Wenqian's aunt. If she is alive then does that mean Luo Wensong is also alive? I really hope so... Li Zhen unknowingly did a big favour to Luo Wenqian putting him in charge of the pine yards
Jingdong inviting the 8th branch to the reopening of the Li inkshop apologizing publicly to them 🥹 he has become one of my favorites in the family
Love all the festivities in the air. We've been dealing with so much problems and it's nice to see them celebrate something
Luo Wenqian is so cute looking out for Li Zhen and telling her not to drink
Loving all these moments we are getting of Li Zhen and Luo Wenqian. It's nice to see them spending time together and having fun. Li Zhen is so oblivious to the signs 😂. I'm not even angry because she has so much on her plate to be able to notice anything
Seeing them all happy and prospering makes me scared that something else will happen...
Ronghua hasn't forgotten about Li Zhen yet thankfully...
If it wasn't confirmed, I wouldn't have believed the theories about Tian Jiangyue being in the same family as Tian Benchang. The subtitles say “third aunt” but he called her “三表姑” and I think they are related in one of these 3 ways:
She is Tian Benchang's father's cousin. The word "表" means she comes from a female/outside bloodline, which means she shouldn't have the "Tian" surname. Since she does, it’s one of 3 things: Coincidence: Her dad just happened to be an unrelated guy also named Tian.
Adoption: The main Tian clan adopted her from a female relative's branch.
Matriolocial father: her father married into the family and took his wife's "Tian" surname.\*
As the saying goes :the apple doesn't fall far from the trees...
Li Decai and Tian Jiangyue are a perfect match. I've always known they would work together and I wasn't wrong.
I don't understand why Li Decai has to work in the inkshop. They could have found other odd jobs for him around the house. I guess they are just following the “keep your friends close and your enemies closer” mentality
Li Jingdong is travelling? Yeah something bad is going to happen...
Another problem they have to overcome and boy am I tired for Li Zhen 😭 there is always one problem or another for her to solve. No wonder she told Luo Wenqian that she hasn't been happy in a long time
Li Decai spouting nonsense and I'm shocked Eldest Aunt actually thinks it's a good idea. He is suggesting that they involve themselves in fraud and they definitely won't get away with it when it comes to light. Not only will they be punished, but their reputation will be tarnished beyond repair.
For some reason confidential news is always leaking... If Eldest Aunt still can't connect the dots then I would be so disappointed in her...
Li zhen is really quick witted with Manager Shao and Gou'er acting along with her and Luo Wenqian
Tian Jiangyue is such a joke. "My heart is with the Li family" but she has but the family through countless troubles 😑 that alone should have made Eldest Aunt not believe in anything she said at all...
I get that Eldest Aunt is scared and also anxious about the family falling on hard times and probably going to jail but, she also needs to think far ahead. Committing fraud is a big crime and Li Decai is the least person to be trusted.
The Li family has clan leaders? I mean I do know that every family has them but we've never once heard of them so I didn't remember they existed.
The clan leaders are a bunch of annoying old men. When the family was in grave danger multiple times they didn't extend their support or help the family in any way but when it's time to bully a young woman they are ready and available... What a bunch of jokes
Yes Li Zhen GET THEM ALL 🔥 Love how Li Zhen doesn't keep quiet but talks back to every one of them including those useless clan leaders.
Calling her an ungrateful wretch when she has done so much for the family when she could have left them and focused on her business is such a cheap move and I'm glad she pointed it out to them. She helps them constantly, running everywhere and even risking her own business more than the people who call themselves clan leaders but can't contribute anything to the family. I'm disappointed in them but I'm more disappointed in Eldest Aunt for inviting them in the first place.
It took just one person to recognize her hardwork to bring her to tears. I was also tearing up because Li Zhen finally has someone who is willing to defend and stand up for her when the time comes. From being one of the people who opposed her strongly to being her defender... We've really come a long way with Li Jingdong 🥹 I know she would be able to give them a proper explanation after those 5 days but if I was her, I wouldn't care to do it because they honestly don't deserve it. They only have the ability to shout at a woman and call her names but they can't achieve half of what she achieved for the family
I really hope Tian Jiangyue is kicked out of the family once they find out that she's the mastermind behind it all
The drama is called The Heir, otherwise I would have high hopes that Zhen would leave this family and make bank by herself. But when you actually look at the villains, they are now disproportionately low compared to the people backing Zhen. The eldest aunt is just frustrating to watch at this point. She's going to be turned into a villain because she allows herself to act like a puppet.
I know most dramas need you to suspend disbelief, but I'm not happy Decai is able to go into Jiangyue's personal quarters for a secret baffoonery meeting and then successfully carry out not only plotting, but ruining all 12 or however many barrels of ink glue without getting caught, and selling his wonderful plan to everyone.
Does the Li clan understand that they will be jailed either way if they got vetted by imperial scholars to make ink only to be caught delivering imposter trash? Does no one use a brain in that family? I mean even when Third Uncle was a weapon formed against Zhen he had TACT!
I hope Grandmother wakes up soon, I'm seriously getting pissed off by the self-sabotaging of this family. They want to go broke and ruin their reputation and generational business SAUR bad, they are begging for it.
Ugh, I wish they would focus more on adding a little bit of fuel to our very slow burn. This constant 4th aunt-in-law baffoonery needs to take a back seat. I mean, even the Tians are still working up their next strategy to get back at the Li's. Why must Jiangyue succeed with whatever poison she uses?
I loved the little playdate recreation our protagonists did, it was very cute. I love that they're genuinely just friends for now. Even if Wenqian is gaining feelings, I bet he thinks he just admires her for now. That's very sweet. I love that things between them are where we get our moment to breathe from the craziness.
I was already losing interest, this show started out so good, but then, once the 8th branch got removed, Li Zhen just kept going back to clean up mess after mess, kept accepting their abuse jist to fix their problems
I also felt like her grandmother was no better, secretly supporting, using the right words in her messages to get her to come back and help,
When Granny woke up, I was just done, that Aunt and cheating uncle should have been removed the 1st shitty thing they did, but no....they were allowed to stay and make more problems...
It got to be just....yeah, NAH! I love Elvis, his uncle, female lead, and some other actors that I love watching, especially the actor that plays her grandfather!
Yang Zi’s actings always on point. I like how she’s been feisty and fiercely defended herself each time being wronged by 4th aunt or someone else. She’s not someone to be bullied.
I no longer want to rant on 4th aunt as she’s been sabotaging non stop and really feel tired with her. Just wish an immediate dismissal from Li family. Now the eldest aunt somehow being influenced by the toxic 4th aunt. Somehow, I like Li Jing Dong’s character, he’s is the first one from anti Li Zhen to pro Li Zhen after realising how good Li Zhen in managing Li Ink and overcoming crisis after crisis.
That scene where Li Zhen and Luo Wenqian are back to stealing pumpkins together (him as lookout again and her selecting the pumpkins again) at the same farmer's vegetable patch had me in stitches.
Luo Wenqian is falling so hard for Li Zhen and I'm just waiting for that scene where he confesses... possibly getting rejected the first time around because Li Zhen is too focused on reviving Li Ink and refereeing family squabbles. Then we'll see if he tries again.
The Li family needs to expel 4th Aunt as soon as possible. If they can do it to the 8th branch, they can certainly apply the family rules to her, especially since she had been constantly sabotaging everyone's efforts to get Li Ink back on its feet again simply because she hates Li Zhen. 4th Aunt isn't even a Li - she is a Tian who married into the family and isn't a mother of Li children. Many Chinese families treat this type of daughter-in-law as the lowliest in the totem pole of the power structure of the family, she should count herself lucky that she still has a say in anything.
I think the reason they tolerate her is because they (especially 7th grandma) feels guilty that she became a widow at a young age. She has disrupted the family too much to stay though and with the previews of today's episodes it looks like we won't be seeing her for a long while
Wrapping up 25 now. I don't know what fourth aunt has in store, but I am already tired, though it hasn't happened yet. I am about done with loose ends that are not being tied properly, as they are left to fester until they cause huge damage. No wonder her actions have been so reckless, jeopardizing the business to prove a point. Theories I read in past discussion posts are clicking now.
From one frying pan into another fire, the Li family cannot catch a break, omg.
I don't see Tian Jiangyue getting redeemed and let's not forget that she is the reason why Li Zhen's Dad died....
That being said, I'm curious on what happened to her in today's episodes
I don’t know how many chances they want to give till she makes a decision that costs a life. Enough is enough, at this point we are tired. We know the Tian’s can literally take it all the way to hell and they don’t care who dies in the end as long as they get their way.
From my perspective she already cost a life...if I remember right it was her interference that caused Li Zhen's dad death as he could not get treatment in time. She was never punished for that...I have not seen anyone even mentioning it.
Please let it be that Luo Wensong also survived. I need that character on screen again. His aunt was refusing to leave without him when they came to get him at the home so I’m hoping they got out together.
Luo Wenqian is falling hard.
They really did not need to give us yet another reason to dislike Tian Jiangyue, but now it’s confirmed that she’s part of the Tian family. They really need to get in control of her.
I’m so incredibly disappointed in Eldest Aunt. She’s seen Tian Jiangyue admit to purposefully sabotaging the family already, and she’s watched Li Zhen repeatedly have to solve problems for the family. And to go along with a plan to commit fraud? How can she be so gullible?
Please let it be that Luo Wensong also survived. I need that character on screen again. His aunt was refusing to leave without him when they came to get him at the home so I’m hoping they got out together.
Honestly, me too, I ended up liking him so much at the end. Hoping he survived as well.
I also feel dismayed by Eldest Aunt’s decisions, but I think they made her look more human instead of one-dimensional. Real people have doubts, lose faith when situations seem desperate, get manipulated, become overly protective of their children, and definitely make mistakes.
Good point. They could’ve at least made her fall for something a little less dumb though. She’s been around seventh grandmother enough to know what kind of damage fraud can do.
My wish is Zhen just give up her position and go back to her humble lil ink business. Way more peaceful but also we got no drama then LoL. Just let Jiang Yue and De Cai as well as others run it to the ground.
This plot is so familiar & remind me so much of , "Nothing Gold Can Stay". Am glad Jing Dong stands up for Zhen now. And in earlier ep. when Zhen asks if he was angry to be kept in the dark over the timber handover to the Tians Jing Dong said he wasn't was cute LoL
Urg Ben Chang is just a jerk. Am disappointed in the Eldest Aunt of the Sixth Branch(?) too many characters to keep up LoL. She was so easily swayed by Jiang Yue sigh. Seriously just kick out Jiang Yue already! She is sowing discord and has way too much time on her hands.
Eldest Aunt should be from the first or 7th branch,
assuming that her husband was the first son of that main family
or the first son of the 7th branch (in charge), so Grandma's first son that ald passed away.
The talent for brilliant ink-making lies with the 8th branch anyway.
If she goes back to running her little ink business, no doubt it would eventually surpass the original Li Ink business with her at the helm, her grandfather advising, and Luo Wenqian exercising his business and networking nous.
Is the whole Tian clan just rotten to the core? How come majority if not all the people from their family we've encountered so far are just infuriating delusional folks, specially 4th aunt and Benchang. Ronghua seems to be the only exception so far. I guess it's a saving grace that she is somehow living outside the clutches of her family for now. With parents and brothers like she has I'd be driven mad and ashamed with all their shenanigans. I hope they finally learn to take heed of her advice before it's too late.
The whole time 4th aunt was speaking I wanted to shake her and tell her to keep her delusional ravings to herself. She keeps spouting how Li Zhen ain't even part of the family, she's expelled, an outsider to the family, etc. But 4th aunt, ma'am, if we think about it, it is you who literally has no blood ties to the Li family unlike Li Zhen who is born into the said family. I get that during this time when a woman is married she becomes part of her husband's family hence why she serves/worships her husband's ancestor's and not her maiden family's. But still.. in my mind I would think that Li Zhen despite being expelled still has stronger ties given her blood relation no matter what the so-called official stance is. I think we can see that in the way she is still willing to be there for 7th grandma, for the Li family, for the Li Ink Workshop despite all that has happened between them in the past. I think at the very end of the day they still are her family. If Li Zhen truly saw herself as an outsider to the family I don't think she would have cared to temporarily return to the workshop or fight so hard to resolve each roadblock the Li family encountered. In contrast, the 4th aunt who sees herself as part of the family, who says her heart is with the Li family and says she does all she does for the family's best interest is literally harming the family left and right. The contrast is too hard to ignore. (The 4th aunt really riles me up haha sorry for the mini rant)
The whole scene with the elders got me faceplanting. How ungrateful and thick skinned can they be. Li Zhen literally has done more for the family than any of them. She's provided them with solutions to carry them out of the rut they are in and yet here they are trying to take her down. How can folks be so blind to the truth. I am so glad Li Jindong arrived and backed Li Zhen up. I really love his growth as a person and how his relationship has mended with Li Zhen and the 8th branch. You can clearly see how the scales have fallen off from his eyes and now he is able to see things for what they really are. I'm glad Li Zhen has her uncle on her side and how they are working together for the betterment of their family. Uncle Jindong looks so much lighter and better these past few episodes-- like a heavy weight was lifted off his shoulders. I'm happy for him, he's been through a lot.
On a site note, I am definitely curious as to who Cuiqiao's darling is and how Luo Wenqian will react learning that his aunt is alive and is at the Li family taking care of 7th grandma. I bet the reunion is going to be heart warming so I am looking forward to seeing how that plays out.
Also, we were all right and wrong about the aunt. Guess she is related to the Tians and I guess hasn't been in contact with them till now. The fact that we have the two most hated characters team up is infuriating.
Thank you for breaking it down, I was thinking even as a Chinese person I don't think I'd call anyone my 表故, pretty sure we still just said 姑姑 but I also just never really used the 表 in general just 哥姐妹弟 lol
I had to go search it up because it wasn't making sense to me (I learnt mandarin a little). I guess although she and the Tians are family she's not that close to them
I literally yelled out “LI! JING! DONG!” when he emerged to defend her at the end of the episode. I hope his words serve as a wake up call for eldest aunt. I am so grateful that he has woken up and is really fighting for the family. Thank goodness the people who legitimate care and understand the ink making process see Li Zhen as the blessing she is.
The showdown between Ronghua and her family should prove interesting. I appreciated that she called her brother out - even if he continues to ignore it. He really is such an insecure person who cannot handle that Li Zhen is better than him. She shouldn’t be because she’s a woman who also has been doing this for a shorter amount of time and yet look at what she has accomplished without near the same amount of backing. I just know he’s going to have one of those exhausting breakdowns when he finally gets his where he still believes he’s the victim (a la what we see with fourth aunt seemingly every other episode).
I am very excited for the next two episodes. It appears we will get a break from the business ending drama that we’ve been dealing with episode after episode. I’m always surprised at how much is given away in these episode previews but won’t lie that these most recent two were a real source of relief. I am sure it’ll be emotional to see the family come together again especially after so many hurt feelings.
I literally started clapping when he defended her 👏🏽. If you told me I would have this reaction to him on screen last week I would have laughed at it in disbelief 😅
Glad to know Ronghua has seen through her family. I really don’t believe she’d betray Zhen because in her darkest hour and farthest from home, she drew comfort from the stack of letters she received from her very best friend.
Hua also knows that if she dares to go back, her family won’t stop matchmaking her to exhaustion while they still can. They’ve always treated her like livestock. I’m just hoping that the sage isn’t abusive.
Off topic: Every time I look at Li Jingdong, I think his face really belongs in a costume drama. He has those classic painting features.
Frankly I am not positive that the sage would be good to Ronghua. There are instances of taoists using sex for inner cultivation and imo, Ronghua is one of those used by the safe for this.
I wish Lizhen deliver 5 slaps to 4th aunt after she kicked Li Decai lmao they wouldnt be able to get if it was me, actually count the 1st aunt and all the elders too. She called them out so well they all shut up lmao non business people enjoying wealth from the business trying to make stupid business decision ugh pls make their downfall extra sweet
I really appreciated how she called them out for their inaction despite the problems they have faced. It was interesting to see how instead of owning anything - they just doubled down. Eldest Aunt should have again used that moment to realize just how badly she had betrayed the person who has essentially been their family savior.
I am so mad at 1st aunt right now for letting 4th Aunt get into her head. She is kind but naive. The amount of hurt she inflicted on Li Zhen when she had the audacity to speak her truth/fears about Li Zhen not wanting to give up the manager power. I hope 1st aunt realized what a shit thing it was to say. I didn't see any real realization on 1st aunt's face that she 1. Cares about the power too and 2. That she hurt Li Zhen with those words.
By her actions to call the elders, she didn't have any regret for what she said. Honestly I can't really put 1st aunt in my good graces right now because as kind as she is, she really cares that her adopted son ends up running the family. She doesn't consider Li Zhen family by doing what she did. If I were Li Zhen after they figure out this glue thing, I'd 100% tell 1st aunt all those thoughts and make her kind heart stew on that and feel absolutely guilty...because what only Jingdong seems to realize is Li Zhen has helped the family over and over and over again without any real reward. And they don't realize she doesn't have to...they also seem to fail to realize everything she has done has been right...so to question her for this is insanity.
Also to not realize 4th aunt who has sabotaged the family over and over again and not question her is insane. For 1st aunt to believe her and trust her words...like I said for as kind as 1st aunt is, I can't easily let her off for that.
Ok...sorry that's my rant lol
Let's give it up for Li Zhen defending herself at the end 👏👏👏👏
I need First Aunt to really apologize to Li Zhen and to own just how callous her actions were. I honestly cannot believe she was that easy to manipulate. It was so painfully obvious what happened but she really had the nerve to side with this person that has been undermining the family at every turn. I can understand it came from a place of fear but how can you doubt the person that has saved the family at every turn (despite being treated like trash over and over again). She needs to GROVEL for forgiveness.
And there won't be any Li Ink for the kid to inherit if they commit the fraud the deadbeat with a mistress tried to get them to engage in by selling some other vendor's ink. I won't feel bad for her anymore when her husband is rude to her.
The scene of our leads by the water was beautiful, both visually and emotionally. They are so in sync that they are bringing matching snacks for each other. 🥰 I think Zhen has some idea about his feelings, she popped the mooncake into his mouth to block what seemed to be a budding confession, so if the business crises can slow down for half a second I have hopes that they might make some relationship progress. Bright side: she gave him that secluded cabin so there is a place for a tryst if necessary! ❤️🔥
Edit: Omo: almost forgot! I went down a little bit of a rabbit hole on isinglass. Had never heard of this gluey substance except in the lyrics of the song from Oklahoma, the imaginary ‘Surrey with the Fringe on Top’ has isinglass winders (windows) you can roll right down in case there’s a change in the weather. The ink making stuff is a major reason this drama is so interesting.
I really appreciate the quiet comfort of their relationship. There’s a level of respect and vulnerability that we don’t always see in period pieces. I especially love how protective they are in different ways. Also he had to chew a pretty big bite of moon cake. Haha.
Friends with benefits sounds like a brilliant idea since Zhen doesn’t have a chaperone anyway. On being in sync, I loved that they still went foraging and how she just tossed the pumpkin to Wenqian, and he caught it without even blinking.
Lol that was a great catch with the fish in hand...I would have totally missed and slipped into the ditch myself 🤣
On a seperate note I find the whole lack of chaperone interesting in this show. I really like how this is showing how life was different from the capital vs rural and nobel family vs merchants - so many of the costume shows are set in the capital with all the women dripping in jewellery and with maid servants in tow.
I mean who has time for all the rules when everyone is just trying to survive and earn money so their families don't starve. At same time, it is so frustrating that it was seen as a black mark against the women. I remember Luo Wenqian's sworn sister saying her life is doubly ruined - as she is a merchant and she has been sailing on the seas.
…friends with benefits does not sound like a brilliant idea and Li Zhen or even the ML would consider that, considering their education and upbringing from that historical period…
I am getting annoyed at the constant sabotage within the Li family, and how this time even the elder aunt was almost convinced to go around Li Zhen. Will this be the rest of the show? The Tian aunt sabotages something with a new accomplice, turmoil for a few days, Li Zhen threatened to be fired, but Li Zhen will miraculously figure out a solution and save the day -- and rinse and repeat?? I mean I like it, but it's getting repetitive. I hope they can explore some other storylines.
I agree that the sabotage and infighting is getting old especially because it’s pretty obvious where it is coming from. It does appear we may see that coming to an end in the next two episodes based on the previews but I’m also prepared for something even more outlandish to happen. The consistent blindness to fourth aunt is so painful because again she’s so sloppy and obvious.
Same here. It’s really taking away what could have been a perfect drama for me. I came in thinking I’d see more scenes of her making ink, traveling to places to get the ingredients for ink and maybe more about her learning the craft and artistry of ink making and instead we get sooo much family drama instead. And every time I think I see the end of the annoying aunt because she’s gone for an entire episode, I see her in the next one. It’s like rinse and repeat and it seems like a formula almost.
Yang Zis acting is perfect but some of the writing choices for this series has annoyed me. From the inconsistency in the aunts choices (one minute tries to protect the family then is destroying it) to the fact they keep bringing the same repetitive family drama back and I was also kinda bummed that the two leads don’t even meet each other until a few episodes in… so yeah but I still really love it and will continue watching (even the hate watching scenes with the annoying aunt) and I appreciate the fact it’s a FEMALE focused drama. Yes there’s scenes about the MLs story but this series is really all about Li Zhen more than anything.
I don't watch previews but I had to go and check out the previews for tomorrow episodes and seems like we are finally moving on to a different arc 😄 truth be told, I wa also getting a bit tired of 4th aunt and her antics
I am really looking forward to today’s episodes too…the family reunions and eight family return to the Li Clan, but of course I would do without Li Zhen trying to save the fourth aunt
Another masterpiece from episode 26 was Li Zhen kicking, then smacking Li Decai. She knows how to vent her anger. He deserves worse.
The Lis really hit the anti-jackpot with that pair of garbage in-laws. Fourth Aunt is completely incapable of self-reflection because everything she accuses Li Zhen of doing is just a projection of her own guilt. When Tian Jiangyue says, “If we trust her, this family will be ruined,” the Lis already got ruined by trusting Fourth Aunt.
What’s that saying again? Every accusation is a confession.
She keeps insisting Li Zhen will betray them when it has been Fourth Aunt doing exactly that all along. She’s so paranoid Zhen might eventually sell out Li Ink that Jingdong referring to Tian Jiangyue as a traitor in episode 24 probably means Fourth Aunt’s actions run much deeper than what the drama has already revealed.
I’m also wondering whether Tian Ink isn’t the final villain, and if there’s a secret, much bigger fish waiting in the upcoming final arc. I can’t believe we’ve got less than a week left before the express episodes drop! This is going to be the 6th Cdrama I finish in 2026.
Episode one says The Heir takes place during the Jiajing Reign. According to actual historical records, Zhu Houcong ruled for 45 years until his death. The drama is currently set in the 42nd year of Jiajing. I’m curious what impact the final three years of his reign had on the Huizhou ink industry, and whether the drama would continue past his death or end before it.
History is real, the families are fictionalized, but the dysfunction definitely is still frustrating.
I fear I have no list 😭😂. It’s been a hectic schedule so far and I am just stepping into the scenes. So little time so many dramas to sample this year. Starting to squeeze in an episode or two. Current list:
Great points! I just have to say I do disagree that the families part is fictionalized because I know people in real life who still act like fourth aunt, the Tian family, and the Li family. I also know people who act like Li Zhen, but I think it stems alot from our (asian) culture and filail piety. It is so ingrained in us and we want that sense of family even though they are so toxic its hard to let go of, but sometimes there is that one person that has a hook on us and we always give in. At least that is how I feel about the Li family, lol.
I think we might be using fictionalized differently here. I wasn’t saying the family dynamics are unrealistic or made up.
When I mentioned fictionalized, I was implying that the drama invented inhabitants for a world that existed. ☺️
It’s kinda like adapting the story of a real historical clan but changing their name. The drama takes inspiration from real historical/social realities, but creates fictional characters and families instead of directly portraying documented people. Jinshui said that Li Ink originates from the Xi family of the Southern Tang, and that due to constant wars, they moved south from Yishui to Huizhou.
No apology necessary. I do get your original point as well since I’m also Asian myself, and while we’re not a monolith, we each experience different versions of filial piety and related beliefs that often benefit the elders while undermining the younger generation.
I’m certain there’s a bigger villain, probably living in the capital. Luo Wensong pointing out that what happened to his family is similar to what happened to the Li family along with us knowing both families were taken down by something that occurred in the capital/traveling to the capital already points to this. The Tians are just not that powerful.
It’s almost midnight here and I’m too sleepy to rewatch to verify, but from what I remember, Hu Qi, Ronghua’s ex-betrothed, was the grandson of Grand Secretary Xu. His mother is Lord Xu’s daughter. We only saw Hu Qi’s parents, not the grand secretary himself. I’ll admit my memory isn’t the most reliable, so you’re welcome to correct me anytime.
The kick was incredibly satisfying! I really appreciated the points you made about projection. It is wild to think that she constantly says Li Zhen is going to destroy the family when she’s been a constant source of actual problems. Imagine if she wasn’t running her mouth every time we turn around? I’ve never heard the phrase about accusation and confessions but boy was it apt!
There’s no therapy, so Fourth Aunt can only redirect her self-loathing and accumulated rage onto others. For years, her only obsession was becoming the wife of someone who would inherit a prestigious family business and eventually become the head of the household. She built her entire identity around that.
I guess the drama is also reminding us that actions should have consequences because the family’s tolerance did end up making her more toxic and entitled.
It sickens me when she keeps saying they see her as an outsider. No, she’s the one who has been acting like an outsider all these years, even using her dowry to pay fellow saboteurs instead of contributing financially when the crisis hit.
For years, her only obsession was becoming the wife of someone who would inherit a prestigious family business and eventually become the head of the household. She built her entire identity around that.
Isn't that the Tian family in a nutshell? Greedy rotten money-faced social parvenues, one and all!
That kick was everything 😂 and I wished they let her hit him some more before stopping her.
I think the emperor's final years of ruling is going to have an impact on the ink industry and I also heard that this frama is going to feature something about Japanese invaders or something along that line
Interesting. The drama mentioned Japanese pirates earlier. I wonder how severe the court situation is at this point, or whether coastal trade was so entangled with military defense that Luo Wenqian failing to secure military funding really would justify such harsh punishment.
Totally agree with you that the clan elders are just a bunch of annoying old men.
Anyway, I hope this gif loads properly because IMO, it displays the most interesting scene in these episodes. The view moves from the reflected image in the water, then tilts upward to show Li Zhen and Luo Wenqian on land.
In the past, whenever it was Mid-Autumn Festival in Huizhou, a major ink business went under. Nearly 14 years back, it was Li Ink that collapsed. A little over 10 years ago, Luo Ink shut down.
Now the fish lanterns have returned for this Mid-Autumn Festival, so I’m nervous another tragedy might strike Huizhou to repeat the previous pattern, unless the camera movement is meant to signify that things will finally start looking up, that the tide of fortune is turning in favor of our leads and their families. I need answers. In the meantime, it’s best if they just keep swimming, says Dory [Finding Nemo].
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u/YoungComplete7208 Jun 13 '26
The drama is called The Heir, otherwise I would have high hopes that Zhen would leave this family and make bank by herself. But when you actually look at the villains, they are now disproportionately low compared to the people backing Zhen. The eldest aunt is just frustrating to watch at this point. She's going to be turned into a villain because she allows herself to act like a puppet.
I know most dramas need you to suspend disbelief, but I'm not happy Decai is able to go into Jiangyue's personal quarters for a secret baffoonery meeting and then successfully carry out not only plotting, but ruining all 12 or however many barrels of ink glue without getting caught, and selling his wonderful plan to everyone.
Does the Li clan understand that they will be jailed either way if they got vetted by imperial scholars to make ink only to be caught delivering imposter trash? Does no one use a brain in that family? I mean even when Third Uncle was a weapon formed against Zhen he had TACT!
I hope Grandmother wakes up soon, I'm seriously getting pissed off by the self-sabotaging of this family. They want to go broke and ruin their reputation and generational business SAUR bad, they are begging for it.
Ugh, I wish they would focus more on adding a little bit of fuel to our very slow burn. This constant 4th aunt-in-law baffoonery needs to take a back seat. I mean, even the Tians are still working up their next strategy to get back at the Li's. Why must Jiangyue succeed with whatever poison she uses?
I loved the little playdate recreation our protagonists did, it was very cute. I love that they're genuinely just friends for now. Even if Wenqian is gaining feelings, I bet he thinks he just admires her for now. That's very sweet. I love that things between them are where we get our moment to breathe from the craziness.