Female Prime Minister 《女相》 - Chen Xiao, Zhao Li Ying, Yang Rong

[yannlc]

Haven't seen today's episodes yet, but wasn't there something odd about how quickly Gao Zhan recovered from seeing Lu Zhen hugging Shen Jiayan? It almost felt like a huge scene was cut out because one moment he's upset enough to cough up blood and the next he's completely understanding and over it? Am I missing something here?

I do find it amazing how well Shen Jiayan understands her! Although the two of them both being foster children is a bit of a stretch... but they really are so compatible! It's times like these when I wish the directing was a bit better, because despite Shen Jiayan's lines/actions, I still somehow can't really feel that he's that much in love with her. It's like the camera pauses on him thinking of Lu Zhen when it's kind of superfluous, but then doesn't pause on him in those key moments when he should be most hurt about her being in love with his best friend (pretty sure the scene usually focuses on Gao Zhan and Lu Zhen acting lovingly with each other instead... which is less exciting).

That is why l commented earlier that shen jia yan's first scene with Lu Zhen Wasn't what l expected. They seem to be downgrading the scenes between jiayan & lu Zhen so it appears that her relationship with gao Zhan is more intense . The scenes between jiayan&Lu Zhen Arent exactly described like in the novel.

[yannlc]

This story is going all over the place.

Still love LZ and GZ together but there are just too many unnecessary distractions thrown in their direction. GZ was starting to turn into the kind of annoying overbearing man I dislike, although that resolved quickly. Shen Jiayan needs to come, sweep LZ off her feet, and take her away! ^^

Someone pleeeease tell me this isn't going to turn into some creepy semi-incestuous story where LZ finds out GZ is her half-brother...

On a lighter note, it seems like Yu Zheng is super eager to have these two super-hot artistes work together again...it sounds like he has another novel in mind.

haha there's going to be alot more distractions thrown in their way! Even though this is a love story , it is also about Lu Zhen's life & her rise up the ranks of the court officials. l love the how LZ knows how her background isnt as Illustrious as other young ladies but she's Climbing the court ranks On her Own steam to make up for it.

SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS

sorry am on my notepad so the functions for reply are very basic. cant even bold words. Anyway skip this part if you dont Want spoilers from the novel. The drama might have changes.

Gao Zhan & Lu Zhen arent siblings... their relationship is super complicated later on.

l know alot of you would like GZ to be jealous of Shen Jia Yan & Lu Zhen. The blood splitting is the most exciting we get to see...

whatever happens one just needs to remember GZ behaves exactly like GY when in love. There's only ONE woman for them no matter what happens...

[Ransi]

That is why l commented earlier that shen jia yan's first scene with Lu Zhen Wasn't what l expected. They seem to be downgrading the scenes between jiayan & lu Zhen so it appears that her relationship with gao Zhan is more intense . The scenes between jiayan&Lu Zhen Arent exactly described like in the novel.

Oh! How do the scenes in the novel go (if you don't mind me asking)? I keep feeling like I want to root for Shen Jiayan, but then his scenes are so watered down emotionally that it's kind of hard to. The camera never even pauses to show how Shen Jiayan reacts to Gao Zhan always overshadowing his love for Lu Zhen either (i.e. saving Lu Zhen in the mine, Lu Zhen's strong reactions to Gao Zhan vs her reactions to him). Even his multiple proposals to Lu Zhen seemed lukewarm and forgettable the way it's done in the drama... and that just seems odd.

[happyswallow]

Oh! How do the scenes in the novel go (if you don't mind me asking)? I keep feeling like I want to root for Shen Jiayan, but then his scenes are so watered down emotionally that it's kind of hard to. The camera never even pauses to show how Shen Jiayan reacts to Gao Zhan always overshadowing his love for Lu Zhen either (i.e. saving Lu Zhen in the mine, Lu Zhen's strong reactions to Gao Zhan vs her reactions to him). Even his multiple proposals to Lu Zhen seemed lukewarm and forgettable the way it's done in the drama... and that just seems odd.

Shen Jiayan's story has so much potential for development! I love how he and Gao Zhan's storyline with Lu Zhen has so many parallels (yellow vs. white flowers, almost running her over with a horse, catching her when she fainted regarding marriage news, etc) but nothing more comes out of it than making viewers pity him. His character is such a sweet and understanding guy, but he feels a bit extraneous to the whole story. He doesn't add much to the love story nor the entire plot.


Who else was a bit annoyed that GZ wasn't truthful to LZ regarding Ah Bi? UGH didn't you learn your stupid lesson last time?

[yannlc]

Oh! How do the scenes in the novel go (if you don't mind me asking)? I keep feeling like I want to root for Shen Jiayan, but then his scenes are so watered down emotionally that it's kind of hard to. The camera never even pauses to show how Shen Jiayan reacts to Gao Zhan always overshadowing his love for Lu Zhen either (i.e. saving Lu Zhen in the mine, Lu Zhen's strong reactions to Gao Zhan vs her reactions to him). Even his multiple proposals to Lu Zhen seemed lukewarm and forgettable the way it's done in the drama... and that just seems odd.

Ransi

No I dont mind you asking. Am also happy to translate those scenes but I need some time...because I read the novel so fast, I have to go back to hunt for those paragraphs first...then do the translations...

The cave scene where Shen Jiayan rescues Lu Zhen was so much better in the book!

[Ransi]

Ransi

No I dont mind you asking. Am also happy to translate those scenes but I need some time...because I read the novel so fast, I have to go back to hunt for those paragraphs first...then do the translations...

The cave scene where Shen Jiayan rescues Lu Zhen was so much better in the book!

You're the best yannlc!! I feel like this isn't the type of novel that I'd read, so I'm definitely looking forward to seeing your post of the Shen Jiayan snippets! Knowing that the cave scene is better definitely raises my anticipation even more!

[Ransi]

Who else was a bit annoyed that GZ wasn't truthful to LZ regarding Ah Bi? UGH didn't you learn your stupid lesson last time?

Just finished episode 48! Actually, I don't blame him. Although it's kind of awkward to think of Gao Zhan in such a way, but I mean if you reversed the situation, I don't think most people would blame a girl for concealing from her lover that she'd been drugged by a guy so that she'd sleep with him... so I don't think it's inherently wrong for a guy to conceal having been drugged by a girl so that he'd sleep with her too. I'm actually more irked by Lu Zhen's reaction. I mean she knows that he was the victim, and yet still doesn't sympathize with him? Even that older servant/gugu sympathized with him. Xiao Huanyun didn't think any less of him and was instead rightfully furious at Shen Bi for having done something so horrible to him. I don't know. Maybe I've just been reading too many role reversal novels lately so I feel like Lu Zhen too should be pissed at Shen Bi for drugging/raping her lover instead of viewing him as having done something dirty. >>

[Mangoberrie]

I feel like Lu Zhen too should be pissed at Shen Bi for drugging/raping her lover instead of viewing him as having done something dirty. >>

I agree! It's also matters like this that I'm slowly beginning to dislike LZ's character. She's meant to be intelligent, yet she's acting so immature on a number of situations. I can understand how she feels and perhaps can accept her need for time to heal her pains, yet the fact that she doesn't direct her anger at those who really caused the situation and the fact that she'd rather spend her time whinging and getting upset at GZ make her a lesser character.

The plot is also progressing so slowly due to the numerous LZ/GZ makeup and breakups that it's becoming less interesting to watch. When they break up at the beginning of an episode, I hardly care anymore as they seem to always make up in the next hour or so of the show.

[Ransi]

I agree! It's also matters like this that I'm slowly beginning to dislike LZ's character. She's meant to be intelligent, yet she's acting so immature on a number of situations. I can understand how she feels and perhaps can accept her need for time to heal her pains, yet the fact that she doesn't direct her anger at those who really caused the situation and the fact that she'd rather spend her time whinging and getting upset at GZ make her a lesser character.

Edit: After finishing episode 51, I realize now that Lu Zhen's whole breakdown scene was just meant to serve as a catalyst to add more unnecessary complications to the plot so that they can bring down Lou Shang Shi in some sort of righteous way. This story arc was definitely the least likable for me since I don't think Lu Zhen has the capability to handle difficult situations. Xiao Huanyun was right in saying that Lu Zhen never is the one supporting Gao Zhan, but rather is always the one demanding he comfort her.

For instance, it bewildered me how Lu Zhen told him the baby's situation was like her own, despite the fact that she has no clue why she's an illegitimate child yet. I mean by making that association between the rape-child and herself and then crying to Gao Zhan about it, she's essentially set up a situation where he now can't abort the child without taking into consideration her feelings too. I think it's already regrettable that she's not helping him resolve the situation, but is instead requiring him to comfort her in a moment when he's the one that needs the most support. That she's actually worsening the situation... sigh.

I also can't understand why she seems to treat Shen Bi as the victim despite knowing that Shen Bi's the mastermind who did all these horrible things to Gao Zhan and was still continuing to push him against a wall along with the Lou faction. From the way Lu Zhen acted, I almost felt like Gao Zhan was the one who raped Shen Bi and now has to take responsibility for his actions. It's just bizarre. At the very least, Gao Zhan finally rebuked Shen Bi about her actions up til now.

[happyswallow]

^
Hmmm I seem to be thinking slightly the opposite of you. While I agree LZ shouldn't have a say in whether or not GZ should keep the child, as a viewer I do find it off-putting that he wants to get rid of the child. Let's assume SB really IS pregnant; she of course would want to keep this 'love' child of hers. So if GZ doesn't want the baby he would have to force an abortion. While I do despise SB and find her actions lowly, if she is pregnant then the life of the baby belongs to her alone. Neither GZ or LZ should have any say on that baby's life. While I understand the risk having the baby presents to GZ, as a (modern) viewer I find that his callousness regarding just the baby's life alone detracts from the positive image I have of him so far.

Actually, rather than not being fond of LZ I'm starting to not be fond of GZ. LOL.
Really lacking the motivation to watch the episodes now.

[Ransi]

Actually, the main reason why I edited my previous post was since I realized I was delving into my views on abortion in situations of rape (in context of gender equality) and so didn't really want to go too in-depth into something controversial. I think most of my frustration stemmed from the fact that though I could see why the Lou faction supported it, I was too shocked at seeing Lu Zhen forcing him to take responsibility for someone who drugged and (whom she thought at the time) raped him as well. So I ended up letting off steam here... before I finished the episode and regained my senses. lol.

Things seemed to have occurred differently in the novel though based upon prior posts in regards to Shen Bi? So perhaps this was all just an awful plot change on part of the drama?

Shen Jiayan should be motivation for watching further!! Gao Zhan needs to go off on another one of those long-term diplomatic/border trips or something so that Shen Jiayan can get more screen time... haha.

[yannlc]

Firstly, I must say, the translation wasnt as easy as I thought it would be. Its darn difficult to read chinese and try to tranlate it into english...the grammer's just all weird! So my translation's not word for word but I tried to capture the gist of the scene and hopefully the translated scenes flow more smoothly...

Translated scenes for Shen Jia Yan

I think I should start with Shen Jia Yan's first appearance. SJY first appears when Gao Zhan is attacked by the Empress's croonies when he is at the disaster area. I didnt feel SJY's first appearance in the drama commandered as much presence as the book did...My translation sucks here but the chinese description is so much better...in the novel SJY jumps out of the pages (with just 3 lines)...

Chapter 41: Oath / Promise

That same day, Gao Yan summoned Shen Jiayan at the side chamber. A man wearing a general’s uniform strides into Chao Yang hall, his face portraying a heroic spirit, his expression seemingly tranquil.

[Ransi]

Now I feel bad for my laziness (in asking for scene translations when I could go find it myself). Sorry. If it's too much trouble and you remember the chapters where Shen Jia Yan has notable scenes, I don't mind looking up the book and reading those parts.

I think I should start with Shen Jia Yan's first appearance. SJY first appears when Gao Zhan is attacked by the Empress's croonies when he is at the disaster area. I didnt feel SJY's first appearance in the drama commandered as much presence as the book did...My translation sucks here but the chinese description is so much better...in the novel SJY jumps out of the pages (with just 3 lines)...

I think there's definitely a multitude of ways in which the drama could have emphasized his entrance so that it would capture the presence he has in the novel. I get what you mean now. Due to the lack of focus, I'm pretty sure I thought Shen Jia Yan was just an extra until the camera started following him through the inner palace.

[yannlc]

Now I feel bad for my laziness (in asking for scene translations when I could go find it myself). Sorry. If it's too much trouble and you remember the chapters where Shen Jia Yan has notable scenes, I don't mind looking up the book and reading those parts.

I think there's definitely a multitude of ways in which the drama could have emphasized his entrance so that it would capture the presence he has in the novel. I get what you mean now. Due to the lack of focus, I'm pretty sure I thought Shen Jia Yan was just an extra until the camera started following him through the inner palace.

Nah...am ok with the translations for now...its just that I didnt realise it would be this difficult...I mean I understand what I am reading but then to explain/translate it...I think there's a certain skill involve and my admiration goes out to all those who does these kind of translations regularly!

I also cant remember the scenes...am flipping through the books randomly to find the passages...Perhaps the director has trouble translating scenes from the book onto the TV or vice versa...that's why the slight descrepencies...

[yannlc]

We are still at Chapter 41, straight after SJY's discussion with Gao Yan, an eunch is tasked with escorting SJY to his sister's work place. The eunch points to Jia Min's work place from afar and leaves to go collect his salary...

Chapter 41: Oath / Promise

Shen Jia Yan followed the direction he (ie the eunch) pointed but unexpectedly met with a fork road that separated into three directions. Frowning, he choose the road that looked the nearest, but didn’t expect that the more he walked, the further he went, accumulating with the realisation that he was lost.

Right this moment, a breeze from afar wafted by, bringing a light flowery scent. He exclaims: “How is it that the inner palace would have such fragrant Gardenia flowers?”

He walked towards the direction where the scent of the flowers had originated and to his surprise, saw a maiden. Her black hair was adorned with a white flower, she was starring blankly while standing in front of the Gardenia flowers, her eyes filled with tears.

The next phrase is ‘清水出芙蓉，天然去雕饰’ is translated as “ clear water produces hibiscus /lotus flowers, carved/decorated naturally.’ This phrase comes from a Li Bai’s poem. Here it is a description of the maiden Shen JiaYan saw. The maiden is described like the lotus flower that just blooms from the clear water, she is fresh and beautiful. She is doesn’t have any manmade ornaments and is decorated naturally. aka in modern terms, she is naturally beauty and hasn’t undergone plastic surgery …

He couldn’t refrain from starring in awe. Since he was a child, he has seen numerous females but has never seen one that truly made him feel so peaceful.

This maiden was Lu Zhen. Because she was worried about Gao Zhan, she didn’t style her hair with her court lady hairstyle and was wearing civilian clothing when she unwittingly walked up to the Gardenia flowers. Shedding tears while reminiscing about her past with Gao Zhan, she was unaware someone was watching her. At that moment, a small bird flew past, returning Lu Zhen to her senses. She turned her head only to discover a man was standing behind her, startling her because he didn’t look like he was a palace staff “You are not an internal supervisor nor an imperial bodyguard, why have you come here?”

[happyswallow]

Thank you for the translations, yannlc! It's very interesting that the book should differ considerably from the series, considering that it was adapted from the screenplaay (unless I'm wrong?). Maybe SJY's parts were edited out?

GZ's look of bliss when LZ called him 夫君 was so adorable! ^^

I have to say I'm extremely impressed by LZ's health. She manages to survive being crushed under falling rocks, a prolonged suicide attempt, and falling from a high tower, yet GZ's sister dies within two minutes of having her neck cut with very little blood coming out. -____________- drama logic.

[yannlc]

Thank you for the translations, yannlc! It's very interesting that the book should differ considerably from the series, considering that it was adapted from the screenplaay (unless I'm wrong?). Maybe SJY's parts were edited out?

I have to say I'm extremely impressed by LZ's health. She manages to survive being crushed under falling rocks, a prolonged suicide attempt, and falling from a high tower, yet GZ's sister dies within two minutes of having her neck cut with very little blood coming out. -____________- drama logic.

You are welcomed!

Sorry for the slow reply, I have been caught up with trying to find Shen Jia Yan's scenes from the book...

I too thought that the book served as the screenplay for the drama but certain drama scenes arent exactly like the book...for instance

• Shen Jia Yan...the more I concentrate on his scenes in the book, the more I feel his character in the drama is less 'fleshed out' so that more focus is on Gao Zhan.
• The scene where they found out Shen Bi's false pregnancy seem more exciting in the book
• GZ's sister's death scene was more dramatic in the book
• regarding LZ's birthright...was it just told to GZ by Huan yun in the drama? cos that wasnt how they discovered it...

I suspect certain scenes are hard to translate from the book...sometimes 2-3 lines written on feelings and thoughts are very difficult to translate on screen and am sure certain scenes were added to make it more patable on screen...

[weaxli]

First post, don’t mind me ranting and spoilers ahead for those who haven’t finished watching yet.
I have been looking forward to this series since it started production, and boy, did it disappoint.
The overall pace was slow. The palace scheming was simply boring and the plot was going nowhere for god knows how long.

Zhao Li Ying is cute as a button and she did very well in the role. However, as much as I would like to say otherwise, Lu Zhen is extremely likeable but that’s it. She fails to interest and is the blandest out of the four main characters. Nothing wrong with the acting, everything wrong with the character. I can’t see how her actions to climb up the ranks are worthy of her becoming the prime minister. She fails to impress even at the most climatic moment. At the end, she did help Gao Zhan in his coup d’etat but that was based on the instructions of Huanyun. When it’s most crucial, she seems to just go along with whatever Gao Zhan, Huanyun, or whoever have planned. To put it simply, there is nothing legendary about Lu Zhen.

Chen Xiao as Gao Zhan is handsome as sin but his performance is underwhelming compared to his interpretation of Lin Pingzhi. His character is a lot more interesting when he is not being lovey dovey with Lu Zhen or trying to make her forgive him for whatever he did. He is most appealing when he is trying to protect or defend her rather than when he is actually being happy with her. As a couple they are very compatible but their many scenes quickly starts to pale in comparison to any scene that moves the plot away from them.

The actual characters of Huanyun and Gao Yan didn’t disappoint as much as how small their roles were. Huanyun in particular was intriguing for the most of the series and turned out to be pretty impressive towards the end.

Even though we followed Lu Zhen and Gao Zhan for the most of the series, their ending was kind of anti-climatic. After a short period of exciting events, including several tragic deaths, the final three episodes were underwhelming to say the least. Gao Yan’s and subsequently Huanyun’s death and even He Dan Niang’s death were more memorable and emotionally effective than our leading man’s death.

Overall, this had the potential to be great but it fell flat.

[happyswallow]

I can’t see how her actions to climb up the ranks are worthy of her becoming the prime minister. She fails to impress even at the most climatic moment.

THIS. I can't comprehend how she was able to be promoted through 3-4 ranks within the span of 10 episodes or so. More focus on why she was great and accomplished would make it more believable. It's a wonder there weren't more female officials getting pissed off.

The first ten episodes started off so well and were so addicting. I think it partly had to do with LZ's lively character at the time and her interactions with GZ. Both characters started to pale as the series went on.

I really liked how Dan Niang's death was filmed. I felt like that scene was one of the most poignant in the entire series.

[charbydis]

Watched the last ep yesterday night. It was really anti-climatic after the coup. The way a certain lady died was strange, as if she was teleported away in time travel rather than be burned alive. I quite liked the emotions portrayed in the last ep but the story was too forced though I did like the twist regarding the Princess of Chen. The actress who played her was cute.

I have to admit I quite like Chen Xiao and Zhao Li Ying's chemistry but their story is very bland and childish. For 30+ eps, everythings dragged on and in the last few eps, too much is happening and it is too rushed. There is no development in the main characters despite a lot happening, though I do admit Gao Zhan was getting more cold-hearted in the last ep but he never does anything bad which is a downer because it would have been a great ending if Gao Zhan went nuts and did all the bad things he did in real history.

I think Yang Rong takes the cake in best acting and most interesting role. Her acting is very much different from Swordsman 2012 and she carries herself well in the complicated role of Xiao Huan Yun. Hope she gets promoted to female lead soon.

In conclusion, this series could have been great if more people died, if more development happened, if the costume diector was less colourblind and if the main leads went evil. The series is entertaining at times, but cannot stand out when compared to the multitube of palace dramas coming out every year. It actually feels like an altered Chinese version of "Jewel In the Palace", however, not of the same standard. But I like the themesong very much.