It was only then that many viewers realized the subtle undercurrent running through the entire series: wisdom!
Hua Ruyi's primary motivation for filming "Double Saints of the Tang Dynasty" was to reshape the public's ingrained perception of powerful women.
In previous dramas, whether focusing on Empress Dowager Cixi, Empress Wu Zetian, Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang, or Mi Yue, all inevitably incorporated messy romantic entanglements.
Xiaozhuang had Dorgon, Cixi had Prince Gong, and Mi Yue had the King of Yi. It made these women seem as though they could only ascend to power through men.
Hua Ruyi had always defied convention when filming historical dramas.
In his view, women who relied on their beauty to beguile men were mere trifles. True powerful women relied not on men, but on their own schemes, prowess, wisdom, and depth.
Therefore, despite Jiang Ling's stunning makeup and attire, her appearance was significantly downplayed during filming, while her wisdom was greatly emphasized.
To portray a character's intelligence and brilliance, particularly her sharp insight, the performance through the eyes was crucial.
For eyes are the windows to the soul; while expressions can deceive, the shrewdness and cunning in one's gaze are difficult to conceal.
And acting with one's eyes was precisely Jiang Ling's forte.
As Wu Meiniang's character aged, Jiang Ling's original beauty was obscured by the makeup of old age, yet the wisdom emanating from her expressive eyes grew ever deeper and clearer, perfectly embodying the saying, "Ginger gets hotter with age."
The scene where she used her male consorts to resolve the enmity between the Li and Wu families left the audience thunderously impressed.
However, a significant portion of the audience disagreed, believing Wu Meiniang had already aged beyond her capabilities.
How could a seventy or eighty-year-old woman, with severely declining physical functions and a mind clouded by age, still be so intelligent?
If her mind were truly so clear, how could Li Xian and others have launched the Shenlong Coup to force her abdication?
It was crucial to remember that the empress had strived her entire life, killing countless people, all for the sake of the throne. Such a sudden loss was akin to taking her life.
Furthermore, emperors of ancient times, regardless of how diligent and politically astute they were in their youth, often became muddled in their later years.
Take, for instance, the renowned Emperor Wu of Han. Alongside Qin Shi Huang, he was known as "Qin Huang Han Wu." In his youth, he was incredibly formidable. Yet, in his later years, he engaged in reckless military campaigns, fell prey to superstition, and, due to accusations of witchcraft, caused the deaths of his Empress and the entire Crown Prince's family.
There was also Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, Li Longji. The Kaiyuan Flourishing Age he ushered in represented the pinnacle of ancient China's politics, economy, and culture, hailed as the foremost of the Five Flourishing Ages, surpassing even the Flourishing Ages of Wen and Jing, the Reign of Zhenguan, the Flourishing Ages of Yongle and Xuande, and the Flourishing Ages of Kangxi and Qianlong. Had he not indulged in foolishness in his later years and triggered the An Lushan Rebellion, he would undoubtedly have qualified for the title of "Emperor of All Ages."
To such an extent that modern people, when mentioning Li Sanlang, cannot help but jest, "What a good emperor, it's a pity he didn't die sooner!"
Even the mighty Wu Zetian lived to be eighty years old, an age greater than both Emperor Wu of Han and Emperor Xuanzong of Tang. Even if she hadn't become senile, it was unlikely she could have orchestrated such a mind-boggling scheme.
The well-reasoned doubts raised by many drama critics and history enthusiasts led a considerable number of viewers to believe that the series had overly idealized Wu Zetian.
No matter how formidable the Empress was, she was, after all, old. She shouldn't have been so incredibly capable.
In response to the audience's doubts, Hua Ruyi offered no explanation, merely posting on Weibo: "Wu Zetian's true prowess wasn't in becoming emperor. The highlight of her life's wisdom came after her abdication. Don't believe me? Watch the final episode!"