Hua Ruyi skillfully wove the romantic storyline into the early foreshadowing, culminating in the mid-period with the deposition of Empress Wang and Wu Meiniang's ascension to the throne as Empress.
By then, the political forces of both the front court and the inner palace had been purged by Emperor Li Zhi.
Just as he believed he held absolute power, he was astonished to discover that Wu Meiniang, whom he had elevated, had become his greatest obstacle.
It turned out that during the process of deposing Empress Wang and establishing Wu Meiniang, Li Zhi had grown, and Wu Meiniang had also grown. Her influence had, unnoticed, infiltrated the front court from the inner palace.
By the time Li Zhi realized it, Wu Meiniang had gained considerable power.
Li Zhi naturally could not tolerate such a situation and planned to depose Wu Meiniang, enlisting Shangguan Wan'er's grandfather, Shangguan Yi, to draft the imperial decree.
Who knew that Wu Meiniang had already sensed Li Zhi's ill intentions towards her?
After years of living together, she had fully understood her second husband's temperament and used her intelligence to skillfully navigate the situation.
The probing, scheming, suspicion, and tenderness between the emperor and empress catalyzed their earlier camaraderie into love.
When Li Zhi discovered that he had fallen in love, unknowingly, with this woman who was as intelligent as he was, possessing both strategy and political vision, his heart softened.
Wu Meiniang seized the opportunity, immediately using her tenderness to disarm him, completely dispelling Li Zhi's wariness.
She also made Li Zhi understand that the emperor's solitary life was not easy, and that unity between husband and wife, as sharp as a blade, was essential to govern the empire and inherit the prosperity of the Zhenguan era.
Thus, the emperor and empress reconciled, with no further rifts, living as a devoted couple for over thirty years.
Jiang Ling, reading this passage, couldn't help but recall "The Tale of Pure Yuan Musk."
Why did the "Four Consorts' Love" leave so many viewers with lingering regrets?
Because the love between the emperor and Zhen Huan was heavily laced with suspicion and power struggles in the early stages. Zhen Huan used her intelligence to negotiate with the emperor, creating a feeling of dancing on a tightrope, which was thrillingly dangerous and profoundly impactful.
In contrast, the love between Guo and Huan was as bland as plain water during their time at Ganlu Temple. Guozili was also a love-addled simpleton, often acting foolishly, making it difficult for viewers to ship them.
If Jiang Ling had to choose, she would naturally prefer the love between Mei and Huan, wishing that the good fortunes of the world would align with yours.
If forced to choose between the Four Consorts' Love and Guo-Huan Love, she would still opt for Guo-Huan.
No matter how love-addled or foolish Guozili was, he was at least devoted to Zhen Huan and could even die for the woman he loved.
Being with such a man meant at least not worrying about him having affairs after marriage, nor fearing the family being exiled to Ningguta again.
On the other hand, the emperor in the Four Consorts' Love was cold-blooded and ruthless, turning on people without mercy. Besides his "white moonlight," he later tried to covet Yurao under the guise of missing his deceased wife, which was utterly disgusting.
As the emperor and empress reconciled, Shangguan Yi met his demise. This was because Wu Meiniang discovered the imperial decree to depose her and demanded an explanation from Li Zhi.
Li Zhi, of course, could not admit it was his own idea. He immediately blamed Shangguan Yi, claiming the old man had instigated it, assuring his wife that he still loved her.
As a result, Shangguan Yi's entire family was executed, leaving only Shangguan Wan'er.
Jiang Ling couldn't help but laugh at this point.
Li Zhi, this black-hearted, innocent-looking villain, truly knew how to ruin people without incurring any blame!
For several days, Jiang Ling was completely engrossed in her character research, and her longing for Jian Zhou gradually faded.
That's how ambitious women are.
Once they are fully committed to their careers, any talk of men or relationships is pushed aside.