Perfecting all the drama

The same restraint shapes Lin's decision to resign from office after he recognizes the dangers of the imperial court. The sequence unfolds without dialogue. Through metaphor-laden imagery, Lin walks through swirling snow and across bloodstained ground, the stark visuals conveying the hardships and disillusionment behind his decision.

"Through these images, we wanted to show that he had entered the thorny world of the imperial court for the honor of his noble clan, to fulfill his ambitions, and to serve his country loyally," Chen says. "But when he looks back on the choices he has made over the years, what he wants to quit is the killing — a price he paid for his promotion."

Another striking image comes in a scene depicting Han Liang, a loyal official, freezing to death amid snow and wind. When a eunuch discovers Han's lifeless body beneath a thick blanket of snow, he flees in terror. At that moment, the dark clouds part and a shaft of sunlight falls on the dead official, setting him apart from the world around him and suggesting the nobility of a man who remained true to his principles.

Chen says he spent several days waiting for the right weather to capture the scene. "I waited for the dark clouds every day. As soon as I saw them, I went to shoot. We hoped to use an imagery-driven world to let the audience feel the temperament of a person — an artistic approach unique to Chinese people," he says.

The drama has also received positive reviews from overseas viewers, earning 9.6 out of 10 on the US-based streaming platform Rakuten Viki. Both directors say they hoped the series would give international audiences a deeper understanding of Chinese culture, from the classic garden designs to the traditional values reflected in the characters' choices.

"It reflects a Chinese philosophy of life; even after weathering life's ups and downs, one should remain true to one's original aspirations and strive to do good," Huang says.

Contact the writer at xufan@chinadaily.com.cn