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| Final Episode Breakdown: Did Shi FaKe & Lu Chi Get Their Happy Ending in Better Halves? |
The iQIYI historical romance drama Better Halves (明媒善娶) has officially wrapped its 24-episode run—and oh boy, that final stretch left us with a mixed bag of emotions.
On one hand, it stayed loyal to its core theme of love triumphing over adversity. On the other, the clunky pacing, overly formulaic tropes, and half-baked emotional payoffs left many viewers underwhelmed.
Let’s unpack what actually went down in the finale, what it all means, and how each character’s journey wrapped up.
🌀 Quick Recap of Better Halves Final Episode
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The finale centres around the Emperor’s rather bizarre test of Lady Yan Qiyue’s (who played a side role in Lu Chi’s arc) loyalty and sincerity.
Wanting to confirm her genuine feelings, the Emperor sends Shi FaKe as a secret agent to probe her intentions.
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In a rather theatrical move, Yan Qiyue prepares three sedan chairs for her wedding—each representing a different suitor identity (the Emperor in disguise, Mr Lin Yuan, and "Young Master Huang").
Meanwhile, Shi FaKe and Lu Chi finally seal their fate together after 23 episodes of near-misses, political plots, and fake identities.
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The court conspiracies are largely wrapped, the “rebellion-by-marriage” plotline is shut down, and the matchmakers reclaim their honour.
The show ends on a technically happy note—but not without a few caveats.
💌 Better Halves Ending Explained
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At its heart, Better Halves aimed to reframe arranged marriage as something deeper than social contracts—it’s about choice, integrity, and love beyond status. The ending reinforces this with Lu Chi choosing love over mission, and Shi FaKe choosing duty and heart.
The Emperor’s meddling adds a layer of imperial absurdity but serves to highlight the theme that sincerity can’t be faked—not even under royal orders. Though the palace side story involving Yan Qiyue felt tacked on, it mirrored the central couple’s dynamic: both women had to navigate affection and survival under patriarchal control.
Despite some promising ideals, the show’s ending felt rushed. Emotional beats didn’t land with full impact, and character arcs got smoothed over rather than resolved with care. Still, the conclusion tries to reassure viewers that loyalty, even in the modest form of matchmaking, carries weight.
🎭 Characters Wrapped
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Shi FaKe (Snow Kong Xue’er) - The “Number One Matchmaker’s” daughter ends as a resilient woman who’s rebuilt her family’s legacy while also finding love. Her arc felt inspiring but lacked real stakes in the second half.
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Lu Chi (Ren Hao)
The mountain lord-turned-spy-turned-lover finally drops his act and embraces both romance and responsibility. Sadly, Ren Hao’s performance felt emotionally distant in key scenes. -
He KeCheng & He KeTian (Zhao ShunRan & Zheng ShuHuan)
Supporting brothers-in-politics who mostly stood around looking worried or noble. Their storylines were plot tools, nothing more. -
Li PanEr (Smile Hu DanDan)
Could’ve been the comedic heart, but her moments were underwritten. Still, she remained a loyal friend till the end. -
Marquis WuAn (He MingHan)
The main baddie with very little menace. His plot fizzled out rather than exploded. Could've been a major antagonist but felt more like a mid-level boss fight. -
Ms Deng the Matchmaker (Chen ZiHan)
One of the more interesting characters, despite minimal screen time. Represented tradition and feminine resilience.
🧾 TL;DR
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Ending: Yes, it’s a happy one. Shi FaKe and Lu Chi end up together, the family is restored, the rebellion is stopped, and matchmaking wins the day.
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Strong points: Core themes, some cases-of-the-week, and sweet-hearted messaging.
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Weak points: Pacing, emotionless lead performances, formulaic scenes, poor comedy delivery, weak supporting cast.
❓FAQ
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Q: Is the ending rushed?
Yes. Key conflicts get resolved in fast-forward, especially the court plot and the leads’ emotional climax.
Q: Was there a love triangle?
Not really. The romantic arc is quite straightforward, despite hints of potential rivals.
Q: Does Shi FaKe reclaim her family’s title?
It’s heavily implied, though the show doesn’t show the official reinstatement. Her success as a matchmaker redeems the family name.
Q: What was the point of the three sedan chairs?
Symbolism gone overboard. It was a test staged by the Emperor to evaluate Yan Qiyue’s loyalty—but ended up being a distraction.
Q: Will there be a sequel?
No announcements as of yet. But judging from the finale, this was meant to be a stand-alone tale.
Better Halves tried to bring something warm and wholesome to the increasingly flashy world of period romance dramas. Its heart is in the right place, and its themes of humility, honour, and true love are sincere. But in execution, it falls into too many clichés, with lacklustre editing, undercooked humour, and leads who rarely spark on screen.
It’s still worth watching for the vibes, the occasional touching moment, and the charming idea of matchmaking as a noble trade. But don’t expect a breakout hit—just a humble tale with a pure heart.