The 2nd season of JOL is good but not the best in my opinion. Time goes, people change and my higher expectation with long-waited anticipation doesn't pay off. The actors changed; 5 years older, some are chubbier and Fan Xian (Zhao Ruo Yun) depleted than looking back of himself in previous season. Fan Xian, a Nepo baby has 5 father/mentor figures and heavenly mother that increase his chances of best life not to mention his good look and intelligent. Emperor Qing (Biological father), Fan Jian (Adopted father), Fei Jie (Teacher/Mentor), Lin Ru Fu (Father-in-law), Wu Zhu (Teacher/Mentor) all outstanding and powerful men that give Fan Xian capability to achieve endless ambition in the world. Money, power, support, advise, love, knowledge, name it he got all. Not to mention he has a wife that come from a powerful family, friendship and love Hai Tang Duo Duo a beautiful independent a master, adoration from Emperor of Northern Qi, Fan Xian a perfect kind of young man who got everything going on in his life. He has top position, power, beautiful dutiful wife, girlfriends, money, friendship, support, who doesn't want to be Fan Xian? ZRY has great portrayal of Fan Xian, great fighting choreography, good dialog, setting is awesome. The actresses are beautiful; I love Li Xiao Ran (Li Yun Rui), Xin Zhi Lei (Hai Tang Duo Duo), Wang Chu Ran (Sang Wen), Wang Xiao Chen (Yuan Meng), Faye Yu (Empress) and great with their acting - just too bad their have limited air time. Let me breakdown why I don't give this popular drama JOL a 10 score:

Li Qin (Lin Wan'Er)
She has tepid chemistry with ZRY, her acting is appropriate according to the script but she doesn't bring her endgame. Lin Wan'Er is the weakest character in Fan Xian life. Her family is basically demoted/casted out because of Fan Xian, yet her devotion and love hasn't changed, her lack of principles and weak character is her best asset to FX. If she has a strong will and independent as Hai Tang or even Ruo Ruo, Wan'Er won't marry FX because it's just too much of bad blood between them. Basically, ZRY & Li Qin has cold-warm relationship especially after the marriage, they both didn't express their deep love to mostly a newly-wed couple.

Tian Yu (Wang Qi Nian) & Missing favorite characters from S1?
I love Wang Qi Nian, he's a loyal sidekick that trust FX v.v but in 2nd season he's kissing a** too much. He flattered FX too many times, cringe like overly sweeten the deals. Where is Gao Da (Li Jun Xian) he's one of my favorite but he barely has screen time. Limited appearance of Hai Tang, Fei Jie, Yan Bin Yun, Wu Zhu all important characters that isn't develop in Season 2. Especially Yan Bin Yun, he is the most important man who execute Fan Xian's strategies/action in Overwatch Council.

Costumes/hair piece & Background music
Shiny fabric, bad choice of hair piece but I like Yuan Meng/Sang Wen flowery head piece. Yodeling as part of background music isn't good, they should use any playful tone of Chinese music.

Ending
3 last episodes concentration in Ming Family before ending the drama in last quarter of ep 36. The director should have make 2-4 more episodes to elaborate the story but they're on and on about Ming Family. The screen writer should have developed the reunion between Hai Tang & Fan Xian that fans looking forward to. In the book though there're lots of people involve in FX open chest self-operating so he's declared not only God of Poetry but earned new title as Medical genius. Anyway, last scene is great, a promise 'Iam back' to next Season 3 which will have to wait again for 2-3 years before premier.

My prediction in Season 3 (base on novel)
Hai Tang Duo Duo will have more screen time. Hai Tang love journey will start on S3 with no happy ending. Wu Zhu will have more part as Fan Xian defender. Ruo Ruo will study medicine in Northern Qi and become a doctor (she'll break the engagement), Li Cheng Heng will try to win her heart and compete with despicable He Zong Wei. Country will be in turmoil, change in leadership, dead of Princes, family break up & Fan Xian as a family man.