Dear readers, welcome to the Ending Explained post for A Splendid Match drama. If you’re curious about how Gu Jin Zhao and Chen Yan Yun’s story ends but don’t have the time to sit through all episodes, I’ve got you covered.
This drama’s ending was packed whit political schemes, family conflicts, and heartbreaking sacrifices. It was complicated, so it’s easy to miss a few details along the way. Hopefully this article could help you understand how the story wrapped up. Happy reading!
Read A Splendid Match drama review here:
A Splendid Match Ending Explained
What Happened to Gu Jin Zhao and Chen Yan Yun on A Splendid Match Ending?
As the wife of the Grand Secretary, Gu Jin Zhao began attending gathering hosted by the wives of high-ranking officials. During one gathering, she was surprised by how the women openly discussed politics and even influenced their husband’s decision. Chen Yan Yun jokingly called them the “Wives’ Cabinet”.
Meanwhile, Gu Jin Zhao had to deal with Chen Xuan Qing’s growing obsession. He cannot accept their marriage and was convinced that she had been forced to marry Chen Yan Yun. He openly confessed his feelings and even try to break off his engagement with Yu Wan Xue.
Sensing that something had happened between his wife and nephew, Chen Yan Yun ordered Chen Yi to investigate their past. he soon learned everything about their history and realized that Gu Jin Zhao used to harboured true feelings for Chen Xuan Qing. Jealousy quickly took hold of him.
Gu Jin Zhao soon noticed the change. Chen Yan Yun grew distant and rarely returned home. While others blamed his workload, she knew something was wrong. Their conflict reached its peak after Gu De Yean was arrested.
When Chen Xuan Qing forcefully carried Gu Jin Zhao despite her protest, Chen Yan Yun saw them together. Furious, he struck Chen Xuan Qing and nearly strangled him before Gu Jin Zhao intervenes.
Although Chen Yan Yun knew she had done nothing wrong, he couldn’t control his emotions. Love was complicated and he was completely new to it. It was overwhelming and he admitted that he couldn’t think rationally. So he decided to leave.
Gu Jin Zhao waited for days but he was either too busy or intentionally avoided her. To force him back, Gu Jin Zhao signed the divorce letter and sent it to him. Chen Yan Yun was devastated, but he was in the middle of an important mission and could do nothing.
During another tea gathering, news arrived. Chen Yan Yun had been ambushed and seriously injured. Gu Jin Zhao rushed home to care for him. Seeing him pale and unconscious terrified her. When he finally woke up, Chen Yan Yun confessed that he was never angry with her.
He was angry with himself for realizing his feelings too late and jealous that she had once pursue another man. To stop him from talking, Gu Jin Zhao kissed him, practically end their cold war.
The assassination attempt had actually been part of Chen Yan Yun’s plan to force Fu Hai Lian to take side between him and Wang Xuan Fan. He was genuinely injured after being distracted by the divorce letter.
Soon after, Chen Yan Yun openly confronted Fu Hai Lian over Wang Xuan Fan. And although he had presented undeniable evidence of Wang Xuan Fan crime, Fu Hai Lian still continue to shield him.
Ye Xian then uncovered a crucial clue, the Wang family’s steward was a member of the Chunyuan cult, and organization linked to Prince Chengqing’s rebellion.
The emperor already suspected Fu Hai Lian’s connection to the cult and Wang Xuan Fan. He simply lacked concrete evidence. Further investigation revealed that another mysterious figure was operating behind Fu Hai Lian.
At court, Fu Hai Lian cut military funding for the Nine Garrison at the border. He was confident that the Beiman wouldn’t invade their country. Around the same time, Ji Yao reported that remnant of the Chunyuan Cult was hiding along the northern border and a mysterious woman named Lady Weirui had funded their escape from the capital to Beiman after Prince Chengqing’s failed rebellion.
Not long after, Fu Hai Lian manipulate Chen Xuan Qing to impeach his uncle before the emperor. Chen Yan Yun had to resigned from his position. Publicly, the emperor accepted the decision. But privately, he knew that everything was arranged by Fu Hai Lian. Chen Yan Yun was sent as an envoy to investigate the border, while Gu Jin Zhao managed to secure three hundred muskets from the emperor.
To avoid sabotage, Chen Yan Yun publicly severed ties with his master. Soon afterward, news arrived. The delegation was ambushed. Only two survivors returned, both were Fu Hai Lian’s men. Chen Yan Yun was declared missing, and he immediately was accused of treason.
However, Chen Yan Yun had already anticipated this. to protect his family, he and Gu Jin Zhao presented hundreds of cannons to the emperor, proving his loyalty and crushing rumours of treason.
Determined to find him, Gu Jin Zhao travelled to Shicheng. There she learned that Ye Xian had secretly cleared the roads for her. before the could settle the matter, the barbarians attacked the city. During the chaos, Gu Jin Zhao was separated from Ji Yao and was captured. She was rescued by the supposedly missing Chen Yan Yun.
Chen Yan Yun and Ye Xian reunited and together they lead the defense. They also uncovered another shocking truth, Lady Weirui was actually Madam Fu. To protect the border, ye Xian requested reinforcement from the capital.
Chen Yan Yun knew that request would never reach the court. As his former teacher, Fu Hai Lian understood him well and never believed Chen Yan Yun truly disappeared. He hide the situation and refused to deploy troops to the border.
Meanwhile, the soldiers’ morale continues to collapse. To fix the situation, Chen Yan Yun asked Ye Xian to lend him the Ye Army banner. So Ye Xian donned his father’s armor and raise the Ye Army flag. The plan worked. The veterans of the Ye Army regained their fighting spirits and secured victory, but at terrible cost. Ye Xian died, while Chen Yan Yun was badly wounded.
While keeping vigil beside Ye Xian’s body, Gu Jin Zhao found several letters hidden on his chest. One of them was written for her. The rest was addressed to his sister and the emperor.
In his final message, Ye Xian told Gu Jin Zhao that meeting her was the greatest fortune of his life. to Chen Yan Yun, he left the Ye Army banner and army as a final gift.
Chen Yan Yun realized that Fu Hai Loan would never send reinforcement as long as he believed Che Yan Yun was still alive. So, he faked his death and sent Ye Xian’s body back to the capital in his place. Old Madam Chen was devastated when she learned the death of her son. She regretted that she always wronged and never treat Chen Yan Yun nicely. Grateful that he was still alive, she promised to treat him better.
After reading Ye Xian’s letter, his sister and their mother, Marchioness Chengxing entered the palace. They pleaded the emperor to send reinforcement. After reading Ye Xian’s letter, the emperor harshly rebukes Fu Hai Lian who was shocked by the rapid development. However, even after that, he still refused.
Plagued by nightmare and running out of options, Gu Jin Zhao sent the Chen family away and went to the Fu residence. She was prepared to die before Fu Hai Lian if it necessary.
Before doing so, she begged Fu Hai Lian to set aside past grievances and save the soldiers and the people. Her words and resolution finally made Fu Hai Lian relented and dispatched reinforcements.
At the border, Chen Yan Yun stood among piles of bodies. He was severely wounded that he barely able to stand. Chen Yi had died protecting him. Just as Chen Yan Yun prepared for the final battle, reinforcements finally arrived.
Looking at his mask, Chen Yan Yun quietly spoke to Ye Xian as though he still beside him. They had won and the glory belonged to Ye Xian.
After the battle, Chen Yan Yun rushed back to the capital to save Gu Jin Zhao. Listening to his former teacher justify everything he did, Chen Yan Yun pointed that Fu Hai Lian himself had become the problem.
While he threatened Fu Hai Lian with sword, Madam Fu suddenly appeared. She took Gu Jin Zhao hostage. To save his wife, Chen Yan Yun struck her down with his sword. Fu Hai Lian rushed to his dead wife. As he watched his former teacher grieve over his wife, Chen Yan Yun vowed to never repeat his mistakes and never lose the original purpose.
At the ending, he took the Compendium of Yan’s New Strategies and carry Gu Jin Zhao, leaving the burning mansion. Outside, they walked side by side towards the future.
What Happened to Ye Xian on A Splendid Match Ending?
Ye Xian took the position of the Justice Bureau Commander. He secretly worked with Chen Yan Yun, as both were the emperor’s trusted aides.
When he learned about Gu Jin Zhao and Chen Yan Yun’s marriage, Ye Xian was devastated. Then, just before the wedding, Marquis Chengxin passed away. After that, he buried himself in work. yet, one person still continued to visit and care for him despite his multiple rejections. The person is Xue Qing Lan.
Since his father died, Ye Xian often regretted his inability to follow his father’s footprint as a military general. He remembered the old man saying he would never wield the blade for the rest of his life.
He also recalls his final instruction, to protect his mother and sister. The marquisate could fall but their safety is the priority. Due to excessive drinking, Ye Xian fainted.
Xue Qing Lan brought a physician to examine him, only to learn that Ye Xian only had three years left to live. Ye Xian overheard the diagnosis and remined calm.
While Xue Qing Lan urged him to seek another physician, he decided three years was enough. He planned to leave for Zhending Prefecture and forbade Xue Qing Lan from following him.
When the political storm began brewing, the emperor summoned Ye Xian to investigate Wang Xuan Fan’s murder. His investigation revealed the Chunyuan Cult was involved in it.
Xue Qing Lan heard it but Ye Xian refused to give her any information. She turned to Chen Yan Yun and Gu Jin Zhao. Xue Qing Lan’s pursuit was personal because the cult killed her mother and she suspected her uncle, Fu Hai Lian was behind it.
When Gu Jin Zhao left the capital to search for Chen Yan Yun, Ye Xian secretly clear the path for her convoy. He determined to follow her to the border despite her opposition. But before they could settle the matter, the Northern Barbarian attacked Shicheng City. Ye Xian had no choice but led the defense. He was then joined by Chen Yan Yun who still alive.
When enemy reinforcement arrived with twice the garrison’s number, Ye Xian donned his father’s red armor and carried the Ye Army banner to raise morale. He trained the soldiers to use the muskets before leading them into the battle.
Ye Xian and Chen Yan Yun led the army against the barbarians, only to discover the enemy had split its forces into two. already outnumbered, they fought on regardless. While Chen Yan Yun fought with his blade, Ye Xian exhaust all his ammunition against the enemy.
When nothing remained, he raises his sword and fought another four hundred soldiers. Ye Xian died that day, his body was pierced by a spear, while the Ye banner remained standing beside him unscathed.
Gu Jin Zhao was devastated. While keeping vigil, she found several letters hidden on his chest, including one addressed to her. In it, Ye Xian revealed that he had only three years to live. Rather than die in a sick bed, he chose to die heroically on the battlefield.
Ye Xian has no regrets. He believed that he had finally fulfilled his father’s wish and followed in his footsteps. Now he could face him proudly at the afterlife. Ye Xian also joked that by dying this way, Gu Jin Zhao would never forget him, a victory over Chen Yan Yun. He asked her to take care of his mother and his sister.
He also remembered Xue Qing Lan, a fine lady but foolish enough because she liked him. Ye Xian asked Gu Jin Zhao to prepare a wedding gift for her on his behalf when she got married someday. In his letter, Ye Xian also entrust the Ye Army name to Chen Yan Yun.
In the end, Ye Xian’s body was secretly returned to the capital under Chen Yan Yun’s name. His mother and sister pleaded the young emperor to send reinforcement to the border. Tough Fu Hai Lian initially refused, he finally relented for the sake of the country.
What Happened to Chen Xuan Qing on A Splendid Match Ending?
After learning about Gu Jin Zhao’s marriage to Chen Yan Yun, Chen Xuan Qing become obsessed with her. He refuses to believe the marriage was built on of mutual affection and convinced that she had been forced into it.
Later, Gu Jin Zhao was kidnapped by the Chen Yan Yun’s fourth brother, Chen Yan Wen, who planned to sell her to a human trafficker. Chen Xuan Qing intended to save her, but Chen Yan Yun arrived before he could act. Forced to retreat, Chen Xuan Qing and his servant, Yunting, chase down the fleeing human trafficker and killed her to prevent her from recognizing them.
His obsession soon turned into resentment toward Chen Yan Yun. Especially after Chen Yan Yun scolded him for believing rumors and interfering his plan. As a mentor, Chen Yan Yuan knew that his nephew is an ambitious person but lacked the talent to match. Concerned about his future, he reminded him of his engagement to Yu Wan Xue.
Chen Xuan Qing tried to break off the engagement, telling Yu Wan Xue that he already loved someone else while staring directly at Gu Jin Zhao. The poor Yu Wan Xue refused to give up since she had loved him since childhood and was willing to overlook his feelings for another woman.
Left with a little choice, Chen Xuan Qing agreed to proceed with the marriage. After that, Gu Jin Zhao avoided him and even helped prepare for the wedding like a proper elder.
Later, while visiting the Yu family to finalize the wedding date, Chen Xuan Qing stopped Gu Jin Zhao to talk about Yong’an Bridge. She told him to let go of the past, honour his decision, and stop causing trouble before walking away.
When he turned around, Chen Yan Yun was standing behind him. Furious, he kicked Chen Xuan Qing and ordered him to remain at the Hanlin Academy. Event hen, Chen Xuan Qing continue to see him as a narrow minded and vindictive uncle.
Things only got worse when Chen Yan Yun caught him forcefully carry Gu Jin Zhao. This time Chen Xuan Qing couldn’t hold his emotion and claimed that Gu Jin Zhao had originally liked him and they should be together. it was Chen Yan Yun who stolen her away. Gu Jin Zhao could only listen in horror as he spewed nonsense.
To put an end to it, Chen Yan Yun sent him to Anqing Prefecture as a local official, effectively ending his future in the capital. Only then Cen Xuan Qing become afraid.
Despite his pleas, Chen Yan Yun remained firm. He told him that Fu Hai Lian’s men had already begun investigating his background, leaving the capital for a while is actually good for him.
Unfortunately, Fu Hai Lian had figure out the rift between uncle and nephew. He tortured Yunting to get information about Gu Jin Zhao and the dead trafficker and use it as a leverage to make Chen Xuan Qing to impeaching Chen Yan Yun in court.
Watching his uncle remove his official hat, Chen Xuan Qing felt victorious. He later led the guards to raid the Ji family residence in search for the hidden records.
Chen Xuan Qing’s victory was short lived. Chen Yan Yun soon arrived. he whipped Chen Xuan Qing forty times, a punishment symbolizing severing family ties.
When Chen Xuan Qing accused him of hiding state secrets, Chen Yan Yun revealed that the records already in the hand of the emperor. he condemned his nephew for becoming Fu Hai Lian’s discarded pawn and declared their uncle nephew relationship is over.
Realizing he had lost everything, Chen Xuan Qing slammed his head into a pillar. Chen Yan Yun rushed to his side and called for a physician. But he was late because Chen Xuan Qing also swallow a poison. Chen Xuan Qing was determined to die that night.
At the end, with his dying breath, Chen Xuan Qing confessed that he had always admired his uncle. He wanted to be like him, holding both power and the woman he loved. But he always wavering and hesitating., in the end, he told Chen Yan Yun there was no need to save him anymore.
What Happened to Gu Lan on A Splendid Match Ending?
Gu Lan finds her happiness by helping Gu Jin Zhao manage Linxia Restaurant. However, living in the ancestral home is not easy for an illegitimate daughter like her.
After Gu De Zhao was sent to Pingyang Prefecture and Gu Jin Rong left to study at the academy, Gu Lan asked Gu Jin Zhao for help moving to Sili Alley and living independently. Although it would attract gossips and rumours, Gu Lan didn’t care. She just wanted to live freely. Gu Jin Zhao sold her share of the Sili Alley house to Gu Lan, making it entirely her property.
Gu Jin Zhao later introduced Gu Lan to Mu Zhi Di. His father, Lord Mu Shi’an, had been Chen Yan Yun’s longtime friend. Despite being rejected two years earlier, Mu Zhi Di still wanted to marry Gu Lan. Although she had no plan to marry, but she agreed to meet him.
At first, Gu Lan turned him down, explaining that her family’s situation was complicated. She only wanted to focus on business so she could support her mother in her old age. Mu Zhi Di sympathized with her situation and respected the decision. He even gave her a special gift that touched her heart, a koi pond.
Later, at the ending, Gu Lan told Gu Jin Zhao that Mu Zhi Di planned to propose to her. However, she asked if the proposal could take place at the Chen residence instead the Gu’s. Gu Jin Zhao agreed. In the latter episode, Gu Lan was seen wearing a married woman’s hairstyle.
What Happened to Fu Hai Lian on A Splendid Match Ending?
Wang Xuan Fan and Chen Yan Yun were both Fu Hai Lian’s students. Both of them compete with each other because of his manipulation. However, Fu Hai Lian never expected Chen Yan Yun to strike hard of Wang Xuan Fan.
In front of the emperor, Chen Yan Yun presented evidence linking Wang Xuan Fan to Prince Chengqing’s rebellion. When Fu Hai Lian wanted to strike back using Gu family, Gu De Yuan was already arrested for accepting bribes. Now the charges were too serious for Fu Hai Lian to interfere.
Because of his deep ties to Wang Xuan Fan, Fu Hai Lian continue to defending him even after Chen Yan Yun’s assassination attempts surfaced. His determination to take Wang Xuan Fan’s side deeply disappointed Chen Yan Yun. He then began opposing Fu Hai Lian at court openly.
Meanwhile, Chen Yan Yun and Ye Xian discovered the Chunyuan Cult’s involvement in the rebellion. They had yet to learn that the cult was connected to the Fus.
Years ago, after the Prince Chongqing’s failed rebellion, Madam Fu helped the cultist escape to Beiman (Northern Wastes) under the name Lady Weirui. The cultist later disguised as ordinary citizens and lived at the border. They operated secretly and was tied to the Beiman.
After failing to bring down Chen Yan Yun, Fu Hai Lian used Chen Xuang Qing as a pawn. The plan succeeded and Chen Yan Yun resigned from his position. Chen Xuan Qing took his own life after realized that he no longer has future and had been discarded.
However, Chen Yan Yun turned the tables by handing the ten years of records hidden by the Ji family to the emperor. Fu Hai Lian gnashed his teeth when he realized he couldn’t continue targeting Chen Yan Yun. If he was insisting, it would appear as though he was defying the emperor.
Later, Chen Yan Yun was sent to Beiman as envoy. During the farewell ceremony at the city gates, he publicly severed ties with Fu Hai Lian. This ending their teacher-student relationship. Fearing that Chen Yan Yun would uncover the secret behind the Chunyuan Cult, Fu Hai Lian decided that he must die.
Madam Fu helped him arranged everything. Even so, Fu Hai Lian regretted losing such a capable successor. Another assassination attempt was launched. This time Chen Yan Yun was proclaimed missing. Still, Fu Hai Lian couldn’t pin the blame to Chen Yan Yun or his families because Gu Jin Zhao presented hundreds of cannons to the emperor, proving his loyalty to the country.
As his former teacher, Fu Hai Lian understood Chen Yan Yun well and never believed he had disappear during the mission. Chen Yan Yun could understand his teacher’s way of thinking too.
So, when news arrived that Beiman had invaded the border, Fu Hai Lian still refused to deploy reinforcement because he was convinced Chen Yan Yun was alive and orchestrating everything from the shadow. His confidence in his own judgment blinded him from the fact that Beiman had used both of him and the Chunyuan Cult to create chaos at the capital and the court, while leaving the border vulnerable to invasion.
To force Fu Hai Lian, Chen Yan Yun pretended to dead while secretly sent Ye Xian’s body back to the capital under his own name. At the city gates, Fu Hai Lian tried to send the coffin to Xuanmiao Temple, but Gu Jin Zhao refused and threatened suicide if he insisted.
In truth, Madam Fu is the leader of the Chunyuan Cult. She worked secretly to support Fu Hai Lian’s plan to seize the court’s power. But neither of them realizes that they had become pawns of Beiman. Fu Hai Lian was shocked when Beiman launched its invasion far sooner than he expected.
At court, Madam Ye and her daughter used the Iron Immunity Charter to plead for reinforcement. Fu Hai Lian was furious because he had concealed news from the border from the emperor and the court. Though scolded by the emperor, he still delayed the deployment. Only after Gu Jin Zhao begged him did he relent. Even then, to lure Chen Yan Yun, he kept her at the Fu residence.
When Zhanq Qi asked why he finally agreed to send reinforcement, Fu Hai Lian admitted he did it for the country. He had devoted his life for the New Edict. But if the county fall, it was useless. When Chen yan Yun arrived, Fu Hai Lian showed him a thick book titled Compendium of Yan’s New Strategies he had compiled for years.
He stated that the country didn’t treat him fairly. Chen Yan Yun rebuked him, saying that he had become arrogant and forget his original purpose. Fu Hai Lian replied that Chen Yan Yun didn’t understand him, and that is exactly why he drifted away from him.
Fu Hai Lian intended to send Madam Fu away before he, Chen Yan Yun, and his aides perished in fire. But Madam Fu returned with Gu Jin Zhao as a hostage, forcing Chen Yan Yun to release her husband. She revealed herself as the cult leader who responsible for everything that happened.
Shocked, Fu Hai Lian begged her to leave. She refused. Gu Jin Zhao took the chance to bite Madam Fu’s hand and escaped toward Chen Yan Yun. Madam Fu chased after her, sword in hand. To save Gu Jin Zhao, Chen Yan Yun threw his sword at Madam Fu.
It pierced her body and killed her. Fu Hai Lian could only cradle her body, grieving her death. He didn’t care anymore when Chen Yan Yun took the compendium and carried Gu Jin Zhao from the burning mansion.
Later, in the end, the emperor issued a decree condemning the Chunyuan Cult for many crimes. The chief culprits were executed, and the remaining cultist were eradicated.
My Two Cents
Dear readers, despite how good they made the battle scenes and the blood splatters, I couldn’t stop myself from commenting about the banner. If you take a good look at it, the banner remained perfectly intact, clean, and crisp, as if it just comes out of the laundry room.
While the blood splatters and the fighting scenes deserve praise for their realism, how did they overlook this detail? After surviving countless arrows, spears, and a brutal battlefield, the banner still looked better than most of the characters. 🤪
Well, that’s it for today, dear readers. I hope you enjoy this article. Don’t forget to check out the other reviews on this site. You might find your next drama to binge this weekend. See you soon, dear readers. Ciao!
