Love of Nirvana (流水迢迢) Review: A Love Story With a Very Sad Ending 😭

Does Love of Nirvana Have a Happy Ending?

No. Tragic Ending. Wei Zhao dies in Episode 40; Jiang Ci survives and raises their son. The imagined reunion does not establish his survival.

Do They Break Up?

Yes — a serious romantic rupture and estrangement around Episodes 28–37, followed by reconciliation in Episode 37. The final permanent separation is through death.

My Review ❤️

I finished Love of Nirvana, and honestly, that ending was VERY sad. 😭

This is another one of those historical romances where love, revenge, political conspiracies, and sacrifice all collide. And apparently, letting the main couple live happily ever after was too much to ask. 💔

The story follows Wei Zhao, a man living under a false identity while trying to uncover the truth about his family's destruction. His plans become complicated when Jiang Ci unexpectedly witnesses one of his assassination attempts.

Their relationship starts with danger and distrust before developing into love. Unfortunately, their feelings are constantly tested by secrets, political obligations, and people determined to control their lives.

The romance eventually gives them moments of genuine happiness, but the finale takes that happiness away.

My final rating is 3.5/5. The very sad ending is what stands out most to me.

❤️ Quick Romance Answers

• Happy ending? No. Tragic Ending.
• Main couple together at the end? No. Wei Zhao dies.
• Breakup? Yes, a serious romantic rupture and estrangement around Episodes 28–37.
• Major separation? Yes, including permanent separation through death.
• When official? Romantic commitment develops around Episodes 23–27. The early wife claim is a protective disguise, not an actual marriage.
• First proper kiss? Episode 39 has a verified kiss. An earlier attempted kiss in Episode 29 is interrupted; an earlier completed first kiss is not firmly verified.
• Marriage? They perform separate, symbolic wedding rituals. No conventional wedding together is shown.
• Children? Yes. Their son Yao'er appears in the epilogue.
• Final relationship status? Jiang Ci survives as Wei Zhao's bereaved partner and raises their son.

Should You Watch Love of Nirvana?

Recommended with a major tragedy warning.

This is better suited to viewers who enjoy political intrigue, complicated characters, dangerous missions, and romances shaped by sacrifice.

The strongest element of the romance is the emotional devotion that eventually develops between Wei Zhao and Jiang Ci. The biggest drawback is that their relationship faces substantial conflict and never receives a conventional happy ending.

If you require the main couple to survive and remain together, this is not your drama.

What Happens to Wei Zhao and Jiang Ci?

Wei Zhao is initially dangerous and manipulative toward Jiang Ci. Their relationship slowly changes as she discovers more about his past and the suffering of the people of Yueluo.

By the middle of the drama, Jiang Ci is willing to protect him, even publicly claiming to be his wife to save him.

However, discovering that Wei Zhao has used her to reach her master creates a devastating breach of trust. The conflict worsens when Jiang Ci believes he is responsible for her master's death.

They eventually reconcile, but their happiness is painfully short-lived.

💔 Does Love of Nirvana Have a Sad Ending?

Yes. It has a Tragic Ending. Major spoilers below.

In Episode 40, Emperor Xie Che attempts to kill Wei Zhao using explosives at the Star-Picking Pavilion.

Wei Zhao traps the emperor inside as the pavilion collapses. Both men die.

Jiang Ci desperately tries to save Wei Zhao, but she cannot reach him before the final explosion.

Afterward, she mourns him and completes her wedding ritual alone.

Five years later, she returns to Yueluo with their son, Yao'er. She imagines Wei Zhao waiting for them at home.

That final appearance is best understood as a memory or imagined reunion, not confirmation that Wei Zhao survived.

His sacrifice helps secure freedom for Yueluo, but he never gets to live the peaceful family life he imagined with Jiang Ci.

The political struggle ends with hope. The love story ends in tragedy.

❤️ Relationship Timeline

1. Episodes 1–10: Dangerous first encounters, distrust, and the beginning of understanding.
2. Episodes 13–18: They begin protecting and helping each other.
3. Episode 23: Jiang Ci publicly claims to be Xiao Wuxia's wife to protect Wei Zhao.
4. Episode 24: A romantic flower-giving moment develops during Yueluo's festival.
5. Around Episode 27: Their growing feelings and willingness to remain together become more apparent.
6. Episodes 28–29: Jiang Ci discovers Wei Zhao's deception and pulls away.
7. Episode 29: Wei Zhao attempts to kiss her but is interrupted.
8. Episode 34: Jiang Ci rejects him again after her master's death.
9. Episode 37: Jiang Ci asks to start over with Wei Zhao, and they reconcile.
10. Episode 39: They kiss and spend the night together. Wei Zhao privately performs a wedding ritual.
11. Episode 40: Wei Zhao dies; Jiang Ci completes her own wedding ritual.
12. Five-year epilogue: Jiang Ci returns with their son, Yao'er.

Jiang Ci survives as Wei Zhao's bereaved partner and raises their son, Yao'er. Wei Zhao dies; the couple is not together at the end.

Final Thoughts

Love of Nirvana is a historical romance built around revenge, sacrifice, and the painful consequences of political injustice.

The ending is tragic, even though the characters accomplish something meaningful for Yueluo.

And Jiang Ci returning with their son five years later? That is supposed to provide some emotional closure, but it doesn't change what happened to Wei Zhao. 😭

My Rating: 3.5/5 ⭐ Status: Finished Ending: Tragic Main Couple Together at the End: No

Where to Watch Love of Nirvana in the USA

Checked October 9, 2026: Viki, iQIYI International and WeTV have official listings. English subtitles are advertised; iQIYI identifies Mandarin. Viki Episode 1 requires a free account and says no subscription is needed. WeTV Episode 1 opens a player with advertisements; Episodes 3 onward are marked VIP. Full U.S. playback, paid access and complete subtitle coverage have not been independently verified.