episode 21 spoilers ahead

Spoilers Ahead

1.Bi Xia seems ready to drown herself (over someone like Cang Yun, who lied, cheated, even attempted to rape her) But she really loved him and he just broke her heart. Qu Yuan saves her, and reminds her that her family will miss her. She is unconvinced that there are people who care for her meanwhile her family frantically searches for her.

2.Bi Xia returns, escorted by Qu Yan whom she thanks. Qu Yuan greets Lord Zhao and he implores him to remain the night but he refuses as he has work. Cai Wei explains what transpired that day and that she nearly killed herself. Lord Zhao is filled with regret for allowing such an awful man into his home. He wants revenge on Cang Yun and he wants his men to kill Cang Yun (WHOA!)

3.Bi Xia destroys all of her love notes from Cang Yun and everything he ever gave her, including his poems. (I do think Cang Yun is pitiful because he has no chance to really fight back even if he is awful). Bi Xia states the old her is dead. Wonder what that means...?

4.Lord Jing have a final drink (poison?). He again is told to take the initiative, end his life, and his name will enter the family generational book and his family will be cared for. He drinks a sip, but cannot finish it. He thanks his uncle. Crying. He cuts his own throat (we only see the sword fall) and Jing Po with tears in his eyes vows to kill Qu Yuang. Meanwhile, Lord Jing po kneels outside the kings door with spiky bars tearing into his back. He begs for punishment. Oh, twigs of the chaste tree. The High Minister is beat with a whip (I think the king is using Qu Yuan to stir up trouble that way the ministers are fighting one another and not for the throne). The king personally beats him after the servants! He brought the head of his own nephew to him (WOW). The king tells him he knew what he was doing but never expected his greed to go so far. Lord Jing begs him to spare his life, even begs the Queen, and finally his life is spared but half of his wealth must be given to the people of Quan! WOW

5.The king explains he let him live because he did not want a fued between the Qu and Jing families. The Queen explains he was let off light but he states if he does something wrong again, he can execute the entire Jing clan. Meanwhile, Tian Ji continues to send her messages to the Prime Minister and we learn from the King that Ying Ying (princess Yin) failed in her mission. The Queen states she doesn't mind if they go to war with Chu because she became Qin when she married him. He promises to not desecrate the king's body if they succeed in this war and bury him properly to save her face.

6.Meanwhile, Prime Minister reports that the three powerful families in Chu are at odds. Now will be good to attack! (thanks Qu Yuan). Tian Ji also sends letters to the Qi king....she only tells him that she seduced the king; the minister of qi is concerned by her lack of info but the Qi king is confident all is fine. It seems the Qi king wants to attack Chu but isn't because Qin is planning to rule the world and they need their allies--the six countries must unite.

7.Meanwhile, the king of Qin visits the countryside with prime minister and Bai Qi. We learn a famous general, Wu Qi, Bai Qi's namesake, who defeated Wei and help build Chu into a powerful nation, is someone to be thanked because he also defeated Qin and this woke Qin up to the fact that they need to be strong and attack first.

8.Bi Xia isolates herself and seems to lack the desire to much. We learn because of the issue with the jing family, the marriage with Qu Yuan has been pushed back. They must be careful to avoid offending the Jing family and triggering a feud.

9.Father Qu shares with with his wife what happened with Jing Po. Qu Yuan will now be a target. And he can't apologize to Jing because he is guilty. He believes they must move forward with the marriage and combine their families powers. He meets Lord Zhao with gifts to confirm the marriage. They even have days selected. But the Zhao family wants to slow it down.......they hide behind their duaghter having a cold. OMG

10.THINGs ARE DIFFERENT NOW says Lord Qu to his wife. He knows Zhao is dragging his feet. We learn they need to get the approval of Advisor Shang t cancel it. Meanwhile, Qu Yuan, who remains utterly unaware or indifferent to the hellstorm he has created, visits Mo Chou like nothing is wrong. He comes bearing gifts and to ask to marry Mo Chou. He refuses and throws the gifts on the ground. Why can't they be together. It seems he wants to protect her since his family is not supportive. He wants to know if he would give up his family and status to be with her. He says this has nothing to do with others. Her father says his family must come to greet him to see her again before locking him out.

HER FATHER WILL DISOWN HER IF SHE GOES WITH HIM. (they better not be related because there is some secret her father has been keeping from her)

11.Qu Yuan suddenly asks if her father is keeping something from her because he suspects he has reasons for all of this (they are holding one another by the beach...so pretty...). Elsewhere, Grand Adviser Shang is visited by Lord Qu with a treasure, a jade pillow gifted to him from the previous king. He has a request: he wants help with the engagement. He states the reality: Qu Yuan offended Jing. Zhao will never openly attach Jing. LOrd Qu promises to give him consideration if he agrees to help him. Poor Minister of War....

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