episode 9 spoilers

spoilers ahead

1.The Celebration of the New Prince is underway. The Empress is clearly losing her patience with Consort Zhen who continues to shoot little barbs at Consort Yin. The Dowager Empress is pleased to see the young prince and repeats they look very much alike. Consort Zhen gives him a bracelet--a long life lock but he bursts into tears and does not accept it, and she takes it back. Consort Zhen's attendant sneaks into the child's room and does something to the baby--who knows what--

2.Elsewhere, Master Liu, Lord Jing and Cheng attempt to step in and use a shaman to divine what is causing the epidemic. They hope to use the people's ignorance to gain power, and they attribute the blame to a new arrival in the Northeast....

3.(DID CONSORT ZHEN KILL THE BABY???) Back at the party the servant returns with the child in tears, because he is not breathing. The baby's nurse is executed, and Consort Yin faints while the Empress clearly suspects Consort Zhen (you can tell by the look on her face) this lady is crazy!

4.The three lords, meanwhile, begin to spread rumors about Qu Yuan and try to start a riot to have him driven out. Qing'er and Chou Nu try to stop them. Meanwhile, Qu Yuan is looking for causes of the epidemic when the angry mob arrives with rakes (!)

5.Qu Yuan immediately goes outside to address the crowd. They pelt rocks and cabbage at him. He is injured and begins to bleed. Qu Yuan wants evidence, but they have none. Lord Liu points to the wizard and Qu Yuan asks to see him. Liu admits he left. Meaning he has no proof. Yuan claims to be no different than them and reports he is not afraid of offending the gods, but he will find out where it came from. He tells the crowd he fears that they are being used for ulterior motives and pleads for more time to find an answer. Liu insist he will run away.

6.IMPORTANT: Chou Nu steps in and says she believes Qu Yuan and reminds the crowd that Liu is not to be trusted and has hurt them before. She uses her little brother to further empathize with them and support her belief in Qu Yuan (major point in their relationship, I think. TRUST) Qu Yuan asks for three days (that is either very brave or very dumb) and this gets the crowd to disperse. But she tells her that she will be the first to not spare him in 3 days....

7.Princess Yin almost succeeds in hanging herself (she is on her way to getting back power and revenge). The emperor is in the middle of beginning an investigation to the boys death--he has not ruled out murder--and runs to his 'Beloved's room upon learning she has tried to kill herself. She seems out of it. She keeps repeating Qin'er's name and hugs the emperor who looks worried.

8.Qu and Zhao are in a game of chest when he brings up his 18 year old daughter who is single, and his second son who is single. He explains that she is a good musician but it has kept her isolated from others. He wants her to marry his son, he essentially states because he is young and has a good future ahead of him. The Minister of War explains he would have to discuss it with his wife first. After he leaves, he meets his wife. Minister of Qu recognizes that he wants to use this union but believes it will be good for the families and for their son (I think he hopes marriage will settle him down).

9.Meanwhile, Yi'er's fever isn't looking good. Chou Mu is hopeful. Qu Yuan checks all the records. He had a pustule on his arm that bursts, and he immediately figure it out based off of this. He finds the record. He goes to see Mo Chou, and shares his findings. It is related to a dead animal, and the improper disposal of its corpse. (I think it's Rabbit Fever. Yes this exists). He just needs to find the herbs.(Apparently this was an early form of ancient biological warfare)

10. I think these three villains actually started the epidemic. They are worried that Yuan'er will solve the epidemic and gain prestige because of it. Elsewhere, Yuan and Mo Chou look for the herbs together. They find it.Again she saves him from almost falling to his death. She admits that his hard work has been imprinted on her heart, and she believes in him (awwwww)

11.Lord Cheng decides to hire some assassins so that they don't leave the mountain alive (I knew this would happen). They aren't to leave the mountain alive. He refuses to stand down and they fight. He kills someone for the first time (they manage to fend them off) and is clearly shocked). Lord Jing is upset at his actions. Lord Cheng is confident no one will find out it was him.

12.They prepare the medicine. Elsewhere, the dead child is investigated and they discover he was poisoned! Who did it?

Comments: Poor, poor baby!

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