Finding the Gui Seal

This episode….I did not like that the writer is hinting at giving ZhiXing a twisted bitter life of hate. He did not leave the city that way and while he was disappointed in no friendship from Zang Hai….i think he managed it anyway. Zang Hai cared about his fate and sent comrades with him so for it to hint at future revenge just keeps a bad trail continuing. His goal is to remake the Zhuang name, not follow the course of his father. It is left unclear if the Marquis lied to ZhiXing or if ZhiXing lied to Zang Hai. It is unclear if this was a final test for son’s loyalty or a way to deceive seeker of third fish. It might indeed be the last revenge of Zhuang clan not to reveal third enemy. Maybe this was withheld from Zang Hai by ZhiXing choosing to handle the revenge of killing his father. This would give his dad the most merciful death and give Zhuang family most hope. He willingly gave his fish to Zang Hai so maybe he chose not to assist with third enemy. The Queen was right to test him. She has every reason to discourage her daughter from a man unable to love her most. For the reunion of AnTu and Zang Hai. I am going to be a very unpopular opinion. I liked her carp and swan story. It was a very good analogy for their relationship. But I did not feel the urgency of relief she was ok. This was adequately acted by both of them, but they were not near as stirring as the Queen and Kuai Duo. They were almost formal in hug and there was no tears or overwhelming feeling with the kiss. It gave the idea of what should have happened but not the feeling that that is what did happen. Their scene fell flat for me. I found the mother daughter scene much more touching. The hunt for The seal was accomplished with the compass provided by Queen. She is interesting, The seal turning up at the Emperor’s palace. Not unexpected but kinda anticlimactic when so much effort has been invested looking for it. The Eunuch stole the episode. He has figured out the location of seal thanks to Zang Hai and knows the third fish holder. His almost gleeful laugh said he enjoyed the irony of the situation. The Emperor already having the seal….did he determine the fish holders after Kuai Duo’s death? If Kuai Duo did not want the Emperor to have the power of the seal by keeping the fish….why bother to bring it back? He could have just taken the fish and negated the use of it. Why would the Marquis and Eunuch be part of it when their inclination for corruption well known. What was the original intent of the fish and who has third key? This episode feels sloppy compared to the other ones. It is the first time that only Eunuch draws me into the mystery part of story. It is sadly disappointing after all the revelations of last episode. The other thing is did the Emperor want him killed to get the key? I thought the Marquis referred to the seal when he told Kuai Duo he had something that did not belong to him….what if he was always referring to the fish? What last machinations played out that night that determined the fish holders? I do not see the astronomer’s righteous cause including the Marquis and eunuch in anything……so what was the original plan and who thwarted it? I like the Queen alliance. She is the first to give observer view of seal and its history.

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