Goose and deer

The friendship between Emperor and Kuai Duo spares Zang Hai his life for now. It is curious why this son was chosen when middle son seemed best choice for Emperor. There is a story there. We get to see more of what happened. Duo was questioned quite thoroughly about travel route and who knew what and when. Emperor almost has Cao crazed look about seal. It also has different appearance. In the cavern the seal had three fish on the side and eerie green glow which is why I originally thought he found something carved from jade. Duo made no mention of fish and said he had no clue how to make seal work. He also gently reminded Emperor how powerful he was without it. As the Emperor talks he points out how aware Duo was of his weaknesses. He wants to move Duo from a job he loves and is good at to a more political job that would put him under Emperor’s thumb. Duo politely refuses and asks to settle with his family in family homestead and the emperor agrees without further persuasion. This also feels a bit off. Duo and Emperor had similar abilities with wood and most likely also with puzzles. So it is quite likely the emperor was aware that Duo was lying about seal and how to make it work. I can’t shake the notion that the emperor called for his death and wanted proof. This is where Marquis steps up with his plan for trophies. What happened for this to make him calm minded rather than horrified? If the emperor didn’t command this third person did and was close enough to emperor to be obeyed. So all of this is twisted together. I think once Duo handed the seal over his fate was also sealed. I do not know if emperor had anything to do with the collateral damage. That seems more like a Cao /Marquis way to handle things. The last childhood scene of emperor and Duo showed him having to leave his common friend and bond for royal duties. So he was already equipped for that separation. And Duo was also aware which is why he could give the Emperor a non working seal. Even friends could hold secrets against each other when beliefs and goals differed.

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