Against the Current Episode 25

The Emperor’s words are law and absolute……😔

There is a literal battle at XiuRu’s wedding🫣🤯 The Duke is so assured of his success that he boldly goes for it no holds barred. Furong and Lan Xiang are scrambling for cover when Ms Zheng greets them with a sword. She has every intention of finishing off LanXiang when Han raps her soundly on the head with his instrument. They tie her up and finally have a conversation. While Ms Zheng and Lan Xiang both roll their eyes at how men handle things with women, the announcement that the prince has left Jinling city is announced and the Duke is the first to kneel in concession. He hears his daughter screaming at him across the way wanting to know why he has given up when they were so close. At the palace the emperor is on his deathbed and Prince Han is just making it seem like he has been granted crown prince status when the real crown prince shows up. He receives his father’s blessing as Qinqi watches like a hawk to be sure nobody tries anything while the crown prince laments his dad. When Lan Xiang gets home she and Han agree to give her parents a very different rendition of how the evening went. She finds her father and Scholar Lu home and Ji’Er’s maid Zhi. Ji’Er was sold after her betrayal and all they have is the distinguishing brand mark of the merchant that bought her from QingYan house. Lan Xiang promised the maid and herself that she would find Ji’Er and bring her home. They all comfort Zhi and tell her the only thing she needs to focus on is going home and living well. After this Scholar Han has his mother rush to get a matchmaker because there is no way to know the mourning period if emperor dies and he did not want to wait a year. That night the emperor did pass and one small family had a memorial of their families who had suffered because of him. They could finally rest knowing the one that had caused such harm was dead. Scholar Lu comes out and reveals his feelings about the dead emperor and who he was and had suffered because of him. LanXiang gave him this moment to mourn his family like she was hers. This night was spent in gratitude that the tyrant that stole their families could cause them no more harm. It was a very poignant moment and a time of actual healing to Scholar Lu who admonished her to not waste her life like he had but to live well and have a large family surround her.🌹😔 So the next day, the mothers rejoiced that the new emperor only had a few days of mourning so marriages could be held. Everything was set, the gifts were about to be received to make it official and just when Xu and Han families ready to tie the knot, a royal decree comes to their humble home. In fact, this same decree went to two homes, the Xus and the Lins— two very polar scenes with equal shock at the emperor’s words. Both mothers had same response to their child entering the match. Jin Qing found a way to exert his will over all parents and elders with one decree. Neither side could argue or change it. The words may as well be etched in stone because the emperor specifically chose Lan Xiang for JinQi and nothing on earth could contradict it. This episode makes your emotions spin with all the choices and consequences. JinQi did the greater good by rescuing the prince and getting him to the palace, but he left LanXiang alone to deal with the fallout of that choice and Han stepped up to be her rescuer and had earned the right to ask her hand simply by being there in the thick of it to save her. Their families were rejoicing with the choice and prepared to be joined. JinQi was counting on her resourcefulness and knew time of the essence so he made his own work around for all dissenting parties…even LanXiang……no one on earth could modify the decree of the emperor. This was JinQi’s ace for his happiness. The question is, did he destroy Lan Xiang’s happiness to get his way? Han was so close….I actually hurt for him. But Lan Xiang wasn’t really offered a choice…..both of these suitors were making her circumstances choose them, but neither approached her for her feelings on the matter. In this, the two men were identical. Did Lan Xiang get the time she needed to find out who she was as an individual being both Xu and Shen? Would she have asked Han for some time? Or happily combine their families the first auspicious day? We will never know, because neither man gave her an option in their race to claim her. I am still trying decide how I feel about both of them. It did come down to a race because unlike JinQi, Han had many opportunities to ask directly her thoughts on the matter and about JinQi. He never did. The decree made it moot, but he could have known how she felt on the matter rather than just taking a loss to JinQi. I don’t know if we will ever get to know her thoughts because it is sure the Lin women will not be shutting up any time soon and her own family is devastated at the loss of the Hans. Is LanXiang going to give herself time to think about what she wants or simply see another circumstance she needs to survive? Will she let herself live well as a lady in the Lin house? A question JinQi most likely didn’t concern himself with thinking he was only improving her station, how could she object?😝🙄🫣

Read More

Scholar Han to the rescue, again!

"Your unfilial daughter, Shen Jialan, respectfully informs parents and grandparents, and all her relatives of the Shen family, that the man who ordered the execution of the Shen family is dead." - Shen JialanSo Mister Lu is just like Shen Jialan actually, the only survivor of his family because of the emperor. Do you think Mister Lu understood Lanxiang is in reality a Shen or not? Because his all speech about don't turn like me, live well, that is what your parents would like makes me think he got that she's a Shen...So many people must have secretly rejoice because that emperor is dead.It seems Prince Han will become the next villain attacking the Lin, he did not look happy to see Jinqi bringing the Crown Prince safe (canceling his chance of taking the crown easily).So sad for Ji'er, hopefully they will meet again and she will get to save her then. :(But glad they still saved one girl nonetheless.Are the writers playing with our hearts? Because it's giving "we want you to have 2nd lead syndrome" real bad.But (unpopular opinion, lol) I do not feel sad for him missing on Lanxiang. Because what do you mean, all this time as passed, parents from all parts know, a matchmaker intervened and you came with betrothal gifts for the engagement but Lanxiang does not seem to be aware or involved more than that? You did not confess to her at no point in the meantime? Boy bye. My empathy has its limit.Jinqi did not do any better, they both played the same game of trying to marry her without even asking her first. Jinqi just royally beat him to it. (the coincidence of both event occuring the same day, poor Scholar Han is going to be traumatized and haunted by it, thinking he should have move faster as he sensed it coming. Just look at the way he didn't want to kneel and had to be forced by Mister Lu)Never seen everyone being so sad about a marriage announcement.The way both family were completely lost about why does a such decree even exist is lowkey funny, lol but also sad as we see both mothers passed out.First Madam is out here crying about having a maid as daughter-in-law when she always failed to choose a good one to begin with. Otherwise, she could have blocked her son with a noble lady as she desire way before Lanxiang enter the picture and her son's eyes in reality.Jinqi has been able to do all that because the Lin family suck overall. Just the fact that she had to give all power to said maid when the house was lockdown during what they thought was an epidemic says it all. They're complaining but Jinqi just saved their family and ease his burden as the future head of the household. The one who lost it all is really Lanxiang who had no idea her former master was fancying her.

Read More

Unexpected twists for shocked participants.

This episode had it all. The Marquis was surrounded by enemies, and a wicked minister was gloating over the death of the King (Crown Prince)—who appeared to be dying right there on the stage. But then, amidst the clashing of soldiers' swords, a twist occurred: the King/Crown Prince, who had seemed dead on the ground, rose up and pulled out the small arrows aimed at his heart. He claimed that the thick clothing he wore underneath had saved him (though, in reality, it had been an actor who closely resembled the Prince). Meanwhile, at the gates, Lin Jin Qi (commander of the Shense Guard) declared: "Anyone who tries to stop us is to be executed."Atop the tower, the first obstacle was eliminated by Lin Jin Qi’s subordinate, Jiu Gao. Lin Jin Qi then passed through the gates with the Prince in the carriage. He had already mapped out the entire plan with the Marquis—choosing the easiest route and a path by boat, while promising a reward to the boatman. Elsewhere, inside the royal palace, a very elderly man resembling the Crown Prince lay dying, surrounded by opportunistic ministers who were already plotting who would replace the Emperor. They told the dying man that the Crown Prince had failed to arrive in time. Someone was already preparing to take the Prince's place; this person squeezed the Emperor's hand as the old man closed his eyes (thinking, presumably, that he had passed away).But at that very moment, the Crown Prince arrived, accompanied by Lin Jin Qi (dressed in the red robes of a minister) and some of Lin Jin Qi’s guards. The heir approached the Emperor, exchanged a few words—receiving the Emperor's declaration that he was the successor—and listened to his final pieces of advice. The heir promised to fulfill everything. The camera then focused on a figure who, despite kneeling, appeared imposing and resolute: Lin Jin Qi. At the heir's mansion, the sword fight rages on; meanwhile, two women—Manny and Lan Xiang—face off against each other. Manny, the wicked minister's daughter, is on the verge of killing Lan Xiang; initially, the opera house owner intervenes to save her. However, when Manny strikes a second time, the scholar Han steps in, arriving just in the nick of time. Lan Xiang huddles in a corner, relieved. Manny, now restrained by a scarf, falls into despair upon hearing that the crown prince is alive and has arrived in time to speak with the emperor—a turn of events brought about by Lin Jin Qi.Her father immediately kneels, accepting the inevitable with deep resentment and frustration. Manny looks at her father and screams, "Why did you kneel? We’ve come this far—why did you kneel?" (A memorial service for the dead is currently taking place at Lan Xiang's home. Mr. Lu pours out his heart, revealing that he is the sole survivor of the Lu family, and urges her not to make the same mistake he did. He prophesies that she will have a happy family, surrounded by many children in a home filled with life and joy. With tear-filled eyes, she promises to make this come true. At one point, when Lan Xiang explains to Mr. Lu that they are celebrating the Shen family—and not the late emperor (at the mention of whom Mr. Lu spat on the ground, declaring it a time for celebration since the emperor was responsible for the deaths of entire families)—he seems to realize that Lan Xiang is also a survivor (of the Shen family). He then joins the memorial service (honoring his own family).But then, at the end of the episode, another twist occurs: preparations are underway for a marriage between the scholar Han and Lan Xiang (though it remains unclear if she is even aware of this). Everyone is in place: Lan Xiang's parents are about to hear a marriage proposal from Scholar Han's mother, who has arrived with a gift. Suddenly, the Imperial Guard arrives, with soldiers lining up in formation—a scene playing out simultaneously at two residences: Lan Xiang's humble home and the mansion where Lin Jin Qi's entire family is gathered (though he himself is absent). Everyone is ordered to kneel before the King's decree. Scholar Han seems to sense what is coming and is reluctant to kneel, but Master Lu urges him to do so. The decree is announced: by the Emperor's order, Xu Lan Xiang is to marry the Commander of the Shense Guard, Lin Jin Qi. The messengers at both residences beam as they deliver this royal favor, yet both families are plunged into despair. Lin Jin Qi's grandfather appears dismayed. People are left wondering: "Mr. Xu's daughter?" "What aristocratic family is this...?" The surname Xu? I don't recall it. But Madam Lin quickly realized the implications and made a comparison: "My son is marrying a maid instead of a refined young lady. This ruins our reputation." A tear rolls down her cheek, and she faints. At Lan Xiang's home, her mother weeps and her father is in despair; they plan to confront the Emperor. But Lan Xiang, entering the courtyard, says, "One cannot go against the Emperor."A marriage is decided by the parents and the matchmaker, but the Emperor stands above them all. Lady Xu still stammers, "But what if the Emperor is wrong?"—only for Master Xu, now grasping the situation thanks to a warning from Master Lu, to place a hand over her mouth to alert her to the danger. Master Lu himself speaks up: "You may not care about losing your own heads on the executioner's block, but what about Lan Xiang's?" Everyone falls silent. Scholar Han also realizes there is nothing to be done. Lan Xiang embraces her parents to calm them, saying, "When I was merely a maidservant, I managed very well. But now that I am to be Lin Jin Qi's wife, I shall fare even better." (Yet her mother keeps saying, "You will have to go back there.") (What will happen when Lin Jin Qi meets his deeply disappointed family and the fiancée he secretly purchased? We shall see in Episode 26.).

Read More

The imperial decree

This episode... so many emotions. I cried over them burning paper for the Shen family and the real Lanxiang. And because of this Emperor, Master Lu is the last of his family too. I don't know if he truly did, BUT I have a hunch he might have understood Lanxiang's true identity — that she's one of the Shen family. 😭And we finally saw Grand Secretary Zhao Jin's face! To be fair, he didn't look cunning at all, so he masks his scheming nature very well. 🫣But, oh, the imperial decree... It broke many hearts, especially everyone's around Lanxiang, but luckily not mine... I know she is destined for Jinqi and I will wait for this marriage to be filled not only with Jinqi's love, but also Jialan's, which eventually will grow in her heart too. 🥺But as for now, I assume there will be a bit of a bumpy road ahead, because the Lin family elders didn't look happy about this decree. 😔

Read More