The First Jasmine Episode 34

A path forged in blood

We watch as Ye Li buries all residents of Lishan Academy including herself. 💔😭 She does not want to live with all of them gone. We don’t know how long she laid in her own grave before her will to live overrode her grief. Her Gpa appears before her admonishing her to get up and warm herself. He reminds her of the monkeys and to never visit this side of the mountain again. As she leaves, her memories of those buried go with her to survive on the other side. It takes us back to the attack on the Prince where even the youngest of scholars was not spared. The official sent was visibly shaken as he took in what happened. The empty grave with Ye Li’s memorial by it and all the rest with overgrowth showing significant time passage where Ye Li survived alone. He gives his account to the Empress Dowager and she appears shaken. But as the past accounts for itself, it showed a systematic effort to undermine and then oust the Emperor. The way was paved with the blood of innocents that did not agree with Guo Jin’s rebellion. She confided in Ye Li’s mother and Consort Qin, persuading Ye Li’s mother to find the edict that would have saved Prince Wen. We see her argue with the Queen Dowager at being betrayed and costing the lives that were supposed to be saved. After ‘losing’ the edict Guo Jin imprisoned the scholars in their own school and then magnanimously saved Prince Din and allowed JingLi to stay if he presented himself unfit to rule. Her poet that assisted in betraying the scholars and people found himself betrayed and killed. Much later the Marquis met the same end. She unapologetically tried to put herself on the throne and when that could not happen she put her son there, being sure to undermine him so it looked like he needed her guidance to rule. As the truth unfolds the public outrage is being softened by having Queen Dowager leave the palace to go to a place of healing. He is being pressed to take the throne from his mother and whether she really has brainwashed him into thinking she was needed for all decision making or he chose to have others think that, is unclear. He finds the deaths in Lishan a pathetic waste but does he think his mother accountable for the illness that spread through the school and locking them in in the first place? Ye Li has shared her dolls with Xiu Yao and the only one that remains to be dealt with is Guo Jin. She has promised to not act rashly and they are aware she has been removed from palace under the pretense of rehabilitating her health. Jingli has taken over the defense mansion thanks to a painter’s in depth map. It is unclear what plans he has. He knows Ye Li is in the mountain, but I am curious why his man did not report Prince Ding’s location. I didn’t think that was a secret. There is a brief scene with the Han brothers. MingXi definitely does not want to work with Jingli. His allegiance to YeLi is made quite clear. When his brother says he will handle things, I wonder if he can survive the fallout his rescue of the Su witch will cost him. The last players are bing positioned to finish the chess game between them. The will of the people vs personal grudges. Will the voice of reason manage to weave through all these masterminds to achieve a balance between palace rule and protecting the people? It’s a stunning impact of the levels of betrayal for the edict alone. Best friend, family, husband, mother in law, school colleague. Ye Li witnessed it all and the horror that ensued when those in Lishan were isolated to be killed off by another scheme. One that even the master physician could not treat in time. I do wonder what she gained with her demand of Ye Li and Prince Ding betrothal. Just a way to be sure they were kept weak and dependent? The Ye family silent about their assist with the edict by having the girls married off to the Princes? Was she looking for a fill in for the Marquis because he got too corrupt and greedy? Her role in things isn’t that much of a surprise but it will be interesting to see how things fall into place with her son being forefront instead of behind her. Waiting to see what happens the second time Ye Li comes down the mountain.

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When past deed change the course of future plans

Why am I worried that Mingxi will die? 😰 He has realised what he wants from life, where he wants to be, and how to feel fulfilled that way. He doesn't want any riches or a luxurious life, because the road to having it all is way too pricey for his morals. 🙅‍♂️ He even said he'd rather die right now than choose that life... 😬😧

And that painter I hoped might be Princess Lingyun's turned out to be Prince Li's... What a disappointment. 😞

The Empress Dowager is completely delusional, thinking that she's the one who has been betrayed now. 🤦‍♀️The power should be in the hands of the Emperor. I chuckled a little when the Emperor said he's still too young to rule alone, because it suddenly reminded me of the Emperor in Ashes to Crown... All I can say—if one is capable and willing, then age is not an obstacle. ☝️

At least A'Li felt completely normal this episode. 😌 I'm not sure if this is permanent already or still temporary. But to think she lay there for days in the grave she had dug for herself, just to die... 🥺😞 Yet her subconscious didn't want her to give up her life that way and conjured all those illusions to guide her out of the graveyard so she could continue living and avenge what happened there.

P.S. Does anyone know what that dramatic song is that they played during the scene where Xiuyao took the guards to the graveyard? 🙏

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