The First Jasmine Episode 38

The price for power and ambition

The Empress can now finally realise what the price was for the power she held for those years — her son’s respect. He now distances himself from her not only physically, but also emotionally, as his attitude towards her is quite cold. I think it’s quite ironic, considering that she kind of did all that for him too. 👆I really liked how Duke Hua acknowledged that the young Emperor has the mind and judgement to be a good ruler. So, regarding that, I hope Yunqi will stay where he is and Mo Jingli’s plan will fail. 🤞The conversation between Ye Ying and Mo Jingli… ehh — I really hope she will be able to move on from him, as I have hoped for at least 30 episodes already! 😩 She deserves so much better, and the way she told him that story about Ye Li, the boat, and the swimming, it really touched a chord in me. Poor Ying, I wish all the best for her. 🥺And now Mo Jingli has set his plan in motion, with the fire oils and raising chaos in the city. Of course, he chose the perfect time — while Prince Ding is not back yet and there is no one to defend the capital, the Emperor, and Guo Jin…. or maybe there is someone? 👀

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Readying to take on the capital

Ye Li rescues Guo Jin from a bird that was trapped in her room. They ended up having a chat where Guo Jin wants Ye Li’s opinion of her guilt or innocence in certain matters. Ye Li answers truthfully and candidly. She acknowledged the good things Guo Jin’s reign had accomplished. She also made it plain that choices had consequences and even acts of merit does not outweigh human suffering and loss. Merit vs failings is not always a good judgment weight scale. Corruption and abuse of power also needed weighed in when considering the welfare of the people. She must have passed Guo Jin’s loyalty test because she was allowed to return home the next day. Ning actually finds JingLi and they are in his mother’s hometown. She wants him to not go to battle but for them to settle there and live a happy peaceful life. He tells her what a calculating person he had always been and that the fire in the East Palace that killed his father waylaid all his plans. He has her hauled away and trampled the flowers she’d shown him. He can’t make it plainer he will not divert from his path nor relinquish his obsession with Ye Li. Prince Ding has been successful in routing out JingLi’s men and closing in on JingLi’s location. Duo has killed himself to avoid prosecution and JingLi has sped up his plans for the capital. Under the guise of the lantern festival, they are going to return the favor of fire. He has people positioned in the city with his master map maker outlining the best areas to wreak havoc and panic with the people. They plan to poison the guards so the gate will remain locked preventing Prince Ding entrance to assist with the capital’ s destruction. Jingli plans to go right to the palace and personally take care of Guo Jin and her son. The emperor has a good chat with the duke where he questions his fitness to rule. The duke tells him that very questioning is what make his a good ruler. He encourages the youth to make good use of the wise and capable ones in his court. He refers him to Prince Ding and official Gu. We can only hope he chooses to not repeat the wrongs of his mother. The city that had been criticizing Prince Ding and accusing him of being a traitor now sing his praises to high heaven. Everybody is looking forward to their victorious return in four days. Jingli plans to attack on day three. The city is not aware of the fires just yet and fortunately Ye Li knows something is off and sending the family home. Preview shows that she and JingLi will have a battle of swords. I just want them to have the gate accessible so help can arrive.

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