The Empress of China Episode 38

episode 38 review

spoilers ahead

--this episode ties up a lot of loose ends--

1.The emperor is told that Prince Wei's followers tried to rescue him and he was stabbed. He visits him. He takes note of Li Mu, who is there. Beneath the blanket is not Wei, but an assassin. Several men try to kill the emperor. Li Mu watches for many minutes before raising his sword and helping the emperor. After the traitors are killed, he learns from Li Mu (who confirms his identity) that while he hates him and blames him for his parents death, he could not kill him and face his parents. The emperor agrees to clear him of any and all wrongdoing. But Li Mu requests that the emperor give him Ru Yi (Wu Meniang). This enrages the emperor, who is about to kill him, but consort Meniang appears at the right time and jumps in front of his sword, saving him. She pleads with the emperor to spare him and takes full responsibility for everything. The emperor has her imprisoned and Li Mu exiled.

2.The emperor meets with his advisors who report that the Northern rebel leader has stopped pillaging once he learned that the emperor was seeking to make peace and sent an envoy offering a truce. The emperor refuses. He has the envoy arrested and states it is too late for this rebel leader. He plans to launch a rebellion before winter. Next he officially names Li Zhi crown prince and Fang Xuanling and Lhu Suiliang (advisors of the emperor) are to remain in the city and assist Li Zhi in managing the nation while he leads the military expedition. Consort Yang is given a proper burial because of her sons actions in defending the crown.

3. The emperor angrily defends his actions for not having his sons killed because it is punishment enough that he can never see them again. They can live their lives in exile, because after all, he is still a father. Next Wang Yoyou is to be his crown princess.

4.During the official ceremony of Li Zhi, we see that the marriage to Wang Yoyou has also occurred. He declared a general amnesty in honor of this, deliberately done to have Meniang released. The emperor agreed/permitted this declaration. Prior to this ceremony, Li Zhi had met with Meniang and his inner monologue reveals he is desperately in love with her and trying to get her to see him as a man however nothing he does seems to work. In addition to this, he is in no way excited for this marriage.

5.After his ceremony, Li Zhi meets up with the deposed crown prince and the former Prince of Wei outside of the city, stops their caravan, and has a tearful farewell with his brothers. It seems that in spite of all the plotting the brothers can sit down and have wine and say goodbye since they will probably never see one another again. Unfortunately, Prince Wei is unable to drink the wine out of paranoia but Li Zhi tells him it is okay and he understands.

6.Meanwhile, Wu Meniang kneels outside of the emperor's palace. She is worried he will have Li Mu executed (her audacity knows no limits). The emperor listens to her explain that she saved him in order to repay him for saving her and that he is like a brother to her. He essentially tells her 1)I still cannot figure you out and 2)you are no different from all the other schemers and I knew when I chose the state I would be alone.

7. Li Zhi abandons his wife on their marriage night. That evening, Li Zhi visits her and she scolds him, telling him that now that he is a man and married they cannot be friends. His visits will only promote gossip and ridicule. This angers and upsets him and he tells her he has tried for so long (he does not say he is in love with her, but it is somewhat implied) but he sees he sees he is only a bother. She angrily insists he isn't and she is doing this to protect him. He replies that she is a fool, kneeling because his father has no desire to kill Li Mu. He asks her if she ever considered if by kneeling she makes the emperor angry--and states she might get him killed because of her actions.

8.The emperor visits Li mu in his cell. There are two wine cups in front of him. He explains to Li Mu that because Meniang has been kneeling for him his anger was aroused. So he can only allow one of them to live. One of the goblets is poisoned. If Li Mu is not killed, he will personally escort him out of the city and she will die. If he dies, she will be allowed to live but will be condemned to live alone in the Imperial palace. He states he has to do this because she belongs to him, no other.

(did anyone think: so clearly I cannot pick the wine in front of you a.k.a. princess bride??)

--What will happen? I think Meniang will drink both.--
--also, it is nice to see Li Zhi begin to develop some backbone--

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