Italophilia

A good start

Re-watched rating 9.0 4/15/24Original rating 9.0My introduction to JoongDunk and a good start to this BL drama. I thought Nuea was brave confessing to Kluen the last day of grade 11, but maybe he felt like he had nothing to lose since he was leaving that night.

Regret's a b*tch

I've always said, "I only want to stay where I feel I belong." So many people leave or ask to leave. And so many people have regret because they didn't cherish their loved ones enough. This series had an amazing Part I, but Part II is even better. I didn't think it was possible.

Sometimes, we self-sabotage

When we think it's unrequited love, we tend to self-sabotage instead of being brave enough to admit our feelings to the other person. In Sheng Wang's case, it's even more complicated because he thinks his legal status-to-be (their parents are not even married yet) matters more than his feelings for Jiang Tian. And Jiang Tian has gotten closer to him, but it's been interpreted as brotherly affection, when we all know it's not.

The truth comes out about "Lu Wen"

Lu Wen aka Zi Yu was set up by Sun Yun Er who likes him, causing Liu MianTang to leave. I am guessing the same woman ambushed her and slit her wrists, leaving her for dead. Zi Yu had nothing to do with her injuries and still cares for her but I think MianTang is in love with the Prince now.

Same as S1?

But Jay is engaged. It's only the first episode but Yuri seems too passive and Keifer is the aggressive one, willing to fight for JayJay.

I heard it too

Wow, during that last scene, I can't believe I heard, not Fang Chi, but Zhen Xin. So maybe Zhang Zhun didn't completely black out the first time they slept together when he was very drunk. Besides, without lube, I'm sure he had trouble sitting that next day (sorry to be crass). Then, at karaoke, Zhang Zhun was actually awake, and he was OK with Zhen Xin kissing him. It seems he just didn't want this part of their relationship in the open between them. And, frankly, he didn't seem that upset when he didn't see his girlfriend when she was in town to surprise him.

When husband and wife know each other...

...so well that a simple letter is an encoded missive full of meaning that no one else suspects all the messages it brings. Prince Ding reads it and knows exactly what the Empress Dowager has done to ensure his loyalty. I love how connected this couple is.

Reveals

We're getting reveals in dribs and drabs, although the missing decree revealed in Court was huge. It makes so much sense why Consort Dowager Qin left when she did. Everything is about to blow up and she doesn't want to be collateral damage.The Court machinations are insane and no one's hands seems to be clean.

Ye Li is a survivor

It's been fun watching this show and seeing a strong FL like Ye Li. She is truly a survivor. I know that her difficult life has taken its toll, yet she keeps going. maybe because she hasn't fulfilled her revenge quest. She has healed Prince Ding physically and has healed his heart enough to let her in. I hope he's ready for what she'll need down the road.

I say, Good Riddance

Prince Ding's search for the blue-eyed assassin leads him to the Ye Mansion, where he saves Ye Li from herself. It looks like she has perfected the art of compartmentalizing. She even keeps certain hurtful things from herself. I truly don't know what Prince Ding thinks of his wife's strange behavior?

So many secrets

I can see clearly what caused the rift between Ye Li and her father's family. We get snippets of the truth but I can't wait for all of it. She was so young when she dealt with the evils her family did, then she was confined in the mountains -- perfecting her revenge.

I hate bullies

Thinking that seniority gives one privilege and that when you lose, it gives you the right to bully the person who won, it's disgusting behavior.

Jealousy has begun

Navigating feelings is tough. I don't know if Qing Ye realizes why she feels the way she does, but I think she's more aware that Xing Wu who seem less aware of what was going on.

Li Lan Fang was happy to play mahjong

Qing Ye's co-conspirators in revitalizing the shop were Xing Wu and Liu Nian. She and Xing Wu were even playacting in front of Li Lan Fang to get her buy-in.

Five Stars

It's like he has a homing beacon that leads to her. It wouldn't have been unheard of to put a tracking app on her phone, right? Just kidding.