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Everything was set up for whacko artist to be leader but that still seems off. Maybe this will clear up when embezzling officials get called out and sentenced. At least no more sketch subterfuge and fake wretchingš Never thought of Prince Yan Li scared and wanting company to get to sleep. It would be quite the irony if the one living in brothel was actually most chaste of the group. We really donāt have his backstory to know what trauma heās dealt with. Why did Supreme Court minister want case closed? Is he doing this for emperor or cult? Is he trying to protect Wan and Prince Chi from emperor? Is emperor trying to get Prince Rui and Prince Chi killed with this corrupt official case? Does he hide behind bead bonnets as pseudo disguise because he is not who he says he is? Iām hoping Prince Chi gets a handle on this so consort and son donāt get army. So Prince Ze was poisoned along with snow blindness, by who? Princess Ning is showing responsibility but she should have a heart to heart with Prince Ze before sentencing them both to marriage. This was a tragedy between children not a plot to hurt him. Prince Yan Li going to set his woman straight.šwonder if he will stay brave when he looks her eye to eye. š This episode gives more questions than answers. I wanna know if Supreme Court minister has a flower tattoo. š if he is trying to assist Wan and Prince Chi, why didnāt he help out the Shenās? Why was he ok with the entire family being executed? What did the minister believe to be gray about the Shens? And how does Prince Ze fit in with all the royal machinations?
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The prisoner is proven innocent and shares more details about the paint for the dark flower. The consort is behind the issues with Shuoxi army. Bribing as many as possible to undermine Prince Rui. Her son is confident that the rift between Prince Rui and Prince Chi will keep whatever plots they have in progress on schedule. He has minimal concerns. Now crown Prince has to accompany shipment of food to be sure it arrives snd Prince Chi will ensure his safety and get clues about whatās going on there. So of course Wan is going to take on Supreme Court minister. Prince Yan Li and Princess Ning are like Heckle and Jeckle š They got the job done but it was more serendipity than skill. Hopefully they will get better soon. The minister is on to them about Jin case and Iām not convinced heās not part of the cult. The cases for his jurisdiction were buried. Heās either responsible or framed for the files. Wanās aunt is on par with the old bat that died in the fire. I hope Wan touches everything they own so they can watch it all burn.šš„Iām glad Wan is vacating but wish she would leave a nice blaze behind her. There is a tongue case and ice case corresponding with the old cases. The chubby guy trying to start the stampede to trample evidence is definitely one of them. For all the loud wretching, the artist showed up on the scene by his own volition. Heās part of it and the Supreme Court Minister wasnāt surprised prisoner was innocent or rattled by repeat cases. But he is puzzled about her. Now he wonders if she is Shen Wan or no. I am not sure of the astrology behind the murders but think Prince Chi is working on that along with being investigative censor for military case. He has done what he can for Wan in his absence with the carriage and new residence. Wan has tipped her hand whether she meant to or not and again at a vulnerable time when they are separated. Is the minister friend or foe? I still think he fits cult leader best.š Itās his sweet disposition šOn to next episode to see how things play out.
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They are trying to make it look like the victim is Prince Yan Li. Hoping that is not the case. Why does he feel he doesnāt have a home? Itās a horrible way to go for anybody. That minister of Supreme Court a very cold fish. I really wanted to see him lose it. Heās an arrogant ass tho. He likes being the voice piece for emperor and controlling things. He was snide to Wan under the auspices of appreciating her preferences when he personally never asked for them. Whether it was because she is a woman or coroner is unknown. I am certain that Mr Shen never treated him with that disrespect even tho he was a subordinate. I hope the minister continues to be haunted by Shen images. He doesnāt appear shaken, but maybe it will keep him in line. Prince Chiās return fire about shame couldnāt learn from him was a nice dig. The minister is not as openly off putting as the consortās son, but he is like a rank oily bad aftertaste you want rid of ASAP. I donāt find him likable on any level. He quietly preens about how great he is and feels superior, using his position to show how upright he is while trying to maintain a fake air of modesty. He is like a male version of Yu. This would be her if princess consort. I am almost hoping she sheds her ideal of being married to crown prince to find a real decisive man. Xiang is again sticking her nose where it doesnāt belong and her sis getting punished along with her. She better be careful or will end up like Lianye that had a similar taste for nosiness. Both dowagers together was a fun visit for Wan. These two are Wan and Princess Ning when they are Gmaās. šI hope the crown prince heard and understood the lesson behind caged bird. Wan would never be happy in a palace environment and not a good wife for him. He has no real sense of marriage no matter what pretense he put on with Qin family. He wants to stay under his momās shadow and has no interest in deciding things for himself. He isnāt unlikable, but he isnāt anything to brag about either. The Jin child is slowly making progress. If they eould get the poor boy out of the palace he would be much improved already. The prisoner is the sand demon. š¤£ Seems he likes to be loud and obnoxious whatever drama he is in.šHe does know something and he listens to all the gossip flowing through the prison halls, so decent meals seem a cheap exchange. The biggest takeaway for me is he knew Mr Shen and might be one of the few with pertinent info. Hopefully Supreme Court minister wonāt find a way to permanently shut him up. I also want to know who kidnapped Prince Yan Li. Is it someone helping or hurting him? And Princess Ning needs a real sketch of the Prince cause that poster was awful.š
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Wanās auntās fear is seriously misplaced. Yu is not benefiting with these schemes to undermine Wan. Both were so sure her motives were status jumping. They either were unaware of her coroner abilities or didnāt consider them. I enjoyed her putting the crown prince in his place. It is the first time I put him on a par with consortās son. Their malicious bickering shows both of them full of themselves. At least he had a good portion of crow for breakfast. I am sure the coroner poisoned his wine to drum up more businessš here Qin Yan should have stood up to her and avoided this mess entirely. Iām glad the uncle tore into them about how stupid their plots were. Wan told them straight up she wasnāt interested and they still planned for her to be demeaned by crown prince directly. That is proof she is incapable of royal politic diplomacies. Her mother scurried off to hide when her endless posturing with royals is what caused it. She is determined to marry off the competition to anybody else. She should use that energy to get Xiang out of the house. She is the status seeker of the group.šI am not sure how patriarch smoothed over the scene, but considering how much royal footware the prince was munching on they probably put this under the āletās never discuss this againā category. The dowagerās visit had everybody present. She notices our favorite couple and considers it. The young boy is traumatized. No one knows what he saw. The plotting of the visiting princess has jeopardized Wan. She sensed a trap but the blackmail route was a serious consideration. She should have requested some needed items and got the flare and whistle. Both Yu and this gypsy princess need to leave Wan alone. šShe has been thrown by the horse so whatās next?
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Prince Cheng thought he had it completely in his favor getting rid of the evidence. Now Prince Chi gets to find the culprit for emperor to deal with. It almost makes you feel sympathy for the messed up mind of the serial killer. Not often a boy is lamented. He was warped early on with her rantings and manic behavior. The barbs between the ladies on all levels was evident and fortunately Princess Ning could interpret royal posturing for Wan. Prince Chi was shrewd in pointing to Qin magistrate rather than Wan about coroner findings. It was handled in a way to not embarrass crown prince and to make him look in charge of all the behind the scenes sleuthing. Prince Chi handled it professionally so that there was no appearance of bias to either prince but the performance of duty. I liked Wanās answer to the mother trying to snub Qin daughter. It put her in her place respectfully and brought honor to all women in general rather than snide backstabbings. I sometimes got tired of the āmarvel movieā type moral preaching elements they have included in this drama, but this time found it well placed and needed. It is going to be a tightrope of walking to thread the needle between these political and royal families. I am hoping the incense is not the cause for the dowagerās health failing. After the doctorās household, I consider them all suspect of foul play.
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I like Prince Chiās response to Supreme Court Minister but hope that doesnāt cause trouble with cases. The troupeās performance was quite the show until a staged murder becomes real. Wanās quick medical skills got the Prince back on the mend. The actor on stage got hauled into questioning. The governor thought a quick confession would pave his entry into retirement and Prince Chi convinced him that finding the truth would be his best course of action. The salt traders are probably neck deep in human trafficking and the three top people are holding a secret between them to blackmail each other. Qin Yan getting ready to get himself in with the wrong people, and while he richly deserves it, I hope the Prince and Wan can convince him to rethink it. Princess Ning has joined Prince Yan Li to be drinking buddies for the night. It remains to be seen if their marriage for convenience plot will continue once they are sober.š It is funny how the prince gets info from Bai when he was trying so hard to have no response. š Prince Chi has left Wan more safeguards to call for help. She now has a flare and whistle. They have closed off the area and initial autopsy completed. However, there is a second murder yet to be discovered. There is an eerie singing performance after the first murder so the atmosphere is nice and creepy.
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The Princess's Gambit Episode 19
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That was an awesome shot by the chancellor. Like the princess, his plan was almost successful except The b boutique owner pulled her over with her as last act of defiance. I hope she broke the princessā fall.š she is hopefully dead and done. 4th prince gallantly fills in the missing details. He vouches for the princess quite adamantly and wants to know if the chancellor is responsible. The chancellor then finally finds out the truth of the boutique and the princessā history and brother. He is remorseful and searching endlessly to find her but coming up empty. A delegation is now headed this way wanting an answer for the princess whereabouts. I am smiling that the poor empress has a migraine. I am glad her boutique is out of business even if only temporarily. She is a heinous ruler and I can only hope she is unsuccessful at whatever enterprise she has lined up with third prince. These two vipers would only create a bigger snake pit. We have now seen what will happen to Princess without antidote and itās quick but ugly. There is a reprieve of seriousness as the scholar enters the scene being harassed by a small group annoyed that his writings impress the girls. Sis comes out and gets his writings back and right when she is going to get into mischief the 4th prince intervenes. They have a fun time using a poem to call them duncesš These three are a cute group tho we will all speculate on which are a couplešš«£It is odd placement in the story with all the heavy hitting, but 4th prince does deserve some friends and some fun. The two guys would never get their noses out of books so the gal gets them into trouble to liven things up.š¤£The chancellor has not found the princess alive or dead so expands his searches to clinics for medicines. He finally finds a clinic that delivers to third princeās home. It is believed Princess is there and it is suggested at the end of episode. It seems the Princess has lost her memory on waking up and I am thinking her bodyguard will choose to unwisely align with the Prince because she was not kept in the loop of his tie to the empress. It is not looking good for the Princess if this is the case except for them knowing of her need for antidote. The emperor and chancellor are playing chess and here is where psycho Prince is seen in the father. His smirk at the blows chancellor chooses to accept for not being lively while playing chess. I want to smack the emperor tho chancellorās hardheaded ā Iām right āattitude got him into this mess. He is being assigned to meet the delegation, but he counters by choosing the emissaries. The empress is going into seclusion so wondering if she is communicating with third prince, though he might be hiding the princess for now just to stir things up. Hopefully we will get a clue on that next episode.
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The Princess's Gambit Episode 1
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The story starts with Princess and young Prince hiding. They were just about free when the wood scaffolding collapsed and gave them away. The Princess agrees to a marriage alliance if her young brother will be spared. She is reminded that as long as she returns intel home, her brother will be kept safe. Once she arrives they are kept outside until wolves attack. She and bodyguard make it inside the gate and while the guard is fending off wolves the Princess is knocked out. The chancellor is working on a counterfeit case. He has caught an underling official that trades young women rather than money. I felt sorry for the man til I heard what he was guilty of.š I can honestly say I never would have thought of glutinous rice balls as a means of torture, but they got the job done. He is called to a meeting where there is an impressive exchange with a would be assassin. After dealing for a map he is drugged with a powerful aphrodisiac and comes across the princess who has had her wedding attire changed for a robe and presented like a courtesan. After he finds out who she is he does not sexually assault her but does choke her. He is stopped and the rage in court is started. This was a plot by one of the princeās brothers to demean the 4th prince and get rid of the chancellor at same time. She is considered deflowered tho not, but she knows better than most that the truth is whatever the powers that be says that it is. She knows that the only way to keep herself and her brother safe is to have this marriage alliance go through, and in spite of the circumstances, she is determined to make it happen. A very eventful first episode. Well done.
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I am glad ZhiXing was double agent. He did not deserve to be under BingWenās thumb, especially now that we know he is far worse than eunuch Cao.š He did well in the fight and AnTu returned the favor of being rescued. I like that all BingWenās men had reason to be horrified of his āexperimentā. Hai played him well since illusions could kill at the shrine. BingWen deserved a more miserable death, but maybe the irony of dying by the power he sought let Hai consider that enough. I was sad that the carvings from prior emperor got burned. I was hoping Hai would request one. But, it was probably best nothing linked him to any of them. He could let go of almost everything. I think it dangerous him wanting to explore the seal. But I do think he and AnTu would have parent blessing that they be the ones to hide and ultimately destroy it. I liked the poignant moment of lady mentor by Gaoās memorial. He would be happy she made the time and brought good wine. š I donāt know how ZhiXing can move into the same house he was ignored and mother poisoned in. But maybe that is part of accepting general status and reviving his name. I hope he finds a way to make the house clean from bad vibes and fill with laughter of children. Hai and AnTu leaving for parts unknown. She is wearing the hairpin he made her. I wonder if he can now be Zhinu and be an artist somewhere. He never did say what he would do when revenge completed. I am also curious about the job he gave his friends to do. Hopefully something to keep them out of trouble unsupervised. I find I am at peace with the ending. It looks forward with hope and promise for all of them. Where I complained a few episodes back about AnTu and Hai not showing emotionā¦.that hug from the shrine said everything. Xiao Zhan killed that scene and made it the most heartfelt between them. The entire cast did a phenomenal job and there was no lacking in bringing the story full circle. This drama was very well done and absolutely worth the watch.
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Now it is finally clear what Duo and colleague saw in cavern. I had hopes for ZhiXing, but his rapid rise to General could only mean one thing. He could have been great but now just another corrupt General. šI am glad he helped AnTu get away from her prospective groom but maybe that wasnāt such a favor. I did not expect to loathe somebody more than Cao in this drama but BingWen has succeeded. Now he will want Dongxia blood. But after seeing with paint..maybe anyone can donate. I donāt see things going well with the sister either. She was fearful just hearing story from AnTuā¦itās about to get a lot more close and personal. She may have succeeded in annihilating her people allying with BingWen. I donāt really care what her fate is but Iām very tired of these power grubbing personas making the people suffer for their greed. I donāt even know who to blame. The emperor for wanting the seal, Kuai Duo for not getting the fish keys destroyed, or Zang Hai and AnTu for personally showing BingWen where the cavern entrance is. ZhiXing really doesnāt have a clue what heās helping to unleash. If he is killed by one of them, he invited them to come by. I hoped heād be sick of power grubbing politicians but I guess too much of his fatherās blood in him. I donāt see how they are going to adequately wrap this up in one more episode.
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This was a very interesting episode. Was Kuai Duo on a mission for the Gui seal and the alter was a coverup? Did he help or hinder those that blew up the alter to hide the theft of the seal? And now we know the Queenās mother used the seal to defeat Yong, but what was the consequence? What price is required to activate the seal? Had he not been married this is a love story like Zhinu and AnTu. The Queen is very aware of her surroundings. She figured out the puzzles and even that he had repainted the death murals and why. She gave such a clear picture of his dadās kindness. But he knew what he was taking, and she knew where it was going. He would not make a deal but figured it was their last meeting so he left her his book of instructions for various techniques he had mastered. He would not go with her but wanted to gift her with something important to him and possibly helpful to her. They were well matched and would have been formidable. He wanted to be with his family and he refused to move them earlier. This inadvertently condemned them all. Even knowing how it would end, I am not sure he would be persuaded to play it out differently. He said he would willingly die for righteousness and nothing would divert him. Was his cause righteous? Or was he just led to believe it was? By the end of her tale he seemed more gray than white in path choice. Was Chu a helper or nemesis because with this they may have had a partnership of sorts in getting the seal out. But if the now Queen had no clue to its whereabouts, who knew? And how did they find out? There is a story there I want to hear. AnTu surprised both of them showing up. She even set a path of resolution that would have kept the two she loved best alive. The one thing her mother and Zhinu agreed on was her living. And while she was knocked out the Queen shared the details of her last meeting with his father. She noted the names of the two he mentioned but she said he needed to know who his real enemies areā¦plural. Was it plural with the Marquis and eunuch? Or others entirely? Do the fish activate the seal or keep it from activating? The Queen is the only one that knows the consequence of its useā¦and for that reason never planned to use it. Why was Kuai Duo willing? Why did he think it wise to relocate it? Who is pulling the strings on this? AnTu and Queen voted for loveā¦.seems their men of choice do not. But where does that lead them other than death? Is there another option? I need more episodes dammit.š
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Kudos again to the actor playing son. He did an excellent job being grown child. Jiang Xiang decided her best course of action was to poison everybody. I guess her thinking was it was ok to tear down her own house if ZhiXing fell with her. She was more thorough than Cao in destruction and thatās saying something. ZhiXing did not drink the poison so that part of her plan failed. The Marquis gets a letter out to Cao. The original letter calls for a meeting because Zang Hai is astronomerās son and had fooled both of them. This letter is intercepted by his friends and exchanged for another. Cao reads that Marquis has been framed and he wants his title restored. Cao gets an underling to send another asking for jailbreak and sends to Marquisā loyal troops. When soldiers arrive at his cell the Marquis knows heās been set up again and heads for Emperorās palace to explain things. Zang Hai runs into ZhiXing and gives him money to leave the city so that Cao canāt have him killed too. The battle rages and the exit the Marquis makes from prison walking through fallen soldiers is eerily awesome. As reprehensible as he is he commands respect. He is a war machine of top order and that is shown in this episode. Zang Hai is hindering advance with his mini crossbow. He and Marquis are getting ready to start battle when ZhiXing shows up. He has the head of someone and tosses it down telling his dad to surrender. The Marquis tells him to help or get out of his way. His son tells him to stop the rebellion and to give up. Itās obvious thatās not going to happen but ZhiXing tells his father that his actions are dishonorable and that he would personally stop him from entering. Zang Hai is watchingā¦.if he wants to handle the murders he better get some target training. He is barely adequate at causing injury.š The eunuch is making up his own opera drumming the soldiers on. He wants the emperor awake and aware. What is the emperor carving do intently? It almost looks like a memorial statue. Zang Hai took some time prior to just sit by AnTu and reflect. He tells her the biggest first grudge of his family will be killed tonight. She is being rather calm considering everything. I think Zang Hai was trying to keep ZhiXing safe. He was not going to force the sonās hand as they had agreed. Cao on the other hand wanted to finish the job Jiang Xiang started with the emperor cheering him on. We know the emperor is aware, but he is not letting a possible insurrection destroy his carving time. I do wonder what he is thinking to so calmly let these tumultuous rivalries in his court swirl around him.
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Zhifu is in deep with eunuch Cao. He is doing his best to stay afloat but this greedy sloth doesnāt have the backbone or smarts for it. He gets Zang Hai drunk on two occasions āor at least he appears drunk. Not sure how much liquor he can hold.š Zang Hai gives a fake location in the Marquis treasury for the Gui seal. Everybody is chomping at the bit to get to it. So after giving fake location Zhifu is forced to murder Zang Hai. This is where I gotta wonder about our guy. That idiot could have stabbed him in the heart and really killed him.š He got stabbed lower abdomenā¦I think they figured out that would give fans the best view of Xiao Zhanās chest.š They did not trust idiot Zhifu to do the jobā¦just to be able to hold him accountable. The Lu sis was there to try to finish him off but fortunately loyal bodyguard kept her in check. Now that Cao knows not dead he imprisons Zhifu and wonāt release. He knows this is picking a fight with the Marquis and welcomes it. The Marquis responds by having secret meetings with court supporters. It is believed he is trying to get Cao impeached. Zang Hai is home mending. He was hurt enough to be out for days so he is really an idiot in how close he will let death come to him. He went to the Marquis house after stabbing and the Marquis household got him a physician. Probably the only reason the reckless idiot is alive.He is taking too many chances and even tho young there is only so much a body can take. He is pushing the limits but I canāt deny it paid off. He at least gets to live to tell the tale. The Marquis is going to have a bday party / bloodbath. Everybody is gonna be there whether invited or not. Cao makes a visit to the Hostage house where he meets with our princess saying he knows where the Gui seal is. So she will also be in attendance. I do not know if a surprise to Zang Hai or no, but she plans a meeting with him for same night to keep him out of the fray. He agrees, but plans on sending his friend with apologies of being too drunk to show. He has also made arrangements with second son to storm the Marquis house with his troops to save the day. For all the secrets and company she keeps AnTu was actually trying to keep Zang Hai safe. She will find out that was a lost cause and a lot of secrets will be displayed at the banquet. The real question is who will be left alive to tell the tale?
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Prince YongRong educated Zang Hai on the art of royal gift giving. Zang Hai got his attention with tree knowledge. It is interesting that both lost their fathers the same night. Zang Hai managed to get invited to the banquet. Was the wine extra potent or drugged? Only Liang An Tu knows for sure. We now know for certain she knows what Gui Seal is. It is unclear if sheās ever seen it. Zang Hai covered for her with returning the coinā¦but another mystery of who the rightful owner is? And why did this not come up in coin negotiation? And why exacting a favor when she had no intention of letting prince keep the coin? This would have endangered Zang Hai ā¦again. šI should not have been surprised at who the courtesan is. She had to be amused that his training still needed completion. I am glad he survived the night because the prince reminded me of the eunuch. While he is taking his hangover medicine, Zang Hai has to acknowledge the prince not of interest. But he is now curious about the one demanding execution of the fake bandits. This one might have pertinent information about that night. An Tu is foiled in her plan so now to see where her vengeance path takes her. She is going to be most unhappy with Zang Hai even tho he saved her. š
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The concubine definitely has it in for Zang Hai. He has made the second son look good publicly and the Marquis has actually dismissed her son from being with him. She does not see that her machinations gave her son position but not true favor with the father. There is no emotional tie there. The second son always had the most of his fatherās traits. They liked the same things. This is being remembered now and he sees this son with pride. He doesnāt dare think of his wife which is shameful. But he at least is starting to acknowledge his second son as a good man. Chu is always bragging too early. He very gladly received that thousand teals of silver for misleading the emperor. He could have made himself the hero using those funds to make quick reparations in the dam and evacuating people ājust in caseā. But he was so determined to be right that he simply got updates until the dam literally was ready to break and then tries to put a bandaid on. I am glad Zang Hai got warnings to the people and evacuated as many as possible. The damage was done thinking he was a fear monger so many stayed to their detriment. The second son followed the plan and it was eerie how specific Zang Hai was with both prediction of events and having second son there to execute them and bring about the fall of Chu. 50 lashes and banishment is a rather light punishment considering the number of people hurt or dead because of his arrogance. I was hoping when he was spouting off his credentials for astronomer that he would reveal something of that Dongxia night but he was too busy planning Zang Haiās demise. As bravely as the Marquis acted to rescue him, I agree with mentor that he saved him to find favor with emperor. If he can throw his family aside so easily, how much easier to toss Zang Hai. The second son is now torn because he knows Zang Haiās true motives. But I think their pact will stay secure at finding third person. Zang Hai was wise having second son be the one to spread the news and help evacuation plans. He looked very impressive bringing the would be assassin and liar to his father for justice. It was serendipity and a reasonable expected occurrence for the fallen general. Since the Marquis wanted his position this made it much easier. For once even tho step mom had the right of the situation, I was happy when she was put in her place about not accepting good news about second son. Had she been less biased their family could have coexisted peacefully. She will now get to see and forced to acknowledge the weakness of character in her son and I hope his fall from position as well. With her headaches, I wonder if she is getting same treatment as the dead wife and being slowly poisoned. Time will tell. I donāt want second son to have to deal with war, but compared to his family, the military is significantly safer.š Zang Hai again shows wisdom laying out how the combo of both sonsā abilities could be a great asset and legacy. I have missed something because I do not know who the missing one is in the Marquisā family. But this one seems to be the next key. The game is really afoot and the pieces are making their way across the board. Time to find out who will make most progress in outwitting the others. Will Zang Hai make detour to gain object? Or solely on revenge whether or not object is ever recovered? I wonder what Zang Hai sees needing to be done to be worthy of mourning his father.
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