KJ2025

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Advisor Zhuo makes Pei accompany his treasure and lead the Huting army to its new location. Interestingly enough Ning asks him directly if he will be the one leading and he affirms it. While they are moving the treasure, they are set upon by a mob of refugees. The army refuses to fight unarmed civilians so quite a bit of the treasure was “donated”. Emperor Ning finishes up her fasting time at the temple and makes her way to where Zhuo is punishing Pei and the army commander for losing his loot. He is just getting ready to start killing when Ning and company come in catching him in the act. She reminds him it is not legal to use the army for private use. He inadvertently slashes her arm with his sword and a group comes in with a citizen statement thanking him for his kind donation to the refugees. Ning says that when circumstances are better she will build him a statue. Zhuo leaves in a huff, for once publicly outplayed in front of his men. They all see that she is the one standing up for them and the people and they hail allegiance to her. She passes out in Pei’s arms as the episode ends. Here I think he finally sees she is for real and means to stand for the people, with or without help. She is playing the game well. It will not be checkmate until Zhuo is dead. But getting his money was a good start.

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X marks the spot

Everyone knows Advisor Zhuo steals the collection money. Nobody is exactly sure where his private stash is. I wonder who is behind the mystery flames and too bad didn’t have them appear right by him in palace meeting place. They have enough rumors circulating and a rogue band of robbers on the loose to make Zhuo a bit nervous about his hiding place. Will he really reveal the location? Pei tries to warn her that it isn’t a good idea because he has a lot of things stashed there and it will be dangerous. Ning takes his hand off her shoulder and drops it telling him to show respect. 🤣 she is definitely learning how the game is played, but she is in a very high stakes game. To the winner goes the spoils.

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Frenemies

Ning says a lot of things to Pei not knowing he had suffered the same and first. He made no rebuttal but declared himself not on her side in regards to Advisor Zhuo. She has completely fed that man’s ego and given him full reign to basically do as he pleases with no repurcussions. She fires the censor and reduces him to commoner status. She gets very drunk and makes one more attempt to get Pei’s allegiance. When he refuses she declares them enemies. Right when I thought Zhuo was trying something again it was her censor that knocked her out and snuck her out of the palace. She now knows who is on her side but they are few in number. She knows she is playing the game of mutual destruction. Her first goal is to get the relief money Zhuo stole and get it to the two places suffering emergency conditions.

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A life for a life

Right when you think Advisor Zhuo couldn’t possibly sink any lower he finds a way to accomplish it. He struck a heavy blow to both of them. Pei knows who really believes in him, but he plays Zhuo’s game to try to get antidote for Ning. It’s a good thing Zhuo doesn’t know Ning is female or he might have proposed a different situation. Li is throwing herself in the fire but is being fought every step of the way by Ning. She is completely ready to sacrifice herself for Li. Zhuo is relishing the upper hand and had the temerity to say a life for a life. I guess he killed the apothecary so no antidotes could be made timely in future. He has that knife move down pat and it’s a perfect mimicry of Pei’s first (inadvertent) killing.

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Up in flames

Everything was going to plan. Magistrate Zhuo condemned himself and actually got off easier being killed by Pei’s sword rather than dismemberment. Ning made a new decree that allowed women to be head of household. She argued it beautifully and could not be refuted. But the Censor just could not wait like told. He was determined to bring Advisor Zhuo down. He brought a wagon full of evidence that was let to go up in smoke. One army was brought in daring a confrontation. Ning has to wait before she can bring him down and that young man just made it a lot harder for everybody. The scholars are incensed and the Advisor is determined more scorched earth. Ning and Pei are walking such a fine line here.

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Subterfuge

Pei is an excellent chess player. He sees that Zhou knows of his alliance with Ning and is following Zhuo’s suggestion to distance himself and give Ning a chance. I really detest the entire Zhuo family😝 Pei is related by default not by blood. The arrogance of these men truly has no limits. They really have no allegiance to each other but will kill for each other. I do not see how Ning can work her way around all these circumstances but I really hope she figures out something. She knows something is off with Pei so she has been forewarned. But she has no clue what his endgame is. Right now, I don’t think he does either. I would be happier if all three of those magistrates were permanently off the grid. I am glad for the young man being the censor. This will at least give him some sense of vindication. I am also hoping it was not Pei who killed the scholar. This really doesn’t feel like his type of action. But, I am not convinced he didn’t know about it and help delay Ning from finding out. He is a master of all things gray.

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Justice denied

Both share a similar dream🔥 Both got hit hard with reality🤣 Ning has found a way to circumvent Zhuo about bride. She has created a happy circumstance and alliance with the young woman that will give her some justice from mean step mother. However, Zhou and his family continue with scorched earth approach. Together these two have murdered the mentor and the Junlai villagers. Ning learns that he has hidden 10 memorials addressed to her about the matter. He is pleased with himself because he is expecting a new heir soon so he is loosening his grasp a bit. Pei knows that they need to tread carefully so that Ning isn’t killed. This injustice by these men is outrageous. I hope to see them dealt with before drama ends. I also hope they receive some of their own type of justice. Pei will have to help her with this tightrope of killers and it will not be easy.

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Hidden alliances

Ning is confined to her room for 5 days as punishment for her leave from the palace. Zhuo is a psycho; demonstrated by making Pei kill his best friend as a young boy. He is suspicious about the identity of Madame Li and Pei’s loyalty. Pei makes a very convincing show of allegiance, and while frightening for Ning, she understands what he is doing and why necessary. These two play off each other well and are growing closer in understanding. Pei shares the treats he was duped into buying and notes that they really are a favorite for her. He is very cool and calculating in his assessment of people, which is why it’s surprising he was willing to change his mind about 5th Prince Ning. He tells her that whether an Emperor does good or evil is more important than gender. He is walking a fine line with Zhuo, but is successful for now in toeing the line. He questions Li thoroughly to find out who knows Ning is a woman. He knows he will have to figure out a way to keep this all quiet and considering his options. He tells Li flat out she will not get a second chance to deceive and her life is in the balance if she tries it. Li is protecting someone other than Ning but she definitely doesn’t want it known by anybody. The machinations continue and alliances are both fluid and steadfast. Zhuo is wondering if Li is someone from his past but hasn’t connected all the dots yet. His hatred and obsession with revenge clouds his judgment for the big picture. He prefers the scorched earth approach to dealing with conflict and doesn’t care about collateral damage. One interesting development is Ning wanting to allow women to have property. This will not go over well with officials but will be a godsend to widows who have no family or male to fight for them. This will allow them to live on their family land and to make a living without harassment from bully officials profiting from their hardships.

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Justice for Junlai

Pei agrees to take Ning back to palace and spare Li. She makes one last request and demands justice for Junlai. The government officials have her punishments all lined up when it is discovered who she is. Pei helps her and all is noted by scribe to be sure justice is served. It is especially satisfying that the three main culprits get beaten for their activities at the entrance to Junlai Village. Pei tells her that a female emperor is unprecedented and their alliance is forged. This is a well acted drama and the story is nicely paced. The production staff does an excellent job with the fight scenes and drawing you into the story.

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Kill or be killed

Already an assassination attempt on young emperor. She does well but fortunately gets help from Pei who dispatches them. Zhuo most likely behind this to get rid of those he considers political enemies. Young emperor gives Pei another surprise by naming those killed, what office they held and how they had served the people. I don’t think Pei gave any of the royal family credit for actually being concerned about the welfare of the people. We see Zhuo raised him for single purpose of revenge but that is so shortsighted. The eunuch party has just shifted which side draws or gives blood without real concern for the nation as a whole. I am hoping these two team up and change things. Auntie has fooled Pei into going to town and she and young emperor escape the palace.

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The new Emperor’s first test

Pei is rebuked by Zhuo for his choice. Zhuo is foaming at the mouth for a killing spree. Fortunately Pei is long tired of the innocents dying. As ruthless as he appears, I think he is trying to find the best solution for the people. Zhuo reminds me of the second prince. He seems to be hanging by a thread to control bloodlust. 5th prince, now emperor, acquits herself well and spares the scholar. She removes his title and banishes him to his hometown. This will hopefully appease the scholar group and keep the peace. Zhuo is far from happy with the decision and plots with Pei to kill him. I have no idea if the scholar will survive but at least effort was made to spare him. After Zhuo demonstrates his authority to the young emperor, Pei suggests she hides her strengths better and to appear docile. She asks the right question….is it counsel or warning? I think Pei is intrigued by her actions and resigned to dealing with Zhuo. This again was fast paced as Pei and Zhuo discuss army locations and tactical choices followed by first round of internal politics with new emperor. Both are accomplished tho Zhuo disagrees with the decisions for both of them. So far Pei and 5th Prince are holding Zhuo at bay, but he is making it clear this is not the correct choice and consequences will take place if defied again.

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Plans within plans

Machinations galore in these short 20 minutes. The reigning Emperor is gravely ill and Pei has been called home. He sends out the physician and listens to the last wishes of the Emperor. He then tells the scribe to write something completely different and speeds along the Emperor’s death after revealing his true identity. Another has plans to leave but returns when realizes father has passed. She is the fifth prince who has been brought up as a male for 20 years to escape with her caretaker. Everything was set until she was called in with her brothers. Pei sets the royal seal on a table and suggests a fight to death scenario for them to see who will rule. She tries to reason with her brothers but is only partially successful. There is a mind altering drug being burned like incense that has the brothers acting out their worst natures. She defends herself but still refuses to play the game. She threatens to destroy the seal and Pei offers her two poor scenarios. She still refuses to kill her maid and he stops her intent by providing a third option. Accepting the throne. He is unaware of her gender but believes her to be the easiest puppet of the mix. I believe he will find himself mistaken. The first brother willingly? abdicated so he is the only other sibling not dead. Not sure if we will ever see the one who was supposed to get the throne, but noting his existence in case he makes an appearance. This episode was well done in all respects. It was just very quickly done and lots to process. Kudos to cast and production team for such an excellent first episode.

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