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KJ2025 GYR wakes from hearing ZB’s nightmare. He goes to work early and turns the cafeteria into a real squad room complete with improvised lab. They are already gaining more clues just by having better resources and space to compare data. They are told of a new drug seller and adding that to their info. They are already changing murder scene scenarios to closer match what actually happened. Both sides want this guy and local crime lord as frustrated as police about being unsuccessful. So close at the end with them just missing each other, but fate changes that when the drug dealer turns hero to save little girl. Just gotta say didn’t see that one coming.
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Gu Yi Ran knew Zheng Bei misstepped when drugs not accepted. He got backup there but not before explosion and serious fighting taking place. Fortunately still some evidence and crew left to take in. Zheng Bei’s undercover lesson today is once a druggie always a druggie….accept drug offers. 😝Their old retired chief is determined to help and today he is chef. New guy can eat😂 Nobody thinks he is capable so he is left back to digest all the food he ate. When they return, GYR has a chem class lined up for them. He is not wrong that they need to understand a lot more about the drugs they are trying to get off the streets. But there has to be a better method. They got a good nap but not much else. He is invited to ZB’s house til better arrangements can be made. He learns a bit about the temporary snow blindness he had as a child when wondering why all walls are black. They go to restaurant and are told of the food they could have had if not so late. When sis arrives she is all interested in cute new guy. He beats feet with ZB and leaves sis with ZXG. There is a masked caller at end talking about stuck in Harlan and dog eat dog business. The crime boss they are looking for is probably on the other end of the line. Wonder if they check numbers at call stations?
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This whole case wreaks of lecherous mama’s boys with mummy covering up their sins. 😝 The grandson now seems as entrenched as his father. He wanted to look good for royals, but every opportunity to be shackled to gma he takes. He is the most likely to have tampered with wife’s meds, but why? I can’t wait til this group learns she is not a Qin😝 The only worthwhile branch of them died too soon. I hope the extra bone is a finger. Like the skeletons made pinky promise to root these heinous people out. They should have had wells checked much sooner. Especially when steward Liu was the investigator. This seems to be the Qin women’s dumping ground for mistresses. 😝I did not consider these circumstances could be triggers for prince. That was a vile plot that worked because even enemies would not suspect women and children to be set ablaze to trap soldiers. That would be hard on a seasoned soldier much less a new officer’s first raid. The matriarch isn’t going down without a fight and their royal connection will be interfering soon. Hopefully they will find the body/bodies still buried before the officials act.
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The Prince has cleared it so that Shen Wan can help be coroner without family intervening. Who is tampering with the wife’s medicine? Why do they want her and baby harmed? The matriarch of the house😝 She is not even trying to get relief meds for her worthless son. She definitely values most family appearances and has grandson following her footsteps in that regard. This family😝What an act to be all indignant of strip searches when she knew all along exactly why. The servants weren’t the problem. Seems only the nobles are affected. Now does that include the grandson? Qin Wan would not have lasted long with this group. No wonder her father rarely visited home or told them when she passed. There is a story of the wells and now to find out what it is and how steward Liu fits in. Is he the culprit or covering up for the nobles? How does the daughter fit into this? She does not have the game her mother does in lying and coverups but definitely had a grudge against concubine. I am not surprised the new maids are spies, but what are they hoping to find? And who do they report to? I like how the royals subtly reject them at every opportunity. They are not rude or overt about it, they just treat them as nonentities as they go about their business with Shen Wan.😂 She really needs away from this bunch ASAP. As dangerous as the capital could be for her, it’s better than “family” constantly plotting against you.
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Shen Wan helps a pregnant mom and receives an expensive gift. She did not want to take it but was made to feel obligated. The Prince knows she isn’t happy there and offers her a chance to go to capital. He tells her he is leaving soon so she and servant getting herbs for med packs. They come across a dead body. She was a servant from the Qin household and rather than get authorities Steward Liu said he’d take care of it. She knows the murder had something to do with the purple bamboo grove and even tho off limits she went to investigate. The first time, steward Liu redirects her and the second time he was much more threatening. She was introduced to a cousin who has syphilis. She promises to make meds for him. Was he the one spying on her or was it another? The prince found tracks and wants his aide to follow her. He is also mounting a deeper search into the whereabouts of Shen Wan. Nobody has a picture of her so the search has been more difficult. I think he knows more about the Qins than she does. 🤣 He and his aide…footwork is weak go lift the stone lock 200x 😂I like this martial arts family. Their efforts to keep skills sharp by testing each other is fun. The loud pouty daughter tired of being locked up sure changed her tune about hurting herself when she fell down the well. 😝 I think she really found bones and the steward tossed up a decoy to distract. I want to know why Shen Wan wasn’t as curious about that as the bamboo grove? It was closer and more accessible. While shopping at apothecary, she noticed the same syphilis rash on the concubine. Since penicillin not an option it seems there were meds that worked better each gender than one overall cure.The purple bamboo grove seemed a creepy place for a rendezvous, but the concubine sure looked pleased to be there. She was all expectation until she wasn’t’ I wonder if she is going to inquire about Lianye. Did she have the disease too? Who lured them there when they know Lady Qin has declared it off limits. While the concubine definitely held her in contempt, it is doubtful the young servant did. What was there about the well that had Ms Qin giving the concubine the side eye and the concubine the mocking return look? Are there more women stacked up somewhere or a lover’s bones in the well? I hope she gets away from this family very soon.
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Minister Huo acts first and thinks later. He did his best to cripple an innocent man he believed guilty. Good thing Prince and Shen Wan intervened. They both figured out what was hid in the ashes and how to definitively prove the brother innocent. It was good maneuvering to have killer show up with sword and then show how it was an exact fit for wound. As sad as her death was, a life with that man would have made death preferable. His deep seated grudge against his half brother who had no clue how much hatred his brother held. He spent a lifetime watching the legitimate brother get all the things he wanted and the irony was he was loved by the only person his elder brother truly cared about. He was even more concerned of her welfare than her own family. The reparation of Ms Song’s body was a beautiful respectful act. I liked the soft look in the Prince’s eyes as she worked on the body. It was bittersweet she was not buried with her family, but thoughtful of the elder brother to place her where she felt loved and with flowers she loved. She was duped by an evil selfish man, her crime was loving unconditionally—ironically the same crime of legitimate brother. As the case progresses it seems the Prince may have finished connecting the dots. He applies for the position of minister of justice. Things are going to get interesting.🧐
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The head wasn’t found in banyan tree area so they are guessing the killer took it with him. The Prince has used the evidence available to demand an autopsy to clear his name. He and Shen Wan figure the killer will go after her to prevent it, so they spread the news of them going to lantern festival. They all trail the one they think was most guilty to find him spending the night listening to a zither player he wanted to be his brother. So now there is a new suspect. The girls have some fun at the festival and the guys are watching them from second level. Shen Wan gets separated but is fortunately found by the prince right as scaffolding coming down. She repays the favor by stitching up a very long cut. Late that night the morgue is set ablaze and the body severely burned. The forensic tools are also stolen. Since ShenWan had taken notes of outer body already, the body was still viable for autopsy of inner organs. The Prince supplies a tableful of forensic tools and herbs so she can get started in spite of the theft and the Prince offers to write up the notes. Just as people are arriving she has determined the woman had been pregnant and the baby had miscarried between five and six months. That news was unexpected. They are suspecting the brother had the affair and are getting ready to question the one handling her dowry.
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Shen Wan again saves Grand Princess. I am wondering if scenes were cut because it was not said what was wrong or how she got the Prince’s knife. It looked like an abscess or infection was drained. This put her in Anyang mansion with groom’s family as she oversees Grand Princess’ recovery. She and granddaughter run into groom practicing martial arts and of course young Princess wants to spar. Minister Huo tries to override wife with keeping the promised engagement. I am glad mom and son less inclined. He is an arrogant jerk and perfect for any of those fake social climber daughters of other Qin branch. The evening before she is to see bride corpse there is an apparition outside her window. Someone stole the duplicate bridal gown and tried to scare off Shen Wan. Not too likely😝 She and Prince Chi debunk the ghost by showing how it was done. The matron of honor is obviously framed for the dress and the groom acts shady. The Prince notes that when Shen Yi family mentioned she pivots the topic and servant goes pale. He is trying to connect the dots. He gifts her waterproof gloves and nine needles. I am afraid I do not understand the significance of needle count, but grasp it’s a very special gift. He has also let her keep his knife so it can be used to save lives rather than take them. The Song family has refused an autopsy, but will allow the body to be examined for clues. She has figured out the bride was murdered somewhere else and then dressed in bridal gown and placed in carriage. They are heading to the most likely location that has banyan trees. Like father like son viewing autopsies😝😂 I think we would have seen face plants from fainting had she actually cut into body. Qin definitely did not need to marry into this family. 😝Along with the banyan tree clue, a bite mark suggests a possible affair.
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The Princess's Gambit Episode 35
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The State preceptor is a mixed bag. When I saw the trap in the room I had a lot of words for him.😝 the irony of who the old lady was….guess he’s still annoyed no cure. I knew that the prince would never be comfortable that the edict resulted in a death. They need this physician to find a cure. I can understand why she faked her own death considering she ended up doing more killing than healing. It makes me wonder what cost was greater than the lives she would take to create it? As justified as the official felt in his choices, he had no right to say how proud he was of her choice to save the commoner. After the person he let be in charge for so long and the grief he caused two capable future rulers, he can get off his pedestal about future selection. He would be hard pressed to find someone worse. The only good part of this whole scenario is that the creator of the poison is best equipped to figure out an actual cure. She better keep this her life’s mission until successful. I don’t agree with chancellor’s choice. But, when there is even a speck of hope for a cure for one you love, there is no risk too great. So while I do not agree I understand his choice. And the doctor saw that he was not just a talker, he backed up his words using his own body as collateral. The empress knows the seal cannot be used and is a bit annoyed. She also knows the tutor/official was with emperor for last one. She knows she can work around it, but also recognizes that the people will feel otherwise if an edict is seen and read. She thinks she is smart with her trap but fails to have sub eat left handed. I am sure he didn’t enlighten her on her mistake. He knows the poison is going to hit and she can’t promise a cure. She actually was a bit surprised that he was that candid with her. It figures the black widow/cobra found the toxic desert flower that could cause the most grief. Here is where I wish somebody would have checked third prince’s notes and the place he created his pills. There might be an overlooked clue there. The princess sees what the chancellor is doing for her. She vows to wreak revenge on the empress and I’m waiting to see what they do to the cockroach that keeps coming back.
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The Princess's Gambit Episode 32
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I have to give kudos to Zhang Zheng Yang for his performance as emperor. He does an excellent job begging for his next fix and has shown a broad range of emotions from cunning leader and father of princes, to a broken and desperate shadow of himself. He has now been reduced to the decrepit junkie at the mercy of his suppliers. Third Prince is more soothing in his approach to get him to abdicate throne while Meng patriarch openly mocks and laughs at him thinking his daughter has empress wrapped up and he’s in charge of the imperial guards. 4th Prince managed a visit to get a military decree from his father but unfortunately it lacks the seal. So now he and chancellor will have to get the military to respond based on the writing alone. Something the general is not inclined to do. He is not a coward, but he sticks his neck out for the seal, not for writing he can’t confirm belongs to the emperor. He will act only if he sees the emperor in person to know this has his approval. There is a showdown with the imperial guards and Meng says it is too late and that even the emperor cannot change the abdication. While he is being led away, that Meng POS that fancies himself the eldest son now takes 4th Prince hostage. It is now that the chancellor reveals his true identity and asks to be taken hostage instead. With the kerchief as camouflage, he slings a knife through that wretch’s throat and finally permanently shuts him up. The gals have gone to tell Ms Meng the truth and that her life is in jeopardy. They have the wedding certificate because Princess knows she’s just not gonna take her word for it. She is still not completely convinced because she has no reason to think her life in jeopardy from her chess companion. But she accepts the offer to let Princess and bodyguard hide in the room to see how things would play out. Our favorite bodyguard intervened with their plan and Ms Meng is truly grateful for her life. Meanwhile third Prince has the court behind curtains while he is basically sworn in as new emperor. The swords at their throats convince the scholars to bow and accept it. He is eyeing the new scholar in particular who is smarter than many of them and disinclined to bow for him. As things progress, the Princess and her guard enter to challenge the identity of the bride. It is now revealed to be Hua and not Meng daughter. Too bad patriarch Meng missed that. The best of his clan was almost strangled in a back room and his entire clan would have been erased to cover it up. He has no idea how poorly he judged his situation. But since the edict was read, and he wears the crown, other than removing her as his bride….can this be rescinded? Or is it a done deal? My last question is why didn’t chancellor want his identity revealed to father Meng? What plan does he have in store if third prince is officially now emperor?
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The Princess's Gambit Episode 30
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The empress had a full proof plan for the signal to ignite the incendiaries so everybody tried to get people to evacuate. She got outside of the city and gave third prince all of ten mins to get out.😝 whatever the time actually was, she opted to leave him there and lockdown the city. Their plot was heinous because in addition to fire they had a row of imperial archers to mow down people trying to escape. Third Prince thought he had it wrapped up with Princess as prisoner until they ignored him at the gate and refused to open. The one surprise element was commander and men showing up to help the people. We still don’t really know much about the Beiyuan prince, but he doesn’t lack courage. Sis earned her keep this episode with the spot on flame arrows. They beat them with their own plan and blew them up. Many caught fire but I couldn’t feel sorry for them. They were just preparing for their next life.😝The chancellor was a bit surprised seeing sis and 4th prince. For better or worse they are all together and usually in groups of two helping or fighting. Third prince noticed and said “ so this is what love looks like. “ The empress’ actions fell into place and perspective as the princess enlightened him. In her own way, she did try to give him a chance but when her time limit was done she went on with her plans and had no worries of whether he would survive or not. She wanted them dead more than her prince alive. That made a significant statement even to him in his deluded state. Watching him sit in the corner lost to the world sums him up. He was a shell that did her bidding and empty if the puppet master removed. I am not sure if he will move on from this or not and I am ambivalent about it. He is a pitiful thing since groomed at such a tender age to truly believe in someone. She was his angel sister and then idol and he really hasn’t cared about anything else. The princess did well on the drum beating. In her state, that was really the best option to gain attention and get people moving. The 4th prince is chatting with the sis and learned chancellor’s history. She is the daughter of his master so I guess they have lived as siblings but aren’t blood related. He has put it together who the chancellor really is. He remembers the idealistic child that inspired his beliefs. Now he can compare that to the man that fights like a demon and smarter than most around him. I think he is seeing what he lacks and while the pen is often mightier than the sword, he might need to toughen his hands up to be adept with both as needed. The princess has now collapsed from the poison and the chancellor actually found the dropped antidote box. He is very disappointed that a single antidote pill is inside. Unfortunately the flames found the bucket of explosives before he could exit the building. He has pushed his friend out in time and the building explodes as the episode ends.
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The Princess's Gambit Episode 28
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No clue why it is a good idea for everybody to take a leave of absence and leave 4th prince with third prince and Meng family. He is just released from being framed and he is left solo with the most cunning of the brothers, one who proved he wanted him dead. I thought the princess would be around to help him but thanks to that gift from the empress she is set to go home ASAP. Once again she dumps chancellor and leaves him no means of travel except feet. Had he mentioned he was going there prior to her pressing need she would have still found a way to leave him stranded. This arc is way too long and way too haphazard in what point it wants to make. The only good thing is third prince’s urging has emperor send 4th son to location close to them all. He will unwittingly be in the thick of it with all of them. I am annoyed with this writer’s vehicle to get them there. Maybe two episodes ago it might have gone over better. Sis has managed to sneak along and for all the hate her character gets, she is the only one concerned with the prince’s well being. She is his guard and dressed in a uniform. Now my question is why is Prince wearing white flowing robes to shine like a beacon while trying to find bandits? Of course this is only topped by the princess returning to her homeland in her princess garb on a covert mission to find her brother. They will all be converging on the same spot to the delight of the empress and her cohorts. I liked the scene with the bodyguard and aide. These two are cute no matter where they are. I have spent most of my time rolling my eyes this episode. It is very hard to take it seriously at any point. However, I am determined to watch this through til the end because in spite of this ridiculous convolution of events dreamed up by the writer, I want these characters to find their way out of the bog and end up with a satisfactory conclusion.
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The Princess's Gambit Episode 26
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The players are circling wanting the truth spun from their view. Third prince is not concerned with the actual truth as long as he can tie it to 4th prince. The princess and chancellor both know 4th prince is innocent and wanting the truth discovered. Ms Meng has a POS relative that wants to spend more effort spending and cheating than simply putting in the work to accomplish the task on his own. Circumstances point to the arrogant scholar that wanted to buy exam question. He argued with 2nd prince and pushed him, then fled from the scene rather than try to help injured prince. There is a slight discrepancy with lotus footprints and possibly two spots with blood clues. The investigation is still in progress. Ms Meng is becoming more like her father. She tortures scholar parents to get confession about pendant and then has aide’s parents to impede investigation. She stands her ground with chancellor over antidote pills and reach an agreement. The third prince makes a point to delay antidote to see how chancellor will react. He is like the cat that likes to play with his food. He rather likes smiling from the sidelines watching the discomfort caused by his machinations. Ms Meng is going to a dark place but fully invests herself. This is her only means to control her life so she will do nothing half assed. She knows what her brother endured and willing to uphold his legacy at all costs. She knows the chancellor has a deep grudge against her family, but I am not sure she knows why. She most likely thinks it is due to her family ties to silver mine rather than a very personal vendetta because of his parents’ murders. I also don’t know if third prince understands the tie between chancellor, 4th prince and Meng family. He is hitting the right tones to make these resonate with the chancellor, even if unknowingly. Does the household wear the same soled shoes or was Princess also there? That is a big question for chancellor. The bodyguard is being sent home to find Prince. The princess will not be swayed and has given her a general direction to head to find him. I believe she is cutting off chancellor and guard so they aren’t a weakness for her til she has antidote recipe. She also wants them distant in case her luck runs out and she dies waiting on antidote. I enjoyed watching the pair interrogate jade crafters. They both reached same conclusion. The princess’ knack with art and memory is a valuable skill set. Third prince would be handling things differently if he was aware. As the characters play different players in chess, I wonder what they see and how it makes them strategize. I would like to see Ms Meng and Princess play a game and Princess and chancellor. That would make for some interesting interactions. The emperor is in increasingly poor shape but at least coherent enough to recognize the significance of the evidence and to let the chancellor investigate. I hope the emperor changes the exam question to level the playing field for all participants.
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The Princess's Gambit Episode 15
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Father Meng lost no time trapping his daughter into an odious task. She is not allowed to mourn her beloved brother and is intimidated to blame and kill the chancellor. Never mind the incompetent crown prince and the illegal silver mining that really pulled down the Meng family. Money alone didn’t get them the clout they needed to override the stupidity of the Prince. Casting blame to the shrewd chancellor was a huge mistake on their part. The wife has reluctantly agreed to take the poison with her and delegates a ‘killer’ maid in the palace. As she talks to her father she realizes that she will never be the most important to him. His climb for power will always put her in a place she would rather not be. So she literally takes the back carriage on the way to emperor’s tea party and gives the princess the wife’s right of being in carriage with chancellor. When they all arrive the chancellor and princess are sitting in close proximity to the emperor and consort…seems the emperor changes Qin for Meng at the tables of officials. In spite of their conversation just a few days ago, Meng sees the writing on the wall for his place in the court. He knows the Meng family has fallen in disgrace. Ms Meng decided to get it over with. She knew the end result and decided not to drag things out. She has the chancellor and princess’ tea poisoned and waits to hear her fate. The chancellor expected something like this so offered a gift for the party. Tea cups that changed color if tea contained poison. When trying to force Meng’s hand he was only partially successful so the princess pretended to faint to move things along. The tea tested positive for poison and the maid immediately recanted and pointed to Ms Meng. She came forward and confessed her crime and left it at that. Her father came forward and offered his position in court for her life. Ms Meng was further surprised with pleas from both chancellor and princess on her behalf. He finally gave her the divorce she’d been wanting and he and princess both begged for mercy. The chancellor then surprises the fathers of his two remaining concubines as he asks to have all other women in his house be allowed to return home and be treated as loved younger sisters. Interesting change of events, but that now means all his attention will be on the princess. She will have no curtain to hide behind when asked to do more by her country. I liked that princess and wife had a chat. The wife has no clue how she was actually in a better position than Princess was in many ways. She had local family. These two truly could have been friends and have far similar circumstances than the wife is aware of. I wonder if Princess’ reflection after the conversation cause the chancellor to leave or if he was going to leave anyways. Seems both of them had lots of thinking to do wandering through town lost in thought. It is also fate that these two meet on the bridge just as fireworks get started for a romantic view of the city. Now the battle of wits can be in high gear at the house with no distractions. Qin finally is decent to the other concubine and these two will probably be close friends now since no more husband competition between them. The house is going to be much quieter and far more interesting. The only machinations will now be lord and lady of the house. Will they work together to get a new prince set up for throne or will they clash as they try to outmaneuver each other?
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The heavenly emperor has assigned a general to spy on the prince and learn his celestial duties to be a fitting replacement if necessary. It is nice to see the mischievous side of the prince and the timely assists from his aide. The fathers in this drama all leave much to be desired. YeTan is a breath of fresh air, except for her music.😂 She really does need some lessons. I wonder if the fairy will ever try the soup or just leave on a shelf as a treasured item. 😂 It is funny to see the heartless shard’s frugalness show up with the gifting. 😂 ChaoFeng has become the royal bag holder as his fiancée and mother go on a shopping spree. He recieved the memo that he and guards are to be killed and he’s taking it in stride, still striving to keep QingKui happy for as long as possible. The empress wants the other sons killed, third one in particular. She is destroying any legacy that the void might have and tyrant father has opted to sacrifice third son to avenge second. Both realms suffer because of their leaders. Both are stuck in tradition and refuse to think outside the box. I like that beast Prince gave the sisters a way to communicate without using pain. It is nice they can now speak long distance and arms not pay the price. The servant coriander has disappeared in their absence so wonder what’s happened to her? QingKui has benefited from the swap. For all the hardships she has endured, she is not trapped in a cold sterile environment. She is finding her true self and she is formidable. Likewise YeTan is learning restraint. She is innately livening the place up just existing there. She is learning how to be a princess and deal with the rules of politics and protocol. She is growing up and learning how to think and reason by pushing emotions aside and working beyond them. She is understanding better the bindings her sister grew up with tho seemingly the favorite one. She also, is finding her true self and it is far more than emotions and revenge. She too, is becoming formidable. Together, they have opportunity to forge a new existence with the void and heavenly realms.
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