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KJ2025 Zang Hai figured out that the original builders of the tomb did not waterproof it correctly. The Marquis’ eldest son embezzled the building funds for another project or for himself. The henchmen all knew that this would uncover their fraud and plotted to bury him within the tomb if he successfully fixed or execute him for failing. They planned his death either way. It was a touching scene with his uncle. Now he knows he sounds like his dad and he has retained their wisdom. His uncle was kicked out of imperial service and given tomb duty. He would not say why but I am sure the colleague that helped get Zang Hai’s family killed was responsible. The mentor holding still with a knife to his eye while he played blind was impressive. He did a nice slight of hand with the fortune sticks. I am sure his prediction will involve Zang Hai and waiting to see how the tables are turned on these wicked men. It was even more disgusting that the Marquis agreed to their heinous plot to cover for his son. They knew that he would but was seeing if there was any shred of decency in him. Nope. No wonder his sons are like they are.😝Zang Hai knew he was going to get entombed, but I don’t think he expected all those other men to be with him. I would like to think that they will honor whatever promises they made to these men, but I don’t think there is any chance in hell their families will receive restitution for their sacrifice. Tonight they drink and tomorrow they see the inside of the tomb….permanently. I am hoping that whatever Zang Hai attempts in getting to the river that he gets some or all of the others out with him. I also hope they show a follow up of the burned girl. I hope she lives and can manage to speak. These miscreants keep racking up sins so I hope his revenge takes into account every single person and fraud they have done. I am glad his mentor is assisting. I was wondering at his motives initially, but he has gone to some significant lengths to assist. I am curious what Zang Hai has spotted in the tomb to think there is possible escape.
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Should have known it was the second son stealing from treasury. I wish he would have had more time to check out secret room. It’s also a shame that the son had more spunk and character as a child than when grown. He is on the fast track to useless. 😝Zang Hai was genius with his inventory ledger and knew just how to stroke the Marquis’ ego. It got him attention, but now the three henchmen want to either integrate him into their slimey ways or kill him. He had his chance at the ‘bday’ party for Yang. I am sure he would have figured out a different response to the poor singer had he known what Yang would do. There are special places in hell for the Marquis and his three. Whoever the gal manager is was surprised that Zang Hai would actually care for the welfare of the girl. It proves again that even on revenge path there are depths he won’t go. That speaks well for him, but also as pointed out by his mentor, it shows the no bottom line for this group. Even the son has a play stupid or die outlook for dealing with it. He tried to gain audience with the Marquis through the son but that also met with dead end. He does now know there are secret locations in the hall where only authorized guests can go. His golden time to get closer to Marquis is getting significantly smaller so he needs to find a way to circumvent the gang of three. Noted that Xiao Zhan is gifted with excellent micro expressions. This drama is intense but I am all in to see how he makes these four pay. The bodies keep stacking up and I’m sure he is keeping track of them.
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Zang Hai gets introduced to swindling city ways. He still needs training because he shared his observations with girl hustler and finds himself turned into Mr 8. 😝 He did get the scoop on the Emperor by her explaining the play to him. I enjoyed the politicians being shown as jumpy toads.😂 Here is where I wonder if his mentor set him up for further training because he is right there to rescue him and it’s a bit too convenient. Our revenge seeker shows he still has kindness because he rescues the little boy as well as getting into the party of Feng shui experts. His nonchalant attitude and nap taking on the way is funny. But he is right that to get worked up isn’t going to keep mind clear. When they get to the tomb area the group is split up and he finds himself on the side that has a long hallway. Everybody knows this is creepy but nobody knows what to do. One guy suggests to stay by the wall and finds himself pinned with a spear. Everybody starts freaking out and Zang Hai tells them to stay put and shut up so they can live. He has figured out the stars and pattern from their lores and manages to traverse the hall. He and two others reach the end. He has been spot on but his last suggestion took out the other two leaving him the only one past the traps. It does not make sense to him and he is trying to figure out what was wrong. As Zang Hai is reciting Star poem so is Marquis on archery field. He is annoyed that he can’t find one capable to get the Emperor out of his troubles. He is not a patient man as a chatty servant found himself getting his tongue removed. We also see the Marquis’ son and his father warning him to be careful. There are machinations everywhere and nobody can be trusted.
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It starts with showing workers in a mine. Dongxia has been conquered and Great Yong has built Fengshan Altar to declare victory across the land. Under ground the man in charge said they had dug far enough and the men could stop. He was called by a report that something was wrong in the mine. He investigated to find that all the men were knocked out by something. He saw a tunnel leading further and went to investigate. The structure looked like it was upside down and had what appeared to be a jade carving inside. He and another were attacked by the undead. He was reaching for the carving when it cut to a different scene. A young boy is waiting for his father to get home with the royal procession. He found the princess instead and got whipped for his nosiness. He received a sword shaped welt across his back. There was another boy in the procession that was dumped out of carriage in an accident. The boy and two friends hid the boy and beat him trying to get information. When the two older boys left the one seeking his father shared some treats his mother made. The sister discovered the captured boy and told mom. All the boys were then punished. Her son wasn’t happy because all the tunnels he had built to impress his father had to be sealed. There was gossip that all the men in the mine perished when the alter collapsed. The boy denied this because he knew how good a builder his father was. Later that night his father showed up and was trying to get all of family out of the city. He would not explain why and was stopped by guards who started killing people. The leader was accusing the dad of taking something that didn’t belong to him. The mom had son and daughter hide. The boy took his sister to the barn and hid her while he returned to his tunnels getting rid of the seals he had just put in. The soldiers ended up killing them all but the boy. His close friend pretended to be him so the attackers thought they had killed both his children. He watched as his family was slaughtered. His father at the end said they would never find what they were looking for. With his last breath he told his son to live. They staged a robbery and then set everything on fire. The leader finds something in the dad’s pocket and keeps it. The boy had passed out from the smoke but was found by someone who knew to look for him. The mystery man takes the child and exits. A very eventful first episode.
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We watch as Ye Li buries all residents of Lishan Academy including herself. 💔😭 She does not want to live with all of them gone. We don’t know how long she laid in her own grave before her will to live overrode her grief. Her Gpa appears before her admonishing her to get up and warm herself. He reminds her of the monkeys and to never visit this side of the mountain again. As she leaves, her memories of those buried go with her to survive on the other side. It takes us back to the attack on the Prince where even the youngest of scholars was not spared. The official sent was visibly shaken as he took in what happened. The empty grave with Ye Li’s memorial by it and all the rest with overgrowth showing significant time passage where Ye Li survived alone. He gives his account to the Empress Dowager and she appears shaken. But as the past accounts for itself, it showed a systematic effort to undermine and then oust the Emperor. The way was paved with the blood of innocents that did not agree with Guo Jin’s rebellion. She confided in Ye Li’s mother and Consort Qin, persuading Ye Li’s mother to find the edict that would have saved Prince Wen. We see her argue with the Queen Dowager at being betrayed and costing the lives that were supposed to be saved. After ‘losing’ the edict Guo Jin imprisoned the scholars in their own school and then magnanimously saved Prince Din and allowed JingLi to stay if he presented himself unfit to rule. Her poet that assisted in betraying the scholars and people found himself betrayed and killed. Much later the Marquis met the same end. She unapologetically tried to put herself on the throne and when that could not happen she put her son there, being sure to undermine him so it looked like he needed her guidance to rule. As the truth unfolds the public outrage is being softened by having Queen Dowager leave the palace to go to a place of healing. He is being pressed to take the throne from his mother and whether she really has brainwashed him into thinking she was needed for all decision making or he chose to have others think that, is unclear. He finds the deaths in Lishan a pathetic waste but does he think his mother accountable for the illness that spread through the school and locking them in in the first place? Ye Li has shared her dolls with Xiu Yao and the only one that remains to be dealt with is Guo Jin. She has promised to not act rashly and they are aware she has been removed from palace under the pretense of rehabilitating her health. Jingli has taken over the defense mansion thanks to a painter’s in depth map. It is unclear what plans he has. He knows Ye Li is in the mountain, but I am curious why his man did not report Prince Ding’s location. I didn’t think that was a secret. There is a brief scene with the Han brothers. MingXi definitely does not want to work with Jingli. His allegiance to YeLi is made quite clear. When his brother says he will handle things, I wonder if he can survive the fallout his rescue of the Su witch will cost him. The last players are bing positioned to finish the chess game between them. The will of the people vs personal grudges. Will the voice of reason manage to weave through all these masterminds to achieve a balance between palace rule and protecting the people? It’s a stunning impact of the levels of betrayal for the edict alone. Best friend, family, husband, mother in law, school colleague. Ye Li witnessed it all and the horror that ensued when those in Lishan were isolated to be killed off by another scheme. One that even the master physician could not treat in time. I do wonder what she gained with her demand of Ye Li and Prince Ding betrothal. Just a way to be sure they were kept weak and dependent? The Ye family silent about their assist with the edict by having the girls married off to the Princes? Was she looking for a fill in for the Marquis because he got too corrupt and greedy? Her role in things isn’t that much of a surprise but it will be interesting to see how things fall into place with her son being forefront instead of behind her. Waiting to see what happens the second time Ye Li comes down the mountain.
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He toasts to the guests assuring them he will take care of Ye Li and never leave her alone. He is lucky they do not know he already broke that promise. 😝After the meal, Xiu Yao gets Ye Li to lay down and rest. He tells her of fearing death before they were together. He then adds that with her he is no longer afraid because they will be together. He looks at her with such adoration. ❤️ While she slept, he explored the grounds and found the cemetery for the scholars. Ye Li had even made her own memorial tablet. It was heartbreaking to see that she had done all of this by herself.💔😭For the first time in a long while she had some real rest and woke up to find her husband hard at work chopping wood. He already had breakfast ready and bamboo shoots gathered so they hunted for mushrooms together to finish up meal supplies. He made a chair for her that would let her enjoy the moonlight in the courtyard. He mended the bed and windows and helped her copy the books that needed compiling. She showed him the best spot for seeing the moon but it was not a clear night. He chatted with her about scenes changing and needing appreciated no matter what light they were in. There was never nothing to see. The changing light just made different things visible. She teased him for acting like an old man rather than one in his twenties. They were supposed to see the moon and stars not speak on deep subjects. 😝He encouraged her to go to a different place. The bridge where statues of monkeys resided. She was told to not cross the bridge because monkeys had taken over. She would stay safe as long as she did not cross it. Xiu Yao told her no monkeys were there and as she turned back they disappeared from view and she was seeing what really was there. They continued their walk til they came to the cemetery. She looks down and sees her memorial first and then runs to each one. There is a flashback to what happened. The school was united in rejecting Guo Jin’s rule. They would not betray the emperor no matter the cost. It was not meant to be a death pact to defy her rule, but sadly, that’s what the epidemic did for them. The medicine supplies were waning and Ye Li was determined to get help. They were just as determined to believe in their doctor of medicine and that they would pull through. They did not want to cooperate with the new rule in any fashion and locked her up to prevent her from getting help from the guards. When everything was almost lost, she sent QingShuang to get help. But the poor girl was too sick and weak and died a few steps from the shed Ye Li was locked in. She breaks out to find everybody dead. At the palace the pompous Eunuch was telling his tale how they all ran away and only Ye Li was left on the mountain. Fortunately before more lies could be made up or believed the young Emperor comes in with Prince Ding’s assessment of the area. He confirmed that all were dead, but that they had died from a plague several years ago and only Ye Li was left. The Empress dowager sent an officer of the court to investigate. There is sounding signal that they will be coming and Prince Ding set it up for two days later to give Ye Li some time. The scene goes to Suixue Pass where it is far from the desolate scene it once was. The peace the princess had envisioned had come to pass. Spy Feng and his escort arrive and commenting how even painters are making a living. Their conversation is noted by someone. They run into MingXi and ask him what kind of death met Su ZuiDie. Either we are just told she was killed and died miserably, or he is lying through his teeth to not reveal his brother’s part in her rescue. Back to the mountain YeLi is talking about her missions coming down from the mountain. With the Marquis doing all the evil work he was doing, it was clear he had the consent of Empress dowager and something needed done to correct that. She tells him of her 4 dolls Lu Fangchu, Ye family , Marquis MuYuang, and Empress Dowager. We now finally know what happened In Lishan Academy and why. It was the last stand for the old Emperor and their refusal to accept the rebel Guo Jin who gained access to the throne by abusing and suppressing all opposed and choosing to rule by the same means. The empty mountain top has the remnants of the ideals they prized and paid with their lives to uphold. Here the histories were not rewritten to cover betrayal and deceit. But the ramifications for that stand was the loss of the great majority of the best and the brightest. This explains Ye Li’s determined purpose in righting that wrong when she descended the mountain.
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That Eunuch will now realize that some breakfast is better than no breakfast. 😝When they arrive he pompously addresses the guards where Prince Ding asks if he may go in. I don’t know what they thought they would see, but none were prepared for what really was. The ravens should have been first clue. I think that is the most exercise that eunuch has had in a long time. He has his version of what happened and runs back to palace. Xiu Yao writes a letter to the Emperor and sends his man down with initial findings. I am sure he has requested to investigate the matter. It is heartbreaking to see the few areas Ye Li has been using amongst the dust and decay. Xiu Yao is shook to the core as he starts processing the obstacles his wife dealt with so calmly. He now knows why she has the hands of a servant when she returns with soup ingredients. He can only hold her and feel remorse for his selfish judgment of her and her mother. She notices his hair and wants to know if it turned gray because he missed her. 😭Everyone is sent back to the capital except the Prince. He has apologized over and over for not keeping his promises but that he will stay by her side now. He takes in where she studied for ways to cure him and the chair she had designed. He sees the monkeys that tormented her. He knows she is fragile and does not see this place as empty. He is determined to find out what happened and bring her home. He adjusts to her view when she introduced him to friends and family and returns greetings. She has tables prepared for everyone and his heart breaks for her. He survived hell but sees her captivity as far worse. As alone as he was, it was not this. She had to provide everything needed to survive while all those protecting guards did nothing to assist. This is the benevolence from the palace letting them devote themselves to their work without hindrance.😝🤬 There are no words strong enough to convey her courage and fortitude to survive. Here, short term memory of real life seems to be buried under her memories so she can continue surviving here the only way she knows how.😭 She looks at him so lovingly telling him not to blame himself. She sees him so clearly while the rest of the world is tuned out except for her fond memories of those she cared about most. After letting us see all this, I want Xiu Yao to find out what really happened to these people and help Ye Li come back to reality as it really is, not how she dreams. I am hoping they get justice for the school that produced leaders and officials but not protected by any of them. 🤬 we get a quick scene of spy Feng walking to Cangbai on the road where he first met his merchant princess. Til the last episode ends I will hope she is alive,they find each other, and have a good ending together. For once I was glad only one episode. This was enough heartbreak to take in for one day. I hope for Prince and Princess Ding their joy becomes greater than the sorrow they endured.
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Ming Yue and MingXi are still fighting over their path choices. Usually it’s the older brother with better advice but not this time. He has opted to do the dirty work of JingLi and Su Zuidie. Even his brother can see how foolish it was and that he would be one of the first silenced not rewarded. For now they will have to agree to disagree, but MingXi has made it very clear he will kill Su Zuidie at first opportunity. Shows how much JingLi really cares for Ye Li or he would have already killed her.😝😡 YuSheng and Feibai are still fighting. He actually carried her off during a performance. 🤣😂She does make it clear she will not marry a poor man and not to even ask her if he can’t keep her in the style she is accustomed to. The Marquis is a bit surprised to see his other son. Qin told him exactly how he contributed to provide evidence for the charges against him. He then asked his father if he was so valued after all the things he had done for him, why try to kill him. Had it been the ‘only’ son, would he have expected him to do the dirty work and silenced as well. The lack of response spoke volumes. The ‘only’ son just might become a decent person. He has left food and money to bribe the guards chaperoning Qin so they won’t give him a hard time about the money and food they give Qin. A carriage follows them and it’s Lin TingLan. She gives him a blanket and two melons so he will know she was there to give him hope. She will leave it to chance to find each other in Qianchuan. When her guard asked why not accompany him there she had a good response. He broke the law and deserved the punishment. But she is hoping to meet him there when he’s starting his life over. Ning shows up and she’s snotty as ever. Considering she wants a favor you’d think she wouldn’t be so rude and abrasive. This time she wants to consider adopting a child to carry on JingLi’s bloodline. Here Ye Li gave her very sage advice. To not throw her life away getting boxed in and causing a child to be the target of JingLi’s crimes. When Ning pouted at her for talking too much Ye Li was the smiling big sis to say but I’m right aren’t I? 😂 Feng the spy has left the capital to clear his head and grieve privately. I still keep hoping she’s hiding somewhere to find him. Ye Li has taken Xiu Yao to hear a storyteller’s tale where she keeps questioning him about the pair of unlikely lovers. He doesn’t know how similar the story is to his situation yet. When he was on the way to the prison, I wish she would have told him about her mom after all that running instead of promising to go hear the end of the story next day. The Marquis has promised his case will be closed after an audience with Prince Ding. And now dreading tomorrow’s episode as much as wanting to know how they will resolve things. And I do not want to hear about the death of Su Zuidie. I want to see it and know she is really dead. The actress did an outstanding job because I hate her on sight.😝
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This scene is different from last episode ending. There is more discussion about who wrote the book and love for hyacinths. This time instead of wanting it shut, she demands it gets burned. Ye Li asks Consort Qin directly to give her the edict if it wasn’t destroyed. There is a flashback of her demanding it from Ye Li’s father and promising to handle the Marquis if any issue. It then goes to a scene where the edict is burned and she walks away from Ye li. She plays through all the events from being saved from the Empresss, the dragon drawing, her ‘sister’ now Empress dowager and how she was played by both. She is downing flasks of wine when the Marquis’ son shows up and she lets him know she is aware Qin is dead. He chooses to drink with her rather than leave and she tells him she can’t assist any more. We get a breakdown of how her father used her marriage to get her trapped in the palace. There was no care from him as long as her position was secure. She has been the pawn for them all since she arrived and just now recognizes it thanks to Ye Li. When asked why, Ye Li tells her of what happened and how many innocents died because of their political games. She wanted the consort to feel the weight of them and own them. The Cangbai princess is invited to Feng’s place by the Dings. It seems our fave Ms Su will also attend.😝The Marquis’ son was kidnapped by guards to be taken home to his mother when stopped by palace guards saying Empress dowager has demanded his presence. That catches everybody’s attention. The Marquis’ man is not letting himself get caught easily and the Prince’s wrist was injured. He is getting a family remedy to help it heal faster and has a chat with the military rep that gave him a hard time. It is hard as a soldier when the side you’ve been fighting makes peace and the ones you were ordered to kill now you have to break bread with. He has no specific vent for his anger because for more to live in peace is the best option. He is very surprised that the prince is familiar with his angry notes tossed at his house. What is good is that he recognizes the prince is a good man and they both endured and survived harsh military collateral damage with their families. They have finally caught the guilty confididente and the scene moves to the place where Princess and Ye Li are to meet. She is stopped by a servant of Consort Qin who has books delivered. And…in a secret compartment the edict everyone has been searching for. It is still very legible and show signs of burning. Her assassin get permission to be a guard for her, and the princess notices her favorite flower that is Feng’s treasure. They are both walking into Ms Su’s trap and Ye Li’s guard is going to be in a very tough place when he learns his brother is part of the conspiracy. I am really not wanting to see where this goes for the princess. I really want this to go like Qin and she’s not really dead. I hate that Su Zui die has caused this mess and coming off as the witness instead of perpetrator.🤬 It is damn annoying. Her assassin is at least there to guard her and he is already aware that something is off with the witness. In court they are deciding Ye Li’s fate and preparing for war. It is hard to tell if the Marquis is also in on this conspiracy or if this is the Princess’ brother and Cangbai rebels not wanting peace with Dachu. The steward is pleading for justice to be demanded with the case and begs the Duke to save her life. The Duke knows there is foul play, but with the prior grudge of the cavalry and Cangbai, tempers will be high and there is no way to predict the outcome. Ye Li wakes up and hears from assassin that he knows the evil woman did it.Hurry and get back Xiu Yao. The assassin is in hot water now with Ye Li because his pavilion’s associated with JingLi. Someone is determined to make the case that Ye Li was the killer and Prince Ding leading a rebellion. Is this JingLi’s master plan? Now Cangbai is getting helped both sides of the border and I want this resolved now. 🤬They better kill off the Su Witch from Dachu because I want her head on a platter. 🤬
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The Marquis is telling his son to leave til things quiet down. He even starts the same way he did for Qin how he had everything planned for him. His son challenges him with the question if he would be killed if ever in the way. He has every right to challenge his father. Maybe now he will grow up to be less of a wretch. 😝 The Marquis orders him to go home but 50/50 son will comply. When she gets back from the shop Xiu Yao admits he looked at the letter box and peeked inside. She surprises him by bringing the box over and letting him see all but the bottom two letters. They were all music compositions she thought he would enjoy being away from the school. Ye Li and Xiu Yao are very cute being playful. This was exactly what Su Zuidi needed to see. They ‘accidentally’ run into Ms Wen and guest. The timing seems rather planned by the guest.😝 she was sure they would be more like strangers and got confirmation that Ms Wen’s opinion was more accurate. Her slow sad talk to Ms Wen was so fake and annoying.😡 Her bringing up Xiu Yao’s mother and special preparations for dessert were a bit much. I like that Xiu Yao offered his wife first bite. There was no way she would eat it, but the attention was given to the right woman at the table and the other two noted it. 😝Usually calls from work are aggravating, but the Prince was more than happy to be called away to report to the office.😂 Ye Li shrewdly let her unwanted guest know where her family members were located so she would no longer be lonely. Or, if serving the princess she should do that well. She knows the gig is up with the wife and leaves. Her carriage is blocked so she chooses to walk back. She runs into the same drunkard that knocked her down earlier and repays that slight with a dagger in the belly. Ye Li gives Fei Bai some first aid and asks if he’s found master Zhu. He tells her he’s returned to the academy and she seems happy and satisfied at that response. I hope soon we get to see what he saw at Lishan school and his opinion of events. Ye Li has her next plan in the works. She checks on the time and date of a solar eclipse and wants her uncle to get the consort out of the palace. She has it timed so she is available to assist the consort from her carriage. Feng the spy meets with his penpal and he uses that double sided coin with her. Too bad he is completely unaware he has won her over in spite of himself. 🤣 She continues her male disguise and he is unhappy she hasn’t fessed up to being a girl. Xiu Yao is called to check up on him and listens to his lament for a reasonable time. When he is chided about not giving advice, Xiu Yao responds that if he liked her to let her know early as he walked out the door. 🤣 When he gets home he finds Ye Li asleep and carries her to bed and the episode ends. Dragons, rain and edict news coming up. I hope the enemy Ye Li is referring to is not her spouse as this preview implies. 🧐😬
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The opening scene with Prince Ding surrounded by assassins was choreographed masterfully. They used his chair as offense and defense and when it broke he was free of his yoke of weakness. Well done!👏🏻 The General became even more arrogant after beating another opponent and mocking Dachu in general. He went to the princess to get permission to offer a prize of 200 horses. He then wanted another challenge to gain Prince Ding’s spear. Ye Li clearly stated why he was not worthy of it. She described in detail the duplicitous and opportunistic behavior of his country. She agreed he was brave but that he proved repeatedly he lacked loyalty to merit the spear he demanded. He boldly headed towards her to kill her and Xiu Yao flew up the stairs to intercede. 💪🏻👏🏻 He soundly defeated the general several times to prove that no matter how often he tried, he would be vanquished. I loved the look from the Marquis as he watched. The men all cheered because everybody was more than fed up with his boasts and embarrassed his fighting skills were better. This included the Emperor. The Empress Dowager was glad he was defeated but she was not smiling at Prince Ding being healed. The visiting princess told them where they would find the promised horses. The Prince went on to tell them of the plot to kill the weapon designer to prevent production of a new crossbow. All the eunuchs that had teamed together against the Prince were found dead in the place they held the Prince or their own quarters. The Marquis was especially nervous about the capture of the colluder, but just like he was given preference with JingLi’s case, Xiu Yao was given preference for this weapons case. The Princess claimed no knowledge of the plot and mentioned her friend in the city. This was a blow to whatever scheme the Marquis had planned. It was very satisfying to watch him be the one off balance and admonished to step aside. The Duke was all praise for Xiu Yao and remembered Ye Li’s grandfather. Here I think those at the school only live in her mind and heart but now is not the time to address it. I loved the banter between the couple as she tells him about the treatment he will receive when he comes home from work. His return challenge to accept any treatment from her quite willingly. 🥰The Empress dowager is still deciding whether or no to take the Princess’ claim as truth or not. The Cangbai Princess and General have figured out the truth of the weapons deal and why YuanFang was killed. The general was warned to stop acting stupid. I was surprised that he spoke intelligently and calmly to the princess so he isn’t just an arrogant ass. 😝Su Zuidi was caught listening and told to kneel 4 hours. Xiu Yao recognized her and told her the princess spared her and she could get up. While she is out walking she collapsed in the street to be discovered by Ms Wen. She is taken in to have a doc check her condition. I liked that Xiu Yao addressed it immediately and thoroughly. The Wens and Su’s had been friends for decades and when the eastern palace was purged Su’s family was among them. He told when and why they were betrothed as young and why Ms Wen felt obliged to take her in. Ye Li understands but isn’t happy. She picks out the sugar she doesn’t like and wants Xiu Yao to deliver it their guest. The scene moves to Fei Bai who is risking his life to find out what really happened in Lishan. He makes it up the cliff and we get a glimpse of the school for it to jump to Ning going through JingLi’s possessions. She finds a box of letters that are given to Ye Li. Next preview has a lot of unsettling events. They are really finding ways to keep our couple from happy married life. The story never dies down but becomes more intricate each episode. There is never a clear picture of where loyalties lie and things change with new perceptions. This episode stands out for excellence. 👏🏻👏🏻 Waiting to see how the mysteries of Lishan unfold and what secrets the palace still hides.
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Ther jury is still out as to whether or not JingLi’s dead. Charred bodies do not necessarily reveal the truth. Empress Dowager has given the Marquis lead on taking care of interrogation and any correspondence or document related to east palace. With her sifting through all paperwork, she is most likely still trying to find decree. Ye Li asks the steward for interesting books and diagrams. While Xiu Yao is locked in at work, she is studying all the underground waterways linked from palace to port. Once again she crosses path with her ‘assassin’ acquaintance. The Marquis took Xiu Yao’s military commander for interrogation because he had a 4th uncle that originally went there. 😝 They both know he is innocent but he dares the Prince to counter Empress Dowager’s command. The Prince asks another official to stay behind. He knows this is the one that gave the commander to the Marquis. The look on his face when Xiu Yao kicked him center mass and sent him flying across the floor. He now realizes he feared the wrong leader and is warned that if Xiu Yao’s man dies, he does as well. I am not sorry this worm was sent off to prison. 😝There is a scene where Marquis’ son is sharing a coconut when Qin walks by and sees them. Later the Marquis invites Qin to move in and shares the other coconut with him. Miscreant son sees them enjoying it and he is jealous. These two should really not be in the same living quarters. They are too close in proximity as it is. Ning is depressed and suicidal. She really wants to join JingLi in death. The Marquis flexed his muscle and Ye Li flexed her strategic wisdom to get him to stand down. Ning repeated what JingLi had said to her and wanted to know if the smart sister could figure it out and if he was alive. She asked Ning if her prince was thinking of her when he set the fire. Her candor in not hating her because she is too selfish and dimwitted to be taken seriously. I agree that even a twit like her does not deserve to be stuck with JingLi. Still following her, she tells the assassin to help her out and be useful. 🤣 He gets her into the Li house and she heads for JingLi’s room. Adding water to the fountain opened a door to underneath the palace where she followed it right to the exit she figured he took. I am glad the assassin was with her because they find them surrounded by assassins/guards well equipped and intent on killing them. The fight is still in progress when the episode ends. I am hoping we get to see her sword skills next episode.
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This episode Xiu Yao is determined to give Ye Li his undivided attention. His spy friend is lamenting that all the things he shares with the prince, with one exception, is handed over to the wife. Ye Li is fun because she doesn’t choose to reciprocate with shop giving. Her shop is her shop.🤣 She is trying to figure out why he is there and reluctant to follow him to work. Xiu Yao is surprised with her reading choices. He is becoming more attuned to little details. Making a shade for her while she sleeps.🥰 At first I wondered why he stood up at work, but who is gonna show up at the office after hours? 😝 Finally making progress and suggesting consummation of marriage. Her response why?🤣😂 When he was disabled she liked teasing him about intimacy, now that he has control of his movements she is less assured. 🤣 Here I actually think she doesn’t want to break up her evening ritual of girl talk with QingShuang before sleep. It has been her staple since coming down the mountain. She does not want to relinquish hold of her maid yet. Her prince is being very gentle and reminding her they both have lost parents and should rely on each other for comfort. He is taking baby steps to win her heart and trust but he is also not giving an inch back. He is determined to keep them moving forward .🥰 Things are heating up catching the runaways. One is in custody and one killed himself rather than disclose information. All roads seem to lead to east palace. The Marquis is aware who killed Yuan Fang and why. He is making his way along with Xiu Yao to JungLi’s quarters. Ning is doing her best to stick with her husband no matter what, but when she asked about that night rather loudly with too many ears he sends her out to return to the Ye house. She is still refusing to leave when fire breaks out in JingLi’s room. There are bodies found after the fire and one seems to be the prince. I am still waiting because that seemed too easy to end things. There are plenty of guys they could have fill in for him in the capital. Now everyone is headed for east palace to find remaining rebels. The Marquis is on his pedestal about executing judgment and I wonder if that will extend to his miscreant son?😝While he is spouting his intentions Xiu Yao reminds him of the orders he had from Empress Dowager in handling the case. The Marquis still intends to head out, but to assist or supress is always the question where he is concerned. Ye Li is not convinced Jingli is dead. The physician there gives probable indicators, but on a severely burned body, I’m with her, that requires a big grain of salt to be 100% convinced. Waiting for next episode to see who is dead and who isn’t after the fire dies out. The excitement continues as the plots come to light. If she becomes convinced JingLi is dead, how much grudge will be removed from Ye Li’s heart? and what changes to Ye household if Ying returns?
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This episode gives us the tragic life of Jing Li. He was set up to take the fall for Empress Dowager since his fateful trip home due to Gpa’s illness. The Marquis had Lishan set up and destroyed en masse the loyalists to Emperor at the palace. He arrived home with no family or support. Jing Li was immediately under house arrest for three years while the Empress Dowager gave up in gaining the throne directly and putting her son there instead. The Marquis tortured Jing Li as a boy to give up the names of the Lishan scholars so that the Marquis could have them killed. This even included a boy his own age. These souls are what Ye Li can never forgive. His servant gives him straws to grasp but there is no chance she will change her mind. This false hope has him on a tangent to gain the throne by his own means. He starts off killing Yuan Fang who was a chief advisor and confidante to the Empress Dowager. He was chief investigator of the weapon smuggling case and intended to prove the Marquis guilty when Jing Li killed him. He was a good man and another righteous soul added to Jing Li’s list of innocents. What this evil deed accomplished was put a chink in the Marquis’ armor and a bur for the Empress to not forgive. They have reached a point of contention with this that dims his grievances with Xiu Yao in comparison. It is unclear why the Empress Dowager favors him, but for now this keeps him safe while the Marquis is expected to find the real killer or accept the blame for the crime. I don’t really know how to feel about the tragic Prince. He was caught in a web of deceit and blood that damns him with no escape. It is also unclear why Ying was tossed into it with him. She has now seen the role he must play for the palace and refuses to play along. There is still decency in him because he rescues her and shows regret for accepting a wedding he should not have. The bodies are racking up around him and his plans aren’t revealed yet, just that he has chosen this course and plans to see it to the end. Is Zhu one that has been dead? Fei Bei asks her again if she was sure that’s who saved her from the snakes. Like Xiu Yao did with the monkeys, he will continue a search where he doesn’t expect to find anyone. He has an unexpected skill as an orthopedist. Ye Li has come to him to rebreak Xiu Yao’s legs and reset them so he can heal. I am glad they did not try to show this. He has already endured long needles and med regimen and this is the toughest stage of his planned procedure. He must endure the rebreaking of the bones before he can heal. He is well aware that any missteps could result in permanent paralysis but chooses to take the risk. The trust in his eyes as he looks at her🥰 They are exquisite as a pair and their flaws just accentuate there complementary natures and abilities. It is still a mystery why the Empress Dowager made them a pair, but it was a perfect choice. There are still too many schemes and now Jing Li is added to the mix. But there does seem to be a coordinated effort, even if by accident, to undo the Marquis’ machinations and reveal him for the wretch that he is. He has lost four of his most loyal cronies, so that is definitely a step in the right direction. I am hoping they don’t drag out the recuperation of Xiu Yao and get him back on his feet soon.
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The invitation was from a friend of Empress Dowager. She is determined to prove Lishan’s guilt in acting against the Empress. Ye Li’s uncle is trying to smooth things over as best he can. Ye Li finds herself in Prince Li’s quarters after having a collision with a servant. This was supposed to be a location to clean her robe and she finds Prince Li instead. He thinks ChangFu was killed to better his court position. Ye Li set him straight on that notion immediately. He was killed for the 7 lost souls in Lishan and had nothing whatsoever to do with him. She described him as a cicadas and that seems rather apt. He is lost in his delusions because he has plans with no means or will to accomplish them. Ye Ying and his mother watched him threaten to jump in the pond because he wasn’t getting his way. His servant jumped in to keep the idiot from jumping and Ye Li left making it clear they had nothing between them and she felt nothing but contempt for him. Ye Ying and her hunt for an assassin😂🤣 This turned out to be quite humorous and if she gets to look Ye Li in the eye, what is she really going to do? Ye Ying is impulsive and meanspirited but could she really kill or watch someone be killed in cold blood? She seems to be a big part of the comic relief so will see how this plays out. The uncle looks like he is moving half the city into the palace.🤣😂 When asked how long he’s staying he started with two months. 🤣😂 If this is his daily essentials he will need a warehouse for all his possessions. XiuYao has an old friend released from jail. The prince wants help clearing his family and the cavalry from wrongdoing. He needs help collecting the evidence required. The jailed one wants to handle the wording on the Marquis’ memorial . They strike a deal to deal with the Marquis and get justice. The visiting seer friend is trying to steer the Empress dowager, but only partly successful. It is clear Ye Li has answered directly to all questions and has not wavered in what she has said. She continues to be a breath of much needed air even with her scrambled sense of reality. The Prince is now looking into the maid Ye Li wanted the medicine for. It will give him another piece of the puzzle of Lishan. Another is haunted by Lishan and here I wonder if Ye Li is helping create his nightmares since she was out and about late at night. XiuYao is experiencing more pain with his leg injuries but is still very reluctant to let Ye Li try her mountain healing techniques. I like that Ye Li didn’t shirk the invitation nor cower at the accusations. She answered the same as for Empress Dowager. I enjoyed her telling that deluded Prince Li what she thought of him. He is somewhat a tragic figure playing the libertine to survive in the palace. However, he lacks the wherewithal to throw himself unrepentantly into the role or to break free of it and face the consequences. He wanted a future with Ye Li but had no plan in place for where they would go or how they would survive. He is discontent and whiny about the hand he has been given, but doesn’t try to play the cards he’s been dealt. Even Ye Ying doesn’t deserve to be married to him. I like that Xiu Yao and Ye Li are getting closer. 🥰 It is very small steps but promising. Waiting to see what Xiu Yao and his prison friend have in store for the Marquis. Lots going on and many characters involved. It segues smoothly through the various perspectives and past and present. It has been a fun and interesting experience watching so far.
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