I think they are toying with him. When the Duke gave him permission to enter his study, the Duke knew full well…
You know, I actually agree with you. Zang Hai was trained from a very young age, not just in combat, but in strategy, architecture, and even psychological warfare. He has always been portrayed as exceptionally intelligent and calculating. It is hard to believe that someone like him would not notice if he were being used or manipulated.
We also have to take into account that the audience is deliberately not shown everything. This is a recurring technique in the series. For example, when Zang Hai executed the tomb plan, we did not know the details until after it was over and he debriefed with his shifu. That means there could be entire layers of the story and his thinking process that we still have not seen.
Now, about the masked man. If he is not the third person involved, he is at least someone who plays a central role. What stands out is that we have never seen his face, not even when he was alone with Zhi Nu. Logically, he would have revealed his identity to him if there were no risk in doing so. This suggests that revealing who he is could damage his position or bring danger to both of them.
Duke Ping Jin is the only person powerful enough to pull off everything the masked man has done, aside from the Emperor himself. If it is not the Duke, then it has to be someone with comparable influence. Unless the Empress/Empress Dowager is involved. In any case, for the masked man to infiltrate the mansion (or get someone else to do it), gather information, and manipulate events so effectively, he must have access to real power and deep connections.
There is something about Zang Hai’s second shifu that feels off.
Masked man is definitely involved, and I don't know why I get the feeling he has that 3rd fish.
Maybe there were multiple people involved? Or maybe he was pretending? Even if he is not the third person, he is clearly someone deeply involved. That brings me to another point. We have never seen his face. Logically, he should have revealed his identity to Zhi Nu by now, unless doing so would bring him more harm than good.
As many others have pointed out, Duke Ping Jin is probably the second most powerful person, only surpassed by the Emperor. Unless this is a harem situation where the Empress or Empress Dowager is also involved. In any case, for the masked man to spy on the mansion and carry out everything he has done, he must be someone with real power and influence.
Also, I do not know why, but I have a feeling that his other shifu committed suicide. What could have driven him to do that? To establish Zanghai's identity? There were other ways to do that.
She is just a young girl , trying her best to protect her clan. and all she has at her disposal is her excellent…
Tbh if they don't like the FL then they also shouldn't like the ML. They are both scheming. I would say Wei Shao is more ruthless than her. They are both gray characters.
I feel like she's just trying to protect her clan. However, her grandfather's betrayal must have hidden secrets.…
As I mentioned in the other comment, it makes sense. From the looks of it, Qiao family does not have any strong male warriors. That's why she is somewhat counting on her sister/cousin's strong husband.
I feel like she's just trying to protect her clan. However, her grandfather's betrayal must have hidden secrets.…
I am glad to read that. Honestly, I don't blame the grandpa. His decision killed Wei Shao's family, but he did his best to protect his family. Plus, its very clear that none of the Qiao males are warriors.
She is just a young girl , trying her best to protect her clan. and all she has at her disposal is her excellent…
I wholeheartedly agree with your opinion. Ultimately, what she's trying to do is make sure that her clan survives. However, she doesn't want innocent people to get dragged into it. That's why she chose Wei Shao. She knew Liu Yan was willing to protect her, but at the cost of innocent lives. As she said, he sees her as a jewel, but sees others as ants.
We also have to take into account that the audience is deliberately not shown everything. This is a recurring technique in the series. For example, when Zang Hai executed the tomb plan, we did not know the details until after it was over and he debriefed with his shifu. That means there could be entire layers of the story and his thinking process that we still have not seen.
Now, about the masked man. If he is not the third person involved, he is at least someone who plays a central role. What stands out is that we have never seen his face, not even when he was alone with Zhi Nu. Logically, he would have revealed his identity to him if there were no risk in doing so. This suggests that revealing who he is could damage his position or bring danger to both of them.
Duke Ping Jin is the only person powerful enough to pull off everything the masked man has done, aside from the Emperor himself. If it is not the Duke, then it has to be someone with comparable influence. Unless the Empress/Empress Dowager is involved. In any case, for the masked man to infiltrate the mansion (or get someone else to do it), gather information, and manipulate events so effectively, he must have access to real power and deep connections.
There is something about Zang Hai’s second shifu that feels off.
As many others have pointed out, Duke Ping Jin is probably the second most powerful person, only surpassed by the Emperor. Unless this is a harem situation where the Empress or Empress Dowager is also involved. In any case, for the masked man to spy on the mansion and carry out everything he has done, he must be someone with real power and influence.
Also, I do not know why, but I have a feeling that his other shifu committed suicide. What could have driven him to do that? To establish Zanghai's identity? There were other ways to do that.