Ep 16: Recap. Setup for FX next danger. See spoiler below.
Ep 16 - FX assigned to be co-examiner in the spring examination.
This episode is a nice break from the heavy ep 15 as we see some relational interactions between the characters. However, it's still laced with some serious details sets up for the next danger for FX.
Some noblemen were trying to use the 3rd prince as an excuse to pick a fight with FX because FX took over the Moon Pavilion (co-owned by 3rd prince and FSZ). FX beats them and have them all arrested.
2nd prince CZ convinces his fiancé YLE to help him suggest FX as the examiner in the upcoming spring exam. He seems sincere BUT...as Wang Er suggests at the end, this may be his last opportunity to strike at FX before they marry and FX takes on his new positions.
Emperor and CPP - it's a fun interaction but we see a cautious and nervous CPP discussing with the emperor about FX's latest conflict with the noblemen & 2nd Prince CZ's suggestion of appointing FX thead the spring examinations. CPP keeps a distance from the emperor as he recognizes the emperor is working with gunpowder - where he ends up successfully making it blow up. convos. are interesting again as we she the emperor testing CPP on his authority and fidelity.
FX intercedes for the 3rd prince as he gets spanked by his mom for owning the brothel. The consort has high regard for FX and advises his son to respect FX because whether his future will be turbulent or peaceful will depend on his relationship with FX.
FX and Ruo Ruo - she wants to study medicine and surgery and he gives her some fine motor skills exercises that he sees as challenging but she aces them. He hides his surprise but continues to encourage her to practice. Her steady skills may be a foreshadow of her role in the future.
FX and Wang Er - they have a late night convo. where they discuss 2nd prince CZ's potential plan. She gives him advice and support. He looks at her admiringly and they share some of their dreams and hardships. It's very touching.
Ep ends with scholars arriving for the examination. The focus is on one specific scholar (Shi Chan Li) who is the last survivor from Shoji Town before it was burned down (by the Crown Prince). Both FX and CZ are interested in him because they want to know who burned down the town.
Recap of ep 15 - Court trial scene #2 - a very heavy blow for FX. See spoiler below.
Ep 15 court scene 2.0 trial involves 5 charges (1 from FX and 4 from Censor Lai) 1. Against Chen Ping Ping 2. Against Fan Family for setting a bad example by owning brothel. 3. Against 2nd prince CZ for sending his henchman to silence the 3 murderers at the moon pavilion brothel. 4. Against the over watch council and CPP for having too much power. 5. Against the emperor himself to having no check to his power.
1. FX questions how CPP has so much wealth and CPP cleverly responds that they were either gifts from the empower for his contributions or royal property in which case he didn’t own own them. Since the explanations were acceptable no sentences were ordered. There was one noteworthy moment where the emperor made CPP nervous by asking him why he regifted the emporer’s valuable gifts to FX. CPP responded that FX is his only protege.
2. Against Fan family. They defended themselves by categorizing it as a family issue (since FSZ is not an official and he’s was misled when the owned it) and that FJ had punished his son by sending him to a harder life up north and they had shut the brothel. LMC is not satisifed with this and the empower decides to ask LRF who smartly redirects the attention to #2 stating that the murder case was more important than a case of family matters.
3. Against 2nd prince CZ. He denies the allegations stating no evidence.. this is where it gets serious because LMC pulls out info that he had gathered from his collaboration with the overwatch council regarding the prince’s smuggling $ from north and potentially bribing officials (they had wealth that were unaccounted for). he requested smuggling case of 2nd prince be reopened.
The emperor refused on grounds of lack of evidence and sentenced 2nd prince to be grounded for 1/2 year and Fan family to loss of wages for 2/2 year. he asks LMC whether hr is satisfied but LMC isnt. he wants a heavier penalty and to question the imprisoned henchman (who at that moment was committing suicide by taking poison the 2nd prince had hid int he book given to him) but emperor doesn't give it. He ready to call it day.
LMC presses further…he has more charges and these latter charges will cause outrage amonst the officials in the room.
#3 & #4 he basically LMC is challenging unbridled authority (overwatch and the emperor). He suggests that the overwatch council's responsibilities be divided amongst the other departments and CPP retired. Uproar and shock ensues. FX comments, "is he always this brave?" There's discussion about virtues of the council and whether it should be disbanded. The emperor wants to dismiss the court and decide later.
LMC takes a bolder move and brings up the emperor, suggests that the emperor can make mistakes and needs to correct them. There is uproar in the room. FX exclaimed "he's crazy". the princes are stunned. The three big guys (CPP, LRF, and General Qin are QUIET) with grave looks on their faces. The emperor laughed a scary laugh and sits there watching the scene. Crown prince tries to win some brownie points by fake crying to get everyone's attention and defends the emperor while criticizing LMC. The annoying official who's the crown prince's fan joins in. The look on the 2nd Prince's & CPP's face at them are priceless. haha... They all know they're fakers. FX tris to speak for LMC asking the empower for grace to spare him his life. FJ does the same. At the end the emperor compliments LMC for his uprightness & frankness & wants to grants him a "gift". CPP tries to save LMC by suggesting the treasures but the emperor sentences him to flogging (but doesn't say how many) and LMC is dragged out o be flogged. FX tries to save him by speaking for LMC and emperor makes the strategic move to allow him to oversea the flogging. FX is too emotional (because he cares) and doesn't see that's he's being set up. FX rushes out and finds LMC flogged brutally. FX wants to stop it but learns that he cannot because the emperor didn't give him authority to do so nor did he say when the flogging can stop. At the moment, LMC dies.
A defeated, confused, and mournful FX wants to go home but CPP forces him to meet with him at the overwatch council office. Here CPP imparts wisdom and advice to FX. FX learns that the overwatch council was supposed to be independent and not involved with the other departments so LMC made the grave mistake to reaching outto FX to collaborate with the overwatch council. FX also learns that when the emperor assigned FX to oversee the flogging and LMC dying, FX is now alienated from all the officials in the censorate who dare not befriend him. He learns how dangerous and in control the emperor is and leading the both the overwatch council and treasury will be a very lonely position. However, FX is more resolute to follow the path his mother set before him to help the people.
We move one to the tender and healing interaction between him and RuoRuo where he gathers himself together and moves on and the ladies of the brothel freed from their servitude.
Ep ends with him being intercepted by some men on horseback with ill intent on the city streets.
I think the shear amount discussions going on here attest to how good it is. It really is a continuation of season 1 without skipping a beat but does poke some fun at the 5 year gap.
He’s such an amazing actor. Although I couldn’t continue Under the Microscope,because it was too detailed in the legal affairs. Heard it was good to binge. I did enjoy the Hope,though.
Decided to put together a summary of ep 14 (maybe some 13 mixed in) should anyone be interested. In the spoiler…
Ep 14 FX executes his plan to put the blame back on the 2nd prince. With the help of Duo Duo, the 2nd prince’s henchman WWJ is captured while trying to capture FSZ in Bei territory. FX has Intel that the murderers had a criminal history and should have been executed. He has his men kill all three in broad daylight and places the henchman (unconscious) at the scene suggesting that he took orders from the 2nd prince. He cannot reveal truth at he was on a secret mission to capture FSZ for the 2nd prince. He resigns to lying and taking the blame for all the murders to notincriminate the 2nd prince. There is a sad prison scene where we can empathize with his humanity and how he’s a victim in this whole game.
We shift to the northern (Bei) kingdom where Duo Duo takes FSZ to the ‘secret’ spy center that Guo Bao Kun is watching over. Its humor is a much needed break from all the intense scheming. We learn that even though GBK thinks he’s doing a good job, the Bei government knows everything and have been working really hard to make him think he’s doing a good job. Also, FSZ is escorting him back to Qing kingdom and Duo Duo allows them to go.
Back to Qing: official Lai does not believe the henchman WWJ was working independently and believes the 2nd prince is behind all this and even wonders whether the 2nd prince was behind FX’s injury and his dad FJ being poisoned. He visits Fx to collaborate on investigating corruption of the 2nd prince and his allies. He also wants FX and his dad to appear in court to face the charges of ownership of the brothel and forced labor.
Ep ends with FX and FJ appearing at the palace. Emperor moves the hearing from the formal all to his informal study, saying’FX doesn’t deserve to be in the hall’. FX presents the gifts CPP offered him before censorate Lai presents charges of FX.
1 
This episode is a nice break from the heavy ep 15 as we see some relational interactions between the characters. However, it's still laced with some serious details sets up for the next danger for FX.
Some noblemen were trying to use the 3rd prince as an excuse to pick a fight with FX because FX took over the Moon Pavilion (co-owned by 3rd prince and FSZ). FX beats them and have them all arrested.
2nd prince CZ convinces his fiancé YLE to help him suggest FX as the examiner in the upcoming spring exam. He seems sincere BUT...as Wang Er suggests at the end, this may be his last opportunity to strike at FX before they marry and FX takes on his new positions.
Emperor and CPP - it's a fun interaction but we see a cautious and nervous CPP discussing with the emperor about FX's latest conflict with the noblemen & 2nd Prince CZ's suggestion of appointing FX thead the spring examinations. CPP keeps a distance from the emperor as he recognizes the emperor is working with gunpowder - where he ends up successfully making it blow up. convos. are interesting again as we she the emperor testing CPP on his authority and fidelity.
FX intercedes for the 3rd prince as he gets spanked by his mom for owning the brothel. The consort has high regard for FX and advises his son to respect FX because whether his future will be turbulent or peaceful will depend on his relationship with FX.
FX and Ruo Ruo - she wants to study medicine and surgery and he gives her some fine motor skills exercises that he sees as challenging but she aces them. He hides his surprise but continues to encourage her to practice. Her steady skills may be a foreshadow of her role in the future.
FX and Wang Er - they have a late night convo. where they discuss 2nd prince CZ's potential plan. She gives him advice and support. He looks at her admiringly and they share some of their dreams and hardships. It's very touching.
Ep ends with scholars arriving for the examination. The focus is on one specific scholar (Shi Chan Li) who is the last survivor from Shoji Town before it was burned down (by the Crown Prince). Both FX and CZ are interested in him because they want to know who burned down the town.
1. Against Chen Ping Ping
2. Against Fan Family for setting a bad example by owning brothel.
3. Against 2nd prince CZ for sending his henchman to silence the 3 murderers at the moon pavilion brothel.
4. Against the over watch council and CPP for having too much power.
5. Against the emperor himself to having no check to his power.
1. FX questions how CPP has so much wealth and CPP cleverly responds that they were either gifts from the empower for his contributions or royal property in which case he didn’t own own them. Since the explanations were acceptable no sentences were ordered. There was one noteworthy moment where the emperor made CPP nervous by asking him why he regifted the emporer’s valuable gifts to FX. CPP responded that FX is his only protege.
2. Against Fan family. They defended themselves by categorizing it as a family issue (since FSZ is not an official and he’s was misled when the owned it) and that FJ had punished his son by sending him to a harder life up north and they had shut the brothel. LMC is not satisifed with this and the empower decides to ask LRF who smartly redirects the attention to #2 stating that the murder case was more important than a case of family matters.
3. Against 2nd prince CZ. He denies the allegations stating no evidence.. this is where it gets serious because LMC pulls out info that he had gathered from his collaboration with the overwatch council regarding the prince’s smuggling $ from north and potentially bribing officials (they had wealth that were unaccounted for). he requested smuggling case of 2nd prince be reopened.
The emperor refused on grounds of lack of evidence and sentenced 2nd prince to be grounded for 1/2 year and Fan family to loss of wages for 2/2 year. he asks LMC whether hr is satisfied but LMC isnt. he wants a heavier penalty and to question the imprisoned henchman (who at that moment was committing suicide by taking poison the 2nd prince had hid int he book given to him) but emperor doesn't give it. He ready to call it day.
LMC presses further…he has more charges and these latter charges will cause outrage amonst the officials in the room.
#3 & #4 he basically LMC is challenging unbridled authority (overwatch and the emperor). He suggests that the overwatch council's responsibilities be divided amongst the other departments and CPP retired. Uproar and shock ensues. FX comments, "is he always this brave?" There's discussion about virtues of the council and whether it should be disbanded. The emperor wants to dismiss the court and decide later.
LMC takes a bolder move and brings up the emperor, suggests that the emperor can make mistakes and needs to correct them. There is uproar in the room. FX exclaimed "he's crazy". the princes are stunned. The three big guys (CPP, LRF, and General Qin are QUIET) with grave looks on their faces. The emperor laughed a scary laugh and sits there watching the scene. Crown prince tries to win some brownie points by fake crying to get everyone's attention and defends the emperor while criticizing LMC. The annoying official who's the crown prince's fan joins in. The look on the 2nd Prince's & CPP's face at them are priceless. haha... They all know they're fakers. FX tris to speak for LMC asking the empower for grace to spare him his life. FJ does the same. At the end the emperor compliments LMC for his uprightness & frankness & wants to grants him a "gift". CPP tries to save LMC by suggesting the treasures but the emperor sentences him to flogging (but doesn't say how many) and LMC is dragged out o be flogged. FX tries to save him by speaking for LMC and emperor makes the strategic move to allow him to oversea the flogging. FX is too emotional (because he cares) and doesn't see that's he's being set up. FX rushes out and finds LMC flogged brutally. FX wants to stop it but learns that he cannot because the emperor didn't give him authority to do so nor did he say when the flogging can stop. At the moment, LMC dies.
A defeated, confused, and mournful FX wants to go home but CPP forces him to meet with him at the overwatch council office. Here CPP imparts wisdom and advice to FX. FX learns that the overwatch council was supposed to be independent and not involved with the other departments so LMC made the grave mistake to reaching outto FX to collaborate with the overwatch council. FX also learns that when the emperor assigned FX to oversee the flogging and LMC dying, FX is now alienated from all the officials in the censorate who dare not befriend him. He learns how dangerous and in control the emperor is and leading the both the overwatch council and treasury will be a very lonely position. However, FX is more resolute to follow the path his mother set before him to help the people.
We move one to the tender and healing interaction between him and RuoRuo where he gathers himself together and moves on and the ladies of the brothel freed from their servitude.
Ep ends with him being intercepted by some men on horseback with ill intent on the city streets.
We shift to the northern (Bei) kingdom where Duo Duo takes FSZ to the ‘secret’ spy center that Guo Bao Kun is watching over. Its humor is a much needed break from all the intense scheming. We learn that even though GBK thinks he’s doing a good job, the Bei government knows everything and have been working really hard to make him think he’s doing a good job. Also, FSZ is escorting him back to Qing kingdom and Duo Duo allows them to go.
Back to Qing: official Lai does not believe the henchman WWJ was working independently and believes the 2nd prince is behind all this and even wonders whether the 2nd prince was behind FX’s injury and his dad FJ being poisoned. He visits Fx to collaborate on investigating corruption of the 2nd prince and his allies. He also wants FX and his dad to appear in court to face the charges of ownership of the brothel and forced labor.
Ep ends with FX and FJ appearing at the palace. Emperor moves the hearing from the formal all to his informal study, saying’FX doesn’t deserve to be in the hall’. FX presents the gifts CPP offered him before censorate Lai presents charges of FX.