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Episode 20: The synchronicity of love is in the air

This episode 20 was beautiful. Every look, every renewed hope of finding her was beautiful to see. And Mu Wu Yin's speech (I used to admire Chancellor SZY but now it ends with this... With that look of contempt.).I also liked the confrontation of the young villain (he is very cold) and was just testing SZY and also tested JTH.SZY's investigative and intelligent ability was not impaired. And the moment when SZY and JTY looked at each other for the last time was very touching. He leaned over to pick up the prayer object (which he made for her, and was found on her body before, showing the appreciation she hid that she feels for him). That pain in her eyes and his (it was the first time I saw them in tune with the same feeling for each other), even though she had lost her memory. That pain she felt for him (and he for her), was very real and tangible. It was beautiful to watch. And the beautiful music when he is leaving and she looks with touched eyes at his back.PS: And I like that the villain Mu Wu Yin facing SZY is a rivalry that convinces me. And Mu Wu Yin mocked SZY's weakness but he himself has his own weakness.

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Episode 18 (my review): Who's in control? Who commands the scene? Who fell first?

I just watched episode 18. This episode was definitely very good. Everything was tense, intense, profound, every word. "You're crueler than me," Shen Zai Yi said (at that time it even made me want to cry). He loved her first. She is colder, it may not seem like it, but she is the one who was in psychological control at that moment. When the villain who gives orders to JTH said to her, "You always think you're in control, making puppets of everybody. But you're not that smart." (this explains JTH's personality, her coldness). And when she was whipped, (I don't know if she deduced it was SZY) he ordered these lashes (but maybe she thinks that). But the pain in his heart was worse than the whippings. As for the night of love. What happened to the sedative that was on her lips? He didn't drink any of the wine, he broke all the glasses. This explains (on love's night), he may have gotten a little groggy before her. (but I thought it was enough as it was tonight), elegant, full of meaning, (and SZY's beauty shone again in the scene). But he noticed JTH even when she left. I thought the scene was well executed, charming, beautiful, with the meanings it had to convey. LXY is enough to be there with that expression, with that majestic resourcefulness to give meaning and strength to the scene. And JTH she needs to be cold (even now, the one who fell in love first, definitely, was him and not her). He is less cold than her. This sentence is coherent (You are crueler than me). His every attitude, the distrust is well explained, defined. His psychology is (he already feels inferior by what he feels for her, and SJY is always suspicious of the world around him). Everything was very coherent. Her every failure is a coherent excuse for him to suffer from mistrust. And the fact that everything went wrong for JTH's plans at the end of this episode (it was cool, it breaks her trust wall a bit). Ahhh !! Another valuable thing from this episode: the scarf, she discovers that the two are cousins (SZY and the fourth prince). That was really cool (that's one more reason for JTH to protect the fourth prince). "You overestimate yourself a lot, and you underestimate me" (this phrase from SZY explains a lot of the feelings he feels).Rating 10 for this episode.

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Episode 9: Receiving punishment for one's own bad deeds.

Duan Wu falls into the trap of the accountant who pretends to be sick. Duan Wu thus goes alone on the mission to buy pearls, taking with her a small suitcase full of gold. Meanwhile, her little brother is being beaten by the evildoers who want to harm DW. Duan Wu manages to escape the trap. Instead of a suitcase of gold, she receives a suitcase of worthless street stones, but she makes a deal with the merchant to make hairpins with those pearls. When she arrives back on the ship where she lives, she finds her injured brother lying in bed. She learns what happened and is outraged. When she arrives on deck, she finds the accountant who deceived her, tied up and about to be executed by YZJ. DW argues and when Zhang arrives, he informs her that there is another jurisdiction, so YZJ cannot do that kind of act, even though he has a contract. Since Zhang said he would report him, he decides to just throw her into the sea. Zhang signals for his subordinate to go and intercept the woman after she is thrown into the sea. (Zhang considered her life, and was shocked by YZJ's inability to do the same.) DW recalled everything that happened to her that day and understood that it was all a plan devised by YZJ. He said ironically: "You are getting too smart." And DW, indignant and upset, as YZJ left, looked at him and said: We are all just pieces on your board. And he said smiling: "Yes." Meanwhile, Zhang asked DW: Is this what you call hope? And she looked at him with her eyes shining with hidden tears in her eyes. A murder has taken place, the episode shows someone with YZJ's face committing the crime. He ends up in jail, but before that, Zhang takes responsibility for the entire cargo of the ship. YZJ accepts and says that he feels at ease knowing that he will be taken care of. DW manages to make the two men who beat up for his brother go through the same humiliation. Zhang arrives at this moment and is shocked, scolding DW and wondering how she got to this point? Cui Shi Jiu has fallen into the same predicament she created herself. The pearls were pierced by the merchant who expected her to fulfill the hairpin craft. She then gives up on the deal, but has a very short time to find a solution.

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Reconciliation between friends. People beyond suspicion.

Episode 11:Mr. Bai forgot that he once treated the driver's health. The team discovered the owner of the painting knife. The lizard can lead to the snow wolf. They found the trail of a ghost owl. Mr. Bai scolds his daughter for getting involved in investigating the newspaper clippings. The cause of the short circuit explained. Who was the high school teacher? Bai Hui reveals to Hong Mei the investigation she did for Dan Yang. (In this episode our main couple get angry with each other and argue heavily, because Dan Yang hid facts from her (it's because he has to save his friend, he emphasizes the problem to Hong Mei, but she is still very angry and so is he with her . Hong Mei shouts that she suspects Dan Yang and says that he and Bai Hui are in trouble. She strongly asks him to follow the order. The team investigates Secretary Lu Cheng. Captain Chen tells Hong Mei that he knows her motives are so angry with Dan Yang. Half of the magazine clippings were found by Bai Hui and Captain Chen uses them to continue the investigation. Bai Hui informs Dan Yang about a new suspect: Zhou Jun, who becomes a big key in piecing together the investigation in this episode.Dan Yang presents the painting magazine and shows a particular page to Hong Mei and Captain Chen.He asks them not to be suspicious of Bai Hui anymore. An error is discovered in the painting in the book. A fake painting competition will be set up to catch the suspect. Taiwanese commanders comment on the cooperation between the ghost owl and the snow wolf. In the cafeteria, the fighting Hong Mei and Dan Yang make up (subtly). Dan Yang tells Hong Mei that he just wanted her to see things from a different perspective. The answer to A. Shui's riddle ?? Dan Yang's fellow experts congratulate him on completing the transcription of his friend An Wen Shan's notebook. Commander Zhang is angry that 5 meeting minutes were discovered by enemy agents and makes it a priority to protect the experts, as the Taiwanese may have had access to these minutes. Bai Hui will be reinstated to the healthcare team due to her useful contribution to the investigation. Secretary Lu Cheng will be tested. Dan Yang and Hong Mei clean Hong Mei's messy room. The rutile bracelet given to Hong Mei is requested by Dan Yang, it is useful for the development of the Water Drop project. But the head of experts informs that he needs more rutile (the same one found in the bracelet). Mr Bai Hui meets the spy driver again.

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Bandits hiding in the shadows plotting trouble.

In episode 5 there were bandits hiding in the shadows plotting trouble. The good guys facing danger, deciphering and disarming the traps placed by their enemies. It was much more than just damaged speakers. Ji Dan Yang shows that he has mathematical powers and cooperates with the solution. Hong Mei and the captain investigating the underground tunnels. Friendly fire revealed (A cat and mouse moment. And this enemy is difficult to defeat). Mr. Bai needs to help the enemy. Bai Hu is thrust into the spotlight of honor. An episode with a strong patriotic feeling shown by the characters. Ji Dan Yang facing his traumas. Hong Mei observing Dan Yang's personality. More secrets from Mr. Bai.

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A blue Cuíque flower drawn in an ancient book

This episode featured suspense and introduced a new female character who uses her intelligence and wit to get what she wants. However, she faced off against another woman who—working from behind the scenes—outmaneuvered her, all because of a drawing of the Cuíque flower found in an ancient book. Jialan was clever enough to bring a solution to the problem, earning a valuable gift from Lin Jin Qi’s mother. Even so, her friends were punished because a paper flower—which they had inadvertently placed in a box of ornaments delivered by Miss Du—was actually part of a setup by Miss Du Cuíque (who shares her name with that blue flower). Lin Jin Qi’s mother was very upset, noting that the incident could have caused serious trouble for Lin Jin Qi; he was wearing the blue flower on his hat (as all young men did on "Men's Day"), and such a flower could signal a romantic interest. In Lin Jin Qi's case, it might have implied he was dishonorably treating a young woman in an unacceptable manner—bypassing formal rites and effectively making her his concubine. While his father and grandfather saw no way out, Jialan intelligently solved the problem, saving Lin Jin Qi at the critical moment—a very interesting, suspenseful highlight of the episode. There was also a riddle contest based on knowledge of flowers from classic literature. Lin Jin Qi’s brother took part and managed to defeat a young man from the Xie family; Lin Jin Qi also participated, making for a fascinating sequence. The young man from the Xie family had assumed the Lins were uneducated; he was surprised to discover otherwise and was nearly defeated in the match, ultimately winning only by spotting the Cuíque flower on Lin Jin Qi’s hat and using it to craft a riddle. But that was the moment everyone exchanged meaningful glances—including Lin Jin Qi’s friend, the brother of the young woman "Cuíque," who felt slighted by Lin Jin Qi. (However, everything was resolved thanks to Jia Lan’s quick thinking.)Lin Jin Qi’s sister found a suitor—Lady Du Cuíque’s brother—in whom she showed a great deal of interest.There is one of Lin Jin Qi’s sisters who seemed quite simple-minded, yet she demonstrated in this episode that she is actually very intelligent and perceptive.We already know there are new challenges to face with these new characters, and some of them arose in this episode. (But now, I’m moving on to episode 12.)PeachBlossomGoddess wrote up an explanation! https://kisskh.at/754367-the-story-of-xiang-lan/discussions/155236-ep-11-what-s-in-a-name-cuique-word-play

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A day of joy and enemies lurking in the shadows

The old scholar—guardian of the library—speaks with the two young women about riddles inscribed on the ground or on tree bark, an advanced skill mastered by accomplished literary figures. The old man realized that Jialan possessed this ability, while Lin Jin Qi listened closely to the conversation between the old teacher and the two young women—one who understood nothing, and the other who grasped the meaning hidden between the lines. Did Lin Jin Qi notice something? Jia Lan once studied calligraphy and the art of crafting clever riddles with her grandfather—why is this being highlighted here? Will it play a role later in the drama? And what does Lin Jin Qi realize about Jia Lan's true identity?It is a cozy evening; the young women are happy, having been promoted and settled into the Lin family pavilion. Everything looks promising and full of hope. Lin Jin Qi enters with an imposing air, wearing a mink coat that perfectly complements his elegant, masculine style. Dashing, young, and handsome—the very image of a young general. He walks into the soldiers' quarters only to find them mocking him over his failed marriage. A subordinate is outraged and points out the recklessness of their mockery, but Lin Jin Qi speaks calmly and deliberately, maintaining his commanding presence (though he still needs to win the soldiers' trust, doesn't he?). He was the hero of the last battle, defeating the enemy and bringing back a severed head as a trophy of victory—a feat that made his soldiers proud. Yet, what has happened here?P.S.: The treacherous lover who ran off with the money met a lonely, ignominious end—what a tragic fate. Meanwhile, Xiao Tang is confronting her father; how will this play out as the story unfolds? Her father and brother had cast aside her former maids, leaving them like abandoned ghosts, silenced and devalued. What else does the Zhao family plan to do to hold onto power? Old Man Zhao still finds satisfaction in something—but what is it? It all comes down to the pursuit of power. Young General Lin Jin Qi, what further schemes will these enemies lurking in the shadows devise against you and Jia Lan? (We shall see in the upcoming episodes.)

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I will never forget what happened here.

Episode 8: I will never forget what happened here.Hidden in the shadows, they didn't know they were rats ready to be caught in the web set for them. That decision Lin Jin Qi made in the previous episode, so emphatically told to his grandfather, about something that would be resolved without delay, came to pass. That man dressed as a woman, however strange the figure, could perhaps be a frustrated love waiting for its chance to happen. But the ending of this episode was more than pathetic for this clandestine couple. Choice: A useless death without the right to be buried in the family mausoleum, or a separation with the chance for another story to be built. "Lin Jin Qi, I will never forget what happened here." This tall man, with an elegant and calm profile, simply smiled calmly... like his tranquil, slow steps, like calculated beats in the library hunting his prey, but without running, without sweating, because as the clock ticked, everything would be resolved. As for our female lead, was that a look of compassion directed at her executioner-mistress? (Will Xiaotang give her maids a chance to escape? That look seemed to convey an apology before she entered the library. But perhaps it wasn't that; maybe it was a premonition.) And how will the girls get out of this predicament? We’ll find out in the next episode. Though, for those who saw the previews, the answer has already been revealed...

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Every word from the characters carries a feeling of destiny, of prophecy.

I just watched the first episode. They managed to create an enchanting, fantasy atmosphere. It reminds me a bit of famous fantasy films (The Chronicles of Narnia and The Lord of the Rings). Every word from the characters carries a feeling of destiny, of prophecy. It's the same screenwriter as "A Moment but Forever" and with the same director, these two dramas are part of the same universe. When they say the gates of heaven have been closed and no cultivator can ascend to god, it feels like I'm entering the plot of "A Moment but Forever" again, written by the same female screenwriter. I liked that this first episode convinced me and won me over to continue watching the drama.I wonder if the accusations made against the male protagonist are true or not. Did he really commit all those crimes? Why, then, is he in prison?PS: The title of this drama in Chinese is "The Perfect Couple," so why don't they put both actors on the poster? Only the actor is on the poster, and the actress should be there too. This is very unusual.

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Episode 36 (Finale): In the Heat of Battle the Seed Can Bloom

That's how I see this episode. An episode full of battles, of the will to survive. Of sacrifice by all involved. The biggest sacrifices of this episode were Jiang Tao Hua's master and Shen Zai Ye's sacrifice.The Empress being deceived by the plan devised by Shen Zai Ye. The traps one by one being efficient, but still the villain gaining momentum to harm the heroes. In the end, Jiang Tao Hua was saved by the sacrifice of two men (one died on the spot, due to the empress's wickedness). The other, Shen Zai Ye (until the last moment, he sought the cure for Jiang Tao Hua). He, even in the fire, managed to rescue leaves from the antiduct flower, and even a seed (which served for his remaining cure), because the tea from the antiduct flowers (he had taken an incomplete cup), preferring that the full cup be taken by Jiang Tao Hua. In the end, his preventive thought of taking the seed (served also to save his life). He was in a coma for a while, but he woke up (although we were not shown him waking up). But.... This is not implied, no, folks. He woke up and went to meet Jiang Tao Hua who was near the peach tree. Why does this moment seem like a dream? Because it's a special moment (it's like a miracle happening). But the whole episode shows all the time that this miracle was going to happen. That seed blooming in the moon light (in a dark cave), the only place where it can bloom (it even seems like a metaphor), for the main couple and for Shen Zai Ye's life that was struggling to survive (but the fact that he was able to take half of the antiduct), this already showed a great possibility of him surviving. And then there was the seed of the healing flower (and the seed bloomed and there was time for him to drink it a second time, but now the antiduct in the full amount needed). This all showed that he would survive.PS: I liked to see Shen Zai Ye dressed in his black outfit, his exotic braids and fighting with his sword as a heroic warrior. (I always enjoy these moments). And I also appreciated that the master, (it was like an older brother), he was there saving Jiang Tao Hua and Shen Zai Ye as well. At that moment there was a friendship between these two men for the sake of this woman, Jiang Tao Hua. Do you know that this was beautiful to see? Without any rivalry (and we saw that the feelings there of each one were well defined).Ps: yes, I miss that there wasn't a proper kiss. A kiss of love between the two, without being forced. Without her imposing a kiss on SZY or SZY imposing a kiss on JTH and without there being any misunderstanding between them. Couldn't there have at least been a kiss of this kind between them in the drama?(And yet another thing I miss. I have to say this. There was no deep conversation about love between the two. (And even the conversation between Jiang Tao Hua and the master, her tears fell naturally, as she and he talked.) Whereas for Jiang Tao Hua and Shen Zai Ye, there was no such moment. There wasn't. In that sense: Kill Me Love Me gains points over "The Princess Gambit," But in relation to victory over enemies (TPGambit) it was better in that regard. Indeed it's not a bad ending.)And I wish, in the final moment, to have seen the color of his clothes (blue) and hers (pink) which is the cover of the book (him waiting on the stairs, Jiang Tao Hua, who runs to him). They modified it a little, he is the one who comes close to her (looking like a dream) to pick the peach blossom that is on the tree. She smiles in surprise (as if to say: You are alive. And they hug each other). The ending was good, because it was positive. There was a happy ending, yes. Hopes were not unfounded, they flourished. And it was an episode, where the two of them worked together all the time. That was very good.So, despite pros and cons, this ending is an ending with many satisfying elements.

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Episode 19: With the Features of Humanity

They hope that Shen Zai Ye does not change, remains lethal, dangerous, almost invincible playing his chess. But, I think what they mean by changing, in the negative sense, is becoming too soft (losing that dangerous boldness). However, I think, he will continue to be both (he will continue to be boldly dangerous), but now, for us viewers, we have been shown Shen Zai Ye's weaknesses (we even saw this emperor humiliate him), and for the king, we now know, SZY is just a pawn in his game (I thought he was a valued friend), and that SZY was totally in control. Now the story takes on more dramatic contours (there is no superhero) and everything becomes more dangerous and will create some suspense. So??? What's wrong with changing? Characters need to evolve in their personality and maturity. And that's what the main couple stated at the end of the documentary special trailer, that there would be changes in the characters, the evolution in them. In that episode 19, SZY disarmed, broke down on his feelings in his findings about JTH. He suffered, he agonized and still had to be whipped, suffer this humiliation at the hands of the king, but using his investigative capacity and hope, he found out what happened to JTH and even where she is. SZY even prayed for her again, and it shows his sensitive heart. This episode was interesting too. But the SZY we'll have now is more human (and we see his weaknesses even more vividly).

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Episode 17: Feelings Tangled by Distrust

Every unspoken word carries a flaw in understanding. And the trust that seemed to begin, falls into deep distrust. And we see the pain in Shen Zai Ye's eyes. It seems that he fell in love first, but now he won't give his heart easily. The moment she says that she remembers the promise she made (she will keep it), surprisingly he looks her in the eye and says: I believe. (And she, when she says to her female bodyguard: A kind-hearted person like him does not deserve to be deceived. (Does she already recognize his qualities?). This will all break down from now to the next episode), although the teasers show us that there will be twists and turns that will finally make him say: That he will protect her until the end, that from now on he will clean up her messes. This, in the teaser, because something traumatic is going to happen, which will make him take a 360-degree turn in his attitude towards her.

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