ibisfeather

ep10
The falcon returns was used as his/YZ's message to ChangYu -- that the tamed bird will return, even if you let him go.
He hesitated for a long minute until he strode over to pinkie-promise with ChangNing.
They have that connection the new lovers have -- messages are sent and received without needing much explanation. A sort of confidence that the other one is listening and will understand when they need to.

Qi Shu and Qi Min are related royals, right? They seem similiar -- a little self-centered.

I take it the real problem for Lu Qian isnt just that she ran away from the palace? But that she is hiding one of the imperial spares, her little son by Qi Min.

And Gongsun had a little wistful hope in there somewhere -- before he found out his secret Go partner was a woman? Before he found out she was the Grand Princess? He knew what he was talking about when he said to Yan Zheng that private emotions are hard to control, I guess.

I had the idea that when she goes to look for Yan Zheng (not knowing he is Xie Zheng the Marquis) that she would take along the 3 Mans and Grandma's darling as her little troop.

ep11. So ready for a move in the action -- to Luyuan Academy? Or the county town and the big restaurant?

Ok. Next conundrum to share. Which group of attackers had which goals? The murder of Uncle Fan, Meng LiHua and Wei Qi Lin is more a part of the larger plot, so that doesnt bother me now, but...

Goals of various assassins:
1. "token" (?)
2. letter
3. murder of Fan women

How many different groups of attackers?
1. Those who ambushed the ML to begin with, and/or the white-caped set who reeved the mess over again afterwards -- they lost his body and the token,
2, Those who attacked the Fan house while the court case was going on...
3. ep9, the Xie death warriors, iron type whose timing was exact, interrupting the tangerine kiss.
.....did I miss any?

No, this is great, just this far. Thanks!

Inviting spoilers on ChangYu's parents from anyone who is navigating between the drama and the novel. My questions under the spoiler veil below.

Ep9
Who is ChangYu's father? Her dad Fan Erniu was a Wei servant. General He alerts someone in the Wei family to the girls' location by sending a long-hidden letter.
Is her mother still Meng Lihua?

If CY is the daughter of Chacellor/Uncle Wei, and Uncle Mei is the twin of Xie Zheng's Mom (dont really understand the relationship chart but that is what I got from it), then the 2 lovers are cousins?

yes, what was that? Was he going to tell her that she and Ning were fostered out?

Ep9
The origins of the Fan girls! That was a surprise! So they are the daughters of the Wei clan? Of Chancellor Wei himself? Which means what? Has YanZheng become the brother-in-law of that raw idiot Wei Yuan? So...
the Fan father was the..retainer?.. of Chancellor Wei? Who was teaching YanZheng as well martial arts? Was that the Chancellor, whom 'YanZheng' called Uncle, or was it the man who came on the scene shortly afterwards?

Ep8 -- great range!
I laughed so hard at GongSun's image of the butcher lady!
Wept when Changyu misunderstood the signs.
so good.

Good information, thanks.

She is jade. But also he is like a piece of jade found in the snow. Smooth, valuable.

Another charming point about this show, the title isnt randomly invented. The two mention jade and gold, as in you dont even recognize gold inlaid with jade when you see it. Not sure of the quote.

And here I thought it was a perfect characterization of a hypocrite!

He is a native speaker but characters in cdrama speak together in a somewhat artificial version of mandarin with all regional accents ironed out and the clearest enunciation possible.
Another dimension to the director's art in such an immense country, erasing regional differences. Choosing the actor's voices....
I mean to be a bit snarky here.

I find both of them doing a better job than the last time I saw them.

ZLH practically bare-faced of eye make-up, looking masculine and gaunt. Giving and holding the most vulnerable look and gaze. Really thrilling. And really different.

TXW amped up her sincerity to be more direct and relaxed at the same time. No more barf-city bubbly-girl . Fierce, funny, warm and affectionate. I really like her as a working woman.

So, both stretching themselves and doing it masterfully. Making it look easy this time around.

I am happily anticipating the reveal of Xie Zheng's real identity when she meets him in the war (probably sometime next week?). What will she say? I think she will scold him!

Yan Zheng didnt seem shocked to me, just cautious and curious.

A wonderful show! I love Fan ChangYu and Xie Zheng, the Marquis of Wu'an, to bits. A really good heroic fantasy.
As beautiful, fierce funny and sweet as the butcher's daughter herself.