9/96!
I HAVE TO TAKE NOTES TO KEEP TRACK OF EVERYTHING HAPPENING IN THIS SHOW. IT IS ALMOST OVERWHELMING.
1.We open to Consort Yin (Virtuous Consort) who is speaking with her personal servants, admitting that she has been so distant from Consort Yang that it would make no sense to play up to her now. She continues to maintain that her greatest desire is to see her son (a sentiment that she has shared openly with Consort Wei and has impacted her desire to kill Wanyan, whom she seemed to believe would jeopardize this). Prince Qi is currently a commander in what I believe is the upper-to eastern prefectures.
2.In the very next scene, we see Prince Qi who has received a letter from Yin. Come to find out, her constant pining is a ruse as she AGAIN tells him to stay away from Chang'an and to fake an illness (it would make sense to keep him and his army away from the city in the event something bad happens and it also protects him from the schemes of others). With him is Yin Hongzhi, an advisor of sorts a family member to Yin. His health is not very good. We learn some cryptic info: Qi admits his mother does not know what he really wants, and Yin Hongzhi promises to give him what he wants on the final day of the Grand Assembly....
3.We go to (I believe) Minister Wei who speaks with his subordinates regarding the matter of the prince of Qi. They have a spy there, named as Quan Wanji, who reports that Yin Hongzhi's days are numbered. This is reassuring for him, as he feared Yin Hongzhi would exert authority over the prince to use the Qizhou army to instigate a rebellion and avenge many of his family members who were executed (including his father). He believes he is no longer a threat.
4.We then cut to Consort Yang who summons the concubines and tells them they are to select a fabric of their choosing and a new dress will be made. They are instructed to choose carefully since their clothing will impact fashion abroad (and likely the economy). Ru Yi encourages Xu Hui to wear the cloud brocade fabric because like her it is refined and tranquil, and Xu Hui tells her that she knows her too well. Xiao Q immediately claims the fabric as her own, mistaking it as Ru Yi's choice. Ru Yi provokes her, and Consort Yang watches (amused).
5.Consort Wei enters and immediately reprimands her niece for her behavior, much to her humiliation, and tells her she has no right to challenge a Jieyou, Xu Hui, as she is higher in rank and thus she has broken the rules of the harem and is punished to kneel for four hours. Wei then points out that Consort Yang is original as she, in the past, selected what the concubines would wear according to rank. She then whispers in Consort Yang's ear that she is (essentially) pretty board if she would allow the concubines to pick their own fabrics, encouraging discord. Before leaving she encourages the girls to work together and serve Consort Yang as they would her. Ri Yu boldly kneels in front of her and proclaims to do just that. Xu Hui neverously follows. This is a bold declaration of war.
6.Surprisingly, Ru Yi apologizes to Xiao Q. on her way out and tells her that she only meant to provoke her, not realizing she would be punished and tells her she owes her one (it seems that Xiao Q is perceived as little to no threat to the girls, and more of an annoying and at times entertaining bother)
7.In the next scene, we see Wei continues to meet with (I think) Prince Wu and they discuss plans to basically make the crown prince look bad (I think). Meanwhile the crown prince is practicing hard because he must reassert his authority, and he plans to do this by defeating his brother Prince Wu, who is skilled at swords. He complains that his father is deliberately making things hard for him because his injury means he will do poorly at polo ( I am losing my patience for him)
8.In the next scene, Consort Wei personally selects and styles Xiao's outfit for the Glass Banquet. It is a lovely outfit, and seems to convey power, being gold. She encourages Xiao to maintain her temper because their position is not secure; their Uncle is the only male family member they have at court, and although he holds a position of power he cannot make people bow to him instantly. She tells Xiao that she needs to take today as a lesson in learning to read the situation: currently Consort Yang has the upper hand however she can never be empress because of her Sui blood (historically, Consort Yang was in fact the princess and wife of Li Shimin's younger brother; he took her as his concubine when he became emperor). She tells her that she is young and the future of their clan rests on her (how much of this is b.s.?)
9.In the next scene, Consort Yin visits Consort Wei and they appear to be discussing checkers (which they are playing) but it is really a conversation about their plan moving forward. Esentially Consort Wei tells her that while her position may look weak, they are waiting for the right moment to strike and topple their enemies. Her question is whether or not Yin will choose to take her side or not as she carefully plans to take back power.
10.In the next scene, Ru Yi and Xu Hui are sitting before Consort Yang, they almost look like her daughters. Ru Yi is sophisticated and elegant, perhaps someone they could become. She scolds them for provoking a fight with Xiao Q. however Ru Yi is entranced by her beautiful fan (recall Consort Wei gave it to her). They apologize, and Consort Yang gives them the fabrics for their costumes. The cloud brocade for Xu Hui is there, and for Ru Yi she selected a lovely chrysanthemum on gold (this must be prophetic. I googled the meaning of this flower, and it symbolizes autumn and purity, because it rises out of mud to bloom). In a shocking move, she actually gives Ru Yi the fan she admires as a gift! (regifting in general is considered to be rude everywhere, but a gift from Consort Wei? That is begging for trouble!)(don't accept it! aww she accepted it....)
--We now officially have Team Yang---
11.Elsewhere, Consort Yin is trying to figure out her next move. She knows that the Wei clan is not going to quietly fade into obscurity it will take time to dismantle their power. She explains neither she nor Yang can be empress because they are descended from criminals. She believes this is a test for Consort Wei by the emperor, to see how capable she is.
12.Meanwhile, Xu Hui tries to convince Ru Yi to come with her to watch the princes train. The emperor might be there, and Xu Hui encourages her to again try to gain his attention (so refreshing in the harem!) Ru Yi chooses not to.
13.We cut to Crown Prince who is fencing. His servant tells him that Prince Wu will likely throw the match. This angers him. He challenges Wu, who concedes, then is able to provoke him to fight. He wins, but he is convinced he threw the fight. (For Wu, this could be a conundrum. If he wins, he has humiliated the crown prince. If he loses, he has humiliated him. This could be part of a greater plot to make the Crown prince seem ungracious) He tries to provoke him but Wu says 'Barking dogs have no bite' essentially that he is all talk, and the prince says he is not worthy of his reputation as a sword master. In the end, crown prince is able to provoke him to another fight after insulting his mother....
14.Elsewhere, Li Zhe (he has got to be roughly the same age as Ru Yi; remember, girls develop faster) (for reasons that make no sense and are very stupid) chooses to put a baby bird in its nest. He is then dangling from a branch. Ru Yi sees him, recognizes him as the kid from Yeting, and catches him (prophetic). She learns he is a prince and bows. Later, the two walk back and seem very close (like friends). They come across the princes fighting, and she tries to stop him but he grabs a sword and runs out to protect crown prince from what could be a killing blow. The sword bounces off and seems about to hit him....
-In order to fully understand this show I have done so much research in addition to taking notes to keep track of all of the plots! Crazy!
I HAVE TO TAKE NOTES TO KEEP TRACK OF EVERYTHING HAPPENING IN THIS SHOW. IT IS ALMOST OVERWHELMING.
1.We open to Consort Yin (Virtuous Consort) who is speaking with her personal servants, admitting that she has been so distant from Consort Yang that it would make no sense to play up to her now. She continues to maintain that her greatest desire is to see her son (a sentiment that she has shared openly with Consort Wei and has impacted her desire to kill Wanyan, whom she seemed to believe would jeopardize this). Prince Qi is currently a commander in what I believe is the upper-to eastern prefectures.
2.In the very next scene, we see Prince Qi who has received a letter from Yin. Come to find out, her constant pining is a ruse as she AGAIN tells him to stay away from Chang'an and to fake an illness (it would make sense to keep him and his army away from the city in the event something bad happens and it also protects him from the schemes of others). With him is Yin Hongzhi, an advisor of sorts a family member to Yin. His health is not very good. We learn some cryptic info: Qi admits his mother does not know what he really wants, and Yin Hongzhi promises to give him what he wants on the final day of the Grand Assembly....
3.We go to (I believe) Minister Wei who speaks with his subordinates regarding the matter of the prince of Qi. They have a spy there, named as Quan Wanji, who reports that Yin Hongzhi's days are numbered. This is reassuring for him, as he feared Yin Hongzhi would exert authority over the prince to use the Qizhou army to instigate a rebellion and avenge many of his family members who were executed (including his father). He believes he is no longer a threat.
4.We then cut to Consort Yang who summons the concubines and tells them they are to select a fabric of their choosing and a new dress will be made. They are instructed to choose carefully since their clothing will impact fashion abroad (and likely the economy). Ru Yi encourages Xu Hui to wear the cloud brocade fabric because like her it is refined and tranquil, and Xu Hui tells her that she knows her too well. Xiao Q immediately claims the fabric as her own, mistaking it as Ru Yi's choice. Ru Yi provokes her, and Consort Yang watches (amused).
5.Consort Wei enters and immediately reprimands her niece for her behavior, much to her humiliation, and tells her she has no right to challenge a Jieyou, Xu Hui, as she is higher in rank and thus she has broken the rules of the harem and is punished to kneel for four hours. Wei then points out that Consort Yang is original as she, in the past, selected what the concubines would wear according to rank. She then whispers in Consort Yang's ear that she is (essentially) pretty board if she would allow the concubines to pick their own fabrics, encouraging discord. Before leaving she encourages the girls to work together and serve Consort Yang as they would her. Ri Yu boldly kneels in front of her and proclaims to do just that. Xu Hui neverously follows. This is a bold declaration of war.
6.Surprisingly, Ru Yi apologizes to Xiao Q. on her way out and tells her that she only meant to provoke her, not realizing she would be punished and tells her she owes her one (it seems that Xiao Q is perceived as little to no threat to the girls, and more of an annoying and at times entertaining bother)
7.In the next scene, we see Wei continues to meet with (I think) Prince Wu and they discuss plans to basically make the crown prince look bad (I think). Meanwhile the crown prince is practicing hard because he must reassert his authority, and he plans to do this by defeating his brother Prince Wu, who is skilled at swords. He complains that his father is deliberately making things hard for him because his injury means he will do poorly at polo ( I am losing my patience for him)
8.In the next scene, Consort Wei personally selects and styles Xiao's outfit for the Glass Banquet. It is a lovely outfit, and seems to convey power, being gold. She encourages Xiao to maintain her temper because their position is not secure; their Uncle is the only male family member they have at court, and although he holds a position of power he cannot make people bow to him instantly. She tells Xiao that she needs to take today as a lesson in learning to read the situation: currently Consort Yang has the upper hand however she can never be empress because of her Sui blood (historically, Consort Yang was in fact the princess and wife of Li Shimin's younger brother; he took her as his concubine when he became emperor). She tells her that she is young and the future of their clan rests on her (how much of this is b.s.?)
9.In the next scene, Consort Yin visits Consort Wei and they appear to be discussing checkers (which they are playing) but it is really a conversation about their plan moving forward. Esentially Consort Wei tells her that while her position may look weak, they are waiting for the right moment to strike and topple their enemies. Her question is whether or not Yin will choose to take her side or not as she carefully plans to take back power.
10.In the next scene, Ru Yi and Xu Hui are sitting before Consort Yang, they almost look like her daughters. Ru Yi is sophisticated and elegant, perhaps someone they could become. She scolds them for provoking a fight with Xiao Q. however Ru Yi is entranced by her beautiful fan (recall Consort Wei gave it to her). They apologize, and Consort Yang gives them the fabrics for their costumes. The cloud brocade for Xu Hui is there, and for Ru Yi she selected a lovely chrysanthemum on gold (this must be prophetic. I googled the meaning of this flower, and it symbolizes autumn and purity, because it rises out of mud to bloom). In a shocking move, she actually gives Ru Yi the fan she admires as a gift! (regifting in general is considered to be rude everywhere, but a gift from Consort Wei? That is begging for trouble!)(don't accept it! aww she accepted it....)
--We now officially have Team Yang---
11.Elsewhere, Consort Yin is trying to figure out her next move. She knows that the Wei clan is not going to quietly fade into obscurity it will take time to dismantle their power. She explains neither she nor Yang can be empress because they are descended from criminals. She believes this is a test for Consort Wei by the emperor, to see how capable she is.
12.Meanwhile, Xu Hui tries to convince Ru Yi to come with her to watch the princes train. The emperor might be there, and Xu Hui encourages her to again try to gain his attention (so refreshing in the harem!) Ru Yi chooses not to.
13.We cut to Crown Prince who is fencing. His servant tells him that Prince Wu will likely throw the match. This angers him. He challenges Wu, who concedes, then is able to provoke him to fight. He wins, but he is convinced he threw the fight. (For Wu, this could be a conundrum. If he wins, he has humiliated the crown prince. If he loses, he has humiliated him. This could be part of a greater plot to make the Crown prince seem ungracious) He tries to provoke him but Wu says 'Barking dogs have no bite' essentially that he is all talk, and the prince says he is not worthy of his reputation as a sword master. In the end, crown prince is able to provoke him to another fight after insulting his mother....
14.Elsewhere, Li Zhe (he has got to be roughly the same age as Ru Yi; remember, girls develop faster) (for reasons that make no sense and are very stupid) chooses to put a baby bird in its nest. He is then dangling from a branch. Ru Yi sees him, recognizes him as the kid from Yeting, and catches him (prophetic). She learns he is a prince and bows. Later, the two walk back and seem very close (like friends). They come across the princes fighting, and she tries to stop him but he grabs a sword and runs out to protect crown prince from what could be a killing blow. The sword bounces off and seems about to hit him....
-In order to fully understand this show I have done so much research in addition to taking notes to keep track of all of the plots! Crazy!
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8/96!
1.Our episode begins with a servant of Virtuous Consort being scolded. She acted on her own and poisoned the food that Xu Hui had requested be given to Ru Yi. Virtuous Consort nervously clutches her prayer beads as she explains that a woman in Yeting had almost zero chance of ever coming out (I did some research and learned that 'Yeting' refers to the entire area of the Western Palace, where maids trained. There was a prison in the palace, referred to as the 'Weaving Room' where women dyed clothing and performed various tasks--this may be the area that our Ru Yi is in fact confined). In any event, I am surprised that this servant acted without orders--
2.That night, Xu Hui and Ru Yi meet up, talking to one another through the wall separating them. Ru Yi is not jealous of Xu Hui's good fortune in attracting the emperor; she even praises her chess skills and intelligence. We learn that Xu Hui is in love with the emperor, and this is a secret she has kept. Xu Hui insists she did not poison the food and Ru Yi tells her to stop, that she believes her. The girls swear a vow to be sisters and work together, having learned from Wanyan how the harem can distort your thinking and turn people against one another.
3.Elsewhere, I believe the Prince of Wu is eating a lot of food. He seems to have a fixation on beauty and youth (as well as himself) and often studies his reflection. He later goes to Yehu Lane (? not sure of the significance of this location) and there he meets with Consort Wei (isn't his mother the Pure Consort?) who reveals her ambition: she desires to be empress and has teamed up with the Prince of Wu who tells her to be patient, and in a year or two he will help her realize this goal. We also learn that the Prince Wu is very much his father's son: he tells Wei that his brothers are bad brothers because they stand in his way to the throne (basically if they loved him they would die or disappear)....he kind of makes my skin crawl...
4.Elsewhere, the emperor is with his advisors. Apparently Chu Sulliang wrote a report that would impeach Wei Yuancheng (MInister of Defense) because of gross abuse of powers and corruption. The man to be impeached, meanwhile, plans on using the upcoming Grand Assembly (it occurs every 3 years; the city hosts a big event and entertains many ambassadors and foreign dignitaries) to have a new empress named.
5.We then go the harem, where the three consorts are visiting together. We learn that the harem hosts the Glass Banquet, an extremely lavish event in which they must impress the ambassador wives with their elegance and wealth. It is, essentially, a giant display. Consort Wei is in charge of it because she is the highest ranked consort. She asks the women to work together for this event (interesting)
6.Back at court, Minister Wei brings up the topic of the empress and suggests that Consort Wei is the best choice because she is the most capable. He names valid reasons for not selecting the other two: Pure Consort is often ill and Virtuous consort has a weak personality. The opposition to this is 1)he is essentially naming his own niece to be empress. The Emperor appears to be uncommitted to this and suggests they wait for Chancellor Zhangsun to recover from his illness, effectively putting this on hold. Meanwhile, he names Consort Yang (Pure Consort) to be in charge of this years glass banquet(!)
7.Elsewhere, a melancholy crown prince is partying in the eastern palace with a bunch of men and girls. His tutor visits him and essentially explains to him what happened during the meeting with the king. He basically tells him he needs to shape up because the Wei family, although their power is in decline, is still powerful and could be a threat. In addition, the naming of Consort Yang to take over the Glass Banquet is a slap in the face because she has a son, the Prince of Wu, and if she becomes empress (which would make more since because she has a son while Wei does not) then it endangers his position. His tutor urges him to take this Grand Assembly as a chance to reassert his power....
8.Elsewhere, Noble Consort Wei is getting ready (so pretty!) and Virtuous Consort arrives with a gift--some kickass shoes--however Noble Consort, never one to pass up a chance to exert her power, makes her put them on her feet. It is as she is putting these shoes on that Wei learns that she is no longer in charge of the banquet, but Consort Yang is! The look of shock on her face and the smug look on Consort Yin's face is priceless!
9.On her way back, Virtuous Consort has a talk with her servant about the current state in the harem and brings things into perspective. Her servant assumes that this snub to Consort Wei is a sign she is about to fall from power. But Consort Yin tells her that is not at all the case; the emperor has been aware of her evil acts for years and ignored them. She says that something enormous would need to happen for to fall from power and believes that something big will happen during the grand assembly (If Wei's uncle is actually impeached....that will be priceless...)
10.Meanwhile, our leading lady, Ru Yi is released from prison. Every person in Yeting not on death row is given a pardon in honor of celebrating the upcoming grand assembly (the emperor planned this out) she survived a full year in yeting. Later that night, she and Xu hui meet to discuss their game plan. They know that they are not liked by the Wei faction (which includes Xiao Q). However Xu Hui does not have enough power and is just a Jieyou while Ru Yi has a crime attached to her name and is a Cairen. In addition, Wei fears her. They know the Virtuous Consort is not reliable so they plan on throwing their lot in with Consort Yang, who has helped them in the past. They owe her a favor, and plan on helping her gain control of the harem.
(Here we see that Wei, although managing to obtain great power, has made enough enemies in the process that now she has to contend with others uniting together against her, and her acts of humiliating people like Virtuous Consort might even lead Virtuous consort to helping Pure Consort...however, the fact that both Virtuous and Pure Consort have a son makes them rivals as well so mayhap she will continue to support Wei no matter how annoying....)
What confuses me: If I assumed correctly, then Consort Wei is plotting with Prince Wu, the son of a woman who hates her....he is not very filial.
I really, really hope that the friendship between Xu Hui and Ru Yi does not collapse due to harem politics....
1.Our episode begins with a servant of Virtuous Consort being scolded. She acted on her own and poisoned the food that Xu Hui had requested be given to Ru Yi. Virtuous Consort nervously clutches her prayer beads as she explains that a woman in Yeting had almost zero chance of ever coming out (I did some research and learned that 'Yeting' refers to the entire area of the Western Palace, where maids trained. There was a prison in the palace, referred to as the 'Weaving Room' where women dyed clothing and performed various tasks--this may be the area that our Ru Yi is in fact confined). In any event, I am surprised that this servant acted without orders--
2.That night, Xu Hui and Ru Yi meet up, talking to one another through the wall separating them. Ru Yi is not jealous of Xu Hui's good fortune in attracting the emperor; she even praises her chess skills and intelligence. We learn that Xu Hui is in love with the emperor, and this is a secret she has kept. Xu Hui insists she did not poison the food and Ru Yi tells her to stop, that she believes her. The girls swear a vow to be sisters and work together, having learned from Wanyan how the harem can distort your thinking and turn people against one another.
3.Elsewhere, I believe the Prince of Wu is eating a lot of food. He seems to have a fixation on beauty and youth (as well as himself) and often studies his reflection. He later goes to Yehu Lane (? not sure of the significance of this location) and there he meets with Consort Wei (isn't his mother the Pure Consort?) who reveals her ambition: she desires to be empress and has teamed up with the Prince of Wu who tells her to be patient, and in a year or two he will help her realize this goal. We also learn that the Prince Wu is very much his father's son: he tells Wei that his brothers are bad brothers because they stand in his way to the throne (basically if they loved him they would die or disappear)....he kind of makes my skin crawl...
4.Elsewhere, the emperor is with his advisors. Apparently Chu Sulliang wrote a report that would impeach Wei Yuancheng (MInister of Defense) because of gross abuse of powers and corruption. The man to be impeached, meanwhile, plans on using the upcoming Grand Assembly (it occurs every 3 years; the city hosts a big event and entertains many ambassadors and foreign dignitaries) to have a new empress named.
5.We then go the harem, where the three consorts are visiting together. We learn that the harem hosts the Glass Banquet, an extremely lavish event in which they must impress the ambassador wives with their elegance and wealth. It is, essentially, a giant display. Consort Wei is in charge of it because she is the highest ranked consort. She asks the women to work together for this event (interesting)
6.Back at court, Minister Wei brings up the topic of the empress and suggests that Consort Wei is the best choice because she is the most capable. He names valid reasons for not selecting the other two: Pure Consort is often ill and Virtuous consort has a weak personality. The opposition to this is 1)he is essentially naming his own niece to be empress. The Emperor appears to be uncommitted to this and suggests they wait for Chancellor Zhangsun to recover from his illness, effectively putting this on hold. Meanwhile, he names Consort Yang (Pure Consort) to be in charge of this years glass banquet(!)
7.Elsewhere, a melancholy crown prince is partying in the eastern palace with a bunch of men and girls. His tutor visits him and essentially explains to him what happened during the meeting with the king. He basically tells him he needs to shape up because the Wei family, although their power is in decline, is still powerful and could be a threat. In addition, the naming of Consort Yang to take over the Glass Banquet is a slap in the face because she has a son, the Prince of Wu, and if she becomes empress (which would make more since because she has a son while Wei does not) then it endangers his position. His tutor urges him to take this Grand Assembly as a chance to reassert his power....
8.Elsewhere, Noble Consort Wei is getting ready (so pretty!) and Virtuous Consort arrives with a gift--some kickass shoes--however Noble Consort, never one to pass up a chance to exert her power, makes her put them on her feet. It is as she is putting these shoes on that Wei learns that she is no longer in charge of the banquet, but Consort Yang is! The look of shock on her face and the smug look on Consort Yin's face is priceless!
9.On her way back, Virtuous Consort has a talk with her servant about the current state in the harem and brings things into perspective. Her servant assumes that this snub to Consort Wei is a sign she is about to fall from power. But Consort Yin tells her that is not at all the case; the emperor has been aware of her evil acts for years and ignored them. She says that something enormous would need to happen for to fall from power and believes that something big will happen during the grand assembly (If Wei's uncle is actually impeached....that will be priceless...)
10.Meanwhile, our leading lady, Ru Yi is released from prison. Every person in Yeting not on death row is given a pardon in honor of celebrating the upcoming grand assembly (the emperor planned this out) she survived a full year in yeting. Later that night, she and Xu hui meet to discuss their game plan. They know that they are not liked by the Wei faction (which includes Xiao Q). However Xu Hui does not have enough power and is just a Jieyou while Ru Yi has a crime attached to her name and is a Cairen. In addition, Wei fears her. They know the Virtuous Consort is not reliable so they plan on throwing their lot in with Consort Yang, who has helped them in the past. They owe her a favor, and plan on helping her gain control of the harem.
(Here we see that Wei, although managing to obtain great power, has made enough enemies in the process that now she has to contend with others uniting together against her, and her acts of humiliating people like Virtuous Consort might even lead Virtuous consort to helping Pure Consort...however, the fact that both Virtuous and Pure Consort have a son makes them rivals as well so mayhap she will continue to support Wei no matter how annoying....)
What confuses me: If I assumed correctly, then Consort Wei is plotting with Prince Wu, the son of a woman who hates her....he is not very filial.
I really, really hope that the friendship between Xu Hui and Ru Yi does not collapse due to harem politics....
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7/96!
1.Su Mei, the Crown princess, is introduced. She appears to visit Crown Prince. A close companion to the Crown Prince, Chengxin, is in his chambers. She tries to have him sent out but the prince has him remove his clothes, showing scars. he saved him from a deadly bear attack (....wow) and thus is not someone she can dismiss. He then dismisses her.
2.We learn in the next scene that the Crown Prince used to be closer to her and then Chengxin appeared and that all changed. There is an implication that they may be lovers. She is concerned about rumors that he is gay getting around and wants another baby....the crown prince says no....
3.Meanwhile, Ru Yi is in jail. the emperor jails her because she lied. She refuses admit she lied and so the emperor finally says there is not enough evidence to convict her or to free her. Here she also learns from him that Wanyan tried to kill her, shocking her. She is sent to Yeting as punishment. this really, really sucks because here, you do laundry, which is arguably the worse job a person could have
--I pity Ru Yi but don't really get her plan; she lacks the power to go against Consort W. If she did and succeeded, it would just create a power vacuum and she would have to contend with others; maybe this is best?
4.Elsewhere, a memorial for Wanyan is held. In death she is conferred a higher title, Jieyou deren, and her father receives a 2,000 household fief, conferred 700 households, his son gets another title and a gold fan signed by the emperor
5.After this ceremony, the vice chancellor (Wanyan's dad) is met by a servant with his daughter's belongings. He expresses frustration that the culprit, Ru Yi, got free, but the man laughs and accuses him of putting on a show, that he should know Ru Yi was a scapegoat, and that this was all about gaining properties. But his father persists in his frustration (I think this was a test of his sincerity) and the man says that if he wants revenge, Master Yin can help. Even though he is not in Chang'an....
6.Meanwhile, Dai Qing is with the emperor. He tells him that he believes that Wei Zheng is a bad choice for royal tutor. But the emperor disagrees because he is honest, no nonsense, and smart. Dai Qing does not trust him because he goes to Xianwu gate every day on the anniversary of the incident (when the emperor killed his older brothers). he also doesn't trust him because he once plotted against him. But the emperor says what he can he do, since half of his court has tried to plot against him (fair point)
7.Consort Wei, meanwhile, sends a servant to meet with some girls from Yeting. She wants them to disfigure her, not kill her, and make it look like an ordinary fight. the girls gang up on Yeting (this feels like a prison fight--she has a shank!) But Ru Yi has fast reflexes and defends herself well. She beats them bad!
8.Meanwhile, Xu Hui is summoned to see the Emperor. He is playing chess, and she impresses him with her chess skills. Later she is conferred the rank of Jieyou Xu and given many gifts, much to Xiao Q's frustration who proceeds to engage in the same petty behavior
9.Ru Yi meanwhile meets a kid, who I think is a son of the crown prince. She gives him advice on fighting back his siblings who bully him.
10.Meanwhile, the crown prince is meeting with Changxi, who reports what the rumors are: apparently his servant stepped forth and made up an incident that he was drunk and killed the merchants father. He said the prince covered it up. That same man also killed himself. The prince must be careful....
11.Ru Yi needs to be ALWAYS on guard. While getting her daily rice, she is given a fancy lunchbox instead. By chance a cat happens to be there and she feeds it meet....the CAT DIES from poison.....whoever sent the food sent a note telling her to meet by the gate later.....who wants her dead? There are so many possibilities!
---I can only expect that i n this show each person will do crazy things. And I love it. Tune in for the next episode, and see who will die next--
1.Su Mei, the Crown princess, is introduced. She appears to visit Crown Prince. A close companion to the Crown Prince, Chengxin, is in his chambers. She tries to have him sent out but the prince has him remove his clothes, showing scars. he saved him from a deadly bear attack (....wow) and thus is not someone she can dismiss. He then dismisses her.
2.We learn in the next scene that the Crown Prince used to be closer to her and then Chengxin appeared and that all changed. There is an implication that they may be lovers. She is concerned about rumors that he is gay getting around and wants another baby....the crown prince says no....
3.Meanwhile, Ru Yi is in jail. the emperor jails her because she lied. She refuses admit she lied and so the emperor finally says there is not enough evidence to convict her or to free her. Here she also learns from him that Wanyan tried to kill her, shocking her. She is sent to Yeting as punishment. this really, really sucks because here, you do laundry, which is arguably the worse job a person could have
--I pity Ru Yi but don't really get her plan; she lacks the power to go against Consort W. If she did and succeeded, it would just create a power vacuum and she would have to contend with others; maybe this is best?
4.Elsewhere, a memorial for Wanyan is held. In death she is conferred a higher title, Jieyou deren, and her father receives a 2,000 household fief, conferred 700 households, his son gets another title and a gold fan signed by the emperor
5.After this ceremony, the vice chancellor (Wanyan's dad) is met by a servant with his daughter's belongings. He expresses frustration that the culprit, Ru Yi, got free, but the man laughs and accuses him of putting on a show, that he should know Ru Yi was a scapegoat, and that this was all about gaining properties. But his father persists in his frustration (I think this was a test of his sincerity) and the man says that if he wants revenge, Master Yin can help. Even though he is not in Chang'an....
6.Meanwhile, Dai Qing is with the emperor. He tells him that he believes that Wei Zheng is a bad choice for royal tutor. But the emperor disagrees because he is honest, no nonsense, and smart. Dai Qing does not trust him because he goes to Xianwu gate every day on the anniversary of the incident (when the emperor killed his older brothers). he also doesn't trust him because he once plotted against him. But the emperor says what he can he do, since half of his court has tried to plot against him (fair point)
7.Consort Wei, meanwhile, sends a servant to meet with some girls from Yeting. She wants them to disfigure her, not kill her, and make it look like an ordinary fight. the girls gang up on Yeting (this feels like a prison fight--she has a shank!) But Ru Yi has fast reflexes and defends herself well. She beats them bad!
8.Meanwhile, Xu Hui is summoned to see the Emperor. He is playing chess, and she impresses him with her chess skills. Later she is conferred the rank of Jieyou Xu and given many gifts, much to Xiao Q's frustration who proceeds to engage in the same petty behavior
9.Ru Yi meanwhile meets a kid, who I think is a son of the crown prince. She gives him advice on fighting back his siblings who bully him.
10.Meanwhile, the crown prince is meeting with Changxi, who reports what the rumors are: apparently his servant stepped forth and made up an incident that he was drunk and killed the merchants father. He said the prince covered it up. That same man also killed himself. The prince must be careful....
11.Ru Yi needs to be ALWAYS on guard. While getting her daily rice, she is given a fancy lunchbox instead. By chance a cat happens to be there and she feeds it meet....the CAT DIES from poison.....whoever sent the food sent a note telling her to meet by the gate later.....who wants her dead? There are so many possibilities!
---I can only expect that i n this show each person will do crazy things. And I love it. Tune in for the next episode, and see who will die next--
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3/96!
Last Episode Recap: Xiao Quiang won the night with the Emperor only he did not show up; Ru Yi performed the dance under the moonlight and before the emperor no less (neither knows the other's identity); the palace guards are looking for the thief who stole Empress Wende's mask...
1.We open to Ru Yi who is who has returned to Chenqing hall (I still cannot figure out if she is extremely brave or extremely stupid). Perhaps she is hoping to capture a glimpse of the mysterious man she danced with? The emperor is there, and nearly catches her, but Xu Hui saves her in the nick of time. For reasons unknown, Ru Yi does not return the mask that she has stolen in spite of it being the perfect opportunity to do so. She instead keeps it. Xu Hui, an outstanding example of practicality and safety, reminds her that she could be killed just for entering the prohibited hall but that is not enough to phase our heroine.
2.Xiao Q. spies Ru Yi pulling out a brocade box. For reasons unknown to the audience, Ru Yi does not put it away but leaves it on her bed, in plain site. (I question the smarts of this girl). Unsurprisingly, Xiao Q. plots to bring down Ru Yi again (this is the harem, after all). During the formal presentation of the Prince of Lanling dance, Ru Yi will dance the lead. Her mask is taken, and the only mask she can wear is the Empress Wende mask she stole.
3.The emperor and all three consorts watch the show unfold. They are naturally shocked that she is wearing the mask, and Ru Yi is shocked to learn that the man she danced with is the emperor. She is ordered to remove the mask, and then questioned in front of everyone: Did she know she committed a capital offence? No.
4.Noble Consort Wei, who is in charge of the inner palace, naturally has the right to punish her. She tells Ru Yi that if she can come up with a poem praising Empress Wende in seven paces, she will pardon her. Ru Yi says she will try it but then admits she cannot. For reasons that defy common sense, Ru Yi blurts out that she actually finds the empress pitiful. This shocks everyone. Ru Yi is locked up, and will be punished severely.
5.Later, Virtuous Consort expresses regret that she did not stand up for the girl and let her fall into Noble Consort's clutches. Her position, we learn, is tenuous because (for reasons unknown) something happened that put her in a position where the emperor chose to spare her life and that of her brother. We also learn she is the mother of Prince Qi, and part of her collusion with Noble Consort is to protect her son.
6.In prison, Ru Yi is mistreated by the eunuch who tries to extort money before feeding her. Ru Yi displays a very plucky spirit when she is able to inspire enough fear in him to drive him off. Later, he returns with her favorite foods. Although she rejects them, we learn that they were sent by Virtuous Consort. Then, in a surprising shock, the emperor choses to summon Ru Yi to his chambers.
7.The emperor summoned her to ask her a question. He wants to know why she found the empress pitiful. Ru Yi, never one to avoid being audacious, asks a question first and wants to know if she will get killed for answering his question truthfully (I don't blame her) she also wants to know if he danced with her that night ,and he explains he was not dancing with her that he merely caught her because she fell (uh-huh).
8.Ru Yi explains that she found the Empress Wende pitiful because she spent many lonely nights away from the emperor--how else could she have found the time to compose so many volumes on etiquette in between raising 7 kids and running the harem? She must have been extremely lonely. Ru Yi then says that she believes the emperor feels regret for not cherishing her while she was alive. (This seems to be a fair assessment)
9.The emperor says 'You think you are smart, right?' and then punishes her to live in Chenqing hall, to clean it, and to copy the entirety of the Examples for Women (the show reports it is 10 volumes but Wikipedia states it is 30 volumes).
10.The Noble Consort Wei stays up late waiting for the emperor but is surprised to learn that he is not coming because he normally plays chess with her when he is upset. She learns first of Ru Yi's sentence, something that she sees as a reward because no one, not even the consorts, are allowed to set foot in Chenquing palace, and Ru Yi will be able to have access to the original copies of Examples for Women. She is then enraged to learn that the emperor did not come see her because he was busy seeing Ru Yi. This is an insult to her and it also makes her plot to move her niece into the palace that much more difficult.
11.Noble Consort bitterly reflects on how fickle men are, how this proves that they will always fall for someone else, and she considers her next move as it is likely that others will see Ru Yi as a rising star and align themselves with her, including the other consorts who do not like her (I really like Noble Consort's character).
Last Episode Recap: Xiao Quiang won the night with the Emperor only he did not show up; Ru Yi performed the dance under the moonlight and before the emperor no less (neither knows the other's identity); the palace guards are looking for the thief who stole Empress Wende's mask...
1.We open to Ru Yi who is who has returned to Chenqing hall (I still cannot figure out if she is extremely brave or extremely stupid). Perhaps she is hoping to capture a glimpse of the mysterious man she danced with? The emperor is there, and nearly catches her, but Xu Hui saves her in the nick of time. For reasons unknown, Ru Yi does not return the mask that she has stolen in spite of it being the perfect opportunity to do so. She instead keeps it. Xu Hui, an outstanding example of practicality and safety, reminds her that she could be killed just for entering the prohibited hall but that is not enough to phase our heroine.
2.Xiao Q. spies Ru Yi pulling out a brocade box. For reasons unknown to the audience, Ru Yi does not put it away but leaves it on her bed, in plain site. (I question the smarts of this girl). Unsurprisingly, Xiao Q. plots to bring down Ru Yi again (this is the harem, after all). During the formal presentation of the Prince of Lanling dance, Ru Yi will dance the lead. Her mask is taken, and the only mask she can wear is the Empress Wende mask she stole.
3.The emperor and all three consorts watch the show unfold. They are naturally shocked that she is wearing the mask, and Ru Yi is shocked to learn that the man she danced with is the emperor. She is ordered to remove the mask, and then questioned in front of everyone: Did she know she committed a capital offence? No.
4.Noble Consort Wei, who is in charge of the inner palace, naturally has the right to punish her. She tells Ru Yi that if she can come up with a poem praising Empress Wende in seven paces, she will pardon her. Ru Yi says she will try it but then admits she cannot. For reasons that defy common sense, Ru Yi blurts out that she actually finds the empress pitiful. This shocks everyone. Ru Yi is locked up, and will be punished severely.
5.Later, Virtuous Consort expresses regret that she did not stand up for the girl and let her fall into Noble Consort's clutches. Her position, we learn, is tenuous because (for reasons unknown) something happened that put her in a position where the emperor chose to spare her life and that of her brother. We also learn she is the mother of Prince Qi, and part of her collusion with Noble Consort is to protect her son.
6.In prison, Ru Yi is mistreated by the eunuch who tries to extort money before feeding her. Ru Yi displays a very plucky spirit when she is able to inspire enough fear in him to drive him off. Later, he returns with her favorite foods. Although she rejects them, we learn that they were sent by Virtuous Consort. Then, in a surprising shock, the emperor choses to summon Ru Yi to his chambers.
7.The emperor summoned her to ask her a question. He wants to know why she found the empress pitiful. Ru Yi, never one to avoid being audacious, asks a question first and wants to know if she will get killed for answering his question truthfully (I don't blame her) she also wants to know if he danced with her that night ,and he explains he was not dancing with her that he merely caught her because she fell (uh-huh).
8.Ru Yi explains that she found the Empress Wende pitiful because she spent many lonely nights away from the emperor--how else could she have found the time to compose so many volumes on etiquette in between raising 7 kids and running the harem? She must have been extremely lonely. Ru Yi then says that she believes the emperor feels regret for not cherishing her while she was alive. (This seems to be a fair assessment)
9.The emperor says 'You think you are smart, right?' and then punishes her to live in Chenqing hall, to clean it, and to copy the entirety of the Examples for Women (the show reports it is 10 volumes but Wikipedia states it is 30 volumes).
10.The Noble Consort Wei stays up late waiting for the emperor but is surprised to learn that he is not coming because he normally plays chess with her when he is upset. She learns first of Ru Yi's sentence, something that she sees as a reward because no one, not even the consorts, are allowed to set foot in Chenquing palace, and Ru Yi will be able to have access to the original copies of Examples for Women. She is then enraged to learn that the emperor did not come see her because he was busy seeing Ru Yi. This is an insult to her and it also makes her plot to move her niece into the palace that much more difficult.
11.Noble Consort bitterly reflects on how fickle men are, how this proves that they will always fall for someone else, and she considers her next move as it is likely that others will see Ru Yi as a rising star and align themselves with her, including the other consorts who do not like her (I really like Noble Consort's character).
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2/96!
RECAP: Able Consort has hung herself; Noble Consort exhibits all the qualities (ruthless, ambitious) one might need to dominate the Inner Palace/Harem
1.We open with the girls receiving a lecture on how to improve their dancing (they are practicing the Masque Dance to Honor the Late Empress). Here they learn that the Able Consort Liu has hung herself. The girls express shock but the instructor tells them that this is their opportunity. Also, whoever leads this dance has, based on tradition, gained an audience with the emperor (Competition will be fierce as they must compete with one another to gain the coveted position of lead dancer)
2.In the next scene, the Pure Consort (recall, she was the one accused) encounters Noble Consort & a sobbing Virtuous Consort in the gardens. Noble Consort apologizes (in a really unapologetic way) and Pure Consort replies that the Able Consort was the one who suffered. As Pure Consort walks by she turns and gives Noble Consort a look with daggers in her eyes. These two clearly do not get along.
3.This sums up the politics quite well: Noble Consort tells Virtuous Consort to stop crying, after all 'what's one more body?' (I love her! so wicked, so good at what she does! reminds me of Cersei Lanister)
4.In the next scene, the emperor enters the memorial service for Able Consort and finds Pure Consort burning paper for Able Consort's memory (I have no idea if Pure Consort is as she appears or if this is part of her game). The emperor has her stay, and it is like a mutual support kind of scene where he acknowledges he knows that the harem is dangerous and she insists that nothing matters, as long as he is well (a virtuous woman only cares about the emperor, after all)
5.Back to Noble Consort who is such a boss! She is checking her reflection however the sobbing from Yeting Palace annoys her so she tells Chong-gong (a guard? eunech?) to find a way to cut their tongues out (is that an over-reaction?). She also tells her maid to tell her niece, Xiao Quiang that she will arrange a meeting between her and the emperor
6.Both Ru Yi and Xiao Quiang are among the girls who master the dance. They are asked what the dance means. Xiao Quiang (the writers make her seem so unlikable) gives a predictable answer (shout out to Prince of Lanling!) however Ru Yi's answer seems to be more depth and makes her sound more intelligent, and the instructor seems to appreciate it. I don't think the appreciation is from the answer, but from Ru Yi's creativity which can make her stand out (if you want the emperor to like you wouldn't you want to send him a unique girl instead of a regular?)
7.Noble Consort's maid is willing to use very rare and expensive ginseng root as a bribe to the dance instructor to have her niece selected but the instructor seems to not care and basically tells her to go away then she brings up an incident to blackmail her (Noble Consort is smart!)
8.Meanwhile, Ru Yi is talking to Xu Hui (the latter seems to have given up and says she is not a good dancer and she should not practice. is this who she really is or a game face?)
9.bwahahahahaa I'm sorry, Xiao Quiang's mannerisms are so exaggerated...it is so obvious she is picking on Ru Yi because she feels like she is competition....as Xu Hui says 'Xiao Quiang is despotic she must have the backing of someone'....lolz Ru Yi says one cloud can't hide the sun, I take it that means her bad behavior can't hide the more dazzling Ru Yi
10.Both Ru Yi and Xu Hui are sent to do the laundry and then must wait for a letter from a consort lady (they can't afford to offend anyone) meanwhile upstairs the contest begins. As they wait they try to ask where the consort lives but the girl there can't speak...because she has no tongue. They get back as the contest ends--Xiao has the audacity to call Ru Yi a coward for not being there (makes me so mad!) and the other girls are mad Ru Yi wasn't there because now Xiao (who is extremely disliked) is the lead Prince Lanling...
11.Meanwhile, Purse Consort learns that Ru Yi was not selected. She very quickly surmises that the instructor must have been blackmailed since she has never accepted bribes before. But she has a plan. She expresses pity for Xiao Qiang because her aunt will treat her as another Consort Liu (well when you look at it like that I do pity her)
12.(This is kind of amusing) Ru Yi winds up in front of Chengqing hall (entry prohibited) it is late at night. She starts darting around the hall to avoid being seen by some servants (she is probably not supposed to be out or here)
13.Meanwhile Xiao Quiang is supposed to see the emperor, but he isn't there! He's getting drunk! He is thinking back to Empress Wende, whom he cared for, and repeats that the dance is about regrets (precisely Ru Yi's answer). He is on his way out and he looks at Ru Yi, who has snuck in and is performing the dance even though know one is there to see it (she thinks) and there is a contrast between her simple outfit and Xiao's garish over the top red outfit--
14.It is a very romantic scene as the lonely emperor seems to be falling in love with her instantly. She doesn't stop dancing to bow (i'm not sure if she is aware of his identity). He picks her up and she looks kind of like a little princess. She plays a little coy/hard to get as she continues to dance with him, not allowing him to interrupt the dance by kissing her. He grabs her shoulder, and this frightens her. She runs away. But still looks so pretty like a dream.
15.Back to Noble Consort. Her servant girl is voicing some concerns about Xiao being sent into the palace, and views it as an insult since she has a low birth. But the Noble Consort reminds her that her father and brothers are dead. That only her Uncle remains as a single minister at court, and that their family power is waning. Xiao is basically a back up plan.
16.The emperor wakes up in his bed. Apparently he got plastered and his servants carried him back. He is updated: he learns Xiao knelt waiting for him all night, that she is also the niece of Noble Consort...and that Empress Wende's mask is missing meaning he did not hallucinate the beauty dancing. he issues orders to quietly find the thief (the guy in charge of this task does not know the meaning of quietly)
17.Xiao is upset about being ignored however when she learns they are looking for a thief she clearly sees this as an opportunity...
RECAP: Able Consort has hung herself; Noble Consort exhibits all the qualities (ruthless, ambitious) one might need to dominate the Inner Palace/Harem
1.We open with the girls receiving a lecture on how to improve their dancing (they are practicing the Masque Dance to Honor the Late Empress). Here they learn that the Able Consort Liu has hung herself. The girls express shock but the instructor tells them that this is their opportunity. Also, whoever leads this dance has, based on tradition, gained an audience with the emperor (Competition will be fierce as they must compete with one another to gain the coveted position of lead dancer)
2.In the next scene, the Pure Consort (recall, she was the one accused) encounters Noble Consort & a sobbing Virtuous Consort in the gardens. Noble Consort apologizes (in a really unapologetic way) and Pure Consort replies that the Able Consort was the one who suffered. As Pure Consort walks by she turns and gives Noble Consort a look with daggers in her eyes. These two clearly do not get along.
3.This sums up the politics quite well: Noble Consort tells Virtuous Consort to stop crying, after all 'what's one more body?' (I love her! so wicked, so good at what she does! reminds me of Cersei Lanister)
4.In the next scene, the emperor enters the memorial service for Able Consort and finds Pure Consort burning paper for Able Consort's memory (I have no idea if Pure Consort is as she appears or if this is part of her game). The emperor has her stay, and it is like a mutual support kind of scene where he acknowledges he knows that the harem is dangerous and she insists that nothing matters, as long as he is well (a virtuous woman only cares about the emperor, after all)
5.Back to Noble Consort who is such a boss! She is checking her reflection however the sobbing from Yeting Palace annoys her so she tells Chong-gong (a guard? eunech?) to find a way to cut their tongues out (is that an over-reaction?). She also tells her maid to tell her niece, Xiao Quiang that she will arrange a meeting between her and the emperor
6.Both Ru Yi and Xiao Quiang are among the girls who master the dance. They are asked what the dance means. Xiao Quiang (the writers make her seem so unlikable) gives a predictable answer (shout out to Prince of Lanling!) however Ru Yi's answer seems to be more depth and makes her sound more intelligent, and the instructor seems to appreciate it. I don't think the appreciation is from the answer, but from Ru Yi's creativity which can make her stand out (if you want the emperor to like you wouldn't you want to send him a unique girl instead of a regular?)
7.Noble Consort's maid is willing to use very rare and expensive ginseng root as a bribe to the dance instructor to have her niece selected but the instructor seems to not care and basically tells her to go away then she brings up an incident to blackmail her (Noble Consort is smart!)
8.Meanwhile, Ru Yi is talking to Xu Hui (the latter seems to have given up and says she is not a good dancer and she should not practice. is this who she really is or a game face?)
9.bwahahahahaa I'm sorry, Xiao Quiang's mannerisms are so exaggerated...it is so obvious she is picking on Ru Yi because she feels like she is competition....as Xu Hui says 'Xiao Quiang is despotic she must have the backing of someone'....lolz Ru Yi says one cloud can't hide the sun, I take it that means her bad behavior can't hide the more dazzling Ru Yi
10.Both Ru Yi and Xu Hui are sent to do the laundry and then must wait for a letter from a consort lady (they can't afford to offend anyone) meanwhile upstairs the contest begins. As they wait they try to ask where the consort lives but the girl there can't speak...because she has no tongue. They get back as the contest ends--Xiao has the audacity to call Ru Yi a coward for not being there (makes me so mad!) and the other girls are mad Ru Yi wasn't there because now Xiao (who is extremely disliked) is the lead Prince Lanling...
11.Meanwhile, Purse Consort learns that Ru Yi was not selected. She very quickly surmises that the instructor must have been blackmailed since she has never accepted bribes before. But she has a plan. She expresses pity for Xiao Qiang because her aunt will treat her as another Consort Liu (well when you look at it like that I do pity her)
12.(This is kind of amusing) Ru Yi winds up in front of Chengqing hall (entry prohibited) it is late at night. She starts darting around the hall to avoid being seen by some servants (she is probably not supposed to be out or here)
13.Meanwhile Xiao Quiang is supposed to see the emperor, but he isn't there! He's getting drunk! He is thinking back to Empress Wende, whom he cared for, and repeats that the dance is about regrets (precisely Ru Yi's answer). He is on his way out and he looks at Ru Yi, who has snuck in and is performing the dance even though know one is there to see it (she thinks) and there is a contrast between her simple outfit and Xiao's garish over the top red outfit--
14.It is a very romantic scene as the lonely emperor seems to be falling in love with her instantly. She doesn't stop dancing to bow (i'm not sure if she is aware of his identity). He picks her up and she looks kind of like a little princess. She plays a little coy/hard to get as she continues to dance with him, not allowing him to interrupt the dance by kissing her. He grabs her shoulder, and this frightens her. She runs away. But still looks so pretty like a dream.
15.Back to Noble Consort. Her servant girl is voicing some concerns about Xiao being sent into the palace, and views it as an insult since she has a low birth. But the Noble Consort reminds her that her father and brothers are dead. That only her Uncle remains as a single minister at court, and that their family power is waning. Xiao is basically a back up plan.
16.The emperor wakes up in his bed. Apparently he got plastered and his servants carried him back. He is updated: he learns Xiao knelt waiting for him all night, that she is also the niece of Noble Consort...and that Empress Wende's mask is missing meaning he did not hallucinate the beauty dancing. he issues orders to quietly find the thief (the guy in charge of this task does not know the meaning of quietly)
17.Xiao is upset about being ignored however when she learns they are looking for a thief she clearly sees this as an opportunity...
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1.We open to Jieyou riding in her cart and the General Wen beside her. She sarcastically remarks that she never thought he'd be a general. He bitterly replies that he smells something sour (I guess implying that he thought she was great but turns out she is like everyone else, greedy and grasping....) He then angrily says he has to organize her Big Wedding before galloping off, with her glaring after him clearly upset.
2.Later, General H speaks to Jieyou, who dramatically says that she won't turn back no matter what, because she doesn't have that choice anymore. But he points out that when she made up her mind, 'that man' (a.k.a. Wen) hadn't appeared. She look at the road back to Chang'An and she looks so sad,..
3.That evening, General H speaks to Feng Lio, who clearly likes him and is explaining why she is a good choice but he seems amused and indifferent, She also teases him that he is (basically) a masochist because he pays more attention to Jieyou the more mean she is. This seems to create some sexual tension between the two as he gets more angry (and more handsy)
4.Wen goes to her tent and they have a bitter confrontation, each pointing the finger at the other. She blames him for everything--he didn't come find her, he made her lose her freedom, he pushed for the princess, and now here she is. He accuses her of not meeting him when she was supposed to. She tries to make him jealous by plotting out to seduce his brother, and he storms off, angry....
5.Jieyou takes a horse and leaves (bad idea) and masked men show up to kill her. Wen turns into a god of death and kills them but is injured. They go for a swim for reasons unknown and then she sees how bad his injuries are. She strips him (this is a fan service) and then she uses her body to keep him warm while General H frantically searches for her....
6.General H is supposed to hand Jieyou over to the envoy sent by Kunmi but he can't produce her. He makes up a lame excuse. the envoy leaves, goes to see Kunmi, and insists that Wen must be having a secret arrangement with the Han, should not be trusted, and might even be trying to harm him....
7.Meanwhile, Jieyou and Wen put on commoner outfits and have a festive night of dancing, pretending that they are normal people...
8.Meanwhile, the Xiognu attack, and Feng Lio steps up and disguises herself as Jieyou (she could be a double) and saves General h's but...
2.Later, General H speaks to Jieyou, who dramatically says that she won't turn back no matter what, because she doesn't have that choice anymore. But he points out that when she made up her mind, 'that man' (a.k.a. Wen) hadn't appeared. She look at the road back to Chang'An and she looks so sad,..
3.That evening, General H speaks to Feng Lio, who clearly likes him and is explaining why she is a good choice but he seems amused and indifferent, She also teases him that he is (basically) a masochist because he pays more attention to Jieyou the more mean she is. This seems to create some sexual tension between the two as he gets more angry (and more handsy)
4.Wen goes to her tent and they have a bitter confrontation, each pointing the finger at the other. She blames him for everything--he didn't come find her, he made her lose her freedom, he pushed for the princess, and now here she is. He accuses her of not meeting him when she was supposed to. She tries to make him jealous by plotting out to seduce his brother, and he storms off, angry....
5.Jieyou takes a horse and leaves (bad idea) and masked men show up to kill her. Wen turns into a god of death and kills them but is injured. They go for a swim for reasons unknown and then she sees how bad his injuries are. She strips him (this is a fan service) and then she uses her body to keep him warm while General H frantically searches for her....
6.General H is supposed to hand Jieyou over to the envoy sent by Kunmi but he can't produce her. He makes up a lame excuse. the envoy leaves, goes to see Kunmi, and insists that Wen must be having a secret arrangement with the Han, should not be trusted, and might even be trying to harm him....
7.Meanwhile, Jieyou and Wen put on commoner outfits and have a festive night of dancing, pretending that they are normal people...
8.Meanwhile, the Xiognu attack, and Feng Lio steps up and disguises herself as Jieyou (she could be a double) and saves General h's but...
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--Was this directed by the same person who did Novoland?--
1.Our series opens with war. The central mainland has three tribes: human, beast, and demon. The humans and beast clans have been friendly for generations, the demons are evil. The demons are currently attacking as the human emperor has died, and people are fighting to stave them off. The empress is of the human clan but she reminds me of a phoenix because she has red fire wings and even takes on the form of a red fire bird to fight off the evil ice frost dragon. This demon leader's face is covered by a mask, but he seems male, and hell bent on defeating her. She gets beaten pretty badly.
2.The infant prince has the astrolabe formation in his blood, being a direct descendant of the late emperor. With no other choice, the queen is willing to use him to save the world. She hugs him and then tosses him to his death (?) The Empress's eyes glow red...
3.They are able to hold off the demon invaders but not stop them. Her ministers insist she elect a new emperor since the previous emperor is dead and the prince is missing. She refuses, and crowns herself since she alone protected the empire while the ministers fled.
4.Not happy with a female leader, the Minister in charge of Gogiero college refuses to support her. She uses him to make an example, accuses him of being a spy, executes everyone in his college, and then is crowned empress.
5.The New Ruling Empress vows to find her son...
--It is unclear to me if these humans are super humans? They are different from normal everyday humans. Perhaps they have descended from gods?--
6.We now go to a young boy, presumably in the human realm. His name is Changsheng and his blood seems to have unusual powers. It also attracts beasts. It seems he is being raised by a reclusive old man/medicine maker. We learn that Changsheng's blood can heal people. He warns him to be careful because there are greedy people who would want his blood.
7.Demons in the area are looking for something....
8.Meanwhile a lord brings his sick daughter over. When no one is looking Changsheng heals her by feeding his blood to her. He gives her something to remember him by and they promise to not forget each other.
9.Fast forward to the present. Changsheng has a strange illness referred to as 'the force of stars' and he must take expensive medicine to keep it from relapsing. We learn that he will die before he turns 20 (no wonder they picked such a young actor to play him). Changsheng wonders if destiny can be changed (is that I theme I hear). His master tells him he can change his destiny if he 1)cultivates himself before the Deity-Hidden stage before he turns 20 but it isn't that simple he has to do many things before he can even reach the stage, like go to the bone marrow purifying stage, then the erebus-insight stage then the star-convergence stage
10.So he sets out to change his destiny after getting a sword, his buddy Yuren at his side...
So far: the costumes are great, I LOVE the empress, and the settings are pretty. It is still too early to speak to story or acting, but the music is good. I have a feeling that the target audience is teenagers (it just sort of has a Novoland feel)
1.Our series opens with war. The central mainland has three tribes: human, beast, and demon. The humans and beast clans have been friendly for generations, the demons are evil. The demons are currently attacking as the human emperor has died, and people are fighting to stave them off. The empress is of the human clan but she reminds me of a phoenix because she has red fire wings and even takes on the form of a red fire bird to fight off the evil ice frost dragon. This demon leader's face is covered by a mask, but he seems male, and hell bent on defeating her. She gets beaten pretty badly.
2.The infant prince has the astrolabe formation in his blood, being a direct descendant of the late emperor. With no other choice, the queen is willing to use him to save the world. She hugs him and then tosses him to his death (?) The Empress's eyes glow red...
3.They are able to hold off the demon invaders but not stop them. Her ministers insist she elect a new emperor since the previous emperor is dead and the prince is missing. She refuses, and crowns herself since she alone protected the empire while the ministers fled.
4.Not happy with a female leader, the Minister in charge of Gogiero college refuses to support her. She uses him to make an example, accuses him of being a spy, executes everyone in his college, and then is crowned empress.
5.The New Ruling Empress vows to find her son...
--It is unclear to me if these humans are super humans? They are different from normal everyday humans. Perhaps they have descended from gods?--
6.We now go to a young boy, presumably in the human realm. His name is Changsheng and his blood seems to have unusual powers. It also attracts beasts. It seems he is being raised by a reclusive old man/medicine maker. We learn that Changsheng's blood can heal people. He warns him to be careful because there are greedy people who would want his blood.
7.Demons in the area are looking for something....
8.Meanwhile a lord brings his sick daughter over. When no one is looking Changsheng heals her by feeding his blood to her. He gives her something to remember him by and they promise to not forget each other.
9.Fast forward to the present. Changsheng has a strange illness referred to as 'the force of stars' and he must take expensive medicine to keep it from relapsing. We learn that he will die before he turns 20 (no wonder they picked such a young actor to play him). Changsheng wonders if destiny can be changed (is that I theme I hear). His master tells him he can change his destiny if he 1)cultivates himself before the Deity-Hidden stage before he turns 20 but it isn't that simple he has to do many things before he can even reach the stage, like go to the bone marrow purifying stage, then the erebus-insight stage then the star-convergence stage
10.So he sets out to change his destiny after getting a sword, his buddy Yuren at his side...
So far: the costumes are great, I LOVE the empress, and the settings are pretty. It is still too early to speak to story or acting, but the music is good. I have a feeling that the target audience is teenagers (it just sort of has a Novoland feel)
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1.The sect leader is betrayed by his own student, a man named Yun Yi who seems to have some serious burn marks and wears a mask. He steals from the sect leader something that resembles a dradel (it was literally inside of the leader and is probably a sacred treasure). Shocked by his student's betrayal, the old man can hardly get words out. Worse, Eyebrows appears, takes the treasure and seems delighted by everything that has happened.
2.With everyone around him dead, the old man gives Bones the feather which would make her the head of Zu Mountain (bwahahaha she is not fit for that job). Naturally, Bones does not want this responsibility but the old man is dying, what can she do? Besides, it's temporary. he wants her to give it to his eldest disciple, Yun Yin.
3.Yun Shu tries to kidnap her but winds up dropping her because she struggles. She looks like she will plunge to her death but Bai Zi Hua catches her (looking stoic as ever). He immediately notices that being near her causes his powers to drain (probably didn't notice before because the charm had not worn off)
4.Eyebrows uses the legendary treasure he took from the Zu Mountain sect leader--the Tie Up the Sky Chain. It will trap someone and then slowly shrink over time, and you cannot escape. So a slow death. Here eyebrows announces his plan to gather all ten sacred deity treasures so that his sect can rule the world.
5.They spend the night together, and let's just emphasize how sweet and bubbly she is and how icy reserved he is....I love it...anyways, they escape because of her blood. It nullifies the object.
6.Holy Ruler...I adore him...the leader of the Seven Murder Sect shows up looking flamboyant and kickass. He is extremely angry that his underlings killed the leader of Zu Mountain. He gives the Tie Up the Sky Chain to Bai Zi Hua and asks him to forget that this happened, but Bai Zi Hua wants justice. Yun Qi throws YunShu under the bus, and Holy Ruler says he doesn't care what happen to him but Eyebrows (Yun Qi) is his. To pacify Bai Zi Hua he kills a bunch of his own men (somehow I doubt Bai Zi Hua wanted that)
7.Bai Zi Hua and Bones fly off and Holy Ruler and his men return home. Holy Ruler interrogates his second in command. It seems the leader of Zu Sect saved him once and he owed him a favor. That is why he is so mad. He orders him not to disobey (Holy Ruler has some of the best lines; he is just a very over the top person) He threatens to tear him apart in 5 directions even if Bai Zi Hua does not kill him if there is another episode of disobedience
8.Bai Zi Hua and Bones go their separate ways. The former calls a meeting of the sects to update them on Zu Mountain and they are all angry he keeps the sacred object because these objects help maintain the balance of power as each sect has one....Bones runs into Dong Fong who continues to follow her and promise marriage
9.Bai Zi Hua meets with his shifu who warns him that a calamity of misfortune will soon befall him. Currently Bai Zi Hua's stone glows with righteousness however when he encounters the calamity it will change color. He must not show mercy when he meets this fated calamity or else he will suffer an awful fate.
10.Dong Fong is soooo funny and Bai Zi Hua is CLEARLY shooting eyes of hate and jealousy at him! He keeps referring to her as wife (OMG Ba Zi Hua is so jealous...)
11.Later that night, Bai Zi Hua watches her sleep. He knows she is his calamity (he loses power around her). He seems poised to kill her....
(but we know that won't happen we have 48 more episodes!)
2.With everyone around him dead, the old man gives Bones the feather which would make her the head of Zu Mountain (bwahahaha she is not fit for that job). Naturally, Bones does not want this responsibility but the old man is dying, what can she do? Besides, it's temporary. he wants her to give it to his eldest disciple, Yun Yin.
3.Yun Shu tries to kidnap her but winds up dropping her because she struggles. She looks like she will plunge to her death but Bai Zi Hua catches her (looking stoic as ever). He immediately notices that being near her causes his powers to drain (probably didn't notice before because the charm had not worn off)
4.Eyebrows uses the legendary treasure he took from the Zu Mountain sect leader--the Tie Up the Sky Chain. It will trap someone and then slowly shrink over time, and you cannot escape. So a slow death. Here eyebrows announces his plan to gather all ten sacred deity treasures so that his sect can rule the world.
5.They spend the night together, and let's just emphasize how sweet and bubbly she is and how icy reserved he is....I love it...anyways, they escape because of her blood. It nullifies the object.
6.Holy Ruler...I adore him...the leader of the Seven Murder Sect shows up looking flamboyant and kickass. He is extremely angry that his underlings killed the leader of Zu Mountain. He gives the Tie Up the Sky Chain to Bai Zi Hua and asks him to forget that this happened, but Bai Zi Hua wants justice. Yun Qi throws YunShu under the bus, and Holy Ruler says he doesn't care what happen to him but Eyebrows (Yun Qi) is his. To pacify Bai Zi Hua he kills a bunch of his own men (somehow I doubt Bai Zi Hua wanted that)
7.Bai Zi Hua and Bones fly off and Holy Ruler and his men return home. Holy Ruler interrogates his second in command. It seems the leader of Zu Sect saved him once and he owed him a favor. That is why he is so mad. He orders him not to disobey (Holy Ruler has some of the best lines; he is just a very over the top person) He threatens to tear him apart in 5 directions even if Bai Zi Hua does not kill him if there is another episode of disobedience
8.Bai Zi Hua and Bones go their separate ways. The former calls a meeting of the sects to update them on Zu Mountain and they are all angry he keeps the sacred object because these objects help maintain the balance of power as each sect has one....Bones runs into Dong Fong who continues to follow her and promise marriage
9.Bai Zi Hua meets with his shifu who warns him that a calamity of misfortune will soon befall him. Currently Bai Zi Hua's stone glows with righteousness however when he encounters the calamity it will change color. He must not show mercy when he meets this fated calamity or else he will suffer an awful fate.
10.Dong Fong is soooo funny and Bai Zi Hua is CLEARLY shooting eyes of hate and jealousy at him! He keeps referring to her as wife (OMG Ba Zi Hua is so jealous...)
11.Later that night, Bai Zi Hua watches her sleep. He knows she is his calamity (he loses power around her). He seems poised to kill her....
(but we know that won't happen we have 48 more episodes!)
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1.Bi Yao seems to recognize Xiao Fan's name but can't remember, sending her into a panic. Poison sect guy tries to distract her so she does not remember...
2.After a confrontation between Xue Qi and Li Xun, the latter swears to thoroughly investigate the incident of the mirror....
3.Meanwhile, Xue Huan (who I think accidentally got a hold of the mirror) is playing with it and almost injured by it. A woman thief shows up and seems to kidnap her and the object she had (is it Aunty?)
4.Xiao Fan, Li Xun, Shu Shu and Xue Qi set out to find Xua Huan/the mirror?
5.Bi Yao has a run in with wild dog but doesn't recognize him and Xuo Huan seems to endear herself to her kidnapper (Aunty?)
6.Poison guy (he is so good looking!) and Bi Yao are at a camp fire, getting to know each other's sad stories
7.Meanwhile Xue Huan and Aunty(?) are in the desert and Xue Huan correctly divines that the woman she is with is in love with someone...
--What is Xue Qi's back story?--
2.After a confrontation between Xue Qi and Li Xun, the latter swears to thoroughly investigate the incident of the mirror....
3.Meanwhile, Xue Huan (who I think accidentally got a hold of the mirror) is playing with it and almost injured by it. A woman thief shows up and seems to kidnap her and the object she had (is it Aunty?)
4.Xiao Fan, Li Xun, Shu Shu and Xue Qi set out to find Xua Huan/the mirror?
5.Bi Yao has a run in with wild dog but doesn't recognize him and Xuo Huan seems to endear herself to her kidnapper (Aunty?)
6.Poison guy (he is so good looking!) and Bi Yao are at a camp fire, getting to know each other's sad stories
7.Meanwhile Xue Huan and Aunty(?) are in the desert and Xue Huan correctly divines that the woman she is with is in love with someone...
--What is Xue Qi's back story?--
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1.We are treated to a flashback about Ghost King and his wife, essentially he was unable to protect her and she made a lot of sacrifices to be with him. In the present, Ghost king removes all of his daughter's memories related to Xiao Fan (presumably to protect her) however her aunt lashes out at him and insists his actions are going to hurt her and not help her (agreed)
-fox demon tries to steal the fire mirror from Fen Xiang Valley but Xiao Fan saves him; he was acting under orders of ghost king--
2.So aunty tried to be with Wan Jien Yi and could not be with him (who is Wan Jien Yi? how awesome would it be if he was the leader of the Qin Yun sect?)
3.Here is the sad story of Jien Yi and Aunty, as told by sect leader to Yu: Jien Yi falls for a 'demon girl' but she had a mission to steal the sects sacred sword. This led to a battle between the evil sects and noble sects and large loss of life.
4.Meanwhile, Bi Yao awakens and sees the poison sect guy, doesn't remember him, and they hit it off as new friends
5.Meanwhile, Xiao Fan is meeting with Shu Shu, Xue Hua, and Xue Qi when members of Fen Xiang Valley show up (they wear red) and cause problems. They are eventually driven off by Xue Qi (perhaps they are angry about the mirror?)
6.Indeed, it seems Li Xun (leader of Fen Xiang Valley) is upset about this missing mirror. Confirmed by Xiao Fan in a conversation with Shu Shu
-fox demon tries to steal the fire mirror from Fen Xiang Valley but Xiao Fan saves him; he was acting under orders of ghost king--
2.So aunty tried to be with Wan Jien Yi and could not be with him (who is Wan Jien Yi? how awesome would it be if he was the leader of the Qin Yun sect?)
3.Here is the sad story of Jien Yi and Aunty, as told by sect leader to Yu: Jien Yi falls for a 'demon girl' but she had a mission to steal the sects sacred sword. This led to a battle between the evil sects and noble sects and large loss of life.
4.Meanwhile, Bi Yao awakens and sees the poison sect guy, doesn't remember him, and they hit it off as new friends
5.Meanwhile, Xiao Fan is meeting with Shu Shu, Xue Hua, and Xue Qi when members of Fen Xiang Valley show up (they wear red) and cause problems. They are eventually driven off by Xue Qi (perhaps they are angry about the mirror?)
6.Indeed, it seems Li Xun (leader of Fen Xiang Valley) is upset about this missing mirror. Confirmed by Xiao Fan in a conversation with Shu Shu
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1. (Let me just say that I had no idea how absolutely malicious and vindictive brother Cai could be....such an awful guy to do this. what does he gain? the sad thing too is he seems to be in love with Ling Er....) Also, why are they taking Senior Brother Cai's words at face value? Is he free of suspicion??
2.Xue Yu explains that the beast person appeared at the competition--she tells sect leader, who had no idea. She reports that Senior Master Cang Song drove him away and told them not to tell anyone...
3.They are going to destroy Yu's martial arts because it is the only way they can ensure that he doesn't hurt anyone...far away, Xiao Fan seems to sense something is not right...still, he sees Bi Yao and tells her that even if he succeeds in his goals he is okay with getting his cultivation destroyed (Is this guy dumb? why should you be okay with that?)
4.Bi Yao takes him to see her mother (her grave) then sneaks him off the mountain (he isn't supposed to leave) meanwhile Yu is being seen off the mountain by Cai when he is brought back because they are worried that the real demon monster is going to kill him once he leaves
5.Xue Yu gets involved enough that she gains permission to go down the mountain to investigate. Meanwhile Mr. Ghost tries to remove the book from Xiao Fan but Bi Yao runs between them and is injured (she has no sense of self-preservation)
2.Xue Yu explains that the beast person appeared at the competition--she tells sect leader, who had no idea. She reports that Senior Master Cang Song drove him away and told them not to tell anyone...
3.They are going to destroy Yu's martial arts because it is the only way they can ensure that he doesn't hurt anyone...far away, Xiao Fan seems to sense something is not right...still, he sees Bi Yao and tells her that even if he succeeds in his goals he is okay with getting his cultivation destroyed (Is this guy dumb? why should you be okay with that?)
4.Bi Yao takes him to see her mother (her grave) then sneaks him off the mountain (he isn't supposed to leave) meanwhile Yu is being seen off the mountain by Cai when he is brought back because they are worried that the real demon monster is going to kill him once he leaves
5.Xue Yu gets involved enough that she gains permission to go down the mountain to investigate. Meanwhile Mr. Ghost tries to remove the book from Xiao Fan but Bi Yao runs between them and is injured (she has no sense of self-preservation)
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1. Xiao Fan is meeting with Bi Yao. He stole a 1000 poison uniform and snuck into her sect and explains to her that he will not allow her father to take the heavenly scroll out of him because he already has one. Also, he needs to get the other one because if he doesn't then Yue, who has returned to Qin Lan, will be in big trouble (basically Yue has returned to take the brunt of the punishment while Xiao tries to redeem them)
--Little does he know that Senior Brother is setting him up--
2.I am not sure if Brother Qi is setting up Xiao Fan or Yue. The former would make more sense however he infected the latter, so it must be Yue. Whichever one it is, Brother Qi has convinced the sect leader that, at, the very least, he was seduced by the demon girl (is this sect leader a moron?)
3.Meanwhile, Xiao Fan drinks tea with ghost king. He now knows that he disguised as Mr. Wen. He applauds Xiao's courage for seeing him. Xiao directly asks him if he was involved with the massacre of his village. We know Boss Nian didn't do it (Li Xue/Blood Sect) because he was in hiding and Ghost King reports he was in seclusion because Bi Yao's mother had died. He did not know that the village had been destroyed (so who did it?).
4.Ghost king essentially tells Xiao Fan that if someone seriously investigated the incident, they would have found something. He tells him that his sect must not be taking this seriously (which offends Xiao Fan, however, he has a point) or it could be someone is deliberately covering it up
5.The ghost king warns him that if he forces the heavenly book out, it will disable him and destroy his meridians. If he does not train it will turn him into a murderer and crazy. (I am sorry, but everything the ghost sect has done seems to be pretty reasonable they seem to get a bad wrap)
6.Well this has turned into a heated conversation that poor Bi Yao has to helplessly watch! The guy she likes is going toe to toe with her father, but then, won't her father respect him more? Odd, but Xiao Fan almost acts like a member of the evil sect, at least in terms of attitude. Very direct. Delivering threats (even if they are not physical)--her father almost attacks him but she intervenes
--I think he becomes the next ghost king--
7.Meanwhile, Yu is being chewed out by the sect leaders. Yu has to defend his actions, which make him and Xiao appear sympathetic to the evil sect. Yu maintains that they did what they thought was best, that if they allowed the Li Xue Sect leader and Ghost king to kill each other, it would have harmed innocent people. But the sect leader says that justifies the deaths of many (I really don't like these guys! they are such hypocrites! I think they only care about power!)
8.Senior Brother Qi is obnoxiously smug throughout all of this. Then he triggers the poison to make him attack himself--so Yu is attacking Qi and then the Immortal Guardian appears....so now everyone believes Yu is traitor except for Tian and his wife. Both think it doesn't make sense because their family was killed by the evil sect (is senior sect leader so easily manipulated?!)
9.Tian encourages sect leader to keep an open minded, and wait until Xiao returns, that there must be an explanation. Tian insists that it must be a trap, but sect leader insists that even if it is, the risk is too high and they must destroy Yu's cultivation, but Tian says they would be losing a gifted and innocent disciple
10.We learn that Yu and Xiao have a close relationship that reminds sect leader of someone (who?) we also learn that sect leader spared 'him' many years ago and that he had 'no choice that day' (are they trying to say that Qin Lan massacred that village? I bet they did! if they felt it was justified, they would do anything! scary)
11.Meanwhile, Auntie and Bi Yao are talking about Xiao Fan. She reveals that there was once someone very similar to Xiao Fan who wanted the same thing (peace) but he failed and it isn't known if he is alive or dead
12.Mr. Ghost and ghost king are meeting. They are discussing whether or not to use the four blood summoning spell to find the other scrolls (they want to avoid making the mistake of Elderheart). It involves using four mythical creatures
13.Ghost king again states that Xiao Fan is wasted on Qin Lan and would do something great in the future if he weren't in that sect. Xiao Fan and Qin Wi Yan (former city guard/poison sect) get into a fight but are stopped by ghost king, who says anyone on his land is a guest and protected (so no fights)
14.Xiao Fan and Bi Yao say their 'see you laters' meanwhile Yu defends himself to his shifu, insisting he is innocent (his mentor is meanwhile thinking 'if you learn the truth you will turn your sword against me' and 'I cannot tolerate a threat) THEY TOTALLY KILLED HIS VILLAGE I KNOW IT!
11.
--Little does he know that Senior Brother is setting him up--
2.I am not sure if Brother Qi is setting up Xiao Fan or Yue. The former would make more sense however he infected the latter, so it must be Yue. Whichever one it is, Brother Qi has convinced the sect leader that, at, the very least, he was seduced by the demon girl (is this sect leader a moron?)
3.Meanwhile, Xiao Fan drinks tea with ghost king. He now knows that he disguised as Mr. Wen. He applauds Xiao's courage for seeing him. Xiao directly asks him if he was involved with the massacre of his village. We know Boss Nian didn't do it (Li Xue/Blood Sect) because he was in hiding and Ghost King reports he was in seclusion because Bi Yao's mother had died. He did not know that the village had been destroyed (so who did it?).
4.Ghost king essentially tells Xiao Fan that if someone seriously investigated the incident, they would have found something. He tells him that his sect must not be taking this seriously (which offends Xiao Fan, however, he has a point) or it could be someone is deliberately covering it up
5.The ghost king warns him that if he forces the heavenly book out, it will disable him and destroy his meridians. If he does not train it will turn him into a murderer and crazy. (I am sorry, but everything the ghost sect has done seems to be pretty reasonable they seem to get a bad wrap)
6.Well this has turned into a heated conversation that poor Bi Yao has to helplessly watch! The guy she likes is going toe to toe with her father, but then, won't her father respect him more? Odd, but Xiao Fan almost acts like a member of the evil sect, at least in terms of attitude. Very direct. Delivering threats (even if they are not physical)--her father almost attacks him but she intervenes
--I think he becomes the next ghost king--
7.Meanwhile, Yu is being chewed out by the sect leaders. Yu has to defend his actions, which make him and Xiao appear sympathetic to the evil sect. Yu maintains that they did what they thought was best, that if they allowed the Li Xue Sect leader and Ghost king to kill each other, it would have harmed innocent people. But the sect leader says that justifies the deaths of many (I really don't like these guys! they are such hypocrites! I think they only care about power!)
8.Senior Brother Qi is obnoxiously smug throughout all of this. Then he triggers the poison to make him attack himself--so Yu is attacking Qi and then the Immortal Guardian appears....so now everyone believes Yu is traitor except for Tian and his wife. Both think it doesn't make sense because their family was killed by the evil sect (is senior sect leader so easily manipulated?!)
9.Tian encourages sect leader to keep an open minded, and wait until Xiao returns, that there must be an explanation. Tian insists that it must be a trap, but sect leader insists that even if it is, the risk is too high and they must destroy Yu's cultivation, but Tian says they would be losing a gifted and innocent disciple
10.We learn that Yu and Xiao have a close relationship that reminds sect leader of someone (who?) we also learn that sect leader spared 'him' many years ago and that he had 'no choice that day' (are they trying to say that Qin Lan massacred that village? I bet they did! if they felt it was justified, they would do anything! scary)
11.Meanwhile, Auntie and Bi Yao are talking about Xiao Fan. She reveals that there was once someone very similar to Xiao Fan who wanted the same thing (peace) but he failed and it isn't known if he is alive or dead
12.Mr. Ghost and ghost king are meeting. They are discussing whether or not to use the four blood summoning spell to find the other scrolls (they want to avoid making the mistake of Elderheart). It involves using four mythical creatures
13.Ghost king again states that Xiao Fan is wasted on Qin Lan and would do something great in the future if he weren't in that sect. Xiao Fan and Qin Wi Yan (former city guard/poison sect) get into a fight but are stopped by ghost king, who says anyone on his land is a guest and protected (so no fights)
14.Xiao Fan and Bi Yao say their 'see you laters' meanwhile Yu defends himself to his shifu, insisting he is innocent (his mentor is meanwhile thinking 'if you learn the truth you will turn your sword against me' and 'I cannot tolerate a threat) THEY TOTALLY KILLED HIS VILLAGE I KNOW IT!
11.
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1.With the threat of poison sect gone, cliff master heals Xiao fan. He and princess share a moment before they separate. Xue Qi is pragmatic and expresses concern in the most unfeeling way (you can tell she likes him) reminding him that although Ba Yao helped them, she is still from the ghost sect...
2.All united, the 4 have a night of fun and drinking together
3.City Guard continues to set people up (he seems a little...odd)
4.With Xiao Fan's backing and her own acts, Yue at least seems ready to trust princess (I am so tired of this arc it's not even funny)
2.All united, the 4 have a night of fun and drinking together
3.City Guard continues to set people up (he seems a little...odd)
4.With Xiao Fan's backing and her own acts, Yue at least seems ready to trust princess (I am so tired of this arc it's not even funny)
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1.The four winners go to train under the 9 cauldrons (unfortunately, our hero does not have his magic weapon...) It seems that the 9 cauldrons is sort of like the sorting hat for Hogwarts: it makes the best choice for you in regards to magic and is supposed to be based off of your cultivation.
2.For reasons that could only occur in this kind of drama when the lead is this nice, Xiao Fan forgive everyone for what they have done and everyone is friends again.
3.We change scenes--now the general for the ghost king is the one spying on the noble sect, and correct me if I am wrong, but isn't it senior brother qi/Ling Er's love interest? We learn that to gain immense power he drank a potion, and every full moon he turns into a mindless vampire///
4.Back to Xiao Fan and Yue. He is discussing how odd it was that their village was destroyed and believes that there is an ulterior motive....they split to chase down this blood demon (not knowing who he is...) and then YUE struts up to Cang Song, who has been chasing the demon as well, and boldly tells him that 'your secret will be found out' and that it is related to the now destroyed li xing sect....(what did he do?)
5.Who the heck is Yue?? he locks up senior brother, telling him sect leader ordered it, and says that in times of need a.k.a. once a month he will help him...what double life is he leading??
6.Concerned for Ling Er who seems upset (this is a different scene BTW) Xiao follows her after practicing and overhears an argument between daughter and father. He learns from Tian that he dislikes Qi Hao, that the man is arrogant and has an impure heart (awww....but I hope he genuinely likes Lin Er....)
7.Xiao Fan is too perfect. He actually stands up for Lin Er and defends her relationship with Qi Hao to her father (would I do this? I dunno....)This persuades Tian, and is perhaps an example of Xiao Fan's skills. He is extremely observant and perhaps wise beyond his years...and selfless....
8.He is depressed after this, but Shu Shu returns his torch, cheering him up a bit (I don't feel bad for him he brought it on himself)
9.Shu Shu (who makes stuff) created a flying bird out of wood to hold him and Xiao Fan whom he was worried could not fly yet. Off they go....and then they crash.
10.They reach what appears to be an abandoned house, scare off the soldiers staying there by pretending to be ghosts (yup, you read correctly) only to be frightened by a masked man. Masked guy says it is actually his home and he wears a mask to avoid scaring people (ironic) because he has a scar who is this guy? Anyways, he gives them directions to Yudu the next morning.
2.For reasons that could only occur in this kind of drama when the lead is this nice, Xiao Fan forgive everyone for what they have done and everyone is friends again.
3.We change scenes--now the general for the ghost king is the one spying on the noble sect, and correct me if I am wrong, but isn't it senior brother qi/Ling Er's love interest? We learn that to gain immense power he drank a potion, and every full moon he turns into a mindless vampire///
4.Back to Xiao Fan and Yue. He is discussing how odd it was that their village was destroyed and believes that there is an ulterior motive....they split to chase down this blood demon (not knowing who he is...) and then YUE struts up to Cang Song, who has been chasing the demon as well, and boldly tells him that 'your secret will be found out' and that it is related to the now destroyed li xing sect....(what did he do?)
5.Who the heck is Yue?? he locks up senior brother, telling him sect leader ordered it, and says that in times of need a.k.a. once a month he will help him...what double life is he leading??
6.Concerned for Ling Er who seems upset (this is a different scene BTW) Xiao follows her after practicing and overhears an argument between daughter and father. He learns from Tian that he dislikes Qi Hao, that the man is arrogant and has an impure heart (awww....but I hope he genuinely likes Lin Er....)
7.Xiao Fan is too perfect. He actually stands up for Lin Er and defends her relationship with Qi Hao to her father (would I do this? I dunno....)This persuades Tian, and is perhaps an example of Xiao Fan's skills. He is extremely observant and perhaps wise beyond his years...and selfless....
8.He is depressed after this, but Shu Shu returns his torch, cheering him up a bit (I don't feel bad for him he brought it on himself)
9.Shu Shu (who makes stuff) created a flying bird out of wood to hold him and Xiao Fan whom he was worried could not fly yet. Off they go....and then they crash.
10.They reach what appears to be an abandoned house, scare off the soldiers staying there by pretending to be ghosts (yup, you read correctly) only to be frightened by a masked man. Masked guy says it is actually his home and he wears a mask to avoid scaring people (ironic) because he has a scar who is this guy? Anyways, he gives them directions to Yudu the next morning.
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1.Shifu is so angry he injures Xiao Fan (he spits up blood!) and he storms off. The female teacher/wife tells the students to take care of him and she will try to persuade him (never mind that she knows what Lin Er did!) he is healed....and then he must fight against Lu Xue Qi (stoic girl!)
2.Okay this makes sense now. I am thinking that his shifu injured him to 'even the playing field' since Xue Qi has suffered injuries up to this point (more than him)
3.The battle commences, and Xue Qi is verrry skilled, able to perform advanced magic spells. She is also able to help Xiao Fan, as she somehow connects with him mentally to save him from his 'mind demon', which looks like Boss and wants the destruction of their sect
4.While everyone outside watches them stand still, they are both trapped in his mind, tasked with hunting down his mind demon...He begs her to kill him when they escape (!) but her words are of hope and support (awwww! I like her!)
5.Once they kill the mind demon, there is an explosion of magic power in the real world and they fall unconscious...
6.Meanwhile, in ghost kingdom the king and his general are discussing the competition while princess listens. It seems that the competition was a draw between Xiao and Qi and princess calls Xiao weak; however the king tells her not to look down on a boy who has such special destiny to attract such a mysterious power...
7.Meanwhile, a recovered Xiao is speaking to Lin Er, who shares that her father hit him because he was clearing up his blood clots, not to punish him
8.After being questioned again, Xiao tells Tian that he found the torch while at the mountain (in pursuit of boss) in a puddle. His shifu tells him that it is an object of blood skill, and that it is bound to him because his blood has fallen on it. He also shares that it is a type of magic their sect does not used and has always been used by those of the evil sect.
9.Tian is able to convince his shifu that he truly did not know of the object's controversial use, and that he has been using it without knowing how. Still, his master points out that the object holds a strong murderous intent and that not even all the sect masters could wield it with their cultivation (destiny..) so now he has to go to Tian Palace and pass another test...
10.So he doesn't seem to have an evil aura (they test him) however Jung Yue's master Cang Song is extremely hateful it seems (or just careful, depending on how you look at it) and strongly believes that he is there as a spy :/
11.Bwahahahaaha junior sister stands up for Xiao and points out what we are all thinking--that Cang Song is just bitter that his disciples lost why else would he be trying to get this kid killed? he is afraid his position will be usurped!
12.Brother Cang Song reveals his awful way of thinking when he blurts out that everyone from the evil sect should be executed on sight....raising a few eyebrows. He still insists he be kicked out because of the possibility that he become evil...but based on that flawed reasoning anyone could be kicked out if he deemed them a threat....this guy is a few cards short of a full deck....
13.They decide that Xiao Fan join the three other winners and another Junior brother will study the 'magic treasure' before returning it...
2.Okay this makes sense now. I am thinking that his shifu injured him to 'even the playing field' since Xue Qi has suffered injuries up to this point (more than him)
3.The battle commences, and Xue Qi is verrry skilled, able to perform advanced magic spells. She is also able to help Xiao Fan, as she somehow connects with him mentally to save him from his 'mind demon', which looks like Boss and wants the destruction of their sect
4.While everyone outside watches them stand still, they are both trapped in his mind, tasked with hunting down his mind demon...He begs her to kill him when they escape (!) but her words are of hope and support (awwww! I like her!)
5.Once they kill the mind demon, there is an explosion of magic power in the real world and they fall unconscious...
6.Meanwhile, in ghost kingdom the king and his general are discussing the competition while princess listens. It seems that the competition was a draw between Xiao and Qi and princess calls Xiao weak; however the king tells her not to look down on a boy who has such special destiny to attract such a mysterious power...
7.Meanwhile, a recovered Xiao is speaking to Lin Er, who shares that her father hit him because he was clearing up his blood clots, not to punish him
8.After being questioned again, Xiao tells Tian that he found the torch while at the mountain (in pursuit of boss) in a puddle. His shifu tells him that it is an object of blood skill, and that it is bound to him because his blood has fallen on it. He also shares that it is a type of magic their sect does not used and has always been used by those of the evil sect.
9.Tian is able to convince his shifu that he truly did not know of the object's controversial use, and that he has been using it without knowing how. Still, his master points out that the object holds a strong murderous intent and that not even all the sect masters could wield it with their cultivation (destiny..) so now he has to go to Tian Palace and pass another test...
10.So he doesn't seem to have an evil aura (they test him) however Jung Yue's master Cang Song is extremely hateful it seems (or just careful, depending on how you look at it) and strongly believes that he is there as a spy :/
11.Bwahahahaaha junior sister stands up for Xiao and points out what we are all thinking--that Cang Song is just bitter that his disciples lost why else would he be trying to get this kid killed? he is afraid his position will be usurped!
12.Brother Cang Song reveals his awful way of thinking when he blurts out that everyone from the evil sect should be executed on sight....raising a few eyebrows. He still insists he be kicked out because of the possibility that he become evil...but based on that flawed reasoning anyone could be kicked out if he deemed them a threat....this guy is a few cards short of a full deck....
13.They decide that Xiao Fan join the three other winners and another Junior brother will study the 'magic treasure' before returning it...
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