maryxiah

This is my third of him and the best one of his characters imo. It's like a mix of Shang Guan Tou and Mu Yuan, flirty but full of sincerity. Their romance is the highlight for me in this drama.

The only way to give Su Xuan the cure is to draw his blood laced with the poison and feed Su Xuan. However, that would endanger him because the poison has been dormant in his body for years now and by forcefully drawing it out would activate it again and this time will kill him. Now, he only has 6 months to live.

I'm gonna reply to you regarding Qing Ci and Yun Luo's relationship in another box because I don't want them to share a box with Wen Si Yuan and Shen Man Qing, heh.

In the beginning, I was willing to overlook the fact that he fell for her after she kidnapped him because he was grasping for any hope to live on and she gave him that. However, I wanted him to grow out of that childhood obsession and mature during his times with Yun Luo. I was waiting for that development and saw a slight of hope when he walked away from Yun Luo (as a result of her almost killing him), that maybe, just maybe they could take the time apart to reflect on their relationship and grow from it. But when they came together again, he became progressively immature and possessive to the point of insufferable. He asked Yun Luo many times if she chose to be with him because of her sifu and she couldn't answer him, it's clear to me that Yun Luo was STILL not ready but he didn't seem to care and willing to do anything to possess her, this feels way too wrong for me. It's ironic that Zhu Yan who was battling his inner demon and couldn't think straight is the one who set things right by exposing the truth to Yun Luo. Meanwhile, all Qing Ci could say after being exposed is, "Are you trying to kill me again?" Really? Shouldn't apology be in order after almost duping a girl to marry you? It's one thing to be realistic, but it's another thing to be relatable. By episode 30, I could see this couple simply will not work for me.

Almost every character in this drama suffers from a sort of tragic background or story, so poor childhood seems like a lame excuse to sustain a problematic relationship, and the character's unwillingness to grow up.

Don't even get me started on that. This couple is so awesome down to the way their relationship dissolves (although I'm still holding out for hope). Shen Man Qing basically said it all, "I told you everything in life is but a choice. You didn't choose me, I don't blame you. But you, you were the one who pushed me to Mu Ying, you were the one who turned me into Mrs. Mu."

Essentially, Man Qing understood Wen Si Yuan had a reason to stand her up. To her, whatever the reason was, the conclusion is he chose it over her and she couldn't blame him. However, she blamed him for pushing her into the marriage in the first place and now they both have to live with it, as a result of his choice. Needless to say, I was crying my eyes out when Wen Si Yuan refused to accept it and was fighting for a sliver of hope, alas, Man Qing cut him off. *wipe tears

Edit: Now that she's Mrs. Mu, she's mourning for Mu Ying's sifus, the fake and real one.

Wen Si Yuan's proposal is in episode 25, minute 24-28.

WSY: Is it okay if I snatch the bride during the wedding day?
SMQ: What do you mean?
WSY: I want to elope with you (he actually said "女侠=female warrior" but I chose to translate it more directly). Are you willing?
SMQ: Isn't it better if we go to my sifu and ask for his permission before the wedding?
WSY: (Shakes his head) You clearly know that he won't approve of our request. I can let go of everything in San Shui Du, but you, can you cut off Zheng Yang Palace?
SMQ: Why do I need to cut off Zheng Yang Palace?
WSY: Because...(they were interrupted by the shop owner who presented an item that WSY ordered) I initially wanted to give you this in a few days, didn't know it'd be done this quick, so better now than later (he gave her a customized mirror with her name on it). There are a lot of things that I still cannot tell you. But there is one thing that I want to do now. Marry me. For me, every time I see you I really like you, every time I couldn't see you I really hope (to see you). I've gone way past the age, this is the first time I feel restless because of a girl. So please, warrior Shen (this felt more appropriate to translate as warrior because he was basically acknowledging her status as a fellow martial artist and a sign of respect), marry me. I know I didn't treat you well in the past, but you have a broad heart and surely wouldn't hold it against me. In the future, I'm willing to use the remainder of my life to make it up (to you), to grow old together and never be apart.
SMQ: Will you really come to snatch the bride?
WSY: I will.
SMQ: Then I believe you. You cannot lie to me.
WSY: Silly girl (he rubbed her nose and they hugged). Actually, I'm more afraid than you. Afraid that you will marry someone else.

At this point, I was sobbing like a baby.

Ugh, same. I can't get over the fact that she kidnapped him and he's way too obsessed over her, it doesn't get any better. Wen Si Yuan and Shen Man Qing are my OTP! Their romance is very slowly developed but very much relatable and credible. I love, love, LOVE these two together!

Finally, all caught up! Oh wow, I have quite a few things to say.

1. Why does everyone have a secret identity? This plot device is a bit overused imo.
2. The parent-child relationships in this drama are killing me! Man, I shed tears every time a parent is dying and telling their children to run/live well. The scene just before the execution is the most powerful and emotional for me, kudos to both actors playing Jing An Hou father and son, I felt like I was right there with them and I was torn between saving the dad as well, and ultimately, painfully agreed with Qing Ci's choice.
3. I can't relate to the main couple's romance because I have issues with the way they handled the childhood portion, and as expected, they don't handle the transition to adolescence/adult love well either. It's bad enough that Qing Ci was so obsessed with Yun Luo to the point of stalking her (it's implied that he's been tracking her down), getting angry over her choice (although rightfully so because she was trying to kill him), trying to get her jealous to gauge her interest (very childish for my taste), and to top it off, using her sifu's cure as a trade for marriage and then lied about it (even getting their friends to lie to her). At this point, I honestly roll my eyes every time Qing Ci does something for Yun Luo, I like them but I do not enjoy their romance.
4. Wen Si Yuan and Shen Man Qing. Nuff said. This is my OTP. Both of them handled their feelings, relationship, and responsibility with maturity and respect. They took the time to dwell on their problems respectively and then made a move to solve it together. Wen Si Yuan's proposal to Shen Man Qing is a big contrast to Qing Ci's proposal to Yun Luo, a difference between a man and a boy, Wen Si Yuan acknowledged and apologized for his past behaviors to Man Qing, he then promised to make it up to her and even asked for her hand in marriage like a proper gentleman. I actually cried at his proposal scene because of how sincere and heartfelt it was. Although their plan to elope fell through and they're in an awkward situation right now, I can't help rooting for them, if they're not together by the end, I might raise hell.
5. Probably just me but I feel like Chang Ge is trying hard to conceal his homosexuality and love for Zhu Yan that he's using Jiang Er as a cover, his scenes with Jiang Er make me cringe.
6. Honestly, right before the last 10 minutes of episode 30, I was hoping someone would just kill Su Xuan to get this over with. I don't get everyone's obsession over Su Xuan's safety because Emperor Ai is well hidden and I don't think he'd be much use to anyone. THEN, he showed up, fought 5-6 men single-handedly, beat Jin Xu, and I changed my mind so quick my head was spinning lol, damn, he's a badass and he's like a father to Yun Luo (aww) so yeah, I forgive you, Yun Luo for the constant nagging about saving your sifu.

Very true, the current emperor is already Wei Ning Hou's puppet, so why would he need Emperor Ai?

Terrible knock off, he looks like an imbecile.

Meeting as children and then reuniting as adults, or in this case, adolescent is the least of their problems, although it's pretty much the gist of their relationship.

The lines basically read Huangquanyin (poison in Qing Ci's body) counteracts Suoluomeng (poison in Su Xuan's body), so his poison is Su Xuan's cure.

There's an airing schedule posted here on the photo section. They aired episodes 21-30 in advance for VIP users in China this week, so the broadcast for VIPs will be done by 6th July.

I went back to the relationship chart posted here and saw that Emperor Ai's picture is of a bald guy, maybe he is unrelated to the boys and is a new character altogether, probably a monk.

I had even crazier idea that it could be Yun Luo pretending to be a girl all along until I remember they met in childhood LOL.

I remember it was in episode 9 but went back to check the minute to make it easier for you to verify. He literally said he entered at the age of 4, which is very specific, but again, it could be just a cover story.

"If you rule them both out I guess its gonna be the dude that pours tea in every scene at the sect but never says a word..."
Also, HAHAHAHA. I fear that actually.

Episode 9, around minute 16-17. He sounded honest and straightforward when he told Zhu Yan that so I ruled him out very early on, but it's possible that he concealed it for fear of his life or simply because he wanted to start a new life as Chang Ge.

Oh dang, probably should've mentioned I don't want to be spoiled. Oh well, now it has to be Chang Ge.

It's between Chang Ge and Zhu Yan for me. However, if Zheng Yang Palace has anything to do with hiding Emperor Ai, I don't think Jin Xu knows it or else he'd have done something about it. I can't wait to find out the connection between Emperor Ai's disappearance and the chaos in Jianghu at the time.

The fact that Qing Ci always throw himself into the fire wherever Jing An House is concerned says a lot about his affection and devotion to his family, safe to say, he still loves his father despite not forgiving him, maybe there's still a chance of reconciliation.

On another note, I'm glad that Qing Ci is finally getting over his childhood delusion/obsession over Yun Luo, hopefully this marks a starting point in their relationship where they come together as a renewed person.

Possibly Chang Ge you mean?