Reviews

Unity is strength

"No concubine. You're the only woman for me." - Kanbei told his wife Teru. Not taking any concubines was considered a rare thing that a Lord like Kanbei would do in this period. I respect him for that. The main lesson from Kuroda Kanbei in this episode: 'Unity is strength'. This is what he told his vassals: "The Kuroda clan is known for our strength. The strength is based on our clan's unity. There's only so much a single man can do. But when we are joined by a strong bond, our strength is multiplied by tenfold, even hundred fold. Kuriyama Zensuke, Mori Tahe... I order you both to be sworn brothers. Zensuke is the older brother, and Tahe is the younger brother. With Zensuke's wisdom and Tahe's strength being strongly united, how promising is that?""You only die once. Everyone dies some day. I want to make full use of my life." - Oda Nobunaga.Oda Nobunaga was claimed to be a cold-hearted person, who was merciless against anyone he deemed a foe, who believed in nothing but himself. He was claimed to be the scariest person, but that's also something that made people want to follow him.Nobunaga ended the Muromachi Shogunate by expelling the final shogun Ashikaga Yoshiaki from Kyoto and requested to the Emperor to change the name of the period into 'Tensho'.

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A tragedy foretold. A tragedy averted.

Grandfather Lin proposed Xiu Wan’s death (I didn't quite grasp the details of this in the episode). She hadn't made the mistake; the Du family had, and she had simply fallen into their trap. With a grandfather like that, who needs enemies? He was just as cold now as he had been in the past when he left Jia Lan’s family to face their tragedy alone. Back then, he had saved his entire family, yet here he proposed discarding a family member. Even though she was a niece rather than a granddaughter, it was still incredibly cold-hearted. Xiu Wan’s mother resolved to take her own life, but just as she was about to throw herself onto a thick iron spike, Lin Jin Qi stepped in and stopped his aunt’s rash act. Lin Jin Qi offered a plausible solution: “No one needs to die. We don’t just have one young lady; there is another candidate who can marry the Marquis.” That was when Xiu Rui entered the room, wearing an enigmatic expression that made the sincerity of her feelings seem questionable (did she orchestrate this whole thing? She was the one who had said she lacked the beauty of her sisters—the very asset needed to secure a husband). Meanwhile, the most beautiful one was to be sent to her death. All the maids received gold rewards from Madam Lin. However, Madam Lin asked Jia Lan what extra reward she would like. She replied that she wanted freedom for her entire family; she wished to repay her parents' care by being with them in the coming years. Madam Lin reluctantly agreed, though Lin Jin Qi’s approval would be required since they belonged to his pavilion. The other maids were happy with the gold they received, as well as a copy of the study primer *Three Character Classic*. Yet, they felt it was useless without a teacher present. "But Yuchan has offered to teach you all to read," Jia Lan said. And they rejoiced. Madam Lin actually felt it was for the best that Jia Lan was leaving; after all, once he married, how would his wife get along with a beautiful, intelligent maid constantly around? So, it was better this way. As Jia Lan and her parents were saying their goodbyes, Lin Jin Qi did not allow them to kneel before him, saying, "I am no longer your master, so such formalities are no longer necessary." Jia Lan promised to pray that he would find a wonderful marriage and for the happiness of the entire Lin family. Madam Lin looked on with approval, while Lin Jin Qi’s expression was somewhat enigmatic (as if, in doing this, he actually had another solution in mind). As they left the manor gates, the sound of firecrackers and the general joy of the crowd filled the air; a red wedding carriage was passing by. It was Miss Zhao, on her way to her wedding. Is it Xing Tang? The episode began with the public humiliation of the traitorous commander, who was spat upon and struck by his outraged colleagues. Meanwhile, Lin Jin Qi ordered his soldiers to regain their composure, and a fellow officer offered him a salute. The episode concluded with the arrival of a young woman rejoicing over a marriage that had been rejected by another (though that other woman could not have accepted it even if she had wanted to). By accepting this long-awaited marriage, she was also saving the life of another young woman. (What will happen in Episode 20? Let’s find out.)P.S.: I can't forget this scene. It’s the graveside scene where Lin Jin Qi and the villainess, Miss Du Cui Que, meet. He pays his respects to Du Zheng—the friend who once saved his life but also tried to take it. At the grave, Lin Jin Qi answers a question Du Zheng had asked in an earlier episode. When Du Cui Que arrives, she is a pitiful sight, shackled and locked into a heavy wooden cangue that traps both her head and hands. Yet, for that moment of farewell to her brother Du Zheng, she is granted the dignity of being free from the chains and the cangue. She bids her brother goodbye. Even so, she speaks harsh words to Lin Jin Qi, who stands silently with his face turned away. He tells her that if she wanted a good marriage, she should have sought it with dignity rather than through wicked schemes. She casts one last glance at him as she is led away to prison, the chains clanking as she walks ahead. (These two actors make a great pair; I remember the first three episodes of *In Blossom* featuring the young woman with the scar and the eyepatch. That was the heroine’s first incarnation—before the body swap and before Ju Jing Yi took over the role. Both actresses were excellent, but Zheng He Hui Zi left a strong impression on viewers, and her chemistry with Liu Xue Yi—in their respective roles—was memorable. Seeing them here feels almost like witnessing them in another life, yet once again separated by events beyond their control—at least, that’s one way to view them if you’ve watched *In Blossom*.)

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Words ? What Are Words ?

Dear SML, youre on a wrong drama please get out of here before everything turns into an absolute bloodbath of a revenge and get yourself tangled in a sticky situations you dont even understand😬😓. Youre waiting for the wrong person, shes not into YOU dude give it up ffs. Bro's infatuated to the point of no return, his int stats tanked in front a master strategist he cant fix her fr🤦. No matter how people critisize nor talk to him its going straight from left to right ear, its like he doesnt even THINK ? FL : "I dont need someone I love to be outstanding, I just need to like them" This dude for some reason 🗣️: " So Im NOT good enough for you ?! Not OUTSTANDING enough ?!" Bruh gtfo💀

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Five Stars

this was the best episode till now. I really liked how they showed moth going to bathroom to prep before anal sex a detail that often gets left out. many people fail to understand the complexity of human nature in this series. but for me the writing so far has been brilliant and this episode just proved it further. also in that last few minutes where we get to see a layer of dean we never saw before. A reality of his life that he might many people surrounding him but he is still very lonely. we will probably get to see more of dean's backstory in upcoming episodes. I am so excited for the next ep. so far loving it. This isn't your typical red flag story. WiiliamEst are doing phenomenal with their acting. the chemistry is off the roof

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I am confused, but I liked it (a rewatch comment on the ending).

I really liked the ending, but why has it stuck in my head that the cat had also time-traveled back? And why did I think that Eunho had a coffee place next to U&K, and that guy who wanted Sumin was so in love that he aided her in her crimes? I feel so confused. I watched this two years ago for the first time, but it seems like I have forgotten all of it. But maybe I am mixing it up a lot with the manhwa (that I read even before I watched this for the first time).But as for the finale: I am so happy Jihyuk's fate was transferred to Yura and now they both can finally live every new day for the first time in their lives. AND face new challenges, like raising children! 🤗

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Orchid flowers that are more fragrant at night

This episode features many clashes between key characters. A plotline was resolved, enemies were unmasked, and there were moments of frustration as well as salvation for many characters. Regarding the dialogue of the villainess Du Cui Que—who we know won't disappear in this episode, given that the drama's poster shows her pointing a weapon at the female lead and a group of people—she was unmasked here. Her expensive gauze undergarments and other costly items aroused the suspicions of the other maids; furthermore, it was clearly stated that she was responsible for the death of Lan Dang. She intended to die along with everyone else, but she wasn't allowed to; the antidote was forced into her mouth against her will (though perhaps in future episodes, they might regret letting her live—just a guess on my part). In her speech, Du Cui Que reveals her hatred for a subordinate position (marrying into a powerful family was the goal, whereas marrying into a less significant family would be a disgrace). Using her dowry to help her husband rise in rank? That would be a humiliation. Mrs. Qin countered all these arguments: “We helped you. Even if it wasn't for you to marry Lin Jin Qi, we would have arranged a good marriage for you!” Lin Jin Qi also reflected on this during the episode: “I just wanted to help the two siblings. That’s why I brought them to our manor. I really don’t understand. Was I wrong?” A slightly tipsy Jia Lam replied: “No, you’re just a good person.” The two of them sat there on the garden stones. Jia Lam breathed in the scent of the orchids and explained to Lin Jin Qi that they are fragrant at noon, but far more so at night. (Could this be a metaphor for their story? Does this love need to be built from the heat of the day into the night to become unshakable?) Du Cui Que was exposed. Jia Lam said: “Lin Jin Qi didn’t bathe in that water; we took some of it and gave it to you to drink. You expected Lin Jin Qi to be unconscious by now, but that didn’t happen. He is actively resolving a problem.” (Xiu Wan still tried to defend Du Cui Que, but faced with all these arguments, she realized with frustration that she was walking into a trap.) On the battlefield, Lin Jin Qi saw his supposed friend, Du Zheng, attack him with a sword. After many clashes—sword against sword—showcasing the flexibility and fluidity of both men in a raw, well-choreographed fight, we heard the sounds of steel; one fell, the other rose, and we waited for the moment a blade would tear into flesh. But before that could happen, the Marquis loosed an arrow that dealt a fatal blow to Du Zheng. Later, in prison, Du Zheng lay with an incurable wound, receiving painkillers to ease his agony. Yet, even as he mumbled, he asked Lin Jin Qi—who felt a mix of gratitude and bewilderment— “Did it work? Was the Lin family killed?” (That is when a look of concern crosses Lin Jin Qi’s face, and he quickly leaves.) Upon arriving home with his two aides and friends, he finds all the maids celebrating, realizing that everything is fine at the estate. A conversation then ensues between Lin Jin Qi and Jia Lam as they sit together (he treats her as an equal, though she shows him the deference due to a lord). There is also a moment the camera chose not to show—not a kiss, as we haven't reached that point yet—but rather Lin Jin Qi carrying her in his arms after she fell asleep on the garden stones. (Lin Jin Qi’s footsteps are light; the camera focuses only on his feet, obscuring the rest of his slender frame, then pans to the now-empty garden stones where the two had been sitting—confirming he carried her away.)However, the episode concludes with the commander—the one who shot the servant at the Lin estate and had intended to assassinate the Marquis (another commander)—facing arrest and judgment in the presence of the other soldiers and Lin Jin Qi. "You chose the path of injustice, and now you shall face your punishment." (I hope that in Episode 19, Jia Lam’s reward isn't being sent far away from Lin Jin Qi.) We shall see.

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