Reviews

Liu Qing comb

Before I heard the story of the comb I thought the brother cleverly disguised himself as a woman to get by BiZhi and BeiLu. With flashback to battle where sister died it was revealed that isn’t what happened. They fought valiantly but there were too many and the brother succumbed to rescue sister. With his last breaths he gave her the comb and told her what it could do. He said that women had used it to become great generals so he was granting his sister her ultimate wish—to not be bound by the rules for women and to live her life freely. A plan was set to get the corrupt official who had the Gu family and service decimated. Ironically the friend did not reveal his plan, nor did she, but it played out well even tho impromptu shuffling of hostages was required. The friend posed as a dancer and that old man was as tough as nails…he didn’t flinch. When he was making a point to his son and had the servant slapped for several minutes til he acquiesced to his father’s wishes. Huai Jin one upped the friend by posing as the bride. She used a flexible sword and stabbed that old demon center mass. BiZhi assisted by grabbing the grandson while they all exited the wedding hall. BeiLu had horses and a Molotov cocktail to discourage being immediately followed. The friend was buried by the brother’s grave but he was consoled that the one he loved still lived and that he had help her avenge her brother. She surprised everybody by not using the comb one last time. She opted to not assume her brother’s identity but to live her life under her terms as a woman. BeiLu spoke up that things would change for women in the future and that they could have a life free of marriage if they chose. She was hopeful knowing that day would come tho she would probably never live to see it. They are then in the time rift market telling the Lord of the market their story. BiZhi composed a suitable ending for her as he reminded her this was about life and not a story. BeiLu has been asking questions and paying attention to the bracelet BiZhi wears. His puppy has wreaked havoc with his friend’s comics and collectible figurines. 😂🤣 Puppy is banished from the room. The episode ends with Su family car crash. It was a deliberate hit and run. Whoever hit them was not expecting any survivors. Now to wonder why a direct attack on this family and is there a ZiYi connection?

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Dream jobs

BiZhi started his search in 2021 and worked backwards. He realized that a child he had rescued from a car accident several years ago was BeiLu. He accepts that BeiLu is not ZiYi and tells him he won’t be putting him in danger anymore. BeiLu wanted to know if he could keep visiting. His Scrooge of a landlord booted him out over a puppy and he ended up at Yashe. BiZhi was not enthused with the puppy but he did recognize BeiLu’s tender heart and saw the adoption center that needed help and volunteers. So he gives BeiLu a job at Yashe and a China history book to study. Mr Dong tends to show up when only BeiLou is there and BiZhi shows up just in time to keep them both out of trouble. As BeiLu wanders the shop he comes across a room he’s forbidden to go into. We already see where this is going.😝I don’t know if this is BiZhi’s memories or about an artifact but there is a flashback to siblings where the family was in the escort service. The sister lamented that her brother would get all the adventures and continue family legacy while she would be trapped inside playing a zither. She eventually wore her brother down and their friend played for them as they practiced sword drills. It was clear the friend loved the sister but she wanted to roam free with adventures and never marry. We are not told how long she rode with her brother escorting goods back and forth, we are just clued in that she was killed on a mission and the one that loved her did not forgive the brother for teaching her how to fight. He planned to avenge her singlehandedly and the brother said he also had plans to avenge her. This was the point where their story ended in this episode.

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Dreams

Nuan had a beautiful outfit for Chan to wear to the poetry meeting. She doubted herself but finally got the courage to take her sachet and use her special invitation. She was going to knock on the door when voices stopped her. A couple pleading for their lives before the very man that had saved her. Listening to them she discovered this woman had also been rescued. But when she made the mistake of falling in love the nobleman wanted her to kill him. When she refused, he had her hand chopped off. Chan’s gasp had them coming to the door and she saved herself by jumping into the river. When BiZhi and BeiLu came to call she ran away thinks the nobleman. Unfortunately she ran right into him and he returned her sachet and made it clear her life depended on showing up at his home that night. When she refused, she and Nuan were locked in the house and it was set on fire. Fortunately BiZhi and BeiLu showed up in time to rescue them. It was then she learned that her beautiful mermaid was all in her mind. That every action the mermaid had taken was actually her defending herself and fighting hunger. They got to say goodbye and the candle went out. She took a raft down the river and BiZhi used lamb bones to make the village believe she died in the fire. The chat with ZiYi under the stars I am thinking his one night use of the candle, whether imagination or memory I am not sure. It was poignant because it was the last time he saw his friend alive. He followed his friend’s advice and did not look for evidence until the last moment and then ZiYi did not wait. He did not believe he could be rescued. BeiLu and Ziyi both want to know who BiZhi is. His resp(nose to both of them is he is their friend. He is hit with guilt about taking BeiLu out in dangerous situations so he is using his Time Machine to find out whether or not BeiLu and ZiYi are one and the same. For reasons unknown the year 2021 comes up as the place to start searching.This drama continues to be interesting and well paced for the most part. I am curious about the other antique seller because we have not been told if he ever came back with items as he was supposed to.

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Treating Poison with Poison

This is a popular notion in a lot of c-drama plots. Nice twist for Zuo Qing Ci to think to try treating Su Xuan's poison with the poison in his own body. There are probably more sanitary methods to do this than letting him bite you on the arm, though! That's very dangerous. It was good to see ZQC and Su Yun Luo were able to have an adult conversation. It is good she finds out that the Leaf got used to save her life and she comes to accept that her life is valuable too. However, he continues to hide things by not explaining his own poison issues and what he did to treat Su Xuan. In fact he failed to let her know prior to doing it so she and the others could be prepared. Once again, he is failing his side of the romance dynamic by failing the, "trust and respect" part. And there are immediate consequences.The 'dark' side of Zhu Yan threw ZQC under the bus with his reveal about using the Ceylon Leaf. Will the 'light' side of Zhu Yan own up to the fact that using it was only necessary because SYL got hurt while saving Zhu Yan?SYL is going deep into trouble now to try to save Sy Xuan from the Mu clan. Willing to sacrifice herself and the risk is it may still leave her master in captivity with the 12 Guards. She's likely going to end up needing the help of her comrades even if she isn't looking for it.

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U Hui isn't stupid, she must know that…

U Hui isn't stupid, she must know that the fact she will become the queen means nothing, as her child is the one her father needs & will use when the time comes. if he has no problem telling her, that he has no use for her if she doesn't follow orders & even then she isn't that important to him, that if he thinks she will get in his way, he wont take her out. why she not wonder what happens after she gives birth. what if then her father's thinks it's best to get rid of her & take control of his grandchild & thus the throne. Crown Prince Yi Gang for sure not gonna be kept alive, after he gets U Hui pregnant & Kim Han Cheol got the King still alive & imprisoned - by his love for his son, that threat can easily be transferred to his grandchild after Crown Prince Yi Gang is taken care off. *************************************************************************************************************i know the whole body swap is for comedic relief & i guess it is giving Crown Prince Yi Gang info he wouldn't have gotten if Dal I was in her own body. but i didn't find Dal I's bumbling fool act in front of dangerous individual's like Minister Kim Han Cheol. or for that matter Crown Prince Yi Gang being in ur face frank with Queen Dowager Han, he should be smarter & know that someone like Dal I would be groveling in front of Queen Dowager Han, not act high & mighty let alone talk back. but both were acting a fool & putting each other in danger - like WTF. not cute or funny!

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Adulting

Xu and XiGuang have a candid conversation as they walk back to campus. He is still an ass in his responses but tactless candor is his main form of speech. He wants to know why she didn’t use the references he found for her and she tries to put it in academic terms for him rather than trying to make him understand the emotional reasons. As they walk he realizes the girl beside him isn’t or ever will be his girl. He has fears about Rong and asks her opinion. I gotta grin when she says he looks best with shorter hair and wearing white. As they part ways she calls his name and waves — letting go of the what might have been to leave as a fond memory at the cusp of adulthood. They both realize their paths may never cross again and they are both ok with it. Her cousin then shows up to take her in a worldwide campus quest. They have a sibling like conversation and it is very sweet. I really like their relationship and hope he stays an integral part of the drama. When she gets back she has another candid conversation, but this time is with her mother. They are discussing her job opportunities and it is clear that Shengyuan has been the only solid offer or her dad’s offer of becoming his successor. I think she wishes there was a third option. Her father and the Wuxi board members collectively resent Lin for his candidness that their best move would be to focus on their product and improving it. Her dad is not happy their project was blocked by him and he has made it clear to XiGuang he doesn’t want her working for them. She does not want to work for her dad and tells him she will decide after talking to mom. Her mom doesn’t want XiGuang in the middle of family squabbles and encourages her to take the job she earned on her own. That maybe when she was older and more business savvy they could reassess if her best interest would be to work for the family company or not. So now Xu and XiGuang find themselves at the same company but in very different circles. Lin and Xu get reacquainted at a meeting and Lin corners him about XiGuang. Xu tells him she spent time abroad. So at this point neither know she has reluctantly changed her mind and getting ready to join them. I am glad they did not have her run into Rong immediately. Her work and interview status is still unknown. XiGuang is introduced to her desk and supervisor in finance dept. Her new roommates seem friendly. They are getting introduced to the different aspects of their jobs. The demand to toss the broken scales.😂🤣 They commiserate during meals and are gossiping about the new hottie boss that’s arriving. The one confirms it’s Lin, but none of them have ever seen him. Xi Guang totally bursts their bubble when she suggests that since he was a doctor first, isn’t it most likely he’s middle aged? 🤣😂They are back in room watching a drama and missing the last episode. XiGuang loses rock/paper/scissors to run to office computer to download the episode. She sees a possible connection problem and is under her desk checking cables. While she is doing this the lights come on and she sees tall dark and handsome in front of her. She goes with I’ve not seen you before do you work here? How did you get in? Seems he has a resting scowl face.😂🤣

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Kim Han Cheol is ruthless even towards his…

Kim Han Cheol is ruthless even towards his daughter - which i love, cause i can't stand her & i will be pissed if by the end, she gets a redemption arch & ends up with Yi Un. Yi Un is a sweetheart & deserves a happily ever after, but if that's gonna be with U Hui, sorry but i rather he end up alone. cause she is as evil as her father & nothing justifies her actions, she wont stop. even after Yi Un rejected her. she kept following him like a crazy woman. personally i still think he went to easy on her, given what she caused, which ironically put him the crosshairs & was gonna end up killing him. ***********************************************the back & forth with Crown Prince Yi Gang, while understandable is doing my head in - maybe this body swap will clear things up & he will stop with the back & forth. even though O Sin Won is right, the more he hang around Dal I, the more danger she is in. but given who she is - i guess she could never be 100% safe. so it is what it is -

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Making the cut with thesis

When XiGuang reports to professor about thesis, she is admonished strongly for submitting such inferior work. When Xu tries to offer help she cuts him off and this ticks the professor off more. He is unprofessional discussing her grade with another student and his reaction to just retake the course was not particularly helpful. XiGuang refuses her friends’ help and here she was too stubborn. But they had just hurt her feelings believing the worst of her so I can’t really blame her for not trusting them with her grades. Xu is helping her by giving her an entire reference section via email to construct a better thesis paper. She appreciates it but not sure of his reasoning. Is he apologizing to her or is he apologizing for Rong? Her second draft pleased her professor and now she just needs to do some touch ups for it to be ready. She sees her friends celebrating being done with class and realizes this is the first time she’s been alone. Her cousin has talked her in to checking out campuses around the world while he decides where he is going to go. He begs her because if she won’t go with him, his parents won’t let him travel alone. He is going to take his test and promises his cousin a surprise. This turns out to be Xu’s brother. He shares a meal with them and they actually have a good time. The following day Xu showed up to drop his brother off. He is buying lunch this time but he orders for everybody with no input. He likes to repay any debt or kindness ASAP. When she helped with funds for his mother’s surgery, he paid her back with interest. The meal was much different than the casual chatting of the previous day. It was quiet and Xu and XiGuang made sure they didn’t spend alone time together at the table. After the second portion of test they parted ways because Rong was hosting a party for him. Her cousin was funny…you didn’t use any of the notes he sent you did you? 😂🤣 Here I was surprised she didn’t but I understand her reasoning. Xu came to her dissertation to see if she used his reference materials. Rong hammered it out with her and while I don’t think they will ever be best buddies, I do think they could be agreeable work colleagues. They are reminiscing their first meeting as they prepare for their first goodbye. This is when there is no assurance of contact later even when wished for. There is a rush for the bus and Xi Guang finds out she and Xu missed the last bus and have no cash with them.

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Preparing for interviews

Episode begins with XiGuang practicing her interview in Chinese and English. This gives her a chance to get a job independent of her parents. She and friend are trying to determine Zhang Xu’s motivation to refer her to his senior in the company. Does this mean he LIKES her or not? XiGuang finds out that her interview is a formality and she has the job. Scene shifts to a board meeting where Lin is asked for his opinion on what has been discussed. In this, he is similar to Xu speaking directly and frankly with no shmoozing to the board members. He does, however, use more tact and is respectful to the people he is speaking to and about. He hasn’t endeared himself to the Wuxi group with his assessment. When the roommates gather over lunch they get on XiGuang’s case because she wants to consider the job rather than rush to accept. Everybody is looking out for Rong’s feelings. XiGuang is pleased she got her first job on her own. She thinks a celebratory dinner is being planned but is blindsided by Rong who believes she wasn’t told about her interview. She has all this proof about the time that the call was made and employees account of how the message was supposed to have been passed on. It is very clear to me that the chipper low EQ roommate who is away for a few days the culprit, but she is not even considered. Everybody is convinced she tried to bury Rong’s chance of an interview and XiGuang is hurt they don’t believe her. Rong goes out of her way to be a royal b to XiGuang and Zhuang Xu doesn’t help matters. There is a flashback of a confession where he apologizes for not accepting. She wasn’t deterred but said she would keep trying. So now the department can gossip about her bf stealing and her lying about the interview call for Rong. They really drag this out for all they are worth. I thought a bit excessive since Rong is getting her interview. Her cousin is being his goofy self to try to cheer her up. Rong now throws daggers about finding a trusting lover. She’s showing off the phone Xu got for her. Chirpy roomie comes back and starts setting things straight about the interview call. She wants to know why XiGuang moved out. As she explains what really happened and that the company failed with follow-up call, Rong has to do some self reflection. I like how her friend speaks to their entire dept setting things straight. These two…they gathered evidence like a court case with timestamps and recorded call verifying exactly what really happened and why neither was guilty of any wrongdoing. At this point XiGuang says she finds the company unreliable and doesn’t plan on working for them. Her roommates did apologize and they now move forward rejoicing over the flip from social media as the truth is spread on campus. Rong and Xu didn’t show up at the truth be told dinner. I find I don’t care about their absences. The meal was a happier event without them. Xu’s senior is apologizing via phone call about the lies and misunderstanding of Rong’s interview call. His mom is really pushing a relationship with Rong but that is not where his heart is. The episode ends with her meeting her professor and finding Xu in the room.

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