Song of Phoenix Episode 4

episode 4 spoilers ahead

*This is incomplete as it is still being subbed but you can understand the overall meaning*

1.Unsurprisingly, Chou Nu rejects the fact that he is Qu Yuan. Her father seems to believe him, but since Yuan'er seems to have earned her utmost dislike, she believes he is making up lies (his brother did almost kill her brother...so her dislike is justified...it's just that he looks like a sad puppy!). They leave after she thank him for saving her father (in the most wooden way; she won't even look him in the eye!) Her father warns her that she could be wrong but she is so certain in her judgement (....kind of like Elizabeth from Pride & Prejudice). For reasons completely unknown, her father warns her that if she should ever meet the real Qu Yuan they are not to associate (oohh.....maybe they are related? it is a pretty common plot device...)

2.(sorry, a lot of this is unsubbed) The emperor essentially does not want anything to happen to his precious He Shi Bi and is hesitant to lend it because there is no guarantee that it will avoid war. ( I don't know if he will lend it but he is thinking about quietly mobilizing troops)

3.In the next scene, Chou Nu is sitting on a little bridge. Thinking about Qu Yuan. She asks Quing'er if it is him, after all he swore an oath, but Quing'er reassures her that it isn't him and that is enough to stop her doubts. She wonders what Mr. Qu is like...(I think she may be in love with this poet she has never met....supposedly....)(she reveals a more soft, vulnerable side)

4.The emperor meets with Yuan'er and they have a talk (mainly unsubbed) at some point Yuan'er begins to discuss the poverty in the question, using a story about fish. Whatever they talked about bc it is unsubbed, Yuan'er concludes he has 3 days to do it or else become an official. (I want to know!)

5.Zhang Yi delivers boxes of pearls to Princess Yin (of Qin) to soothe her homesickness. She seems disgusted as she snaps he should not have sent her here in the first place.She essentially rejects the gifts and tells him to take them with her and that she must think of her child. Translation: I want my kid to be king of Chu, so I won't help you. Poor Zhang Yi is having a rough time here!

6.Quing'er brings Chou Nu copies of Qu Yuan's new poem. It is the poem she heard Yuan'er make up the other day, the one she assumed was not written by Qu Yuan. She is surprised, and begins to seriously wonder if Qu Yuan was telling the truth....

7.In another scene, we are introduced to another pretty face but none of it is translated...

8.We go back to Chou Nu who is walking with Qing'er and she seems to still be debating the truth of Qu Yuan's identity. She seems confused. Quing'er says it could be him. They go to market, and soldiers arrive to draft soldiers. They take her brother, even though they try to fight for him. It is the order of the Minister o War...who is related to Qu Yuan...(this does not bode well for our hero)

9.Elsewhere, our oblivious and romantic hero is inhaling a fragrance that he acquired during the festival way back in episode 1. It probably reminds him of Chou Nu...who hates him. He is happy that she has turned up at his house, pleased she believes him (oh man...you have no idea....) He thinks she came to confirm his identity. Her answer? Yes and no. Quing'er is the one asking questions while she woodenly stares at him as he serves tea. He casually explains that the draft is to preserve the safety of Chu (I really wish all of this translated! I imagine he is cataloging all the rational reasons for this draft--but he is very arrogant and so certain he knows everything...)(

10.She asks him why he didn't join the army (the answer is not translated, but I bet it is something like I am a poet or I have to teach the royal brats). So she challenges him again--so you snatch random people and force them? he is confused, and Quing'er explains her brother was drafted. He says it is his fortune to join the soldiers! (oh man he really has no sense of reading a situation...or understanding basic emotions...this going bad to worse for our hero....I love it) He tries to reassure her that his big brother will be there....She wants to know why the commoners have to fight on the front lines (his answer is not translated) she tells him she misjudged him and storms out.

11.In the next scene she tries to visit her brother. they are refused. Qu Yuan is troubled by her words (me too because I don't know what was said....) and visits his brother. He asks him why the commoners are in the front lines and his brother replies, 'they are commoners, that is their fate' (bad answer!)

12.Her brother has always been weak, and he was injured by You'er. He cannot handle the training and collapses. His sister manages to break though, in spite of all the swords. Luckily him and his brother arrive, saving them from death. But her brother dies in her arms! Nooooo!

13.In the next scene, the entire family is gathered around Brother Mo. Crying. She steps outside and sees Yuan'er who confronts her and states that he knows she does not like him. He again raises his hand to swear an oath but is interrupted. They want him gone (family comes out) But he won't get off his soap box and argues that commoners must fight to protect the state just as nobles fight only then can they have peace (he really, really cannot read a situation. she is about to break down in tears. there is a time and a place but all he cares about is proving he is right....)

14.(I officially love her love her) she quietly asks him if he is done and he looks confused so she drags him inside and shows him her brother. He is shocked. She asks him is this how he becomes a big hero? She explains he can't do much, but at least he can live. And he seems at a loss for words. She screams at him that they are from different worlds and then he leaves. Later, she burns his new poem on a pyre....

---I like it! This is getting good! I didn't expect them to move so quickly with his personality growth! Keep it coming! This is my understanding: she may seem reserved but she is really very emotional and passionate and probably puts up a guard to avoid either being hurt or starting a problem. He seems friendly and nice and smart but is in fact very insensitive and self-righteous and emotionally illiterate.

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