episode 8 spoilers ahead

Spoilers Ahead
New Characters
Zhi Qin-Prince
Tian Ji (more like a new name)

1.We open to the King of Chu who is walking with attendants and ministers. He wants to know why Qin is silent and why Zhang Li has not acted. I believe Minister He is with him, and it should be noted that throughout their discussion he frequently tells He that Qu Yuan (whom he receives an update on) and Jing Po (whom he is considering for something) are not as good as him--as if he is minimizing them in order to show he does not favor them as much as others might think (perhaps an act of protecting them?)

2.In the next scene, Mo Chou Nu visits a perfume shop and she and her little brother, Li'er playfully lift baskets up to their face. Yuan has followed and she insists she does not know him however her facial expressions seem to show otherwise: she seems to be happy to have him around. Yuan displays his knowledge of scents as he elegantly lifts the herbs (waving his hands delicately, in contrast to her actions) and ultimately selects a scent from her, imparting knowledge as well.

3.After the shop visit, she tries to shake him off by dumping tea on him (this is important, I think, because we are beginning to see her 1)lower her guard and 2)act playfully around him) and he explains that he would not leave to change his clothes over a little water (this could also test his commitment; he isn't just going to stop liking her because she is clumsy) However when she dumped an entire pot on him, that was pushing it but her smile when she walks off is more than enough to keep him coming. She admits to her little brother that he is annoying (OMG she is so immature! She likes him! Is she four?)

4.In the next scene, Zhao Bi Xia is playing a harp. Her father is meeting with his important people (those loyal to him/family members) and the topic of discussion is the Qu family. Their main person of interest is Qu Yuan. They suggest that his daughter marry Qu Yuan (much to the chagrin of the other guy there who is, we know, is in love with her)

5.Princess Qin is in bed with the King of Chu when she goes into labor (perhaps to keep her safe/be there since the baby is due soon). The Queen Mother stops by with the other consorts. It seems she has gone into early labor. It's a prince. Of course it is. (It still isn't clear to me if she is in love with the emperor). They name him Zhi Qin. They promise to have a celebration when he is a month old.

6. Elsewhere, (for the life of me I cannot remember her name) is resolute in her desire to punish Princess Qin, even more so for daring to giving birth to a prince. She vows to show her the consequences of picking a fight with her...

7.Meanwhile, Yue Ying receives a new name: Tian Ji. Zhang Li seems reluctant to let her leave, and she is in tears, but this all part of his plan to obtain power. She packs her things and he sends her off with fake parents and fake brothers who are her subordinates. He tells her they will risk their lives for her, and reminds her that while she is sad, she is doing this for the state of Qin. Her job is to help him spy on Qu Yuan, whom he knows may be more clever than himself. (It is kind of admirable that she is doing this for her country. I hope she isn't ill used by him and that his feelings are genuine). Tian Ji dances one more dance, just for him, a special dance only for him, and states it could be the last time (he remembers all the chances he had to sleep with her, and actually turns away to cry!)(the song is very good--so we can confirm he loves her)

8.Yu Niang is confronted for sending information to Qin. However Princess Qin states her brother is only using her for his own ambition. Yu Niang pleads her case and states no one is more important than her child.

9.Cang Yun/Chang Jun meets with Zhao Bi Xia by the beach and he discusses his origins and how poor he was. He then shares that her father wants to marry her to Qu Yuan. If the two families are united it will improve their fortunes, especially since Qu Yuan is a rising star. Unfortunately, she is in love with Brother Yun and expresses her resentment for not having any control over her marriage.

10.Lady Zhao is confronted by her daughter. Her mother frames this as marrying good person, good meaning he has good prospects (what any parent wants). But she tells her that they are using her for personal gain. She refuses to marry him, surprising her parents (after all Yuan'er is good looking too! a rarity in this universe)(poor girl, her future husband is in love with someone else too). Her servant tells her that Lord Zhao is stubborn; no one can change his mind but she will try.

11.Meanwhile, her father is outraged she would want to choose her own marriage and blames Cang Yun/Chang Jun (uh oh please don't hurt him...) He wants to drive him out, but his wife reminds him that if he does that, their daughter will do something stupid. His wife suggests that they discuss this with the Minister of War first since they cannot guarantee he will have her.

12.A few scenes of Qu Yuan and Chou Nu thinking of each other pass and then the next day at market, Qu Yuan visits Chou Nu with a kite. They are, after all, preparing for Yi'er's birthday (how exciting, they get eggs! their life is so different form Yuan's). Unfortunately, Yi'er is ill. He's covered in bites (I am not sure if it is small pox or an allergic reaction or fleas or what). They are able to get a local doctor who has no idea what his illness is however many people have recently caught it (EPIDEMIC) (NOT ON YOUR BIRTHDAY YI'ER!)

13. Qu Yuan learns that he is sick and later receives news of a massive epidemic. People are already digging graves. He wants to investigate and tries to empathize with the people and talk to them that they need to study the bodies to prevent others getting ill (I suppose it is considered very taboo to examine a body instead of putting it to rest immediately).

14.The Minister of War pleads on behalf of his son (and unbeknownst to him) to allow some one to handle the epidemic because of his lack of experience. The emperor acknowledges this but refuses to.

15.Meanwhile, Yuan'er does everything to save Yi'er. Chou Mu takes him to the beach, Yi'er's favorite spot. She tells him that her mother died not long after Yi'er was born and she raised Yi'er by herself for a while because her father was depressed. He is like her son. She says she was taking care of him but really she was depending on him because she has always feared him leaving her and the thought makes her helpless.

16.Qu Yuan (stupidly) promises to cure him and she wants to know how he can do that when she would gladly die for him. She falls to her knees and cries, and he begs her to wait for him, that he will cure him (that is a big promise to make. never make promises you can't keep)

17.Meanwhile, Concubine (whoese name I cannot remember) is extremely envious of Princess Yin who is receiving a grand assembly when she received so little. She has something prepared, and while her attendant is nervous, it seems she is going to cause some trouble tomorrow.

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