Blossoms of Power Episode 22

Some people keep underestimating Xihe

And after I had given Noble Consort Rong the benefit of the doubt, she pulled this. 🙄 At least the outcome was very convenient for Xihe and Huayong — she has access to investigate from inside the harem now. 😏👆Qingshi showing off sides of her that even Qingzhi didn't know... I wonder how far she's willing to go for her goals, yet I am quite sure — very far. And all because she wants to prove something to Prince Xie, who doesn't even give the tiniest thought to her... Talk about a person's low self-esteem. 🤨 In contrast to other crazy noble ladies who usually throw tantrums, jealousy on Xihe looks cute. I really enjoyed her and Huayong's scenes, as always. 🤗💞

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Lead couple's progress and FL's... change

I still enjoy the story so far and am willing to overlook certain illogical/irrational details, especially when it comes to lead couple's progress. It has been prevalent since episode 19 that FL is warming to ML. Their increased screen time together helps tremendously (banzai to the wedding). I doubt there would have been anything without their close proximity.

When everything else is equal and constant, I can't help but notice how FL suddenly... changes.

Change is not a bad thing. It's natural and ought to be. However, it's like a sore thumb because in a single-episode span, FL went from a cold, reserve person to a soft, warm, somewhat pouty, cutesy when with ML without any transition. Even within her close circle, with her trusted people and other characters, she remains the same. This happened after ML gifted her the parrot. Maybe, it's the power of the parrot or a comedian. But ML has been an even greater comedian since the beginning, so why?

Again, I'm still entertained by the series. Nevertheless, I think, it would have benefited from having a couple of transitional episodes for FL. Her characterisation made sense to me. If I were to use harsher words, it would have been character betrayal or assassination. Well, I have my criticism, but am not extreme.

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Palace shenanigans

The consort wannabe pretended to be a friend helping her hide the rash with a veil. But later her true colors showed when she had her friend debouched via aphrodisiac and then offered her plan B. She has her friend pretend to save Prince Ning from an assailant and take a drug that will make her appear dead for three days. This will let her marry the one she really wants and save face with the Prince because she rescued him. After the poor girl is stabbed, she realizes she has been betrayed and her ‘sister’ literally hugs her to death to keep her from revealing the truth. Huayong thinks a talking bird a good idea to present his wife. It sounds godawful speaking but as it tells on the prince with what he’s learned to say, she accepts the gift. The wannabe consort invites them to tea and makes it the same way the prince does with the same tea set. XiHe notes the similarities and excuses herself. Huayong says he will stay and teach her how to make it correctly.🤣😂Here I cheered for the Prince. There is no way in hell I want him married to that manipulative demon spawn, but XiHe can’t keep pushing him off to find comfort elsewhere and not expect him to consider it. He is pleased she is jealous but tells his aide to toss the matching tea set he has away and for it never to be in the palace again. 🤣😝Consort Rong had XiHe handle a memorial ceremony. The monks handed the emperor incense sticks that stopped burning not just once but twice. The one who put her in charge spoke up to assume blame. It was discovered that a monk and maid received gold to tamper with the incense. XiHe had a complete demonstration showing the difference of the incense and the emperor’s punishment was for the monk and maid to be beaten to death. This shook up Consort Rong who had instigated things. I am not sure if maid was additionally framed to look guilty or not. Lie and Changqing are pleading for a lesser punishment for their mother but their father is not having it. The one that used to be in charge was officially demoted and XiHe now finds herself in charge of the harem.

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