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There is an exchange of intel between Zhang and Wu. They are each given an offer they can’t refuse and both agree to a third option. Zhang will leave the mystic nine in exchange for his wife and men. Wu doesn’t believe him and doesn’t want a paper trail, so they agree to have Qi witness the oath to make sure all parties comply and the penalties for not. Qi finds dealing with both of them a royal pain in the ass.🤣😂 Wu makes it clear he is still owed a life but will rescue the missing. Zhang exits in that pristine uniform that isn’t allowed a speck of dust. Qi gets to find his own way back for not favoring Zhang. 😂The plan is to set out next morning to rescue the men. Ms Zhang, Yin XinYue, greets her kidnappers with a nice set of traps when they come to release her. Wu claims not to hit women while she soundly slaps him.🤣😂 She easily finds out what the deal was between them and applauds. 🤣😂 I like her! She mocks him about an invitation to XinYue Restaurant as a corpse to be sold to highest bidder. That he has so many enemies he would fetch a good price. After leaving a last hit to the three men, she lets loose her last trap and leaves unescorted. Zhang returns to his office at headquarters to find his wife calmly sitting at his desk. He is reprimanded for thinking she couldn’t escape on her own and he counters with a tray of sweets specially purchased for her making note of which successful and which not. 🤣 These two are an interesting pair. He returns her bracelets. She wants him to stay safe and plans to take off to Beiping to help her family business. He promises to comply and go immediately to Beiping when he’s done. It seems Zhang has not won over her father and warned to keep that in mind and do better. He assures her he will make a better impression this time. Zhang gets a message from the Ministry of War that wants him to make a decision about the Mystic Nine. He doesn’t look happy. The next scene is at Taihe Pleasure house where we are introduced to Huo Xian Gu representing the Huo clan of the mystic nine. She is blackmailed by Ding Qiansui who is a wretched old lech with a lien on the Huo household. He offers to pay the money her aunts need and cancel their old debt if she will spy for him while accompanying Wu and Zhang behind the wall. He threatens her with Wu following up about her debts if made aware of them. 😝The women of the clan want her to resign to her fate and if she wants to be officially the leader of the clan, she will have to deal with the old lech and maybe give up on Wu. He gives her a dance and view of fireworks including their departure time of 8Am. We are taken to the site where the guards are fixing a flickering light. The stopped clock and sacks of something are stocked there with a message from a 401 soldier how to fix the light. Is the flickering light a key or indicator of what takes over the men? Story continues to be interesting with peripheral plots converging on this scene.
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The ending was beautifully done.❤️👏🏻 We got the backstory of why Xiao Fang and her father are so close. Xiao Wei has gone to find his chosen path after making sure Xiao Fang and Bite are set up with a stable income. We are not told how he fares, but this is Xiao Fang’s story. He has reached the place she was at beginning of the story. Whether or not they marry is not nearly as important as the loving parents they both will be for their daughter. That bond is set firmly and that child will know the love of family and friends and village in a spectacular way. Two families that could not stand each other, were eventually brought together by the love of the couple who came home. They were confronted by their own biases and dealt with them to grow as individuals and as family. This drama beautifully portrays family with all its messiness and imperfections. The struggle of staying in touch thru generational gaps and misunderstandings. That backing of family empowers us to become the people we are meant to be. We had beautiful scenery and family entrepreneurship saving the decline of families and aging villages. The cast gives us the best and worst of families and draws us in to appreciate the story and hopefully better appreciation of our own family and loved ones. This is highly recommended and may all of us feel Xiao Fang’s free spirit and appreciation for life in general. ❤️
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He betrayed his brother with his desire for the throne. I don’t think Qian would have objected to him ruling…these brothers strike me like the Rong brothers…one wants to rule and one wants to be a soldier. His betrayal came in killing the midwives and lying to the gma. He really underestimated the depth of her hate. He was honest enough to put Qian’s son where he belonged but he wanted a taste of the glory first. Had he been truthful, there was a good chance the gma would go along with him ruling or at the least a mentor. This left her with blind eyes to her own flesh and blood. She reacts violently to the news she caused the death of her grandson and runs off yelling Huayong’s name. What she doesn’t do? Say a word to Xihe or great grandchild. She got off rather easily for all the treasonous acts she led. The emperor’s children were forced to pay the price for his misdeed. He finally admitted it, but so what? Would that undo any of the damage he caused? The only thing he may have prevented was dear old gma moving heaven and earth for another try at Xihe and unborn child. His edict did at least get them on the throne but it cost him most of his family and all of his health to get his clutches off of it. Xihe is now in charge of things…literally. I am glad Lie gets to go to the outskirts as he always wanted to do, but damn, Ms Rong should not be given clemency for her treasonous heart. I can only hope she has been given the job of bathroom cleaner for the temple or something equitable to that far away from the palace. I kinda hope and not we get told what happened to her other than keeping her hateful ass alive. 😝 Xihe visits the memorials of herself and ex. Here she continues to do good like Huayong. Changqing was allowed to be kept in the family tree and buried with his ancestors. He was mostly a thorn to her, but in the end she respected him for who he was rather than judge him for what he did. Shulin and Cui return and get positions they merit with Shulin getting to stay a girl….the perfect model of uprightness and virtue. 🤣😂 it was nice seeing them back together in sisterly support …the only difference is now they are dressed better. 🤣 Shulin is officially made staff officer as her choice so she can’t be confined inside. Her martial arts skills will be used as she has always wished. It then segues to a four year time lapse. We see a four year old prince being introduced to the mentors Huayong chose for him. I would have liked to have seen her reading him the stories handpicked by daddy as well. Wish granted next scene. He finds a note his father left and asked questions. She has a pleasant dream of what their lives would have been like with daddy and mini him finding ways to get out of schoolbooks.🤣😂 The child playing the part gets through the dialogue given. What makes him quite good is his mischievous looks that he carries off quite well. Here he shows great potential.👏🏻😁 the signal to young guard via handkerchief. He is so joyful flying to the palace. Xihe is admiring the red maple leaves and remembering their last talk together. They have a sweet hug under the maple trees with little said except he came back to share the view with her. There is a special episode or this would not have gone over as well with the montage of replays. What is seriously missing is other than an overview of the mountains when doc left, there was not any news of their work to get HuaYong healed…at all. A lot less of Consort Rong and just a few minutes of their trials to find the cure would have made such a difference in the overall storytelling. The special lets us see the toll it took on the doctor and some sweet father/son interactions, ending with a nice scene of a family outing. But when Changqing got loads of redemption time, why nothing about the faithful doctor that spent half his life trying to find the cure? And why no interaction with the Bu/Cui twins and crown prince? No school shenanigans shown. The cast did so well making us love or hate them. 👏🏻🌹 There are some serious story gaps with HuaYong and entirely too long of a warm up period to finally be a couple. But even with these flaws these characters are sticking with me. It is worth the pain of the heart thaw and when the Rongs are too much ffwd works wonders. 🤣😂 Kudos to the young actor that played HuaYong’s man…I hope to see more of him in future projects. 👏🏻This is well worth the watch for the most part.
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How cool was that opening scene with Bu Shulin holding her army’s token as herself.🌹👏🏻 Ms Wenxi loses with the (w)Rong token and now mummy Rong is outdone with her posturing for ultimate authority in putting her son the throne. Watching the Shen and Lanhai armies move in for their ladies is quite a sight. Prince Lie has come to face his brother and his vows tear at your heart. 💔He was going to kill himself but was stopped and jailed. Here Changqing lowers his mask a bit. I completely despise his character’s actions. But I do have to say this actor is a master performer of gray characters. Tho hated, he will be the most memorable for balancing good and evil with audience never completely clear which side he was on til he chose to tell. There is a final showdown and we are shown how the troops were signalled and made aware of their need. Changqing recognized her willingness to fight to the death and after a brief show of who’s really in charge he got a private audience with Xihe. Here he reveals his plan so that there would be no further obstacles in her way. He even called out his own obsession and knew it would shackle her. He stabbed himself to end it all and won the answer he wanted to know. It was very fitting for his memorial to be shown with his wife’s picture behind it. Ugh the bastard made me mourn him and wish him a better life than what he was given. 😭He truly deserves tears and was far more honorable than given credit for. But he also knew his sacrifice and reputation had to be tarnished beyond repair for Xihe to have the influence needed to rule the world. He wanted her more powerful than simply the Empress Dowager. And dammit he succeeded. 😭 It was fitting that he died with the rain bringing full circle to the rain when they met. He did learn to live truly and made the sacrifice for her that he did not with his wife. He made himself honorable in both women’s eyes and I didn’t expect that from him. Qingzhi and Xihe acknowledged him in this moment. He could finally be free of his obsession with Xihe and his regret with Qingzhi. 🌹The Grand Empress Dowager is very like Consort Rong with her hate so evident. Finally understanding about the defending of the city. But his actions after explains the obsessiveness of his sins. He did not poison Huayong, but he stole his birthright and lied to the gma and all this mess was a direct result. I guess he didn’t want Empress Dowager and grandson to rule and made sure he was the one in power. That bit of selfishness ruined them all. He swapped his brother’s pledge to take his place and this the gma did have clarity on. She just never got close enough to the grandson to recognize the true father. Xihe had a lot to process as well. She now understands the importance of Junshu’s name and worthiness to ascend the throne. In spite of the evil intent from both Emperor and Gma, I believe HuaYong’s resourcefulness and talents reflected well the gifts his true father gave him. I think Qian is most pleased with his son and his choice of wife. His brother and mother…not so much😝
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The episode starts with sincere mourners for HuaYong. It soon becomes the Consort Rong show as she shows up with three elder officials demanding the keys to the palace staff. 😡🤬 Right when they are getting ready to use force, Xihe pulls out an edict from the Grand Empress Dowager giving her the authority over the East Palace. It also gives her the power to execute anybody trying to assert themselves over the Crown Prince’s authority. Then there is the next attack by lil sis Gu. She is a psycho that needs to go. It is becoming more clear who her accomplice is, but they are dragging it out along with this Rong fest.🤬What is worth noting is that XiHe mourned the loss of her only Gu family. Things could have been so different. But the Gu sister could not get past her obsession with Changqing. Those two are equally matched for love/obsession/possession of the one they are determined to have no matter the consequences. The gold lock that was one of the last heirloom pieces of the Gu family was tainted with poison. She was hoping to take out XiHe and heir. A maid was sent with a letter claiming the Crown Prince knew about Changtai but said nothing. It was implied that even tho he saved the Emperor they were guilty. Consort Rong was sure she had XiHe taken care off but nope….didnt happen. After slapping the maid she confronted them with the crime of tarnishing the heroic efforts of the Ctown Prince. The emperor passed judgment and declared Gu received just recompense for her own actions and no one else would be held responsible. What is interesting to note is the gma is lowering her mask a bit each time. She is not happy with how things ended up and is most likely the reason the emperor has a steady cough and is sick. Changqing thinks he can step in and be hubby now. He even has a nursery prepared. One has to sympathize that he is guilty of loving his ex. But he did not protect her family and he did not try to let her make her own path. His love felt like ownership to her and she was more and more caged with his good intentions. His love for her did not extend to taking the time to understand her heart and dreams for herself. He never gave her credit for knowing her own mind and for thinking his choices for her her best possible life and outcome. He continues this thinking and even fasts for three days til Lie came in trying to rouse him. He tries to be the phoenix rising to be regent and take over for crown prince. He is actually a good man in many respects, but his sacrifice of an entire family for his political gain….shows how far short he falls compared to Huayong. His image is the mere shadow of a phoenix wishing to rise. He has the right features but lacks something in character that makes him fall just short of achieving his dream. I blame the mother they don’t rein in with her ambition. She is the taint of the Rong clan. The doctor has not accepted his new job but wants to go to the mountains to heal as many as he can. His study of medicine and commitment to finding a cure for the exotic poison are his chosen life’s work and XiHe gives him her blessing with assurance he was welcome back to palace and offered job if he ever changed his mind. The elite soldiers are collected with Rong family to demand Changqing accept his role as regent and kill XiHe because she was too smart and efficient. He not only refuses their command but tells them he will make XiHe his consort. 🤬🙄He just might have the power to cause this, but waiting to see how it is countered. It was a given that XiHe was going to get crap from the palace after Huayong’s death. What we really wanted to see was how Shulin and Cui are doing and see some support for XiHe. This Rong arc felt very wrong and extended. 😝🙄 But it is giving more hints to the true poisoner ….so there is that.😝One of the most poignant scenes was her making Huayong’s tea with all the meticulous precision he used to perform daily. That this touched his young guard with bittersweet memories along with Xihe was a well done scene choice. 👏🏻These two were his most important people and this scene reminded us of their bond. 🌹❤️
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Changtai came way too close in actually pulling off a coup. Huayong throws him off taking the blade intended for the emperor. After that, he kept his sword on his father demanding the truth of his poisoning. Here the Emperor soundly denies it and offers to die by his sword if thought guilty. There is a sweet embrace of father and son as HuaYong recounts his memories of his father staying by his side tenderly hovering over him with love and support while doctors searched for a cure. He then leaves the building to find XiHe. She and the other ladies were barricaded in and while most screamed in panic, she collected sachets and prepared a dose for the guards should they break in. She reminded the ladies that hairpins were excellent weapons and others armed themselves with vases and heavy decor to clock an intruder. Changqing shows up to find the ladies had done a good job of defending themselves and XiHe ran out to find Huayong. Huayong’s trusty guard managed to signal all guards outside so they could enter as defense. In between the attack sites imperial guards and Lie combined with embroidered guards to finish off Changtai. Even at the end Lie could not outright kill his brother. He listened to the lament and urged him to turn himself in. Changtai decided to stab himself and join his wife. While he was arguing with his dad, he did not get the recognition he dreamed of. He was reminded that all things asked of him were the demands placed on would be emperors. He was so sure he had won when Huayong intervened. He was certain he had broken their bond and just couldn’t accept it. XiHe and Huayong find each other in the aftermath and it’s very clear both are a bit worse for the wear. He spoke so lovingly to her and they embraced as they could with their injuries. ❤️We waited 27 episodes for their love to take root and when it finally did, it blossomed beautifully.🌹 Theses last minutes together said everything about their love and commitment to each other. Next episode shows Changqing laying claim to what is not his to claim. 😡🤬 He deserves whatever consequence comes for this foolishness. For now it is time to mourn the main couple and wait to see that all is well with little goldfish who will be named Junshu regardless of gender. Dad and gpa have paved the way to ensure the baby’s rightful place as much as they were able. Mom and dad are remembering the red maple trees and their wish to see them together. 😞😭
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Happy news for couple, baby is on the way. Huayong makes meticulous plans for his child. He has letters and books chosen for every age thru 16. He has asked his best embroidery guard to teach them martial arts and doc Xie to accompany them in extensive traveling for knowledge of the land and its peoples. Huayong wants little goldfish as nickname whether boy or girl. He has chosen Junshu as the name and doesn’t care about anybody’s opinion except XiHe’s. That he doesn’t joke about his father’s opinion indicates Changtai was successful in putting a wedge between father and son. XiHe has papers for both her doc and maid so that they will be free commoners able to pursue their choice for life path. Lie wants to be the leader of the guards and Chanqing continues to train and hold on to his ex wife’s memories. Fate has let the incense break but he will not let a broken relationship stand. Crazy Gu girl is still around causing trouble. She is like a psycho broken doll that can’t move on from having malice to any blocking her perceived path. The two refusing to marry at all would make the perfect couple. Prince Lie wanted to be in charge of the outskirts but was put in charge of the imperial guards instead. Second Lady of Shen is determined to devote her life helping others and never marrying. Changtai is shown at his wife’s memorial vowing to make his father pay for looking down on him. He chooses to ignore the path that would let him live quietly and is making his course a dead on offense against his father. Since he is alone without his wife, he sees no reason to choose any other course. This episode was achingly bittersweet in the love and devotion HuaYong is determined to show his child even though not present in person. No matter how painful, he will continue the medical regimen that will give him any extra time at all to spend with XiHe and child. It is the only thing left he can do for them. He has done his best to surround them with his personal selection of people and mentors to keep them both safe and guide his child to the best choices in life possible. He is accepting his early fate as reality, but fighting every step of the way to make it even one day later than the poison is projected to allow him. They both still hold that somewhere there is a cure for the poison or a counter measure that would allow him a longer lifespan. He still wants the story of the who and why behind his poisoning, but letting it take a back seat to the plans he wants for his future child and XiHe’s well being when he is no longer there to assist her personally. Those closest to them who smiled as their relationship slowly changed and established itself as a beloved pair, now hide behind tears watching them struggle to keep the duration of that newfound relationship for as long of a time span as possible. They all are willing to form a shield around the young family to protect and help them endure his loss and retain his loving memory for them.
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Huayong is so lost in this episode. The first part has Changqing escape and actual brotherly rapport between them. Changqing reluctantly agrees to go down the mountain to get first aid and help while HuaYong deals with Changtai. Here he is given what looks to be proof of his father’s guilt in having Qian killed in battle and poisoning the crown prince. It is all written in his Gma’s handwriting and was a confession taken before burned. She accounts for her sins with siding with emperor rather than being put away or killed. This is damning evidence for sure, but Changtai always makes the wrong choice, it’s his super power. In spite of how it looks, it doesn’t ring true with who poisoned the cherries. I went back to ep2 and watched and took screenshots. 🧐 There is a blue sleeved hand with the poison. Hand could be either gender and sleeve had flowers on cuff. I took shot of emperor’s hand with cherry and could neither confirm or deny a match. So now it is a wait til the big reveal of whodunit. 😝 Changtai is staying hidden. He wanted to stir up one last round with dear old dad and have his wife forgiven of any crimes she was coerced to do so that she could be buried in the ancestral mausoleum. HuaYong is weighing all the events from his past with a different lense. It looks like it is quite possible his own father poisoned him, but he is still not convinced he is not being lied to. The shock of it all has the poison making much stronger headway. He has new and better medication, but there is no denying the irreparable damage caused by the shock and the cold. Here Xi He’s hound like nose found the Prince by his scent. Both brothers have to concede it is not an act that brings the couple together. I don’t know if she was told everything and shown the confession, but she knows he heard news that rocked him to his very core. She lovingly gives him the option to have more space or her comfort, whichever calms him best. He of course is not going to pass on snuggle time. The herbal bath is set to give them a calming respite with healing waters setting the mood for some together time. It seems next episode Shulin and XiHe will be able to compare baby bumps.🥳HuaYong agrees to continue the needle treatment no matter how painful to give him more time. The entire cast set the scene well for all the emotional impact of family betrayal and unexpected allies. The upheaval of emotions and impact of weather was shown in great detail by the main couple…the crown prince in particular. Huayong bodily projected shock, disbelief, horror, confusion and loyalty to the parent he always had faith in. This cast continues to interact well and keep us drawn into their stories. I am hoping we get a definitive answer about the poisoning and who his parents are. We also need an update on Shulin and Cui. And I wonder if the princess that offered to marry her will consider the decoy as an option. The big question with them is how to let Shulin be wife and mother and still have a male heir for the Marquis? Would this be a done deal if she had a boy and was not charged with deceiving the emperor? Waiting to see the mommies comparing notes and cravings. 🤣😁
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As they return home they find abandoned refugees in Daozhou. The three royals work together to better their circumstances and plan for future housing to prevent sickness from spreading. Gifts are rewarded to all except Prince Ding who is now on the palace wanted list for his treason. When they get back HuaYong makes a case for Gma’s wish.🤣😁 I was ready to roll my eyes when the excuses began again, but this time it was genuine teasing rather than countering. I think gma might get her wish soon.🥰😁 After all the subterfuge and plotting, the servants and guards are all rather pleased that there is finally a true alliance of the love sort between them. With a few exceptions, there are only smiles and approval of these two truly joining in matrimony. Consort Rong is reinstated thanks to Changqing’s battle performance. XiHe visits to show respect with greeting but she was also shrewd enough to assign new handpicked staff for her. This will hopefully continue to curtail her ambitions and keep her in check. HuaYong asking to be dressed and applying her makeup. Too bad no heart monitor like in lipstick prince.🤣😂 I am curious as to whose heart is racing more.🥰❤️⁉️As a reward and decompressing activity a hunt has been set up with Changqing hosting and brother providing security. Changqing is determined to score a fawn and Huayong is equally determined to give it time to grow up. Right when the two are ready to battle a little more strongly, they find themselves surrounded by masked men while they are off their horses and no swords. They have a brotherly discussion while chained and HuaYong schemes into getting a wound treated and fed. Seems Changtai is like the bad penny that just can’t help himself from showing up. He truly has nothing to lose so it seems he will be providing the name of HuaYong’s poisoner. But it does make me wonder what tradeoff happened for that intel. Changqing refuses to let go of XiHe and believes himself the only worthy suitor of the crown prince’s wife after he passes. Here Huayong hits him with some honest brotherly truth that I really hope Changqing listens to. HuaYong understood something that no other suitor has appreciated to the same degree. All the others wanted to protect and decide for her what was for her own good. Even he had made mistakes in that regard. But what truly brings her to appreciate the suitor is understanding she is like a phoenix hat has overcome great obstacles and chooses to fly high and her own course. To win her she must be kept free and allowed her own choice of fate. Here Huayong reminded him that if he did not understand this about her, that any claim he had to her was lost long ago. HuaYing did not try to deny or explain if she was indeed the prior Gu sister, but regardless of what mesh of souls she currently is, he let Changqing know that he is the one that understands her best no matter any prior commitment Changqing had with his ex. What was surprising was the actual concern Changqing still had for his brother. This also showed on the battlefield when he fought hard for the right side. If he could let his dead wife be dead there really wouldn’t be any conflict between them. Princess Shen knows exactly what Changqing has to offer. It’s not that he isn’t sincere or lacks leadership skills, she simply is not interested in what he has to offer her. She always felt bound and not free. She would be resentful of him like before or come to feel nothing at all. This would not be a good end for either of them. Our couple could not put it in any plainer terms for him. He is obsessive in this as Changtai is for the throne, It would take Changqing being willing to rewire his thoughts about her and it is very doubtful he would have the capacity to truly make her happy in this regard. As the episode ends XiHe is pulling out all the stops and having her undercover guards included in the mix to find the missing prince as she heads out with the group to help find him.
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The Gu sis continues to be a scheming opportunist. She slants the story to make Ning look like a jealous brother coveting the title of crown Prince. When that failed he committed suicide and that trauma caused her miscarriage. She had quite the lineup of charges and ultimately was successful in cutting ties with her ex. He would probably be applauding her ingenuity and glad he was no longer a participant in her manipulative games. The story isn’t sitting with HuaYong. His brother was many things but that wasn’t his typical style. There is some tie with the poisoner he can’t figure out, but he’s pretty positive the person is still hiding out in the palace. Aft Ms Gu separated from one brother she heads to Changqing hoping for progress. He very coldly dismissed her. No wi dear she’s such a psycho. Karma slapped him when XiHe knocked him back with equal coldness. He really thinks she will give into him after Crown Prince dies. As if….she killed herself rather than stay with him. Does he really think her attitude has changed any if it’s really her as he suspects? He is getting bolder taunting HuaYing with the thoughts of what will happen after he’s dead and XiHe alone. He is dripping with animosity and it’s beyond annoying. On a much better note, progress is being made in the romance dept.🥳🥰 Bout damn time.😝🤣 HuaYong has persevered and XiHe is finally receptive to kisses. Everything should be a happy event heading to brother’s wedding. Changqing is still appearing and serenading her with his ocarina. His pastry delivery was cut short with him finding out hubby was there and he could go on about his business. The scene shifts from the cozy tub scene of our leads to the raucous bachelor party of her brother and family. This turns into a battle very reminiscent of Qian’s. They had finally defeated everybody with the city gate staying shut when an uncle betrays them. His son was beheaded a decade ago and the parents feel revenge long overdue. The local general gets there in time to save them but the Duke of Wei is in a coma and not doing well. The silver lining is he’s alive. Changtai is attacking from the other side. He’s tired of being the family pawn and ready to make his move. He greatly resents the favor shown to crown prince and wanting some of that positive attention his way. His wife is doing everything she can to dissuade him, but his jealousy blinders will not come off and his armor of ambition demands he pursue this opportunity no matter the cost. For him…it will be his dear wife. Changqing is pleased with the uncle that weakened the Shen family. He sees this as his way in with XiHe. The chess pieces are moving and it’s waiting to be seen who will control the armies to achieve their goals. Here’s hoping Prince Lie gets there soon. He will be the voice of reason and calmest thinker of all of them where the army is concerned. What should have been a festive occasion has become family upheavals from within.
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Is whoever behind Qingshu the one who poisoned Crown Prince? She thought she had the master plan to catch Bu Shulin. They even used his elite guards to restrain her. By the time Cui got there, she had already taken care of them. She was determined to go through a fake wedding with a friend that would keep her secret. She even figured the decoy was so she could be replaced and they would have her army. XiHe paints Joan d’arc pictures of her leading troops in battle as a female and being recorded in history. Her gift was the white silk Shulin wanted and was discouraged from ever wearing. She was so beautiful on the dock waiting for the boat. The crown prince tells Cui she is leaving and gives him a token that will allow him to travel. He did at least show up in time to treat her wounds. 😝🤣 He convinces her he really loves her, with no clue she carries his child. She questions him thoroughly about his career ambitions and he is content to stay with her no mafter what is required to keep her secret. She is finally convinced and asks him to name the baby since he is the scholarly one. 😂😁 Prince Ning is a drunken mess feeling defeated. Shulin completely annihilated his guard by herself. He acts out in anger when his wife and dancer are bickering and Gu Qingshu lost the baby. The crown prince is asked if he wanted to give up such a promising official. He confessed that he wouldn’t have earlier but that he now prefers to help the young lovers find happiness. Second Prince sees no happiness in his future. He grudgingly accepts that his consort is more ruthless and capable than he would ever be. He knowingly takes the poison and wishes her well taking his place. For half a second she considered stopping him from taking it. But then her ambition and his determination to end it all took over to let the chips fall as they may. He reads aloud one last time as the poison takes effect. There is no telling what ghastly thing Qingshu will come up with next…maybe blaming her miscarriage on stress from his death. She will always land on her feet. That is the only given with her. I’m curious about what names Cui will choose and if ShuLin’s betrothed will marry the decoy since ShuLin was broadcasting about it. That would be an interesting twist.
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Second Prince covets Shunan’s army and has been seeking a way to get BuShuLin under his thumb to procure it. He is guessing she’s a she because it is far less likely that Minister Cui would like a libertine man. He presented himself to the Emperor with a match to help curb his bad ways. It is encouraged by all to include the Crown Prince. A incident resulting in a young Prince falling in the water and Bu rescuing him has second Prince all ready with a squad of guards to reveal her gender. The cousin is set up with incense and a picture to make it look like she threw herself at Master Bu. XiHe has already had a male double to stand in for her so second Prince is caught off guard to see an open robe and chest exposed. In despair over her ruined reputation, the young lady takes her own life in front of minister Cui and the court. Consort Ning is far from being discouraged since she is carrying the first grandchild, she just moves in to next victim. This is offset by her servant being executed as a result of her evil intentions. Consort Ning is taken aback very briefly as XiHe lists off her crimes. For now, she thinks her baby has made her untouchable for any retaliation. One who has know ShuLin;s gender since childhood has offered to marry her to keep the secret. XiHe is grateful and assures her that she and her family will always be well taken care of, but cautions her to think hard on giving her life away for this cause. That night the Prince has difficulties falling asleep and when he finally gets some rest XiHe takes note of the bruises down his spine from the shots and the complete lack of complaint from the Prince. He is taking his medicine and thanks her for the flower addition. It is helping ease some of the pain for him. Minister Cui thinks their one night stand will give place in ShuLin’s heart for him. He promises her everything and she throws it back at him that a consensual night does not a lifetime partner make. He reluctantly accepts her decision and promises to move out. Shulin made sure he was invited for sing and drink whenever he wanted. I feel so badly for both of them. Previews show she plans on accepting the marriage proposal offered but it looks like a skirmish injures or kills the princess willing to keep her secret. After boldly stating she would be married, ShuLin discovers she is pregnant. Waiting to see how this gets fixed by our palace power couple. I also wonder how XiHe feels about the only living Gu sister being so wicked by nature. It will be more and more difficult to keep her in check while she is in mommy to be mode. Here I thought it would be a happy and lighthearted episode because ShuLin front and center first thing. No such damn luck as more palace efforts to run amok have chosen to make her most vulnerable without support or backing in a quest for the army her family is in charge of. I would like to see her double become a permanent standin while ShuLin and Cui ride off in the sunset to have a family and happy life elsewhere.
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Key to the Phoenix Heart Episode 24
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This episode had a series of events that has the North against the Xies and disguising as Xiao Ju to kill Tutor Xie. Mao makes a deal to get WuYi spared, but with who and what in recompense? LeJun tries to get home but is caught. Is she aware that Wuyi pronounced Prince Wenxi dead? Mao knows the truth of his father’s death but uses it to frame Xiaos and try to get control of the army. Tutor Xie was taking a path towards redemption but was cut down to be silenced. Is Mao covering up his lineage trail? WuYi has come back with Ye slaves in the north and diverts his original plan to rescue JiaYu. Her conversation with Mao was very calm and collected. She didn’t waste effort showing him emotional turmoil in any fashion and assured him she chose to be by WuYi’s side. She has outlined the plot pretty thoroughly and didn’t even bother giving him contempt. She just assured him whether with WuYi or no, her life’s plan would be to follow WuYi’s course for the people. She congratulated him on having the disposition to be emperor. 😝They keep showing his concubine with odd looks so it remains to be determined what side she is on. This plot of the north has drawn out the shadow guards who have not been used until this new development. I think Mao got a surprise that JiaYu could stab him up close and personal. When it seemed sure they would be captured, WuYi intervenes but lets Mao know their next meeting he would not be spared. Was satisfied that his parting shot was cutting off the top knot. Mao lets them go because he knows the rest of Xiao family is slated for execution and WuYi won’t let that slide without showing up. It is unclear if this is all a ploy to deceive the north or if Mao is colluding with the north to get his sister back and control of Beifu army. Is this a plot to soften collateral damage from a war with the north? Prince Qi, Eagle King and Xiao WuYi…….are any of these three working together? Or are they separately trying to keep balance of power? Prince Qi is showing malice at not having complete control of JianKang. Has his ambition overrode everything else? It seems too quick a turn around after seeing WuYi destroy the phoenix heart tokens. There is no logic for him to want WuYi to live and to want his head on a platter at same time. So who is really in disguise? Everything shifting to definite war with the north coming. Prince Qi seems determined to keep himself top power no matter the cost but even JiaYu could not decide what was fact or fiction with him. She just knows where her heart and allegiance lies and it’s not with him.
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Consort Rong has not given up trying to cause trouble. She sees Princess YaoXi as the next level of test. The Princess has come to visit with an objective…she needs a husband to protect her family and younger brother until he can accept the throne. The reward is half the troops of LanHai and a beautiful bride. She claims the Crown Prince won her affections in childhood and again when she returned. The Crown Prince was going to turn her away but chose to meet up with her instead. He knows the real reasons the Princess needs a husband and they both come to the conclusion that his father would be the best match because she was very like the consort that was the love of his life. He encourages her to remember her friendship with the consort and be her own person. He agrees to help her and bargains for her to ally with XiHe. While he was striking a deal, XiHe has the princess kidnapped and tied to a tree. It is later shown that they conspired to appear as sworn enemies to move things along but they will actually be friends and allies. Princess YoaXi requesting to stay up in the tree all night for it to appear real and test Emperor’s concern for her. 😂 She also commented how alike she and crown prince were and well matched. They both understood the big picture and in context early on. She has agreed to both appearing as enemies and be actual allies when Crown Prince is gone and XiHe is on her own. The Emperor steps in and the princess is now Consort Shu. She will be a second female ally within the palace and a brace against Consort Rong. All three are content with this new alliance. The prince has begun the most painful treatment of poison yet and fights to snuggle princess . She is not wanting to accept but I think realizes he needs comfort so she begrudgingly lets him have his way for once. Things move along to Shulin finding her friends drunk and reading dirty books with pictures. Minister Cui shows up just after she grabbed the books to burn them. He admonishes them all and she stays with her friends til they pass out. She is ashamed at their behavior and apologizes for her part in it. She also wants to make it clear she was trying to destroy the books and was interrupted. After she downs three cups as apology Cui challenges her to drink with him instead. When there is no wine left they imply a more intimate encounter took place. The episode ends here and next one shows someone trying to force Shlin to reveal her gender by forcing a marriage. XiHe is seeing the bruised needle marks down Huayong’s back and now aware of how much real pain the prince is hiding. I am less annoyed with her now and more accepting of the very slow burn between them. It is hard not to be sympathetic with the prince because of the time factor. He has proved his love and loyalty and deserves some true happiness while there is time left. The second couple again anchors wanting to watch. They do not want a slow burn but have the appearance of a forbidden love. I want them to be given an open relationship and happiness but not sure how she can save face. I really want to see her in that ivory silk she admired so much and dressed like a female. Hurry up next episode. 🫣
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Both brothers come visit the crown prince on behalf of their mother. They get an up close view of HuaYong painting XiHe’s eyebrows. 🤣😂 He has a chat with his brothers with a more objective view of their mother’s ambition. He reminds them that curbing it now will safeguard her in future from more long term punishment. They both thank him and offer service to the Princess. He assures them it isn’t necessary because that’s his job, but wants them to remember the favor. When his aid asks him why he is handling them the way he is the Prince has an interesting response. Unrequited love leads to hate, but friendship can allow them to help and support each other long term. The bell line for bed😝 XiHe has had her first meeting with staff and three of them has mishandled materials or funds. She notes ms Cui up front with the gold bracelet and asks about punishments. She had quite a bit to say about the extent of punishments when it is clear she is the one benefiting most from their petty crimes. XiHe gives the three jobs they should do and how to recompense without harsher punishments and all are quite grateful. Consort Rong is far from through and gets Cui to resign. She sees this as giving a harsh blow to the young princess with no supervisory experience. XiHe has a migraine over this and the Prince offers a suggestion. He refers her to a MsTan who has over twenty years experience and who will support her as family. Can’t wait to see how this goes over with the palace plotter.😝😡🤬 Prince Lie is trying to bargain for horses and it is not going well. He is helped by a young lady who speaks Suta and all parties happy to no longer be lost in translation. 🤣Once it is learned money isn’t the issue they are happy to make the sale. Lie requests her assistance for the next few days as he wants to learn more about their care and maintenance. He is hoping her language skills will continue to close the gap and be a bridge for understanding with the horse traders. Huayong noticed the ingredient she added to his tea. When he comments about his lungs feeling better, she makes it clear she doesn’t want to owe him anything. She wants to weather storms with him but not be intimate. This is not what the prince wants to hear. I don’t think Empress Dowager is going to give up on having heirs so there will have to be some decisions made. Shulin is so tired of Minister Cui. He has shown up at her bath and blind date. He even invited himself to their kite flying. 🤣😂ShuLin has had enough but Cui reminds her he is using the examples she herself pulled on him. He has no other reference points on heart matters. 🤣😂 This is a valid point but she assures him that her actions were what NOT to do 🤣😂I don’t think for a minute he’s that obtuse. It is teasing her back for her carefree actions on him. I am not sure how he can have a relationship and keep her gender a secret, but if there is a way to accomplish it, Cui seems determined to find it. I respect his incentive and tenacity. Shulin has met her perfect match. 🤣😂Crown Prince is patting himself on the back after assisting XiHe find a solution for Cui’s replacement. He is all smiles til he is clutching his chest as the poison hurls pain through his system. There is so much he wants to do and so little unknown time left to him. Next episode seems he might be pushed hard for another wife and he is not happy with XiHe’s reaction. Hope just a preview mislead for reaction.🫣
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