Kateoz

Fei Jei wasn't killed, it was just a fake out - he was knocked out and captured by Bureau.

I don't think he's trying to make him doubt Wu Zhu - the serial killer case is more complex!

I agree that Fei Jei was trapped to stop him intervening (but no reason to think he would have been at the flower viewing in any case), and catching the serial killer at an inconvenient moment. But I really don't think this is about Shadow wanting to fight FX!

I can't see anything in the series that suggests this is a loyalty test for FX. Instead seems more like bolstering his image (that message to the merchants, etc) even further, so he can take over from CPP (abut whom Emperor clearly does have doubts re loyalty).

In the novel yes. The question is whether the series will follow exactly the same path.

not perfect but bad at all - better than the kisskh ones use I think

Shi gu jian is the Grand Master in DongYi - in season 1 he was blamed for death of Chancellor Lin's son, and I think they pinned something else on him this season (can't quite remember what) and someone asks if taking a GM's name in vain won't come back to bite, but FX replies that if he cared he would have made it clear long ago! And yes absolutely fabulous.

Thoughts on ep 29:
1. Although in novel this was CPP's test of Emperor, in this version, Emperor totally knew it was coming (it was set it up on his orders?) - making FX take the pots of flowers up was to allow him to familiarise himself with layout.
2. Presumably set up to give FX another chance to shine - and order to follow the assassin a chance to show off his talents publicly.
3. Having someone following DongYi GM's style suddenly appear helps clear FX of responsibility for Lin son's death, so takes away second prince/Princess Royal's leverage.
4. Fan Jian knows Emperor is a grand master - I don't think that total disregard for Emperor's safety was just out of panic for FX.
5. FX pretty much told the Emperor he knew 'in that I was abandoned in Danzhou - but we've made it up to you since you came to the capital' conversation (dammit I've been waiting for the Luke I am your father conversation since the two interrupted attempts by Emperor in season 1) .

What a fabulously action packed and plot heavy episode!

They've done that from the beginning of season 1 - I think it is kind of cool actually!

True. Except for Fan Jian...

Third Prince looking even less like Emperor material in ep 29 - either FX is going to have to be miracle worker in his mentoring, or they are going in a different direction to the novel.

Though that leap forward! Could since first prince going wow...

thank you - wonderful not to have to endure the torture of either waiting another day or watching with machine subs!

The late night flower raid was hilarious - I had a boss like that once! And its moments like these that make the Emperor look more human, even if is just to get the loot by one means or another!

Technically still incest even if a child is adopted and their is no blood relationship.

That's not what season 1 said. And in any case, whether they were formally married or not makes no real difference in terms of potential to be a prince as I understand it. The son of the Empress has precedence, but after that all are of lesser status, though rank of mother can make some difference in the stakes (but not a big issue since it is easy to elevate the notional status of the mother, even after her death!).

Got to love the 'invention' of treasury bonds, and the sales pitch presentation, complete with powerpoint slides in ep 26! Every scamming business scheme you've ever seen...

Yes but its the nominal mother or matriarch - technically all of the children of concubines were considered to be the children of the wife. Lady Liu's situation is odd because actual wife died, and so presumably no barrier to her becoming the matriarch, and she certainly has the social status for it, yet it hasn't formally happened.

Yes I thought that too - presumably that the emperor would grant such a favour to FX is one more nail in their 'he favors FX too much' what is going on list.

Yes except for the fact that the Emperor was trolling them both, and FJ knew it - summoned to say he could get married, not because he had breached Emperor's edict (and Emperor clearly knew everything that had been set up, hence the Eunuch waiting for them before they could even return to the city...).

And I think Emperor cares for him in his own way, its just a much tougher love approach (and yes, all his children are both his children and tools for the Empire!). Its worth rewatching that episode in season 1 where Emperor retreats to Taiping Villa after withdrawing the troops protecting FX, and wakes up suddenly in shock from a nap at the moment (so it seems) that FX is in most danger...

I agree its an oddity, especially as she doesn't seem to be aware of Fan Jian's relationship with the Emperor. I assume the reason is to protect FX's status as eldest son, and thus might have been ordered by the Emperor???