Lela2004

Well she has to hold it together, not show her true emotions regarding family in front of family and not let her sadness take over. She has to wear a mask, where her emotions just shine through at times. She portrays that well imo.

What are you talking about, Li Ni, always. 😉 (Chen Hui is his best role, I think, but, obviously, not a positive hero)

It is a totally different story, if you ask me. Her family still sucks, though - with the same rare exceptions as in the drama.

Well, I’m not sure about the butterflies considering her alienation. I fear it might be as dreadful as the wedding decree announcement.

How isn’t everyone’s favorite Xu Kai character Li Ni? People, what’s wrong with y’all?!? 😉

Plus: she does not scheme her way out of it. I really wonder how they are going to explain that development… And she looks like she feels wronged for being prevented from marrying SML ?!?

I’m glad, though. I don’t care if a “natural look” is inauthentic for higher classes in ancient China, I’m so happy to see it. One of my greatest gripes with historic C-dramas is the intense use of make up. (Same with the European 18th century. I don’t know on what drugs these guys and girls with their white powdered hair and chalked faces were to find that attractive…)

My understanding is that - unfortunately - singing, dancing and sexual exploitation went hand in hand. I guess when you were an entertainer with any contact to men, the rationale was that “there is no virtue to protect”, and you couldn’t complain when exploited. In that case, there’s then simply no penalty for s. exploitation, so it is a given it will happen. (My guess).

For me it is clear he had the flashback because he saw the coin. But he could have had the flashback either way.

To me a courtesan has very special education (e.g. well read) and doesn’t just get rented by the night via a brothel (at least in the European context). But in any case I’d count that as prostitution, too.

Yeah, that is my take, too, and I love it!

Ah thanks! I guess I’ll have to rewatch all aired episodes asap for clarity, no way around it 😉

That is my question. I took his “you don’t recognize me” from earlier ep as he knows her. Then him seeing the coin in her hand means realizing she has not forgotten him (though she does not recognize him)
But if the coin made him recognize her, it could explain how despite the attraction he kept some emotional distance an could bring himself to use her, like almost pushing her in the arms of SML to get to talk to his father… (the jade token is a big thing, though, but ok, he needs to protect his “tool/blade”, she is valuable for his schemes )

I’m not sure what the truth is here, I hope it gets revealed.

I like that nobody even lifts an eyebrow about getting Ji’er, the “fallen woman”, back. I don’t know how realistic that is, scholar Han marrying a wife that cohabits with an ex-prostitute, no fear of reputational fall-out, but I would like to think the lower classes were a bit more pragmatic about it than the rules would brescribe.

That’s my take, too. What I’m wondering: did the “fall guy” actually give his life (the wounds bled, apparently), and if so, was it knowingly?

Thank you! I had missed that she had learned the boys name.

Today’s episodes were great, will rewatch as soon as I can.

One question ep14: she has the coin in her hand after dropping and picking it up again and she looks at him. He clearly knows who she is - he knew before. But does she know that he is that boy and dies she even know he is Shen Run? (I’m not ev n sure she knows the boy’s name was Shen Run). For if there was any clue, I missed it. (Must rewatch when I have some peace)

I cannot wait for ep13&14 today!!!!

Just read that it’ll be 1 ep per day going forward?!? Dang. I should have stuck to my plan to wait it all out and then binge. This is cruel.
And at the same time you guys link to clips from episodes later on, and I’m getting even more giddy. (No, don’t stop! I need those clips!)

Nooooooooooooooo!