Lil Kong

I empathize a lot with the 7th prince because he just seemed entirely overwhelmed while trying to step up for his family. He really did love his brothers and never once did he try to hurt anyone out of malice. Some people are simply not made for the chaotic eras.

I actually found it quite moving that his priority was to express love to his wife. That man really valued family more than the throne and losing his first born totally devastated him. Too bad his second son caught the Central-Plains-itis and got way too stabby.

So I rewatched the end of ep25 to make sure. 6th prince gave 7th prince three final commands: (1) is rely on minister Yuan for court matters, but elevate Hu Jingsi's status higher to placate him, (2) give 1st prince command of capital guards and Shuiqiu command of palace guards as counterbalance, and (3) arrange 9th prince's marriage.

Dialogue mentioned that the princes' father killed his own brothers to secure the throne. That was the advice that 6th prince got, but he was prevented from going through with it by Shuiqiu and the pirate queen. On his deathbed he would advise the 7th prince to give power to 1st prince in order to check the influence of Hu Jingsi.

The 7th prince did not follow that advice. That is the main difference: he didn't listen or learn. He thought that court intrigue and mind games were enough to secure his throne.

Imagine if Qian Hongzong killed Shuiqiu in front of all the ministers then slaughtered General Yang's family while the entire army is at the gates under his command. The Wuyue princes were also young but they can only aspire to that level of stupidity.

To add more context, Hu Jingsi knew that his position has been severely weakened because all ministers pledged their loyalty in court and none of the army commanders came to show their support that night. So if Qian Hongchu is hell bent on revenge, Hu Jingsi is somewhat at his mercy.

By drinking the "poison tea", Qian Hongchu showed that he knew Hu Jingsi did not want to kill him. But by mentioning Shuiqiu family, he also showed that it is not yet over. In a sense he offered Hu Jingsi a chance to submit to his judgment and ask for forgiveness.

Hu Jinsi is so powerful no sane ruler would risk destablizing the kingdom by attacking him directly. He just wanted to ride out the rest of his life as top official in the kingdom. When 7th prince tried murder him in the open, Hu Jinsi knows that he is dealing with either (A) a madman, (B) an idiot, or (C) both. Nobody is safe with one of those at the top... On the other hand 9th prince had shown that he can read the big picture and do what benefits the country. Plus Hu Jinsi actually likes how Hongchu uses military law to smash through problems. That is a mentality he understands and agrees with.

The killing of Shuiqiu was another case of Hu Jinsi's idiot son causing him problems. Because of that vague note, Hu Jinsi thought that 7th prince and Shuiqiu already had a plan in place to quell the coup. So just like with Dai Yun when 6th prince inherited the throne Hu Jinsi struck first.

In the court scene He Chengxun wanted desperately to save his own ass by passing the blame. Hu Jinsi was in a surprising pickle because the head was so shocking and Shuiqiu was 9th prince's mentor. By killing He Chengxun in court then visiting Hu Jinsi at his home, 9th prince showed that retribution for Shuiqiu is not in the cards because he values stability more than revenge.

Yeah I like the actress but Fei Fei's character has been disappointing. I am betting on denial due to being sheltered. Maybe if wheelchair woman really turns out to be her mom she would finally turn against her complete psycho of a father.

The body under the statue is Gao Feng's birth mom, probably Qu Meng.

The lady in wheelchair was almost certainly Hong Yue, the club madam. Everyone seemed to be afraid of her, including Boss Wu. She also seems to be the only one who knew about the statue.

My guess is that the woman in Gao Feng's dream was actually Hong Yue since she was wearing red. She and Qu Meng could have each had a baby at around the same time, and she was part of his early life.

An even wilder speculation: Qu Meng may have died in childbirth and her body was used by Hong Yue as a time bomb for her revenged plot. And if she was indeed the mastermind then her death scene must have been rich with meaning.

My guess is she leveraged some hidden evidence to buy safety for the showgirls and the children. So the names on the wall could have been a warning to Boss Wu to honour their deal.

I also find it strange that she wore the golden ball on her deathbed. She clearly loved Qu Meng, and it was such a harsh reminder of her role in exploiting the showgirls. Maybe it became a token of the struggle to reveal the truth, which she must now pass on to the children.

Can't wait to see the besties start working together and playing smarter!

Excellent show so far half way through. Some great reveals up to episode 9: