PeachBlossomGoddess

Happy to help!😅

Indeed she will turn the family upside down if they let her in - 加入了，然后连锅端!
That said, I think she doesn't have many outlets for her ambition. This was Ming dynasty - unlike Tang there was no real room for female officials to shine. Her only option was to marry up. The problem is of course the Lins don't want to marry down.

I think they are all on to her but her bro saved Jinqi's life. And Ms Du neatly managed to shift blame on the maid. So they can't do anything about her for now.

Poor Jinqi - first he marries a woman who keeps him firmly at arm's length. Then he helps out another that can't wait to marry him! He can't win.

I made a discussion post on it.
https://mydramalist.com/754367-the-story-of-xiang-lan/discussions/155236-ep-11-what-s-in-a-name-cuique-word-play

Ji'er had brought Jinqi tea and ended up being his spy. He was looking for spies, that's why he sent his man to ask for the tea urgently. Lanxiang knew how that movie ended and declined to be his spy (didn't drink the tea). But she didn't say no outright, she just said - this servant is here to serve their master.

Yeah that made me really uncomfortable. I am a Buddhist and I really do not want to have such unholy thoughts about monks.

Indeed, it would work out well for them if Cuique marries Jinqi and Du Zheng marries Xiuwan. One big happy family. They are sad orphans just looking for a family and home together. The violins play so softly...

That was a masterclass in restraint and cold fury behind a smile. I could literally see her mentally strangling the pesticide Cuique.

She is adorable but I don't have high hopes for her survival. Smh.

Ep 11 - I shared above in a Discussion post the significance of the blue flower/delphinium ornament and the word play on Cuique's name:
https://mydramalist.com/754367-the-story-of-xiang-lan/discussions/155236-ep-11-what-s-in-a-name-cuique-word-play

He played Zhou Ye's lover in Word of Honor.

Yes I would point both fingers at the person who stirred the pot.

Btw the emperor is Zhu Di formerly Prince Yan and this is the historical background to the succession struggle during his ascent:
https://mydramalist.com/691821-brotherhood-of-blades-shadow-of-mountain-and-river/discussions/92341-historical-background

This drama claims to not be based on any historical figure or dynasty most likely because Zhu Di did purge his court of officials loyal to his nephew early in his ascent but not many years later as described in this drama so this drama's plot setting distorts history.

All the Shen men already had to endure death by slow slicing.

Sigh! Still has terrible taste in men!😅🤡🤷🏻‍♀️

No worries - yes I am native Chinese but even then, sometimes I miss the word plays but happy to share when I get them.😅

She reincarnated here.

I like that the FL survives on her own wits and so far, has not needed to be rescued so far.

Lots of good learning apps nowadays make it a lot easier. But you still have to clear up enough time to intense deep dive memorizing the first 2000-3000 characters...

Its well hinted - her name Cuique 翠雀 or delphinium is a poisonous flower. Not to mention no sane person would ever name their daughter after a poisonous flower! No wonder she ain't married omg!