PeachBlossomGoddess

I would agree had she not drank from Jinqi's cup. That is incredibly intimate, tantamount to nuptial wine. A Freudian slip that speaks volumes that she is not opposed to Jinqi either. She just never dared to think he would make her his main wife. And of course being Scholar Han's main wife is vastly superior to being Jinqi's concubine. But that is not what's on the table at this point.

He was high on the orchid fragrance!

I am a terrible person I have no empathy. I laughed I thought Jinqi should suffer for what he did and I didn’t care that much who made him suffer. That said I am glad he went above Scholar Han’s head bc that opera singing duet is terrible imo - boring and noisy at the same time! Lanxiang can do better!

The emperor usurped the throne from his nephew. But Prince Han was trying to kill his own brother.

his mother is long suffering

Lan Xiang knew and she was ok to go along with it. She liked Scholar Han she had a lot in common with him. it is as Ashley Wilkes famously said in Gone with the Wind - Like must marry like. Lanxiang never had expectation of free will. She was raised to accept the marriage her parents chose for her.

I couldn’t agree more. No one asked Lanxiang.

Indeed that is true and two wrongs don’t make a right. bc Scholar Han did pretty much the same thing except he went to her parents and not the emperor. He never asked HER, and admitted he knew he was not in her heart, she was just going along with her parents wishes.The real issue is Lanxiang is a product of her times - she never had any expectation of free will in her marriage - be it as Shen Jialan or as Xu Lanxiang she defers to her elders in this matter. The only diffference is Jinqi went above her parents to the head of the country which in Confucian hierarchy holds the ultimate authority.

I don't mean memes about Jinqi though.

At the risk of sounding bat shit crazy - I laughed my head off at the decree and spanking scenes. I haven't laughed so hard in a long time. Everyone's faces - they were so funny I died! I have rewatched 2x already. I think Madam Qin stole the show but even Grandpa Lin's secret grimace was hilarious. Not to mention the fainting, the shock, the fake heart attack... They just took so damn long to do something about it that I was thinking what a pity poor Lin Jinqi's buns of steel are turned to mush right before his wedding night! He's going to need to work out for a long time to put Humpty Dumpty together again! Best scenes - so many memes are going to come out of this!

Grandpa is so well cast. They actually look related - the tall lanky bodies, the shape of their heads, the shape of their shoulders... I could see Jinqi aging into him.

She did drink from his cup. That was the Freudian slip that sealed her fate.

It differs by dynasty. Ming dynasty segregated men and women a lot more than previous dynasties. I think father has to command him to fetch the bride after obtaining the ancestor's blessings. He should be accompanied with his groomsmen. When he returns with the bride they will complete the rituals with the men and women together.

Furong's wig. I have no words.

Actually I am fine with it - as you said its how it worked.

Yes... indeed - I though mom did it too from her face!😅

And we know she totally sent a message to 3rd Sister for help - I thought she would faint with relief!!!

👏👏👏👏 Madam Qin's face....👏👏👏👏 OMG! Her acting!!! Faints!!!

Everyone followed their hearts. Everyone except Lanxiang. But all is fair in love and war, right?

I guess that would be in character.