PeachBlossomGoddess

The CP escaped disguised as one of Lin Jinqi's drunk soldiers. The person onstage was a decoy.

In those times, everyone had "forced" marriages. No one had expectation of a love match - even Shen Jialan's and Lin Jinqi's initial engagement was arranged. So I don't have a problem with the concept itself I just think its not that realistic that the emperor would arrange such a match even if at Lin Jinqi's request.

She wakes up to find herself married.😅

I hear you - but the nutty Manyi basically spelled it out to her so...

At this point with all the big fuss over the orchids, I just find it unbelievable that she is oblivious to Jinqi's interest in her. Esp now that she knows Manyi targeted her like that. She is supposed to be smart.

Seems they are moving to the capital so no in laws. But her folks omg will they follow?

Ty - u had big fun with it too!

I am not taking about the guy in front but one of the ones at the back.

I believe what was said is that he is related to both princes so either way he wins. Which makes his actions even less understandable bc the rational thing to do is not choose sides. The only reason to choose Prince Han is if he agreed to make Manyi empress - but. No, Manyi is set on Jinqi!🤦🏻‍♀️Assassinating a CP is high treason, the kind that can get your family down to 9 clans executed by slow slicing. Hasta la vista Manyi!!!

I don’t think a marriage alliance with the Zhengs alone is enough to make the CP lose trust in the Marquis or Jinqi. Jinqi is simply not high enough in the food chain to be that important and his defiance against Old Master Zhao is well known. Beyond that until then the CP. was not aware of Duke Zheng’s alliance with Prince Han and now that he knows, he is still trusting Jinqi and Marquis Yuan to get him out of there. I do think it could have been a smokescreen to make the CP think he was on his side but then he really didn’t need to go to such lengths to compel Jinqi to choose his daughter. I just think this plot arc is not S tightly written as I would have liked.

The CP is the named heir so his ascent is a matter of when not if - unless he doesn’t live to ascend.

The emperor is on his last legs already hence the succession battle. And I am sure what he is doing is not hedgeable - it’s high treason he may even get Jinqi killed along with him.

Yups and that was what I was alluding to.

Play it slo-mo.

while he plots to assassinate said CP???? How does that make any sense on any level???🤦🏻‍♀️

That whole Duke Zheng plot is a dud. So the Duke wants a marriage alliance with Jinqi bc of his proximity to the CP

The whole Duke Zheng plot is a dud. So he wants to marry his daughter to Jinqi bc of his alliance with the crown prince and then

He couldn’t abandon their plan that is already in progress and Marquis Yuan is the host and the bridegroom he can’t leave to smuggle the CP out. It is also his duty to protect the Crown Prince and the alliances he has so painfully built up over the years. He did ask Marquis Yuan to ensure her safety and he knows well she is capable of rescuing herself.

Yips the real crown prince was one of the drunk dudes that went up his carriage. The fake one went on stage to perform.

He is a walking heart attack waiting to happen.