ep 34 review spoilers ahead

(I thought I did a review for this episode. here it is again)

1.Xio Xing (snake girl?) decides that she will make good on BQ's promise to help her one day. It will involve her son who has been sent to the human world.



2.Xnake girl makes the request, as expected. BQ will go to the mortal realm to be his teacher. As luck would have it he is the crown prince and son of (guess who) DH



3.YH goes as back up



4.Su Jin learns of this plan and hopes to use the sea princess to mess things up.



5.Li Jing continues to struggle with his life as his wife seems to have lost touch with reality, insisting that their son is so well behaved because he does not cry.



6.Xuan Nu wants to use a god to resurrect her kid she decides to use BQ's face and steal MY's body and kidnip A-Li

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ep 27 spoilers ahead

1.YH continues to linger somewhere between alive and dead; I mean physically he is alive and continues his duties but inside he is like a dead man.



2. Si Jin is able to gain entry into Xiwu palace (I guess these are the palaces occupied by the crown prince and his harem//) by telling YH that he could use the lamp to make a copy of Su Su by burning her belongings. Si Jin is only banned from entering the palace of beautiful youth and cannot go near A-Li.



3.YH begins burning Su Su's clothes, he plants some peach trees at her palace (palace of beautiful youth), and 300 years pas. Every day he and A-Li bow to the painting of Su Su. Monthly they visit the hut on the mountain. We learn that YH has explained to his son that one day his mother will return (presumably this is the copy he is making).



3.(I love FJ in red and I love her propensity to cause trouble. ) But this is probably the only time where I think I kind of wish she had behaved better. She steals the lamp that YH has carefully been taking care of. Her goal is innocent: she wants to help her aunt awaken MY (not unreasonable). Instead of asking like normal people, she takes it upon herself to steal it. This speaks again to her youth and impulsive behavior. The light goes out. And YH is enraged, believing first that Su Jin took it only to learn someone must have copied her appearance (guess who...?)--Her aunt forces her to return it--she doesn't get into trouble because of the importance of being on good terms with the fox tribe. However it sends YH back to square one in terms of depression.



4.YH is in a bad state. Crying. Very upset. Basically wants to die.



5.Meanwhile a monster tries to kill A-Li. A princess from the sea kingdom intervenes and saves him. She meets YH, whom she recognizes from the war with mermaid tribe as Hua Ye (worse undercover name ever)

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ep 37 summary spoilers! kind of boring episode

1. Xian Nu is imprisoned by the ghost lord. This line stays with me, 'In the 70000 years that we have been married I have never truly understood you'. I am not sure if this means that having seen her behavior around Bai Quian he finally understands her or if it emphasizes that he can never understand her. Either way, she is still his wife, and I think Li Jing is someone really unsuited to be a ruler because he does not seem to want to hurt other people intentionally. He seems to not be happy with the task of punishing her but he tells her that at the end of the day, he is ghost lord first and so he sends her to the Artic and await a day to be punished (he has to skin her and tear her limbs off, I think, is what Ye Hua requested).



2. Of course she is placed in a cell next to the eldest ghost prince. Of course they are going to collude together. Which also begs the question: how is it that two of the craziest people are placed so close together? Must be dumb luck. Or a writer who has new plot line he wants to write.



They are both so deluded. And so obsessed. Xian Nu and he are now filled with hate and thirst for revenge; she is willing to risk Li Jing's life if it means she can kill Bai Quian by working with Li Huan. I find these two characters extremely interesting, because members of the ghost tribe are so different from the rest of the tribes--they are much more human in their actions and resolve. And without a doubt more passionate.



3. Third prince explains to Yu Hua the history with Mo Yuan and his relationship with Si Yin in a way that has Ye Hua questioning if he is just a fill in for Mo Yuan (I think they may be the same person, but who knows).



4. Mio Qing (sea princess) is lectured by third prince and tells her to go home; she is wasting her time. It is obvious by her expression that she has become steadily disheartened since arriving. Which may be the first time someone in the show has actually wavered in who they love; everyone else seems to be so obsessed with one person. Of course I don't mind this. But it should be noted if that is in fact true. Maybe there is still hope for the sea princess if she can remove herself from Si Jin.



4. Some guy named Bi Feng confesses to Bai Quian (I like her character a lot but I get tired of the trope of 'every guy loves one girl' and vice versa) Bi Feng shouldn't confess since Ye Hua is pretty possessive. Anyways, we are treated to an awkward scene as Ye Hua interrupts and Bai Quian must reject him in a respectful manner in front of Ye Hua (who I imagine is seeking a confirmation of her feelings) and she hides behind etiquette and her clan, stating she has no choice but to marry Ye Hua.



--I can't help but notice, as I am sure anyone reading and watching can, that she loses her cool facade around Ye Hua and becomes clumsy and shy; it's cute--is it bad that I kind of want her to knock Ye Hua around for what he did to her eyes?--



5. For the billionth time Yu Hua tells Bai QUian he loves her and how he will never leave her. Perhaps residual PTSD froom her memories is making her reject him again and again and again. Perhaps the betrayal of others in the past is impacting her decision. It could be stubborness since she had no control in selecting her partner. Who knows. And now we have to deal with Yu Hua wondering if Bai Quian loves Mo Yuan or not.



6. 18th explains how everyone got drunk that night and Si Yin went missing with Mo Yuan. Who knows how to hold her drink better than anyone else....? Tell me WHY Ye Hua hasn't figured it out yet but he solved the mystery of XianNu so quickly? Come on writers!



7.Si Jin has a plan for the sea princess to follow--we can all bet it is nefarious.



8. I do feel for Bai Quian who has to endure the stares of her friends and family who are clearly suspecting their relationship to be romantic, something she is not ready to admit which makes her more defensive.

___

Overall I found this episode to be more of a 'tying lose ends' and 'setting the stage for more things' episode. It wasn't very interesting and merely granting closure on some things only to plant the seeds for new conflicts.



I won't lie was extremely sad there was no Dong Hua and Fenjiu in this episode. It isn't that I don't like the maine couple, I don't know why, I just like Dong Hua and Fenjiu more perhaps because of how unrealistic their pairing is while Bai Quian and Ye Hua seems far more practical/realistic. It should be noted that the interactions of Bai Quian and Ye Hua are more understated and subtle, a skill that is arguably much more difficult in writing and acting to pull off and make interesting. So i can respect the writing and acting. I also think that my adoration for Journey of Flower makes me more likely to like Fengiu although I might like Fengiu even more because of her mischief-making and reckless behavior.

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An Important Debate, Feelings are Now Confessed, and The Civil Exam

Spoilers Ahead1)We return to the family academy, and today's debate topic is the same topic facing the capital: Do you let the eldest heir inherit or the more worthy heir?.2)Gu Ting Ye believes that Prince Han who is older should inherit. Second Brother Sheng believes that the younger Prince Yan is more intelligent and more capable. First Brother Sheng uses history to support his selection of the elder brother since history is rampant with families fighting, but then Seond brother Sheng states there are plenty of instances when someone other than the eldest brought great success. Mo'er chimes in to agree with her brother, and naturally Rulan makes it personal and her answer is not as eloquent as Mo'er. Sixth Miss and Young Lord are called on to speak3)Yuan Ruo admits he wanted to listen to everyone else and is silent (this is a big part of is personality). Ming Lan states she is a girl so she doesn't care, it is unrelated to her. What follows is everyone in the class arguing. Pressure is put onto Ming Lan to answer. Yuan Ruo defends her, and Gu Ting Ye intervenes and mutters to Yuan Ruo he is creating problems for her by defending her and he urges him to trust that Ming Lan is more than capable4)Finally, Ming Lan is ordered to give an opinion b her teacher. She pses a questioin to Yuan Ruo and Gu. She asks them, if they had an accomplished concubine born son, would they let them inherit? Gu Ting Ye agrees yes, they should because ultimately it brings the family honor. Yuan Ruo disagrees because this path would insult the main line and shame the ancestors, but Gu Ting Ye says it would also shame the ancestors if they overlook the main heir. Gu Ting Ye tells Yuan Ruo he ignores human nature and isn't taking account that no great man would endure being overlooked in favor of an incapable person5)Gu Ting Ye tells him he hopes he is not reborn as a concubine born (LOL) but the teacher points out, what conclusion have you reached. She says she has no conclusion. She says if the concubine born is virtuous he will help the legitimate heir lead, and if the legitimate heir is capable, he will not be insecure. She says ultimately all that matters is being a normal citizen and serving the emperor. Argument won by Ming Lan. All are impressed (this whole exchange is important to the plot later6)Eldest brother is so impressed by this debate he reports it to their father. Later, as they leave class, they spy the personal servant of Yuan Ruo so the girls go back to the classroom to avoid another run in..But it is a setup. Yuan Ruo is waiting for her. He tells her no one is around and Ming Lan tries to leave but he stops her. Yuan Ruo explains that he just wants to know why she gave the brushes away. She explains that she gave it away in order to avoid provoking her sisters (but she said it in a more subtle way). She also gets mad at him for being obtuse, and says he will bring her trouble by paying attention to her. He basically confesses to her, and she tells him bascially that she understands that because of his talen they can't be together, and then she escapes. But Yuan Ruo is determined to have her in the future.7) Second Brother Sheng explains to his mother, later, that he is not afraid to fail because he will just rely on his connections (oh dear). Meanwhile, Yuan Ruo is smarter about giving gifts--he gifts a ton of things to Sheng family asking that the girls select something as a thank you, and this is how he is able to slip in another, nicer paint brush to her. Ming Lan gifts him with a knee warmer she personally made (awwwwww!).8)Elsewhere, Gu Ting Ye is served dinner by Miniang. She is all lovey dovey and this causes a lecture form Nanny who believes he should be relaxing in other ways. the next day....the exams begin!

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Round 1: Ming Lan v. House of Gu

Spoilers Ahead *The Morning After*1)GTY essentially tells the servants to ignore the rules (she must greet the in laws) because Mi'er was up late last night and this morning (presumably rolling around with him). Unfortunately, her older servants manage to get in and dress her up. The couple is affectionate like any newly wed, and she must go wage her first battle with the Gu clan2)Although her husband insists they paid respects already hence she shouldn't go, she argues otherwise: if she doesn't answer the summons then she appears unfilial towards her new elders, it reflects poorly on the Sheng family, and he appears like a rogue and unfilial to outsiders. He makes it clear he doesn't clear, so Ming Lan instead shifts gears and explains it is common practice the in laws to rile up a new bride. So GTY tells her what she should expect:a) His stepmother will NOT be the first to speak (fourth or fifth house will)b)Fourth Auntie enjoys bullying the weak and cowering before the strong and is short tempered-his stepmother will cue her to attackc)Expect the Gu family to never take responsibility and frame othersd)He does promise they will move out soon3)As expected, everything happened the way he told her. Though this is a wedding breakfast, the goal is to throw a woman onto Ming Lan (the day after she is married! it's incredibly rude!) who is threatening suicide--her her name is HongXiao and she claims that when GTY was younger, he kept her as a concubine of sorts. Further, Lady Qin (Evil MIL) says she freed her and gave her money to marry someone but she simply refuses (big eye roll). Ming Lan plays the stupid card and insists she cannot accept her without her husband's permission (though not actually true, she can hide behind timidness as a new wife entering a new role). Ming Lan comes out with a big card: she will kneel for a day. This way, the elders are the ones who look like they are bullying her (Ming Lan also reasons that they are going to keep attacking her no matter what so she should just 'fall off the horse' instead of waiting to be knocked off)(she also correctly surmises that since Lady Qin desires to appear kind, she must be anxious and trying to figure out how to stop her from kneeling)4)Fifth aunt is aware of how manipulative Lady Qin is and tries to explain it 4th Aunt but the latter seems confused, suggesting she isn't the brightest. 5)Lady Qin goes to 'resuce' Ming Lan from kneeling and respects the boundary that she is drawing (for now). Ming Lan continues to bow her head and suggests she should apologize but Lady Qin brushes it off. Afterwards, Ming Lan returns to GTY and vents her anger. Ming Lan compares Lady Qin to Concubine Lin. Lin she thought was fierce, but Lady Qin is evil and on a whole other level in her eyes. They then discuss how the inner court is like fighting wars, and he again tells her he will always have her back. 6)GTY explains that the emperor wants him to ease the transition from old to new hence he is staying here for a bit. Ming Lan mentions hat she finds Hongxiao pitiful and learns that this is also a framing incident and it was a cousin who forced them self upon her. Framed, he let her into his room because he had no choice. She then tells him that he can have a concubine as long as she is nice and they can live in harmony, which clearly makes him angry, but he lets it go (perhaps thinking I will be patient and she will fall in love). Then he takes her out to see the sights....7)Lady Qin, spends the evening discussing the days events with her personal maid. We learn that fourth auntie (the loud one) now feels like she was used to do the dirty work of Madame Qin. Fifth auntie seemed to say nothing, which angers her because they acknowledge that the fifth aunt is clever and watches the fire burn from the side. Madame Qin calls her a 'white wolf' and angrily states that anyone who framed GTY will have to side with her because he won't forgive them.8)Basically the next day GTY announces he is moving next door, to his own manor, because the emperor gave him a house. The family insists it would be unfilial but he critizies the elders for bullying his wife and making her kneel not even 3 days after the wedding (shocking the men present). Lady Qin blames it on Hongxiao, the uncles then blame it all on GTY. Who then pushes it back on them for lying, and so Lady Qin intercedes as the 'savior' and says just let him go.....9)The Hongxiao issue resolved: Mi'er will find a family for her. Then they ask; how did we get on her anyways? GTY loudly (almost stupidly) asks: yeah who brought her up (LOL). GTY also is now using public opinion and gossip to help put a little fear in his enemies....(I love watching them trade words its like watching arrows going back and forth).10)The Marquis (elder brother) reflects on how the aunts and Lady qin will try to torment them, and he explains that GTY will be the new Marquis--his wife basically says she loves him even without his title and money please don't die--she is being sincere these two really love one another--but it is now becoming evident that the elder brother's long time struggle isn't just his personal issues with GTY (relating to the death of his mother) but extends to the entire clan11)GTY shows Ming Lan their giant new home (it puts her childhood home to shame in terms of size, although we really don't see as much of it film wise) and he explains he needed a place worthy of her (aww) and she explains she doesn't know if she can manage it but he explains if you don't want to do it let others just be my wife (LOL) and she then counters that this basically isn't fair because it will make him look bad and again he tells her who cares12)The episode ends with her returning o visit her grandmother

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Ming Lan the Steward

Spoilers AheadThis episode is interesting because it really stands out as an episode in which Ming Learns how to do things on her own, in this case managing a house hold. Most of my points are analysis of conversations hence it may not be very helpful because I lack the patience to transcribe the script.1) Ming Lan is made steward of the house (an extremely unconventional thing when there are two adult mothers in the house) in response to both Big Madame and Concubine Lin unable to do it (Concubine Lin was shown incapable in the past and Big Madame has made illegal loans). Although the task is difficult, it will give Ming Lan an opportunity to learn how to manage a house hold within the protection of a family and she is a neutral choice.2)While setting up, gifts are delivered from the other pavilions, a standard form of etiquette, and Mo'er chooses to send a maternal painting. As this is the second time I am watching this, the initial meaning flew past me because it is a small moment, but Ming Lan insists that the painting be hung up beside the one her mother gifted her so she 'never forgets'. I am presuming that Mo'er's gift is meant to be a challenge/insult because not only does Ming Lan not have a living mother but the Lin pavilion is responsible for her death. I could be reading to much into it.3)While waiting to greet grandmother, Ming Lan's claws come out more, and she chooses to respond to the direct insults of Mo'er in a manner that leaves Mo'er unable to respond. Later, she successfully puts the 'fire' out by pandering to Mo'er in a way that makes her believe that Ming Lan is treating her genuinely--in a way she is because her words ring with honesty and by being direct she does not insult Mo'er's intelligence, however Mo'er does not seem to realize that Ming Lan has pacified her anger/jealousy. It is an interesting scene.4)Following point 3 (above) Mo'er discusses the promotion of Ming Lan with her mother. Mo'er pacifies her mother's anger by explaining that this is merely a response to the incidents involving her and Big Madame and is temporary. She also reports that she is confident that Ming Lan has moved past the incident of her birth mother.5)The battle to regain the affections of Master Sheng begins for Concubine Lin. Watching these two together, with him appearing untouched by her tearful words, it is clearly the silent treatment, however Concubine Lin clearly uses the same tactics to attempt to melt his heart. For these two, it is a game of whoever can hold out longer, and in the case of Master Sheng, he will always lose because he never addresses the issue head on--silent treatment is an evasive maneuver for those who are more passive. Compare her tactics to Big Madame, and the truth is in the pudding, you earn more with honey than you do vinegar. Concubine Lin is able to get what she wants in the span of brewing tea: she is able to have some servants sent to Ming Lan to help her out AND she makes it look like it is Second Brother's idea. 6)Ming Lan will graciously receive these servants first from Concubine Lin, er, I mean brother Feng, and Big Madame. These are spies of course. But in accepting them, she will be able to figure out on her own how to get rid of unwanted servants/spies in the house in a way that doesn't offend others. It's a delicate matter.7)Ciui, the servant sent with Ming Lan by Big Madame, establishes hard line rules in the beginning and is both firm and fair as she communicates how to behave--she also treats everyone equally. She lays out expectations. Currently Concubine Lin is unaware of how involved--and smart--Ming Lan is in organizing the current tactics she believes it is Old Madame, which is great for Ming Lan. one of the best tactics is being underestimated by your enemy, right? 8)Later, Hua'er stops in for a visit and Ming Lan meets Brother He, a doctor and provincial cousin VERY distantly connected through the clan. He is both nice and attentive, and the two seem to get along well after some initial awkwardness (it is also unusual for people to leave an unmarried daughter alone with a man but they only step into the next room).....this is a good example of small talk and developing a connection after overcoming awkwardness9)What sparks dialogue between the two is the topic of his clinic, and Ming Lan realizes he is a very good doctor because he can tell just by looking at her that she drinks cold wine at night. Could he be a prospective marriage partner.....

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Ming Lan....married to Yuan Ruo?

SPOILERS! After the funeral of his father, GTY has a heart to heart with Eldest Brother Sheng. Elder brother tells GTY that he will be getting married in two months. GTY decides not to go in order to avoid creating any rumors and instead leaves immediately with Rong'er to find his son. The episode then shifts to Yuan Ruo who celebrates his mother's birthday and introduces a new food to the family--stir fry--it's all the rage. Unfortunately, Yuan Ruo chooses a day that should be, well, all about his mother to present to her his request to marry Sheng Ming Lan. I felt very bad for his mother and him, because she was uneasy the moment he mentioned marriage--she will have to be the bad guy--because she knows that her son can't marry just anybody. Marrying Ming Lan as a first wife is simply a fairy tale thing, not a reality. The consequences would extend far beyond humiliating his parents--it could humiliate even the royal family since she is after all a princess. I think it is extremely unfair, and I feel for Yuan Ruo, but I think this episode shows that he is used to getting what he wants because he seems to have a sincere belief that his parents would consent. It is incredibly naive of him to believe his mother when she agrees to go offer for her (come on we know she marries GTY so its obvious his mother is not going to propose). Ming Lan receives the message that his mother will support the marriage in secret. Her grandmother is not pleased and wants to stop any hint of gossip. Her grandmother seems angry with Yuan Ruo telling her this thing because it will be disastrous for Ming Lan's reputation. Her grandmother confronts her about this and makes it clear that she needs to think about her future--she reminds her of the facts that their difference in status is huge. If they marry, she will be miserable because of his mother, and her grandmother is confident he cannot protect her. I.e. she wants her to think about being happy, not about love. Elsewhere, Gu Ting ye saves the life of an important group of men who essentially become his best friends much later on (its the emperor, Prince Huan, and general Shen)(they never really explain how he learns to fight so well but I presume they are taking into account the fact that he is from a military family so its ...natural?)

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Painful: A father dies and a Monster is revealed

Spoilers AheadThis episode is one of those major transitional episodes because a big enough event happens that causes life changing choices to occur. After the mistress of Gu Ting Ye ruins engagement after engagement with her theatrics, Ming Lan meets her and concludes based on her evidence (or in this case performance) that she has a bad personality. She tries to tell Gu Ting Ye this and it triggers an argument before he storms off. Later, Gu Ting Ye has a heated argument with his father in which he basically confronts him about his mother, her treatment and death, and his father is extremely defensive, refusing to admit any responsibility and instead shifts blame by focusing on Gu Ting Ye's behavior (incidentally, this episode actually highlights how similar these two are in terms of temperament). His father suddenly coughs up blood (I am not sure what could have caused this) and Gu Ting Ye naturally panics and runs to his stepmother, who sends him away to get an imperial physician. GTY returns and no one will let him inside to see his father. his elder brother goes so far as to fist fight him in front of the house, and after his father is dead is he allowed to see him--this is a pivotal moment because it allows Gu Ting ye to see his stepmother for what she really is (an evil witch) and helps give him the final push he needs to abandon this Gu family of his. It's so painful to watch because he is clearly wracked with guilt, and he must contend with the entire Gu clan throwing false accusations at him including his mother making up lies about what actually happened. He realizes that the end game for everyone has been to expel him from the family. GTY tells his stepmother directly that she disgusts him before leaving. The eldest Sheng son goes to see him and keep him company. This is just awful, because everyone who has hurt him feels justified for doing what they do: his stepmother just wants the best for her son, his eldest brother wants to help his mother rest easy knowing that the son of the woman who (in a way) resulted in her death is not having an easy time, and his family all disdain him for being born from a low class woman.

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The Empress Bows Her Head

Spoilers Ahead1)Empress Dowager takes the initiative in punishing Consort Zhou for her actions. 50 slaps to the face. The General attempts to intervene but the eunuch falls, and accuses him of interfering with justice. Later, he reports to the Dowager and informs her that the Shen house acted as predicted.2)The court wants blood. The emperor was the matchmaker for General Shen, hence he bears responsibility. General Shen allowing his household to act this way reflects poorly on the crown. The empress believes that Duke Ying will see this through because it involves his only child. ..3)Ming Lan meets with her friend, Madame Shen, Ming Lan tries to assess the situation with the general (her husband). Madame Shen explains she has turned her husband away and she praised the empress dowager for personally visiting her. Ming Lan now sees where this plot is coming from.4)Ming Lan visits the empress. Only after all the ladies who have come to fawn leave does she (the empress) delay Ming Lan under the pretext of asking about her pregnancy and she asks Ming Lan what she thinks. Ming Lan is frank. After they discuss the salt issue (and she learns her husband almost died for the first time) she explains she would protect her husband no matter what (see where this is headed now....?) The empress afraid that they will lose the support of the Duke of Ying to the empress dowager. The purpose of the marriage with the general was to merge with old subjects. So Ming Lan tells her what she thinks: she tells her a story of the three kingdom period in which in which a subject punished themselves to show loyalty and to basically undermine the enemy. (she is telling the empress she needs to bow her head and take the blame). 5)The empress makes a difficult choice. She takes a crown of hers and takes an enormous pear off of it. She She has it sent to the Ducal Zhang family in order to apologize to them for sending Consort Zhou to the General's House, leading to him favoing her. Then she removes everything so that she is only wearing a white robe, and walks by everyone (servants) in this garb (it is humiliating when you think about it) to beg forgiveness as she was the matchmaker. Her hair is even unbound, which is a huge deal....6)The Emperor is listening to the prime minister update him on the latest of empress dowager's work. They are trying to figure out a soution in the face of her attacks, because he must do something in order to avoid appearing biased--and that is when the empress appears, head bowed, begging publicly for forgiveness not as an empress but as a member of the shen clan; she is apologizing on behalf of her kin..7)In her apology, the empress states she has failed the state her family and the teachings of dowager empress. the emperor helps her to her feet and says 'you are my empress' and 'your mistake is my mistake' and tells her that together they will beg the empress dowager for forgiveness (it is great because the empress has to forgive them now this kind of behavior is unprecedented)(in destroying her pride the empress has won this round and the empress dowager must forgive them)..8)General Shen loses a year's salary and will be confined for a brief amount of time in his home to reflect. His Consort is sentenced by empress dowager to be slapped 50 more times (her face is already tore up) and to be forced to live her remaining days in a simple room. Her brother is to be caned 30 days and pay the Duke of Ying 10,000 taels which will be promptly handed over to the daughter. Her other brother is to be exiled for a separate crime. (bye bye consort)(this is called getting off light I don't know what they were thinking).9)The daughter of Duke Ying is lucky. Her parents have a plan: she could go live in a convent for a bit and when this has died down return, if she doesn't want to go back. MW Consort Zhou is dragged away in front of her surviving sister on the same day that a party is being held to showcase the shen couple as 'together' Ming Lan takes care of this issue for her friend quietly and explains that while this is unfortunate, at least her family and children can still have a future..10)Ming Lan lectures the general like Momo Kang. She spells out his mistakes: 1)You favored Zhou too much as she was your wife's sister 2)You took her in as a concubine 3)As a result of all of this, not even the empress can scold her because of the service her sister provided . Ming Lan reminds the younger sister of the general to think about how this incident if not contained would have destroyed so many lives. This is the best result.

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Ming Lan Uses An Actual Sword to Protect a Friend in Labor

SPOILERS AHEAD1)The Big Madame Sheng is thoroughly humiliated by Old Madame for ignoring her repeated requests to a)stop helping Auntie Kang and b)allowing her to visit. She is commanded to kneel all day, in front of the servants. This is humiliating because she is the head of the house. 2)The Evil MIL considers what steps to take next since Auntie Kan has proven useless. Her servant explains that Ming Lan is a formidable opponent. So Evil MIL says at this point there are only two choices: a)utterly destroy the enemy or b)choose her own path (I think that may imply she herself dies). She explains that her husband loved her elder sister the most, even though she wasn't that great, but he still let her die to save the family. She states that no matter how great a person is, how virtuous and kind, in the end people will love who they love (i.e. he never loved me) and he was only so easy to manipulate because her sister died. She says that seeing how passionate Gu Ting Ye is reminds her of the old master and her sister. She decides to kill Ming Lan in order to cripple Gu because at this point she no longer cares necessarily about winning. 3)Evil MIL breaks down in tears, making her more empathetic, because it seems that the only thing she has ever had is her son, and so she essentially wants him to have the world (let us not forget that people who do bad things often rationalize their crimes)4)Meanwhile, Big Madame Sheng sobs in the arms of Hua'er and complains that in the end it is always her suffering. She can't help but go to her sister because her sister at least validates her. But Hua'er tells her that Auntie Kang is evil and that Old Madam is just thinking of her and the family--her sister never does anything for them and only hurts others. Plus, Ming Lan is a good person they don't Auntie Kang to receive help from Ming Lan5)The Wang family comes to visit, but Ming Lan leaves suddenly because her friend the wife of General Weibei is going through child birth. She gets there immediately, While she heads over there, her husband lectures her for sneaking in a daughter of his as a concubine secretly and her son even begs her to stop these games (this is important) but Auntie Kang is unrepentant and defends herself, saying she does it all for the family6)Ming Lan arrives and sees that the household is without anyone in control. She sends someone to go fetch back the general and the Duke and Duchess (the parents of the woman in labor//the duke is also a general). they then learn that the imperial physician is detained by consort Lancao and they are saying he has gone (seems awfully familiar)......7)Ming Lan supports this woman (can you believe we didn't have pain numbers until the 19th century for birthing?!). We learn that she is in premature labor after an altercation with the consort. It has turned the baby sideways. Now I am not a doctor, but that isn't at all right (they will probably need to use forceps or just yank it out, an incredibly painful thing to experience and dangerous). Ming Lan is does not buy the lies that the doctor is gone. So she takes matters into her own hands. She grabs a sword and prepares to do battle..8)Now what she is doing is extremely risky. She brings a bunch of servants with her to get the doctor. The consort and her brother appear to say they sent him home. She has the courtyard searched and holds a sword to the consorts throat. they find the doctor and bring him back. because she is followed by the brother in law of the consort, she cuts him and angrily tells him she saw this trick before and won't see a repeat9)Ming Lan is such a bad ass. She guards the door with her sword into the dark hours. The general is lectured by the duchess who accuses him of not properly protecting her daughter from sinister thoughts (the daughter is special because she is their only child and she had her late in life--hence they will do anything for her). The duchess is so grateful to Ming Lan she insists she call her auntie.10)The general is quiet, head bowed in the face of these angry women (it is a little funny because he fights battles) and in typical male fashion is useless when it comes to that critical time--he just paces back and forth helplessly while listening to the sound of his dying wife. The duke/general arrives and collapses, both believing she is about to die.....and then they hear a baby's cries----she survives..11)The Duke, with his wife by his side, calmly tells the General that he must get rid of his consort (but this is no easy thing, Lady Zhou's older sister died for the empress). So then he asks for an amicable separation and reminds him that his daughter did not have to marry him and they could easily have her remarried. he refuses to separate, so they take their daughter and leave......

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A Cat Fight

Big Madame seems to have given up on persuading her daughter, who is just as stubborn as her. Rulan explains she has no interest in marrying the count because 1)she has seen her older sister have problems in her marital house 2)it would be hard for anyone, and she even might feel bad for Ming Lan because as an illegitimate daughter she will be at the mercy of her relatives. ---Ming Lan continues to give gifts from the Marquis house to everyone. Mo'er is throwing a tantrum and rudely rejects them (this feels like a set up to me, Ming Lan KNOWS Mo'er wants to marry this guy). Worse, Ming Lan's servant triggers Mo'er where she is most vulnerable, by basically saying that no matter what Mo'er does she will never be like Ming Lan who has a great character and dignity (remember, Mo'er has this big inferiority complex)--Mo'er then runs to confront Ming Lan IRONICALLY she accuses Ming Lan of lacking virtue and being in danger of dragging the family down--Ming Lan is defensive and then Mo'er FREAKS OUT and gets into a fight and tries to CUT HER FACE--this is the scene Big Madame walks into.......Ming Lan indeed has a cut on her face--Concubine Lin comes in, and then Mo'er becomes the victim and even accuses Ming Lan of starting this fight and hitting her first!!Old Madame intervenes and Mo'er thinks she is off but she is about to be interrogated...Master Sheng is brought in to sit in on this interrogation....and so Mo'er changes her story AGAIN and now says she didn't realize what she was doing. Ming Lan says she believes that this is in retaliation for offending her at the Jiju match. She reports she threw mud at her at the Jiju match....but it was all to protect her reputation....and Mo'er confirms that Ming Lan did it on purpose (confirming it happened), so then Ming Lan says it was because she was about to attend a man gathering.....Ming Lan did it for the family! CONCLUSION: Ming Lan was smart in framing her argument because instead of defending herself she instead appeals to her father placing reputation above all else---Ming Lan wins this match

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Gu Ting Ye Returns Home!! Master He is OUT

Spoilers ahead1)Yuan Ruo receives permission from his parents to propose marriage to Ming Lan after he passes his exam 2)In his typical sarcastic form, Gu Ting Ye apologizes to his stepmother (who feigns a convincing show of concern) for returning not just well, but successful 3)Elder brother accuses him of returning simply to brag but Gu flips that around and accuses them of hiding to avoid being caught up in power struggle 4)Further, Gu Ting Ye announces that one day he will be the Marquis (revenge!) and scolds them soundly (how do they keep up this act of not apologizing to him? I just couldn't do it) THEN insists he will take the spear that he said he would come back for away before leaving.....after all, he has soldiers with him LOL 5)Gu Ting Ye stops by to visit Young Master Sheng and catch up an this is how we learn that he is now the most eligible bachelor in the city 6)This is where he learns that Sixth Miss is contemplating marrying the young son of the He family (what an easy life she will have if she marries him) and this is where he very vaguely alludes to a problem that the He master might have (but it is so vague I only notice after rewatching this episode) 7)Gu Ting Ye goes off to do some battle 8)Master He runs into a mysterious woman, a cousin, who begs him to let her be his concubine because she is all alone (He is so easily swayed b his natural care for others....) Ming Lan catches them and this is how we learn she refuses to tolerate a concubine like this because it would just be an unfair scenario with problems galore because it would insult his cousin to be only his concubine--she is giving him some time to think it over--8)she runs into Rulan who appears to have been secretly talking to a young man......

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Mo'er's Secret Romance Exposed

Spoilers Ahead1)Our episode opens up with Mo'er and Liang Chu (the Count's Sixth Son) embracing one another in their love nest. She casually mentions the issue of marriage, and he tells her that he can't approach his mother right now. This triggers an argument as she insists that if the news gets out, she is ruined, and he will be scolded. She has given him everything, and if he won't marry her she should die (it's clearly an act).2)The door bursts open and her father comes in and all her father can do is scream (I think my father would do the same). Liang Chu is shocked and can only say 'Sheng' and her father tells her she has ruined the family--he runs out after issuing orders for her to be bound. Later, Concubine Lin comes to the main hall and pleads on the behalf of her daughter who just got 'caught up in the moment' (?? in this time a well bred girl does not get 'caught up in the moment' and have sex. the jiju tournament with Yuan Ruo is a better example of 'caught up in the moment' and look at what that did)3)After her tricks don't work (she fake faints) Concubine Lin continues to make excuses. Her father wants to kill Mo'er and cannot even look at Concubine Lin. Big Madame simply stares ahead and is silent. The arrival of her son is the last line these two have as Master Sheng says he will not kill them because his son still needs to study (this matter is still a secret at this point) but the real thing saving these two is the fact that no one outside the family knows.4)Big Madame is celebrating her victory when her eldest daugter Hu'er arrives in a panic because the entire city is gossiping about the Fourth Miss Sheng slipping in the temple and being caught by Liang Chu and that it is a huge scandal. Big Madame's joy quickly changes to horror--even though it isn't the truth, this is more than enough to ruin their family. 5)Elsewhere, Old Madame takes medicine and listens to her son who apologizes. She casually says she is fine, she just got so sick she coughed up blood. She points out the facts: Hu'er is in a panic, Rulan wants to kill herself one minute, the next she wants to commit murder. How can a son who is so careful get so schemed by his wife. He always forigves her, defends her, accepts her excuses of being 'muddled' but how can he not do something about her when these mistakes have piled up over the years. Mo'er she says should have been a good girl but she was raised Concubine Lin and so she values gain and greed and will do anything for it. How could he have forgotten that it was only last year he got locked up in the palace--what if this matter gets out?6)Concubine Lin has a BLOW OUT confrontation with Sheng, because she lets slip the fact that she knows about the city gossiping about Mo'er slipping and being caught--something she should not know. Master Sheng is in tears and horrified at how she can turn her daughter, for all intents and purposes, into a slut (this is the word usually used in dramas) for the sake of a title and riches--never mind that she will have a difficult life being concubine born--although Concubine Lin refutes this and says that though Hu'er has problems it's because she has 'no measures'. This leads to her essentially telling him that it was okay for her, why not her daughter (i.e. you and I had a similar story) and then the light bulb goes off in his head and he confronts her--did you manipulate me? do you not love me? was I a plot?--she doesn't know what to say, and says she will be whatever he wants her to be, so he slaps her--and she just laughs and tells him that he has no choice but to make sure Mo'er is married because if not the whole family will go down.7)Alone in her room with Hu'er, Big Madame is so upset but also sad. She learns from Hu'er--after seeing she is upset--that her mother in law took her son away, hired poor servants to watch him, and the kid was crawling and knocked a smoke pan over. He wasn't burned, but her daughter, who was visiting, saw this and intervened, and in doing so her hands are now covered in blistered :/ 8)For the sake of her children, Big Madame bows her head to visit Madame Wu. It is extremely humiliating because Madame Wu was never interested in Mo'er, and this Mo'er has basically broken every rule. Madame Wu poses a compromise: give me Ming Lan as the legitimate wife and Mo'er can be the concubine (NIGHTMARE)9)Old Madame is ENRAGED. She screams at Big Madame and and Master Sheng, insisting this is retribution. She carefully raised Ming Lan and now she has to be wasted because of Mo'er? The sixth son is worse than that loafer Gu she states, but unfortunately there is nothing that can be done. Ming Lan overhears this and says she doesn't need to marry--which is ignored by everyone, because even if she doesn't marry, what about Rulan and the rest of the family? 10)Mo'er has a confrontation with Hu'er who comes to deliver food--she learns that Madame Wu rejected Big Madame and that they are considering tossing her out into the streets--but Mo'er insists that Old Madame will go. This triggers Hu'er, asking her if she has no shame, and Mo'er defends herself, explaining that this is to ensure she has a stable future, but someone who has everything handed to her wouldn't understand11)Ultimately Old Madame goes, begs Madame Wu, and they agree to marriage. Mo'er is overjoyed. And runs to see her mother. The episode ends with her out loud stating that Rulan can now eat her words, Mo'er believes tht everyone must admire her since she will be the legitimate wife and does not listen to her sister-in-laws words that she is basically entering a wolve's den--so she stops and just wishes her well.

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Summary & Spoilers

Prince (Yi?) and his entire family is killed, and Princess Pianing is next on the chopping block but she pretends to be mad, causing her to be thrown into the streets so others can watch her humiliating spectacle. Ming'er slips outside disguised as a male servant. She tells Qungyun, the servant helping her, that if she survives she will never forget this favor.Elsewhere, The emperor is panicked, and decides to name Prince Zhou his heir, after all he is nearby. He makes a message, and has a military seal, and needs someone to deliver it. A 13year old maidservant volunteers, even though the chances of her succeeding are extremely low, because she wants to repay the emperor for not reporting a mistake of hers in the past. The empress has to basically beg before a servant comes forward to volunteer. Meanwhile the palace gates to the emperor's main palace are destroyed, servants are cut down and soldiers arrive. The Empress tries to stop them but they burst into the Emperor's chambers. Elsewhere Ming'er manages to sneak out by crawling through tall grass; this is how she runs into the palace maid. She learns of the message and together they sneak out. he general is able to learn of the truth after intimidating a male servant and men are sent after the maid. Ming'er learns that the destination is to get to Prince Zhou and over to Yuzhou. The maid has not left the palace and does not know where to go, and Ming'er realizes she is not as helpful because she is always riding in a carriage and doesn't pay attention that much to where it goes. The girls are nearly killed but unfortunately the maid suffers a fatal cut to the neck. She hands the decree to Ming'er to continue on alone. Ming'er is clearly not sure what to do but chooses to jump onto a cart and make a run for it on the cart (she steals it). Because she goes so fast, and destroys cars on the way, meaning there are little barriers slowing the men down behind her, she is able to make it out of the city and into the woods. But her luck can only get her so far and they eventually overtake her. Fortunately for her, Gu is nearby as he is escorting the Prince. She panics and tries to use a stick to protect herself and screams for help (her fear is real) and the soldiers think it is a funny and laugh at her pitiful fight, but she scratches a soldier's face out and runs into the woods. There is a sword at her neck....and then he dies....All the men are killed and it takes a moment for Ming'er to realize that the person killing everyone is someone who is on her size and someone she knows.She wants him to take her to Prince Zhou, and Gu points on the hill, 'he's up there'. (she breaks down into tears when she realizes its him). After delivering the seal, Prince Zhou is terrified and doesn't want it--for obvious reasons--but ultimately he is convinced to go into the city. Gu promises Ming'er he will light one fire work if they fail and two if they succeed....so stay put.This is also the first time that he clearly makes a statement that strongly implies (to the audience) that he will marry her although it is said to her in an ambiguous way--he tells her that he knows who her husband will be--(I also think it is extremely telling that he delays immediately going to the palace and actually tends to her injury AND leads his sidekick behind to guard her).They are able to take advantage of the confusion by posing as re-enforcements for Prince Yan (Prince Zhou disguises as a minister) and they bust in, killing left and right.The emperor is refusing to sign the conferment decree to Prince Yan. He tells him he has Zhao on the way and Prince Yan plans to write a fake decree--the enemy soldiers bust in and Prince Yan tries to use the emperor as a hostage however Prince Yan is immediately killed by Gu's arrow. The enemy soldiers are cut down very quickly and the emperor is happy with the results. At the end of it all Gu gets an apology from the emperor for failing him over a joke and he swears to always serve the Zhou family. Gu shoots off two fireworks. We also learn Gu allows the maid to take credit for everything in order to protect the reputation of Ming'er.

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