A girl’s journey of being a court lady.
Notable Actors/Actresses
→ Lu Qi is actually happy he didn’t get to marry Princess Xin Nan. As long he doesn’t have a wife, he can be with Fu Yin. Notable Actors/Actresses
Xu Kai: Sheng Chu Mu
Li Yi Tong: Fu Rou
Tan Jian Ci: Prince Zhou
Fan Shi Qi: Sheng Chu Ling
Wu Jia Yi: Princess Xin Nan
Director:
Producer
Chinese Title
驪歌行
[Ep1] Fu Rou is the second daughter of Fu Family and a daughter of a concubine. She has had numerous noble men ask for her hand but all have been rejected (by her family). The one man who got her hand is a cheat, a gambler, a drunkard, and the list goes on. Once her carriage arrives at her groom's, the doors are shut. A medical tent is set up and Fu Rou is asked to do a virginity examination right there in the public’s eyes (albeit in a tent). Fu Rou graciously agrees. Results are out. She’s a virgin! Chaste! Marriage proceed – nope. Fu Rou throws down her fan; her face visible to the crowd. The men in the vicinity suffer a heart attack from her beauty. Then she runs to the hardest object determined to end her life. 
[Ep2] Sheng Chu Mu impresses. Just when Yan Zi Fang was about to reveal himself to Fu Rou, Sheng Chu Mu falls fromthe sky the tree. Yan Zi Fang backs away thinking time is on his side anyway. Nope. However, Fu Rou is not impressed with a man lying on her ground. Then Sheng Chu Mu moves on to plan B: win her younger brother Fu Tao in a duel to impress Fu Rou. Sheng Chu Mu spectacularly loses but saves his reputation in front of Fu Rou by pretending to be gracious about the loss. In turn, Fu Rou takes a liking to his modesty. Psh. Modesty. This guy? Everything he has shown her is a farce xD.
[Ep5] Sheng Chu Mu and Fu Rou in love. The hidden message brings Sheng Chu Mu to Fu Rou! He shows up alone because he can't exploit imperial resources just to save a woman he loves. Alas, this touches Fu Rou's heart. Yan Zi Fang is sick from their show of love. In the end Yan Zi Fang releases them.
A very sensible love rival. Prince Zhou injects Fu Rou with some wisdom. She shouldn’t be rejecting the Crown Princess’s request of an extravagant dress even if it isn’t suitable for her. Crown Princess needs to establish her reign and the dress is supposed to seduce the Crown Prince. What about shimmer-shimmer? Fu Rou wonders if the Crown Princess will punish her. No. Prince Zhou explains if she punishes Fu Rou then she’ll look like a tyrant, but she also can’t tell Fu Rou the truth because that’s too shameful. Prince Zhou leans down to meet her eye, “Do you get it?” She gets it.
Sheng Chu Mu tells the Emperor he can't marry Princess Xin Nan. He claims he can't do it. Lol, the extent he'll go for Fu Rou. Lu Yun Ji ain't letting him off easy. He requests a physician to examine him. And Sheng Chu Mu passes that too – um, I mean he doesn't pass the healthy test. The marriage is off. It was Yan Zi Fang who gave Sheng Chu Mu a medication that can fool the physician. Now Yan Zi Fang asks for a favour back. We don't get to know what it is.
驪歌行
Mini Recaps
Sheng Chu Mu, one of the man who had a heart attack, saves Fu Rou by intercepting her path of death. She lands right in his arm. Ladies, and gents, he's struck by love and that's our story. He's a slacker like the groom but that's where the similarity ends.
The marriage fallout is a plan devised by Fu Rou herself. Her fiancé had tried to rape her and from that she knew she couldn't marry this brute. She gave Cheng family the notice of her questionable chastity. She was also the one who gave them the idea to check her virginity in public. Still, the marriage is recognized by law even if the rites are incomplete. Fu Rou is Cheng family's daughter-in-law. Momma Cheng wants her back home but Fu Rou refuses because they wronged her. Momma Cheng now wants a divorce but Fu Rou rejects because she did not wrong them. Momma Cheng wants her dowry back but Fu Rou complains she already married her son, you can't just take back the money. Lol. Momma Cheng, you can do this! Fighting! Momma Cheng threatens to take in a concubine but Fu Rou prohibits that too. There's a rule that one month after a husband marries a wife, he cannot marry a concubine. Fu Rou has kept her marriage carriage and her wedding outfit, and if Cheng Family ever takes in a concubine then she'll take her carriage there too and Cheng Family will have sinned. Together, she'll make them suffer the life of being single forever. K.O. Essentially she's not his wife but can be his wife but won't be his wife and yet is his wife... Follow me?
The dandy pursuit. Sheng Chu Mu is quick! Has it been a day? Probably a few days I would assume. He's at the door of Fu Family with presents in tow, ready to impress with his status as the son of a high ranking duke. He also comes up with a weep story to touch Fu Rou's family's heart to convince them he's somewhat related to their family when he's got zero affiliation with them.
First love? Fu Rou had a marriage before that also didn't work out. It was with Yan Zi Fang but their family ran into trouble with the palace and Fu Rou's mother rejected the marriage. He's probably the one person she loved. They say that while he ran away he fell into a well and drowned to death. He's not dead. He still watches her from afar. Fu Rou is still fond of him too.
[Ep2] Sheng Chu Mu impresses. Just when Yan Zi Fang was about to reveal himself to Fu Rou, Sheng Chu Mu falls from
Fu Rou and her sister show up for calligraphy lessons which is Sheng Chu Mu's ultimate weakness. He's fired up when Fu Rou questions him on his literature. Thus he writes "自強不息" meaning to improve oneself unremittingly. The girls are in awe. He explains this idiom reminds himself of self-discipline and not to rely on his status. Audience, don't be fooled. The real reason: these are the four words his father punishes him to copy. He's written them over a thousand times. How can he not be good at writing these words? Hahaha.
When Fu Tao asks Sheng Chu Mu about military questions, Fu Rou intercepts that of course Sheng Chu Mu is knowledgeable at that too. Oh dear. Now our boy has to learn military tactics too! He begs his drunk uncle (whom he had fired when he was kid) to teach him again. Within a short time, he's improved exponentially. Our Sheng Chu Mu is actually a genius when he puts his heart to it.
Sheng Chu Mu is finally back from his military training and Fu Rou is excited to see him.
[Ep3] Sheng Chu Mu reminds Fu Rou to call him by his full name. Sheng Chu Mu's fake gentleman act has me laughing. Fu Rou is falling for him. When he asks her if she would sew him secret romantic messages, she agrees on the condition that he never go to the brothel again. He promises. Fu Rou thinks Sheng Chu Mu is a man Yan Zi Fang sent to her from the heavens. Then during dinner with a relative, it's revealed to her that Sheng Chu Mu is notorious for playing around in Chang'an. He's number one and his two brothers follow suit. Fu Rou chooses to trust in what she sees. But slowly, she sees the truth. xD.
Breakup. Fu Rou refuses to meet Sheng Chu Mu but she gives in when he waits outside her house for days. However, it's her last straw when she realizes he's the one who bullied her brother-in-law and almost put her family in danger. Fu Rou slaps him across the face. Sheng Chu Mu is fuming. His real personality shows as he yells at her. Even the Princess can't treat him like that. Fu Rou is so mad, she coughs up blood. Meanwhile Sheng Chu Mu packs his bag and leaves for home in Chang'an.
[Ep4] Sheng Chu Mu is back home and he's a new man: intelligent, studious and hardworking. He's no longer interested in women or I should say other women. Everyone is in disbelief. Daddy Sheng has been burned one too many times to believe his son has changed for the better. Others hearing the rumour without witnessing it also find it laughable. Sheng Chu Mu has indeed changed. Even he himself finds it crazy he’s still in love with Fu Rou.
Pirate hijack. Sheng Chu Mu is leaving to Guangzhou to see Fu Rou again. Unfortunately, Fu Rou is on a business trip via ship. She has to personally oversee the delivery. Concubine #3 (mother of Fu Tao) sneaks onto the ship and was just about to push Fu Rou into the deep sea (because she thinks it's Fu Rou's fault that her son is enlisting in the army) but pirates hijack the ship. They had kept Concubine #3 hostage but Fu Rou takes her place and saves Concubine #3.
Yang Zi Fang is a Pirate! Lu Yun Ji's nephew’s ship is hijacked too but by a different pirate: Yan Zi Fang! Then Yan Zi Fang saves Fu Rou from being raped by a fellow pirate. She doesn't recognize him but finds the lock that belongs to Yan Zi Fang. He claims his stepfather saved a boy and the boy was carrying this lock and then the boy died. He himself goes by Fang.
Sheng Chu Mu brings soldiers to save Fu Rou but he's a little too late to the pirate's hideout. He does find Fu Rou's handkerchief that has a hidden message.
[Ep5] Sheng Chu Mu and Fu Rou in love. The hidden message brings Sheng Chu Mu to Fu Rou! He shows up alone because he can't exploit imperial resources just to save a woman he loves. Alas, this touches Fu Rou's heart. Yan Zi Fang is sick from their show of love. In the end Yan Zi Fang releases them.
Lu Qi knocks on Fu Family's door to ask for Fu Rou's hand which will only happen over Sheng Chu Mu's dead body. The men will duel it out in front of the Emperor in days time. Winner gets Fu Rou.
Burn Down Fu Family. A big fire engulfs Fu Family. Concubine #3 actually saves Fu Rou! The mom dies! Her last words to Fu Rou is to find Fu Yin (Fu Rou's sister) a prospective husband. This fire is an arson by Lu Qi because he thinks Fu Family knows about their embezzlement after the pirate hijack. Lu Qi left no trace of his crime but Sheng Chu Mu believes in his sixth sense that this has to be Lu Qi’s doing.
Yan Zi Fang out for revenge. Lu Family also destroyed Yan Zi Fang's pirate business. Yan Zi Fang finds Lu Ying Ying (sister of Lu Qi) alone and is about to kill her... But, first, he gotta seduce her with a pearl! ... And then kill her... But Lu Qi appears so Yan Zi Fang missed his chance. This was weird. He could have killed her but opted to flirt...then tried to kill again.
[Ep6] Stop the marriage! Sheng Chu Mu brings Fu Rou and her sister to Chang'an. He intends to marry Fu Rou but his mother is against their marriage. Her family are merchants and thus not royal enough to match his family. Sheng Chu Mu's sister, wife of Prince Han, therefore Madame Han, "offers" Fu Rou a five year career as a seamstress in their manor with double the salary. If she signs it then her second uncle's family will stay safe. Threatening? No. Of course not. Thus, our couple is pulled apart just like that but Fu Rou still loves and believes in Sheng Chu Mu.
The path of Taoism! Mom Sheng prevents his son from seeing Fu Rou no matter how outstanding he proves he is. Thus, he decides to regress. He won't be studious anymore. He will be a monk. He will also undergo self castration. Mom tempts him with Fu Rou as his wife. Sheng Chu Mu shakes his head (to show that he's serious about entering Taoism). But! It'd be sinful to his family if he didn't at least leave an offspring. He's like What about that Fu lady. Mom cowers to his every demand, Son whatever lady you want is yours. Thus, the marriage is approved.
[Ep7] Second Couple: Sheng Chu Ling (Sheng family’s second brother) thinks Princess Xin Nan is a maid. It doesn't help that she's in a maid outfit. Then out of nowhere, he preposterously kisses her. She smacks him and his head whacks into the table. He faints. Princess Xin Nan quickly leaves the scene without an ounce of remorse.
Lu Yun Ji is the devil who slips Fu Rou into the palace to become a royal maid (hence the title Court Lady) like it’s a promotion for her. He’s deliberately separating our lovebirds. Now Fu Rou will really be a palace maid – a female official – for three to five years. It’s the Empress’s decree. Sheng Chu Mu can’t go against that.
At least Sheng Chu Mu gets a kiss – a surprise kiss – before she enters the palace tomorrow.
[Ep8] First day on the job, Fu Rou is sabotaged. Fu Rou swiftly catches the culprit (Official Li) for embezzlement and exposes Official Li’s desire of glamming up to seduce the Emperor. Rather than punishing Official Li, Fu Rou teaches her it's not always the sharpest of colours that can catch a man's attention; illumination can too. Official Li is grateful for the lesson. When given the chance to see the Emperor, Fu Rou takes Official Li with her. Thus, Official Li shimmer-shimmers with her shiny clothes into the Emperor’s heart. So the way into a man’s heart was with shiny stuff all along! I thought that was girls. Official Li is officially a consort (Li Bao Lin). This pacing!!
Lotus Flower embroidery. Li Bao Lin is sincere to Fu Rou and warns her of Consort Yan’s Lotus Flower sewing. If Fu Rou sews the flower too beautiful, it will upset the Empress – a consort cannot receive better embroidery than the Empress. If she sews it too ugly then it will upset Consort Yan. What does Fu Rou do? She sews the flower with only black and white thread. Fu Rou has a long explanation for the choice of colours. The gist of it: it’s classy. Consort Yan is satisfied.
But why is Fu Rou calling her “Lian Hua” (Lotus flower) as “He Hua” instead? Fu Rou explains they are the same flower but Fu Rou prefers calling it “He Hua” because “He” is related to two sayings: "One of a kind” and “Harmony”. She’s discreetly promoting family harmony while sucking up to Consort Yan. Prince Zhou (3rd Prince), son of Consort Yan, smirks at Fu Rou’s explanation. Smitten with her intelligence, he requests a pouch from her with a design of her liking. The Empress gets wind of Fu Rou's “harmonious” sewing and nods in approval.
The annual fight hosted by the palace begins! Sheng Chu Mu and Lu Qi participate. Sheng Brothers bet their entire fortune on Sheng Chu Mu Daddy Sheng joins in too. This is the battle for Fu Rou’s hand.
[Ep9] To War. Sheng Chu Mu wins! As his prize, Sheng Chu Mu had wanted to ask the Emperor if he could bestow him a marriage with Fu Rou. However, Lu Yun Ji cuts him off and voluntells Sheng Chu Mu to war and to be under his “care”. He’s like What better of a prize than sending this brilliant young lad to war, Your Emperor? Aren’t the Emperor and Empress annoyed of Lu Yun Ji patronizing them all the time?
Crown Prince vs. Prince Zhou. There’s a power struggle between Crown Prince and Prince Zhou. It seems like the Emperor is favouring Prince Zhou. It also seems like Prince Zhou doesn’t really care but that’s just my interpretation.
A Love Rival? Fu Rou wakes from a nightmare (of Lu Yun Ji killing Sheng Chu Mu) She wanders about and guards arrest for her. I guess there’s a curfew. Prince Zhou saves her. He tells her to meet him at his pavilion the next day for medication because she sustained a bruise on her arm from a squeeze by the guards. It’s the Prince’s order; she can’t refuse.
Second Couple: Princess Xin Nan is in love with the man who stole her kiss: Sheng Chu Ling. He tries to run away from her by entering a brothel. She naively follows. Then the owner takes one look at her and knows she’s a girl disguised as man. How can she, a woman, so experienced with men not know what a man looks like? Right! The owner summons men to surround her. Sheng Chu Ling protects her but suddenly it becomes a dozen versus one and our Princess declares to the crowd of brutes exactly who she is. It protects them from the brutes but not from the Empress. She was going to punish Sheng Chu Ling but Princess Xin Nan takes all the blame onto herself. She was the one who revealed herself. Our princess is thus flogged. Our princess is flogged? Actually.
[Ep10] A sensible love rival. Prince Zhou once again makes Fu Rou visit his place. This time he asks her to pose for his portrait of her. I like Tan Jian Ci and that’s why you’re getting screenshots of his scenes. She laughs and follows his modelling but soon she faints. She’s sick from overworking for the Crown Prince's marriage. When Fu Rou wakes up again, she’s lying on Prince Zhou’s bed. If she makes any more noise then everyone will know she slept in his bed. Fu Rou stays put. Prince Zhou feeds her medication and casually asks who’s this man she loves. He doesn’t know for certain she has one but with just reading her expression, it’s obvious to him she does have a lover, and this lover is high-ranking, and he is related to Han manor. I find him so clever and this scene so funny.
Fu Tao is now Xi Tao. Sheng Chu Mu is in the army and meets Fu Tao. Sheng Chu Mu didn’t see his name on the list and so Fu Tao explains he changed his name to Xi Tao afraid his mother would chase after him. Hearing about his mother, Sheng Chu Mu reluctantly tells him of her death. I’ll probably still call him Fu Tao but the significance of him changing his last name is that Lu Yun Ji won't know he’s from Fu family.
Prince Zhou permits Fu Rou's day leave from the palace to visit Han manor. She’s eager to learn more from Madame Han about Sheng Chu Mu but there isn’t much news. I like how friendly these future sister-in-laws are already.
Crown Prince and Chen Ji. The Crown Prince is married but he’s giving me gay vibes – beyond BL vibes – with Chen Ji. I dismissed the fishing scene in the previous episode but the way Crown Prince stares at him during the play has me thinking could it be? Is Show really doing this? Crown Prince wanted to tattle on Prince Zhou for secretly taking Fu Rou out of the palace but Crown Princess suggests otherwise. This is a small matter and won’t trouble Prince Zhou too much and it will also pull down Han Manor (Prince Han is Empress’s son too). Crown Prince compliments her but he remains courteous with her. He also won’t sleep with her. Show really is doing this.
An update on Lu Family. A maid of the Crown Princess pushes Lu Ying Ying into the water (because she's a potential love rival). Fu Rou lends a helpful hand to Lu Ying Ying. While her father, Lu Yun Ji continues to curtail Sheng Chu Mu’s success in the army.
Second Couple: From Princess Xin Nan bravely taking the flogging, Sheng Chu Ling is in love.
[Ep11] Crown Princess turning evil. As Fu Rou predicted, the extravagant dress turns out to be a horrible idea. Crown Prince hollers at Crown Princess for the frivolous dress. Situ Shang Yi (a high ranking court lady) points her finger at the Crown Princess for the dress. Crown Princess is already seething, she doesn’t need a maid telling her what to do and so she slaps Situ Shang Yi. However, Situ Shang Yi works under the Empress and now the Empress lectures the Crown Princess too.
Crown Princess retaliates. Situ Shang Yi was supposed to deliver these pearls to the Empress – ten of them – but while she wasn’t paying attention, the Crown Princess’s maid hides three of the pearls in the vase. Fu Rou happens to be visiting and catches this moment. Thus, she indiscreetly allows the vase to be moved and the pearls are found.
Situ Shang Yi isn’t evil. Fu Rou helped Situ Shang Yi despite her failing Fu Rou for the maid test for no good reason. Later, Situ Shang Yi reveals to Fu Rou it was Consort Han who requested her failure. If Fu Rou passes the test, she can only be the Emperor’s woman and if the Emperor doesn’t select her, no other man can have her. Situ Shang Yi was helping her.
A date. Prince Zhou, with his wide network, knows how Situ Shang Yi helped Fu Rou. He uses that to “threaten” her to join him for a horseback-riding date. However, she loses control of her horse and it tramples a farmer’s land. Prince Zhou pays with his fan.
Sheng Chu Mu’s upswing and downfall. Sheng Chu Mu uses weather to his advantage. He directed water flow to soak the enemy’s ground and waited for the sun to dry its wall. He's weakening his enemy’s infrastructure and seizes their city with merely two thousand soldiers. This is something that even ten times the amount of army couldn’t have accomplished without his wits. It’s another glorious win for Sheng Chu Mu to Lu Yun Ji’s dismay.
Lu Yun Ji continues to embezzle (no wonder Chang'an is in depression) and even raids the city they just took over. Sheng Chu Mu goes against orders and stops the raid. Lu Yun Ji cannot allow Sheng Chu Mu back to Chang’an alive. He sends Sheng Chu Mu to a death trip by ordering him to a mission in the enemy’s territory with merely 200 soldiers. Lu Yun Ji wants the enemies to finish off Sheng Chu Mu.
Fu Tao tries to persuade Sheng Chu Mu to run away but he can’t. He’s got a reputation to uphold; he cannot be a runaway soldier. He tells Fu Tao that he suspects Lu family behind the fire that killed most of Fu family. Then Sheng Chu Mu hits Fu Tao so that he faints. Sheng Chu Mu will not take Fu Tao to this death trip.
[Ep12] Prince Zhou knows! During Fu Rou and Prince Zhou’s date, Fu Rou spots Chen Ji. Prince Zhou follows her gaze and finds the Crown Prince walking with Chen Ji, his hand over Chen Ji's shoulder. Ou. The expression on Prince Zhou’s place tells me he knows.
The fan brings trouble to Prince Zhou. Prince Han bought the fan all to tattle to the Emperor that Prince Zhou is wasting money when the palace and the country is in depression. Prince Zhou is flogged. He kept the date with Fu Rou a secret. This makes Fu Rou feel bad because he sold the fan for her but Prince Zhou assures her he was saving himself because exposing her would only add more fuel to the fire. Prince Zhou also kept Crown Prince’s date with Chen Ji a secret.
Sheng Chu Mu’s news of death reaches home. He fell off a cliff with an arrow to the chest. Lu Yun Ji writes out all of Sheng Chu Mu’s glory to report to the Emperor. It doesn’t matter to Lu Yun Ji now that Sheng Chu Mu is dead. This news travel to Fu Rou as well.
Fu Tao was just about to kill Lu Yun Ji while he was drunk but then there’s an ambush that distracts Fu Tao and now Fu Tao (whom everyone knows as Xi Tao) is rewarded for his bravery in saving Lu Yun Ji.
Sheng Chu Mu is not dead. Duh. It's Yan Zi Fang who saves him. Hm.
Second Couple: Sheng Chu Liang signed up to be an imperial guard all to see his Princess.
[Ep13] Medication Kiss. Fu Rou is too heartbroken to drink the medication. Prince Zhou forces the medication in her lips with a kiss. He didn’t save her from death so that she can die from heartbreak again. The next time he feeds her medication, she quickly takes it before he can kiss her. Prince Zhou’s plan worked. Aw, I’m kind of sad he won’t get the girl.
Sheng Chu Mu is tied up by Fan Zi Yang. While Fan Zhi Yang is fighting pirates, Ma Hai Niu takes care of Sheng Chu Mu. He squirms at her touch and she snickers, “I won’t eat you.” On the contrary, I think she will eat him xD.
Yan Zi Fang’s agenda. He’s a pirate that loots other pirates. It’s for a good cause: he’s re-collecting imperial capital that has been embezzled. His family was noble and fell to disgrace all because they were sabotaged by this one guy. You guessed it. Lu Yun Ji. Yan Zi Fang has goals to return to the capital. Saving Sheng Chu Mu was no coincidence. Sheng Chu Mu is also someone of high regards who can testify for him.
Crown Princess’s agenda. Crown Princess is nice to Fu Rou again but it’s all to manipulate Fu Rou to stop Lu Ying Ying from marrying the Crown Prince. Crown Princess reminds Fu Rou that Lu family will continue their rise in power if Lu Ying Ying becomes royal. With ease, Fu Rou discreetly eliminates Lu Ying Ying as a consort nominee. However, Fu Rou feels guilty afterwards.
Sheng Chu Mu gloriously returns! He requests to see the Emperor. On his way, he sees Fu Rou. The surprise on her face! That smile on his! That turn around kiss he blows to her! Omg, Xu Kai’s smile killed me. LOL. There’s also pop-ish music in the background. This is so unconventional! This is not how a coming-back-from the-dead-reunion happens in a period drama. I love this. Sheng Chu Mu reports everything to the Emperor about Lu Yun Ji. Thus, he and his son (Lu Qi) are locked behind bars. Lu Han Xing, the nephew, uses Lu Ying Ying’s money to bribe other ministers to help Lu family. This further angers the Emperor and now he won’t even see Lu Ying Ying who’s kneeling outside.
[Ep14] Fu Rou gives Lu Ying Ying a sip of water to help her persevere. Although Fu Rou finds her father and brother despicable, she admires Lu Ying Ying.
Pardoned. The Emperor sees a portrait of Lu Yun Ji (that looks nothing like Lu Yun Ji) but the black hair on it reminds him how the current Lu Yun Ji is grey-haired. Ah, and our Emperor is moved. He doesn’t execute them and returns them their position. Wow. Well, I did think it was a pity our baddies were bowing out so soon but the reasoning is way too sloppy. Ironically, this scene follows Lu Yun Ji engraving in his son’s heart that the Emperor has no empathy.
Love messages. Fu Rou sews Sheng Chu Mu a bunch of stuff but Prince Zhou steals the biggest piece of clothing for himself. The only way Fu Rou can have it back is if she de-clothes him herself. She can’t and so the clothes are Prince Zhou’s. Once Sheng Chu Mu receives them, he flips them all inside out to see the messages she sewed for him: "Couldn’t sleep well", "Went to your grave", “Unchanging love”, "Loving you more”, "Want to see you soon", etc.
A treasure map sewing. Sheng Chu Mu asks the Emperor to accredit Fan Zi Yang, the pirate, for all his accomplishments. Lu Yun Ji is vehemently against it but Sheng Chu Mu stands his ground even if it means upsetting the Emperor. Sheng Chu Mu relays Fang Zi Yan’s present to the Emperor. It’s a treasure map sewn by the famous embroider, Madam Hui. The Emperor accepts the present but he will have to consider Sheng Chu Mu’s suggestion mainly because he doesn't know if this treasure map is a hoax. The Emperor gives the sewing to the Empress since he has no idea what to do with it anyway. Then, the Empress consults Fu Rou who confirms it is the embroidering of the famous Madam Hui but Fu Rou can’t decipher the map either. Or can she?
[Ep15] The kite. Sheng Chu Ling teaches Sheng Chu Mu to send a love message via a kite but Princess Xin Nan thinks it's for her instead. She's angry when the message includes "red peony" because it's not the flower she likes. She throws it away and her maid (Zhen Zhu) goes to pick it up. As a result, she's sexually harassed by Prince Liang (some old perverted dude). The maid runs away but presumably there's trouble to follow. Then the kite falls into the hands of Prince Zhou and with his brains he connects "red peony" to Fu Rou. If anything, these period dramas are teaching me a lot about flower and plant names that I honestly am oblivious to. Heads up, if I get them wrong, please feel free to correct me.
The trouble that tails after the kite: Prince Liang wants the maid. The Grand Emperor approves of it. The problem is Prince Liang has already killed several maids. If Zhen Zhu is in his hands, she'd die. Princess Xin Nan begs her brother, the Crown Prince, for help. He gives her a rare rock that he knows the Grand Emperor would love. For the rock's sake, the Grand Emperor spares a living and breathing human life.
The map. Fu Rou requests to take apart Madam Hui's sewing. She's only 50% confidence that taking it apart will lead her to hints of the treasure but she's 100% confident that she can learn from Madam Hui's sewing and pass down her embroidery skills for generations to come. It's a win-win. Empress permits.
Fu Rou returns with the map. After opening the seams, cutting it up, and removing the top layer of thread, the map of mountains turned into a map of oceans. The Empress beams and proudly shows the Emperor where the treasure is. The Empress gets all the credit but she reminds the Emperor that Sheng Chu Mu should get some too. Thus the Emperor permits "Fang Zi Yan" to work in the palace. Privately, the Empress rewards Fu Rou, citing that her credit "isn't small". Fu Rou did everything! But I wouldn't feel bad for Fu Rou. She mainly wanted to help Sheng Chu Mu anyway. And it's not like she wants to get on the Emperor's good books. Fu Rou only has one wish: to leave the palace. The Empress doesn't even let her speak of that wish, Don't think of the palace as a prison, think of me keeping you out of love. Instead, the Empress permits Fu Rou to visit her family once a day per month. 12 days a year! Best employee benefit.
Empress vs. Prince Zhou. Empress finds out Fu Rou and Prince Zhou had an outing. Prince Zhou is merely lectured. More of the punishment falls on the people he loves: Consort Yan (his mother) and Fu Rou. Consort Yan has to regulate palace security; it's a strenuous task (but it does do one good thing: Consort Yan is scammed by monks but now they can't enter the palace). Fu Rou has to kneel for hours – a lenient punishment. The Empress also gives Fu Rou medication but Prince Zhou throws it away. His anger is directed at the Empress. From a young age, all the people he loved have been taken away from him. His nanny was flogged to death. His maid who was like a sister spontaneously died of a disease. From then on, he stopped approaching others. He seeks out Fu Rou's accompaniment because he really just wants someone to speak with. Prince Zhou will retaliate against the Empress. If he's punished, then he wiill pull down the Crown Prince too. Fu Rou begs on her knees (ouch) to pardon the Crown Prince because that will punish Chen Ji too. Prince Zhou reluctantly permits only because she asked that of him.
Second Couple: Princess Xin Nan breaks her mother's (Empress) own rules. She sneaks out of palace with the Crown Prince's help to see Sheng Chu Ling. Sheng Chu Ling isn't planning to be romantic; he questions her if she's the one who tattled on Fu Rou and Prince Zhou. Princess Xin Nan finally learns Fu Rou is her future sister-in-law. She also reveals to Sheng Chu Ling (and therefore Sheng Family, including Consort Han) that it was the Crown Princess who told her everything.
[Ep16] Fu Rou and Sheng Chu Mu finally meet again. With the excuse of coming back from the dead, Sheng Chu Mu gets Fu Rou to tell him sweet words. She doesn't know how. He teaches her and she repeats after him. "I want to kiss Sheng Chu Mu" is what he tells her but before she can process those words, his lips are kissing her already.
Crown Princess getting on everyone's nerves. Crown Prince lectures her on tattling on Fu Rou to Princess Xin Nan. It's a slap to Han Manor's face because Fu Rou is from Han Manor. Then, the Crown Princess punishes another maid from Han Manor, upsetting Consort Han even more. Then Crown Princess finds out Crown Prince has been spending his nights with a male entertainer (Chen Ji). The following day, she makes Chen Ji dance and dance again on his injured leg. Chen Ji's poor ankle wobbles and he falls over the stage. Fortunately, Fu Rou had red silk prepared to catch his fall.
Chen Ji leaves the palace. He values the Crown Prince as a friend and because he values him, he won't taint his path. Drama has been making these boys "friends" again. It's not going there.
But that's not it to the Crown Princess. When she's reprimanded by the Empress for letting her fetus listen to such lowly plays, Crown Princess tattles again! She reveals she wanted to punish Chen Ji because he's been influencing the Crown Prince. Then she brings in how Situ Shang Yi knew as well, angering the Empress even more.
[Ep17] Crown Prince is lectured by everyone. Upon seeing the Crown Princess he slaps her, bringing her to the ground. Next, Crown Prince visits Situ Shang Yi, who looks like she's been punished rather severely. She asks to touch the Crown Prince's face once more and that's how she leaves this world. Chen Ji is leaving the Crown Prince too – he's alive! – he's just not staying in Chang'an anymore.
"Fang Zi Yan" makes his return to the capital. He recognizes Lu Ying Ying and tells her to throw away the pearl he gave her. He reveals to her that he's archenemies with her father. Once in the palace, he asks the Emperor to throw away his name as well. He used "Fang Zi Yan" because he didn't want to dirty his family's name. His real name is Yan Zi Fang. Sheng Chu Mu is shocked because he's Fu Rou's ex-fiancé. Lu Yun Ji doesn't know Sheng Chu Mu was duped too; he thinks Sheng Chu Mu is helping Yan Zi Fang on purpose.
Romantic lines turning messy. The Emperor intends to betroth Princess Xin Nan and Shu Cheng Mu which perfectly slices are two couples. Not only that, Fu Rou realizes Fang Zi Yan is Yan Zi Fang, her ex-fiancé.
But!
[Ep18] Sun Daddy. Daddy Sun is furious at his daughter, the Crown Princess, for all the mess she's caused in the palace. Sun Ling Wei defends her sister, blaming it on the Crown Prince who's playing with male entertainers. Daddy Sun is even more furious. He's not mad that his daughter is neglected, he's mad that the Crown Prince is tainting his own future for the Great Tang. Wow.
Lu Ying Ying doesn't throw away the pearl. She returns it to Yan Zi Fang. She also tells him she's getting married. He casually congratulates her and she replies with a slap. Is it right to slap a guy if he doesn't return your love? Oh, but her marriage is a fail. Daddy Sun ousts that family because of their embezzlement all for the purpose of protecting the Crown Prince from that family. However, this takes a turn for the worse. It leads to the exposure of the Crown Prince and the male entertainer. Now Emperor is threatening to demote the Crown Prince if he doesn't behead Chen Ji. Fu Rou overhears. She needs to find a way to alert Chen Ji. She bumps into Lu Ying Ying who's willing to help her because she owes her one for the water. However, Chen Ji will not run away. If he does, it will only bring harm to the Crown Prince. He chooses suicide. Unfortunately, everyone related to Chen Ji is to die with him.
Lu Ying Ying pursues love. With the marriage off, Lu Ying Ying decides she should marry someone she loves. She follows Yan Zi Fang into the woods. He warns her he could "ruin" her. Euphemism for "rape". Lu Ying Ying closes her eyes, ready to be ruined but Yan Zi Fang hesitates. He was just threatening her and now she's got the upperhand. She kisses him.
Yan Zi Fang: What are you doing?Lu Ying Ying: I'm helping you ruin me.Yan Zi Fang lets her go and walks away.Lu Ying Ying smiles: Are you not ruining me anymore?Yan Zi Fang is now running away. Lol.
Han Family. Consort Han shoos away Prince Han for the night. She's always getting flak from the Empress for not producing Han family an offspring. Consort Han sends Prince Han to other young and beautiful women but Prince Han comes back to his one and only wife. Aw.
[Ep19] Du Ning. He passed the exams and has the praise of the Emperor. If you forgot, he's the guy Fu Yin likes. Now that he’s successful, he asks Fu Yin to marry him. She accepts (because that’s what her mother wanted for her – to marry a man with status). It's a bonus that he's the one she loves.
The fight for our couple! Yan Zi Fang reminds Fu Rou they're engaged. She’s clear with him: she always thought of him as her brother. Sheng Chu Mu clarifies the marriage was long cancelled. He possessively pulls Fu Rou to his side. Prince Zhou joins the party and claims Fu Rou likes him: she even made him clothes and let him kiss her. Sheng Chu Mu ain’t happy no more. She tries to explain it’s all a misunderstanding. Ha, this childish fight from three grown men. This whole drama is a satire against romance, isn’t it? xD Then someone else shows up. It’s Ma Hai Nui who claims she and Sheng Chu Mu kissed too. Pft. Now, it’s Sheng Chu Mu who’s saying it’s really a misunderstanding. The fight turns physical between Sheng Chu Mu and Yan Zi Fang. Prince Zhou merely crosses his arm and scoffs at their childishness. Fu Rou is so angry, she can’t watch this anymore and leaves on her own. Momentarily, the boys stop fighting but no one will let the other free to chase after Fu Rou. Now all three of them are fighting and Ma Hai Niu thinks the fight is for her.
Well, that was a waste of Fu Rou’s day off.
Crown Prince. Crown Prince has been studying and watching over his mother, that’s why he’s so tired whenever he's with the Emperor. When the Emperor realizes he’s so filial, he finally forgives him.
Also, Crown Princess apologetically cries for Chen Ji at his grave, trying to win the Crown Prince's favour. Oi. Just how long do I have to watch scenes of her.
Auspicious Bird. The Empress is feeling all better now that the Crown Prince is regaining favour. The Emperor accompanies her for a stroll to visit the Auspicious Bird but it's dead. Li Bao Lin knocked its nest down. The Emperor is about to sentence her but Fu Rou has some words to say. She's eloquent but essentially she calls the auspicious bird bogus. The Emperor is amused and promotes her. She's no longer in the Embroidery Department. She works directly under the Empress. Her status is high enough that lowly ranked consorts would have to bow to her. Li Bao Lin comments how the Auspicious Bird truly is auspicious but for Fu Rou instead. But is it auspicious? I think Fu Rou is better off spending her days peacefully sewing.
[Ep20] Fu Yin joins the revenge. Fu Yin drops her plans of marrying Du Ning and applies to be Lu Manor's maid. She wants to avenge her mother's death just like Fu Tao. However! It seems like we've got our villain wrong all along. Lu Han Xing (the nephew) says he set the fire to Fu family for Ling Long so that Lu Qi wouldn't marry Fu Rou. Ling Long is a maid who Lu Qi slept with but doesn’t care much for. Lu Han Xing is also sleeping with Ling Long and yet helping her marry Lu Qi. Oops. I always thought it was Lu Qi who ordered it o.o Did I overlook this and the arsonist is actually Lu Han Xing or is Lu Han Xing just bragging? Someone is right outside. It's Fu Yin. Did she overhear their conversation?
Prince Liang is planning to revolt. No, he's not. He hired entertainers to simulate a wuxia world in his backyard. He invites Crown Prince to join him in this simulation. He also shares beef with the Crown Prince which is currently prohibited because the country is in a depression. Cows are precious. Crown Prince is once again led astray. But! There are ministers who lead him back to the right path. Crown Prince isn't that bad, he's just gullible and probably hates all the responsibility that's forced upon him.
Also, Crown Princess actually reminiscences Chen Ji. If he was still alive, the Crown Prince would at least smile more. Oh, she's sincere – blinks – I never thought that was possible.
[Ep21] Spreading love; spreading hate. Fu Rou is asked by her embroidery friends if she can ask Prince Zhou for a beautiful picture of a woman. Prince Zhou lets her pick among the many he has. It’s all portraits of Fu Rou. She randomly picks one and then reveals that it’s for Prince Liang’s sewing that the embroidery team is struggling with. Prince Zhou quickly swipes the portrait from her hand and then locks up the rest of portraits. How could she be so stupid? Prince Liang is the Grand Emperor’s favourite son. If he sets his sight on her, he’ll want her and no one can stop him. “Ten Sheng Shu Mu’s cannot save you." Fu Rou innocently blinks. She had forgotten about that. Prince Zhou sighs that he’ll draw her a new portrait. It’s Lu Ying Ying. Fu Rou doesn’t want it. That will harm Lu Ying Ying. Prince Zhou calls her stupid again but Fu Rou insists on promoting love rather than hate. Prince Zhou smiles and draws her a new portrait.
Meanwhile Lu Qi is doing everything he can to hate on Sheng Chu Mu. Lu Qi tells Prince Liang that he is part of the reason the Crown Prince is neglecting him. To get back at him is easy: steal the woman he loves.
Spreading love isn’t enough. The one kind act of Fu Rou led to the death of two servants. She picked up something a maid dropped but it was poison, and the guards detained the maid. It was poison to kill the rats but poison is prohibited in the palace. The Empress puts a death sentence on them. Fu Rou is devastated. From this lesson she learns that in the palace rules are above human life. (The Empress isn’t a tyrant; she needs to set precedence)
Fu Yin and Lu Cousins. Lu Qi begins to see Fu Yin as a woman. When he finds a portrait of himself in her room, he’s amused she’s secretly admiring him not knowing that was the picture she etched in her heart to remind her of the revenge she has to exact for her mother. Oh, but she did hear the conversation between Fu Yin and Lu Han Xing! She knows who the real culprit is.
The rape. Ling Long boils with jealously as Fu Yin is gaining favour from Lu Qi. Ling Long promises Lu Han Xing she will be his eyes and ears in Lu Manor but first she needs him to eliminate her obstacle: Fu Yin. And so they plan to rape her.
[Ep22] Fu Yin Changes. Lu Qi saves Fu Yin in time. Fu Yin tries to slap Ling Long for planning the rape but not only did she miss, she falls and breaks the only bangle her mother left for her. Fu Yin cries at how useless she is when the enemy was right in front of her. She picks up the cape Lu Qi threw at her to cover her. Fu Yin is determined. She will seduce Lu Qi because only then can she be powerful enough to avenge for her mother.
Fu Yin dresses up herself and walks into Lu Qi’s room. She’s here to prove to him she’s a virgin by losing it to Lu Qi.
Fate has it, Lu Qi really likes her.
Fu Yin discreetly tells Lu Qi about the pearl shawl that Ling Long has that Lu Han Xing stole. The punishment on Ling Long is so severe, she commits suicide. Meanwhile, Lu Han Xing, the real culprit, is still alive. It’s not fair but that’s the way it works. Ling Long is a servant; Lu Han Xing is a Lu. In a normal drama, I would think Fu Yin's character would be the FL: her mother's death, revenge, almost star-crossed lover, falling for the enemy, etc.
Prince Zhou: "Fu Rou, don’t ever change". Prince Zhou shares with Fu Rou when he fell in love with her: it was when she saved Situ Shang Yi. She was so stubborn, unwilling to change because of the world that surrounds her. He likes that. He really likes that and he wants her to stay like that. And I really like how Prince Zhou’s narration overlays the scenes of Fu Yin’s changes.
Yang Zi Fang might be changing too. Although Yan Zi Fang is a high ranking general, he’s impotent to royal tyrants even if he's got all the logic. He’s saved by Consort Yan’s people (mother of Prince Zhou) who's actually looking for an allegiance with him. Yan Zi Fang self reflects. The palace is just another sea. If he wants revenge, he needs more power.
Second Couple (not really): Princess Xin Nan is betrothed to Lu Qi!
[Ep23] Lu Family. Fu Yin is still mad at Lu Qi for his leniency on Lu Han Xing. Lu Qi tells her about his mother’s death. When he had nowhere to go, it was his aunt who took care of him and his sister. Lu Han Xing is the son of this aunt. Lu Qi cannot kill Lu Han Xing.
Meanwhile Lu Han Xing is very much determined to kill Lu Qi’s father, Lu Yun Ji. Hong Ye Di, an enemy of Lu Yun Ji, captures Lu Han Xing, hoping to threaten Lu Family. To keep his life, Lu Han Xing, who is already bitter about Lu Family, offers to be Hong Ye Di’s eyes and ears in Lu Family. For his end of the exchange, he wants Hong Ye Di to kill Lu Yun Qi.
Princess sets up Fu Rou. Princess Xin Nan is out of ideas on how to terminate her marriage with Lu Qi so she summons Fu Rou to explain to the Emperor why she can’t marry. Because Fu Rou always has ideas. Shocked, Fu Rou asks for some private time with Princess Xin Nan. The Emperor permits it. Immediately, Princess Xin Nan calls her “sister-in-law” and that melts Fu Rou’s heart. In the corner of her eye, she spots a peacock and that gives her an idea. Fu Rou tells the Emperor that Princess Xin Nan won’t marry because she reminisces about her late grandmother (Emperor’s mother). At her shrine, Princess Xin Nan had promised to marry just like her grandmother did and with a man skilled in arts and literature. But hold up, Lu Qi isn’t bad either. Fu Rou counters that he hasn’t passed the Bird’s Test. This was the contest that the Grand Emperor won to marry the then Princess (grandmother of Princess Xin Nan). He shot two arrows in a single attempt at the two eyes of the peacock. Well, if they throw out the Emperor's parents like that, the Emperor cannot disrespect that and so now Lu Qi has to pass the Bird's Test too!
Fu Rou ensures the marriage is a fail. When Lu Qi was aiming at the sewing of the peacock (thankfully it was not a real peacock), the peacock moved! He misses the eyes and now he can’t marry Princess Xin Nan. How did Fu Rou do it? It has something do with the threads she used and the exact distance Lu Qi was told to stand from the target (thanks to Yang Bai, Fu Rou's handy man). The only problem is Lu Qi is onto the sewing and takes it back home to have all the renowned embroiders examine it. Will Fu Yin be able to stop Lu Qi?
Other updates:
→ Prince Zhou also had a hand in stopping Princess Xin Nan’s marriage by telling his mother to stop supporting it. Why is she supporting it?
[Ep24] How did Fu Rou do it? Fu Rou tells Li Bao Lin she used a multi-layer stitching method. The first layer of the thread can fade in colour under the sun but Lu Qi needs to be at a closer distance to see the illusion hence the 100 steps. Once the colour fades and the thread turns invisible, the next layer of the peacock is revealed. Hence the peacock moved in Lu Qi’s eyes and only to him because he was the only one at that distance. Li Bao Lin smiles rather cryptically that now Fu Rou has given the secret that can take her life. Uh-oh. But she explains: they’re not just sisters now, they can now exchange their lives for each other. I like this friendship! Unconventional. Especially when they say “Oh is this the 'exchange-lives-for-each-other' type of friendship between the girls in the palace." xD. Finally, Li Bao Lin reveals she had the real sewing of the peacock all along. She teases Fu Rou that if she hadn’t told her the truth, she wouldn’t have returned her the peacock. Li Bao Lin knew that once Fu Rou suggested the bird contest, there was going to be something about the sewing so she took it first and replaced it with a fake one (the one Lu Qi took).
The date. Fu Rou and Sheng Chu Mu meet on her day off again. Is anyone counting the days off because 12 would mean a year. We’re on 2nd? 3rd? These two are over their previous misunderstanding – time is too precious. Fu Rou tells Sheng Chu Mu he has to grab her hand tightly and never let go of her. Oh but, they’re interrupted by Ma Hai Niu. Again! She takes a knife to Fu Rou’s neck but Fu Rou is calm. Fu Rou tells Ma Hai Niu the way to Sheng Chu Mu’s heart is actually via Consort Han because Sheng Chu Mu listens to her the most. Way to go for throwing Consort Han under the bus like that, Fu Rou, lol. Once Fu Rou deflects Ma Hai Niu, Fu Rou enjoys her sweet time with Sheng Chu Mu like that knife to her neck never happened. Just a day in the passing. Meanwhile Consort Han tortures Ma Hai Niu with all the ways to be a lady.
The rape. Lu Qi reminds Prince Liang of the beautiful Fu Rou. At night, Prince Liang tries to rape her. Fortunately, Sheng Chu Ling saves Fu Rou in time. Sheng Chu Ling points his sword at Prince Liang. The other guards pin down Sheng Chu Ling. Prince Zhou is the hero of the night. He dismisses everyone, keeping Sheng Chu Ling alive and Fu Rou safe. He will walk Fu Rou back to her room but she asks for two guards instead. Now he’s furious. He’s like You’re already stupid enough to be fooled to come here and now you think two guards can protect you better than me? Fu Rou truthfully tells him he had considered suicide or even to kill Prince Liang but she won’t do neither. As long as she has someone she loves then she will want to live.
The marriage. Prince Zhou is determined to marry Fu Rou. It’s the only way he can protect her from Prince Liang. Thus, the next day, he visits the Emperor with a request that he claims is equal to the importance of the world. Then Sheng Chu Mu also arrives with a request that’s equal to the importance of the world. Coincidentally! Yan Zi Fang is actually there reporting worldly matters to the Emperor so he hears everything too. Seeing the heated competition for Fu Rou, he joins the party! Hahaha. Oh, but it’s not just these three who wants her hand. Prince Liang rounds up the quartet. This has gone out of hand and so the Emperor passes the decision to the Empress. Lol, this is basically the theme in the past episodes: Princess dumps her problem on Fu Rou; Fu Rou dumps her problem on Consort Han; Emperor dumps his problem on the Empress. xD. And!! It's pretty funny seeing these three men jumbled up together all the time.
[Ep25] Ma Hai Niu. Ma Hai Niu gives up on Sheng Chu Mu after he heartlessly rejects her for the nth time. However, a courtesan teaches Ma Hai Niu the way to tempt a man: make Sheng Chu Mu owe her and then give him the cold shoulder. Thus, Ma Hai Niu buys out the courtesan’s contract (because she’s an acquaintance of Sheng Chu Mu who he has neglected ever since he has Fu Rou) and then she tells Sheng Chu Mu she’s over him.
Prince Zhou gets Fu Rou? Everyone thinks the Empress will choose Prince Liang because he’s the Grand Emperor’s favourite. However, if that was the case, the Emperor wouldn’t have given this task to the Empress. The Emperor wants the Empress to choose Prince Zhou for him – that way Emperor can still appear filial. Husbands. Your worst enemy against your in-laws. Sheng Chu Mu and Yan Zi Fang were never in the equation. However, Sheng Chu Mu seems to have a plan.
Fu Rou’s Plan I. Meanwhile Fu Rou has her own strategy. She deliberately allows the Crown Princess’s maid to eavesdrop on her conversation with Li Bao Lin. In the conversation, Fu Rou glows how she’ll marry better than the Crown Princess since her husband will actually love her. Fu Rou even adds: Let’s just hope no one ruins my marriage! Crown Princess’s maid hears it all and quickly reports to her master. Perfect.
Sheng Chu Mu’s Plan I. Consort Han visits the Empress (her mother-in-law) at Sheng Chu Mu’s request. She’s not helping his brother plead for Fu Rou’s marriage – well, at least not so directly – she’s here to give Fu Rou a handkerchief via the Empress. Sheng Chu Mu sewed it and there’s a secret message for Fu Rou.
Sheng Chu Mu’s Plan II. Princess Xin Nan also visits the Empress (at Sheng Chu Ling’s request). Similarly, she’s not helping Sheng Chu Mu, at least not directly. She suggests to let Fate handle it. Princess Xin Nan reminds the Empress of Mister Su (an astrologist / fortune teller). However, the Empress has already decided on Prince Zhou.
Fu Rou’s Plan II. Crown Princess also visits! The Empress is a busy woman. She warns the Empress the dire disadvantage of having Fu Rou marry Prince Zhou. She’ll be handing over a wealth of information and intel to Prince Zhou because of Fu Rou’s deep connections in the palace. Thanking the Crown Princess, the Empress burns the edict. She will have to reconsider Fu Rou’s marriage.
The Poor Empress. The Empress reports to the Emperor she can’t choose between the princes so she has decided to leave it to Fate. The Emperor doesn’t reprimand her but won’t stay the night with her. He will leave to Consort Yan's. That is basically reprimanding her. I feel bad for the Empress. She’s the biggest loser in this whole ordeal. The Empress has a flashback of the time Consort Yan married in. She was a prize for the Emperor (prince at that time) from his father. He hesitated on accepting the marriage with Consort Yan because he loved the Empress but it was the Empress who was gracious about it. Aw. Now, I really feel bad for the Empress. She’s always forcing herself to be considerate.
Fourth Couple: Sheng Chu Jun and Sun Ling Wei (Crown Princess’s sister) meet at a temple. This girl is just bowing and he likes her already. Love just happens in this drama, lol.
[Ep26] Sheng Chu Mu’s Plan Part IV. Sheng Chu Mu works on Mister Su. He has played Go 170 times with this master and although Sheng Chu Mu lost every time, he has thoroughly read his game. Sheng Chu Mu is confident he can win this time and bet Mister Su. If Sheng Chu Mu wins, he'll get a favour. If he loses, he'll give Mister Su this divine book on the game of Go. Game starts! He loses. BUT! Hold up! The real plan of Sheng Chu Mu's was never to win Go. It was to make Mister Su read the divine book without an ending! Now that's cruel. So so so cruel. Mister Su is obsessed and needs the ending. Thus, during the fortune telling, Mister Su reads Fu Rou's fate that although she is auspicious, she is not fit to marry a royal. Fu Rou is saved from marrying both princes!
Empress's fortune reading. According to Mr. Su, the Empress doesn't even have three years of life left in her. Also, Mr. Su tells her that keeping Fu Rou at her side will be of great help to her. So we're not just going to get a reading that Fu Rou is better off with Sheng Chu Mu, eh?
Fu Rou gets a pill. Fu Rou helps a Taoist recover his sacred clothes. Out of gratitude, the Taoist gives her two out of his ten life-essence-type pills that can cure all poisons. Well, that's convenient.
[Ep27] An impunity seal. The Empress gives Fu Rou an impunity seal. Fu Rou asks, Oh is it the seal that can exempt you from any punishment? The Empress smirks. It’s only for small mistakes – it can’t pardon you from everything, rumourmongers had it all wrong. This drama’s other purpose is to debunk myths of typical palace-drama tropes xD. The present is also from guilt. Empress would have given Fu Rou to Prince Liang in a heartbeat had it not been for Mister Su’s reading.
Under attack. Suddenly their carriage is under siege. It’s Hong Yi De’s men who received intel from Lu Han Xing that Lu Qi is in charge of escorting this trip. Fu Rou takes the Empress to hide in another carriage but before they can get on, Prince Liang pushes the Empress away for the Grand Emperor to board. Prince Liang wouldn’t have let them on if the Grand Emperor hadn’t permitted it. Wow.
Pull Lu Family down. Lu Qi catches one of the assailants. Once they’re alone, he tells Lu Qi they’re on the same boat. If he’s caught, then Lu Family is in trouble because the mastermind is a Lu member anyway. Lu Qi pretends to let the man go, only to slaughter him the next second. To his soldiers, he claims this criminal was attempting to flee. Another assailant is on the run and he meets Fu Shui. He’s the same actor as Chen Ji! He lets the assailant run away, seeming to be part of this plan. It also appears he has a grudge against the royals too. I don’t actually know if he has a grudge towards Lu Family. Then he shoots down Lu Qi from his horse.
Fu Rou, a hero. The carriage runaway hero is Fu Rou. She does a lot of the saving while Prince Liang is driving the carriage. This scene was quite thrilling. They hide inside a cave and then Prince Liang succumbs to his injury – there was poison on the sword. Seeing his son dying, the Grand Emperor strangles the Empress, blaming all his children’s death on her (and the Emperor). His sanity is taken over by hatred and fear. Fu Rou hits him so he faints over to save the Empress. She also uses one of her two Life Essence Pills to save Prince Liang. When the Grand Emperor wakes up, Fu Rou updates him on the Prince's condition, giving all the credit to the Empress that it was her who reminded Fu Rou she had the pills to save Prince Liang. The Grand Emperor apologizes but our Empress puts on that stiff considerate smile of hers and says it was all an accident that his hands happen to be surrounding her neck with force. The Grand Emperor quickly agrees with a despicable smile.
Prince Liang wakes up. The poison has been eliminated. Fu Rou finds water. It’s very little and she gives it to the Empress who’s frail and sick. Prince Liang points a knife at Fu Rou, demanding for the water. Empress gives in. Prince Liang passes it to his father who's happily sipping it. These nasty entitled royals. Then he leaves some for Prince Liang. The Empress’s coughs echo in the cave and the Grand Emperor tells his son to at least leave one sip for the Empress. However, the Empress gives the water to Fu Rou. She’s healthy and can search for an exit to save them all. Fu Rou obliges. The Empress also give Fu Rou her Night Pearl that glows in the dark to be used as a flashlight.
Back in the palace, everyone has received the news. The Emperor is proud Prince Zhou departed to help with the search. However, he’s infuriated when the Crown Prince who's sitting at home, praying. Consort Yan speaks up for the Crown Prince that not all the princes can leave the palace and be haste like Prince Zhou. Well, Emperor is still displeased. For the record, Prince Zhou went to save the love of his life and not his family. Those terrestrial trash who call themselves royal men are not worth saving and as for the Empress, I doubt Prince Zhou wants to save her.
Who finds Fu Rou first? Fu Rou finds an exit! But there’s a tiger! Oh, poor you Fu Rou. She manages to escape that beast. For a distance, she hears Sheng Chu Mu calling for her name but Yan Zi Fang gets to her first. He makes her faint over and carries her away. Sheng Chu Mu only finds a fabric that Fu Rou dropped. It has a cave drawing. With it, Sheng Chu Mu saves the trash royals.
Yan Zi Fang takes Fu Rou to a hut. He knew where to find her because he has been tailing Hong Yi De (someone he recognized from his pirate days). Fu Rou confronts him on not reporting to the Emperor when he knew Hong was plotting something.
Empress makes her return. All the consorts bow but since the Empress left without telling them they may stand, the consorts all kneel until the most senior one tells them all the stand up. One comments that the Empress must have been so tired she forgot. Another one comments the Empress did not forget. It’s a message to them all: as long as the Empress is alive, she has reign.
[Ep28] Yan Zi Fang's immoral love. Ma Hai Niu is back at home and sulks that Fu Rou is missing. Her brother is like Shouldn’t you be happy? No. She has learned from Consort Han that if she loves Sheng Chu Mu she should love him wholly and morally. She can’t take advantage and wish the woman he loves dies. Do you hear this, Yan Zi Fang? Late at night, Yan Zi Fang goes to the hut he kept Fu Rou in. He tells her how the lock, their token of love, kept him alive all these years. Fu Rou reiterates she only ever treated him like her brother. That night, he numbs his heartache with alcohol. Drunkenly, he returns to the hut. The Fu Rou in there is gentle to him. Do they sleep together?
The boys desperate search for Fu Rou. Prince Zhou and Sheng Chu Mu are still out at night searching for Fu Rou. Prince Zhou feels hopeless. He thinks the tiger finished her off. However, Sheng Chu Mu stubbornly searches for her. Prince Zhou stops him, "You don’t think I’m feeling awful too?” Sheng Chu Mu yells his answer: "It’s not an awful feeling, it’s pain!”.
Fu Rou is found! Fu Rou finds Sheng Chu Mu! However, Sheng Chu Mu is beyond exhausted to recognize she's real and not a dream. It was Lu Ying Ying who set Fu Rou free and it was Lu Ying Yin who slept with Yan Zi Fang. Lu Ying Ying followed Yan Zi Fang that night, thinking he might have known Hong Yi De and have a way to save her brother from the poison. Yan Zi Fang does have an antidote. He had said he wouldn’t use it to save Lu Family but before he leaves, he throws it at Lu Ying Ying to end their connection. The fee for sleeping with her? Oof.
Elope! Sheng Chu Mu is ecstatic to learn his Fu Rou isn't his reverie. But how? Since Fu Rou had promised Lu Ying Ying to keep Yan Zi Fang confining her a secret so she lies to Sheng Chu Mu that a kind family in the woods saved her (lol, like all other dramas). Sheng Chu Mu decides to elope with Fu Rou since everyone thinks she's dead. Fu Rou hesitates. There’s still her parents. Sheng Chu Mu sulks to her that it’s him who’s not worth much in her heart. Oh, eh, guilt tripping her now? Not cool. It's the same thing Yan Zi Fang did to Fu Rou. Emotional confinement is still confinement. Seeing Sheng Chu Mu leaving her, Fu Rou gives in and runs to him. She chooses to leave with him.
Prince Zhou is ordered to investigate the assassination. Crown Prince was denied the opportunity by the Emperor. Prince Liang also joins in the investigation while vouching for Lu Qi, He’s injured, he can’t be at fault. It’s blamed on this other soldier: Cao Yuan.
Elopement life sucks. Fu Rou and Sheng Chu Mu arrive in Guangzhou, Fu Rou’s hometown. They’re low on money and Sheng Chu Mu orders too much food. He tells her not to worry. After lunch, he pins the waiter down on the table threatening him to let him work to pay off the food. Uhh.
[Ep29] Elopement life continues to suck. Sheng Chu Mu is fired from the restaurant and doesn’t even need to pay them back because he’s scaring away all the customers. His almighty spine won’t bow is basically his problem. Fu Rou also has to go around wearing a hat that covers her face. Since he won't let her work and his spine is too rigid, going wild is their solution. He hunts for food. As they’re roasting meat, a grandfather and a child approach them, looking starving. They share the food with the pair and the grandfather explains the chaos in the city. He recalls how days were better when General Sheng was still here. Ah, that’s Sheng Chu Mu’s father and now Sheng Chu Mu misses his father. As Sheng Chu Mu is sleeping, he dreams of his father – dying. It’s a nightmare. Fu Rou suggests they should go home but Sheng Chu Mu remains stubborn.
Sheng Chu Mu finds Yan Zi Fang's lock in Fu Rou’s clothes. He believes Yan Zi Fang “saved" Fu Rou and so when Fu Rou asks him to return home (for all the right reasons), he thinks she wants to go back to Yan Zi Fang. She tries to explains but he flings her to the ground. Fu Rou chases after him but he bumps into her previous “husband” instead. Y'kow the man who is her husband and isn’t her husband. Sheng Chu Mu saves her from him by claiming he's Hong Yi De’s underling. Despite saving her, Sheng Chu Mu still mad and spiteful with his words. Actually, he really just wants her to appease the jealous little devil in him. However, she doesn’t chase him as he wanted and when he turns around, she’s gone. He runs to look for her. Fu Rou was just hiding. She hugs him and he melts. Fu Rou apologizes and so does Sheng Chu Mu. Fu Rou didn’t have to explain which means she still kept Lu Ying Ying’s promise.
Fu Yin loves Lu Qi. Fu Yin is delicate with the medicine but she drops it when a maid walks in to her by accident. Fu Yin cries. That was the last of the pills and Lu Qi still isn't awake. She doesn’t even feel the cut on her finger. She regrets approaching him with ill intentions when he was so nice to her. She sleeps at his side and the next morning, she finds that he’s actually holding her hand. Lu Qi finally wakes up. All of Fu Yin’s tensions are released and she faints over. The doctor takes her pulse and she’s pregnant. Fu Yin is dazed.
Also, Lu Qi tells his father about Lu Han Xing and they lock him up but he manages to run away.
Fu Tao learns everything. Fu Tao sees his sister with Lu Qi. Oof. And then finds out his sister is Lu Qi's wife. And then finds out his sister is pregnant! Lol. When the siblings are alone, he yells at Fu Yin for involving herself with their enemy (Lu Qi). Lu Han Xing hears everything. Fu Tao catches him. Then Fu Yin reveals the real arsonist is Lu Han Xing. Fu Tao strikes him but Lu Han Xing confesses he was only following Lu Qi’s orders. Fu Yin is hysterical and loses her sanity. She stabs Lu Han Xing multiple times, killing him. Oh my. Fu Tao wants to take her away from Lu manor but Fu Yin puts the knife to her own neck to threaten her brother. She needs to stay until she finishes this matter. “This” being her mother’s revenge. But what about her baby? And she just murdered. This is brutal. Drama, why have her do the killing? When Lu Qi finds Fu Yin, she claims she killed Lu Han Xing because he tried to tape her. It was self-defence. Then when Lu Yun Ji finds his nephew dead, Lu Qi takes all the blame. Lu Yun Ji slaps his son. Fu Yin flinches and is conflicted. She knows Lu Qi is protecting her but he’s the “real” mastermind behind her mother’s death. Technically the real master is Lu Yun Ji.
Lu Han Xing’s mother is in the house, enjoying the hospitality, not knowing her son just died.
[Ep30] The wedding night. Sheng Chu Mu works his butt off to earn a room to live in. When he’s back in his dorm, Fu Rou has decorated the place in red. It’s a wedding night. Sheng Chu Mu hastily closes the door and takes his seat. She tells him she used to believe marriage should be boisterous with the family but now what matters is finding the right person. Sheng Chu Mu has his eyes closed and lips pursed. He's ready for the kiss! However, Fu Rou has her own pacing. She whispers by his ears and asks him “Will you be my husband?” Sheng Chu Mu plays hard to get but only for a bit. The next second, he’s agreeing and asking for the wedding shots and taking her in his lap for the wedding night. They're unofficially officially husband and wife.
The separation. Fu Rou’s brother-in-law is accused of being Hong Yi De’s underling because the ministers can’t find the “real” one (Sheng Chu Mu started this mess). To save her brother-in-law, Fu Rou exposes her identity as a high officer. The magistrate of the city continues to pin the crime onto Fu Family without any ounce of evidence all because the magistrate believes he’s doing a favour for Lu Yun Ji. Prince Zhou rescues Fu Rou's brother-in-law. Then he pulls her aside and reveals he’s in Guangzhou because of her. He wanted to know what her hometown was like. He also knew she left with Sheng Chu Mu. Oh so that’s why he wasn’t that sad. Now that she exposed her own name, he won’t give her a second chance to leave. He forces her to take his carriage back to the palace otherwise he will expose her elopement with Sheng Chu Mu. He even orders her to smile before they board the carriage. Sheng Chu Mu is among the audience and sees her smile. He misunderstands. The small smirk on of Prince Zhou’s face tells us he did that on purpose for Sheng Chu Mu to see. I have grown to dislike all men in this drama.
Prince Liang being Prince of Rape. While Prince Zhou continues to investigate Hong Yi De, Prince Liang is raping wives. What is wrong with this guy?
Fu Yin and Lu Ying Ying are having a drink. Ying Ying is still heartbroken from Yan Zi Fang. Thinking she’s drunk, Fu Yin tells her she killed Lu Han Xing. Lu Ying Ying wasn't that drunk and is is repulsive towards her. Fu Yin chases after Lu Ying Ying but then Prince Liang shows up in the middle of nowhere. His penis takes control again. This dude needs to take a rest. Lu Ying Ying goes back to rescue Fu Yin but now Lu Ying Ying has caught the attention of Prince Liang. The next time Prince Liang sees Lu Qi, he declares his intention of marrying Lu Qi's sister. It's an order, not a request. That’s for trying to sellout Fu Rou. Lu Qi, you reap what you sow. But it ain’t fair that it’s Lu Ying Ying who’s paying for it!!
Second Couple: Consort Yan catches Princess Xin Nan and Sheng Chu Ling on a night date. She helps them dismiss the guards and will pretend she never saw them.
[Ep31] Fu Shui. Hong Yi De owes Fu Shui a favour for saving his grandson and so he voluntarily shows up as a prisoner to Yan Zi Fang. This will give all the credit to Yan Zi Fang for capturing the terrorist and the opportunity to destroy Lu Family. Who is Fu Shui?? Why is he a "Fu" too?
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| Empress looks so pretty here; easily one of the best actresses here |
Empress. Empress knows Fu Rou eloped with Sheng Chu Mu in the days she disappeared. Fu Rou quickly drops to her knees but Empress actually gives her a reward: a seal that allows her to freely enter and leave the palace. Empress is grateful for Fu Rou. She never thought about punishing her.
Fu Yin: Mother or child? Fu Yin receives the letter that informs Lu Qi of Hong Yi De being in Yan Zi Fang's quarters. She contemplates what to do. Does she choose her mother or her baby? Oh my. Girl, what did you do to yourself? She burns the letter before Lu Qi notices. Then he's here to give her a present and there's tears in her eyes as she tells him she doesn't deserve his kindness.
Crown Princess: Mother or child? Crown Princess gives birth but the doctor can only save either the mother or the child and not both. Without a second of hesitation, the Empress chooses the newborn. Fu Rou has a solution to save both: scare the Crown Princess and that may give the Crown Princess the extra energy she needs. Since the Crown Princess loves the Crown Prince the most, then scare her with the Crown Prince's life. Thus, they put on an act to have the prince assassinated. That does the trick. Crown Princess gives birth to a boy and she's safe too. A very interesting parallel where Fu Yin had to choose one or the other while Crown Princess (thanks to Fu Rou) got to have both.
Lu Ying Ying saves Lu Family again. Lu Qi and Lu Yun Ji are back in prison, (lol). because of Hong Yi De’s testimony. Lu Ying Ying asks Yan Zi Fang for help but she's denied. She had innocently thought she could be the one to find the soft corner in his stoned heart. She was wrong but she asserts being innocent isn't wrong. She's willing to see the good in everyone.
Lu Ying Ying: The world in my eyes is brighter than yours. Yan Zi Fang, I pity you.
Lu Ying Ying moves on to seduce Prince Liang to save her family. Oh man, she's walking Fu Yin's path: marrying a man she doesn't love (at least not initially) for her family... I pity her and I admire her but I pity her more.
[Ep32] Lu Ying Ying claims she fell in love at first sight with Prince Liang. Even Prince Liang knows he's a such a scum that no girl would fall in love with him but he plays along. No matter if Lu Family is sentenced, Lu Ying Ying can be his either as a consort or as a maid. He doesn't care what happens to Lu Family. However, since she did that, Prince Liang will at least make it more comfortable for Lu Family in prison.
Sheng Chu Mu is back and gone again. To the Emperor, Sheng Chu Mu claims he was away to cure his infertility. Lol, so he's cured now, wink wink. He gets to request any reward from the Emperor but he's so heartbroken that he asks to be sent to the borders to protect the country! The rest of the boys (Prince Zhou and Yan Zi Fang) are astonished he didn't ask for Fu Rou's hand. So is Fu Rou. Bye bye Sheng Chu Mu. When will we see him again?
Crown Prince down. Hong Yi De requests to speak to the Crown Prince. Fu Shui’s real orders was for Hong Yi De to commit suicide. If Hong Yi De doesn't, then his grandson will die. With no witness, the Crown Prince is accused of killing Hong Yi De when he actually took poison that was hidden in his jaw.
Other Updates:
→Yan Zi Fang asks Fu Rou why she didn't expose him for kidnapping her. She tells him about her promise with Lu Ying Ying. Will he regret losing her?
→ Prince Liang steals Fu Rou's Life Essence Pill.
[Ep33] Fu Rou has a plan to save the Crown Prince! Fu Rou always has a plan and this time she reminds the Empress that the Grand Emperor can help her. Do remember that the Grand Emperor wanted Prince Liang to befriend the Crown Prince and so for Prince Liang's sake, the Grand Emperor would want to save the Crown Prince. The Grand Emperor is dying and leaves his last words for the Emperor. If the Emperor doesn't trust his own son, then those sabotaging the Crown Prince will take advantage. Prince Liang runs in with Fu Rou's Life Essence Pill but the Grand Emperor refuses it; it won't be of any use. He dies. Since the Emperor promised his father, the Crown Prince is released and Hong Yi De's testimonies are annulled which includes invalidating the incriminating evidence against Lu Family too and thus they get a second renewal! It's Yan Zi Fang who's punished instead because he arrested Hong Yi De! Yeeesh, royals can do anything they want.
Lu Ying Ying's marriage. Lu Family celebrates. Lu Ying Ying adds another "happy" news for her family. She's getting married with Prince Liang. Lu Ying Ying forces a soft smile. I teared up when the music started. Lu Qi smashes the cup. Neither father or son will accept this marriage. Lu Qi even denies the marriage in front of the Emperor, calling out Prince Liang for his tyranny and violence against women. Lu Qi is to be flogged to death but he still insists to refuse the marriage. Lu Qi is a good brother. The Emperor doesn't actually want to kill Lu Qi, he only wants to threaten Lu Family to accept this marriage. Anyway. It's futile arguing against the Emperor. The marriage is a go.
Fu Shui's motive. Fu Shuiaiming for the Crown Prince. He claims it's for Xiong Rui, someone part of the theatre troop who died with Chen Ji. I still think it's for Chen Ji.
[Ep34] Yan Zi Fang makes a move. Yan Zi Fang mobilizes Lian Yan'er and Ma Hai Niu to this dude's (a princess's husband = fuma) home to threaten him of exposing all his misdeeds to his wife if he doesn't obey. This fuma is close to Prince Liang. So this dude (fuma) goes around the city, bullies the weak, stays out at night and his wife knows absolutely nothing about it?
Lu Ying Ying marries Prince Liang. Fu Yin comforts Lu Ying Ying that being with the man she loves doesn't always equate to happiness. Fu Yin is the prime example. Lu Ying Ying doesn't feel comforted. She never wished unhappiness upon Fu Yin. On the contrary, she wants her to be happy because that way her brother will be happy.
Yan Zi Fang sees Lu Ying Ying's wedding carriage pass by. Does he regret it?
Prince Liang takes Lu Ying Ying's hand and promises her he'll treat her well. He promised the Grand Emperor after all. Crossing my fingers, hoping Lu Ying Ying is loved D: Oh but after he slept with her, he discovers she's not a virgin and slaps her, demanding who the man is. D:
Sheng Chu Mu redeems himself. Sheng Chu Mu punishes a soldier for fleeing his responsibilities to elope with a woman. There's dead bodies lying on the street because of war. As a man, he should be protecting his country. This is Sheng Chu Mu's lesson for himself. Although, the soldier is punished, Sheng Chu Mu is merciful to the lovers; he assigns the woman to nurse for the wounded (i.e. to nurse for her man).
[Ep35] Lu Ying Ying’s married life. Lu Ying Ying lies to her family that Prince Liang isn’t abusing her. Since she’s his legal wife, Prince Liang actually cannot publicly humiliate her. He just humiliates and abuses her at home.
There's a battle. Who to go? Prince Zhao kills Qian Wen Jing who was sent to mentor Prince Zhao. Prince Zhou wants to avenge for his beloved teacher but Crown Prince suggests Lu Qi to go instead because Prince Zhou is too emotional. The Emperor agrees not because he's particularly siding with Crown Prince he just wants to keep Prince Zhou safe.
Prince Zhou’s depression is twofold: the death of a beloved teacher and Lu Qi sucks at battling. Fu Rou suggests the best general she knows: Sheng Chu Mu. Prince Zhou turns menacing at the mention of Sheng Chu Mu but to Fu Rou there is no better general. At the most important moment she knows Sheng Chu Mu will never let her down. Prince Zhou acknowledges this too and promotes Sheng Chu Mu to the battle. Okay, but Lu Qi is going too so who will lead the army? Prince Han! Crown Prince had suggested him over Prince Zhou. Empress and Consort Han aren’t pleased at all. Can’t blame the women. Prince Zhou isn’t allowed to go because the Emperor cares. Poor Prince Han is the son who goes thanks to his very own brother. Prince Han is chill about it, though. He knows he’s in the good hands (Lu Qi and Sheng Chu Mu). Crown Prince has his reasons for not sending Prince Zhou; he doesn’t want Prince Zhou to find letters he wrote to Prince Zhao. The letters may be slightly problematic if someone wants to unseat the Crown Prince.
The Crown Princess is curious why Crown Prince suggested Prince Han. If he wins, wouldn’t that promote Prince Han a little too much? Nah, Crown Prince isn’t worried. There really is no winning when winning is killing the Emperor’s son. Plus, it will train Prince Han. O-kay.
Prince Han is indeed the perfect mediator between Lu Qi and Sheng Chu Mu. The only problem is he can't tell east from west. LOL. Anyway. After they plan everything, Prince Han tells Sheng Chu Mu that he has orders from the Empress to keep Prince Zhao alive. Sheng Chu Mu is like ajakdlfjabfb Killing and keeping someone alive are very different orders!
Back in the palace Fu Rou comforts Consort Xi that her son, Prince Zhao, will come back alive because the person next to Prince Han is that capable (a.k.a. Sheng Chu Mu).
Lu Qi and Fu Yin: Before Lu Qi left for battle, Fu Yin hugs him; she’s scared for him. She’s scared he won’t come back and she’s scared he will come back. He’s too in love with her to decipher what she's saying.
Yan Zi Fang and Lu Ying Ying: Yan Zi Fang receives news of Lu Ying Ying via Ma Hai Niu’s makeup business. Liu Ying Ying is beaten half dead and won’t even spill who took her virginity. Yan Zi Fang, you missed your boat!
[Ep36] Prince Zhao down. Under an incompetent leader such as Prince Zhao, Sheng Chu Mu sneakily low cunningly smart techniques of rousing distraught in the civilians and distrust in the army, Prince Zhao is forced to surrender and open the east gates. Meanwhile, on Lu Qi’s west end, he’s hugging and puffing, shooting arrows, and fighting soldiers but their gates are still tightly shut. In comparison, Sheng Chu Mu merely used a few arrows.
Scaredy-cat Prince Zhao is set to commit suicide but Sheng Chu Mu gives him a letter his mother wrote to him which according to Sheng Chu Mu is about Consort Xi's involvement with his revolt and if he dies, no one can prove her innocence. It’s another lie to stop him from committing suicide. There is no letter from his mother. It’s from Consort Han to Sheng Chu Mu. Not a single truth from this guy, lol.
Scaredy-cat Prince Zhao is set to commit suicide but Sheng Chu Mu gives him a letter his mother wrote to him which according to Sheng Chu Mu is about Consort Xi's involvement with his revolt and if he dies, no one can prove her innocence. It’s another lie to stop him from committing suicide. There is no letter from his mother. It’s from Consort Han to Sheng Chu Mu. Not a single truth from this guy, lol.
Yan Zi Fang and Lu Ying Ying: Yan Zi Fang asks Lu Ying Ying how he can help her. Easy. Drop everything and flee with her. Uh. He can’t do that. Alright. Second option: never marry and end his Yan line. Lol. He can’t do that either. Lu Ying Ying sighs Men. I like that she can still smile and joke around. He stops her from leaving, holding onto her and checks her wrist bruises. Once Lu Ying Ying's vulnerability is exposed, she loses her pretence and slaps him. “Yan Zi Fang you’re unworthy of me.” Yan Zi Fang... always chasing women who aren’t his anymore. Lu Ying Ying deserves better
Lu Qi and Fu Yin: Fu Yin wonders if her mother would forgive her if she drops her revenge. She prays that if Lu Qi safely returns then that must mean her mother approves. Fu Yin wants to look forward in life.
Prince Zhao’s annoying minion. The only smart guy under Prince Zhao has rounded his troops back to the campsite where Prince Han is who currently has with limited soldiers. Sheng Chu Mu gets on his horse and gallops back to save his brother-in-law. Fighting skills unleashed. (Turns out the horse belonged to Lu Qi which Sheng Chu Mu stole)
If anyone want to see charismatic Xu Kai battling in bronze armour with a red cape, this is the episode, around 20 minute-mark to be exact ;). Sheng Chu Mu and Prince Han are surrounded. Death is near. Oh but Lu Qi comes to the rescue! Lu Qi saves them but he insists he's here only because of Prince Han. Sheng Chu Mu collapses from the wound he sustained while battling. Prince Han cries and wails. Sheng Chu Mu moans, "Brother-in-law, you're squishing me." Yeah, not dead, lol.
The rewards. Prince Han is complimented for returning with Prince Zhao alive all to Crown Prince's dismay. Sheng Chu Mu gets a reward too. He doesn't have to return to the borders anymore but that doesn't mean we get our romance. When he passes Fu Rou with Prince Zhou, he ignores them – completely ignores them.
Lu Qi and Fu Yin: Lu Qi is back home too and Fu Yin reciprocates with love. However, Lu Qi begins to investigate who burned his letter. Will he suspect Fu Yin?
The punishments. Emperor was going to spare Prince Zhao because they are father and son but then Prince Zhao tries to escape and fails. In his letter, he testifies it was Crown Prince who was helping him. Prince Han quickly speaks up for his brother but he isn't convincing enough. Fu Rou speaks up. She adds that Prince Zhao is accusing Crown Prince to undermine the country's stability because the Crown Prince represents the country. Then the Empress reminds the Emperor of the late Grand Emperor's words to believe in the Crown Prince. Emperor gives in.
Fu Rou has no fear! Crown Prince is safe but Consort Xi isn't. She is to be executed for failing to properly raise Prince Zhao. Fu Rou speaks up again! She heard of a saying: "a son's failure is the father's fault". Oof. Emperor dares her to confirm that she's saying it's his fault Prince Zhao rebelled. Fu Rou does not back down. The audacity! Fu Rou agrees. It is audacious that it's only the mother's fault for failing to raise Prince Zhao. True! But omg. He's the Emperor.
[Ep37] Fu Rou really has no fear. Fu Rou doesn't take back her words. She is willing to face death. Everyone (Empress, Prince Zhou, and Prince Han) speak up for her. Prince Zhou reminds Emperor it is him who allowed her to speak so freely when she helped the Crown Princess safely deliver. Fu Rou adds she doesn't want the Emperor to regret punishing an innocent consort. With so much reason, the Emperor relinquishes.
Prince Zhou confronts Fu Rou if she was seeking death because of Sheng Chu Mu's rejection. Fu Rou remains silent. Life doesn't mean much to her anymore without him and that is why she has no fear. Prince Zhou admits to deliberately mentioning Sheng Chu Mu to see her reaction. Her silence tells him her love for Sheng Chu Mu is still deep and the wound in her heart is even deeper.
Lu Qi and Fu Yin: After Mo Li (a maid) accidentally takes the blame for destroying the letter, Fu Yin's labour is suddenly induced. She makes Lu Qi vow on their love to pardon Mo Li. If he dares to punish her then their fate will end. Fortunately, it's a safe birth. Mo Li is also at her side. However, one day she's gone. Lu Qi must have killed her. Fu Yin cries to him, regretting giving birth to his child because all the retribution of his sins will on their child. Lu Qi didn't kill Mo Li. He freed her and annulled her slave contract. Fu Yin misunderstood him. Lu Qi has one question for Fu Yin: when she was pregnant, had she ever thought of not wanting their child? Fu Yin is silent. The answer is bitter for Lu Qi.
Sheng Chu Jun and Sun Ling Wei: All the Sheng brothers are one and the same, lol. For a woman, for love, Sheng Chu Jun is on the path of redemption.
Crown Prince. Fu Tao had found Crown Prince's letters to Prince Zhao but instead of turning them to Lu Qi, he gave them to Sheng Chu Mu. Furthermore, Crown Prince continues to have ties with Prince Zhao's old henchman, currently a runaway rebel who Sheng Chu Mu has a search warrant for. Crown Prince is actually hiding him for the sake just hiding him? Beats me why the Crown Prince would do that guy a favour.
Crown Prince goes on a hunt with Sheng Chu Mu, Prince Han, and others. Prince Han gives Crown Prince a present – a saddle quilt decoration thing. It's missing a few stitches so Xia Han (the maid who wants to avenge for Xiong Rui) comes running out to fix it. Sheng Chu Mu notices something is off but he doesn't figure it out immediately. Then during the hunt, the horse goes out of control. Crown Prince falls off and falls unconscious. Before he was completely out, he saw Chen Ji. It's actually Fu Shui. Sheng Chu Mu finds Crown Prince and captures Fu Shui.
[Ep38] The Aftermath of the Crown Prince's Attempted Murder. All evidence of Crown Prince's attempted murder points to Prince Han. Even Xia Han, the maid who poisoned the horse, testifies she's working under Prince Han. Actually she was taught by Fu Shui if her plan to kill Crown Prince fails then she is to undermine all those who the Crown Prince trusts. Thus, Xia Han claims the mastermind is Prince Han. The Empress suppresses Xia Han's testimony from circulating the palace but Lu Yun Ji finds out and informs the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince/Princess cannot vent their anger on Prince Han because the Empress is actively crushing those rumours, and so they take it out on Sheng Chu Mu. For the excuse of failing to protect the Crown Prince, Sheng Chu Mu is flogged and grounded. Fu Rou had asked Yang Bai to go easy on the floggings. Yang Bai complains that she's worried about his wounds yet Sheng Chu Mu doesn't know about hers – the one in her heart.
Sheng Chu Jun and Sun Ling Wei: Their marriage is failing before it even had a chance. Sheng Family won't let their son marry the sister of the woman who flogged Sheng Chu Mu.
Lian Yan'er is CUNNING. I can't be the only one who thinks she's cunning, right? She taught Ma Hai Miu how to seduce Sheng Chu Mu but in actuality she's the one who's repackaging herself using Ma Hai Niu. What a fox. Now that she's upgraded and revamped, Mommy Sheng gives her renewed respect. If that's not cunning, I don't know what is.
[Ep39] Crown Prince, Fu Shui, and fishes. After the Crown Prince's recovery from a head injury (it was a head injury, right?), he sustains a shortening of his leg. He's demoralized and refuses to eat. Fu Shui has once again become the Crown Prince's best friend. He motivates him with a dried fish. The world to Fu Shui is like a fish. If he doesn't eat it, someone else will eat it. The Crown Prince is invigorated – the world is a dried fish and no one can steal his dried fish! Interestingly, Yan Zi Fan compared the palace to another sea. Drama’s take home message: everything in life is a fish and we all gotta fight for our fishes.
Fu Shui's ulterior motive isn't to help the Crown Prince duh. He's slowly alienating him from everyone he's close to. First it's Prince Han, then the Empress and then his teacher. The Crown Princess is also fooled by Fu Shui.
Misunderstandings. Sheng Chu Mu has moved onto a new fish girl: Lian Yan'er. Not. He's using her to make Fu Rou angry and when he realizes his words were too harsh, he runs to find her but Fu Rou has left on Prince Zhou's horse. Sheng Chu Mu is back to being bitter.
[Ep40] The undoing. Consort Han is pregnant! However, the happy news is immediately clouded with an unfortunate one. Empress is heartbroken the brothers are in a political rift. It's mostly because Crown Prince is brainwashed by Fu Shui into thinking Prince Han is out to get him. Fu Shui also convinces Crown Prince to kill this minister because he's bad blah blah blah.
Du Ning (the guy who loves Fu Yin) reports the death of his mentor to the Emperor and cites the killing to a mole in the East Palace (which means the Crown Prince's manor). However, the Emperor cannot act rashly. Last time the death of Chen Ji began the undoing of him and the Crown Prince and the Emperor.
Empress's health was already deteriorating but with her sons being enemies, the deterioration is accelerating
Then Consort Han loses her baby.
And things get worse. Fu Shui also pulls Sheng Chu Ling into this mess. He reminds Prince Liang it was Sheng Chu Ling who spoiled his plan to rape Fu Rou. Oh shucks, Prince Liang can't have that man living a peaceful life and so Sheng Chu Ling is tied up and brutally whipped. Princess Xin Nan protects Sheng Chu Ling and thus Prince Liang realizes they have a fling going on. Taking advantage, Prince Liang slaps Princess Xin Nan too. Sheng Chu Ling is so furious, he transforms into Hulk, and bursts free from the ropes to protect his girl. Crown Prince and Crown Princess stand witnessing everything and doing nothing.
Empress arrives on scene and demands Crown Prince to explain himself because he's the one person who should have stopped Prince Liang but he didn't.
[Ep41] Empress permits Sheng Chu Ling to leave for medical treatment. She then reprimands Crown Prince but he isn’t the least bit remorseful. He’s sullen and distant to the Empress because he thinks the Empress is taking Prince Han’s side. He rudely leaves. Crown Princess follows but Empress holds her back. If her words are no longer threatening to the Crown Prince, at least it is effective on the Crown Princess. She threatens her she will remove her position, divorce her from the Crown Prince, the biggest humiliation to a woman, if she continues to fuel the brother's conflict. The Crown Princess isn’t in the right, but the punishment should really be on the Princes.....
Sheng Chu Ling and Princess Xin Nan. The happy news is Sheng Chu Ling and Princess Xin Nan can marry (to protect Princess Xin Nan’s reputation). The one condition is that Sheng Chu Ling is banned from alcohol for life because rumour has it that he turns violent with a few drinks. A lifetime ban from alcohol for a woman in those days? Oh my. That’s true love.
Lu Qi and Fu Yin. Lu Qi is giving Fu Yin the cold shoulder. He’s bitter about her not wanting their baby. He loved her so much and she hurt him so much. The pain is so great he wants to kill her. Then do it, Fu Yin tells him. She really will accept death as her punishment. Lu Qi cries; death isn’t what he wanted of her. He hugs her and is willing to forgive her. Fu Yin cries too. The couple are tearfully happy again. They decide on their child’s name: Shan’er. Shan meaning “good/generous”.
Ling Wei and Sheng Chu Jun: Ling Wei is supposed to marry Lu Qi. She begs her sister, Crown Princess, for help because she wants to marry Sheng Chu Jun. The Crown Princess agrees but is actually fuming that even her sister is merging with Han Manor. To make it worse, her baby is taken away by Fu Rou after the Empress deems her unworthy of raising her own child. Fu Shui sneers that everyone from Han manor (Fu Rou is from Han Manor) is out to get her. What will the Crown Princess do? Well. In the next scene her sister dies. Ling Wei actually dies!
Consort Han is punished. According to the Crown Princess, Ling Wei was poisoned from the dessert that Consort Han made for the Crown Princess who then gave to Ling Wei. The Crown Princess and Crown Prince whine to the Empress, demanding an answer from Han Manor. The Empress protects Prince Han and in protecting him, she will sacrifice Consort Han. The decree the Empress sends down is to have Consort Han drink the poisonous wine. What is with the theme of this episode? Punish the women when they did nothing wrong? Fu Rou begs the Empress to have mercy on Consort Han but Fu Rou is detained. With help from the maids and Li Bao Lin, Fu Rou runs to find Prince Zhou for help but only Consort Yan is there. She refuses to help and hands her back to the Empress.
Consort Han receives the death sentence. She drinks the wine without getting to say goodbye to Prince Han. Holy. This is actually happening. Consort Han dies.
[Ep42] Lian Yan’er is a mole. She's actually working for Yan Zi Fang! Oh so she wasn't seducing Sheng Chu Mu.... She reports everything that’s happening in Sheng Manor after Consort Han's death. It was her who told Sheng Chu Jun that Sheng Chu Mu had these possibly incriminating letters against the Crown Prince. Sheng Chu Jun is blinded by hate. Perhaps it's because he lost two women in one day: Sun Ling Wei and Consort Han (sister). He believes their death is all related to Prince Han who upset the Crown Prince and therefore he hates Prince Han.... It seems like Lian Yan’er and Yan Zi Fang want Sheng Manor to combust.
Empress is dying. She spends a night with the Emperor as if leaving her last words. She asks the Emperor to grant Princess Xin Nan’s marriage with Sheng Chu Ling. She also asks him if their children ever upset him to at least spare their lives. The Emperor promises. The next morning, the Empress dies. Fourth woman to die. The first one was Fu Yin’s mom. Interestingly, Empress died the moment Fu Rou wasn’t at her side. Since the Empress died, Fu Rou is no longer a high ranking official. She’s demoted.
Yan Zi Fang. Yan Zi Fang enlists Sheng Chu Jun to help Prince Liang to win over the Crown Prince. Sheng Chu Jun gives the letters to Prince Liang. Am lost.
[Ep43] Prince Liang gives the letters to Crown Prince, and of course, cites the help of Sheng Chu Jun and Yan Zi Fang. Crown Prince is surrounding himself with enemies and got rid of the only brother who cares about him. Pitiful.
Prince Liang helping out Fu Rou(!!). Fu Rou is bullied by other maids where one of them even raises her hand against Fu Rou but a servant interrupts them to give way for a revered general to pass by. It’s Sheng Chu Mu. Did he stop the slap on purpose? We don’t know because He passes by her without sparing her a glance. Then the guy I want to never appear in front of her talks to her. It’s Prince Liang. Oh, but he’s nice! He’s returning the Life Essence Pill that he admitted he stole from her. He had wanted to use it for the Grand Emperor but now it’s of no use. He also save her from the nasty maids. I’m rubbing my eyes and rewinding this. Is this actually happening??? Who are you, this man who stole Prince Liang’s face?
Sheng Chu Mu helping out Fu Rou. It’s pretty obvious Sheng Chu Mu still loves Fu Rou but he won’t admit it. He visits the young little prince (Prince Qin) who Fu Rou used to tutor with the purpose of informing him where Fu Rou’s demotion is. Prince Qin goes to visit Fu Rou but he can’t really do much. The maids are betting on Consort Yan to be the next in power and since Fu Rou had offended Consort Yan, they don’t care about her even if she has Prince Qin as her support.
Who is next to help Fu Rou? Fu Rou casually walks into trouble. There are eunuchs who want to kill the Crown Prince’s baby, thinking they’ll be rewarded by the new Crown Prince because the current one is pretty useless with a dead mother and a physical disability. It’s only a matter of time he’ll be replaced. With no time to think, Fu Rou steals the baby, runs for their life, and alerts the guards, but the guards start chasing her too. She locks herself in the room; there’s no one she can trust. Then the eunuchs start claiming they’re from Han Manor and if the baby is secured, they’ll give her all the credit. All bogus. Fu Rou believes none of it. Then the guards barge in and Fu Rou protects the baby with her life. Is that the end? Nope. The trusty eunuch who had served the Empress has a decree. Fu Rou is promoted to an even higher rank! This was all a test to see if she will betray the Crown Prince’s baby for Han Manor. Then to test if she will hold a grudge on the Crown Prince for the death of Consort Han. Fu Rou spectacularly passes. Empress needed to confirm that she holds justice and fairness above all to give her the position to oversee the palace. “Who is next to help Fu Rou?" Although the Empress gave her a chance, it is Fu Rou who helped herself.
Prince Liang and Lu Ying Ying. Emperor punishes Prince Liang for drinking when the entire palace is still mourning for the Empress’s death – the alcohol was from Yan Zi Fang. At home, he throws a fit (again) and just when he was about to whip Lu Ying Ying for breathing and standing, he sees her tremble in fear and actually stops himself. He even lets her care for his wound. When she touches his hand, I wonder if there’s love in those eyes of his. Can Prince Liang actually redeem himself??? Is Show really doing this?
[Ep44] Who to govern the palace? Not Consort Yan. Fu Rou, with her new position, suggests to the Emperor on who she thinks is suited to govern the palace in place of the late Empress. Contrary to the popular opinion to have Consort Yan reign, Fu Rou recommends Grand Consort Wang (a mother figure to the Emperor whom I will simply call Grand Consort). The eunuch next to the Emperor isn’t looking too chummy. Fu Rou has her reasons on not selecting Consort Yan: her health is poor too. We don’t want another one of your sweethearts dying now do we, Emperor? Emperor is convinced. Grand Empress it is.
Du Ning off to war. Du Ning is assigned to fight with Lu Yun Ji in this far away city. Before he leaves for battle, Du Ning asks Sheng Chu Mu about Fu Rou. I guess farewells make one sentimental. He’s probably thinking about Fu Yin. Sheng Chu Mu can’t stand the mention of her name and instead reminds Du Ning to stay in the cabins, leave the battles for the soldiers, and most importantly take care of himself.
Sheng Chu Mu & Fu Rou. Sheng Chu Mu finally speaks to Fu Rou but there’s venom in his words. He blames her for being a bystander to his sister’s death. He criticizes her for moving on to Prince Zhou, so why would she care about his sister? He insults her for choosing her career over his sister’s life. Fu Rou slaps him, her eyes reflect the pain from his poisonous words. But, girl, speak!! Slap with words! As she's leaving, she trips and falls. Sheng Chu Mu lends a hand but retreats before she can take it. Then Prince Zhou comes out of nowhere to help Fu Rou. But she rejects him.
Sheng Chu Jun saves Crown Princess. He’s grateful for Crown Princess because on the day Ling Wei died, she was happy because her sister promised to help her marry the one she loves. Now, lookie at our Crown Princess’s guilty, guilty expression.
Prince Liang and Lu Ying Ying. Prince Liang cries like a baby to catch the attention of Lu Ying Ying. He wants a bandage change when he just got one. She obeys. Prince Liang steals a glance at her and Lu Ying Ying smiles that he need not be furtive about looking at her. She’s his consort, after all. With a goofy smile on, he continues to stare at her lovingly. o.O
Lu Qi and Fu Yin. Lu Yun Ji would not be Lu Yun Ji if he wasn’t sleazy Du Ning wouldn’t be Du Ning if he wasn’t upright and uptight. The two immediately clash and Lu Yun Ji catches Du Ning tattling to the Emperor. Du Ning is killed! We don’t get to see the death – it’s reported to Lu Qi. Fu Yin overhears. She's at her breaking point and explodes, exposing every single thing: Du Ning being her sweetheart, her mother’s death. her revenge, Lu Han Xing’s death, etc. The truth is out! Lu Qi combusts. O.o
[Ep45] Lu Qi and Fu Yin: After that guilty confession from Fu Yin, Lu Qi has no choice but to lock her. At least he's not killing her.
The repercussion of Du Ning's death I. Sheng Chu Mu reminisces the last moment of Du Ning. For his friend's sake he will find the man who killed his mentor. Sheng Chu Mu traces the killer to East Palace. However, the man is killed before Sheng Chu Mu could interrogate him.
The repercussion of Du Ning's death II. The Emperor falls ill after news of Du Ning’s death (probably feeling very guilty because he sent Du Ning to Lu Yun Ji). The Crown Prince views this as an opportunity to cement his position with the Emperor down. Meanwhile Prince Han is worried for his father’s safety and wants to move in to live in the palace to take care of the Emperor. Crown Prince ain’t liking this.
Lu Ying Ying and her men. Lu Ying Ying berates Yan Zi Fang. She knows he's the one behind the report to send Prince Liang away from the capital. Then he set up Prince Liang to assault the minister who wrote the report. Well, Prince Liang had to take the bait...
Lu Ying Ying to Yan Zi Fang: You are a wild flower raised with poison, never believing there can be kindness. You thrive in evil and betrayal. I am different from you. I don’t betray others and I won’t betray myself. I can't believe the best girl is being tossed between the worst men in this drama.
Lu Ying Ying asks Fu Rou for help: how to keep Prince Liang in the capital. Fu Rou admires Lu Ying Ying for believing that no matter how evil someone is, there's goodness within them. Lu Ying Ying shares the world is a better place with more of them (Fu Rou who is fair and righteous, and Lu Ying Ying who is kind and generous). Fu Rou agrees. She promises to help this one time but she asks Lu Ying Ying how many times she plans to help him. Lu Ying Ying will help as much as she can since she is his wife; she will go through thick and thin with him. Prince Liang overhears.
Prince Liang takes Lu Ying Ying's hand in his and wonders out loud why he, a royal prince, can't have the true love of a girl. GEE. I WONDER WHY. Lu Ying Ying calmly answers, "If you want someone to love you, you need to love someone first."
Prince Liang: If I truly love her then can the woman I love forget the man she loved and love only me?Lu Ying Ying looks away: I don't know.Prince Liang: It's better than you rejecting me – he takes her hand and starts walking again – Okay so what did Fu Rou say?Lu Ying Ying in a playful accusatory voice: You were eavesdropping?Prince Liang grunts: I was walking by. So what is it she said?Omg. I feel so guilty for liking this guy now. But he was so awful!
At high-tea time with Grand Consort, Prince Liang furrows his brows rather obviously. He explains he was thinking of "giving" his son to the late Fifth Prince, Grand Consort's son. She’s touched, especially since Prince Liang looks the most like her son. If I get to choose the genes for my child, I wouldn’t want Prince Liang’s.... Casually, Lu Ying Ying adds they’ll have to hurry, though, before they leave the capital. Grand Consort is like Whaaaaaat?? And that’s settled. With her as support, the Emperor is pressured into letting Prince Liang stay. Prince Liang thanks the Emperor with an idiom that translates "I will only seek easy and comfort" He meant to say he won't cause any trouble but the idiom also means "I will promise to make no attempt to improve myself." Lol.
Sheng Chu Jun and Sheng Chu Mu meet! Sheng Chu Jun was never loyal to Crown Prince. It was all a show to investigate the culprit behind Ling Wei’s poisoning. There’s supposedly something important happening tomorrow and he asks his brother to watch out for Crown Princess because she's Ling Wei's loving sister.
Who killed Ling Wei? Crown Princess overhears Fu Shui tell a messenger to tell Yu He (a eunuch loyal to Consort Yan) he will kill Prince Han behind Crown Prince. Once Fu Shui realizes Crown Princess is here, Fu Shui insists Yu He is betraying Consort Yan for them. Crown Princess wants to inform the Crown Prince but Fu Shui threatens her he’ll tell everyone she poisoned Ling Wei.
Sheng Chu Jun and Sheng Chu Mu meet! Sheng Chu Jun was never loyal to Crown Prince. It was all a show to investigate the culprit behind Ling Wei’s poisoning. There’s supposedly something important happening tomorrow and he asks his brother to watch out for Crown Princess because she's Ling Wei's loving sister.
Who killed Ling Wei? Crown Princess overhears Fu Shui tell a messenger to tell Yu He (a eunuch loyal to Consort Yan) he will kill Prince Han behind Crown Prince. Once Fu Shui realizes Crown Princess is here, Fu Shui insists Yu He is betraying Consort Yan for them. Crown Princess wants to inform the Crown Prince but Fu Shui threatens her he’ll tell everyone she poisoned Ling Wei.
[Ep46] Who really killed Ling Wei? Actually, the real culprit is Fu Shui. However, it doesn't matter because he can always accuse the Crown Princess when she was the last person who touched the dessert. The Crown Princess's maid is hidden in a corner, listening to everything but then she drops her marbles and her location is revealed. She trembles in fear at the sight of the Crown Princess and runs away. Why? I thought the killer was Fu Shui? Why is she scared of the Crown Princess? Sheng Chu Jun is in the area and the maid quickly confesses the real murderer of Sun Wei Ling is Fu Shui. Then the maid dies. Can Sheng Chu Jun escape? No. He dies too! Wow.
Lu Ying Ying and Prince Liang: Prince Liang is in a jovial mood after Fu Shui tells him the Crown Prince is soon to rise above the ranks. He drinks with Lu Ying Ying and will grant her any wish, even if she wants the stars, he'll grab it for her. She doesn't care about wealth or ranks are anything like that. She cares about: "You.... and my brother and my father" and everyone else she knows, she wants them to be safe and healthy.
Prince Liang: Wangfei, you care about too many people. Can't you only care about me?
Then he remembers her words that she cares about "everyone" and he's reminded of the person who took her virginity. Lu Ying Ying sulks if he's going to hit her again. Prince Liang groans they promised not to talk about their past. Lu Ying Ying retorts that he started it. Prince Liang gives in. I know why I like Prince Liang. I can't help but laugh at this guy.
Killing Prince Han. Crown Prince, Crown Princess and Prince Liang are all in on killing Prince Han. Fu Shui is planning it. But what are Fu Shui's real motives? He seems to be helping Consort Yan but he has another agenda: to avenge for his family against the royals?.
Fu Rou stuck in East Palace. Fu Rou visits the East Palace to ask the Crown Princess about a maid's sudden death. However, Fu Rou notices something is off. The guards are patrolling way too frequently. She contains her nervousness in front of the Crown Princess and just when she gets to leave, a maid frantically runs in screaming she found a corpse: it's Sheng Chu Jun's. Suddenly Fu Rou is surrounded by guards. She can't leave anymore.
Sheng Chu Mu saves Prince Han. Sheng Chu Mu is aware of the plan to kill Prince Han (from Sheng Chu Jun; this was what they were talking about last night). Sheng Chu Mu is well prepared and easily rounds up the killers, including Ji Sun Chen Xin (Prince Zhao's minion). Prince Han is safe.
Lu Qi is team Crown Prince too! He was going to seize the palace but Yan Zi Fang warns him to back out. He already sent a letter to warn the Emperor! Wut is happening. Yan Zi Fang is saving Lu Qi because he wants Lu Ying Ying. Dude! I'm so over this you.
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| Focus of this picture: a menacing Fu Tao on the right |
Will Fu Tao kill Lu Qi? Lu Qi quickly returns home, ordering servants to pack their bags and burn the letters. Fu Tao reminds Lu Qi there's still his wife. Oh, right. Fu Tao follows Lu Qi to see Fu Yin. She was patiently waiting for him to end her life. Lu Qi, already wrought with pain, takes out his sword, granting her wish but then Fu Tao makes a move from behind. Fu Yin quickly hugs Lu Qi. Poor Lu Qi thinks she's messing with his heart again and again. He doesn't know she's protecting him from her brother. Lu Qi is done with her messing around with his feelings and orders Fu Tao to send her away, anywhere. That's perfect for Fu Tao. However, she doesn't get to keep her baby.
Yan Zi Fang loves Lu Ying Ying??? Yan Zi Fang visits Lu Ying Ying at Prince Liang's manor. He's here to tell her he wants her and he lies to her that Lu Qi is injured. If she wants to see her brother, then she will have to leave with him. I finally see the big picture now. Yan Zi Fang is team Consort Yan since that episode when Yu He helped him in the streets. Their goal is to take down Crown Prince. Since Yan Zi Fang wants Lu Ying Ying (*rolls eyes*), he pushed Prince Liang into the ditch with the Crown Prince.
[Ep47] Sheng Chu Mu and Fu Rou. Sheng Chu Mu tightly hugs Fu Rou after he finds her safe in East Palace. He apologizes to her and wants them to start anew. Although happy to reconcile with him, Fu Rou has something else on her mind. She looks to the large chest and Sheng Chu Mu follows her gaze. There lays his brother's corpse. In rage, Sheng Chu Mu takes his sword and aims it at the Crown Princess but Fu Rou blocks his path. He insists on revenge; she insists on justice. She even takes Crown Princess to a safe place to prevent Sheng Chu Mu from killing her in prison. He's furious but Fu Rou won't back down. However, it's Prince Han who gets his hand on Crown Princess, forcing her to commit suicide.
Fu Rou in trouble? The Emperor, although disappointed in the Crown Prince, had promised to keep his wife and child alive but now his wife is dead. Consort Yan slyly blames it on Fu Rou because she was in charge of the watch. However, Fu Rou is so diligent, every actions of hers is recorded. There was no foul on her part whatsoever. The Emperor compliments Fu Rou on her fairness but she credits the Empress.
Unfortunately, Prince Han can't be saved from his murder of the Crown Princess. And unfortunately, Sheng Chu Mu is back to hating Fu Rou.
Yan Zi Fang sabotages Prince Liang. Prince Liang is to flee but first he runs home to take Lu Ying Ying with him. The maid, though, tells him Lu Ying Ying willingly left with Yan Zi Fang. Suddenly soldiers are here to arrest Prince Liang. He hides in the yard but the eagle that Yan Zi Fang gave Prince Liang marks him in the sky! Yan Zi Fang is the cunning one! So evil! I probably hate him the most. The eagles ousts Prince Liang. He's arrested. Thanks to Yan Zi Fang, Prince Liang is accused of being the mastermind behind Crown Prince's rebel.
Yang Zi Fang and Lu Ying Ying: Yan Zi Fang brings Lu Ying Ying to the cabin they made love in. However, she's no longer in love with him. He lied to her that Lu Qi was here. Now she wants to leave but he ties her down. It's dangerous with Prince Liang (after he was sabotaged by this man, of course).
Fu Tao and Fu Yin: Fu Tao steals Shan'er (Fu Yin's child) back for his sister.
[Ep48] Consort Yan is sick and apparently only Fu Shui can save her. Fu Rou is very suspicious of this Fu Shui,
[Ep49] Fu Shui. Fu Shui is now known as Yan Fu Shui. Emperor gave him the last name Yan because (a) he's an orphan and (b) he saved Consort Yan.
Lu Ying Ying, Fu Rou, and Fu Yin. Lu Ying Ying escapes from Yan Zi Fang. She finds Fu Rou for help. She wants to be with Prince Liang even if means to be incarcerated with him. Fu Rou is like You silly girl. Instead, Fu Rou takes her to her family's home. Fu Yin is here! But where is Fu Tao? Fu Yin lies to Fu Rou that her baby Shan'er is an abandoned child. The lie is busted when Lu Ying Ying is right there. And now the truth is out for all three girls (that Fu Yin went to avenge her mother at Lu Qi's). Lu Ying Ying solemnly asks Fu Yin when this viscous cycle of revenge will end. Will her child have to kill his father to avenge for his grandmother or kill his mother for tormenting his father?
Lian Yan'er. She was serious about Ma Hai Hu. Now she wants to quit being Yan Zi Fang's mole (after Sheng Chu Jun's death). Her ultimate purpose was to help Ma Hai Hu rise in the ranks but now she doesn't find status to be all that important. She just wants to live her days peacefully with Ma Hai Hu.
Unfortunately, her happy days are bygone. Fu Shui poisons Liang Yan'er(!). *Slow clap* Just how many couples can stay everlasting in this drama? He blames her for the failed attempt to kill Prince Han. She was the one who gave inaccurate information about Sheng Chu Jun. Yan Zi Fang comes running in too late. In her last breath, she asks Yan Zi Fang to not tell Ma Hai Hu she died.
Fu Rou visits Prince Liang for Lu Ying Ying. Fu Rou thinks Prince Liang deserves his punishment but Lu Ying Ying had convinced Fu Rou to deliver her message to Prince Liang who's in prison. Lu Ying Ying is aware Prince Liang, for the first time ever, made himself vulnerable when he returned to the manor to search for her. He, who was always selfish, turned selfless for her. Lu Ying Ying wants Prince Liang to know she never betrayed him. As Fu Rou recounts everything to Prince Liang, he refuses to believe her. He hollers to Fu Rou that if Lu Ying Ying truly wanted to prove that she cares for him, then she should turn herself in. Fu Rou tells him she did. Wut! Lu Ying Ying turned herself in! She can't save him from his crime, but by turning herself in, she wants to save his heart. She wants him to believe there is kindness in this world. Will Prince Liang be convinced
Prince Liang is punished. Um. He died. I was teary for this guy. Not only did he willingly take the poisonous wine, he even wrote a letter to admit all his crimes that he didn't commit. The Emperor is surprised. He reads the letter. But it's a letter to accuse Lu Ying Ying of abusing his mother(?????).
[Ep50] Fu Ying Ying. The Emperor will punish her! Ah, but the punishment is freedom. Prince Liang wrote the letter to save her otherwise she'd probably have to die with him. Lu Ying Ying did touch his heart. I hate Show for making me like Prince Liang because now I'm crying a lot for this scene. The Emperor knows Prince Liang admitted all the crime for Lu Ying Ying to be safe. Whether or not he did commit those sins pertaining the Crown Prince, it's already over. Prince Liang has committed too many sins.
Ma Hai Hu wants revenge. Ma Hai Hu's heart shatters when Lian Yan'er doesn't show up at their meeting spot. Yan Zi Fang lies to Ma Hai Hu that Sheng Chu Mu threatened her. If she were to marry Ma Hai Hu, Sheng Chu Mu will kill him. Lian Yan'er left him to protect Ma Hai Hu. The next day, Ma Hai Hu plots to kill Sheng Chu Mu. However, Ma Hai Niu tipped off Sheng Chu Mu. He easily defeats Ma Hai Hu.
Who will be the next Crown Prince? Emperor is pleased with young Prince Qin when he gives this answer: No matter how much he hates anyone, he will not be consumed by hate. Prince Qin credits his wonderful teacher, Fu Rou. Emperor is proud of his son and it can't be at a better timing. The ministers are deciding between Prince Qin or Prince Zhou to be the next in line.
Lightening strikes! Prince Qin is missing and someone carried him to lean against a tree in Grand Consort's yard. Fortunately Fu Rou finds Prince Qin and she realizes someone is sabotaging Grand Consort so she quickly carries Prince Qin away. The next second lightening strikes at the tree and it's consumed in flames. A second lightening strikes and it hits the roof. The shingles fall and strike the Grand Consort. Now the rumours in the palace have it that Grand Consort must have enraged the sky gods. Consort Yan suggests to govern the palace in Grand Consort's stead while they investigate whether Grand Consort did do anything to anger the gods.
Lightening strikes again! Fu Rou takes the Emperor to see the lightening strike again. The second time it strikes prove that this was no coincidence. Someone purposely put brass rod and disguised it as a tree to attract the lightening in Grand Consort's manor. Who gave Grand Consort the tree? It's Consort Zhen (the recently pregnant one). However, she was sabotaged (the Drama seems to be alluding it is Consort Yan who's behind everything). The eunuch who was part of sabotaging Consort Zhen admits all the crime and takes the poison that he had prepared. In his last breath, he goes: "I. Will. Repay. You. My. Next. Life!" LOL. Drama is being deliberately dramatic. Consort Zhen is aghast. She's squarely framed. She did nothing to make him loyal. Then all the other eunuchs, who "helped" Consort Zhen transport that brass-tree, committed suicide! This sabotaging is thorough. Consort Zhen asks for mercy. Unfortunately, Grand Consort dies. Consort Yan takes advantage of this to punish Consort Zhen to death. Consort Yan would want Consort Zhen dead because she's pregnant and if she gives birth to a son, it's a threat to Prince Zhou. However, with Fu Rou around, Consort Zhen manages to keeps her life to Consort Yan's dismay.
Fu Shui & Crown Prince. Fu Shui visits the Crown Prince (or ex-Crown Prince) in prison and gives him fish to eat. Fu Shui confirms to him Crown Prince it wasn’t Prince Han who attempted to kill him on the horse.
[Ep51] Yang Fu Shui (not Yan Fu Shui). Crown Prince learns Fu Shui is now Yang Fu Shui. Crown Prince, in his weary state, wishes for him to live well. Then the poison activates. It’s a poison that coroners cannot detect. They’ll think he died of starvation. While Crown Prince is dying, Yang Fu Shui tells him his resolve: he’s a Yang; his grandfather is Yang Yuan, a leader of a rebel army. His family died to Tang soldiers (our royals). The Crown Prince eyes are empty. He reaches his hand out to Fu Shui who takes it in his. Fu Shui cries for him.
Fu Shui didn't kill the Crown Prince!
Yu He is furious at Fu Shui. Ah, Yu He is a Yang too. Fu Shui no longer wants to kill the Crown Prince and convinces Yu He that the Crown Prince is already at pit bottom, there is no need to kill him off.
Princes reflect. Prince Han isn’t behaving in prison and has no remorse for his sins. Emperor locks up Prince Han with Crown Prince – apparently this is the Emperor’s way of making his sons reflect. I just realized both their wives died either directly or indirectly because of each other. Crown Prince faces the murderer of his wife and start to cry. Prince Han cries too. They start talking and, finally, their misunderstandings are cleared up. Crown Prince realizes what an idiot he was. Prince Han is such a good younger brother, how could Crown Prince have thought so lowly of him? Then Crown Prince gets another migraine. Apparently, our Crown Prince can’t remember the conversation he had with Yang Fu Shui at all. He just knows he has forgotten something really important.
The danger. Fu Rou escorts Consort Zhen as she’s exiled from the palace. Prince Qin accompanies the trip for his own excursion. Once they arrive in the manor, General Dugu notices there are killers. Our crew retreats. Fu Rou’s driver is pretty fast, blocking Consort Zhen’s carriage. Fu Rou had to yell at the driver to give way to Consort Zhen. Then Fu Rou's carriage topples over and she’s surrounded by the killers who want to rape her. Coincidentally, Sheng Chu Mu is in the area with a mask on but Fu Rou recognizes his combat style. He saves her and suffers a wound. They hide in a cave because the killers are still abound.
The romance. Fu Rou gives Sheng Chu Mu the last of her Life Essence Pill that can cure all poisons. Sheng Chu mutters that it's better if he died because then she can live in harmony with Prince Zhou. Fu Rou silently laughs. She adds that there isn’t just Prince Zhou: there's also Prince Liang who gave her the pill. Sheng Chu Mu grumbles. He wants her to leave but Fu Rou ain’t moving. He gets up to leave but he can’t move from his injury. He accuses her of bullying the weak. Fu Rou laughs at him some more. Ah, I am reminded there was once romance in this.
The next morning, Fu Rou returns to the camp. Alone. Everyone starts marching off but the soldiers chitchat, asking for this other General. It’s Sheng Chu Mu! He was assigned to secretly protect them and since the killers have exposed themselves, Sheng Chu Mu no longer needs to remain incognito.
General Dugu asks Sheng Chu Mu if he’s married because he’s got a niece. Sheng Chu Mu flicks his head to check behind him and then we see Fu Rou peek through the curtains at him. Sheng Chu Mu quickly rejects plans of marriage and then winks at Fu Rou. What happened in the cave! How did Fu Rou bully him? I'm curious. Show, tell me!
They arrive at a safe place to stay. Fu Rou admires Da Tang’s scenery. Sheng Chu Mu approaches her and flirts that Da Tang’s girls are pretty too. Fu Rou smiles and then adds that Da Tang’s generals ... aren’t that great. She walks away with a sweet smile that Sheng Chu Mu can’t see. Meanwhile, he's pouting to himself that she’s always leaving him hanging.
Not Prince Zhou. The Emperor tells Prince Zhou that no mater who he chooses to be next in line, he loves all his sons equally. bs. From this it sounds like the Emperor isn’t choosing Prince Zhou to be the next crown prince and Prince Zhou knows it: “The person who never had hope in me wasn’t the Empress, but the Emperor.”
The Emperor reads this scroll and immediately summons Consort Yan, interrogating her for tyrannically punishing the maids. Yu He is ordered to pack up Prince Zhou’s bags to leave the city. Consort Yan doesn’t understand why her son has to leave. She cries that the Emperor never loved her son. This angers the Emperor and he collapses. Fu Shui is the physician. Yikes.
[Ep52] Emperor is suspiciously down. Consort Yan controls the palace. With Fu Shui’s help, the Emperor remains dormant. The eunuch at the Emperor’s side is also her aide (Eunuch Cao). Consort Yan keeps the edict that had orders for Prince Zhou to leave the palace. Prince Zhou isn't in cahoot with his mother. Prince Zhou is pretty much non-existent these past few episodes and when he does appear, he's a shell of what he used to be. Where was the clever Prince Zhou who helped Fu Rou navigate the palace? Li Bao Lin senses the shift in power. She orders her maid to find a way to make Fu Rou stay out for as long as she can to avoid Consort Yan.
Some romance. Prince Qin can tell there’s love in Fu Rou’s eyes whenever she stares at Sheng Chu Mu. He teases her that he should complain about Sheng Chu Mu to the Emperor. She quickly retorts that Sheng Chu Mu is brave and smart, he should be rewarded! Sheng Chu Mu finally hears something he likes, but then moments later, Fu Rou is back to her polite self and addresses him General Sheng. Sheng Chu Mu pouts. He's like What happened to the Fu Rou who kept calling me Xiao Mu? And here I'm like What happened in the cave!
More eloping? (No). Li Bao Lin’s report arrives to the camp. Fu Rou wants to return. Sheng Chu Mu won’t let her. It’s dangerous and he cares about her. Fu Rou asks him if they’ll elope again. Because we all know how successful that was. Neither of them are the type to escape their responsibilities. But she's putting herself in danger. He can't let that happen! Once Fu Rou is inside the palace, he has no way of infiltrating with his army without an edict. Fu Rou reminds him he risked his life too (back in Ep12) where he could have escaped from danger but he stayed for his soldiers. At that moment, although, he loved her, he chose a dangerous path because he is a General to his soldiers. At this moment, she too is choosing a dangerous path for her own responsibilities. It is because he makes these decisions that she loves him. “If Fu Rou did something to make you worry, will you still love her.” Sheng Chu Mu pouts that he will. She also believes that he will save her whenever she’s in danger. Thus, they decide to go back to the palace. General Dugu is in full support. He’s also in charge of palace security. He can protect Fu Rou.
However, General Du Gu is stopped at the gates. Eunuch Cao gives him an edict from Prince Zhou that he’s relieved from his duties. General Du Gu hands it back to him. He has an edict of his own from the Emperor that trumps Prince Zhou’s. Only the Emperor can fire him. No one else can.
Wu Song (Empress’s eunuch) is punished with a random excuse. Consort Yan has hated this guy for a while now. Fu Rou is back! She stops any form of punishment on Wu Song. She uses the impunity seal from the Empress! Wu Song is in tears, lol, either from being saved or he really misses the Empress. Good actor. Consort Yan is forced to bow to this handkerchief (the impunity seal) that represents the Empress.
Yu He. Aha, he’s a Yang too. He’s using Consort Yan. His plan right now: to kill Prince Qin but Prince Qin isn't here. Fu Rou never brought him back. Yu He lies to Consort Yan that there's a thief to get her to permit for a search, and once he's got the permission everyone is actually looking for Prince Qin. They arrive at the embroidery department but Princess Xin Nan and Sheng Chu Ling have this place protected. Then the eunuchs arrive at Fu Rou’s office and it’s also protected. The protectors: General Dugu’s soldiers. They play Yu He's game: since there are thieves abound, they are here to "help". Heh.
Emperor. General Dugu sends Sheng Chu Mu the Emperor’s diagnosis. Sheng Chu Mu brings a physician to a reputable minister who can escort the physician into palace grounds. With this minister's words, Consort Yan has no reason to not accept medical treatment. Alas, we try the Golden Needle! In a second, the Emperor is awake! Lol. This drama is such a joke sometimes.
Ma Hai Hu. Ma Hai Hu discovers Fu Shui killed Lian Yan’er. He tries to kill Fu Shui but he himself succumbs to death. Fu Shui’s men killed him. Just why does Drama want him dead too?
[Ep53] Consort Yan holds onto Emperor’s hand and calms him that Prince Zhou is governing the palace just fine. Emperor's blood boils again and he faints. What, lol, that's it?
Yan Zi Fang is promoted. After eating lunch, General Dugu spits up blood and faints! Wut. Did he die? Upon Fu Shui’s recommendation to Consort Yan, Yan Zi Fang is promoted to replace General Dugu. His first assignment: arrest Sheng Chu Ling. Consort Yan has a reason: she is the witness to his affair with Princess Xin Nan. Oh is this how that comes to play. Next, Consort Yan arrests Zhen Zhu, Princess’s maid for hiding the affair. Zhen Zhu dies!
Sheng Chu Ling arrested. Fu Rou needs to send a help signal to Sheng Chu Mu to alert him of his brother who apparently fled and now has a death warrant on him. However, Fu Rou can’t leave the palace – she can’t even send out a piece of fabric. The last resort is Princess Xin Nan’s plan: flying kites. Yan Zi Fang finds it fishy and retrieves all the kites. Fortunately, Sheng Chu Mu gets one of them. He confronts Yan Zi Fang. A scene cut prevents us from knowing what they talked about but there’s a plan between them to possibly save Sheng Chu Ling. Is Yan Zi Fang plotting against Sheng Chu Mu or is he actually avenging for Ma Hai Hu by helping Ma Hai Hu?
Princess Xin Nan dies. She was caught for possessing a sword, then accused of plotting to kill Consort Yan for revenge, and where she was detained, she was accidentally burned to death in a large fire.
Crown Prince and Prince Han are still in prison. They’re only given half a bowl of watery congee to share. The goal is to have them so hungry but not starving, so that they’ll fight for food and then kill each other. The “mastermind" (because I’m not sure this is Consort Yan or Yang family’s idea but probably the Yang's) doesn't realize how good of a boy Prince Han is.
Sheng Chu Ling is bait for Sheng Chu Mu. Sheng Chu Ling never ran away as Yan Zi Fang reported. He was kept hostage all along. Sheng Chu Mu tries to save his brother but he's shot in the air as he falls down a cliff. However, is Yan Zi Fang really helping Fu Shui?
[Ep54] Hiding the Imperial Seal. Fu Rou works with a minister to keep the imperial seal safe from Eunuch Cao. And, now everyone is after Fu Rou.
Princess Xin Nan is alive. Last episode, Fu Rou asks Li Bao Lin to convince this other Consort to save Princess Xin Nan. The consort set the fire and found a fake corpse to replace Princess Xin Nan. The guards search this consort's room because they're looking for Fu Rou. Fortunately, Fu Rou comes by to distract the guards. The new problem is that Fu Rou is caught.
Crown Prince and Prince Han are alive too. They fight! No. It's a show to get the guard inside the cell and to have him killed so they can escape. But where do they go? They haven't decided until Crown Prince realizes he misses his father. The Emperor's room it is.
Fu Rou asks Yang Bai for help. She wants him to alert Sheng Manor for help but he's too scared. Fu Rou convinces him this will be his chance to be a hero! She tells him exactly where the Imperial Seal is and then he loudly repeats the location so that Eunuch Cao can hear it. Yang Bai betrays her.
Sheng Chu Mu is alive. Not only that, he gathers his army right where the palace security is weakest (the best access point to the palace). The Emperor had assigned him there to protect the palace. Sheng Chu Mu tells his soldiers he has an edict that summons him to protect the palace.
Prince Zhou dies? Consort Yan quietly tells Prince Zhou that Yu He is planning to kill the Emperor. Ah, so now it's clear that Consort Yan was controlled by Yu He. She wants Prince Zhou to save the Emperor because that might be his last chance to survive. Understanding the gravity of the situation, he volunteers to kill the Emperor just so he can nab a chance to save him. As he enters the Emperor's room, the guards follow him. Once inside, he kills the guards. One of them sneak up on him. And the Crown Prince saves him! Prince Han is like Why! Crown Prince calls him silly; Prince Zhou was saving their father. They're all brothers. Together, they escape. An unconscious Emperor is on Crown Prince's back. Yes, the physically disabled prince is the one carrying the Emperor, lol. What is Prince Han doing? Prince Zhou is protecting them with his sword.
Prince Zhou is alive, it's just that to Consort Yan, he's reported dead. It was a test to see if she knows where Prince Zhou is. She doesn't. Out of anger, Yu He strangles Consort Yan to death. Consort Yan dies! Yu He is crying. Why?
The saviour! Our Princes are barely holding out. Swooosh. Sheng Chu Mu is here to save the day. Emperor wakes up but still delirious. Alright, but I actually care about Fu Rou more. Where is Fu Rou? Sheng Chu Mu is off to save her.
[Ep55] Fu Rou is given poisonous wine. She's forced to drink it.
Yan Zi Fang. Princess Xin Nan and a trusty minister are to be beheaded. Yan Zi Fang saves them! Fu Shui accuses him of betrayal. Yan Zi Fang clarifies pirates are never loyal to their masters but they are loyal to their brothers. Yan Zi Fang is doing this for Ma Hai Hu. And also Lu Ying Ying. Of course, it's always for the girls. This drama. Although Sheng Chu Mu doesn't know where Lu Ying Ying is, Fu Rou does and if Yan Zi Fang wants to save the woman he loves, then he'll need to work together. Their alliance formed that night. The cliff fall was a show for Fu Shui.
Lu Yun Ji flees. Although Emperor is only half awake, he smirks that Lu Yun Ji can't run away. Scene skips to Lu Yun Ji who's leading his army, running away from the palace. But, Daddy Sheng is there. Ah! There you are! Emperor assigned him to that area knowing Lu Yun Ji would flee after killing Du Ning. Lu Yun Ji surrenders. There's no where to run.
Fu Shui. Back in the palace, there's a match between Sheng Chu Mu and Fu Shui. Fui Shui isn't a match but he perseveres. If he dies, he will bring Sheng Chu Mu down with him. However, Sheng Chu Mu isn't affected by the spear at all. Fu Rou had given him a spear-proof-golden vest. Was this during the cave that night? So what happened in that cave?? Fu Shui tells him the haunting truth: Fu Rou has already died. Sheng Chu Mu runs to find her. She is dead.
No she's not! Yang Bai switched out the poison. Oh, he's a good guy.
The Emperor is healthy again. Everything is back to normal. There are punishment and there are promotions.
- Lu Yun Ji and Lu Qi are in prisoner outfit again. Lol. Will third time be the charm? Lu Yun Ji admits to everything and asks the Emperor if Lu Qi and Lu Ying Ying could be spared. The ministers are like No! However, Daddy Sheng begs on behalf of Lu Yun Ji to spare his family!! Thus Lu Qi is exiled, spared from death. And Lu Ying Ying...?
- Lu Yun Ji, Yu He and Eunuch Cao are beheaded
- Yang Bai is also punished but Fu Rou put in some good words for him for saving her.
- Li Bao Lin and the consort who helped Princess Xin Nan get a promotion
- Sheng Chu Ling is rewarded. His prize: Princess Xin Nan
Princes.
- Prince Han is no longer Prince Han. He's Prince Something Else. It's sort of a demotion that gets him out of other more severe punishment. What about Crown Prince who's no longer Crown Prince? Other ministers aren't keen on freeing him. Don't worry, there's Fu Rou. She gives Emperor ten scrolls the Empress wrote for him. She tells him the Empress knew her life was short and so she wrote the scrolls to accompany the Emperor in her stead. The Emperor is touched and, alas, he remembers the last wish he promised the Empress: to spare their son's life.
- Crown Prince isn't beheaded. He and his son – who looks five?? It's been that long?? –leaves the palace too
- Prince Zhou is off to somewhere (probably can't stay in the palace either because of his mother).
Prince Qi was under the care of Mom Sheng! I forgot about him. He's the new Crown Prince.
Romances.
- Sheng Chu Mu has been begging and crying for Fu Rou. He's like a baby who doesn't have his candy. Emperor's words. Emperor teases Fu Rou that he wants to see Sheng Chu Mu beg a bit more. He's just kidding and finally relinquishes. Emperor bestows their marriage to be on the same day as Sheng Chu Ling and Princess Xin Nan's.
- Sheng Chu Ling and Princess Xin Nan marry!
- Sheng Chu Mu and Fu Rou marry! Fu Rou asks him if he believes in "因果" – that there is a cause and an effect. He believes it. She is the "因" and he is the "果". 因 means "because" and 果 means "fruit". Because there is her (the seed), there exists him (the fruit). Without her, there is no him.
- Yan Zi Fang is with Lu Ying Ying. Or more like he abducted her. He locked her in a cabin on his pirate ship. He's going treasure hunting with the map he stole fromt he Emperor's storage which I'm pretty sure he's the one who gave it to the Emperor. Lu Ying Ying isn't happy to be imprisoned, duh. She vows to never forgive him. Yan Zi Fang looks out to big ocean. "善果也罢恶果也罢我自己种的果我自己吃." In other words, the seed he planted, whether good or bad, he'll eat it.
The end.
Remarks
[First Impression (Ep1-8)] I like this! First and foremost, the first eight episodes are a comedy and I would think you'd have to find this funny to enjoy this. There’s smart-funny and stupid-funny. And then there’s really clever. First episode with the mother-in-law was the sinker for me. I actually felt bad for the mother-in-law over the FL, ha. The other pro: the pacing is incredibly fast. Let me spoil you a bit:
- Ep1 Meeting
- Ep2 Love!
- Ep3 Breakup
- Ep4 Heartbreak (& pirates!)
- Ep5 Reunion
- Ep6 Marriage (evil mom and sister trope but not really)
- Ep7 Separation + Resilient Love
What this drama covered in 7 episodes can be another drama’s entire plot with 24+ episodes. Although first seven episodes have established our couple, I find Xu Kai and Li Yi Tong more comedic than romantic. I’m once again not feeling any chemistry between the leads (this has been my 2021 thing, I’m not even surprised anymore). My favourite is Ep8 and it has nothing to do with any of the romances, it is the cleverness of one sewing. I have high hopes for the scheming – light-hearted and fun but clever kind of scheming. I didn’t think that mashup would be possible. Drama, please deliver.
The clothes deserve attention too. I know nothing about historical accuracy, but my gosh, the clothes for the girls have either their armpits tied up or butts wrapped up. Girls, how do you walk? On the other hand, I do find the clothes interesting to look at. Very different. (Edit: I was referring to the clothes around Ep7/8; as I'm watching more of this, those clothes don't show up anymore)
[Actors/Actresses] For me, this is the funniest I’ve seen Xu Kai. He’s taking a liking to these light-hearted roles in his recent dramas which makes me really miss Fuca Fu Heng (Story of Yanxi Palace). Perhaps this role will change that for me.
Other than the main roles, this cast is loaded (at least for me because I have so many people I like here): Tan Jian Ci, Fan Shu Qi (Kris Fan), Wang You Jun, Yan Zi Dong (Kevin Yan), Hong Yao, Wang Yi Zhe and the list goes on.
[News/Gossip-ish] This is also the production from Yu Zheng. Is he done laying low already from that plagiarism scandal (I’m referring to his 2021 New Year's apology)? Will this deter people from watching this? It seems like his plagiarism has been forgotten by the public but then again Yu Zheng was always known for plagiarism.
[Behind the Scenes]
[Ending] Happy.
The couples: 1) Sheng Chu Mu and Fu Rou, 2) Sheng Chu Ling and Princess 3) Yan Zi Fang and Lu Ying Ying.
[Review] [Spoiler-y Summary] This is a palace saga that starts off like a romantic comedy then turns into an unpredictable series of events as if bombs are randomly detonating and you don’t know who will die but, don’t worry, your heroes will triumph. If you love Xu Kai and/or Li Yi Tong, be prepared that their scenes will be limited, and you may be hugely disappointed if you’re in this mainly for the romance. This drama has a story to tell and romance is merely a vehicle. The cast is huge and everyone will have a share of the story. If you love their romance, you will be rewarded but I’d say you would have to be patient – very patient.
I don't have a problem with any of the couples except for Lu Ying Ying and Yan Zi Fang. I've grown bitter about the guy.
Oh, and there's no update on Fu Yin and Lu Qi.
Also, the ending theme is about 因果 (yinguo; cause and effect) which I find is quite random. I would have preferred the drama setting up this theme earlier (way before Ep48) unless I missed it. Essentially, the characters reaped what they sowed. The bad are punished and the good are rewarded. For example, Prince Liang had to be punished for all that he did. I'm fine with that, though, I'm little sad the drama went all the way to redeem him to kill him. The Crown Prince, Prince Zhou and Prince Han are all to leave the palace for various crimes they have committed or were associated with (I'm referring to Prince Zhou). But the show doesn't stay consistent: Yan Zi Fang should not have gotten the girl. That last line he said was bs. If the theme is truly 因果, he should suffer for the bad seed he planted – not Lu Ying Ying.
Final Review
[Review] [Spoiler-y Summary] This is a palace saga that starts off like a romantic comedy then turns into an unpredictable series of events as if bombs are randomly detonating and you don’t know who will die but, don’t worry, your heroes will triumph. If you love Xu Kai and/or Li Yi Tong, be prepared that their scenes will be limited, and you may be hugely disappointed if you’re in this mainly for the romance. This drama has a story to tell and romance is merely a vehicle. The cast is huge and everyone will have a share of the story. If you love their romance, you will be rewarded but I’d say you would have to be patient – very patient.
Now onto why I like this.
[Creativity and Unpredictability] My favourite arc of this drama was when Fu Rou headed the embroidery department. I really liked the sewing parts (the lotus flower to Consort Yan, the Phoenix quilt to distract Lu Qi, the treasure map). I’m also impressed with the drama’s ability to weave so much story from a simple thing like a kite. At certain moments, this drama had deft abilities to instill imaginative trinkets unique to the story – completely unpredictable.
The unpredictability of this plot, though, is a double edge sword. Honestly, I had fun when drama turned dark. For me, it kept me hooked. For others, it was a reason to drop this midway. By the halfway mark, the story has fully adorned a palace story and romance was no longer front and centre and didn’t seem like it would ever be. It’s also a very different type of politicking. It’s nowhere near as serious as usual palace dramas of this scale. The plot and the characters felt surreal. Fu Rou is overly righteous, Lu Ying Ying is overly generous, Sheng Chu Mu is overly heroic, Empress is overly pragmatic, etc. Then they’re put into these situations that, boom, just happens and there’s really no time to emotionally prepare for anything. It’s probably a good thing I didn’t feel too attached to any character (or actor) so it was entertaining to watch them all embroil in chaos – that doesn’t mean I wasn’t sad about one or two deaths.
[Satire] Throughout the drama, I was amused by the satirical elements which I am most definitely in the minority for. To me, the romance was hilarious. Honestly, how is the romance not a big joke? I mean this in a good way. Our drama copy and pasted a mediocre romcom script, condensed it into 7 episodes, and transformed Sheng Chu Mu from a loser to a hero, a playboy to a diehard monogamist. How is that even believable? That is where the jab at romance is. Sheng Chu Mu is the caricature of most of my romcom MLs. The man who changes for one woman, it’s just my MLs don’t change overnight and don’t change so drastically. It makes me laugh at myself for still liking Sheng Chu Mu (when he’s funny and not a man child). The Sheng Brothers are all like that. Once they fall in love, they’re a new man overnight. It’s ridiculous and I find it funny.
Then there’s jabs at overused palace tropes. [Minor Spoiler] For example, there’s Li Bao Lin, the perfect setup for a female rival to Fu Rou but not only does Fu Rou help her win the Emperor’s favour, they become the best of friends, true companions. To put the icing on the cake, the girls will dramatically celebrate: “Oh my, is this the famous female friendship that exists in the palace!”[/Sp]. There’s also scenes with the life pills and the impunity seal that serve to debunk more palace myths. It’s little trinkets like these, I truly appreciated Court Lady.
[Ending] Unfortunately, I can’t wholeheartedly recommend this one despite finding pieces of this charming. The drama loses its grip near the end. I can’t agree with some characters’ endings . Then it tries to sell a last minute message that I don’t buy (to simplify the message: karma). The ending is still mostly comprehensible but the linkages are missing and I can’t seem to connect with any characters at the end.
[Creativity and Unpredictability] My favourite arc of this drama was when Fu Rou headed the embroidery department. I really liked the sewing parts (the lotus flower to Consort Yan, the Phoenix quilt to distract Lu Qi, the treasure map). I’m also impressed with the drama’s ability to weave so much story from a simple thing like a kite. At certain moments, this drama had deft abilities to instill imaginative trinkets unique to the story – completely unpredictable.
The unpredictability of this plot, though, is a double edge sword. Honestly, I had fun when drama turned dark. For me, it kept me hooked. For others, it was a reason to drop this midway. By the halfway mark, the story has fully adorned a palace story and romance was no longer front and centre and didn’t seem like it would ever be. It’s also a very different type of politicking. It’s nowhere near as serious as usual palace dramas of this scale. The plot and the characters felt surreal. Fu Rou is overly righteous, Lu Ying Ying is overly generous, Sheng Chu Mu is overly heroic, Empress is overly pragmatic, etc. Then they’re put into these situations that, boom, just happens and there’s really no time to emotionally prepare for anything. It’s probably a good thing I didn’t feel too attached to any character (or actor) so it was entertaining to watch them all embroil in chaos – that doesn’t mean I wasn’t sad about one or two deaths.
[Satire] Throughout the drama, I was amused by the satirical elements which I am most definitely in the minority for. To me, the romance was hilarious. Honestly, how is the romance not a big joke? I mean this in a good way. Our drama copy and pasted a mediocre romcom script, condensed it into 7 episodes, and transformed Sheng Chu Mu from a loser to a hero, a playboy to a diehard monogamist. How is that even believable? That is where the jab at romance is. Sheng Chu Mu is the caricature of most of my romcom MLs. The man who changes for one woman, it’s just my MLs don’t change overnight and don’t change so drastically. It makes me laugh at myself for still liking Sheng Chu Mu (when he’s funny and not a man child). The Sheng Brothers are all like that. Once they fall in love, they’re a new man overnight. It’s ridiculous and I find it funny.
Then there’s jabs at overused palace tropes. [Minor Spoiler] For example, there’s Li Bao Lin, the perfect setup for a female rival to Fu Rou but not only does Fu Rou help her win the Emperor’s favour, they become the best of friends, true companions. To put the icing on the cake, the girls will dramatically celebrate: “Oh my, is this the famous female friendship that exists in the palace!”[/Sp]. There’s also scenes with the life pills and the impunity seal that serve to debunk more palace myths. It’s little trinkets like these, I truly appreciated Court Lady.
[Ending] Unfortunately, I can’t wholeheartedly recommend this one despite finding pieces of this charming. The drama loses its grip near the end. I can’t agree with some characters’ endings . Then it tries to sell a last minute message that I don’t buy (to simplify the message: karma). The ending is still mostly comprehensible but the linkages are missing and I can’t seem to connect with any characters at the end.
[Overall] I still enjoyed this for what it is even when the plot turned dark but it’s a pity I couldn’t enjoy this more had it only held tighter to its rein near the end.
Random Recommendation: Mountains and Oceans
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