A contract marriage between a girl who wants to go home and a prince who hates home.
Notable Actors/ActressesZeng Shun Xi: Zhao Xiao Qian / Han Chen
Liang Jie: Xie Xiao Man
Fan Zhi Xin: Zhong Zi Yan
Chinese Title
雁歸西窗月
[Ep2] Zhao Xiao Qian is angry. Xie Xiao Man accidentally breaks Zhao Xiao Qian’s sword tassel that was already breaking on its own. To retaliate, he rips her land receipt right in front of her. Zhong Zi Yan apologizes to Xie Xiao Man on behalf of Zhao Xiao Qian. That tassel belonged to Zhao Xiao Qian's older brother, Dalang, who passed away.
Zhao Xiao Qian declares Xie Xiao Man his enemy. His brainless fan-girls bully her. Her cousin, Ru Ying is the worst of them; she tells everyone that Xie Xiao Man's father is a coroner. Everyone discriminates her. Zhao Xiao Qian doesn’t care though. There’s nothing wrong with being a coroner. Plus, his animosity towards her has nothing to do with her father.
Ming Gu and Yan Bo Yang. There might be a marriage with Ru Ying and Yan Bo Yang (Zhao Xiao Qian’s friend). Ru Ying hates it because that would make her marriage lower than that of Xiao Man's. She complains to all the girls about it. Ming Gu stands up for Yan Guai Yang. I like Ming Gu and I hope she likes Yan Bo Yang instead of Li Zhong Yan.
They argue again. The argument is about Ming Gu and Yan Bo Yang. He’s accused of something that Ming Gu can testify for but if she does, then it’ll ruin her reputation because she'll be telling everyone she spent a night with him. Xiao Man understands her cousin but Zhao Xiao Qian is upset for his friend. Xiao Man doesn’t want Ming Gu’s life ruined like hers and that offends Zhao Xiao Qian.
They make up again. They take a night walk together and share their happy moments of their childhood. Then in the lake a magical blue dolphin (?) the size of a submarine floats in the sky and dances around them. In this miraculous moment and with the woman he loves, he kisses her. Um. Lol. I think this shared-hallucination is the effect of the fruits they ate...
Ming Gu and Yan Bo Yang. Ming Gu confesses the truth for Yan Bo Yang and now she’s punished by her mother. Them spending the night together is to be kept a secret, though
[Ep10] Xiao Man refuses to remember her kiss with Zhao Xiao Qian. It doesn’t stop him from pestering her. But the kiss did happen and their relationship has leveled up! He can put a hairpin in her hair and pinch her cheeks. Unfortunately, he learns that she lost his hairpin and lied about hanging out with Ming Gu when she was actually with Li Su (to learn sewing from Yan Niang – but he doesn't know this).
They argue again. But! This makes Xiao Man wonder if she should be nicer to Zhao Xiao Qian and actually treat him like her husband since she knows he’s angry because he cares about her. However, Li Su is in a bit of a trouble so she needs to help him first.
[Ep11] Poor Zhao Xiao Qian is so angry, he’s sick. Nanny Zhu is right outside, spanking Xiao Man, which forces Zhao Xiao Qian to rise from his bed. If Nanny Zhu insists on hitting Xiao Man, then she’ll have to hit him first then hit his woman. Nanny Zhu huffs and puffs and leaves. Our sickly Zhao Xiao Qian picks up his woman to tend to her wounds. But really he wants a chance to talk to her. He apologizes. He drank too much after being taunted by Shen Yan about her. He regrets making her leave the manor. He knows she must have her reasons. She tells him everything (that losing the hairpin was all an accident, etc.).
They make up again. She also tells him her life would be easier if she just hated him (why?) but she doesn’t know how to hate him when he’s so nice to her. He kisses her forehead. And they hug.
Oh and another argument. Zhao Xiao Qian thinks Xiao Man likes Li Su and out of anger he sells Xiao Man for three "pennies". I don’t know their currency but that's the idea of it. Li Su will buy her. Xiao Man ain’t happy being a product for the men to buy and sell. If he wants to sell her then so be it. She adds a competition (jeez, are we selling or are we battling?) that if she wins then Zhao Xiao Qian will have to keep to his words on selling her contract.
[Ep13] During the game interim, Xiao Man learns Zhao Xiao Qian intends to free her. She also knows it’s Zhao Xiao Qian’s brother’s birthday. She makes a kite for him because she remembers his story about flying a kite with his brother. Zhao Xiao Qian receives the kite via Zhong Zi Yan.
[Ep14] Zhao Xiao Qian thinks Xiao Man rejected him because the lantern she was holding is a rejection lantern. That night Zhao Xiao Qian has a nightmare. When Zhao Xiao Qian was young, he liked kite-flying because he thought he could send a message to his real parents (Consort Pu and Prince Pu) but a eunuch tells him to stop. He has to remember his parents are the Emperor and the Empress (who was pregnant at that time).
[Ep16] Zhao Xiao Qian gets a case of butterflies when she addresses his brother as "brother-in-law".
Flashback: Zhao Xiao Qian's older brother was gravely ill just when the Empress miscarried. Apparently a kite flew by and scared her. While everyone is grieving and all the extra coal is allotted to her, no one cared about Zhao Xiao Qian and his brother. His brother died in bitter loneliness except for Zhao Xiao Qian's accompaniment. Winter solstice arrives – the beginning of winter and the last day Zhao Xiao Qian saw his brother. The last words his brother told him was to leave the palace, never to return and to do what he loves (which is to fight in the army).
Zhao Xiao Qian learns Yan Bo Yang was the one who stole his brother's sword. He hits Yan Bo Yang once and that's that. Zhao Xiao Qian forgives him. The boys are friends. Oh. So he’s forgiving to his friend who stole it and not to his girl who lost it. Argh.
Shen Zhao Wen was behind the sword incident. She wanted the couple to argue over the sword. Her logic is that once Zhao Xiao Qian breaks up, he'll want to marry her. ....but Xiao Man is just a concubine?? Shen Zhao Wen is not in love with Zhao Xiao Qian but if they don’t marry, she’ll have to marry the old Emperor. Her parents will sell her to the royals for the Empress’s support. Her life is merely a stepping stone for Shen Yan's career.
Zhao Xiao Qian is not angry. Zhao Xiao Qian confesses to Xiao Man. It’s a very clear I-like-you. The two kiss.
[Ep18] Both are angry. Ming Gu confronts Shen Zhao Wen for the sword incident. The girls fight. Shen Zhao Wen slips and hits her head. Ming Gu is in trouble. Shen Zhao Wen also earns the pity of Zhao Xiao Qian. Xiao Man is not exactly happy. To make it worse, she finally learns there's marriage talk between Zhao Xiao Qian and Shen Zhao Wen. She's furious at Zhao Xiao Qian for not telling her.
[Ep19] Hanchen is trying to get Xiaoman a title so he can properly marry her. He goes to the Academy Principal who says he can't help. Principal sends him to Duke Feng or Teng who has no ties to the royal court.
The deserter Hanchen captured is sentenced to be beheaded in 7 days. His brother sends Xiaoman's childhood friend (who he just happened to be married to) to lure her to be kidnapped. The friend meets with Xiaoman but can't bring herself to lure her.
Ziyan (Hanchen's study buddy) goes to take the Imperial exam.
Congwen brings Xiaoman to the school where he teaches young rural students and has him be a guest teacher. He sits and watches her with a slight smile while she talks to the girls about having their own ambitions to achieve. He started falling for her when he read her comment on his book and realized she understood his writing.
Shen Sister summons Xiaoman to a food place where Xiaoman's mother works. She has her servant humiliate Xiaoman's mother - who takes it and begs the servant to be kind to Xiaoman after Shen Sister marries Hanchen. Shen Sister tells Xiaoman that she should know her place. Whether Hanchen marries her or not, he'll never marry Xiaoman. She'll never be anything but a concubine and servant, locked up in the back rooms and never hearing her children call her "mother". Xiaoman slaps her twice, once for her mother and the second time for herself and then storms off.
Duke Feng won't help Hanchen. He scolds him for pampering the concubine and demoting the wife. He says he's foolish and childish to even consider refusing an Imperial edict and finishes by asking him if he really isn't going to go fight in the border war.
Xiaoman goes looking for her childhood friend to help her and is kidnapped by the deserter's brother. She's angry that her friend didn't tell her. Her friend gives her a piece of broken crockery after the men have left the room but doesn't have the courage to help further.
Hanchen arrives home just in time to learn Xiaoman has been kidnapped by deserter's brother. He rushes to save Xiaoman and lets them hit him without fighting back to save her. She finishes sawing through the ropes holding her with the broken crockery and runs to Hanchen's side. He's protecting them both, but outnumbered, when her childhood friend arrives with the guards. Deserter's brother is all: "You betrayed me, vile female!" (paraphrased, of course. All I could think was, you expect loyalty from someone you treat like dirt and beat and force to betray her own friend?!?) All the villains are arrested.
Xiaoman and Boyang learn about Minggu taking the money. They rush to town to find her.
Congwen learns from the Academy Principal that his father is under house arrest and being investigated for corruption and embezzlement. The Principal tells him that his father has been making donations to keep the Academy going and that every time he writes to the Principal he asks how Congwen is doing. He suggests that Congwen go visit his father (before it's too late, by implication.)
Minggu gives Sidekick the money but he has no intention of clearing Ziyan as that will get him in even more trouble. Boyang and Xiaoman arrive as Sidekick's guards are restraining Minggu and Boyang punches Sidekick in the face. Minggu falls to her knees to beg Sidekick and Boyang yells at her that his father can help (he's a judge or something). Sidekick flips out on them and picks up a vase to hit Minggu with. Boyang protects her with his body. He tells Minggu that he's a fool and loses consciousness. (The vase hits him on his shoulders but they bandaged his head the next episode -- apparently his shoulders transferred the damage to his head. lol) Guards arrive and arrest Sidekick and his guards.
Hanchen meets with Shifu General. He says he wants to go to battle at the border too. General Shifu asks if he's sure because the battlefield isn't a game. Hanchen is sure but a messenger arrives with news of Ziyan's plight.
Congwen puts on his travelling scholar gear and leaves - presumably to see his father. He wanted to show Xiaoman the latest installment of his book (that she was always saying she wanted to see) but didn't get the chance.
Hanchen is furious that Ziyan didn't tell him about his problem. Ziyan is adamant that he doesn't want Hanchen dragged into it.
Boyang is awake but refuses to see Minggu. She's worried about him.
Hanchen and Shen Brother meet at the prison. Hanchen demands that Shen Brother use his connections to arrange for Ziyan to take the exam again, all by himself. Shen Brother scoffs: "You think it's that easy?" Hanchen signals someone to start whipping Sidekick who is in the next room.
Shen Brother is visibly upset at his sidekick's cries of pain but Hanchen points out that what he did is deserving of death and says he was only holding off out of respect for Shen Brother. Shen Brother tells him that he can't help. The word has already come from the capital that anyone helping him in this matter will be going against Prince Pu (Hanchen's biological family). Shen Brother points out that there is no way the Empress will let him go to the border and earn military merits that might put the Crown Prince's position in danger. The only hope Ziyan has is if Hanchen marries Shen Sister and returns to the capital to be under the Empress's thumb. Hanchen bursts out with: "All my problems are because of this identity as the adopted son of the Emperor, Prince Julu (I think that was the title).
Hanchen grudgingly tells Shen Brother that he'll spare Sidekick's life but he has to go guard the gates of Shanhai Pass and then he leaves. Shen Brother slaps Sidekick but then tells him about the deal Hanchen offered. Sidekick has already had his name removed from the family's genealogy book so he has no reason to stay - he agrees. Shen Brother promises to make arrangements for Sidekick in Shanhai and to look after his mother and sister here in Wuchang. (Apparently he's loyal to underlings. Color me surprised.)
Xiaoman brings Hanchen food and then asks him if he'll join her family for the Mid-Autumn Festival since they don't know yet that she and he are supposed to be divorcing. (Gotta love her optimism. Hanchen has told her several times he's not letting her go but there she is, still waiting for her annulment letter.) Hanchen says that the manor always has leftovers from their Mid-Autumn Festival so her family should celebrate here at the mansion. Xioaman likes this idea and asks about Ziyan's situation. (We don't know what Hanchen tells her but Ziyan is listening just outside and he's really bummed by what he hears. He sadly leaves.) Hanchen asks Xiaoman if she could save a friend but with a really big price, would she? She doesn't know. She tells him a rather anti-climatic ghost story to cheer him up. He laughs because it isn't scary at all but she says it scared her when she was a kid. Then he asks to sleep with her that night. He quickly clarifies that he'll take the floor and she can take the bed.
As they're lying in the dark he asks her to tell him why she REALLY wants to leave him. She tells him it's because he'll get married. Whether it's Shen Sister or someone else, he's going to marry another woman and it won't be her. She doesn't want to be stuck in the back court nor does she want to share her husband. He tells her he doesn't want to lose her. She invites him to share the bed - but just for sleep. He joins her and they snuggle and she tells him he's the best man she's ever met (which may be the saddest thing in this entire show) HAHA and that she hopes he accomplishes everything he wants and has a great life. He kisses her forehead. They sleep.
Ziyan leaves the city, stumbling drunk.
Hanchen and Xiaoman wake up. She snuggles up to him then jumps back calling him a "pervert". He protests that "it's natural!" Then he frowns and asks her how she knows what that means anyway. We never know because Xiaoman's maid rushes in (blushes and turns away to find them in bed together) and tells them that Minggu is outside because Ziyan is missing. Hanchen finds out that Ziyan left the city that night while drunk. He meets up with Ziyan in the family's noodle stand. He hasn't told his mother and sister about the exam. Hanchen doesn't tell them either.
Hanchen, Ziyan, Minggu, and Xiaoman go back to the lake with the magic Kun creature. They eat the fruit. Xiaoman tells everyone that if they make a wish when they see the Kun it will come true. Xiaoman wishes to be a teacher like Teacher Li. Minggu wants to take over the family stores and be an honest merchant like her mother. Ziyan wants to fulfill his dream of being a Principal Graduate and then an officer and then climb the ranks to Chancellor (at 40, I believe) and uphold justice and keep the peace of the nation. Hanchen doesn't make a wish, he just kisses Xiaoman.
Hanchen sees Shen Sister off to return to the capital. He still thinks she is a poor victim and tells her the Emperor promised him not to make her marry him (the Emperor). Shen Sister asks him if she really thinks the capital will let go of him? (How does he not see the poison in her smirk?)
Ziyan retakes the test. Hanchen proposes to Xiaoman again as a Duke and she agrees to marry him (I guess as his first wife?). General Shifu and Shen Brother head off to war. The Empress sends Princess Pu to bring Hanchen back to the capital. (But he was grounded in the edict so how is he supposed to do that?)
Hanchen is against Xiaoman being a teacher. He wants her to stay home, have children for him, and teach THEM. She's adamant about her ambition. Her little brother is failing his subjects. Hanchen says if she can teach little brother he'll agree to her being a teacher. Am triggered.
Mommy Pu says that Xiaoman isn't good enough for Hanchen but if he agrees to be a good boy and return to the capital with her, she'll give them her blessing. He says he doesn't need her blessing - he's an abandoned child. He also says he'll marry Xiaoman regardless of what she thinks and no, he isn't returning to the capital.
Minggu and Xiaoman's grandmother is sick and has fallen unconscious. Minggu's evil uncle and cousins file a lawsuit to take possession of the stores. Xiaoman shares that Grandmother told her that the stores and possessions were to be inherited by her daughter and granddaughter. She's willing to testify on their behalf.
Hanchen is sure that Minggu's problems are connected to Mommy Pu. Sure enough, when Xiaoman goes to testify Mommy Pu decides she needs to perform her filial duties and wait on her instead. Hanchen stays behind to be flogged by his loving mother while Xiaoman goes to testify.
The judge hearing the case is part of the conspiracy. He finds excuses to rule against Minggu's family until Mean Cousin shows up. She testifies that the judge has had dealing with her family and has no standing to try the case. It's moved to a higher court.
Mommy Pu apparently expected this and sent her servant (Zhu Momo maybe?) to make it clear to the judge (who happens to be Boyang's father and an otherwise honest and just man) that he will be going against the Pu manor if he doesn't give the assets to the other branch of the family. She also pulls out a hairpin that has something to do with Xiaoman's brother.
[Ep25] Minggu's family lost their case in spite of the lack of valid evidence on the part of the family. Boyang is beside himself at his father's utter betrayal. His father sends him home to be placed under house arrest. Grandma knew that was coming, and she knew she was dying, so she had her servant write her testament to her family.
Xiaoman barges in on Mommy Pu who is praying at an altar to Buddha. She says that it's sacrilege to lie before Buddha and that the gods know her evil deeds. Mommy Pu admits to everything and adds that she has Xiaoman's brother in her hands and can hurt her other friends too. She tells Xiaoman to leave because all Hanchen's problems are because of her. Xiaoman tells her that when she dies and is sentenced to harsh punishment in the afterlife to remember that she deserves it.
Hanchen gets a note from Xiaoman to meet at a bridge in town. He knows this is bad and confronts Mommy Pu. She says everything she's doing is for his own good. She asks him if he really doesn't know how his older brother died? Hanchen demands to know what happened.
Next thing we see, Hanchen and Xiaoman are on a bridge and she tells him they can't be together anymore. Hanchen is devastated and begs her to trust him - he'll fix it. She's sorry and sad but she leaves anyway. (Of course she does - it's her brother being threatened.)
The Academy is being shut down because of its connection to Congwen's father (who is being investigated or has been found guilty of corruption.)
Minggu's family have ten days to vacate their home. ALL of their belongings were given to the other branch of the family. They read Grandma's testament which tells them that not to despair or to seek revenge. She tells them they can rebuild their fortunes because they know how to work hard and they know how to run a business. Minggu suggests that the family go to the capital where their new stores are still in their name and start over. After some encouragement the rest of the family and many of the old employees agree to make the move. Minggu breaks up with Boyang because she needs to help her family rather than marry right now.
Hanchen discovers that the Empress blamed him for her miscarriage (even though the Imperial Doctor said the fetus had been dead for days). His brother took the blame for him. The Empress had Big Brother poisoned and has done everything to control Hanchen so he can't come back and take revenge on her. Hanchen is still determined to go to the border and earn military merits. He wants enough power to protect those he loves.
The issue of the Academy closing ends up in Boyang's father's court. The students are yelling and shouting outside the court. Boyang begs his father to leave them alone until they take their final exam. His father has him flogged. The Principal and teachers arrive. The Principal gently tells the students that he never taught them to be unruly. He reminds them to think twice before acting and the students calm down. Boyang's father was also a student of the Academy and was finally convinced by the Principal to let them have a few extra days until the final exam.
The final exam is just for them to write about their ambitions. The Principal and teachers have already made their plans. Teacher Li will be opening a girl's academy in the capital. The Academy is officially closed. Xiaoman and her family will be moving to the capital with Mingu and her family. Xiaoman plans to help Teacher Li. Congwen confesses to her but she feels only friendship for him. He takes it well.
Chinese Title
雁歸西窗月
Network: Tencent Video
Recap Grade: B
First Impression: 2.05/5
First Impression: 2.05/5
Mini Recaps
[Cyn-opsis] Xie Xiao Man moves to Wujiang Prefecture. She misses home (Yuyangli) already and keeps the receipt to the land deed from her old home. She plans to buy it back. They're moving because her brother is in the capital taking the imperial exam while her father works in Wujiang Prefecture. It's not that Xie Xiao Man doesn't want to reunite with her family. The problem is with her other family members, more specifically her father's side. Since her grandfather's death, the rest of the family bullies her family. They inherited these small acres of land (in comparison to her uncles') and now they have to sell it back to them in order to move in to the city.
Zhao Xiao Qian is a prince. He has another name his buddies call him: Han Chen. He stays in Wujiang prefecture to avoid the palace and all the politics. He's supposed to be engaged to Shen Zhao Wen. However, the only thing he wants is to stay away from the capital and all the politics.
*Note: Almost every character has two names (one is their real name, the other is their "small name" that close friends or family members use). It sucks a lot when I’m figuring out who is who and now they’ve got two names. I will use whatever name is used more often
[Ep1] Xie Xiao Man is quite unlucky whenever she meets Zhao Xiao Qian. She loses her land receipt in their first meeting and she's accused of being an arsonist in their second meeting.
Xie Xiao Man applies to work at the Prince's manor in order to buy back her land in the countryside. She has yet to know her employer is Zhao Xiao Qian.
[Ep2] Zhao Xiao Qian is angry. Xie Xiao Man accidentally breaks Zhao Xiao Qian’s sword tassel that was already breaking on its own. To retaliate, he rips her land receipt right in front of her. Zhong Zi Yan apologizes to Xie Xiao Man on behalf of Zhao Xiao Qian. That tassel belonged to Zhao Xiao Qian's older brother, Dalang, who passed away.
Zhao Xiao Qian declares Xie Xiao Man his enemy. His brainless fan-girls bully her. Her cousin, Ru Ying is the worst of them; she tells everyone that Xie Xiao Man's father is a coroner. Everyone discriminates her. Zhao Xiao Qian doesn’t care though. There’s nothing wrong with being a coroner. Plus, his animosity towards her has nothing to do with her father.
The girls’ bullying of Xie Xiao Man continues. Ming Gu (Su Wei), also a cousin, frees Xie Xiao Man from being locked in the kitchen.
Note on “Cousins". My understanding of most Western cultures is that there is no difference between maternal or paternal cousins. A cousin is a cousin. However, it matters in Chinese (which is annoying in my personal opinion). Paternal cousins are “closer”, sharing the same last name, and are actually referred to as "brothers" and "sisters". Meanwhile maternal cousins are considered more distant and are "cousins”. Drama-wise it's of note that Ming Gu (maternal) is actually nicer to Xie Xiao Man than her paternal cousin who technically should be like a "sister" to her.
Zhao Xiao Qian is no longer angry. Xie Xiao Man learns how to make a new sword tassel overnight. Zhao Xiao Qian only sees the backside of her and chases her. He accidentally catches her changing. Swiftly, he turns around and knocks on the door. When it's Xie Xiao Man who appears, he’s a little disappointed. Or is he?
Xie Xiao Man clarifies she doesn’t owe him anything after she fixed his tassel. She adds that his tassel is called a Gentleman’s tassel. Then she angrily steps on his foot to berate him that he’s anything but a gentleman. However, she will continue to work here so she apologizes and asks him to tolerate her. Girl, are you okay? Why did you step on him if you were going to follow up with that? After being stepped on and then getting a semi-non-apology from his employee, his reaction is this: “You’re so skinny.” Guy is not okay too.
The next day he stops by at the girls’ cafeteria. Ignoring his fangirl, he only looks at Xie Xiao Man and makes fun of her food. Omg. I'm getting Dao Ming Si vibes from Zhao Xiao Qian.
Zhao Xiao Qian is no longer angry. Xie Xiao Man learns how to make a new sword tassel overnight. Zhao Xiao Qian only sees the backside of her and chases her. He accidentally catches her changing. Swiftly, he turns around and knocks on the door. When it's Xie Xiao Man who appears, he’s a little disappointed. Or is he?
Xie Xiao Man clarifies she doesn’t owe him anything after she fixed his tassel. She adds that his tassel is called a Gentleman’s tassel. Then she angrily steps on his foot to berate him that he’s anything but a gentleman. However, she will continue to work here so she apologizes and asks him to tolerate her. Girl, are you okay? Why did you step on him if you were going to follow up with that? After being stepped on and then getting a semi-non-apology from his employee, his reaction is this: “You’re so skinny.” Guy is not okay too.
The next day he stops by at the girls’ cafeteria. Ignoring his fangirl, he only looks at Xie Xiao Man and makes fun of her food. Omg. I'm getting Dao Ming Si vibes from Zhao Xiao Qian.
[Ep3] Zhao Xiao Qian is angry. Shen Yan, who hates Zhao Xiao Qian, threatens Xie Xiao Man to put diarrhea medication in Zhao Xiao Qian's dessert during a soccer match. Technically Zhao Xiao Qian didn't have to eat her dessert but he chose her out of all the girls. As he's just about to bite into it, Xie Xiao Man knocks it away. She doesn't want to poison him. However, he soon learns she attempted to poison him and that angers him enough to fire her from his manor. Not only that, he packs his bags to leave the city.
Ming Gu likes Zhong Zi Yan. She made him peach blossom pastries that she never got to deliver and now he's leaving tomorrow (with Zhao Xiao Qian). Xie Xiao Man delivers the pastries for Ming Gu but the message turns wonky in the middle and Zhao Xiao Qian believes Xie Xiao Man made him the pastries to profess her love for him.
[Ep4] Zhao Xiao Qian is no longer angry. Zhao Xiao Qian shows off to his horse that Xiao Man made him peach blossom pastries. As he’s busy boasting, his horse ate all the pastries. The horse is punished to do chores (lol) and the servants have no idea why.
The peach blossom pastries are the beginning of Zhao Xiao Qian and Xiao Man’s amiable relationship. He shares a bit about himself to her. He needs to be a prince who can do everything but also a prince who doesn’t need to do anything. He lives off taxpayers' money and he can’t say he hates it. He also can’t fight for anything in the palace. His one purpose is to look like a prince.
Zhao Xiao Qian is angry. The fall of their relationship is also because of the peach blossom pastry. He realizes she never made any pastry for him. He detains her and she’s punished to kneel. Her reputation is also ruined when everyone knows she’s a maid to him.
Li Su (Cong Wen) likes Yan Niang who is a courtesan. He wants to buy her contract to free her. Li Su is also a senior to Xiao Man and she admires him. I'm not too sure if that admiration has love or is platonic.
[Ep5] In the middle of Xiao Man’s punishment, she gets angry at Zhao Xiao Qian and walks off. Alright. Cool. She can just disobey a prince like that. Zhong Zi Yan explains to Xiao Man that Zhao Xiao Qian has his reasons. The Emperor had adopted him and his brother and then they were neglected after he had his own child. Then his brother died and he left the city. After hearing his story, Xiao Man pities Zhao Xiao Qian but that doesn’t mean she forgives him. Just because he’s experiencing pain it doesn’t mean he can inflict pain on others. Everyone has their own pains. Well said.
Xiao Man is further punished by her family. Being a maid ruins her maiden reputation. Her family plans to take her out of school and marry her off.
Zhao Xiao Qian is no longer angry. He apologizes to Xiao Man. Xiao Man smiles and accepts the apology. In return, she gives him a palm reading. Pointing at a random spot, she tells him: Your words are harsh but your heart is soft. She knows it was unintentional of him to be mean to her. He just doesn’t understand. So forgiving...
Zhao Xiao Qian is angry. Xiao Man asks Zhao Xiao Qian for help: she wants to win this fan. She thinks the fan will be a good enough present for Li Su who can help her convince her mother to let her study. Zhao Xiao Qian gladly agrees – until he realizes this fan is for another man. Zhao Xiao Qian is angry...again(!).
[Ep6] Zhao Xiao Qian is no longer angry. Xiao Man is drunk. She cries to Zhao Xiao Qian that no one would want to marry her since it's known that she's Zhao Xiao Qian's maid. She cries and cries and cries. Zhao Xiao Qian silences her with a kiss. He is willing to marry her. They're currently stuck somewhere outside the city because of Shen Yan. It’s an attempt to ruin Zhao Xiao Qian’s reputation to prevent him from marrying his sister (Shen Zhao Wen) but now Xiao Man’s reputation is ruined too.
Li Zhong Yan says the solution is for Zhao Xiao Qian to marry Xiao Man as a concubine (which is an insult to girls) because either way her reputation is ruined. Zhao Xiao Qian doesn't want to force her to marry him. Li Zhong Yan reminds Zhao Xiao Qian that he has no choice. I don’t actually understand why Li Zhong Yan says Xiao Man has to marry Zhao Xiao Qian... What I get is we have ourselves an arranged marriage. I think that's what matters.
[Ep7] Li Zhong Yan detains Xiao Man's father to force her to marry Zhao Xiao Qian. He probably wants her to know how powerful they are and that instead of being enemies, they can help her...... Then Zhao Xiao Qian walks in to claim that he's the one who arrested her father to get her to marry him. Is this necessary? Zhao Xiao Qian asks her to give him two years. Two years, and he'll let her go. She slaps him. One second later, she accepts the two year marriage. O-kay,
Xiao Man and Zhao Xiao Qian marry. It’s wedding day, Zhao Xiao Qian sits down on the bed and she screams. The servants outside wonder what could possibly induce that kind of screaming between newlyweds. Back inside, Zhao Xiao Qian, who’s calmly sitting down, asks if she’s done screaming. She is. Alright. Back to the wedding rites. He wants a love shot with her even though it's only for the rightful wife. Because in his heart she is his rightful wife.
Nanny Zhu barges in on the newlywed and lectures Xiao Man for dressing so extravagantly for a concubine (it was Zhao Xiao Qian who gave her the dress). Nanny Zhu’s one purpose is to kick out Xiao Man so that Zhao Xiao Qian can marry Shen Zhao Wen. Xiao Man not only suffers through the bullying but she's also not allowed to go to school.
Nanny Zhu barges in on the newlywed and lectures Xiao Man for dressing so extravagantly for a concubine (it was Zhao Xiao Qian who gave her the dress). Nanny Zhu’s one purpose is to kick out Xiao Man so that Zhao Xiao Qian can marry Shen Zhao Wen. Xiao Man not only suffers through the bullying but she's also not allowed to go to school.
[Ep8] Zhao Xiao Qian is angry. Zhao Xiao Qian can’t show he cares too much about Xiao Man in front of Nanny Zhu otherwise the bullying would escalate. When she’s alone, he goes and applies medicine to her hand which then ends up in another argument. It’s about going to school. She thinks he’s ignoring her desire to be an educated woman. He’s actually secretly helping her. If he can get Shen Yan to make his sister (Shen Zhao Wen) say she likes school, then Xiao Man can continue her academics. Thus Zhao Xiao Qian willingly becomes Shen Yan’s slave despite still being angry at Xiao Man.
Ming Gu and Yan Bo Yang. There might be a marriage with Ru Ying and Yan Bo Yang (Zhao Xiao Qian’s friend). Ru Ying hates it because that would make her marriage lower than that of Xiao Man's. She complains to all the girls about it. Ming Gu stands up for Yan Guai Yang. I like Ming Gu and I hope she likes Yan Bo Yang instead of Li Zhong Yan.
[Ep9] Zhao Xiao Qian is no longer angry. Xiao Man and Zhao Xiao Qian are on a school trip and are on non-speaking terms. She thinks he’s mad and he’s waiting for her to talk. Although he's mad, he still cares for her. He signs her up for a windowless room because apparently, if girls are subjected to coldness, it’ll affect their pregnancy and they might die in labour. Omg, COLD-19. The only problem is that he gave her that room in a pretty nasty manner. Later that night, Xiao Man saves Zhao Xiao Qian from a frog (our boy is very scared of small creatures). This gives them a chance to talk and then she realizes he gave her that room to keep her safe.
They argue again. The argument is about Ming Gu and Yan Bo Yang. He’s accused of something that Ming Gu can testify for but if she does, then it’ll ruin her reputation because she'll be telling everyone she spent a night with him. Xiao Man understands her cousin but Zhao Xiao Qian is upset for his friend. Xiao Man doesn’t want Ming Gu’s life ruined like hers and that offends Zhao Xiao Qian.
Ming Gu and Yan Bo Yang. Ming Gu confesses the truth for Yan Bo Yang and now she’s punished by her mother. Them spending the night together is to be kept a secret, though
They argue again. But! This makes Xiao Man wonder if she should be nicer to Zhao Xiao Qian and actually treat him like her husband since she knows he’s angry because he cares about her. However, Li Su is in a bit of a trouble so she needs to help him first.
[Ep11] Poor Zhao Xiao Qian is so angry, he’s sick. Nanny Zhu is right outside, spanking Xiao Man, which forces Zhao Xiao Qian to rise from his bed. If Nanny Zhu insists on hitting Xiao Man, then she’ll have to hit him first then hit his woman. Nanny Zhu huffs and puffs and leaves. Our sickly Zhao Xiao Qian picks up his woman to tend to her wounds. But really he wants a chance to talk to her. He apologizes. He drank too much after being taunted by Shen Yan about her. He regrets making her leave the manor. He knows she must have her reasons. She tells him everything (that losing the hairpin was all an accident, etc.).
They make up again. She also tells him her life would be easier if she just hated him (why?) but she doesn’t know how to hate him when he’s so nice to her. He kisses her forehead. And they hug.
Oh and another argument. Zhao Xiao Qian thinks Xiao Man likes Li Su and out of anger he sells Xiao Man for three "pennies". I don’t know their currency but that's the idea of it. Li Su will buy her. Xiao Man ain’t happy being a product for the men to buy and sell. If he wants to sell her then so be it. She adds a competition (jeez, are we selling or are we battling?) that if she wins then Zhao Xiao Qian will have to keep to his words on selling her contract.
[Ep12] The problem with the match: it is a horse riding game and Xiao Man can't ride one too well. The other problem: she'll need a team. Xiao Man's not exactly popular but her speech on women independence moves the ladies and they join her on this match to redeem womanhood.
Xiao Man practices horseback riding on a fake horse at home. Trying to, um, train the lungs with all the shouting... She's also practicing shooting. Zhao Xiao Qian is still angry but seeing her train relentlessly aches his heart. Yan Bo Yang worries for Ming Gu too. Zhao Xiao Qian is actually preparing to lose to her. He even gave money and the land deed to this guy who will buy her contract so that Xiao Man can return to her home in the countryside.
During the game, it seems as if neither of them want to win. Fortunately the sky rains and the game is put to a halt.
[Ep13] During the game interim, Xiao Man learns Zhao Xiao Qian intends to free her. She also knows it’s Zhao Xiao Qian’s brother’s birthday. She makes a kite for him because she remembers his story about flying a kite with his brother. Zhao Xiao Qian receives the kite via Zhong Zi Yan.
Zhao Xiao Qian is not angry. The game resumes. Zhao Xiao Qian gives her a fair competition. Each time she scores, he smiles. Zhao Xiao Qian loses. At night, Xiao Man visits his place that’s lit up with water lanterns. She asks for her contract but he says he’s not letting her go. She calls it unfair but then she’s distracted by the fireworks. He whispers his apology and she tells him she already knows that he wasn’t selling her, he was freeing her, except Zhao Xiao Qian no longer wants to free her. She calls him a dog – he’s not a man of his words. In a haste, Zhao Xiao Qian quickly admits he likes her (well, technically, he said ‘dog' but, uh, they’re the same thing). Xiao Man smiles and lets him put his arm around her. Ah, so fireworks is all we needed to solve a misunderstanding.
Other updates:
Shen Zhao Wen is heading to Wujiang Prefecture.
Yan Niang is marrying someone that’s not Li Su.
[Ep15] Zhao Xiao Qian is angry. He's sulking at being rejected by Xiao Man and so when she asks him to to attend her relative's wedding at her hometown, he refuses. But, hey, he still goes. They arrive and then he gets angry at something else (this dude was gossiping about his brother). Xiao Man belatedly finds out why and stands up for her man.
Zhao Xiao Qian is not angry. Xiao Man wants to help him out of his grieving. Zhao Xiao Qian smiles at her asking her why. 'cause she likes you! The lantern is also explained.
[Ep16] Zhao Xiao Qian gets a case of butterflies when she addresses his brother as "brother-in-law".
Xiao Man is angry. Because of Shen Zhao Wen's appearance. Oh but then she loses Zhao Xiao Qian's brother's precious memoir (a sword) and now it's Zhou Xiao Qian who's angry. He kicks her out of the house.
[Ep17] Xiao Man finds the sword. It’s with Shen Yan because Yan Bo Yang stole it and now he’s trying to retrieve it. Xiao Man drinks alcohol to get it back. When Zhao Xiao Qian comes to pick her up, she's drunk. Then she proudly announces to everyone her husband is here to save her. Shortly after, she falls asleep standing.
Zhao Xiao Qian learns Yan Bo Yang was the one who stole his brother's sword. He hits Yan Bo Yang once and that's that. Zhao Xiao Qian forgives him. The boys are friends. Oh. So he’s forgiving to his friend who stole it and not to his girl who lost it. Argh.
Shen Zhao Wen was behind the sword incident. She wanted the couple to argue over the sword. Her logic is that once Zhao Xiao Qian breaks up, he'll want to marry her. ....but Xiao Man is just a concubine?? Shen Zhao Wen is not in love with Zhao Xiao Qian but if they don’t marry, she’ll have to marry the old Emperor. Her parents will sell her to the royals for the Empress’s support. Her life is merely a stepping stone for Shen Yan's career.
Zhao Xiao Qian is not angry. Zhao Xiao Qian confesses to Xiao Man. It’s a very clear I-like-you. The two kiss.
[Ep18] Both are angry. Ming Gu confronts Shen Zhao Wen for the sword incident. The girls fight. Shen Zhao Wen slips and hits her head. Ming Gu is in trouble. Shen Zhao Wen also earns the pity of Zhao Xiao Qian. Xiao Man is not exactly happy. To make it worse, she finally learns there's marriage talk between Zhao Xiao Qian and Shen Zhao Wen. She's furious at Zhao Xiao Qian for not telling her.
Zhao Xiao Qian is basically saying this: I love you and I'm willing to reject the Emperor's edict because my mind is full of you!Xiao Man is basically replying like so: You like me? This is how you like me? You just want to possess me.
I can't follow this conversation. I don't get her reply. What else can the guy do? Does she not like him? Can they not talk? What is wrong with these people?
cynlynn is angry. I'm out.
Guest Mini Recaps
Rianya has kindly filled in on the episodes. Below are her recaps!
The deserter Hanchen captured is sentenced to be beheaded in 7 days. His brother sends Xiaoman's childhood friend (who he just happened to be married to) to lure her to be kidnapped. The friend meets with Xiaoman but can't bring herself to lure her.
Ziyan (Hanchen's study buddy) goes to take the Imperial exam.
Congwen brings Xiaoman to the school where he teaches young rural students and has him be a guest teacher. He sits and watches her with a slight smile while she talks to the girls about having their own ambitions to achieve. He started falling for her when he read her comment on his book and realized she understood his writing.
Shen Sister summons Xiaoman to a food place where Xiaoman's mother works. She has her servant humiliate Xiaoman's mother - who takes it and begs the servant to be kind to Xiaoman after Shen Sister marries Hanchen. Shen Sister tells Xiaoman that she should know her place. Whether Hanchen marries her or not, he'll never marry Xiaoman. She'll never be anything but a concubine and servant, locked up in the back rooms and never hearing her children call her "mother". Xiaoman slaps her twice, once for her mother and the second time for herself and then storms off.
Duke Feng won't help Hanchen. He scolds him for pampering the concubine and demoting the wife. He says he's foolish and childish to even consider refusing an Imperial edict and finishes by asking him if he really isn't going to go fight in the border war.
Xiaoman goes looking for her childhood friend to help her and is kidnapped by the deserter's brother. She's angry that her friend didn't tell her. Her friend gives her a piece of broken crockery after the men have left the room but doesn't have the courage to help further.
Hanchen arrives home just in time to learn Xiaoman has been kidnapped by deserter's brother. He rushes to save Xiaoman and lets them hit him without fighting back to save her. She finishes sawing through the ropes holding her with the broken crockery and runs to Hanchen's side. He's protecting them both, but outnumbered, when her childhood friend arrives with the guards. Deserter's brother is all: "You betrayed me, vile female!" (paraphrased, of course. All I could think was, you expect loyalty from someone you treat like dirt and beat and force to betray her own friend?!?) All the villains are arrested.
[Ep20] Hanchen and Xiaoman go to the prison. Hanchen visits the brothers.
Deserter's brother told him Deserter didn't really desert. He went home for his mother's funeral and was then accused of deserting. Hanchen apparently investigated and found it was true. He offers to let Deserter join his Shifu General and fight in the border war. Deserter's patriotism is roused and he agrees. Then Hanchen tells the brother that he was a thug and didn't respect women (brother threatened to slice Xiaoman's face and threatened to "have fun" with her) so he had to serve a sentence of conscription for three years but then he could join his brother in the border war. Brother agrees and seems to feel a bit of pride.
Xiaoman asks her friend if she wants to divorce her thug husband. Friend is afraid and asks why the world is so unfair for women. Xiaoman says it's because women don't fight for themselves. Friend asks Xiaoman if she will fight for herself and Xiaoman says she will.
While Xiaoman and Hanchen leave the prison Xiaoman tells Hanchen that she was forced to marry the arrogant commandery prince and she's unhappy. She says he's capricious and unkind to her and she's not willing to be a concubine forever. Hanchen promises her he can fix things if she'll just trust him once. She's not willing. She knows she will never be allowed to be his wife and she won't settle for a concubine. She asks him to just let her go and starts walking away. He calls after her: "Can't you please stay?" but she keeps walking. He has a flashback to when he was carrying the injured Shen Sister back to their school field trip place and he told her that he loves Xiaoman, can't live without her, and will love only her. He apologizes to Shen Sister.
Ziyan was implicated by Shen Brother's sidekick for cheating. Ziyan is forbidden to ever take the Imperial exam again.
Teacher Li plans to compile A Biography of Legendary Women of History and needs an assistant. There will be an exam to decide which of the female students will assist her. Xiaoman volunteers for the exam so of course Shen Sister does too.
Boyang likes Minggu (the nice cousin) but she's oblivious because she likes Ziyan.
Hanchen agrees to help Shen Sister prepare for the examination. (He thinks she's a sweet young lady because he's really stupid - I mean, fooled by her.) Congwen offers to help Xiaoman. Both Hanchen and Xiaoman are jealous.
Minggu found out that Ziyan was accused of cheating and that it was Shen Brother's sidekick who did it. She confronts Sidekick and he says that his life was ruined so Ziyan has to suffer along with him. Minggu asks what it will take to get him to admit Ziyan didn't cheat. Sidekick says he'll come clean for 5 strings of 1,000 cash.
Xiaoman gets back to her room to find all of her study books gone. Her maid tells her Zhu Momo (the one sent by the Empress) took them for Shen Sister on Hanchen's orders. Hanchen didn't do that at all but when Xiaoman confronts him he says he did because Shen Sister is his fiancee so he'll give her whatever she wants. Xiaoman starts to leave and Hanchen tells her she has to stay and perform her duties as a concubine. She resists him and breaks free. He accuses her of messing with him and making him run after her like a puppy. She tells him he's the one messing with her. He tells her that even if he marries Shen Sister he won't let Xiaoman go. She slaps him and runs to her room and cries. He mopes outside her room on a railing.
Minggu steals the money her mother was using to open the two new stores in the capital.
The girls take their exam which is about Princess Consort Ming (I think). Shen Sister gives an answer that is based on traditional understanding of her sacrifice for her country. Xiaoman counters that Princess Ming was escaping the cage of the Imperial Harem. Shen Sister says in that case she traded one prison for another. Xiaoman both agrees and disagrees. Hanchen starts to leave the grounds but pauses to recite a poem that undoubtedly had some cultural significance that I don't understand. Xiaoman smiles at Hanchen (so it obviously helped her) and counters that Princess Ming went to where the lands were open and free. She says the stories about Princess Ming were written by men with male assumptions.
Deserter's brother told him Deserter didn't really desert. He went home for his mother's funeral and was then accused of deserting. Hanchen apparently investigated and found it was true. He offers to let Deserter join his Shifu General and fight in the border war. Deserter's patriotism is roused and he agrees. Then Hanchen tells the brother that he was a thug and didn't respect women (brother threatened to slice Xiaoman's face and threatened to "have fun" with her) so he had to serve a sentence of conscription for three years but then he could join his brother in the border war. Brother agrees and seems to feel a bit of pride.
Xiaoman asks her friend if she wants to divorce her thug husband. Friend is afraid and asks why the world is so unfair for women. Xiaoman says it's because women don't fight for themselves. Friend asks Xiaoman if she will fight for herself and Xiaoman says she will.
While Xiaoman and Hanchen leave the prison Xiaoman tells Hanchen that she was forced to marry the arrogant commandery prince and she's unhappy. She says he's capricious and unkind to her and she's not willing to be a concubine forever. Hanchen promises her he can fix things if she'll just trust him once. She's not willing. She knows she will never be allowed to be his wife and she won't settle for a concubine. She asks him to just let her go and starts walking away. He calls after her: "Can't you please stay?" but she keeps walking. He has a flashback to when he was carrying the injured Shen Sister back to their school field trip place and he told her that he loves Xiaoman, can't live without her, and will love only her. He apologizes to Shen Sister.
Ziyan was implicated by Shen Brother's sidekick for cheating. Ziyan is forbidden to ever take the Imperial exam again.
Teacher Li plans to compile A Biography of Legendary Women of History and needs an assistant. There will be an exam to decide which of the female students will assist her. Xiaoman volunteers for the exam so of course Shen Sister does too.
Boyang likes Minggu (the nice cousin) but she's oblivious because she likes Ziyan.
Hanchen agrees to help Shen Sister prepare for the examination. (He thinks she's a sweet young lady because he's really stupid - I mean, fooled by her.) Congwen offers to help Xiaoman. Both Hanchen and Xiaoman are jealous.
Minggu found out that Ziyan was accused of cheating and that it was Shen Brother's sidekick who did it. She confronts Sidekick and he says that his life was ruined so Ziyan has to suffer along with him. Minggu asks what it will take to get him to admit Ziyan didn't cheat. Sidekick says he'll come clean for 5 strings of 1,000 cash.
Xiaoman gets back to her room to find all of her study books gone. Her maid tells her Zhu Momo (the one sent by the Empress) took them for Shen Sister on Hanchen's orders. Hanchen didn't do that at all but when Xiaoman confronts him he says he did because Shen Sister is his fiancee so he'll give her whatever she wants. Xiaoman starts to leave and Hanchen tells her she has to stay and perform her duties as a concubine. She resists him and breaks free. He accuses her of messing with him and making him run after her like a puppy. She tells him he's the one messing with her. He tells her that even if he marries Shen Sister he won't let Xiaoman go. She slaps him and runs to her room and cries. He mopes outside her room on a railing.
Minggu steals the money her mother was using to open the two new stores in the capital.
The girls take their exam which is about Princess Consort Ming (I think). Shen Sister gives an answer that is based on traditional understanding of her sacrifice for her country. Xiaoman counters that Princess Ming was escaping the cage of the Imperial Harem. Shen Sister says in that case she traded one prison for another. Xiaoman both agrees and disagrees. Hanchen starts to leave the grounds but pauses to recite a poem that undoubtedly had some cultural significance that I don't understand. Xiaoman smiles at Hanchen (so it obviously helped her) and counters that Princess Ming went to where the lands were open and free. She says the stories about Princess Ming were written by men with male assumptions.
[Ep21] Xiaoman won the debate with her original viewpoint and she will be Teacher Li's assistant. (If I didn't hate Shen sister so much I'd feel sorry for her.)
Xiaoman and Boyang learn about Minggu taking the money. They rush to town to find her.
Congwen learns from the Academy Principal that his father is under house arrest and being investigated for corruption and embezzlement. The Principal tells him that his father has been making donations to keep the Academy going and that every time he writes to the Principal he asks how Congwen is doing. He suggests that Congwen go visit his father (before it's too late, by implication.)
Minggu gives Sidekick the money but he has no intention of clearing Ziyan as that will get him in even more trouble. Boyang and Xiaoman arrive as Sidekick's guards are restraining Minggu and Boyang punches Sidekick in the face. Minggu falls to her knees to beg Sidekick and Boyang yells at her that his father can help (he's a judge or something). Sidekick flips out on them and picks up a vase to hit Minggu with. Boyang protects her with his body. He tells Minggu that he's a fool and loses consciousness. (The vase hits him on his shoulders but they bandaged his head the next episode -- apparently his shoulders transferred the damage to his head. lol) Guards arrive and arrest Sidekick and his guards.
Hanchen meets with Shifu General. He says he wants to go to battle at the border too. General Shifu asks if he's sure because the battlefield isn't a game. Hanchen is sure but a messenger arrives with news of Ziyan's plight.
Congwen puts on his travelling scholar gear and leaves - presumably to see his father. He wanted to show Xiaoman the latest installment of his book (that she was always saying she wanted to see) but didn't get the chance.
Hanchen is furious that Ziyan didn't tell him about his problem. Ziyan is adamant that he doesn't want Hanchen dragged into it.
Boyang is awake but refuses to see Minggu. She's worried about him.
Hanchen and Shen Brother meet at the prison. Hanchen demands that Shen Brother use his connections to arrange for Ziyan to take the exam again, all by himself. Shen Brother scoffs: "You think it's that easy?" Hanchen signals someone to start whipping Sidekick who is in the next room.
Shen Brother is visibly upset at his sidekick's cries of pain but Hanchen points out that what he did is deserving of death and says he was only holding off out of respect for Shen Brother. Shen Brother tells him that he can't help. The word has already come from the capital that anyone helping him in this matter will be going against Prince Pu (Hanchen's biological family). Shen Brother points out that there is no way the Empress will let him go to the border and earn military merits that might put the Crown Prince's position in danger. The only hope Ziyan has is if Hanchen marries Shen Sister and returns to the capital to be under the Empress's thumb. Hanchen bursts out with: "All my problems are because of this identity as the adopted son of the Emperor, Prince Julu (I think that was the title).
Hanchen grudgingly tells Shen Brother that he'll spare Sidekick's life but he has to go guard the gates of Shanhai Pass and then he leaves. Shen Brother slaps Sidekick but then tells him about the deal Hanchen offered. Sidekick has already had his name removed from the family's genealogy book so he has no reason to stay - he agrees. Shen Brother promises to make arrangements for Sidekick in Shanhai and to look after his mother and sister here in Wuchang. (Apparently he's loyal to underlings. Color me surprised.)
Xiaoman brings Hanchen food and then asks him if he'll join her family for the Mid-Autumn Festival since they don't know yet that she and he are supposed to be divorcing. (Gotta love her optimism. Hanchen has told her several times he's not letting her go but there she is, still waiting for her annulment letter.) Hanchen says that the manor always has leftovers from their Mid-Autumn Festival so her family should celebrate here at the mansion. Xioaman likes this idea and asks about Ziyan's situation. (We don't know what Hanchen tells her but Ziyan is listening just outside and he's really bummed by what he hears. He sadly leaves.) Hanchen asks Xiaoman if she could save a friend but with a really big price, would she? She doesn't know. She tells him a rather anti-climatic ghost story to cheer him up. He laughs because it isn't scary at all but she says it scared her when she was a kid. Then he asks to sleep with her that night. He quickly clarifies that he'll take the floor and she can take the bed.
As they're lying in the dark he asks her to tell him why she REALLY wants to leave him. She tells him it's because he'll get married. Whether it's Shen Sister or someone else, he's going to marry another woman and it won't be her. She doesn't want to be stuck in the back court nor does she want to share her husband. He tells her he doesn't want to lose her. She invites him to share the bed - but just for sleep. He joins her and they snuggle and she tells him he's the best man she's ever met (which may be the saddest thing in this entire show) HAHA and that she hopes he accomplishes everything he wants and has a great life. He kisses her forehead. They sleep.
Ziyan leaves the city, stumbling drunk.
Hanchen and Xiaoman wake up. She snuggles up to him then jumps back calling him a "pervert". He protests that "it's natural!" Then he frowns and asks her how she knows what that means anyway. We never know because Xiaoman's maid rushes in (blushes and turns away to find them in bed together) and tells them that Minggu is outside because Ziyan is missing. Hanchen finds out that Ziyan left the city that night while drunk. He meets up with Ziyan in the family's noodle stand. He hasn't told his mother and sister about the exam. Hanchen doesn't tell them either.
Hanchen, Ziyan, Minggu, and Xiaoman go back to the lake with the magic Kun creature. They eat the fruit. Xiaoman tells everyone that if they make a wish when they see the Kun it will come true. Xiaoman wishes to be a teacher like Teacher Li. Minggu wants to take over the family stores and be an honest merchant like her mother. Ziyan wants to fulfill his dream of being a Principal Graduate and then an officer and then climb the ranks to Chancellor (at 40, I believe) and uphold justice and keep the peace of the nation. Hanchen doesn't make a wish, he just kisses Xiaoman.
[Ep22] Hanchen is not at the manor while Xiaoman and her family wait to celebrate Mid-Autumn. An edict arrives. Hanchen is demoted by the Emperor to a Duke and grounded to Wufang Prefecture. (Hanchen requested this of the Emperor. This was one of several times he refers to Hanchen as his "nephew" rather than "son".)
Hanchen sees Shen Sister off to return to the capital. He still thinks she is a poor victim and tells her the Emperor promised him not to make her marry him (the Emperor). Shen Sister asks him if she really thinks the capital will let go of him? (How does he not see the poison in her smirk?)
Ziyan retakes the test. Hanchen proposes to Xiaoman again as a Duke and she agrees to marry him (I guess as his first wife?). General Shifu and Shen Brother head off to war. The Empress sends Princess Pu to bring Hanchen back to the capital. (But he was grounded in the edict so how is he supposed to do that?)
Hanchen is against Xiaoman being a teacher. He wants her to stay home, have children for him, and teach THEM. She's adamant about her ambition. Her little brother is failing his subjects. Hanchen says if she can teach little brother he'll agree to her being a teacher. Am triggered.
[Ep23] Hanchen promises Little Brother a pony if he fails to learn from Xiaoman. (Because nothing says "I love you" like setting someone up for failure...)
Xiaoman is losing her mind trying to teach her ornery brother. He's too busy trying to confess to the girl he likes - who is about to leave the prefecture for some other place where her father found work.
Boyang walked through the city throwing the love letters he wrote Minggu on the ground one at a time. He's given up on her. Little Brother picks them up. He's going to copy them to give his crush.
Minggu sees the copy of the letter that Little Brother left for his crush. She gets the other letters from Little Brother and reads them. Ziyan has already told her he's not interested but Boyang is. Minggu is touched.
Minggu's cousins begin maneuvering to steal the family's shops. Mean Cousin (Xiaoman's dad's family, I believe) overheard the plot as well as the plans to marry her off to an official's son. The son has tuberculosis. She is not happy.
Princess Pu arrives.
Xiaoman is losing her mind trying to teach her ornery brother. He's too busy trying to confess to the girl he likes - who is about to leave the prefecture for some other place where her father found work.
Boyang walked through the city throwing the love letters he wrote Minggu on the ground one at a time. He's given up on her. Little Brother picks them up. He's going to copy them to give his crush.
Minggu sees the copy of the letter that Little Brother left for his crush. She gets the other letters from Little Brother and reads them. Ziyan has already told her he's not interested but Boyang is. Minggu is touched.
Minggu's cousins begin maneuvering to steal the family's shops. Mean Cousin (Xiaoman's dad's family, I believe) overheard the plot as well as the plans to marry her off to an official's son. The son has tuberculosis. She is not happy.
Princess Pu arrives.
[Ep24] (From here on is where I liked the show more than I hated it, although I still had unhappy feelings about it.)
Mommy Pu says that Xiaoman isn't good enough for Hanchen but if he agrees to be a good boy and return to the capital with her, she'll give them her blessing. He says he doesn't need her blessing - he's an abandoned child. He also says he'll marry Xiaoman regardless of what she thinks and no, he isn't returning to the capital.
Minggu and Xiaoman's grandmother is sick and has fallen unconscious. Minggu's evil uncle and cousins file a lawsuit to take possession of the stores. Xiaoman shares that Grandmother told her that the stores and possessions were to be inherited by her daughter and granddaughter. She's willing to testify on their behalf.
Hanchen is sure that Minggu's problems are connected to Mommy Pu. Sure enough, when Xiaoman goes to testify Mommy Pu decides she needs to perform her filial duties and wait on her instead. Hanchen stays behind to be flogged by his loving mother while Xiaoman goes to testify.
The judge hearing the case is part of the conspiracy. He finds excuses to rule against Minggu's family until Mean Cousin shows up. She testifies that the judge has had dealing with her family and has no standing to try the case. It's moved to a higher court.
Mommy Pu apparently expected this and sent her servant (Zhu Momo maybe?) to make it clear to the judge (who happens to be Boyang's father and an otherwise honest and just man) that he will be going against the Pu manor if he doesn't give the assets to the other branch of the family. She also pulls out a hairpin that has something to do with Xiaoman's brother.
[Ep25] Minggu's family lost their case in spite of the lack of valid evidence on the part of the family. Boyang is beside himself at his father's utter betrayal. His father sends him home to be placed under house arrest. Grandma knew that was coming, and she knew she was dying, so she had her servant write her testament to her family.
Xiaoman barges in on Mommy Pu who is praying at an altar to Buddha. She says that it's sacrilege to lie before Buddha and that the gods know her evil deeds. Mommy Pu admits to everything and adds that she has Xiaoman's brother in her hands and can hurt her other friends too. She tells Xiaoman to leave because all Hanchen's problems are because of her. Xiaoman tells her that when she dies and is sentenced to harsh punishment in the afterlife to remember that she deserves it.
Hanchen gets a note from Xiaoman to meet at a bridge in town. He knows this is bad and confronts Mommy Pu. She says everything she's doing is for his own good. She asks him if he really doesn't know how his older brother died? Hanchen demands to know what happened.
Next thing we see, Hanchen and Xiaoman are on a bridge and she tells him they can't be together anymore. Hanchen is devastated and begs her to trust him - he'll fix it. She's sorry and sad but she leaves anyway. (Of course she does - it's her brother being threatened.)
The Academy is being shut down because of its connection to Congwen's father (who is being investigated or has been found guilty of corruption.)
Minggu's family have ten days to vacate their home. ALL of their belongings were given to the other branch of the family. They read Grandma's testament which tells them that not to despair or to seek revenge. She tells them they can rebuild their fortunes because they know how to work hard and they know how to run a business. Minggu suggests that the family go to the capital where their new stores are still in their name and start over. After some encouragement the rest of the family and many of the old employees agree to make the move. Minggu breaks up with Boyang because she needs to help her family rather than marry right now.
[Ep26] Guards come to shut down the Academy but the students protest. They have one more exam to take. Boyang points out that they have no decree, therefore no justification to immediately shut down the Academy. The guards don't dare move against Boyang (because of his father) so they leave.
Hanchen discovers that the Empress blamed him for her miscarriage (even though the Imperial Doctor said the fetus had been dead for days). His brother took the blame for him. The Empress had Big Brother poisoned and has done everything to control Hanchen so he can't come back and take revenge on her. Hanchen is still determined to go to the border and earn military merits. He wants enough power to protect those he loves.
The issue of the Academy closing ends up in Boyang's father's court. The students are yelling and shouting outside the court. Boyang begs his father to leave them alone until they take their final exam. His father has him flogged. The Principal and teachers arrive. The Principal gently tells the students that he never taught them to be unruly. He reminds them to think twice before acting and the students calm down. Boyang's father was also a student of the Academy and was finally convinced by the Principal to let them have a few extra days until the final exam.
The final exam is just for them to write about their ambitions. The Principal and teachers have already made their plans. Teacher Li will be opening a girl's academy in the capital. The Academy is officially closed. Xiaoman and her family will be moving to the capital with Mingu and her family. Xiaoman plans to help Teacher Li. Congwen confesses to her but she feels only friendship for him. He takes it well.
[Ep27] Hanchen confronts Mommy Pu again. He tells her that SHE killed his brother (by sending him to the Emperor?) and asks if she's going to kill him now. He says everything she has was obtained with the lives of others. (I got no impression that she actually feels guilty or remorseful at all.)
Hanchen says goodbye to Xiaoman - she cries about him going to the war but sends him off with encouraging and supportive words. Ziyan is determined to go with Hanchen. He says he will willingly give his life for his friend. (My impression is that this is because Ziyan is well aware of what Hanchen sacrificed so he could retake the Imperial exam.)
Everyone settles at the capital. Minggu and her family are running their stores. Xiaoman is helping Teacher Li. Boyang convinced his father to send him to the Imperial Academy (in the capital) so he could be near Minggu. He tries to study - although he's really not a scholar. And on the front Hanchen fights a desperate (first?) battle and is felled by an arrow. (It's the right side of his chest, though.)
Three Years Later:
Rumors are rampant in the capital that Hanchen is sacrificing his men for military merit. 10,000 men have died in this war. The Emperor is disturbed but is it because Hanchen has earned military merits? He, Shen Brother, and General Shifu have taken back some important border city with a long name starting with a B (you figure it out) and taken a few other cities back too. They've won this round. Hanchen and his men should be returning to the city in a month.
The Emperor is also unhappy with the Crown Prince. He reviews the Crown Prince's suggestion for the Imperial Exam which is: A bad year follows the war. The Emperor asks him what exactly that means and the Crown Prince can't really answer. The Emperor tells him he doesn't care if it was the Empress or the Grand Tutor who told him to write that - that it was wrong for him to write it.
Hanchen says goodbye to Xiaoman - she cries about him going to the war but sends him off with encouraging and supportive words. Ziyan is determined to go with Hanchen. He says he will willingly give his life for his friend. (My impression is that this is because Ziyan is well aware of what Hanchen sacrificed so he could retake the Imperial exam.)
Everyone settles at the capital. Minggu and her family are running their stores. Xiaoman is helping Teacher Li. Boyang convinced his father to send him to the Imperial Academy (in the capital) so he could be near Minggu. He tries to study - although he's really not a scholar. And on the front Hanchen fights a desperate (first?) battle and is felled by an arrow. (It's the right side of his chest, though.)
Three Years Later:
Rumors are rampant in the capital that Hanchen is sacrificing his men for military merit. 10,000 men have died in this war. The Emperor is disturbed but is it because Hanchen has earned military merits? He, Shen Brother, and General Shifu have taken back some important border city with a long name starting with a B (you figure it out) and taken a few other cities back too. They've won this round. Hanchen and his men should be returning to the city in a month.
The Emperor is also unhappy with the Crown Prince. He reviews the Crown Prince's suggestion for the Imperial Exam which is: A bad year follows the war. The Emperor asks him what exactly that means and the Crown Prince can't really answer. The Emperor tells him he doesn't care if it was the Empress or the Grand Tutor who told him to write that - that it was wrong for him to write it.
Hanchen and his men are having a rite to cremate and remember the dead from the war. Hanchen recites the name of each dead man, how long they fought, what they did, and how they died. One of the dead men is the Deserter - his brother flips out and says he's taking his brother home. Hanchen tells the brother how he served and how he died and that he was a patriot who defended his country. The brother demands to know what happened to their provisions - why did they fight and die for a country that betrayed them? Hanchen promises to get to the bottom of the missing provisions (some of the dead soldiers starved to death) and the rites continue. (In this episode he's got some bloody stripes on his face and neck and a little bit of 5 o'clock shadow that is surprisingly attractive. Mostly he seems too young to me but that was okay.) When you say this about Zeng Shun Xi (Hanchen), I had to check it out. You are right ~~ ! I cannot wait until this man gets another action drama!!
[Ep28-29] Ziyan is reporting his findings about the missing provisions to Hanchen. The provisions were burned. A substantial part of the burned provisions were hay (which is obviously not going to feed soldiers, is it?). Those transporting the goods were all killed. There are no witnesses. Ziyan says Grand Secretariat Qin is covertly investigating in the capital. They've learned that the Emperor had an investigation done a year ago and he found that some of the embezzled military funds were used to make up for deficits in the treasury which was further linked to embezzlement connected to some road building. (This, by the way, seems to be the corruption that got Congwen's father in trouble.) Ziyan says that the question of why there were deficits is something only Grand Chancellor Xu can answer. Further, the Crown Prince is implicated in this mess as well.
Boyang places 223 in the Imperial Examination.
Hanchen returns. The reward he requests from the Emperor is to be made High Governor - a position reserved for the Crown Prince (but also a position that allows him access to the records that can prove GC Xu's corruption. Hanchen is deliberately antagonizing GC Xu with these moves.
Mommy Pu scolds Hanchen for his actions since returning to the capital. They're in the family shrine and she tells him to kneel. He does but he ignores her scolding and tells her that he didn't come for her but to pay his respects to his brother. (Did I mention that I really love the fact that he obviously doesn't forgive her? Also - where is Daddy Pu?)
Hanchen's old friends invite him to a get-together and he is cheerful with everyone but ignores Xiaoman even though she is obviously thrilled to see him. She worries about the things that Ziyan shares about his injuries and how his knees hurt in cold weather but he brushes her off and asks her why she isn't married yet. He offers to give her an endowment (dowry?) when she finds someone to marry.
Xiaoman sits in her room drinking and scolding Hanchen (who isn't there). Hanchen suddenly appears and tells her that she's his woman and he'll never let her marry someone else. He hugs her and tells her to sleep now and dream that they're married.
Next day Hanchen tells Ziyan to let the Emperor know that he wants to marry Shen Sister after all. GC Xu tells the Empress all about this. She wants him to deal with Hanchen. He sends someone to tell her that she needs to have Hanchen killed to protect the Crown Prince. I'm not clear exactly who does it but a plan is put in place to assassinate Hanchen.
Ziyan tells Hanchen that GC Xu has assassins in a particular alley so Hanchen needs to avoid the alley.
There's a feast for the scholars who passed the Imperial Exam. Shen Sister (who is betrothed to Hanchen again) has invited Xiaoman, much to Hanchen's displeasure. Xioaman speaks to him alone and offers him knee pads she sewed for his knees. He mocks her and drops the knee pads into the pond. She leaves, deeply hurt. Hanchen confronts Shen Sister about what she was really about with the invitation. He is very angry and threatening. Shen Sister is frightened and confesses that she wants to know if Hanchen is really in love with her or if he still loves Xiaoman. She reveals that she's set a trap for Xiaoman.
Xiaoman runs from the men Shen Sister set to hurt (rape?) her right into the alley where GC Xu's assassins are. Hanchen tells Shen Sister that he will never love her and will always love Xiaoman. He says he was very clear that this was a business arrangement right from the start. He rushes after Xiaoman. (Pushes Xiaoman away "for her safety" but then he turns around and tells Shen Sister everything? Argh! The stupidity!)
Hanchen saves Xiaoman. An old man attacks him for "killing his son to earn merit". Hanchen disarms the man and then talks to him about his son, telling him how long he served, what his role in the army was and how he died. The assassins attack. Hanchen beats back the first attack. He conveniently finds a badge for GC Xu's house on one of the assassins. Then he tells the old man to run because the assassins are after him. He and Xiaoman run from the assassins.
They escaped to a boat (on a lake, I think) but there was an assassin on the boat who had a knife to Xiaoman's neck. He tells Hanchen to put down his sword (which he does over Xiaoman's protests). When the assassin goes to kill Hanchen he has to release Xiaoman. She pushed the assassin - Hanchen gets his sword back and kicks the assassin flying out of the back of the boat. He and Xiaoman spend the night on a small island in the water. They don't talk to each other. Ziyan finds him in the morning and Hanchen leaves, telling Ziyan to make sure Xiaoman's family knows where she is to rescue her later. Xiaoman is taken home by her family. Congwen proposes to Xiaoman.
Shen Sister goes full evil and has Minggu's dad arrested and their stores closed for selling fake silk
[Ep30] Shen Sister tells Xiaoman that Minggu's problems will be resolved if she marries Congwen. (I'm not sure how she knew Congwen proposed.) She says that both she and Hanchen feel this is best.
Xiaoman goes to Hanchen's place and she and Minggu are stopped by his servant. They shout out for Hanchen to help them and Hanchen starts to go to her. Ziyan stops him. He convinces Hanchen that they're too close to getting GC Xu for his evil and getting justice for their dead military brothers. When she realizes he's not going to see her, Xiaoman says that she'll marry Congwen then.
Hanchen has the evidence. He brings it before the Emperor. The Emperor won't listen because the Crown Prince is implicated. Hanchen begs the Emperor and passionately tells him that the Empire is broken and rotting because of GC Xu. The Emperor has Hanchen flogged.
Hanchen bursts in on Xiaoman and Congwen's engagement ceremony. He gently (making sure he doesn't actually hurt anyone) fights with her family who try to stop him from dragging Xiaoman away. Then he throws Xiaoman over his shoulder and threatens to kill anyone who tries to follow him. He takes her to a pond/lake/body of water. She yells at him for his high handedness. He says he told her he would never allow her to marry someone else. He begs her to marry him again as his concubine and promises that within two years he'll elevate her to his wife. She now realizes that her dream of him visiting her (when she was drunk) was real but she still rejects him. He jumps in the pond (I was wondering if this was a suicide attempt but no - he's chasing geese.) She shouts for him - asking him where he is. He squelches up to her with two huge eggs as his betrothal gift for her. (Did he supposedly squeeze them out of the geese? Oh my. It doesn't really work that way. I know - I have chickens.) She has lost her mind ( I mean, is touched by his desperate love - or insanity - something like that) and agrees. Allow me to fill in about the geese! He was supposed to catch the geese, I think – I had to check out this scene from the way it was described, too funny xD – and not, um, squeeze out their eggs... From my knowledge, geese are supposed to represent martial fidelity.
Congwen tells Xiaoman that he really loves her but he knows she loves Hanchen. He says he will always be there to protect her, though. He's pretty sweet.
Hanchen and Xiaomen marry again. This time it's in full wedding regalia and he goes to pick her up at her house and everything. Xiaoman's mom is unhappy. She doesn't want Xiaoman to be unhappy. Xiaoman says she won't regret this marriage. (I told you she lost her mind. Hahaha) Mom cheers up.
[Ep31] Shen Brother wants Congwen to meet someone. (If we ever found out who - I missed it. My guess is that it's his dad who was being smuggled back to the capital to testify against Evil Grand Chancellor Xu.)
Hanchen's servant/aide likes Xiaoman's maid.
Hanchen is resisting consummating the marriage. He gives Xiaoman a few kisses on their wedding night and then leaves to take a cold bath. Xiaoman is unhappy with this development. (Apparently she's finally decided to be married to him.)
Hanchen openly tells Xu that he's planning to make sure he's punished for embezzling from the military.
The Emperor confronts the Empress and the Crown Prince about Hanchen's revelations. He becomes very upset and collapses. Meanwhile Shen Father and Brother are meeting with Xu - they appear to be well aware of the embezzlement. Xu learns of the Emperor's collapse. He sends a message to the Empress that they need to make sure the Emperor abdicates his throne and he and Shen father will be Crown Prince's reagents.
Hanchen is still resisting his marital duties. Xiaoman tries to play "the fox spirit and the scholar" with him. (He kind of likes it.) Xiaoman gets embarrassed and leaves before he gives in (it's a close thing). She asks her maid who told her about that. Apparently the maid knew someone in a brothel who said most of the men liked that game.
Surprise! Shen Brother is working with Hanchen. (Shen Father is too - he wants amnesty for any crimes he's committed.) Shen Brother tells Hanchen the plans. He's worried because if he rescues the Emperor first they might be too late for Hanchen. The Emperor is being held in the harem where it will be difficult to get to him. Hanchen tells him to rescue the Emperor first - that he'll be fine.
Xiaoman is angry with Hanchen for not sharing what's going on. She tells him she knows he's not doing his husbandly duties because he wants her to be able to remarry if he dies. She tells him she'll never marry another regardless so stop resisting. He starts to leave anyway and she shouts that if he doesn't come back right now he's not a man. This works. Passion, sweet kisses, a promise to be gentle - you know...
Hanchen arrives at court where Xu has him arrested and charges him with conspiring with the enemy to kill 10,000 soldiers. Xu urges the Crown Prince to have Hanchen killed as a traitor. The Crown Prince doesn't.
The Empress provides the Emperor with the edict of abdication and tells him to sign it. The Emperor is sad at her betrayal. She tells the Emperor if he doesn't sign it she'll have to "help him"
[Ep32] The Empress tells the Emperor how much she's suffered as his wife/Empress. She blames Hanchen for losing her baby. The Emperor is remarkably recovered right now but the Empress doesn't notice. He tells her the loss of the baby was inevitable and not Hanchen's fault. He scolds her for making his good treatment of her all those years a mistake. He's known all along about her evil deeds but he let them go because she's his wife. She pulls a knife on him and he loses his temper. He yells at her to stab him but she's not that far gone. She falls to the ground and he calls for his guards to arrest her and someone to help him dress for court. He's perfectly fine.
Xu threatens Ziyan's life after Hanchen has Congwen's dad brought in to testify against Xu. Xu demands the guards kill Hanchen, even though the Crown Prince hasn't ordered it. Hanchen calls Xu to take it upon himself to act without an edict. The guards loyal to Xu attack. Ziyan is killed protecting Hanchen. T_T. Hanchen loses his cool and obliterates the palace guards and almost kills Xu. He stops himself at the last second (because that would make him guilty of acting without an edict, I think) and asks the Crown Prince to have Xu arrested. The Emperor arrives. Congwen's dad bows to him and says he's come to reveal Xu's crimes even though it will mean his own death. The Emperor then confronts Xu with his crimes and the fact that they are enough to have his entire clan killed. Xu confesses - apparently in the hope that his clan will survive.
The Emperor orders Hanchen to investigate Xu's case and make sure all co-conspirators are also dealt with. (This will take Hanchen no time at all because he's already done it while trying to take down Xu.)
Later the Emperor meets with the Empress and the Crown Prince. She takes all the blame and tells the Emperor the Crown Prince knew nothing and was innocent. She also tells the Crown Prince she's not his mother. (He's adopted from another consort, apparently. He's the Emperor's but not the Empress's child.) The Crown Prince still considers her his mother but she spurns him so she won't drag him down with her. Her crimes are deserving of death and she knows it.
The Emperor spares her life but sentences her to spend the rest of her life in a temple reflecting on her sins. When she leaves he asks the Crown Prince why he didn't sentence Hanchen to death when Xu asked it.
"He's my Older Brother!"
Then he wants to know why the Prince still called the Empress "mother" even though she should be executed for her crimes.
"She's my mother!"
The Emperor says the Crown Prince is weak but he values the kindness and benevolence in his heart. He knows that the Crown Prince can bring that kindness and benevolence to the people as Emperor. The Crown Prince's position is secure.
Hanchen is headed towards the Emperor's room and passes the Empress. She bitterly asks him if he's happy now that he's avenged his brother. Hanchen tells her he returned to help the Crown Prince (because Xu was a danger to the throne and the kingdom) and protect the people he loves. He tells her his brother would never have wanted him to seek revenge.
Crown Prince shows up. He asks Hanchen if he really wants to kill him for the throne like people say. Hanchen says the Crown Prince is his little brother and he'll never hurt him. He tells the Crown Prince to learn to discern good and evil, right and wrong for himself rather than letting people tell him what to think. He then kowtows to the Crown Prince as his subject. (I think this whole bit was just to bring home to the Empress that she threw her life away for nothing.)
Hanchen meets with the Emperor. He starts to bow but the Emperor stops him. The Emperor pours tea but Hanchen keeps standing. The Emperor asks if he's happy now that he got what he wanted. Hanchen says it's what the Emperor wanted too. The corruption in the court has been cleaned. The Emperor complains that he's lost half his court in this cleaning but Hanchen counters that he'll be able to make it up after the next Imperial Exam.
The Emperor asks Hanchen what he wants now. Hanchen wants to go back to guard the borders. The Emperor asks "Not to be Crown Prince?" No - with Xu gone Hanchen has faith that the Crown Prince will be a good ruler. The Emperor asks him to stay and help the Crown Prince to learn and grow. Hanchen says he's a soldier, not an official. He does, however, have two requests of the Emperor:
- He wants Ziyan to be given a title and since Ziyan is dead for that to be handed to Ziyan's mother and
- To stop trying to marry him to other people and make Xiaoman a Commandery Princess so Hanchen can marry her as his only wife.
"This servant dares not."
The Emperor's face kind of falls there. Hanchen goes on to say he is the Emperor and the Crown Prince's servant. The Emperor says Hanchen will never call him "father" again (not that he ever really seemed to - not that any rational person would expect him to). Hanchen drinks his tea in one gulp, standing up, and then excuses himself as a servant. The emperor cries after he's left. (I feel no pity for the Emperor.)
Hanchen kind of collapses on the palace steps as the edicts for Ziyan and Xiaoman's titles are read out. Then he has a conversation with Ziyan's ghost where Ziyan assures him he has no regrets and that he was happy to give his life for his friend. He tells Hanchen to go home to Xiaoman.
Xiaoman is waiting on a dirt road - on a convenient log - when Hanchen heads out of the city. It looks like she was waiting all night for him.
Hanchen, Xiaoman, Minggu, and Boyang pay their respects to Ziyan at his grave. They are saying goodbye to their friend. Minggu and Boyang are going back to Wufeng Prefecture because Hanchen got all their assets back. Hanchen and Xiaoman are going to the border to continue to guard the borders.
One Year Later:
Minggu and Boyang are expecting their child. Minggu is refusing to take it easy and everyone scolds her.
General Shifu and Shen Brother are overseeing the soldiers' training. Shifu asks why Hanchen is gone again. Brother Shen claims he sprained his waist while training.
Actually he's chasing Xiaoman around their tent and ignoring her when she tells him to get to work before General Shifu scolds him for spending too much time with her. He catches her and tells her he's already arranged to take the day off. While they're being sweet in their palatial tent, the maid and the aide are being sweet outside.
The End
Remarks
[First Impression (Ep1-8)] By the end of Ep2, the ML gives me very strong Dao Ming Si vibes (from Meteor Garden) but in period clothes. He’s this rich prince – tormented because he’s privileged – who torments others. I sort of don't like him and I sort of do. I like him when he’s cutely in love but most of the time he gives me whiplashes. He's got two states he constantly rebounds from: angry and not angry. There's A LOT of misunderstandings that need not be misunderstandings if our leads can communicate.
Although this is a period drama, it's a modernized one. There is a contract marriage of two years and then our FL is supposedly free after that. She's a concubine but he treats her like his rightful wife – when he's not angry. While she’s married, she insists on attending school (because women need to be educated). I say there's a tad too much preaching of how women should be independent. I get it and I support it; it's just I prefer Drama to show us rather than tell us over and over and over again.
Our couple also faces the problem of his royal family who wants to destroy this marriage because of political reasons. What I'm hoping to see in future episodes: Zhao Xiao Qian and Xiao Man overcoming their misunderstandings (!) and trusting (!!) each other to navigate through royal and romantic affairs.
[Actors/Actresses] I like Zeng Shun Xi (Joseph Zeng) and am partly watching this drama for him. I wish this drama would stop dressing him in that hideous blue school uniform with a bow on his chest. I caught a glimpse of him in Line Walker: Bull Fight (2020), a HK TVB drama (that I’m not recommending; I was watching someone else watch it) and he looks sooooo good in a suit and hair slicked back. He didn’t have much of a competition among the cast there but he really did look godly, especially with his charisma. I’m a little sad he doesn’t get to showcase any of that charisma here.
[Dropped (Ep18)] Both leads are annoying. Actually, everything is annoying.
[Updates on Ep19+] Lovely Rianya has provided recaps for the rest of the drama!
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