A girl chooses to be a man to have everything but the ease of life.
Notable Actors/Actresses
Notable Actors/Actresses
Yang Mi: Ye/Fang Hai Shi
William Chan (Chen Wei Ting): Fang Jian Ming (Shifu)
Xu Kai Cheng: Chu Zhong Xu (Emperor)
Director
Jin Sha, Yu Bo
Chinese Title
斛珠夫人
[Ep1] Ye Hai Shi's village is tyrannized by imperial soldiers for pearls because of the Emperor's exorbitant taxation on them. These pearls are consolidated from the mermaid’s tears and to elicit these tears, Ye Hai Shi is almost killed by her very own father. The mermaid watches in agony. Tears drop. Then waves swallow the boat whole. Ye Hai Shi tries to save her father but she's surrounded by sharks. The mermaid protects her. When she wakes up, she's all alone on the boat. She returns home with the pearls but the tyrants still slaughter the entire village. Ye Hai Shi protects her mother and kills the leader. Mom hollers at her to run for her life. During the sprint, she falls before a masked man with a long wisp of bang which must be annoying. He offers her a chance to leave with him. She takes it in exchange for the safety of her mother and her village. He will, but there is another choice she has to make.
Chinese Title
斛珠夫人
Network: Tencent Video
Recap Grade: A
First Impression: 2.9/5
First Impression: 2.9/5
Mini Recaps
Fang Jian Ming: If you choose to follow me and choose to be a woman, other than contentment, you will have nothing, but if you choose to be a man, other than contentment, you will have everything. The choice is yours.
Ye Hai Shi: A man! I want to be a man.Fang Jian Ming: Follow me then.
On the way to Duzhou. Fang Jian Ming saves the Emperor (Chu Zhong Xu) from an ambush.
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| See arrow Now follow the trajectory... |
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| Arrow on Emperor. Injury on Fang Jian Ming. |
The arrow goes above Fang Jian Ming's shoulder and the next millisecond there's blood mark on his chest. The actual arrow hits the Emperor behind him but Fang Jian Ming reacts like he's shot too. It's one sound effect and one arrow for "two" injuries xD. Woot! Way to use the Chinese idiom 一箭双雕 so literally! "One arrow, two eagles". 👏👏👏 Gotta save those arrows and audio effects!
However! This is deliberate. There's a case of injury transference. I’m assuming there’s a magical spell that ties their bodies so that any physical injury on the Emperor transfers to Fang Jian Ming.
The Emperor returns to his quarters without letting anyone treat his arrow wound ... because there is none.
Fang Jian Ming is the Commander of Jifeng, the Undercover Guards who protect the Emperor. (Jifeng means the wind that clears the sky.) When Ye Hai Shi meets the Emperor, she attempts to avenge her family but is stopped by Fang Jian Ming. Did the Emperor notice and let her off? Fang Jian Ming asks her if she is still willing to follow him when there's only danger surrounding him. She is. She promised to repay her debt. She is a (wo)man of her/his words. Thus, he becomes her Shifu and changes her surname to his: Fang Hai Shi. She also has a shixiong, Fang Zhuo Ying. I will be sticking to “Shifu” instead of “Fang Jian Ming” for now because no one calls him by his name and I don’t think he likes using it either.
Years pass by as Fang Hai Shi is trained under her Shifu. She grows up. She worries for Shifu who returns home injured. She asks Shifu when she can work in the palace since she's trained to protect the Emperor too, but he remains silent. No matter how skilled she is, he tells her it's the heart that matters. He's wary of her in case she tries to kill the Emperor. It's ironic how the Commander of the Undercover Guards has raised someone he suspects will harm the Emperor. Way to pile up work for yourself.
[Ep2] The Emperor reminisces about the past with Zhunian Princess, Zi Zan. Years ago, they met during the lantern festival. He fell in love with her even with a mask on. He rips it off. Rude much. She falls in love with him too, though. For reasons they're not together anymore. The Emperor wanders the market to look for her or to remember her. He's ambushed yet again but this time it seems the assassins are after Shifu billed by Minister Su. Minster Su is vengeful because his father would not have died if Fang Jian Ming hadn't "surrendered so soon". I don't understand the back story yet hence the quotation marks. Minister Su thinks Shifu knows that he's the mastermind because Shifu deliberately killed all the assassins to silence them.
Other than the night turning deadly, the lantern festival is still rather romantic. Zhuo Ying falls in love at first sight with a girl (Zhe Liu). As for Hai Shi, after returning from the festival (and failing to assassinate the Emperor), she checks up on Shifu who is unsurprisingly half naked. She's so flustered, she has romantic dreams of him all night and can't face him in the day.
Shifu misunderstands the playful banters between Hai Shi and Zhuo Ying as romantic and reminds Zhuo Ying that he is not to fall in love with his shidi. Zhuo Ying clears the confusion. At night, Shifu confirms with Hai Shi of her insomnia. He will sit outside her room and meditate with her. Ahh, another sleepless night awaits Hai Shi as her dream man turns into a meditating headache.
[Ep3] The Emperor is against a marriage alliance with another Zhunian Princess, Ti Lan, and orders Shifu to kill her but Shifu disobeys. Riled, the Emperor grabs his collar and reminds him that he's no longer the young master he was back in the day. He is only a mouse living in the shadows, a claw to the Emperor. Underlying the Emperor's despicable attitude, I sense that he treats Fang Zhu as a close friend. He also particularly despises the mask Shifu always wears. Why is he wearing that mask again?
Zhuo Ying is the next man up to escort Ti Lan and Chu Ji Chang (fourth brother of the Emperor) to the palace. Emperor gives him special orders: only to receive Chu Ji Chang and not Ti Lan. If Zhuo Ying completes this task properly, he will be lavishly rewarded. Zhuo Ying doesn't care about money or status and reports this exchange directly to Shifu. Therefore, the plan to ensure the marriage alliance proceeds. Hai Shi tags along on the mission. With the help of Minister Su, they plan two routes with Hai Shi being in another carriage as decoy. However, her route turns out to be the safe one. She suspects Minister Su and quickly departs to save Zhuo Ying and Ti Lan.
[Ep4] Hai Shi saves Ti Lan who then realizes Hai Shi is a girl.
Chu Ji Chang greets his brother, the Emperor. This is their first meeting in years. The Emperor thanks him for protecting the country despite being far away (e.g. sending provisions to the army). Chu Ji Chang gives the credit to Tang Qian Zi (a general). In Chu Ji Chang's hand, he's carefully holding an eagle egg. It's not that he likes eagles. He wants to raise the best one that's fitting for the Emperor. And so this dude, prince, is incubating the egg with his hands, lol. Is this guy purposely looking like an idiot or is an idiot. I can’t tell. Tang Qian Zi makes me uneasy, though. In private, Tang Qian Zi tells Ti Lan to try her best to win the Emperor's love for her people.
The Emperor wants to punish whoever saved Ti Lan. Shifu explains "he" (Hai Shi) escaped Jifeng. The punishment falls on Zhuo Ying, but Shifu will take it for his disciples. In the end both Shifu and Zhuo Ying are whipped. As for Hai Shi, Shifu has sent her on a "mission" to catch a traitor. She quickly realizes there is no traitor and that Shifu kept her from the Emperor's wrath. When she returns to Jifeng, Shifu doesn't want her anymore. He dispels her belief that he's keeping her safe and blames her for being reckless. He can't have a disciple like her.
The Emperor finally sees Ti Lan and whaddya know she's a carbon copy of Zi Zan who was the late Empress. (FYI, they're sisters.) Instead of falling in love with Ti Lan for her looks, he's angrier than ever and strangles her.
Flashback from Shifu's perspective. If Shifu wasn't blinded by vengeance, then the Empress wouldn't have died. Their child also wouldn't have died. Ah, so Fang Jian Ming is living in the shadows of the Emperor and walking on eggshells because he's guilty for the death of Zi Zan while the Emperor is living like he wants to die because he really wants to die.
[Ep5] Hai Shi will leave Jifeng, but first, she will kill the Emperor for her family, Shifu and Zhuo Ying. Additionally, after she learns how the Emperor abuses Ti Lan (another strangulation), it further affirms to Hai Shi, the Emperor deserves to die but before she even touches the Emperor, Shifu pins her to the ground. The Emperor is incredulous and dares Hai Shi to take Ti Lan as “his” wife since “he” seems to fancy her. In response, Ti Lan takes a hairpin to her neck to kill herself. Ti Lan knows Hai Shi is a girl but doesn’t expose her. The Emperor stops her. The matter is adjourned.
Hai Shi returns to Jifeng with Shifu but he’s disowning her and points a sword to her chest (or more like shoulder). She doesn’t flinch. She also doesn’t understand why Shifu has to succumb to the Emperor. To Shifu, the Emperor’s life is more important than his. If she insists on harming the Emperor, one of these days he will kill her. Hai Shi takes the dare. If he will kill her then kill her now. She walks into the sword but he can't kill her and drops the sword. Hai Shi kneels outside all night to wait for Shifu.
Shifu finally speaks to Hai Shi to tell her the Emperor has kept her life (with an edict that orders her to participate in the upcoming imperial test). Shifu assigns her a mission first, which is to kill a traitor. It’s uncle Zhao. Hai Shi can’t believe he’s a traitor. She practically grew up with him, but he admits to his crimes. He takes the knife in her hand to kill himself. When Hai Shi asks Shifu for an explanation of uncle Zhao's betrayal, Shifu tells her that if she has to learn the truth then she might as well leave.
[Ep6] Hai Shi resolutely leaves Jifeng. But then she’s in danger. And guess who saves her. It’s Shifu. Oh, and she’s back in Jifeng. Again. She learns that uncle Zhao did betray (because he was threatened with the safety of his nephew). I guess this also shields Minister Su from suspicion.
Hai Shi visits Shifu with a roasted duck as an apology. Initially, she was ashamed to take out the duck because he looked godly while playing the zither and gods don’t eat roasted ducks and therefore she is in the wrong and I am so lost at this quack logic. She’s saying she shouldn't jump to conclusions. He accepts the apology (and not the duck). Shifu and Hai Shi are back on good terms or in Hai Shi’s words, she has decided to forgive Shifu.
Shifu helps Hai Shi shoot an arrow since her arm is injured. When they’re face to face, she asks him if he followed her when she left because he was worried for her. He warns her to refrain from thinking of herself when shooting. Whoosh. The arrow is shot. Bulls eye. A turtle dove flies above and petals fall. A really big one floats downward which Hai Shi gently blows. But they’re face to face, and so she’s blowing in his face. Shifu retires from arrow shooting and mutters for her to take care of her injury. He must be thinking, “Like ew, so unhygienic, blowing in my face. Where is my mask!”
Chu Ji Chang falls asleep standing in court and drops his egg! The eagle baby! Welp.
Shifu approves Hai Shi to attend the imperial test. It was part of the edict and she has to go but Shifu’s approval is special to her. He has faith in her promise to not harm the Emperor.
[Ep7] The Emperor hears romantic rumours of Tang Qian Zi and Ti Lan. With a sly smirk, he summons an edict to have Ti Lan send Tang Qian Zi to war but in order to not go, she pours cold water on herself to induce an overnight fever, preventing the slightest chance for a misunderstanding.
Hai Shi makes a pouch and with her rough hands, it's naturally ugly. Shyly, she gives it to Shifu who lurvs it. It's a return present because she broke his jade during their practice match. By the way, it seems our Hai Shi is a equal match for Shifu.
Zhuo Ying substitutes for Hai Shi's physical exam because she's a girl. She can't pass the male exam. However, everyone recognizes Zhuo Ying, lol. Minister Su turns a blind eye and thus every official shields her. Minister Su is not protecting Hai Shi; he wants the Emperor to punish her for lying. But then, wouldn't Minister Su be in trouble for his negligence? Shifu pretends to be aloof, but he's secretly protecting her throughout the imperial test.
[Ep8] For the imperial test, Hai Shi submits her sorrowful pearl story. The Emperor never knew the pearl taxation brought about such a tragedy. It was the ministers who abused their power. After reading Hai Shi's article, he severely penalizes all those involved and summons Shifu to testify. All these years, Shifu has been investigating the whereabouts of the pearls (because they were never submitted to the Emperor) and can soon bust the criminals. The conversation ends on a light note with a requisite ugly pouch comment from the Emperor. Shifu likes it, though. Really likes it.
Hai Shi gives Ti Lan a rabbit which the Emperor finds out. He deliberately brings Ti Lan to watch the final imperial test where Hai Shi is.
[Ep9] The final imperial test is a fight on a tower for the baton. Ti Lan looks worried for Hai Shi as a fellow female companion but the Emperor thinks it's love for a male. Hai Shi is just about to win until He Chong furtively shoots a poisonous needle at her. She falls into the water. Her palm glows. Oh. When the mermaid saved her in Ep1, did something happen?? Shifu flies in the air and dives into the water to save her. His mask drops in the sea. The ministers recognize him as "Lord Qinghai” who they thought had died. From his title, I think he's a princess's son, which then makes him cousins with the Emperor. I may be wrong.
In Shifu's room, he removes Hai Shi’s clothes by hugging her close – it's the best way to treat her without exposing her bare body to his eyes but it's okay to touch her!. He sucks the poison out of her flesh. Ju Qi Qi sees it. She cries because she loves Shifu. She's also his fiancée. Their parents decided on the engagement but Shifu had refused.
The Emperor restores Fang Jian Ming's identity as Lord Qinghai.and moves him to Zhaoming Court where the Third Prince had resided. Fang Jian Ming had initially refused the Emperor, but the latter had had enough of him living in his shadows. He's going to be moldy! The conversation changes to Hai Shi, which prompts Fang Jian Ming to take her punishment for her. Why is she punished? For being poisoned and shocking the Emperor. Omg. I'm shocked too, who's going to punish them for shocking me? The Emperor is bewildered at Fang Jian Ming's devotion to protect Hai Shi. There's barely any good meat (uninjured flesh) left on his body. Really, now? What episodes were those abs? The Emperor is now concerned about his sexuality and urges him to quickly marry Ju Qi Qi to restore it. Fang Jian Ming replies that he's not marrying her, in fact he will never marry. He will guard the Emperor forever. The Emperor scoffs and refuses to be the criminal ending his lineage. He better marry. Fang Jian Ming smiles.
With the mask off and identity restored, I'm going to call Shifu as Fang Jian Ming.
Minister Su is furious at Fang Jian Ming's promotion because his chances of killing him are further curtailed. Not like he had a chance, anyway. Fang Jian Ming knows he’s the one who poisoned Hai Shi (even though He Chong committed suicide and removed any evidence to trace it to Minister Su). He leaves Minister Su with a threat that if he dares touch his people, he will take his life.
Hai Shi slowly wakes up. She remembers Fang Jian Ming saving her. She thought she was dying and that she was imagining him, the love of her life. She kissed him underwater. Girls always kissing the guys when they're dying. But he pushes her away! Dude, she's dying. Can't a girl get some oxygen? xD. Fang Jian Ming’s mask dropped when she pulled it away after he pushed her. Currently, she’s fully awake and realizes her clothes have changed. She meekly apologizes to Fang Jian Ming for the hassle. Fang Hai Shi ignores the comment.
[Ep10] The Emperor banishes Ti Lan to the cold palace after she mentions Zi Zan. Meanwhile, Fang Jian Ming has no intentions of taking Hai Shi to the palace (he says it's inconvenient when she's a girl). You men abandoning girls, tsktsk. Zhuo Ying begs Fang Jian Ming to take in Hai Shi which only reminds Fang Jian Min of Hai Shi’s reply: "Isn't living together forever fine, with you Shifu – pause – and Zhuo Ying ge.” Is Fang Jian Ming jealous of Zhuo Ying? Something must be wrong with his comprehension skills.
The Emperor "unconsciously" arrives at Ti Lan's cold palace. She freshened up the haunted place to look like a proper home. He notices she carved a Dragon Tail God and asks if she’s praying for Hai Shi. She says it's to pray for herself. Her mother, who is of low status, taught her to be introspective and accommodating. This reminds the Emperor of his own childhood. He was looked down upon by the other princes for his status. He's bitter as he recalls being forbearing isn't a merit. Then he comments on her difference from Zi Zan because she would always protect others. Since Ti Lan "wants" to be like Zi Zan, then he orders her to carve 30 000 Dragon Tail Gods to pray for his soldiers. Before he leaves, he adds that he doesn't believe she was only praying for herself. "Once you love someone, you cannot be praying only for yourself. [..] You want to live longer for her. Once she dies, you would hate that you're living so long."
Hai Shi, who's all alone, goes shopping. Girls are flocking to her and so she changes to female clothes. A boy, Zhou You Du, is smitten with her. At this time she should actually be reporting to the palace for placing third on the imperial test, but it's not her fault, someone gave her the wrong time. Zhuo Ying finds her but she can't show up dressed as a girl and so she might as well not show up at all.
Zhuo Ying is anxious for Hai Shi. She's calm and logically explains that if they return now, awaiting them is Fang Jian Ming's face that's darker than coal. The coal Fang Jian Ming is here, listening to every word. With his coal face, he orders her to go back and pack. Pack to where! To Zhaoming Palace, of course! As they're leaving the restaurant, Hai Shi gives Zhuo Ying a present. Fang Jian Ming stands in the middle, awkwardly looking side to side, and finally asks if his presence constrains them (from being romantic). Zhuo Ying quickly denies. On the other hand, Hai Shi says it does because they have to be disciplined around him but it's not a bad thing since whatever shifu teaches them should be kept in their hearts, sucking up to shifu, eh. I think it worked on Fang Jian Ming. Zhuo Ying, the guy who should be leaving, points out that shifu has no present. According to Hai Shi, the things in the market are too cheap and unsuitable for Shifu. This went over both the boys' heads, lol. There's a diss and praise in that sentence. Zhuo Ying submits his present to shifu who slits his eye at it. He doesn’t want it and walks ahead as the disciples play in the back.
[Ep11] Ti Lan carves until sun sets. Since she promised the Emperor, she'll do it even if it means piercing herself and bleeding excessively. Eunuch Mu (Mu De Qing) informs the Emperor that if it's not treated, there will be side effects. Is the Eunuch spicing up the story to make the Emperor worried? The Emperor is like What do you want me to do? Heal her? Lol. I like his skeptical and sarcastic replies. Eunuch Mu says that no one dares to enter the cold palace without the Emperor's orders, even physicians. The Emperor sighs that he never removed her as his consort, and tells Eunuch to go by the rules and stop harassing him about Ti Lan.
The next day the Emperor harasses the physicians and with one suggestive look, Eunuch Mu is to know that he wants to look at the medical record. But whose? Eunuch Mu looks clueless and so the Emperor is given all the medical records to read. Is Eunuch Mu pretending to be dumb, lol. It's tough being a eunuch! Gotta look dumb but can't be too dumb and actually has to be smart but can't be too smart. As he's flipping through the pages, there's a conversation outside regarding Ti Lan's rabbit who has been sick ever since its separation from Ti Lan. The Emperor cares about the rabbit! He even orders Eunuch Mu to raise the fluffy pet. Lol. This way, the Emperor can take care of the rabbit. Then the Emperor narrows down on the medical record and asks about the cases from yesterday and there's only one: Ti Lan. She's bleeding and should be resting but instead of resting she's carving. The Emperor laments that it's useless treating those who don't want to be treated, sounding as if he doesn't care. However, the Emperor, who doesn't care about the owner, really cares about her little rabbit. One lingering glance, and Eunuch Mu would quickly caress the rabbit. He even summons Zhe Liu (who raises a rabbit too) for her assessment. She inquires about the rabbit's daily intake and bowel movements and he quickly answers whatever the Eunuch answers. This is the way the Emperor cares: make everyone else care.
Hai Shi learns about Fang Jian Ming's engagement. She sits in the rain until he picks her up and pats her dry with a towel but the real thunderstorm is in her heart and he should be curing that instead. The next day she applies for a military post far far away so that she can avoid attending Fang Jian Ming's wedding. Zhuo Ying confronts Shifu that Hai Shi is leaving because of him. He's like How could Shifu not see her heart? All that respect! Omg. Respect? This is respect? These men. Reminding Fang Jian Ming of his shifu-disciple relationship with Hai Shi isn't at all encouraging. Zhuo Ying, thanks man. Respect.
There's not a lot of the main CP in this episode but I am warming up to the Emperor and Ti Lan as a couple. I like her personality. She's resilient and means no harm. She attracts the Emperor while being herself.
[Ep12] During training, Hai Shi aggravates her old injury and she's bleeding again. Fang Jian Ming hears of it but doesn't visit her at the camp, instead she's visited by multiple dreams of him. One of them is her calling out "Fang Jian Ming, don't leave!" Then in the final "dream", she sees Shifu standing at her bedside. She tells him she really likes him. But was it a dream? No one at the camp recounts seeing him.
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| This is a love confession scene. |
Hai Shi knows it wasn't a dream. On the last day before she departs, she confronts Fang Jian Ming about last night, but first they play a game of Go.
Fang Jian Ming: This move was too rushed. You must follow the flow rather than irrationally force your way through. Be gradually absorbed in the game. Yang Mi's face is like shut up, man xD.
Hai Shi: (I) rather abandon a piece and not lose on the advance. This is what Shifu taught me. Right now Shifu can't eat me whole (the game) nor tolerate me leaving/abandoning my pieces without a second thought. What to do? *soft glare*
She confronts him for visiting her. Why visit her? Why make her play a game of Go? Since she's leaving for a dangerous battle, she might as well be honest.
Hai Shi: My feelings for Shifu are different. – Silence from the man – This is why Shifu cannot walk forward (to me), not even half a step – the white piece in his hand wavers – [...] because if Shifu does take even half a step forward, Hai Shi will only speak inappropriately – Shifu halts with his move – and act inappropriately. If it is like this then Hai Shi can only leave to the borders and never return to see Shifu. – Shifu retracts his piece –
The silence settles in and Shifu settles his piece.
Hai Shi: The game has not yet ended. If I had carefully played each move, each half move, I may not lose.
Obviously we're not talking about the game. It was never about the game.
Why did he visit her and why make her play the game of Go? When he visited her, he made an advance, and now he is retreating with Go. Through the game, he tells her to follow the rules and not to force her way into his heart. ):
Hai Shi answers with the game. Shifu had taught her to advance and so she made the bold move to confess. Now that he can't accept her (eat her) nor let her go, she can only make the move to leave on her own will. In the middle of the game, she had asked him (with the soft glare) what he wanted but he never replied.
I think deep down, Hai Shi knows he cares for her. She knows the game hasn't ended and that if she played her pieces carefully, she could make him love (or like) her. But she won't. She won't force Shifu.
Fang Jian Ming's hesitation with the piece throughout her confession symbolizes where he's at. He wants to make a move but he can't, but he wants to. He needed that extra moment to settle in and to finally place the piece and yet he still couldn't win her.
The game is still a tie.
Elsewhere, the Emperor visits Ti Lan whose bleeding thumb isn't healing and let's add some more spice to this: side effects are permanent. She has carved half the promised amount. He says it was merely a joke but then mocks that no one would want blood tainted carvings. He also reprimands her for hurting herself because it's giving him a bad reputation. Oh Emperor, god gave you a mouth and it doesn't mean you have to use it. She goes inside to wash her hand so that she can resume carving. He stops her by the wrist and she accidentally injures him with her chisel. He's bleeding. Not. Fang Jian Ming is bleeding (which seems to have happened right when Hai Shi was leaving the room). The Emperor hides his non-injury. The maids beg the Emperor to forgive Ti Lan but the girl herself remains silent as she slowly bows, not looking remorseful. It seems Ti Lan has given up on appeasing the Emperor. He in turn punishes the maid. Ti Lan finally apologizes and clarifies that she wanted to give the Emperor a present. It's another Dragon Tail God carving which she made to accompany Zi Zan's necklace so it (he) won't be lonely.
Ti Lan: When I saw Your Majesty, I felt hatred too. I always felt lonely, suffered and lived through hardships, but now Ti Lan doesn't hate anymore because I know Your Majesty is suffering too. Destiny took your happiness and my happiness. Ti Lan isn't Zi Zan. Your Majesty doesn't like Ti Lan. You and I don't have that fate but Ti Lan can make you this Dragon Tail God carving to be a pair (with Zi Zan's necklace). Ti Lan also wishes that Your Majesty's heart can stop hurting. The carving is clean. It wasn't tainted by blood. [...] If Your Majesty must kill Ti Lan then please don't drag anyone else in this tragedy.
The Emperor drops the carving. He doesn't need it. He relinquishes the punishment on the maids and the rest of the 30 000 carvings. He reinstates Ti Lan in YuAn palace.
Back to Fang Jian Ming. The cut on his hand is a reminder of why he cannot stop Hai Shi from leaving.
Fang Jian Ming's voiceover: A half step isn't much at all but you met me, a crippled man, whose life he cannot control at his own volition.
A flashback tells us he and the then Prince Chu Chang Xu (current Emperor) saved the country from the barbaric rule of the previous empire. However, after the massacre of Fang Jian Ming's family, he went against the plan and attacked before anyone was ready, resulting in more unnecessary casualties (e.g. Zi Zan and also Minister Su's family?). Chu Chang Xu almost died with a sword wound to the chest. To save him (and to calm the army) Fang Jian Ming performed a blood ritual that ties their lives and transfers all of Chu Chang Xu's pain and misfortune for Fang Jian Ming to suffer.
Fang Jian Ming's voiceover: Hai Shi, if without you, I would have wandered listlessly in this fate, but with your presence, I understand what it means 'to not regret but regret'*. Hai Shi, I am sorry.
*A Chinese lesson from the unqualified teacher, yours truly. Here goes.
虽然无悔 = Although (I do) not regret但却有憾 = But (I do) regret悔 (hui) and 憾 (han) both mean regret but the latter has a root character "心 " (=heart), which entails a regret with emotional attachment. A fuller interpretation of what he's saying is that he doesn't regret his actions from a logical perspective, but he does emotionally. His regrets don't contradict one another and yet they do.
Fang Jian Ming and the Emperor share a conservation on destiny and their positions in the palace. Fang Jian Ming's attitude is to not fight against it (go with the flow, yatta yatta yatta). They must let go of what they must let go. The Emperor looks agonizingly at Fang Jian Ming who has changed. Is his heart empty now? Fang Jian Ming's heart isn't hollow without yearnings but he has learned the hard way...
Fang Jian Ming: If one wishes too much, approaches someone too closely, it will only hurt everyone.Emperor: If your brothers didn't die, if my brother didn't die, then the one standing here–Fang Jian Ming: Your Majesty, destiny has chosen yo–Emperor: But I was never asked if I wanted to! I never wanted this. I never wanted Jian Ming to [bear my sufferings]. "Baixi" is the term the Emperor uses which means something along the lines of a wooden doll that takes all of his sufferings.Fang Jian Ming solemnly answers with a soft smile: It is my wish. All of it is my wish.Both men are close to crying.
Best episode so far. I finally feel the gravity of the story and the complication of their relationships. I love the Go game and depth in the conversation. I'm loving the character developments for Fang Jian Ming, the Emperor, and Ti Lan. Not so much Hai Shi because I already know her story and there's not much else to reveal about her, but her confession was interesting. It looked more like "I hate you" than "I love you".
[Ep13] Hai Shi hasn’t even arrived at her post in Huangquan Guan (Yellow Spring Gates) and has already raked in all the glory. With less than two thousand soldiers, she led them to attack the enemy (Huku) with greater than three thousand men. Tang Qian Zi praises her prowess, which reminds him of the previous Lord Qinghai (Fang Jian Ming). At the mention of Shifu, Hai Shi remembers she is to kill Tang Qian Zi once she receives the directive. (There's a mole in this camp and I assume Fang Jian Ming thinks it's Tang Qian Zi.)
Ti Lan is at the lake, releasing water lanterns to pray for Hai Shi and Tang Qian Zi (someone who’s like a bother to her). A drunk Emperor thinks she’s Zi Zan and kisses her. She’s caught off guard and pushes him into the water. The (drunk) Emperor can’t swim so she saves him. She takes care of him all night. In his slumber, he grabs her hand, thinking she's Zi Zan. Ti Lan rubs his hand to keep him warm and falls asleep by his bedside. When the Emperor wakes up she apologizes for staying in his room without his permission. He says she should be rewarded instead for saving him, but she doesn’t have anything she wants, which surprises the Emperor. Before she leaves, he very shyly returns her rabbit. Ti Lan brightens up and is about to kneel but he's like Save it. His gaze lingers on her as she leaves his quarters.
Fang Jian Ming catches Ti Lan leaving the Emperor's room and smiles for his bro. Meanwhile, this bro is insistent on hooking up his buddy with a girl, who just has to be Ju Qi Qi (who Fang Jian Ming had already very clearly rejected). Bruh, leave Fang Jian Ming alone ):<
[Ep14] Hai Shi saves the army with her wits and skills time and time again. This production team is loaded! The action scenes during the war weren’t only flaunting their money but they also had sequences that were thoroughly engaging to watch. Unrelated: I’m reminded of The Long Ballad animated scenes, ha ha ha. During a battle, Hai Shi kills a Huku warlord and breaks the mask of another, revealing a man who looks exactly like Zhuo Ying.
Hai Shi reports the victory to Tang Qian Zi and asks if they can adopt the Jiaman refugees. She also learns from Tang Qian Zi that Fang Jian Ming has led another army to another battle.
[Ep15] Hai Shi tries to save the people of Jiaman but is ultimately captured by King You. He admires her skills and wants her to submit to him. Hai Shi challenges him to a duel instead. If she wins, King You is to release her comrades and the refugees. If King You wins then Hai Shi will submit to him. It's a win-win for him. Either way, she's his hostage (with the potential of submitting to him) or she will submit to him..... Hai Shi wins. King You says he will release her people but not immediately. It’s a pointless win. King You never planned to lose anything.
Fang Hai Shi receives intel about Hai Shi but before he can depart to save her, he is attacked by a fellow soldier (under Su Ming’s orders?). He treats his wound overnight and heads out in the morning while still in pain. (He's quite far so it will take him a while to arrive).
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| LOL, King You's expression. Those crossed arms. Those shoulders! Why is this a comedy? |
Lu Er Dan (King You's general) is jealous of Hai Shi. He poisons her food and if poison doesn't work, he has men surrounding her prison so that if she escapes (which he made easy for her), he can kill her on the spot. Hai Shi doesn't fall for either and sets the prison on fire. The commotion attracts King You’s attention. With his arrival, Hai Shi reveals herself. She knows she's safest with King You around. Ultimately King You forgives Lu Er Dan since the latter is loyal. This matter barely settles and King You receives news that King Zuo is outside demanding for Hai Shi because she killed his father. King You means King Right. What could King Zuo mean? You got it. King Left. King Left (Duo Luo; the one who looks like Zhuo Ying) is King You's nephew. The man who died is King Zuo's father and therefore older brother of King You. Duo Luo wants Hai Shi dead to avenge his father.
King You lies that he hasn't seen Fang Hai Shi nor battled him. From a secret memo, he finds out Hai Shi is a girl. He makes her don a dress with a veil to prove that the battle was with a girl and not Fang Hai Shi. The problem is when she's a girl, no one can recognize her either and cannot testify that she's the one who duelled but what does it matter that the one who battled is male or female as long as it's Fang Hai Shi?. Duo Luo isn't convinced and so Lu Er Dan shows up with a crispy corpse, declaring it is Fang Hai Shi who died in a fire. Duo Luo leaves begrudgingly.
One of Hai Shi's teammates (Zhang Cheng Qian) smuggles in as a refuge to save them. In prison, Hai Shi receives updates from him that the escape is tonight. Then she muses about these two vendors who sell these pancakes. The ones at the east gates are good because they're packed with sesame. The left ones suck; they're so empty and it's so dry, just dropping it and it will crumble. Translation: the left wing of the camp is lightly guarded.
[Ep16] Fang Jian Ming has arrived in Hai Shi's original camp (Yellow Springs Gate). Tang Qian Zi says they can't delegate men to save Hai Shi because the country comes first. Fang Jian Ming calmly agrees, but he's staying up all night, staring at maps, devising a plan to save Hai Shi. He doesn't even reveal his injuries (because Hai Shi's rescue cannot be delayed). Soldiers who are loyal and Jiaman people who are in debt to Hai Shi present themselves to Fang Jian Ming, offering their help to save her. Thus, the next day, Fang Jian Ming sends common festival presents to King You. Nothing less, nothing more. Hai Shi sees the jade thumb ring (with blood mark). Shifu, why make your disciple worry about you? Could you not have wiped the blood first! Hai Shi carefully analyzes the presents to decipher Shifu's meaning. Could he be planning something during the festival?
King You was convinced Hai Shi will support him but he receives another message informing him that Hai Shi works for Fang Jian Ming, the arch nemesis of all Huku people. If King You hadn't mentioned that he doesn't know this messenger I almost didn't recognize her voice. We can never escape jealous women in dramas. King You seizes Hai Shi in her room, who's all dressed to escape. The fireworks have launched – the sign that Fang Jian Ming is here to save her. She jumps out the window and yes, he's right there riding his horse. She lands perfectly behind him and they gallop away. Colourful flowers pop in the sky.
Hai Shi: Were the fireworks on your wedding night this beautiful too?Fang Jian Ming: No. I won't marry someone I won't love. Tonight was supposed to be Hai Shi's wedding....so....if you wanna be romantic it's a semi-wedding night for our couple. She's with the right groom and he's with the right bride.
However Saliya (Jiaman People) is caught. King You wants Hai Shi as an exchange. Hai Shi agrees. As she's moving forward, Fang Jian Ming makes the slightest signal and Zhang Cheng Qian slips him a sabre, which Fang Jian Ming swings at King You, who reflexively dodges. Among the commotion, Saliya is taken to safety while Hai Shi has her grip on King You's neck. Lu Er Dan comes down at her with a sword. She dodges but there are enemies on the other side too. Fang Jian Ming throws his cape at them and they fall because the cape must weigh a ton. Fang Jian Ming pulls Hai Shi into the protection of his arms but she swings him around when there's a sword aimed at him. Hai Shi is down, but at least, she's no longer in King You's hands. Zhang Cheng Qian signals the battle. Our team wins. Afterwards, Fang Jian Ming carries Hai Shi to his room to treat the gaping laceration on her back. Fang Jiang Min doesn't allow anyone to see her.
Other things:
→ Ti Lan flies a kite and sets it free. It lands on the Emperor but he thinks the kite belongs to Zhe Liu. The Emperor likes the poem and rewards Zhe Liu.
[Ep17] Surprise, the Emperor is in a foul mood and insomniac. Wandering around, he hears Ti Lan sharing with her maids an amusing story that she’s reading. It’s a gender bender – a female dresses up as a boy at school and falls in love with her classmate. Is the title perhaps A Female Student Arrives At The Imperial College…? xD Technically, it’s not a gender bender. But it has Xu Kai Cheng in it. He likes the story and wants to hear the rest of it (explaining that he had read it but forgot the ending). A man child asking for a bedtime story. Sounds appropriate.
The Emperor falls asleep to Ti Lan’s soothing voice but he’s interrupted by an intense nightmare – intense because the music is very intense – of Fang Jian Ming bringing him a box, inside with a head. It’s the fourth head of a man who belonged in Liuyi Military and there are a total of six (generals). Fang Jiang Ming was one of them and he faked his death, which means there’s only one left: Su Ming (Minister Su). Fang Jian Ming, who’s guilty for the death of Su Ming’s father, asks the Emperor to pardon Su Ming. The Emperor agrees. The nightmare is over and Ti Lan continues to read him the bedtime story. He peacefully sleeps the entire night at her quarters (on her bed).
In the morning, Ti Lan fixes the Emperor’s clothes and fumbles with each step. She nervously peeks up each time. He sighs that she recites well but her dressing skills are mediocre. When he leaves, Ti Lan finally exhales. Meanwhile the Emperor is speed walking towards the court in his grand robes. He’s late! And he let her fumble with his clothes, aw!
At court, Chu Ji Chang is sleeping-standing again. He’s snoring too. The Emperor has given up on him, lol. But I wouldn’t let my guard down on this guy! Something about him bugs me. He was assigned to Quanming Harbour to provide relief but Chu Ji Chang isn’t quite done snoring and so Su Ming volunteers for the dangerous task because Fang Jian Ming is there?
At Lanzicheng, Saliya is restored as the ruler with the defeat of King You. General Fu visits. He’s rather suspicious, but there isn’t much time to deal with him. Hai Shi is still in critical condition. Luckily! Saliya’s tribe has a miracle cure! Alas, it’s mouth to mouth medication time. Fang Jian Ming kisses Hai Shi to treat her. The medication also requires her to have a continuous flow of qi for twelve hours and so Fang Jian Ming guides her through tai chi moves on the bed. Wut. I’m not going to understand this, guys. Can’t we just do it the normal way where he passes his energy to her from the back and she just sits there? I'm already used to that making sense xD.
The Emperor discovers Ju Qi Qi is the spy (who sent those notes to King You). He serves poisonous tea to the entire sewing department. Everyone dies. Fortunately, Zhe Liu only drank a little, but she is coughing out blood and faints. (Zhuo Ying had wanted to confess to her after he came back from his mission.) Will Zhe Liu die?
[Ep18] But wait.
In the morning, Ti Lan fixes the Emperor’s clothes and fumbles with each step. She nervously peeks up each time. He sighs that she recites well but her dressing skills are mediocre. When he leaves, Ti Lan finally exhales. Meanwhile the Emperor is speed walking towards the court in his grand robes. He’s late! And he let her fumble with his clothes, aw!
At court, Chu Ji Chang is sleeping-standing again. He’s snoring too. The Emperor has given up on him, lol. But I wouldn’t let my guard down on this guy! Something about him bugs me. He was assigned to Quanming Harbour to provide relief but Chu Ji Chang isn’t quite done snoring and so Su Ming volunteers for the dangerous task because Fang Jian Ming is there?
The Emperor discovers Ju Qi Qi is the spy (who sent those notes to King You). He serves poisonous tea to the entire sewing department. Everyone dies. Fortunately, Zhe Liu only drank a little, but she is coughing out blood and faints. (Zhuo Ying had wanted to confess to her after he came back from his mission.) Will Zhe Liu die?
The Emperor didn’t serve the poisonous tea. The real mastermind (Su Ming) used Ju Qi Qi as his shield. He killed her to silence her, ending the trail of evidence. One maid survived.
Hai Shi and Fang Jian Ming:
Hai Shi wakes up. She was in and out of consciousness and heard Fang Jian Ming tell her she’d regret meeting him. Well, I wonder if she was aware of him playing around with her body with tai chi moves. She doesn’t regret it. She never would. He feeds her medication and she grimaces. It’s too bitter. But what’s more bitter than the expression he’s making? Hai Shi gently touches his forehead and soothes the frown in his brows. She apologizes for making “them” worried and sweetly tells him, “From now on, I’ll always listen to Shifu.” Fang Jian Ming smiles, a fleeting one.
Hai Shi catches Fang Jian Ming looking to buy candy for her. He hesitates but she snatches up the batch of sugar and takes his hand in hers. They walk for a while until he’s like You’re still not letting go? Hai Shi plays dumb as she reluctantly lets go. Then he reprimands her for dressing too thinly in this windy weather. He grabs her hand to prove that she is cold. He’s just about to awkwardly let go when Hai Shi plays it smart and grips his hand noting that he’s colder than her.
Hai Shi: But holding Shifu’s hand, my heart is warm.
Hai Shi has another move: she compliments the candy that he bought her (but she bought it. But it’s the thought that counts) and it's sweeter than any candy she’s had before. It’s so sweet, she’s forgotten the taste of the bitter medication this morning. He’s lost in the sweetness of her smiles too. When she peeks up, he snatches the candy, diverting the topic to the strong winds today. Taking her hand, he leads her to another vendor to buy her a shawl. She asks how it looks on her. He answers, “warm.” She laughs and he looks quizzically at her.
Hai Shi: I’m laughing at myself for being silly. There are some people who aren’t as smart as they look.
He averts her gaze, and snatches the candy again to walk away but Hai Shi is in attack mode today. She has presents for him too.
Hai Shi’s present is two wedding candles so that he can read his documents late at night. He’s a breath away to teach her that these candles aren’t used like this. He orders her to go to bed, but knowing Shifu, it means go to bed and nothing more. She sleeps and he stays up working with the candles lit. That’s not how the candles are used, though! She peeks from her bed. Oh and she's wearing red too for this makeshift wedding night.
Fang Jian Ming is summoned back to the capital city and he doesn’t know when he’ll see Hai Shi again. She’s not disheartened. To her, Shifu is only one step away (or one move away a la Go game). “One step?” He asks. Yes. Only one step. She used to be afraid to take that step towards him but not anymore. Even if that step is across vast oceans and high mountains, she will make that step.
Fang Jian Ming is on route back to the palace. He heaves his horse and looks back to where Hai Shi is. His subordinate asks if he has forgotten something. No. Just his heart, and his love. And not to mention that it was a bit rude slamming the break in the front when the road ahead is clear.
The Emperor and Ti Lan:
Fang Jian Ming is summoned back to the capital city and he doesn’t know when he’ll see Hai Shi again. She’s not disheartened. To her, Shifu is only one step away (or one move away a la Go game). “One step?” He asks. Yes. Only one step. She used to be afraid to take that step towards him but not anymore. Even if that step is across vast oceans and high mountains, she will make that step.
Fang Jian Ming is on route back to the palace. He heaves his horse and looks back to where Hai Shi is. His subordinate asks if he has forgotten something. No. Just his heart, and his love. And not to mention that it was a bit rude slamming the break in the front when the road ahead is clear.
The Emperor and Ti Lan:
The Emperor realizes the kite he thought was Zhe Liu’s was actually Ti Lan’s. The poetic line that touches him the most is “Who will know my heart’s woes?” He compliments her poem and muses that he hasn’t seen her in a while and will summon her to serve him during his calligraphy one of these days. She slouches over, thinking she’s punished.
The day has arrived. The Emperor summons Ti Lan to his quarters but he has no instructions for her. When she sits, he stands. When she offers to grind ink, he doesn’t want to write. When she serves him tea, he’s like he’s got a maid for that. Alright . What does he want her to do? I think he just wants her to be there. He wants her to read his scrolls out loud because he says her voice is pretty. She kowtows, saying it's a crime for a woman to read court documents. With a hand under chin, he lifts her face and asks where her courage went. Calmly, she says she’ll read. “Oh are you not afraid of death anymore?” The Emperor stares into her eyes. She is. If the Emperor truly wanted to punish her, he could find any excuse to. Whether she reads it or not she could be punished but because the Emperor is righteous, she isn’t afraid. He smirks at her sly move because he just called him out for being unrighteous if she were to punish her. She mutters meekly that she dares not. He lets her read and the night goes by like that, peacefully.
[Ep19] Fang Jian Ming finally has a proper physician to assess his wounds and of course, it's so severe and infected that if he were to suffer another injury, it could lead to big, big problems.
Ti Lan is promoted to not just reciting the court documents but also writing for the Emperor. He tells her to write "Dog Fart" in one of them. Dog Fart = Bull Shit. Swear words are basically the same across languages, aren't they? Ti Lan gasps. That's derogatory. Turns out he's being “considerate" of her. She hasn't mastered his handwriting yet, and writing too much could expose her. Eventually, she dozes off. The naughty Emperor draws on her face. Then he orders Eunuch Mu to send her back.
Ti Lan's Maid 1 (Watch me forget who I assigned as #1. I just know that it’s the annoying one.) hears an interesting rumour that the lake's ice has melted because of all the candle-lit water lanterns. However, there shouldn't be anyone in the palace releasing lanterns and it's not like there's anyone here who knows that today is their Dragon Tail God Festival. It’s the Emperor. He's the one giving her this magical moment.
Eunuch Mu: Our palace doesn't celebrate the Dragon Tail God, but our palace does have a real god – glances at the Emperor – standing right here.
The Emperor sneezes (and ruins the romantic moment). He returns to his quarters to give her time to admire the lake. When Ti Lan visits the next night, she brings warm food for his cold. I like how Eunuch Mu just brought her in without the Emperor's approval ahead of time. There's only one set of utensils because she can't eat with him without his permission. He permits her but during dinner, it's completely silent. Ti Lan is so proper, she doesn't talk when she eats. The Emperor says she's completely different from Zi Zan. Ti Lan sets down her utensils and notes that Zi Zan is of higher status, their etiquettes cannot be compared. The Emperor continues to speak of Zi Zan and how petty she was, her picky eating habits, etc. Ti Lan quietly listens. Then the Emperor concludes that she doesn't have to behave so well to be loved. From now on she can eat with him and enter his room without being summoned. Ti Lan smiles.
Chu Ji Chang is in his room (wide awake!!). He's playing with his eagle.
Chu Ji Chang: If the eagle wants to soar the clear blue skies, first train its shoulders and then its claws – pokes the eagle – it's still early for you. We'll take it slowly.
Puyouma (Zhunian ambassador) greets the Emperor, thanking him for adoring their princess. The Emperor notes his accurate intel. Puyoma also reports of flooding in their country and is asking for relief. It's the second time this year. They have also always been asking for money in previous years, especially when Zi Zan was around. The Emperor can't stand it and ignores the ambassador. Puyouma moves on to pressuring Ti Lan, reminding her of how Zi Zan always helped them (No she didn’t, she always stopped the Emperor from helping).
The Emperor hears of Ti Lan crying after the meeting with Puyouma. He’s furious. He doesn't eat that night. Meanwhile Maid 1 urges Ti Lan to see the Emperor. Plus, it isn't wrong of Ti Lan to speak for her people. Maid 1 is able to accurately describe the flooding catastrophe that’s plaguing Zhunian when Ti Lan doesn’t even know. We have found the informant.
[Ep20] Ti Lan makes dessert for the Emperor. He's unreceptive because he knows what she wants. He hates it when others cajole him and he knocks away her dessert.
Zhuo Ying asks Zhe Liu to be friends. Of course she's willing but he's asking for more. He wants to be someone who can frequently visit her (rabbit). The implication is there. She knows what he means and she nervously permits it.
Hai Shi is graciously promoted by the Emperor. Fang Jian Ming reprimands her for accepting it. It will bring her unnecessary attention, especially when she's a girl. Hai Shi distracts Fang Jian Ming with her various updates like during court, Tang Qian Zi was giving signals with his hand right after Chu Ji Chang dropped another eagle egg. This is serial murder now. Then there is Duo Luo's appearance and how she worries for Zhuo Ying especially when Su Ming has seen both men.
With each update, Hai Shi shuffles her knees forward until Fang Hai Shi has to physically keep her at a stick's length. He had thought she'd mature at Yellow Spring's Gate, but she’s even more spoiled. Hai Shi contests that she's not reckless. On this long journey home, she was only thinking of one person. She shuffles forward again. Fang Jian Ming looks almost petrified and runs away. Later as he's sitting and sleeping he dreams of Hai Shi in a red wedding dress. They're running and playing with curtains and then she's shot with an arrow. Fang Jian Ming wakes up. It’s a nightmare reminding him that he cannot love.
The Emperor is drunk from a party. When he returns to his room, Ti Lan is wearing Zi Zan's dress and calling him "Ah Xu". The Emperor can recognize his beloved Zi Zan and Ti Lan can never replace her. He has lost it. Gone berserk. In madness, he clamps her under him and rips her clothes. Ti Lan submits. A tear drops from the corner of her eyes. Waaait. Hold up. Why is Ti Lan doing this??? For the people who cared nothing about her?
[Ep21] The Emperor rapes her. And then feeds her abortion inducing soup. Eunuch Mu tries to buy time for the Emperor to relinquish the orders but Ti Lan drinks it in one gulp. Then at night, she is summoned to serve him again! If she wants to pretend to be Zi Zan, then he will let her for as long as she wants. Ti Lan's shoulders quiver as she suppresses her cries. Then in the morning, she's fed the soup again. OMG. This is horrible but the dynamics here are addicting. Ti Lan has to be doing this on purpose, right? She always gives me the impression that she's smarter than she looks. I think she's trying to prove that she doesn't have the Emperor's affections to her people (via Maid 1) and she'd rather live with the Emperor hating her.
Ti Lan falls ill from the medication. If she drinks anymore, it will ruin her body. The maids cry for her. Tang Qian Zi watches over secretly. He’s crying too. Hai Shi had followed him thinking he was suspicious, and learns of his crush.
Once again, Ti Lan is summoned to serve the Emperor at night, but she doesn't go. Her maids didn't wake her up. When she finds out, she tries to get dressed, but the Emperor barges in and punishes her to kneel for four hours. The maids plead for their master, but Ti Lan accepts her punishment. She staggers upward until she drops back down, agonizingly clutching her stomach in pain. The Emperor finally sees her pale complexion and summons the doctor. He who had thought she was faking her condition learns that it was a miracle she managed to survive until now under this excruciating pain. When Ti Lan wakes up, she stares longingly at the medication that's still steaming. What is she thinking? Does she realize she wants the Emperor's warmth?
Other happenings:
→ Zhe Liu finds Ju Qi Qi's messages (e.g. Hai Shi is a female, she's Fang Jian Ming's spy)
→ Hai Shi and Fang Jian Ming are on a trip back to her home village. In the carriage, he's playing catch with her sleeping head. When he thinks it's going to fall on his shoulder, it tilts and sways and swings the other way around. He catches it and holds her still in the rocky carriage. Ultimately, her head rests on his shoulder. Then they arrive at her village and Hai Shi introduces him to her mother as someone she grew up with. In front of Mom, Fang Hai Shi is respectful and concedes, "Yes, we did grow up together." Everyone living on earth grew up with me too, lol. No lie there.
[Ep22] At the fishing village, Fang Jian Ming is reduced to a clueless fisherman, digging at the sand, thinking he can find crabs. Hai Shi takes him to the market to buy seafood instead where she shows off her bargaining skills. A) It makes no sense to me why there's a market selling fish when the sea is right there. B) Hai Shi, you're rich, spare the villagers some money and not cut their price by half. Back at home, Mom gives Fang Jian Ming soup with oysters because they're good for nourishing Yang energy (masculine energy for...). Mom also wants to take him fishing to teach him how to use the net. If he doesn't learn properly, then fishes won't take bait. Hai Shi curls in embarrassment.
Mom is essentially teaching Shifu how to be the "Lord of the Sea" which is modern slang for a jerk who flirts (sets his net) and baits all these girls (fishes). It's also a pun on his title "Lord Qinghai". Hai means sea. Thus you can interpret him as the Lord of the Sea. But! Qing means pure and just and honest and so he's not that Lord of the Sea. Lastly (maybe a bit of a stretch), you can also add in Hai Shi's name in all this pun. “Shi" means Market and so Hai Shi is the Sea Market that he’s fishing in.
Mom is hostage to Su Ming's loyal (why???) assassins. Hai Shi saves Mom. Fang Jian Ming saves Hai Shi. Then Hai Shi saves Fang Jian Ming and she ultimately falls off a cliff into the water. Fang Jian Ming jumps in after her. In the water, Hai Shi's palm glows. The mermaid sends Hai Shi to safety which is in the arms of the man who loves her.
The assassin testifies that he works for Chu Ji Chang. Eunuch Mu delivers the edict to summon him to the palace (for cross examination with the assassin) and before he leaves, the cheerful and childish Chu Ji Chang offers Eunuch Mu an eagle baby too. Hm. Eunuch Mu politely declines. He belongs in the palace and he wouldn't dare raise an eagle. Hmm. Chu Ji Chang meets the assassin who's pleading for his life. The boy freaks out and drops another egg. Just how many babies is he killing? Then the assassin takes him hostage. He manages to escape. The assassin commits suicide. Finally, Chu Ji Chang pees his pants. The Emperor feels bad that he doubted his only brother. He's now prompted to find all his relatives that were lost and still alive from the war. One lady who claims to be Chu Ji Chang's sister raises red flags for Fang Jian Ming.
Other happenings:
→ Zhe Liu turns in the evidence she found in her aunt's room to Fang Jian Ming. It seems Zhe Liu will be heir to Ju Qi Qi's position as Jifeng's messenger (because embroidery is the best way to send messages).
[Ep23] Fang Jian Ming is accused of staging his death in order to kill loyal ministers to ultimately unseat the empire. He also suffers another sword wound to the chest. He’s afraid this is only the beginning. He wants Hai Shi to leave for Yellow Springs Gate as soon as possible for her safety.
Currently, our carefree Hai Shi teases Zhuo Ying (who’s so easy to bully, lol) in front of Zhe Liu. Every line of Hai Shi's ends with Zhuo Ying liking Zhe Liu. It’s annoying Hai Shi how sluggish her brother is when it comes to romance. Like a certain someone.
Ti Lan runs away upon seeing Hai Shi for the latter's sake. Hai Shi chases after her to tell her that she will always be her friend. Hai Shi should have some awareness that she’s a man and that she can ruin Ti Lan's reputation....
The Emperor is playing Go by himself. Hai Shi visits to ask the Emperor to let her stay (because she heard Shifu’s rumours and wants to protect him). She also casually advises the Emperor to place his pieces differently, which probes him to ask how she knows which colour he wants to win. Her answer is neither. The Emperor doesn’t want either to win. He wants a balance. Impressed, the Emperor approves her request and assigns her as the imperial guard.
Fang Jian Ming disapproves. He wants Hai Shi to leave regardless of the Emperor’s orders. Hai Shi will not obey. She wants to stay to help him. He doesn’t want her to, after all they’re only disciple and Shifu relationship. Hai Shi doesn’t believe it. She lists all the things he has done for her, feeding her mediation and the forehead kiss. She knows everything. She plants a kiss on his lips. However, he pushes her away with so much force, she scatters on the ground. Fang Jian Ming apologizes and helps her up but Hai Shi flings his hand away. She thought she was close to him but she now knows she was wrong.
[Ep24] Chu Ling Lang is accepted as the sister of the royal Chu family. There’s a celebration for her return. Ti Lan attends. She sits next to the Emperor who then tells her that wine (“hot” food) is good for her body that’s naturally “cold”. A Traditional Chinese medicine thing. It is best to be of balance but there are people who have a colder foundation and others with a hotter foundation. Do not ask why. Trust. Ti Lan takes a sip but the Emperor continues to stare at her. Taking the cue, she drinks the whole cup. His gaze remains persistent and so Ti Lan is pressured to drink another cup, one after another. She’s about to puke and asks to be excused. Once she’s up, she’s wobbling in her steps. Her maids help her stabilize.
*Traditional Chinese Medicine Thing – Guys, I’m no expert in it. Don’t take my words at face value. There are things that I do believe in Chinese medicine but that’s another discussion and not a very interesting one.
Hai Shi catches Ti Lan, thinking she was going to fall. A (jealous? worried?) Emperor suddenly appears and lifts up Ti Lan. Hai Shi worriedly follows but she’s stopped by Eunuch Mu. The Emperor has taken Ti Lan into Zi Zan’s memorial room. He forcefully kisses her but Ti Lan pushes him away, warning him that her sister is watching (from the picture and from the heavens above).
Ti Lan (who’s also a little drunk): Losing your loved one forever is unfortunate but Your Majesty treating me like this is unfair. Why must you bully me?
Thunder strikes. The Emperor looks frightened and then he cries, wallowing in depression. Why did it have to be him to suffer this loss? Ti Lan answers that it is their life. It might be hard but it isn’t anything they can’t grit their teeth through. She hugs him as he cries in her arms. “Please stop crying. It’s all over.”
Seconds later, Ti Lan is severely bleeding from within her womb. The Emperor frantically carries her across the palace in the rain towards the physicians. They reveal that Ti Lan never took her medication. The Emperor who was furious is now devastated. Why would Ti Lan do this to herself?
Ti Lan: I know that when you see me, you’re hurt. Even if it’s like this, I’m fine.
He drops her wrist, looking wrought. He demands the physicians to cure her or to hell they go. Hai Shi speaks up. She has a way to treat Ti Lan’s “cold” body. It will require a knife and a bowl.
As Ti Lan is being treated, the Emperor confides in Hai Shi
The Emperor: If at your side there is someone who’s wonderful but every time she’s in front of you she will remind you of your worst times, remind you that you will lose your loved ones, remind you that you’re just a walking corpse. Sometimes you want to treat her well and see her smile, but sometimes you can’t help it but hurt her and make her suffer my pain. Because of this you may never love her. If it’s like this, what would you do?Hai Shi: Your Majesty, if it was me I’d treat her well, be gentle with her, and be harmonious with her. I’d treat her just as I'd treat my lost loved one. [...] God gave me another wonderful person that I want to "treat her well, see her smile but can’t help but hurt her" which means Your Majesty’s heart is alive again because of this person. So why not treat her better?
Zhe Liu realizes Zhuo Ying is her “god”.
[Ep25] Hai Shi performed bloodletting to cure Ti Lan. Tired, Hai Shi sleeps during the day. Fang Jian Ming brews medicine and leaves it at her bedside for her. Hai Shi is drowsy but she sees him.
Ti Lan is busy reading her story that dismisses the medicine. The Emperor visits. He tries to hold her hand but Ti Lan flinches and retracts. He promises he won't mistreat her anymore. Ti Lan innocently stares into his eyes, as if confirming what she heard was true. The Emperor briefly averts her gaze. Then he tells her he has a surprise for her. He planted xieluo (water lilies?) in the pond. There's a legend to these flowers that when they're brewed into wine, it will grant a beautiful dream filled with happiness. It may even allow one to see a person who doesn't exist anymore. Ti Lan also knows these flowers are rare. The Emperor must have put a lot of effort into pressuring people in gathering these for her. It's his apology.
Hai Shi finds Chu Lin Lang's (Mu Dan) identity suspicious. She, who is a crazy fanatic for mudan flower, isn't using mudan perfume. How dare she! Hai Shi knows she's basing her suspicions on intuition. And she swears it has absolutely nothing to do with jealousy even though it bothers Hai Shi that Chu Ling Lang is infatuated with Fang Jian Ming. Or is she? She was indirectly probing Ti Lan for information on Jifeng.
[Ep26] Zhou You Du is in this episode ~ He's a character that is rich, free, and single. He's very useful in that he seems to know everything and everyone and most importantly, he's the perfect device to make Fang Jian Ming jealous whenever he's particularly close with Hai Shi (who's asking him about perfume). Zhuo Ying is incredulous at the remarkable similarities between Zhou You Du and Fang Jian Ming. Are we sure it's Zhe Liu who's blind? Hai Shi with the regular eyesight with her love for Shifu can easily discern between the men. (But then she also did confuse them a little...-_-) Hai Shi politely explains that Zhou You Du is gentler and smiles more. Fang Jian Ming's coal face makes a cameo.
Fang Jian Ming disciplined Hai Shi for her continual investigation in Chu Lin Lang. A few days later, he apologizes by giving her a new hairpin because hers snapped. Well, it's her turn to snap. She calls him by his full name "Fang Jian Ming" and demands if this present is from Shifu or the man she loves. If it's from Shifu, she doesn't need the apology. He is right to discipline her. But if it's from the man she loves... Fang Jian Ming doesn't turn around to face her. All he tells her is she can throw it away if she wants. She throws it. The hairpin breaks. (By the way, Fang Jian Ming went to pick it up later and even wanted to fix it.)
Zhuo Ying sees the drama between Hai Shi and Fang Jian Ming. He finally realizes he's the third-wheeler! Ha. The next morning, he scurries away without breakfast to avoid the couple. When the boys are alone, Zhuo Ying prompts Shifu to make a decision. Either treat her like a woman or end their shifu-disciple relationship. This middle ground will harm them both.
[Ep27] The Emperor notices Hai Shi and Chu Lin Lang are close. Is Chu Lin Lang interested in Hai Shi or Fang Jian Ming, or is she just interested in Jifeng? As for Hai Shi, clearly, she’s investigating Chu Lin Lang to the very end. With Zhou You Du's help, she learns from Chu Lin Lang's old maid that the princess has a scar on her left arm after she fell off a horse.
The Emperor sits by Ti Lan's bedside as she's sleeping. Gently, he covers her up. Then he plucks the water lilies at her table but the wind picks up the petals and a piece lands on her cheek. He leans in close to admire her. When he removes the petal, she wakes up and they hit foreheads. Pft. He diverts the topic to the horse riding event. He had wanted to invite her but seeing that she's still recovering and it's windy there, she should rest. Instead, he will choose a gentle horse suitable for her. Ti Lan smiles ever so sweetly after he leaves.
At the horse riding event, Hai Shi earns a chance to see Chu Lin Lang's arm. There is a scar. Hai Shi believes Fang Jian Ming gave her the chance to confirm. I think Chu Lin Lang gave them the chance to confirm. She purposefully fell off the horse. Hai Shi apologizes for her mistake. Fang Jian Ming doesn't say anything. Instead, he accompanies Chu Lin Lang back to her manor. Zhe Liu is waiting for the princess with clothes she prepared. It's another test. (Fang Jian Ming is suspicious, or more like he was always suspicious.) When Chu Lin Lang's servant delivers the clothes to the princess, he sends her a signal. Chu Lin Lang smiles and awes at the smell of mudan. She thanks Zhe Liu for her thoughtfulness. Fang Jian Ming calmly sips his tea as he assesses her reaction. (But there's still the pure mudan perfume on the clothes. If Chu Lin Lang isn’t who she is, she would be allergic to the perfume.)
Hai Shi sadly drinks. Did her jealousy affect her intuition? Was she really wrong about the princess? Zhou You Du coincidentally accompanies her. Fang Jian Ming picks her up and (jealousy) takes Hai Shi back in his arms. When he puts her to bed, she tugs at his sleeve, thinking he's Zhou You Du. She even describes Zhou You Du's name character by character. She wants him to prove that he's not Zhou You Du by writing his own name. Frustrated, Fang Jian Ming writes his name on her palm, describing each character, "Fang is from Fang Jian Ming. Jian is from Fang Jian Ming. Ming is from Fang Jian Ming." Lol. She goes to say she knows this man. She used to love him. She also remembers a saying he taught her: "To not be separated from the person I yearn for." Fang Jian Ming repeats after her as he covers her up again. She is the person he yearns for. She is the one he doesn't want to be separated from. Well then do something about it!
The Emperor shows up when Ti Lan is sleeping again. He thought he frightened her awake. Ti Lan clarifies she was never afraid of the Emperor. She always knew that deep deeeeeeeeep down he has a tender heart. She’s grateful he forgave her for what she did to him (lol...hm), she hopes to be the person that he finds warm. She holds onto his hand and he clutches it back.
[Ep28] Chu Lin Lang reunites with the nanny (who Hai Shi had found). Hai Shi calmly watches the reunion from the sidelines. She now understands what it means to take a step back and see the vastness of the sky and the ocean. Inspired by Fang Jian Ming, she will observe quietly and let princess drop her guard.
Ti Lan might just be infertile.
The rumours are proving detrimental to Fang Jian Ming's reputation. He might be kicked out of the palace. As the Emperor stresses over this matter, Chu Lin Lang requests an engagement with Fang Jian Ming. If they're married then Fang Jian Ming can stay in the palace rightfully. Chu Ji Chang had a part in setting up the marriage too.... The Emperor approves. The edict is delivered. Hai Shi congratulates him (because what else can she do?). Fan Jian Ming is bitter, especially when he remembers that she "used" to love him. He thinks she currently loves Zhou You Du.
Chu Lin Lang is allergic to mudan. Her servant hides the medication in the backcourt. But how is she wearing Zhe Liu's clothes just fine?
[Ep29] Fang Jian Ming and Hai Shi:
Fang Jian Ming wants Hai Shi to return to Yellow Springs Gate. He doesn't want her here for the wedding. Hm. It's actually happening? I swear he'll find evidence, though. Shifuu~, I believe in you! Hai Shi is obedient this time around. She'll leave but Fang Jian Ming adds that if she ever finds someone she wants to marry, then she can return to being a female with a new identity.
Hai Shi is in her room to pack her belongings. Fang Jian Ming sees her silhouette, kissing something in her hand. Does he know she's kissing the ring he gave her? When Fang Jian Ming arrives in her empty room, he finds the abandoned ring. The ring is actually from his father.
The Emperor and Ti Lan:
The Emperor gets off work late because indecisive Chu Ji Chang was pestering him on the wedding details. Ti Lan waits for the Emperor on his way to his manor. She wanted to walk with him. She also wanted to ask his opinion on the wedding present. He touches her hand, noting her coldness. They will discuss in his quarters where it's warm. Hai Shi interrupts their walk to bid farewell. The Emperor wonders to himself why Fang Jian Ming is so insistent on making Hai Shi leave before the big day. As he ponders, he remembers to warm up Ti Lan's cold hand by holding it.
Ti Lan attends the wedding at the Emperor's side. It's an honour only the empress can have and now it's given to Ti Lan.
Indeed, this marriage is a grand hoax.
Chu Lin Lang serves the Emperor wedding wine. The Emperor gags and shouts, "There's poison!" Then he falls. Next, Chu Lin Lang has her knife on Fang Jian Ming's neck. Su Ming proudly marches in. He accuses Fang Jian Ming of staging him. It is time for a new rule. But then Hai Shi appears. And then the Emperor does his Ha-Ha-Ha staccato laugh. The joke is on Su Ming. Fang Jian Ming and the Emperor have surrounded the wedding hall with their men. Su Ming has a last ditch move: poisonous arrows spitting from the walls. He escapes. Not for long. Fang Jian Ming kills him (and suffers an injury because he’s not dodging properly).
Chu Ji Chang is poisoned from the arrow when he protected the Emperor.
Chu Lin Lang is captured.
Why is Hai Shi here? The night before the wedding, she trespassed the Emperor's room to report to duty even if it'll be a dangerous mission. The Emperor asks how she knew about his plans. On her way to leave the city, she noticed the streets were filled with Huku people. Their gates are impervious and for it to suddenly be so porous to the enemy, it must mean Fang Jian Ming had a plan. The Emperor likes her intelligence.
[Ep30] Chu Lin Lang is Nie Ruo Ling. She is the maternal cousin of Chu Lin Lang. Her family supported the previous rebellion and were all sentenced to death. The Emperor asks her who she works for. It's not Su Ming but she won't confess who. Ultimately, she kills herself while cursing the Emperor.
Hai Shi drinks with Zhou You Du. She's stricken with shock at Chu Lin Lang choosing suicide. Once again, (jealous) Fang Jian Ming is outside waiting for her. He throws away the umbrella to take Hai Shi away from Zhou You Du and into his own arms. I did a little bit of rewinding just to see if Yang Mi's neck was going to snap from the way he swung her, lol. We get another round of drunk talk from Hai Shi. At least this time she knows she's speaking to Fang Jian Ming. She asks him if he'd treat her like Ju Qi Qi and fake Chu Lin Lang. He won't. "Will you spare me a glance if I die in front of you?" He won’t because he will protect her. "Protect me like how you protect the Emperor? [...] Lies. In your eyes you only have the Emperor! You can sacrifice anything for him.” Fang Jian Ming reveals he made an oath to be loyal to the Emperor but for her, he can do it too without the oath. "I don't want you to sacrifice. I only want to be with you, but you don't like me....you don't like me.” Fang Jian Ming doesn’t answer. He only thinks to himself, "How could I not like you? No one knows how much I love you." Once he enters his own room, he collapses on the floor from his injury. Aw, no one knew his pains (emotionally and physically). The Emperor had Ti Lan, Hai Shi had Zhou You Du, and he had no one, just a drunk Hai Shi.
Three days later, Fang Jian Ming wakes up. Hai Shi appears happy and lively. However, she knows his condition. If Fang Jian Ming continues to sustain such injuries, he won't have many years to live.
The rumbling thunder scares Ti Lan. The maids wonder if they should inform the Emperor but Ti Lan rejects that notion. Oh but the Emperor is here anyway. He sleeps next to her and gently holds her hand. Ti Lan asks if Zi Zan was afraid of anything. Zi Zan wasn’t; she was fearless. But Ti Lan says she knows who could scare Zi Zan: the Emperor's sadness. Ti Lan is sure Zi Zan would want him to be happy. The next day, the Emperor empties Zi Zan's memorial room. From now on, Zi Zan will live in his heart.
Zhou You Du admits he loves Hai Shi to Fang Jian Ming. He knows he's invisible to Hai Shi because her heart is filled with another person. He thought he could wait because that person doesn't love her back, but that person who was enduring such pain waitied for her all night under the rain just to send her back home. Zhou You Du doesn't understand. If that person loves Hai Shi, then why won't he give her happiness. "That person" speaks. "If that person doesn't have long to live and could die any day, do you think that person can give another one happiness." Zhou You Du's answer is crystal clear. Has he considered what Hai Shi wants? If the person she loves is that sort of man, then what does it matter? Zhou You Du renounces. It's not that he can't win Fang Jian Ming, he can't win Hai Shi’s love for Fang Jian Ming.
[Ep31] Fang Jian Ming lets Hai Shi stay and gives her the ring again. She hugs him. She knows that each time he told her to leave was for her safety. She's not afraid of danger. She's only afraid her shifu doesn't want her. Fang Jian Ming hugs her back. He whispers in that low voice, "Hai Shi, don't worry, I won't let you go again..” (It seems Zhou You Du’s words were effective. He leaves the city. His duty is done. His character is over, aw.)
Zhang Cheng Qian sends a letter to Fang Jian Ming that all is well (平安) at Yellow Springs Gate. I included this because I find this suspicious. Is Zhang Cheng Qian taken hostage or something?
Chu Ji Chang (who recovered from the poison) hires an assassin from Duo Luo (King Zuo). This assassin attacks like a tornado. No...like, really. No sarcasm. Chu Ji Chang's end of the deal is to suspend the support to Jiaman if the assassin completes his end.
Ti Lan’s health is still frail. The physician suggests dipping in a hot spring. Our bodyguards, Jifeng, have to plan overnight to keep the Emperor safe on this day trip. Hai Shi is part of the guards. Unexpectedly, she’s punished by the Emperor for peeking at Ti Lan in the springs. Hai Shi saw nothing but she's punished for having sharp vision. It's a "light" punishment thanks to Fang Jian Ming's arrival. She ends up kneeling right next to Fang Jian Ming. Since it's secluded, she starts touching him, like a finger to his lap, some tugs at his sleeve. He's controlling himself with deep breaths.
As expected, the Tornado Man attacks the Emperor, but the injury is on Fang Jian Ming. I'm not sure how much Ti Lan and Hai Shi have managed to decipher. Zhuo Ying duels the Tornado Man who immediately retreats after recognizing Zhuo Ying. Later, Zhuo Ying informs Fang Jian Ming the Tornado Man was once spotted in Chu Ji Chang's quarters.
There's another pressing matter: the threat of Zhuo Ying's identity being revealed. He can't stay nor can he return to Huku without being disdained. What to do? It's kept a secret. All we know is Zhuo Ying will leave somewhere. Before Zhuo Ying leaves the room, he gives his shifu a full bow, knocking his forehead to the ground for the shifu he respects.
[Ep32] Master Shi (the one who sends fabrics to Zhe Liu) thinks Zhe Liu has caught on to his plans and keeps her hostage at Chu Ji Chang's. I don't know what plans. The pretense is to have her work on this clothing, which will supposedly take days. Master Shi doesn't work for Chu Ji Chang but the former ensures that their collaboration will be beneficial for the both of them. Chu Ji Chang keeps Zhe Liu at his residence. Does Master Shi work for Duo Luo? Is he the other secret weapon that Duo Luo has hired to kill the Emperor?
Hai Shi has a way to save Zhe Liu. She visits the Emperor at night like she always does and reveals she knows of his plan with Fang Jian Ming. She saw their secret, which means the Emperor is faking his illness. Sooo...is it okay that she's shouting the plan in his room ...? She has an unrelated request to make: a marriage between Zhe Liu and Zhuo Ying. The Emperor scrutinizes her. Why is she here in the middle of the night to bother a supposedly injured Emperor on someone else's marriage? Lol. But still, he permits the marriage. This means that Zhe Liu has to be in her residence to receive it. Chu Ji Chang is forced to release her.
Fang Jian Ming meets Zhe Liu to tell her everything about Zhuo Ying. With his appearance alone, he has the right to the Huku throne. For this, Duo Luo wants him dead. It’s dangerous to stay in the palace. However, Zhuo Ying refused to leave for the person he loves. This means he will be facing death. Zhe Liu cries. She has a message for Zhuo Ying. "If he doesn't cherish his life, then Zhe Liu's life is forfeited in vain." Fang Jian Ming gives Zhe Liu medicine. It's to fake her death in front of Zhuo Ying. Ahhhhhh, why Fang Jian Ming! He even purposely sent Zhuo Ying away to have this talk with Zhe Liu. When Zhuo Ying returns, he finds Zhe Liu dead.
When Zhuo Ying went to buy wine as Fang Jian Ming ordered, he met King You's informant. Did Fang Jian Ming plan this too? Can he also plan to have Zhe Liu's “corpse" be sent to Zhuo Ying when he's back in Huku?
Tornado Man attacks the Emperor. Zhuo Ying and Fang Jian Ming are at guard. This whole fight looks weird. It's like Show forgot to speed up the scenes. They already have their (slow-mo) hands full, but there's someone else outside killing the soldiers.
[Ep33] Zhuo Ying kills the other assassin. His action scenes are really good. Fang Jian Ming beats the Tornado Man, who then begs Zhuo Ying to end his life in their mother tongue. Fang Jian Ming replies in their language, “Let’s meet again in the springs.” The Emperor slits his eye at Zhuo Ying. Warily, he asks Zhuo Ying what prize he wants but Zhuo Ying suddenly assassinates the Emperor! Fang Jian Ming blocks with his body. Zhuo Ying flees, leaving behind these words, “There was never Zhuo Ying. I am Duo Han!”
Fang Jian Ming orders Hai Shi to kill Zhuo Ying, citing that he has gone mad. However, Hai Shi knows what he did to Zhe Liu. Also, Zhuo Ying would never betray Shifu like this so what exactly were his orders to Zhuo Ying? Hai Shi cries that Shifu’s heart is cold.
Flashback. Fang Jian Ming told Zhuo Ying that if he believed in Hai Shi, at the critical moment, she would set him free.
Currently, Zhuo Ying is fleeing on his horse with Hai Shi hot on his tails. She aims an arrow at him. Zhuo Ying rides with his back straight. He believes in her that if she wants to strike him, she can. The arrow hits him. In the lower back. Zhuo Ying falls. He’s then surrounded by Jaiman people (Saliyah is there). Hai Shi retreats.
General Fu discovers Hai Shi is a girl and tells Chu Ji Chang. General Fu had worked for Su Ming and is now loyal to Chu Ji Chang.
[Ep34] Zhuo Ying makes it safely to Huku. King You (his uncle) welcomes him and introduces his daughter, Ta La. King You believes Zhuo Ying was always loyal to them. False. Zhuo Ying is forever loyal to Fang Jian Ming. Even the Emperor knows the plan. Back in the palace, the Emperor chides Fang Jian Ming for being cruel to Hai Shi. Only she doesn’t know. On another topic, Fang Jian Ming asks the Emperor that once everything settles, he wants to end their blood oath. The Emperor is delighted. Fang Jian Ming shares that he has a girl he loves (albeit there’s a “little" bit of misunderstanding and that she won’t come back to see him). (But why does he have to lie to her anyway? Everyone else knows....)
Hai Shi meets Zhe Liu. She’s safe in Yellow Springs Gate. If Zhuo Ying grows to be strong then there could be a day they’ll meet. Zhe Liu also tells Hai Shi that Fang Jian Ming sent her here to tell Hai Shi the truth. Eagerly Hai Shi leaves but she receives a letter. It’s an engagement letter from Fang Jian Ming. Her shixiong delivered it. She asks him if he has money on him. He does. Good. Now he can buy a new horse because she’ll be stealing his.
You’d think she’d run into shifu's arms, but Hai Shi, upon seeing Fang Jian Ming, angrily throws the red letter at him. If a marriage is his compensation then she doesn’t want it. She thinks he’s doing it because he’s her Shifu. Uh. Girl, you think he gave that letter to Zhuo Ying too? She doesn’t want to marry unless he loves her. Fang Jian Ming hugs her.
Fang Jian Ming: I love you. I said I won’t marry someone I won’t love which is why I want to marry you tonight. o.o
Ti Lan receives a threat. Her brother, Suo Lan’s life is in danger if she doesn’t kill the Emperor. Maid 1 looks very worried because she loves Su Lan. She pressures Ti Lan into poisoning the Emperor, but Ti Lan won’t. Ti Lan is confident Suo Lan will be fine because they need him to keep Ti Lan obedient. However, Maid 1 disobeys and poisons the Emperor’s soup.
[Ep35] Hai Shi and Fang Jian Ming marry. He kept her wedding candles. It's a wedding with only the two of them. But oh shoot, the Emperor is poisoned. Fang Jian Ming suffers from the poison. Wait, so if the Emperor has diarrhea, does he have diarrhea? After that long tease of consummation, it's not happening. He makes her faint over and staggers over to the Emperor. Oops, is their baixi exposed? Furthermore, this poison is incurable. He has a month to live. Fang Jian Ming asks the Emperor to not blame Ti Lan as of yet.
Ti Lan reveals everything about her brother. Maid 1 admits liability. She dies by suicide by running full force at the pillar. Among all the misfortune, Ti Lan is pregnant! Ah, shows. Oh no, girl is 99.99% infertile. A-ha, but she’s pregnant! The Emperor is conflicted; he wants to be happy but can't be happy. His friend is dying. He asks Zi Zan what he can do. He hopes he can protect Ti Lan at least.
Hai Shi wakes up after her wedding not knowing the sky fell overnight. Does she not remember how Fang Jian Ming knocked her out? Fang Jian Ming doesn't tell Hai Shi anything, of course. When he decided to marry her, did he not already think through everything? Argh. How long is this noble thing going to last D: He asks her if he dies first and she has to bear the infamy of his family name, would she regret? Never. If there is such a day that he faces danger, she will be at his side to the very end. Tell her!! Argh.
It's Chu Ji Chang's birthday. Everyone has to attend to keep everything under wraps.
At the party, Hai Shi believes Fang Jian Ming will tell the Emperor her female identity so that they can be married as Ye Hai Shi and Fang Jian Ming. She’s got half of it right. He made her the centre of attention as he struck the knot of her hair, letting her hair fall into place, revealing she's a girl. The Emperor walks towards her and sees Fang Jian Ming's thumb ring on her. He knows the ring is precious to Fang Jian Ming and therefore Hai Shi is the woman Fang Jian Ming loves. He immediately takes her under his cape, silencing any naysayers about her identity as if he always knew. I'm tearing up for their brotherly love. The Emperor knew exactly what to do given zero notice. Chu Ji Chang's plans of exposing Hai Shi and sabotaging Fang Jian Ming foils. Hai Shi is left confused. The Emperor warns her that if she wants to protect her shifu (husband), she needs to play dumb and mute.
[Ep36] Fang Jian Ming tells Hai Shi she is to be the Emperor's consort to secure her future. Hai Shi slaps him across the face. She believes this was his intention of fooling her back to the imperial city. He can't control her life like this. She takes her hairpin and aims it at her neck. She will die. But Fang Jian Ming blocks it with his palm. The hairpin pierces through his flesh. Fang Jian Ming is doing this because Hai Shi will be in danger once he dies. He has too many enemies. He knows she will be safest under the Emperor's protection. The Emperor can't reject his friend if this is his dying wish no matter how wrong he knows this all sounds.
Hai Shi lashes out his anger at the Emperor for keeping her grounded. She swipes at the Emperor's face. It's Fang Jian Ming's face that's bleeding. Then she bites his arm. It's Fang Jian Ming's arm that has the sinking teeth mark.
As for Ti Lan, she wishes Hai Shi can make the Emperor happy. But she's sad.
Fang Jian Ming (whose face is still injured) arrives early in the morning at the palace. Emperor asks if he slept at all. Yep. He slept early and woke up early. Sounds like someone didn’t sleep a wink. He gives the Emperor dowry for Hai Shi's marriage. Wow. This is messed up. Is he a dad or a husband? It's a case of Mermaid Pearls which inspires the Emperor to give her the title: Lady of Pearls (the Chinese title of the drama).
The way Hai Shi soaks in the water frightens a maid; she screams which alarms Fang Jian Ming. He dives in the water to save Hai Shi. She's fine. He quickly hides his face, but Hai Shi sees the injury. Fang Jian Ming refuses to explain.
Contrastingly, the Emperor allows Hai Shi to confirm the pain transference. It's in the Chu and Fang lineage to have the Fangs sacrifice for the royal Chu family. None of Fang's sons have died peacefully. Whenever there's a new heir, any Fang descendant with the title of Master Qinghai will have to undergo the blood oath to be the Emperor's baixi.
[Ep37] Hai Shi cooperates with the Emperor. In front of the ministers who wants her punished, Hai Shi proves she’s divine (fengxian), blessed by the Dragon Tail God; she can make a pearl hover over her palm. Looks cool, but what’s the use of that? The ministers still want Fang Jian Ming punished (for deception) but Hai Shi convincingly lists everything Fang Jian Ming has sacrificed for the Emperor. Words speak louder than action. The ministers are convinced and hail Fang Jian Ming.
Hai Shi may have felt betrayed but she still cares for Fang Jian Ming. She asks the Emperor if he can cancel the baixi. The Emperor reveals solemnly that Fang Jian Ming needs to allow it. At one point he did want to break the oath but now it’s too late. Then Hai Shi barges into Fang Jian Ming’s residence asking him if he ever loved her. He did, but that was in the past. She waits for him to tell her the truth but he won’t say anything (like always). She reminds him that he had let her choose to be a man or woman in the past. Why doesn’t he let her choose her life now? Silence. Hai Shi walks away from him. She will marry the Emperor. Fang Jiang Ming walks her down the aisle. Poor Emperor is so awkward. Lol.
It’s Hai Shi’s wedding night, but the Emperor visits Ti Lan instead. He informs her that her brother and mother are well. He assigned bodyguards to protect them. He also properly laid her maid to rest. He asks her why she doesn’t depend on him. She had promised to never let him suffer alone and to be with him to the end of his world. If so, they should share their happiness and their sorrows. After all, they are husband and wife. She cries hearing that, especially when she never had anyone to depend on. That night, he spends it with her.
In the morning, a very happy Eunuch Mu (he better stay good because I find him adorable) wakes up the Emperor and also informs him that Hai Shi is here to greet him (something consorts do). The Emperor isn’t receiving it. Ti Lan worries for Hai Shi. because she really likes Hai Shi. The Emperor mutters, “You were never jealous of Hai Shi but I was." Lol. He also explains that Hai Shi is Fang Jian Ming’s woman. Oh, Emperor, how is it that you’re saying all the right things?
Ti Lan earnestly wants to be Hai Shi’s friend. I just want to know why the camera was focused on the tea that Ti Lan served.
[Ep38] Fang Hai Shi is dying – almost dead. Ah, but Emperor has a magnificent herb not to be used until the last dying moment! Of course. Show always does. Fang Jian Ming is given more days to live but the poison is still within his body. Although he’s alive, he’s not waking up.
Chu Ji Chang plots to have Hai Shi leave to Xipinggang where the city is suffering from famish. He gambles that she can’t do anything to alleviate the famish. If she fails, Fang Jian Ming will be punished too.
Ti Lan is reading over scrolls to look for a cure for the Emperor (not knowing who it’s for). When her maid accidentally spilled tea, she realized there was hidden text in the scrolls. For the cure, they will need the Dragon Tail God’s bestowment. This reminds the Emperor of the pearls which are its tears. Eureka! A cure! Fang Jian Ming is a-ok. Poison is gone but Hai Shi is gone too.
[Ep39] Nevermind, poison is still here. The pearls eliminated the poisoned blood, but the poison’s marrow is still rooted in Fang Jian Ming's body. He has barely recovered and is off to find Hai Shi (again). Emperor makes Fang Jian Ming stay, assuring him that Hai Shi can handle the matters at Xipinggang. One of these days, he’ll have to let go. Fang Jian Ming looks butthurt. Eventually, his persistence beats the Emperor’s. Fang Jian Ming departs to find Hai Shi.
The famine isn’t all natural. It’s man-made. The officials are embezzling. But Hai Shi solves everything with her ability to predict rain (from this flower + a lot of drama luck), her crafty manipulation of people’s superstition on the Dragon Tail God, and her resources of guards which have also seized the rice that the officials have embezzled. With all the evidence gathered in a mere week, Hai Shi punishes Minster Liu, but the problem at Xipinggang is more complicated than what meets the eye. He’s embezzling rice to exchange for money to buy horse feed in order to keep up the transports otherwise food will never arrive (I think?).
It rains again. Hai Shi reveals her divine palm as if to purposely enchant the villagers. Waves of hope reverberate through the cheering crowd. Fang Jian Ming watches among the audience. He remains hidden, proud of Hai Shi who really has done a spectacular job all on her own (+ drama luck + a lot of resources).
[Ep40] Fang Jian Ming visits Hai Shi at night after hearing she’s sick. He leaves after confirming her pulse but Hai Shi was baiting him. No one can ever sneak up on a sleeping Hai Shi. She holds onto his hand, asking him to stay. She promises to keep her eyes closed so that everything will be like a dream. She asks if he was worried about her. He was. She asks if she did a good job. She did. Hai Shi thinks to herself that if only Fang Jian Ming was despicable, then she could give up on him.
Hai Shi investigates Minister Liu and restores his reputation. He is a fair lord but he did break the law and so he will be punished without pay for three years. As for Hai Shi, she’s acclaimed as the Divine Pearl Lady, a symbol of hope to everyone.
Zhe Liu is still the messenger for Jifeng. She communicates via Lao Zhuang. She hasn’t contacted Zhuo Ying (ahhhh, do I need to call him Duo Han now?) who doesn’t know she’s alive. She’s been sending Duo Luo updates to King You to help the latter. Currently, King You wants Duo Han (Zhuo Ying) to marry his daughter (which means they’re cousins), Ta La for his military support. Liu Er Dan isn’t happy. He likes Ta La while Ta La admires Duo Han. She is willing to be Duo Han's fake fiancé. Duo Han takes her offer for military support. He secures Lanzicheng, protecting the city from Duo Luo’s regime.
The Emperor wants the Dragon Tail God in the palace to cure Fang Jian Ming and he wants Hai Shi to do it because only she has seen the god. All the people he sent to the sea returned empty handed that is if they returned alive. Fang Jian Ming doesn’t want Hai Shi to risk her life. He will venture to the sea alone. Ugh. Men. Why make this so complicated? Just let Hai Shi help! Gosh!
The Emperor promotes Hai Shi so that she can participate in court matters too. Chu Ji Chang signals a minister to reject the motion. The Emperor berates, If there is a problem, you summon her; now that that is a reward and suddenly being female is a problem? Ah, Emperor, I kinda really like you now. Hai Shi is rewarded.
[Ep41] The physician reports to the Emperor that once Fang Jian Ming depletes the powdered pearl, he will die. Desperately, the Emperor wants Hai Shi to bring the Dragon Tail God to the palace (overtly, to fix this Zhunian problem but mainly it’s for Fang Jian Ming). However, Hai Shi rejects the Emperor. The Dragon Tail God isn’t a real god. She's Lang Huan, a mermaid who protects the sea and the sailors, which is why people pray to her thinking she’s a god. They’re just like humans who survive in water. Hai Shi refuses to bring Lang Huan to the palace. She searches for alternate methods to secure the alliance with the neighbouring countries.
Zhe Liu makes wedding clothes for Duo Han (at Ta La’s request).
[Ep42] From Ta La, Zhe Liu learns that Duo Han still loves her.
Duo Han marries Ta La
Chu Ji Chang instructs Puyouma (Zhunian ambassador) to kill another diplomat to compromise the alliance. Fang Jian Ming and Hai Shi save the day. No one is killed. However, Hai Shi is almost assassinated. Fang Jian Ming saves her. It’s only a wound on the arm but he faints. Thus, Hai Shi learns of his poison.
[Ep43] Fang Jian Ming wakes up and hurriedly visits the Emperor to tell him that he doesn’t want Hai Shi to follow in his footsteps in devoting herself to the palace. Fang Jian Ming doesn’t regret living like this but for the person he loves, he wants to be selfish and for her to live freely. Hai Shi overhears this conversation. When Fang Jian Ming adjourns, the Emperor orders Hai Shi to come out. She asks if the Dragon Tail God can really cure Fang Jian Ming. The Emperor isn’t sure but he’s got to try. The alliance is also in jeopardy without the god.
[Ep44] Hai Shi’s mother is held hostage to make Hai Shi turnover the mermaid. Mom kills herself for her daughter. Hai Shi flees but the assassins are still after her. Fang Jian Ming arrives too but they fall off a cliff.
Hai Shi departs to find the mermaid. She visits Fang Jian Ming who’s put to sleep by the physician. She will protect him this time. “Stop saying that after you die, I can still find happiness. My happiness is only with you.” Hai Shi kisses him on the lips.
Hai Shi dips her palm in the sea. Insert a ton of flash back and tada! Lang Huan appears. She will leave with Hai Shi. She wants to help Hai Shi. Fang Jian Ming suffered for how long and all it took was a palm dip?! Ah. Not the climax I wanted.
Other happenings:
→ Ti Lan’s medicine is poisoned.
→ Hai Shi’s mother is kidnapped.
The assassins work for Chu Ji Chang. He’s making big moves. First, Zhang Cheng Qian is apparently bribed. Loyal Chen (the guy who’s loyal to Fang Jian Ming) is captured as well. Now Chu Ji Chang pressures the Emperor to deliver his promise of bringing them the Dragon Tail God. If he doesn’t, then neighbouring states will wage war for offending their divine goddess.
And voila, Hai Shi brings in Lang Huan, the mermaid, the Dragon Tail God. She’s encased in a tank. The lords of the neighbouring city now want the Emperor to restore the Dragon Tail God back to the sea. Oh humans. Such fickle beings. The neighbouring cities will ally with the Emperor and promise in the name of The Dragon Tail God to be good partners.
Chu Ji Chang’s army ain’t making it into the palace. General Fu thought he had Zhang Cheng Qian bribed, but at the gates to the palace, Zhang returns the money. Meanwhile, Loyal Chen is free and looks invincible.
Chu Ji Chang has royally messed up. He even drops another eagle baby! Chu Ji Chang, where are your eagle cronies! It’s now or never. He wants to leave the premises but Hai Shi brings in evidence of how he provoked each neighbouring city. Chu Ji Chang goes crazy.
Lang Huan says she can cure Fang Jian Ming’s poison, but they let her rest first. A lot has happened since they fell off the cliff. As they walk away, Fang Jian Ming hits Hai Shi to make her faint. The Emperor is confused. I am too. Fang Jian Ming says Hai Shi hasn’t slept or eaten in days either. The Emperor notes that Fang Jian Ming has changed; he looks happier. Where? What change? He looks like the same guy who barely smiles to me. -.-
[Ep45] Hai Shi wakes up and speed walks to Fang Jian Ming because he summoned her. Her maid didn’t wake her up because that was also Fang Jian Ming’s orders. When she arrives, he’s peacefully sitting there with her favourite dessert all ready. This surprises Hai Shi. He gives her a letter from Zhuo Ying with these updates: 1) Ta La died to save him; 2) Duo Luo is defeated; 3) there is no more right and left faction; 4) he is now the King of Huku.
Fang Jian Ming tells Hai Shi that he sent her into the palace for her safety but now that everything is solved – Chu Ji Chang is no longer a threat – he asks about her plans. And he answers his own question, “I know you like freedom.” I thought he was “asking", lol. And since when did she like freedom? She loves him and wants to be everywhere he is. I think it's this guy who wants freedom and is imposing it on her. Hai Shi thinks he wants her to send her away again but he wants to leave with her. He wants to accompany her. She asks why knowing why. He finally answers her the way she wants it, “Because I love you.” She teases him that she may not agree to his request. Forlorn, he asks for letters or chances to see her. She yells his full name and condemns him for giving up so easily. She wants him to sign and stamp his promises. He writes out the letter. Only signing and stamping remain, but first they make out on the floor. He promises to never forsaken her this lifetime.
I was expecting an explanation about the cliff fall...but then again, all MCs survive cliff falls. I guess I don’t need an explanation -.-...?
Chu Ji Chang is imprisoned. The Emperor is a softie and cannot kill his only brother who's already crazy and that should be enough of a punishment. In prison, the brother (who’s not crazy) receives a note for him to keep his mouth shut or his family will be in danger. He has family that’s not the Emperor? Then Ti Lan’s brother, Suo Lan reports to the Emperor that the real Chu Ji Chang had died long ago. The current one is an impostor. Ohh that also explains his devotion to the Dragon Tail God.
To confirm Chu Ji Chang’s identity, he’s brought to Lang Huan who can see a person's memories. Ok. What else can’t she do? He was removed from his family (his mother), tortured by people of Zhunian, and forced to impersonate the real prince. Chu Ji Chang is served poison by Hai Shi who wanted to kill him for her mother. It’s already a lenient punishment by the Emperor. At least he can keep his corpse whole. The Emperor keeps Chu Ji Chang’s identity concealed, which frees Zhunian of any crimes. After all, Suo Lan had credit in informing the Emperor and Ti Lan is pregnant (and best not disturbed).
[Ep46] Lang Huan will deactivate Fang Jian Ming's poison but there’s a caveat! He needs to be free of the baixi first. The Emperor will gladly end it but there’s another problem which Lang Huan and Fang Jian ing discuss privately. Even if the baixi is lifted, the blood of Fang's line is unique. If her blood (the cure) isn’t homogenous with his, then it can hasten his death. She asks him if he wants to find another cure. Fang Jian Ming says there isn’t time. The powdered pearl will only last two more days. But the mermaid is right here! She can cry more! Fang Jian Ming will make the bet.
The baixi is lifted. The Emperor is so happy that he can bleed and feel pain. He asks Eunuch Mu to hit him and poor Eunuch Mu is crying about it. Lol! The Emperor and Hai Shi lose their smiles though, when he tells them the truth about the cure that he could die.
Fang Jian Ming dies.
His death is announced to the world. And in death, he is promoted.
But Fang Jian Ming didn’t die! Not only that, his health is restored to be better than ever. The mermaid’s blood is truly miraculous. His death gives him freedom without the baggage of being Fang Jian Ming.
Are Hai Shi and Fang Jian Ming ditching the Emperor when they know there’s a mastermind who planted Chu Ji Chang in place? Or do they truly believe Chu Ji Chang was coveting the throne of his own volition?
Suo Lan is a very good brother to Ti Lan. Hmmmmmmmm. We haven’t found the mastermind, have we?
Lang Huan is back in her sea.
[Ep47] Ti Lan has spots of blood. The fetus is okay, though! The Emperor apologizes for making her drink so much (“cold”) herbal medicine. Ti Lan says it’s her fault too. It was her who was seeking death. I feel like the drama only explained her behaviour now, unless I missed it. The Emperor will also make her his Empress.
Suo Lan takes Ti Lan’s Dragon Tail God pendant, saying he’ll pray for her but this evil little brother is using it to lie to Tang Qian Zi that Ti Lan is in danger. Suo Lan wants Tang Qian Zi to kill the Emperor, which will make Ti Lan the Empress and therefore her son the future emperor. But what if she gives birth to a girl? Suo Lan has a baby boy prepared. This confirms that 1) he’s the one who used his own pendant to threaten Ti Lan to kill the Emperor the first time 2) he’s likely involved in impostor Chu Ji Chang.
Fang Jian Ming and Hai Shi are playing house in the woods. They planted a tree, he cooked for her, and they spent the night together. Meanwhile, the Emperor is bracing for a revolt. Loyal Chen asks if they should inform ’someone’ which means he knows Fang Jian Ming is alive. No. The Emperor already set him free. He’s experienced enough to face this on his own. But how can the ML not be involved in the last battle? Fang Jian Ming finds out. He departs to save the Emperor within the palace while Hai Shi heads to Tang Qian Zi, who’s attacking from outside.
Ti Lan is kidnapped within the palace by her own brother who tells her his plans (which are Zhunian King’s orders). He wants her to be queen so that Zhunian can be strong without being at the Emperor’s whim. Ti Lan yells at him that this isn’t the way. To empower the nation, you have to be strong yourself! Suo Lan doesn’t care. Winning seems to be at his fingertips. Shi Lin (the fabric minister who helped Chu Ji Chang) works for Suo Lan hence why they have access to the palace and the people within it.
[Ep48] Loyal Chen reports to the Emperor that Ti Lan is safe but there are too many enemies (which also includes Suo Lan). The Emperor will save Ti Lan even if it’s dangerous. He cannot afford to lose another person he loves. He tells Eunuch Mu to stay behind but Eunuch Mu is loyal. He will accompany the Emperor even if he dies.
Ti Lan’s Maid 2 is the intel. Oh, Maid 1, I’m sorry I accused you. RIP. She sent updates to Zhunian but swears she never betrayed Ti Lan. The poisoned soup was never meant to harm Ti Lan. She poisoned it after it was spilled so that they’d move residences, giving her the opportunity to continue sending the updates. She promises to help her escape and so the girls sneak up on a guard. Ti Lan is ready to whack him with a wooden frame but it’s the Emperor. He hugs her and compliments her courage. However, they’re soon surrounded by Shi Lin’s army. The Emperor is outnumbered. Eunuch Mu is in the front D: but he’s fending for himself pretty well!
Fang Jian Ming to the rescue! He flings his sword which flies like a boomerang. Shi Lin was running away, but the sword is faster and so Shi Lin ends up running his head through it and cutting it off. Noice. Fang Jian Ming continues to fight the rest while the Emperor and Ti Lan escape. She is in (preterm) labour.
The Emperor finds a place for her to give birth but Suo Lan has surrounded them. The Emperor fights like a warrior but he is outnumbered, again. He stands his ground even if he’s bleeding from all sorts of wounds. The sun has set. From behind the walls, a baby cries. It’s a boy. She runs out to hug the Emperor. He sees their child. He reaches out but can’t quite manage to touch their son. Perhaps he doesn’t want to stain his son with his blood. Then Ti Lan blocks a sword for the already dying Emperor.
Ti Lan: Without Ah Xu, Ti Lan will not live alone. In my life to have you...it’s enough. Is this the first time she called him Ah Xu (without the intention of provoking him)?
Fang Jian Ming shows up like the wind to kill Suo Lan. Dude, what took you so long? However, it’s too late for his buddy. Fang Jian Ming says there will be a way. There isn’t. The Emperor tells him that even Ti Lan could see that he was dying so she died with him. Fang Jian Ming is in denial and asks the Emperor to believe him one more time. But the Emperor is tired. He doesn’t want to try. With his last breath, he asks his best friend to take care of his child.
The Emperor and Ti Lan die.
Hai Shi has brought support (from where?). Zhang Cheng Qian sees hope and opens the gates to fight Tang Qian Zi’s army head on. Tang Qian Zi is captured by Hai Shi. Then when he learns Ti Lan has died, he commits suicide.
Our premature baby is undernourished. Fang Jian Ming will bind them in another baixi. Hai Shi will help him. He’s thankful for her. Tonight was a long one and only bearable because she’s here with him. She starts telling him she read a book about different dimensions. In one dimension, they may have met, but in another, they may not have....o-kay. So she starts telling him how they would have met in this other dimension. After she finishes the story, she asks him if he’ll die. Maybe, maybe not. O-kay. He asks to sleep on her lap. This scene. Does this add romance? Does this add story? What is the point? Why not give me more Zhuo Ying?
Some time later. Hai Shi becomes the Empress Dowager (I almost forgot she married the Emperor). The narration during the announcement of her title is interesting. She is Empress Dowager because of her “eldest son” meaning she has a younger son. There was a very deliberate scene of her and Fang Jian Ming sleeping together in Ep47.
We get news from Duo Han in a letter. He has unified Hanzhou, which is now called Bolaha which means wuzong which means the black mane of a horse which I’m done. And so Duo Han has got himself another title which is King Han. Most importantly, King Han (also known as Duo Han, also known as Zhou Ying) has found his queen, Zhe Liu. *Breathe*
Five years later, Hai Shi asks Little Emperor (Wei Yun) what his “teacher” had taught him. Presumably, this teacher is Fang Jian Ming. Then a feather falls. The little Emperor blows it towards her face (a nod to Ep6). The feather flies into the sky. Where does it land? In Fang Jian Ming’s hand. He’s wearing his mask again. Unlike Ep6, he catches the feather tightly in his grasp. That bird is a...crane? I wrote down turtle doves in Ep6, I may have been wrong there.
In conclusion, Fang Jian Ming raised an Empress Dowager, a King Han, and now the future little Emperor. He’s the masked man controlling the world.
The end.
Remarks
[First Impression (Ep1-6)] Disclaimer: the quality is here and so my expectations are naturally higher.
I jumped into this because I've been waiting for something meatier but I'm not sure this is it. I love the beginning with the mermaid sequence and the action scenes on the boat. I also like the (stingy) reveal of the "friendship" between the Emperor and Shifu. They have a dark love-hate companionship. (If you infer that I mean there's a trace of BL. No, it is definitely not that.)
I don't like the romance. My question is why do they even love each other. From the FL's perspective, I sort of get it. Her love is tied in with worship. He saved me, ah, my hero! From ML's perspective, I don't get it. Because she's the only girl in the entire organization? I would have preferred a progression of their relationship starting as shifu-disciple but almost as soon as the child actress turns into Yang Mi, the romance is on – she saw his half naked bod and he became jealous over nothing.
Plot-wise, so far there are two main motives: the FL is trying to kill the Emperor, and the ML is trying to protect the Emperor. (I feel like someone should ask the Emperor if he even wants to live. Or maybe he can't physically die. Hm.) Personally, the story is still murky because I don't know where it's ultimately trying to go. It's not very engaging at the moment. I also don't know if the setup phase is over. Is this going to be a palace intrigue? An action? A coup d'état? A love triangle? Everything?
I just know that I am still waiting for the grandness to kick in.
[Actors/Actresses] Neither of the boys look good to me. Whenever there's a close up, I look at their clothes and I feel better. Please don't misunderstand that I hate them. They just don't activate the fangirl in me. Character-wise, Xu Kai Cheng has the more interesting one. He is channeling a dark, miserable, manic, lovelorn Emperor. I made sure I said "interesting" and not "likable". As for Chen Wei Ting (William Chan), he has the typical, reserved Shifu character who hides his feelings because shifus ought to do that. It's quite the boring character these days – all the big productions have the same character! Anyway, I like the detail of the mask for his character. I think he lives hiding his face because of guilt. Hence we have one man guilty of living (Shifu) and another one who yearns to die (Emperor).
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| Anyone see a fluffy beard? |
Yang Mi is ... Yang Mi, lol.
Honestly, acting-wise I think it's fine across the board, but nothing outstanding that I feel the need to praise.
[Behind the Scenes]
[Ending] Uh. Definitely happy, in that our team saved the world. Couples... are happy or were happy, and will be happy.... xD.
Zhuo Ying and Zhe Liu: The straightforward happy couple. He’s King Han and she will be his queen – still blind and very happy – riding a horse with a black mane.
Emperor and Ti Lan: I think their ending was befitting. They both died. He always wanted to die. Ti Lan’s appearance motivated him to live. At the end, seeing that he was going to die, she wasn’t going to live either and so they left the world together. The Emperor will never be lonely again and Ti Lan will be with the only man who loved her.
[Review & Rating]
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