A princess from a neighboring state is sent to marry a prince for diplomatic reasons. She attempts to use hypnosis to manipulate him but accidentally triggers lost memories from his past. They agree to marriage of convenience with the condition that she help him recover those lost memories.
Notable Actors/Actresses
Notable Actors/Actresses
Fang Yi Lun: Li Qian/Prince Zi
Ling Mei Shi: Li Ming Yue/Aimaila
Director:
Scriptwriter:
Chinese Title
明月照我心
The Moon Shines on My Heart
[Ep1] Li Qian (Prince Zi) and Li Ming Yue (Princess of Xiyue) are under Imperial order to be married. She switches places with her maid, Tan Li during their journey to the palace for the wedding. She's out, unattended, enjoying the food and sights of Beixuan.
[Ep2] In her private quarters, Ming Yue tells her brother, Kai Er Bi that she wants to break off the engagement. He tells her that this marriage is under Imperial order. He then gives her a hypnotic bell for her bracelet as a way to persuade her to keep the engagement. He hypnotizes her to go back to when she and Li Qian first met, and she’s back to when they bickered in the courtyard and that encounter has turned into a romantic one.
[Ep3] Qiao Hui Xun shows up with an embroidered handkerchief for Li Qian, who does not accept the gift. He tells her that even though he's lost some childhood memories, he knows that they did grow up together. He sees her as a Mei Mei (little sister) only. She keeps the gift with tears in her eyes. She then mentions their marriage contract. He doesn't deny its existence but says he is staying the course (his marriage). Qiao Hui Xin leaves quite upset but still leaves gracefully.
[Ep4] Li Qian is now forced to shoot arrows while drugged but doesn't have the strength to do so.
[Ep5] Li Qian is having dreams about the fire, and he’s holding onto a cylinder in his hand, and the other boy shows up to pull him away. Ming Yue is in this dream and tells him to run away. He wakes up and is holding Ming Yue’s hand and in her bed. He tries to sneak out but bumps into something, which wakes her up and she starts yelling that there's a thief. She runs out of her room and bumps into him. He asks, where is the thief? Everyone's awake now and looking for the thief. They don’t find a thief. Somehow he ends up blaming her for creating this chaotic mess. When she returns to her room, she looks for anything missing or out of place, and finds evidence of someone being in her room (it’s his belt), and she suspects Li Qian.
Another day passes and he sleepwalks and sleeps in her bed again. She shoves him out of the bed in the morning, causing him to injure his shoulder. She knows he was the “thief” from last night. She sets a 7-layer trap, and he even asks to be tied up by his servant, Que Yan. The servants are placing bets on who will win. Somehow, he makes it through the multilayered trap and wakes up in her bed again, and she's sleeping on his arm. She turns in her sleep and ends up very close to his face. He notices how beautiful she is when she's asleep. She wakes up and is upset by his presence again. He sustains another shoulder injury. His friends tease him and suggest that he might be drawn to her as she might be able to help with his amnesia.
[Ep6] Qiao Hui Xin waits for Li Qian with a lantern to bring him comfort (she had heard about his sleepwalking from her recent visit to Ming Yue). She mentions that she regards him as her only love. He politely rejects the gift, thanks her for her concern and leaves.
[Ep13] Li Qian drops off Ming Yue on her bed, removes her shoes, throws in a second pillow and goes to remove his outer layer. She asks what is he doing and doesn't he only see her as a [unsaid, chess piece] and looks away from him. He sits down and asks her to continue. She says to forget it and that he's only afraid that her brother knows that they're just a fake couple, so he asked her to play along. He just tells her to rest early and continues undressing.
[Ep14] Pugu Yun Si confronts Kai Er Bi again and asks if he secretly hypnotized Aimaila. He denies it. Pugu Yun Si said before she would've rather died than get married, now she doesn't even miss him, doesn't remember falling in love with him, and doesn't remember he taught her how to shoot three arrows. Her brother says she is no longer called Aimaila, she is Ming Yue. In Ming Yue's heart now, she only has Li Qian. Pugu Yun Si says that's because Kai Er Bi erased him from her heart. Otherwise her heart would only have him from beginning to end. He asks how to undo the hypnosis, and her brother says he cannot undo it.
[Ep15] Pugu Yun Si comes back demanding to see Aimaila. Li Qian tells him that he cannot. Pugu Yun Si tells him that if it wasn’t for his sudden appearance today, Aimaila would have left for Xiyue with him. He further says that he didn’t expect Prince Zi to be a person who steals another’s loved one when they’re vulnerable. Kettle calling the pot black!
[Ep16] Ming Yue is waiting for Lan Ku to play the guqin.
[Ep17] Ming Yue goes to see Li Qian the next day, who is hiding his injuries from her. He's angry with her, thinking she's already chosen Pugu Yun Si.
[Ep18] Ming Yue is taking a break, but she's unclear as to why Si Kong Zhen gave her the kit. Tan Li and Pugu Yun Si have left to get her warm clothes and water. She walks to the pavilion and hears someone on horseback and turns around immediately. She sees Li Qian and he hurries to get off the horse to meet her under the pavilion. Wordlessly looking at her with eyes welled with tears, he hugs her. She hesitates but hugs him back. A tear drop falls down his face.
Happy tears!
[Actors/Actresses] I just adore Fang Yi Lun (Li Qian) in this series. It’s hard to believe that this was Ling Mei Shi's first role in a series and my favorite to date.
[Behind the Scenes] Ah, rehearsing for that kite scene (Ep6), after Ling Mi Yue falls off the ladder. Haha, and of the three of them, only Fang Yi Lun can keep a straight face with those lines.
Network: Tencent Video
Year: 2019
Episodes: 36
Episodes: 36
Recapper: FanFanX
Recap Grade: A
First Impression: 3/5
First Impression: 3/5
FanFanX: This is my fifth recap & review. I fell in love with this series and wanted to share - even if no one else enjoys it as much as I have. ;)
Mini Recaps
A masked Li Qian stops assassins from succeeding in their attack against her carriage (her maid, Tan Li, is actually the one inside), and her brother, Kai Er Bi and their men. Her brother wants to thank him, but the masked Li Qian suggests if he wants to thank him, they should go back to Xiyue. Li Qian leaves to continue chasing the assassin.
Ming Yue has been chasing the assassin and the masked Li Qian across rooftops and almost falls to her death if it wasn't for him saving her. He finally catches the assassin, who refuses to talk and kills himself instead.
It starts snowing and Ming Yue has finally almost caught up to him and asks who he is. Li Qian is in the process of removing his mask when a carriage blocks her view and then he disappears.
Li Xun (Prince Ling) is listening to reports about the assassination attempt, and Minister Qiao is advising him to complete the task. After dismissing everyone, Li Xun is looking at a portrait of Qiao Hui Xin. He's obviously in love with her.
Minister Qiao is insistent that his daughter, Qiao Hui Xin be married to Li Xun (most likely candidate as Crown Prince, as he's the eldest) but she refuses. She says that she would rather be Li Qian's concubine. They continue arguing and ends when he leaves angrily.
Li Qian and Li Xun are both at the palace before their father, the Emperor. Li Qian states that he doesn't want to get married but his father is insistent on building this relationship with Xiyue, and this is under Imperial order. Li Qian then states since he will be busy with his upcoming wedding, he suggests that Li Xun be in charge of security detail for Princess of Xiyue.
Away from the Emperor, Li Xun asks his brother why he won't void his marriage contract with Qiao Hui Xin even though he's getting married to Princess of Xiyue. Li Qian suggests his brother persuade Qiao Hui Xin to ask her father to remove the marriage contract.
Tan Li as Princess of Xiyue tries to stall the carriage from entering the gates as Ming Yue hasn't returned still but Kai Er Bi goes to check on his sister and finally discovers the swap. Ming Yue arrives in time as a maid (with a mask on). Her brother is relieved but still unhappy with her for sneaking away. Ming Yue tells him her name is Aimaila and not Li Ming Yue. Her brother tells her that the Emperor gave her this surname before the marriage, so she is no longer Aimaila. Tan Li and Ming Yue are still in each other's clothing and getting warned by Kai Er Bi to cease doing this or else it'll be seen as an act of treason by the Emperor. Princess Kang Le (Li Qian's sister) happens to overhear part of the conversation (about the women having switched outfits and identities). She asks them why they're wearing masks but they're interrupted by someone calling her name and she runs away.
After she’s changed her clothes with Tan Li, Ming Yue is looking for a place to finish adjusting her clothes. She ends up under the same pavilion is Li Qian (she didn't notice him), so she is adjusting her clothes out in the open and right next to a very sheer divider screen. He, however, does notice her and tells her that she can't be foolish as she's no longer in Xiyue. She says that with his lack of a beard and propensity for picking fights, therefore she assumes he is an eunuch. He's livid at this statement. (She’s got some nerve, haha. I don’t know why she would think he’s an eunuch as he’s wearing fancy robes, and not a simpler outfit befitting an eunuch, and his hair is exposed. But what do I know?)
She then decides to hypnotize him, and says that once she pushes him to fall down, he'll become a tree, will stay in one spot and can only cry. He dodges her hand and they both end up falling to the ground with him landing on top of her and he's looking at her. (It's a beautiful shot of them with the falling pink flowers.) She pushes him off of her and he gets up, but then she bites his hand.
Tan Li interrupts their tussle and stops her from causing more problems as it's time for dinner. Ming Yue yells at him to stay there until she comes back to deal with him. Li Qian is rooted to the one spot like a tree and cries and cries. And he cries so beautifully. He is found by his bodyguard, Di Wu Cheng, who asks him why he's crying. Li Qian snaps out of it and says it was the blowing leaves. Di Wu Cheng looks around confused as there aren't any leaves blowing.
Princess Kang Le finds Ming Yue and Tan Li in their proper outfits and without the masks. Ming Yue asks her to not disclose this and in exchange, Princess Kang Le requests that they become close friends, so they can share delicious food, do fun things and share secrets with each other only. (She's very sweet!) Ming Yue agrees. They're being watched by Qiao Hui Xin and Li Xun, who points out who Li Qian is marrying.
Ming Yue notices that she is being stared at and asks Princess Kang Le who the woman was. She tells her that Qiao Hui Xin is her brother’s childhood friend. Li Xun and Qiao Hui Xin leave the room without a word to the women.
Li Qian arrives and his sister introduces him to his future wife, Ming Yue. They wordlessly stare at each other, and recognize each other from their first street encounter and their courtyard encounter. Princess Kang Le asks if they know each other, and they both deny it and turn their backs on each other. Yeah, this official meeting is going well. Ha!
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| Nope. This is a lie. |
In her hypnotized state, she’s imagining that he’s kissing her and she's actually pursing her lips for a kiss. In reality, her lips are directed at Tan Li, who asks Kai Er Bi to make her wake up. LOL He laughs and snaps her out of the trance. (Technically, their first meeting was the night before that but whatever, Dramaland. And she thought he was an eunuch in this scene, no?)
Li Qian is in his study with his friends, Si Kong Zhen and Song Jin Yu but Ming Yue shows up and tries to get close to Li Qian and tries to touch him. (In order for this bell to work effectively on a strong-willed person, she needs to stimulate a sensitive spot on the person. She doesn't know where that is yet.) His friends are eavesdropping and watching the whole time from the doorway. They think she's in love with him. (Ha, no.) She chases him all over the room until he calls for a servant to send her away. She leaves on her own (and is disappointed that her plan failed). His friends come back into the room and laugh about it. He decides that the engagement needs to end as well. Si Kong Zhen suggests finding her weakness. Li Qian says either he'll end it or he'll make her want to break it off.
Li Qian pays her a visit now. They're both seated and he's trying to talk to her but she is purposely making direct eye contact with him, and leaning in closer and closer to him as he's talking. He's quite uncomfortable, averts his eyes and keeps talking but then she places her hand on his cheek and turns him back to look at her but he refuses to keep eye contact with her. He is seriously asking her about the Beixuan tradition of an intensive reading of Female Virtues. Di Wu Cheng hands her Li Qian’s gift to her, the book. Li Qian gets up, walks around the room and asks her to read the chapter in kindness and intelligence to him. She throws the book to Tan Li and then follows him around the room. He finally turns around and finds her standing very close to him. She reaches out to touch his face but he escapes her touch and tells her to memorize a chapter for tomorrow. She's livid because she doesn't enjoy reading. (They're succeeding in driving each other crazy. Hahaha!)
The next day she recites the passages with cheat sheets/notes tucked all over her clothes, but she places herself in undignified, unladylike positions (propped up leg, lifting her robe, etc.) so Li Qian can't look at her. She has more notes hidden on Tan Li's dress (back side), and throughout her room, so she's dancing around the room to peek at these notes but Li Qian still barely looks at her. He does, however, glare at Di Wu Chen for watching her. (He knows that she's cheating.) She suggests that he search her then. He's startled by this and leaves angrily.
His friends laugh at him after being defeated by Ming Yue. Si Kong Zhen comments that he's changed since Li Ming Yue's arrival, as he’s never seemed bothered by any woman before. He replies that he's never been so disgusted by such a woman. Song Jin Yu just laughs and Si Kong Zhen comments that he's saying disgust to cover up some other unknown emotions. Someone’s a good friend...or just observant.
Out in the courtyard, Ming Yue is sitting and muttering to herself, mostly insulting Li Qian. Then she declares that she won't be defeated. Si Kong Zhen walks up to her table and says that she's being stubborn and then sits down across from her. She gets up angrily to leave and he asks if this is how the future wife of Prince Zi would leave? He then says that he's an old friend of Li Qian’s. Since he knows who she is, she sits back down. He asks why she hasn't considered breaking the engagement. She replies that she has thought of that but even if she goes back to Xiyue she'll still be bullied there. She's traveled thousands of miles to come to Beixuan and she must persevere. He asks why would a Princess be bullied? She scoffs at his use of the word Princess, and says she grew up following her mother around, and so she grew up with the common people. Si Kong Zhen tells her that life is just surviving through distress, and that he appreciates her character, flexible when in chaos and calm when in peace. He finally introduces himself and says he'd like to be her friend. She asks him about what kind of person Li Qian is, who always has a poker face and acts so arrogantly. He tells her that it's probably how he thinks this is how a prince should be. She says that's problematic for her.
SKZ: The more difficult a person is to get close to, the more loyal they are in love. If you can walk into his heart, that gentle space will only be occupied by you. She scowls in disbelief that he could be gentle. Not just gentle, but also fragile. She looks at him in surprise. Everyone has unspeakable pains. The important thing is that he's never been lustful. You can keep him all to yourself.
She tells him that she thinks Li Qian is afraid of women as he won't touch them or be touched by them. (Hahaha, she’s trying to touch him all the time, for the sake of hypnosis but he doesn’t know that.) Si Kong Zhen then asks her if she's touched his earlobe? She now laughs in glee, knowing that that's his most sensitive spot. (I take it back, he’s not good enough of a friend by giving away this tidbit of information. lol)
Tan Li and Di Wu Cheng discuss their respective masters' preferences. He asks what type of men Li Ming Yue hates. She thinks he's trying to trick her so she tells him that she dislikes sloppy, dirty men who pay no attention to details. Di Wu Cheng makes a huge mess of Li Qian's study room and then he has Ming Yue and Tan Li visit. Li Qian enters the room and is livid about the state of his study. Di Wu Cheng quietly tells him to bear it. So Li Qian picks up a used handkerchief to wipe his face, then sits on a table, and tries to act like he doesn't care. He’s so unnatural here. Haha. They're left alone in the room. He finds an apple cut in half but with a bite taken out of it which he tries to eat but he just can't do it. She now knows that he’s trying to trick her. She replies that she's the same way as him and that they're a match made in heaven. He looks scared by her words. She starts eating a seed and spits out the shell in his general direction. While he's distracted by this disastrous plan of Di Wu Cheng's, she sits next to him on the table and touches his earlobe to hypnotize him with the bell.
Under hypnosis, he sees himself as a child, watching a burning building. He keeps repeating the words “fire” and “hot” over and over. She snaps her finger and takes him out of the trance. He's confused and angry, and asks what she did to him. She tells him that he's afraid of fire. He asks what type of magic she used. She says she's supposed to be his wife, and wants to find out what he loves and hates. She tells him she knows he's trying to force her to back off from her mission (their marriage). She tells him if he continues to prevent this marriage, she'll expose all of his secrets. She wants to keep the political marriage - a loving couple on the outside, and not interfere with each other in private. He wants some time to consider this, and she gives him one day.
Li Qian speaks to Ming Yue in private, to ask about the spell she put on him. She admits that she hypnotized him. He finds it hard to believe that this was done with just mere words. She ditches the bracelet in the vase behind her. He is suspicious but agrees to the marriage with one condition: she can only hypnotize him only if and when he agrees to it. (She’s not worried about that because she has the bell to force/enforce hypnosis.)
Li Xun finds Qiao Hui Xin seated in front of a mirror with scissors by her neck, and rushes in thinking she's going to kill herself and grabs onto the scissors. She removes his hand and cuts a lock of her hair to place it in a box with Li Qian's (that she had from their childhood). Creepy.
Their wedding day is here. Ming Yue looks for her bracelet in the vase but is unable to find it, and immediately suspects Li Qian. And her hand is stuck inside the vase now. LOL
Indeed, Li Qian has the bracelet and is showing it to Si Kong Zhen and Song Jin Yu. He studied it all night but is still clueless about how it works.
Meanwhile, Tan Li is still trying to get Ming Yue's hand out of the vase by pulling on it. Eventually, her hand is freed and they are able to get her ready for the wedding.
Li Qian realizes that she always initiates their interactions by touching him. Song Jin Yu teasingly asks him where exactly does she touch him, and he starts poking Li Qian’s back in various spots. (Both of his friends are enjoying this way too much. Haha.)
The Wedding. They walk hand in hand towards the center stage. From behind her fan, she quietly accuses him of stealing her bracelet. He replies that he needed a bargaining chip to keep their contract marriage in check. She's too busy side-eyeing him and almost falls when she steps on her own dress. Luckily, he's holding onto her hand, and suggests that she pay attention to her feet; to not rush and lose her manners. She then notices that he has a sachet tied on his belt, which was on the right side but it's been moved to his left (away from her reach). He's using it to keep her in line for the wedding. She is cued to discard her fan but she decides to play peekaboo with him. He’s pretty angry with flared nostrils but then he clears his throat to tell her to be serious about this. Meanwhile, the Emperor, the Empress, Princess Kang Le, Kai Er Bi, Li Xun and Qiao Hui Xin, along with all the other attendants and servants are watching them. She decides to laugh it off and fans herself instead. He says her name but his father, the Emperor, calls her out for missing the cue to discard her fan. She is still holding onto the fan and is confused by what to do. Li Qian quietly tells her that if she wants her bracelet back, she needs to accompany him in the marriage dance.
Their marriage dance is a beautifully choreographed production. (Very pretty!) He is watching her very closely (to keep her from being inappropriate) and Qiao Hu Xin becomes upset (teary-eyed) by their physical closeness. Li Qian is also looking at her like he’s stalking prey. (I like the fierce Li Qian.) Their dance ends and they kneel and bow before the Emperor and Empress. Li Qian tells the Emperor that in an effort to combine their different traditions (Xiyue and Beixuan), he made the fan discard become part of their marriage dance. (He's basically saving Ming Yue from getting in trouble with this excuse.)
She has no manners during the wedding banquet. She can’t wait to eat but then reacts badly to the taste of Beixuan meat. She tries to spit it out but the Emperor calls her out for it. Li Xun is only too happy to tell her that they need to eat all of the meat so their marriage is complete. Li Qian tastes a bite of the meat and notices that it’s very bitter and knows that his brother is behind this. He pours some liquid (tea? sauce?) into a small bowl and dips the meat into it and then feeds Ming Yue a piece, which she hesitantly eats. She enjoys this bite of meat (no longer bitter-tasting). His father is pleased by this display. But this makes Qiao Hui Xin more upset, who gets up and walks away from her seat. How is she allowed to just leave? Li Qian calls out his brother for deliberately preparing the bitter meat, and asks if it’s to symbolize enduring hardship. The Empress defends Li Xun (her son) for putting in the effort. This part of the wedding ceremony is complete, and everyone takes a drink of wine.
Ming Yue asks for her bracelet back since the dance is done. He says that he said “If you want your bracelet back, you have to dance with me. Dancing with me can only prove that you want the bracelet back.” She is outraged by his word play. His word play amuses me. Hahaha.
Li Qian takes another drink of the wine and drops the cup and suddenly appears to be very drunk. His brother smirks at this. Si Kong Zhen realizes that someone has drugged Li Qian’s wine. The wedding couple now need to go outside and shoot arrows. (Another wedding ritual.)
[Ep4] Li Qian is now forced to shoot arrows while drugged but doesn't have the strength to do so.
Ming Yue sees him struggling and offers to help him complete this task. She says that it's better to shoot all three arrows at once, and asks him to put his right hand over hers and to use her strength. She also makes him promise to return her bracelet for her help. The Emperor comments that while she doesn’t understand the rules, she is quite loyal.
When they're alone, she asks for the bracelet again. He asks her to listen to him: This bracelet must not fall into the hands of others and she must not mention its effect on memory. And if it is handed over to his father, he won't be able to help her. He gives her the sachet from his belt. She says, since he is trustworthy, all of their previous conflicts are written off. She taps him on the chest and then walks away happily with the sachet in her hand. He notices her touch on his chest and has the tiniest hint of a smile. Li Xun overhears this conversation.
Wedding Night. They sit on the bed until Tan Li leaves the room. He gets up to leave and she grabs his wrist and insists on combining their locks of hair (her brother will want to know). He removes her hold on his wrist and grabs her wrist and says he won’t allow it. He lets go of her wrist to walk away but she insists on having the hair combined. He tells her that he'll agree if she helps him recover his lost memories from thirteen years ago. She then hypnotizes him and he sees a young boy crying and watching a fire raging on, and another (faceless) boy tries to get him to leave but he’s refusing to leave. He snaps out of the trance but he doesn’t believe it’s a real memory of his, and asks what magic trick she used. She tells him hypnosis is not a magic trick. They’re also unable to leave the room as his father sent an eunuch to monitor them. He claims the bed and tells her to sleep on the chair. She climbs into the bed with him and he just carries her and dumps her onto the chair.
Later that night, Li Qian sleepwalks and he ends up drawing on Ming Yue’s face. He says that both light and heavy makeup are beautiful. (I suppose this qualifies as heavy makeup? LOL)
In the morning, Ming Yue is sleeping in the bed and he is sleeping hunched over the chair. The eunuch is still there and is now delivering their royal meal. Li Qian wakes up to hop into the bed with Ming Yue, and is startled by her face, but pulls the covers over both of them. The eunuch enters the room, and Ming Yue wakes up as she's now too hot from the covers. She sits up and realizes the eunuch and Tan Li are in the room with them. (LOL, the expression he painted on her face just kills me.) The eunuch notices her face and Li Qian says that it’s just bedroom fun. xD The eunuch wishes that they have children soon and is seen out by Tan Li.
Ming Yue asks him how he's in bed with her. Tan Li returns and notices Ming Yue’s face. Li Qian hurriedly tells Tan Li to help her wash up. She sits in front of the mirror and finally notices her face. Hahaha. She goes to confront him but he’s found her bracelet. He says that she was loud and snored in her sleep, so he’ll keep the bracelet as disciplinary action.
Ming Yue is saying goodbye to Kai Er Bi and her horse. She tells him if she had to choose between Li Qian or Shifei (horse), she’d choose the horse. Li Qian walks up and says if she loves this horse, he will keep it for her. Her brother says he doesn’t have to do this. Li Qian says his mind is made up and asks if she is happy. She thinks about a good answer, and ends up saying very sweetly that she is very happy through her smiling teeth. Hahaha.
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| The loving couple. |
Li Qian and Ming Yue are back at the palace having a meal with the Emperor and Empress. Ming Yue pretends to remove lint from his clothes but is really trying to grab the sachet (bracelet) from his belt. He stops her wandering hand and tells her that he is happy that she is so considerate. She goes to feed him a cherry but "accidentally" drops it onto his lap. He asks why are her hands shaking, and mentions that it must’ve been from her recent illness and it hurts him to see this. (These two kill me, even if it’s just a bunch of tricks.) The Emperor and Empress are watching this display with a smile. She then tells him to drink tea and hands him the cup while trying to reach towards the fallen cherry on his lap/sachet on his belt.
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| Whispers of nothing sweet. |
He grabs her wrist again and tells her: “If you use wiping off ash, feeding food or serving tea as an excuse to get close to the sachet again then it's another violation of the contract. You will be severely punished.” He is saying all this in a seemingly loving whisper and is very close to her face. lol The Empress says that they have a good marital relationship, and the Emperor and her are happy. She presents Ming Yue with a gift - a gold hairpin that was created when she gave birth to Li Xun, and she wishes them to have children soon.
Li Qian and Ming Yue stand before the Emperor and Empress to accept the gift. Ming Yue then grabs the sachet from Li Qian’s belt, and says, the prince recently got a bracelet from Dongyue and she heard it has child-giving effects. The Emperor says then she should carry it at all times. She looks into the sachet to show the bracelet to the Emperor and discovers it’s empty. She asks Li Qian where did it go? Li Qian replies that it’s a very precious bracelet so he naturally keeps it at home, and when they get home, he’ll put it on Ming Yue. Sneaky.
Outside, Ming Yue runs after Li Qian and asks about the whereabouts of her bracelet. He says he already told her it was at home but given how big their place is, one person alone cannot find it. He walks away and Li Xun approaches her and demands that she take it out and show it to him. He keeps walking closer and closer to her and suddenly Li Qian shows up to save her from his brother. Li Qian dangles the bracelet from his hand and asks if this is the bracelet he wanted to see. Li Xun tries to snatch the bracelet but Li Qian fights to keep it and then tosses it to Ming Yue. Li Qian tells his brother that he didn’t know his brother was so obsessed with women’s jewelry.
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| Too close! |
He asks for Ming Yue's help with recovering his missing memories. She hypnotizes him and he realizes that the boy who pulled him away from the fire was Li Xun. He realizes that the fire is the reason for his memory loss and that his mother suddenly died of an illness at that time. He doesn’t want anyone else to know that he’s recovered some of his memories. He also suspects that his brother might want to kill him. He requests an investigation into the palace fire from thirteen years ago.
[Ep7] Ming Yue wakes up angry. She receives a letter from Princess Kang Le asking her to meet at a temple. She sneaks out, and Tan Li covers for her by telling Li Qian that she caught a cold. He's actually concerned but Tan Li says that she just went back to sleep. Princess Kang Le arrives at the house and Tan Li asks her why she isn’t meeting Li Ming Yu at Baiyun Mountain. She gives her the note and it’s actually not from Princess Kang Le. Tan Li runs to tell Li Qian that she went to meet Princess Kang Le at Baiyun Mountain. Di Wu Cheng says that the rebels are meeting there today. Li Qian asks for his horse to find Ming Yue.
[Ep8] Li Qian realizes Ming Yue may have hypnotized him to extract information about the white jade osmanthus cakes from him. She then decides to hypnotize him again, to go on a date with a woman in red (other cues: when she takes out a peach blossom handkerchief, he'll take her hand; when she says she's hungry, he'll buy her a meal at a nearby booth and feed her personally).
[Ep9] Li Qian tells her about the hunt, and requests her to go and to act properly. She says not only will she behave properly but she'll show off her riding and archery skills. She has Tan Li bring out her hunting clothes and gear (from Xiyue), and he has Di Wu Cheng confiscate all of it. She tells him that she’s not going then. He says either she's coming or she can go back to Xiyue. He also tells her to leave her bracelet at home, which she leaves on a table.
[Ep10] In the morning, Ming Yue wakes up and notices a sleeping Li Qian with his face very close to hers and that his hand is on top of hers. She then starts thinking about kissing him. He starts stirring and she immediately closes her eyes and lays there hoping that he'll kiss her first. But he's looking at her and is worried about her wound (because she is actually scowling with her eyes shut). lol He’s trying to wake her up but she’s laying there clutching her wound with that scowl. She finally grabs his hand to get him to stop trying to wake her and opens her eyes. He moves even closer to her, to look at her wound but stops himself and tells her to apply her medicine.
[Ep11] Ming Yue has a crestfallen look on her face and drops the pot of soup, which crashes onto the ground. Li Qian and Si Kong Zhen go to investigate the noise and see the broken pot and her running away. Si Kong Zhen just looks at him and they go back inside. Si Kong Zhen then asks him if he wants Ming Yue to keep misunderstanding like this. Li Qian replies maybe it's for the better.
[Ep12] Li Qian wins and takes a bath after the duel. However, Pugu Yun Si forces his way in to join him in the bath. Meanwhile, Ming Yue is secretly watching them, and mostly enjoying the view of Pugu Yun Si’s torso (however, it’s the only body she can see, as he’s actually facing her and Li Qian’s back is to her). Pugu Yun Si tells him that Li Qian’s swordsmanship is slightly better than his, but he is thinner than he thought. He goes on further to say that in Xiyue tradition, if two warriors fight and share a bath, then they need to have a drink after. Li Qian is not happy about Pugu Yun Si's intrusion and gets out of the bath. Li Qian catches her outside the bathing area, and she actually mentions that Pugu Yun Si has the better body, which makes Pugu Yun Si laugh heartily, and further ticks off Li Qian.
Song Ji Yun is hiding in Si Kong Zhen's house to avoid Princess Kang Le (who has a crush on him). Ming Yue finds Song Ji Yun’s fan and Princess Kang Le finds him literally trying to crawl his way out of the room. The two start arguing but Li Qian make the women leave with the excuse that they need to discuss business matters.
Li Qian sleepwalks into Ming Yue's quarters again. She accidentally knocks him out with her slingshot, which also leaves a bump on his forehead. He then sleepwalks out of her quarters after talking to her. But she’s starting to realize that he’s actually sleepwalking.
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| Si Kong Zhen and Song Jin Yu don't believe him either. |
Li Qian's friends see him in the morning, and notice the bump on his forehead. His friends also notice that every sentence he speaks includes her name, and he gets upset whenever her name is mentioned in a casual way by anyone other than him. According to them, these are two sure signs of liking someone. And the third sign is selflessly protecting that person. He immediately denies that he would protect her.
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| Let's see who wins this round...(It's Si Kong Zhen.) |
Outside Li Qian's study, Si Kong Zhen gives Ming Yue a kite (he's testing Li Qian's affinity for her). Li Qian tries to ignore them but is listening through the window. (Di Wu Cheng is watching them and making a bunch of noise and giving him play-by-play reports.) She is laughing with Si Kong Zhen as she is playing with the kite. At one point, she almost falls playing with the kite, and Si Kong Zhen addresses her as Ming Yue as he helps her. The kite gets stuck in a tree so she gets a ladder and props it up against the tree, then she climbs up the ladder. She tries to pull the kite but overreaches and slips and falls. Li Qian runs out to catch her (sure, he doesn’t care at all) but Si Kong Zhen catches her in time because he was already standing there. Li Qian separates them, almost reprimands Si Kong Zhen but then catches himself and instead, he reprimands her by saying Si Kong Zhen is his close friend, and if she dares hang around him in the future, he'll punish her. He laces his fingers with Si Kong Zhen's and drags him away by the hand. lol Ming Yue is confused and now wonders if Li Qian has feelings for Si Kong Zhen. Si Kong Zhen tells him that he is denying his feelings for Ming Yue.
That night, Li Qian sleepwalks and plays with the kite in his own quarters. (LOL, he looks so cute and silly here!) Meanwhile, Ming Yue has a dream that Si Kong Zhen and Li Qian are together, as a couple.
Ming Yue arrives at the rebels’ hideout and thinks it’s a game at first. They gag and tie her to a post in the hideout and steal her hairpin (the one from the Empress). Li Qian arrives at the hideout and finds it engulfed in flames. He manages to overcome his fear and runs through the burning place to find Ming Yue. He brings her home, carries her to his room, and tends to her wounds himself and stays at her bedside for a while.
LQ: At this moment, I finally realize that loving someone can be so selfless; without hesitation. I can rush into a sea of fire. (Sign No. 3 of liking someone - selfless acts.) He is caressing her sleeping face.
Li Xun finds out that Li Qian rescued Ming Yue, and they give him her hairpin. He plans to frame her for colluding with the rebels.
Li Qian is actually injured and tends to his own wounds. He is informed that Si Kong Zhen has been waiting in his study for quite some time. Si Kong Zhen tells him that he suspects that someone tried to associate Ming Yue with the rebels. Li Qian says he wants to see how his brother presents this to the Emperor. Si Kong Zhen notices that Li Qian is injured and congratulates him for curing the illness in his heart. Li Qian remains resolute in denying his feelings for her. Si Kong Zhen then says “Women are like water. Without water, how can you get rid of your fear of fire?” Li Qian just looks away.
Ming Yue wakes up and realizes that she is in Li Qian’s room. She then goes to his study and waits outside the doorway, and Si Kong Zhen tells him that the water is before taking off. She tells him that she just woke up and found herself in his room. He claims that her room is so messy that he can’t step a foot inside it. She wants to argue with him but stops herself. She says, today's event is indeed due to her lack of consideration and that's why she was framed. She asks him if he knows who would want to kill her. He tells her if she didn't go out without permission, who could harm her. She asks why he isn't blaming the bad guys but blaming her for leaving the house. She is upset but still thanks him for saving her life. He tells her that he’ll save anyone in distress. (Oh, the excuses!) She notices that he's injured when he goes to pour tea. She kneels down to ask him about his injury and reaches out to help. But he distances himself from her by telling her it’s nothing, to go back to her room and to stop bothering him. He tells her to leave and so she tries to get up but she’s not feeling well and falls into his arms and sits in his lap. Neither one say anything.
Li Xun provides Ming Yue's hairpin to the Emperor, which places her at the rebels' hideout. Li Qian appears and tells the Emperor that the hairpin is one of his wife’s most treasured items and it was recently lost. He also says that Ming Yue was in the palace with Princess Kang Le yesterday. This alibi was created with Tan Li (posing as Ming Yue) and Princess Kang Le, and witnesses attest to seeing Princess Kang Le and Ming Yue together. The Emperor returns the hairpin to Li Qian. He also requests for more guards for Ming Yue.
Ming Yue receives a letter from her brother. He’s been invited to Beixuan to meet the Emperor to discuss trade between the two kingdoms. Ming Yue now feels pressured by her brother’s upcoming visit to keep the marriage intact, so she tries to make his favorite dessert but he says he's not interested. She hypnotizes him, without his permission, to get the information, and it’s actually a memory with his mother. The dessert is white jade osmanthus cakes, which is salty, not the usual sweet taste, and hard.
Later he's distracted from his game of weiqi with Si Kong Zhen. Ming Yue shows up with the white jade osmanthus cakes which she made for him. She asks them to try it and he asks her to remove it. Si Kong Chen tries a bite and says that it has a really unique taste. Li Qian still refuses and makes her leave. Si Kong Zhen tells him that the cakes are salty and hard, and they’re slightly dry upon first bite, but with more savoring, the taste goes on. Si Kong Zhen tells him it’s his turn on the game, and Li Qian is now distracted from his description of the cakes, and grabs the wrong stone for his turn. Si Kong Zhen smiles at his error and says that he's distracted. He asks him if it's because he ate his wife's white jade osmanthus cake. He doesn’t say anything but tosses the stone back into the cup.
Ming Yue is now fuming in her room. Princess Kang Le suggests that she should just spend more time with Li Qian. She needs to go out with him, such as visit the market, eat at some restaurants, listen to music, etc.
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| Of course Qiao Hui Xin would show up in red, too. |
The next day, he happens to see Qiao Hui Xin first, who happens to be in red as well, and so both women accompany him to the market. Ming Yue is not happy with his attention on Qiao Hui Xin, and makes sure to get in between them. (She literally shoves her way in between them. lol) Qiao Hui Xin picks up a peach blossom handkerchief which triggers him to reach for her hand but Ming Yue stops him from doing it. Then Ming Yue intervenes a group of men from bullying a local food vendor, and ends up in trouble, but Li Qian rescues her. The vendor offers them food for helping them and Ming Yue says she's not hungry which triggers Li Qian to order food for them. As they wait, he's watching the wok fire and Ming Yue goes to shield his eyes from it, and he goes to hold her hand to tell her that he's recovered from that fear. She goes to touch him and he sees the bracelet which takes him out of his trance. He accuses her of using hypnosis to toy with his feelings. He demands to know which ones are fake and which ones are real. Qiao Hui Xin overhears this conversation. Li Qian leaves angrily, and leaves Ming Yue in tears alone at the table. (She kind of deserved this for using hypnosis on him, without his permission again!)
Later Di Wu Cheng tells Ming Yue that her husband ate all of the cakes that she made, which cheers her up. The next day, she makes more and brings them to him but he ignores her. To get his attention, she stands in front of the archery target. He shoots the arrow and hits the bullseye, which barely misses her head and brings her to tears. He walks away.
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| Consoling it (her) or himself? |
Li Qian remains angry and requests that everyone keep her out of his sight for the next couple of days. He sleepwalks that night to the archery target, puts medicine on the arrow (the one he’d shot at her), wraps bandage around it, and then pulls it out and goes to sleep with it. The next morning, Que Yan tells him what they found in the courtyard, and he finds the arrow in his bed. He thinks it's due to Ming Yue's hypnosis. I actually understand his anger here.
Qiao Hui Xin reveals her suspicions to Li Xun, who agrees with her. The Emperor has Li Xun organize a royal hunting event. Li Xun requests that Ming Yue and Qiao Hui Xin join the hunt as well.
At the camp, Li Qian tells her again to behave herself and she angrily goes inside the tent. She then realizes that Li Qian has prepared Beixuan hunting clothes and gear for her. He walks in and asks her why she hasn’t changed into her new clothes. Now she happily changes in their tent and he turns away, but he ends up watching her reflection in the mirror. He then loudly excuses himself to get their horses and rushes out of the tent. She steps out of the tent and he can't keep his eyes off of her, but he refuses to compliment her and just gets on his horse and asks her to hurry up and keep up with him on hers.
During the start of the hunt, Qiao Hui Xin stalls Li Qian to talk to him, so Ming Yue ends up leaving before him for the hunt. Ming Yue is trying to shoot a rabbit on horseback but gets attacked by Li Xun's assassins, and is shot in the shoulder with an arrow. She yanks out the arrow and then runs from the assassins.
Qiao Hui Xin offers to be his second wife, but Li Qian says that he has no interest in having a second wife. She then tries to warn him about Ming Yue being a demon girl and using spells to seduce him. He warns her that she is framing the Princess Consort and he'll let it go today but won't allow it in the future. He also tells her that from now on, his business does not require her to worry about it, and if she mentions this nonsense in the future, he will not care about their old friendship. She tries pressing him to answer her questions but he is distracted by something in the distance. He finds Ming Yue’s new bow on the ground. He runs to get on his horse to go look for her.
Meanwhile, Ming Yue is still running from the assassins but is forced to rest against a tree, as it was a poisoned arrow. Li Qian takes out the assassins on horseback. He finds her and asks her why she won’t listen to him about behaving. Uhm, you let her go ahead! She just apologizes to him as she’s clutching her bleeding wound. He caresses her face and then carries her to his horse and they ride out of the forest. He comments that she casually pulled the arrow out. She grew up on the frontier, is it really that surprising? He sucks out the blood from her wound, to expel some of the poison from her body and spits it out.
She asks how he knew where to find her. He replies that he was passing by. Liar! He suggests that they rest some before heading back to camp, as he's been affected by the poison as well. They’re eventually awakened by her loud stomach growls. Hahaha. I’m not sure how loud stomachs can be, except in Dramaland, they’re at least a 10.
When they arrive back to the camp at night, he makes the excuse that her leg was numb, so he offers to carry her off of the horse to go to their tent. (He knows they’re being watched/listened to.) Qiao Hui Xin notices that they’ve returned back on one horse, and then watches him carry her into their tent, and she’s in tears once again. It's always with the tears! She decides to go back home.
Once inside, Li Qian offers to apply medicine to her wound using the excuse of not letting others know what happened. She tends to her wound herself but he hears her in pain and bandages her up himself. He tells her that they have to sleep in the same room and bed that night. She’s unable to sleep but he reaches for her hand in his sleep. She’s now confused by her feelings at his touch and blames the poison. Eventually she falls asleep and when he wakes up later, he notices that he’s holding her hand.
Today, Li Qian won't let her go horseback riding or hunting. He tells her she can't be less than a half step from him. He takes her hand, and they go on a walk while he is leading the horse. (He's holding her hand for quite some time!) They discuss the attack on her and he asks her why she was targeted. She says that she doesn’t know, and that she clearly came to build the diplomatic relations between the two kingdoms. He tells her that he hasn’t reported it to the Emperor and she asks why not. He says because then the hunt would be called off and he wouldn’t be able to catch the assassin and find the real culprit.
Qiao Hui Xun finds out that Lin Xun is behind the attack against Ming Yue. She asks him to continue with his plans but not to harm Li Qian. He’s upset that she is still concerned about Li Qian. She then threatens to tell the Emperor if something happens to Li Qian.
The Emperor arrives and is told that there were corpses found on the hunting grounds. Li Xun says that he will investigate the matter. The Emperor asks for him to speak to him in private. Inside the tent now, Li Xun tells him that he doesn’t think the assassins’ target is him. The Emperor asks him who the target is then. Li Xun tries to frame his brother for not reporting the assassination attempt as Ming Yue's injury is part of the scheme against Beixuan. The Emperor informs him that Li Qian had reported it to him last evening. Last evening, (Ah, that's why he was awake at the end of Ep9.) Li Qian had told him that he didn't want it getting out because Li Xun was responsible for securing the hunting grounds and actually didn't want to ruin his brother's reputation, which is why he concealed his wife’s injury. Li Qian also had Di Wu Cheng secretly protect the Emperor. The Emperor is disappointed in Li Xun as the most intolerable thing for him is brothers hurting each other. He tells him to do self reflection when he goes home. Li Xun meets his brother outside and asks if he’s satisfied that he’s been punished by their father now. Li Qian asks him why would he say this - if he did something that should not be done or said something that should not be said, then he can only blame himself for being dumb. Li Xun tells him that there is still time and to be careful of his restless wife. Li Qian tells him to work hard on protecting the Emperor for the return trip, in case there’s an accident again.
When they arrive at home, Li Qian allows Di Wu Cheng to assist him out of the carriage, but refuses to let Ming Yue touch his bodyguard and offers his own arm instead. This and their handholding is noticed by the servants, including Tan Li. He tells her to not leave the home for a few days, to rest well and he'll have some medicine sent to over. Then he leaves her in Tan Li’s care. Que Yan and Tan Li corner Di Wu Cheng to get information from him about the hunting trip. He tells them what happened, which spreads throughout the household staff. And he also fills in Si Kong Zhen and Song Jin Yu on the details of the trip. Song Jin Yu then lets Princess Kang Le know about the recent development. Big mouths.
Li Qian's friends tease him about sharing the room and bed with Ming Yue, carrying her off and on the horse, etc. He says it was necessary. Li Qian calls out Di Wu Cheng for his big mouth. (He isn’t wrong!) He says they slept in the same room and bed with her but there was no intimacy. His friends say, yet on his wedding night he made her sleep on a chair. (Hahaha, I love his friends.) Song Jin Yu leaves after there’s mention of Princess Kang Le looking for him. He tells Si Kong Zhen that he’s unsure about his feelings, as he’s worried about the effect of the hypnosis sessions on him and his feelings towards her. He’s not sure what is real or not. Si Kong Zhen tells him to follow his heart and he can find love.
Ming Yue is getting the same treatment from Princess Kang Le and Tan Li. She asks why they’re concerned about their situation, and not about her injury. Tan Li asks her if Li Qian likes her now. Princess Kang Le says that she’s not sure if he likes her but he obviously sees her differently now. Ming Yue decides to make soup for Li Qian (for saving her), and goes to deliver it to him personally.
Qiao Hui Xin drops in for a visit and is informed by Que Yan that Li Qian doesn't want her visiting too often. She replies that she is only concerned about Li Qian. She leaves to look for Ming Yue, and Que Yan tries to stop her. Why isn’t he physically stopping her from walking through, or getting guards or someone else to stop her??
Qiao Hui Xin finds Ming Yue, and she stops her from bringing the soup to Li Qian and wants to test it but Ming Yue won’t let her. They fight over the pot of soup and it falls and breaks on the ground. Tan Li asks why she did this as Ming Yue had spent all afternoon making this soup. Qiao Hui Xin tells Ming Yue that she hopes that she will stop using bad and weird tricks from Xiyue on Li Qian. Ming Yue offers her what’s left of the soup that’s on the lid and tells her to taste it, but she refuses. So Ming Yue drinks it herself and then tells her to report it to the Emperor and complain to him if she believes that she’s poisoning Li Qian. She walks away from Qiao Hui Xin, and Tan Li and the other servants follow her. A tearful Qiao Hui Xin watches her leave. (So many useless tears. Maybe a plant could benefit from this.) Her maid tells her that they should leave. She replies that she doesn't believe that he has no affection for her at all. (He's pretty much implied that every time she approaches him.) She goes on to say that she can’t let him be seduced by the demon girl.
Ming Yue is back in the kitchen making the soup again. Li Qian is discussing his memory recovery with Si Kong Zhen, and wonders if there are more secrets. He doesn't know how to distinguish what is real and false in his relationship. Si Kong Zhen says it sounds like he is admitting that he likes her. Li Qian replies that she controls his feelings, so how can he trust her. His friend asks how has he made her trust him. Li Qian replies that the important thing is to let Ming Yue help him recover his memory as soon as possible. To put it bluntly, it doesn't matter whether she is Aimaila from Xiyue or Ming Yue from Beixuan, as she is just a chess piece. Si Kong Zhen asks him if he really believes that, and Li Qian says it’s unimportant, as long as Ming Yue can be satisfied with being the Princess Consort and can be used by him, he is willing to give her peace of mind. Ming Yue has been standing outside with the soup and overheard the latter part of this conversation - about her being just a chess piece for him. How did this ep get so twisted?!
Heartbroken, Li Ming Ye drinks with Princess Kang Le, muttering about being seen as a chess piece, and makes a mess at her sister-in-law’s. Li Qian picks her up from his sister's quarters. She sees him and asks why is he there and that she doesn’t want to see him and doesn’t want to go home with him. He looks at her, then says she’s full of nonsense and is all drunk. (Gee, I wonder why she would be drunk.) He takes her by the hand and tells her to go back with him. She repeats that she doesn’t want to go with him and that she doesn’t want to see him. He then carries her out to the carriage, while she is asking to be put down over and over. In the carriage, he tells her that she’s not allowed to drink again, and she tells him that no one controls her and she will do whatever she wants. She reaches over to move his face towards her and says that she wants to - and then she kisses him. He's surprised but then he kisses her back until she stops and vomits all over him. (He deserves it.)
In the morning, Que Yan finds Li Qian’s vomit-soaked clothes hanging to dry in the courtyard. Que Yan wonders who washed them, as he had been told to burn the clothes. He soon realizes that he had washed the clothes while sleepwalking the previous night. He blames his sleepwalking on Ming Yue's hypnotism.
Ming Yue is sleeping and Li Qian’s words are playing over and over in her dream. She wakes yelling that she’s not a chess piece. She's also hungover. Tan Li tells her that he brought her back and vomited all over him. Que Yan announces that Li Qian has come to see her. So she pretends to be asleep and turns her back to him to evade his touch. He asks Tan Li to take care of her and leaves. Que Yan points out that he was worried all morning about her so why is he leaving so soon. She doesn't want to see him but she won't tell Tan Li why. She stays in bed and cries.
Li Qian remembers their kiss in the carriage, and is distracted and angry about it. Di Wu Cheng asks him if he has feelings for the Princess Consort. Li Qian says it must be from hypnosis. Di Wu Cheng points out that she hasn’t hypnotized him for a long time. Li Qian doesn’t say anything but thinks to himself, why is he flustered by her? If she doesn’t hypnotize him anymore, will he really stop thinking about her?
Li Qian is walking around the courtyard and is thinking about what he’s going to say to Ming Yue: “I really do not understand what your kiss means. That being the case, I have to ask you directly. May you clear the fog in my heart. Let me see you clearly, and have you see me clearly.” So pragmatic. He is interrupted by Que Yan, who tells him that Qiao Hui Xin is here, and that she insists on seeing him today. Que Yan goes on to tell him that she was there yesterday, and that he can’t keep turning her away. He also tells him that she may have met with Ming Yue. Now Li Qian gets a concerned (and almost angry) look on his face and asks where she is. He goes to meet her in the front yard.
LQ: Were you here yesterday?
QHX: Sure enough, she told you about it.
LQ: Did you do something that you fear I may find out? He's scowling at her.
QHX: Even if I knocked over that soup, even if the soup is non-toxic, I still want to let her know that she can never hurt you.
LQ sternly and looking at her: You knocked over the soup that Ming Yue made for me?
QHX: Yes. She looks down after answering him.
LQ: You have already fulfilled your wish, so what are you doing here today?
She walks closer to him and looks up at him now.
QHX: I am not afraid of anything, except that you will misunderstand me.
LQ: Since you are afraid that I will misunderstand you, then why do you have to misunderstand Ming Yue? You know that the soup is harmless to me, but have you had the slightest remorse?
QHX: Love is selfish. My love for you is upright. Please see this clearly.
LQ: Someone said today that I have developed feelings. It is indeed an experience that I have never had before. Hui Xin, it is you who have never seen me clearly. I have never loved you. She shakes her head at this.
QHX: A heart for a heart. Why can't I receive real love?
LQ: Please leave. Don't come to find me again. He glares at her. Don't go to the Princess Consort again either. He glares at her one last time before walking away.
Qiao Hui Xin recalls her previous conversation with Xi Lun who said that she has a one-sided love for Li Qian. She thinks it's not her one-sided caring, nor is it that she can't see Li Qian clearly. It's that he can't see through Ming Yue's black magic to see himself. She says aloud that she will definitely get him back.
Now Li Qian is discussing the situation with his friends. Song Jin Yu is surprised that gentle Qiao Hui Xin did such a rude thing for him. Si Kong Zhen then suggests that he take Qiao Hui Xin as a second wife, which Song Jin Yu agrees with. Li Qian replies that he has no feelings for her and then asks Song Jin Yu about what his sister said. Song Jin Yu tells him that Princess Kang Le told him that she kept talking about a chess piece and beat things in her place like they were her enemies. Si Kong Zhen looks at Li Qian. Li Qian says ruefully that his words, after all, have hurt her. (What made you think they wouldn’t?)
SKZ: If Ming Yue doesn't have real feelings towards you, why would she be so sad? And if you don't have real feelings toward her, why do you not know how to face her? Why would you reject Qiao Hui Xin?
SJY: What real feelings? He developed feelings a long time ago. But he won't admit it. (Even his goofy friend knows this!)
SKZ: Ming Yue kissed Li Qian after she got drunk. Song Jin Yu looks surprised at this.
LQ: unhappily: A Zhen, you -
SKZ: It appears that Di Wu Cheng will suffer again.
LQ: Di Wu Cheng, you… (Yeah, but without the servants, who would ever know anything? lol)
SJY: Ming Yue really is a Xiyue princess. Extraordinary. Extraordinary. He’s laughing, but he looks and points at Li Qian. Look at you, so slow and hesitant.
SKZ: Since you two are in love, and are already a couple, then the relationship is a gift of God. Xiao Qian. Don't let Ming Yue down, and don't let real feelings down.
LQ: Presumably at this time, Ming Yue has already been disheartened by me.
SKZ: The deeper you love, the easier it is to be unbalanced. The better she treats you, the more she wants back. Misunderstanding blocks one's view. If you don't clarify it, you will fall into the abyss. Tell her the truth, and she will naturally understand.
LQ sighing: But Ming Yue doesn't even want to see me now. (You find a way, you smart-turned-doltish man.)
SJY: Her second brother might be bringing a caravan to Xing'an City. He is now probably already in the city.
LQ: It should be time. But so what?
SKZ: In front of her people, Ming Yue must act like a proper princess, in order to assure her second brother. Take this opportunity to take good care of her. Let her know with your actions that she is not a chess piece in your heart.
LQ: Indeed. Kai Er Bi values my and Ming Yue's marriage. With him here, he will definitely try to persuade Ming Yue.
SKZ: The important thing is that you can't act so arrogant again. Let her know clearly that you are good to her. Therefore, don't let Ming Yue and your heart down.
LQ: Don't let Ming Yue and my heart down. He smiles. I'll give it a try.
Li Qian leaves to greet Kai Er Bi, who has arrived with another man on horseback. She is surprised that this man is there, who she calls Yun Si Ge Ge and moves to greet him but Li Qian stops her and tells her that she is now the Princess Consort. Kai Er Bi also grabs this man's arm to stop him from moving forward on horseback, and tells him to not forget about Ming Yue's identity. The man nods and then gets off of his horse.
After Kai Er Bi and Li Qian exchange greetings, Pugu Yun Si reaches over and pulls Ming Yue over to him by her arm. He calls her Aimaila (her Xiyue name) and hugs her hard. He asks her if she's doing well and if she misses him. Li Qian loses his smile and looks at them with concern now. Ming Yue tells Pugu Yun Si that he’s her xiongdi, then swats him on the chest, and says that naturally she misses him. He doesn’t look happy about this. Kai Er Bi interrupts and asks if she remembers who her second brother is. She goes up to her brother and hugs him and says that she misses him the most. Li Qian asks Kai Er Bi who this person is - and he’s pointing at Pugu Yun Si. Ming Yue tells him that he is the general of Xiyue. He grew up with her and her second brother. He is an important friend to them - and they’re childhood sweethearts. Li Qian is surprised at this, but remains polite and welcomes them into his home for a meal.
Pugu Yun Si tells her that he’s heard that Beixuan wine is bitter, and hands her a wine bag that he’s personally made, and this wine is something that she loves drinking. She accepts it and says she will save the wine. Li Qian is now looking at Pugu Yun Si, reaches over and snatches the bag from Ming Yue’s hand. Now both Kai Er Bi and Pugu Yun Si are watching Li Qian. He tells them that Ming Yue has poor tolerance of alcohol, to prevent acting improperly after drinking, she is advised to not drink anymore in the future. Her brother is seething but calmly says that Pugu Yun Si has a frank personality, even in front of the King of Xiyue, so please forgive him, and then he apologizes on Pugu Yun Si's behalf. Ming Yue tells Li Qian that if he really doesn't allow her to drink this wine, she will give it back. He interrupts her to say coldly, no need, drink it if she likes, as he is too lazy to care. Ou, this jealous guy. He ends the discussion by leading the way and Kai Er Bi follows. She mutters that it’s just a little wine, and why is he angry again. She’s so clueless.
Que Yan asks Tan Li about the relationship between Pugu Yun Si and Ming Yue. Di Wu Cheng tells them to not talk about it, and if Li Qian hears them, they’ll be in trouble. Tan Li says they are just good friends. However, if Ming Yue hadn’t come to marry in Beixuan, maybe she would be married to Pugu Yun Si. Tan Li tells them to not tell anyone else this.
Pugu Yun Si is watching Ming Yue while they’re all having a meal together. However, Li Qian won't let Ming Yue drink, so Pugu Yun Si tells her to drink (with him). He removes the cup from her hand and drinks it for her.
PYS: Are you afraid that after drinking with me, Aimaila's heart will fly back to Xiyue?
LQ: I know in my heart where the Princess Consort's heart is. No need to trouble you about it. You have no ability to be concerned about it either.
Pugu Yun Si stands up and takes a drink.
PYS: We can compete to see if I have the ability.
Then he slams down his cup on the table. K
Kai Er Bi glaring at him and reprimanding: Rude. Sit down!
Pugu Yun Si sits down reluctantly.
Her brother gets up and says that he feels tired from the trip, and then asks to be allowed to get some rest at the official rest stop with Pugu Yun Si. (Her brother is trying to remove the cause for tension.) Li Qian tells him that his journey was hard and to take care and rest early.
Kai Er Bi and Pugu Yun Si go to leave but Ming Yue tells her brother that she knows it’s hard for him to come there and offers to show him around the house. Pugu Yun Si gives her a gift of Xiyue pastries and smiles at her. Her brother leaves to go rest, and makes sure to take Pugu Yun Si with him. Pugu Yun Si extracts her agreement to show him around Xing’an City before he leaves with her brother.
After the men leave, Tan Li tells Ming Yue that she didn’t see the angry look on Li Qian’s face, and that he is probably jealous of her relationship with Pugu Yun Si. Ming Yue thinks that’s impossible. She thinks it’s because Pugu Yun Si was impolite today. She goes on further to say that Li Qian only cares about his reputation and gets angry easily. Moreover, why would he be jealous because of a chess piece. She just sits down sadly at the table with her hands under her chin.
Later that night, Pugu Yun Si sends a sword to Li Qian with a verbal message delivered by Que Yan challenging him to a duel the next day.
The next day, the servants and guards are placing bets on Pugu Yun Si and Li Qian, with the majority of them betting on Pugu Yun Si. Ming Yue walks by and is asked by Tan Li who she would bet on. She decides to bet on both of them. Tan Li tells her that she can't bet on both, and Ming Yue replies that she can and will, so she will win no matter what.
Everyone in the household is there to watch the duel, including Li Qian’s friends and his sister.
The two men are now trying to outdrink each other. Li Qian gives up first. Pugu Yun Si takes advantage of the situation and yells after a stumbling Li Qian that he wants to take Aimaila to the market tomorrow, and if he doesn't answer, then he'll assume that he agrees.
A very drunk Li Qian shows up in Ming Yue's quarters and closes the doors. He tries to reach for her but she's avoiding his touch. He says that he just wants to say one thing to her. She tells him to hurry up and say it. He finally grabs onto her arm with both hands, and pulls her over to him and then places her hands around his waist and places his right arm around her shoulders.
LQ: That is, the year of Gengyin, the 18th day of the tenth lunar month, the first day that we met. It was the first heavy snow in Beixuan. That night - He puts his left hand on her face and caresses it. - you were beautiful. And I don't care who you, Aimaila, used to be and who has seen you. I only care about what Ming Yue is like. All the ways that Ming Yue is like, can only be seen by me. He rests his forehead right on hers. He puts one hand on the back of her head and puckers his lips at her as if to kiss her. But he just pitches forward and falls right on top of her on her bed.
LMY: Are you telling the truth? She looks at him and then turns away. That's impossible. I clearly heard you say that I am just a... Yes, that's right. It must be because you are drunk. You clearly just treat me as a chess piece. She looks back at him. Are you okay? She pats him on the arm (the one that's resting right on top of her). She finally realizes he's passed out, and falls out for Que Yan to take him back to his own room.
So he did notice her that first night! A drunk Li Qian is entertaining to watch as he swings and sways as if he's dancing.
Li Xun is worried about losing control over the court, and that it’ll be under Li Qian’s control. He is being advised to go to the battlefield with his soldiers and fight against the rebels. He asks them to tell those ministers loyal to him, to recommend Li Qian instead before the Emperor. He knows that with the Xiyue Prince in town, Li Qian can't get away. So the Emperor will definitely send Li Xun.
Li Qian is sleepwalking in his room. He has put up his hair like Pugu Yun Si, saying the name Aimaila in a deeper voice, and saying “I, Pugu Yun Si, want to travel the world with you.” Then he laughs the deep laugh like him as well. (It’s hilarious listening to him try to emulate Pugu Yun Si’s voice with the same bravado. LOL) Then he pours himself a cup of tea, slams the liquid into his mouth, and then says that the wine from Beixuan really tastes bad. He walks back to his bed and passes out.
Ming Yue is walking around at the market with Kai Er Bi and Pugu Yun Si, but she's distracted by her thoughts. Pugu Yun Si grabs her to prevent her from colliding with someone as she's lost in her thoughts. She shakes off his arms, and he tries to reach for her again until Kai Er Bi stops him and reminds him of his identity. It is revealed that Di Wu Cheng is watching them from a distance. Pugu Yun Si then suggests that Ming Yue leave Beixuan with him. She is confused as to why she would leave. Kai Er Bi reprimands him for joking around, and tells her to ignore him, and lets her go ahead of them. Kai Er Bi stops Pugu Yun Si from going after her. Pugu Yun Si asks him if he realizes that something isn’t right with her. Kai Er Bi warns him that if he says that nonsense to Ming Yue again, then he will send him back to Xiyue immediately. (I wish he would already.)
Li Qian is distracted as well as he over pours Si Kong Zhen's teacup. Di Wu Cheng arrives and informs him that he trailed Ming Yue the whole way but saw Pugu Yun Si hugging Ming Yue and heard him saying that he intends to leave with Ming Yue. He asks him what does he mean by leave. Di Wu Cheng says that it’s a hard thing to say. Si Kong Zhen replies what else can it mean - he meant an elopement. Li Qian gets this distressed look on his face but dismisses Di Wu Cheng. Si Kong Cheng asks him if he’s going to go. Li Qian says as they are both happy, what should he be doing there. Si Kong Zhen snickers at this and stands up. Li Qian asks where he is going. Si Kong Zhen says that if he's not going, then he wants to go on a walk with them. And he thinks that he has not hugged Ming Yue for a long time as well. He's looking right at Li Qian as he's saying all of this. Haha, keep poking! This makes Li Qian stand up now. Si Kong Zhen asks him what's wrong. Li Qian's response is that he's afraid that his wife's hospitality is not good enough and will ruin Beixuan's reputation. Si Kong Zhen just smiles knowingly at this. Li Qian now says that he has to go and see for himself. Finally!
Currently, Ming Yue is distracted watching a loving couple walking around, and loses her footing when someone walks around her and accidentally bumps into her. Both Kai Er Bi and Pugu Yun Si reach out to grab her. Pugu Yun Si is about to reach her but Li Qian shows up and pushes him aside. But Ming Yue falls falls right down onto the ground, as Li Qian wasted precious time to outmaneuver Pugu Yun Si. Of course he would. It's so typical of Li Qian to get it so wrong.
A vexed and injured Ming Yue is now back at home with Li Qian trailing her. Li Qian stops her to tell her that he will have some ointment sent over. She tells him there is no need and hurriedly walks away from him. He wants to go after her but is interrupted by Di Wu Cheng, who tells him that the Emperor wants to send Li Xun to fight the rebels (then he would have military power). Di Wu Cheng tells him that he should go but Li Qian says his brother going will be as beneficial for Beixuan as him going. Di Wu Cheng asks if he’s not going because he is worried about leaving his wife alone at home and that’s why he won’t fight with Li Xun about it. Li Qian says that he has a big mouth. Di Wu Cheng apologizes and Li Qian tells him to squat for four hours as punishment.
Ming Yue is on a swing and complaining out loud about Li Qian. Pugu Yun Si shows up behind her and pushes her up on the swing. Then he brings up old memories but she doesn't recall having them with him. He also tries to kiss her but she gets off the swing to move away from him. He tells her that Li Qian isn't here so she does not have to pretend to be his wife, touches her hand, and then continues that she doesn't have to pretend to be just his xiongdi with him. She jerks her hand away from his touch, and he gets this upset look on his face. Then she asks him why he is always saying that she's pretending. She says he is her xiongdi, otherwise what else. He looks perplexed and asks if she really doesn't remember. She's not sure what he's talking about and he suddenly hugs her tightly, but she shoves him away. Stop touching her! He repeatedly begs her to think again. He tries to get close to her again until Li Qian shows up and flings his arm away from her. Li Qian smiles at her and stays beside her.
Li Qian smiling at her: The night is late. How do you expect me to sleep alone? Therefore, I came to pick up the Princess Consort early to rest.
He then gives Pugu Yun Si a hard stare, and he walks her away with one arm around her and the other hand is holding hers. She's looking at their hands. Pugu Yun Si follows them and asks him why he cares about when she is resting today when he's normally indifferent about her.
Li Qian looking at his wife: Caring for her is my personal business - glares at Pugu Yun Si - and has nothing to do with you. Pugu Yun Si can do nothing but watch them walk away.
They’re outside her room now, and Li Qian won't let go of Ming Yue's hand. She tells him to go back and rest and tries to get her hand free of his. He finally pulls her back to maneuver her into his arms for a back hug. He tells her he's already said that he can't sleep alone. She pushes his hand away from her and gets out of his embrace. He opens her doors and enters her quarters. She says that he's not really there to sleep with her. He comes back out, walks up to her, takes a long look at her, and then he carries her in over the threshold. She protests and says no. He gestures with his head to make her close the doors as he's still carrying her. She resists but ultimately closes the door.
Now he's laying next to her in bed, but she refuses to look at him and has her back turned to him. He tells her that it's his fault that she fell today. She replies that it's also because she was not careful. He asks about her shoulder wound, and she lets him take a look at it. He says that the wound looks fine. She says ou but won't look at him. He then holds her hand and she finally looks at him for a second before she turns away from him and asks him what he's doing. He tells her that he remembers that this makes her feel better. She shakes off his hand and says that it no longer hurts. He then asks why she can't sleep. She replies that she's annoyed.
Now they’re both sitting up in bed. He thinks about their kiss in the carriage, and asks if she knows what she did to him when she was drunk. She remembers vomiting on him, so she says, that trivial thing? He says that he's never done that with anyone else. Ah, she gave him his first kiss. She then asks him what she did to him. He shows her by kissing her. They fall back onto the bed and she’s kissing him back. He suddenly stops kissing her, and lays down next to her. He tells her they're even now, then closes his eyes as if to go to sleep. She's thinking about how are they even, and why didn't she push him away just now. She’s also wondering what else happened that night. They both turn away, with their backs turned to each other.
The next day, Ming Yue complains to Tan Li that Pugu Yun Si's behavior is strange, and that Li Qian is so moody but she's not sure what he is thinking. Tan Li says that Li Qian is jealous, which Ming Yue says is impossible as he doesn't treat her as his wife, and Pugu Yun Si is just her xiongdi. She says anything is possible but his jealousy is impossible. Ah, the clueless woman doesn't know how much he does care.
Pugu Yun Si comes looking for her to tell her that he bought her a horse farm, and asks if she wants to go horseback riding. Tan Li suggests that she tell Li Qian first, and Pugu Yun Si says if she lets him know, either Li Qian will stop him or he will go with them. Ming Yue dismisses Tan Li and goes with Pugu Yun Si. Li Qian stops them on their way out, asking where they're going. Ming Yue asks him if he needs something, and he replies that his father asked them to greet him at the palace. Li Qian grabs Ming Yue's hand and takes her away from Pugu Yun Si.
Pugu Yun Si confronts Kai Er Bi about what he used to threaten Aimaila with, to agree to the marriage. He says that it has made her so alienated from him as she sees him as a stranger. Kai Er Bi tells him that she willingly married him, and she only has Li Qian in her heart now. He warns Pugu Yun Si to not have any ulterior motives towards her anymore.
Li Qian and Ming Yue are at the palace before the Emperor and Empress. She's annoyed with him as they actually didn't need to visit - they’ve interrupted their meal. Li Qian puts on the loving husband act which forces Ming Yue to begrudgingly act along with him. (I know they're faking it but it’s so cute and hilarious.) The Empress comments on why Ming Yue isn’t showing signs of pregnancy yet and she chokes on the soup that Li Qian just fed her. She makes a snide remark about it being a bit difficult at this time. Haha. The Emperor hears her and asks Li Qian if there’s something he needs to discuss. Ming Yue smirks at this. His father presses the importance of having children as part of the royal family duties. They’re sent home with a huge bundle of fertility medicine.
They arrive at home and Pugu Yun Si wants Ming Yue to go horseback riding and archery with him and her brother. She wants to go and Li Qian refuses to let her go. His reasoning: for fertility reasons, she can’t go riding and do archery. Pugu Yun Si counters that she promised to take him to a restaurant that she loves tomorrow. Li Qian refuses to let her go and says they need to visit an ill Si Kong Zhen. Just talk to her instead?!
Ming Yue is being forced to drink the fertility medicine and complains that the medicine won't help without any action. Hahaha. Li Qian shows up to sleep with her. She refuses to sleep with him and leaves to sleep with Tan Li instead. He sleeps in her room alone and sleepwalks again. He rocks a pillow like a baby and drinks the bowls of fertility medicine that his wife left out. His poor actions towards her leads to his own humiliation at night.
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| The face of a desperate man begging his friend to keep up the pretense. |
Li Qian and Ming Yue are leaving to visit Si Kong Zhen, and Pugu Yun Si invites himself to go with them. He's a horrible guest. They arrive at Si Kong Zhen's and Li Qian pleas with his eyes to help keep up the ruse. Pugu Yun Si sits down next to Ming Yue and Li Qian is forced to sit next to Si Kong Zhen. Song Jin Yu arrives and asks why Si Kong Zhen is still at home, as they're supposed to be out listening to some music. Ming Yue says that Li Qian is the one who ruined their plans to listen to music. The ruse is over. Song Jin Yu excuses himself and leaves. Pugu Yun Si asks why he would trick his own wife. Li Qian finally admits that Si Kong Zeng isn't ill. Ming Yue asks why he would lie to her. He replies loudly that he doesn't want her to be with other people. He really meant Pugu Yun Si.
To blow off some steam, a livid Ming Yue goes to bake pastries in Si Kong Zhen’s kitchen. Pugu Yun Si shows up in the kitchen, and brushes off the flour on her face. She pushes his hand off of her face and says she'll do it herself. He asks her about the first time she made pastries and she says she didn't learn to make them until she arrived in Beixuan and it was for Li Qian. She says she didn't learn it in Xiyue. He tells her that her first time making pastries was for his birthday. Then he grabs her and says that he can't believe that she can't remember this and looks very pained by this. Stop grabbing her. She recalls certain things but not with him in the memories, such as the birth of a horse and learning to shoot three arrows. He's perplexed by this, because it seems as if she doesn't remember many things and nothing about him. She says she remembers he's her xiongdi and he shakes his head looking extra pained by that word again. She makes him leave the kitchen but now she is confused by his words.
Li Qian, Si Kong Zhen and Pugu Yun Si are waiting for Ming Yue’s pastries. Song Jin Yu returns and asks to be introduced to Pugu Yun Si, who Si Kong Zhen says is Ming Yue’s childhood sweetheart. This is met with awkward silence. Finally, Ming Yue brings in the pastries - they’re peculiar (containing 6 meats, 5 vegetables and a bunch of herbs) and they're is savory and bitter. No one can tolerate it except Li Qian. He actually eats several as he's enjoying them.
L!: The taste of this snack is strange, but the intention is deep. I like this snack. Pugu Yun Si glares at him.LQ looking at his wife: The reason is that Ming Yue knows that some people don't like sweets, and puts this person's preference in her heart. She smiles at him. So the sweetness of this snack is not in its taste, but in its heart. Ah, so he does know.
He then reaches for Ming Yue's hand, which Pugu Yun Si scowls at and Song Jin Yu cringes at this display of affection. lol
Later, Pugu Yun Si is going over their recent conversations. Why is it that she remembers everything except him? He recognizes the bell on her bracelet and wonders if she's been hypnotized to forget him.
Li Qian eats almost all of Ming Yue's pastries. Meanwhile, Ming Yue is waiting for him to go to her to sleep together. Tan Li is teasing her and playing with her in the courtyard, but Pugu Yun Si joins them and dismisses Tan Li. She asks him why he was so weird earlier. He replies that he was mad at her and Li Qian. She asks why as it doesn't affect their long friendship. He tells her that she belonged to him, only to him. She doesn't know what that means. With his hand on her shoulders, he calls her Aimaila and asks if she believes him. She takes his hands off of her shoulders, and tells him that they have a long relationship, so naturally she believes in him. He tells her that before she came to Beixuan to be married, she was hypnotized by Kai Er Bi, and has forgotten about the past when they were in love. She laughs as she doesn’t believe him. He then offers to take her away from the palace now, and leads her away by her hand. She stops ask him what nonsense is he telling her. He tells her he’ll prove it to her.
She says that she was willing to be married because her brother convinced her and she went willingly. He says she can be willing because she doesn’t remember him. He tells her that her memory has a deviation, and all the deviations have one thing in common: they're without him. He sees the scimitar that she carries with her, and asks if she remembers how she got it. She shakes her head. He explains that it is a token that he sent her and shows her that it's a pair with his. He further explains that in Xiyue, men and women give each other a pair of scimitars, with the meaning of sharing life and death together. How did her brother miss this important detail?! She still doesn't believe it. She tells him that because of Li Qian, she's ignored him, so he doesn't need to make up these things. She also denies having amnesia. He hands back the scimitar to her and now she's looking at the scimitar with confusion.
Li Qian is worriedly waiting for Ming Yue in his room. She shows up with wine and wants to discuss the truth. She asks him if the feelings developed after hypnosis count as real feelings. He says of course it counts, as the origin of love doesn't matter, what is important is the love itself. How long has he believed this? He then asks her if she regrets becoming his wife. She replies that she doesn’t know. He tells her that he’s kept Shifei for her but she can’t come and go as she pleases from this house. Now they’re both upset. She starts drinking more and more, and he tries to keep up with her but is becoming concerned for her. She finally tells him that she is like him and has lost a very important memory. She wants to remember but is also afraid to.
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| Drunkenly touching Li Qian's face. |
LQ: The greatest fear in people stems from the unknown. Facing the unknown, being close to what happened, is inevitably painful. But if you escape it blindly, there will be unsolved knots in your heart.
LMY: Sorry. Because I hypnotized you, I made you fall in pain.
She keeps drinking and eventually falls asleep at the table.
LQ: Actually, I think I am very happy with you here. You brought me through the door to my past. If you weren’t here, I might have lived in confusion all my life.
He caresses her face.
LQ: No matter what you have to face, I will accompany you. It’s better to have company after all.
She wakes up (still drunk), removes his hand from her face, and puts her hands on his face.
LMY: You like this, don't have the prince's arrogance like you usually do, and it's actually a little cute.
He’s watching her intently. She laughs slightly and leans in like she’s about to kiss him but she actually passes out on him.
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| He looks relieved that she passed out this time instead of kissing him. |
LQ: I have recently gone to your room, but you were hiding from me. Now you run here to find me. If you are intentionally doing this, that would be nice. He caresses her face again.
They sleep together in his room and he sleepwalks again. He puts a plate of her cakes on her and feeds her pastries while she's sleeping and she scowls in response. If they’re the ones she’s been making him - they’re salty and bitter. LOL
In the morning, she wakes up from the weird taste of the cakes in her mouth. She finds herself alone in Li Qian’s room, and her head hurts. Pugu Yun Si barges in as he couldn't find her anywhere else. (How does he even have access?! How is this normal or acceptable?) He wants to take her to the rest stop to show her something. She agrees and he tells Tan Li to not follow them.
Two ministers are arguing before the Emperor about Prince Ling’s (Lu Xin) attacks on rebels. Li Qian appears and his father asks him how they should judge Prince Ling’s merits (rebel attack). Li Qian replies that he is more concerned about who is guarding Mo City at this time. His father asks him what he means. Li Qian says that his brother must have slaughtered the city because he thought that the guards and civilians were mixed in with the rebels. The original guards of Mo City have ceased to exist now. Mo City is an important fortress city beside Xiyue and helps protect Xing'an (their city). His father points out that in Li Xun's report, he does not report replacing the guards. The minister tells him that Prince Ling has appointed a confidant to guard Mo City. The Emperor is livid now and knows that Li Xun used the opportunity of fighting against the rebels to replace his guards. The other minister says that Prince Ling was impulsive at that moment but it was all for the sake of end results. The Emperor asks him if he's the courtier for him or for Prince Ling as he dares to defend him, and then he dismisses him. The Emperor says that it might be time to appoint a Crown Prince. Li Qian replies that his father is still in his prime and should not be in a hurry. His father then gives him the duty to fight the rebels in the future.
Back at home, Li Qian is discussing the recent events with Di Wu Cheng, and as he is upset about the deaths of all those people, and wishes his brother had never made such a mistake. Tan Li runs up to them and tells Li Qian that Ming Yue was taken away by Pugu Yun Si. He becomes visibly upset and asks her where she was taken to. She tells him she’s at the rest stop. He leaves immediately.
Pugu Yun Si takes Ming Yue to the room that he’s recreated as a place in Xiyue to remind her of the past. He tells her of their love vows to each other and then sings her a song. While listening to his song, she is suddenly painfully recalling bits of her memories which include him. He is happily hugging her. However, Li Qian arrives and pulls him off of her and comforts her himself. Ming Yue is panting in pain and asks to go home. Pugu Yun Si says he'll take her back to Xiyue and reaches for her. Li Qian blocks him from touching her, and angrily tells him if he dares to touch her again, he'll end his life. He meant it. She then asks Li Qian to take her home. He tells her to not be afraid and that he’ll take her home. He carries her out in his arms.
At home Li Qian carries her to her bed. He holds onto her hand and asks if she’s injured anywhere or has any discomfort anywhere, and just to tell him. Her head seems to be hurting and she’s clutching at it with the other hand. He understands that her head is a mess right now and that she can't piece together the remaining scenes. He's rubbing her hand as he's saying this. She tells him that she is very confused in her mind, and she wants to remember it, remember it right away. He touches her bracelet and tells her since she can use hypnotism to help him restore his memory, then logically, she can help herself as well. She asks to be alone. He tells her to not think about anything, just take a rest and then asks Tan Li to take care of her. He caresses her face and then lets go of her hand. He leaves her room. She removes her bracelet and wonders if Pugu Yun Si’s words are true, then what is she in her brother’s eyes? She’s not sure how to face Pugu Yun Si or Li Qian. She asks Tan Li about Pugu Yun Si - when she was in Xiyue, did she go out often with Pugu Yun Si? Tan Li says they were together almost every day. Ming Yue continues crying.
Li Qian is standing in the courtyard and just staring at her door. He remembers that she helped him when he recovered his memories. Now she is in so much pain, but he doesn't know what he can do for her.
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| He's quite serious about his wife. |
Li Qian tells him to listen to him clearly, her choice to return to the house was her choice. Pugu Yun Si says that’s because she hasn’t remembered everything. He goes on to say that in a short time, she will remember everything and will definitely regret being married to him then. (How is he this cocky all the time?) Li Qian then realizes that all of the memories she’s lost are presumably related to him. So he asks Pugu Yun Si why she would lose those memories. Pugu Yun Si says it's Kai Er Bi’s doing, as he has erased his love story with Aimaila from her memory. He also tells him if she remembers him, she'd rather die than be married to Li Qian. Li Qian points out that she is already married to him; this is his business, so he would figure it out. He asks Pugu Yun Si to leave. Pugu Yun Si says loudly from the courtyard so Ming Yue can hear him, that no one can make her stay, and he will definitely find a way to make her remember him completely. He finally leaves.
Ming Yue continues crying in agony and Tan Li is not sure how to help her, but she promises to be there by her side, to keep her company. Li Qian is standing right outside the door and reaching for the door but decides to leave her be.
Kai Er Bi meets with Li Qian. Li Qian tells him that Pugu Yun Si came to see Ming Yue yesterday, and that he told him something. Li Qian says that he hypnotized her, and asks him to tell him the truth now. Kai Er Bi plays dumb. Li Qian then tells him that he doesn't plan to return home without an answer. He goes on to say that Ming Yue is in a lot of pain right now - hurting Ming Yue is hurting him, and it is hurting the relationship between Xiyue and Beixuan. Kai Er Bi tells him that when Ming Yue and Pugu Yun Si were young, they had feelings for each other but that has passed. For the sake of the marriage, and for Ming Yue to not have so much pain, he had to do this. Li Qian tells him that only he could say something like this because he hasn't experienced the pain of amnesia before. And if she remembers one day, how does he want her to react? Kai Er Bi suggests that he let her remember and then will hypnotize her again to make her forget Pugu Yun Si. Li Qian vehemently says that he won't allow anyone to hurt her again. He also says even if she doesn't withdraw the marriage, he'll still find ways to cut ties between Beixuan and Xiyue. Kai Er says that wouldn't benefit him. Li Qian replies that he's not worried about benefiting himself, as he just wants Ming Yue to be happy and at peace. He cares so much. Kai Er Bi asks what if she unlocks her memories and wants to leave. Li Qian says he'll respect her decision. Li Qian then cuts his hand with Kai Er Bi's knife and gives a blood oath of keeping that promise. Kai Er Bi gives him a secret book which contains the melody that'll unlock her memories/undo the hypnosis, but it'll be difficult to find someone who can play it.
Si Kong Zhen helps Li Qian and Ming Yue find a talented musician, Lan Ku, who could play the melody on the guqin but she's difficult to work with, if she will even agree to it. Pugu Yun Si is following them to meet Lan Ku. Li Qian and Ming Yue meet Lan Ku under the pavilion and Li Qian explains their situation and that they need her help. But she tells them to leave. Li Qian asks Ming Yue to join the others, and stays to speak to Lan Ku in private. He tells Lan Ku that a song with such a high difficulty can only be played by her in this world. He will agree to any condition she requests if she agrees to play this song. Lan Ku tells him that she thought Ming Yue was only a chess piece to him. How does she know?! He replies that Ming Yue's joy is more important than his life. (This dolt will say these things to anyone but his own wife!) Lan Ku says that his life is not important to her, and she won't help him with nothing in return. She pours him a cup of poisonous wine, and tells him if he drinks it then she'll believe him. He drinks the wine without hesitation and then asks her to keep her promise. Lan Ku tells him, "When a person is too dedicated in love, he seems like he is ruthless. You are a person like that." Li Qian just looks over at Ming Yue. He leaves the book with her.
Ling Min Yue gets restless waiting and complains about being unable to hear their conversation. Pugu Yun Si says he'll take her home now. She tells him that she wants to go with Li Qian. Si Kong Zhen quietly interjects and tells her to remember his words, "Don’t worry. Faith will move and open up mountains. I believe in Li Qian, how about you?" (I have faith!)
Li Qian and Lan Ku finish their conversation and rejoin the group. When it is revealed that Li Qian drank the poisoned wine, Ming Yue becomes upset and concerned and asks Lan Ku for the antidote. Lan Ku says, "It was a nicely aged wine. You have already benefited. What kind of antidote do you need?" It was a test. Li Qian looks relieved and replies that if she has any other requirements in the future, to let him know. Lan Ku tells Ming Yue to go with her and dismisses everyone else. Li Qian tells Ming Yue that Lan Ku will for sure cure her, and to trust him. Lan Ku calls out “Is neither parting nor dying, must you guys be so lingering?” (Ha, hurry up!) Li Qian is watching Ming Yue follow Lan Ku up the stairs and before she enters the building, she looks back at him. He gives her a slight smile before she closes the doors.
The guys depart but Pugu Yun Si arrogantly declares that after she unlocks her memories, she will willingly go back to Xiyue with him. And if Li Qian goes back on his word, he will declare war on Beixuan. He goes on to say that he and Aimaila are childhood sweethearts, so how could he lose to a prince whom she has known for a few months. (Just his attitude alone bothers me.) Li Qian doesn’t say anything but Si Kong Zhen says that he will wait and see. Pugu Yun Si is not happy with that response and leaves in a rush. Si Kong Zhen comforts Li Qian by saying that “I know you are very worried about losing Ming Yue. In order to help her see her past clearly, you hid the bitterness of your heart. But I believe that you will beat Yun Si.” Li Qian just sighs heavily and continues walking.
LK: Musician, why music was born is based on the feelings of the human heart. In the human body, liver, heart, spleen, lung and kidney correspond to different music notes. Music enters the ear and comforts the heart.
She’s already started to play the guqin.
LMY: Senior, these words are too difficult to understand.
LK: In short, this song is extremely complicated. If the method of playing is not correct, it is extremely likely that it will mess up the heart. Therefore, I’m asking you to calm down. Put the doubt in your heart with the ups and downs of the music, and recall them one by one.
Ming Yue starts recalling memories with Pugu Yun Si, including the ones of their past relationship. She cries that her head hurts, as she feels like a mess, and in her mind, she can hear many voices calling for her but she can’t understand a word. Lan Ku tells her that she will teach her how to read music tomorrow, and wants her to try playing some songs on the guqin. But she wonders how many years it will take Ming Yue to learn the melody with her wooden brain. Hahaha, that’s encouraging. Lan Ku leaves her alone with the guqin.
At home, Li Qian is distracted while playing weiqi and his friends tease him. Si Kong Zhen advises him that to keep her, he needs to let her know of his real feelings - that he cares for her. His friends are trying to get him to visit her at the music house but he's being stubborn. They jokingly suggest that they go visit her without him, and he still doesn’t budge, so they leave him to mope. Li Qian then decides to have Di Wu Cheng investigate the situation, and wants a report, if anything happens.
Ming Yue is playing the guqin and experiencing more memories with Pugu Yun Si (when she made him cakes for his birthday, he’s teaching her how to shoot with a bow, and they’re holding hands and laughing together). Lan Ku interrupts her.
LK Although all diseases are born with airflow and stopped by music, but music is born by the heart. You don't want to remember it at all, so what can I do?
LMY: Senior, I'm working hard to learn guqin, just to remember everything.
LK: Ridiculous. Everyone is blind but is determined to deceive themselves.
LMY: What about you? I have been to the music house for a few days now, I've seen you drunk. But today, you have been drunk all day. Are you upset, and are looking for trouble with me?
LK: Why would I look for your troubles? You don't deserve to make me upset. It is a good thing to be able to forget, but you're determined to remember. Why bother?
Lan Ku is also missing someone due to forced separation. Lan Ku also asks why she is afraid of remembering the past if she has no fear as she claims, and she doesn’t know how to make a choice. Ming Yue angrily replies who says she doesn’t know, and within a few days, she is going to learn to play this melody to show her that she, Li Ming Yue, is not a person who will retreat. Now she takes a drink of the wine, too.
LK: These days I have taught you to heal with music. We'll start the last stage today. I will play this song completely. You need to be peaceful, follow it to sort out the complex past in your mind. Melody will lead to your deep memories. You will see and understand everything suddenly. By then, we would have succeeded.
Ming Yue unlocks all of her memories of and conversations with Pugu Yun Si, as he had told her previously, including their love vows to each other. She opens her eyes, which have so much pain and tears in them.
LK: You see everything clearly. It seems that you have remembered it all.
LMY: That past is vivid. That feeling is also very real. But I don't know if it can be like time, and slowly be forgotten.
LK: Some feelings will eventually die, for others, even if you personally bury them, you can never erase their traces. Your confusion lies in past problems being put into the present. You can't get away from it.
LMY: I am now split into two halves. Half of me is calling myself to go back, half of me is calling myself to stay.
LK: It's better to see the people in front of you.
LMY: In front?
LK: The person in front of you is the person in your heart. Write down the name of the person in your heart. She pushes a cup of tea towards her and gestures for her to write. Ming Yue sticks her index finger into the cup and goes to write on the table with that finger. She makes one horizontal stroke, stops and wipes it off the table, and repeats it and stops again.
LMY: Senior, my heart is a mess.
Ming Yue is playing the guqin outside under the pavilion with Lan Ku watching. She is interrupted by Pugu Yun Si calling her name, Aimaila, and Li Qian is also here. Li Qian announces that he has brought some small gifts for Lan Ku. Lan Ku tells Li Qian that he has arrived at the right time and she is returning Ming Yue to him.
LK: The memory of Ming Yue has been restored but...Those who abandoned me in the past may not stay. Those who trouble my heart will bring more worries. Take her back and take good care of her. She is talking to Li Qian.
LQ: I have remembered what you noted.
PYS: Who said that she wants to return to the house of Zi? He reaches over and grabs Ming Yue’s hand. Your memory has been restored, so you should go back to Xiyue with me. She looks over at Li Qian (who has been watching her the entire time) and pulls her hand out of his grasp and now Pugu Yun Si looks upset.
LMY: After all, I am still the Princess Consort of Beixuan. I should return first. Other things - Other things will be considered later. Pugu Yun Si looked shocked and upset by this. Senior, I'll leave now. Thank you for your care, Senior. Lan Ku raises a hand to dismiss her.
Ming Yue leaves first and then Li Qian follows her. Qiao Hui Xin has been watching this unfold from nearby, and making note of Pugu Yun Si’s presence. She has eyes and ears everywhere. Meddling stalker.
At home, Kai Er Bi is waiting for Ming Yue but she doesn't want to talk to him. She's angry and tells him if it wasn't for him hypnotizing her secretly, she wouldn't have had to learn that she had forgotten so much. She walks away from him. Then Pugu Yun Si grabs him and yells at him that they wouldn't be separated either. Her brother shoves his hands off of him. Pugu Yun Si then tries to persuade her to go back Xiyue with him. She looks at Li Qian, who is looking at her but doesn't say anything. Pugu Yun Si tries to go to her but her brother grabs him by the arm to stop him. Her brother apologizes for doing her wrong, and says that now he won't let anyone force her anymore. Li Qian finally says something to her.
LQ: Your second brother hypnotized you because the diplomatic marriage was already set. Instead of letting you miss someone else while you came to marry, it was better to let you forget everything, so you can have less pain.
She looks even more sad and pained by this.
Her brother puts his hands on her arms and tells her: Even if she doesn't forgive him, he won't blame her. She starts crying even more and finally rests her head on his shoulder. He hugs her to console her. Both men are watching them. Kai Er Bi tells them: It's up to Ming Yue to decide to stay or to leave. No one can force her. Pugu Yun Si confidently says that she will definitely go back with him. (I get it - he's lost the love of his life. But I can't stand him.) Li Qian calmly says that he will definitely respect her decision. She only says that she needs some time to think about it.
Ming Yue enters her quarters and there are flowers and treats on a table, and it’s raining flower petals. She smiles and laughs at this surprise. Princess Kang Le pops out to greet her. Ming Yue asks if she prepared this and she replies that her brother prepared everything. Then they both ask each other about getting drunk together.
And so they drink. Ming Yue tells Princess Kang Le and Tan Li that she had forgotten a lot of things - her past with Pugu Yun Si. She is not sure on how to face the past, as she did love Pugu Yun Si. She is not sure if she wants to go back to Xiyue. She knows the past is real but in her mind now, it's like it's fake. And what she thought was fake seems to be real now. Princess Kang Le tells her who, when they were young and ignorant, haven't loved a few boys? What’s important now is who makes her smile when she sees them, more willing to travel with, whose feelings does she worry about more? Ming Yue laughs but then Princess Kang Le says it’s naturally her brother. This makes Ming Yue drop her smile, and she asks if her past is really meaningless. Princess Kang Le says that she thinks the present is more meaningful. They then make a toast to the present.
Minister Qiao is telling Li Xun that the Emperor has the intention of naming a crowned prince, and that they need to have a countermeasure. He tells Li Xun that Li Qian has the help of Xiyue now and they need to stop him if he gets in the way. Li Xun says that he is his flesh and blood and he can't bear to do this. Minister Qiao then suggests putting Ming Yue in harm's way, which he consents to with a nod.
At home, Ming Yue is writing letters, and then asks Tan Li to deliver the two letters before sunset.
A rebel was caught and a secret letter was found on him. Li Qian needs to leave immediately to fight against the rebels. Tan Li delivers one letter to Li Qian, who accepts it but doesn't look at it. He notices that there is also a letter for Pugu Yun Si as Tan Li accidentally dropped the two letters in his presence. Pugu Yun Si receives his letter and is unhappy with its content.
Ming Yue is at the Lantern Festival waiting for someone, but it's dark and late now. She ends up completely alone and gets attacked by assassins. Pugu Yun Si shows up to rescue her as he's been following her. (Of course he was.) He tells her that he won't come, and she confirms that Li Qian must have something that delayed him. He realizes then that she truly was waiting for Li Qian. Then he gets stabbed in the stomach while protecting her. He asks why she won't choose him. She apologizes but he doesn't want her apology. She starts yelling for help.
Li Qian arrives at home but is covered in blood and heavily wounded. Di Wu Cheng tells Que Yan that they were ambushed. Li Qian doesn't want a doctor yet nor does he want Ming Yue to know about his injuries. He said this matter is of great importance and it should not be made public yet. He pulls her letter out from inside his clothes but it's covered in blood. Li Qian reads the letter: “My heart is like stone. Don't wait for it to return. We won’t see each other again. Don't miss me.” He then asks Que Yan asks where Ming Yue went, who tells him that Tan Li said she delivered the letter to Pugu Yun Si and then saw him leave, and presumably he left to meet Ming Yue. Que Yan confirms that he hasn’t seen her at home. Li Qian is devastated by this news but says it’s fine repeatedly and then starts coughing while clutching at his wounds. Di Wu Cheng tells him to be careful. He replies that the pain is not here (his wound) and drops the letter in his hand. He’s referring to his own heart. He has tears in his eyes.
Meanwhile, Ming Yue is waiting for the doctor with Pugu Yun Si. He tells her to go back to Xiyue with him. She doesn’t respond to this and then the doctor arrives. He tells her to go home and so she leaves.
[Ep17] Ming Yue goes to see Li Qian the next day, who is hiding his injuries from her. He's angry with her, thinking she's already chosen Pugu Yun Si.
LMY: You were busy yesterday.
She's looking at him but he's barely glancing at her.
LQ: Yesterday, I just rested early.
LMY: You didn't read the letter?
He thinks about what Que Yan told him about Pugu Yun Si meeting her.
LQ: I naturally read it. I don't want... (Thinking: I don't want to see you and Yun Si loving each other.) When did you return home yesterday?
He looks at her but then turns away from her.
LMY: She's thinking about how she waited for him. 11 p.m.
LQ: 11 p.m.? In a scathing tone, that Yun Si kept you until so late, he paid special care to you.
LMY tearily and angrily: Yes. So I specifically came to tell you that I will go back to Xiyue with my second brother and Yun Si. Presumably, you hope so, too. Now he turns around and looks at her.
LQ: When did I...? He looks at the scimitar by her hip. You carried this little scimitar with you even when you lost your memory. It must be very important to you. Yun Si gave it to you?
LMY: A person who gave up his life to save me. Naturally he deserves my care. He looks taken back by this and is no longer able to make eye contact with her.
LQ sighs: That’s good.
LMY with tears in her eyes: Good? Are you serious...serious? Recalling the previous night. Let me ask you, why would the dignified Prince Zi of Beixuan abandon someone so easily? A tear trails down her face now.
LQ: Naturally I would not. I promised you to respect your choice. Beixuan is a chaotic place. It's good that you're leaving soon.
He turns his back on her.
LMY laughing sadly: Leaving soon? I think you mean that I should leave soon.
He has tears in his eyes.
LQ: These days, you’ve had to stay at home. I've wronged you. I think that after you go back to Xiyue, he will be able to protect you.
He has a tear streaming down his face now.
LMY: Good. Good. I can finally leave this place where no one will miss me.
He doesn't respond, so she turns to leave, and more tears continue to fall down his cheeks.
Di Wu Cheng returns and asks Li Qian why he didn't try to keep her.
LQ: Since her mind has been made up, trying to keep her is nothing but giving her annoyance. Moreover, I have stated that I will respect her decision. Beixuan… After all, Beixuan is not suitable for her.
This scene hurts my heart for the two of them - but I honestly am a bit mad at both of them for not saying what is in their hearts. These two need a good swift kick in the butt.
Li Xun is getting a report about the attack on Ming Yue and how Pugu Yun Si showed up and was injured in the process. There are rumors going around about Ming Yue cheating on Prince Zi with Pugu Yun Si. And he can’t wait to see how this plays out.
In the forest, Ming Yue is with Shifei, and wondering aloud why Li Qian ate the pastries she made, helped restore her memories, risked his life when she was poisoned by an arrow, if he didn’t care about her. She calls him a liar, and keeps asking why as she’s crying. Pugu Yun Si finds her there. He seems to always find her. He says that Li Qian has no affection for her, as he’s the only one who loves her from beginning to end. She only asks about his injury. He asks her to forget everything about Beixuan - her coming to Beixuan, her brother having her hypnotized, her meeting Li Qian, her being married. She doesn’t respond. He puts his hands on her arms, and tries to persuade her to keep her vow to him. She makes excuses for Li Qian - he was delayed by his government duties and that she failed to ask him properly. He tells her if he [Li Qian] loves or cares for her, why hasn’t he ever said it. He finishes with, “No man will just watch their loved one leave.” She doesn't respond to that and turns her back to him. So he takes the opportunity to give her a back hug and tells her the one who cares about her the most is him. She finally tells him that she'll go back to Xiyue with him and she'll pack her bags in two days. He is happy but she looks very dejected. >_< I’m just going to scream into a pillow now.
Ming Yue is watching the snowfall and remembering the first night she met Li Qian and how he’s been there for her. She’s catching snowflakes with her hand when Li Qian sees her but he tries to walk by her without a word. She stops him with her words.
LMY: After I leave, how will you explain it to the Emperor? He won't look at her.
LQ: Don't worry. I will naturally tell father the truth. The matter between you and I will not affect the trade between Xiyue and Beixuan. He finally looks at her and she makes direct eye contact with him. It is a long way to go to Xiyue. Take care.
LMY: I have Tan Li here to take care of me. Don't worry.
LQ: It seems that I have over-worried. He starts walking away.
LMY staring at him: You - do you have nothing that you want to tell me? He looks at her and smiles.
LQ swallows hard: Nothing. He walks away and drops his smile immediately. She watches him walk away and a tear falls down her cheek. I'm flat-out bawling here.
They’re still packing. Tan Li is crying and is trying to convince her to stay but she doesn’t want to hear it. Tan Li says that she loves the Prince more. Ming Yue says she’s already made her choice, so why is she still mentioning him. She does tell her that if they’re too slow, she is afraid that she might have second thoughts again. Tan Li replies then they won’t leave. Tan Li then brings her the hunting clothes from Li Qian. She touches the clothes but when asked if they should bring it, she says no. She says everything about him will be left here, so her heart has no annoyance. Tan Li reminds her that Beixuan and Xiyue are separated by thousands of miles - does she really not want to bring anything to remember Beixuan by? Ming Yue goes to watch the snow and catch snowflakes with her hand with tears on her face.
Ming Yue is saying goodbye to Princess Kang Le and Song Jin Yu. Princess Kang Le tells her that her brother doesn't really want her to leave. Ming Yue is watching the road to see if Li Qian will come. She tells her sister-in-law that he never told her that he wanted to keep her. She further says that if she stays, it seems that it's her one-sided intention. Princess Kang Le suggests that she come back for a visit when she has time. Ming Yue continues looking to see if Li Qian will show up. She finally says she doesn’t know when she will come back. Pugu Yun Si tells her that it’s time to leave and her brother’s already in the next town. Song Jin Yu interrupts and blocks him (hahaha) from trying to take her right away. He gives her a sachet (away from Pugu Yun Si’s eyes) from Si Kong Zhen with the message to let her know if there are difficulties on the way, there are smart solutions in the kit. Pugu Yun Si is waiting impatiently on horseback now. Ming Yue and Tan Li get in the carriage and follow behind him.
Meanwhile at home, Li Qian is watching the snow and drinking outside. Si Kong Zhen finds him, and Li Qian asks why he didn’t send her off. Si Kong Zhen says that it was more important to keep him company. Maybe he should have dragged him off to see her.
LQ: Look at this snow. It's falling without hesitation. It's both ridiculous and lonely.
SKZ: You, as a prince, how can you laugh at this snow?
LQ: Even though I'm in a high position, I can't protect people around me. Am I not as ridiculous as this snow?
SKZ: Do you know the person who really gave Ming Yue away is you? I think Ming Yue is more pitiful. She will have to spend the rest of her life with someone she doesn't love. Li Qian scoffs at this.
LQ: She chose Yun Si herself. She must love him. I promised her to respect her choice. How can I be pushing her away?
SKZ: Why are you so sure that she chose Yun Si?
He pulls out her letter from his sleeve, unfolds it and shows it to Si Kong Zhen.
LQ: The writing here is blurred but it is intelligible. Not to mention that she personally came to say goodbye that day. She said that she chose that person, that she will go to Xiyue soon.
Si Kong Zhen has a smile on his face now as he's looking at the letter. He takes the letter from Li Qian.
SKZ: What do you think this says?
LQ: My heart is like stone. Don't wait for it to return. We won’t see each other again. Don't miss me.
SKZ scoffing: Indeed. What if I interpret it like this: My heart is with you. Let's meet at a certain time. Be sure to wait. Don't forget me. Li Qian grabs the letter to look at it again. He looks shell-shocked. You saw Tan Li dropping the letter to Yun Si on the ground, so you decided that she will never choose you. So in the letter, you can only interpret the meaning of rejection.
LQ: Did I... Did I really misread the meaning?
SKZ: Since you are reluctant to perfuse even your lost memory, so in your heart, isn't Ming Yue more important than those memories?
LQ: I will go to her and ask clearly. He moves to go find her but then stops. I am afraid that... I am afraid that they are already gone.
SKZ: Not necessarily. Li Qian looks at him.
LQ: What are you saying?
Si Kong Zhen tells him something and Li Qian quickly leaves.
Li Qian is now on horseback in the heavy snowfall. Si Kong Zhen’s voiceover: “I had Jin Yu give Ming Yue a kit. It says that if a road is blocked on the way, you can go west to a pavilion to avoid the snow.” Li Qian is recalling Si Kong Zhen’s words to him, and his recent conversations with Ming Yue: “I can finally leave this place where no one will miss me.”
LQ: It’s good...I caught up with you. He leans back and looks at her with tears running down his face and sniffles. Ming Yue, don't go. Stay for me.
LMY confused and upset: What are you doing here? Didn't you say that it's good if I leave soon? You knew that I had to leave today but why were you not willing to appear?
LQ: It's all my fault. Stay.
LMY tearily: You didn't want to go on my date, leaving me alone, waiting for several hours. I was made fun of by others. You pushed me to others, and said that I was a chess piece, and blamed me for hypnotizing you with hypnotism, but pretended to care about me.
LQ: It’s all my fault. I didn't know how to love you so I pretended to be indifferent. Pretending to be indifferent.
LMY angrily: It’s, of course, your fault. I clearly chose you, but why didn’t you come that night? Tell me why you didn’t come! She grabs onto his jacket. Obviously, you abandoned me, yet you say that you want to respect my choice. Tell me, isn’t it your fault?! He looks pained by her words. He then cradles her face in his hands and looks at her.
LQ: Tell me, did you really choose me?
She removes his hands from her face and averts her face and just sniffles. He hugs her again.
LQ: How could I abandon you? I don’t know when it started, but whenever I encounter things to do with you, I’m a mess. I thought it was a farewell letter. She pulls back to look at him.
LQ imploringly: Stay. She nods. I came all the way. Finally I understand where the pain in my heart originated. The moment I lost you, I was in so much pain and finally understood what is the feeling of love. Ming Yue, this whole world, will have no joy without you.
LMY smiling: Li Qian, I don’t understand. -__-
 |
 |
LQ: I am saying this world is full of beautiful and fancy things, but there is only one of you. Only one of you but you’re better than everything in the world. There’s a pause as he's overcome with emotion. He looks at her with tears still falling and then he reaches for her and finally kisses her for a long time.
Tan Li comes back with the clothes and sees them together under the pavilion and happily stays back. Not long after, Pugu Yun Si comes back with a water bag and is infuriated at seeing them embracing and kissing, and he leaves. He leaves thinking, "Li Qian, we don't know who is winning or losing yet. Don't be too happy too early." He takes off on horseback.
 |
| Nope, not going to look at her. |
Ming Yue and Li Qian arrive back home on horseback. He steps down first and then helps her off of the horse. However, Li Qian won't look at her and she finally asks why he won't look at her and if he’s regretting it.
 |
| More kisses! |
He doesn’t say anything and lets her walk ahead of him. He follows her up the stairs, and when she gets to the first landing, he suddenly carries her into his arms and kisses her until she suddenly sneezes. He finally says, this is why he's not looking at her. Aww, he wants to keep kissing her. He tells her to go inside and drink a few bowls of ginger soup, and continues carrying her. Qiao Hui Xin goes to Li Qian’s residence hoping to comfort him due to rumors of Ming Yue cheating on him by having an affair with Pugu Yun Si. Gee, two guesses as to who spread those rumors. Instead, she witnesses Li Qian carrying and kissing his wife right outside their residence. She is in tears at this display of love outside their home. She keeps torturing herself.
Qiao Hui Xin is at the palace with Li Xun, who knows his father is bothered by something. The Emperor is angry about those rumors about Li Ming Yue, and that she’s created a mess. He says that Prince Zi's failed rebellion attack is not unrelated to her. Li Xun points out that his brother might be distracted by the recent rumors, so that’s why he made mistakes. Qiao Hui Xin says that there is a foreign Princess Consort in the House of Zi, and he has to take care of his household affairs, so it is inevitable that he doesn't have any energy for government duties. The Emperor brings up her marriage contract with Li Qian, and says that if the House of Zi had her, then she would be able to set an example for Ming Yue.
Li Qian arrives, and his father asks if he is late due to his household problems. Li Qian apologizes and says his household is all right. His father asks him about where those rumors came from. Li Qian looks at his father but doesn't say anything. His father asks him how he can tolerate his beloved Princess Consort having rumors to ruin the reputation of the royal family. Li Qian says that this matter was misrepresented. He explains that he had to go handle the rebels that day, and had no time to meet Ming Yue at the Lantern Festival and met the Minister of Xiyue at his gate, so he hurriedly asked him to take Ming Yue back home. However, Ming Yue was almost stabbed by thieves, and Xiyue's Minister was also seriously injured in rescuing her. (He's referring to Pugu Yun Si.) His father asks him why he didn't report the matter. Li Qian replies that the assassin hasn't been identified yet and he didn't want to worry him. His father tells him if he has someone in his home who can help him with his worries, then he will be relieved. He continues saying that Ming Yue doesn't understand the rules of Beixuan and the social norms. He then brings up the marriage contract with Qiao Hui Xin, who has the right manners, dignity and maturity, and that she would be able to help Ming Yue and handle everything in his household. His father then asks his thoughts on this. Qiao Hui Xin smiles at this suggestion.
Li Qian then asks his father to forgive him for not being able to follow his order. Qiao Hui Xin drops her smile now. His father says what if he is determined to give him a marriage order today. Li Xun interrupts and says, it is improper timing for another marriage as marrying a second wife in less than a year of the diplomatic marriage, will inevitably cause Xiyue's dissatisfaction, and suspicion that Beixuan is mistreating the Princess of Xiyue. The Empress agrees with her son, and tells the Emperor that he has to take into account Xiyue’s reputation. Li Xun goes on to say that if his brother was telling the truth, then Princess Consort Zi was in danger because of his brother abandoning their date, then it's his brother's fault, and would imply that Beixuan was not able to protect her. He finishes with at this time there should be no more marriages. Qiao Hui Xin looks even more upset now. Li Qian defends his wife by saying that she is growing in these areas: manners, dignity and maturity. Li Xun asks his father to give it six months’ time, so that it can highlight the acceptance of Beixuan. Qiao Hui Xin is now on the verge of tears. Always with the waterworks. The Emperor drops the discussion and dismisses everyone.
Qiao Hui Xin is crying outside as Li Qian still doesn’t want to marry her. Li Xun goes to console her but she still makes excuses for Li Qian’s inability to care about her. He finally tells her he doesn't want her to marry someone else, for himself, but more so for her. We know it's for him.
Back at home, Li Qian is still hiding his injuries from his wife, and he’s even asked Que Yan to not tell her. Why, you idiot man? Ming Yue finds Li Qian feeding the fish and asks him why he went to the palace without her. He tells her that his father had heard the rumors. Then she mentions that Qiao Hui Xin went there today as well, and she asks him if he specifically went there to meet with her privately. (She's definitely jealous.) He asks if she's afraid he'll be taken away by others. She denies it and sits down on the bench to feed the fish. He hugs her from behind and says, “But you have already disturbed my heart. You've made others unable to have a place in my heart.” This pleases her and she gets up to kiss him, and they kiss and kiss. At least he's getting better with sweet words!
LQ: When I don't see you, I put my thoughts in my heart. I put my thoughts in my heart. When I go to see you, it's because the thoughts in my heart are too full, and cannot be contained. Only seeing you can help. So sweet!
LMY: Then I will accompany you. I'll stick to you at all times. Then your thoughts can be relieved at all times. You don't have to store it in your heart.
He starts to wince in pain as she's accidentally (and unknowingly) touching his injured shoulder.
LQ: That's very good! But I still have official business today. I’m going back to the study room now. He abruptly gets up and quickly walks away.
She is now perplexed by this sudden change in attitude and he’s telling her things but doing things that don’t match up (e.g he tells her that he can’t sleep without her, yet he hasn’t slept in the same bed as her in two nights). Molten lava --> iceberg. -__-
Ming Yue tells Princess Kang Le about her brother, and wonders if he's worried about her past relationship with Pugu Yun Si. Princess Kang Le replies, if he minds it, why would he chase her back, as the past with Pugu Yun Si can't be changed. Ming Yue asks Princess Kang Le if it would help if she returned the scimitar to Pugu Yun Si. Princess Kang Le replies that even if she kept it, it doesn't mean that she still loves him. And even if she returns it, it doesn't mean she's not thinking about him. Her sister-in-law promises to grill Song Jin Yu about her brother.
Now Li Qian is complaining to his friends that Ming Yue is avoiding him, but he doesn't know why. She promised to come back with him but is treating him like this. LOL but he started this! Si Kong Zhen tells him that he needs to bow to her and try to make her happy. All she really wants is him. He just needs to show her that he cares about her. Song Jin Yu tells him that he needs to give her what she wants - even if it's a star in the sky, as all women are like this. Li Qian calls it nonsense, so Song Jin Yu leaves annoyed. Si Kong Zhen has Li Qian pretend that they are a couple to show him what to do and say. He then gets too close which makes Li Qian uncomfortable. lol Of course Song Jin Yu returns at that exact moment.
Remarks
by FanFanX
[First Impression (Ep1-8)] Hilarious bickering from the get-go with carefree Li Ming Yue and proper Li Qian. They both want to win in any argument. She'll fight with action and he'll fight with words. Li Xun competes with his brother, Li Qian for the Crown Prince position. Qiao Hui Xin is beautiful but vexing.
[Actors/Actresses] I just adore Fang Yi Lun (Li Qian) in this series. It’s hard to believe that this was Ling Mei Shi's first role in a series and my favorite to date.
[Behind the Scenes] Ah, rehearsing for that kite scene (Ep6), after Ling Mi Yue falls off the ladder. Haha, and of the three of them, only Fang Yi Lun can keep a straight face with those lines.
[Midway Review (Ep1-18)]
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