A girl, who marries a girl disguised as a boy, is employed by a prince to be his spy.
Notable Actors/Actresses
Notable Actors/Actresses
Xie Bin Bin: Qi Zhang / Prince Jing
Wu Jia Yi: Shen Yu
Mini Recaps
[Ep1] The family of Imperial Physician Gu Cun Xu (Gu Continue) is punished for poisoning Consort Gao and her fetus. The men are executed. The women are exiled. And that’s how a little girl’s family perished. Afterwards, Consort Gao gave birth to the Emperor’s only son Prince Rong, but because of the poisoning, he is frail and cannot assume the responsibilities of the Crown Prince.
Our FL (Shen Yu = Shen Fish) wakes up from a nightmare. She’s a certified money grubber and will marry for money even if her groom is dying (or maybe I should say especially if her groom is dying). Our ML is not the dying groom. He's Qi Zhang (Prince Jing, but not the Emperor’s son) and he’s in the city in search of his mother who isn’t dead as everyone knows. His father also died while investigating. He suspects his parents’ death/disappearance is related to Prince Rong(’s case). So far the only clue he has is the letter from Zhou Family. He needs someone to gain Old Madam Zhou’s trust to further his investigation. Not so Coincidentally, our FL is marrying Zhou Yue, Old Madam Zhou’s 5th grandson.
Wedding. The dying groom is absent and substituting him is Mr. Rooster. Shen Yu doesn’t mind, especially not because there’s gold wrapped around him. When no one’s looking, she snatches it into her clothes. But there is someone looking: Qi Zhang. He’s pleased. She’s greedy without constraint, which means she’s 好拿捏🤌 easy to control. Shen Yu said the exact same thing about Mother Zhou: “She looks feeble which means 好拿捏🤌” Great minds think alike?
Han Zhen Yu, the buddy, asks Qi Zhang if he’s choosing Shen Yu as his spy because she called him “my husband”. Totally! Nope. He thinks quite highly of her. He believes she investigated Zhou Family, and took advantage of the marriage to enter the manor. He doesn’t know her motive, but he thinks he can use her.
Zhou Yue isn’t sick, she’s just a girl and she can’t let Shen Yu find out. The women sign a marriage contract for a year. Shen Yu will get the double the amount on two conditions: 1) Shen Yu pays double for the break fee and 2) she leaves with her to the capital city. Shen Yu seems happy about the capital city part? Shen Yu bargains and ends up getting double the already doubled amount. It turns out Zhou Yue needs her so that Madam Zhou doesn’t stuff a bride in their house to control their manor. Madam Zhou was the reason Zhou Yue had to be a boy all her life otherwise they’d insert an adopted son in her house to take over.
Qi Zhang fights the masked men but he’s dragged away by Shen Yu who needs him to be her stepping stone to get over the window, haha. He calls her mahfan. Bothersome. Again, I hear the affection in his tone! He finds her mahfan, but he does it anyway~
[Ep2] Shen Yu and Zhou Yue jump from the second floor of the burning building. Qi Zhang saves them both or more like he just wanted to save Shen Yu. After she’s safe, he’s a little distraught and mutters “Moron,” which she hears. She’d hound him if she wasn’t intercepted and then remembered about the transaction with Auntie Zhou. Qi Zhang snickers. Even if she was an inch away from death, she still remembers her money. Her priorities are straight.
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| “Big Rooster,” guys, okay? B-i-g R-o-o-s-t-e-r. |
Shen Yu finally realizes who he is, and points, “Big Rooster, is that you?” She thinks he has ulterior motives which involves her body and she angrily leaves, fully expecting him to hold her back as she stalls in her step, lol. No. He’s unhurried, sitting there and waving his cash with a slight smile. He knows her well. She won’t leave. (Funny waiter moment here. He didn’t even give her a chance to reply, lol).
Qi Zhang promises her that their deal is legal and ethical. He’ll even treat her to the food she ordered. He just wants her to gain Old Madam Zhou’s trust. Smiling, she prances towards him in delight, but turns serious as she gives him her condition. “You. Do not have improper feelings towards me or the one who’s hurt will be you.” He bites his words, “I’ve never seen someone as thick-faced as you.” Unfazed, she counters that he hasn’t seen the wider world.
Gao Mo (Tall Ink) visits Zhou Yue. This boy likes her. Too bad he doesn’t know she’s a her. But that’s the fun part! He tells her that her wife – I’m going to mess up these pronouns – is cheating on her. And so they catch Shen Yu and Qi Zhang like this:
He’s your Eldest Nephew?Yes, he’s my Eldest Nephew.I’m not her Eldest Nephew.You are my Eldest Nephew.
Breathe, Qi Zhang, breathe! He’s particularly nettled because now she’s a generation above him. Out of spite, he snatches back his money as her “eldest nephew” and in retaliation, she accuses him of being sexually dysfunctional.
Gao Mo and Qi Zhang are friends. They discuss Prince Rong's case (the intro) and how Gu Family was accused. Gao Family was also demoted. Qi Zhang suspects the real culprit is Prince Ning (the Emperor’s brother, therefore Qi Zhang’s uncle).
Shen Yu: You have your (sexual) difficulties. I get it. The best part of this is Shen Yu's pitiful and knowing smile. LOL.
Epilogue: A boy is chased by the guards. He dodges the arrows, but not the aromatic poison. He's saved by a girl dressed like a boy. As he’s falling unconscious, she bargains with him that she’ll save him if he pays up. He can’t speak and so she takes that as a yes. Gee. Can this be the holy childhood connection?!
It’s pitch dark, and Qi Zhang has left Shen Yu alone. That’s what she thinks. He’s still following her, keeping her safe until Zhou Yue arrives. Originally, he was entertained by Shen Yu's faint-heartedness, but not anymore when she's leaning on Zhou Yue. Qi Zhang ah~ don’t be jealous
The next day, Qi Zhang visits Old Madam Zhou to help Shen Yu live her days peacefully in the manor. After all, he is her “eldest nephew”. And this is how Shen Yu learns the Big Rooster, her Eldest Nephew, is The Prince Jing. The shock, lol. When she calls him “Prince Jing”, he’s like, “Call me ‘biao ge’” (cousin). Dun dun dunn and now he’s older. He also has a present from her which is her mission written in text. Lol! Dude plays a dangerous game. When Qi Zhang isn’t savage towards Shen Yu, they’re really the best partner in crimes as they team up to pick on greedy Old Madam Zhou. While he's complimenting Zhou Yue for donating half her wealth, Shen Yu rubs it in that her husband sure is amazing. For that, Zhou Yue is also promoted, which means she’s more prestigious than her older brother. Auntie Zhou says that ruins the hierarchy. Qi Zhang agrees. Hm? Tomorrow, he will tell His Majesty to go by her orders instead. Pft. That’s enough to scare her.
Epilogue: The girl calls the boy, Little Blind. He has to keep the blindfold on for seven days or he’ll really be blind. She also reminds him he owes her money. He’s dumbfounded, but obediently sips her medication, which she prescribed.
[Ep4] Zhou Yue catches Shen Yu rummaging through her bed and so Shen Yu confesses she’s working for Prince Jing to retrieve a key. To Shen Yu's surprise, Zhou Yue gives her the key. Zhou Yue is more concerned about Shen Yu finding out her secret. Zhou Yue also tells her that they may have a contract marriage but she is free to love anyone she wants. Shen Yu swears she doesn’t love that Big Rooster, and then asks Zhou You if she’s jealous. Pft.
And we’re off to meet Big Rooster! Shen Yu calls him like this: “cuckoo, cuckoo”. He’s there, but he won’t reply to that. He’s not a bird, lol. Well, did he expect her to shout: “Prince Jing, I’m here. I have what you told me to steal!” Lol! Anyway, he asks her how she did it. She flaunts her body and says her husband is completely seduced by her. Ha. There is someone jealous and it isn’t Zhou Yue.
Secretly, Shen Yu follows Qi Zhang as he unlocks a room, but she’s quickly caught and trips onto him. I love how he closed the door with his feet while holding her like that (^) xD. Once inside, he interrogates her. She lies that she’s moon gazing.
Qi Zhang: Well isn’t that funny. The moon tonight isn’t hanging in the sky, but hanging out in this room. Hahaha.
She spins another lie, saying that she’s here to check on him. If he’s a criminal or a murderer, she’ll cut ties with him immediately.
Qi Zhang (snickers): Cut ties (with me)? You think you still can?
He lets her off, and continues searching the room. This also means he’s allowing her to stay with him. She realizes the room belongs to a woman. His mother. She thinks it’s his lover and recalls a famous love story, which seems to be related to his mother and the Emperor. Qi Zheng is angered.
They successfully leave, but she unsuccessfully earns her pay. Shen Yu only gets half because Qi Zhang knows Zhou Yue gave her the key for his sake. Shen Yu was only a messenger and therefore should be paid like a messenger. Shen Yu strikes another deal with him. She can tell he hates Old Madam Zhou and she'll avenge him.
Surprise! (Really this time). The Emperor has Qi Zhang’s mother hostage in the palace! He believes Qi Zhang is his son, which she denies. Qi Zhang is her son with her late husband.
As per the Emperor’s orders, Qi Zhang leaves Zhou Family. (For some reason, the Emperor doesn’t want him to stay). He has a farewell meal with them, but he’s only interested in checking up on Shen Yu – and their deal. And here is how she delivers the suckerpunch: healthy soups! For Zhou Yi Hui, since her mouth is so foul, this soup will clear her bad breath. For Old Madam Zhou, since she’s so greedy, this soup will clear her liver of the toxins. And why be so greedy anyway? It’s not like she can bring her fortune to her grave. For Auntie Zhou, since her condition is the same as Old Madam Zhou, she can just take the leftovers, after all that’s what she’s been doing all this time, right? It can’t be that she’s sick of it and would want Old Madam Zhou to die faster? No way! xD
Shen Yu has soup for Qi Zhang too. Surprisingly, it has a good name: Comfortable and Gratifying. But once she learns he has a date with Zhou Yi Hui (or she thinks he has a date), she snatches it back. It’s not good for someone with poor kidneys. Which is somehow related to his reproductive system.
Shen Yu: Impossible.Qi Zhang: I forgot to tell you. I (ben wang) never give a third choice to the living. Meaning choose neither, and it’s death.
Shen Yu yields. Immediately. Of course she’ll work for him! And here’s the third mission: subdue Old Madam Zhou. Her jaws drop. She just cursed her to die in the dining room earlier. Is he kidding her?
Qi Zhang: This means you’re choosing the third option.Shen Yu (big inhale): I’ll try. Pft.
In other news, Qi Zhang is aware that someone is fabricating evidence to frame Zhou Yue’s father in relation to his mother’s disappearance. Qi Zhang plans to go with the flow and pretend to be fooled.
Epilogue: The girl removes the boy’s bandages, and is lovestruck. She takes him to the river, and his eyesight slowly recovers. He accidentally grabs her hand, which flusters her. She tells him that when she’s back from the market, she’ll bring him crabs because he never ate them before.
Shan Yao (Medicine), a maid, is assigned to Shen Yu by Old Madam Zhou. She suspects Shan Yao works for Qi Zhang and by planting her in Zhou Yue's manor, it will foster doubt between Qi Zhang and Zhou Yue. But this is also convenient for Qi Zhang who wants a spy on his spy (Shen Yu), except the spy (Shen Yu) figures it out. She plans to threaten Qi Zhang, but it doesn’t go as planned. He doesn’t care about Shan Yao's life or death.
Shen Yu starts tactic No.2. She asks Qi Zhang if he cares about her life. Nope. Lies! And then weep, she’s coy and demure and more weep, weep. He falls for it! Or not. Since he wants her to cut to the chase, he gets up to leave, making her frantic and now here’s her real request: she needs people from him, one who can sing, and about ten who can fight and act (for the case she’s solving). He obliges to all her requests albeit grumpily xD.
Shen Yu reunites with her cousin (Gu Le) who is a musician at a brothel. Subs may have her as “sister” because their fathers are brothers. It’s a tearful reunion and so when she leaves the brothel, she’s rubbing her eyes. Qi Zhang was keeping an eye on her, but he’s exposed by the merchant who’s annoyed that he’s hovering around and not buying anything. Shen Yu finds him and thinks he's buying a present for a courtesan he likes because he can’t possibly be following her.
Shen Yu: You don’t look like a person who 雞鳴狗盜 crows like a rooster and steals like a dog = a humble skill used despicably. There’s going to be a lot of rooster idioms eh.
Shen Yu clutches onto Qi Zhang’s sleeve when he’s about to leave. “Don’t go.” This plea is sincere (unlike her coyness in the beginning). Flustered, he slowly asks what she wants to eat. Aw. Shen Yu, our fish, wants fish. She takes him by the river where the best tasting fishes are. She orders the prince to strip. No. Never! He’s royal! Next scene:
Epilogue: The girl wants to know more about the boy, but he remains silent. How dare he! At the very least, he should be repaying with his body. Then she feels him around the waist. (I think she’s looking for his jade? Or I really don’t know why she’s touching him) She says that she just wants to know what makes men different (or maybe it’s puberty?), which confuses him because he thinks she’s a guy.
[Ep6] Qi Zhang, although bitter at Shen Yu for leaving him out of her plans, is keen on learning everything about her from Shan Yao (maid). I love how his eyes are begging for any updates on Shen Yu. The maid tells him that the reason Shen Yu did not consummate with Zhou Yue is because her heart is with another man. He’s royal, but immature. He’s handsome, but his heart is black and mouth is foul. Qi Zhang thinks he’s been played. It’s clearly an insult and not a love confession. Or is it?
Qi Zhang has a housewarming party. Shen Yu is particularly excited (so excited that she splits her leg). She even wants to sit next to him at the banquet. Her voice is a pitch higher and a touch sweeter. He thinks she actually likes him and permits her request. There happens to be an empty spot where he can feel draft from anyway. Shen Yu perks up. She swears that with her at his side, he won’t feel the slightest wind. (And now Han Zhen Yun doesn’t have a seat there anymore, lol).
I don’t know about wind, but Qi Zhang is poisoned thanks to Shen Yu. She had wanted that seat because it was closest to Consort Gao. The combination of her pouch’s scent and the soup will induce an allergic reaction. Qi Zhang realized there was poison, but he drank the soup anyway! He stumbles to his room, while fighting with all his might to look normal. Later, Shen Yu finds Qi Zhang, who’s having an inflammation. She gives him antihistamines. His inflammation goes down, but he’s still enraged. In his outburst, Shen Yu realizes Qi Zhang took the soup knowing there was poison in order to protect her. If he hadn’t, then the consort would be suspicious.
Shen Yu: What if there’s a deadly poison? You’re not afraid of death? Not for you it seems. I think this answer shocks Qi Zhang too as he realizes that he can die to protect her.
Qi Zhang may be angry, but when Shen Yu runs into trouble again, he’s her hero. What a busy day for him. Shen Yu had pushed a sickly Consort Gao into the water in order to treat her. He brought a doctor to validate Shen Yu’s emergency treatment.
Shen Yu clears one hurdle, but not the next. There’s someone who knows Shen Yu is Gu Yi and that is He Lan Ya. They’re relatives (maternal cousins). He Lan Ya’s father married into their Gu Family, but somehow He Family wasn’t implicated when Gus fell. Her father also replaced Shen Yu’s father as the imperial physician. It’s clear that the Hes made a filthy transaction. And now He Lan Ya is about to expose Shen Yu’s identity to everyone...!
Epilogue: Little Gu Yi always hated the hypocritical He Lan Ya. The hate was mutual.
[Ep7] He Lan Ya is timely interrupted by He Lan Ya. She holds her tongue because she doesn’t want to antagonize Qi Zhang. And just when Shen Yu thinks she scraped by everything, Qi Zhang confronts her directly. From the very beginning, she married Zhou Yue to approach Consort Gao in order to vindicate her Gu Family. Shen Yu feels intimidated and in response threatens him by ending their contract, which infuriates Qi Zhang even more.
He Guang, He Lan Ya’s father, informs Prince Ning of Shen Yu’s identity. The next day, Shen Yu is marked by assassins. Her hero saves her and she's utterly in love. Qi Zhang asks, “Have you seen enough?” She’s been ogling. ^^ She snaps out of it, and lies that she was admiring his clothes as her hands travel up his chest. Maybe it was that touch to his chest that inspired this: The next day, Qi Zhang gives Shen Yu a soft armour. He throws it at her face and then smiles when she can’t see (boys). She asks him why she chose this blacksmith in particular. He says it’s cheap. It’s probably the best in the city.
Shen Yu coincidentally finds Nanny Cai who had worked for her family. She confesses that she tampered with Consort Gao’s medication. She was threatened with her son’s life but when they ran away, he was still murdered. As for the mastermind, Nanny Cai will tell Shen Yu at a safer place. They agree to meet tomorrow. Shen Yu is aware that everything's too coincidental. But she has no other choice. Nanny Cai is her only clue.
The next morning, Qi Zhang catches Shen Yu before she leaves. She notices her handkerchief is missing, and so he gives her his. He asks her where she’s going, but she won’t tell him. To make her stay, he gives her a random mission, but she argues that it’s too early.
Shen Yu: The chicken hasn’t even woken up.Qi Zhang: You waking up is fine. She’s the chicken and he’s the rooster.
He pulls her into a bidong. So much pulling in the last few eps! He knows where she’s going but he wants her to tell him the truth. He warns her to be careful. One misstep and her bones can be devoured. He’s giving her all these chances but she’s not taking any. He grips her shoulder one last time and her whole body can feel his tensity, but she doesn’t tell him the truth. Also, that handkerchief he gave her belonged to his mother.
Shen Yu did have safety precautions. However, she wasn’t prepared to be accused of murdering Nanny Cai. This was why her handkerchief was stolen. There’s even witnesses and a motive. Well planned, Prince Ning! Shen Yu doesn’t understand. Why not just expose her identity or kill her? Isn’t that easier? Why go the extra length to sabotage her? Qi Zhang knows. Prince Ning is luring him out to save Shen Yu. Once her identity as a sinner is exposed, Qi Zhang will go down with her. Qi Zhang isn’t falling for that trap. He’s playing Go every so calmly. But he did find Gu Le (cousin)! And he knows Shen Yu very well. Even if she knew it was a trap, as long as there’s a 1% chance, she’d risk her life. She needs to be taught a lesson. Tough love, my prince.
Zhou Yue visits the imprisoned Shen Yu to cut ties with her. This is an act to fool the . Lol. If I was the enemy, this reeks of stupidity. You want to cut ties? Just don’t visit.
Epilogue: Little Gu Yi and her mother were exiled. She wanted revenge, but Mother Gu wanted her to forget she’s a Gu because only that way she can survive. Gu Yi fell sick and Mother Gu slept with the guard to get Gu Yi a physician. Oh no, I think the mother will commit suicide after this T_T. And Gu Yi saw!!!
[Ep8] Zhou Yue gives Shen Yu money that she says is from her “eldest nephew”. Shen Yu sniffs it and identifies there’s medicine on it to fake her death. This is risky and she can actually die in the process. She looks at the handkerchief and realizes Qi Zhang knew she’d be incarcerated, which leads to her next question: Why didn't he tell her? So you’ll learn, girl. Cherish your life! Your mother would want that :(
Shen Yu “dies”. He Lan Ya wants to stab Shen Yu to ensure her death, but luckily book-smart Gao Mo stops her with protocols. However, there’s still the burial that Shen Yu has to survive.
Here comes Qi Zhang’s next chess piece: Gu Le. She’s to seduce Qi Mao (the dumb son of Prince Ning) to bring her to the grave, but she’s interrupted by Qi Lian (the smart one). Qi Lian even shoots down the passenger pigeon so that Gu Le’s message doesn’t reach Qi Zhang. OH NO. I’m on the edge of my seat! Qi Zhang can no longer sit and wait. He sets out to find the grave all on his own! Qi Zhang uses a magnet to locate Shen Yu (there’s metal on the jade bangle from Zhou Yue!) and he finds her. But Prince Ning’s plans aren’t over! OMG. Qi Lian has surrounded the graveyard and closed off every exit. Luckily, there’s a decoy by Han Zhen Yun. Phew, This back and forth between Qi Zhang and Qi Lian was tense.
Qi Zhang and Shen Yu are safe. While he’s preparing medicine, she wakes up, but she pretends to be unconscious. Qi Zhang can see her fingers moving, though. He teases her by feeding her medicine and we all know how period dramas do it: mouth-to-mouth! He’s a breath away, but he cedes. He shouldn’t tease someone who barely survived.
Qi Zhang (alluringly): Bitter, huh?
When Qi Zhang is back, he makes Shen Yu drink the remedy with chrysanthemums! Sweeter, right? He tells her everything and asks her to let him know her plans. He’ll do it for her. Ou~ But 1) I don’t think she’ll listen, 2) let’s work together...yeah? He invites her on a trip to locate Nanny Cai’s family to clear her name, but she says she has no clothes. He smacks the table with a bill. “Buy!” Shen Yu’s eyes glitter. She mentions she’ll need ingredients for medicine...
Buy!And you know girls like...Buy!And –Buy!
Gao Mo belatedly learns that Shen Yu is alive. He joins the others (Zhou Yue, Han Zhen Yu, Shen Yu and Qi Zhang) on the trip. Gao Mo takes the carriage because Shen Yu wants to ride the horse. Qi Zhang wants to give Shen Yu his cape to keep her warm, but his identity is a problem, especially with Zhou Yue around. He signals for Han Zhen Yun to give his cape, lol. However, Gao Mo wants it. It’s chilly in the carriage. Haha. Qi Zhang smacks the carriage horse to send him away. No cape for you, Gao Mo!
Epilogue: Little Gu Yi was adopted by a female doctor (Shifu) who gave her the name Shen Yu. Shifu looked into her family and discovered that her cousin and her mother were not among the ones killed by the bandits. Who knows, they could be alive. The mother could be alive?! Really??
[Ep9] The ambush on our gang brings three discoveries: 1) Shen Yu touches Zhou Yue’s chest and it’s soft; 2) Qi Zhang wonders if Shen Yu could be the ‘boy’ who saved him; and 3) no one cares about Han Zhen Yun.
Zhou Yue sympathizes with Shen Yu who suffered as a child. However, Shen Yu empathizes with Zhou Yue more. It’s the silent pain that hurts the most. “Isn’t that right, my husband? Or should I call you ’sister’?” Shen Yu wants the truth from Zhou Yue and it’s not that she doesn’t want to trust Shen Yu, her responsibility is too great. There cannot be any risks. Shen Yu is upset. “But why am I a risk? Zhou Yue. You listen. Your secret isn’t something I will threaten you with, but something I will protect.” That night the two girls share their deepest secrets. These two are now sworn sisters. During the bow, Shen Yu used her real name: Gu Yi. And I’m suddenly blinking back tears. The girls completed their “marriage” bows.
The boy drinks on the roof after they see the girls hugging. Qi Zhang asks for Gao Mo’s thoughts on Zhou Yue. “Friends,” he replies. When he’s around her and nothing particular happens, he’s still happy. Gao Mo says Qi Zhang should understand his feelings. Qi Zhang shakes his head (being pretty certain that he doesn’t like men), lol.
Gao Mo (argues): The way you look at her isn’t just happiness. You want to swallow her with your eyes. AW. Hehe.
Gao Mo ends up so drunk, he rolls off the roof. Meanwhile Qi Zhang is still on the roof, drunk. Shen Yu orders him to get down. He will not. She’s fed up and leaves him – or so she says. She’s climbing up the ladder to meet him on the roof and as she’s crawling over, she’s muttering that she better be compensated, lol. She’s so scared, but didn’t they meet on the roof before?
Inebriated, Qi Zhang tells Shen Yu a story about “his friend” and how his friend loves this cup (Shen Yu) but this cup has a teapot (Zhou Yue) and he’s the other cup that’s extra. At first “his friend” , the cup, didn’t care about that other cup, but later on, he found her brave and loyal. He thought he treated her like a subordinate, but he cared not just about her safety, but also if she ate well, dressed warmly, and whether she was happy.
Shen Yu has an idea who their assassin is, but she’s still stumped. She sends a message to Qi Zhang asking for help with a very righteous tone, which makes Qi Zhang smile. She signed off with a fish. He even notes that his bird is no longer as friendly with him after hanging out with Shen Yu. Well, sir, you hung it upside down. I’d be mad too.
[Ep10] Shen Yu leaves the pact to track down Ji Lu, her father’s servant/student, whom she suspects is the assassin. She has to get to Ji Lu before Gao Mo because he hates Gu Family. She takes a wagon there, and being the mean bargainer that she is, she pays the cheapest price. You don’t want to be too stingy when you’re paying for service, lol, especially when it’s a long trip..... On the way, she meets Qi Zhang as if he was waiting for her all along. He gives the wagoner gold, and now they get proper service. The wagoner even offers to push Shen Yu off. Qi Zhang snickers. He says he's gracious enough to take her as his living luggage.
Gao Mo discovers Zhou Yue is a girl when she’s bitten by a snake on the shoulder and he had to suck out the poison.
An interesting discovery: Nanny Cai and Ji Lu were husband and wife before Nanny Cai worked at Gu manor. For our couple to find more clues, the only place left is the grave. Qi Zhang tells her to rest up, leave the grave to him. Aw, so sweet and protective already.
Shen Yu stealthily tails Qi Zhang until she loudly walks into a standing tree. She wasn’t going to let him do things for her. As her employer, he orders her to go back. It’s dangerous. Shen Yu takes out her stash. She has at least 3 bills there, but gives him one. Stingy to the core, lol. From now on, she’s his employer. Despite being a directionless employer, she leads him by his shovel. Qi Zhang talks like a prince but he acts like a doting hubby.
At the grave, Ji Lu attacks them again, and fails again. Now he’s tied up and Shen Yu wants him stripped, which surprises both men. Qi Zhang wouldn’t, but when Shen Yu makes a move, he has no choice. He can’t let her strip another man. Qi Zhang spreads open the top layer. Both men:
Is this okay?Is this really alright? Ha. Ji Lu’s reaction. For an enemy, he’s pretty funny.
Grinning, Shen Yu picks between her needles to sink into his bare skin. When he’s least expecting it, she uses all three. Ji Lu screams that she didn’t even ask the question yet. “How do you know I won’t answer?” She’s like Oh right. LOL. Qi Zhang is watching silently but amusingly. However, the air in the room stills when Ji Lu recognizes Shen Yu is Gu Yi. With menace now, Shen Yu stabs him with another needle. Frightened, Ji Lu confesses. He and Nanny Cai switched Consort Gao’s medication. The mastermind is He Guang and he hired them again to frame Shen Yu as Nanny Cai’s murderer (which means he killed his wife).
Qi Zhang doesn’t ask Shen Yu about her identity because he is waiting for her to tell him. She asks if he’ll believe everything she says. Yes. He will. That’s the answer she needed to hear to tell him everything about herself that she’s Gu Yi and she wants to vindicate her family. You can see how her pain is hurting him...! He promises her that from now on, she will have one more person at her side. She wants to know why he’s doing all this for her, expecting a love confession, but he says it’s his duty as the prince. She snickers. Sarcastically, she tells him she’ll lionize him and will offer her life as a sacrifice (the idiom: put her liver and brain in the grave). He doesn’t want that, “Just as long as you don’t make me (ben wang) worried –” He almost slipped up and he might as well just slip up. Shen Yu assures him that once Ji Lu testifies for her family, then she won’t have him “worried” and will work for him sincerely.
Qi Zhang: You said so, 全心全意 wholeheartedly. 全心全意 means “all your heart and all your soul”Shen Yu: Mm!
The camera pans out and we find that Ji Lu is still here – clothes on – with his ears are plugged. He missed out on the romance! xD
The next day, they drag Ji Lu back to the city. Qi Zhang doesn’t tell Shen Yu that He Guang works for Prince Ning (the real mastermind) because he won’t be easy to take down. Meanwhile, an unknowing Shen Yu is excited to exonerate her family. She wants to repay Qi Zhang. “How about...” Her voice trails seductively and her eyes travel up and down. Qi Zhang stutters, glances at Ji Lu, and tells her to be appropriate, lol. She meant dinner. Qi Zhang is like Yeah, that’s exactly my thoughts too!
Epilogue: Young Qi Zhang is found by his soldiers. He had wanted to stay and wait for Shen Yu to return, but his city needs him. The general suggests enrolling Shen Yu but Qi Zhang doesn’t want her to risk her life. He leaves behind his blindfold so that Shen Yu knows he has recovered (when he hasn’t).
[Ep11] Ji Lu escapes to the cliff (Clifford! Long time no see!). He threatens to jump off Clifford. Qi Zhang tells him, Go, confusing Ji Lu. Shen Yu gets the signal with just one glance from Qi Zhang, and together they fool and encircle Ji Lu. Qi Zhang winked at Shen Yu! Ji Lu is back in their custody, but Prince Ning wants him too. He plasters Ji Lu’s wanted posters around the city. Our couple narrowly escapes the guards. But actually it wasn’t narrowly. Qi Zhang had signalled Han Zhen Yun to act as their decoy. Han Zhen Yun tells Shen Yu that for her, their boss is thorough – so thorough that he would even plan her enemy’s funeral let alone death.
The next morning, with Ji Lu in one of the crates, our gang is heading back to the city. They’re ambushed again. Shen Yu is annoyed. How many times now?! xD Lol! Shen Yu puts her life on the line to protect the crate, which upsets Qi Zhang who asks, “Do you not want to live?” As he helps Shen Yu stand up, a dart flies by. There’s aromatic poison infecting his eyes again. The bandits escape with the crate.
Shen Yu wraps Qi Zhang’s injured eyes with the handkerchief that he gave her (which means she kept it). His ears pick up the sound of hooves. He orders Shen Yu to whip his horse to distract the bandits. Shen Yu reluctantly obeys and critiques Qi Zhang for being heartless. He counters that Chi Yan (horse) was professionally trained, and therefore smarter than her.
Qi Zhang’s eyes are injured but somehow he’s got the body-leaning syndrome where he has to lean on Shen Yu to walk. She takes him to her old house (the one from the epilogue). She needs to find a herb and tells him to wait, but he’s scared to be alone, which he doesn’t admit. Reluctantly, he tells her to go, but points in the wrong direction. Now Shen Yu gets a chance to laugh at him. This is a nod to their childhood. He also pointed to the wrong direction the last time off was blind.
When Shen Yu returns, she wants to prank Qi Zhang, but even if he’s blind, he can put her in a rear wrist lock. Anyway, she asks him how he ended up inside the house. He answers it’s because she said this place was familiar and so he wanted to know more about her casually walked around, ahem. And then he finally confirms it: she is the “boy” who cured his eyes.
[Ep12] Feeling endangered, Prince Ning wants He Guang to take all the blame if Ji Lu testifies. He Lan Ya helps her father send (more!) assassins to encircle Han Zhen Yun and Ji Lu. He manages to escape, but Ji Yu is struck by a thin needle. (To be continued...)
Qi Zhang’s eyes recover. He registers the room – it is familiar. His eyes are now still on Shen Yu. He tells her about the “boy” who saved him and wanted him to repay with his body. Shen Yu is pleasantly astonished that she and his saviour are the same until she realizes he is her Little Blind. He replies, “Little Money Lover”. Shen Yu jumps to hug him. They’re so happy!
Shen Yu: What are you doing?Qi Zhang: Didn’t you want to talk about it? I’m closer to listen clearerShen Yu (tries to push him away): You-you don’t have to be this close...Qi Zhang: Tell me. Are you really in love with Zhou Yue or are you trying to provoke ben wang?Shen Yu: I like my husband.Qi Zhang: Oh really. Then why have you and your husband not consummated your marriage and are sleeping separately?Shen Yu: Shan Yao told you that too?Qi Zhang: Answer me.Shen Yu: What?Qi Zhang: Are you really in love with Zhou Yue or are you trying to provoke me?Shen Yu (smiles timidly): Provoke you.
Shen Yu explains that she and Zhou Yue are best of friends, nothing more. She assures him that he’ll know in the future. He already understands it now. Aw! The trust. He closes his eyes, wanting to kiss her, but breathes in, and gulps to control his desire. He will wait until she is his wife. With their foreheads touching, their hearts have locked.
Shen Yu wakes up bright and cheerful as if she didn’t have a nightmare. She greets Han Zhen Yun who has brought them Ji Lu safe and sound – not. He’s hypothermic because of a deadly poison (from He Lan Ya).
The gang is back in the capital. Qi Zhang wants Shen Yu to live at his place. He can only be assured of her safety if she’s with him. If he could have her under his eyelid, he would. He also reunites Shen Yu with Gu Le.
[Ep13] Gu Le approaches Qi Mao (the dumb son of Prince Ning’s) to retrieve the antidote for Ji Lu’s poison. However, she’s taking too long. Shen Yu gives Ji Lu emergency treatment, which requires striping down Ji Lu. Everything? Yep. Shen Yu always wants people to strip... The treatment is only temporary. Shen Yu wants to infiltrate Prince Ning’s. Qi Zhang won’t let her go. It’s dangerous. But to Shen Yu, Ji Lu’s life is more important than hers. Qi Zhang understands. He grips her shoulder and tells her, “Ben Wang will go with you.” Because her life is more important than his. And then Gu Le arrives in time! (She’s saved by a timely fire.) With Qi Zhang understanding of Prince Ning’s small brain, the antidote must be in the black bottle instead of the white one.
He Lan Ya likes Gao Mo. Zhou Yue is feeling jealous. While Gao Mo is still angry at the gang, and especially at Zhou Yue, for keeping Ji Lu a secret from him.
Prince Ning flogs Qi Mao for losing the antidote that saved Ji Lu. He had believed Gu Le when she said it was to save her sister (Shen Yu who is Gu Yi). He’s even caring enough to warn Gu Le never to reveal her identity. He’s not that bad of a boy!! He’s dumb but he’s the only one with a heart! For that, I won’t call you dumb anymore!
[Ep14] Zhou Yi Hui is distracted by Qi Zhang, who’s deliberately saving Shen Yu in her tight spot – the hug with Zhou Yue. He hates it though that he’s leaving her in that hug. While he’s stewing in jealousy, he spots Shen Yu’s feet peeping through the corner to eavesdrop on him and the cousin. Our prince is very much delighted.
Zhou Yue is dragged along to snoop. She reminds Shen Yu that she just gave her advice to not care so much about men. Shen Yu replies matter of factly: “Convincing others and conniving myself, can they even be the same?” LOL.
Jealousy is eating Shen Yu, roiling her insides, and so she’s twisting Qi Zhang’s handkerchief to exert her anger. It’s because Qi Zhang had told Zhou Yi Hui that there’s someone he likes: she’s born prestigious, beautiful and intelligent, frank and outspoken, doesn’t hide and doesn’t scheme, and is rather fated with him. Shen Yu doesn’t know that she fits the description to a T and she also doesn’t know that once she left his vicinity, he has lost all interest in talking to Zhou Yi Hui.
The war is on. Whoever talks first, loses. Qi Zhang is smug though when he learns Shen Yu isn’t eating either. But he isn’t smug for long when Han Zhen Yu scares him. He says that when a girl isn't cheered up before the night's over, she'll move on and be thinking of her child’s name with another man, haha! Best bro ever. Qi Zhang is provoked. He can’t let that happen! And so he knocks on her door first. But she was planning to give in too because she was dying to talk to him.
Still behind the doors, Qi Zhang lies that he has leftover Bird’s Nest (expensive food, usually for girls) for Shen Yu. Han Zhen Yu lectures Qi Zhang for wording it like that. But how else is our prince supposed to say it? That he (ben wang) purposely made it for her?! Aw~ Qi Zhang turns around to leave, but Han Zhen Yun reminds him of the other man’s baby ~~ LOL. Han Zhen Yu gives our couple the last push, by lying that his arms hurt from carrying the dessert and then ditching the prince.
When Shen Yu opens the door, expecting to be disappointed, her Big Rooster is right there. He sheepishly lies that his arms are numb too. She smiles a little and leaves the door open. Cue Romance! ...Or not?
And we are half a drama early for a happy ending: Ji Lu lies at court that Qi Zhang is the mastermind and confesses that Shen Yu is Gu Yi. As a result, Shen Yu is to be imprisoned.
The Emperor wants Zhou You (Qi Zhang’s mother) to convince Qi Zhang to stop his investigations. Zhou You declines. She'd rather he think she’s dead, but when she hears that her son is involved with Gu family, she falters in her mediation. It’s a cycle they cannot escape. The Emperor assures her it’s not their fault. It was Qi Zun Mo (who? Qi Zhang’s father?!) who poisoned Prince Rong (Emperor’s son). Zhou You thinks otherwise. It is their fault. It’s because of them that Qi Zun Mo poisoned his son (and implicated Gu Family). The Emperor argues that he is heaven’s son. He cannot be wrong.
Gao Mo is still feeling righteously indignant.
Ji Lu dies. Aw. This guy was kinda fun.
[Ep15] Zhou Yue puts her career on the line to help Qi Zhang (and Shen Yu). Qi Zhang thanks her and is apologetic because towards his wife, he...has thoughts, let’s just say. LOL. Dude it’s okay. But good on you, Qi Zhang for having this man to “man” convo. Zhou Yue understands. She won’t be an obstacle. Don’t worry, Qi Zhang.
Against better judgement, Gao Mo won’t help Shen Yu because the fabricated evidence is all sound. This guy can’t see beyond his nose.
Qi Zhang departs to find Ji Lu’s next of kin because that is how Prince Ning threatened Ji Lu. However, he’s too late. Qi Lian (the conniving son) killed Ji Lu’s family (against Prince Ning’s orders). Nothing is left. But Qi Zhang bumps into a child who gives him a letter from Ji Lu.
Shen Yu: Our feelings didn’t start from the marriage and won’t end because of a divorce.
Zhou Yue will still be her “little husband”. She already can’t give her anything, and so she mustn’t be her burden. Tears, go back in my eyes!
The horse, Chi Yan, falls from fatigue. Qi Zhang was devastated when he thought Chi Yan died. His horse is part of his family ;( which reminds me he didn’t grow up with his parents either. Qi Zhang apologizes. He was in such a rush to return to the capital city, he forgot to consider Chi Yan's health. Even the horse collapsed, Qi Zhang, aren’t you tired too? :(
The Emperor approves of a marriage with Qi Zhang and Zhou Yi Hui! It’s to keep Qi Zhang safe from Prince Ning who now believes Qi Zhang isn’t in line for the throne or the Emperor would bestow him a better bride. Moreover, it will sever his relationship with Shen Yu (Gu Yi).
Qi Zhang gives the Emperor evidence (I assume it is Ji Lu’s written testimony, which we never got to see). But the Emperor rips it. However, that was only the copy. Against Qi Zhang’s firm resolution, the Emperor is forced to reveal the truth.
- Qi Zhang’s father, Qi Zun Mo, poisoned Prince Rong out of jealousy.
- Qi Zun Mo thought his wife cheated with the Emperor. Did they cheat though?
- The Emperor made Gu Family take the blame to protect Qi Zhang’s mother’s (and the royal’s) reputation. For this, the Emperor will have Shen Yu killed. She’s the last one.
[Ep17] The Emperor agrees to spare Shen Yu if Qi Zhang marries Zhou Yi Hui. He agrees and walks home, listless. He wasn’t even this weary when he went without sleep or rest to save Shen Yu. At home, Qi Zhang burns the evidence. For a second, I thought it was to protect his father, but It was fake. He never had evidence and was willing to risk it all by fabricating one to save Shen Yu.
Shen Yu is released. And Qi Zhang isn’t there to pick her up :( The next day, she visits Qi Zhang. With outstretched arms, she delivers him a divorce letter with Zhou Yue. Shen Yu is ready to be his wife. She’s putting her heart on her sleeve. Qi Zhang is excruciated by her confession. As briefly as he can, he delivers the harshest rejection: she – a divorcee and a convict – isn’t worthy of him. Then she learns of the engagement with Zhou Yi Hui. As Shen Yu leaves in tears, Qi Zhang tells her if she needs help, she can still ask him and not to touch the case anymore.
But Shen Yu can’t be friends. Everything that happened between them, every danger, every rescue, every emotion was real. Qi Zhang marrying someone else is real too. And so Shen Yu wants to know which is fake. She begs him for the truth. She wants to face their problems together. She clutches his hand.
Qi Zhang gasps as her hands wrap around him. Tell her! But she still has to accept that his father might be the reason her family were accused... Aiyah.
[Ep18] Qi Zhang hesitates to tell Shen Yu the truth because she could be in danger. However, without the truth, her heartbreak is breaking him. He almost gives in when Shen Yu tells him she doesn’t need royalty, she only wants to be with his Little Blind and never to be separated. But Zhou Yi Hui interrupts. And we’re back to being noble idiots. But Shen Yu should realize something’s off, no?
The next day, He Lan Ya asks Gao Mo out. He doesn’t want to go, though. He finds her annoying. He whines that he doesn’t understand why he has to fill in the hole Shen Yu dug. Because He Lan Ya likes you, bro! For Zhou Yue, man up!
Shen Yu and Qi Zhang individually sneak into the palace to steal Consort Gao’s patient record. Qi Zhang finds it first. Shen Yu finds a peculiar one that has no name and is securely stored. Their paths cross. With their masks on, they don’t recognize each other. His knife is at her neck. But she gains the upperhand with her needles. Then guards barge in and they quickly separate to hide. Qi Zhang glances over at her and notices her hand is in pain. He knows she’s Shen Yun. Likely from the needles.
When the coast is clear Qi Zhang checks Shen Yu's hand. She takes off her mask to bite him. She’s upset when he’s not in pain. She’s about to leave, but then there’s a second round of patrol. This time they hide together, and in a bidong. His hand once again cushions her head from the shelf. She finally realizes he's Qi Zhang.
[Ep19] In pitch darkness, our couple are in close proximity and breathing on each other’s neck only if Xie Bin Bin was shorter. Shortly after the guards leave, another man in black garbs furtively enter. It’s Gao Mo. He’s also looking for Consort Gao’s health records, which is already stolen, and so he leaves. Shen Yu leaves too. She doesn’t want to be with Qi Zhang, who’s clearly worried for her. Unfortunately, she bumps into Gao Mo at the doors. Since Gao Mo doesn’t know it’s them – en garde! Then the patrolling guards are back for a third time – yeeesh! What a waste of taxpayer’s money – and the three of them hide. Qi Zhang flicks a stone at Gao Mo, exposing him and making him their shield. Qi Zhang knows it’s Gao Mo, haha.
An arrow glazes past Shen Yu’s shoulder. Qi Zhang wants to take a look, but she snaps at him that her life and death has nothing to do with him. Qi Zhang disagrees! “Because you’re my – spy.” That’s all he can mutter. Angered, Shen Yu storms off, and so he throws her up into his arm, orders her to shut up and to not move. Swoooooon. I can’t help it.
Qi Zhang takes care of a feverish Shen Yu all night. She has a nightmare and so Qi Zhang holds her hand, promising never to leave her. Shen Yu whimpers in her sleep that he did leave. As the night goes on, Shen Yu becomes delirious (from the medication?). She sits up. She says she wanted him to hug her, she wanted him to wait for her, but he told her he has to marry and he’s marrying someone she hates. She cries. “I don’t like him. I won’t ever like him again.” Qi Zhang lets her punch him, but she can’t. She hugs him instead. She pulls apart to smile at him and compliments him handsomeness. How can she hit him?
Qi Zhang is stiff in her embrace. He’s red too, and she finds that cute. She kisses him. After she’s done with her cute thing, she goes to sleep. Qi Zhang remains frozen until he has to gasp for air. For the rest of the night, Qi Zhang is at her side, keeping her hands in his.
The next morning, Shen Yu remembers everything, but pretends to remember nothing. She tiptoes around Qi Zhang, but he catches her, and calls her “Ah Yu”. Shen Yu prefers “Lady Shen”. He reminds her she wasn’t this cold last night. He recounts that she wanted to be his wife and give birth to a lot of his kids. She corrects him that she only said he was pretty good looking. Qi Zhang ribs her, “Didn’t you say you forgot?” Heh. Shen Yu changes the topic and asks about the patient records. Qi Zhang has Consort Gao’s, but there’s nothing specific about her condition. Shen Yu has the unknown record. Qi Zhang finds it suspicious, particularly the osmanthus allergy, which is the same as his mother's.
Shen Yu scornfully thanks Qi Zhang for saving her. She mutters under her breath that if there’s a day his life is at risk, she will risk my life to save him. Qi Zhang is half-certain she’s cursing him.
Consort Gao learns from He Lan Ya of Zhou Yue’s identity and so Consort Gao bestows her the wine of death or her identity will be exposed and her family will be at risk. However, they’re interrupted when her son, Prince Rong, is in critical condition. Shen Yu volunteers to treat him in exchange for Zhou Yue’s safety.
[Ep20] After Shen Yu’s treatment, Prince Rong ceases to breathe. He Guang and He Lan Ya accuse her of murder. Qi Zhang rescues Shen Yu and advocates for her. If she can’t save Prince Rong, then Qi Zhang will give Consort Gao his life. So much love and trust in her. Fortunately, Prince Rong breathes. Relieved, Shen Yu looks up at her hero and smiles at him.
The Emperor is updated about Prince Rong, but he doesn’t visit him. He will die soon anyway. Moreover, if he goes, then Qi Zhang trespassing the backcourt will be punishable. He doesn’t want to lose both sons. Can we fire this father?
It turns out Prince Rong is frail because he’s been chronically poisoned since birth (ergo not prenatal). Consort Gao sobs and reveals too much between her sobs. From her, Shen Yu realizes the Emperor’s love story with Zhou You (Qi Zhang’s mother) was real. This is why Consort Gao hates Zhou family (the Emperor had loved Zhou You, but chose her (Gao) for power). Zhou You is also the anonymous patient allergic to osmanthus, which means she’s in the palace. Shen Yu excitedly searches for Qi Zhang’s mother with hopes of making him happy. Aww.
Zhou Yue interrogates Qi Zhang for her bestie. Why can he sacrifice his life for Shen Yue but marry someone else? “Ah Yu’s love for you, you only see the tip of the iceberg.” Awww. Qi Zhang promises Zhou Yue that he will find a way to cancel the marriage. He will not forsake Shen Yu. Awww. These two, just be together now!!
Shen Yu finds Zhou You (the mother) for her beau. She compliments Zhou You for being a beauty who has allured the Emperor. Zhou You returns the sentiment: “I heard that Prince Jing risked his life to save a doctress and trespassed Consort Gao’s yard. It looks like Prince Jing is also devoted to a beauty.” Shen Yu mutters that Prince Jing’s belle is Zhou Yi Hui. Zhou You disagrees. She’s his mother. She knows her son and he loves Shen Yu. But she also fails as his mother. She asks Shen Yu to bring him back to Yongzhou (and he’ll listen to her). Knowing Qi Zhang, he would fight for her (Zhou You) at all cost even if it means disobeying the Emperor. Lastly, Zhou You asks Shen Yu to not leave Qi Zhang. He’s marrying to keep her safe. At a young age, he already lost his parents and if he loses her too, then her son would be truly lonely.
Shen Yu cries as she wanders the palace. She never thought from Qi Zhang's perspective. How can she be worthy of his love? Qi Zhang finds her, notices she’s crying, and lifts her face to check. Angrily, he demands who made her cry. Your mother. She says it’s fine and leads him out by his finger. Yay, she’s touching him again.
At Qi Zhang’s manor, Shen Yu asks him what she means to him.
Qi Zhang: Someone who I never want afflicted by emotional pain or danger.Shen Yu: But all my emotional pain is from you.
Qi Zhang’s head is hung low. He thinks he understand, but Shen Yu yells at him that he understands nothing. She says he's making her into a fool for sacrificing his all when all she does is yell at him, neglect him, and deride him. He stops her mid-sentence to ask what he did for her. Shen Yu keeps the meeting with his mother a secret, and only reveals that she’s mad at herself. She supposedly loves him, but she never gave him anything other than trouble.
Qi Zhang (smiles!): If you really want to do something for me, then live well, you got it?
Shen Yu smiles back. She promises. There’s a tacit understanding between them now. The marriage is no longer their obstacle. Just like it wasn’t an obstacle for him when Shen Yu was married to Zhou You xD
Prince Ning, the culprit of everything, orders He Guang to poison Prince Rong once and for all. Ad what does a coward do? He Guang orders his daughter to go.
[Ep21] Shen Yu receives a note from Big Rooster via Little Rooster. Big Rooster = Qi Zhang; Little Rooster = passenger pigeon. He has found her shifu, which means Prince Rong’s poison can be cured. Currently, Prince Rong is escorting Shifu, and he’s never been so stiff. Han Zhen Yun laughs at him. It’s like he’s escorting his mother-in-law or something. Pft. Props, Han Zhen Yun.
Shen Yu and Shifu have reunited! Shifu welcomes her with a deadly poison. It’s their norm. Shen Yu isn’t one bit bothered. Not Qi Zhang, though. He’s paralyzed in shock. Haha.
Prince Rong clings to Qi Zhang and that’s so cute!. I guess it’s confirmed. These two are brothers. Even during dinner, he sits right next to big bro. The cute kid puts food to Qi Zhang’s bowl! Aww. Qi Zhang looks impervious, but he gives in to kiddo every time.
Okay, here is the touching reunion. Shifu can tell Qi Zhang loves Shen Yu, but Shen Yu says that mutual love doesn’t mean they can be together (e.g. married). Shen Yu is already satisfied that there is someone who cares about her and willing to protect her. She doesn’t dare to wish for more. As long as they’re both well and happy, and even if they can only be friends, Shen Yu is content. Shifu hugs Shen Yu, and in her embrace, Shen Yu’s tears spills.
He Lan Ya delivers the poison, but then discovers Prince Rong’s absence. She informs Prince Ning who then dispatches (more!) assassins to kill Prince Rong and Qi Zhang all at once.
During the attack, a dart flies through, aiming at Prince Rong. Qi Zhang catches it with his bare hand. Ouch. He recognizes it’s the same sect that killed his father and so Qi Zhang leads the assassin away. Qi Zhang fails to kill the assassin but he receives a clue that his father’s death wasn’t an accident. Qi Zhang suspects the mastermind is the Emperor. There was no bad blood between his father and Prince Ning back then. And who else could kill so silently?
In Qi Zhang’s absence, another group of mountain bandits attack our group and kidnaps Prince Rong!
At the palace, Prince Ning pressures the Emperor to announce an heir with Prince Rong missing and most likely dead.
But hold up.
Qi Zhang strolls in with a not-dead-Prince-Rong.
[Ep22] He Lan Ya and He Guang are summoned as suspects in Prince Rong’s poisoning. Shifu can testify since her and He Guang were from the same sect. The method he used is his signature poison. Dude, why don’t you just sign your name on the scene. With the damning testimony, He Guang frames his own daughter and even says the poison is in her room. However, when the guards finish searching, it’s in his room. He Lan Ya framed him back? xD. I like that. But wait, it was Qi Lian who helped He Lan Ya. They support each other because they're both illegitimate-born.
Rewind. Who was the mountain bandit? Shifu’s husband. It was a ploy to have Prince Ning believe Prince Rong died. Currently, he also pranks/startles Shen Yu. Shifu lectures him for embarrassing Shen Yu in front of the person she loves – Qi Zhang. Qi Zhang heard that and smiles sheepishly.
He Guang is shaken when he learns that Prince Ning killed Ji Lu’s family when Prince Ning promised to spare them. (No one knows it was Qi Lian’s orders.) He strikes a deal with Shen Yu and Qi Zhang that he will testify if they protect his family. Qi Zhang wants collateral first and asks about his own father’s death. He Guang is shivering in fear so much that Qi Zhang is convinced the mastermind is indeed the man who is unspeakable – the Emperor. I can’t tell if He Guang is working for Prince Ning and is lying, or he genuinely believes it’s the Emperor. He Lan Ya reports to Prince Ning that Qi Zhang has fallen into their trap. Aright, so Prince Ning did kill Qi Zhang’s father but is framing the Emperor to make Qi Zhang kill the Emperor who may actually be Qi Zhang's real father. I’m not confused. Nope.
Qi Zhang impels Shen Yu into revealing his mother’s whereabouts. He wants to see her and so Shen Yu (in her eunuch getup) leads our prince through a dog hole. His reaction, LOL. Never! Our prince will not crawl through a dog hole! Next scene: he crawls through a dog hole.
Very timely, our couple overhear the Emperor and Zhou You’s conversation.
- Qi Zhang was hurt when his mother said she didn’t want to see him, but then he understands when she explains the reason she’s guilty: Prince Rong was poisoned because of her relationship with the Emperor. Ah. I missed the connection between the mothers/sons. She can’t face her son when Consort Gao’s son was poisoned because of her. She’s punishing herself, but POOR QI ZHANG!
- Shen Yu learns the root of her family’s demise was Qi Zhang’s father, but what’s more shocking is Qi Zhang’s awareness. He knew all along. She thinks everything he’s done for her was out of guilt and not love. This breaks her heart. He doesn’t speak. SPEAK. Why you no speak!
The Emperor is revoltingly sly. From the moment Shen Yu took Qi Zhang into the palace, he wanted them to hear this conversation. He wants Qi Zhang to forget Qi Zun Mo (the father) because he (the Emperor) is his real father.
Qi Zhang sees his handkerchief with Zhou Yi Hui. He thinks Shen Yu must hate him (but the cousin had snatched the handkerchief from her). He then pushes up the wedding with Zhou Yi Hui. It’s not that he’s mad at Shen Yu. A boisterous wedding will be the perfect opportunity for his army to infiltrate. He plans to free his mother. Isn’t that a criminal offence?! He’s basically revolting. He will be a convict for the rest of his life! After he brings his mother home, then he’ll explain to Shen Yu and have her case retried.
[Ep23] Qi Zhang asks the Emperor to permit his mother to attend the marriage that will happen in three days. His intentions are obvious, even to his mother, but he manages to convince the Emperor into thinking he (Qi Zhang) is heartbroken after losing Shen Yu and just wants the comfort of his mother.
Shen Yu gives up on the trial! Aw. She’s willing to do so much for him. Gu Le (cousin) isn’t mad. She knows how much Shen Yu suffered to vindicate their family and if she’s giving up now, she must have her reasons.
Qi Zhang sees his mother face-to-face for the first time. They cry. He suggests taking her home, but she begs him to stop his plans. It’s her own freewill to be confined in the palace.
However, Qi Zhang isn’t giving up. His plans are still in motion. (A spy for Prince Ning seems to overhear the details.) His plans also do not include actually marrying Zhou Yi Hui. He’s feeling particularly guilty when Zhou Yi Hui happily asks him if her dress is pretty. He compliments her. She’s touched. It’s the first time he said something nice to her. Oof. She knows he won’t love her, but if he could like her just a little after they marry, she’ll be satisfied. She was always a brat, but now I actually sympathize with her just a little. She won’t be getting him and her reputation might be ruined.
Zhou Yi Hui dies! Omg. I was just feeling sorry for her and now she dies! He Lan Ya killed her because she overheard her schemes with Prince Ning to harm Qi Zhang. She wanted to tell Qi Zhang. At first it was accidental, and maybe Zhou Yi Hui could have been saved, but He Lan Ya thrusts the hairpin deeper until it was fatal. I’m not sure if she would have survived if she hadn’t gone back to pick up Qi Zhang’s jade. But this girl really loved Qi Zhang....
Shen Yu plans to leave the city but before she does, she visits her home, guilty and pained. She can’t investigate the case anymore for Qi Zhang who has saved her too many times. She asks her parents to forgive her. *Sniffles*
The next day, it’s the wedding. But how?! Didn’t Zhou Yi Hui die? Well, there’s a fake bride. Qi Zhang’s plans also aren’t going as planned. He hasn’t received news of his mother’s arrival. He’s forced to complete the marriage. Occasionally, he’d glance at the bride, finding her peculiar. After all three bows, Qi Lian enters with a dead body: Zhou Yi Hui.
Who is the bride!
[Ep24] The bride is Shen Yu! A frozen Shen Yu. Ou. They got married! The bows are complete. It's not the best time for a reunion though, because it's dicey for Qi Zhang. Not only is he accused of murdering Zhou Yi Hui in order to marry Shen Yu, his mother is back in the palace and his army in the city is exposed.
Zhou You (the mother) returned on her own. She doesn’t want to endanger Qi Zhang. She also tells him the Emperor is his biological father. Zhou You’s love story sounds messy. Do we get to see the mess in a flashback? xD Qi Zhang almost hisses. He knew! When! When the Emperor asked about his birthday? But that was so early... But he refuses to accept the truth. He even openly demands the Emperor why he imprisoned his mother and killed his father.
Shen Yu is fine now. She doesn’t remember who hit her, but when she regained consciousness, she swears she heard He Lan Ya. Now she learns that Qi Zhang and Han Zhen Yun are exiled. Despite being frail herself and having suffered the pain of expulsion once already, Shen Yu departs to find Qi Zhang. When he’s suffering, she wants to be with him. Aw.
Old Madam Zhou grieves for Zhou Yi Hui. It must have been karma that her (favourite) granddaughter died before her. She will meditate for the rest of her life. And then Zhou Yue tells Old Madam Zhou the truth that she’s a girl. Why now? Isn’t the grandma sad enough? LOL. I think Zhou Yue wants to give her back a granddaughter, but she also lost a grandson... xD
When they’re far enough, Shen Yu tells Qi Zhang the poison was a lie. She was in a rush to find him (aw). She didn’t have time to pack poison. Oh. If Qi Lian didn’t believe her, she was ready to die with Qi Zhang. Aww. Qi Zhang wants to talk about his father, but she stops him, not wanting to hear the explanation. I love this FL. Her priorities are clear. She struggles with their past, but when it matters, she follows her heart, and runs to the man she loves.
Shen Yu and Qi Zhang arrive at a hut where she treats his wounds, but he remains distant, reluctant to let her treat his back. She taunts him if he’s afraid of her poisons. Of course he isn’t. In fact, he’d rather her kill him. Shen Yu turns around, refusing to continue that conversation. She orders him to strip. Shen Yu and stripping, lol. He’s flustered, but obeys. (It’s all for treatment btw).
When Shen Yu leaves the room. Qi Zhang asks her if she hates him so much that she can’t even bear to be in the same room. He’s prickly because he wants her to take the bed. He’s frustrated at their current relationship. Shen Yu doesn’t hate him. She doesn’t believe that a father’s crime should be paid by the son, but between them there’s too much blood spilt– her entire family's. They can’t go back. She leaves to sleep outside, but not with Qi Zhang around. He grabs her wrist, gripping her tightly to hold her back, and then releases. He’ll sleep outside, despite his injuries.
It’s thundering, and Qi Zhang is shivering from the cold. Worried, Shen Yu tells him to sleep inside. Qi Zhang is petulant. He returns her rejection word for word: “Men and women (strangers) should be separate”
Shen Yu: You’re injured. We don’t have to consider that now.Qi Zhang: I was injured before too, so why did we have to consider it then? Heh.Shen Yu: You’re picking a fight with me, aren’t you?Qi Zhang (mutters): I’m not picking a fight with you. It’s already magnanimous of you that you don’t blame me. Aw! So cute at being crabby.Shen Yu (exasperated): Qi Zhang. I risked my life to save you, and now you’re being absurd. You think I owe you, is that right?Qi Zhang (like a child): I know you don’t owe me anything and I didn’t ask you to save me.Shen Yu: You could have refused!Qi Zhang: Did you give me a chance to refuse?Shen Yu (speechless): Whatever! Sleep where you like then. Whether you’re having a fever or inflammation, don’t come looking for me.Qi Zhang (mutters): You said you won’t care, but in the end, didn’t you still save me?Shen Yu (agitated): I meddled in someone else’s business today, alright?!
When Shen Yu turns away, a handkerchief falls from her clothes. When did she grab it back from Zhou Yi Hui? Qi Zhang’s eyes light up. She murmurs that it’s none of his business why she has it and it’s not that she missed him. She missed him. Qi Zhang (not minding his business) pulls Shen Yu into an embrace. He’s all hormones right now and kisses her. She had to tippytoe for the kiss, so I don’t know why she’s pushing him away with her hands, lol. He whispers to her that if she doesn’t want to have any connection with him, now’s the only chance to regret. But when she pushes away, he hugs her even tighter. I don’t think you mean what you said, sir. Shen Yu lightly hits him a few times and stutters that she’ll be the boss of her business and that’s when he finally loosens his grip on her back. His large hands covered her entire back.
Consort Gao learns the full truth of everything possible from a conversation with the Emperor and Zhou You.
Gao Mo has found Dong’er (the maid who can prove He Lan Ya killed Zhou Yi Hui, I assume) and so He Lan Ya flees.
[Ep25] Zhou Yue and Gao Mo capture He Lan Ya, but she threatens them that she’ll expose Zhou Yue’s secret. For Zhou Yue, Gao Mo is willing to do anything and releases He Lan Ya. However, Zhou Yue refuses to be anyone’s weakness and so she reveals her female identity to everyone on the scene. He Lan Ya is no longer a threat and so she’s arrested. The next morning, it’s Zhou Yue’s turn to be seized. Zhou Yue awaits her doom as she applies lip-stain and dons a dress. For the first time and maybe the last time in her life she can openly be who she is. Also, Old Madam Zhou is finally grandmother-like. Later Gao Mo quits to exchange for the rest of Zhou Family’s innocence because that’s what Zhou Yue wants.
Shen Yu catches Qi Zhang leaving secretly. She wants him to stay here where it’s safe. However, for Qi Zhang, precisely because it’s safe, he has to leave. He can’t be dodging like a coward forever. As for Shen Yu, he wants her to be unharmed, which is why he’s leaving her. He clutches her hand as he tells her sternly, “So from today onwards, you’re not my spy anymore.” But he is not the boss! In a deep voice, Shen Yu orders him by name and when he turns around, she poisons him so that he faints. Dude, did you forget that you work for her xD.
When Qi Zhang wakes up, Shen Yu is dragging him with a wagon away from the capital city. Lol. Poor girl, this is the second time she has to drag this tall guy around, haha. He asks her if they leave, what about her family’s retrial? Shen Yu mutters that it involves his father. She can’t do it.
Prince Ning and Qi Lian save Zhou Yue from execution, but they use her to threaten Gao Mo to locate Qi Zhang. Gao Mo cedes.
We’re back with Qi Zhang and Shen Yu but it’s Qi Zhang who’s pushing the wagon with ease. Shen Yu tied up. She calls him despicable for taking advantage when she was sleeping. He argues, “Only a 偽君子 would care about formality.” 偽君子 means “hypocrite” for short. Literally it is a man pretending to be noble. Shen Yu finds that answer familiar. Of course she does, lol. It’s her tone and she said something similar to Zhou Yue in Ep14. When ZY had said it isn’t noble of them to eavesdrop, SY countered that they’re girls, not noblemen, so it’s fine. Qi Zhang is determined to return. He doesn’t want to kill Prince Ning, but he definitely cannot leave the country in his hands.
Qi Zhang knows Zhou Yue is a girl! HOW?! When!
Gao Mo uses Zhou Yue’s flute from Shen Yu to lure out our couple and now they’re surrounded by Qi Lian’s soldiers. Our couple betrayed him once. So it’s only fair...? xD
Our dangerous man returns in black! I love his robes and the instrumental for this scene. Qi Zhang wants Gao Mo’s help to protect Prince Rong. Yes sir!
Prince Ning realizes the Emperor had lied to him that Prince Rong was dying when in fact he has recovered. He plans a revolt, especially since he believes Qi Zhang has died because of Clifford.
[Ep26] I don’t know how exactly this happened but Qi Zhang marches in to save the Emperor from Prince Ning’s rebellion. At some point in time – that I don’t know of – the Emperor had given Qi Zhang the tiger tally to assemble the army. Qi Lian makes a last ditch effort by taking Shen Yu as his human-shield. (It was originally Zhou Yue, but Shen Yu pushed her away, aw). Shockingly, Qi Zhang actually doesn’t care about her for the sake of the country!! And it seems Shen Yu was ready to die for him. Wow. Love. And he strikes! But then he winks! And that’s her code to dodge in the opposite direction. Omg. The trust. And I stand corrected. That random scene wasn’t just to see Qi Zhang wink! xD Qi Lian dies.
Gao Mo apologizes to Qi Zhang because Zhou Yue ordered him too. I love how Qi Zhang pretends to be angry with a grin on. Gao Mo also knows Qi Zhang is the Emperor’s son (possibly from Consort Gao?). If he’s the Crown Prince, Gao Mo knows Prince Rong will be safe. Qi Zhang smiles. He’s going to be the Emperor?! No please. I don’t like Emperors. But I think the smile was more because he felt trusted.
He Lan Ya testifies: Prince Ning poisoned Consort Gao when she was pregnant. Qi Zhang’s father had the intention but did not commit. Therefore Prince Ning is responsible for all the poisoning and Qi Zhang’s father’s death. He Lan Ya is freed from execution but will be sentenced for life.
The Emperor, however, will not exonerate Gu Family despite knowing they were wronged. Shen Yu begs the Emperor and questions him if he’s at all guilty for how many lives he killed and ruined? He is sorry, but as the Emperor, for the sake of the country, he cannot. Such bogus! Once he admits he is wrong, it will weaken the nation’s foundation. None of this convinces Shen Yu until she learns that Qi Zhang is his son and that one day he will rule this nation. For Qi Zhang, Shen Yu remits the retrial. She can’t be Qi Zhang's obstacle.
But this means she’s also surrendering her relationship with Qi Zhang. She can’t face her family when she’s with him.
The Emperor acquits Gu Family! But it’s done privately. Qi Zhang had knelt all night for this. However, Shen Yu is determined to leave. Qi Zhang is watching from the peak of the hill, following her for as long as he can.
Qi Zhang refuses to be the Crown Prince even though the Emperor is sick and Prince Rong is too young. He understands that being the Emperor requires sacrifices and he is not a man who can sacrifice (Shen Yu). Zhou You smiles and supports her son. She’s particularly proud because unlike his father (the Emperor), Qi Zhang is choosing love and not power. If the Emperor did choose power (= Consort Gao = being Emperor) over Zhou You, none of this tragedy would have happened. Qi Zhang assures the Emperor that Prince Rong is capable. He bows to his mother and then turns around to leave. He doesn’t acknowledge his ‘father’.
Other updates: 1) Prince Rong is the Emperor. The Emperor died? 2) Zhou You handles the family business and all the Zhou ladies are eerily harmonious. 3) Prince Ning and Qi Mao (not dumb brother – the only brother now) are exiled. Why aren’t they executed? Because they’re royal?
Three years later. Wait. Didn’t Qi Zhang leave immediately?! Or did he stay to help Prince Rong? Why three years! To give Shen Yu time? Because ultimately, it is still Qi Zhang’s father (the Emperor) who wronged her family...
Shen Yu returns to the capital city and finds that her home has been rebuilt. The ancestral hall is all lit up. It’s a family reunion Shen Yu never thought she could have. She bows to them. And then from behind, a familiar voice speaks her name.
Qi Zhang: Gu Yi.
Gu Yi (Shen Yu) smiles. She turns around, and sees the man who prepared everything for her and took care of her house for three years. It’s her “Little Blind”. In Ep18 she had told Qi Zhang that all she ever wanted was to be with her Little Blind. This is their ending. *Sniffles* Qi Zhang reminds Shen Yu that there was a third condition in their original contract. Oh right. For his last wish, he wants her to be his wife. And technically they were married. Technically, they are already married. They bowed three times when she was “Zhou Yi Hui”. Oh and both times Shen Yu married, it was with her Big Rooster! Shen Yu only ever married him, haha.
The end.
Remarks
[First Impression (Ep1-4)] The premise is interesting. FL and 2FL have a contact marriage. ML wants FL as a spy. FL has a secret identity (which is obvious in Ep1). So far, as I see it, they seem to have a common enemy and so I’m looking forward to them banding together as a power
I love that Qi Chang is always amused with Shen Yu. His affection for her is plastered in his sardonic smirks and sidelong glances, and sarcasm. You won’t miss it.
Qi Chang's lines are witty as well, but too bad you guys get Mango subs. Ha. Ha. Ha.
[Actors/Actresses] Xie Bin Bin’s coolest role for me. There’s something about him in that uniform during the night scenes with his arms crossed and smiling.
Wu Jia Yi. Perhaps my favourite role from her too. She has a natural sarcasm in her tone too. Her character is also loyal to her “husband”. I think we can enjoy more sisterhood (lol, I just finished New Life Begins so I’m actually not as excited as I normally would be).
[Behind the Scenes]
[Behind the Scenes]
7 behind-the-scenes “episodes":
→ There’s one where Wu Jia Yi and Xie Bin Bin play with a lie detector, and he’s asking her weird questions if she’s a girl (True), and he’s surprised that it’s true, lol, but I think he’s just fascinated with the detector. Then he asks her if she likes Qi Zhang (Yes). But then she clarifies if he means her (Wu Jia Yi) or Shen Yu. Too late, though. She’s shocked. The next question: Was she nervous during the kiss scenes (Yes). I’m pretty sure he’s the one asking, but he’s more nervous than her, hahaha. The second last question: Are you the prettiest on the set (Yes). She wants to answer confidently, but he keeps pressing the button to turn it on, and that’s scaring her. The last question: Who does she think is the most handsome? He obviously wants her to answer him, but she says the director. She’s shocked, lol and he’s smug.
→ It’s finally Xie Bin Bin’s turn and this man is shivering in fear that he can’t even answer her question which is if he was nervous during the kiss scenes (Yes). Shock~ This big man gets so scared that he changes the lie detector to Vibrate instead of Shock mode. Wu Jia Yi asks him, “We can’t suffer together.” Without hesitating much, Xie Bin Bin is like, “Uh, correct.” HAHAHA
→ Fu Jing and Wu Jia Yi are husband and wife in the drama. Off-screen, they’re close like sisters too!
2 special episodes:
→ The cast plays Werewolf. Xie Bin Bin always picks on Wu Jia Yi!! She hates it because he always convinces the others to kill her off, haha. Whether he’s doing it because he was told to or he just likes picking on her, I don’t really care. It was funny watching them bicker and him trying to pull her down with him.
→ During the break (I don’t know why they’re having a break when they’re playing games), Wu Jia Yi laughed at Xie Bin Bin and how he’s way too deep in his character. They’re already in day clothes and he’s still going “ben wang, ben wang”. I can tell Xie Bin Bin loved being Qi Zhang.
→ The actors for Han Yun Zhen and Zhou Yi Hui are so smart! They’re good at the game.
[Glossary]
雞鳴狗盜 Jī míng gǒu dào – Crows like a rooster and steals like a dog → a humble skill used despicably.
[Ending] Happy! It is rushed, though.
[A Highlight] For whatever reason my memorable scene is..... the slick roll in Ep12
[Review & Rating]
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