Notable Actors/Actresses
Bi Wen Jun: Han Zheng
Li Yi Tong: Su Jiu’er
He Rui Xian: Chi Lan (Qi General)
Chen He Yi: Wen Jun (Qian Prince)
Yang Shi Ze: Wen Ying (Qian Crown Prince)
Liu Te: Mu Yan
Director
Scriptwriter
Chinese Title
九霄寒夜暖
九霄寒夜暖
Warmth in the Cold Nine-Heavens (Jiu-Xiao)
Recap Grade: A
First Impression: 3.25/5
First Impression: 3.25/5
Mini Recaps
[Ep2] In Qian Country, Su Jiu’er continues her investigations. She keeps messing up and somehow scores extensions to solve the case. Han Zheng got a whiff of the suspect, but s/he’s scentless. He’s unable to identify if s/he’s a Qian or a Qi.
In Qi Country, they need to restore the Holy Fire or they will face extinction, and it’s somehow related to Mu Yan’s decade long disappearance.
[Ep3] Three Scars wants to kill Su Jiu’er! It's because she may have inadvertently seen him/her. Now she needs protection and who else would be better than her hot medicine: Han Zheng? He saved her three times already anyway. In exchange, Jiu’er offers a delicious, prickly hedgehog as sacrifice. However, he wants to know why she’s pestering him of all people. Because only you make her hot. She says he’s powerful and then pouts that she just wants to be friends. It seems our wolfie Han Zheng is a softie. He’s weak to her (fake) tears and is touched that she (a Qian) wants to be friends with him (a Qi). She also shares her evidence with him: a ring. It’s engraved with “Fate” in Qi language.
Some breakthrough in the case:
- The last of the four corpses is supposed to be Minister Zhang, but it’s a Qi corpse disguised as Minister Zhang. This Qi corpse was also the first victim, but he surfaced last.
- Someone is framing “Three Scar”
- This someone is killing Qi supporters among the Qian clan.
- But why did a “Three Scar” attempt to murder Su Jiu’er?
Su Jiu’er touches other Qi men to confirm if only Han Zheng is special, making Han Zheng jealous. He’s like If you touch someone else then don’t touch me. And now look at who’s piggybacking her.
Wen Jun might just be as innocent as he looks! He’s a prince who likes screenwriting. (From his play, it seems he either knew Su Jiu’er as a child or he met her father.) Then his trusty eunuch pays Han Zheng to adopt Wen Jun in their detective game. Aw. Han Zheng accepts because he’s dirt poor. Su Jiu’er almost gets him to split the profit 1:9. Her 9 (jiu)! The twists in the bargaining, lol. I don’t know how she got an edge over him to begin with.
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| He likes touching her now too ~ |
Han Zheng takes the upperhand because he’s got the hot hand that she needs. The split is 3:7. Then they tag-team to fool Wen Jun into thinking they need help with the investigation and not that they were paid to play him. I almost pity our naive prince.
Jealous Qi Prince treats Su Jiu’er better food than a Qian Prince ever could. It’s internal organs like (pig) brain. YUM! But why must Han Zheng sit so far away?! Lol. The man says being alone gives him clarity so that he won’t be affected by emotions. This same man also sweetly feeds her. Almost. It wasn’t that sweet, lol. But! I loved the detail that he was faster at returning to his seat than the tong dropping.
The next day, Wen Jun takes Su Jiu’er to meet Chef Zhang, the suspect. The clues point to him because the last/first victim is Zha Mu Ke, the Qi man who eloped with his wife. This nursery-rhyme murder might just be a crime of passion.
[Ep7] If you’re wondering why Han Zheng smiled when Su Jiu’er said bringing Wen Jun is like “towing an oil jug” – other than implying that the prince is slowing them down – is because Han Zheng made the same remark about Wen Jun. Great minds think alike! But Han Zheng also said the same thing about her...
Han Zheng finds dozens of dead rabbits hanging in Chef Zhang’s house. He’s been keeping their dead bodies because his eloped wife loved rabbits. Uh oh. Looks like Chef Zhang is the murderer and this means our rabbit FL is in danger! Han Zheng transforms into a wolf and even howls! With his heightened senses, he locates Su Jiu’er who’s locked in a freezer (her favourite place eh). She was clanging an (oil?) jug and desperately calling for Han Zheng. Our wolfie muscles his way through the palace guards to save her despite being injured. Nothing more loyal than a wolfie! Before he touches Su Jiu’er, he retracts his claws and fangs so as not to frighten her.
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| Our rabbit ain't scared of her wolf <3 |
[Ep8] Nevermind. Our Qian Prince isn’t that useful. He cannot save them. Although Su Jiu’er and Han Zheng have caught Chef Zhang redhanded, the Emperor imprisons Han Zheng! Thankfully there is a more useful prince: Wen Ying, the Crown Prince. Since he dotes on Wen Jun, freeing Han Zheng shouldn’t be a problem. Or not?! Wen Ying locks Han Zheng in a cell specific for Qi prisoners to inhibit their senses and powers. Without a trace of smile, he says he’s a friend. He makes me edgy. He’s also scentless (but is that because Han Zheng can’t smell?). Han Zheng glares at Wen Ying with his glowering blue eyes, revealing that their positions aren’t any different. They’re both crown princes. I’m not sure that reveal was a smart idea though!
With (Han Zheng) in their hands, signing the Qi-Qian Six Treaty is now dicey. The Emperor has noticed unusual movements in the Qi Clan and doesn’t want to maintain the treaty, which is an agreement to protect their northern borders against other clans as long as Qian (the richer country) makes annual tributes to Qi (the stronger country).
[Ep9] Chi Lan, our female general, slays.
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| Are these two shippable? |
Chi Lan (General) and Han Lin (Imperial Preceptor) volunteer to save Han Zheng and to resolve the Treaty. However, King Han tells his loyal subordinates that if they have to choose between his son or the treaty, the latter takes priority. Everyone is solemn. Emperor daddies....at least he’s sad too...
Qi Clan has 4 tribes:
- XueQi (Han Zheng, Han Lin, King Han)
- ChiQi (Chi Lan; they can open any locks)
- CangQi (Ke Ha)
- XuanQi (Mu Sha; the rebellious tribe who are very sensitive to smell because they can’t close their senses like XueQi can).
Su Jiu’er’s throat is raspy from howling every night. Hahahaha. Anyway, she thinks Chef Zhang isn’t the mastermind. How could he kill Zha Mu Ke, a strong Qi man? Who pushed Jiu’er from the tower? Why is Chef Zhang remaining silent about the mastermind?
Chi Lan and Han Lin suspect Su Jiu’er betrayed Han Zheng’s identity, but then when they see her and she’s cute like a rabbit, she can’t possibly be a rat. Something like that. Together, they stealthily break into prison to see Han Zheng. There’s NO guards. None. He’s fine, just fatigued from the mild poison in his food and sleepless nights from a certain she-wolf’s howling. Our she-wolf is useful though! She can testify for Han Zheng. The Emperor has (to pretend) to be impartial out of respect for Chi Lan and Han Lin. I noticed Wei Ying glimpsed at Chi Lan...
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| "Pouty disgruntled but still cute face" |
It looks like Wen Ying was helping them too...? He also fans Wen Jun’s bum. He’s like, “Your Highness’s butt isn’t for the ordinary people to serve.” Aw...? Lol. Is it safe to like Wen Ying?! I need to know.
But now we have a Prime Minister Deng who the Emperor trusts to dissolve the treaty and support the Crown Prince.
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| Girl was just falling backwards from one step high, I don’t know why we had to spin in the sky, lol. With her arm up. But I like it! |
While the boys are arguing over her, Su Jiu’er consciously slurps the juice from her bun. When she’s asked for her opinion, she says the bun tastes good. Anyway! Back to the case. She agrees with Wen Jun instead of Han Zheng. If the mastermind feels safe, then perhaps s/he’ll expose her/his tail. Our non-Qian dude is upsettingly jealous.
Han Zheng detects Mu Yan’s scent. He’s wearing a mask, but is he that mask guy? We don’t know. Han Zheng loses him.
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| The eunuch, lol. Is everyone admiring the pretty boys? |
It turns out Su Jiu’er and Wen Jun have a childhood connection. She had encouraged Wen Jun whom she called “little crybaby”. Now, she receives a horse lantern from Wen Jun, which upsets Han Zheng because he just learned that giving/accepting lanterns on this day means they’re lovers. Fuming with jealousy, he’s unable to process that Jiu’er is OT-ing.
The mystery. The first account of “Three Scars” that turned him into a suspect of the nursery rhyme murder originated from a painting of a wolf with three scars. Su Jiu’er notices the portrait is similar to her father’s, which was painted on Year 23 Month 5 Day 5 (written in Qi language). Could that be the day her father met Three Scars? (Speaking of her father, when he died (on the day of the Lantern Festival), his veins were blackened. Was he poisoned? And what does her mother know?)
[Ep12] Han Zheng’s jealousy is speaking as he grunts, “Who are you” to Su Jiu’er who’s carrying a horse lantern from Wen Jun.
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| Groom, bride, maid of honour and best man right there in the swan-heart. |
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| The lanterns kiss. If only Wen Jun bought her a wolf lantern. |
The festival turns eerie. A murder has taken place and it’s as if the wolf painting came to life (or to death). The victim’s head is nowhere in sight, instead a wolf's head with three scars is stitched to its neck. Han Zheng wants to know how Su Jiu’er knew there would be three scars but she doesn’t want to mention her father and Three Scars so she distracts Han Zheng by asking about his “date” with Chi Lan. He’s so flustered, he loses his rhythm to her beat.
Chi Lan, who was eavesdropping, is impressed with Su Jiu’er muddling Han Zheng’s focus. She investigates the case on her own. With her macro-lens eyes, she examines the wolf head. The scars are fake. She deduces this is yet another “Three Scars" to lure Han Zheng.
Han Zheng and Su Jiu’er can mindspeak now! Han Zheng doesn’t like Wen Jun joining the case. Via telepathy, Su Jiu’er replies that Wen Jun is their access card. Poor naive Wen Jun. They need Wen Jun to enter the Art Gallery, which produced the wolf painting and their victim is likely a painter from his hands.
Su Jiu’er is clearly investigating, but Han Zheng calls her out for going “sex-crazy” for Lin Zhi Xing (the master, 3rd disciple). Lol!. 色令智昏 = To lose one’s head over lust. Impatiently, he solves the case like a bull sees red. At Xu You Dao's (1st disciple) study room, he finds the victim’s head in a headless wolf sculpture. The victim is identified: Wang Ji Rong (2nd disciple). Xu You Dao has to be the murderer. Case solved!
The painting case. Su Jiu’er thinks Xu You Dao is framed. What kind of murderer would hide the evidence in his own room inside his own creations? And so Su Jiu’er cross-examines the other disciples. She finds out that Wang Ji Rong (victim) and Xu You Dao are close friends. Feng Mu Yuan (6th) reveals an oddity: Wang, a gambling addict, owing a debt, would actually buy back his painting from a pawn shop. Meanwhile Lin Zhi Xing (3rd) apprehensively stares at a painting titled, “Jiuxiao’s Snowy Night”. It’s dated “Year 23, Spring”, the same time as Su Jiu’er’s father’s painting.
New theory: the paintings are the culprits! How we got here:
- The painting that Wang Ji Rong (victim) pawned and redeemed was at No Name Gallery. [Wen Jun was hesitant to go there. Why? Because of the pawnshop owner? Meanwhile Han Zheng manhandles (aigoo) Su Jiu’er (who’s on a crutch!) to the No Name Gallery.
- At No Name Gallery, Manager Li recalls Wang Ji Rong's painting was originally graded “silver”, but because the old man on the boat disappeared, the rank upgraded to “gold”.
- Soon after, Wang died like a still image from Xu You Dao’s “Wolf Head Night Voyage”.
- Previously, Nanfeng Gallery had another famous painting: “Jiuxiao’s Snowy Night”. (That’s the one Lin Zhi Xing was staring at.) The artist is Master Wei Gong Lin. He used to use a wheelchair, but then he recovered and is now travelling the world. That’s some recovery. A red fairy goddess miraculously appeared on the painting overnight. (It was Lin Zhi Xing who congratulated Master Wei first and then the painting became legendary.)
- Xu You Dao is murdered! He’s the second victim to die looking like a painting, and this time it’s Lin Zhi Xing’s “Flower’s Evilness.” Is Lin the third victim?
For hanging Su Jiu’er on a tree (!!), Han Zheng finally apologizes (with candy)! I think the “sorry” wasn’t in the script but dubbed in. He also takes her flying and then drops her for the thrill...lol. My heart won’t be able to handle this guy. Back at home, she’s smug about the candy and the apology. I would ask for more but it did feel like wolfie knew he was wrong in his apology.
[Ep14] Su Jiu’er likes her candy so much, she stores it in her clothes. Bad idea. She’s got a good mom who washes her clothes without asking. The candy can’t be saved but the clothes are stain free at least. *Eureka* though. Su Jiu’er realizes the old man didn’t disappear, but the ashy yellow ink used to draw the old man is mysterious.
Lin Zhi Xing is under victim protection but he escapes. Han Zheng is about to zip and tail him, but Su Jiu’er hops onto Han Zheng, wanting to catch a ride. He throws her down! HE THREW HER DOWN!
Han Zheng struggles with sensory overload in the middle of the crowd and the heat from the afternoon sun. Serves you right! Our clever Su Jiu’er finds him. She knew Lin Zhi Xing would play dirty to ditch him. She rests her cold hands on Han Zheng's flushed cheeks. She even has an umbrella. Aw. The moment she appeared, he’s soothed. Aww. She’s so sweet. Han Zheng, if you fling her off again.... don’t make me learn shapeshifting!
Qiyuan Stone and the Painting-Murder:
- The stone stabilizes Qi powers at birth. The more powerful they become, the more powerful the stone is. If they lose their stone, their powers will be greatly reduced too.
- Wen Jun knows an awful lot about Qiyuan Stones. He says he learned it from Wen Ying.
- There’s a blackmarket buying Qiyuan Stone from poor Qi refugees because it’s healing for Qian citizens. Which makes me wonder why Han Zheng can heal Su Jiu’er.
- It’s suspected that Nanfeng Gallery disciples (1st, 2nd, and 3rd) used Qiyuan Stone for its stimulation benefits. Their drawing styles have drastically changed, becoming dark and edgy.
- Did Master Wei use a stone too? Is that how he recovered and no longer needed his wheelchair? Is he the old man on the boat? Is he still alive?
- When a Qian uses a Qiyuan Stone, they share telepathy temporarily. If Xu You Dao saw a wolf with three scars in his “dream” then that means it could have been Mu Yan. Is he that poor that he’s selling fragments of his stone or is someone luring Han Zheng into this trap?
Han Zheng hopes Chi Lan can secure the treaty and add a law to suspend the Qiyuan Stone blackmarket. Chi Lan says that’s naive. Adding a law will not improve their lives. They need to eradicate the discrimination and then they can live harmoniously. Fortunately, Qians can’t do much with their Qiyuan Stone (unlike the rebellious XuanQi tribe). The worst for Qians is death from overdose. Suddenly, Han Zheng gets a eureka moment too. He thinks he knows the cause of death.
[Ep15] The cause of death is Qiyuan Stone overdose. Han Zheng confirmed it with Wolf Kiss Grass, which reacts to the stone.
Lin Zhi Xing disappears again. He snuck out to kill his murderer. I love how Han Zheng examines Lin’s room according to Su Jiu’er's questions because he can hear her from afar. Han Zheng is about to zip again, but Su Jiu’er clings on, reminding him the last time he left without her. Aw, she’s clinging onto him to protect him. However, they’re still late. Lin Zhi Xing dies! In his hallucinations, he saw the red fairy goddess whom he calls shimei (little sister disciple). His corpse is the still image of Feng Mu Yuan’s “Flying Court Lady”, which means Feng Mu Yan is the next target.
Han Zheng and Su Jiu’er make a bet. If he solves the case first, then she cannot talk for 24 hours and must oblige his every order. If she wins, she wants 24 hours of his hot therapy. I want her to win.
Now we know why Wen Jun avoids No Name Gallery. The owner is Royal Uncle He whose daughter, He Yin, is smitten with Wen Jun. Since our team needs more clues, our access card, Wen Jun, sells his body to play with He Yin. I had thought Wen Jun was suspicious, turns out he’s just avoiding a girl. I can’t help it but be suspicious of the Wen brothers! Wen Jun should be safe, right?
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| Trust in Han Zheng! (Even if he called her a “stupid egg”) |
The Painting-Murder:
- The shimei is Meng Huai Yun, who left Nanfeng Gallery a few years ago. Lin Zhi Xing was at No Name Gallery to inquire about her pawned paintings and who redeemed them.
- None of Meng Huai Yun’s paintings were pawned by herself, but her shixiongs: Wang, Xu, Lin, and Feng Mu Yuan. What relationship could they have that was so fatal?
- Han Zheng solves the “old man’s disappearance” in Wang Ji Rong’s artwork. The ink is made from Wolf Kiss Grass, and once it interacts with Qiyuan Stone, the ink disappears. It’s to invoke fear in the guilty because Meng Huai Yun is dead.
- The red ink in Wei Gong Lin’s “Jiuxiao’s Snowy Night” was Meng Huai Yun's blood.
- Is Meng Huai Yun’s spirit haunting her killers or is someone avenging her? Who would have the money (to redeem her paintings ranked “gold”) and who would love her so much? Han Zheng concludes it’s Master Wei Gong Lin. It must be a lie that he’s “travelling”.
- The entire time, Su Jiu’er is observing Feng Mu Yuan’s expressions.
[Ep16] Su Jiu’er regrets making the bet with Han Zheng. She only wanted to prove she was worthy of being his partner so that he doesn’t abandon her, but instead the bet has made him competitive and now he’s nowhere in sight. Aw.
Constable Yue spikes Su Jiu’er's drink with Han Zheng’s Qiyuan Stone. I‘m actually grateful. Look at her fly! LOL. Li Yi Tong is awesome. With her new exciting superpowers, she chases the masked man. Han Zheng is like That girl flying was her?! Hahaha. She knows no fear and jumps off the cliff before Han Zheng can even react. He manages to save her, but loses track of the masked man. Once again, there were three scars on the mask. Everything is targeted at Han Zheng!
Han Zheng also regrets competing with Su Jiu’er. I like this show for keeping them in sync: when she has an epiphany for the case, he does too; when she regrets, he’s feeling the same. Han Zheng wants her to just tell him what she needs and he’ll help her. He says her frail body can’t do anything without him. To his surprise, she quickly agrees. He leans in to see if she meant it. She means it. If being weak can make him stay, our girl will cutely take it. She doesn’t want him to abandon her. That was the purpose of the bet in the first place. He smiles. And leaves her in the rain without the umbrella!
Feng Mu Yuan testifies. He was helping Master Wei punish the shixiongs. Wang, Xu, and Lin had felt inferior to Meng Huai Yun and started using Qiyuan Stone. Accidentally, they killed Meng Huai Yun because they couldn’t control their strength. A drop of her blood landed on Master Wei’s painting. Feng Mu Yuan was caught witnessing it all.
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| Our boys choke when our innocent Jiu’er asks about love. |
Su Jiu’er and Han Zheng find Feng Mu Yuan on a raft. He’s looking for Meng Huai Yun’s corpse. O. He still hasn’t found her ): Su Jiu’er is to distract Feng Mu Yuan while he'll save Wei Gong Lin (hostage). Han Zheng warns her to be careful. He won’t be able to protect her like usual because he doesn’t swim well. Su Jiu’er looks flustered.
Painting-Murder Case Solved
- Feng Mu Yuan killed the shixiongs and confined Master Wei Gong Lin. It seems the shixiongs not only killed Meng Huai Yun, they also defiled her. (Feng Mu Yuan told everyone of the murder, but not the rape for Meng Huai Yun’s reputation) As for Master Wei, he concealed the crime for Nanfeng Gallery’s reputation. They’re all guilty.
- Feng Mu Yuan and Meng Huai Yun met at the gallery. She was bullied by the shixiongs because of the birthmark on her face. Only Feng Mu Yuan didn’t bully her even though he was pressured into it. Later, she returned without a birthmark. Nobody could recognize her until she approached Feng Mu Yuan. He realized she was the cursed daughter of a minister and when their entire family was executed, the cursed daughter with the birthmark mysteriously disappeared. Hence the title of his painting: “Flying Court Lady”. This is why he knew Meng Huai Yun couldn’t have quit the gallery to return to her family. She loved drawing and she had no family.
- Feng Mu Yuan caught the drift of Meng Huai Yun’s death when Master Wei Gong Lin sent him to pawn a painting. It was hers. (And the painting was of them. She likes him too.)
- Feng Mu Yuan had a mysterious accomplice. He introduced him to Qiyuan Stone on the condition that (1) he staged the first victim like the Wolf painting and (2) he told Han Zheng of this.
Feng Mu Yuan isn’t remorseful because nothing can be compared to the regret for leaving Meng Huai Yun five years ago. He shouldn’t have left. He commits suicide and falls into the water.
The case is a full circle. Master Wei Gong Lin is still on the raft, which is the still image of Wang Ji Rong’s painting (where the old man “disappeared”).
Han Zheng: Su Jiu’er, it’s so dark, can you still find me?Su Jiu’er: Han Zheng, no matter where you are, I will find you.Han Zheng: She really found me. With you here, the water, it isn’t as scary.
She kisses him. For oxygen. What else? Our clever girl could find him because she tied him with a string. Aw. So that wasn’t a flustered expression. That was her brain cells gearing up for a backup plan.
So when it comes to water, our Su Jiu’er has the advantage? I like that.
Su Jiu’er shivers from the cold and Han Zheng's eyes tell me he so wants to hug her. Wen Jun arrives with blankets, though. He also tells his eunuch to give Han Zheng his clothes. Awww?! Even though it’s not your own clothes, Wen Jun, you’re precious.
Su Jiu’er wins the bet, but she isn’t happy at all. She couldn’t save anyone. Au contraire! Han Zheng says she helped Feng Mu Yuan reveal his story. She also discovered his love. In a way that's saving him. Su Jiu’er isn’t used to such a gentle Han Zheng.
Han Zheng (amused): Are you addicted to (my) bullying or..?! Maybe? Lol.
Su Jiu’er uses her winning privilege. She asks him not to be mad because she wants to ask about Three Scars. She suspects he killed her father because of the portrait her father drew. Han Zheng tells her all that he can:
- Three Scars is Mu Yan. Han Zheng won’t reveal anymore or Chi Lan will silence Su Jiu’er.
- Her father’s portrait looks like the wanted poster of Mu Yuan from ten years ago.
- Her father’s poison might be from XuanQi Tribe who are against Qian-Qi alliance
Oh, and the candy is to sweeten her mouth so that she’s not always fighting with him. Au contraire! Su Jiu’er loves bickering with him over nothing so that his smooth face wrinkles everywhere.
At night, Han Zheng enters Su Jiu’er’s dream! Dude was so jealous she’d be dreaming with another man because of the Qiyuan Stone side effects. He’s so relieved that she ingested his stone, he lets her do anything like making a pig nose.
At the end of the episode, Feng Mu Yuan is reunited with Meng Huai Yun at the bottom of the sea. She’s already a skeleton. What a bittersweet closure. I love the flashback to Su Jiu’er’s conversation with him: “Where’s your partner? [...] He definitely won’t leave you alone.” He was talking about himself and Meng Huai Yun. He even drew her on his clothes. They were always together... Wah.
[Ep18] Rumours are rife that Su Jiu’er and Han Zheng are in an illicit Qi-Qian relationship. He distances himself, but when Su Jiu’er does the same thing, that’s a no-no. Han Zheng tugs at the rope that’s tied to her wrist like she’s his pet on a leash. He won’t let her leave. Because without him, her little life will be in peril, he says. That’s not wrong.
The leash backfires. I love how she got her revenge on him!
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| Do we have a name for this cutie? Why does he look like Han Zheng?! xD |
Just when Han Zheng mulls over Su Jiu’er, he’s called into her dream .
It’s a sweet dream once Su Jiu'er cuddles Han Zheng. However, they’re accused of an illicit cuddling relationship. How dare they! Han Zheng says that if Jiuxiao cannot accept her, he’ll take her home. She’s in awe, but when her mother is thrusted, she tells him that she can’t leave. But in her sleep, she’s muttering, “Don’t leave, Han Zheng.” Once she’s awake, she's glad it was only a dream. However, Han Zheng is in real pain. His heart hurts. He realizes he’s in love. Hedgehog agrees. *Squeak squeak*
But even if Han Zheng accepts that he's in love, the world doesn’t accept it. Not even biologically! Qi can outlive Qians for many years. Furthermore, Qians and Qis cannot produce viable offspring. I am officially worried about the ending. Moreover! Han Zheng cannot choose his marriage. He’s the heir. Thankfully, Han Zheng doesn’t care about inheriting the throne. However, what about Su Jiu’er? The rumours are affecting her reputation. And now they argue in public.
But they fooled us all! When Su Jiu’er faints, Han Zheng is there! Arguing was only a pretence to stop the rumours. I love how she instinctively knew Han Zheng would be around to hold her hand. After the last case, she knows that Han Zheng will always be there for her. Godfather Hu catches them holding hands, and approves. Aw. He startles our couple too, making Su Jiu’er drop her candy. Han Zheng goes to buy more, but Su Jiu’er orders him to stop. “Hand.” And he’s back to hold her hand obediently. She taught him a dog trick! LOL. His hand is more effective than any candy.
[Ep19] While Wen Jun conciliates our arguing duo, Han Zheng and Su Jiu’er are sharing candies behind his back. I need a bubble to protect Wan Jun. And the eating sounds need to be de-emphasized. Are they vacuuming the food??
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| Apparently, Han Zheng only has to beckon like a fortune cat and girls will line up for him. |
I thought Han Zheng was nitpicking when he glared at Su Jiu’er and Wen Jun chowing down cucumbers. I forgot about their sensitive senses. Cucumbers must be deafening. Han Zheng is picking on Su Jiu’er though when she can’t finish her drink, “‘Bottoms up and we’re friends’. So you only want to be half a friend?” And so she puckers up and chugs it down. Han Zheng is amused and immediately orders water for her. I like to think that he wants her to join his club.
- A voice haunts the city, but this voice belongs to a dead woman who committed suicide three years ago. She’s Shi Lu Qing.
- Her voice haunts again when Performer Ren Feng Yang dies. He supposedly fell to his death on his own.
- Ke Yun Cha (CangQi’s lord) is mysteriously involved. (He had left CangQi tribe to elope with his Qian lover.) Chi Lan vouches for him that he was trying to save Performer Ren. Ke Yun Cha testifies that the victim took medicine prior to the opera.
- Su Xiao Mei explains the haunted singing. Performer Ren supposedly raped Shi Lu Qing. Is she also saying that if she had cancelled the meeting with Shi than Shi wouldn’t have been raped? She kept it a secret for Shi Lu Qing’s reputation. Unfortunately, that might have been the reason she committed suicide, and now Su Xiao Mei fears for her life.
- Su Jiu’er and Han Zheng don’t trust Su Xiao Mei. Her level of fear doesn’t match her story, but they still allow Ke Yun Cha to protect her.
In cross-examining Su Xiao Mei, Su Jiu’er had sent Han Zheng a signal. Carrots (Chinese = red reddish) for him, and radish (whatever that white food is) for her. She wanted this: 一個唱紅臉，一個唱白臉 = One sings red face, and the other sings white face = One plays the villain and the other plays a hero. The idiom originated from Beijing opera makeup (red face and white face). Wen Jun also caught the signal and he watches forlornly as our impeccable duo make Su Xiao Mei forthcoming with information.
Han Zheng won’t let Wen Jun walk Su Jiu’er home and for their pretence, he also can’t walk her home. What does Han Zheng do? Walk Wen Jun home. Pft. At least Wen Jun knows the truth now, but he’s still sad about the exclusion. He thought they were friends. Aw. Feeling bad, Han Zheng shares his candy. Someone teach him a new trick, lol. But he lies to Wen Jun that the yellow ones are tasty when they’re sour. Our precious Wen Jun puckers but still manages to compliment the tiny bit of sweetness. Aww! Afterwards, Wen Jun offers to have his servant send him home. Naw! between bros, this is too clingy. Plus, he has somewhere else to go. Jiu’er?! No. Ke Yun Cha’s. Han Zheng is bringing his buddy home. So much bro love. I’m pleasantly surprised.
[Ep20] A bidong! Cliche, and I forgot why it happened already. But I swooned at his speed. Fastest bidong in bidong history.
Su Xiao Mei committed suicide! What happened to protecting her, Ke Yun Cha? Since the irreconcilable-sham is still on, Han Zheng teams up with Constable Yue instead while Su Jiu’er and Godfather Hu cross-examines the theatre troupe for more clues on Performer Ren’s death. We learn that Shi Lu Qing has the reputation of a seductress, but one lady says those are all lies. She seemed like a nice and quiet girl.
Su Jiu’er has no more leads, except one. She puts her hands on her pelvis and her pelvis in a tilt. Godfather Hu mirrors her. What could this mean? Mother Su! LOL. They take Ke Yun Cha to Mother Su’s medicinal cabinet so that he can identify the ingredients in Performer Ren’s medicine. It’s a de-focusing drug.
[Ep21] Han Zheng buys Su Jiu’er enough lanterns to fill a boat. Seeing that she likes the rabbit lantern the best, our CEO Han Zheng is like Shall I change them all to rabbits? Ke Yun Cha mutters to Chi Lan, which must be like yelling in Qi volume, “Will Northern Qi have enough fortune for him to lose?” Han Zheng heard that.
Initiating hand holding just because of a sneeze ~ Han Zheng cares so openly now, eh.
Su Jiu’er releases her boatload of lanterns. Look at that lovely smile directed at the woman he loves. Ke Yun Cha releases one too without a specific name. Wei Ying does the same thing. For some reason, I’m thinking Wei Ying released it for Mu Yan....
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| Han Zheng said ben zuo! But my DFQC did not look like this, haha. |
Our sleepyhead Jiu’er is late the next morning. Nevermind! With Han Zheng "teleporting" her, our girl will never be late. And they’re back to being partners because Constable Yue desperately needs to steer clear of Han Zheng.
[Ep22] Ke Yun Cha’s lover was Shi Lu Qing. Once Han Zheng and Su Jiu'er learn the truth, they zip to find Boss Chen because Ke Yun Cha is his “bodyguard”. Su Jiu’er no longer has to hop and cling onto Han Zheng. He brings her without her asking. However, they might be too late. The place is set to explode.
Su Jiu’er (hugs): Mm. I care about you!
Su Jiu’er realizes she’s in love. Then they pull each other's sideburns, lol. Our poor Wen Jun sees them. Not the sideburn part.
Opera-Murder:
- He Yun Qing (the man who is mute) is Shi Lu Qing's father. He attempted to murder Boss Chen to avenge his daughter. Her real name is He Qing. She changed her name after she eloped with Ke Yun Cha.
- He Yun Qing (an opera performer) sang in his daughter's voice to haunt the truth out of the guilty ones. That’s when he learned about Performer Ren from Su Xiao Mei.
- Ke Yun Cha was not He Yun Qing’s accomplice, but it seems he just learned the truth and wrath is consuming him?? Will he kill Boss Chen?
Su Jiu’er's suspicions of Ke Yun Cha infuriates Han Zheng. He thinks it's based on discrimination. If Ke Yun Cha wanted to murder Boss Chen, he could have done it last night. But he only knew the truth now... His refusal to listen to her explanation pisses her off, and immediately Han Zheng regrets it.
Godfather Hu cheers up a sulking Han Zheng. He supports this couple. It’s because Su Jiu’er loves Han Zheng, and it’s mutual. He motivates Han Zheng to live for today because who knows, he might choke and die the next day, lol. Something like that.
Han Zheng bandages Su Jiu’ers hands together like a hand-warmer. They’re stuck together now. It wouldn’t have happened if Jiu’er wasn’t so lost in staring at his face. She asks her Great Bandager how she can receive her hot therapy.
Like this:
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| I need therapy too! |
Now we have a scene of Wen Jun. O______O What is this transition, Show? Am I supposed to suspect Wen Jun? But he has an alibi for three days. His eunuch...I’m not so sure. Wen Jun was heartbroken but manages to motivate himself that even if the woman he loves doesn’t love him, he can still see her (and love her). That’s Godfather Hu’s mentality. Finally he learns about Godfather’s Hu’s death. He attends the funeral, but Su Jiu’er is absent. It's because she can’t bear to send him away.
[Ep24] Chi Lan visits Han Zheng in prison to make sure he eats. She also laid Ke Yun Cha’s body with Shi Luo Qing with her father’s permission. No wonder she’s the jiejie.
[Ep25] Han Zheng enters Su Jiu'er's dream via the Qiyuan Stone. He helps her profile the Peony Murderer, who seems to be a strong young man. Motive is unknown. No theft or sexual assault were reported. 8 corpses were recovered from the river. 4 matches the suspect: a tall eight-foot man, a smaller six-foot man, a skinny seven-foot man, and a short? Tall? Young? Old? Nope, just woman. Han Zheng’s stick drawings are a little embarrassing, but he knows Jiu’er will understand. He says that although she doesn’t care about him anymore, he will still care about her. “You don’t mind, I mind / You don’t care about me, I care about you”.
Upon further investigation with these useless two-finger gloves, Su Jiu'er notices Ka Ka's mother's hairpin isn't a peony (shao yao), it's a different peony (mu dan). You’re recapper is an idiot with plants. Would a murderer obsessed about peonies mistaken a peony?
Wei Ying and Chi Lan play Qi Checkers. He’s astounded she beats him (with her own game), and it’s a move she learned from a friend (= Mu Yan). Wei Ying is pretty good because his late wife loved playing checkers. In his heart, his wife is matchless. But then Wei Yin seems to really care about Chi Lan too....?! And Chi Lan is also reminded of Mu Yan and it seems they had a some-relationship. Could Wei Ying....be Mu Yan?!
Now Han Zheng is chilling at Su Jiu’er’s home like it’s his ~ He finally gets to tell her about Godfather Hu’s last words.
[Ep26] Mother Su allows Han Zheng to stay over. She really trusts Han Zheng! Why! It turns out that he told her about his therapeutic benefits for Su Jiu’er.
Peony Murder and Han Zheng’s Escape:
- Patrolman Liu knew that Su Jiu'er will solve Ka Ka’s mother’s murder, and so he had to suspend her by framing Han Zheng's prison break on her.
- Patrolman Liu smudged the evidence to profile the Peony Murderer as a male instead of a female so that he could coverup Ka Ka’s mother's death, a Qi woman. (A woman couldn't possibly have the strength to kill a Qi)
- However, Patrolman Liu isn’t the murderer. His son (Xiao Bin) is. He was bullied and suffered a brain trauma when he was 7yo. That day, there was a thunderstorm and so whenever there’s a storm, he turns manic. It was Xiao Bin who killed Ka Ka’s mother. Poor Ka Ka.
- It is also Xiao Bin who murdered Godfather Hu. It did rain that day.
[Ep27] The sweet: 1) Han Zheng is a dog who doesn't learn new tricks and bought candy; 2) Han Zheng apologizes about Godfather Hu; 3) Han Zheng is thankful that she resolved his discrimination against Qians. However, the bitter: he has to go back for the Qi coronation and defeat his challengers to prove his worth. He promises Jiu'er that he'll return quickly. Because of her. He teases her that she seems to miss him already. Su Jiu'er does! She eagerly asks him if he'll stay because of that. When he's paralyzed from the direct confession, she lies that it was a joke. Now he thinks she doesn't care about him. Wofie. Your ears clogged? Your neurons are degrading already?
Han Zheng discloses everything about Mu Yan to Su Jiu'er. He trusts her completely.
- Mu Yan is from XuanQi. He was the original crown prince. However, it was chaotic under his father's reign.
- Han Zheng's father overthrew Mu Yan's father with the support of the other tribes.
- Mu Yan's father committed suicide and then Mu Yan disappeared with the Holy Fire Ember.
- Qi Clan needs the ember to survive the Longest Night (days without the sun).
Wen Jun should be elated that Han Zheng has to leave soon, but instead he's worried about Su Jiu'er's health. Compared to Jiu'er's wellness, his feelings don't matter. Awwwwww.
Wen Jun – access card – brings Su Jiu'er to Prime Minister Sun. There's two findings: 1) the no-finding of her father's diplomatic mission, and 2) ten years ago, Three Scars was supposed to exchange the Holy Fire with a secret organization (their symbol: Snow Flower), but there was no sighting of Three Scars. There is a third nugatory finding: PM Sun is inferior to Father Su.
Han Zheng is fired! Can we ruin our wolf prince's reputation any more? xD He was supposed to be imprisoned (how many times now? Lol) for breach of trust in aiding Ke Yun Cha's escape, but was spared because of his status and his previous credit.
Su Jiu'er cheers up Han Zheng by hiring him as her personal assistant. Every month she'll pay him 20 taels, which she says Han Zheng will just pay himself, lol. He whines about his position. Not high-class at all. She edits "high-class" in there. He's smug and they thumb-stamp a heart together. Wen Jun is clever enough to realize this is a marriage certificate (下聘 xiapin). 聘 means "to hire", but it can also mean "to betroth", especially when used with 下.
Mother Su falls into Three-Scars's trap! She buys his Qiyuan Stone and now Su Jiu'er is dreaming of him!
[Ep28] Wen Jun tells Su Jiu'er that he likes her. Our silly girl thinks he's using her as an excuse to reject He Yin. Meanwhile He Yin is led astray into believing that Wen Jun likes Han Zheng. When she puts the name to the face, Han Zheng's sex offends her. Back at her, Han Zheng is offended that she's shocked about his sex.
Wei Ying oh Wei Yin, who are you? Don't mess with our Chi Lan while professing your love for your "wife"! If you're not Mu Yan, I'll claw three scars on your face to make you into Mu Yan! Oh and Wei Ying really wants his two "spies" back from Northern Qi.
So Royal Uncle He (He Yin's father / Empress's brother / No Name Gallery's owner) preaches bigotry and chauvinism as he slanders Han Zheng and every Qi.
Su Jiu'er has side-stepped yet another confession and this one is from Han Zheng. He was just about to announce that she's his one and only woman, ever, but she cuts him off for his sake. He's disheartened because he took her words literally that he is only her partner.
"Siren" Murder: A ship was headed towards Northern Qi, but returned empty. Everyone disappeared. They say it's the Sea Demon. In the past, there were survivors who escaped because they closed their eyes. They also heard singing. Su Jiu'er knows this is a lie. There was no demon. She dreamt of this murder. She also saw Mu Yan.
Han Zheng thinks following Mu Yan's "trap" will lead them to the Holy Fire. This logic again, lol. He trusts Mu Yan. Han Zheng also wants to retrieve the Holy Fire in exchange for his freedom. He thinks Chi Lan would make the better King. YES! Our Chi Lan is such a pro. She loves Mu Yan as much (or maybe more) than Han Zheng, but she can keep her cool. But if she becomes King/Queen, what about Mu Yan or Wei Ying or whoever!
Su Jiu'er finally realizes Han Zheng likes her. But what about his throne? Her fathers are arguing on her behalf. Godfather Hu supports the relationship. Mutual love is precious! Father Su also understands Su Jiu'er though. If Han Zheng forsakes the throne for her, she'll always feel guilty. However, Su Jiu'er says her mother is right. Meeting a man who loves her back made her into a better and braver person. She wants to cherish the days she has with Han Zheng. The fathers are like "You mother is right." Ha.
[Ep29] Han Zheng is the best assistant a girl can have because he's basically an oppressor, scolding anyone who disagrees with Su Jiu'er.
We learn from Wen Ying – again – that jealousy is the proof of love. He Yin applies that trick on Wen Jun. But she's flirting with Han Zheng?! Well it works! Someone is jealous and that someone is Su Jiu'er.
Wen Jun is a happy man! Han Zheng took him flying and vouched for him so that Chi Lan would let him join the case even though the suspect is Royal Uncle He, his uncle. We also need Wen Jun's access card to investigate Royal Uncle He's hunting ground. I think that's the real reason, hahaha. Naahhh, they trust him and Wen Jun looked so touched ~ However, his access card won't work this time. Royal Uncle He won't believe that he wants to go hunting. We need Wen Ying. Our team trusts him. But do we trust Wen Ying?
Our team smuggled into Royal Uncle He's hunting ground (thanks to Wen Ying), but a trap was waiting for them. Han Zheng suffers an injury while protecting Su Jiu'er. They both fall into the water, but to save her, he pushes her back up while he sinks to the bottom of the sea.
Royal Uncle He is the Sea Demon mastermind, capturing Qis for their Qiyuan stones, and now he has confined Han Zheng in the cave. He is also part of the secret organization Chanting Snow Chamber (yinxuege).
Mother Su still has Han Zheng's Qiyuan stone! Su Jiu'er swallows them all. If it were me, I'd save some. Just in case. She dreams of him. He smiles; he knew she could find him. He realizes that he isn't afraid of death, but afraid of leaving her. In tears, Su Jiu'er promises that she will find him.
[Ep31] Wen Jun shoves Eunuch Liu Fu towards the armed guards (uh safely?). So Eunuch is carrying a cleaver and Wen Jun a ladle. What are they planning to do? Cook 'em? Scary. Lol. During the confusion, Su Jiu'er manages to reach Chi Lan and Ke Ha. With He Yin's help, they locate the cave and save Han Zheng. He Yin is staggered. She can't believe her father would imprison innocent men.
Royal Uncle He flees with He Yin. Eunuch Liu Fu is close on their heels. Fear the cleaver! But a masked horseman saves Royal Uncle He. Wait, no, he's here to murder Royal Uncle He. o.o Eliminating the bad apple? He Yin witnesses her father's death. Wen Jun feels guilty. He promises He Yin that he'll make it up to her. He'll give her everything. She doesn't need his pity. She cries that she just wants her father.
And Wen Ying is giving shady vibes here. Did he eliminate Royal Uncle He? o_O Or maybe he just knows something.
Wen Ying tortures a confession out of Manager Li. Aw, I liked him... He says Minister Deng Zhi Xiang is involved. Su Jiu'er is perplexed. She didn't know Wen Ying could be this cruel. And that minister seemed fair.
Su Jiu'er (flustered): Why would I be jealous?!Han Zheng: Because you like me.
Panicking, Su Jiu'er runs back home, but Han Zheng isn't done talking!
Han Zheng: Su Jiu'er, I like you.Su Jiu'er: What did you sayHan Zheng: I said I like you. I like you more than you like me.
Kissy kissy time!
Our couple part. Su Jiu'er is squealing in her room. Han Zheng isn't satisfied, though. He hasn't confirmed her feelings, and so he's back ~
Han Zheng: Jiu'er, you like me, right?Su Jiu'er nods.
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| Kissu~ |
Just when Han Zheng is a bit happier, "Jun'er" is here. Hehe. Wen Jun confesses to Su Jiu'er that he liked her, but it was like knocking on a door that will never open for him. He has decided he will never marry and will always be He Yin's brother. Awwwww :( He's not here to make Jiu'er feel guilty, he just wants to end these feelings for her. Han Zheng overhears.
We have a case of atavism. Qis are regressing into their wolf forms. Ka Ka's father is one of the victims. Poor kid! I'm more hurt for him than he seems hurt for himself. Wen Jun has a place for them: the empty opera house.
Han Zheng sincerely thanks everyone for helping them (Qis). Wen Jun chummily slings a hand over Han Zheng. Wen Jun is easily touched and also very touchy, lol.
No one was defiled. In a way, I felt like Ke Ha protected Han Zheng's virginity from Su Jiu'er LOL.
[Ep33] Wen Jun scoffs that if Han Zheng and Su Jiu'er are dating, he would be the first to know. Oh Jun'er!!! Little did he know that he knew absolutely nothing.
Han Zheng and Ke Ha are infected (I wish Han Zheng would dance too, lol). Chi Lan is fine though. Han Zheng avoids Su Jiu'er, afraid that he'd accidentally hurt her. No, no, not by the hair of her chinny chin chin because she's going to sit on his hands with her bummy bum bum.... His hands are trembling too. Under her bum. Ok.
Our team identifies the poison. It's only noxious at high temperature, which is why only Qis (with their high body temperature) are affected. It seems XuanQi Tribe's Mu Cha is behind the poisoning because only they would benefit from Han Zheng missing the coronation. They also specialize in poisons. There is a cure, but the plant doesn't grow anymore. Their last hope is the Holy Fire – the missing Holy Fire.
Then there are more complications. CangQi allies with XuanQi tribe because they find out that the Holy Fire is missing. They plan to wage war and take over Qian because Northern Qi is inhabitable. This means, our team needs to sign the Qian-Qi treaty, stat, in order to dissuade CangQi. Our team asks Wen Jun for help who asks Wen Ying.
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| Han Zheng in ecstasy from a feather behind Su Jiu'er's back! I mean, in front of her face. |
The source of the poison: ice. Chi Lan isn't infected because she didn't eat the slush. I wonder if whoever poisoned the ice knew Chi Lan wouldn't eat it. And hey, Mu Yan specializes in poison too if he's from XuanQi. Hmmmmm.
The Qian-Qi treaty is progressing smoothly. Chi Lan celebrates with Wen Ying. They both prepared the same wine. It's also her birthday. Well, whaddya know, his wife has the same birthday and likes the same wine! They talk about their lovers, and she says she regrets never telling him (Mu Yan) that she liked him.
[Ep34] Han Zheng has a blackout. In the morning, he finds himself in Jiu'er's room, but it's Ke Ha crying under the blanket next to him in the bed. Han Zheng is shocked. Did he defile him? LMAO. Wut.
Our atavistic Qis are on a rampage in the city. A masked man (from Chanting Snow Organization) turned up the heat at the opera theatre, and released a cat, intensifying their symptoms. As a result, the Qian-Qi treaty is no more. In seven days, every Qi will be expelled from Qian.
Han Zheng's voice changed at 19:08. Who was that!
Su Jiu'er doesn't understand why the poisoning was so thorough, and yet it wasn't lethal. However, they soon realize Ka Ka's father is dying a slow death. (But still, why not use a fast acting poison?)
Our team tries to haunt Minister Deng for the antidote, but he seems to know nothing, especially when he used a cat to protect himself when their meows aggravate the symptoms.
We narrow down to Wen Ying. It was him who led them astray to suspect Minister Deng. Then Chi Lan finds out Manager Li is dead. His dying message looks like the 7 on an abacus (7 = qi = Ah Qi = Wen Ying's bodyguard). Poor Wen Jun! Wen Jun is shaken, but our boy does the right thing! He investigates his brother and then the next morning he shows up to join our gang for breakfast.
[Ep35] Wen Jun confirms that Wen Ying and Ah Qi are suspicious, but he wants to believe that his brother has a (good) reason. Wen Jun's cooperation has the team in admiration. They cross their arms in solidarity.
At night, Chi Yan watches Wen Ying from afar (not far enough!). She thought she found a soulmate but he was a hypocrite.
The next day, the plan is doomed before it even starts. Wen Ying kidnaps Su Jiu'er and wants her dead. He predicted everything already, but he does admit that he underestimated her and her father. PM Sun couldn't locate the rendezvous point between Mu Yan and the Secret Organization because he was only searching on land. Only her father found them on the ship – the first "sea demon" incident that Royal Uncle He copied. Su Jiu'er pieces together the puzzle:
- Wen Ying met with Mu Yan to steal the Holy Fire. It was him who murdered everyone on the boat. (Yes and no, says Wen Ying).
- Father Su escaped from the ship, but he stole the ember to treat Su Jiu'er and this is why he never sought treatment for his poison.
- Wen Ying would have never found the ember if Han Zheng wasn't fine. It was her healing Han Zheng with the ember within her, preventing his symptoms from aggravating. Su Jiu'er is the Holy Fire.
- The final piece, Su Jiu'er doesn't understand. Why does Wen Ying want her dead? If he wants the Holy Fire, just take it. Wen Ying says that she'll never know as he pushes her to her death.
Wen Ying meets with Han Zheng and the rest. BUT THE MAN ZIPS. He's faster than Han Zheng and Chi Lan! Then he rips off his face. He is Mu Yan! But I want the actor to stay, lol. No offence Liu Te, but Yang Shi Ze made the role. Wen Ying had died on the boat. Wen Jun is shell-shocked. But he should have suspected it from the start. Why did a brother who never cared about him suddenly change? Mu Yan doesn't know the reason he liked Wen Jun either. Maybe it's because he was like Han Zheng. Aha! This is why he's "Wen Jun" like Bi Wen Jun! No seriously, tell me in what universe they're alike?
Mu Yan's plan:
- Eliminate the leader of Chanting Snow Flower (Secret Organization) = Wen Ying.
- Incite war by making the Qis believe the Qians have their Holy Fire. He wanted the Qis to know that the Holy Fire isn't their safeguard, but their shackles confining them to Northern Qi. The new way of life is to take over Qian.
But Mu Yan lost the Holy Fire.
But what about all these cases? Why lure Han Zheng into Jiuxiao City? To witness the Qis oppressed by the Qians.
- Nursery Rhyme Murder: witness the hatred Chef Zhang had for Qis; he was also part of the secret organization.
- Painting Murder: reveal the blackmarket.
- Sea Demon Murder: expose Royal Uncle He. (It was Ah Qi who murdered Royal Uncle He)
Ultimately, Mu Yan wanted to terminate the Qian-Qi alliance. He poisoned his own people to push them over the edge. He seeks for Han Zheng and Chi Lan's support. How about a NO.
It's okay. Mu Yan doesn't need their support. He also poisoned his own clansmen up North to force them into war. He's just like his father. This is why there is no other antidote. He already took care of that. Chi Lan says he changed. But Mu Yan disagrees. They just didn't know him.
But there is another antidote! Su Jiu'er is alive! She ingested Han Zheng's Qiyuan stone. It was uncanny to them too that Han Zheng is fine, and this was their backup-backup plan. However, to extract the antidote (ember), Mu Yan says Su Jiu'er will have to die.
A cool battle ensues at high speed ~ And uh oh, Mu Yan is more powerful than Chi Yan and Han Zheng, especially when they have people to protect. Then he attacks Su Jiu'er, which triggers Han Zheng. He protects her. Angered, Mu Yan (who has been going easy on them) makes the final blow and he slashes down towards Han Zheng's neck. Su Jiu'er runs in front –
I don't get bored watching this fight. Love how they're using the setting. Han Zheng had the chance to kill Mu Yan, but he couldn't do it. I think it's the same for Mu Yan. Mu Yan escapes and throws down the bracelet he shares with Han Zheng and Chi Lan. Where'd he go! Once again, Chi Lan recalls Mu Yan's answer when she asked him what she would do if they were enemies in a fight. He would leave. Mu Yan keeps his promises.
When Han Zheng wakes up from the dream, he realizes he was drugged and slept for three days! Su Jiu'er is in a coma. Holding hands never worked. She had threatened Mother Su if she didn't help her take out the ember, she'd find her own way. Mother Su had no choice. She was just like her dad. She also thought these years were stolen. After Han Zheng reads the letter Su Jiu'er left him, Han Zheng regains composure (almost too fast!!). He pats Chi Lan's land, hugs Wen Jun (this feels wrong!! Han Zheng what are you doing!), and holds Mother Su's hand. He smiles at everyone. Then without warning, his powers surge and he slams the door, locking everyone outside. It's either he saves her or he dies with her.
Su Jiu'er and Han Zheng are getting married in Jiuxiao City! What a transition.
Han Zheng and Su Jiu'er make their wedding bows, but from a distance, Su Jiu'er hears a girl scream "Save me!" Han Zheng can't hear it. She must be imagining it. But she hears it again. Her ear twitches. I'm wondering if we had an ear substitute for this scene, lool. Han Zheng nods, understanding her intentions. They halt their wedding to save the world. Su Jiu'er zips! Han Zheng sighs. He can't "xiu xiu xiu" (zip zip zip) anymore. NOOOOOO! He lost his powers! What is Han Zheng without his powers? LOL. He's not even the brain in the duo, haha.
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| I know there's Mu Yan, but a teeny part of me is still asking, "Are these two shippable?" Not the mop head at the back (Love you Ke Ha). |
Han Lin and Chi Lan in unison: None of your (farting) business.
At the very least, our couple can live to old age together. Okay, I like that! But can they make babies?
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| I love their expressions! All of them. |
The end.
WAIT. There's more.
We have audiences who aren't happy with the author's ending. They smack his butt. This butt belongs to Wen Jun. They were promised a story about Northern Qi. Where's that! Wen Jun calms them. There's still one more page...
...hand in hand, Su Jiu'er and Han Zheng assure the readers there's more to their story as they hand out their next book. The crowd cheers for season two. Ah, is this why Mu Yan is kept alive?
The end.
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| Ahhh! Someone burn that hat from Han Zheng's head! |
The end.
Remarks
[First Impression (Ep1-8)] It took me 7 episodes to truly get the premise: a wolf man meets a cuddly girl! Resistance is now futile. Then I find out she’s surrounded by princes. And then it’s also a mystery romance with our leads solving cases together. Lock me in, please.
And their love language is howling. How sweet is that! Awoooooo~
Objectively though, I think this is a B-mystery, B-fantasy, B-action, and B-romance. But mixing all these elements together along with the cast, I am betaken, especially by episodes 7 and 8. Drama has an easygoing, cuddly charm packed with interesting characters.
[Cast/Crew] It’s Si Ming and Dongfang Qing Cang! Well no. It’s Dongfang Qing Cang’s voice dubbing Bi Wen Jun. He also has blue eyes. Li Yi Tong dubs herself, and I like her voice, but I wish she could dial down her sparkling enthusiasm just a notch. Her howling is the best, though.
This supporting cast is deeper than I thought. If you watch mid-tier dramas, you will notice a lot of them are main leads in other dramas. There’s Chen He Yi who had a glint of evil in his eyes. There’s Yang Shi Ze who seems ambiguous as the crown prince. Then there’s Liu Te who’s straight up mysterious because he’s missing. Finally, there’s He Rui Xian who is looking like a potential girl crush.
[CP Name]
Han Zheng 寒猙 + Su Jiu'er 蘇玖兒
= Jiu Zheng Guo Zi 玖狰果汁
= Nine Delicacy Drink
→ A type of bubble tea made of nine fruits
[Glossary]
色令智昏 Sè lìng zhì hūn – To lose one’s head over lust / sex-crazy (Ep12)
一個唱紅臉，一個唱白臉 – One plays the villain and the other plays a hero. The literal translation: “One sings red face, and one sings white face.” The idiom originated from Beijing Opera (red face / white face). (Ep19)
[Behind the Scenes]
Li Yi Tong interview – She also explains why she uses a higher tone. [Comment]
Li Yi Tong interview II – Bi Wen Jun calls her dumb, lol. [Comment]
Livestream (Disneyland Day) on 2nd day of airing [Comment]
Livestream on final day of airing [Comment]
[Ending] Happy
[A Highlight] For whatever reason my memorable scene is..... Su Jiu'er howling in Ep8.
[Review & Rating]
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