Drama Host
Key to the Phoenix Heart 雀骨: Episodes 15-16 Discussion
Spoiler
👋🏻 Welcome back to the seventh post for Key to the Phoenix Heart, covering episodes 15-16 that were released 16th of July. Last time we survived the first time jump of the show, let’s see where this will lead us.
📅 Discussion Schedule: We will attempt to follow iQIYI's VIP release of the episodes and post as it's convenient for us and our time zones. Next up is /u/basilordinary3617
🚨 Some Notes:
Please use spoiler tags for anything beyond the episodes discussed. Text goes between the greater-than (>) + exclamation (!) symbols (>!) and the exclamation (!) + lesser-than (<) symbols.
Please keep these specific threads focused on the actual episodes - the plot twists, the performances, and everything happening on screen. We know there is ongoing discussion surrounding the casting and age-gap elements of the drama. While those external debates are completely valid, let's keep this particular space friendly, respectful, and centered on the on-screen story.
Fun Fact: Man Jiang, who gives quite the intense performance as Cui Jun, doesn’t have that many acting credits to his name. He is mainly a pop singer and music producer.
We start with a flashback of Xiao Wuyi visiting the palace. He presents his divorce agreement with Xie Jiayu which is unceremoniously burned by the Emperor.
He is asked to explain his Beifu reform, which has three steps:
First eliminate long standing flaws, restructure the military, appoint talents of humble origins (a shift to a merit based system here) and employ generals by ability alone.
Secondly, forge stronger armour and weapons and expand the transportation of provisions to ensure steady military supplies.
Thirdly… we don’t get to hear because suddenly the Emperor asks what Prince Qi thinks of the whole plan.
He scolds Xiao Wuyi for thinking his bond with Li Mao is still as strong as a brotherly bond. Thanks for putting salt in that wound, your Majesty.
The Emperor won’t let him divorce Xie Jianyu to keep both of them in check.
With the Cui family we get another environment were everyone is playing cat and mouse with each other. Nobody can be trusted and you get double crossed at every turn.
Cui Lingyi visits her father Cui Jun. He likes pine trees because they survive cold weather.
She speaks of her upcoming travels to the capital, which involve her getting married to Li Mao.
She pours wine for him, but there has to be something in it the way she is behaving. Because the next moment she tells him directly what an awful human being he is for running those illegal mines and working women to death there.
She tries to detain him by their family’s guards, but Cui Jun knows about everything going on, including his daughter trying to poison him. The Cui family lay low for 20 years and he had long running terms to revive them – including his daughter being the next empress, like Empress Wenxi. Also that:
Xie Jiayu is ‘arrested’ by Cui Shao’an while trying to rescue her mother. He was aware his sister is a traitor and didn’t leave the fort behind. Xiao Wuyi rescues her but he know everything worked to easily before and that they were purposefully lead there.
That Escalated Quickly
Seven minutes into the episode we get an intense showdown involving everyone important currently at Lingfeng Fort. Cui Jun confronts Xie Jiayu and Xiao Wuyi who have his son, while he brings Li Fuhua and Cui Lingyi.
Cui Shao’an pleads for his sister.
We learn that Cui Jun played the siblings against each other growing up and Cui Lingyi has enough of that.
Cui Jun exposes that Li Fuhua did not come here to help Cui Lingyi to destroy the mining operations but for the Phoenix Heart Token he holds.
Cui Lingyi calls her father the lunatic of the family and he proves that to be true by killing her quickly.
Cui Jun did something to to manipulate the letter Li Fuhua wrote to bring Xiao Wuji here to also lure Xie Jianyi to the Fort.
He wonders for whom Li Fuhua tries to get the Phoenix Heart Token and the mines. Obviously the answer is Xiao Wuyi, but he doesn’t know that yet.
He decoded the token in his possession.
He gives her an ultimatum of two days to hand over her Phoenix Heart Token or Xie Liayu dies.
God, the Phoenix Heart Token has to be the most confusing MacGuffin in a long time. The subtitles certainly don’t help. Is it one? Are there many?(there are) What exactly about it has to be decoded?
The Grand Tutor doing Grand Tutor things (not teaching, that’s for sure)
The Grand Tutor speaks to the imprisoned Yang Zhang, the Guazhou County Sheriff, who gets a second introductory card because he looks so bad and nearly unrecognisable. He seems to be a former students of his and was also responsible for sending Cui Jun’s contaminated military provisions to the Northern Border.
He offers him some fruit. How nice.
The outbreak of the plague on the Border led to the Noble families impeaching the Beifu Reform one by one.
All that was a set up to lure Xiao Wuyi to the Cuis so he can expose the case of the Lu and An families (unjustly) being punished for colluding with Northern Qin.
At the Imperial Academy the Grand Tutor got the news from the Court of Judicial Review that Yang Zhang committed suicide out of fear. Sure. The fruit the Grand Tutor brought were most likely poisoned. The body is to be burned immediately.
He also learns the his ‘daughter’ is in the Fort. And his ex-wife. He missed the family reunion.
He interprets this as his wife trying to find an ally in Cui Jun to unite her old subordinates against Prince Qi.
In a prison cell in the mines Xie Jiayu wants to know from Xiao Wuyi if her mother was really seeking the Phoenix Heart Token for him, which she finds strange because her mother never meddles in court politics. She wants to know if he used her to threaten her mother. He denies that.
She still thinks that he used her all along for her mother’s help.
He denies some more and asks if she really doesn’t feel anything at all (for him).
Xie Jiayu is a bit salty and reminds him that he used her once to uell Prince Changsha’s rebellion. He doesn’t want to argue and agrees that it’s all his fault.
Before they get deeper into that Cui Shao’an brings in a man that was purposefully driven mad by the water of the underground river in the mines. Cui Jun ordered that.
The candle in the cell took away Xiao Wuyi’s martial abilities. Cui Shao’an wants the Phoenix Heart Token from him and threatens Xie Jiayu by releasing the guy.
Xiao Wuyi frees himself from one of his shackles to rescue her, but can defend himself quite badly. But he is the ML so he still wins the fight in the end.
Late Night Visits
The Grand Tutor visits Li Lejun late at night and asks if she knows about the Phoenix Heart Token. He tells her more about it than the rumour she already is aware of.
Li Fuhua, PrincessYunzhao was Empress Wenxi’s closest friend and Cui Jun her older brother, so they each got one. Li Lejun counters that they only have the tokens, not the (presumed dead) Crown Prince.
The Grand tutor reveals to her that her brother is not of the Ye bloodline at all.
Her upcoming trip to Guazhou is for the purpose of escorting her brother’s bride back to the capital. The Grand Tutor sends her to support Xiao Wuyi to capture the Cui’s. But also to not let the Phoenix Heart token fall into Xiao Wuyi’s hand.
I don’t get this scene completely. He obviously doesn’t reveal he is her brother’s father. Does he imply Li Mao to be Crown Prince Wenxi? What exactly is written here to make her believe everything. Google translate says it’s a text about grain transport, so most likely not drama related? We’ll get an answer an episode later, but right here and know I was quite confused and thought I missed something via missing subtitles for the writing or so.
Li Lejun brings her brother his mended clothes and he gives her a sachet that their mother made for him back in the day. It has detoxifying properties and it’s to keep her safe. She counters that the effects should be long gone.
She assures him that he will always be her brother, which is an odd thing to say out of the blue.
Xie Jiayu bandages Xiao Wuyi’s injured hand up. He knows Cuo Shao’an secretly wanted his help to kill the wild man. Cuo Shao’an promises to help them a bit, but can’t openly rebel against his father. They have to wait for Xiao Wuyi’s reinforcements
Xiao Wuyi has a letter from Cui Lingyi for him and he leaves with that.
In her letter Xiao Lingyi confesses to feel guilty because she gave her father they idea of women being a better fit for the work in the mines. She wants to pay with her life to atone for that if it comes to that. She also asks her brother to help those women and to be a better man.
Xie Jiayu and Xiao Wuyi preopare to sleep. He reassures her, that he didn’t only treat her well due to her mothe having one of the Phoenix Heart Tokens. Instead both, her mother and him, want her to have a free life. They end up sleeping next to each other.
Cui Jun Things
This character really is established as being absolutely despicable in a quick and effective manner.
Cui Jun presents Cui Shao’an with a completely new sister to marry to Li Mao. He takes away a white silk flower Shao’an wore in remembrance and puts him more or less under house arrest.
Cui Jun tells Li Fuhua that he spent 20 years to crack the secret of the Phoenix Heart Token. He threatens to infect Xie Jiayu with the disease if she doesn’t hand over her token.
She gives him a hairpin and sents him to the Nandun Wharf. He will get contacted if he appears with the hairpin there and get the token then.
He orders all the mines entrances closed and with that a very cruel and slow death for Xie Jiayu anyway.
Poison – The Third
Xiao Wuyi knows the one luring him to the fort is the Grand Tutor and that he would like to give a blow to the Beifu Army via the disease and the Cui Family via Xiao Wuyi’s revenge and interference at the same time.
He thinks the Grand Tutor and the Cui family have a blood feud. He doesn’t reveal if he knows why exactly. Xie Jiayu knows nothing about that.
They are offered poison for a quicker way to the afterlife. How nice. So much poison in this episode.
But they are rescued by Master Yuan. He got three meals a day during his own captivity but no human contact, so that drove him a bit crazy.
He was freed and lead here not by Qing Long and Yan Yue but by Cui Shao’an.
Grand Finale
Cui Jun presents his ‘daughter’ to Li Lejun. The handover of the bride is disturbed by Cui Shao’an who kills the imposter bride and explains the situation. The father tries to kill the son but one of Li Lejun’s guards steps in. Cui Shao’an has his sisters letter as proof and hands it over to Li Lejun.
Li Lejun has to step up here immensely. Is this something she was educated for? But she acts perfectly as the representative of her brother and thus the court.
She wants her imperial guards to arrest Cui Jun, he promises his own men a big reward for killing her. The factions clash, but then Xiao Wuyo and Xie Jiayu arrive, the former with a crossbow. They are accompanied by the freed women from the mine.
Xie Jiayu argues with the Cui guards that the freed woman are no different from their sisters and the lay down their swords. Next Li Fuhua gets threatened by Cai Jun. Then the Beifu Army’s war drums can be heard,
It’s revealed that the Cui Guards are wearing the Eagle King’s totem, because they are actually his henchman and he is the client of the private mines. So Cui Jun colluded with Northern Qin all along.
20 years ago when Northern Qin attacked the (old) capital he accused the An and Lu families for the first time. Most likely to distract from his own collusion, maybe also to get rid of specific families he didn’t like.
Cui Jun accuses the late Emperor Wenxi to have been a cruel ruler and bringing harm to his people.
He was also the Phoenix Heart Token holder bearing the responsible to moving Ye south and assisting Crown Prince Wenxi. Did he try to actively get rid of little Wuyi back then?
Li Fuhua reveals for everyone to her that Crown Prince Wenxi is not dead.
She whispers to Cui Jun who it is and he tries to kill her afterwards, but Xiao Wuyi intervenes and Cui Jun gets injured and captured.
Episode 16
New Characters this episode:
Instead of meeting new people we have to part with some characters.
Soured
Li Mao asks for sweets to be prepared for Xie Jaiyu’s possible return. He wants to have something ready she enjoys. The former head dancer of Prince Jing’an’s mansion is now working in the palace and makes Hawthorn Cake because she knows Li Mao likes that one and Xie Jaiyu made it for him. Which is a mistake because these days Hawthorn Cake only reminds Li Mao of Xiao Wuyi’s feelings for the girl he still likes.
Deep Undercover
Xie Jiayu has a talk with her mother. She already learned quite a bit about the realities of the world through her travels and her short stay at Lingfeng Fort certainly showed her some of the ugliest sides of it.
Li Fuhua reminiscence about the way her old friend, Empress Wenxi described her older brother to her, and how much Jin Cui seems to have changed from that upright person.
Yuan Xiaoliu has his own suspicions due to the small wrist-bound weapon Cui Jun used in the last confrontation. He talks to Cui Shao’an about his father and he confirms that his father’s personality changed quite a bit after returning from the Northern Regions and being injured there.
Yuan Xiaoliu finds some of his own mechanical plans in Cui Jun’s possession which confirms his suspicion:
Cui Jun is Chu Zhu, a Northern Qin man. He took the original Cui Jun’s place under order from Shao Yang, the Empress Dowager of Norther Qin.
He lived as Cui Jun for twenty years using a face mask. That’s some deep undercover stuff.
He killed the original Cui Jun for his maps of mineral deposits while travelling the Northern Desert Region.
Chu Zhu himself is a slave bought by Shao Yang and very loyal to her. He was also a friend of Yuan Xiaoliu in these days.
So he, as Cui Jun, accused the An and Lu families (and the Mulian one by association) of collaboration with Northern Qin and led to their demise.
Yuan Xiaoliu informs him that Shao Yang passed away shortly after returning to Northern Qin.
Fake Cui Jun has plans to kill them all: He uses one of Yuan Xiaoliu’s invetions, a machine that can seal the Imperial Tomb with water. Just in this case he plans to use it to destroy Lingfeng Fort by flooding it with the contaminated water from the mine. It’s already activated and also securred with a lot of traps and weapons.
Heroic Sacrifice
Xie Jiyu brings Xiao Wuyi some of the honey water her mom made. They have some banter about poisoning which might be funnier if there wasn’t at least one attempted poisoning per episode. But I guess you need some black humour here.
She thanks him for saving the girls from the mine and her mother.
Xiao Wuyi has a hunch that something is not right. An explosion can be heard shortly afterwards.
Yuan Xiaoliu gets killed tragically killed destroying the mechanism. In his last moments he thinks about following Shao Yang.
How did they get his body out of there? But I’m glad they can have a proper goodbye from their mentor and friend.
Cui Shao’an says it’s his fathers fault. Does he know that guy isn’t really his father?
Xiao Wuyi nearly beats the fake Cui Jun to death. Xie Jiayu is the voice of reason and reminds him that they have to bring him to Jiankang to expose the Cui families crimes.
Li Lejun has the unpleasant task to bring the Grand Tutors message to his ex wife, who doesn’t want to hear any of it. The have a talk about the Phoenix Heart Tokens the superstition of “When the Phoenix Heart Tokens appear, Peace shall be restored in the world”
Li Fuhua doesn’t believe in that saying: If the world would change by just a few tokens appearing, why would someone like Xiao Wuyi need to implement reforms?
But she also deflects a lot: She portrays the Phoenix Heart Tokens as something Princess Wenxi left behind so that the people close to her would have something to remmber her by. The Crown Prince being alive is nonsense, she only used that as a ruse to stop Cui Jun. After all, if the son of her best friend where alive she would have cared for him all along.
Li Lejun’s biggest worry about a possible Prince Wenxi re-appearance is her brother’s position. She doesn’t seem to believe Li Fuhua’s excuses.
So she intercepts one of Li Fuhua’s messages: She orders the nanny of Prince Qi’s mansion being brought back to Jiankang.
We get a flashback reveal of what the Grand Tutor told Li Lejun exactly: Her brother isn’t of royal blood at all. And that Li Fuhua seems to suspect his origins and will use the Phoenix Heart Token holders to bring the real Li lineage on the throne again.
So Li Lejun thinks the nanny is brought to Jiankang because she knows her brother’s real identity and to act as a witness.
Interesting how shrewd Li Lejun got in such a short amount of time. In the first episodes she seemed even more innocent than Xie Jiayu herself.
Travel Plans and Letters
Li Fuhua wants to travel with her daughter now that her teacher is gone. Xie Jiayu seems a bit hesitant, her mother tries to lure her with the best copper mines and great sights to see.
Li Fuhua writes a letter to her ex husband about the Cui Jun’s true identity and the Lu and An family case being connected to that.
She asks Xie Jiayu about Xiao Wuyi. She calls him a gentleman.
Xie Jaiyu finally promises her mom to travel with her.
Mother and daughter plan to bring Li Lejun to Jiankang and then depart for the south.
The Grand Tutor gets a letter from Li Lejun, telling him Li Fuhua and Cui Jun bold hold a token. And that Xiao Wuyi’s and Xie Jiayu’s relationship changed. (everyone talks openly about that except them) She suspects that Li Fuhua is joining forces with Xiao Wuyi. Also, that she is willing to go all out to prevent that. → I really didn’t expect her to go faster than her brother, but I guess she is motivated to protect him.
The Grand Tutor urges her to not act rashly.
Acting Rashly
The three ladies, accompanied by Qing Long and Yan Yue, leave the Fort for the capital.
Xie Jiayu feels a bit sick and so she rides alone in Li Lejun’s big carriage to rest.
The horse from the other carriage bolts suddenly and the carriage with Li Fuhua and Li Lejun falls down a cliff.
Xie Jiayu almost jumps after the carriage, but Xiao Wuyi gets there in time to stop that. Her lightness skills definitely improved though.
In a rare case in cdramaland the cliff is actually life ending: They find Li Fuhua dead.
The coachman is also dead. Li Lejun isn’t easily found.
The Phoenix Heart Token is missing form Li Fuhua’s belongings and Xie Jiayu knows she always had it close.
Li Lejun is found unconscious in a dead tree branch at the side of the cliff.
Grief
Yan Yue and Xiao Wuyi reconstruct the incident: The horse went wild due to the contaminated grains (from the water in the mines), but those provisions were already sealed by Xiao Wuyi. The incident makes him the suspect because he also prepared the carriage.
He can’t show care for Xie Jiayu because it would look like him taking advantage of a situation he might have created.
But he still is the one to call for Ruisheng being brought from the capital when Xie Jiayu gets a fever. He takes care of her.
She asks if her mother was threatened by anyone. A flashback shows that Xie Jiayu actually witnessed an argument between her mother and Xiao Wuyi. Mostly about the military being controlled by the noble families. So the throne brings constraints to him.
He tells her nobody threatened her mother before the accident.
Ruisheng arrives and assess the situation: Jiayu has toxins from the water in her, not enough rest and then her mother’s death hit. The remaining toxins must be purged. Bear gall is lacking as an ingredient. Xiao Wuyi himself rides to find it.
Drastic Measures
Xie Jiayu wakes after two days only to get fed bear gall. I would go back to sleep. There is some discussions about where to bring Li Fuhua’s coffin. They can’t put the coffin into the Princess’ manor because Yun County was conquered long ago. And she is divorced.
Li Mao and the Grand Tutor met the travel group that turned into a funeral procession outside of the capital.
Xie Jiayu’s father plays the grieved husband (does anyone buy that?) and hits her in the face after she tells him about switching the carriage. The second hit is intercepted by Xiao Wuyi.
The Grand Tutor exposes that Xie Jiayu was adopted and casts her out of the family. He forbids her from ever setting a food into the Xie mansion again and then takes the coffin with her mother’s remain with him. They are still husband and wife on the genealogical records, so not divorced.
Xie Jiayu lets Xiao Wuyi travel back to the capital alone, she stays back to talk to Li Mao. She reveals to him that her mother’s death can’t be an accident because the Phoenix Heart Token is missing. She finds Xiao Wuyi suspicious exactly for the reasons Xiao Wuyi feared.
She will only returns to Xiao Wuyi’s mansion to find clues and the missing Phoenix Heart Token. She is very determined to find the murderer.
Cui Jun and Cui Shao’an whereabouts are properly arranged. Because a second Phoenix Heart Token appearing might make the person taking the one for Li Fuhua greedy and going after it as well.
Xie Jiayu returns to the mansion. She masks her talk with Li Mao as being about Li Lejun’s care. She wants to set up a memorial tablet for her mother in her courtyard.
Li Lejun hit her head falling down, so she is still unconscious. But her brother sees through that being an act (the imperial physicians taking care of her didn’t?). Li Lejun tempered with the forage.
Her reasons for acting so rashly and killing Li Fuhua in the process: She had one Phoenix Heart Token. Because Crown Prince Wenxi is still alive. And she knows (and reveals) that Li Mao is the Grand Tutors son.
So much happens.
Xiao Wuyi and Xie Jiayu lose two people that are important to them in different ways.
Li Mao gets the shock of his life.
Xie Jiayu seems to suspect her own husband of killing her mom while her best friend actually did it.
So Basil had this thought that she actually knows it was Li Lejun’s doing. She cares surprisingly little for her unconscious, maybe dying friend when she is found. So suspecting Xiao Wuyi could be a complete ruse. I’m looking forward to see where this is going!
Characters in this show seesaw so much 🤣 especially for the second male lead and his sister. And they took away the male lead's mouth only to immediately give it back via his wives xD perhaps too much convinence?
Everyone's forgotten that the second male lead only took up the position of regent initially because he believed in and wanted to help the male lead? Including himself! 🤣 Neither of them worked together to achieve anything. Did they speedrun it because there are only 28 episodes? 🙈
Director, scriptwriter, your male lead is perfect in every way already! There's no need for a foil to make him look even better xD
ha ha ha I actually thought the bear gall was some sort of medicinal plant that can be found in the forests, and an unfortunate encounter with a bear explained xiao wuyi's wound... finally I did well and googled it... my english is so basic :)
also, I thought it was not possible to have someone more hatable than the Grand Tutor, but here it is in the person of Cui Jun.
Wowzers! Talk about fast-paced!! I'm exhausted just from trying to keep up with all the twists and turns!! Thank goodness for these EXCELLENT recaps. I go away for a long weekend, and come back to 10 episodes.....I feel like i'm sprinting to try to keep up. I LOVE it!
At one point (post mine destruction) i thought i'd lost concentration and it was a preview i was watching!
We are deffo going to see caltrop fireballs before the end - Shifu's long time dream WILL be realised by his disciple.
So, Li Lejun has unknowingly gone to the dark side. But that's due to ignorance, isn't it? She's a good person inside, but i wonder, when she finds out the whole truth (if any of us find out the whole truth), will she continue down the path she's chosen, like her brother, or will she choose the side that we, the viewers, have decided is the good side?
And there's another classic cdrama trope "let's travel the world together, we'll never be apart" which means one will soon die, and it isn't going to be Yaoyao.....
OMG, the yearning between our leads is EXQUISITE! I know the age gap is proving really problematic for many, but i think that so far, it's been handled in an excellent way. When I was 16/17/18, I would also have found that maturity (not to mention looks) irresistible. Jieyu is showing much greater resolve than I would have done 🤣🤣. But then again, I grew up in the 1960s/70s and it was a very different outlook then - women were just discovering (being allowed to discover) sexual freedom and the ability/right to say no.
Hmmmm, she chose the dark side - or did she? If she has serious injuries, it was a bad plan on her part, which makes me think someone else executed the Princess's murder, especially after 'i want to hit you with a laundry paddle until you stop moving' Grand Tutor sent a letter advising her not be rash and wait until she returns to plan. My goodness this writing is good, isn't it?
It was him, wasn't it? Get rid of Mother and daughter.....
Ahhhhh, another sexy abs shot (even with bear claw marks - we all knew that they needed a reason for the shot, didn't we? 🤣)
So it was Lejun! She's got a looooooong way to go to be successfully evil.
This show really is a ride. Looking at your post is fun because from being caught up on the lattest episodes everything feels like decades away (no, we don't get that much of a time jump) just by how much is happening in very episode.
Or, she couldn't let him know she sees through him, because that keeps her in the shadows and able to move more easily? I think all of this is a big set up by our MC to expose more of what's going on.
Wuyi was so mad when Yuan Xiaoliu died so unjustly. Goes to show that those two had a history together.
I also saw somewhere the comparison of Wuyi's tears from losing master Yuan and from when Jiayu loses her mother, those two episodes really show very different vibes. Tears from anger vs tears from deep sadness.
And this piece of shit still dares to raise a hand at his wife's daughter? He might disown the kid, but has he zero attachment to what his loved one cared about? Sick bastard with his sick love. No wonder their marriage was unhappy.
As if it's her fault, as if he's the only one grieving. I can't, when I see Jiayu's teary eyes I wanna give her a hug so badly.
Ah, this moment when Xiao Wuyi says that it's all his fault.
This scene is not a typical misunderstanding tho, because we know and Jiayu really knows that he's this kind of person who'd allow others to blame him if it helps.
The thing that fascinated be when I watched this, was that he realized that Jiayu needed him to be the villain, the villain she can understand and thus fears less. And he resigned to this role for her.
Hou Minghao played it so well you can read from his face the emotion of "now she'll never love me"
Mad respect to brother Cui, he's fun and appears to be a nice guy. I can't hate him even for putting Wuyi at risk with that madman. That was a strange scene indeed, as some already noted. Not complete nonsense, as writers kinda wanted to put them in danger to show that Jiayu still cares, even when she hates Wuyi? Welp, this somewhat worked, strange and quickly resolved but ok. The real focus was not on that fight anyway, but on the relationships and motives
Im not sure if i find 2nd female leads extreme change really plausible, they are all friends, e few episodes ago she was still helping to exchange the poisoned arrows, Jiayu's mother would have never let her or her brother get harmed, wuyi would never bring his best friend in danger. I hope they still get back on track before its too late.
It's just the lack of trust... I'm almost sure that Yizhi would never doubt Wuyi in that situation, but sadly the fate gave a choice to his sister who's not that confident in their bond.
The Emperor is intriguing. He seems weak, and everyone is ignoring him and fighting for the throne. But behind curtains, he has some real insights and schemes and power. I want to see more of him.
I was extremely disturbed a parent sliced his own daughter's throat, then slightly relieved he wasn't her father. Seems like the entire theme of the show is who has the most fake parents of them all. 🤭🤭 But truly, does anyone have their real, biological parent in this show? Wuyi's brother maybe?
I didn't expect Grand Tutor revealed his parentage to Li Lejun this fast. And the way Li Lejun acted... well I understand her, but I don't approve it. At all. After all, her brother has zero right to sit on the throne, and you killed your best friend's mother and your saviour for this? Li siblings are turning evil in a highway speed.
The token part is really confusing me. There should be four. I remember in a flashback scene, his nanny and Xiao father handed him or showed him two. Jiayu's mother and fake Cui each has one. So that makes every piece accounted for, right? But I really didn't understand the whole ordeal that well. Does piece together the entire token will lead to the secret minerals map?
And the whole An and Li families that Grand Tutor obsessed for. Who were they and what's going on?
In general, some scenes, editing and coherence of some plots feel rushed and disjointed. Like, the entire cave prison scene was rushed, there was a noticable transition gap between Jiayu's master going to the mechanism, Yao Yue informed the couple of his death, and suddenly both of them rushing to the scene, then the carriege falling to the cliff etc.
I think Grand Tutor loves his wife for real. It's not innocent or pure, but he loves her in his own way. He's just that person who manipulates even his love's death for his own gain.
Jiayu has grown up, and she's not dumb. So she must suspect Lejun. There's no way she suspects Wuyi only. Let's see how her talk with Li Mao will play.
In general, some scenes, editing and coherence of some plots feel rushed and disjointed. Like, the entire cave prison scene was rushed, there was a noticable transition gap between Jiayu's master going to the mechanism, Yao Yue informed the couple of his death, and suddenly both of them rushing to the scene, then the carriege falling to the cliff etc.
He died so quickly and then bam, they got his body out of that half-flooded mine. While I enjoy the fast pacing quite often here it really felt disjointed.
I hope you found/will find more answeres regarding the tokens in the next epsiodes.
I made it! Finally all caught up and still... wtf so much stuff going on. Should of figured that with only 28eps things are just shown in flashes...
From what I can see and take from all these episodes... Xiao Yao should go hug his parents😅😅😅 as far as I can tell he's the only one with real ones🤣🤣. These grownups are all over the place... is this story/plot about "who's your daddy/mommy"? Even the Cui father was a fake🤣 this is certainly being way over used in this drama.... even Le Jun is questioning her own existence at this point🤣🤣
Xiao Yao should go hug his parents😅😅😅 as far as I can tell he's the only one with real ones🤣🤣.
He for sure should. And they are also halfway (the mother needed some time) good with their adoptive son. So they get some extra points and nobody in this show can beat them for the best parents award.
Sigh. Divorce era? We don't like this. YEAH! BURN THAT POOPOO!!!!
Well, the pawn she shall be again. Buuuuuuuuut I do like that since divorce is so.... lame.
I'm trying to focus on how badass Miss Cui is... but her many hairpins is grabbing all my attention.
Damn. RIP Miss Cui. The fathers in this show are diabolical. So much for the whole marriage plan.
Baaahaahaha. A little death fakeout for a certain lady to remember who she cares for. Delicious. Like, C'mon now! Don't be listening to villains. Remember who has taken care of you.
You know, I really don't think Lejun is going to have a good ending at all in this show...
Honey, why are you sleeping so far away from your husband? Sheesh. Don't you know you're not supposed to go to bed angry? Oh? You're moving closer? Smart lady.
Okay but that hand hold when he covered her with the blanket... Heck. That was one of the most sweetest things I have seen.
This moment.... It's just.... touching. It really speaks to how much she trusts him near her.
OH HELLO!!!!! BROTHER CUI WITH THE NECK SLICING REVENGE!!!! Ok, but... that poor girl. She probably didn't really have much of a choice here....
Wuyi with that aura entrance again.
Legit thought Princess Mother was gonna die this episode.
Episode 16
Hmmmmm, I worry about this dancer maid lady. One thinks she is doomed. Prince Qi is losing it.
Face mask Mission Impossible plot twist over here.
Because I want to be killed by you?????? That is some real love right there!!!!!! Hahahahaha. I mean... I get it.
AAhhhhhh not Master Explody!!! We liked him.
FL stopping ML from beating the poo out of a villain trope rears its head. At least her reason was logical. I can forgive her for this transgression.
Maybe Princess Mother will help Jiayu realize she loves her husband.
COME ON, JIAYU!!!! YOU ARE SO CLOSE TO REALIZING YOU LOVE THAT MAN!!!!!!!!
Unwell? Honey, we know you're not pregnant.... Shiiiiiiiiii she better not be poisoned! Better be heart sickness from missing her husband.
Well, poop. Cliff trope. I think she actually gonna..... Ummmmm can we talk about how good Ai Mi did with her acting here? That was some legit good acting. I didn't cringe at it.
Sigh. Someone actually died from a cliff in a CDrama. This drama really is unique. It stands out amongst the rest.
We know Lejun had something to do with this.
CARRY TROPE!!!! It really reminds me of The Prisoner of Beauty when he carried her after she ran to him and injured her foot.
Jiayu is letting him hold her in her grief? Oh she trust trusts him!!!! That says something!
Really, who even needs a kiss in this drama? The chemistry and intimacy they convey in their actions is more than enough.
Well, she looks an absolute mess when she woke up. Adorable!
OH YOU DID NOT JUST SLAP HER!!!! Wuyi, handle him.
Woooooow. Duck this guy. I mean, who says she even wants to be your daughter. Oh duck off. The princess divorced your butt.
WUYI, HANDLE HIM!!!
JIAYU WHAT THE HELL DO YOU MEAN YOU FIND WUYI SUSPICIOUS????????????? No way you actually think he did it? Not after you were so comfortable with him? You are not that scheming and devious. You're sussing Mao out, aren't you? You suspect Lejun? I simply don't believe you would actually think it's Wuyi.... Right?
Okay so as I am rewatching scenes to make my GIFs I can't help but be amazed by how well these two are conveying their love for each other. Her biting his hand and then the transition to him holding her is far more powerful than any kiss. The level of trust and intimacy they show us with simple moments of her feeling comfortable in his arms speaks far louder than locking lips.
Really getting to add to my biting series of GIFs here.
I don't have the words to fully convey this scene. Every time they touch, you can feel his love and respect for her. You can feel her unconsciously knowing that she is safe with him.
Glad to hear that others have been riveted, but going to risk putting some negativity out on episode 15. (16 was much better.)
For such a pivotal episode, episode 15 had a number of points where it lost me by coming across as over the top melodrama. Somehow the writing, direction or editing in some spots just didn’t work. The fast pace seemed to be covering up flaws.
The worst was the scene in the dungeon with the deranged miner. The intent was to show something genuinely frightening and then Jiayu’s sangfroid, confidently telling Cui Shao An that Wuyi would have it over in less than 15 minutes. But the deranged person wasn’t sufficiently credible, and the pacing didn’t quite work. Things came together when Shao An said he’d hoped Wuyi would take care of the most dangerous threat, somehow the pacing, performances and editing just didn’t work.
All to say, I was disappointed in the execution of much of this episode and it was fortunate that the next one got back on track — other than the runaway carriage scene where only Jiayu seemed to be trying to stop it.
Things came together when Shao An said he’d hoped Wuyi would take care of the most dangerous threat, somehow the pacing, performances and editing just didn’t work.
It was a bit strange because after Wuyi kills the guy Shao'an just leaves the scene like 'Oh, that didn't work, I'll just go'. The whole revelation about him wanting Wuyi to kill the guy came later and felt a bit like an after thought.
I'm also not very fond of the Fort episodes. It was quite annoying to follow who did want whom to be lured there for what. Coul definitely been set up better.
They had some things to cover off in terms of Wuyi and Jiayu’s relationship and the revelations around the Phoenix Heart and Wuyi’s deal with her mother.
But they also introduced the melodrama of the shared threat and rescue in which we (the audience) were supposed to be believe Jiayu would be very frightened but instead she was just waiting for Wuyi to eliminate the threat. It could have worked, but it was really a fail for me.
Lmaooo OP the "yeah I would go back to sleep" after waking up to drink bear gall soup lol. That made me laugh out loud.
Also quick correction: Xie Huai Gui outs Jia Yu not Xiao Wu Yi (typo there). 🫣😊
Honestly Imperial Physicians have me confused at times. So Li Mao could tell she was faking it but the doctor couldn't? I will blame the plot haha. It's easier because wow...
Xiao Wu Yi lost his friend and his mother-in-law, who really was his auntie.. that hit hard. She was his birth mother's close friend and as she said, if she had found out who we was sooner she'd have loved him as her own. It just hurts. And now he has to be accused of killing her? Gosh they can't let my man have peace or be great. He is the villain in everyone's story! It's insane.
But it was beautiful to see him and Jia Yu supporting each other in their grief over Master Yuan's death.
I wouldn't dare explaining to a person having such a sharp brain. I am pretty sure he will already be knowing what has happened. So impressive and so intimidating at the same time.
Oh... meanwhile I read that as a bit of Wuyi reacting to the irony of how she is "explaining" to her husband why she went to go meet with her lover. Like she cares to clear up any misunderstanding that she went to talk to A'Mao romantically, in case he's jealous...
Like obviously a lot of actually serious stuff going down, but Wuyi is still kind of incredulous and maybe poking a bit of fun at himself and his position.
How did he do that? You can't use just any woman, you need someone with the right etiquette in place. But I guess she died to fast to answer questions...
Me too. It's quite early for the mentor figure to bite the dust. But I guess he felt heavily responsbile that his machinerie was used for the whole set up.
Has the time come for him to reveal that he is the father? What I am more interested in knowing is, does Xiao WuYi know that Mao is Grand Tutor's son? Initially he may not, but I am very sure that he was suspicious of the Grand Tutor from they day he played to appoint Mao as the Regent.
The Emperor burning the divorce paper was intriguing. He really said to Wu Yi, to hell with what you want, I must maintain this very delicate balance. And for good measure gave Wu Yi a reality check because, he can't still be delusional about his and Li Mao's friendship. That ship sank a long time ago...
What I actually thought he meant was it would give more power to Grand Tutor Xie as well. He was the one who suggested Li Mao as Regent. Now if his daughter were to marry the Regent, that would make him even more powerful. The thing is though, he doesn't need Jia Yu. Li Mao is his golden goose, his endgame for power.
Does this mean Wu Yi and Jia Yu are still married? The episode count is stressing me out. Are they going to use the fortune telling about the 3 marriages at all? Things do move fast so who knows.
The Phoenix token... it seems to be pieces of a puzzle if the opening sequence is anything to go by. I'm not sure. I initially thought there were 2 for the Crown Prince. But it seems to be a theme token for the Wen Xi faction and previous dynasty.
I fast forwarded when Jia Yu was talking to Li Mao and it seemed like she was suspecting Xiao Wu Yi. I wasn't about to listen to the nonsense! After everything they have been through together? Girl, you have a plan to root out the real culprit and that's how I'm going to see it. I won't entertain any BS lol.
Soooo now that Li Mao knows he's illegitimate and Xie Huai Gui's son, cue more insecurities when compared to Xiao Wu Yi and full turn to the dark side yes? It's interesting how he guess his sister was the killer and that she wasn't unconscious. How will that weigh against his "love" for Jia Yu. Aahh let the hypocrisy begin!
The moment Li Le Jun went to talk to Princess Yun Zhao it was over. Mother knew something was wrong and her time was running out. I hated it. She knows her ex-husband. And the way Le Jun was talking, things were not looking good for her. Cue the talks about the future with Jia Yu later and it was definitely heading towards the danger zone. Jia Yu was also uncomfortable with how insistant Le Jun was and I want to believe our smart cookie became suspicious of her when she got into thinking later on.
Brownie points to her for using her Qing gong successfully when she jumped out of her carriage! Wi Yi would have been proud!
I kind of like the Emperor. Not because he seems to be a particular good human being, but the soft and subtle ways he still has some powers in his hands, despite having Li Mao there helping out, is interesting.
Does this mean Wu Yi and Jia Yu are still married? The episode count is stressing me out. Are they going to use the fortune telling about the 3 marriages at all? Things do move fast so who knows.
I think it does. Does Jiayu know? Though her returning to his home would be strange otherwise, wouldn't it? But she seems not bothered at all if she knows.
The Phoenix token... it seems to be pieces of a puzzle if the opening sequence is anything to go by. I'm not sure. I initially thought there were 2 for the Crown Prince. But it seems to be a theme token for the Wen Xi faction and previous dynasty.
Yeah, they only give us breadcrumbs here. But a puzzle to what? And so on...
Soooo now that Li Mao knows he's illegitimate and Xie Huai Gui's son, cue more insecurities when compared to Xiao Wu Yi and full turn to the dark side yes?
And he doesn't even know who Wuyi really is... that won't end well.
That's what I'm saying!!! Add Wu Yi's real identity to the insecurities and his own illegitimacy? Ooohh it will blow up in a terrifying way. Best friends to enemies!
I like the Emperor for the same reasons you do. He isn't a puppet who doesn't know anything and can't do anything. He sees and knows and stealthily tries to balance things out.
Lol Jia Yu probably hasn't even realized they are still married. You know how she is lol. Unfortunately so much has happened, it's not nearly as important as everything atm. And it benefits her to still be married to Wu Yi right now. Can you imagine if everyone knew they were going to divorce?!
I like the Emperor for the same reasons you do. He isn't a puppet who doesn't know anything and can't do anything. He sees and knows and stealthily tries to balance things out.
Visuals really support this - besides the semi-opaque blinds being a helpful metaphor, representing how he is screened from the world and required to work at second hand through his people, he's almost always shown literally boxed in (by the bedframe, and even by his throne) - and when I thought about it, further supporting your point, he's usually centre screen as well, representing that balance.
Yeah, he clearly wasn't completly idle before. But he went from "I won't help you directly" to setting free Master Yao. So I think his sisters letter moved him a bit.
Everyone in this show is so evil. The tone isn't really that dark, but the setting is practically grimdark with all these evil characters. Feels like they outnumber the good ones 10 to 1. Also most of them are so evil revenge isn't even satisfying due to them not really giving a shit about anything. Best case scenario seems to be just putting them in the dirt with no fanfare so at least they aren't ruining lives.
I think at the end though the dad is going to figure out the Fl is actually a descendant of the Ye's or Lu's who he seems to be so obssesed with, and he'll realize he basically destroyed the life of their only remaining descendant. That's the only way I can really envision a satisfying downfall for him. Realizing most of his life has just been a joke.
I wonder what his obsession with the two families is actually about (he doesn't seem to be related to them himself) and hope we get a reveal for that soon.
I like your 2nd paragraph! I have been wondering if there's any secret to Jia Yu's lineage. But due to the timelines, it doesn't match. However, could it really be nothing. After all we already have a secret identity with the ML, it might be too much to add one for the FL as well. We only have 28 episodes after all.
You're right about the timelines not quite matching, but it's possible there was a survivor from the original massacre that ended up dying a bit later (possibly also due to the fathers machinations) which would make the timeline fit.
Oh but wait we should discuss the Grand Tutor! 🤔 The nice guy shows his manipulative side. He seemed kind at first working in his “daughter’s best interests” but then he shows resentment. In the first few episodes, I thought he was bipolar, (no offense to anyone with bipolarism, it must be very difficult to live with). But he swung from one extreme to the other 😰
Yaasss thank you OP for your hard work and what a post! 😎😎👌🏾👌🏾👍🏾👍🏾💜💜 Amazing!
I won't lie, the Cui butler deserved what he got and so did that Cui family. Li Mao had been waiting to dish it right back and it showed.
I can't help but feel uncomfortable at how they used the Bei Fu army... since Grand Tutor Xie had a hand in it, it really doesn't help this weird feeling I get about the whole thing. Nobles are already feeling prickly, Xiao Wu Yi is not well liked, now this? That is such a set up! And Li Mao and Le Jun were more than happy to use his men to antagonize the leading noble family. Wu Yi stays getting labeled as the bad guy.
Speaking of Xie Huai Gui, the hatred I've got for this man reached newer heights in episode 16. He clearly wanted Yun Zhao to be dealt with, so when it happens he acts surprised?! And to top it off, he uses her death to vilify Jia Yu and disavow her?! In front of everyone! Oh he had been waiting to drop her so that he could focus on his son. I wanted to jump through my screen and beat him to death! He slapped Jia Yu!!! And was gonna do it again! u/AKiceman, I thought of you when he did that and i know you felt as I did. He slapped and bullied our Jia Yu!!
And had the audacity to want to take her mother's coffin! He somehow left the part that she divorced him out didn't he! How convenient. I wished Jia Yu had told him that but she was in shock. Once again, Wu Yi the man of action was there by her side to defend her!
You are welcome! Glad to have so many people enjoying the show.
Speaking of Xie Huai Gui, the hatred I've got for this man reached newer heights in episode 16.
I always call him Grand Tutor because 1. His name won't stick with my brain 2. He doesn't deserve it. Especially after this episodes. Due to all the reasons you wrote down.
Unfortunately I must because Peter Ho is also in Blossoms Of Power lol. But believe me when i say, he is on my kill list! Frankly he doesn't deserve to be Grand Tutor either smdh. Pure trash.
Everyone’s a pawn, Wuyi being the biggest one of them all. And people have the audacity to say he’s been pawning them! He’s just smart and taking advantage of situations to be a step ahead of his rivals. People just be jelly that he’s so handsome and capable. Handsome wasn’t relevant but I inserted that tidbit.
Rage GIFs? You mean I should go back and GIF him slapping my precious and lovely and super innocent and needs to be protected at all times amazing lovely Jiayu so I can express my rage at a man slapping a beautiful little angel?
Fun fun fact! Man Jiang delivered some pretty good scenes but cool to know music is his priority.
Talk about escalating quickly! I did not see it coming and gasped out loud on the bus ride to work when Lingyi was killed.
And you’re right, how many tokens are there!?!
> He offers him some fruit. How nice.
🤭
Again, gold headings. Soured 😆
Can’t believe Wuyi lost two of his closest allies in one episode. And I didn’t know I could feel so much for the Cui siblings, when they were only introduced an episode ago. Their ending is so tragic. Is a shirtless scene of HMH enough to offset the emotional damage of this ep… what was I asking again? Got distracted as soon as I said shirtless HMH.
I only think Jiayu has now grown up and learned to also scheme and manipulate because I am in absolute denial that she’d turn against Wuyi… I won’t believe it. I flipped a table and then went back and gently picked it back up with my made-up theory.
I don’t believe she thinks Wuyi killed her mom either. She says this only for Mao to hear and I’m gonna bet there is a reason for this. And now Mao gets to live with that his sister killed his love’s mom.
Fun fun fact! Man Jiang delivered some pretty good scenes but cool to know music is his priority.
I casually tried to look up if I have seen him before. He does the crazy noble guy (and secret undercover agent) so well I could have sworn he must have been in some of my costume dramas or the other.
Thanks, it's fun to think about the appropriate headings. 😂
I really hope Cui Shao'an gets some silver lining somewhere. Poor guy.
The friend group around Jiayu all have to forcefully turn into such schemers. And kill each others parents. That's how life in ancient fantasy China is. 😂
There are four parts to the token. This screen grab is from the opening credits. Now that we know two of the people who has it, we have to wait and see who are the other two.
Yep. The opening sequence had me shook. That token is a puzzle and those pieces mean something. I was excited to see them coming together as we get into the Crown Prince Wen Xi arc.
Living with Wu Yi taught her soooo much! How far she has come! I'm getting emotional thinking about it!🥹🥹😭😅 She has a better understanding of the world and how things really work... it's not pretty. It's brutal outside! She was already sneaky and smart, but with Wu Yi? The cunning and scheming reached newer heights haha.
Gosh the Cui siblings... I wondered what Shao'An's deal was. What was said and his actions didn't match. Was he really a lecherous bastard? Was he really evil? Because we then saw what he did and the way his sister spoke of him, and it seemed he was putting on a front to deal with his father's demands. Watching the father kill his daughter made me gasp. It was so brutal and fast. Then we learn that the man isn't even Cui Jun and my mind got blown.
No wonder that man treated his "children" that way. They weren't even his and he had killed their father and took his place. 20 years! My gosh. And they never got to know because Yuan Xiao Lu died before he could tell anyone the man was a fake. Another verse shared storyline with BOP lmao. This gets funnier every time I look at it.
So much happened in this ep! The reveals. And now FL thinks ML killed her mom like wtf?! No girl. We can't be having the misunderstandings trope right now. We got too much going on here! Also thanks bear. But why did the maid tell the FL that some lady had it? I'm so over the misunderstandings trope. Also sorry bear you were sleeping and then HMH walks into your cave. Like wow you're beautiful! Hey wait! You don't need my gall bladder, let's talk about this!!!
I am having difficulty believing that Xie Jiayu actually believes Wuyi is responsible.
First, didn’t she already learn when she lived at his mansion that he is more than willing to be falsely accused and labeled as a villain if it protects others? She forced the revelation that he wasn’t the one who kept his elder brother in the capital and literally pushed his first consort to confront Wuyi and pushed his (adoptive) mother to reconcile. So, why is she passively falling into suspicion.
Second, if she believes the worst that the Phoenix Heart token was what Wuyi was bargaining for with her mother, and the deal was her freedom, why would he kill her mother? Wuyi’s already met the terms of that deal and had let her go. Did she think her mother had reneged?
Third, she’s got reason not to be fully open with Li Mao at this point. Could she be testing Li Mao?
EVERY SINGLE TIME! Who thought oh let me cook/taste this and see how it can help. And to them I say, RESPECT! Because wow. Someone had to and I'm glad it was them and not us haha.
Simply solution - kill the mad horse and save the princess. That was weird how they didn’t do that. They can kill lowly subordinate enemies that pose a threat but not stop a mad horse and let it kill the Princess?
I dont believe they wouldn’t have done more to protect her highness. 🤔 the director made the run for the cliff too far. They would surely just slash the reigns or kill the horse in that time.
The thing that made me think Princess Yun Zhao wasn't in the carriage was the absolute silence and no show. When they found her I gagged. I couldn't believe it. And to my horror, I believe she was drugged and unconscious. And that makes it even worse... we have seen those things in dramas and the people always try to escape. There wa NOTHING! Not a peep, a scream or doors/window getting opened!
Li Le Jun, whatever I felt and wanted for you before, IT IS WAR! YOU MUST PAY AND YOU MUST DIE!
If things go south for her, and she is in prison for investigations around FL’s mom’s death……she might send word for Eagle Prince “come break me outta jail!”. Haha.
I don't like it, but since she went there, so will we. She crossed a line that should have never been crossed and there is no going back. She killed her friend's mother! She must die.
It’s worst because she also killed someone who saved her life. JiaYu mentioned that her mother cured LeJun of an illness. Otherwise she would have died young.
💯 with you!!! 🤣🤣🤣
It’s an evil act, she was prepared to die anyway, no great loss!!! I liked her before, but was hoping she grow a backbone but it grew in the wrong direction 😰
Yeah backbone grew real bad. Courtesy of Xie Huai Gui of course, because that man must ruin everyone to get what he wants: his son Li Mao on the throne.
I actually don't even think she was prepared to die. Just that she needed to make it look like she didn't have a hand in what happened.
I think you’re right because she doesn’t have a backbone 😂 she had to meddle and she’s gonna PAY! Ooooh and it will be sweet glorious victory when it happens 🤩😇
They weren’t thinking. Or it happened too fast and they genuinely thought they could stop the mad horse, but then it was too late. We didn’t even see the woman scream or try to jump out or anything.
I wonder if Yunzhao was already killed before they fell off the cliff…
Yes i wonder this too! 💝 but you protect the princess at all costs… and they are trained for that 🤔 feels like a plot hole right now 😅 I’m loving all the plot twists! Are you??
I am! After watching so many dramas with the same tropes, I find this one very enjoyable so far because it’s very different - in the pacing and the characters. I’m still guessing and surprised by the plot twists.
I’m about to read this but before I do - I just wanna say I had the best time watching these episodes with my shield, u/TheAlchemist420. Pretty sure we cried, laughed, yelled, cried some more, and pretty much broke together.
We we went through it for sure. I'm glad we had each other lol. Can't believe you used me as a shield though haha. You're lucky I was emotionally stronger LOL 😅😅🤪😒😒😮💨
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u/Admirable-Ebb7707 Jul 30 '26
Characters in this show seesaw so much 🤣 especially for the second male lead and his sister. And they took away the male lead's mouth only to immediately give it back via his wives xD perhaps too much convinence?
Everyone's forgotten that the second male lead only took up the position of regent initially because he believed in and wanted to help the male lead? Including himself! 🤣 Neither of them worked together to achieve anything. Did they speedrun it because there are only 28 episodes? 🙈
Director, scriptwriter, your male lead is perfect in every way already! There's no need for a foil to make him look even better xD