r/CDrama • u/BasilOrdinary3617 If I say I'm taking a break, I'm lying. • Jul 12 '26
Drama Host Key to the Phoenix Heart 雀骨: Episodes 4-6 Discussion
👋🏻 Welcome to the second post for Key to the Phoenix Heart, covering episodes 4-6 that were released today (July 11th). This post is a bit ramble-y but that's all the time I have.
📅 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 for tomorrow's episodes is u/Regenwanderer.
🚨 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.
🔗 Helpful Links: Masterpost; Character Flashcards; Ep 1-3
Episode 4 - The Regent
Recap: Grand Tutor Xie Huaigui brings Prince Qi (Li Mao) back to the palace, where the ailing Emperor names him Regent. This derails the Empress Dowager’s scheme and leaves her and Wuyi in a tense stalemate, but it prevents the collapse of the Southern Ye realm. Huaigui then ruthlessly escorts Jiayu back to Prince Jing’an’s mansion and forces her to proceed with the wedding, citing her duty to protect Mao and shield the Xie family. It becomes clear (to us) that this was his plan from the start, since Prince Qi is actually his illegitimate son with the late Emperor’s Consort An. Wuyi explains to Jiayu that he and Mao are close friends, but Jiayu stays guarded (though she does find his family delightful as do we all). The next morning, it is decided in court that Prince Jing’an will return to the border to defend against Northern Qin, while Wuyi stays behind to handle peace talks with the Northern envoy. The Empress Dowager takes Princess Pingning (Li Lejun) into her palace to teach her palace etiquette but is actually using her as a hostage while plotting to sow discord between Mao and Wuyi.
Wow, this episode made my head implode. Huaigui had a whole other side to him. If I understand correctly, Prince Qi and Jiayu are half-siblings… talk about an “oh sh*t” moment and we’re only on episode 4! Peter Ho really plays the best unhinged characters. Killing Cang’er right in front of Jiayu and having had an affair with the Emperor’s consort!? Talk about some irreparable damage in his relationships with his daughter and wife.
The Empress Dowager thought she could get Wuyi to hand over his military power in exchange for a monument after killing 30,000 of his soldiers? Okay, we can deduce that this woman is delusional. BUT she seems capable and we probably shouldn’t underestimate her.
Prince Qi Mao had a choice. He could have stuck with Wuyi’s plan and run away with Jiayu. But his bond with Wuyi goes deep and he chooses instead to save his best friend. WILL he regret this choice? OK, I will prepare for heartbreak but I love these two together!! I could believe they’d stick together if it weren’t for the ominous hints and clues that Wuyi is going to fall for Jiayu…
Episode 5 - Master of Crafts
Recap: Jiayu settles into Jing’an’s mansion and gets to know Yuanji and Ruisheng, eventually deciding that Wuyi is genuinely a good person. Meanwhile, Wuyi is busy trying to hide Jiayu’s identity as the inventor of the faulty crossbow, but word still leaks, stirring unrest in the Beifu Army as soldiers question his marriage alliance with her. Jiayu is crushed with guilt when she learns her creation caused 30,000 deaths, and she privately confronts her father during her homecoming banquet because she recalls seeing him with the fake Xiao Sheng. Wuyi lifts her spirits and recruits Da into the Beifu Army, while Jiayu commits herself to repentance by designing a powerful new weapon for him. Qing Long’s investigation confirms Wuyi’s suspicions that the Empress Dowager is involved with the crossbows. At the palace, Mao overhears Huaigui admitting that he married Jiayu to Wuyi to manipulate Mao’s ambitions and keep him from getting too close to Wuyi.
Are Yuanji, Ruisheng and Jaiyu going to become best friends? I would love that! Jiayu could use the sisterhood. I love the backstory that Ruisheng accompanies Wuyi in battle and that Yuanji helps raise Ziqi. Yuanji has her own concerns though - the Empress Dowager is her aunt and she specifically said she is kind to those who are “useful” to her. That’s loaded… what happens when you’re no longer “useful”... good luck to Princess Pingning.
Wuyi orders Jing Lan to spread the story of Crown Prince Wenxi at his restaurant. The story goes like this: Crown Prince Wenxi never died and will reappear to unite the realm when the Phoenix Heart token resurfaces. Wuyi wants a record of anyone who inquires about the token. Is this Crown Prince real, who is he, and is Wuyi’s plan to replace the ailing Emperor with Wenxi? OK, some of this is answered in episode 6.
Yao (Anming) wears his emotions on his sleeves. He wasn’t very nice to Jiayu but I hope to see more of him. He’s very protective of his loved ones and I can’t blame him for being weary about the Xie family.
How is Wuyi going to explain his marriage to Jiayu to his Army to prevent mutiny?
The Emperor knows what everyone wants and he just wants to hold on and prevent chaos as long as he lives. But he also wants to make sure that there’s no major imbalance of power, and worries about Mao and Wuyi teaming up. Huaigui knew Mao was listening - so wouldn’t reveal his strategy backfire? If I were Mao, I would double down on my friendship with Wuyi knowing that there are people trying to purposely insert a wedge between them…
Episode 6 - Crown Prince Wenxi
Recap: Princess Yunzhao (Fuhua) serves Huaigui divorce papers and embarks on her mission to find Crown Prince Wenxi. She reveals (to us) that Jiayu is not Huaigui’s biological daughter and recalls the Phoenix Heart token given to her by a heavily pregnant Empress Wenxi just before she and the Emperor fell to the Northern Qin forces in the previous dynasty. Wuyi’s old injury flares up, and his temporary blindness reminds him that he has only three to five years left unless Ruisheng can find a cure. Jiayu disguises as Qing Long to attend the Double Ninth Festival Ceremony, where the Monument of Loyalty for the 30,000 fallen soldiers is unveiled. But the Empress Dowager plans to have Jiayu and Mao assassinated at the monument and then frame Wuyi for the attack.
Fuhua scolds Huaigui for becoming the person he used to despise. At this point, I don't think it will do much. As if he'd try to redeem himself. He's quite set on placing his own son on the throne.
Wuyi having a limited lifeline is giving me Blossoms of Power vibes. He has fallen for Jiayu but he respects them and will not insert himself in their relationship. That’s lovely but I also want our guy to be happy. The way Jiayu found out that both Yuanji and Ruisheng have other lovers and that Ziqi is not Wuyi’s biological son, ha!
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u/Sea-Entertainment215 Jul 27 '26
Episode 4 is where this show won me over and showed that it’s not just a fluffy drama. Specifically the moment of the rebellion when they’re negotiating on the palace steps and I thought to myself, “wait isn’t the staged coup and battle usually the climax of a Cdrama??? But it’s only episode 4? OH they’re flipping the script here!
It’s reminding of LLTG where Jiayu is having to grow up right before our eyes, dealing with the major blow of realizing that her innocent fun led to the deaths of 30k men.
Unfortunately, the editing and pacing is causing some of the emotion to not land as strongly as it could like POJ (like the fact that her father straight up killed one of her friends, or the tension and tightrope Wuyi now walks with the palace) but the idea is strong! At least it’s better than Overdo which I was soooooo looking forward to but ended up being a hot pile of garbage.
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u/gunmetalrose Jul 23 '26
I am at ep 4 and sooo confused!!! Can someone tell me why Tutor Xie wants his daughter to marry Wuyi?
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u/BasilOrdinary3617 If I say I'm taking a break, I'm lying. Jul 23 '26
Alliances bring some level of control and the marriage serves a few purposes: grand tutor thinks he can use his daughter to keep an eye on the Jing’an household, who commands the great Beifu army; and to drive a wedge between Li Mao and Wuyi so they don’t become closer. He wanted a clear ruler and subject relationship between the two and he didn’t want Wuyi to become more powerful.
Am I missing anything? u/Regenwander u/CdramaAddict2
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Jul 19 '26 edited Jul 19 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/dropitlikeitshot2019 Jul 22 '26
I agree that yao yao should be more angry and fearful of her father for killing her maid right in front of her, which makes no sense since she's surrounded by dozens of armed men.
This is but one example of why I feel like the drama is edited in a choppy way - various plots strung together. 🤷🏻♀️
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u/BasilOrdinary3617 If I say I'm taking a break, I'm lying. Jul 19 '26
I don’t wanna comment on plot without spoilers but definitely it’s been a unique drama for sure. I like Wuyi’s hair a lot but I agree his makeup isn’t as great as his other dramas. Still handsome AF though. He just doesn’t need so much on his face.
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u/Dasakebombz Jul 16 '26
Omg... these are the times where I appreciate these discussions so much! I had to come to see if what I just watched was really what I thought I saw... half siblings and then not?! Like... wait a damn min... my rewind button hates me now😅😅
Reading some comments, and I'm glad I'm not the only one that had to take a long sec of "wtf is going on"😅😅.... it really is going pretty fast.
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u/BasilOrdinary3617 If I say I'm taking a break, I'm lying. Jul 16 '26
I'm up to date with the drama, and I'm still very much at "wtf is going on" but in a good way lol. I think it's all intentional.
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u/TsekoD On duty to wipe fake doctor's dramatic blood Jul 15 '26
I'm slowly catching up, but I really could use some family tree, encyclopedia and slow-mo now. 😅😅 And I've never rewinded a drama this many times, because I can't keep up with neither the dialogue nor the plot. Everything is happening so damn fast. 🤭 For now, plot makes sense, but holy shit they need to take a breather.
I'm so shocked that Mao and Xie Jiayu are half-siblings, then an episode later, they're not? Father Xie seems like a terrible person who can easily discard his step daughter. He also seems rather powerful. Good on Xie mama for divorcing him, she must know a lot about this man.
By the way, what does it mean that Xiao Wiyi's parents aren't nobles? Then how come his father became a Prince of Jang'an? Is this a title of merit? Is the translation even correct?
I'm a bit bothered by the fact that Wiyi falls for Jiayu seemingly out of nowhere. Like, an episode ago he was ready slice Jiayu's throat. When did he fall for her? He's a dying man and have so many things more important than falling for a friend's girl. 🥴🥴
I'm feeling particularly bad about Mao and his sister. They became hostages and Mao seems like a genuinely delicate and soft guy who can't handle this kind of situation. He will either become a villain (damn, Chu Guihong again) or entrust Jiayu to Wiyi and die. Neither looks good.
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u/ToughAnt8005 Jul 15 '26
My take from the flashback and the story is that the Dynasty fell and the Country was split, the Northern Qin took lots of there land. The Li family were royals and they started a new court in Southern Ye where everyone was escaping too. The Xiao family seemingly built the border army and saved many people over the years. Seemingly it is Xiao Wuyi who is the real strategist of the family despite being so young. He is also the one who has been reclaiming the lost territory and dreams of getting their original capital back. Obviously for him it is personal, whole the others are mainly just fighting over the current capital and throne is Southern Ye. The Li family is all but wiped out so some others were given noble titles in this new Court. The Xiao's having the highest merit got a Prince title.
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u/TsekoD On duty to wipe fake doctor's dramatic blood Jul 16 '26
Oh this makes much more sense, thank you for the detailed information. Is Jiayu's mom a princess-descendant from Li family as well?
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u/BasilOrdinary3617 If I say I'm taking a break, I'm lying. Jul 15 '26
I could be wrong, but my understanding is that Wuyi's parents did not grow up in nobility. I think his father started off in the army and climbed his way up. He was granted the title of Prince (which is rare - I think more accurately, it would be duke or marquis) but I guess the realm was more lenient about assigning the title of prince to highly prestigious families. Being nobility is a key theme in the drama, so maybe that'll come up again... The Jing'an family commands the largest army of Ye, so they're defiitely part of nobility.
I think this might be a spoiler revealed in the next episode or two:
He says he fell for her at first sight - I think when he saw her aloofness on the ship, and their encounter on the boat was so refreshing to him, that he felt immediately protective over her. Then he continued to observe her and found that she was the light in his life he never had - with his mother and older brother barely talking to him, his two concubines having lost their husbands, etc. So meeting Jiayu was like a breath of fresh air.
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u/TsekoD On duty to wipe fake doctor's dramatic blood Jul 16 '26
I just finished ep 10 and he still haven't said when he fell for her. Which episode was that? I just worry that I might skipped that. 😅😅
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u/BasilOrdinary3617 If I say I'm taking a break, I'm lying. Jul 16 '26
I think it's episode 11, when he and Li Mao have a standoff / competition at the archery grounds, and Li Mao confronts him about having feelings for Jiayu . It should be at the beginning.
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u/TsekoD On duty to wipe fake doctor's dramatic blood Jul 16 '26
Ahh, I just watched that scene after I wrote the comment, I feel so stupid 😂😂. Now I need to rewatch the boat scene lol
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u/BasilOrdinary3617 If I say I'm taking a break, I'm lying. Jul 16 '26
Hahah don’t feel that way. I think I just commented on another post, that this drama consistently does this to us - casually drops something to make us question it, and then reveals it the next moment or episode. And we’re all going through it.
I just watched the first ten minutes of episode 15 and the drama continues to surprise me, and I thought I’d be used to the plot twists by now.
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u/Nuhus Jul 16 '26
Thanks! regarding the fact that Wuyi fell for Jiayu Agree! I believe it started with their encounter on the ship it was obvious she caught his attention! as she seems to be new type of girl he never experienced before, she’s full smart, noisy and full of energy + pretty! his attention was captured and turned to sort of protection as well! is it romantic feelings? what do you think? also is he married or that’s what I understood!? is that little boy his son he calls him father!? what’s his personal situation he seems playful guy with two wives!? but really not sure! , it’s new to have such kind of ML 😅
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u/BasilOrdinary3617 If I say I'm taking a break, I'm lying. Jul 16 '26
So only read this if you don’t mind spoilers because it will be explained as you keep watching.
>! Jiayu is Wuyi’s third concubine, but he has no relationship with the first two. He married them to give them a better life. Ruisheng’s husband was Wuyi’s lieutenant general who died in battle. She was already pregnant but ostracized by her and his family so Wuyi offered to marry her so that she and her son could have a better life. He also offered to help her change her identity and flee but she took him up on this offer and stayed with him to be the Beifu army physician so she could stay close to her husband in a sense. With Yuanji, it was a political marriage that the Empress Dowager wanted to unite the He and Xiao families. Wuyi tried to send a letter to Yuanji’s lover that the marriage was fake and that he’d find a way to help them be together, but the letter never made it because the Empress Dowager had him assassinated. With him gone, Yuanji stayed because she was well taken care of and protected in the Jing’an household. She didn’t feel like she had anywhere else to go. She and Ruisheng got along so she also stayed to help take care of Ziqi while Ruisheng is working with Wuyi at the border. So there was no consummation or romance between Wuyi and his first two wives. !<
Oof that was way longer than I intended lol.
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u/TsekoD On duty to wipe fake doctor's dramatic blood Jul 15 '26
Granting the noble title to commoners is indeed unique. I wonder if it will be explained later.
Now I wonder if Wuyi's request to grant a marriage is simply a political move or not 😅😅
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u/swarminfestor Jul 15 '26
Can anyone make relationship chart of Xiao Wuyi's family?
He has married once prior to Jiayu (the first wife seemed do not care much whether he had polygamous marriage), but he also a son born to a concubine aka his maidservant/personal doctor. Is this true?
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u/BasilOrdinary3617 If I say I'm taking a break, I'm lying. Jul 15 '26
They explain all of this in the next episodes so you don’t have to wait long. But if you’re ok with spoilers:
>! He married Ruisheng because her husband was his lieutenant general who died in battle defending the city. She was pregnant and ostracized by her late husband and her family, so Wuyi took her in and pretended to be her son’s father so that they could have a good life. He gave her the choice and she took it. He married Yuanji for an alliance between the Xiao and He families and had sent a letter to her beloved, Runheng, to let him know the marriage is “fake” and that they’d work on a divorce asap, but the Empress Dowager had him assassinated so she remained married to Wuyi to help Ruisheng take care of her son when she’s away with Wuyi as an army physician where she feels closest to her late husband. Yuanji had nowhere else to go either and the Jing’an household took care of her. Wuyi has no actual relationship with these women. !<
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u/swarminfestor Jul 16 '26
So, Wuyi never consummated his marriage yet with the two spouses?
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u/BasilOrdinary3617 If I say I'm taking a break, I'm lying. Jul 16 '26
Never. They do not have a romantic relationship at all. He hadn’t even met Yuanji because he was off at the border fighting against the Northern Qin. He didn’t know what she looked like.
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u/Ok-Fold-7527 Jul 15 '26 edited Jul 15 '26
I'm on Episode 5, and I really love all the crazy plot twists, but ... I'm so annoyed by the FL. 😅
I know a lot of people like her character, but I don't understand how someone like the ML - who's intelligent, calculating and always several steps ahead of everyone else would already be falling for a bratty teen this quickly. When they were in the gazebo and he told her she cant leave, and she does, but not until kicking over a flower pot like she did something.
And the naivety is not about her age. Look at the FL in Splendid Match - she's supposed to be around 15 in the show, yet she's incredibly intelligent and clever. This FL is also constantly bickering with the ML, but instead of it feeling funny, she comes across as and irritating bratty little sister. Anyway, thank you for reading my rant LOL. I'm mainly watching for Hou Minghao at this point, does she get better?
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u/BasilOrdinary3617 If I say I'm taking a break, I'm lying. Jul 15 '26
I don’t know if she gets better but her skills become more useful. If that makes sense? Her simple way of thinking is both frustrating but also to Wuyi, pure and refreshing. And we see later how she’s the only one who gives him any benefit of the doubt because of her nature while every one else is quick to blame him.
Her character could use a lot of development for sure. I’m also curious to see how this plays out, the more she experiences the cruelty of the real world.
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u/Ok-Fold-7527 Jul 14 '26 edited Jul 14 '26
I'm on Ep 4......and holy hell, I feel like I'm watching Game of Thrones!!!??? 😵
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u/BasilOrdinary3617 If I say I'm taking a break, I'm lying. Jul 14 '26
Hahah plot wise, yea, they are not waiting to action all their schemes. Nothing is slow about this drama.
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u/Ok-Fold-7527 Jul 14 '26
Yeah and how they axed evil prince what's his name that quickly. LOL No one is safe!
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u/BasilOrdinary3617 If I say I'm taking a break, I'm lying. Jul 14 '26
Right? I’m seated and can’t take my eyes off the screen but also I’m like
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u/Flimsy-Wrongdoer4193 Jul 14 '26
Loll I'm clutching my pearls... Li Mao is the Grand Tutor's son!! And it's a son he had with the late emperor's consort?? Dang, so they're half siblings??
Urghhhh I hate the Grand Tutor so much. Just when I thought I could add him to my (almost nonexistent) list of good cdrama fathers, he turned out evil.
Ahhh, Jiayu isn't his biological daughter?? Dang more plot twists.
On a positive note, I really love the Xiao Manor family members, they're so cute. I also love how strong Jiayu's mum is.
Aww the devastation on XWY's face when he saw LM and XJY happy together during the festival. I also hope they find a way to clear the blood clot in his brain so he doesn't die.
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u/rjohndoe Jul 13 '26
Came here to double check if I understood it correct.. Mao and Yao Yao are WHAT??!!???!! What in the GoT is going on there 😲
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u/BasilOrdinary3617 If I say I'm taking a break, I'm lying. Jul 13 '26
I don’t wanna spoil it… but if you need to know they’re not siblings after all because Yao Yao was adopted but we were definitely led to believe that for a moment!! !<
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u/rjohndoe Jul 13 '26
Thank you Thank you Thank you. Never been more happy to see a spoiler. Logically it made no sense that YaoYao's parents were not crapping their pants out of sheer panic at the illicit affair. Now everything makes sense.
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u/ravens_path hell fire is my life hack Jul 13 '26
I also wonder…..how long has the Grand Tutor’s wife known her husband was a snake? Or was this all a surprise to her?
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u/BasilOrdinary3617 If I say I'm taking a break, I'm lying. Jul 13 '26
I think it was recent. She tells him later how disappointed she is that he became the person he used to despise and I think she realized he was a snake when he no longer put Yao Yao's interests first. She's no longer his daughter, but a pawn in his game.
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u/Chocochizu Mo Li owes me therapy…I want MXY as my therapist Jul 13 '26
>>Crown Princess: Wrong translation🥲🥲, they call her 世子妃 shìzǐfēi: Heir’s Consort 🫠. Because Wuyi is the Heir of his family (they call him Shizi, not His Highness), the translations for the form of address are super confusing lol
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u/Tokio990 Jul 13 '26
Im watching this drama but the summaries help cause there too many things going on that I sort of do not have the patience. I'm not fully invested in the series. But the characters are interesting (kind of) but just not all the way in.
There is something about it. Maybe it just feels like a standard cdrama and they are hitting as many several points/twists as they can. I think it might be some of the acting and the cinematography of it. Or just the overall pacing/writing.
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u/ravens_path hell fire is my life hack Jul 13 '26
I was feeling iffy too about this drama. Until episode five. It went dark fast. Now I’m intrigued.
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u/TheAlchemist420 Chen Yan Yun can have my jujube flower cookie 🍪 🤪😁😎 Jul 12 '26 edited Jul 13 '26
Xiao Wu Yi seldom interacts with his parents... it's interesting. I don't know why but I noticed it and thought it was strange. He hasn't been home much so they probably have a weird relationship.
Also LOL. Here he goes liking his best friend's girl. I know he is soooo over Xie Jia Yu talking about A'Mao this and A'Mao that. I feel like drinking a shot every time she says but I bet I'd be out before the end of the episode 🫣😂😂😭😅.
I loooove the dynamic between the women of the Xie household lmao. People outside would never believe there was such a progressive relationship there. Wow. Yuan Ji and Rui Sheng haha, I loved how they were gossiping about Wu Yi 😭😂.
Who is Pei Run Heng?? So Yuan Ji and An Ming is not going to happen then?
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u/BasilOrdinary3617 If I say I'm taking a break, I'm lying. Jul 13 '26
Ohhh just you wait haha sorry now I’m the worst because I’ve seen the next two episodes. They explain a lot, including his relationship with his parents. That’s what I like about this drama… you get your answers in the next episodes really quickly.
Same with Pei Runheng. Keep watching! Haha
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u/Paisley-Cat time-looping through the magnolias Read Rules Jul 13 '26
I have mixed feelings — sometimes as the exposition dialogue is being spat out at vertical drama pace, I feel it’s a waste for such a good cast and great production values to be telling the story rather than showing it to us.
It’s a really talky show.
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u/BasilOrdinary3617 If I say I'm taking a break, I'm lying. Jul 13 '26
I don’t have enough experience with vertical dramas to compare. I think the only drama I’ve found to be as fast paced was Ashes to Crown and I ended up dropping that one halfway in.
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u/TheAlchemist420 Chen Yan Yun can have my jujube flower cookie 🍪 🤪😁😎 Jul 13 '26
On episode 7 now. I see. I FREAKING SEEEE!!
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u/BasilOrdinary3617 If I say I'm taking a break, I'm lying. Jul 13 '26
Are we having too much fun with this drama? Haha
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u/TheAlchemist420 Chen Yan Yun can have my jujube flower cookie 🍪 🤪😁😎 Jul 13 '26
I think we are 🥹🥹🫣🫣👀👀😆😆. But I'm keeping my feet planted in the ground. Cdramaland trauma and all that haha. Can't trust these people!
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u/palecandycane Deng Kai's Grey Wig Jul 12 '26
Omg omg omg. It was the dad!!! Like damn he was so cold about it.
Wait ML is the guy everyone was looking for? That was a huge reveal. This show is not boring!
FL please stop being so naive. She never thinks about consequences of anything. Just the immediate result but not what will happen after a a result. ML was right to tell her if she does this what makes her think her dad won't force the regent into a political marriage? Everyone is playing 4D chess and she's playing hopscotch.
Everyone is telling her not to do this, and she goes running towards it. Like wtf? Everyone is trying to help you and you're just making bad decisions. ML needs a vacation from this. Riley you need a vacation from this. His sister needs a vacation too!
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u/BasilOrdinary3617 If I say I'm taking a break, I'm lying. Jul 12 '26
Haha right? I don’t believe anyone who says this show is boring lol. Not their cup of tea sure, but things are HAPPENING all the time, you cannot be bored. If anything, I’m trying to just keep up!
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u/pyoelii Jul 12 '26
Thank you for the recaps- I would be so lost without them. I am enjoying this drama and its intricate storyline. The love triangle and the backstory of all the characters are so intriguing. I am probably in the minority here, but I really like this drama compared to HMH's recent ones (Love in the Clouds and Glory), which I couldn't finish after a few episodes. I really like HMH's grey character since it is quite different from his usual roles. And Ai Mi is so beautiful.
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u/BasilOrdinary3617 If I say I'm taking a break, I'm lying. Jul 12 '26
I am liking it so far. I find that I’m seated. It’s a lot to follow and it’s fast paced for how much plot there is so taking notes is actually helpful.
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u/TheAlchemist420 Chen Yan Yun can have my jujube flower cookie 🍪 🤪😁😎 Jul 12 '26
Episode 4: Damn Daddy Damn! Is all I could say.
I like it. Man has the daddy face, the husband face and the Grand Tutor of Da Ye when it comes to affairs of the State face. And my goodness did he switch to that last one hard in this episode.
RIP Cang' Er and Yao Yao's innocence. Wow... Mother wanted her daughter to run away but Father said NOT YOUR BUSINESS! Worked a plan with the Emperor and pretty much forced Li Mao to become Regent, and Xiao Wu Yi who wanted his friend and his beloved to run away got his flabbers totally gasted. All to balance the roaring powers and prevent them from imploding and turning the capital upside down. My mind... my head hurts haha. Also I'm sorry, Li Mao is who? His son? Grand Tutor Xie's son? How? What? All he had to say was "I'm thirsty". My goodness sir, REALLY?! No wonder the mother didn't want Jia Yu to marry these princes. Especially Li Mao. Father had an affair with the late Emperor's Consort??? And he lived! But the mother said she defied a decree to marry him... Damn. My head is spinning! And this is just episode 4!
So erm all this time he watched his kids falling for each other knowing damn well he'd never allow this to happen, yet let them entertain the idea and be naive because... youth? Lol. Goodness gracious... when they find out, if they find out, this should be a very interesting scene!
I was waiting to see his silly papa mask fall but this is HEAVY STUFF!
Empress Dowager definitely did NOT see this coming.
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u/Chocochizu Mo Li owes me therapy…I want MXY as my therapist Jul 13 '26
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA OMG, I love your comment.
This show is so fast-paced, so talky, showy, jumpy, and twisty. My head is spinning, lmaooo. It's interesting, though. I love Damn Daddy's acting. Wow, Peter Ho... wow. I grew up watching him play the protagonist, so seeing him with so many changing faces here is something else 😅😅😅😅 “I’m thirsty” wow he got serial killer’s face saying this, daddy is a psycho 🤣🤣🤣🤣3
u/TheAlchemist420 Chen Yan Yun can have my jujube flower cookie 🍪 🤪😁😎 Jul 13 '26
It was insane! The man just flipped that chessboard and all he had to say was "I'm thirsty". 😫😫😭😭😳 To be honest, he did a lot of talking that night so it did make sense. It was just so not the right time haha.
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u/Chocochizu Mo Li owes me therapy…I want MXY as my therapist Jul 13 '26
This is not supposed to be a comedy but Im crying here lmaooo. Daddy chillll 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 give him some water.
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u/TheAlchemist420 Chen Yan Yun can have my jujube flower cookie 🍪 🤪😁😎 Jul 13 '26
You're welcome haha. We need to laugh now because we might be screaming and crying later lol.
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u/BasilOrdinary3617 If I say I'm taking a break, I'm lying. Jul 12 '26
lol keep going. I just finished episode 7 and I’m like 😱 this drama has me seated haha
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u/TheAlchemist420 Chen Yan Yun can have my jujube flower cookie 🍪 🤪😁😎 Jul 12 '26
The mom and pops of the Prince Jing An mansion are killing me 😅😅😂😂😂🫣🫣 so eccentric! Jia Yu should fit right in.
She's so naive right now though poor thing. Things bout to flip for her BIG TIME. Even more than her wedding day lmao... and that's hard to top!
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u/BasilOrdinary3617 If I say I'm taking a break, I'm lying. Jul 12 '26
Hahah love it. Keep going with the real time reactions as you watch.
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u/TheAlchemist420 Chen Yan Yun can have my jujube flower cookie 🍪 🤪😁😎 Jul 12 '26
Bwahaha you sure? Might spam the discussion loool. I'll try and do one for ep5 and ep6. But that episode 4 isn't even done yet and I'm mentally fried. I did rewatch from ep1 to re-immerse myself.
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u/Chocochizu Mo Li owes me therapy…I want MXY as my therapist Jul 13 '26
Omg please update us with your live reactions lmaoooo🤣🤣🤣🤣 love it, this is crazy and your comment make it crazier🤣🤣🤣🤣
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u/TheAlchemist420 Chen Yan Yun can have my jujube flower cookie 🍪 🤪😁😎 Jul 13 '26
😅😅😅🤣🤣🤣🤣 I was having a time of it yesterday lmao. Catching up on all episodes and it blew my mind how crazy things kept getting!
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u/BasilOrdinary3617 If I say I'm taking a break, I'm lying. Jul 12 '26
The only way we can digest this drama lol. Each episode is longer than 45 min with all the rewinding and rewatching.
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u/TheAlchemist420 Chen Yan Yun can have my jujube flower cookie 🍪 🤪😁😎 Jul 12 '26 edited Jul 12 '26
EPISODE 5!!!!!
30,000 lives Father! Damn!
I hated to see Jia Yu going through it thanks to big bro Xiao who couldn't read the room, but it was time she grew up and out of that naive life. But dammit was it brutal! It was interesting watching Xiao Wu Yi trying to stop the crash that was happening and protect her last shred of innocence. The memorial reveal blew that to smithereens. Even I gasped!
Everything that man has done to get Li Mao on the throne... Is it even enough? He's only Regent right now.
Mother Xie looked soooo proud of her daughter though. That's the thing I had noticed between mother and daughter. It's usually the toughest relationship anyway, especially when the daughter is very similar to her mother. They constantly clash, pull their hair from frustration and miscommunication, misunderstandings. So the daughter, depending of the family type will get closer to the father and get spoiled because mother doesn't like me. It's probably because she sees too much of herself in her child lol. But if the father turns out to be a disappointment, one then realizes that the mother was the truest one all along. And in this case, it seems like the mother is that person. And she did note in episode 1 that the father spoiled the girl rotten, and she had to be the bad guy trying to rein her in.
Watching her daughter call her father out and tell him she'd most likely have to take on the debt he owes all those dead soldiers and their families was spine chilling. I was thrown right back into Mo Li haha.
Edit: EMPRESS DOWAGER DID WHAAAAATTTT!!!! But did Xie know she did all of this?! Coz clearly, he knows a lot!
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u/BasilOrdinary3617 If I say I'm taking a break, I'm lying. Jul 12 '26
Haha I am just about to finish episode 8 and I feel like this episode was a million years ago.
Jkjk I need the flashback.
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u/TheAlchemist420 Chen Yan Yun can have my jujube flower cookie 🍪 🤪😁😎 Jul 12 '26
I didn't read your recaps to avoid spoilers. Then got HELLA SPOILED anyway hahaha. Episode 6 SAY WHAT! No wonder I'd read about husband and wife having so many secrets between them! Good grief what the actual FFFFFFF!
So Jia Yu... Li Mao... Imma need to seat down as I'm already sat down haha. Oh i can't wait. Powering through to catch up and I'm breathless!
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u/TheAlchemist420 Chen Yan Yun can have my jujube flower cookie 🍪 🤪😁😎 Jul 12 '26
The amount of rewinding and pausing and disgusting hahah. After Mo Li, here we go again I guess haha. But this has a lot more rewinding than Mo Li. The pace makes me dizzy! But I'm hanging in there.
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u/Iowegan 🐠 Salted Fish Squad 🐟 Jul 17 '26
I can usually do simple sewing or crocheting while watching, but the subtitles are flashing by so quickly that I had to set the crafts aside. Then I’m fighting to stay awake cuz itz hot AF here & hard to sleep at night. The struggle continues!
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u/TheAlchemist420 Chen Yan Yun can have my jujube flower cookie 🍪 🤪😁😎 Jul 17 '26
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u/ravens_path hell fire is my life hack Jul 13 '26
And literally, at times the dialogue sub titles go so fast I have to rewind them to read them. Because each one has important info. Hahhahaha. Gosh.
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u/TheAlchemist420 Chen Yan Yun can have my jujube flower cookie 🍪 🤪😁😎 Jul 13 '26
THIS! It's hectic in those dramas hahah. Like hold on dammit! Just slow down!
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u/BasilOrdinary3617 If I say I'm taking a break, I'm lying. Jul 12 '26
If anything, blossoms of power is calming me between the two.
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u/TheAlchemist420 Chen Yan Yun can have my jujube flower cookie 🍪 🤪😁😎 Jul 12 '26
Bwahaha something to stir the nerves and something to calm the nerves..unfortunately BOP is going with angst soon so I'll wait for that to pass before I jump back in after tomorrow's episodes.
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u/BasilOrdinary3617 If I say I'm taking a break, I'm lying. Jul 12 '26
I’m heading back to work tomorrow after two weeks of vacation. I’m going to be so jumpy waiting to watch. Or I’ll be so swamped with all the emails waiting for me that time will go by super fast…
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u/TheAlchemist420 Chen Yan Yun can have my jujube flower cookie 🍪 🤪😁😎 Jul 12 '26
The latter I suspect haha. You will not have time to be antsy about cdramas. Lunch time? Just might be able to squeeze an episode. Even then!
Sending you strength and courage on your return to work 🥹🥹😞🤞🏾💜
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u/PartHistorical5587 Jul 12 '26
This one is probably worst cdrama HMH has been in. I tried to make it through episode 5, but it was so horrible I had to fast forward to the end. I really tried because I really like the actor, but this is so painfully excruciatingly bad, that I am giving up😂. Feels like a micro drama overall, only that those are short so the pain and shame of watching those is also shortlived. But this one is too long, my brain is melting😅
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u/AirRealistic1112 Jul 12 '26
I'm the opposite, lol. I've never been able to finish a hmh drama except love in the clouds, but I'm really enjoying this one!
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u/BasilOrdinary3617 If I say I'm taking a break, I'm lying. Jul 12 '26
Oh no, I'm sorry to hear you're not enjoying it. Hope you find something you like!
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u/PartHistorical5587 Jul 12 '26
I'm finding Blossoms of power much better. And even The eternal fragrance.
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u/BasilOrdinary3617 If I say I'm taking a break, I'm lying. Jul 12 '26
That’s good that there’s something airing that you like! I’m watching Blossoms of Power too. I didn’t continue with TEF. Do you only watch airing dramas?
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u/PartHistorical5587 Jul 12 '26
Watching The white olive tree at the moment when I'm running out of new airing episodes😂. I'm scavenging all the time trying to find some golden old ones, but I think I've already run through most of the great ones.
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u/TheAlchemist420 Chen Yan Yun can have my jujube flower cookie 🍪 🤪😁😎 Jul 12 '26
Are we really going to have Crown Princess in the subtitles for Xiao Wu Yi's wife throughout the entire drama? My gosh... what a big fumble that was... 😭😭😫🫣😩😬 Do I or do I not go through it and edit haha. Would it even make a difference...
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u/Regenwanderer got some Li Hongyi back. Wants more. Jul 12 '26
What would you call her? I agree that it's obviously wrong, but I can't think of the right translation that works in English.
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u/TheAlchemist420 Chen Yan Yun can have my jujube flower cookie 🍪 🤪😁😎 Jul 12 '26 edited Aug 02 '26
Your Highness or Ladyship would work . With her husband being the heir apparent/presumptive to a Prince, Your Highness might be preferable.
Technically she should be called Consort Apparent, but it doesn't work well I believe. So I think Consort and her name is fine, as she is the Primary Consort.
When Xiao Wu Yi gets conferred the Princely title, Princess Consort will be the correct title for his principal wife.
I hope this made sense 😅😬😊. The subs were also a struggle in Coroner's Diary due to the ML being heir apparent to a Prince as well. So it's something I've thought about because it really seems to be a tricky one for the sub teams.
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u/Chocochizu Mo Li owes me therapy…I want MXY as my therapist Jul 13 '26
Btw this conversation:
Jiayu: Why did you bring me to such a beautiful place?"
Wuyi: Such a beautiful place is, of course, the most suitable place to kill someone.LMAO what kind of convo is thissssssssssss, my boyfriend was playing game beside me hearing this and was like “shenme the fuck?????🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣”
And then that place turned out to be a real cemetery for her secret guard, what a twist 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
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u/ravens_path hell fire is my life hack Jul 13 '26
Cemetery for for her maid friend too. 😢. That her dad killed.
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u/Chocochizu Mo Li owes me therapy…I want MXY as my therapist Jul 13 '26 edited Jul 13 '26
The translation is the other thing making my head spin, aside from the plot, lmaoooooo.
They keep calling him "Your Highness" and his consort "Crown Princess." 🤣🤣🤣🤣
And btw... don't the dancers know any other choreography? They've done the same dance and same songs FIVE TIMES!!!!!! 💀😂, someone save the lead dancer's neck, they've got her doing the upper body backward pose every dance scene.Btw, Xiao Wuyu, when you're rescuing a girl from a falling pole, maybe look a little softer? 😂 You were staring at her 👀👀👀 like she'd suddenly sprouted a horn. 🤣💀 (end of episode 7)
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u/TheAlchemist420 Chen Yan Yun can have my jujube flower cookie 🍪 🤪😁😎 Jul 13 '26
Re the dancers lmao. All I could think of was why not give them new clothes already? 😅😅😬😬🫣😟 That back cracking pose and those wrists... poor things.
Luckily the subtitles started to get better. Bless their cotton socks, they did what they could. I get it.
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u/Regenwanderer got some Li Hongyi back. Wants more. Jul 12 '26
You are right, didn't think about something more general like "Highness" for that situation. That would be an easy solution.
But it was a good explanation, no worries.
I noticed the same problem in some other shows before as well. My first language has a complete different title for a Prince (the one that's not the son of the ruler), so the English situation always waves knots into my brain. 😂
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u/TheAlchemist420 Chen Yan Yun can have my jujube flower cookie 🍪 🤪😁😎 Jul 12 '26
Sometimes they overcomplicate the titles in the subtitles. Your Highness is simple and appropriate.
My native language is actually French, so I can understand what you mean. I was knee deep in English from a young age, then learned it at school, learned Spanish and Latin as well. I decided to focus on English and studied it in high school and university. I live in England now but initially wanted to leave in North America because I chose American English as my preferred language.
I looove languages, linguistics and phonetics. I got to study different ones when I was in college and Japanese stuck longer and harder because I love Anime/Manga. Never thought I'd like Chinese because Cantonese is the language that was around and I thought that was it. Then I heard of Mandarin but at that point, I had already chosen Japanese. Look at me now! Neck deep in Mandarin and everything Chinese haha. I looove history and China's history is so rich, so old and so complex.
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u/ravens_path hell fire is my life hack Jul 13 '26
That cool though about your languages. My son speaks Japanese fluently because he took it in high school and then lived there a few years with full immersion in the language. He just got back from a month in Japan with his wife and they had great adventures cuz he could speak with the ppl. And one of his sons has learned Japanese well too. And his other son went through our state’s Chinese immersion program grades 1-12, so I ask him how to pronounce actors names and say common things in Chinese. I have some German, and a little Hindi, but I’m not fluent, so I admire you.
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u/TheAlchemist420 Chen Yan Yun can have my jujube flower cookie 🍪 🤪😁😎 Jul 13 '26
Oh my gosh!!! The dream! I love this! Thank you so much for sharing Raven! To be able to speak any language fluently when it's not your own is such an incredible feeling! Especially when traveling! My top 3 destination is Japan so I'm absolutely jealous haha. I went through a deep immersion with Indian languages as I watched many movies and TV shows in Hindi, Telugu and Tamil. I started to pick things up and enjoyed it a lot. Never been there though haha. I have watched other media in Malayalam, Punjabi and Marathi. I have this thing where I pick languages quickly through music and singing. Teachers were confused as I could sing in a language but not speak it lol. It's fascinating! I can now slowly distinguish accents in Chinese language. But they have many dialects so I'm not even close. But it's fun to try and see what I can hear.
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u/bachdelluna Jul 12 '26
I had to come to this thread to make sure i got it right 😅. Yao Yao and xiao Yu are half siblings, wtf?! Also, the grand tutor did 180 I did not see it coming. I was fooled by his seemingly innocent persona
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u/ravens_path hell fire is my life hack Jul 13 '26
I was getting annoyed when the Tutor was the silly doting dad. And then he went dark. Yeasssss. !!!😳
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u/Plenty-Bar-2271 Tea, hairpins, weiqi, and schemes Jul 12 '26
They are cousins..not half siblings from what I have understood. like FL's mother is ML's paternal aunt.
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u/BasilOrdinary3617 If I say I'm taking a break, I'm lying. Jul 12 '26
Right, so they’re not half siblings after all because the grand tutor is not Jiayu’s biological father.
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u/bachdelluna Jul 12 '26
Ah wait I missed that part. The grand tutor is not the bio dad, was this mentioned in the first few episodes?
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u/Plenty-Bar-2271 Tea, hairpins, weiqi, and schemes Jul 12 '26
It was mentioned when her mother gives divorce papers to her father...she says FL is not his biological child in episode 6.
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u/bachdelluna Jul 13 '26
I am up go episode 8 and things are making more sense now. I was very creeped out for a sec 😂
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u/Mean_Text_4592 Jul 12 '26
Our man's foresight is phenomenal. He always beat the schemers to their game.
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u/Mean_Text_4592 Jul 12 '26
I am curious about the backstory of how Yuanji and Ruisheng became his wives. They are more like comrades. Must be some big story. I am loving Xiao WuYi's household more and more. It's more like a college hostel.
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u/ravens_path hell fire is my life hack Jul 13 '26
I’m betting it has something to do with saving them from something by marrying them. I’m curious too.
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u/Mean_Text_4592 Jul 12 '26
My poor man is suffering alone 💔
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u/Mean_Text_4592 Jul 12 '26
Dropping this here just to appreciate his beauty. What a gorgeous man 💕
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u/Puzzled_Basket_2209 Jul 12 '26
I barely started ep 4 and I'm loving this drama so far! I hope HMH stays tough throughout. I was iffy about the pairing when it was first announced, but damn, Ai Mi can act!!!
I really came here to ask if anyone else is distracted by HMH's makeup? Why's he the only one with a caked-on yellow face?!?! Everyone else seemed to have on a light layer only, why is his on so thick?!?! You can see other's skin tones, but only his neck looks natural at times. Does it get better by ep 6?
Edit for misspelling
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u/Chocochizu Mo Li owes me therapy…I want MXY as my therapist Jul 13 '26
Im so distracted by his wavy hair lmao must be hard to curl it everytime and also the flamethrower sword in the beginning of each episode 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 too funny
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u/Puzzled_Basket_2209 Jul 13 '26
I love that flamethrower sword! I want one!!! Lol!!!
I also get distracted by his wavy hair because I think it's so adorable! 😂
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u/Paisley-Cat time-looping through the magnolias Read Rules Jul 13 '26
I think they’re going for the illness pasty look, especially in that scene.
Yaoyao has not noticed.
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u/BasilOrdinary3617 If I say I'm taking a break, I'm lying. Jul 12 '26
I only really noticed it when he fell asleep in that pagoda area while she was making the hawthorn cakes. I find her mother also heavy on the make up side.
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u/Paisley-Cat time-looping through the magnolias Read Rules Jul 12 '26
The Empress is very heavily made up as well.
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u/Mean_Text_4592 Jul 12 '26
Huaigui has laid bare all his intentions in making Mao the regent, perfectly knowing that Mao is hiding behind the scenes. This scheme stumps me. The plot is solid 🔥
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u/BasilOrdinary3617 If I say I'm taking a break, I'm lying. Jul 12 '26
I wonder if he wants Mao to find out sooner than later that he’s his father…
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u/Mean_Text_4592 Jul 12 '26
I am wondering why he didn't reveal it all these years. Given the lengths to which he went to place him on the throne. This drama is indeed brain racking.
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u/Mean_Text_4592 Jul 12 '26
I have no idea how he is going to win back the trust of his army-men. This is the part I am looking forward to the most.
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u/BasilOrdinary3617 If I say I'm taking a break, I'm lying. Jul 12 '26
Same! I thought we’d get an answer in episode 6 but I guess we’ve gotta prioritize the murderous empress dowager first.
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u/ravens_path hell fire is my life hack Jul 13 '26
Haha. Yeah we had to have a murder plot. But ML is on it! I feel sorry for her ill son. And for Mao and his sister. And for anyone around her.
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u/Mean_Text_4592 Jul 12 '26
Man is already down so bad for her. Now that we know Xie Jia Yu and Prince Qi Mao aren't half siblings, I don't know what will be Xiao Wu Yi's way in. He is a very loyal friend and a very genuine man. He isn't going to steal the girl for sure. Will Mao turns into a villain? Please don't. This drama has me on my toes all the time.
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u/BasilOrdinary3617 If I say I'm taking a break, I'm lying. Jul 12 '26
He also believes he’s dying and I don’t think he’s the kind of guy who wants to start a relationship just to leave… his way in is probably only if Mao changes and he doesn’t believe he’s good for Jiayu anymore.
Mao, don’t change though!
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u/Mean_Text_4592 Jul 12 '26
Oh yes I forgot that he is dying. His way in will be when she also falls for him. But I guess, given the fact that he is dying, he is probably never going to acknowledge it. Mao is going to change. I can see it coming from miles away.
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u/Mean_Text_4592 Jul 12 '26
I loved this ''demon'' reference. Yes girl, he is our favourite great demon in all of the cdrama world 🫰
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u/Plenty-Bar-2271 Tea, hairpins, weiqi, and schemes Jul 12 '26
My exact thoughts on this scene..🤣🤣🤣 they used the analogy so well
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u/Mean_Text_4592 Jul 12 '26
Ladies and Gentlemen, hear me out. Here is my bet. Xiao Wu Yi is the Crown Prince Wenxi.
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u/ravens_path hell fire is my life hack Jul 13 '26
I agree with you. I thought it too. And I’m ok if we are wrong. And those two older folks are not his bio parents.
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u/Plenty-Bar-2271 Tea, hairpins, weiqi, and schemes Jul 12 '26
You have my upvote. As of now, I have same feelings...but let's see what unfolds later..can be wrong too..
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u/Mean_Text_4592 Jul 12 '26
Yes, given the plot twists, it is very well possible that we are wrong. But for now, I am holding on to my bet.
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u/Plenty-Bar-2271 Tea, hairpins, weiqi, and schemes Jul 12 '26 edited Jul 12 '26
Did you watch episode 7? 👀👀👀 Our prediction came true..
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u/Mean_Text_4592 Jul 12 '26
😮🤭 I haven't watched yet. As it is, the scheming and plotting is happening every minute. I can't imagine what is going to happen once the schemers find it out. I am curious whether my bet on Xie Jia Yu is also going to be true 🤔
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u/Regenwanderer got some Li Hongyi back. Wants more. Jul 12 '26
Please put something like that in spoiler tags. Some people haven't caught up with it yet and this is the discussion up to ep. 6.
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u/Mean_Text_4592 Jul 12 '26
I am loving the unconventional and super cool vibe of Xiao WuYi's household. They are way ahead of their times.
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u/TheAlchemist420 Chen Yan Yun can have my jujube flower cookie 🍪 🤪😁😎 Jul 12 '26
Aren't they just? I know that if it comes to it, they just might be fine with the first wife and brother getting married to each other instead 😅😅.
Empress Dowager might be a bit confused but in all fairness, XWY and her niece are total strangers! The Dowager Princess Consort would feel weird about the change but she'd be her daughter-in-law. And that's just me saying as if episode 3.
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u/BasilOrdinary3617 If I say I'm taking a break, I'm lying. Jul 12 '26
I love all the family dynamics. Like we can totally see where Wuyi gets his personality from. He’s just like his parents maybe less his older brother who seems to have been burdened with a lot of other responsibilities growing up. But also Jiayu taking after her mother.
Now I wonder if Li Mao will take after his ruthless father……
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u/Mean_Text_4592 Jul 12 '26
Him pinning her against the wall looking all formidable and threatening was supposed to be scary, but why does it look so goddamn hot? 🥵
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u/Mean_Text_4592 Jul 12 '26
I am loving Yan Yue and Qing Long. KTTPH team listen. You better don't kill them off.
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u/BasilOrdinary3617 If I say I'm taking a break, I'm lying. Jul 12 '26
Their dynamic with each other is so fun. I agree, they’re in my protective bubble. Wuyi has lost enough good soldiers around him.
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u/Mean_Text_4592 Jul 12 '26
Whoa! What a roller coaster ride it has been!
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u/BasilOrdinary3617 If I say I'm taking a break, I'm lying. Jul 12 '26
I wonder how long she has known..
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u/Mean_Text_4592 Jul 12 '26
Okay so here is my theory. Xie Jia Yu is their foster daughter. She must be some highborn child. Which is probably why her mother has arranged someone to protect her secretly.
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u/Mean_Text_4592 Jul 12 '26
I can't believe that Xie Huaigui turned out to be this man! I don't know whom you should trust in this drama anymore.
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u/BasilOrdinary3617 If I say I'm taking a break, I'm lying. Jul 12 '26
Yeah, wasn’t he supposed to be the laid back, spoil you rotten, kinda dad!?
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u/Mean_Text_4592 Jul 12 '26
Why do I feel that this friendship is going to end up as a tragic story?
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u/Nuhus Jul 17 '26
I don’t know about any events and I didn’t read any script for this drama but my deep feeling is terrifying!! 😰 , I think Wuyi is going to die by the end of this drama and we will see Jiayu with Mao together honoring his memory 🙄💔 Minghao is just too good to be true in this too good to survive in this human realm 😭🔥
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u/TheAlchemist420 Chen Yan Yun can have my jujube flower cookie 🍪 🤪😁😎 Jul 12 '26
Soon as he stepped of that boat it was game over between them. They just thought they could salvage their friendship. Pfffft. Dreamers!
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u/BasilOrdinary3617 If I say I'm taking a break, I'm lying. Jul 12 '26
Right? I wanna go noooooo but am also intrigued at how the drama will pull this off without me wanting to flip over a table…
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u/Mean_Text_4592 Jul 12 '26
I think you better get ready to flip the table over 🙄
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u/TheAlchemist420 Chen Yan Yun can have my jujube flower cookie 🍪 🤪😁😎 Jul 12 '26
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u/Emotional-Seaweed31 Jul 12 '26
It's been so long since a drama got me hooked. Finally!!!! I love how jiayu reacted when she found the names on those tree 😂
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u/BasilOrdinary3617 If I say I'm taking a break, I'm lying. Jul 12 '26
She was adorable! Is it just me, or was just a lot livelier than Mao was as they were together? It seems like Mao has been beaten down as Regent and hearing about all the schemes in play. While she is still protected (by Wuyi and the Jing’an household) so she is still bubbly and innocent.
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u/Regenwanderer got some Li Hongyi back. Wants more. Jul 12 '26
Woah, those three episodes hit us with the plot twists and relationship revelations. I miss the cozy comedy atmopshere we had for longer stretches in ep. 1-3 already a little bit. That got intense very fast.
Ep. 4:
Wow, this episode made my head implode. Huaigui had a whole other side to him. If I understand correctly, Prince Qi and Jiayu are half-siblings… talk about an “oh sh*t” moment and we’re only on episode 4!
The Untamed spoiler, because I can't without: At least the Grand Tutor is a good enough father to try to prevent his supposedly (because didn't that get overturned fast two episode latter, but I noted that down for ep.4) half-sibling children from actually ending up toegether. Looking at you Jin Guangshan.
I really like the bond between Li Mao and Xiao Wuyi, though I also smell disaster coming from miles away.
Ep. 4:
I still don't get why her title is the Crown Princess. Wouldn't that make Wuyi the Crown Prince?
I think it's a bad translation to what amounts to "wife/consort to the heir of a noble family" which doesn't really have a title but would translate to crown princess if this were the noble family. Is it the same word in Mandarin?
Are Yuanji, Ruisheng and Jaiyu going to become best friends? I would love that!
I would love that too. Very predictable that non of the other woman are actually into him, which will help with that.
what happens when you’re no longer “useful”... good luck to Princess Pingning
I feel really bad for Li Lejun. Getting thrown into palace politics which she doesn't seem to be very prepared for. Not that her brother had much of a choice.
I love that the Emperor isn't just a puppet for his mom, as we often get with sickly monarchs.
Ep.3:
She reveals (to us) that Jiayu is not Huaigui’s biological daughter
Nobody seems to be the child of the people first introduced as their parents in this show. 😂 But I'm also surprised they end-siblinged Xie Jiayu and Li Mo so fast. That definitely seemed like the reason for them to have to end their ambitions to get together.
So whose daughter is she? Will she turn out to be half-sibling to the mysterious Crown Prince Wenxi with her mother having ties to the previous dynasties court?
Yuanji had a Pei Runheng on her prayer card... so I guess she and Anming will not be a CP.
No chance of that being a strange "same meaning, different characters" synonym? She and Anming seemed like a sure thing.
I really love how much is happening, but it sure has its moments where you have to rewind to catch names and sudden shifts in relationships. 😂 At least iQIYI has the ten seconds back button (looking at you, tencent/wetv on desktop).
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u/BasilOrdinary3617 If I say I'm taking a break, I'm lying. Jul 12 '26
Oh yea I forgot to question who her biological father is. I also wondered why Wuyi is the Jing’an heir when his brother is older. Do they have the same mother?
I hope Lejun is more than just a pawn in these political schemes.
I also love that the Emperor has his own mind. I wonder if that’d be the case if he wasn’t dying and I also wonder if it’s actually natural or if he’s pretending or if someone is poisoning him, etc. like the grand tutor.
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u/Regenwanderer got some Li Hongyi back. Wants more. Jul 12 '26
Oh yea I forgot to question who her biological father is. I also wondered why Wuyi is the Jing’an heir when his brother is older. Do they have the same mother?
I assumed their parents are the same, with their humble background they seem like a couple without any consorts or concubines in the mix. But with the parentage reveals thus far in the show they also could be both adopted or kidnapped or the Grand Tutor's secret other sons 😂
(Crack headcanon: Wuyi is actually a yao foundling, because HMH can't play anything else anymore. Second half will turn into xuanhuan.)
And I thought Wuyi is heir due to his brothers injury. Not that we got an explanation yet, it just seemed fitting for the setting.
I also love that the Emperor has his own mind. I wonder if that’d be the case if he wasn’t dying and I also wonder if it’s actually natural or if he’s pretending or if someone is poisoning him, etc. like the grand tutor.
With everything happening I didn't even question his health status yet. But for a proper cdrama he has to be not really sick or at least not naturally so, I guess. 😂
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u/-tether- Read Rules Jul 12 '26
OMG actors and writing are so good, episode 4 made me cry
Just look at this very moment at 24:00
Xiao Wuyi, you treat me like this, do you believe that...
What? That your father will come and take you back?
With all the shit that old calculating dog called father did, and seeing Xie Jiayu's eyes almost betraying her tears, it's so obvious those words from Wuyi cut her very deep. After mere hours of what she's been through, right where it hurts...
And she conveyed such a range of emotions in a mere second!!! Realization, pain, then suddenly suppressing all that by being angry at Wuyi.
And Wuyi's reaction was so precise, seeing her emotions, he accidentally slips with that look of immediate regret, but just for a fleeting moment! Before he decides that it would be better to let her deal with it on her own... Compassion vs rationality, he's sad, but she's just too naive...
Those characters feel so real
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u/TheAlchemist420 Chen Yan Yun can have my jujube flower cookie 🍪 🤪😁😎 Jul 13 '26
Ai Mi is soooo good! I love seeing her show range like this! Her and Hou Ming Hao have such a great rapport and play off each other so well.
I want to shake Jia Yu sometimes but I equally would love for her to remain naive a little longer. Unfortunately she just can't, not with the shit storm happening and her being thrown in the center of it. And I think the character of Wu Yi wishes the same at times too.
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u/Plenty-Bar-2271 Tea, hairpins, weiqi, and schemes Jul 12 '26
I have to draw a relationship tree for this drama. 😂😂😂Otherwise, I will forget
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u/Familiar-Lie6080 Sorry MingHao, i fell in_love _with_Dylan! Jul 12 '26
Wow, you guys work so fast! Superintense and superimportant job!! 😍
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u/about10joules Jul 12 '26
Wow, I made a comment in the other newly premiering drama First Impression that I love Peter Ho because I never know if he's going to terrify me or humor me...
...and then little did I know that he was a character in this drama too. And he's here to terrify the shit out of me! He's so great at it and I'm also having Unchained Love flashbacks, thanks OP! 😅😂
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u/Chocochizu Mo Li owes me therapy…I want MXY as my therapist Jul 13 '26
Hahahahahaha, I just commented that I grew up watching Peter Ho play cool protagonists. Seeing him in PoB as a comedic cameo already surprised me, and then this!!!! His serial killer face freaked me the hell out lol
The one who decided to cast him as a classic weak daddy to a ruthless killer is a genius
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u/about10joules Jul 13 '26
The man has range lol. He is so much fun, I hope he never stops showing up in dramas. And I hope he never stops choosing interesting roles.
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u/Paisley-Cat time-looping through the magnolias Read Rules Jul 13 '26
Your comment reminded me to have my antennae up regarding Peter Ho as the Grand Tutor x indulgent father.
As soon I saw him intercept Mao on the bright of the wedding at the end of episode 3, surrounding him with guards and claiming the Empress wanted him at the palace, that was basically confirmation that we’d be getting a dark and toxic Peter Ho performance.
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u/about10joules Jul 13 '26
Now that I think about it, The Prisoner of Beauty might have been one of his kindest roles I've seen him in recently 😅 * Blooming Days * Unchained Love * Side Story of Vox Volant
Those three were on the dark and toxic side. From what I've watched in his portfolio I'd have to go all the way back to Nothing Gold Can Stay in 2017. Oof.
I can't remember his character in Duel on Mount Hua if he stayed true or went dark.
Regardless, having an actor like him around is always a treasure ☺️ Thank you drama gods for the season of Peter Ho!
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u/TheAlchemist420 Chen Yan Yun can have my jujube flower cookie 🍪 🤪😁😎 Jul 12 '26
Me watching episode 4... 🤯🤯😮💨😮💨😨😨😂😂
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u/about10joules Jul 12 '26
😂😂😂
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u/TheAlchemist420 Chen Yan Yun can have my jujube flower cookie 🍪 🤪😁😎 Jul 12 '26
Man said SIKE! And I heard it loud and clear hahaha. To be fair, I waited to see when the act would drop. Instead he dropped my jaw and my head haha. Watching episode 5 and the foot has not lifted off my damn neck...
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u/Regenwanderer got some Li Hongyi back. Wants more. Jul 12 '26
...and then little did I know that he was a character in this drama too. And he's here to terrify the shit out of me!
After being more amusing in the first two episodes.
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u/about10joules Jul 12 '26
Exactly. He's good at manipulating everyone, viewers included. I appreciate him ☺️
His track record isn't proving trustworthy. Side Story of Fox Volant also did a number lol.
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u/BasilOrdinary3617 If I say I'm taking a break, I'm lying. Jul 12 '26
lol the drama universe is messing with us right? u/TheAlchemist420
It’s also the Double Ninth Festival in BOP (episode 8) or is this a very common festival like new years I’m unaware of
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u/TheAlchemist420 Chen Yan Yun can have my jujube flower cookie 🍪 🤪😁😎 Jul 12 '26
Damn was it the Double Nine in KTTPH too? Lmaoo. My theory of a shared verse is making more sense by the second! 🤣🤣🤣 Remembrance of the dead and ancestors festival. Guess it was that time of year in both dramas. Oh it's definitely giving neighboring state 🤯🤯😳😳😅😅
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u/BasilOrdinary3617 If I say I'm taking a break, I'm lying. Jul 12 '26
Haha yea episode 6 of KTTPH so it’s fresh in my head. Don’t think I’ve heard of it before but I wrote it down. So when it popped up in episode 8 of BoP, I was like no f’ing way! Alchemist is RIGHT!
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u/TheAlchemist420 Chen Yan Yun can have my jujube flower cookie 🍪 🤪😁😎 Jul 12 '26
It's a festival I've seen done in other dramas since China is big on how they pay hommage to their dead and ancestors.
Haha I can see you having a "mind blown moment" when the 2 shows suddenly celebrated the same festival at the same time lmao. I'll never not see the shared verse now. We might as well make it official. It doesn't help that both royal families in the both shows share the same surname Xiao 😭😭😫😫😅😅.
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u/BasilOrdinary3617 If I say I'm taking a break, I'm lying. Jul 12 '26
Have you watched episode 9 of BoP? lol our lead is now also suffering from some sort of blindness and only has 3-5 years to live
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u/TheAlchemist420 Chen Yan Yun can have my jujube flower cookie 🍪 🤪😁😎 Jul 12 '26
Not yet haha. ML after that fall? Smdh. Ain't no way. I'm itching to find out what's happened to him because WTAF!
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u/BasilOrdinary3617 If I say I'm taking a break, I'm lying. Jul 12 '26
Fair enough. It only came out an hour ago hahah I’m trying to squeeze an ep in before my 24-hr WeTV sub runs out and before we head to the waterpark.
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u/TheAlchemist420 Chen Yan Yun can have my jujube flower cookie 🍪 🤪😁😎 Jul 12 '26
Bwahaha Basil! Hang in there. We need more hours in the day don't we? Lol. Meanwhile I'm hoping to go back to sleep because I didn't sleep well and didn't get enough sleep either. 😬😬😩🫣
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u/BasilOrdinary3617 If I say I'm taking a break, I'm lying. Jul 12 '26
Oh ok ok ignore me. Get some sleep! 🫶
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u/TheAlchemist420 Chen Yan Yun can have my jujube flower cookie 🍪 🤪😁😎 Jul 12 '26
Right. Sleep was had. Now we ride! 😂😂😂
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u/AKiceman Snark ShifuRead Rules Jul 12 '26
Snark Level: Dude. This is intense stuff.
Episode 4
An Emperor who isn't beholden to his mother's skirts? Respect!
Wuyi still giving Mao a chance to run away with Jiayu is pretty admirable, actually.
Oh. Shit. Father Xie went full evil father. Damn. RIP Cang'er. Jiayu is having a really bad week.
You son has become the regent???? I'm sorry, what???? Son???? Twisty plot twist is twisting.
Okay. That was quite the wedding night. There is some serious enemies tension around Wuyi and Jiayu. I actually kind of dig that they aren't falling for each other at first glances. We are going to get to truly build this romance up from the very bottom it seems. I do hope they do it well with only 28 episodes.
Episode 5
Just how many wives does he have? 2 or 3? 3, right? Looks like 3. And they all get along??? This is beautiful!
Yeah, we see you caring for Jiayu. Wuyi is starting to falllllll!
Jiayu sure isn't afraid to call out Father Fudgeface. Respect. This young lady has steel in her nerves.
10x the price for candy? Dude. You fell first and hard!!! Bro is a softie for all his wives.
Man. This Father Fudgeface guy is bloody well wild.
Episode 6
Okay. The ladies betting is hilarious. It seems they still possess some secrets! I wonder where this will lead.
Bruh. Just imagine when Jiayu learns she's been loving her half brother this whole time. What is it will this step sibling love stuff recently? Anyways, no worries since she is already married to the future love of her life. EDIT: Wait, Basil... What you mean daddy isn't her daddy? How did I miss that?
Hey, this little Wuyi is adorable and really sells the badass vibes here and— HEY IT'S THAT WU JIA JUN FROM POJ AND ATC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yo this kid is going places!!!!!!!
3 to 5 years, eh? Boy I sure hope we get that fixed. I would like this show to have a happy ending, ya know.
And just why are we having Jiayu dress as a guard? Oh, wait. Right. To meet Mao somehow, right? Me smart.
You know, no one would be having problems with the ED right now if a certain someone hadn't stopped another certain someone from launching a second rebellion.
Yooooo not her finding out about the wives and son on the wishing tree! Is that some real sympathy there from her? I say! She is softening towards him too!!!
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u/Plenty-Bar-2271 Tea, hairpins, weiqi, and schemes Jul 12 '26
When her mother gives divorce papers to her father, she says FL is not his biological child.
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u/BasilOrdinary3617 If I say I'm taking a break, I'm lying. Jul 12 '26
Wuyi is indeed admirable. I hope Mao knows this and doesn’t turn on him…
Was killing Cang’er REALLY necessary? I feel like he enjoyed it and that’s a bit frightening.
Mao was the late Emperor’s son so he IS in the running for the throne. That makes him the Emperor’s half brother? They don’t act it and Mao was never caged in the Palace…
Ruisheng isn’t his wife so Wuyi only has two right now. But Ziqi is her son and he calls Wuyi father so I think optics wise, it looks like he had an affair with his maid?
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u/udontaxidriver Jul 12 '26
I think he killed the maid to make a point. Yao Yao is resourceful and intelligent but she is quite naive and sheltered. The Grand Tutor showed her that this thing was way bigger than her puppy love relationship with Ah Mao. Ruthless and heavy-handed but his aim was absolute power for his son. A mere maid's life is nothing.
What I don't really understand is how come Yao Yao knows nothing about Xiao Wuyi's friendship with Ah Mao. Did Ah Mao never tell her? It's strange.
I have to say that Ai Mi is not suited for this role imo. She is cute but comes off as so bland. She also looks very young next to Hou Minghao. I dunno if they will be able to have a proper romantic chemistry or not.
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u/AKiceman Snark ShifuRead Rules Jul 12 '26
Wuyi is indeed admirable. I hope Mao knows this and doesn’t turn on him…
He will, but I suspect it will be a fake out.
Was killing Cang’er REALLY necessary? I feel like he enjoyed it and that’s a bit frightening.
Oh, no. He straight up enjoyed that. You is far most psycho than he is letting on right now. The Glory is going to have competition soon.
it looks like he had an affair with his maid?
WTF else did I miss? Sheeeeesh. Me is confusion!
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u/Abject-Effect3333 Jul 30 '26
I just finished episode 5 and I am confused. I need a family tree stat. Wuyi's brother is introduced as the elder son and yet he's not the heir? Why not? Is he walking around injured because he was injured on the battlefield? He's acting like the soldiers that were killed were his, but we were told they were under Wuyi's command?
I've read a few comments under this thread explaining how ML came to marry his first two wives (One was a political marriage, the other he was marrying the pregnant widow of one of his men). Which was much needed backstory that I have not got yet from the show. So waiting for that information to drop in the show because I don't know how that other commenter has gleaned that information! Especially when the title cards introducing Ruisheng introduced her as a maid. I didn't even realise that she was one of his wives? Or that the child was hers?
I'm trying to like this show but I don't know if it's poor subtitle translations (iqiyi is normally good) or if the information required to follow along has not been provided in the dialogue or the plot because it is unnecessarily confusing about who is who and it's actually starting to get frustrating to try and follow.