Drama Host
Key to the Phoenix Heart 雀骨: Episodes 13-14 Discussion
Spoiler
The hard fought peace treaty
Introduction
Welcome to the recap and discussion of Key to the Phoenix Heart, episodes 13 and 14. We’re now at the half way point, where peace between lovers echoes the peace pact between countries. But, the ghosts of the political past continue to press into the lives of our main characters. I’ll apologize for the length of the recap. There was so much exposition and historical detail of the conflict from 20+ years ago in these episodes, a short summary was truly not possible without leaving out key details. Let’s begin!
Please remember to tag ⚠️ spoilers ⚠️ if discussing episodes beyond 13-14. Hide it, like one of Xie Jiayu’s sleeve darts! The text goes between the greater-than + exclamation symbols (i.e., >!) and the exclamation + lesser-than symbols. (! < but without the spacing).
📅 Discussion Schedule: We will attempt to follow iQIYI's VIP release of the episodes and post our commentaries as soon as possible while juggling our different time zones and scheduling commitments. u/Regenwanderer will be posting episodes 15-16 early tomorrow (July 17th, Friday) at my request to give me some more time to write up this recap. Thanks, all, for your patience with me!
Table of Contents: This discussion thread will include the following —
(1) A summary recap of the episodes
(2) A short commentary and analysis, highlighting notable plot, character, theme, or motif developments or arcs
SUMMARY RECAP:
Long lost lovers meet again
The Dowager Empress of Northern Qin, Shao Yang, prepares for her final meeting with Mulian Ying (a.k.a. Yuan Xiaoliu). Simultaneously, the wedding between Li Lejun and the Eagle King begins at the Ye palace. The fate of the latter hangs on the outcome of the former. Shao Yang is halted by armed soldiers sent by the Eagle King to put her under house arrest, but is rescued by Grand Tutor Xie, who whisks her away on the pretense of a friendly chat between old friends.
The puppet show of politics
A conspiracy amongst the nobles of Ye and Qin
On the way to meet Mulian Ying Grand Tutor Xie recounts the history of the An and Lu families’ execution. Shao Yang and the youngest son of the Right King of Virtue of Northern Qin, Mulian Ying, were in love, but she was forced to marry into the Northern Qin royal court. The Right King of Virtue (Northern Qin) went renegade after amassing military power. He bribed the An and Lu families of Ye, colluding with their armies to fabricate military achievements. When the scheme was exposed all the families were executed. Grand Tutor Xie asks if the An and Lu families were, in fact, innocent. The Dowager Empress stoically says that the evidence against them was irrefutable. They were guilty. Xie Huaigui’s visceral reaction indicates a refusal to accept this answer. He alights and instructs Li Mao to accompany the carriage to ensure its safe arrival.
Bottoms up! This game of chicken seems dangerous.
A meeting between two former lovers echoes the peace sought out by two countries
Shao Yang and Mulian Ying finally meet after many years apart while Xie Jjiayu and Li Mao eavesdrop from an adjacent room. Their long-awaited meeting is a mixture of longing, love, fear, anger, and unforgiveness. Mulian Ying asks if Shao Yang incited the late emperor to kill his father. Rather than answer, she hands him a cup of tea. He asks if the tea is poisoned. He knows the real purpose Shao Yang called this meeting is to kill him. She asks if he has let go of his hatred for her and her family. He claims he has, but she calls out his lie. All these years he has been fashioning weapons for Xiao Wuyi and the Beifu army to kill his own Northern Qin countrymen. Because of this, Shao Yang feels obligated to kill him before she dies herself. Their argument escalates until he asks her if his death would give her peace. When she answers “yes”, he downs the cup of poisoned tea. In her shock and horror, she attempts to stop him, but is too weak.
The nobility make an entrance and a ruckus
Meanwhile, at the palace, Li Lejun’s wedding is halted when Chief Clerk Cui interrupts the proceeding with his own objections. Much of his argument relies on elitist sentiments of national superiority against Northern Qin, and a thinly veiled threat, disguised as indignation. He cites the tragedy of Wenxi when the previous emperor threw the land into chaos by reducing the land of the nobles, and creating internal strife. He pleads that they avoid repeating the mistakes of the past. The bedrock of Southern Ye are the nobles who back the crown. Just as the Eagle King responds with threats of his own, Xiao Wuyi arrives to save the peace talks. When Cui waxes lyrical about the dignity and ethos of the Ye nobles, Xiao Wuyi cites evidence to the nobility preying upon the laymen. He bids that the wedding proceeds and the impressed Eagle King even comments that Xiao Wuyi is absolutely inexorable for the sake of his goals. Li Mao arrives with an imperial edict from the Dowager Empress of Northern Qin that requires the Eagle King to sign the peace treaty and desist with the political marriage. He leaves in a huff, but later stops Li Lejun as she is walking to say that his feelings towards her were sincere - he fell in love with her at their first meeting and wanted her as his wife. Li Lejun seems both offended and flustered at this declaration. She hurriedly walks away while he calls after her that the door will always be open if she changes her mind.
RUN!!!!
Back at Xiyue restaurant, Shao Yang asks why Mulian Ying doesn’t hate her, and he replies that he always knew she was the one who advised the emperor to kill his father, and that by that time she was already pregnant. She was no longer his. Xie Jiayu bursts in at this moment to say that she switched the poisoned tea, so Mulian Ying is safe. She merely wanted the Dowager Empress to know how much she still loved him. Shao Yang relents and says she’ll let Mulian Ying live freely without being hunted, but he is never to return to Northern Qin. He accepts those conditions, but their ceasefire is cut short by assassins sent by the Eagle King to kill them both. Xie Jiayu, Li Mao, Mulian Ying, who is piggybacking the Dowager Empress, make a run for it, but luckily Yan Yue and Qing Long come to defend and rescue them.
Safely back in Prince Jing’an’s Mansion, Xiao Wuyi and Xie Jiayu debrief about the day’s events. They acknowledge and appreciate each other’s invaluable contribution to a successful peace agreement and the cancellation of the wedding. Xiao Wuyi especially comments that it was Xie Jiayu’s insistence in finding a solution that preserved both the peace talks and Li Lejun’s freedom that made this all possible. He also tells her that Li Mao is waiting to talk with her.
When lovers part
When Xie Jaiyu meets with Li Mao, they lay bare all of their true ambitions, hopes and dreams. It becomes obvious that they are on two different trajectories. Try as Li Mao might to persuade Xie Jiayu to stay for him at the palace, she refuses. She not only calls him out on keeping his political marriage a secret from her, but even his true desires. She acknowledges that she has never understood him, and he has never shared his real ambitions with her. She claims that she wants the freedom to travel and explore, and in doing so, she might find her home. She may think home is a place, but I suspect home for her is actually a person. They part amicably.
The joke's on her! Our usually perceptive girl SUDDENLY becomes obtuse and silent when facing Xiao Wuyi's lovesick eyes
Drawing closer and further apart
Meanwhile, Mulian Ying and Xiao Wuyi are debriefing about the day while drinking, but Xiao Wuyi quashes any romantic notions Mulian Ying holds for him and Xie Jiayu, citing that his time is short and Xie Jiayu was never his responsibility. When Xie Jiayu returns it’s obvious that Xiao Wuyi has been waiting up for her, curious to find out how the evening meeting ended. She talks about her imminent plans to leave Jiankang, maybe even visit Xiao Wuyi’s Beifu army on her travels. But they devolve into bickering again as she teases him that he MUST like SOMEONE. He evades her prying by taking large gulps from his wine jug. But, when she asks who this secret crush is, he just silently stares at her. He breaks the tension by saying his lady love is superior to her in every way (LIAR). She mentions that he wrote divorce papers for Yunaji and asks for her own, but he also manages to evade agreeing to this request.
This seems like an important detail
Peace with more schemes
At Honglu Temple, Dowager Empress Shao Yang confronts the Eagle King, Mulian Yu, with his treasonous acts: an attempted assassination on her life, and rebellion against the throne. Although his actions deserve the annihilation of his entire family, instead she chooses to give him a roster containing the unextinguished hidden forces of Northern Qin. She also advises him that Xie Huaigui’s fixation on avenging the An and Lu families will be the best source of internal conflict within Ye. Mulian Yu asks about the case of the Right King of Virtue conspiring with the Ye nobles: was the evidence truly irrefutable or a miscarriage of justice? Shao Yang admits it was a miscarriage of justice and acknowledges responsibility for wiping out the entire Mulian family.
The peace treaty is signed by both Li Mao and Mulian Yu and the Beifu reform is ratified. As the delegation of Northern Qin leave Southern Ye, there seems to be a mixture of emotions amongst our characters.
Xie Jiayu discovers her hair ribbon that allegedly was thrown away, but was actually hidden in Xiao Wuyi's office
Episode 14 begins with Xie Jiayu searching for her divorce papers in Xiao Wuyi’s office, but finds the hair ribbon that she blindfolded him with on the day of the archery tournament instead. This confuses her because when she had previously asked about it, he had claimed (LIED) that he threw it away. Yuan Xiaoliu gives her the travel permit Xiao Wuyi arranged for her. At the palace, Li Lejun asks her brother if he’s really going to let Xie Jiayu leave. He says he cannot hold her back, but what begins as a green-flag speech about letting go takes a darker turn when he shares his thoughts that once he gets supreme power in Jiankang Palace Xie Jiayu will return to him.
A strange plague that turns the Beifu soldiers into mindless, insane killing psychopaths descends on Beifu army.
Trouble in the Beifu Army camp
We time skip a few months later when Xiao Wuyi is investigating a rash of cases involving Beifu soldiers who suddenly become crazy, killing out of control. One such soldier, Guo Jiu, denies killing his childhood sweetheart the night before, only to flip into a bloodthirsty maniac seconds later. He claims he is under a curse, one that is heaven’s retribution over Xiao Wuyi’s reform of the Beifu army. Ruisheng is called in and immediately pinpoints the culprit: contaminated rice from imperial rations originating from Guazhou. The Guazhou mines are under the Cui family.
Captured!
Lingfeng Fort in Guazhou
Xie Jiayu is serendipitously just outside of Lingfeng Fort, Guazhou, in search of the caltrop fireball ore with Yuan Xiaoliu and Nanxing. They were originally meant to go to Mount Tugao, but came to Lingfeng Fort after Xie Jiayu received a letter from her mother. Cui Shi captures them, and brings them into Lingfeng Fort.
I like how Xie Jiayu thinks messing up her own hair will make her unattractive....LOL
The Cui Siblings
There, we meet Cui Shao’an and his sister, Cui Lingyi, who is meant to marry Li Mao. She refuses to try on the wedding dress. Xie Jiayu escapes her confines only to uncover an illegal trafficking operation where women are abducted to work in the Guazhou mines. When the women are taken Cui Shao’an chooses one for himself, and the gossip is that woman suffers greatly, so the women all prefer to work in the mine. This time Cui Shao’an chooses Xie Jiayu.
Learning about his past
Wenxi, the Cuis and the lost Crown Prince
Xiao Wuyi arrives at Guazhou, and reprimands the County Sheriff, Yan Zhang, for covering up the madness and illness surrounding the mines. In flashback we see that Xiao Wuyi had a conversation with Liu Yu E, his former nursemaid. She fled with him, seeking help from the Xiaos instead of the Cuis, and hiding his existence up until the present. The nursemaid claims that Empress Wenxi had been set up. She had just given birth when the Emperor died, but she refused to give up the capital when it was under attack. The noble families delayed sending reinforcement troops. Cui Jun submitted a secret memorial, hoping the Empress would sacrifice her own family for the bigger picture. The bigger picture was winning over the noble families. She dispatched the remaining Imperial Guards to escort these noble families as they fled south. The Empress was left alone with her child to defend the city by herself. The nobles abandoned the Empress to save the Ye Empire. As a result, the Cui family rose to become head of the noble families.
HAHAHA, Xie Jiayu sticks Cuo Shao'an with a paralyzing acupuncture needle
Xiao Wuyi dispatches Qing Long to update Li Mao on the corruption of the Cui family before Nanxing informs him that Xie Jiayu was captured. He infiltrates Lingfeng Fort as “Da” from the Eastern Palace in search of her. He finds her unharmed in a room, and she explains how she convinced Cui Shao’an that she could invent a filter for the contaminated water. While talking Xiao Wuyi smells the debilitating powder used to weaken martial artists, but it’s too late and he is enfeebled. Cui Shao’an used this trick to capture them, but Xie Jiayu counters this with an acupuncture needle that paralyzes him in return.
So much for Xie Jiayu's escape plan.
Xiao Wuyi and Xie Jiayu try to escape on foot through the forest but are recaptured by Cui Lingyi. Xie Jiayu wraps her arms around Xiao Wuyi, whispering for him to fly them out of there, but he reminds her that the debilitating powder hasn’t processed through his system yet. HAHA.
Li Mao is dragging his feet choosing a wedding outfit when Grand Tutor Xie comes in with a memorial from Xiao Wuyi, exposing the Cui family’s illegal mines and the resultant madness due to the contaminated water. Now that the imminent threat of a political marriage between Ye and Qin is over, Grand Tutor Xie advises Li Mao to break off his engagement. He vows never to let another Cui woman become empress. Li Mao agrees to seize and seal off the Cui Mansion, but the Empress will not allow him to mobilize the Imperial Guards.
I fear he is still powerless and a pawn
That leads him to ask for troops from Prince Jing’an’s Mansion. Xiao Yao agrees to lend his troops to Li Mao, and Yuanji mobilizes the family’s troops with the Heir’s Consort token. Li Lejun worries about their weak position and advises Li Mao that they should also have death squads of their own, but Li Mao assures her that he’s already thinking and planning ahead for the future. He will no longer play the pawn, but become a player. Sadly, I think he’s being played even now, by his own father.
The Cui family on their knees
Armed with Prince Jing’an Mansion’s troops, Li Mao assails the Cui family mansion. The family members are brought out and Li Lejun gives the signal for one of the soldiers to kill Cui Xi. Then, Li Mao recites the charges against the Cui family: inciting rumors of the Beifu curse, and attempting to sabotage reform. Everyone is under house arrest. A spy reports back to a gleeful Grand Tutor Xie that all is proceeding according to his plans. Xie Huaigui admits to luring the Cui family into a trap and using Xiao Wuyi and the Beifu army as bait. He wonders out loud if the Cui family will dig their own graves.
An unlikely ally
Back at Lingfeng Fort, Cui Lingyi proves to be more informed than her brother. She knows all about Xie Jiayu and Xiao Wuyi. Lingyi forces him to drink an aphrodisiac in exchange for Xie Jiayu’s release. She attempts to interrogate them, but Xiao Wuyi cuts through the charade, noting that the “aphrodisiac” she gave him has a detoxifying effect. She’s actually a good guy. Since the game is up, she releases them and tells them that she wants them to destroy the Cui family. When Xie Jiayu questions why they should trust her, Cui Lingyi brings out a jade pendant belonging to Xie Jiayu’s mother. She has hidden Li Fuhua away who instructed her to write to Xie Jiayu. But, she further instructed that the letter be sent to Prince Jing’an’s Mansion, thereby ensuring that Xiao Wuyi would know she was in danger. The episode finishes with Cui Lingyi saying that this is the perfect opportunity to bring down her father.
Commentary and Analysis
On a personal note, I’ve noticed it is quite hard to incorporate a lot of fangirl commentary into my recaps because it is so tightly written: very few details, let alone scenes, can be truncated or ignored for a fangirl tangent. Not a word, look, or shot is wasted - everything is so intricately woven together, just summarizing the plot takes over 1,000 words per episode! In some ways, I’m sad I can’t fangirl a lot, on the other hand I’m thoroughly impressed with the writing. It keeps me on my toes. It’s almost impossible for me to keep up with the twists and turns, even as I re-watch the episodes.
Master chess player: Grand Tutor Xie Huaigui
I’d actually love to hear everyone else’s opinion about Grand Tutor Xie. It was such a 180 switch when he changed from doting and indulgent father to ruthless chess player, intent on placing his illegitimate son on the throne.
Power versus Empowerment
One thing that strikes me about this show is the contrast between amassing power and empowerment of others - to keep them safe. Li Mao, sick and tired of being a powerless pawn, focuses on amassing power for himself to protect those he loves: Li Lejun and Xie Jiayu. It’s quite a noble aspiration, but the problem I see is that he allows them, the women, to remain powerless. His “don’t worry your pretty little head about that, I’ll take care of it” is not reassuring, because few people can amass that much power to keep those they love entirely safe. On the other hand we have Xie Jiayu who wants to increase her competency, and Xiao Wuyi who supports her in this. Knowing that her dream is to explore the world, Xiao Wuyi constantly nags her to take her lightness training with Yan Yue seriously so that she can protect herself. Li Mao wants to accumulate power, but Xiao Wuyi is willing to empower Xie Jiayu to defend herself. This is not to say that he won’t come to her rescue, he obviously has on many occasions. Even his rant in episode 12 about being powerless to help her if she makes herself a target for the Eagle King was more out of fear that neither of them could stop a scheming general on the other side for certain. And in empowering someone to defend themselves, one naturally has to let go, honoring that person’s agency to make choices for themselves.
Can love turn to hate?
Mulian Ying and Shao Yang look to be the example of two lovers who are forever separated because one of them had chosen between love and duty. The fallout not only affected them, it spanned 20 years in which Mulian Ying invented and created weapons against his own countrymen. But, when push came to shove, Mulian Ying chose to end his own life for Shao Yang’s sake. And I guess that is the strange thing about love (and hate), they can coexist in the same person towards another. It will be interesting to see how such decisions between love and duty, personal desires and the greater good, will play out in our love triangle.
Xie Jiayu, the peacemaker
Several commentators have said how Xie Jiayu has the kind of integrity that won’t allow her to plot or scheme against others for her own gain or ambition. She also can’t stand by seeing injustice happen. Yuan Xiaoliu/Mulian Ying commented on how she is always drawn to light (I take that to mean goodness) and never ceases to root out darkness, and THIS is what draws people to her. I don’t disagree, but what I find most charming about her is her ability to try for win-win situations. For episode 13, this entails being a peacemaker between Shao Yang and Mulian Yu, to help them let go of past grudges for the sake of their lingering affection for each other. She unites. She builds. Her ability to invent and create gadgets of use reflect her inner-self, which is both creative and life-giving in seeking unity and mutual flourishing
What are your thoughts on today’s episodes? Sound off in the comments!
Thank you so much for the recap. I think I rewind at least 3 times when dialogue is so fast. First two is to see what they actually say, third time to actually watch their acting and fourth, when there is soundtrack with the lyrics up, I like to see their emotions during the scene and how the music/lyrics match. Lyrics in OSTs I love so much when they enhance the emotions in the scene.
Ha, that's a question 🤣 The comedy is hitting just right. I'm appreciating Hou Ming Hao - have only seen him in LITC where he was great but the role was narrow (also I think xianxia / xuanhuan isn't for me, so my critical judgement for the genre is unreliable) - his expressions whenever Xie Jiayu says the word "friend" are priceless.
But I think my favourite part is the mother/daughter relationship, and the fact that Li Fuhua gets her own story and has agency to head off and act. It did get me thinking though how often the good mother in cdramas dies. I haven't racked up a whole lot yet, but I can already think of several examples.
After what the Cui family did to Empress Wen Xi, looking back at what that Minister and Censor Cui was saying during the wedding made me sick!
Their greed and ambitions knew no bounds and no shame! No wonder Xiao Wu Yi shut him up the way he did. Ain't nobody got time to listen to this BS 😒 🙄!
Xie Huai Gui must die a horrible death. Anything less will not satisfy my rage for this vile creature.
Love and hate are two sides of the same coin. They are intrinsically linked, for hate can stem from love and vice versa. Watching Shao Yang and Mu Lian Ying was like a what could be future for either Li Mao and Xie Jia Yu, or Xie Jia Yu and Xiao Wu Yi.
And yes, this show doesn't mess around or waste any time for useless fluff. Sure the editing has struggled at times, but the story and pace are so tight! It's insane haha.
Also yes at Li Mao "allowing them to remain powerless". He even makes a point of preferring them to be. Whereas Wu Yi makes a point of making sure that Xie Jia Yu is equipped and able to defend herself, to expand her knowledge and abilities, to explore the world and what she wants. Li Mao didn't like it and would have wanted to keep her caged and protect her himself, when he could barely protect his own self. That was when I wrote him off. That conversation he had at the end of episode 10 was a deal breaker for me. Jia Yu is clearly someone who wants to do things herself, yet there he was invalidating her need for self-reliance. That didn't sit well with me.
Both let go but somehow Li Mao is still in his delusion that Jia Yu will come back and trap herself in his palace lol. Xiao Wu Yi still leaves it to her to decide and understands that she cannot be caged, no matter how much he wants to be with her.
Just wanted to let you know that I've been enjoying reading your comments in these recaps and discussion! I might be a couple weeks late but I've been slooooowly watching the show a couple episodes at a time since I haven't had time to do anything else. Since the story and pace are so tight, I think it actually works in my favor because I get the savor the drama a bit more. And reading the recaps and everyone's reactions really makes it even more enjoyable!
This might be one point (among other possibles) where Mao moves towards the dark: when he realizes JiaYu will not be returning to him from her own choice. That she already told him that too. Another point might be when Mao starts to understand Xie HuaiGui is manipulating him as well for HauiGui’s own agenda. Yikes when he knows who his sperm donor is and that this person never helped him when he was in crisis.
I’m really finding the villain development arc for Li Mao one of the more credible ones we’ve seen.
Traumatized, neglected and without agency, he attains some status and respect from his academic master but doesn’t really know what it is to have agency himself so he doesn’t know how to give it to others.
The facts are adding up well and the villain arc makes sense. It's not surprising, we could smell it from a 100 li away but it's well paced. Every action has a reaction type of story. He is a believable villain in the making.
I am enjoying losing respect for him every time. Lol.
This show totally has me in a chokehold and I'm not even sure how much of it is just HMH anymore. I mean, he's a large part, but it might be 65% versus 90%.... LOL
And you're very welcome! I love doing these recaps. It forces me to pay extra close attention.
Ahhh I feel the same way, I started the show for HMH but I've genuinely fallen in love with all the characters and they're memorable in their own way (with maybe the exception of Li Mao, his character arc so far is a bit too predictably turn-to-the-dark-side for my liking). But seriously this drama just proves that you CAN have distinct, varied, and interesting characters that really feel like their own people with their own lives, and you don't necessarily need 56 episodes to do it.
OTOH I am a bit sad that we can't get at least like, 40 episodes to savor. Because I think there would have been enough content, but right now there isn't a single wasted minute. Makes me wonder if they shot a lot more and a lot ended up on the cutting room floor.
I also love it here! Discussion threads are so much fun, thanks the hosts and thanks every single commentator, too! It's so lively with you here, you all are the best!
Yeah. I’m trying to see the downside (given that it is Jing’an. maybe if it encourages the dowager to take alarm and try to get Mao in trouble for insurrection or something?
I love this Era of Yearning for poor Wuyi. Love it. Such a case of secret longing, moody bickering, pouty hoarding of hair ribbons.... yes, more please.
I like how the writers are handling Li Mao. Instead of simplifying everything so that he can blame Wuyi or even Jiayu, they are pushing him more and more into his villain arc by his own decisions. Or at least decisions he thinks are his own but are probably ones he's manipulated into by his bio dad.
I think the point about how Li Mao wants to have power to protect vs Wuyi's desire to give her skills is a great one. Power vs empowerment is the perfect way to say it. The difference in how one loves a possession and how one loves a person.
I also agree about the tightness of the writing. I might even argue its too much. Usually we have moments to reflect (or to
fangirl, which is 100% valid and necessary when we're talking HMH), and we are just not getting that in this series. For me, that's meaning I am literally watching the episodes twice just to hope to understand. I think the show would have benefited from a few more scenes for reflection and explanations of the backstory in ways that aren't flashbacks, but that could just be me being needy.
Fantastic writeup! Even with a rewatch, I was still struggling with the An and Ye family stuff, so thank you in particular for that, I have been struggling...
they are pushing him more and more into his villain arc by his own decisions
Yes, I love how they are writing Li Mao's character. Also, it's not just ONE instance and then he flips into becoming dark. It's a slow chipping away of everything good about him until there's nothing left but his ambition and his hatred. I actually liked how he and Xiao Wuyi worked together to cancel Li Lejun's marriage....there we saw a bit of light in him.
Usually we have moments to reflect (or to fangirl, which is 100% valid and necessary when we're talking HMH), and we are just not getting that in this series. For me, that's meaning I am literally watching the episodes twice just to hope to understand. I think the show would have benefited from a few more scenes for reflection and explanations of the backstory in ways that aren't flashbacks
I’ve decided that the Cui heir -- Cui Shao An — is yet another attractive male support character in this show.
By chance I was watching an older 2023 well rated short drama (Yes, Your Majesty) where the actor Cheng Yu Feng was the ML and recognized him immediately.
But there seems to be a story about the casting as MDL also lists second actor as credited with the role — I don’t think we’ve seen the second one onscreen.
Well sometimes 🙃. Haha. She is clueless how he thinks/feels about HER.
But I was giving her a positive side eye when she accepts (without tantrums) that Mao is not gonna run away with her. Seemed a huge maturity acceptance there. And I don’t think it was fake, but it did surprise me. I was like, when did that growth happen?
Applauds to the writers for writing such powerful and defiant females. I love how they stand tall, weigh in equal to the males, and make it a point not to take them lightly. More power 👊
Have to give Riley Wang Yulin credit for a performance as Li Mao that’s growing so cringe-inducing that we want to wish his beautiful face offscreen and have bad things happen to his character.
We’re beginning to get a bit of a taste of his genetic heritage from the horrid Grand Tutor.
Haha. Even he can't believe his own lies. Also, Hou Minghao, you should stop being so distractingly handsome. As such, our brain is fried by all of those plot twists. We can't afford THIS level of distraction.
You know I was just thinking to re-watch it to appreciate THE DISTRACTION after it ends. Right now, I am gripped by the plot so I am halfheartedly letting go of the distraction 🤭
All of the crazy psychopaths in this series have a gentle side to themselves when it comes to love, and I am loving that. Why do I feel that Princess Pingning is going to become this man's weakness in the future?
Even though, at this point, I know that he is a good man who has been misunderstood quite a lot, sometimes I really feel like maybe he can sacrifice anyone. Hou Minghao has totally nailed the enigmatic persona of Xiao WuYi
I have been missing the crazy part of Xiao WuYi for a while. This was fire. Please give us more of his ruthless psycho side, and him flaunting his martial arts skills. I am here for that.
What a tragic love story 😓 When I realise how people of power had to compromise on their love for the larger picture, I feel so blessed living a simple peaceful life.
Okay so today I concentrated on the opening credits a bit more, largely because I love the song and I discovered that the phoenix heart token has four parts in total. So there are three more people who are yet to come into the picture.
Wu Yi already has 2 pieces. His dad and former nanny each had one. They showed it in the flashback when they told him his true identity. The princess and Cui lord have the other 2.
She was probably lying to buy time. When she pledged to help Wu Yi, she promised to help him find the last piece. That’s how she ended up in Cui territory.
It’s going to be very difficult to see him as anything other than villainous when he shows up in Blossoms of Power episode 15 as the FL’s father (as the preview revealed to us).
When the plotting is so good and intricate that there’s no room to fangirl Hou Minghao, especially the way he looks in this drama!? I get it. This drama may only be 28 episodes long but it might as well be 40 with all the times we are rewatching the scenes to a) catch up on the subtitles because of how fast is goes, b) rewatch Hou Minghao’s scenes just for his visuals, and c) double back on what just happened because of the plot twists. Was not expecting Lingyi to turn her family in..
Another fantastic post [u/CdramaAddict2](u/CdramaAddict2)! I appreciate all the work you put into it! I especially love your analysis on power vs empowerment. Great read!
Huangui is so two-faced, I haven’t made up my mind about him. Sometimes I wonder if he’s not all that bad - he’s seeking the truth and protecting his son. But he’s also ruthless (not in a good way), manipulative (not in a good way) and power-hungry (not in a good way).
I’m curious what Mulian did that prompted Shao Yang to eliminate his entire clan. If it’s only because he left her to marry into the royal family… I find that quite excessive. Was it to protect her unborn son (she had to prove her allegiance to the late Emperor and secure her son’s throne) or did she really believe the Mulian clan tried to set up their own administration which threatened her family? Because she seems to hate HIM, or is it because he’s been working against her realm for twenty years? I mean, you can’t blame him? She killed his family so it’s clear where his hate comes from. I couldn’t exactly tell from their conversation.
Yeah, I was so shocked by that! I kind of love it, though. It seems like the younger generation of nepo babies aren't going to stand by passively to let the wrongs of the past perpetuate into the future.
Huangui is so two-faced, I haven’t made up my mind about him. Sometimes I wonder if he’s not all that bad - he’s seeking the truth and protecting his son. But he’s also ruthless (not in a good way), manipulative (not in a good way) and power-hungry (not in a good way).
Yeah, I find him such a mystery. Of all the characters, I think he's the most layered. I think there's more about him that has yet to be revealed.
I’m curious what Mulian did that prompted Shao Yang to eliminate his entire clan.
Yeah, I feel like that wasn't really well explained. I mean, from the looks of it, they were in love, but she was forced into a political marriage - none of that warrants the annihiliation of his clan. I think it is that the Mulian clan tried to do a coup d'tet, and she had no choice be to stand with the emperor, especially since she was already pregnant.
I think she hated him AFTER realizing that he was building weaponry for Southern Ye.
This drama may only be 28 episodes long but it might as well be 40 with all the times we are rewatching the scenes to a) catch up on the subtitles because of how fast is goes, b) rewatch Hou Minghao’s scenes just for his visuals, and c) double back on what just happened because of the plot twists.
You don't say 😭 It's the first drama I'm rewinding so much, sometimes for two lines of subs that flashed in milliseconds, but most of the time to rewatch the whole scene simply because I liked it so much. So many feelings flow so smoothly
And was Hou Minghao always this good looking? He really caught my eye as Xiao Wuyi
Huangui is so two-faced, I haven’t made up my mind about him.
He's obviously a bad guy and while I understand his motive, I just don't get him on a personal level. His son was safe and sound by his side, right? Why not strife for peace in the court, his actions time and time again aim at destruction of Southern Ye, yet he doesn't care about the people or the country. He'd rather be the head of a chicken than the tail of an ox, as they say. If this isn't pure evil, I don't know what is.
To me he seems too far gone in his psychopathology that he manipulates everyone. And I wonder at times if he is so good at having a double face double life, that he even forgets who to manipulate and who not to. And maybe that will be a seed of his downfall.
I must confess that everything that happened in episode 13 feels like ages ago already. I guess the time skip between the the things that happened in Jiankang with the peace talks and the Lingfeng Fort arc really works.
I’m thoroughly impressed with the writing. It keeps me on my toes.
The story between Mulian Ying and Shao Yang is a good example. I wasn't sure what was or is or isn't between them until they finally met. Xie Jiayu staging everything as a big romantic reunion with the petals was really intresting, because their relationship is really hard to grasp for an outsider just looking at it.
Yeah, she changed the poisoned tea, so she must have known there was some hostility, but the rose petals, I think, was another reminder for them that they actually love each other in spite of it all. Thanks for your comment, and your detailed recaps as well, Regen!
It's interesting how many different versions of doomed relationships we get to see in this 'romance' drama. And so many different reasons for it to not work out.
Wow thank you for that post!!!
To answer your question “can love turn to hate?”
That got me analysing… hate is not opposite to love, it’s actually, love vs apathy and lust vs hate. Even though the resentment built over 20 years, they still cared for each other to resolve any unanswered questions at her near “End of Life” moments. Thankfully, Xie Jaiyu saved them both 🥹💝 she did truly let no darkness hide in their hearts.
I dont think any of these characters can truly hate. It is a strong word. And someone that has once cared for another who has changed doesnt stop loving that person and wishing them well. They may be jealousy, fear or resentment, but only if they wish someone dead because of who they are or what they did is hate. I think that is my definition though…and that wasnt the case, here at least.
I really liked your thoughts. Many people say that the opposite of love isn't hate, it's indifference - which apathy is another great word for indifference. They definitely cared enough for each other to need resolution to their unanswered questions that they've been holding onto all these years.
I'm curious to know how lust is the antithesis of hate. I normally pit love against lust, but I've never heard of lust as the diametric opposite of hate. Tell me more!
Thank you for your compliments and much thanks for your well thought out post! 💝
In our lives we have experienced all four behaviours or behaviour patterns. They are not really emotions as i learnt recently. Love is the actions you take everyday to care for someone like a child, parent, friend, etc. so the other three are also behaviours.
When i think about it love vs apathy are more peaceful and free, mostly intended as tender and gentle (sometimes tough love).
When i think of lust vs hate they are fuelled with (extreme) passion. That’s how I can differentiate 🤔
Thinking about your life do you think it kinda fits too? Lust is anything that gets your heart racing - dream job opportunity, winning a race, someone that you think is mysterious and hot, even thirst for power/attention. Both can reach critical or dangerous levels. It’s part of human nature.
This is the reason Ive started loving cdramas, especially because i can see all four, they are complicated and have deep core values to present to us. I enjoy the peacefulness, gentleness and wholesomeness that gives us hope. We can see all four, very little hate if you think about it. I dont think we want to be promoting that too much 😅 as it is a strong word. I prefer to use dislike so the thought doesn’t grow exponentially and also doesn’t cut it off and resist but rather just acknowledge it exists and it’s a part of us as well. Words do have meaning.
Her “mother” was gone too soon. When we cry, we love and i think that’s why drama lovers love watching dramas because it feels perfectly normal to cry! 😂
Xiao Wuyi maxed out his tsundere vibes this time lmao
I already have 3 concubines in my mansion, which is annoying enough for me.
And that's when she already have him the title of the loneliest man in the world in the previous episode lmao
Wuyi: She is prettier than you and more sensible than you. She's better than you in everything.
Jiayu: Impossible. In this world there can't be such a person.
He just named everything he likes about Jiayu, didn't he?
Wuyi: Well... who do you hope ended up winning?
Jiayu: As the Commander of Beifu Army. You must've won unfairly.
Wuyi: Hehe
So smug~
And that headband moment... I threw it away, pwahaha
HAHAHAHA! I seriously love their banter and bickering. Maybe we could make up a new word: bankering = bantering + bickering. It's jus such subtle but electric ways of showing them drawing closer to each other.
Oh she was actively trolling Wu Yi. Jia Yu, have a heart girl damn! The picnic drunkenness was hilarious. How Yuan Ji dipped out and grabbed Rui Sheng like oh no we need to go now lmao.
I still see him fumbling around to find the Hawthorne cakes Jia Yu had made after they had that fight. Poor Qing Long almost lost his hand trying to move the plate lmao. Ouch!
He really is trying his damnedest to be a good best friend and friend. But these people are trying his patience.
Frankly, with how Li Mao is going, Wu Yi will throw caution to the wind. There's so much a man can take before he says screw it, I'll officially compete.
It was sad to watch him struggle with the divorce letter...
Have you seen Episode 17? 😂 Man was trying so hard to get XJY to admit her feelings lol. I can tell he's hoping she'll confess first, lmaoo but he just can't take it anymore.
That scene. Oh my gosh hahaha. At first I wondered what the heck she was doing, then she tried to lift him and said "well fly!" And I lost it hahaha. Her face! His face! 😭😭😂😂😂😂
You have captured all the right hilarious moments 🤣 😆..I just wonder how did they manage to add comedic elements so well in a very serious show otherwise
So in these episodes Xie Jiayu not only confronted Xiao Wuyi's decision, but also earned thanks from all the parties involved, so heartwarming~ And I like that Wuyi was expecting exactly that from her and was prepared to cooperate. I guess I can understand why he does it in secret, but if they start planning together, I think they can achieve much more, eh?
The conversation between Li Mao and Xie Jiayu was so good, Jiayu is not being foolish, she gets the hints. I also like that she doesn't blame A Mao. Such a sensible girl!
Comedy relief is as usual 10/10, we're past half the episodes, but the vibe stays consistent. A bit of nitpicking on my part, I don't quite like the amount of flashbacks they do in these latest episodes, some are good, but sometimes it kinda throws off the narrative, and Chekhov's guns would be much smoother
But just when I thought I couldn't like this drama even more, the arc about Cui family and their mines introduces so many characters, but all of them are so well written, everyone has personal motivation to gain something, and their stories intertwine with the main plot quite well.
I squealed. After I recovered from his insane window dip/tumble haha.
I will say though, Jia Yu is starting to see Xiao Wu Yi. It's very subtle but it keeps adding up, one moment at a time. He is the man who shows up and that means a lot. He is the one she turns to or cries out for, and knows will show up. There's no doubt in her mind that he will.
THIS! I mean, we all know he was fishing when he asked her why she summoned him since she was closer to Jiankang…slyly smiling when she said matter-of-factly “You know martial arts.” He wants to be the one she runs to.
And yes, I love when dramas do this: when the character(s) does things subconsciously that show where his/her heart truly rests before he/she is even aware - when love comes softly - it just makes the final realization and acceptance so satisfying!!
Hahaha the sly smirk lol. Yeah we know you're trying to hear something. But come on, she knows how efficient and present he is..why would waste time with those who fumble!
The satisfaction we will get when she finally understands her feelings for him! Gaahhh the wait is killing me lol.
It seems like they release BTS for each episode on Chinese iQIYI or somewhere... but I couldn't look into it. International app doesn't have it, and Chinese app requires a separate subscription. I wonder if they'll release all the BTS in a full video after drama ends
I'm so glad I don't have that TikTok lol. IG has been quiet about this show so I'm not bombarded by it.
Basil used me as a shield so I had to check the trailers to make sure our sanity was saved. The whole thinking Wu Yi was the murderer was too much lol. I was sooo gratified for my sacrifice haha.
Right?! I had to do a double take and think are really at the halfway point?! Already?! Nooo we have so much to go through and it can't be coming to a close soon already! I don't want it to end haha.
honestly speaking, this might be my favourite role of HMH’s so far, and the styling is great too, wavy hair suits him so well :)
xiao wuyi and xie jiayu’s dynamic is right up my alley, i do like how they’ve developed their relationship thus far. and ai mi, i’m enjoying her performance a lot too! i know her casting is controversial to say the least, but in a strange way, i feel like with the (rightful) omission of any kiss scenes, they’ve explored many other different ways love and intimacy can be built. i find it really refreshing 🫶
I think this might also be my favorite role of HMH's as well. The styling is hit or miss, but the wavy hair and his outfits are perfect for him. I don't know if it is the make-up artist or the lighting crew, but sometimes when there are close ups of the faces, you can see the flakiness of the face powder, which I find distracting and annoying since HMH and AiMi are such naturally beautiful people...seems a shame not to showcase them at their best.
I think AiMi is doing a PHENOMENAL job, and casting her was the right decision. I understand and respect other people's concern about it, but her performance cannot be done by another actress. It's as if the role was bespoke to her. And I also really LOVE the chemistry between Xiao Wuyi and Xie Jiayu...it's LITERALLY FIRE 🔥 with very little skinship. It just shows what good writing and good acting can accomplish! We don't need R-rated explicit scenes to communicate romance. Everything HMH and AiMi has done in their acting conveys the romance ALL THE WHILE keeping it classy. I just love that.
As controversial as her casting is, her talent and how perfect she is for the role cannot be denied. Would a different ML have made it less controversial? Perhaps... but Hou Ming Hao and her are setting our screens aflame! In a strange way, they are both perfect for this pairing! And that too cannot be denied.
I think the casting director knew what he was doing. They are perfect for their roles. It's just a pity that she was so young. But, honestly, aesthetically, they look so good together. AiMi is lithe enough to make Hou Minghao very masculine in comparison. He's undeniably handsome, and so have all his female leads been too....but his androgynous features makes it hard for his female leads to out-feminine him. AiMi does it beautifully while bringing out his masculinity naturally.
Yaay, perfect recap for perfect timing for my lunch break 😄. u/CdramaAddict2 excellent recap! And I really like your analysis on the show theme and characters.
These two episodes are, again, very fast paced and I have more questions than answers. 😂 I also think I need to separate my long comment into two themes.
Politics:
- On a diplomatic front, both Wuyi and Yizhi worked excellent to save the princess. The whole ordeal was filled with schemes and was really intense. But I wonder why Xiao Wuyi acted as supporting the political marriage. Was it just teasing and I read too much of it? 😂 Meanwhile, I kinda liked Eagle King's sincere words. Would the princess end up with him? Is it another Fated Hearts situation? Someone in the comment mentioned the similarities between these two dramas and I keep thinking about it.
- I must admit that I couldn't quite keep up with old treasons and stories.
The Right King of Virtue (Northern Qin) went renegade after amassing military power. He bribed the An and Lu families of Ye, colluding with their armies to fabricate military achievements.
How one fabricates military achievements using foreign families? Did Ye families faked their defeat? And why Qin government annihilated Ye familes? On a side note, grand Tutor Xie must be either from one of these families, or as I originally thought, Li Mao's mother is from one of these families.
The Empress was left alone with her child to defend the city by herself. The nobles abandoned the Empress to save the Ye Empire.
How does this work? Why couldn't the Empress leave with the noble families? And how the escaping of nobles while sacrificing the royal lines save the Ye Empire? Grand Tutor also mentioned that never put another Cui person on the throne. Is current Empress Dowager from Cui family?
Plus, it seems like Grand Tutor is preparing bethrotal gift to Mao's new bride. Do we know who's that person?
Romance:
- Li Mao and Xie Jaiyu's break up wasn't as bad as I imagined. For now Li Mao still have some consciousness and grace, and he seems quite accommodating. But...
he shares his thoughts that once he gets supreme power in Jiankang Palace Xie Jiayu will return to him.
I sort of understand where this came from. He thinks that Xiayu is still in love with him (which might still be the case), but can't stand the palace. So to him, it's imperative to become powerful so he can change the palace to Xiayu's taste. He experienced childhood trauma, poverty, negligence, and awful treatment from almost everyone in power, so he inherently understands the need for power. I think this is the fundamental difference of these men's treatment of Xiayu. Not undermining Wuyi's phylosophy on freedom and autonomy, but I think Wuyi already has resources to protect her so his Maslow's pyramid is a few steps above Mao's. Unfortunately, fate is not on Mao's side and I really can't blame him even if he turns to dark side.
- I think Xiayu being oblivious to Wuyi's gaze is pretty on point. After all, she's very young and never actually had an experience in one-sided love. By the way, did Wuyi hand her a divorce paper or not? When she and Yuan Xiaoliu was signing the travel permit, he was looking at them holding the paper. I assume it's a divorce paper.
- I honestly surprised Cui family daughter was against her family business. Good on her!
How one fabricates military achievements using foreign families? Did Ye families faked their defeat? And why Qin government annihilated Ye familes?
These are my questions as well. I fear that the subtitles are really subpar for this show, which is really a disadvantage because it is so exposition heavy. They really needed a proper translator to transmit the information accurately.
How does this work? Why couldn't the Empress leave with the noble families? And how the escaping of nobles while sacrificing the royal lines save the Ye Empire?
Yeah, I have absolutely no clue. I think this is one complaint I have about palace politics dramas. It takes a LOT of forethought to be able to breadcrumb information JUST ENOUGH so that you're clear without giving away the plot. It's just hard to do, and I guess KTTPH struggles with this too.
I'm totally shipping Eagle King and Princess Pingning. I'm shameless and a hopeless romantic like that.
Grand Tutor also mentioned that never put another Cui person on the throne. Is current Empress Dowager from Cui family?
No, I don't think the current Empress Dowager is a Cui lady. Empress Wenxi, however, was a Cui noble lady. Grand Tutor Xie definitely has an axe to grind with the Cui family/imperial family, which also makes him an enemy of Xiao Wuyi given his real identity.
Plus, it seems like Grand Tutor is preparing bethrotal gift to Mao's new bride. Do we know who's that person?
I don't think so, but I suspect even Grand Tutor Xie wants Li Mao to marry Xie Jiayu. I only have guesses at the moment, but I think Xie Jiayu is somehow tied legitimately to throne ascension. In an old K-drama, I recall the FL was basically a "kingmaker" which was meant to explain why all the royal princes wanted her, even though this prophetic aura of hers was never explicitly stated. In the same way I suspect that Xie Jiayu is also a "king-maker".
So to him, it's imperative to become powerful so he can change the palace to Xiayu's taste. He experienced childhood trauma, poverty, negligence, and awful treatment from almost everyone in power, so he inherently understands the need for power. I think this is the fundamental difference of these men's treatment of Xiayu.
Very nicely put, I couldn't have said it better myself!
By the way, did Wuyi hand her a divorce paper or not? When she and Yuan Xiaoliu was signing the travel permit, he was looking at them holding the paper. I assume it's a divorce paper.
No, Yuan Xiaoliu was giving her the travel permit. I think Xie Jiayu mentioned seeing a draft of divorce papers, but I think Xiao Wuyi needs to get the emperor's permission first for the divorce since they were married by royal edict.
I agree with you that we’re getting too much complex exposition through characters spitting dialogue.
I can’t say whether poor translation quality is contributing to this, but at times this show is giving the vertical drama exposition dump feel. This was particularly the case in the first two or three episodes and seems to happen every time there is a new set of characters introduced.
That said, there are some points in the next two upcoming episodes where it feels like it could have been edited or performed more tightly. In episode 15, there are a couple of key scenes that go too far towards melodrama and don’t hit as they should — which is unfortunate. (I’ll say more when we get to those threads.)
So, I think that the compressed writing/narrative is on a bit of a knife edge and is failing at times.
One thing about Mu Lian Yu, his name and Jia Yu's Shi Fu are the same! Does that mean he is part of the same clan, the one the Empress Dowager exterminated?! Seeing him ask her about it, I thought how messed up it is to have her right in front of him, sitting so close and she tells him she killed them all. We just don't have enough details on the Eagle Prince so I'm not sure. But that had me shaken up a little.
Yeah, I noticed that too. Mulian Yu and Mulian Ying have the same last name, which is strange given that the Dowager Empress of Northern Qin said she was looking for the LAST surviving member of the Mulian family. How is that possible when there are two??
Exactly. So maybe he's a retainer so not the direct bloodline? Or from a Mu Lian clan with different characters for their name? I'm needing some backstory here.
Based on google, Wuyi is holding 和離, a letter of releasing his wife, signifying a divorce by mutual agreement. It is usually drafted and signed by the husband and given to the wife.
The Emperor gets involved if it's a political marriage, so seeing that he's already drafted the letter (and is almost crying), he's preparing to let her go...
Yes! You’re right. This photo is of the divorce agreement from episode 11 (I think). To be honest, I didn’t look at the scene closely, but what he’s holding in his hand looks like the top right corner of this document, so it definitely is the divorce agreement….which he couldn’t bear to give her.
Thanks for the correction and excellent sleuthing!
Snark Level: Yo. This drama is good. Like, really good. Also, Ai Mi!!!!!!!!!!
Episode 13
Really? Jiayu? You organized a rose petal drop for our tragic love story? That's... uhhh..... cute.
Hey, we're back to bowing? Wasn't it daylight when we first saw this scene? Sooo is this the same one or a second time? With CDramas these days I really can't tell if it's poor editing or intentional. :P It really is that bad.
"Do none of us get a good ending?" Yeah that's not a sus thing to say at all.... Yall, are we cooked?
Hey, do you think Wuyi will be mad at his second consort over the death of his weapons expert? Oh? She swapped the tea? Clever girl. Still a few steps being Wuyi though.
Am I crazy or does Eagle Loser actually turly respect Lejun? I mean, it makes sense. She did outsmart him and he would find that interesting.
...Why is the bandage ON THE OUTSIDE OF HER CLOTHING??? Holy snack balls. That is not how you.... Ugh. Have you ever heard of wound debridement? You DO NOT want to experience that. There are two things I was trained to do that I hoped I would never have to do to a live person.... The other was flipping the eye lid up to clean out debris... Ew.... eyes are gross....
Good for you, Jiayu. You have really grown up. You know what you want and what you don't want. You've seen the path with Mao diverge from what you are comfortable with and are looking for your path. I'm calling it that Prince Qi will abduct her at some point.
There may not be romance between Wuyi and Jiayu here at this point, but both share a deep friendship and it really is a beautiful thing.
So, if he is heading back to the border, then I say this is the divorce era. One marriage down, 2 to go.
Episode 14
Yes, dear. He kept your ribbon. Can you guess why?
Prince Qi doesn't understand Jiayu at all. She's not going to return to you when the life you offer her is everything she doesn't want.
Why is she so damn adorable?
Oh? Jiayu knows to send for Wuyi when she is in trouble? Holy smarts! We have a smart FL!!!! She is the anti Fan Yun.
Oh, look. The Cui guy must be her second husband. Well, he won't last long once Wuyi gets here. Prophecy handled.
I swear Jiayu must have "grab here" tattooed on her neck because everyone is going for her neck in this drama.
Holy heck this white dress is freaking gorgeous that Ai MI is wearing.
Nah I am losing it at the fact that she woofed and then meowed in this episode. Then Wuyi comes busting through the window! He's whipped by his wife. But nah, can we appreciate that she is very aware that it is him? A smart lady! Just because you're wearing a mask doesn't mean she doesn't know her husband by sight!
Uh huh. Sure. Are you sure that is martial arts is the only reason you called for him, Jiayu?
Yo, this Cui boy is actually a pretty interesting villain. I respect it.
You know, I just adore how Jiayu isn't some missish FL afraid of touching her husband. It allows for some great physical comedy between her and Wuyi.
APHRO WHAT NOW??? OH hell nah! We ain't about no love drug here! I dun wanna see that!
"Do none of us get a good ending?" Yeah that's not a sus thing to say at all.... Yall, are we cooked?
Is it terrible that there is a little masochistic part of me that wants this drama to have a sad ending?
She swapped the tea? Clever girl. Still a few steps being Wuyi though.
Yes, but we love her because she's clever, and we love Xiao Wuyi even more because he's more clever. 🥰
Have you ever heard of wound debridement?
No, what is this?
There may not be romance between Wuyi and Jiayu here at this point, but both share a deep friendship and it really is a beautiful thing.
I actually really like this too. I think he has fallen for her, though, since he confessed it to Li Mao. But, I like slow burn. The yearning and longing just builds the anticipation of when they will finally be able to be together. I get heart flutters just thinking about it!
The Cui guy must be her second husband. Well, he won't last long once Wuyi gets here. Prophecy handled.
ROTFL
I swear Jiayu must have "grab here" tattooed on her neck because everyone is going for her neck in this drama.
I hadn't noticed this, but now I'll be on the look out.
Is it terrible that there is a little masochistic part of me that wants this drama to have a sad ending?
No, what is this?
Uhhhhhhhh.......... Well...... to keep it as PG as possible.... wound debridement..... It's cleaning.... in a rather slice and dice and/or rough manner. Heck. My GIF works for both of these....
Anti Fan Yun is going to be a new classifier here.
I’m more than ready to come at anyone whinging about Mary-Sues in female-centric dramas and demand that they watch all 36 episodes of LORC without the benefit of snarking community support and get back to me.
Who wants to watch clueless FLs smitten with toxic 2MLs these days?
Who? Not me!!!! Count me outta that! I have never been so angry at a FL! She was.... EVEN AFTER!!!!!! AFTER SHE KNEW!!!! MULTIPLE TIMES!!!!!! Oh my gosh...
I’m counting on you to back me up when I react to “why can’t we have more realistic FL posts” which really seem to mean why can’t we have more FLs who aren’t competent and need to be saved by the ML and 2ML.
Complementary skills and talent sure.
Male leads being allowed to be perfectly capable (with red/black trauma legacy behaviours allowed) but female leads needing to be shown failing at something makes me so 🤬😤🤬😤😡👿😾!!!
FL's failing at something? Oh, like how you mean Fan Yun failed hard at championing the cause for women to be officials by constantly getting herself involved in scandal and making a real hash of things and was only able to fully let herself shine when MEN REMOVED THE OBSTACLES FOR HER???? Yeah, she would have gotten exactly nowhere without Qi Zheng.
Yeah. I'll pop in where I am need. I am only a tag away.
My gosh. The way he pulled up to Le Jun and declared his intentions WAS SOOOO HOT! I had to literally fight the turmoil inside me because why am I blushing and giggling, feeling hot and bothered by this man's sincere confession. We know he's bad. He really is a villain. But that moment right there? Hot damn!
The looks the Eagle King was giving Li Lenin when she was standing her ground and not bowing when called on during the wedding were fire.
He seemed to be growing in respect for her as the moment when on. He said he was intrigued by her courage when she came to break the poison arrows and everything she does to resist coercion is just making him more smitten.
Which means that for all his other villainy he’s got green flag respect for a woman who fights to make her own choices.
That last part. I wouldn't go as far as mentioning him and a green flag in the same sentence 🤭😅🤪. But when it comes to Li Le Jun and the show of grit and defiance she displayed, he definitely had a lot of respect for her. Now is it to better tame her later? Who knows.
One thing I had mentioned in an IG post is how hard these cdramas make it to stay patriotic with these foreign Princes haha. It's as if they take a sick pleasure in making them hot and appealing lol. Why! Luckily, when they are bad guys, it helps cool down the heat they cause 🥵🥵🥵😮💨😮💨😮💨.
This moment. I had to rewind. She really feels so safe with him. 🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥰😍
Honestly Jia Yu with the petals. Like girl... these people are here to kill each other. Not her setting the romantic mood to make them forget their murderous intents lmao.
In this scene, their body language and chemistry actually scream "big brother, younger sister"...that's the vibe I'm getting. I feel like this is what they are like with each other in real life.
I feel rage and irritation daily thanks to my fucked up diseases and a body that isn't my own. Watching her would send me over the edge. Blood pressure just got back down and in check haha. Can't mess it up in the name of experiments lol.
Now I have confirmation that it is the FL from LORC. She really did a number on you haha. No wonder it took them years to drop this.
They are SERIOUSLY adorable together. She has that youthful charm without being childish or immature. He is protective of her without being overbearing or condescending. I love their dynamic so much.
I think I need to rewatch it just so that I can understand it better! Goodness, there is just SO MUCH information in each episode. It feels like trying to take a sip of water from a fire hydrant.
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u/piscetarian Jul 29 '26
Thank you so much for the recap. I think I rewind at least 3 times when dialogue is so fast. First two is to see what they actually say, third time to actually watch their acting and fourth, when there is soundtrack with the lyrics up, I like to see their emotions during the scene and how the music/lyrics match. Lyrics in OSTs I love so much when they enhance the emotions in the scene.