Dettagli

  • Ultima Connessione: gen 26, 2023
  • Genere: Donna
  • Località: USA
  • Contribution Points: 2 LV1
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  • Data di Registrazione: maggio 13, 2016
apr 22, 2017

ep 9 spoilers ahead

1.We open to a beautiful day in the grasslands. Our two leads are alone, together, and Wen is attempting to hunt a goat. Because he misses his target she teases him, leading him to pass the bow and arrow to her. She doesn't do a very good job readying the arrow so he puts his arms around her (!) and his face is so close to hers (!) as he gives directions. She releases the arrow and it hits the goat. She runs up the hill and looks down, and the scene is shot in a way that makes her almost look like a Madonna. He seems to be looking at her as if wanting to comment on how lovely she looks, but he just smiles (if only their lives could be so simple...)



2.A group of what looks like merchants appear. Wen moves closer and the camera zooms in on unique things about them (i think this is to show Wen's assessment of them), he sees they have tattoos, knives, and that they seem ready to attack. He turns back to her and nods his head, and she takes this as a signal to ride off. Next Wen turns into a god of death, performing some truly gravity defying moves (I doubt you could do this in real life but it looks cool; he is so badass)



3.Somehow, she is magically good at shooting arrows because she returns to help him out..



4.Marquis Xi Changshan (he is pro Xiognu) is being completely unhelpful now that news has come that Xiognu troops are attacking the border area. General H makes it known to him that the princess is currently out there, and that Xi should send troops to help her and the commoners, to avoid a diplomatic fiasco. Unfortunately, he adamantly refuses, insisting that he cannot send troops out unless they are to escort the princess. He also explains that General H should stop making things difficult...



5.General H goes to help and makes it clear to everyone that Wusan did not send troops but the Han envoy protecting the Heqin did (this should bolster her image). Meanwhile, Wen and Joeyou were captured and are in cages....General H is looking for her but has described her as a maidservant to the Heqin princess...



6.That night, Han and General Li (Wusan) are attempting to attack a Xiognu camp, but they are completely surrounded in a surprise attack. We learn from Han that this is an attempt by Xiognu to use the Heqin princess as a way to provoke Han (since they hate one another). Because fire arrows are used in this attack, Jieyou and Wen are in danger of burning to death in their cage.



7.This is a very poignant scene as Wen demonstrates his love and devotion to Jieyou as he refuses to leave hers side. Unfortunately, a little girl whom they befriended is killed in front of them during the cross fire, depicting the brutality of war, and giving Jieyou a brutal lesson in what war does. Wen has to physically restrain a hysterical Jieyou who wants to help the dead girl



8.Not long after, an unconscious Jieyou is delivered to General H, who orders him to protect her well. In the company of Feng Lio and A-Tsai, the two women take care of an unconscious Jieyou. She comes to and has a private talk with Feng Liao about her feelings for Wen, which Fen tells her not only does she know, but an idiot would know they care for one another. She also tells her she respects her for being so daring as to elope with the kunmi's brother, but goes on to tell her that a lot of people have a lot of hope that she, as a Han princess, can reduce or end the endless fighting in the border areas of the empire....(after seeing that kid die I think she is 100% less likely to elope)



9.In an intense (an completely unexpected scene) General H confronts Wen. Wen wants to (basically) elope with Jieyou, consequences be damned. But general H makes it clear that she has a greater mission. They get into a fight, and General H deals what looks like a killing blow (remember, Wen still has injuries from earlier) and tosses his body in the river. He returns to the camp and tells Marquis Xi that they encountered Xiognu on the road and they killed him (Xi is horrified at this news because that is the king's favorite brother)



10. Jieyou overhears, and she pulls Han into a tent. In an extremely charged scene (such excellent acting on both their parts!) he tells her he took an arrow in the heart and is dead. General H looks like he is about to attack her (like it looks like he is almost bitter/happy to tell her this news because he might like her or be jealous of Wen) and she starts to laugh and tells him she doesn't believe it. He gives her the dagger, and she looks furious, and nearly kills him, wanting to know how he came back alive (nevermind he is bleeding pretty bad) and he insists that Wen wanted her to have it, to protect herself (he would do that)



11.In a great speech, she tells him that she is the only one going against destiny, that she has always lived for herself and never felt selfish, that her one act of selfishness led to her greatest happiness but also heartbreaking consequences (her acting is so good! her facial expressions are fantastic!)



12.Meanwhile, at the capital of Wusan, Marquis Xi meets with Kunmi and is able to maintain the Kunmi's trust (WTF?) and he also is sure that Wengui is not dead because of his skill. Kunmi will not release news of his death until the body is found and confirmed. He Gu, the Xiognu princess, arrives and in order to appease politics, Kunmi meets her.



13.Meanwhile, Jieyou, demonstrating her remarkable ability to either move on,or more likely, bury her feelings, tells General H that they must move past this and she is not angry at him (probably she knows she needs as many friends as she can get moving forward) (wait till she finds out what he did...)

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apr 22, 2017

ep 7 spoilers ahead

1.We open to Jieyou undergoing extensive and intensive bride training. She has to learn everything from etiquette to formal education on classics, formal language, etc.



2.Jieyou offers A-Tsai/Cai another escape but she is adamant that she will go. Jieyou remarks that from here on out it is just the two of them...



3.Meanwhile, Wen has returned home and reports to his father. He learns Kunmi has agreed to a marriage alliance with the Xiongnu (what about Han? what will Wen do when he finds out his 'wife' is marrying someone else?)



4.Wen meets with Kunmi. From their conversatioin we learn that Kunmi will wed Hu Gu, the daughter of the Chief of Xiognu, someone who they have known since childhood, is the number 1 beauty of the Xiognu (of course) and is known to be sneaky (of course). She will be the next Queen Mother, and Wen cautions him to be careful because she is sneaky but Kunmi doesn't seem to care....



5.In the next scene, the emperor is sending Jieyou off in a stunning/unique bridal outfit. She makes one more request of the emperor, that when she dies of old age, she is buried in Han (so dramatic). She looks back once, and the look on her face/in her eyes is so sad! The scene changes to General H who is personally entrusted by the emperor to be Jieyou's personal guard and the Han envoy, and to let him know the moment there is a problem AND investigate the cause of Princess Xi Jun's death...



6.Crying buckets of tears as she says good bye to her adoptive father...



7.In contrast, we go to Mi Gu, who is leaving her father and she is vowing to 'win' (so different from Jieyou's tearful goodbye; Mi Gu is much more cool and confident)



8.Meanwhile Wen is talking to Kunmi about his future marriage (he obtained permission) to bring back Jieyou (little does he know his brother is about to marry her!)



9.On the way to Wusan they stop as they enounter a 'man' who is clearly a girl, Feng Liao. General H overreacts but Jieyou finds it amusing. She reveals the woman's identity and then she manages to gain a new friend in Feng Liao, who agrees to escort her to Wusan. (Fang Laio is Genera; H's future love interest?)



10.The Xiognu appear to be following them. Then there is an attack (epic), guess who comes to the rescue? WEN! What will she do? EVERYONE can sense there is something between these two--so sad...not fair....(why can't he turn greedy, assassinate his brother, and marry her....?)

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apr 21, 2017

ep 6 spoilers ahead

1.The selection of the next Heqin is underway. Jieyou attempts to calm a panicking Jing Jun by making her laugh (she suggests that she beg the emperor to not let her go, cry until her make up starts running and she is foaming at the mouth). The emperor walks in and calls Jing Jun's name (naturally she stands) and now the emperor sees he was lied to by Jieyou (recall she took her identity briefly)



2.Jieyou stands up to the emperor, and speaks out, especially when a minister tries to make trouble by insisting Lord Chu rudely sent the daughter of a criminal to be interviewed. Jieyou explains she is here to serve Princess Jing Jun, that it is the emperor's fault for assuming she is Jing Jun, that Lord Chu did nothing wrong, and then she accuses the court of being unjust (yea!)



3.The emperor decides that she will have a title and will be the Heqin (she just had to speak up...)



4.She insists she is not a good candidate because she only knows troupe skills and desires freedom. She insists that this is a big mistake. But the emperor gives a flowery speech and essentially says this is destiny...



5.At first, A-Tsai (or A-Cai/her troupe sister) does not believe her at first. However she wants to escape because of her promise to Wen. So she and A-Tsai try to escape and are unfortunately detained by General H who reasons if she escapes it will bring shame to the Han dynasty (that's pretty heavy). General H karate chops her and she is unconscious. Later, he reports to the emperor that she tried to escape. The emperor is amused by this and warns General H that based on Jieyou's temper they must be on guard for another escape attempt



6.Jieyou is so desperate to be free that she is willing to risk her health (i.e. doing something that leads to a learning disability) She also tells A-Tsai that she would rather die than do something against her will (so she is stubborn to a fault)(If I had to pick death or marriage I would pick marriage). General H pops in and knocks the poison out of her hand and tells her that they have no control over their destiny. She strongly disagrees. It seems to have an impact on him because he agrees to help her escape (is this a trick? it seems so anti his nature)



7.The next morning, A-Tsai is brought before Lord Chu. She insists she doesn't know where Jieyou went. Princes Jing Jun is ready to torture the truth out of her when General H strolls in. He intervenes, saves A-Tsai, and reports that Jieyou is out of the city. He also reports that he knew this and did not try to stop her (Of all the things to report, this is not going to go over well with Jing Jun)



8.In front of Lord Chu Princess Jing Jin basically implies he must have some sort of special feeling for her (the look on General H's face kind of implies she caught him). Lord Chu locks A-Tsai up (aww) but he then tells General H that he will explain this to the emperor, gives him the seal to the city, and tells General H to protect her happiness (aww!)



9.She actually never left, it was all a ploy to give her time to escape. She says goodbye to her adoptive father, who tells her they will find her when she settles down (and he wants to know where Wen is when you need him). Lord H goes to get Jieyou (dressed as a boy) and he seems to be really excited (does he like her?)



10.Whoa, someone betrayed him! They are stopped at the gate, and the guards tell General H that he has done his job well, and will be awarded with 500 Taels of gold and a noble title (I don't think he knew about this) but she screams at General H that she will hate him forever (aww)



11,A funny exchange occurs between Jieyou and the emperor, who seems to have taken this personally. He finds her interesting because 1)she isn't afraid to challenge him and 2)he hasn't killed her for her audacity. It's unfortunate for her, but the more she fights, the more she endears herself to him and makes him think she would be ideal for this position (the last princess died quietly; he wants a princess who can defend herself)



12.Lord Chu's ill-timed visit to apologize is an opportunity for the emperor to manipulate the situation to his advantage. He is going to strip him of his position for disobeying him . She rushes out and begs for her uncle to be forgiven and agrees to do what the emperor wants



13.A-Tsai will accompany her to Wusan (yay!). Meanwhile General H is with the emperor who tells him to pick his own path. Gen H is almost in tears as he says he must protect Jieyou (is he in love with her?)



14.In a dramatic scene in which Gen H forces Jieyou to cut him we learn his father killed himself in order that he live with honor, that the emperor is someone whom he feels he owes, as well as her and Lord Chu, and that he can only pay this debt by following her and protecting her with his life (this is good she is going to need some loyal people under her)



15.She visits the emperor and pleads on behalf of her family and General H, that they have an opportunity to regain their honor....(the emperor really finds her charming. so do I)



-Another good episode

-I really like how it is filmed, with the camera angles, it's different

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apr 21, 2017

episode 5 spoilers ahead

1.We open to Wen who is again visiting the emperor. Here he presents initially as a somewhat lazy, laid back kind of fellow, even managing to order wine, but it is all part of an act designed to open up a more serious and delicate conversation: Wen acknowledges that Wusan is aware that Han has camps that are in favor of ignoring Wusan and dispensing with alliances and groups that favor Wusan. He points out that Wusan is the sameL there are factions that favor the Han and alliances that favor Xiognu. He explains that is precisely why he had trouble meeting him--the pro Xiognu alliance didn't want him to get here. but he explains that if he chooses to not enter an alliance then in 5 years he can guarantee Wusan and Han will meet in war, and that is something he hopes to avoid.



2.The emperor asks his ministers who should be the heqin (princess). Unsurprising, no one wants to volunteer since the last one met an unfortunate end. But somebody volunteers the daughter of Lord Chu, Princess Jin Jun. She's 28 (ancient in those days)--it isn't a bad idea since it would give them an opportunity to raise their family honor...but she is in love with General H.....the ministers bicker, some trying to suggest Wusan should not receive a Heqin....the emperor ultimately decides all the official daughters will be entered in for selection....



3.Meanwhile, a bored Jieyou appears to be languishing in her new role. A very funny scene follows, as she turns and like magic General H is there. She expresses her frustration at being made a bird in a cage and at him for following her. They have some fun interactions.....



4.OMG i hate it when female characters hate other women for petty reasons....so princess is going to scheme so she isn't selected....she views people like objects ugh



5.Fortunately, Jieyou can handle herself. She doesn't fall for Jin Jun's suicide act and even uses her own words to reassure her that she should be fine (her troup sister is trying no laugh in the background)



6.Later, she drops a piece of cloth wih a poem on it. her troup sister, Ah Cai, teases her so she calls General H over and says he wrote it--it is a funny scene....



7.Jieyou gets into an interesting talk with General H. She learns he was an orphan, how old he was (13) and that his relatives did not want him. He tells Jieyou that she is lucky to not only not experience that but be raised in a loving family. We also learn that he is the child of a traitor too. He assumes she is pitying him but she says he is wrong, that she now knows why he is cold and icy (she is teasing him)



8.She encourages him to be happy and suggest he write or sing to be happy if he can't (I hope he doesn't fall for her...)(the princess jin jin is watching all of this...and is so jealous)(I do feel kind of bad for her) That night Princes Jin Jun confesses to him and gets turned down twice (ouch--I feel like he has a motive for that)



9.Wen tries to find Jieyou but can't seem to locate her (he wants to bring her home as his wife)



10.General H and Jieyou briefly escape the manor together because General H is worried Princess Jin Jun is trying to kill her (he does not have a good opinion of her) they run into the emperor, he mistakes her for Jin Jun, and they do not correct him...



11.Later, Jin Jun tries to apologize...She is able to get her to agree to accompany to her the meeting. General H continues to show concern for Jieyou, it doesn't seem romantic; she points out his concern and it akes him uncomfortable. He describes Princess Jing Jun as someone who hasn't grown up and is jealous of a courageous person....



-I really like this show so far

-I want to see Wen and Jieyou reunited

-I want to see better development of the other characters

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apr 21, 2017

episode 4 spoilers ahead

1.We open up to the inn. After some flirting between the two leads (they have very good chemistry) Wen retires to his room. A ninja sneaks in but reveals himself as one of Wen's men. He delivers wine (yes, wine) and a message: the Han emperor still has not issued the marriage alliance they so desperately need. Wen (who still has not revealed his true identity) informs his ninja friend to spread the following rumor: The General was attacked by assassins and is recovering at a local inn (presumably he wants to boost their image and delay returning home).



2.Meanwhile, Jieyou goes to Chu manor. General Li sent her with a letter of recommendation (I imagine this pertains to her family). She is supposed to meet with General Huai, but he refuses to see her citing work. (He could have work to do....he's a general)



3.She chooses to sit on the stoop and wait until General Huai has time. The guards gossip about the families bad luck. We learn that the General is out of favor with the emperor and that unfortunate things keep happening to him. While she is waiting someone starts chucking rocks at her (yes rocks) and it turns out to be Wen. She tosses them right back. What follows is a conversation where he teases her some more and says she looks so pitiful, and how he is embarrassed looking at her (it is actually a funny exchange)



4.General Huai (a hott general Huai) emerges from the manor and watches them. She notices him about to get away and blocks his path with the letter. He refuses to read it, prompting Wen to intervene and insist he read it. They almost lose this chance but the two are able to use his current predicament of having lost a birthday gift (it caught on fire) to catch his attention...



5.General H seems to be amused by her, but when he sees her jade pendant he seems to recognize it but will not confirm that he does. He tells her to prepare her gift--she will use her troupe to perform songs and dances from Lady Chu's home of Duahuang--and maybe he will help her...



--She is so endearing.. She is very smart and coy but at the same time incredibly simple....I don't know who to compare her to...she is very happy go lucky and warm/affectionate/free spirited--



6.In the middle of the night Wen tells her he is leaving the truth. She pretends not care, and he admits that it is temporary. He gives her his precious dagger and promises her that he will follow her, whatever life she chooses (awwwww!) and this seems to make her blush (she won't admit it but she definitely likes him they flirt all the time) --Most women would act wishy washy or get angry but she seems excited by this little game of his and jumps on board, playing along with him (wait until she finds out who he is!)



7.He kisses her, and she (sadly)does the frozen face thing and hits him (she should have kissed him back! he's handsome & fun to be around & he isn't misogynistic---very playful personality for being a god of death)



8.General H is extremely dense or perhaps overly proper. As he takes the troupe through the palace they run into the Pretty Princess Jun, who is a bit...nasty but clearly is in love with him. He seems to not notice or not care. Or maybe he does care. But it is amusing to see Jieyou and her troupe oh and ah over the pretty things they see (like normal people)



9.WHOA Jieyou is pretty as a belly dancer (the costume is so cute) er, unfortunately it is the kind of thing that, in this time period, probably makes men do things with impunity. It also makes the princess very jealous. The birthday girl (old madam) is pleased so the troupe will be rewarded well.



10.Unsurprisingly, the General Zhang, who drank too much, tries to drag her to bed but she is with General Huai. She is able to protect herself well enough (likely used to it being in a troupe). The jerk was going to cut her to ribbons when she turned her back and called her a bad name but General H intervened.



11.We learn a LOT. So General Huai reveals that she has the pendant in order to save her. We learn that she is likely the daughter of Lord Chu's elder brother. He was believed to be a traitor and he, his wife, and daughter went to Xi Yu (where she was found). That would make grumpy princess her cousin and Lord Chu her uncle. Sadly, we learn her parents died of plague (aww)



12.Even though she doesn't want to stay, she is essentially talked into staying for a brief time to meet her family (it would only be polite). She has a frank conversation with general Huai who tells her she will never be free of her reputation of having a traitor for a father--she says so what, that it doesn't mean she will be a traitor and besides, her family loves him (that's right! who cares about what they think! never mind how naive that sounds!)



---hahahaha she tells General H that she would rather be naive and happy than smart and miserable---



13.Old Madame is so happy to be reunited with her (princess is there--i sincerely hope they become friends). they all acknowledge to her that they have suffered because of her father. But she calls them out on this. She points out that this is just life when you live under the emperor, that it is common for families to fall out of favor, and that at the end of the day, not only has she personally suffered the most she didn't b**** about it.



14.Her speech seems to strike a chord in General H, who has a flashback of being a child and being mistreated by the royal family (there is more to him than meets the eye). This speech pleases her family and endears her to them (except princess)



15.Meanwhile,, Wen meets with the emperor. He tries to give him a vague response but he will not leave, and even rudely gets to close to him. Wen essentially tells him that they need a princess and the alliance benefits everyone. The emperor seems to be amused by his audacity and says he will give him an answer in 3 days.



16.Meanwhile, after re affirming that she and her troupe sister are sisters for life, Jieyou is called to princes Jin's room who tries to humiliate her by assuming that she will be a fool and assume the role of slave girl and serve her (she asks her to do her make up). But Jieyou isn't stupid. She paints her to look like a clown.



----I really, really like this series and the leads have such great chemistry!

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apr 20, 2017

Episode 3 spoilers ahead

1.We open to Wen Gui and Jieyou surrounded by Xiongnu soldiers, staring down the end of a blade pointed at them. The man holding it is General Yu Li and he is willing to let them go if she makes good on a promise to lead them to a lake (water is more important than gold)



2.Wen is stunned she is able to get the general to swear an oath to her and seems part amused part exhausted. Nevertheless, on the way to this lake they trade witty banter and essentially he asks her if she will get his dagger back from the general (he is tied, and the dagger is important). She is amazed at his lack of scruples since he has been mooching off of her and her troupe since they met, but she agrees after he makes it rain compliments on her and calls her 'master'.



3.They arrive at the river and as promised, they release them. But only one of them. The general is attracted to Jieyou. Playing coy, she manages to steal the dagger back but when the general tackles her to the ground, as if to rape her, Wen loses it and makes it rain death on the soldiers. He grabs her and they steal a horse, riding off together. She lectures him since she put croton powder in their water (I want to say this is a diarrehtic)



4.They return to the troupe with fresh water and everyone is happy. Unfortunately, she has lost her jade pendant, and it upsets her so much she cries. Wen promises to get the pendant back and meet her in three days time outside of Duanhang City (he makes her promise not to go in the city). They part ways, however, in spite of all of her attempts, the troupe leader refuses to wait outside the city because they will not make money.



5.At Commander Li's Post (Duanhang) (he is a Han General) he discovers a note about a spy in the city possessing the very dagger that Jieyou has. They think it is a Xiongnu spy. So they order that the person in possession of it be arrested. Meanwhile, the Xiognu sneak into the city disguised as merchants. Wen is able to steal the pendant back but not before being arrested as a spy as he was perceived to be with the Xiongnu (they are able to escape the city)



6.Jieyou is captured and since they threaten to harm and torture her family she confesses. She is to be executed. In her cell she begs god to protect her troupe members and the family she has not met. She even asks him to protect 'that bastard' Wen. She laments her life and doesn't want to die.



7.Before she is executed, she tries to tell herself it will be over quickly but someone next to her says that won't be the case if the sword isn't sharp and it could take ten chops. She turns and sees Wen. This further upsets her. They begin to bicker while Commander Li watches, eyebrows raised.



8.Wen tells her that in the underworld ghosts mock and bully single people. She laments this but refuses his offer marriage because she wants to die pure, which makes him laugh and he asks her how she could possibly be concerned about that at a time like this. After a lot of pressure she swears to marry him before god. Only AFTER she does this does he use his martial arts to stop the sword. He then pulls of the disguise he was wearing and grins at Commander Li, who recognizes him as an old friend. Naturally this infuriates her further and makes her cry again.



9. Commander Li sees her jade pendant (since Wen returns it to her) and asks her about it. he also asks her troupe to confirm this. It seems to be important, and he says he is going to look a little more into it. They return to Chang'an (Wen, the troupe, her) and they stop at an inn but there aren't enough rooms. Wen chooses to announce to everyone that it's okay, since he can share a room with his new wife...



10.Meanwhile, Yun li returns to his people and after submitting his report they are able to confirm Wen is alive. Their plan is to kill Wen because he is a huge threat to them right now.

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apr 19, 2017

ep 1 spoilers ahead

Well here we are episode 1! I am very excited to begin this show as it is a little different from other shows that I have seen. Let's see how it is :D This is my first non-fantasy in quite a while.



1.Our story begins with a narration describing several important events: It is the beginning of the Han dynasty, and Emperor Lu We Che is trying to consolidate his power. But in the far north is the Xiongnu tribe, a military power and rival to Han. Between these two powerful nations, in the western land, is the Wusun tribe. They serve as an intermediary between Han and Xiongnu.



2.Princess Xijun, a daughter to the Han emperor, dies at the very beginning of an unknown illness at Chigu (the Wusun capital). At the same time the Kunmi (king of Wusun) learns she is one month pregnant. She married him to solidify an alliance with Han. Her death means the end of that alliance. It is strongly implied to the viewer that the young princess was poisoned, as a maid switches out her medicine and disappears before she can be apprehended (only one maid notices this).



3.The Kunmi sends an envoy to the Han Emperor to secure another marriage. He sends the General of the Left and prince, Wenggui. His envoy is attacked by men from Xiongnu (they were hiding in the sand, it is actually a very cool fight scene). Wenggui suffers heavy injuries but manages to survive.



4.Not far from the battle is a travelling troop of performers. Our female lead appears. She is looking for the water they have traveled three days for, and comes across the blood bath. She recognizes the swords as being Xiongnu, but she does not know the man. She has words for him because his killing has contaminated the water. Wenggui is silent, so she starts calling him mute. Then he leaves. Fortunately, the Xiongnu soldiers have canteens. Jieyeou (female lead) takes from a body a very ornate dagger...(they also loot the corpses for money)



5.Meanwhile, the Han emperor receives a diplomat from Wusun (a survivor of the attack). He learns that Xijun is dead. This seems to visibly upset him, and there is a brief flashback to him telling her that she must marry into Wusun.



6.We return to Kunmi, who is walking with two royal family members, an old man and a youngman. The young man seems a little grovelly while the old man seems kind of proud. We learn the old man is Wenggui's father. They are reporting that Wenggui was attacked, but should still be alive. The old man brags that his son is the best general they have, is very smart, but also unpredictable/difficult to understand.



7.Meanwhile, in Han, the diplomat requests and is granted a private audience with the emperor that night. The envoy reports that they were attacked and that Wenggui is missing. He requests an edict to help find him, and reports he waited to tell him because he did not want the news out since he is injured.



8.Back in Xiongnu, they appear for the first time and are seen doing military exercises. A messenger delivers a hand drawn portrait of Wenggui, and the man in charge of these soldiers gives the order for Wenggui to be hunted down....



9.Meanwhile, the troop stops at a town to perform. There is a woman performing whom Jieyou appears to admire. But she injures herself as she is distracted by soldiers (Xiongnu) in the crowd. For the first time, Jieyou has an opportunity to use her magic tricks (she has never performed; her father clearly has no faith in her and thinks it will end badly). The crowd seems to like her until the box trick. (A box with a false bottom). The trick is stalled because of Wenggui, who is hiding from the soldiers. He runs off, attracting the soldiers...



10.Later, the troop leaves and takes refuge in an abandoned military base. They find Wenggui in the box, and after examining him her father reports that he has been poisoned by the arrows in him. They need rootless water (rain) to purify and detox him. Luckily, a storm rolls through! Jieyou uses the fancy knife she found (after burning it for sanitation) and digs out the poison. She is not very gentle and seems to enjoy causing pain for Wenggui, whom she doesn't seem overly fond of.



11.After, as she cleans the knife, Wenggui watches her and she smiles at him, and he seems a bit...thunderstruck? Later, that night, when everyone is asleep she goes to check on him and he pulls her down (such a common scene in dramas). He basically intimates that he likes her without directly saying it, but she is obtuse and it goes over her head. He also lies and says that he is a travelling merchant. She challenges him and explains that no merchant is so skilled at fighting but he is able to defend his point and she believes him. He wants her to return to the capital with him but she must stay with her family...



____

Thoughts:

This looks like it will be good. Aside from the time period and location, the costumes are also unique compared to the dramas I normally watch. I am excited to see what happens next. The acting is good, and the way it is filmed is kind of interesting. I think they are tying to emphasize realism/human nature, with the kind of angles they film, zoom in and out, and the fade-to-black between scenes. Interesting.

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apr 19, 2017

ep 38 spoilers ahead

1.Xue Huan and Shu Shu are reunited in the Black Stone Cave. The six tailed fox is also here (he is also the divine healer) it seems that his cultivation has been destroyed by the Ice Thorn of Feng Valley. the woman who kidnapped Xue Huan cares deeply for him and plans to use Xue Huan as a sacrifice to use the fire mirror and save him



2.Meanwhile, it seems something is holding Bi Yao back from harming Xiao Fan...I bet she gets her memories back soon...



3.Si Niang (the girl who kidnapped Xue Huan) and her people are poisoned. She think Xiao Fan did it and incapacities them. It was actually someone else (poison guy) who is trying to kill Xiao Fan, or rather, get Bi Yao to do it (twisted)



(That is basically what happens this episode)

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apr 19, 2017

ep 37 review

1.Not much happens in this episode. They continue to search for Xue Huan and it ends with them confronting the woman who kidnapped her, although they do not have evidence to really go at her.
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apr 19, 2017

ep 36 spoilers ahead

1.Basically,we get Xue Qi's back story. This entire location triggers her because she is from the desert.



2.It seems she came from a poor family and was sold as a slave. Her shifu acquired her, gave her freedom and trained her (hence she loves her most)



3,Other than this glimpse into Xue Qi's past, this episode (I think) isn't very interesting.
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apr 19, 2017

ep 31 spoilers ahead

1.We open to Xiao Fan and Bi Yao munching on chicken. She says this will probably be something they cannot do in the future together (implying they will be enemies) but he tells her to focus on the present.



2.Meanwhile, Ghost King is worried his daughter was hurt because nameless one/city guard has her bracelet that holds the heavenly scroll. He is adamant that she is safe, that he brought it in order to create an alliance.



3.Meanwhile Xiao Fan says he will help her find her bracelet but she says no worries, only she can open it. She tries to get him to see her father so he can help with his illness but he refuses, and she angrily storms off.



4.He follows, and they run into her father (in disguise). He asks Xiao Fan a series of questions. We learn 1)his weapon contains the blood pearl 2)the wand itself is a soul capturing stick 3)the former is so rare only one person had one (elderheart) and 4)the latter is so rare no one has seen it because it takes 1000 years to form and requires many malicious souls 5)the soul capturing stick will cause someone's blood to flow backwards and heart to stop if they are within 30 feet of it which begs the question--why is Xiao Fei alive, and using a demonic holy object?



5.He tells Xiao Fei he must be a very fortunate person to wield such a weapon and be alive. They get into a debate about morals and evil, and the old man challenges Xiao Fan's world view, stating that the Qin Lan sacred sword is the most evil weapon alive. Xiao Fan shows to be open minded and states that it doesn't matter if he uses an evil weapon so long as it is for good. This earns the other man's respect and he tells him that few people are so open minded



6.Later, Bi Yao gives her father the second heavenly scroll. Her father has a talk with Mr. Ghost and they agree that Xiao Fan is extraordinary and someone they should get on their side



7.Xiao Fan visits Bi Yao (sneaks into the ghost sect)



8.Yu helps senior brother (who we also learn is the ghost sect sacrifice) but senior brother betrays him and infects him! (no!)

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apr 19, 2017

ep 30 spoilers ahead

1.We open to Xuan Hua who is having a discussion with Shu Shu. The former explains that Bi Yao and Xiao Fan have a shared fate, but the latter insists that Xiao Fan's loyalty to Qin Lan will ruin any relationship. She disagrees and explains that Bi Yao would change fate or at least try to so they are together--basically that love can change fate...



2.Meanwhile, Yang Zi is injured and stumbling through the woods. He is surrounded by snakes and suspects it is the poison god. It is not. It is a guy with a mask going by 'nameless one'. He uses power and the promise to avenge him if he tells him the location of the heavenly book...



3.Bi Yao,meanwhile, is contemplative while her Auntie and 'brother' watch. Her Auntie wants her to abandon this love, while he insists that the people in their sect would die for love. He suggests to leave her alone, and that the worse kind of fate is a life without happiness....



4.Senior Brother has a shaky hold on himself. Yu confronts him after catching him in a lie. Senior Brother is crafty and says he has been spying on the demon sect, that he drank a poison that has made him ill to 1)prove how evil the demon sect is 2)show his loyalty. (It seems like he hates the ghost sect because they have power over him i.e. he needs the antidote. I think he desires power and that is his goal. Hypocrite)



5.Meanwhile,Aunt warns Bi Yao to 'not fall into the same fate that she experienced' and that 'regret is the worse medicine'. I think she once loved someone and was hurt.



6.Bi Yao reveals she knows her father's plan (or part of it). Her aunt insists that the god is not going to cause a calamity.



7.Later, her aunt is confronted by nameless guy, but instead of attacking her, heruns off. She sends a warning to Bi Yao.



8.Aunty then runs into Xiao Fan, who is looking for Bi Yao. She calls him out. he insists that he wants to convince Bi Yao to give him the heavenly book and hide it (he is so naive) not allowing any sect to have it...



9.Bi Yao's broken heart flower is stolen by the nameless guy (it is supposed to have the heavenly scroll in it).

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apr 18, 2017

ep 29 spoilers ahead

A lot happens this episode.



1.The Azhure Dragon (Qi Long/Bi Yao's 'brother'), Jing Yu and Satou (the new city leader) discuss their next move. Qi Long is surprised his sister is in love with Xiao Fan, Jing Yu continues to be impressed by Xiao Fan's good luck (personally, it is hard to say if it is luck or skill either way he owes a lot of his success to Bi Yao's help). Satou announces his desire to avenge the deaths of his clansmen by killing Yang Zi (Long Life Sect Leader).



2.Xiao Fan & Bi Yao sink beneath the lake. (This is green screen but it is pretty. Like outerspace-looking). Meanwhile Yang Zi is furious that they have disappeared. He orders his troops to surround the city and make sure no one escapes and focuses his powers on finding them.



3.Xiao Fan and Bi Yao learn that they are not beneath the lake but inside the second heavenly scroll. A disembodied voice speaks to them and calls them 'descendants of Si Tu'. He says he is the memory of the first city leader and will fade away once the scroll has been taken. He says he has been waiting 1000 years.



4.Meanwhile, Sitoue chases down a cloaked figure. It is Yun Shu, the mute girl who we all thought jumped to her death. She tells him that she is of the sea clan, and that the tidal wave was her fault(!) the result of her sorrow. Yang Zi directed it at his family, ,killing so many people. She has felt a lot of guilt. Her parents gave her half of their life so she could return to say good bye. Essentially they proclaim their life, promise to be together forever, but she uses the rest of her power to prevent Yang Zi from obtaining the heavenly scroll. She dies in Sitoue'sarms...



5.Xiao Fan is told that if he has the second scroll he will be strong enough to defeat Yang Zi. But because he is a commoner, he might 'explode and die' (yes) Xiao Fan doesn't care about this (I would) and agrees to accept it. He receives it, but is unable to tolerate it. Bi Yao uses her magic to remove it.



6.Yue watches Bi Yao lower, cradling Xiao Fan. They clearly look like lovers....



7. The scene changes and Bi Yao is making medicine for Xiao Fan. Her Aunt (the woman dressed as a dancer) lectures her for risking her life and tells her she is behaving recklessly and that no matter what she does the noble sects will lump her together with evil people.



8.Bi Yao sends the medicine over. Yue takes it (Xiao Fan is not there). He tells her to give him the scroll, that they must have it because it is an order from their sect leader (also, just before this their senior brother yells at them for working with a demon girl I don't like him). Yue accuses her of taking the scroll, proving all along that she should not be trusted. Bi Yao doesn't tell him she took it out to save him. She turns it around and accuses him of using her. Yue does not respond. She says he will have to kill her--Yue seems prepared to but her Aunt intervenes.



9.As Bi Yao leaves she tells him to be wary of Cai (I think she should stop helping them). Xiao Fan tells Yue that of course she wouldn't just hand it over.



---This show is so odd. It has some interesting plot points but so much unnecessary filler.....

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apr 18, 2017

ep 28 spoilers ahead

1.Now that the young fortress master has escaped, Yu Yangzi brings out a 'fake' before the fortress people, proves it is a fake, and then tells everyone that the members of the Qinlan Sect are not to be trusted and are teamed up with the ghost king to trick them. Brother Qi seems to be his hostage



2.At the end of this speech, what looks like the 'ghost' of the young sect leader appears, accusing Yangzi of his crimes. It has a big impact. Xiao Lan attacks Yangzi, and Bi Lao frees Brother Qi while the crowd rebels.



3.Yagnzi appears to be seriously injured and the sect members and blood bug disappear. When things seem stable, Bi Yao leaves. They are allowed to go because Yue and Xiao don't want to involve them farther. However Xiao seems to have some memories about the blood bug and Yue reminds Xiao to not let Brother Qi know what is going on (he really does not seem to trust him...)



4.Xiao recalls that Boss Nian used this very same blood bug...



5.Meanwhile, Yangzi seems to have swallowed the blood bug/worm. He looks like he is dying while his students surround him..



6.Change scene to Sitoue who is thanking everyone for helping him get his throne back. (He gets over death of a loved one so easily) . He admits to the Quling guys and ghost guys that he does not know where the Ding Hai Pearl is--yet again Yue shows animosity to the demon sect (I find this so annoying, one minute he is nice, then he is mean)



7.Xiao Fan is in a conundrum. If he has the pearl, it would make him Bi Yao's enemy because her father wants it. Xiao promises Yue that he won't give it to Bi Yao...Xiao Fan shares that he does not believe that Bi Yao wants her father to revive the beast god



8.In a conversation between Azure Dragon and Bi Yao, he warns her to distance herself from Xiao fan if she loves him. He warns her that they will always be targeted by the righteous sects, who do not differentiate between demons and evil, and we learn that over half of their people were slain (innocent people) by these sects. We learn that the ghost king is trying to protect their kingdom to prevent their sect from being massacred



9.Disciples of Yang Zi help to cure him. We learn he had to swallow the blood worm and use up half his cultivation to survive; he needs the heavenly book to merge with him to survive (also he says this worm has an evil nature...)





10.Xiao Fan finds the pearl; Sitoue gives it and all responsibility of it to him



12.Senior Brother confronts Yue and warns him that if they get involved with Bi Yao again he will not cover for them and report it...he tells Yue if they bring the Pearl back they can make up for their wrongs (isn't he a spy though?)\



13.Xiao Fan returns her bracelet to Bi Yao. She also demands the pearl, at knife point. In front of all of his friends, he refuses (I think she did this on purpose, to both boost his image and sever their ties)



14.Yangzi steals the pearl, Bi Yao has lost power, and Xiao Fan tries to save Bi Yao without causing poison to be released....

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apr 18, 2017

ep 27 spoilers ahead

1.Yun Shu and Xiao Fan arrive in the hidden chamber to rescue their respective love interests. For reasons unknown, Yun Shu can draw out the blood bug (who is she?). They all escape together. They meet Yue outside but then run into Yun Zi (Long Life Sect Leader). Yue fights him and tells the others to escape, so they do.



2.It seems Yun Shu may be related to the Long Life Sect. She apologizes to Sitou for lying (does he die in her arms?) Meanwhile Yu is now the prisoner of Yun Zi and it becomes a game of 'you are more bad'. Yu accuses him of despicable acts like taking over the mountain and raising demon bugs. Yun Zi accuses him of cooperating with a demon girl and having his maid (Yun Shu) kidnapped...Yun Shu seems to heal Satou some more. She urges Bi Yao and Xiao Fan to hurry up and go. Because she has a plan.



3.Her plan? Take Bi Yao's cloak, thus assuming her identity, and plunging to her death in front of Yun Zi soldiers???



4.Although they have not come out and said it, scenes like this (Bi Yao and Xiao at a camp fire) show how much they care for one another



5.We learn that the princess and Xiao actually met by chance one, though they did not know it, many years ago. When she was in the cave, it seems he thought an animal was down there and so he threw a bun inside--so that would mean that she did not eat her mom, she was eating a bun!



6.We learn from Sitoue that 1)Yun Shu is a fairy goddess from the ocean and would one day return....2)that the day of the tsunami, Yun Zi told him to give him the hidden treasure (something that could make you really strong) ohhh so I guess that why he kept him locked up...



7.We learn that Bi Yao can only play a limited role since her internal power has been hurt, and that since Yun Zi believes she is dead, he will take Jing Yue as a hostage...

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